Synopsis of Municipal Records ~ 1838~1898
In 1834 the population of Swan's Island
had increased to nearly two hundred inhabitants, and the
settlers, having long felt the disadvantages of an unorganized
place, thought that the time had come when the number of
inhabitants warranted an organization into some local
government. Many local matters of considerable moment to the
settlers were neglected by the State authorities; roads needed
to be built and kept in repair, and, above all, some regular
method was needed of furnishing instruction to the young.
Concerning the first organization there is no record known to
exist. It is supposed that the first record and those of the
three following years were burned in a house where the records
were kept that was destroyed by fire.
Whether a regular plantation form of
government was incorporated according to the requirements of
law, or whether the settlers merely met by mutual agreement and
chose their officers without any formality, will probably never
be known, as no record of their proceedings was made to the
secretary of State. Whether this omission was the result of
carelessness or not, I do not know.
Concerning the year of this organization
I am informed by Benj. Smith, esq., who was present at that
first meeting, and although but a boy he remembered distinctly
not only the year (1834) but also the officers who were then
elected. I also find in the record of the meeting held in 1839
that it was voted to abate a tax on Benjamin F. Staples' bills
for the year 1834; thus showing that an organization must have
existed at that time.
Swan's Island alone constituted this
alleged plantation which started on its career in the spring of
1834 at a meeting held in the house of Ebenezer Joyce, where the
following officers were elected: Assessors, Benjamin Stinson,
Benjamin Smith and James Joyce; clerk, John Stockbridge;
treasurer, Benjamin Stinson; collector of taxes, Benjamin F.
Staples. . No further record is found until that of the year
1838
The assessors chosen this year were
Augustus R. Staples, Edward Gott and Benjamin F. Stinson.
1839
Met at schoolhouse in east district.
Meeting was opened by prayer by Benjamin Stinson. The following
officers were chosen: Benjamin Stinson, moderator and treasurer;
Benjamin F. Stinson, clerk; Benjamin Stinson, Augustus R.
Staples and James Joyce, assessors; collection of taxes bid off
at auction at 3 per cent, by Thomas Sadler. Raised $90 for
schools, $150 for roads, and $25 for plantation expenses.
William Stanley and Levi Torrey were elected school agents;
Benjamin F. Stinson, William Fife and Joseph R. Torrey, school
committee; Asa Staples, John Stockbridge and Edward Gott,
tythingmen; William Joyce and Enoch Billings sextons.
Voted to abate O'Maley's tax on Benjamin
F. Staples' bill for 1834. Voted that no license be given to
sell ardent spirits. Voted that the island be divided so that
three-fifths of the voters shall be in the west district, and
two-fifths in the east district. A road was laid out from John
Stockbridge's to Thomas Sadler's house. The tax list this year
contained fifty persons.
State election was held September 9, and
the following was the vote: For governor, John Fairfield had 19
votes; Edward Kent, 1; for senator, Charles Jarvis, 19;
representative to legislature, Allen Hopkins, 19; Amos Clements,
1.
A meeting was called in the west
district October 8. They voted to finish their schoolhouse, and
raised $60 for the same. The work was set up at auction, and bid
off by Edward Gott. School was to begin December 20, and
continue eight weeks. Master's board bid off by Thomas Colomy
for fifty cents per week. Wood furnished by Benjamin F. Stinson
at one shilling per cord. East district voted to have two and
one-half months' school in winter, and three months in the
summer.
1840
Augustus R. Staples was chosen
moderator; James Joyce, clerk; Benjamin Stinson, Augustus R.
Staples and John Stinson, assessors; Benjamin Stinson,
treasurer. Voted to pay their taxes in directly to the
treasurer. Raised $100 for schools, $150 for highways, and $20
for plantation expenses. Joshua S. Trask and Thomas Colony were
elected school agents; Benjamin F. Stinson, Joseph R. Torrey and
Joshua S. Trask, school committee. Voted to lay out a road from
the highway to Asa C. Staples' house.
School meeting was held in east district
October 14. Voted to begin school the first Monday in January.
Master's board bid off by Ebenezer Joyce at $1 a week. In the
presidential election held this year the democratic electors had
41 votes, the Whigs 3. State election, John Fairfield had 47
votes for governor; Edward Kent 2; representative to the
legislature, Thomas Bunker 47; Amos Clements 2.
1841
Augustus R. Staples, James Joyce and
Joseph R. Torrey were chosen assessors. Raised $100 for schools,
$30 for current expenses, and $130 for highways. William Joyce
and Benjamin Smith were chosen school agents; Augustus R.
Staples, Benjamin F. Stinson and Moses Staples, 3d, school
committee. Voted to abate the tax on gristmill. State election,
the vote cast was as follows: For governor, John Fairfield 49;
Edward Kent 3; representative to the legislature, Amos Allen,
48. At a school meeting it was voted to have two months' school.
Board bid off by Moses Staples, 3d, at seventy-two cents a week.
