1823
One of the first settlers, Frink Stratton and his wife, Lydia L Coombs Stratton, and their family came from Albion, ME. He made a cleaing at the foot of the big hill knows as Thompson Hill near a brook that flows into the Penobscot River. In later years this house was swept away by on one of the great freshets of the Penobscot. Second settler in Chester was Moses Babcock from Paris, ME who settled on the lot where the family of Joseph Clukey lived for many years. Jesse Babcock also came to Chester in 1823.
1824
John Weston Came from Paris, ME in 1824. Others coming to Chester in 1824 were John Brown , Charles Brown and Moses Brown from Montville, ME. Another family who settled in Chester James Scott , [some genealogial info available to be added] who came with his wife Joan Hanson and their 11 Children from New Brunswick.
Benjamin Chesley Sr. moved to Chester from Paris, [ME] in the spring of 1824, being detained at Old Town, [ME] by breaking up of the ice as there was not any other road. His sons were Benjamin Jr, Edward, Belia, and Jefferson. Benjamin was agent with power of Attorney for the Proprietors to Survey and lot out Township No. 3 and sell to settlers on yearly payment in four years by bond at One dollar per acre, reserving timber where there was over Ten Thousand feet. Benjamin Sr. was a selectman of Chester in 1829.
Alfred Gates Esq. of Paris, [ME] moved to Chester also in the spring of 1824 and was burnt out in Feb of 1827. He lost 2 daughters in the fire. [some additional info available] His sons were Zadoc, Solan, Galen, and Homar.
1825
The following settled in Chester: Christopher Jackins , who build a home on the Davis farm afterward occupied by John Libby. Benjamin Walton who cleared the Willis Hamilton lot, came from Dover NH and built a hotel. George and John Lindsey kept a store near the place long owned by William Lovett . Walter Haines came from Dover , ME and made a clearing in the lower part of Chester, near the James Wyman farm. Then in 1834 he built a large set of buildings in the center of the town, which later was occupied by his son Martin H Haines .
1826
In January 1826, Samuel Chesley of Paris, ME moved his family to Chester. He was a Justice of the Peace, and also held many town offices. He lived on the lot later owned by Harry DeWitt. James Bartlett settled on the Goodwin Ireland place near the Penobscot River.
1827
S Warren Coombs of Albion, ME came to Chester. He was a carpenter and surveyor and also taught school. He was probably the first teacher in Chester. David Bunker came from Canaan, ME and settled on the lot later owned by Joseph D Scott . Edward Beathem came from Pittston and settled just above the Ireland lot near the Flemming lot or ferry. Still another to locate in Chester in 1827 was Samuel Chester of Chester, NH. It is said that he built a large house which was used as a tavern. The town of Chester was named after him.
1828
Samuel G Brown came from Albion, ME and settled on the lot just south of Frink Stratton's farm. His son, Abram B Brown succeeded him on this farm.
1829
Deacon John Boober made a clearing on the bank of the Medunkunk Stream near the farm afterwards occupied by the family of Sylvester B Smith .
1831
Dr. Thomas Lindsey with his son Thomas Lindsey Jr. also also a physician came to Chester and engaged in the practice of medicine. He remained here for four years or more.
1835
Penuel Shumway , who was one of the first settlers of Piscataquis Falls (Howland) moved to Chester. He built a house on the lot now owned by Lewis Wyman (1955) and part of the cellar hole can be seen in Wyman's pasture. Shumway Cove, at the foot of the hill, was named after him.
1836
Deacon John O Kyle moved his family from Mattanawcook (South Winn) across the Penobscot River to Chester, where he built a story and a half house overlooking the Penobscot River. The house was occupied in later years by Mr & Mrs Ernest Hunt . Mr & Mrs Llewellyn Harmon resided there from 1904 until 1945. Since then [1955] the house has been razed.
1838
Andrew Fleming , a Scotsman from Ireland, settled on the John G Fleming farm now occupied [1955] by Theodore Fleming .
Among other early settlers of Chester was William Stratton , ferryman for many years of the ferry at North Chester, connecting with Winn.
Paul Stratton also lived in this section, formally a native of Albion, ME.
David Clendenin settled near the Fred Davis farm.
Sylvanis Hatch settled near the bridge on the Medunkunk Stream.
Deacon George Glidden settled on the Woodville Road near the line between Chester and Woodville.
Another settler of Chester was Elder Abel Turner . He was sent to Chester by the Domestic Missionary Society of the Penobscot yearly meeting on or before 1848, to be Pastor of the Free-Will-Baptist Church.
This information was extracted from "The Pilgrim Way" written by Marion Reed Kimball. A copy of this book is owned by Donald & Evelyn Wright.
Copyright © 2002 Don & Evelyn Wright
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