Wilton Historical Society Pilgrimage

         NINETY-FIVE PERSONS TAKE HISTORICAL TOUR

Ruth Adamo

The success of the Historical Caravan held Sunday afternoon in Wilton exceeded the wildest dreams of the Committee that planned the event.  Just under one hundred persons joined the Caravan.  They met and registered at the Wilton Legion Home, where Harold Karkos, President of the Wilton Chamber of Commerce, outlined the afternoon's tour and possible future plans for the formation of an historical society.

Many items of interest were brought to the Legion Reading Room, where they were labeled and displayed.   Among the items were Civil War swords and a Civil War drum displayed by the American Legion, an old deed of the East Wilton lot on which was erected what is thought to have been the first cotton mill in North America, an old turf-cutter, meat-cutter's ax, horseshoes made by a local blacksmith, warming pan, hair flowers, photo albums and early pictures of Wilton.

Only about half the original itinerary could be covered.

The Brick Schoolhouse on the Donald Brown farm was a high point of interest, as was the home of Adam Mott, now owned by Clinton Savage.  Mr. Savage guided the group to the Old Quaker Cemetery, a spot which many of the group had long wanted to explore.  It was here, because of the lateness of the afternoon, that the tour came to an end, and the Caravan returned to the Legion Home for refreshments, served by Mrs. Chester Mitchell and Mrs. Clifford Noyes.  Displays were arranged by Mrs. Donald Brown, registration by Miss Hilda Sawtelle, and itinerary planning was handled by Miss Edith Greene and Mrs. Carlton Scott.

The group made plans to continue the tour next Sunday, October 27, weather permitting.  All persons wishing to take part are asked to meet at the Legion Home at 2:00 pm for the formation of another caravan and promise of another historically exciting afternoon.

 Pilgrimage of October 27, 1963 (Annotated  10/1996)

 1.  Site of the Town House:  In 2002 there is a trailer facing old Route 3 and Orchard Drive.  As you face the trailer it is believed that the Town House was built on the ledges to the right of the trailer where the flower gardens are.

2.  Pound: In 1996 the telephone pole closest to Dr. Bardo's office is #7. In 2002 Dr.  Dale Bardo has a trailer office on the site of the former Dan Webb barn.  Dan Webb's barn faced the road, now called Orchard Drive (2002). It is believed that the pound may have been to the left of the barn.  Nathan Burbank wrote :About 1830 William Butterfield was awarded the contract to build a town pound.  The specifications called for a square walled enclosure, 50 feet square surmounted with an 18 inch square hewed pine top, not to be less than 5'6" high with a suitable gate and hinges.   Contract price was $25.  [ In November 1996 learned that there might be a second pound in the Brown Neighborhood area off Orchard Drive at Bubier Corner Road. One would take the old discontinued road opposite Bubier corner, past the home (on your right) and past the Brown Neighborhood Cemetery on your right. Once you are half way up the hill, in the woods on your left is what has appeared to someone to be a possible pound. Due to the start of Deer season and hunting this will not be explored until spring 1997.   *Explored area and no evidence of a cattle pound.  No research points to a cattle pound as yet. ]

3.  Methodist Church Site: Plaque is set into the stone wall of a Cape Cod style house owned by Joseph Small in 2002.  In John Haven Willard's material it would appear that the first church would be north of the Colby Miller House.  Therefore it might be up where the cemetery is (Gideon Powers is buried there). One could check the north and south directions there.  Cemeteries were generally next to a church or surrounding a church.

4.  There is a small cemetery further up Orchard Drive just before Applegate Lane, on the same side as the Colby Miller house. Still in the Miller family in 2002. In 2002 it has tall cathedral pines surrounding it, and it needs brush clipped. The stone which is still visible is in the upper left hand back corner of the cemetery and includes Gideon Powers and two wives.

 5.  Capt. Walker's Grave: In 2002 on the property of Ron and Judy Greco, on what was the former Clifford Noyes Farm.  The Clifford Noyes farm was owned by Elwells, rented by Trembleys, owned by Oakes, and is now, in 2002 owned by Sampsons. The gravesite is no longer enclosed by its original stone wall on all four sides. Only Capt. Walker's grave is left standing.

6.  In 2002 this land is owned by Mrs. Paul (Marcelyn) Farnum.

7.  In 2002 this home is owned and lived in by Bertha Ranger Smith, daughter of Cedric and Mae Kershner Ranger.

8.  One of the oldest cemeteries.  Because the Red Schoolhouse Cemetery would be next on the path of this caravan tour, it is assumed that two of the slate headstones appear to look like shapes of coffins?   this cemetery was at the Persis Adams' farm in 1910 and was moved.  The Adam's farm is owned by the Weidens in 2002 and is the horse farm at the intersection of the Red Schoolhouse Road and Orchard Drive.

9.  Old Furbush Place: In 2002 is farm owned by Carolyn Mayo, daughter of Chester Hamlin? It is on Rt. 133 and coming from the hospital, is on the left just after crossing the town line. Deed at historical society: between Solomon Adams and Abraham Butterfield for erecting a Cotton and Sheepswool factory. Kennebec June 15 1810.

10. Old Cotton Mill: In 2002 is on the property of Carol Weeks, a granddaughter of the late Frank and Dorothy Beedy. It is the road which runs from Rt. 2 and 4 to McCrillis Corner, which is on Rt. 133. The farm is on the left and the mill stood across the river - spanning the river, on the ledges. Robert Beedy, a son of Frank and Dorothy said in 1996 that old timber pieces can still be seen.

Back to Wilton Historical Documents