1842
Benjamin Stinson, William Stinson and
Kimball Herrick were chosen assessors. Raised $100 for schools,
$30 for current expenses, and $150 for highways. Ebenezer Joyce
and Joseph Gott were chosen school agents. Benjamin F. Stinson,
John Adams and Silas Hardy, school committee. Voted to divide
west district. The southeast district to be formed, the line
running between Joseph Gott's and John Gott's; Irish point
district line to run between Abel Lane's and David Smith's.
William Joyce, William Fife and Joseph Gott were chosen
tythingmen. Voted to give east district power to elect its own
school agent. State election, John Fairfield had 34 votes for
governor; Edward Roberson i; for representative to the
legislature, Stephen Allen 34.
1843
John Adams, Ebenezer Joyce and Kimball
Herrick were chosen assessors; John Adams, Benjamin Stinson and
Silas Hardy, school committee. Voted to allow school districts
to choose their own agents. Voted to number the districts: West
district shall be No. 1, east district No. 2, southwest district
No. 3, southeast district No. 4. Raised $100 for schools, $150
for highways, and $40 for current expenses. Voted to lay out a
road from Edmond Stanley's to Widow Gott's house. The school
committee was allowed fifty cents per school for their
compensation. A road to be laid out from the schoolhouse to
Silas Hardy's. In district No. 2 voted to pay summer teacher
$1.00 per week. At the State election the following vote was
cast: For governor, Hugh J. Anderson, 23 votes; representative
to the legislature, Erastus Redman, 23.
1844
Benjamin Stinson, Benjamin Smith, jr.,
and Joseph R. Torrey were chosen assessors; William Joyce and
Samuel Gott tythingmen. Raised $125 for schools, $150 for
highways and $35 for current expenses. Voted that the assessors
lay out a road from William Joyce's to Abel E. Staples' house.
At State election the vote was as follows: For governor, Hugh J.
Anderson, 45; Edward Robinson, 1; for representative to the
legislature, Benjamin F. Stinson, 45; Humphrey Wells, 1. Voted
on an amendment to the constitution so as to establish town
courts. The votes cast were even, 18 yeas and 18 noes.
Presidential election, the democratic electors received 60
votes, the Whigs 1.
1845
Augustus R. Staples, Kimball Herrick and
William Joyce were chosen assessors. John Adams, Benjamin Smith
and Ebenezer Joyce, school committee. Raised $150 for schools,
$40 for current expenses, $61 for arrearages, and $150 for
highways. Voted not to grant license to sell intoxicating
liquors. At the State election the following vote was cast: For
governor, Hugh J. Anderson, 40; Freeman H. Morse, 1;
Representative to the legislature, Hezekiah D. Means, 40. A
meeting was called Feb. 14, 1846, at which it was voted to
prohibit all nonresidents from running hounds, setting traps or
laying poison for any furbearing animal. The penalty to be $50
fine, one-half of which fine to go to the complainant.
1846
Augustus R. Staples, Benjamin F. Staples
and Kimball Herrick, assessors. Raised $150 for schools, $50 for
current expenses, and $150 for highways. Benjamin F. Stinson,
Joshua S. Trask and William Fife, school committee. State
election the following vote was cast: For governor, John W.
Dana, 42; David Bronson, 1; representative to the legislature,
Erastus Redman, 42. A meeting was called Feb. 3, 1847, at which
it was voted that the men who had been chopping wood on
advertised land be allowed to take the wood and pay stumpage
according to value, fifty cents for hard wood, and twenty-five
for soft wood. These men shall obtain a permit to remove this
wood, or they will be liable for trespass. Voted that those
claiming the land they occupy shall have the land surveyed, and
a record made in the clerk's book. That all other lands not
occupied be run out and marked into fifty acre lots. This survey
to be completed before April 30 next. All persons having taken
up wild lands shall have the same surveyed and recorded before
April l next.
1847
Benjamin Stinson, Augustus R. Staples
and Kimball Herrick were chosen assessors. Raised $160 for
schools, $50 for current expenses and $150 for highways. No
person is to be allowed to hunt with hounds except on his own
land. Any person who does not pay tax on the land he has run out
shall forfeit his right to said land. Voted to compel every man
tokeep his sheep within his own enclosure. Accepted the road
laid out from Levi Torrey, jr's house to the main road.
In this year the wild land which had
been advertised was run out by John Dodge, and the following
lots were at once taken up: Edmond Stanley, 50 acres; James
Sprague 75; John and David Sprague 200; Moses Staples 25;
Washington Staples 33; Solomon Barbour 49; Benjamin F. Staples
26; Levi Torrey, jr., 12; Elias Morey 31; Isaiah B. Joyce 10;
Benjamin Stockbridge 7; John Stockbridge 31; Ebenezer and Isaiah
B. Joyce 151; Joseph Gott 138; Edward Gott 40; Kingsland and
Conary 100; Asa C. Staples 25; Benjamin Smith 50; David Smith
115, and Kimball Herrick 115. There were also twenty-two other
lots of 50 acres each which were not taken up at this time.
