USA > Maine > Lincoln County > Bremen > A history of the towns of Bristol and Bremen in the state of Maine : including the Pemaquid Settlement > Part 45
USA > Maine > Lincoln County > Bristol > A history of the towns of Bristol and Bremen in the state of Maine : including the Pemaquid Settlement > Part 45
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Dr. ALBERT S. CLARK enlisted as surgeon of the 11th reg- iment 1 the first year of the war, but soon resigned on account of ill health. He was born in Tinmouth, Vt., and established himself as a regular physician here about 1823, having then just completed his medical education. He soon established a good reputation as a physician and secured a good practice ; but was too decided in his political opinions, and too much of a partizan to be universally popular. He was prompt to enlist in the country's service early in the war; but his declining health obliged him to resign before his regiment went into
1 In the adjutant general's report he is credited to Augusta.
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL AND BREMEN.
active service. Subsequently he removed to Waldoboro, where he died, June 6, 185:1.
The situation of the town of Bristol directly on the sea coast, and having plenty of good harbors, at once determines the chief employments of the citizens, as being connected with the navi- gation and fishing interests. In the carly times it supplied large quantities of lumber for domestic and foreign markets, and at a later period much timber for ship-building, but the supply long since ceased. But the woods still afford some logs to be manufactured into building material for home use. Some busi- ness has also been done in the manufacture of tubs and casks.
A special branch of the fishing business has of late been un- dertaken quite largely here, as at other places on the New Eng- land coast, called the "porgey fishery." The fish are taken in seines, usually several miles from the coast, and are used for the oil they produce, and for manure.
These fish, the common manhaden 1 of the coast, have been caught for use as bait in the cod fishery from the earliest times ; and at first the new branch of industry, in which such immense quantities are consumed, was viewed by the old fishermen with no little suspicion, as likely to interfere with the important and older branch of the fishing business by depriving them of bait. Some riots were at least threatened, and one oil factory was act- ually destroyed, as was believed, by the old fishermen, or at their instigation ; but the opposition has ceased, and the general opinion seems to be that it is best to foster such an extensive branch of business, giving profitable employment for a part of the season as this does to so many men, even though it may be attended by some disadvantages, which in the end may prove to be more imaginary than real.
A " Field Meeting" of the Maine Historical Society, held on the site of old Fort Frederic, Thursday, August 26th, 1869, was an occasion which will long be remembered by the citizens of the place and others who were present.
A committee of the citizens had made preparation for the meeting by removing the earth from some of the ruins so as to expose them better to the view, and erecting a stand for the speakers. A large delegation from the society, many of them with their wives, arrived the evening previous and were quar-
1 These fish, under the name of white fish, were formerly taken in Long Island sound, and sold for manure, but they are now applied to the same purpose as above.
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tered among the inhabitants. They had spent the previous af- ternoon in examining the oyster shell deposits and other ruins at Damariscotta, and were thus the better prepared to study and appreciate those in this place.
Early in the morning the people began to assemble from every direction, some coming in boats but more on foot and by carriages, and lastly by two carts drawn by oxen, in the manner often practiced at agricultural fairs. About 9 o'clock a bell summoned all to the stand, where were seated the delegation of the Historical Society, the committee of arrangements and others to listen to the expected addresses, Hon. Arnold Blaney having been appointed as presiding officer.
After prayer by Rev. Mr. Bean, and a short address of wel- come, with a brief outline of some of the principal events in the history of the place by Prof. John Johnston, a native of the . place, a beautiful poem entitled " Ancient Jamestown" was read by Mrs M. W. Hackelton, much to the gratification of the large audience, 1 Interesting addresses were then made by Rev. Dr. Ballard, and Rev. Dr Leonard Woods of Brunswick, Hon. J. W. Bradbury of Augusta, Pres. Harris and Prof. Packard of Bowdoin College, A. G. Tenney, Esq. of the Brunswick Tele- egraph, E. H. Elwell, Esq. of the Portland Transcript, John A. Poor, Esq., of Portland, and R. K. Sewell, Esq., of Wiscassett. A strong north west wind prevailed at the time, and of necessity prevented many of the vast audience from hearing the speak- ers distinctly, but the novel occasion was well enjoyed in spite of all disadvantages.
The exercises at the stand being closed the invited guests, with many of the citizens took boats across the harbor, and partook of an excellent dinner at the house of Mr. Charles P. Tibbets, and were prepared for a further exploration of the interesting ruins in Mr. Lewis's field, on the west side, half a mile or more above the old fort.2
1 The Poem was afterwards published and widely distributed.
2 These ruins and those at the site of Fort Frederic, have been described as fully as the limits prescribed to our book will allow, beginning at page 215.
The committee of the citizens whose excellent arangements contributed so much to the interest of the occasion, were Wm. Hackelton, Esq., Hon. D. Cham- berlain, Cyrus Fossett, James Nichols, Leander Morton, Hon. A. Blaney, Chas. P. Tibbets, Chandler Bearce, and Alexander Yates.
