Text by Petrina Bearor
Images from New Portland Historical Society
The East Village is the smallest village of the three which make up the town of New Portland. The village lies along the banks of the Carrabassett River about four miles northeast of the West Village and three miles southwest of the North Village. It has also been called “The Falls” because of waterpower created by the river and the rocks and ledges located here.
In the fall of 1783, brothers David and Samuel Hutchins rowed up Seven Mile Brook (Carrabassett River) searching for land suitable to build homes for their families. Samuel chose an intervale in Embden. David continued up the brook and chose an intervale of about one hundred acres a mile or so from his brothers. The village of New Portland had its first settler. In 1900 a descendant, Elias Hutchins, placed a stone marking the spot of this homestead. He chiseled D.H. 1783 on the front and E.H. on the back. Also recorded this account in town records so future generations would know the history of the stone.
David and Mary Hutchins had eleven children. He died at the homestead in 1822 at the age of 78. He was buried in a graveyard on his farm. His wife Mary died 23 years later at the age of 93. At that time both were buried at the cemetery in East New Portland. Their son James composed the following inscription on the stone marking the spot where they now lie:
They’ve run the race and won the crown
They, the first settlers of the town
They endured much through toil and pain
But now, they’ve gone in peace to reign
The second settler, Capt. Josiah Parker, a Revolutionary War soldier came to the East Village shortly after his discharge from the Army. He was instrumental in organizing the scattered settlements and petitioning Massachusetts for incorporation as a town. This petition was signed at East New Portland. He built the first framed house in town now owned by Richard and Lisa Emery. The house has been remodeled but still contains the original timbers. The chimneys bricks were made at Parker’s kiln.
Capt. Parker was responsible for many firsts in the East Village. His was the first marriage (Betsey Walker, Feb.19, 1789). He owned the first plow, first harrow, first set of jointing tools, first brick kiln, and two pod augers (one for his use and one to borrow). The first sermon was held at his house. The first school was located in his woodshed.
Capt. Parker died at the age of 93. His remains and his three wives lie in the yard of his home.
East New Portland has a site known as “The Mill District.” It has been the site of a sawmill, gristmill, electric-power plant, novelty wood turning mill, and an axe factory.
A butter factory, Carrabassett Creamery, was organized as a stock company in Nov.1899. The factory was built near the bridge crossing Gilman Stream. It opened for business in March 1900 under the direction of Thomas Johnson, an experienced butter maker. F.F. Caswell was the general manager. Later Carl Walker became plant manager. High quality milk was provided by area farmers. The plant burned in June 14, 1925 but the stone steps still remain. Farmers shipped their milk in large cans out of town for processing.
East New Portland also was the site of the first store erected at “The Falls.” Many more businesses located here also; general stores, blacksmiths, insurance, a canning factory, tin, steel and iron-worker, boot and shoe maker(2),carpenter, physician and surgeon, fruit grower, dealers in livestock, and a few years later a used car dealer.
A post office was an important addition to the town. The earliest date found was 1830. The post office was located in the same building from 1888 until its closure on September 8, 1967. Harold Atwood was the postmaster for many of those years. He started in1917 and continued as postmaster or someone from his family until it closed.
The Free Will Baptist Church was built in 1837. The first pastor was John Leman, who preached to his congregation for the sum of $200.00 a year, 2/3 in money and 1/3 in provisions. The building is now used by the Fernwood Grange.
The village also had several schools. Education was important to the townspeople. The Pines , an elementary school, Central High School, and others were located in the area of East New Portland.