Albert Stanley Trask [Parents] was born on 28 Mar 1880 in Mexico, ME. He died on 18 Dec 1921 in Mexico, ME. He married Ruth Alice Rogers on 9 Feb 1915. Albert resided in 1880 in Mexico, Oxford, Maine, United States.
Ruth Alice Rogers was born on 12 Sep 1891 in Beaconsfield, NB, Canada. She died on 3 Aug 1954 in Vanceboro, ME. She married Albert Stanley Trask on 9 Feb 1915.
Other marriages:Shain, George W.
They had the following children:
F i Sarah Jane Trask was born on 4 Aug 1918. She died on 31 Oct 1981. F ii Louise May Trask was born on 3 Jan 1920. M iii Mason Trask was born on 2 Apr 1921.
Jonathan Holman , Col Col was born on 13 Aug 1732 in Sutton, Worcester, MA. He died on 25 Feb 1814 in Sutton, Worcester, MA. He married Susanna Trask on 10 Jul 1783 in Sutton, Worcester, MA.
Other marriages:Sibley, Hannah
From Genealogies of the Families and Descendants of the Early Settlers of Watertown, MA
Col Jonathan Holman of Millbury was a Lieutenant in the French war; was a Colonel, and commanded a regiment in the battle of White Plains, and was distinguished for his bravery and activity.
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Part of a Paper Read at Advance Club By Isabel Russell
Once upon a time this valley of our lovely river was the home of the redmen. Four hundred years ago one of the most numerous, powerful and savage tribes of Maine, the Anasagunticooks, or Androscoggins, as they were sometimes called, roamed this land. Their hunting grounds covered our entire river valley with a fort at Brunswick, a place of council at Lewiston, and on the broad intervals of Canton were encampments of the Rocameco tribe, a branch of the Anasagunticooks. There was no tribe more hostile or vindictive than the Androscoggins. Their war parties ever ready to raise the battle cry in defense of their people went far and wide. During King Phillips war, under their chief, Sagamore Tarumkin, they joined Phillips forces in Massachusetts, and after ten years of peace they again became active and made attacks on colonies, beginning to settle on the lower Androscoggin. Up to this time, owing to their secluded location, they had been less disturbed by white people than any other tribe of Maine. Finally, the Government of Boston sent an expedition against them to destroy their fort at Lewiston, then called Upper Falls, but the Government seemed content to make no further inroads and their haunts were unmolested, but they still sent our war parties. After many years of fighting this tribe became very much depleted and early in the seventeenth century the French induced many of the Androscoggins, with the remnants of other tribes, to retire to Canada. But a few of the tribe remained in this locality for many years afterwards.At the outbreak of the Revolution about forty of them still made the shores and islands of our river their home. A century ago there must have been a few survivors, for I have heard my grandmother tell of their temporary camp in front and to the left of our house, probably made on their way to the fishing and hunting grounds farther up the river. One of her earliest recollections was of being carried in her father’s arms to see the Indians, and of how frightening she was at their strange looks and ways. She also remembered of seeing their canoes on the river.
When the last Indian disappeared, or where, no man can tell. Possibly he went to his brother’s in Canada. He might have joined the remnant of the Penobscots in eastern Maine or perhaps he lingered on in his old haunts till called to the happy hunting ground of the Great Spirit. Now we have only the name of the lake at Canton and the name of our beautiful river to perpetuate the memory of the once powerful tribe.
Before the arrival of the white settlers in this section there was a period during which the primeval forests were disturbed only by native beasts or by these last remaining Indian hunters, or by the advent of adventuresome white hunters or trappers.
At this time, in the town of Sutton, Mass. Lived Col. Jonathan Holman, a descendent of one of the pioneer settlers of Sutton North Parish. Col. Holman had given distinguished service in the Indian French wars. He had served long, and suffered much. He often related the story of how at one time he barely escaped starvation by holding in his mouth for nearly a week, a pork rhine which he dared not swallow for fear he could not get another. He was 43 years old when the Revolutionary war broke out. He gave gallant service in this war. After the war was over, Col. Holman became interested in the purchase of public land. This section of the country was then known as part of the unappropriated public lands east of the Saco.
