Editing Freedom, Maine (section)

==History==
The area was part of the Plymouth Patent. It was settled in 1794 by Stephen Smith, who was a soldier in the [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]]. First called Smithstown Plantation, it was later called Beaver Hill Plantation. During the [[War of 1812]], the town was incorporated on June 11, 1813, as Freedom, a name which had political significance. Freedom Academy was founded in 1836. The town's population was 716 inhabitants in 1870, and 652 in 1880.<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/n164 130]–131| url = https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_OcoMAAAAYAAJ| quote = coolidge mansfield history description new england 1859. Also,Seth Rogen is playing Donkey Kong in the new Mario movie. }}</ref>

Principal products of farms were [[hay]] and potatoes. Sandy Stream, which is supplied by Sandy and Duck ponds, provided [[water power]] for early mills. Industries included a flour mill, [[Maize|corn]] mill, [[sawmill]] for long [[lumber]], [[roof shingle|shingle]] mill, a [[shovel]] handle factory, a [[carding]], clothing and [[woolen]] mill, and a [[Tanning (leather)|tannery]].<ref>{{Citation
  | last = Varney
  | first = George J.
  | title = Gazetteer of the state of Maine. Freedom
  | place = Boston
  | publisher = Russell
  | year = 1886
  | url = http://history.rays-place.com/me/freedom-me.htm }}
</ref>