USA > Maine > Lincoln County > Sheepscot > The history of ancient Sheepscot and Newcastle [Me.] including early Pemaquid, Damariscotta, and other contiguous places, from the earliest discovery to the present time, together with the genealogy of more than four hundred families; > Part 1
USA > Maine > Lincoln County > Newcastle > The history of ancient Sheepscot and Newcastle [Me.] including early Pemaquid, Damariscotta, and other contiguous places, from the earliest discovery to the present time, together with the genealogy of more than four hundred families; > Part 1
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36
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THE HISTORY
OF
ANCIENT SHEEPSCOT
AND
NEWCASTLE,
INCLUDING
EARLY PEMAQUID, DAMARISCOTTA, AND OTHER CONTIGUOUS PLACES, FROM THE EARLIEST DISCOVERY TO THE PRESENT TIME ;
TOGETHER WITH THE GENEALOGY OF MORE THAN FOUR HUNDRED FAMILIES ;
BY REV. DAVID QUIMBY CUSHMAN,
MEMBER OF THE MAINE HISTORICAL SOCIETY, AND MEMBER OF THE NEW ENGLAND HISTORIC-GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY, AND MEM- BER OF THE SAGADAHOCK HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
.F
JUN N
BATII: E. UPTON & SON, PRINTERS. 1882.
why 2
Faq NG C 9 Copy
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1882, by REV. DAVID QUIMBY CUSHMAN, in the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.
PREFACE.
This work is the result of many years' thought and care- ful research. It has been prosecuted amidst many other cares and duties. I have consulted all the works within my reach, that relate to the Antiquity of the State ; but the most valuable part of that which is now given to the public, came down through the Woodbridge and Cargill families, and has been gathered from the lips of the inhabitants themselves. This has never yet passed into books, and would soon have been lost, if this pen of mine had not traced the lines as fast as the ear caught the words from the living witness. These facts and anecdotes which I claim to be new, and this Genealogy which I am sure no other living man would have undertaken, have been gathered up and saved in this manner.
I have aimed at accuracy rather than beauty, and endeavored to shut everything out that has not seemed to be well authenticated. A history has no value except it be a correct report of facts. Fancy, guess work and suppo- sition are not the materials with which to work out grave and impartial history. Other eyes than the Author's are to look at these things, and those interested are to be the judges of the correctness and value of these matters.
To the members of the Historical Society ; to all lovers of Anti- quarian research ; to the descendants of those whose lives were passed amidst perils while they planted Institutions for us to enjoy, and especially to all those who have readily and obligingly assisted me in my labors in this work.
Most respectfully and affectionately inscribed by
BATH, January 1, 1882.
THE AUTHOR.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
-
PAGE.
CHAP. I. JOHN BROWN .- Pearce's Testimony .- Brown Fam- ily .- Sander Gould. - William Hilton. - The "Pine Tree."-John Brown of Framingham .- James Noble .-- William Vaughan
1-7
CHAP. II. THE PLYMOUTH COUNCIL .- Alsworth and Elbridge. - Extent of Grant. - Right of Sale. - Property Changes Hands .- Davison's Will. - Shem Drowne. - Power of Attorney .- Drowne's Offer .- Confirmation of Drowne's Right. - Col. Dunbar. - James Yates. Drowne's Divisions .- Meeting at Orange Tavern. . . ... 7-14
CHAP. III. CAPTURE OF FORT CHARLES. - John Gyles' Narra- tive .- The Massacre .- The Treaty .- The Departure .- Gyles' Return 14-20
CHAP. IV. ANCIENT RUINS AT PEMAQUID. - The Singular Building .- The Tan Pits .- The Barbican. - The An- cient Canal .- Fort William Henry. 20-25
CHAP. V. ANCIENT SHEEPSCOT. - Situation and Description. Cavessix River .- Dyer's River .- "The Dementions of the Towne Necke" .- Residences Located. - Madam Gent .- Alleyn's Falls .- Grist Mill .- Thomas Gent .- Madam Gent's Deed 25-30
CHAP. VI. ANTIQUITY OF THE SETTLEMENT. - The Popham Colony .- Testimony of the Trees. - Nationality and Numerousness of the Colony .-- The Dutch .- Prosperity of Colony .- Interesting Remains .- Underground Ma- sonry .- The Blacksmith's Shop .- Things Found .- The Anvil .- The Ship-yard .- The Plank and Sawdust .- The Hidden Treasure .- The Mills. 30-39
CHAP. VII. PURCHASES OF INDIANS .- John Mason's Deed. -Extent of Purchase .- Bounds of Manning's Land .- Plan .-- Gent's Purchase 39-42
vi
CONTENTS.
