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Gc 974.102 B41a 1770938
M. D. G
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01083 7364
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https://archive.org/details/historyofbelfast00abbo 0
HISTORY
-OF-
BELFAST, MAINE
TO 1825.
BY DR. HERMAN ABBOTT.
WITH AN INTRODUCTION AND NOTES BY JOSEPH WILLIAMSON,
REPRINTED FROM THE REPUBLICAN JOURNAL OF JAN. 25. FEB. 1, FER. S. AND FER. 15, 1900.
THE
BELFAST: MISS GRACE E. BURGESS. 1900. NEWBERRY
1770938
F 84109 .02
Abbot, Herman, 1783-1825.
History of Belfast, Maine, to 1825. By Dr. Herman . Abbott 4 . With an introduction and notes by Joseph Williamson Belfast, Miss G. E. Burgess, 1900.
SHELF CARO 1 p. 1., 18 pp. 8°.
Reprinted from the Republican journal of Jan. 25, Feb. 1, Feb .. 8, and Feb. 15, 1900.
340401
Seventy-five copies printed. 1. Belfast, Me .- Ilist. F29. B5A2
1-16589-M 1
·
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DISCOVERY OF A LONG LOST MANUSCRIPT.
A prefatory "advertisement" to the lit- tle History of Belfast, by William White, which was published in 1827, contains the following paragraph:
"Doctor Herman Abbot had collected many facts, with a view of compiling a history of the town of Belfast. All the good purposes and labours of that worthy man were ended in his death, which oc- curred in the midst of his great useful- · ness, and filled society with grief. His memoranda, by his administrator, were placed in the possession of the author who has found them accurate and useful, and that no part of them should be lost to the public, the manuscript is lodged in the Town Clerk's office."
Fifty years after this was written, while preparing my history of the city, I made an exhaustive but unsuccessful search for the above mentioned manuscript. Not a single person could be found who had ever seen the work, or knew of its existence. A few weeks ago, therefore, I was agree- ably surprised by learning from my friend George D. McCrillis, Register of Deeds, that while examining the contents of a disused trunk, belonging to his father, the late James McCrillis, Esq., he had un- expectedly discovered the missing treas- ure, inclosed among some old papers, and in a good state of preservation after its sleep of nearly three quarters of a century.
The manuscript is comprised in eight pamphlets, averaging fifteen pages each, five inches long by four wide, written in the same legible hand which characterizes our municipal records while the author held the position of town clerk. Although it does not shed much light upon our early annals, it verifies ruany obscure events, and its discovery is valuable and important.
Dr. Abbot, the author, was a native of Wilton, N. II., and practiced his profes- sion here from 1810, until his death, which took place July 24, 1825, at the age of forty-two years. Mr. Charles Read, who is among the few of our citizens who re- member him, says in personal appearance he was tall and spare, slightly stooping, but of a dignified and attractive deport- ment. He was never married. A tribute to his ud character is thus given in the Hancock Gazette, soon after his de- cease :
"The man whose virtues we contem- plate with no ordinary emotions, and whose sudden removing from this scene of things, we have so much reason to lament, was distinguished by a singulari- ty of excellence, which will always find more approvers than imitators in a world like ours. His scientific research and pro- fessional skill have been tested by many years' successful practice in this town, where he will long be remembered by his
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HISTORY OF BELFAST.
intimate friends with grateful affection, have long since passed away. These and by the community of which he was a member with universal respect. But we love to contemplate him in a still higher character,-higher, because it bad a more important bearing upon the world to which he is now removed. We mean bis char- acter as a man of unbending integrity, a Christian of unaffected piety. The church, of which he was both a highly valued member and officer, have regarded him as a brother, to whom they could look with confidence in seasons of difficulty, and whom they now mourn with a sorrow al- leviated only by the delightful conviction that their loss is his unspeakable gain. Having lived with the awards of eternity in view, death met him not unprepared. .In his last hours he observed to a friend that 'be considered death as the inevita- ble lot, but to the Christian not an evil.' "
The following is an exact copy of the manuscript. The foot notes are added by me. JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
History of Belfast
From its First Settlement to the Year 1825. BY HERMAN ABBOT.
PREFACE.
