USA > Maine > Lincoln County > Bremen > A history of the towns of Bristol and Bremen in the state of Maine : including the Pemaquid Settlement > Part 24
USA > Maine > Lincoln County > Bristol > A history of the towns of Bristol and Bremen in the state of Maine : including the Pemaquid Settlement > Part 24
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John Brown, (son of Richard B.) was born in Barton Regis, Gloucester, England, about .... .... , marriedMargaret Hayward, daughter of Francis Hayward of Bristol, England, came to this country with his family probably one or two years previous to July, 1625. As to the circumstances of his leaving the old country, and taking up his residence here we know absolutely. nothing. In the affidavit on a preceeding page (54) he is styled "mason," but at that time men of this useful occupation were not much in demand in this region. He was a man of much
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL AND BREMEN.
enterprise, and of a kindly, generous spirit, but of little educa- tion or culture.
July 15th 1625, he purchased a large tract of land at Pemaquid of two Indian sagamores for " fifty skins " (ante p. 54). IIc had his residence at New Harbor, and is therefore frequently spoken of as " of New Harbor."
In 1639, he purchased lands of the Indians at Nequassett, (Woolwich) and removed there with his family. In 1646, he sold this land to Edward Bateman, styling himself as "late of Nequassett, now of Pemaquid." In 1641, he witnessed a deed of land, apparently lying between Round Pond and the Pema- quid river and Ponds, from the Indian chief, Samoset1 and two others, Fasey Gale and Dick Swalks, to Richard Pearce, his son-in-law, the tract being part of the same included within the boundaries described in his own deed from Samoset and Unongoit, dated July 15th, 1625, as before mentioned.
In 1654, he lived at Damariscotta, on the east side of the river, a little below the " salt water falls," or the present bridge, there being there at the time only three other families. Brown's cove a little further south (so called in the act incorporating the town of Bristol), is believed to have received this name from him.
Aug. Sth, 1600, by deed of gift he conveyed to Sander (or Alexander) Gould, his son-in-law, and his wife and their heirs forever a tract of land eight miles square at Broad cove, and extending northward and westward. Its location is easily un- derstood by considering that it had its southeast corner at a pine tree on Broad cove. It is often designated as the " eight- mile-square tract." He probably died about 1671.2 The pine tree (supposed to be the same) is still remembered by some of the old people of the place. It was blown down early in the present century. After Brown's death his widow returned to New Harbor, and built a house there. Nothing more is known of her.
John Brown1 and wife Margaret had several children, whose.
' The name in this deed is written Summersett. This is the deed of which the curious explanation was afterwards given, as described on page 51. Many of the facts of Brown's history are there also given, but are repeated for the purpose of bringing them together .- N. E. Hist. and Gen. Reg. XIII, p. 365.
" According to a deposition of Benj. Prescott Esq. of Danvers, he lived the last year or two of his life with his son, John Brown jr., in Boston, but it is doubtful. Lincoln Report of 1511 .- Files Maine Hist. Society.
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL AND BREMEN.
names have come down to us, as given below, and perhaps others. Nothing is known of their relative ages. 1. John,' born in 1636, probably at Pemaquid, or New Harbor, lived with his father until he was 30 years of age. IIe married Elizabeth and settled at Damariscotta, and it is believed lived there until driven off, with all the other inhabitants, at the beginning of the first Indian war in 1676. In 1674, two years before the war, he witnessed the Indian deed' of lands in that region to Walter Phillips, one of his neighbors. After the war it is believed that he returned either to Pemaquid or Damariscotta and re- sided there some time, but was obliged to flee again by the con- tinued Indian wars.
He seems to have lived sometimes in Gloucester, and at others in Framingham, and is therefore often spoken of as " of Framingham," but sometimes " of Gloucester."
The old records of York county [vol. x, p. 264] contain a deed of his to Nathaniel Winslow, " Physitian," of land at Fal- mouth. It is dated April 9th, 1719, and he is said to be " of Gloucester." In this deed both himself and wife sign by mark.
December 7th, 1720, by deed of gift he conveyed to his son, "John Brown of Saco, alias of Biddeford," all his right, title and interest whatever, which he might have to lands at New Harbor, Damariscotta, etc. He signed the deed by mark B., and his wife also by mark. In this deed he is styled " of Fra- mingham." The deed appears to convey the whole tract pur- chased of the Indians, no reference being made to the claims of his sisters, mentioned above, or their heirs. Hlad he purchased these claims ? We have no evidence of any such conveyance.
