USA > Maine > Lincoln County > Bremen > A history of the towns of Bristol and Bremen in the state of Maine : including the Pemaquid Settlement > Part 32
USA > Maine > Lincoln County > Bristol > A history of the towns of Bristol and Bremen in the state of Maine : including the Pemaquid Settlement > Part 32
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May 31, he, with his company, started on another similar excursion, but returned June 9th, without accomplishing anything of importance. At Meduncook or St George, he learned that the Indians had recently killed a man and his wife, a son, who was sick, making his escape by crawling into the cellar, and hiding himself. The man was absent in his field, and an Indian rushed into the house, and at- tempted to shoot the sick boy by placing his gun at his breast, but it missed fire, when the woman seized hold of him, and succeeded in pushing him out of the door. The Indian thus worsted found a crack in the door through which he fired, killing the woman instantly. It is not said whether the man was killed by the suene Indian or some other. (Mass. Archives, vol. 38, p. 254.)
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL AND BREMEN.
There was at this time a noted Indian, chief of the Andros- coggin tribes, by the name of Moxus; and it is quite possible that he was here at this time; but the Penobscot and St. John's tribes were more frequently in this region, than those residing further west, and on the Kennebec.
It was probably at the same time the savages made an attack upon the fort on the island, in Meduncook harbor as described by Minot and Williamson.1 They were repulsed from the fort, but killed, or took captive eight persons.
Some other occurences at Pemaquid fort may be mentioned here, though they probably belong to earlier dates. The In- dians once came slyly to the fort in midday, when the men were at work at a distance, probably expecting to gain admit- tance before they were discovered. In this, fortunately, they failed, and were therefore obliged to limit their operations to what they could do outside. Two women were pulling flax in a field, upon whom they fired, killing one who had a young child with her; the other fled, and in her fright threw herself into the water, but her clothes bearing her up, she was swept along some distance by the tide, and was at length rescued uninjured. The child, frightened perhaps by the strange occurrences, made so much ado as to disturb them, and to quiet its complaints they put it to the breast of its dead mother.
As some or all of the men of the fort would soon return, and the savages could make no impression upon the stone walls of the fort in the little time they had, they selected a spot at a dis- tance, and began to construct a kind of barricade, behind which they could seek protection themselves from the guns of the men, when they should return from their work. Solomon McFarland, the only man in the fort, was confined to his bed by a severe illness ; but, encouraged by him, the women loaded one of the cannon of the fort, and McFarland, rising from his bed, discharged it at the barricade party, killing one of them on the spot. Soon some of the men, probably alarmed by the report of the cannon, began to return, but to get into the fort in the face of the enemy was not an easy matter. But they understood the character of the foe, and managed with so much caution, as well as courage, that all but one at length succeeded in gaining an entrance without serious injury. One, James Little, was killed and scalped .?
1 Minot, II, p. 41 ; Will. Hist. Maine, II, p. 333.
Mrs. James Sproul, July, 1850.
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL AND BREMEN.
Solomon McFarland, above named, had a family of four children at least two sons and two daughters, and probably others. In the summer of 1747, his twosons, George and Walter, while at work on Johns island, were suddenly attacked by some Indians, the former killed on the spot, and the latter taken captive. After being with the Indians about two years, Walter was restored to his friends, at the Indian conference at Fal- mouth, in October, 1749. When the conference met his father was present, but was able to recognize his son only by his voice, so completely Indian had he become in his appearance and manner. During his stay among the Indians he learned to speak their language, and was subsequently employed by government as an interpreter. But he will best tell his own story in a petition he presented to the governor and council several years after his return. It is dated January 9, 1758.
