DIXFIELD – In 1789, three men from Sutton, Mass., journeyed to the River Valley area to lay out the boundaries of a township.

They were Col. Jonathan Holman, Deacon Waters and Jeremiah Robinson.

By 1791, 26 others had joined them, buying land in the new settlement, which, at that time, was called Holmantown.

There wasn’t any Rumford, Mexico or Dixfield then, just a town named after Col. Holman, the land proprietor.

On Wednesday, about 40 people of all ages gathered around a large stone to dedicate a bronze plaque, newly embedded in the rock.

It was the last function of Dixfield’s Bicentennial 2003 Celebration.

The plaque reads, “In commemoration of Holmantown. Settled in 1796 by pioneer brothers Peter, Jonathan and Ebenezer Holman. Incorporated as Dixfield, June 21, 1803. Bicentennial 2003.”

Bicentennial Committee organizer Charlotte Collins said Wednesday afternoon that although Col.

Holman was the proprietor, it was his three sons mentioned on the plaque who are credited with being the first settlers.

They came to establish the permanent settlement.

Peter Holman, Collins said, was about 34 years old when, in 1803, he built the house behind the now commemorated stone.

More than 200 years later, that old homestead of Peter and Mercy Knight Holman is still standing. Ebenezer’s and Jonathan’s two houses burned down.

“The house that stands here is our last link to those early days when the Holmans and

their neighbors carved out the community we now call Dixfield,” Collins said.

Descendant Terry Holman donated the large rock for the ceremony. It came from a lower pasture on the homestead.

Wednesday’s program began with Dixfield Historical Society President Donna C. Towle and Mexico Historical Society President Irene Hutchinson welcoming everyone to the plaque unveiling.

Holmantown originally included all of what would become known as Mexico in 1818, and all of Dixfield, Collins said.

In 1803, Dixfield was incorporated, being named after a Dr. Elijah Dix, “because he had promised the town a library, which we never got,” she said.

Hutchinson and Towle explained the role both towns have played in Dixfield’s history. Everyone then sang, “God Bless America,” before Holman descendants unveiled the rock.

Collins spoke about the hardships endured by the town’s pioneers. The function ended with a moving “Dixfield Blessing” from the Rev. Kenneth J. Hinkley of the Dixfield Common Baptist Church.