Feb. 9th, 1722, he gave a deposition concerning affairs at Pemaquid and New Harbor in his youth, styling himself " of Framingham," and giving his age as "about 85 years." This fixes the date of his birth at about 1636, as given above. He died before 1734, leaving an only sou, John Brown,3 of whom we shall have occasion to speak very soon.
Margaret,2 born probably at Pemaquid or New Harbor, but at what date is not known. She married Alexander (called also Sander) Gould, and lived on Museongus (or Lond's) Island, which was given to herself and husband by her father, as they
1 The original deed, with Brown's mark, B. and the serawl of the old Indian, is still preserved in thesceretary's office in Boston. It is in a very dilapidated con- dition, but most of it perfectly legible.
+
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL AND BREMEN.
always claimed; but no deed of the kind has been found. Nothing is known of Gould's origin and very little of his history. HIe was living in 1667, when he witnessed a deed of lands at Muscongus from Richard Fulford to Humphrey Horrel or Harrel.1 The family lived mostly upon Muscongus island, though one of their children is said to have been born at New Harbor. It is incidentally mentioned in an old document that his widow lived on the island many years after his death, which may imply that he died at a comparatively early age.
3. Elizabeth,2 bornat ... , married Richard Pearce (Peirce, Pierce, Pearse) and lived at Muscongus. It is not known when or where she died.
4. Mary,? (or Emma? 1) b. at ...... and died ...... She married Nicholas Deming (Demming) and removed from the place, pro- bably to Falmouth or Saco. (Another account says that she married John Coats.)
John Brown? and wife Elizabeth had but one child also named John.3
John3 who was born in 1666, probably at Damariscotta. He married Sarah ? as we learn by a deed recorded in the York Records, vol. xv, page 239. In this document he is said to be " of Biddeford " where it is known he long resided. His
Jaha Graven
[ Autograph copied from a deed to land at New Harbor, given to Joseph Mors of Muscongus, July 12, 1735. ]
wife signed the deed by mark .? It is believed they never had any children.
The deed was for " one thousand acres of land situated near Pemaquid Fort and is part of that Tract of Land which my grand- father bought of Capt. John Somerset and Unongoit Indian Sag- amores Anno 1625,
* and is Bounded at the lower End upon Lots that is laid [out] for a Township at New Harbor belonging to the s' Tract in my Westerly Division Tuching the whole of the lower End of the Lots laid out for a Township as before s4, and so moving Back into the Country the
1 Files of Maine Hist. Society.
" This is the only evidence we have of his having been married, but it is con- clusive. Not another allusion to her has been found by the writer in all his re- searches.
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL AND BREMEN.
whole Breadth of the sd Westerly Division until the Thousand acres be fully made up, and Completed." The deed was given to Epes Sergeant of Gloucester, and is dated Aug. 22d, 1729.
Probably he is the individual by this name who participated in 1728, in the " allotment of town lands" in Biddeford, as de- scribed by Folsom. 1
Immediately after receiving this from his father, February 172%, he caused an entry of the claim to be recorded in the book of Eastern Claims. Subsequently, in 1729, he caused a survey to be made of the whole Brown tract, as described in the Indian deed of 1625, by one Bachelder. Probably also a division of the property was at the same time agreed to by him- self and the other heirs, as this is implied occasionally in the language used in the conveyances executed by several of the heirs.
July 1734, he gave to several of the heirs of Richard Pearce a quit-claim deed of lands at Round Pond, and subsequently (Dec. 7th, 1735) another deed to Wm. Vaughan of the whole Brown claim without exception or reservation. Other deeds of his are on record, but do not require to be further noticed. He was living at Biddeford in 1734, but subsequently removed to Muscongus, and died in the year 1746, as appears by the follow- ing deposition of Sarah Elwell.
Deposition of Sarah Elwell of Cape Elizabeth, widow, aged about 57 years, formerly lived at New Harbor, and knew John Brown, grandson of the first of the name. He lived to be near 70 years of age, and was drowned at Broadbay, about 17 or 18 miles from New Harbor, about 20 years ago. Understood that 8ยช Brown had [sold] the interest he had in the purchase of his grandfather to one Wm. Vaughan. Signed by mark.
Falmouth, June 27th, 1766. 2
There is some difficulty here. In an affidavit on record in the York County Record of Deeds, given Oct. 21st, 1730, he stated that his age was 64, by which it would appear that he was born in 1666; but if this is correct, his age in 1746, would be 80. There is a discrepancy of 10 years.
Richard Pearce (Pearse, Peirce,) son of John Peirce of Lon-
1 Hist. Saco and Biddeford, p., 207. John Brown's garrison at Saco falls is mentioned in this work (pages 218 and 219) but it is not known whether the same man is meant.
