Bowdoinham Trivia Questions: 1820
From The Bay, the Land, the People and Adams’ History of Bowdoinham
What was the population of Bowdoinham in 1820?
2259 (inc Richmond, but not Cathance Neck)
What towns did Bowdoinham include in 1820?
Richmond (Inc 1823) Not Cathance Neck (left. 1789 Back 1830)
Was there a bridge over the Cathance in 1820?
Yes, a toll bridge built 1805. Foot 2¢, Horse & Rider 6¢
Name 3 buildings here still that were in Bowdoinham Village in 1820?
Graviett’s House on Back Hill, 1790
Durgin-Leighton’s cape Upper Main St., 1790
Gray Estate, 15 Main St1800
Double Dormer Capes 4 of 5. Spring St, Back Hill, Church/Vine St,
Lower Ridge Rd (maybe River Rd). 1800
Brick Store, 1804
Tiny Cape 38 Main St. 1811
George & Howard’s House Back Hill 1820
Burroughs 65 Main St 1820
Others in Bham?
Ferdico (Harward) Pork Point Rd (1777)
Thirwall (Preble) Pork Point Rd 1800
Ferguson-Allen Pork Point Rd
Leschefske (Cummins/Lilly/Purington). 1790-1820. Bay Rd
Fenimore (Fulton) Bay Rd
Where was church held in 1820?
in school houses or private homes
What was the main industry in 1820?
Shipbuilding
What means of transportation were there in 1820?
On Foot, On horseback, by horse drawn vehicle, by boat
What did Bowdoinham have for fire equipment in 1820?
Hand Tub Phenix. Built 1798. To Bham 1805 (Carr)
In what state was Bowdoinham at the beginning of 1820?
Massachusetts
In what county was Bowdoinham in 1820?
Lincoln Co.
How old was Bowdoinham in 1820?
58 years old. (Inc 1762)
Did Bowdoinham have a Post Office in 1820?
Yes (1810)
Was there a school in Bowdoinham Village in 1820?
Yes. Village School House, built in 1794 behind current Town Hall
Were there Inns and Taverns in Bowdoinham in 1820?
Yes
James Tyler Main St. 1808
Leonard Tavern Corner Main St. & Center Sts. Burned 1847
Joseph Curtis Tavern. Burned 1843
Mustard Tavern Post Road. Built before 1775 burned 1921. Portland to Augusta
Fisher Tavern Fisher Rd Built in 1797.
What Roads were there in 1820?
Road from Bowdoin to Bowdoinham/Cathance Landing. 1797
Fisher-Post Roads = Post (Mail) road through Bowdoinham.1774 to 1850 (rail)
River Rd.
Abbagadessett Rd
Center’s Point 1808
Bay Rd.
Carding Machine
Ridge Rd 1808
Were there Fraternal Organizations in Bowdoinham in 1820?
Masonic Lodge #26 chartered 1817
Master -Jonathan Purington 1819-1821
How much did the Town Raise for Schools in 1820?
$900
What was every man’s business in 1820?
Farming
Were there Cemeteries in Town in 1820?
Banks of Abby River very early. 1700s
Many ‘family plots’
Ridge Cemetery. 1800
Village - 1856
What families were here in 1820 that still have descendants here?
Fisher
Jellerson
Read
Williams
Millay
Given
Temple
Jameson
Preble
Curtis
By what name was Bowdoinham Village known in 1820 and until 1850-60?
Cathance Landing
Name three businesses in town in 1820 which we don’t have today.
Tannery
Blacksmith
Hatter
What Vessel was built at Cathance Landing in 1820?
The schooner Arms. 113 Tons. Owner-Benjamin Foster
(36 vessels were built at the landing or at other Bham yards between 1819-1825)
What bill, passed in 1807 by congress, badly hurt New England, including Bowdoinham’s shipping and shipbuilding interests?
Embargo Act
Restricted American vessels to American ports
“Vessels rotted upon the stocks, half finished, or decayed in ports for want of a cargo”
Did Bowdoinham have a doctor in 1820?
Yes, Dr Urial Huntington 1810 - 1839
1822 George W. Tinker arrived practiced until 1876
Who were the Selectmen in 1820?
Loyalist Brown
Thomas Sanford
Robert Wilson
What were a Bowdoinham laborer’s wages in 1820?
45-75¢ per 12-15 hour day
How could people communicate / get the word out in 1820?
Bell, steam whistle, Paper on Tavern Wall or Courthouse Wall, “Paul Revere”.