Pennell Institute - Whirlpool Yearbook (Gray, ME)

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1762—Y E TOWNE OF GRAY—1932 The permanent settlement of the Plantation of New Boston was made in 1762. Previously two settlements had been made. The first was in 1739, when a clearing was made near the present M. C. К. К. depot. The planta- tion was surveyed and a few lots plotted. The second settlement was made about 1750. The earliest conveyance of land, given by the proprietors of a township, contained the following conditions, which were laid upon them and their heirs forever: “To do one-sixtieth part towards building a meet- inghouse for the public worship of God and settling а gospel minister, clearing all roads, building bridges and providing suitable instruction for the youth in said town. We do not know who braved the hardships of that first attempt to settle New Boston, as the records have long ago disappeared. In August, 1777, the inhabitants of New Boston petitioned for an act of incorporation, and on June 19, 1778, the town of Gray was incorporated, taking the name of one of the proprietors of New Doston, Thomas Gray. There were over sixty families in the town at this time, and it is said that about fifty men from Gray were in the army during some period of the Revolutionary War, many of these being honored for brave service. The old garrison house stood on the land of Captain Jonas Stevens, in charge of

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$ THE PENNELL WHIRLPOOL The students could also make use of the hall in the gymnasium for dances, socials, or any other school affairs. We hope that Pennell will grow larger and have a prominent place in the athletic contests of the schools, and we do believe that a great aid toward that would be a gymnasium. We should all work toward the goal of ob- taining for Pennell a gymnasium which she needs and deserves. 00 mb. OLD-FASHIONED RHETORICALS Years ago at Pennell Friday afternoon exercises were held each week during the school year in Assembly Hall. Students of the three lower classes took part. each one speaking at least twice during the thirty-six weeks. The seniors were excused from these rhetoricals, partly, I suppose. on account of their many duties as “dignified seniors, but mostly because they had learned all there was to know about public speaking. These exercises were always held the last two periods and were open to the public. In order that the same studies would not be omitted each week, there was an exchange of periods each time. That is, on the second Friday the first two periods of the afternoon were omitted and the last two were put in their place. Then, on the third Friday the last two of the forenoon were left out and the afternoon periods moved ahead. On the fourth Friday the first two in the morning were replaced by the two following. If rhetoricals were held every Friday afternoon, each pupil, including the seniors, would probably speak about once in every four weeks. A pro- gram of this sort, consisting of readings, songs, solos, and duets, would be of great benefit to all who took part. In the first place, pupils would be trained in speaking before the public, which training many young people lack. Also it would relieve the monotony of school hours; it would be something to look forward to. And, perhaps, pupils who do not enjoy performing before the public might develop a liking for such activities, which would be of help to them in later life; for we all know it is much easier to perform a task which we enjoy than one which is unpleasant. R. E. B., '35.

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8 THE PENNELL WHIRLPOOL the artillery, and there he conducted target practice for the soldiers. Out of this ground have been plowed many buckshot and other missiles which were mistakenly supposed by some to have heen fired by the Indians. The oldest farmhouse in Gray, said to be about 200 years old, is the one formerly occupied by George R. Doughty. It was built by the Reverend Nathan Merrill, and in this house the first religious service of the Free Will Baptist Church was held. In 1772 Daniel Libby, one of the first settlers, donated land for a meetinghouse, a burying ground, and the land where the Town Hall now stands. The mectinghouse was also used for town meetings. The first business of the town was started at North Gray about 1750. This was a proprietors’ saw and grist mill, the owners of which lived in loston. About 1776 Jabez Matthews came from Massachusetts and bought the mill, which was later called Webster's Mills. A post office was located there, also a pottery. A doctor was among the settlers there. One of the prominent men of the town, Esquire McClellan, lived there, and built near the foot of the hill a large two-story house which was afterwards owned by the Mayalls. In 1800 the first woolen mill in the United States was built at North Gray by Samuel Mayall, who came here from England for this purpose. At that time the English were bitterly opposed to manufacturing in this country, and tried to prevent Mr. Mayall from carrying on his business, but he was so wary that they did not frustrate his plans. Both the first mill, a wooden building, and the brick buildings which succeeded it, were partially burned several years ago, but the ruins are still visible. In 1871 or 181? the manufacture of metallic studded sleighs was begun by Smith and Cobb at South Gray in the old tavern. This business was car- ried on successfully for several years, and gave employment to many men. These sleighs were invented by Mr. Hugh Smith. One of the most widely known people of Gray, Simon Greenleaf, who first practiced law here, later became recognized as one of the ablest of jurists. The Greenleaf Law Library in Portland was named in his honor. Dr. William Warren Greene began the practice of medicine in Gray, and later became one of the most skillful and best known surgeons in the United States. The inventor of the buttonhole machine was a grandson of Daniel Greene, one of the leading men in the business world. Among men whose ancestors had a large part in making the history of Gray are Charles Deering of Chicago, of the Deering Harvester Company, and Cyrus 11. К. Curtis, a descendant of Joseph Cummings of this town. ]t seems a matter of some wonder that the village of Gray should have been located where it is instead of in a part of the town where there is water power, but the reason appears to be that this is the natural center of the town and also of a large surrounding territory. In the time of stage