In 1787 Col. Holman with Deacon Waters and Capt. Elliott, both of Sutton, cruised our locality. These men with 25 others succeeded in purchasing from the committee for sale of eastern land, a tract on the east side of the Androscoggin river. A committee was chosen who laid out the township into 100 acre lots. There were 64 shares in the original township. This township was comprised of the land know known as Mexico and Dixfield. This purchase was called #1, Androscoggin purchase #1, or Holman town, until the incorporation of Dixfield in 1863. The remnant was then known as Holman town until the incorporation of Mexico 15 years later. The town line then ran back of the Trask house and the main highway over Harlow hill. Doctor Dix, one of the heavy land owners, bought the privilege of naming the town, by the promise of a library. After the incorporation of the town the settlers waited some time and receiving no library mentioned the subject to the busy doctor who was also a druggist and lived in Boston. Not long after, they received an old trunk containing about 50 second hand books. These constituted the doctor’s library.Who was the first white man to attempt to make for himself a home in this locality? We are not certain. John Stockbridge was the first to build his cabin in the town and his son erected the second frame house, but later they moved to Byron and settled Stockbridge hill. To Peter, Jonathan and Ebeneza Holman, the sons of Col. Holman of Sutton, is generally accorded the distinction of being the first permanent settlers. Peter, the young son of Jonathan was the first white child born in the township. Ebeneza Holman was the grandfather of Margaret Waite. A Mr. Foster from Augusta, in the company of one of the first land owners, visited the home of Ebeneza Holman, fell in love with Ebeneza’s daughter and married her.
In the history of Sutton we read of Col. Holman making an occasional visit to his boys down in Maine. He always rode in the saddle. His rule was to ride 70 miles a day. He had a powerful high spirited horse which he called his war horse. It was never broken to harness and it could be managed by no one but himself. Years ago an old lady named Wheeler, then 100 years old told Mrs. Waite of Col. Holman calling at her home, which sat in back of the Charles Towle home. She brought a chair for the Colonel to mount, although at that time she was 75 years old, spurning the chair he volted into the saddle lightly as a boy.
Early records mentioned the coming of quite a colony from Sutton to settle here in 1790. Marsh, Waite, Gould, Torrey, Severy, Leland, Marble, Putnam, Elliott, Mitchell, Stockbridge, Trask, and others. Most of these settlers selected the hills and ridges in the central part of the town for their first clearings on or about (the Common). In the vicinity of East Dixfield the Severys were probably among the first to settle. One of these Severys claimed the distinction of felling the first trees on Severy Hill, 1 ½ miles from East Dixfield, the place now marked by a big boulder. The Lelands settled Science hill. Solomon Leland was sent as a delegate to Portland in 1819 to help form a constitution for the new state of Maine.
On the opposite side of the road from the Reed house (Effie Cameron’s) and a bit father down under a steep hill was built the first frame house in the town of Dixfield by General John Holland, the great, great grandfather of Ella Russell and the great great, great grandfather of Tom, Dana, and Herschel Holt. Mother Russell tells of how at one time the women of that neighborhood were having a social evening at this home and of how the men having not been invited procured a porcupine, went to the top of the hill, and threw the animal down the chimney, thereby producing great consternation. The women were panic-stricken and some thought that the devil had claimed them for his own.
Farther up the river lived the Marbles, Norcrosses and pious Wheelers. The Marshes settled on the road that passes the Gates house. They were of old and honorable stock. The first preacher of Sutton was a Marsh, and to his wife Abigail, was born the first white child in Sutton.
Dixfield village was the last part of the town to be settled. Doctor Dix is said to have erected the first frame house which is now standing and houses our library.
Major Amos Trask, son of Samuel Trask, one of the first settlers of Sutton, came with the first settlers. He was engaged to marry Lucy Parks of Sutton. After he had been there a short time she joined him, making the journey alone over spotted trails. They married and lived in a house near the Common. In 1820 Amos Trask bought the Doctor Dix house, which at that time was unfinished, and moved into this part of the town. Major Trask had had two shares in the original township. Later, he bought two more. He lived only a few years after moving here. He was a self made man, industrious, frugal, a generous neighbor and a faithful friend. During the year that there was no summer he had a large stock of corn which would have commanded a good price. He would not sell, but supplied poor people who had none. When he died he was a rich man for those times, have estate worth $10,000.
