The Waters Family of 1880 Patten, Maine

Blanchard Project
Utterstrom/Chase/Waters

By Don Taylor

During my ancestor sketch for Sadie Walters, I learned that Patten, Kennebec County, Maine, was settled about 1828 and incorporated in 1841. Sadie was born in 1887 in Patten, Maine and her parents were born in Patten as well. So, I wondered, just when did Sadie’s people come to Patten.  Sadie’s parents were William G. Waters and Laura M. Swett.

I decided to look first at the Waters of Patten, Maine, as they appear in the 1880 Census records.

1880 Population Schedule

A search of the 1880 Census for “Waters” in Patten, Maine, had 12 results in four-family units:

1. George Waters, Age 67 – Widower – Farmer
   1. Daughter – Elen M. Waters, Age 40
   2. Son – Willie G. Waters, Age 22 – works on a farm.
2. Samuel Waters, age 65 – Farmer
   1. Wife – Frances E. Waters, age 41
   2. Daughter – Emily Waters, age 14 – Attended School.
   3. Adopted Daughter – Mary I. Waters, age 24 – Teacher.
3. William Waters, Age 60 – Farmer
   1. Wife – Olive T. Waters, Age 33
   2. Daughter – Alice M. Waters, Age 10 – Attended School.
   3. Son – William L Waters, Age 8 – Attended School.
   4. Niece – Emily A Rowe, Age 19 – Teacher
   5. Nephew – George E Rowe, Age 23 – Teacher
4. Eunice W. Waters, Age 64 – Mother of Lonsen Grant.
   1. (Son) – Lonsen Grant, Age 37, farmer

Willie G. Waters is clearly the William G. Waters that I have in my records and Sadie A. Water’s father, who was born in January 1858. Thanks to the 1880 Census, I’ve learned that William’s father was George Waters, born c. 1813 and Willie G. had a much older sister, Elen, who was 18 years older, born about 1840.

George Waters Family entry in the 1880 Census.

I find it very interesting that George, Samuel, and William Waters are all in the 60s, all were born in Maine, and all of there parents were born in Maine. So, I suspect that the three are brothers.  A look at earlier census records may provide a clearer look and either confirm or rebuke that hypothesis.

Non-population Schedules

The 1880 Agricultural Census Schedule lists the farm information regarding each of the Waters’ farms.

George had 100 acres of land, 60 of which was tilled. In 1879, he had two horses, three milch (milk) cows, 18 sheep from which he got 100 pounds of fleece, and 20 chickens. He had 5 acres in oats, 3 acres in wheat, 1 acre of potatoes, 2 acres of apple trees. Altogether, George’s farm was valued at $1,539.

Samuel and William’s farms were slightly larger at 150 acres and valued at $1,775 and $1,780, respectively.

Future Actions

• Next – Review the 1870 Census records.
• Research property records for the Waters of Paten, Maine.

Sources:

• 1880 Census, Lonsen M. Grant (Head) – Patten, Penobscot, Maine – Eunice W. Waters (Mother). 1880; Census Place: Patten, Penobscot, Maine; Roll: 485; Page: 386A; Enumeration District: 001.
• 1880 Census, George Waters – Patten, Penobscot, Maine. 1880; Census Place: Patten, Penobscot, Maine; Roll: 485; Page: 385D; Enumeration District: 001.
• 1880 Census, Samuel Waters – Patten, Penobscot, Maine. 1880; Census Place: Patten, Penobscot, Maine; Roll: 485; Page: 383D; Enumeration District: 001.
• 1880 Census, William Waters – Patten, Penobscot, Maine. 1880; Census Place: Patten, Penobscot, Maine; Roll: 485; Page: 384A; Enumeration District: 001.
• 1880 U.S. census, “Agricultural Census Schedule”, George Waters, Patten, Penobscot, Maine, OS Page 15, Line 4. 1880; Census Place: Patten, Penobscot, Maine; Archive Collection Number: 15-156; Roll: 15; Page: 15; Line: 4; Schedule Type: Agriculture
• 1880 U.S. census, “Agricultural Census Schedule”, Samuel Waters, Patten, Penobscot, Maine, OS Page 11, Line 5. 1880; Census Place: Patten, Penobscot, Maine; Archive Collection Number: 15-156; Roll: 15; Page: 11; Line: 5; Schedule Type: Agriculture.
• 1880 U.S. census, “Agricultural Census Schedule”, William Waters, Patten, Penobscot Maine, OS Page 11, Line 7. 1880; Census Place: Patten, Penobscot, Maine; Archive Collection Number: 15-156; Roll: 15; Page: 11; Line: 7; Schedule Type: Agriculture.