To collect and preserve a few facts re- lating to the early history and settlement of this town; the leading traits in the character of its first inhabitants, together with their privations and bardships; to notice our literary and religious institu- tions; our growing wealth and population; to mark the course of events and to de- scribe the improvements which have taken place here in the period of little more than half a century may be thought an object worthy of some attention. The proprie- tors and town records furnish much valu- able information respecting the days which
sources alone abound in too few materials to answer the purpose, and treat of topics too general in their nature to embrace a copious and useful variety. A more de- tailed account therefore appeared indis- pensable; and it has become necessary by consulting the aged inhabitatants and the descendants of the proprietors and first settlers to arrest valuable matter in its slow but steady march to oblivion. The knowledge of many little incidents of for- mer times has by these means been sought out, arranged and committed to writing, which with the addition of more recent occurrences contain, as I trust, an inter- esting compilation. Considering, however, the manner of procuring some portion of the materials for this sketch of Belfast, I am sensible that slight inaccuracies will be found; at the same time the public may be assured that no pains have been spared to obtain the most authentic infor- mation.
To those who have kindly assisted me in this undertaking, and particularly to Mr. John Cochran, the only surviving original proprietor resident in this town, through whose politeness I have had ac- cess to the proprietors' deed and records, I tender my grateful acknowledgments.
HISTORY OF BELFAST.
In the year 176S a number of young men belonging principally to Londonderry, N. H., began to adopt measures for the pur- chase of Belfast Township in the Province of Maine.
The straitened circumstances of some and the strong local attachments of many more, who were unwilling to remove the distance of two hundred miles to endure hardships in a wilderness inhabitated only by Indians and wild beasts, presented
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HISTORY OF BELFAST.
prospects truly formidable. A spirit of enterprise, however, overcame all obsta- cles and the plan was so far matured that a meeting was notified and held at Lon- donderry on the fourth day of October, when the intended purchasers divided the township into shares, subscribed for the number of shares each would take, and appointed a clerk to record their proceed- ings.
In June following, Joseph Chadwick made a survey of the township, which con- tained, according to his estimate, 19,359 acres. This was divided into fifty-one shares, and a deed bearing date August 29, 1769, was made in consideration of fifteen hundred pounds by the heirs of Brigadier General Samuel Waldo, viz. : Samuel Waldo, Esq., Francis Waldo, E-q., and Surah Waldo, wife of said Samuel, (her right of dower) of Falmouth, in the County of Cumberland, Maine; Is ac Winslow, Esq., of Roxbury, Massachu- setts; Thomas Flucker, Esq., and Hannah Flucker, his wife, (daughter of Brig .- Gen. Wald() of Boston, Massachusetts, (1) to John Mitchel, six shares; John Gilmore, five shares; John Steel, three shares, Sam- uel Houston and James McGregore, each two shares; Moses Barnet, John Moor, John Durham, Joseph Morrison, John Brown, James McGregore, Jr., John Morrison, Alexander Stewart, James Mill - er, William Clendinen, Matthew Reed, Samuel Marsb, Nathaniel Martin, and Joseph Gregg, each one share; William Patterson, Matthew Chambers and Wil- liam MeLaughlin, each half a share; all of Londonderry, N. II. John Tufts and James Gilmore, cach two shares; Robert Macklewane, Alexander Wilson and Jolin
Davidson, each one share; all of Wind- ham, N. H. Robert Patterson of Pepper- ellboro, Maine, three shares; Alexander Little and John Cochran, both of Boston, each one share; David Hemphill of New- buryport, one share; James McLaughlin of Pembroke, N. H., half a share; and the remaining four shares in equal pro- portions to the afore named John Mitchel, John Gilmore, Moses Barnet, John Tufts, Samuel Houston, John Moor and James McGregore, Jr.
Previous to executing the deed the gran- tors of this township employed Richard Stimson to survey a suitable location for a road from Thomaston to Fort Point, for which service he was to have one hundred acres of land at some place on the route. He accepted the proposal and selected a spot near a small creek (2) which is the dividing line between this town and Pros- pect. Thither his father, Ephraim Stim- son, removed, whose family, the first that ever settled here, consisted of him- self and wife, two sons, Ephraim and Richard, and several daughters.
In 1760, James Patterson and Nathaniel, his brother, both young men, came to this town from Pepperellboro (3) and . com- menced the business of felling trees and clearing land. They spent the ensuing winter here, at which time there was but one family in the place, the Stimson's, above mentioned.
The next year, 1770, several of the town proprietors arrived and took possession of their newly acquired purchase, with the
1. Winsk w derived an interest through his de- ceased wife, a daughter of General Waldo. Thomas and Hannah Flucker were the parents of the wife of General Knox.