His children were among the first settlers of this village. Peter, the only son, was the father of John, Oscar, and Louisa Trask. Lucina, the oldest daughter was Lelia Foster’s great grandmother. Lucy, the second daughter, was a true pioneer mother, going far and near in cases of sickness and trouble. She was the mother of Delphine Root and Emily Knight. Louisa, the third daughter, was Walter Chase’s grandmother. Her husband kept a store. Liquor was then sold as freely as molasses. When Mr. Chase sold liquor to men with poor families, Aunt Cina, as she was called, stopped them on their way home and gave them supplies from her own store. When Mr. Chase remonstrated, she said, “Mr. Chase, just as long as you dispense liquor to these men, just so long shall I dispense provisions.”
The fourth daughter of Major Trask was Ann, the mother of William Eustis and Mary Greenleaf – Mason, Wallace, Albert, Humphrey Eustis and Sarah Mitchell.
Susan was the youngest daughter, and my great grandmother. Susan was quite a handful in her youthful days. I have heard them tell of the time that her sisters and their beaux went for a horseback ride on the Mexico road, leaving Susan at home. Two young for a swain and with no mount except an old work horse, which after their departure she mounted bare back, urged to it’s utmost speed and overtook them. Needless to say that she somewhat marred the pleasure of their ride, as passing them ever and anon riding back she reminded each one of instances of their past, better left unmentioned.
Susan was 15 years old when her father died. She went to a private school, met [Isaac] Newton Stanley and became engaged to him. Susan was named for her aunt, the second wife of Col. Holman. She went to Sutton to visit this aunt to buy her trousseau, one of the articles of which was a leghorn flat with a crown 9” high worn with a clouded blue pelisse.
The Stockbridges have already been mentioned as early settlers. Joseph Edmond’s mother was the daughter of that name. She married an Edmond who came to this town as a blacksmith, no mean calling in those days. Other Edmonds settled in Mexico. A story is told of two of these Edmonds, one a very small man. They journeyed into this country thru New Hampshire on foot, with all their earthly possessions tied in bundles and strung on sticks, carried over their shoulders. They had but 2¢ in money between them. One the way they came to a toll bridge. Two cents was charged per person for crossing. What should they do? After a few minutes conference they approached the toll taker and inquired if the price was the same for light and heavy packs. On being assured that it was, the smaller paid 2¢ and mounted his brother’s shoulders, and the crossing was made. So might I go on for hours telling of the different families and incidents of these early settlers; of Cox who drove the stage to Augusta in later years; of Eustis who having sold the township for $10,000, came here and built a home and mill; of Mitchells, Baxters, Brocks, and many more, but time forbids further mention of these individual families.
The first homes which the early settlers built were small and crude log cabins. A few years sufficed for the clearing away of a large portion of forests and fencing of fields for cultivation. Orchards were planted. Soon nearly everything was produced at home that was needed for convenience and rough comfort. Every farmer kept a few sheep for wool and raised flax to make clothing for Summer wear. Not a small part of the house industry was the spinning of the wool which had been carded into rolls by hand. The weaving was all done at home on hand looms. From 3 to 5 yards was all that could be woven in a day. A shoe maker came to the home once a year and made shoes for the family for Winter. They went barefoot during the Summer.
Hugh fireplaces supplied heat for warmth and contained cranes for cooking. Brick ovens were heated once a month when they baked pies, beans, indian puddings, pound, fruit, and seed cakes. I have heard my grandmother tell of how her mother stored her pies well covered on the spare chamber floor and how at one time being sent on an errand there in the evening she forgot the pies and stepped in every one.
They made their own soap from scraps of fat. Tallow candles served for illumination.
In the earliest days of the settlers they made a trip to Augusta in ox teams once a year, preferably in Winter, for supplies which consisted for the most part of a hogs head of molasses and barrel of codfish. There was little money used in those days. Of $75.00 worth of trade only $3.00 to $5.00 was given in exchange, the rest barter. Mrs. William Waite’s father owned Siberia and made shingles, and took them to Augusta once a year for barter.
In cases of sickness there was no doctor. The experienced mothers of the communities served as nurses and dispensed simple remedies. Mrs. Waite tells of one midwife who attended over 300 cases of child birth, traveling on horse back with saddle backs, or ox teams during the deep snow of the Winter.
Neighborhood visitations served to supply amusements. There were also barn raisings, husking bees, quiltings, and occasional dances in the homes when the guests went in the afternoon, and danced till sunrise the following day. A fiddler furnished the music and the host served supper, a midnight meal, and breakfast of generous fare.