CHAP VIII. WALTER PHILLIPS. - Ilis Residences .- Debris. -Cart Path .-- Phillips' Neighbours. - Taylor .- Smith. -- Brown .- Scott. - Kimball. - Phillips' Purchases .- Carrving Place. - Subsequent Transactions. - John Taylor's "Four Mile Tract."-Davis' Purchase. 42-49
CHAP. IX. THE KING'S GRANT TO JAMES .- Dutch Colonists at New York .- Appointment of Commissioners .- - Their Doings .- Session at Sheepscot .- County of Cornwall Erected .- Dartmouth or New Dartmouth .- First Civil Government .- The Oath .-- Commissioners did not un- derstand the Genins and Wants of the People -Nego- tiate a Treaty .- Sheepscot Records. - Departure of Commissioners 49-56
CHAP. X. KING PHILLIP'S WAR. - Destruction of the Settle- ment .- Abraham Shute .- Unfortunate Occurrence at Saco .- Squando .- Wm. Dyer's Death .- Affair at New Meadows River .- Murders at Falmouth .-- The Combat Thickens .- Fight at New Meadows .-- Destruction of Hammond's Establishment at Stinson's Point .- Flight of the Girl .- Escape of Inhabitants .- Extent of Rav- ages .- Desolation .- Number Killed .- Cost of War .... 56-63 CHAP. XI. RETURN OF EMIGRATION .- Proposed Towrship of New Dartmouth .- Petition of Inhabitants. - John Al- leyn's Petition .- Association at Boston .- Articles of Agreement. 63-68
CHAP .- XII. PALMER AND WEST .- Col. Thomas Dungan .- Re-grant and Confirmation of Lands. - Surveys. -- Boundaries Traced. - Amount of Fees. - Duteh at 1
Sheepscot. 69-75
CHAP XIII. SIR EDMUND ANDROS. - His Advisers. - Visits Penobscot .- Indian Troubles .- Close of Administra- tion. - Confinement. - Popular Commutation. - General Convention .-- New Dartmouth Ceases. 75-79
CHAP. XIV. SECOND DESTRUCTION OF SHEEPSCOT .- Second Indian War. - Affair at North Yarmouth. - Capt. Wal- ter Gendell -- Inhabitants in Garrison .- Packet Con- sumed .- The Young Man Afoot to Boston .- Relief Comes .- Explosion of the Stuffed Cannon .- Character of the People .-- No Connection with the Popham Col- ony. 79-88
vii
CONTENTS.
CHAP. XV. TREATY OF RYSWICK. Murder at Kittery .- Maine Remembered .- A Committee of Claims .- The War Clouds Arising .- Death of James 2d .- The Pre- tender .- Crown Limited to the Royal Protestant Line. -Death of Mary .- Haverill .-- Committee of Claims and Settlements .- Fort at Cushnoc .- Rale .- Dummer's Treaty. - Ware of Aboriginal Power .- Prosperity and Thrift. 89-95
CHAP. XVI. CLAIMS AND CLAIMANTS. - Elias Mulford. - Stephen Calet .- Benjamin Tower .- A. Lovering .- Ann Harden .- Thomas Gent .- Robert Scott .- Isaac Taylor. -Capt. Sylvanus Davis. 95-98
CHAP. XVII. REV. CHRISTOPHER TAPPAN .-- His Purchase .-- Possessions at Mt. Sweague .- Agreement with Gatchell and Thomas .- Benj. Cheney .- John Manning. Jun.'s Letter .- Tappan's Proposition. - Tappan and Obadiah Gove .- Gove's Descendants. 98-102
CHAP. XVIII. DAVID DUNBAR .- His arrival .- His proceed- ings .- His residence .- His unpopularity .- The Memo- rial .- Report .- Removal .- Death 102-108
CHAP. XIX. WILLIAM VAUGHAN. - James Noble. Elliot Vaughan 108-109
CHAP. XX. CHRISTOPHER TAPPAN. His surveys .- The gifts. The Tappan lots. 109-113
CHAL. XXI. TAPPAN'S AGREEMENT WITH PEARMAN AND WIN- TER. - Dr. Winslow. - The Lawsuit. - Tappan vs. Vanghan .- Tappan loses the case .- Thomas Follans- bee .- Commissioners of 1811. 114-117
CHAP. XXII. GOVERNOR BELCHER .- Punishment of duellists. The Throat Distemper. 117-120
CHAP. XXIII. GOV. SHIRLEY APPOINTED .- Old tenor .- New tenor .- Garrisons strengthened .- Minute Men. .. .. 120-122 CHAP. XXIV. FIFTH INDIAN OR SPANISH WAR .- Duquesnel .- Annapolis. Col. William Pepperell .- Seige of Louis- burg .- Samuel Waldo .- Colonel William Vaughan- William Burns. - Vaughan with a command. - The place captured .- The frigate Vigilant. . 122-127
CHAP. XXV. SCENES OF BLOOD .- Outrages at Newcastle. Attack on Fort Frederick. Depredations at North Yar- mouth .- Declaration of War against all the Eastern
viii
CONTENTS.