2. The stream in the western part of Searsport village, called Half-way creek, Stimson's father first settled on the hill named for him Mount Ephraim.
3. Now Saco. James Patterson settled upon the Stock Farm, on the east side, long the home- stead of his nephew, the late Robert Patterson 5th. Nathaniel resided on lot No. 32, also on the east side.
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HISTORY OF BELFAST.
view of converting the lonely forest into fruitful fields for the support of them- selves and families. It was to be expected that they would bring with them the re- ligion, manners, habits and customs of the places they had left. Twenty-seven out of thirty-two purchasers belonged to Londonderry or Windham, whose inhabi- tants were principally of Scottish or Irish descent. In the former of these towns there were two societies of Presbyterians with each a clergyman of the first respec- tability, Rev. William Davidson and Rev. David McGregore, who had been settled there no less than thirty years. In the latter was the Rev. Simon Williams, a highly useful Presbyterian minister. To exchange these religious privileges, there- fore, for a situation where they could en- joy no stated preaching of the word and but very seldon hear a prayer or a sermon from those who are called to labour in the vineyard of the Lord and whose busi- ness it is more particularly to watch for souls as those who are to give account, must have been matter of deep regret to them and their friends. Many domestic and social ties implanted in man for wise and beneficent purposes, and which form necessary links in the great chain which connects the human species, were severed by their removal. Taking the final leave of father and mother, brothers and sisters with the express design of seeking a residence in the wilds of Maine awakened the tenderest sensibilities and gave impulse to the most affecting emo- tions of which kindred hearts are suscep- tible.
These few adventurers were fully per- suaded that patient labour and rigid econ - omy were necessary to success in a new country. Industry, temperance and fru - gality were virtues on which they set a
high valne; by the practice of which they acquired a hardy constitution and saved their earnings for useful purposes.
In their manners they exhibited a model of perfect plainness and simplicity indica- tive of contentment and a cheerful disposi- tion, and so cordial was their reception of those who visited them that with very limited means it might be truly said they were given to hospitality. The Scottish dialect was understood and spoken by several of them; and some traces of it are retained to the present day. Those of the first settlers who remain and their immediate descendants, read the poems of Burns with a keen relish and are enthusi- astic admirers of the language of the Scottish bard.
Nothing memorable happened after the settlement began until December 1770, when John Morrison and Thomas Steel were drowned by the upsetting of a boat in Belfast bay.
The Proprietors held their first meeting here June 25th, 1771, the land was laid out into lots, and partition was made of so much of it as became necessary for the convenience of the settlers.
The first white child born here was Ann, the second daughter of William Pat- terson and afterwards the wife of Enos West. Her birth happened May 9th, 1772. The same year William Patterson 2ud was married to Mary Mitchel by Dr. Crawford of Frankfort, a justice of the peace. This was the first marriage that took place in town.
In 1773 the Town was incorporated and the warrant for calling the first meeting of the inhabitants was issued by Thomas Goldthwait, Esq., of Frankfort, of which the following is a copy.
To Mr. John Mitchel of Belfast, Gentle- man, -Greeting.
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HISTORY OF BELFAST.
Whereas the great and general Court at their sessions began and held at Boston upon Wednesday, the twenty-ninth day of May last, passed an act for incorporating a certain tract of land lying on the westerly side of Penobscot Bay into a town by the name of Belfast in the County of Lincoln, and the said General Court having im- powered me, the subscriber, to issue a war- rant directed to some principal inhabitant in said town to notify and warn the In- habitants thereof qualified by law to vote in Town affairs to meet at such time and place as shall be therein set forth to choose such officers as may be necessary to manage the affairs of said Town, at which first meeting all the then male in- habitants that be at the age of twenty- one years shall be admitted to vote.
These are, therefore, in his majesty's name to require you, the said John Mitch- el, to notify the said Inhabitants of Bel- fast to meet at your dwelling house in said Town on Thursday the eleventh day of November, at ten of the clock in the fore- noon, then and there to choose a Town Clerk, Selectmen and all other Town Ofti- cers according to law and make return of this warrant with your doings as soon after the same is carried into execution as may be.
Given under my hand and seal at Frank- fort, October 1773.
THOMAS GOLDTHWAIT.
In obedience to the above warrant I have warned the Inhabitants of Belfast to attend their first meeting as appointed in said warrant. JOHN MITCHEL.
