USA > Maine > Lincoln County > Bremen > A history of the towns of Bristol and Bremen in the state of Maine : including the Pemaquid Settlement > Part 35
USA > Maine > Lincoln County > Bristol > A history of the towns of Bristol and Bremen in the state of Maine : including the Pemaquid Settlement > Part 35
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2 Eaton's Annals War., p. 131.
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL AND BREMEN.
1780, after much anxious discussion, it was voted to petition the general court for some "easment" in the collection of their taxes, and also more aid in protecting the coasts, which were infested with marauders from the provinces east of them, and tories from among themselves.
Of the latter class was one Nathaniel Palmer, of Broad Cove, who, about this time, was believed to be the leader of a small gang of pirates infesting the islands in Muscongus bay, and committing their depredations upon vessels falling in their way. - Thomas Johnston and some of his neighbors sent a freight of wood to Boston, and ordered in return West India and other goods for the use of their families for the winter; but the ves- sel on her return was seized and plundered by Palmer and his gang. The loss at such a time was grievous to be borne ; but Johnston's indignation was increased by the fact that Palmer had been a pupil of his, in an evening school, only a winter or two before, and had received many kindnesses from him. For this, and probably other similar offences, he was arrested and tried by court marshal under General Peleg Wadsworth, who had command of this district; but made his escape before the sentence pronounced upon him could be executed. He was handcuffed, but succeeded in removing the manacles by twisting off a board nail with his teeth.1 After the war, pro- bably several years, he returned to Broad Cove, and lived there unmolested but, of course, thoroughly despised by the com- munity.2
In January, 1781, a call was made upon the town for ten men to serve in the army ; and to procure them it was voted in town meeting "to classify the town," but in what way it was done is not known.
Committee of " Correspondence, Inspection and Safety," ap- pointed March 8th, L. Doe, A. Goudy, James Drummond, Elijah Crooker, S. Reid, Zebulon Howland, Saml. Yates, Wm. Burns, and Joshua Soule.
The last name is here introduced for the first time. He was father of the Rev. Joshua Soule, D.D., late bishop of the Metho-
1 Tradition. Eaton's An. Wer., p. 185. It is believed he was sentenced to be hung.
? When the writer was but a child, Palmer once made a call at his father's, and his appearance is remembered as if it was only yesterday. Being received with rather cool politeness, he tarried but a little time ; and after he left, the gentleman of the house gave a brief sketch of his history, which excited the indignation of the chil- dren not a little.
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ILISTORY OF BRISTOL AND BREMEN.
dist Episcopal Church South. He lived at Round Pond on the Chamberlain place, which he sold, Aug. 13, 1773, to the Rev. A. Mclean, and removed to Broad Cove, where the future Bishop, Joshua Soule jr., was born. Subsequently he removed with his family to the town of Avon, in the Sandy river country. Ile (Joshua sr.,) was a prominent man in the town, and his name often appears in the records. This year he was a mem- ber of the board of selectmen as well as the committee named. Occasionally he is styled " Captain."
James Drummond was a Scotchman, and resided with his family at Harrington not far from the old meeting house. The family came first to Boston, and afterwards to Bristol. He was a man of limited education but of sterling worth, and was clerk of the town many years. He was father of the Hon. James Drummond, of whom we shall take occasion to speak more at length hereafter, and grandfather of Hon. Thomas Drum- mond of Chicago, Judge of the United States Court, and Rev. James Drummond, late of Springfield, Mass,
Lemuel Doe was a man of considerable influence in the place, but little is known of him. He lived with his family a little distance north of the place of the late Phillips Hatch, on the road leading from " The Falls" village to " The Mills."
May 2, 1781, the town voted to pay Rev. Mr. McLean's sal- ary " at 90 for one in the old emission or equivalent in the new emission," thus indicating the depreciation of the currency at the time. The selectmen, about this time, were paid $60 per day for their services.
It was found extremely difficult this year to meet the requi- sitions of the government for men and beef, and to collect the taxes which seem to have been two years in arrears. Late in the season a fine was imposed on the town for not having sup- plied the men required of them for the army, probably the ten Inen previously mentioned, but they concluded to make another effort to procure the men as they were allowed to do, rather than pay the fine. Dec. 14, in town meeting it was voted " to as- sess the beef tax immediately" but to defer the " hard money" tax, and to indemnify the selectmen, if any action should be brought against them. But many thought the collection of the beef so late in the season impossible, and another meeting was called, Jan. 81, 1782, and it was determined to postpone
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL AND BREMEN.
the collection of the beof tax also, and " to send a petition to the Great and General Court setting fourth our distressed situa- tion." Samuel Otis was at the same time appointed to present the petition (as they called it) to the general court.