tribes .-- The Harvesting party attacked at Sheepscott -- German settlement at Broad Bay reduced to ashes .- Five men at Sheepscot fired upon .-- Captain Jonathan Williamson of Wiscasset taken .-- Garrison at Damaris- cotta taken .- William Jones .-- John Huston .- An In- dian raid at Sheepscot .- Expedition to Nova Scotia .- Col. Arthur Noble .-- Treaty o_ peace at Falmouth .- Troubles renewed .- Bloody affray at Wiscasset .- Fort Frederick attacked -- New Style ..... 128-136
CHAP. XXVI. CAPT. DAVID CARGILL. -- His harshness towards the Indians .- The Indians seeking lodgings .- The blind Indian .-- Cargill at the Sawmill .-- Inventory .-- His Eastern Expedition .- Margaret Moxa .- Trial and acquittal .- The "wicked little fiddle.' -- Expedition to the Penobscot .- The embarkation. - The survey party. Arrival at Belfast. - Death of Waldo .- Cargill taken by the Indians .- Benj. Woodbridge, Sr., Benj. Wood- ridge, Jr .- The Grindstone. - John McNear. - The neighbor in a fright .- McNear threshing .- Mrs Mc- Near and the dogs. -- The half ton of thatch .- Baga- dnee prison .- Capt. Alexander Nickels. - Capt. James Nickels .- Out of patience .- Death of Thomas Nick- els, Esq .- Purchases of lands. - William MeLelland. The terrified mother .- The bear on a trot. - Bruin lost his supper .- Samuel Waters. - Robert Hodge, Sr. -- Robert Hodge, Jr .- The Slaves .- David Murray, Esq .- Major John Farley. - Other settlers. 137-164 CHAP. XXVII. NEWCASTLE .- Boundaries. - Town Meeting -- Dangerous times .- French and Indian war .-- The Pound. - Five men made prisoners at Sheepscot. - Alarms given .- French Neutrals .- Declaration of war against France. Betsey Forrester .- Indian attack. - The Pounds .- Sorrows in Bristol. - Death of Hopkins. The colt on a spit. - The Lermond family .- Betsey shot. Lermond in pugnacity .- A man shot .- Paul, the un- erring marksman .- Mrs. Hodge a milking .- Robert Adams taking his last supper .- Wyman's powder -The wounded Frenchman .- The massacre of the Hilton's. -Saunders taken .- Garrisons .- The Spartan women. The day Mail Carriers .- The Garrison in ruins. - Car- gill vs. Bradbury .- Quebec captured. . . 164-184
ix
CONTENTS.