After the usual preamble he " says in the year, 1747, I was taken cap- tive by the Indians, and the same time my brother was barbarously butchered, I underwent many hardships which by information your honors are not ignorant of [or] their manner of proceeding. I continued in captivity till the peace between the province and the Indians commenced, and when I was relieved from my captivity, there was ten pounds paid for me to the Indians. Upon my return I was taken into the service of this government, and the aforesaid ten pounds was taken out of my wages. The governor ordered me five months' schooling at Boston, accordingly I came up, went to school and attended eleven days. One of the Indians came to Boston, I was sent for by the council and ordered to attend said Indian which I did, and before I had an opportunity of going to school again, I was ordered to Richmond [fort, ] where I was obliged to stay till I was ordered to Georges [fort,] for an interpreter after the death of Capt. Bean, where I have continued ever since and had no consideration for school- ing but have been obliged to pay out of my small wages, what schooling I have got for I was but young when taken, and had then got very little. May it therefore please your Excellency and Honours to consider the ten pounds I had to pay for my redemption the five months' boarding and schooling I was allowed by the Government which I got not, and the small wages I have had since I entered the service. And if it please your Excellency and Honours, order me pay for my five months' schooling, etc. The ten pounds I had to pay for my redemption and your Petitioner as in duty shall ever pray."
Walter m? Franland
41
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL AND BREMEN.
The petition was read in the house, January 12, 1758, and an allowance of £5 voted him.
. The Indians by whom he was taken, it is believed, belonged to the Penobscot tribe.
The Indian conference at Falmouth, in 1749, was attended on the part of the English, by Thomas Hutchinson, afterwards governor of the province, John Coates, Israel Williams, and James Otis, Esqs.
In the official record of the doings of the conference we have the following in reference to McFarland.
" Commissi. [Addressing the Indians]. Do you expect that the cap- tive, William [ Walter] Mackfarland, shall be any longer with you.
Indians. No, we have delivered him up.
Commissi. He shall go home with his Father, who is here present.
Indians. We are content."1
Hutchinson, who was chairman of the board of commis- sioners, in his History of Massachusetts, gives the following ac- count of McFarland's rescue.
"The Indians began the treaty with an act of pleasantry and good humour. Notice had been given, that they must bring in such English captives as were among them, and particularly a boy whose name was Macfarlane, and who was taken in the beginning of the war. They apologized for not bringing Macfarlane, and figured some excuse, promis- ing he should be sent when they returned home. The commissioners shewed great resentment, and insisted upon the delivery of the captive previously to their entering upon the treaty. Some time was spent in altercation. At length an old Sachem rose up, and took one of the likeliest and best dressed young Indians by the hand, and presented him to Mr. Hutchinson, the chairman of the commissioners, as the captive, Macfarlane. This increased the resentment as it was thought to be too serious an affair to be jested with. The young man then discovered him- self, and (having spoken before nothing but Indian), in the English language, thanked the commissioners for their kind care in procuring his redemption. He had so much the appearance of an Indian, not only in his dress, but in his behavior, and also his complexion, that nobody had any suspicion to the contrary. He had made himself perfectly ac- quainted with their language, and proved serviceable as an interpreter at the French (Truck ?) house so long as he lived."?
1 Coll. Maine Hist. Soc., IV., 148, 109 ; Eaton, An. War., p .. 93,
2 Mass. Arch., TT, p. 387 ; Hutch. Hist Mass. Bay, p. 3. Capt. Wm. McFarland and wife, July, 1859. Capt. M. was then more than 80 years of age. He supposed himself to be a grandson or great grandson of a brother of Walter.
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL AND BREMEN.
Little is known of McFarland after the date of the above petition, but it is believed that he died quite young, and un- married.
Some other incidents in the history of the place may be in- troduced here, though they probably belong to an earlier date.
Some time during the French war a large vessel with 13 hands, besides a boy, was lying in Pemaquid harbor, waiting for a favorable wind, and it being the fishing season, they concluded to make an excursion to the falls to catch alewives. While busily engaged in fishing, a party of Indians suddenly sprang upon them, killing all the men, but the boy fled around the head of the bay and made his escape to the west side of the harbor, and finally to the fort. Several of the savages pursued after him, but he concealed himself in the remains of a stack of hay on the Sproul place, and they fortunately passed by with- out discovering bim.1
It used to be said also that nine young men of the place were killed at one time when fishing at the same place. They were taken to the fort and buried in one grave; but the spot can not now be identified. About 1820 or 1825, some of the old people were accustomed to complain that the owner of the land ( Capt. John Nickels) in ploughing had encroached upon the small mound of earth over the grave, which was the only means by which the place could be known.