Some of the citizens were opposed to this movement, think- ing that more effort should be made to meet the demands upon them, and therefore entered a protest against the proceedings. They were Wm. McLain, Oliver Nash, George Yates, Simon Elliot, Saml. Yates, Nathl. Thompson and Wm. Burns.
But the " petition" was successful; and, at a subsequent period, mention is made of the abatement, in whole or in part, of the state tax of 1780.
Committee of correspondence, etc., this year, 1782, appointed April 1, Isaac Colimore, Joseph Burns, Wm. MeLain, Richard Jones, Alexander Askins jr., Alex. Askins 3d, Ebenezer Blunt, Phillips Hatch and Saml. Clark.
This was the last committee of the kind appointed in the town. Isaac Colimore had the confidence of the people of the town, as a good citizen and an upright man, but was not very influential ; and little is known of him. Ebenezer Blunt lived south of " The Mills," on the road to "the meadows," it is believed ; and is now represented in the place by a numerous posterity. Phillips Hatch was by trade a blacksmith, and lived two miles or more south of " The Mills," on the road to Pema- quid. He was a worthy man ; and died at a very advanced age some twenty-five years ago. Samuel Clark was a son of George Clark, and lived at Harrington. The others have been (or will be) spoken of elsewhere.
The surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, took place in October, 1781; and peace between this country and England was expected to follow as a matter of course ; but still as late as Feb. 4, 1783, the citizens of Bristol found it necessary to petition the general court for additional means of defense against the enemy. It is not known, what was the special occasion for this movement.
At the same meeting it was voted to request of the governor the use of a flag [of truce ] " to carry Mrs. Kelley to Bagaduce " (Biguyduce); but whether it was successful or not is not known ; nor is it known what specific charge was brought against her. 1
1 The record seems to read Mrs. Kelley ; but it may have been Mr. and not Mrs. Kelley.
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL AND BREMEN.
It is interesting to know that during the war, the Penobscot and other eastern Indians remained entirely peaceful, but their friendship and neutral position was not maintained without effort on the part of the citizens. Thus we find, at the very be- ginning of the struggle, the officers of government did not forget the little attentions to them, which cost so little comparatively, and yet are so pleasing both to savage and Christian. But, what was more important to the Indians, the authorities took occa- sion frequently to forward small presents of useful articles, which, in these times of scarcity, added greatly to their comfort.
July 9, 1775, the " provincial congress " in session at Water- town, authorized Hon. Frederic Prebble and Hon. Enoch Free- man to supply the Penobscot tribe with goods to the amount of &300; and the next day they in like manner authorized Capt. John Lane (Lain) to make over to the same tribe 25 pounds of gun powder. A month before this, at the request of the chiefs of the tribe, they had appointed Lane as agent for the tribe, and spe- cially authorized him to notice every infraction on the rights of the Indians by the white people, and report them to the congress. Being in Watertown subsequently with several Penobscots, whose shoes were badly worn, he had the boldness to petition the congress for a supply of the needed articles for his friends and proteges; and such was the temper of the body at the time, the grant was made at once.1
The following document explains itself. " I, the subscriber, haveing two Indians under my care, one from St. John's Tribe, and the other from the Penobscot tribe, bound to the General Court of this Province, and being obliged to apply to Committee of Bristol in the County of Lincoln for assistance in our Passage to Watertown we have Received from Mr. Thos. Brackett and Thos. Boyd, two of the Committee men of sd Bristol, Thirty Shillings Lawful money towards assistance in our journey. Bristol, Sep. 26th, 1775. ANDREW GILMAN.
"Please pay the within to Mr. Briggs Turner and you will Oblige your Friends.
THOS. BRACKETT, THOS. BOYD."
" Please to pay the Within to Cornal [Colonel] William Jones and you will oblige your friend. BRIGGS TURNER."
I Miss. frch., 33, No. 631, 632, 141, No. 315, 317.
.
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL AND BREMEN.
We are sorry to be obliged to add that the general court refused to pay the bill, and the two patriotic citizens of Bristol probably never recovered the money so justly due them.1
At the beginning of the war it was hoped that the Penob- scots, and perhaps other tribes might be induced to join the Americans, and aid them in their struggle with Great Britain ; but they declined. Subsequently some of the young men of the St. John's and the Micmac tribes made a treaty in behalf of their people with the Massachusetts government, by which, for proper consideration, they agreed to furnish 600 men for the army under Washington, to serve not more than three years. This produced much excitement among the tribes, and occa- sioned the following memorial to the people of Massachusetts from eight of their principal chiefs. As they could not write each one signed the document by making his mark. " Friends, Brothers and Countrymen.
In the spring of the year we received with Joy and Gladness, a very kind Letter from our Friend and Brother Hlis Excy. George Washington.
What he said therein gave us great satisfaction and Determined we were to Continue in that Friendship, with the same faith as he professed towards us and to Keep the chain bright for Ever.
A few days ago an alarm was spread among us that another paper was come, to require us to take up the hatchet.
We met, therefore, and found that some of our young men had been with you in the Character of Chiefs and made a Treaty to go to war, Contrary to our Desire, and as we understand from them was not rightly understood.
Our situation and Circumstances being such at present, our natural incli- nations being Peace, Only accustomed to hunt for the Subsistence of our families. We Could not Comply with the Terms, Our numbers being not sufficient among other Objections. And as it was not done by Our au- thority and Consent of the Difft. Tribes we are necessitated to return it.
Still depending upon the promise of our Brother Washington, and re- lying upon the friendship of all our Brothers and friends your way we hope and trust no offense in sending it back.
And protesting at the same time that the Chain of Friendship is still subsisting between us on our side and that we hope for Ever. A further Account of our situation will in our Name be Delivered by our Brothers and Countrymen John Allen, Esq., Bearer of this, Our Love and Friend- ship be with you all. We are your Friends and Brothers.
At Coquen. Sept 19th, 1776.">
1 Muss. Arch., 141; No. 320,
2 Mass. Arch., 144, Nos. 359, 875. Killer, Mil. Operations in Extern Maine. and Nova Scotia during the Revolution, pp. 57, 59.
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL AND BREMEN.
This drew from Washington the following letter, which was addressed to the St. John's tribe ; but a copy or a similar letter was also sent to the Passamaquoddy and perhaps other tribes. That sent to the latter tribe has been carefully and sacredly preserved by them, and was seen by Mr. F. Kidder of Boston, in 1852. Some other documents of the period are also pre- served by them.
" Brothers of the St. John's Tribe.
It gave me great Pleasure to hear by Major Shaw, that you Kept the chain of Friendship, which I sent you in February last from Cambridge bright and unbroken.
I am glad to hear that you have made a Treaty of peace with your Brothers and neighbors of tho Massachusetts Bay, who have, agreeable to your desire, established a Truck House at St. Johns out of which they will furnish you with everything you want and take your Furs in Re- turn.
My good Friend and Brother, Govr. Pierre Tommar, and the War- riors that came with him, shall be taken good care of, and when they want to return home, they and our Brothers of Penobscot shall be fur- nished with everything necessary for their journey.
Brothers, I have one thing more to say to you, our enemy, the King of Great Britain, endeavoured to stir up all the Indians from Canada to South Carolina against us; but our Brothers of the Six Nations and their Allies, the Shawnese and Delawares would not listen to him. The Cherokees and Southern Tribes were foolish enough to listen to them and take up the hatchet against us, and our Warriors have in return invaded their country, and burnt their houses and corn, obliging [them] to sue for peace, and give Hostages for their future good behaviour.
Never let the King's wicked Counsellors turn your heads against me and your Brethren of this Country, but bear in mind what I told you last February and what I tell you now.
In token of my Friendship for you I send you this from my Army on the Bank of the Great River Delaware this 24th day of December, 1776. G. WASHINGTON.1
The efforts of the government of Massachusetts to secure and maintain the friendship of the Indians were unremitted; and the amount of money expended in presents was not small. Often small parties and even individuals, by a timely applica-
1 Muss. Arch., 144; No. 377. Kidder's Fast. Maine, 59. The reader will notice that the letter was written only two days before Washington's famous victory at Trenton, N. J.
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL AND BREMEN.
tion, secured grants or presents on small pretense of services or claims.
Occasionally a few of the young men joined the service and received the regular pay as other soldiers. Thus seven men of the Penobscot tribe were enrolled in a company under Lieut. Gilman from Nov. 13th, 1776 to Feb. 7th, 1777, "including 15 days' travel from Boston to the Penobscot."
