In "Salmon on the Dennys, 1788-1988", the authors note: Mrs. Esther Smith Lund writes that Israel Smith and Benjamin Lincoln Smith (brothers) owned together the shook mill above the dam on the Cathance River and also the lumber mill below the two dams at Marion. Benjamin Lincoln Smith was Esther Smith's grandfather. December 17, 1861--from Peter E. Vose's Journal: Today Mr. Kilby sold at auction one undivided half of near eight thousand acres of land on Cathance River together with his interest in Cathance Mill. Stuck off to T.W. Allan for $6,200. CATHANCE MILLS AT MARION From the Maine Registers 1874 B.L. Smith, John Smith, I.P. Smith Lumber 1875-1884 John Smith and T.W. Allan Lumber 1885-1894 Benjamin L. Smith and T.W. Allan Lumber 1895-1898 Benjamin L. Smith Lumber 1899-1901 Benjamin L. Smith Box Shooks 1902-1905 Nothing recorded in Maine Registers 1906-1913 Cathance Lumber Company, Short Lumber Halloway and Moffet Short Lumber 1913-1920 Cathance lumber Company, Short Lumber No records were found that would indicate any sawmill activity at Marion after 1920.

Contemporary Photographs of the Dennys River AreaPhotos for Map

Shingle Mill on Cathance Stream