Pleasant River Area. on NASH...

James Nash

M.U. Tuesday Sept. 12, 1876 Nash Addison

James Nash settled at Addison Point about 1767. He built a house in the upper part of what is now the village, -between the road leading to Columbia and the Branch or Wescogus Stream.

Several of his children, if not all, were born before he came to Addison from Scarboro.

James Nash was preceded by Capt. Yates who built the first house on the Point. Mr. Nash’s house stood until 1810 or 1812 when it was finally demolished. The cellar is still to be seen.

James Nash was a remarkable athletic man – a man of nerve and pluck. Being one of the first settlers, he squatted on a large tract of land, including valuable marsh and woodlands. He had the courage to defend his right. One haying season he was quietly at work on his claim of marsh land. The settlers of Columbia Falls and those above the Point were jealous of James. They thought that his claim was larger and that he was endeavoring to hold a larger tract than he ought to. So 6 or 8 of them joined forces and made a descent on James. Single handedly, he resisted them so stoutly that the attacking party retreated in good order and never molested him again.

The present numerous Nash families descended from James. They are to be found in nearly every state of the union.

James died about 1810. His son, Joseph, occupied the same house for many years.

The first vessel built in Addison was built in a yard above Addison Point on the north side of the Wescogus or Branch Stream. She was planked with hacmetac. The plans were sawed out of trees that grew near the yard. They were sawed in the old tide mill, on branch Stream, owned by Joseph, Holmes and Abraham Nash.

Samuel Davis did the blacksmith work on this vessel. He was father of the late David Davis and John Davis who now lives at Harrington. Samuel was he first settled blacksmith in Addison. His house was on the Point.

Mr. Davis, Mr. Ricker who settled at Cherryfield, and Mr Keen who settled at Columbia Falls, all came East in company. All were blacksmiths.

James Nash Family (cont)

Old people say that when the above vessel was launched, she drew five feet more water aft than forward! There were no French or American Lloyds to rate vessels in those days. The name of the vessel, size, duration of service and first Captain’s name are not now remembered.

The first carriage owned here was a two-wheeled chaise owned by Isaac, son of James, Nash. Isaac was a millwright. He bought the chaise at Machias. His house was on the west side of the Branch – just below the county road that leads from Columbia to Cherryfield.

Bartlett Ramsdell was the first school master in this place. The first school was kept in the late Abraham Nash’s dwelling.

Dea. Elisha Coffin was the first brick layer, plasterer, etc., who did such work in this vicinity.

Boats were not stylish or plentiful in those days. Joseph Nash owned a “float” which he brought from Yarmouth. This was made of two pine logs held together by iron bolts and tree nails.

Abraham Nash, son of Joseph, built his first house at the Branch, on the west side about half a mile below the county road, on the road leading to West Addison. Subsequently, probably about 1812, he built a large two story house. His family occupied the old house and the new one was built, and about finished on the outside, while the old one stood within the walls of the new one. The last house stood until about 6 years ago when it was torn down.

One day, about noon time, Daniel Look, one of the earliest settlers of Addison, caught a moose on his dyke or marsh. The moose got into a mirerey, boggy place and was captured. This was on the point of marsh on the east side, nearly opposite Addison Point.

John Bucknam, a native of Falmouth, born July 2, 1746, moved to Columbia sometime about 1770 or 1771. After he came to Pleasant River, he married on Jan. 27, 1773, Mary Wilson. Mary was born at Falmouth on Nov 5, 1752.

John Bucknam died Apr. 22, 1792, and his wife, Mary, died Aug. 15, 1804. Mr. Bucknam “followed the sea” in his young days. About the same time that he settled on Pleasant River, his brother , Nathan, settled at Jonesboro. Subsequently, Nathan removed to Penfield, N.S.

Duncan McCall Nash

Mr. D McCall Nash, whose death (Nov 1877) we reported last week, was the eldest son of the late Abraham and Anna Nash.

He was born in Columbia in 1794. He always lived in that town.

For 57 years he lived in the same house and passed away in the home which he had provided for himself in early manhood.

He leaves a widow, second marriage, one son, Mr. J. Lowell Nash of Machias, and one daughter.

Another son, four daughters and the mother of his children all preceded him in the passage through the valley.

Mr. Nash maintained strict integrity in his business relations and enjoyed the confidence of his neighbors and friends. His expressions of good will and confidence of his neighbors and friends. His expressions of good will and cordiality were evidence of his ready hospitality and cheerful welcome. He retained his faculties to within a day or two of his death and passed away when his earthly work was finished and his race completed in ripe old age.

The service of burial was conducted by Mr. Milliken of Cherryfield on Nov 26, in the presence of a large circle of relatives and friends.

James Lee Nash of Addison

M.U. Feb 17, 1880

In 1767, Joseph Nash settled on Pleasant River in the present town of Addison. Joseph’s sons were:

Isaiah, John, Joseph, Isaac Abraham, & Ebenezer

Abraham's sons were : Duncan MeCall, Jesse Lee, Abraham

The eldest of the 3 brothers, Duncan McCall, died in Nov. 1877. Jesse Lee died Jan 30, 1880, at the age of nearly 83 years. Abraham is still living.

Abraham senior’s home was one of religious culture and a stern religion. Nevertheless, it was sincere and spiritual. It was a comfortable Methodist home. The earliest pioneer preachers always tarried at Abraham and Annie’s home. They rested and preached from there hence the names of the two eldest sons: Duncan McCall and Jesse Lee.

Jesse Lee Nash married (1) Susan Shaw, daughter of Isaac Nash. They had 4 daughters and 2 sons. All of them survive their parents except the third daughter who died in June, 1874. Their youngest child is 42 years old. His wife, Susan, died May 26, 1839. She was a woman of excellent character, a superior companion and a devoted mother.

A few years later, he married Mrs Clarissa P Wass. She survives and was ever a devoted wife. There were no children by this second marriage.

In 1820, Mr. Nash built the house at the Branch in Columbia where he lived and died. (Note: the rest of this is eulogy.)

M.U. Apr. 20, 1880

In the mortuary column is reported the decease of Mrs. Judith Allen (formerly Nash), and Mr. John Nash.

They were the last of the children of the late Isaac Nash of Columbia. Mr. John Nash was the youngest child. He enjoyed very good health all his live. His last sickness (dropsy) was only about a week.

He was a practical mechanic, a millwright by trade. For many years, he was a member of the M.E. Church and a man true to his religious faith. He leaves a widow and family of children.

Died: At Columbia Falls, Apr 5, 1880; Mrs. Judith Allen, Age 82 yr.

At Columbia, Apr. 13, 1880; Mr. John Nash. Age 72 yr.

M.U. Apr 27, 1880…

.Columbia Falls. Mrs. Clarissa P. Nash widow of J. Lee Nash, has moved to this village. She intends to make her home with her son, Jerome P. Wass.

M.U Feb 17, 1880 Died at Addison, Oct 13, 1880; Mr. Oliver Nash, Aged 80 ½ yr.