At the State election the votes cast
were: For governor, John W. Dana, 35; David Bronson, 1;
representative to the legislature, Hezekiah Means, 35; N. K.
Sawyer, 1. On the vote to see if the State officers shall be
elected by plurality, the result was 26 noes.
1848
Augustus R. Staples, Benjamin F. Stinson
and Benjamin Stockbridge, assessors. Raised $150 for schools,
$150 for highways, and $60 for current expenses. Voted to sell
nonresident land at auction for cash. Augustus R. Staples was
made agent to run off this land and sell it. The lots were
marked, according to quality, into first, second and third
class. At the State election John W. Dana had 32 votes for
governor: Erastus Redman, 36 votes for representative to the
legislature. Presidential election the democratic electors had
43 votes; the Whig electors 3.
1849
Kimball Herrick, Benjamin Smith, and
Thomas J. Colomy, assessors. Raised $160 for schools, $170 for
highways, and $50 for current expenses. Benjamin F. Stinson,
Joseph R. Torrey and James Joyce were elected school committee.
Ambrose Gott, Edward Gott and Elias Morey, tythingmen. Voted to
accept the road laid out from Samuel Roberson's to the highway.
Voted to divide the money received from wild lands sold, in
proportion, according to the inventory of 1846. At the State
election John Hubbard received 28 votes for governor; Wyer
Sargent 28 votes for representative to the legislature.
1850
Benjamin Smith, jr., Edward Gott and
David Stinson were chosen assessors. School agents chosen were
Johnson Billings No. 1, Jacob Reed No. 2, David Stinson No. 3,
and David Sprague No. 4. Benjamin F. Stinson, Benjamin Stinson
and Edward Gott were chosen school committee. Raised $160 for
schools, $175 for roads and $75 for current expenses. The school
census in 1850 gave the following result: District No. 1, 64
scholars; No. 2, 62; No. 3, 25; No. 4, 43; total, 194. State
election, John Hubbard had 24 votes for governor, William G.
Crosby, 3. For representative to the legislature, Stephen D.
Gray had 24; Rufus B. Walker, 1, and Rufus K. Walker, 2,
1851
Kimball Herrick, John Sprague and John
Stinson were chosen assessors; Benjamin F. Stinson, Joseph R.
Torrey and Augustus R. Torrey, school committee; Benjamin
Stinson, the plantation agent to sell wild lands. Raised $150
for schools, $150 for highways and $40 for current expenses.
Voted to annex John Gott's property to district No. 1. This year
the school census was: District No. 1, 59 scholars; No. 2, 66,
No. 3, 21; No. 4, 37. There were at this time 68 voters in the
plantation. A special meeting was called for districts Nos. 1, 3
and 4, which voted to lay out a burying ground, funds for the
same to be raised by' subscription.
1852
Solomon Barbour, Augustus R. Staples and
Thomas Sadler were chosen assessors; Benjamin F. Stinson on the
school board. Raised $180 for schools, $175 for highways and $50
for current expenses. At the State election the vote cast was:
For governor, John Hubbard, 51; representative to the
legislature, William Webb, 56. At the presidential election the
democratic electors had 51 votes; Whigs none.
1853
Solomon Barbour, Benjamin Smith, jr.,
and Joseph R. Torrey were chosen assessors; Augustus R. Torrey
was chosen on the school board. Raised $180 for schools, $200
for highways and $60 for current expenses. Voted to lay out a
road from Benjamin F. Stinson's house to the highway. State
election, vote for governor was: Albert Pillsbury, 12, Anson P.
Morrill, 9; William G. Crosby, 2; representative to the
legislature, William F. Collins, 15. Voted to accept the road
laid out from schoolhouse in district No. 4 to Moses Bridges.
1854
Benjamin Smith, jr., Benjamin Stinson
and Joseph R. Torrey were chosen assessors; Benjamin F. Stinson
supervisor of schools. Raised $215 for schools, $200 for
highways and $60 for current expenses. The article to provide
for the selling of liquor for medicinal purposes was passed
over. The number of voters in the plantation this year was 85.
1855
Kimball Herrick, Asa Joyce and David
Stinson were chosen assessors; Benjamin F. Stinson, supervisor
of schools. Raised $215 for schools, $125 for highways. Voted
that each man shall work out his tax on or before September 20,
or shall cause the same to be worked out on the highway. Raised
$60 for current expenses. Voted to accept the road laid out from
Moses Conary's house to J. S. Smith's barn; also the road from
Samuel Kent's to Asa Smith's.
1856
Augustus R. Staples, Benjamin Smith, jr.,
and Solomon Barbour were chosen assessors. Voted to have a
school committee in place of a supervisor; Benjamin F. Stinson,
Augustus R. Torrey and Ebenezer Joyce were chosen. Raised $254
for schools, $200 for highways and $75 for current expenses.
