History of New Vineyard, Maine, USA

1839 - New Vineyard
New Vineyard, Maine
Franklin county. This town is watered by a branch of Seven Mile brook. The surface of the town is uneven, but the soil, generally, is productive. It produced, in 1837, 7,063 bushels of wheat. Population, same year, 870. Incorporated, 1802. It lies 40 miles N.W. from Augusta and 8 N. by E. from Farmington.
The New England Gazetteer containing descriptions of all the states, counties and towns in New England: also descriptions of the principal mountains, rivers lakes, capes, bays, harbors, islands and fashionable resorts within that territory. By John Hayward, author of the Columbian Traveller, Religious Creeds, &c. &c. Boston: John Hayward. Boyd & White, Concord, N.H. 1839

1854 - New Vineyard
New Vineyard, a post-township of Franklin co., Maine, about 48 miles N. W. from Augusta. Population, 635.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

1854 - July 28 - Joseph Emery, lately the Postmaster at New Vineyard, has been sentenced to the State prison for ten years, for purloining letters from the mail.

The Athens Post
Athens, Tennessee
July 28, 1854

1882 - February 25 - Mrs. Stewart was alone and unarmed when two tramps took forcible possession of her house, at New Vineyard, Me.
While they were eating and drinking in the kitchen, she whittled a stick into the shape of a pistol, blackened it with soot, then made a fierce onslaught on the rascals, who fled precipitately.
The Lafayette Adviser
Lafayette, Louisiana
February 25, 1882

1886 - New Vineyard
New Vineyard is situated in the eastern part of Franklin County, having Strong on the west and the latter and Freeman on the north-west, Industry on the south-east, the latter and Farmington on the south, Industry and Anson in Somerset County on the east and Strong, Freeman and New Portland in Somerset County on the north. The town has a remarkable outline. There are two right-angled notches on the north-western side and three on the south-eastern. There are also nine projecting right-angles. A range of mountains crosses the town from south-west to north-east, dividing the waters of Sandy River from those of the Carrabasset River on the north. There are no less than nine peaks in the town and on its borders, of which Herriek mountain is probably the highest. The scenery in some parts is strikingly beautiful. Porter's Pond, lying on the middle border and partly in Strong, is the principal sheet of water. The streams are Porter's and Barker brooks, and Hillman, Fairbank's and McLeny... Read MORE...

1886 - September 21 - Three Deaths at New Vineyard
FARMINGTON, Sept. 20. Capt. Leonard Hackett, eighty-five years old, Hannah Wilcox, sixty-five, and Jonathan Look, jr., aged forty-four, all died Saturday in the neighboring town of New Vineyard, suddenly. The first named was one of the oldest citizens in town and had been a member of the Legislature at one time.
Bangor Daily Whig and Courier
Bangor, Maine
September 21, 1886

1890 - August 7 - Stationary Traveling.
Thoreau believed, or sometimes talked as if he believed, that everything was to be found in Concord. There was no great occasion for traveling, he thought. If you really needed to see anything, you had only to stay at home, and in due time it would come to you.

This was somewhat whimsical, and no one was better aware of the fact than Thoreau himself, who loved a paradox as other men love a dinner. But one of our exchanges knows of a man who seems to have been a pretty wide traveler without ever having been away from home.

He has lived in two states, in three counties and in three towns, and yet he has always lived where he was born. The facts of the case are these:

Charles Graham was born in the state of Massachusetts, town of New Vineyard, and county of Kennebec, the 28th day of May, 1819. In 1820 that part of Massachusetts was incorporated or set off as Maine. He still lived in New Vineyard, Kennebec county, but in Maine instead of Massachusetts.

The his part of New... Read MORE...

1893 - Fatal Hunting Accident
Farmington, Me., Oct. 4. - While three young men of New Vineyard were hunting yesterday, the gun of one of them was accidentally discharged and the contents passed through the body of Raymond Dexter, aged 18, killing him instantly.
The Fitchburg Sentinel
Fitchburg, Massachusetts
October 4, 1893

1895 - New Vineyard
New Vineyard, vin'yard, a post-hamlet in New Vine yard township, Franklin co., Me., 10 miles N. of Farming ton. It has 3 churches, a high school, and a manufactory of spools. Pop. of the township, 755.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1898 - September 2 - NOTCH GANG of Counterfeiters in the Mountains of Maine.
[Lewiston (Maine) Journal.]

"I see by the papers that the famous Notch Gang of New Vineyard is again rampant," said a Farmington man who came out of the dining hall of the Victoria Hotel in Lewiston to-day, and lit a cigar in the office. "Now, I know something of that gang. It is, or has been in the past, one of the biggest counterfeiting gangs in the country. I know where there was a ten quart pan of counterfeit money under the counter of a grocery store for three weeks in that region, and every stranger that came in carried away a piece of it. They were operating 20 years ago at the Notch, but had a camp up in the sides of the Basin, in a secluded spot. One day a New Vineyard man found a woman wrapped in an overcoat, and laid on his front door step when he got up in the morning. She was in a high fever, and out of her mind. When the man had got her into the house, and his wife had stowed her away in a feather bed, he sent for a doctor in Farmington, Dr. Richards, and he brought... Read MORE...

1906
New Vineyard, a post-village in New Vineyard township (town), Franklin co., Me., 10 miles N. of Farmington. Pop. of the town in 1900, 584.
Lippincott's New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns ... in Every Portion of the Globe Publisher J.B. Lippincott Company, 1906

Here's a list of places to go and things to do in New Vineyard:
Lake Anasagunticook: Start your visit by exploring Lake Anasagunticook, a picturesque and peaceful lake that's perfect for swimming, fishing, kayaking, and picnicking. The clear waters and serene surroundings make it a great spot for outdoor enthusiasts.

Sandy River Farm: If you're interested in local agriculture and want to experience farm life, pay a visit to Sandy River Farm. You can pick your own fresh produce during the harvest season, and there's often a farm stand where you can purchase farm-fresh goodies.

Outdoor Adventures: New Vineyard is surrounded by natural beauty, making it an excellent destination for outdoor activities. Hiking, mountain biking, and birdwatching are popular here. You can explore nearby trails like the Mount Blue State Park or the Tumbledown Mountain Trail for a more challenging hike.

Snowmobiling and Cross-Country Skiing: During the winter months, New Vineyard becomes a haven for snow sports enthusiasts. The extensive network of snowmobile... Read MORE...