The daughters of that day were trained in the way they should go. They were taught to cook, spin, knit, weave and sew, to speak in low tones and to walk demurely. I have heard my grandmother tell of being called back many a time to walk again across the floor.
The sons were sent to school when they could be spared, usually a few weeks in the Winter. The young married early in those days, but youthful cares, hard labor, homely fare and outdoor life seemed conducive to physical, mental and spiritual growth. Though they could not be called educated, they had good common sense, sound judgment, and strong purpose. They have handed down to us a legacy that no money could buy. A legacy of noble achievement through trial, hardship and sacrifice. To them we owe many of the privileges and many of the blessings we enjoy. It would be hard to select the most worthy of these earliest settlers of ours. Each family had distinctive merit. Some of them can be barely mentioned for there was not time nor means to secure information, but the records of most would be well worth our consideration I am sure.
It has been such a pleasant task, this journey back over the years, to vision the first dwellers in this locality where many of us have lived for so long, and it is a privilege to pass on to you this bit of lore of these bygone days.
[Typed as written on December 30, 2002 from a copy supplied by Dexter Stowell. This paper was presented in 1959 to the Advance Club of Dixfield and was reprinted as part of the town of Dixfield’s 2003 bicentennial calendar.]
Susanna Trask was born on 11 Oct 1759 in Sutton, Worcester, MA. She died on 25 Feb 1843 in Millbury, Worcester, MA. She married Jonathan Holman , Col Col on 10 Jul 1783 in Sutton, Worcester, MA. Susanna was born on 11 Oct 1759.
They had the following children:
F i Susan Trask Holman was born on 22 Feb 1784. She died on 28 Nov 1849. M ii Luther Holman was born on 12 Oct 1786 in Sutton, MA. He died on 31 Aug 1806 in Danvers, MA.
unmarriedF iii Nancy Holman was born on 14 Jul 1792. She died on 8 Oct 1869.
Augustin Averill Root [Parents] was born on 22 Mar 1921 in Boston, MA. He died on 26 Apr 2004 in Falmouth, ME. He married Ruth Jane Hudson on 2 Sep 1944.
Gus spent his summers as a child at Dixfield, ME where he visited his grandfather, Albert B Root, Sr. and spent time with him in his forge. Gus attended Middlebury and graduated from MIT. He married Jane Hudson in 1944 in Dayton, OH where they were living. In the fall of 1946, he accepted employment with General Electric. Both Jane and Gus regularly called square dances. In 1950, they moved to West Hill - a community of 350 acres bought by 80 young families. Jane did most of the construction on the split level 100' x 35' house with 5 bedrooms. Gus did all the plumbing and electricity. Jane's sister June lived with the family for 7 years which helped with the general mayhem involved in raising six kids under 8. Gus continued for 16 years at General Electric as an electrical engineer. Through a period of searching, he felt the need for broader intellectual pursuits. He transferred to Human Resources at GE and then registered as a PhD student at Syracuse University, commuting back and forth to school weekly. Eventually, the family sold their home and moved to Syracuse, NY and lived in a city rental house. Three years later, both Gus and Jane received their PhD’s and the family moved to Manlius, NY.
Gus worked for ten years as an associate professor at Syracuse University before moving to Vermont where Jane taught at Johnson State College and Gus was head of physical plant. Four years later they retired to Maine where they found themselves busier than ever in community and church events. Jane began a new career in teaching professionals to simplify their written English and Gus did a three-year stint as Town Councilor. From 1985-1990, Gus made regular trips to Honduras to do rural community development projects. In El Rosario he organized a local committee, which developed, built and administered a safe water filtration and distribution system. In another village he helped build a health clinic. Gus and Jane celebrated their 50th anniversary in 1994 with all their family. For many years Gus was involved in the Falmouth School District and met regularly with the Superintendent and Administrators. Jane developed colon cancer and Gus cared for her at home until she died on June 8, 1999.
Gus married Janice Beane, a friend from their Unitarian Church. Gus taught a course on evolution at Senior College, a program at USM in Portland. Jan attended classes and faithfully provided transportation. Gus wrote a column in the local newspaper, called "Stages" which dealt with the issues of ageing. His communication with readers energized him, as did his class on evolution at their local library. Gus died quietly on April 26, 2004.
Ruth Jane Hudson was born on 23 May 1920 in Detroit, MI. She died on 8 Jun 1999 in Falmouth, ME. She married Augustin Averill Root on 2 Sep 1944.