2 Files Maine Hist. Society.
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL AND BREMEN.
don, Eng., came carly to this place, perhaps at the same time with John Brown, whose daughter, Elizabeth, he married. It has been conjectured that the marriage was at least con- tracted before they came to this country, but it is only con- jecture.
Not much is known of Pearce except that he resided at Muscongas, 1 and had a large family. The names of nine child- ren of his have been preserved, as given below.
1. Richard2 of whom nothing further is known.
2. William? do do
8. Joseph2 do do
4. Elizabeth2, who married Richard Fulworth (or Fulford :) 5. George2.
6. Margaret', who married Nathaniel Ward.
7. Francis2 (or Frances2) who m. . ..... ? They had an only child, a daughter, named Elizabeth. This d. mar- ried Edward Clarke at Gloucester, Nov. 24th, 1718. Oct. 17th, 1729, Clarke and wife gave a quit-claim deed of one half of their "right, title and interest" in the John Brown Tract, as sole heirs to Frances (or Francis) Pearce late of Muscongus, the claim of the latter being for " one ninth part of one quarter."
Jolin Brown1 left four children, each of whom would inherit one quarter of his estate, and Francis (or Frances) Pearce, one of the nine children of Elizabeth (Brown) Pearce, would of course, if all were living, be entitled to just the part mentioned, "one ninth of one quarter." .- York Rec. vol. 17, p. 220.
8. Sarah2 who m. Eleaser Stockwell.
9. Mary? who m. Nathaniel Hamlin.2
Many isolated facts connected with one or another of Richard Pearce's descendants are known, and may hereafter serve a good purpose, if a history of the family should be attempted.
1 Under this name the whole territory from Round Pond up to Medomac falls (Waldoboro') was often included.
" This account of the children of Richard Pearce' is derived chiefly from a state- ment of Joseph Peirce, of Boston, dated Dec. 16th, 1812, and addressed to Messrs. Smith, Woodward and Howell, Commissioners for settling the disputes as to land titles in this region. The anthor was a descendant of Richard Pearce', but we know not in what line. The order in which the names appear is not to be understood as necessarily indicating their relative ag s. Some circumstances in- dicate considerable doubt whether it is entirely reliable. The statement of Joseph Peirce referred to, is contained in the Files of the Maine Hist. Society.
31
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL AND BREMEN.
John Pearce of Manchester gave a deposition in 1734, being then ninety years. Was born at Pemaquid about 1644 :- when about ten years of age was at the house of John Brown1, who then lived at Damariscotta, In another deposition given in 1735, calls himself ninety-one years of age. Knew Wm. Cox, who lived at Cox's cove, and owned a farm bounded southwesterly on land of one Cole, northerly on land of John Brown, easterly on land of one Philips, westerly by a brook.
As no one of Richard Pearce's sons was named John, it is clear that this must have been his grandson ; thus, supposing the father of the latter to have been only 20 years old when his son was born, we are carried back to the year 1624 as the time of his birth. This was one year at least before they are known to have been at Pemaquid or Muscongus, and indicates that Richard Pearce and Elizabeth Brown were married before their emigration to this country, as heretofore intimated.
Richard Pearce of Marblehead, mariner, in 1718, gave a deed to Philip Damuresque of Boston, of 1000 acres of land "at a place called by the Indians Remobseus, but by the English, . Greenland, near to the pond called Round pond falls." Him- self and wife, Mary, signed by mark.
Two years later, Mary, wife of " Richard Pearce, of Muscon- gus, alias Marytown," acting as his attorney, gave deed to same of a very large tract of land "lying on the back or in the Rear of Greenland, containing by estimation six miles, more or less," describing boundaries at considerable length.
. At the same time she gave to the same man a deed of "all that stream of water, called the Mill Stream in Smelt Cove, which empties itself into the middle of Misconkus, alias Mary- town," one condition being that he should erect there a saw- mill.
Soon after the building of the fort, by Dunbar, and a feeling of security began to prevail, sales of land here were frequent, and the same Richard Pearce, styling himself now " of Marble- head," gave deeds of many lots here and in the vicinity, which need not be noticed further.
Was this Richard Pearce.a son or grandson of the first Richard ? No means have been found to determine this ques- tion ; but it seems altogether probable that he was a grandson.
Others of the family, as Joseph Pearce of Plymouth, and John Pearce of Rochester, gave deeds about this time (1731-
-
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL AND BREMEN.
1735) of all their right and title " to lands in this region, as heirs of Richard Pearce and John Brown. In some of them reference is inade to a former division of the original claim among the heirs, probably that made under John Brown3 in 1729, before referred to. In some of them also reference is made to " Lots laid out for a Township," of which we have no other knowledge.
