Editing Alfred, Maine (section)

==History==

[[Abenaki]] [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]] called the area Massabesic, meaning "large pond," or "the place of much water." It was in the western portion of a large tract of land purchased from [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Indian]] chiefs Fluellin, Hombinowitt and Meeksombe (also known as Captain Sunday), between 1661 and 1664 by Major William Phillips, an owner of mills in [[Saco, Maine|Saco]] (which then included [[Biddeford, Maine|Biddeford]]). According to historian Jim Brunelle, editor of the ''Maine Almanac,'' the price was "two large blankets, two gallons of rum, two pounds of powder, four pounds of musket balls, 20 strings of beads and several other articles."<ref name=Coolidge>{{Cite book | last = Coolidge | first = Austin J.|author2=John B. Mansfield | title = A History and Description of New England| publisher = A.J. Coolidge | year = 1859| location = Boston, Massachusetts| pages = [https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_OcoMAAAAYAAJ/page/n55 27]–29| url = https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_OcoMAAAAYAAJ| quote = coolidge mansfield history description new england 1859. }}</ref>

Simeon Coffin of [[Newbury, Massachusetts|Newbury]], [[Massachusetts]], arrived in 1764 and lived for a time in a [[wigwam]], although the first permanent settlement took place in 1770. Known as the north parish of [[Sanford, Maine|Sanford]], the community was set off and incorporated as a district on February 4, 1794. [[Sawmill]]s and [[gristmill]]s operated by [[water power]] at the streams. A log jail was built in 1803, with a brick jail in 1869. The courthouse was built in 1806, the year Alfred became the shire town of York County. It was incorporated as a town in 1808, named in honor of King [[Alfred the Great]]. Land would be set off to Sanford in 1828, and annexed from [[Waterboro, Maine|Waterboro]] in 1847.<ref name="Coolidge"/> The Rochester & Portland Railroad entered from Waterboro in 1864, connecting to [[Rochester, New Hampshire|Rochester]], [[New Hampshire]] in 1871. More than 30 trains passed through Alfred daily between 1910 and 1920, but use would decline in the age of [[automobile]]s. Passenger service ceased in 1949, with the final train departing in 1961. A severe [[drought]] in Maine tindered the [[The Great Fires of 1947|Great Fires of 1947]], burning {{convert|4500|acre|km2}} of woodland and two residences in the town.

[[Image:Main Buildings, Shaker Village, Alfred, ME.jpg|thumb|left|[[Alfred Shaker Historic District|Alfred Shaker Village]], {{circa|1915}}]]
A [[Shakers|Shaker]] religious community once thrived in Alfred (now the [[Alfred Shaker Historic District]]). In 1783, members of the Shaker Church settled on the hill near Massabesic (now Shaker) Pond. Others dubbed them the "Merry Dancers," because of their ecstatic worship. "They were," as historian George J. Varney writes, "at this time fanatical in religion and intemperate in their indulgences."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://history.rays-place.com/me/alfred-me.htm|title=George J. Varney, "History of Alfred, Maine" (1886)|accessdate=May 18, 2023}}</ref>

In 1872, the [[District No. 5 School (Alfred, Maine)|District No. 5 School]] was built in northern Alfred. It was used as a school until 1921, thereafter providing a number of community functions. It was listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places listings in York County, Maine|National Register of Historic Places]] in 2009.

In 1873 Louis H. F. Wagner rowed out to [[Smuttynose Island]] in the [[Isles of Shoals]], off the Atlantic coast near [[Kittery, Maine|Kittery]], intending to rob but eventually murdering two of the three women left alone on the island. When the authorities finally caught up with him, jurisdiction for the case was given to York County and the [[county seat]], Alfred. The biggest trial in the state at that time was held in the Alfred Court House.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.courts.state.me.us/mainecourts/history/Yorkcountycourthouse.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20051211102753/http://www.courts.state.me.us/mainecourts/history/Yorkcountycourthouse.html|url-status=dead|title=History of York County Courthouse|archivedate=December 11, 2005|access-date=May 18, 2023}}</ref>

Having little defense, Wagner was quickly found guilty and sentenced to be hanged on the gallows of the [[Maine State Prison]] at [[Thomaston, Maine|Thomaston]]. While awaiting transfer, he broke out of the Alfred jail and made his escape, eventually being caught in [[Farmington, New Hampshire]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://home.myfairpoint.net/espooner/id53.html|title=The Smuttynose IslandMURDERS|website=home.myfairpoint.net|accessdate=May 18, 2023}}</ref>