Henry Williams Park [Parents] was born on 31 May 1882 in Mexico, Oxford, ME. He married Margaret in 1910. Henry was born in 1882 in Mexico, ME. He resided in 1900 in Mexico, Oxford, Maine. He resided in Not Stated, Oxford, Maine. He resided in 1910 in Mexico, Oxford, Maine. He resided in 1920 in Mexico, Oxford, Maine. He resided in 1930 in Mexico, Oxford, Maine.
Margaret was born in 1886. She married Henry Williams Park in 1910. Margaret resided in 1930 in Mexico, Oxford, Maine.
They had the following children:
M i Henry Park was born in 1924. Henry resided in 1930 in Mexico, Oxford, Maine.
Isaac Randall was born on 22 Feb 1809 in Franklin, Wilton, ME. He died on 2 May 1890. He married Melissa White on 20 May 1842 in Dixfield, ME. Isaac resided in 1870 in Dixfield, Oxford, Maine. He resided in 1850 in Dixfield, Oxford, Maine.
Lawyer
Melissa White [Parents] was born on 11 Oct 1814 in Dixfield, ME. She died after 1900. She married Isaac Randall on 20 May 1842 in Dixfield, ME. Melissa was born in 1818 in Maine. She resided in 1870 in Dixfield, Oxford, Maine. She resided in 1850 in Dixfield, Oxford, Maine. She resided in 1880 in Dixfield, Oxford, Maine, United States.
Other marriages:Eaton, Humphrey M.
They had the following children:
M i Hiram A. Randall was born on 21 Nov 1847. He died on 14 May 1892.
Lt Jesse Potter was born in Concord, MA. He married Lucy Root on 8 Nov 1918.
Lucy Root [Parents] was born on 23 Apr 1894 in Boston, MA. She died on 7 Apr 1983 in Arlington, VA. She married Lt Jesse Potter on 8 Nov 1918.
They had the following children:
M i John Sargent Potter , Sargent was born on 13 Nov 1920. M ii James Hubbard Potter was born on 24 Oct 1923. F iii Ella Root Potter was born in Aug 1928.
Isaac Newton Stanley , Capt. [Parents] was born on 7 Jun 1804 in Winthrop, ME. He died on 28 Jul 1881 in Dixfield, Oxford, ME. He married Susan Trask on 4 Feb 1828 in Dixfield, ME.
1880 census lists him as a retired Dry Goods merchant. It looks as though the Stanleys were inventors. Their cousins invented the Stanley Steamer. In 1899, Freeland and Flora Stanley drove to the top of Mt. Washington in the 1st motor vehicle to make the ascent in a Locomobile, forerunner of the Stanley Steamer.
Isaac was a trial justice in Dixfield for about 30 years and most of his active life, had been a merchant in Dixfield. (shingle mill, potash mill). He was often selected as referee to settle disputed claims, especially about division lines, as he was a good surveyor. He was twice elected and served as representative in the state Legislature, and was twice elected and served two full terms as County Commissioner in Oxford County. (Scrapbook 6) 1881. Isaac was 9 when his mother died.
Headstone: Isaac N. Stanley died July 28 1881
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A VENERABLE AND WORTHY CITIZEN GONE
Isaac N. Stanley of Dixfield, died July 28th, aged seventy-seven years. Mr. Stanley was born in Winthrop, Me., June 8th, 1804, and lived there until 1823 when he removed to Dixfield, where he continued to reside up to his death, with the exception of some five years he lived in Canton (1). He was married to Susan Trask, February 4, 1828, a daughter of the late Major Amos Trask, who removed from Worcester, Mass., and took up his residence in the then uninhabited township now Dixfield. He felled the first trees and made the first clearing in the township. He moved from Worcester there in 1795. He died in Dixfield in 1821. Maj. Trask was distinguished for his business talent, and was one of the most noted men of his time. His name will be handed down through many generations as one of the most distinguished citizens of the then new country.
Mr. Stanley and wife have had seven children. One of them died in infancy, and six of them are now living, three sons and three daughters. Their sons are Henry O. Stanley, the fish commissioner, John F. Stanley, Register of Deeds for Oxford County, and Frank Stanley, postmaster at Dixfield, Me. Their three daughters are the wives of three members of the Oxford Bar, Hon. E. G. Harlow, Major D. P. Stowell, and Hon. George D. Bisbee.