Arexis, 3 month 42 pr. mo., .. 3 --- 3 --- 0
Wongoret, 2 months and 26 days,
6-0-6
Attenanies, Ditto 6 -- 0 -- 6
Ansong Neptune, Ditto
6-0 -- 6
Assonsar, Ditto
6-0 -- 6
Joseph James Holet, Ditto
6-0 -- 6
Joseph Cook, a Mohawk, Ditto
6 -- 0 -- 6
€39-6-0
Boston, Jan'y 23, 1777. ANDREW GILMAN.
A month later 15 Indians from the army, 6 of them being Penobscots, and the rest of the St. John's tribe, being at head quarters and desirous of returning home, caused a petition to be presented for means to return home and also to obtain clothing for themselves, and also any arrears of pay that might be due, all of which was granted. The Indians not being fully satisfied, an additional grant of 11 shirts was made them. But they had still another claim. When they came to head quarters they brought their arms with them, which had been stolen ; and they therefore prayed that other arms might be supplied to them. Whether or not the last request was granted is not known. Many such cases occurred.
The people of Canada, as is well known, refused to join with the other colonies in the contest for liberty, and the Indians of that region naturally took sides with them. These, excited to action by the British officials, were ever ready to use their influence among their brethren on the Penobscot in favor of the English, and against the Americans. Early in the spring of 1779, they sent two of their young men with a formal mes- sage to this effect. The message and manner of its delivery are thus represented :
April 30th, 1779.
John Neptune & Orono came into Prebbles at Penobscot Falls by Ex- press sent by John Marsh from John Prebble, and was Informed that a
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL AND BREMEN.
Message with Wampum was sent from Captain Smith, at Machias, Deputy Superintendent, to acquaint the whole Tribe that Col. Allan requested their assembling at Machias the 25th May, to Receive the Priest. &c., and to bring the Peltry with them.
Then Jobn Neptune Presents three small strings Wampum and says (holding the first string) These are sent our Tribe from Canada by Two Young men about three weeks ago.
" 1st String, We send you this to open your Eyes
2nd String, That you may see a great way.
3d String, That your Ears may be opened to hear, and fix your Hearts that you may have a Right understanding to what I am going to tell you."
Then presenting a large Belt of Wampum, 1,500 White, said this Like- wise was sent from Canada with this Message.
" Brothers, Don't have any Connections with the Americans. Remove yourselves off from them and not keep with them, for Powder and Balls has no respect to Persons for if we should find one of our Brothers Dead it would make us sorry and Angry.
The Americans have no knowledge of what they are about in Fighting the Great King of England ; but now the King is in Earnest and Deter- mined to whip them severely, we send you this Great Belt of Wampum for every one of you to See and think of, and to Show it to the St. Johns' and Micmacs, and to let them Know what we say, and Return the Belt Back to us Immediately.
The Indians are coming across the woods as soon as the Leaves are as big as our nails, and we are Determined to Destroy the white People, --- 300 on the River Penobscot, 300 upon the Norridgwalk River, and 300 upon Cohos.
There is 300 Barrels of Flour at Sococon for the Support of the In- dians who are coming a Cross the Country.
Brothers of Penobscot we have Provision Enough in Canada to last 30 years if the war should last so long. Don't think this Belt of Wampum is sent for nothing, Don't make a Laugh and Scorn of it, it is the Truth we send you and you may Depend upon it.
Brothers, there is now at and near Canada good Indians ready to exe- cute any order they may receive from the British General in Canada.
Brothers, the Indians were so rejoiced to get their Wampum Carried to your Tribe, that they Danced and Drank three Days and Nights and Liquor was given them free as water."
" JOHN PREBBLE." 1
This action of the Canada Indians could not fail to excite some anxiety in the minds of the Americans, when it first be-
2 Muss. 'Arch., 144, No. 417; Kidder East. Muine, p. 263.
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL AND BREMEN.
came known ; but the disastrous results of the Penobscot expe- dition, which occurred a little later in the summer, very considerably increased the danger. The Indians like always to fight with the victorious party; and they might at any time transfer their allegiance from the Americans to their enemies, the victors in the last fight.
