Paul LADD

  General Notes:

Notes from Warren Ladd: He was killed in 1824, at Winthrop, Kennebec Co, ME, by the falling of a church frame.

A brief history of Winthrop, from 1764 to October 1855, pages 138-140: The first Parish had erected a house, [that which they now occupy.] decent in appearance, commodious in. size and structure, convenient in location, in which to celebrate divine worship. Three days after bidding adieu to the old house they met in the new one, and, with appropriate religious services, solemnly dedicated it to Jehovah, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. On that occasion, however, the gladness and joy of having succeeded in obtaining what had been ardently desired, were mingled with very mournful and distressing recollections of what occurred at raising the frame of the building in which they were then convened. On the ninth of June, 1824, a numerous company was gathered. There was no intemperance, profaneness or noise. The calmness, harmony, dispatch and success, which attended the enterprise, until more than half the rafters were in their places, were unusual. One spirit of cheerful anticipation appeared to animate the whole company of active laborers, and spectators. But suddenly the scene was changed. A beam broke, the shoring not being sufficient, and from thirty to forty men, mingled with a ton or two of timber, were precipitated a distance of twenty-six feet! It seemed almost miraculous that half of them were not killed upon the spot. Yet, some were scarcely hurt, others slightly, some seriously, and three mortally wounded. But the scene beggars description. The lamentations of neighbor for suffering neighbor, of brother for suffering brother, of children for father, of fathers for sons, of wives for husbands, were enough to melt the heart. But the groans of the wounded and dying, were truly agonizing. One, who had been married not two full months, laid speechless and unconscious for a few hours, and yelded up the ghost [Warren Pullen.] Another, lingered in a state of excruciating distress till about noon the following day, and died, leaving his afflicted widow overwhelmed with grief [Paul LADD.] Another, for whose recovery considerable hope was entertained, on the morning of the third day after the fearful catastrophe, exhibited symptoms which awakened the most alarming apprehensions among his sorrow smitten friends. Before the going down of the sun, the lamp of life was extinguished [Francis Holt.] Thus another widow and three fatherless children were added to the group of unexpected and distressed mourners.

Headstone, Glenside Cemetery, Winthrop, Kennebec Co, ME
Mr. Paul Ladd, Died July 10, 1824, Age 31

  Burial Notes:

Glenside Cemetery, Glenside Cemetery, Winthorp, ME

Paul married Rebecca BILLINGTON on 13 Jul 1814 in Wayne, Kennebec Co, ME. (Rebecca BILLINGTON was born on 5 Jul 1795 in Wayne, Kennebec Co, ME and died on an unknown date.)