May not both of these stories have had their origin in the following occurrence, of May 22, 1747, of which we have the following authentic account written at the time.
" Boston, June 1, [1747.] But the most melan- cholly Account is from Pemaquid, as follows. Two fishing Vessels having put in there to get Bait, on the 22d, past, their Crews, consisting of 11 Men and a Boy, with 3 Men from the Garrison, went up to the Falls to catch Alewives, where they were surprised and attacked by a Body of 50 or 60 Indians, who killed all the Men, and the Boy very narrowly escaped, by running into the Bushes, from whence he afterward got to the Garrison."2
1 Capt. John Sproul, Dec., 1853. Mr. Sewall (Anc. Doc. of Maine, p. 305,) gives a similar story of five men who came here from Wiscasset for the purpose of fish- ing for alewives, all of whom, but one, were killed by the Indians.
2 Hist. Magazine, vol. v. p. 116, supplement.
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL AND BREMEN.
William Fossett was shot and scalped by some savages, as he was searching for the cows, only a little distance from the fort. Afterwards it was ascertained that they had purposely detained the cows from returning, and then lay in ambush, where persons seeking after them would be likely to pass. The body was found the next day and interred near the fort.
At Broad Bay (Waldoboro) there were some interesting occur- rences during this war, that may be mentioned here, as they have not found mention in print elsewhere. A Mr. Demuth lived on the east side of the river, a little below the present bridge, but had a small garden on the opposite or west side mostly planted with cabbages. At midday the cows were ob- served among the cabbages, and Mr. Demuth and a young man crossed at once in a boat to attend to them. They landed on the west side undisturbed, but before they reached the garden several Indians sprang upon them from their ambush, and scized upon Mr. Demuth, securing him firmly, but the young man, running for the boat, was shot dead before he reached it. Mr. Demuth was taken away with them, but was never heard of afterwards. The wiley savages had purposely turned the cows into the cabbage yard, and secreted themselves near by for the very purpose they had now accomplished.
The timber block house, erected soon after the beginning of these troubles, stood on the bank of the stream a distance above the present bridge, to which the people hastily repaired in case of alarm. A mile or so below the block house lived a family by the name of Kinsel, all of whom at the signal of danger had at one time suddenly made their escape to the place of safety. At the farm they left, with other things, a hen with her young brood for which Mrs. Kinsel, after finding herself and family in a place of safety, became much concerned. The next morning as there were no Indians to be seen, she desired her husband to go down and see to the chickens. So taking his trusty dog and gun he passed down by the usual path, and attended to the chickens and some other matters about the house without observing anything unusual. But as he was about to return, the dog begun to show signs of alarm, and he was well assured there were Indians near; for the dog, by long experience and training, understood the subject as well as his master. What now was to be done ? To go back by the usual way would be especially dangerous, for the scoundrels
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL AND BREMEN.
would probably be secretly waiting for him near the path, and to go further into the woods so as to avoid any ambush prepared for him would also be dangerous. But no time must be lost ; so looking again to his gun to see that it was in order, and motioning to his dog to take his position behind him, he walked cautiously to the shore, and the tide being out, waded out in the mud so as to be more than a gun shot from the shore, and then made his way upward in the middle of the channel, and finally reached the block house in safety.1
Besides the stone fort in Walpole, mentioned on a preceding page (294), there was another, built of wood, directly on the shore, on the farm owned and occupied by the late J. Gilmore Huston, Esq., near which some important events transpired, but the traditions concerning them have become so indistinct and con- tradictory that a detailed account will not be attempted.
CHAPTER XXVII.
FROM THE CAPTURE OF QUEBEC TO THE BEGINNING OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR, CONTINUED. (1759-1775).
Quebec having fallen, the Indians at once become more docile - Population in 1764 - John North's map of 1751 - Residences of persons named on the map - Family of James Sproul -- Though peace was restored between England and France, by the treaty of 1763, the mutual hatreds of the English settlers and the Indians remained active --- Measures taken to secure an act of incorporation - An act of incorporation passed, and the new town called Bristol - Organization . of the town government under the charter - Change in the northern boundary of the town - Public doings of the town - Troubles regarding meeting houses.