At this meeting Thomas Goldthwait was chosen Moderator; John Mitchel, Clerk; John Brown, Benjamin Nesmith and James Patterson, Selectmen; John Barnet, Treasurer; William Patterson, 1st, Con- · stable; John Durham, Jr., Alexander Clark, and James Miller, Surveyors of Highways; John Durham and James Mor- row, Wardens.
In 1774 the Town voted to send a peti- tion to the General Court at Boston to have non- resident lands taxed; that John Tufts carry the petition; and that he be
allowed, as wages, three shillings a day; he finding vituals and drink for himself.
Mr. John Barnet and Miss Isabella Dur- ham were joined in marriage Sept. 27th, 1774 by Daniel Little.
The Town Clerk entered on the records a certificate bearing date Nov. 8th, 1774, stating that he had lawfully published Mr. James Morrow to Miss Elizabeth Dur- ham, both of this Town.
In 1775 the Town voted to raise one hundred dollars for the highways, and fifty dollars for preaching. John Tufts, John Brown, Solon Stephenson, James Patterson, and Samuel Houston were ap- pointed committee of safety. John Tufts was recommended by vote of the Town for a Justice of the peace, and was soon after commissioned.
The Town also voted, that if any per- son makes unnecessary visits on the Sab- bath, he shall be looked on with contempt, until be make acknowledgment to the public. The inhabitants, at this time, felt great inconvenience, in being obliged to go fifteen miles, or more to mill; and an article was inserted in one of the Town warrants this year, 'To see if they could lay any plan to have a grist mill in town.' It does not appear that anything was done to remedy the evil complained of, except that the laying out certain roads to mill streams might be considered, as holding out to individuals encouragement to build mills. The Selectmen warned Joseph Dow June 10th, 1775, to withdraw from this Town forthwith; for they would not accept him, as a Town inhabitant.
1776. The committee of safety was composed of the same persons, as last year. Mr. James McCurdy was married to Miss Ann Mitchel Nov. 30th, 1776.
1777. Committee of safety, inspection and correspondence; Alexander Clark,
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HISTORY OF BELFAST.
Solon Stephenson, John Mitchel, James Patterson, Robert Patterson, Samuel Houston, and Benjamin Nesmith. The Town appointed Solon Stephenson to lay before the General Court the misconduct of any person, either by word, or action against the United States.
1778. The Town voted unanimously to approve of the constitution, or form of Government, as agreed on by the honora- ble Convention of this State. Yeas 19.
Messrs. John Tufts, Solon Stephenson, John Brown, Committee of safety, . &c. and were re-elected next year.
1779. The Town voted to raise twenty- five pounds for its own use, or in a more modern style, for incidental expenses.
This year Castine was taken by the British and the Inhabitants of Belfast to their inexpressible mortification were re- quired to come forward and swear alle- giance to the King of Great Britain or be treated as enemies. To the arbitrary measures of this monarch they were vio- lently opposed; and refusing to bind themselves by the solemnities of an oath to engage in a cause which they so beartily despised and finding themselves in danger they quitted their farms and made good their retreat to places out of the reach of persecution. (4)
1785. No sooner had the war between this country and Great Britain come to a happy termination and the enemy had withdrawn from our borders than the settlers scattered in all directions, began one after another to return and occupy their farms. Some, however, were so well situated elsewhere that they did not wish to revisit the place where they had met so much trouble and vexation. There
had been no town meetings since 1779 and Jonathan Buck, Esq., of Penobscot, agreeably to a resolve of the General Court, issued a warrant to John Tufts, Esq., directing him to call a meeting of the inhabitants on the twenty-ninth day of March for the purpose of choosing town officers and transacting town busi - ness.
178S. The town sent a petition to the General Court that they might be em- powered to lay a tax of two pence per acre on all the lands in town to raise money in order to build a meeting house, settle a minister, make bridges and re- pair roads.
1790. Number of inhabitants in town 245
1792. Forty three votes were given for the separation of the District of Maine from Massachusetts & two against it.
The town voted to build two meeting houses one on each side of the river to be erected at the expense of the inhabitants of each side separately. In the autumn town meetings were held in both of these houses.
1794. A demand was made by goveru- ment of ten soldiers from the Belfast Com- pany. (5) The town voted them a liberal allowance in addition to their regular pay in case they should be called into actual service. Mr. James Miller died Jan. 11th, aged 82. 1795. Mr. John Steel died June 14th, aged 84.
1796. At the commencement of this year there were only twelve framed dwell- ing houses in town and but one of them two stories bigb. [6]
4. This is an error. Ten of the eighteen heads of families then here, took the oath "under com . p.Ision," as they afterwards admitted.