His funeral services were attended at his late residence in Dixfield, July 30, 1881, and his widow and all his children were present, and a very large number of relatives, besides a very full attendance of the citizens generally (2). The funeral service were conducted by the Rev. D. T. Stevens of Auburn (who is a cousin to the deceased) in a very interesting and impressive manner, by reading well selected portions of scripture, and singing admirably selected pieces of music by the choir, and a most appropriate address. Mr. Stanley, during most of his active business life, has been a merchant in Dixfield. (3).
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1. Isaac Newton Stanley was only nine when his mother (Hannah Fairbanks Stanley) died on July 5, 1813, four weeks after the birth of Solomon. She is buried at the Metcalf Cemetery in Winthrop. His father, Liberty Stanley, died in 1863 and is buried at the Eustis Cemetery in Dixfield. Susan Trask received her education at Butler’s School (formally called The Female Seminary) in East Winthrop and very possibly met the twenty-one-year old Isaac there in 1825, the year the school opened. It is also possible that she met I. N. Stanley in Dixfield as he had moved there in 182
She attended at most two years, as she turned eighteen during her famous 1827 ride to Boston to shop for her wedding trousseau and married I. N. Stanley in 1828 several months after her return.
The Fairbanks section of Farmington is named after Joseph Fairbanks, the first settler there and a first cousin to Hannah. His death at age 56 was caused by falling from his wagon. See, Fairbanks, Lorenzo, S., Genealogy of the Fairbanks Family in America, 1633 – 1897; American Printing and Engraving Co., Boston, 1897, 271.2. The Caldwell and Halfpenny 1880 Atlas of Oxford County shows I. N. Stanley living on School (now Weld) Street, the first house after the Stanley Hotel. His son Frank is shown living two houses down from his father towards Weld.
3. One of I.N. Stanley’s endeavors was a shingle mill. Another was a potash mill that stood near the river on the old Dillingham lot in Dixfield village. Informed one Sunday morning that this mill was burning, Stanley told a neighbor, “Those that have must lose. I had a pipe well filled…which I intended to smoke
Susan Trask [Parents] was born on 11 Nov 1809 in Dixfield, ME. She died on 20 Apr 1901 in Dixfield, Maine. She married Isaac Newton Stanley , Capt. on 4 Feb 1828 in Dixfield, ME.
Susan married Isaac Stanley Newton 4 FEB 1828 at Dixfield. He was a merchant. The first merchants were Charles Chase and Isaac Newton.
Headstone: Susan Trask, his wife, died April 20, 1901
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Obituary [Rumford Falls Times, April 1901]
Mrs. Susan Trask Stanley
Saturday, April 20th, late in the afternoon, the subject of this sketch passed quietly from earth like the falling asleep of a little child, having attained the ripe age of ninety-one years and five months.She was born in Dixfield, Nov. 11, 1809, near what is now known as Dixfield Centre. She was the youngest child of Amos and Lucy Trask. Her father was one of the very first settlers of Dixfield and his descendents are now very numerous in this section. At the age of seventeen Miss Susan Trask accomplished a journey remarkable even for those days and certainly unexampled in these. It was nothing less than a horseback trip to Boston and return, a distance of nearly four hundred miles. The country was then a wilderness, filled with savage beasts and wild red men*. She followed the stage roads, going through the little hamlets of Gray and New Gloucester, through Portland, Portsmouth and Newburyport. This journey was partly for the purpose of purchasing her wedding outfit. A short time after her return at the age of eighteen, she married Mr. Isaac N. Stanley, also of Dixfield. Immediately after the wedding they were escorted on horseback by a cavalcade of friends to Rumford Falls, where Mr. Stanley opened a grocery store, the young couple boarding with Mr. Rufus Virgin in the same house where his sons Chaplin and Albert now reside. As an indication of the simplicity of those times it may be interesting to mention that each paid fifty cents a week for board and fifty cents for the horse.
After a year at Rumford Falls, Mr. and Mrs. Stanley returned to Dixfield, where the husband opened a country store. Their domestic life was one of rare felicity. Of their union, seven children were born, all of whom but one, grew to maturity. These were Henry O., Mary, Sophronia, Rosella, John F., Anna Louise, and Frank. These children have married with the oldest families of the town and form a great network of relationship.
