A History of Turner, Maine: From its Settlement to 1886

The following is a synopsis of the book’s key themes and sections:

1. The "Propriety" and Early Land Grants

The book begins by tracing the town's origins back to 1690, when the General Court of Massachusetts granted the township (then known as "Sylvester-Canada") to the heirs of Captain Joseph Sylvester and his company for their military service in the invasion of Canada. French details the struggles of the "Proprietors" to meet the settlement conditions, which included clearing land, building roads, and attracting permanent residents despite the threat of Indian raids and the remoteness of the Maine frontier.

2. Settlement and Incorporation

French chronicles the arrival of the first permanent settlers in the 1770s, many of whom were from Scituate, Massachusetts. He recounts the hardships of frontier life during the American Revolution, noting how the war slowed the town’s growth. The narrative follows the community’s development until its official incorporation as the town of Turner in 1786, named in honor of the Rev. Charles Turner.

3. Religious and Social Infrastructure

As a clergyman himself, French provides significant detail on the spiritual life of the town. He documents the construction of the first meeting house and the "settling" of the first minister, Rev. John Strickland. The book explores the growth of various denominations, including the Congregationalists, Baptists, Universalists, and Methodists, and discusses the importance of the ministerial and school funds.

4. Economic Growth and Geography

The book provides a geographical survey of Turner's villages and industrial centers, including:

• Turner Village and Turner Center: The primary hubs of commerce.

• Mill Development: The rise of Keen’s Mills and Chase’s Mills, which were vital to the local economy.

• Agriculture: Documentation of the town’s transition into a dairy powerhouse, specifically highlighting the North Turner Cheese Factory and the Turner Center Dairying Association.

5. Military History and Patriotism

A significant portion of the work is dedicated to Turner’s "War Record." French provides lists and biographical sketches of soldiers who served in:

• The Revolutionary War

• The War of 1812

• The Aroostook War

• The Civil War (War of the Rebellion), documenting the local sacrifice and the names of those who served.

6. Genealogical and Biographical Records

For many readers, the most valuable part of the book is the collection of family sketches. French meticulously recorded genealogical information, births, and marriages (specifically those from 1785–1797). He provides "captivating glimpses" into the daily lives and characters of the early pioneers, preserving their names for future generations.

7. The Centennial Celebration

The book concludes with an account of the town's Centennial Celebration in 1886. It preserves the speeches, poems, and addresses delivered during the event, serving as a snapshot of the town's civic pride and identity at the end of its first century.

Summary of Style

French’s writing is characteristic of 19th-century local histories—meticulous, factual, and deeply respectful of the "tenacity and collective effort" of the ancestors. He intended the book to be an affordable record that would allow residents to gain "instruction and benefit" by looking back at the manner of life in early times.