CHAPTER VII.
pg. 225 - 231

     WHEN Parsonsfield was surveyed in 1771, Mr. Cram, the surveyor, drew a plan of the town which has been preserved.  The plan and field notes were copied into the Clerk's book of records by James Hart.  The map here inserted is a copy reduced to one inch to the mile.  The lots reserved by the Shapleigh proprietors for themselves are marked G; lots for the first minister marked, first minister; for ministry marked, ministry; for grammar school, so marked; for mill, M. P.  The names of owners given in this list show what lots were drawn by individual proprietors as well as lots purchased of Mr. Parsons.  Blanks apparently indicate parcels still owned by him.  The exact date is not known, probably soon after the town was organized.
     The Gore has never been lotted.  The line passes through the house of Isaac Libby, crosses the highway west of J. W. Trueworthy's house, runs south of the homestead of Andrew Edgecomb.

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     It is not known that any soldiers went into the Mexican war from here, excepting Edwin A. Whitten, who was commissioned as Lieutenant.
     The Civil war which raged from 1861 to 1865 will long be remembered.  Parsonsfield is credited with one hundred and eighty-five soldiers.  Fifty of these were substitutes, and thirty-seven not residents of the town, leaving ninety-eight citizens who entered the army.  Thirty-six of these ninety-eight enlisted for nine months, the others for one or three years.  Town bounties were paid to eighty-three soldiers and fifty citizens who furnished substitutes.
     A few extracts from the records will show the action of the town during these years.
     At a special meeting June 3, 1862, it was "voted to furnish aid to the families of soldiers when in need."  State aid amounting to one thousand, seven hundred and ninety-four dollars was furnished to forty-one families, and the amount repaid by the state.
     To fill the call of July 2, 1862, the town "voted a bounty of one hundred dollars to each volunteer."  The quota was twenty-four, and only eight responded.
     Sept. 8, 1862, "voted to pay a bounty of two hundred each to fill the quota of thirty-six nine months' men."  The quota was filled and the bounty paid.
     Dec. 14, 1863, "voted to pay a bounty of three hundred dollars to fill the call of October 17, for twenty-eight men, and for deficiency in draft of July 9, 1863."
     Feb. 22, 1864, "voted to pay twenty-five dollars in addition to state bounty of three hundred dolalrs."  Number of men required, ten.
     Sept. 24, 1864, "voted to raise eighteen thousand dollars to fill the call of July 18, 1864, and seven thousand to meet deficiencies."  Fifty men were raised.
     Dec. 19, 1864, for twenty men, eight enlisted but did not go.
     Bounties paid, forty-four thousand, nine hundred and twenty-seven dollars; reimbursed by state 1869, nine thousand, eight dollars and thirty-three cents, leaving a balance of thirty-five thousand, nine hundred and eighteen dollars and sixty-six cents, which balance was paid by the town.

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COLONEL JOSEPH PARSONS.

     The story comes down to us, that when Colonel Joseph Parsons, who was every inch an officer, commanded the regiment, he established his rear picket line not far from a stone wall, and paraded the troops near that line.   The day was fine, the evolutions prompt, the spectators unusually numerous, interested, and massed behind the pickets.  As the sun neared the western hills the regiment was being put through the manual exercises.  They were faced to the rear and were made to handle arms lively.  Bayonets were fixed, muskets leveled, a whispered order was sent to the music.  Suddenlly the command rang out clear and loud, "Charge!"  Drums rattled, fifes screeched, the whole regiment rushed forward, hundreds of screaming women went over that wall at "double quick."  The Colonel called "Halt, shoulder, right about, well done!  Brave soldiers you are dismissed.

THE POOR.

POLITICAL.

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