State election, the votes cast were: For governor, Samuel Wells,
29; Hannibal Hamlin, 28; representative to the legislature,
James Turner, 2d, 29: Charles A. Spofford, 28.
1857
Solomon Barbour, Benjamin Smith, jr.,
and John Stockbridge were chosen assessors; Benjamin F. Stinson,
Joseph R. Torrey and Ebenezer Joyce, school committee. Raised
$260 for schools, $175 for roads, and $75 for current expenses.
Voted that districts No. 1 and No. 2 be divided by a line
between the property of Edward Gott and Isaiah B. Joyce; that
Roderick M. Joyce be annexed to district No. 2, and John Gott to
be set off to district No. 1. Number of voters this year was 86.
At the State election the vote for governor was: Manassah H.
Smith, 19; Lot M. Morrill, 7; representative to the legislature,
William Babbidge 19; John Turner 7.
1858
David Sprague, Benjamin Smith, jr., and
John Stockbridge, assessors. Chose Benjamin F. Stinson
supervisor of schools. Raised $260 for schools, $75 for current
expenses and $150 for roads. The plantation selected the hill
near Wharton's as a suitable place to build a schoolhouse, on
the north side of the road leading from James Joyce's to B. F.
Staples', if a deed can be obtained at a reasonable price. If
not it is to be built on land of O. W. Morrey's near said hill.
1859
Kimball Herrick, Benjamin Smith, jr.,
and Joseph W. Staples, assessors. The board of assessors be also
the school committee. Raised $260 for schools, $75 for current
expenses and $150 for highways. Voted to accept road from Lucy
Valentine's house to the highway. Voted to divide district No. 1
between David Sprague's and Edward Gott's; the north portion to
be known as district No. 5; also that Roderick M. Joyce and
others from district No. 2 at the line between J. W. Staples and
John S. Joyce, and from district No. 1 to Benjamin Stinson's
south line, this new district to be known as No. 6.
i860
Benjamin Smith, jr., Joseph R. Torrey
and Benjamin F. Staples, assessors, the assessors to serve as
the school board. Raised $275 for schools, $200 for highways,
and $75 for current expenses. At the presidential election the
democratic electors had 20 votes and the republican 19.
1861
Kimball Herrick, Benjamin F. Staples and
Benjamin Stockbridge, assessors and school committee. Raised
amount of school money required by law; $150 for roads, and $75
for current expenses.
1862
Benjamin Smith, jr., John Staples and
Martin V. Babbidge, assessors. Raised $300 for schools, $80 for
current expenses and $150 for highways.
1863
Same board of assessors as the previous
year was elected. Oliver L. Joyce was chosen collector of taxes,
and was paid 4 per cent. Martin V. Babbidge, Cornelius Wasgatt
and Ebenezer Joyce were school committee. Raised $300 for
schools, $75 for current expenses, and $200 for roads. A special
meeting was called Dec. 1, at which it was voted to raise $2,100
for volunteers; that the money be hired for two or three years'
time, to be obtained in town if possible. Solomon Barbour was
chosen agent to raise this money. This year there were 99 voters
in the plantation.
1864
James Joyce, Isaiah B. Joyce and James
Joyce, jr., assessors; Cornelius Wasgatt and Martin V. Babbidge,
school committee. Voted to instruct the plantation agent to put
all bills for war tax into the constable's hands for collection
if not paid by September 2. Raised $300 for schools, $50 for
current expenses, and $200 for highways. Paid 6 per cent, for
collection of taxes. A meeting was called October 24 in which it
was voted to raise $5,000 for volunteers and substitutes; that
young men liable to be taxed shall pay $50 apiece. Benjamin
Smith and Joseph W. Staples were elected collectors. A meeting
was called February 17 at which $7,860 was raised to pay the men
who have put substitutes in the army under the call of July,
1864. Voted to raise $800 to every man who enlisted.
1865
Solomon Barbour, Benjamin Smith, jr.,
and Joseph R. Torrey, assessors; Cornelius Wasgatt, Benjamin
Smith, jr., and Joseph R. Torrey, school committee. Raised $350
for schools, $75 for current expenses, and $150 for highways.
Voted to accept the road laid out from B. F. Staples' wharf to
the nearest highway: also the road from E. F, Smith's to Fred
and H. Benson's. A special meeting was called July 10. Heard the
report of the men who had put substitutes into the army. Voted
to pay them 50 per cent, of what they had paid out, and exempt
them from further taxation. Voted to pay the money hired in
three yearly installments.
1866
Solomon Barbour, Benjamin Stockbridge
and Oliver L. Joyce, assessors; Cornelius Wasgatt, Joseph R.
Torrey and Oliver L. Joyce, school committee. Raised $370 for
schools, $75 for current expenses, and voted to pay town
officers $1.50 a day; $200 for highways. Voted to tax dogs $5.
Voted to accept the road laid out from James Joyce's to Jacob S.
Reed's, and thence to the highway at the corner of James Joyce's
fence, near Joseph F. Reed's.