CHAP. XXVIII. POWNALBOROUGH. - Cumberland and Lin- coln .- Jurors. - Woodbridge's bargain .- Ovine legisla- tion .- Crime and penalty .- Avery .-- Ferry .- Census .- Regimental muster .- A Wig-"Flanker's. - Captain Nickels's claim .- Bristol incorporated .- A Church .- Commodore Tucker. - Petition. - Roads. - Tariff. - Pond. - Convention in Boston. - William Nickel's Delegate .- A foot pedlar in trouble. - A town charge .- Medical prescription .- Roads .- Temperance petition. Bridge at Puddle Dock. - "Fish keepers."- Edgeomb. A Provincial Congress .- Benjamin Woodbridge Repre- sentative .- Silvester Murphy in debt-Marks. .185-202
CHAP. XXIX. DANGERS OF THE COUNTRY .- Doing of the Provisional Congress .- Committee of Correspondence. The sloop "Three Brothers .- A Transgression. - Con- fession. - Hodge's promise .- Oath of Allegiance .- Mas- sachusetts Independent .- Response of Newcastle .- Town Boundary disputed .- Timothy Parson's letter .- The murder of Soule .- Men and supplies for the army. Plan of Government not acceptable .- Massachusetts Districted .- The fortunate vessels .- Wiscasset laid un- der contribution .- County Conventions .- Votes for Governor .- Army supplies. - Newcastle in excess of supplies of men and means for the army .- A bit of re- bellion .- Peace proclaimed .- Newcastle herself again. Convention at Broad Cove .. 202-219
CHAP. XXX. TOWN CENSUS AND VALUATION .- Convention at Falmouth .- Portland incorporated .-- Petition for Jail at Wiscasset. - Roads. -- Vessel lost. - Vote on the United States Constitution .- Election of President and Vice President of United States .-- Federal Representa- tion. - Road discontinned .- Sheepscot Bridge .- Va- rions Matters .- Wiscasset incorporated .- Dresden do. Mew Milford do .- The Northwest Controversy .- Bridge bnilt over Dyer's river .- Guide Posts erected .- Votes for President and Vice President of United States .- Damariscotta Bridge .- The Fish Stream .- A patient .- The Catholic Church .- Bath, Wiscasset and Waldoboro' Collection District .- Town Valuation and Tariff .- Job Averill .- The Agent Truman. - Road .- Bridge on to Dyer's Neck. - The uncured patient .- The safe opera- tion .- Cost of a Lawsuit. - Rise of Property .- The Im-
I
CONTENTS.
partial assessment.
217-241
CHAP. XXXI. A SLUICEWAY AT DAMARISCOTTA MILLS. - Bounty for crows .- Protestant Methodist Society .- Vote on Separation of Maine from Massachusetts .- Line run bet veen Newcastle and Edgcomb .- Action respecting spirituous liquors .- Guide post erected. - Contract closed between Rev. Mr. Bayley and the town .- Action of town respecting obstruction of fish in Damariscotta river .- Wiscasset Road and Marsh Stream Bridge .- Damariscotta Bridge. - Supervisor chosen .- Liquor Agency .- Bounty voted .- Paying vol- unteers .- "Drinking houses and tippling shops."-R. R. Bonds issued .- Fire engine .- Taxation for payment of R. R. Bonds .- Position and integrity of Newcastle. The Lincoln Democrat .- Dam at Damariscotta .- Cen- tennial Celebration .- Newcastle State Bank .- Physi- cians in Newcastle. 242-250
CHAP. XXXII. REV. ALEXANDER BOYD. - Ordination. - Church. - Dissatisfaction. - Dismission .- Ministerial lot .- Rev. Nathan Ward .- Call. - Declines settlement. Efforts to obtain a minister and repair Meeting House. Rev. Job Lain .- Call to settle .- Declines .- Rev. Sam- uel Perley .- Meeting House on East side of the town. Rev. Wmn. Southmayd .- Rev. Job Benedict .- An in- teresting account .- Proposals to gather a church .- Meeting Houses .- Rev. Jesse Reed. - Rev. Samuel Wheeler .- Rev. John Urquhart. - Rev. Thurston Whit- ing .- His call, settlement, dismission .- Congregational Platform. - Unsuccessful efforts to build Meeting Houses at different places .- Town prosecuted for not having the gospel preached .- Whiting prosecution .- Meeting House sold .-- A new Meeting House in the "Middle of the town."-Rev. Mr. Pickle .- Rev. Kiah Bayley, Rev. Jotham Sewall and others .- Church at Sheepscot .- At Damariscotta .- Methodist Church .- Baptist. - Catholic Church .- Episcopalians. 250-295 CHAP. XXXIII. LINCOLN ACADEMY. - Petition .- Charter. - Rev. Kiah Bayley .- Grant of Land .- Records De- stroyed .- Academy Finished .- School Commenced .- Preceptors .- Death of Cargill .-- List of Teachers. .. . 295 304 CHAP. XXXIV. SCHOOLS .- Town Prosecuted .- Eleazer Hud-
xi
CONTENTS.
son .- The Town Districted. - Hugh Holmes .- Mr. Faithful Singer .- Mr. Leison .- Mr. Moses Holman .- Ages of scholars Defined .- Orchard Cooke .- Schools Revived . .. .304-310
CHAP. XXXV. CLAM SHELL DEPOSITS .- Oyster Bed .- Indian Burying Place .-- The Mysterious Coral .- Stone Relics. - The Bark Sunbeam .- A Barn Burnt. - Singular State of the Weather -The Apple Story . 310-324 CHAP. XXXVI. SHIP-BUILDING IN NEWCASTLE .- Brickmak- ing . 325-331 CHAP. XXXVII. PUBLIC OFFICERS .- Soldiers .- Genealogy . 332-437 APPENDIX. Where was Pentecost Harbor ? - Petition for the Incorporation of Sheepscot .- Petition for the In- corporation of Whitehaven 438-458
GENERAL HISTORY.