5. This call was occasioned by Indian hostili- ties in the western country, and anticipated dif- ticulties with England.
6. The two story house was built by James Mil- ler. in 1791. It was afterwards occupied by Rev. William Frothingham, and perished in the great fire of 1873.
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HISTORY OF BELFAST.
A committee was chosen by the town to treat with Mr. Ebenezer Price on terms of settlement as a minister composed of the following persons, John Tufts, Solon Stephe son, Samuel McKeen, Samuel Houston, John Cochran, James Patterson, Benjamin Nesmith, Robert Steel, Tolford Durham, John Cochran 2nd and Alexander Clark.
The town voted to give Mr. Price two hundred dollars a year as a salary and to add ten dollars each year until it sball amount to three hundred dollars; also a parsonage lot reserved for the first settled minister except one acre for a meeting house to stand on and a sufficient quantity of land for a burying ground.
A protest against the settlement of Mr. Price is on the records of the town signed by. Sulon Stephenson, Zenas Stephenson, Caleb Stephenson, William Patterson, Wil- liam Patterson, James Patterson, Nathan. iel Patterson, Robert Patterson, Jerome Stephenson, George Cochran, Robert Coch- ran, Peter Cochran, John Cochran, John Young, Job Young, John Osborn, Josiah Dillingham, Ichabod Clark, Elisha Clark, Nathaniel Eells, Robert Miller, James Gammon, Robert Steel and Jonathan White.
The following is a copy of the Letter of the Committee appointed by the town to wait on Mr. Ebenezer Price and notify him of his call to the ministry dated Bel- fast Sept. 19th, 1796.
To Ebenezer Price A. B.
Preacher of the Gospel.
The People of the Town of Belfast wish health, grace and peace.
We being fully sensible of our discon- solate and unhappy situation as a people while destitute of a spiritual guide, feel- ing ourselves and offspring deprived of rich and peculiar blessings so long as we
are destitute of a regular church of Christ, the stated dispensation of the word and the administration of the ordi - nances of the gospel, and viewing our- selves candidates for immortality, duty calls on us to use our ability and exert our most zealous endeavors to obtain those spiritual blessing and privileges which Christ our Saviour hath provided in the gospel. We, therefore, make known to you, dear sir, our situation.
It is now a considerable time that you have laboured with us in word and doc- trine and we view it the smiles of provi- dence that you have been led to this part of the vineyard of our Lord to us who are scattered like sheep upon the mountains without a shepherd. You have by your public labours, private walk, doctrine, example ard by the testimonials of others recommended yourself to us as a faithful ambassador of Christ which demand our affection, respect and reverence. Ever since our first acquaintance the eyes of the people have been upon you that you should be set over them in the Lord; and 'tis the general voice and united desire and prayer that should there be a church gathered here according to the rules of Christ you should take the pastoral care of this church and people, to be ordained over them and spend your days for their spiritual interest in the high and holy calling of a gospel minister, that we may no longer be as sheep going astray sub- ject to be devoured by wolves, but that in you we may find a faithful shepherd, a spiritual guide, one who will naturally care for us, who will deliver to us the doctrines of the gospel with plainness and simplicity, whose talents may be im . proved for our edification, whose words a balm for the wounded in spirit, whose example our pattern and whose season-
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HISTORY OF BELFAST.
able admonitions our preservation from endless consequences and because from it error, that we may walk together while the glory and honor of Christ's kingdom here on earth in love enjoying the ordi- nances of the gospel and be prepared to sit in Christ's kingdom forever. are inseparable. Therefore, with what reverence, caution and assurance of duty ought I to decide, lest I wrong my own That you, dear sir, may see your way clear to manifest your acceptance of this call to the pastoral care of this church when gathered and congregation in the town of Belfast is our general, fervent, and humble prayer to Almighty God. But as we expect of you spiritual things we would in like manner minister to your wants in carnal things. (Then follows the offer of the town in respect to settle. ment and salary ) soul and mar the divine glory. -- Accord- ing to the clearest light and helps I have been able to obtain from a prayerful en- quiry and the most mature deliberation providence directs to receive the call of the Society of Belfast as the call of God. -I do therefore, relying on God in obe- dience to what appears duty, publicly and cordially accept your invitation and pro- posals to be ordained over you in the work of the gospel ministry, and that as soon as an Ecclesiastical council may be con- vened and a Church of Christ gathered should the present appearance continue.
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