1867
Cornelius Wasgatt, Benjamin Smith, jr.,
and William Herrick, assessors; Cornelius Wasgatt, Benjamin
Smith, jr., and Oliver L. Joyce, school committee. Raised $450
for schools, $75 for current expenses, and $250 for highways.
Voted that all road tax not worked out before Oct. l0 to be put
in the collector's hands. Chose Jacob S. Reed and Joseph Gott
tythingmen. Voted that there shall be a town landing at the head
of the harbor, near J. Gott's, and a road be laid out to the
highway. A meeting was called June 3 at which it was voted to
accept the road laid out from Roderick M. Joyce's wharf to the
highway near schoolhouse No. 6; also road from John Valentine's
dwelling to the highway, and to discontinue the road near
Benjamin Stinson's. Aug. 17, there were 96 voters in the
plantation.
1868
Solomon Barbour, Joseph R. Torrey and
Isaiah J. Stockbridge, assessors; Cornelius Wasgatt, John V.
Stinson and Oliver L. Joyce, school committee. Raised $450 for
schools, $40 for current expenses, and $200 for highways. Chose
Edward Gott collector of taxes; Levi B. Joyce and James F. Gott
tythingmen. Number of voters tills year was 102. A meeting was
called Dec. 5, at which it was voted to pay each man who went
from this plantation into the war of the rebellion, or who
furnished a substitute, the sum of $100. This amount to be
raised in sixty days. At a subsequent meeting this vote was
reconsidered, and a longer time given in which to raise $1,500.
1869
Kimball Herrick, Benjamin Smith, jr.,
and Joseph Torrey, assessors. The first assessor having
resigned, John Stockbridge was chosen. Oliver L. Joyce, Martin
V. Babbidge and Joseph R. Torrey, school committee, Raised $500
for schools, $75 for current expenses, and $200 for roads. Levi
B. Joyce and Benjamin Smith, jr., were chosen tythingmen.
1870
Cornelius Wasgatt, Kimball Herrick and
William Herrick, assessors; Cornelius Wasgatt, James F. Gott and
Mehiah J. Stinson, school committee. Raised $500 for schools,
$75 for current expenses, and $50 for roads. Voted that the
plantation assess and collect $10.50 out of the $1,500, to pay
war debt.
1871
Solomon Barbour, Benjamin Smith, jr.,
and Meltiah J. Stinson, assessors; Cornelius Wasgatt, Joseph W.
Staples and John N. Stinson, school committee. Raised $350 for
schools, $100 for highways, $75 for current expenses. Voted to
accept road from Kimball Herrick's house to the highway. Voted
that district No. 6 be abolished, and that the dividing line
between districts No. 1 and 2 be the line between the property
of Edward Gott and David H. Sprague.
1872
Solomon Barbour, Benjamin Smith, jr.,
and John Stockbridge, assessors; Cornelius Wasgatt, Hanson B.
Joyce and Charles H. Joyce, school committee. Raised $450 for
schools, $150 for roads. Voted to buy the schoolhouse at Center.
1873
Hanson B. Joyce, George H. Barbour and
Benjamin J. Staples, assessors; Cornelius Wasgatt, Hanson B.
Joyce and Charles H. Joyce, school committee, and that the
committee be paid $2 per day. Raised $500 for schools, $300 for
highways, and $200 for current expenses. Accepted the road laid
out from Henry D. Joyce's to Joanna Torrey's house. Voted to
change the road that now runs to the northward of E. M, Staples'
house so as to run to the southwest of it, commencing at the
southwest corner of B. F. Staples' field and meeting the old
road in Leslie W. Joyce's pasture. The board of assessors having
resigned, Benjamin Smith, Joseph W. Staples and Charles H. Joyce
were chosen. In State election Joseph Titcomb had 5 votes;
Nelson Dingley, jr., 6.
1874
Cornelius Wasgatt, Joseph R. Torrey and
Benjamin Smith, assessors; Hanson B. Joyce and J. W. Stinson,
school committee. Raised $300 for highways, $375 for schools,
and $200 for current expenses. Voted that the superintending
school committee be authorized to designate what series of
textbooks shall be used in the schools, and give notice thereof
to the parents of the several districts before the summer term
of school begins.
1875
Cornelius Wasgatt, Joseph R. Torrey and
Levi B. Joyce, assessors; Cornelius Wasgatt, Martin V. Babbidge
and Charles H. Joyce, school committee. James Joyce was chosen
collector, his compensation to be $24.50. Raised $500 for
schools, $300 for highways and $275 for current expenses.
1876
David E. Sprague, M. J. Stinson and
James Joyce, assessors; Benjamin Smith, collector; Cornelius
Wasgatt, Levi B. Joyce and Martin V. Babbidge, school committee.