-
THE VOYAGE OF THE CABOTS.
IN the year 1497, Henry VIII gave leave to John Cabot to proceed on a voyage of discovery to America. And with two small vessels Cabot and his son started, and on the 24th of June they discovered land which they named Prima Vista. This is supposed to be the island of Newfoundland. Soon after they discovered another island which they named the St. John. Continuing their course westwardly they soon reached the continent, then sailed northwardly to the latitude of 67 degrees, and find- ing that the coast stretched towards the East, with a desire to find a passage to India, they turned and sailed south- erly till they reached the coast of Florida. They then sailed for England.
From that time the interest in these northern shores began to heighten. Ships multiplied whose prows were turned in a westerly direction. Trade also with the natives excited the cupidity of many. The desire of finding a passage to the East Indies was uppermost in the minds of Government, merchants and adventurers. The unequalled bays, splendid harbors and magnificent rivers, were the theme of remark ; and while some came here for the pur- pose of gain, many also navigated these waters for the
NOTE .- This history as far down as the year 1808, was written prior to the year 1863 ; and the residences and their occupants in Newcastle are given as they had been up to that time. Since then there have been some changes in this respect.
xiii
GENERAL HISTORY.
sake of discovery and adding to the Crown a province or a state. The voyages patronized by kings and distinguished men were put upon record ; but those of fishermen, trades- men and others never came under the notice of those who wielded the pen and of course do not appear upon the pages of history.
In 1583 Sir Humphrey Gilbert, under Queen Elizabeth, sailed from England with two ships and three barks, carry- ing 260 men .* He came in sight of land in 51 deg. North latitude, but steering in a southerly direction, he arrived soon after at St. Johns, Newfoundland. Here he found no less than thirty-six vessels of various nations ; but compel- ling submission he took possession of the harbor and 200 leagues in every direction in the name of the British Crown. Eleven years after, 1594, Capt. Silvester Wyatt,+ in a bark of thirty tons, went up the St. Lawrence river as far as the Isle of Assumption where he found European fishermen to the number of sixty sail, of which only eight were Spaniards. At Farrillon he found twenty sail of Englishmen, and having loaded his ship, he returned to England.
Bartholomew Gosnald, 1602, eight years after this, in seven weeks passage, discovered the American coast, and soon after a Spanish shallop, having sails and oars and manned by eight Indians, came on board with whom they had friendly intercourse. These natives first hailed them in English, and after a long speech made by one of the Indians, they went on board. One of them who seemed to be the chief, wore a waistcoat, "breeches," eloth stock- ings, shoes and a hat. Two others of them had a few things of European fabric. With a piece of chalk they described the coast thereabouts, and could name Placentia of Newfoundland. They also spoke many English words.
* Holmes' Annals, Vol. I, p. 113.
+ Idem, p. 134.
xiv
GENERAL HISTORY.
They evidently had been acquainted with Europeans for a time, and their boat and other foreign articles probably belonged to some shipwrecked vessel.
Martin Pring was among the islands of the Penobscot Bay in 1603; and ranging the coast from the 43d deg. of latitude passed Saco, Kennebunk, York and Piscataqua river, and came to the bay of Massachusetts. Going into a large Sound, they coasted on the North side of it, where they found a good harbor and came to anchor. Here they loaded with sassafras and on the 9th of August sailed for England.
At this period of time, two hundred ships were annually engaged in the Newfoundland fishery and employed at least 10,000 men .*
Sieur De Monts in 1604, arrived at St. Croix river where the party with him spent the winter ; and the next summer they ranged along the coast, visited the Kennebec, erected a cross, and took possession of it in the name of their king.+ After visiting Casco Bay and Saco river, they proceeded as far South as Cape Cod and then returned home.
