Eben Averill ⁸²⁸²

History of Penobscot County, Maine : with illustrations and biographical sketches
(Cleveland : Williams Chase & Co, 1882)


Among the early settlers who came to Prentiss in 1840 were two brcthers, Eben and Ira Averill, who came here from Bangor. Their father, Asa Averill, of Pittston, married Mary Catlin, of Newcastle. They had seven children, viz : Martha, Mary, Eben, Ira, Hiram, Asa, and Sarah, all of whom are living except Mary. Asa Averill died many years since ; Mrs. Averill died in 1822.

Eben Averill was born April 15, 1812. On becoming of age he went to Dixmont and worked two years on a farm, at the end of which he went to Bangor and worked by the month at farming, teaming, etc., until 1840, when he came to Prentiss, then No. 7, Range 3, and began to make a farm. He and his brother came through to this place from Lincoln on foot, following a spotted line and bringing supplies on their backs. They felled about fifteen acres that year, and built a log house. They brushed out a road during the fall to Lincoln, so that during the winter they could draw in some provisions with a horse for use the next season.

In 1839 Eben married Maria Osgood, daughter of Benjamin Osgood, of Bangor. In 1841, the next year after he made his first chopping, he brought his wife to his new home. They came in March on a sled. Here they have since lived. They have had seven children, viz :

Ann M., wife of C. A. Rowe, of Prentiss ; Abbie Isabel, wife of A. R. Page, of Drew Plantation; Alberta M., now Mrs. George B. Gates, of Carson City, Nevada ; Pert Edna, wife of Edward Skillinger, of Danforth ; Mabel, wife of George Larrabee, of Carroll ; Pitt Eben, now with his father at home ; Asa M., now at home. Mr. Averill has held the office of Justice of the Peace, Selectman, etc.

Eben married Maria Osgood in 1839. (Maria Osgood was born in Fryeburg, Oxford County, Maine.)