Voted that the treasurer make a discount of 10 per cent. on all
taxes paid in previous to November 1, and that all taxes
remaining unpaid January 1, 1877, be put in the constable's
hands for collection. Raised $400 for schools, $50 for highways
and $350 for current expenses. Voted to expend $25 on road
leading from Kimball Herrick's house to the highway. The
assessors to sell schoolhouse No. 6, and the proceeds divided
between districts No. 1 and No. 2 in proportion to the number of
scholars which each district received from district No. 6 when
this school was discontinued. There were 117 voters in town at
this election.
1877
David E. Sprague, James Joyce and
Michael Stinson, assessors; Cornelius Wasgatt, Martin V.
Babbidge and Levi B. Joyce, school committee. Raised $400 for
schools, $100 for highways, and $375 for current expenses.
1878
Benjamin Smith, M. J. Stinson and Levi
B. Joyce, assessors; John Staples, treasurer: Levi B. Joyce and
Charles IL Joyce, school committee. Raised $400 for schools,
$375 for current expenses, and $100 for highway's. Voted to
accept the road laid out from Michael Stinson's house to his
wharf , also that the assessors lay out a road from Kimball
Herrick's house to the lighthouse on Hocomock Head. A meeting
was called March 21, 1878, at which it was voted to discontinue
all highways on Swan's Island, and that all money raised for
highways be expended on private way's. At the State election the
following vote was cast: For governor, Seldon Connor had 3;
Joseph L. Smith, 24; Alonzo Garcelon, 12; representative to the
legislature, Charles A. Russ had 32; Benjamin G. Barbour, 4.
This year there were 139 voters.
1879
Benjamin Smith, Levi B. Joyce and Oliver
L. Joyce, assessors; John Staples, treasurer; Martin V. Babbidge
on the school committee. Raised $300 for current expenses, $400
for schools and $200 for roads. At the State election the vote
for governor was: Joseph L. Smith, 42; Alonzo Garcelon, 9;
Daniel F. Davis, 9; for representative to the legislature,
Charles H. S. Webb, 57; Rodney Witherspoon, 9. On the
constitutional amendment to have biennial elections for State
officers, yeas 57.
1880
David E. Sprague, James Joyce and Joseph
W. Staples, assessors; Joseph W. Staples and Levi B. Joyce,
school committee. Raised $400 for current expenses, $400 for
schools and $200 for highways. At the Slate election the vote
for governor was: Harris M. Plaisted, 29; Daniel F. Davis, 5;
representative to the legislature, Seth Webb, 29; Moses S.
Joyce, 5; on constitutional amendment to elect State officers by
plurality, yeas 2; noes 10. In the presidential election the
democratic electors had 78 votes; the republican 11.
1881
David E. Sprague, Oliver L. Joyce and
Joseph W. Staples, assessors; Levi B. Joyce, Joseph W. Staples
and Charles H. Joyce, school committee. Raised $400 for current
expenses, $490 for schools, and $400 for highways. Voted that
the road laid out by the assessors from Toothaker's by David E.
Sprague's to connect with the old road nearly abreast George B.
Stewart's, be accepted; also accepted the road laid out past
Levi B. Joyce's barn, and running to the old road near the
swamp.
1882
Benjamin Smith, Joseph W. Staples and
Myric E. Staples, assessors; Isaiah J. Stockbridge, on the
school committee. Raised $490 for schools, $350 for current
expenses, and $400 for highways. Voted that all books be bought
at the plantation's expense and sold at cost, John Staples was
appointed agent. Voted to accept the road laid out from Herbert
Joyce's house to the steamboat wharf; also the road from Orlando
Trask's house, past John S. Staples' barn to the main road. At
the State election the vote stood: For governor, Harris M.
Plaisted, 23; Frederick Robie, 7; representative to the
legislature, Charles A. Spofford, 23; George H. Howard, 7.
1883
David E. Sprague, Joseph W. Staples and
Isaiah J. Stockbridge, assessors; Levi B. Joyce on the school
committee. Raised $500 for highway's, $485 for schools, and $400
for current expenses. Voted to discontinue the road from Henry
D. Joyce's to the crossroad near M. E. Staples'; also the road
from where Benjamin J. Staples' wharf was to the highway, and
also the road from Charles W. Kent's to John C. Kent's. The
whole amount of tax raised this year was $1,888.21.
1884
David E. Sprague, Isaiah J. Stockbridge
and Oliver L. Joyce, assessors; Oliver L. Joyce, on the school
committee. Raised $490 for schools, $350 for current expenses,
and $500 for highways. Discontinued the road near the head of
the harbor. At the State election the vote for governor was:
John B. Redman, 35; Frederick Robie, 25; representative to the
legislature, William P. Herrick, 56. At the presidential
election the democratic electors had 21 votes: the republican,
21; prohibition, 3. A special meeting was held at schoolhouse
No. 5, and it was voted to accept the new road laid out at the
head of the harbor, and also road south of No. 6 schoolhouse,
and to hire $100 to be expended on said roads immediately.
1885
Joseph W. Staples, Levi B. Joyce and
Edmond F. Bridges, assessors; Isaiah J. Stockbridge on the
school committee. Raised $485 for schools, $300 for current
expenses, and $500 for highways. Voted to discontinue the road
from the highway to the old Torrey place, and also the old road
eastward of James L. Smith's, abreast the new road laid out.
Voted to accept the road laid out from John C. Kent's to Albion
W. Smith's field. There were 22 majority in favor of rebuilding
county buildings at Ellsworth.
1886
David E. Sprague, Edmond F. Bridges and
Joseph W. Staples, assessors; Alphonso N. Witham, on the school
committee. Raised $500 for schools, $350 for current expenses,
and $300 for highways. Voted to accept road laid out from
Silvester Morse's to the highway. In the State election the vote
for governor was: Clark S. Edwards, 13; Joseph R. Bodwell, i2;
for representative to the legislature, Benjamin F. Fifield, 11;
Wilmot B. Thurlow, 12.
1887
Joseph W. Staples, Levi B. Joyce and
Benjamin Smith, assessors; Oliver L. Joyce, on the school
committee. Raised $500 for schools, $300 for current expenses,
and $400 for highways.
1888
Edmond F. Bridges, Levi B. Joyce and
Isaac W. Stinson, assessors; Levi B. Joyce, supervisor of
schools. Raised $500 for schools, $300 for current expenses, and
$400 for highways. Voted to make a town landing of M. Stinson's
wharf, he to be allowed $10 for the use of it. At the State
election the vote for governor was: Edwin C. Burleigh, 19;
William L. Putnam, 15; for representative to the legislature,
Seth Webb, 22; Frank S. Warren, 15.
1889
Edmond F. Bridges, Levi B. Joyce and
Oliver L. Joyce, assessors; Levi B. Joyce, Oscar S. Erskine and
Charles H. Joyce, school committee. Raised $500 for schools,
$300 for current expenses, and $400 for highways. Accepted road
laid out from Hosea Kent's to John C. Kent's. Voted to unite
districts No. 3 and No. 5, and Bradford E. Rowe, Hiram Colomy
and Benjamin J. Staples were chosen a committee to locate the
schoolhouse for said districts.
1890
Edmond F. Bridges, Levi B. Joyce and N.
T. Morse, assessors; Levi B. Joyce on the school committee.
Raised $500 for schools, $400 for highways, $250 for current
expenses. At the State election the vote for governor was: Edwin
C. Burleigh, 17; William P. Thompson, 34; representative to the
legislature, Joseph W. Haskell, 12; Seth Webb, 43.
1891
Charles H. Joyce, Oliver L. Joyce and
Benjamin Smith, assessors; Oliver L. Joyce on the school
committee. Raised $500 for schools, $100 for textbooks, $500 for
highways, and $200 for current expenses. Voted to discontinue
the road from the John Smith place to where it joins the road
from Herbert Holbrook's; that the assessors examine the road
from Herbert Holbrook's place and lay out a road where they
think necessary . The assessors are authorized to get a road
machine, and if it works satisfactorily to pay for it out of the
money raised for roads.
1892
Edmond F. Bridges, Levi B. Joyce and
Joseph W. Staples, assessors; Charles H. Joyce and Isaiah J.
Stockbridge, school committee, with Levi B. Joyce chairman.
Raised $575 for schools, $50 for textbooks, $650 for highways,
and $300 for current expenses. At the State election the vote
for governor was: Henry B. Cleaves, 21; Charles F. Johnson, 18;
Timothy B. Hussey, 1; for representative to the legislature,
Wilmot B. Thurlow, 25; Franklin B. Ferguson, 16.
1893
Isaac W. Stinson, Charles E. Sprague and
Frank E. Peuingill, assessors; Levi B. Joyce on the school
committee. Raised $75 for textbooks, $600 for schools, $550 for
highways, $50 on road from David Smith's to Lewis Stanley's;
$300 for current expenses. Voted not to divide district No. 4.
Voted to apply to the legislature for a town charter, if it can
be secured without becoming liable to support the paupers on the
adjacent islands.
1894
Charles E. Sprague, Isaiah J.
Stockbridge and Lewis Stanley, assessors; H. W. Small, Isaac W.
Stinson and George Sprague, school committee. H. W. Small was
elected supervisor. Raised $600 for schools, $50 for textbooks,
$450 for current expenses, and $300 for roads. Districts Nos. 1,
3 and 5 were consolidated. Voted to build a two story
schoolhouse for the accommodation of these combined districts.
Chose Benjamin Smith, Charles E. Sprague, Hermon W. Small, Dana
E. Burns and Benjamin J. Staples as building committee, who
shall determine the location of said schoolhouse, and
superintend its building.
1895
There were three meetings this year for
the election of municipal officers. The first two were
considered void on account of some informality in the warrants.
The first meeting was held March 4, the second March 27; the
third at No. 4 schoolhouse on April 18. Chose J. W. Staples,
moderator, Levi B. Joyce, clerk. Voted to reconsider the
transactions of the two previous meetings and the officers
chosen at these former meetings tendered their resignations.