Mrs. Stanley’s brothers and sisters were: Mrs. Lucina (Trask) Randall, Mrs. Lucy (Trask) Barnard, Mrs. Annie (Trask) Eustis, Peter Trask, Mrs. Louise (Trask) Chase, all household names in Dixfield, their descendents forming an important part of the present population.
In 1881 the husband and father died, leaving the wife and mother to survive him nearly twenty years.
Mrs. Stanley was one of the most lovable of women. She endeared herself to all because she was interested in all, newcomers as well as old residents. Her heart was big enough to take in the whole community. Her happy, even disposition was remarkable, all the more so because it was internal and did not depend on outward causes. Trouble and sorrow came to her but could not cloud her spirits. The reason was not difficult to find. It sprang from her intense and child-like faith. A Universalist in her belief, that faith went to the depth of her nature and colored her whole life. Her absolute trust in the goodness of God was beautiful to behold. When her mental powers began to dim, she remained to the last clear upon the subject of religion. Her character so simple, transparent, unaffected, presents a beautiful example of the truth that real happiness has its true centre and seat in the breast. That wealth learning or fame, destitute of this inward peace is hardly worth having. Surrounded by the love of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, her life ebbed softly out. She loved life, but she looked forward to the other life with a tender longing for there were dear ones awaiting her there. A strange fact is that but a few hours after she breathed her last a great-grandchild was ushered into the world.She leaves five children, Henry O. Stanley, the popular fish commissioner, Mrs. Sophronia Stowell of Dixfield; John F. Stanley of the Auburn Fish Hatchery, Mrs. Anna Louise Bisbee of Rumford Falls, wife of Hon. George D. Bisbee, and Frank Stanley of Roxbury. To these five children may be added eighteen grand children and thirty-two great-grandchildren, making a total of fifty-four [sic] living descendents.
The funeral occurred at the old home Tuesday, Apr. 23, Rev. Manley B. Townsend of the Universalist church conducting the service. The floral offerings were exquisitely beautiful. The body was laid to rest beside that of the husband of her youth in the village cemetery. Serene in life, peaceful in death, her memory will continue to bless and comfort many hearts.
( *This claim represents forgivable hyperbole, as the last Indian raid in Maine had occurred in Bethel forty-five years before Susan Trask made her memorable ride. The Anasagunticook Indians of Canton and Oxford County were fierce warriors by reputation, but there is no evidence that they were anything but friendly as Dixfield was being settled. In fact, they were mainly farmers, growing some 600 acres of corn at Canton. However, the perception of hostility remained as stories of past horrors were handed down from generation to generation
**Many of the Dixfield Stanleys were Universalists, passing their religious beliefs down through the generations. Register of Deeds John F. Stanley’s daughter’s funeral was presided over by Miss Caroline Angell, a Universalist minister. There also is evidence that the Stowells of South Paris contributed to the development of the Universalist churches in the area. See Lapham’s History of Paris, Maine, 1884.)
They had the following children:
M i Henry Orville Stanley was born on 22 Mar 1829. He died on 11 Jan 1913. F ii Mary Ann Stanley was born on 1 Sep 1830 in Dixfield, Oxford, ME. She died on 31 Aug 1833 in Dixfield, ME. F iii Sophronia P. Stanley was born on 26 Dec 1832. She died on 21 Mar 1924. F iv Rosella Stanley was born on 3 Apr 1836. She died on 30 Jun 1882. M v John Forsyth Stanley was born on 27 Apr 1839. He died on 24 Nov 1916. F vi Louisa Ann Stanley was born on 19 Dec 1843. M vii Franklin Stanley was born on 19 May 1848. He died on 1 Jan 1935.
Liberty Stanley [Parents] was born on 6 Feb 1775 in Winthrop, Kennebec, ME. He died on 10 May 1863 in Dixfield, Oxford, ME. He was buried in Dixfield, ME. He married Hannah Fairbanks on 18 Aug 1798 in Winthrop, Kennebec, ME. Liberty resided in Winthrop, Maine. He resided in Winthrop, Maine. He resided in Winthrop, Maine. He resided in Winthrop, Maine. He resided in Winthrop, Maine. He resided in Winthrop, Maine. He resided in Winthrop, Maine. He resided in 1850 in Dixfield, Oxford, Maine. He resided in 1860 in Dixfield, Oxford, Maine.