The war which had been so long and so desperately waged did not at once cease on the fall of Quebec, but the aspect of affairs, especially in these parts, was immediately greatly changed. The Indians very soon became quite sensible of their great blunder in adhering to the French, and were now glad to make any terms with the English if they could be allowed to pursue their hunting and fishing unmolested. But full confidence
1 George Smouse, Esq.
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL AND BREMEN.
between the parties could not be at once restored ; and, though animated with hope for the future, the people felt it necessary to be on their guard against the perfidy of the savages whom, as they had found to their sorrow, no treaties or promises could bind. But general quiet prevailed ; - and Pemaquid had this advantage, that, as the settlements were extended more into the interior, these became more the points of danger, and at the same time a protection to those lower down on the coast.
In 1758, the soldiers were removed from the fort as being more needed elsewhere, but the heavy guns were retained for future use if they should be needed. The power of France on the continent was effectually broken by the capture of Quebec in 1759, and the events which immediately followed, but it was not until 1763, that a treaty of peace was signed by the two nations. By this treaty France renounced all her claims in these northern parts except the two small islands, St. Peter and Miquelon, on the coast of Nova Scotia. These were re- served to her for the shelter of her fishermen in these waters ; and the one first mentioned now receives the American end of the French telegraph cable.
With the change in the affairs of the northern colonies con- sequent on the expulsion of the French, came also a very con- siderable change in the treatment of the "mother country." The British government had indeed expended much treasure and blood, in defending the colonies and rescuing them from the dominion of France; and now it seemed to be taken for granted by those in authority, that they could of right exact from them such return as they themselves might determine. Schemes for raising a revenue out of the colonies for the benefit not of the colonies, but of the home government, began to be discussed ; and in spite of every remonstrance they soon ripened into the tea act, the stamp act, etc., and led finally to the revolt of the colonies and the establishment of an independent government.
In 1764, a beginning was made by an order from the lords of trade for a census of all the inhabitants of the colonies ; and Massachusetts immediately took measures to give effect to the order, the enumeration being accurately made when it could be done conveniently, and estimates to be made when this was impracticable. Maine then contained three counties, York, Cumberland, and Lincoln, which contained, respectively
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL AND BREMEN.
11,145, 8196, and 4,347 white inhabitants, besides 232 negroes. The population of Townsend, Pemaguid and Harrington, was put by estimation at 300.1 Of these probably two-thirds, or about 200, resided in Bristol (Pemaquid Harrington and Walpole). Down to this time the people appear to have built their houses always near the shores, for the reasou proba- bly, that whenever it was practicable, communication from place to place was by means of boats. Thus Pemaquid, in that day, held more frequent intercourse with Townsend and Damariscotta than with Broad Cove, or even Muscongus. No roads whatever, it is believed, had been made, except merely to remove the underbush so as to provide a narrow pathway. Horses, cattle, and sheep were common, but not abundant. According to Mr. Eaton (An. War., p. 112), no carts were in use at this period, in the settlements on Georges river, and we may presume there were few if any here. Agriculture was not entirely neglected, but was little depended on. People obtained a livelihood chiefly by getting out lumber and wood, or by fishing. Wood was worth about 58 cents per cord on Georges river, and of course it would be about the same here. Corn brought from Boston, cost 50 cents per bushel, and tea 42 cents per pound. Small sloops and schooners ran frequently to Bos- tou, carrying wood and lumber, bringing, in return, supplies of West India goods and other articles, as ordered in small quantities by the inhabitants. This also gave employment to many young men, who thus became expert sailors, and were excellently trained for the carrying trade, that sprung up in subsequent years, especially after the close of the Revolution- ary war.
While the men were employed as thus described, the women were not less industrious, in manufacturing the necessary clothing for their families, from the wool and flax of domes- tic growth. Mr James Boggs had lived some years at Pema- quid, but afterwards removed to Georges river, in the present town of Warren. Having some sheep at Pemaquid, or per- haps he had purchased them here, he went for them in a small sail boat ; and on his return with the sheep the following acci- entd occurred. "Sitting on the windlass, with his flock on the deck, he became drowsy and begun to nod. An old wether, standing in front, mistaking the nod for a menace, sprang
' Will. Hist. of Maine, II, 872.
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL AND BREMEN.
forward, and butted him over upon the deck ! Boggs sprang upon his feet much enraged, and pitched the old wether over- board, when the whole flock, following their leader, also jumped into the water; and all were floating together in the ocean. By some effort he was able to recover the flock, and proceeded on his way."1
By means of a small map, prepared by John North in 1751, we are able to fix the location of a few families at the date men- tioned. It is only a rough sketch, and includes Pemaquid Point and Harbor, John's river and Bay and a part of Damaris- cotta but not the eastern part of the present Bristol. The fol- lowing are all the houses marked upon it. At a little distance east from the fort, Jeremiah House, and on the opposite side of the river and farther north, James Sproul, apparently the same place occupied by the late Capt. John Sproul, who was grand- son of the first James. Near the easternmost head of John's river, and north of the present mecting house, were Wm. Sproul, Moses Young, and Geo. Colwell,2 in the other mentioned. Directly at the head of the western branch of John's river was the residence of " widow North ;" she was the widow of the first of the name who came to this country, as before related. Her husband probably died here about 1741 or 1742, and it is not knowu that the widow ever removed from the place. The re- mains of the cellar are still to be found here, and some shrubs still growing that were cultivated in the garden attached to the premises, and also several apple trees which are yet in bearing.
Passing down on the west side we come first to the house of G. Clark, then P. Rodgers, R. Sproul, and J. Young. Further down, and nearly opposite Seal cove, was John Wirling. On the Damariscotta, a little north of Gondy's mills were the houses of Wm. Kent and John Kent, and quite a distance further north those of Thos. Hutchins and John North, the former being situated on the east bank and the latter on the west bank. This John North, a son of the first of the name, was author of the map, though we have no other evidence that he ever lived in the place alluded to, or owned property there. He was a
.
1 Eaton's Annals War., p. 112.
2 This name is so written on the map but is probably the same as is elsewhere written Caldwell. The old people put the accent on the second syllable, and pro- nounce the name as if written Kilwell.
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL AND BREMEN. 329
noted land surveyor, and as early as 1737, was employed by the Pemaquid proprietors represented by Shem Drowne to survey the tract claimed by them, dividing it into lots of about 100 acres cach, which were all numbered and subsequently distri- buted by lot to the several claimants.1 At one time he was cap- tain of the fort here, and otherwise much employed in the public business. Subsequently heremoved to St. George's river, and was captain of the fort there. While residing in the latter place he was employed by the Kennebec proprietors in making surveys of their large tract claimed by them on that river. When he com- manded the fort at St. George's he held a commission as justice of the peace, and in 1760, on the formation of Lincoln county, he was appointed one of the four judges of the court of Common Pleas. He died at Fort St. George, 1753, aged 65 years. The present Judge James W. North, of Augusta, is a grandson of his. In one branch of the family there are still preserved some articles of furniture that were once used in the fort in this place.2
Enough has already been said of several of the persons named on the map, but a few words concerning the others will not be out of place. The residence of Jeremiah House has some special marks about it, as if larger or of more importance than others, but we know very little of the man. Moses Young is believed to have been a brother (or perhaps cousin) to James Young both of whom came from Ireland, landing first in Phi- ladelphia. It is not known by what peculiar train of circum- stances they were brought to this place. Moses early removed to George's river where he ever afterwards lived. James lived on the place mentioned above, as indicated on the map, where he died of small pox, a little before the close of the last century. There is some reason for believing that his father and perhaps
-
1 Lincoln Rep., 1811, p. 67.
" Lincoln Rep., 1811, p. 59 ; Eaton's An. War., p. 113. Miss. H. E. North. who kindly procured for the writer a copy of this map, which was found among the old North papers in the possession of a branch of the family. It was prepared for the Kennebec proprietors whose claim extended to this region. As this claim did not include the eastern part of the town, it is not represented on the map. A copy of the map is on file at the State House in Boston.
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