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL AND BREMEN.
Two years later in August, 1871, a similar field meeting was held here by a delegation of the Maine Historical Society, which excited great interest. At the same time occasion was taken to form an association for the erection of a proper monument on the site of the old fort to mark the locality of so many and important events in the early history of the place and of New England. A charter of incorporation was afterwards obtained which, with the constitution of the association, it is purposed to insert in an appendix to this volume.
The rapid recovery of the country from the desolating effects of the civil war has been everywhere a common theme of remark; and it is gratifying to know that the people of this town have also shared in the general prosperity. A good evidence of this was furnished by the "Farmer's Club," organized in 1870. Their first exhibition was held at the Mills village in the month of Oc- tober, and was attended with a gratifying success, even surpas- sing their own expectations. The account published in the Rockland, Gazette of Nov. 25th of that year, would do credit to a place of larger population and superior natural resources. Agri- cultural products, consisting of field crops, fruits, etc., were brought forward in great variety, and articles of household man- ufacture useful and ornamental, as well as others of mere curi- riosity, some of them from distant lands.
At the close of the exhibition Governor Joshua L. Chamber- lain, who graced the occasion with his presence, gave his address on the surrender of Lee at Appomattox Court House for the benefit of the society. On the whole, the exhibition was con- sidered one of the best ever given in the county, and reflected no little credit on the people who had taken the trouble to bring together the articles on exhibition, and the officers of the club to whom belonged the management of the whole affair. They were Thomas Herbert, President, Dennis R. Hanly, Secretary, and Stinson Weeks, Genl. Agent.
This annual exhibition, it is understood is to be a permanent institution of the place.
Hon. Wm. McClintock still lives at the age nearly of 95; having been born Sept. 29, 1778. His father was a native of Ireland, but was brought to Massachusetts when only an infant. He married Margaret Fullerton of Boothbay, and died in his 49th year, June 3, 1779. His widow subsequently, October 5, 1786, married Deacon Wm. Burns, and the son, Wm. was
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afterwards brought up in his family. He worked more or less on the farm, and a part of the time was employed as a seaman. When he attained the age of 21 he was absent on his second voyage as captain of a small schooner. He was formerly much employed as surveyor of land, and has served the town in various important offices, as selectman and repre- sentative in the legislature. He was also a member of the con- vention which framed the constitution of the state of Maine in 1819.
Wm. Hunter, son of Henry, still living, is in his 96th year, is now the oldest man in the town:
CHAPTER XXXV.
LAND TITLES IN BRISTOL AND BREMEN. HISTORY OF THE PRIN- CIPAL CLAIMS.
The foundation early laid for two adverse claims-Title to Pemaquid patent traced to heirs of Nicholas Davison-Pemaquid company organized-Settlement of boundary between Kennebec and Pemaquid companies' claims-Indian deed to John Brown recorded -- Brown himself attached little importance to the deed -Descent of title to Brown's heirs-Irregular sales by those heirs-The Board- man claim-Journey of Wm. Fraser on horseback from the Hudson river to Waldoboro-The Tappan claim-The Vaughan claim.
As we have seen in the first part of this work, the foundation was early laid for two adverse sets of claims to the lands here, by the purchase of John Brown, from the Indians, July 25th, 1625 (ante, p. 54), and the grant of the Plymouth company to Aldsworth and Elbridge (p. 69), February 29th, 1633. The two covered nearly, but not precisely, the same territory.
The grant to Aldsworth1 and Elbridge was for 12,000 acres, with 100 acres additional for every person they should transport to the place, provided he, or she, remained here three years ; but we do not now know, how many, if, indeed any, were thus brought here. It is, therefore, impossible now to know how many acres they might rightly claim ; but when possession was
1 This name is written indifferently, Aldsworth or Aldworth.
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ILISTORY OF BRISTOL AND BREMEN.
given by Walter Neale, as agent for the Plymouth company, in 1633 (p. 74), they " bounded the 12,000 acres for the use of above named [of Aldsworth and Elbridge] from the head of the river of Damariscotta, to the head of the river of Muscongus, and between it to the sea." The tract thus described, probably would be found to contain nearly 100,000 acres, instead of 12,000 ; and in addition to this, the allowance was to be made of 100 acres for each settler.
The Indian deed to Brown, covers the same territory south- ward, excepting only a part of Pemaquid point, below New Harbor, but extends further northward, so as to make twenty- five miles from New Harbor, or, perhaps from the south end of Muscongus, or Loud's island. This would carry the extreme northern boundary of the claim beyond the limits of the present towns of Jefferson and Waldoboro, and nearly to the centre of Washington.
While these were the two principal claims, covering the whole of the two towns of Bristol and Bremen, there were others, the origin of which will be stated as we proceed.