Charles E. Sprague, I.J. Stockbridge and Nelson T. Morse were
chosen assessors; I. W. Stinson, treasurer; Fred A. Joyce on the
school board; H. W. Small, superintendent of schools; N. T.
Morse, collector of taxes. Appropriated $505 for schools, $75
for textbooks, $500 for highways, $450 for current expenses,
$100 for repairs on schoolhouses.
During the session of the legislature of
1895-6 an act was passed, incorporating into a town Swan's
Island and all other islands, the whole or part of which are
within three miles from high water mark of said Swan's Island,
except Marshall's Island and such islands as are now a part of
Long Island plantation. This act was passed, with the provision
that this law shall not take effect unless the same is accepted
by a majority vote by ballot of the legal voters of Swan's
Island, taken at their annual meeting held the first Monday in
March, A. D. 1896, an article there for having; been inserted in
the warrant calling the meeting. If act is then so accepted, it
shall immediately take effect, and the legal voters their
present may proceed to elect the usual town officers, and
transact any other business as a town of which notice has been
given in the warrant calling said meeting of said plantation.
1896
The annual meeting was held at Atlantic
schoolhouse; N. T. Morse was chosen moderator. Voted not to
accept the town charter by a vote of 82 to 59. L. B. Joyce was
elected clerk; C. H. Joyce, I. J. Stockbridge and Oliver Bowley,
assessors; Charles W. Shaw auditor; I. W. Stinson, treasurer. H.
W. Small and Levi B. Joyce on the school board: H. W. Small,
superintendent of schools; Fred Turner, road commissioner.
Appropriated $505 for schools, $30 for schoolbooks, $300 for
highways, $400 for current expenses, and $200 for support of the
poor. Voted to pay the balance due on the schoolhouse debt.
Accepted the road laid out from near Philip McRae's to S.
Morse's.
In State election in September the vote
was: For governor, Llewellyn Powers, 22; Melvin P. Frank, 14;
representative to the legislature, Stephen B. Thurlow had 32;
Dudley W. Fifield, 7. During the session of the legislature of
1896-7 a bill was passed making Swan's Island a town. The limits
were the same as in the bill passed by the previous legislature,
and contained the following islands: Swan's Island, Orino,
Round, Sheep, Finney, Buckle, Crow, Heron, Hat, Hay, Green,
Harbor, Scrag, two Bakers, John's and the two Sister islands,
which include eighteen out of the twenty-five islands that were
originally conveyed to Swan in the Burnt Coat group. The
legislature also authorized the new town to collect in all
outstanding taxes that had been assessed by the officers of the
de facto plantation. It also gave authority to any justice of
the peace in Hancock County to warn a meeting. This bill,
granting a town charter to Swan's Island, was signed by the
governor, and became a law March 26, 1897.
1897
The annual meeting was held March i, and
the usual officers chosen. The question, however, was raised in
regard to the legality of the incorporation of the plantation,
as no record was to be found of such proceedings, and the
legislature did not legalize either the title to a plantation or
the transactions that had taken place under the alleged
plantation. So a new meeting was warned according to the
requirements of the new town charter. The first town meeting was
held in No. 4 schoolhouse on April 13. The warrant was issued by
Levi B. Joyce, esq., to Llewellyn V. Joyce, directing him to
warn a meeting at the above named place and date, to elect the
usual town officers.
The meeting was called to order by L. V.
Joyce. Nelson T. Morse was elected moderator; C. E. Sprague,
clerk; C. H. Joyce, I. J. Stockbridge and Oliver Bowley,
selectmen; George A. Sprague, auditor; I. W. Stinson, treasurer;
Isaac W. Stinson, A. C. Smith and E. K. Gott, school board; John
Hardy, superintendent of schools; Horace E. Stanley and Fred
Turner, road commissioners. Appropriated $505 for schools, $75
for textbooks, $400 for roads, $550 for current expenses, $60
for repairs on schoolhouses, and $200 for support of poor. By
the death of Congressman Seth L. Milliken, a special election
was held June 12 to choose his successor. The vote was: For
Edwin C. Burleigh, 24; Frederick W. Plaisted, 4.
1898
Meeting was held at Atlantic
schoolhouse. This year two hundred names appeared on the voting
list. The following were the officers chosen: Moderator, C. E,
Sprague; clerk, F. F. Morse; selectmen, C. H. Joyce, Oliver
Bowley and Linwood E. Joyce; school board, C. E. Sprague, F. F.
Morse and Nelson Sprague; superintendent of schools, H. W.
Small; auditor, J. W. Staples; road commissioner, David M.
Stanley. Appropriated $505 for schools, $700 for town expenses,
$500 for highways, $200 for support of poor, $50 for repairs on
schoolhouse, $80 for textbooks, and $100 for supplies and
appliances. Accepted road laid out from John Sprague's to Elias
Sprague's.
Source: A History of Swan's Island,
Maine, by H.W. Small, MD, Ellsworth Me, Hancock County
Publishing Company, Printers, 1808
Index
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