History of Biddeford, (York County) Maine United States of America

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Biographies:

Joseph Willard, educator, was born in Biddeford, Maine, Jan. 9, 1738; son of Samuel Willard (1705-1741); grandson of John Willard, and great-grandson of Samuel and Eunice (Tyng) Willard. His father died when Joseph was three years of age, and he was supported by his relatives. He was graduated from Harvard, A.B., 1765, A.M., 1768; was tutor there, 1766-72; studied divinity, and was ordained a minister of the First Congregational church, Beverly, Mass., Nov. 25, 1772, under the Rev. Joseph Champhey. He was elected president of Harvard college, to succeed Samuel Langdon, resigned, Dec. 19, 1781, and served until his death. He was a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and of the American Philosophical society; received the honorary degree of A.B. from Yale in 1765, and is the author of several sermons. He died in New Bedford, Mass., Sept. 25, 1804.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Charles Deane, historian, was born in Biddeford, Maine, Nov. 10, 1813; son of Dr. Ezra and ?? (Moody) Deane; grandson of the Rev. Silas Moody; and a descendant of Walter Deane, who, with his brother John, came from Chard, near Taunton, England, and settled in Taunton, Mass. He attended Saco academy for a time and also a classical school, and was employed in mercantile houses in Maine from 1829 to 1833, when he removed to Boston, Mass. He became a successful merchant, and retired from business in 1864, removing to Cambridge, Mass., where he devoted his time to literary work and historical research. He was married in 1841 to Helen Waterston. He was elected a member of the Massachusetts historical society in 1841 and was later its vice-president; a member of the American antiquarian society in 1851, succeeding George Bancroft as secretary for domestic correspondence in 1880; a member of the American academy of arts and sciences in 1866, and of the London society of antiquaries in 1878; and was a member of numerous other historical and scientific societies. He collected a large and exceedingly valuable library, comprising a fine collection of rare Americana, including early voyages and discoveries, which was distributed by public sale in March, 1898. He received the degree of A.M. from Harvard in 1856 and that of LL.D. from Bowdoin in 1871, and from Harvard in 1886. His writings include: many memoirs; contributions to Justin Winsor's Narrative and Critical History of America; contributions to periodicals; edited works; many essays, privately printed; Lieutenant-General John Burgoyne and the Convention of Saratoga One Hundred Years Ago (1878); and Bradford's History of Plymouth with notes (1856). See Memoir by Justin Winsor. He died in Cambridge, Mass., Nov. 13, 1889.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Mark Langdon Hill, representative, was born in Biddeford, Maine, June 30, 1772. He attended the district school, and in 1792 was elected to the Massachusetts legislature, serving several terms in both houses. In 1810 he was appointed a judge of the court of common pleas; was a representative from Massachusetts in the 16th congress, I819-21, and from Maine in the 17th congress, 1821-23. He was later postmaster at Phippsburg, Maine; collector of the port of Bath, and held several town and county offices. He was overseer of Bowdoin college, 1796-1821, and a trustee, 1821-42, regularly attending every meeting except one during the period of forty-six years. He died in Phippsburg, Maine, Nov. 26, 1842.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor