READFIELD — Readfield History Walkers will enjoy a walk into Quimby Bog and visit the circa 1801 Josiah Whittier homestead on North Road, which harbors restored Moses Eaton stencils. 

Participants will meet at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 30, at 183 North Road and will hike to Quimby Bog on a private trail. The round-trip trek is about 1.5 and considered moderate by the landowners.

Quimby Bog is named for Dr. Samuel Quimby of Mt. Vernon, an early physician and mill owner. The southernmost part of Quimby Bog can be seen from route 17 in Readfield Depot, and from there it extends north to Dunn’s Corner, Mt. Vernon. The settlement known as Dunn’s Corner developed around Dr. Quimby’s grist mill, sawmill and shingle mill, which he managed from about 1810 until 1850.

Upon completion of the hike, participants will return to the Josiah Whittier homestead.

Josiah Whittier was a son of Moses Eaton, who came to Readfield from Raymond, N.H., with his wife and ten children around 1788. Eaton settled 200 acres on the road then called “Whitcher Road” (the old spelling and pronunciation for Whittier), but known today as North Road. Eaton’ sons Josiah, Beniah and Moses Jr. as well as three grandsons, Hiram, Joseph and True Whittier, followed in his footsteps. Some of Moses’ daughters married men from this area of town and also settled nearby – one being his son-in-law, Nathaniel Jose, for whom Jose Hill is named. In that area of town, there remains four original “Whitcher” homesteads.

History Walkers will have the opportunity to view restored Moses Eaton stencils inside the Josiah Whittier homestead. Eaton was from New Hampshire, born 1792, and apprenticed under his father, Moses Sr. He struck out on his own as an itinerant artist and his travels brought him into Maine where examples of his work still exist. Eaton stenciled inside both Josiah Whittier’s house and his father’s house next door.

Walking sticks and sturdy, waterproof footwear are recommended. Participants may bring lunch to eat with the group afterwards. There is no fee for Readfield History Walks. Donations in support of the historical site markers project are welcome. Checks can be made payable to Readfield Historical Society.

FMI: www.readfieldhistorywalks.blogspot.com, email [email protected].