The claim made for Richard Pearce and his descendants, in the statement of Mr. Wells, (ante p. 49, 50) of the special friend- ship of the Indians, etc., and that they were actually in posses- sion of the property here, " more than a hundred years," and by one member of the Pearce family, that they remained in peace- ful possession of the property for a period of 109 years, appears to be without foundation. Whatever may have been the rela- tion between Richard Pearce 1 himself and the Indians, there is no evidence that his descendants were treated by them differently from others.
Alexander (often familiarly called Sander) Gould and Marga- ret (Brown) Gould lived on Muscongus island, or occasionally for limited periods, at New Harbor. Of Gould's origin we have no information whatever, or of the time of his death. Some circumstances indicate that he died comparatively young. Alexander Gould and wife had three daughters, Margaret, born about 1660, Mary and Elizabeth.
Margaret married, 1st James Stilson of New Harbor, and, 2d Thomas Pittman of Marblehead. Nothing is known of Stilson's history previous to his marriage ; after his marriage he settled with his family at Muscongus (or Broad Cove) and three children were born to them, James jr., Margaret, and -
Before proceeding further it will be important to have before us the two following affidavits, from which most of our informa- tion of this and several other families is derived. They are believed to be entirely reliable.
The first is from Mrs. Margaret (Gould) [Stilson] Pittman, just named. The second is by Hannah Teuxbury, a great granddaughter of the preceding.
"The deponent, Margaret Pittman of Marblehead, aged about 73 years, says that she was born at New Harbor, and lived there until they, with others, were driven off by the Indians. She well remembers her grandfather, John Brown, and she has often heard that her grandfather Brown gave her father, Alex- ander Gonld, Muscongus island by a written deed as a part of
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL AND BREMEN.
his estate and her portion ; her mother often told her that s' island was given by her father, John Brown to her husband, Alexander Gould and to his heirs, and to her, the s' Margaret. And the s' Gould lived ou s' island, as his own estate, and his wife after his decease many years. Taken at Salem, Oet. 24, 1733." (Signed by mark.)
Deposition of Hannah Teuxbury of Manchester [Mass. ] aged 71 years, taken Sept. 9, 1807.
Wm. Hilton, the elder and Margaret his wife, who lived at Muscongus, had Dine children, whose names were Elizabeth, Stilson, Joshua, Williani, Benjamin, Samuel, Amos, Molly, and Margaret, who were all born before they were driven off by the Indians. Deponent's mother was 63 years old when she died, and she has been dead now (1807) 40 years, and she was 14 years old when the Hiltons aforesaid were driven off by the Indians, and came to Manchester. Wm. Hilton, the elder d. in 1723, aged 414 years.
Stilson Hilton, the eldest son, had 6 children, viz., Stilson 2d, Betty, Thomas, Hannah, the deponent, Amos and Samuel. Elizabeth Hilton, daughter of Wm. H., the elder, m. John Knowlton, and afterwards a man named Farnham. Joshua H., sonof Wm. the elder, had only one child, Wm., who d. without issue. Wm. IT., the son who was killed by the Indians, son of Win. the elder (some years after the old man's death) moved down into the eastern parts, to reside there on his father's lands, and had several children. Richard, who was shot by the Indians at the same time John and his father were killed, she has been acquainted with and understands he is still alive. Benjamin Hilton, son of William the elder, was killed in the service of government ; he had 4 children. Amos Hilton, son of William the elder, was killed by the Indians; he had 2 children.
Old Margaret Hilton, deponent's grandmother, died at Manchester, in the fall, 44 years ago, aged 84 years. Has often heard her tell that when about 8 or 9 years old she was with her father, James Stilson, in a Canoe, going across some waters at Muscongus, when the Indians fired upon them, and killed her father, then took a younger sister, a sucking baby, from her mother's breast and burnt it on the fire, and carried sd. Margaret, the daughter, and her mother into captivity, and sold them to the French in Canada, where Margaret, the daughter, was detained 12 years, and then being released she returned home and married Win. Hilton, the deponent's grand- father. Old Margaret, her mother, got away some years before 'her and returned home. She had married one Thomas Pittman, and the depo-
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL AND BREMEN.
nent also remembers their great grandmother Pittman, who lived to a very great age, 1 HANNAH TEUXBURY.