Capt. George Weymouth in 1605, about the time Pring was at the Kennebeck, came to anchor on the North side of the Island of Monhegan. This was the 17th of May. And the next day he found a harbor to the North, "among the islands" and in range "with the mountains" which he named Pentecost Harbor, and there he came to anchor. He also discovered St. George's river, visited Pemaquid, perhaps went farther West in the shallop which he made, and then, with five Indians, surreptitiously taken, returned to England.
The Popham Colony landed at the month of the Kenne- beck in 1607 ; but this proved a failure, for the next year,
* Holmes' Annals, Vol. I, p. 147.
+ Williamson, Vol. I, p. 191.
XV
GENERAL IIISTORY.
they all returned to England. At this time, however, according to Hubbard, the English were possessed of St. Croix, Mount Mansel, probably the island now called Mount Desert, Penobscot and Port Royall. Previous to 1609, says Purchas, one Savelet, an old mariner, made no less than forty-two voyages to these parts.
Captain John Smith in the year 1614 explored the coast from East to West, from Penobscot Bay to Cape Cod, trad- ing with the Indians for beavers and other furs, and making observations on the rivers, shores, promontories and islands. These he committed to paper. He afterwards formed a map of the coast and compiled a short history of the country, to which Prince Charles prefixed the name of New England. It had previously borne the name of "Virginia," "Northerne Virginia." This name it has retained ever since, and the Plymouth Colony in 1620, adopted it. To Pemaquid he gave the name of "John's Town" and to Monhegan "Batties Isles." At the mainland opposite Monhegan, Captain Smith found a ship of Sir Francis Popham which had for many years past visited that place for fisheries and for trade.
Captain Smith had instructions to found a Colonial set- tlement, or at least to keep possession. He arrived at Monhegan the last of April, and immediately entered upon his business at the mouth of the Sagadahock and upon the neighboring lands and waters.
Other voyagers came to these parts and Pemaquid now began to assume all the importance of a place of trade, of settlement, and a way station where the mariner might unlade his cargo, refit his vessel, and with a return freight, go home to his owners and patrons, to gladden their hearts with the profits they had made, and with the accounts that he related of the people that were strange and the world that was new.
The real settlement of this coast undoubtedly dates an- terior to that of Plymouth, though it was by a different class of people. That Colony was composed of men of
xvi
GENERAL HISTORY.
letters, culture and piety ; driven from their homes in the old world for their principles and for conscience sake ; but this was peopled by tradesmen, fishermen, seamen, agricul- turists and persons in quest of gain. Undoubtedly there were those among them who left their country for their country's good.
In the Plymouth Colony there were persons of education who had been accustomed to the pen; and coming in a body, they were careful to note down the day of their arrival, and the events as they passed. To this Coast they came more at random and as convenience and interest might require. And being in many respects a different class of persons, with the objects of gain and profit before them, they were less careful to note events than they otherwise would have been. Discovery and gain were the first objeets with these people ; and having obtained these, many of them returned to Europe to enjoy the good of their labor. Set- tlement became a subsequent motive and object to be pursued. Settlement, however, with the Plymouth colon- ists, was the first object before them ; gain came afterwards. They found here what was denied them there:
"Freedom to worship God."
Hence the sparseness of information respecting the events that occurred during the earlier years of the existence of the Province which afterwards became the State of Maine. Obscurity hangs over those years. Enough, however, has come to light, to show us that no part of the coast, from Newfoundland to Florida, possessed more interest in the eyes of European nations, through a long series of years, than this which is watered on the East by the Penobscot, and on the West by the Piscataqua rivers.
A part of Rocroft's crew, another voyager to these parts, passed the winter of 1618-19 at Monhegan; and in May, 1619. Derner who was master of a ship of 200 tons which was fitted out at the expense of Sir F. Gorges, learned from the resident inhabitants at Monhegan, that Roeroft had
xvii
GENERAL HISTORY.
sailed for Virginia. This island was a place of general resort, and Pemaquid near at hand was in a prosperous condition. Sheepscot grew up at its side. There were three places at this time on this part of the coast of Maine that had become settled, or rather were fast settling, and were rapidly gaining notoriety, prosperity, inhabitants and success. They were Pemaquid, Sheepscot and Arrowsick ; and to show the importance of the two former, in the year 1622, the Plymouth Colony, being in want of provisions, sent to Monhegan and Pemaquid for a supply which was readily granted. And it has been said without any contra- diction, that the farm products that were sent to Plymouth at this time, came mostly from Sheepscot.
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