The Indians, therefore, were closely watched and cared for; and as the Penobscot river was now inaccessible, it was decided to establish a truck house " at or near Fort Halifax," on the Kennebec where the natives could bring their furs and obtain in exchange such articles as they needed. Col. Josiah Brewer was appointed truck master; and it was at the same time voted in the house of representatives (Sept. 27, 1779) "to give a suit of clothes and a gun to each of the Penobscots in town." A little later (Oct. 8th) Major Wm. Todd being in Boston with some Indians, one of whom claimed that Gen. Lovell had pro- mised him a hat, in return for one he had lost when serving as a pilot somewhere at the east ; and on application to Mr. Powell, a member of the council, the hat was granted.
In the same spirit of conciliation the government of Massa- chusetts employed Juniper Berthiamne, a Roman Catholic priest, as an instructor of the Indians living about the Penobscot. He resided for a time at Fort Halifax on the Kennebec. Mr. Kidder writes the name Barthium.
These wisely directed efforts were the essential means by which the friendship of the Indians was secured and continued ; but the alliance with France was not without its influence. The French had been driven from the country years before; but the savages had not forgotten their former friendship. In a confer- ence held with some of the chief's at Penobscot by Gen. Lovell, in Aug. 1779, they professed sincere attachment to the cause of the colonies, the more so because of the "alliance with France," and said they had " but two fathers, George Wash- ington and the King of France." 1
The business of privateering was carried on briskly in this region during the war ; but it does not appear that any of the people of Bristol were directly interested in it. Congress very early established a court for the trial of maritime cases; and many such were brought before it in the autumn of 1776, and subsequently. Hon. Timothy Langdon, a lawyer of some dis-
1 Mass. Archices, 144, No. 423.
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ILISTORY OF BRISTOL AND BREMEN.
tinction residing at Wiscasset, was appointed judge; and no- tices of the " libels " to be tried before him are contained in the newspapers of the day. Wiscasset was then called the "East Precinct of Pownalboro," the present town of Wiscasset not having been incorporated until the beginning of the present century. There was then no court house, and the trials were held in the meeting house. None of them, so far as we know, were in any way connected with the history of this place.
Previous to the publication of North's excellent History of Augusta, in 1870, probably very few of the citizens were aware " that one of the most worthy, but one of the youngest of the generals of the American army in revolutionary war, was born within the town. This was Gen. Wmn. North, son of John North, the surveyor, and Elizabeth, his wife. He was born in Pemaquid fort in 1755, but his father having died when he was only eight years old, his mother with her family removed to Boston.
When Arnold was preparing to make his celebrated march by way of the Kennebec river to Canada, in the autumn of 1775, he voluntered for the service, but was kept at home by sickness. On his recovery he joined the army as second lieutenant of artillery, and continued in the service during the whole war. For a time he was attached to the staff of Steuben, whose con- fidence he enjoyed, and was present with him at the surrender of Cornwallis, at Yorktown, in 1781. He had at this time at- tained the rank of major, but subsequently, during the ad- ministration of Adams, he was appointed adjutant general with the rank of brigadier general.
After the close of the war he married a daughter of Hon. James Duane of New York, and settled at Duanesburg, N. Y. He was several times a member of the legislature of New York, and once speaker of the house of representatives. For a short time, in 1798, he was a member of the senate of the United States, by appointment of Gov. Jay.
Baron Steuben showed his regard for North by appointing him one of his executors, and bequeathing to him a liberal share of his estate.
Gen. North died in the city of New York, January Sd, 1836,1
1 Hist. of Augusta, p. 180; Memoir by Miss H. E. North ; Drake's Biographi- cal Dictionary.
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL AND BREMEN.
and was buried in Duanesburgh, where an elegant tablet in the Episcopal church commemorates his virtues. .
The war having terminated by the triumphant establishment of the great doctrine of popular rights, against governmental tyranny ; it was not to be expected that those, who during the contest had sympathized with the enemy and even "afforded him aid and comfort," should be allowed to come in and enjoy, "the rights and privileges they had been seeking to destroy. The government caused circulars to be sent about the country, calling attention to this subject ; and one of them having been read here in town meeting, it was voted that " no refugee har- ing taken refuge under the British during the late war shall be suffered to return to this town to share any of the liberties and privileges, that we have purchased at so dear a rate ;" they then proceeded to choose a committee to carry the reso- lution into effect. The members of the committee, were Elisha Hatch, John Lermond, Samuel Yates, Wm. Jones, Wm. McLain, Isaac Colimore, Wm. McGlathery, Saml. Otis, and John Boyd. This committee was instructed to meet and organize at once, and communicate with the committee of correspondence, etc., in Boston, "informing them of our doings."
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