Taking the dates and ages as given in these affidavits, and making the proper calculations we find that Margaret (Gould) [Stilson] Pittman (grand-daughter of John Brown 1) was born in 1660, being 73 years old in 1733. The attack of the Indians when her husband (James Stilson1) and the infant daughter were killed, was in 1688 or 1639 ; the latter, it will be recollected, being the year in which the fort and settlement of Pemaquid, were destroyed. Mrs. Stilson (afterward Pittman) and daughter Margaret, were taken to Canada and sold to the French, but the name of James Stilson jr., then a boy, is not mentioned in the same connection, though it is very certain that he was taken to Canada at the same time.
Mrs. Stilson, with twenty-one others, was ransomed at Quebec, October, 1695, by Matthew Cary, having been in captivity about 6 years, but her daughter and probably her son were detained 6 years longer. By what means they obtained their freedom is not known. At the time when Mrs. Stilson was ransomed there remained in captivity 42 persons, and among them James Stilson and John Stephins, two boys from Pemaquid, and one girl, Mary (Margaret?) Stilson of the same place .?
The boy, John Stephins, is said to have belonged to Pema- quid, but we know nothing more of him. Margaret Stilson", (for evidently this is the person meant, the name Mary, having been used by mistake) remained in Canada 12 years, by which, it appears she was restored to ber friends in 1700 or 1701. Very probably her brother, James Stilson2, returned from his long captivity at the same time.
Margaret (Gould) Stilson, widow of James Stilson1, after her return from Canada, married Thomas Pittman, as we have seen : and besides this deposition of hers, several others are known. all of them pertaining to the early history of Pemaquid and vicinity, and persons living there. In one of them she speaks
1 These documents are contained in the valuable files of the Maine Hist. Society. They bare never before been printed. It was Wm. (son of Wul.) that was killed by the Indians and not John, as Mrs. T. supposes. See further on.
2 New Eng. Gen. and Hist. Reg., vol. VI, p. 87. For lists of these names we are indebted to the- research of that careful and industrious Antiquarian, Frederick Kidder, Esq., of Boston. The name of James Stilson, is erroneously printed Stilton.
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL AND BREMEN.
of having often attended public worship at Pemaquid fort, coming there for the purpose from Muscongus Island, where the family lived. 1
It is not known where Pittman was born, nor at what time he died, but he was living in 1720. Nor is it known when Mrs. Pittman died; but she lived to a very great age. Her great granddaughter, Mrs. Teuxbury, who was born in 1736, remem- bered to have seen her. It is believed that she never had her residence bere after her return from Canada, and marriage with Pittman.
Nothing is known of the two other daughters of Gould, sisters of Mrs. Pittman.
James Stilson? settled at Newcastle, New Hampshire, where he was living in 1738. Little more is known of him.
The above depositions have afforded very essential aid, in preparing some of the preceding statements; but we shall be still more dependant upon them for information concerning another of the families early settled here, that of Wm. Hilton.
Win. Hilton was born probably at Dover, New Hampshire, in 1679, as he was 44 years old when he died in 1723.
He was a son (or perhaps grandson) of Edward Hilton1 who came to this country from London, where he had been employed in the fish business, and was therefore styled Fishmonger. He was one of the company of emigrants who, under Gorges and Mason, came over in 1623, and established on the banks of the Piscataqua. the first English settlement in New Hampshire. He took a lively interest in the new colony, and was a man of considerable influence.
We cannot now determine at what time Wm. Hilton first came to this place ; whether it was before his marriage or not until afterwards; but the probability seems to be that it was immediately after his marriage. The name is still honored in the community by his numerous posterity.2
1 Charles V. Hilton of Bremen. A writer in the N. E. Hist. and Gen. Reg., vol, VII, p. 50, gives a different account of Wm. Hilton, son of Edward. It is possible that Wm. Hilton, who came to Round Pond, may have been a grandson of the first Edward.
2 See page 50 ante. The descendants of Wm. Cox will be spoken of hereafter. Many of the present inhabitants of Bristol will remember Francis Peirce Esq., who many years ago resided in Bristol. A part of the time his father and a sister lived with him. They were from Ipswich, Mass., and claimed to be descended from Richard Pearce. They were the only representatives of the Pearce family that have resided here in modern times.
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL AND BREMEN.
We have already learned something of the history of Margaret Stilson whom he married. We do not know whether they first met in this, the place of her nativity, or in Massachusetts, where she found her mother was living on her (the daughter's) return from Canada. From Mrs. Teuxbury's deposition we learn that she was born in 1679, the same year as Wm. Hilton, and that she returned from her enforced absence among the Indians and the French of Canada in 1700, or 1701, being then 21 or 22 years of age. IIer marriage with Wm. Hilton took place soon after this date, probably in Massachusetts; but they immediately removed to this place, locating themselves first at Round Pond, but afterwards at Broad Cove.
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