Liberty was the inventor of a machine for carding wool, the principle of which is used all over the world today. He owned a fulling mill in Winthrop, but found that he was not good at business, and sold the mill to his brother Peter. He then tried to make his living from his inventions. He was fond of music and designed, built and sold bass viols. His wife died soon after his son Solomon was born, and finding he could not cope with 7 children, age 13 and under, arranged for his son Solomon to be adopted by uncle Solomon in Kingfield. Daughter Lydia was adopted by a neighbor, Samuel Page. After 1828 he moved to Dixfield, ME, where he lived with his son Isaac Newton, until his death. Liberty is buried in Eustis Cemetery, Dixfield, ME.
Hannah Fairbanks was born on 20 Dec 1781 in Winthrop, Lincoln, ME. She died on 5 Jul 1813 in Winthrop, Lincoln, ME. She was buried in Metcalf Cemetery, Winthrop, ME. She married Liberty Stanley on 18 Aug 1798 in Winthrop, Kennebec, ME.
They had the following children:
F i Susanna Metcalf Stanley was born on 3 Jun 1800 in Winthrop, ME. She died on 4 Mar 1844 in Winthrop, ME. F ii Sophronia Stanley was born on 12 Apr 1802 in Winthrop, ME. She died on 6 Jul 1856 in Winthrop, ME. M iii Isaac Newton Stanley , Capt. was born on 7 Jun 1804. He died on 28 Jul 1881. F iv Hannah Haven Stanley was born on 21 Mar 1807 in Winthrop, ME. She died on 12 Jun 1824 in Winthrop, ME. M v Calvin Stanley was born on 25 Mar 1809. He died on 13 Sep 1882. F vi Lydia Stanley was born on 5 Apr 1811. She died on 21 Jan 1849. M vii Solomon P Stanley was born on 8 Jun 1813. He died on 10 Jun 1889.
Dr. Joseph K White was born in 1784 in Watertown, MA. He died on 17 Jun 1821 in Dixfield, ME. He married Lucina Trask on 18 Apr 1813.
First physician in Dixfield, ME
Lucina Trask [Parents] was born on 2 May 1796 in Dixfield, ME. She died on 24 Jan 1841 in Dixfield, Maine. She married Dr. Joseph K White on 18 Apr 1813.
Other marriages:Abbott, Philip
They had the following children:
F i Rosella White was born on 13 May 1813. She died before 1853. F ii Melissa White was born on 11 Oct 1814. She died after 1900. M iii Amos Trask White was born on 2 May 1816. He died before 1868. M iv Henry Augustus White was born on 30 Oct 1817 in Dixfield, ME. Henry resided in 1850 in Dixfield, Oxford, Maine.
not married in 1850 Dixfield Census. The Genealogies of the Familes and Decendants of the Early Settlers of wWatertown, MA says he was a lumberman at Madawaska. An Augustus White appears as an Inmate in a Santa Barbara, California County Hospital in 1900 census.
ECR- Unmarried to old age.M v Hiram Abiff White was born on 21 Aug 1819 in Dixfield, ME. He died on 25 Jul 1848 in Died of consumption.
A trader and postmaster in Dixfield, ME
Philip Abbott [Parents] was born on 11 Dec 1800 in South Rumford, ME. He died on 17 Sep 1887. He married Lucina Trask on 15 Jan 1823 in Dixfield, ME. They were married on 16 Feb 1823. Philip was born about 1795 in Concord, NH. He was born on 11 Dec 1800 in South Rumford, Oxford, ME. He resided in 1850 in Dixfield, Oxford, Maine. He resided in 1860 in Woodstock, Oxford, Maine. He resided in 1870 in Mexico, Oxford, Maine. He resided in 1880 in Mexico, Oxford, Maine, United States.
Other marriages:Davis, Sarah G
Lucina Trask [Parents] was born on 2 May 1796 in Dixfield, ME. She died on 24 Jan 1841 in Dixfield, Maine. She married Philip Abbott on 15 Jan 1823 in Dixfield, ME. They were married on 16 Feb 1823.
Other marriages:White, Joseph K
They had the following children:
F i Lucy Trask Abbott was born on 12 Feb 1824. F ii Achsa Ann Abbott was born on 17 Aug 1825. She died on 2 Jun 1841. M iii Joseph White Abbott was born in Jan 1827. M iv Chandler Pollard Abbott was born on 21 Aug 1829 in Dixfield, Oxford, ME. F v Susan Abbott was born in 1830. M vi Augustin Marshall Abbott was born in 1838.