John Brown and his descendants and heirs, occupied por- tions of this territory for a century or more after the original deed was given, except when absent for limited periods on ac- count of the Indian troubles, and may therefore be said to have been, in a sense, in possession of the claim; but except as to lots actually occupied by them, it does not appear that they ever asserted any right to the soil adverse to the rights of others. Therefore when, in 1633, Walter Neale, as agent for the Ply- mouth company, came and made formal delivery of the whole tract to Abraham Shurte, as agent for Aldsworth and Elbridge, no opposition or remonstrance was made, so far as we know. Shurte evidently in subsequent years, considered himself in possession of the claim, as agent for the Bristol gentlemen, and probably collected a small rent of those residing here, and especially of the fishermen who resorted to the place for the purpose of salting and curing their fish.
Brown, though well knowing all these facts, made no opposi- tion to Shurte, so far as we can learn ; but silently acquiesced in his movements. Thus affairs remained for a number of years until the arrival of Thomas Elbridge as sole owner of the patent, probably about 1648.
The latter was the second son of Gyles Elbridge, named in
1
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL AND BREMEN.
the patent, and his ownership of the patent came in this way ; Robert Aldworth, who was uncle to Gyles Elbridge, died soon after the date of the patent, leaving his part to his associato and nephew, Elbridge, who thus became sole proprietor. Gyles Elbridge survived but a few years, and died, leaving the patent to his oldest son John Elbridge, and he by will conveyed it to his brother Thomas, who subsequently became a permanent resident here.1
Elbridge on his arrival did not hesitate to assert his claim, and according to the custom of the time, " called a court, unto which divers of the then inhabitants " of the region repaired, acknowledging his jurisdiction and paying a small tax. The charter or patent conveyed not only the fee of the soil, but also conferred the right of making laws for and governing the colony; and when Elbridge came here, it is evident that he in- tended to assert all his rights in the premises.
But the experience of a few years caused a great change in his views, and he was ready to dispose of his whole right in the patent, that is, the whole patent for a very moderate consider- ation. He is in all the documents styled, " merchant of Pem- aquid :" but his supply of ready money was not abundant. As early as Nov. 5th, 1650, he mortgaged the islands of Monhegan and Damariscove to Richard Russell of Charlestown, Mass., and a little more than a year afterwards (Feb. 5th, 1651-2) sold to Paul White, of Newbury, one half of all his interest in the patent, including even his personal effects, The consideration mentioned in the deed was " two hundred pounds lawful money of New England."
Subsequently (May 27th, 1653), White sold his interest to Richard Russell and Nicholas Davison, the latter being styled " merchant of Charlestown." Four years later (July 1657), Russell disposed of his interest to Davison, who then purchased of Elbridge the half still remaining in his hands, and thus be- came sole owner.
Davison by will bequeathed this with other property to his wife and children and some other relations; and the " proprietors " under the " Drowne claim," so called in subsequent years, were the descendants and representatives of these heirs of Nicholas Davison.
1 The statement of the writer in the Popham Memorial Volume, p. 277, is erro- neous, so far as it differs from the above.
59
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL AND BREMEN.
The claim took the name mentioned from Shem Drowne, who for many years acted as agent and attorney for the other proprietors. He had married (Sept. 18th, 1712), Catherine Clark,1 one of the heirs to the Davison estate; and becoming deeply interested in this claim of his wife, which he considered valuable, he was at length (1785) appointed agent and attorney as stated.
Ever after his appointment as agent for the " Pemaquid Pro- prietors," as the heirs of Nicholas Davison came now to be called, he was very active in their affairs. He early visited the place and introduced a number of settlers, as many as forty families or more,? to whom he gave lands; and in 1747,3 caused the whole tract to be surveyed, and divided into convenient
1 Not Russell, as erroneously given by the author in the Memorial volume of the Popham Celebration, p. 218. It is believed that he was born in Kittery, Me., but came early to Boston, and established himself as a " tin plate worker." In the latter part of Lis life, his eyesight became greatly impaired, and he died, January 13, 1774, at the age probably of about 84 or 85 years. The following autograph of his has been traced from his signature to a deed of land at Broad Cove, given to Thos. Johnston, March 18, 1762. A note on the margin says that it was " dis- tinictly read to him on account of his sight."
The well known vane, in the form of a grasshopper, which first adorned Faneuil Hall, was made by him in 1742, and was taken down to be replaced by another in 1852, having performed good service, with one or two interruptions, just 110 . years. In it was found a paper, much defaced, but so far as it could be made out, read as follows :
SHEM DROWNE MADE IT, May 25, 1742. To My Brethren and Fellow Grasshoppers.
Fell in ye year 1755, November, 18th day, from ye Market by a great Earth- quake ....... . sing . . sett a .. . .. . by my old Master above.
Again Like to have Met with my utter Ruin by Fire, but, hopping Timely from my Public Situation, come off with Broken bones, and much Bruised. Cured and again fixed .. Old Master's Son. Thomas Drowne, June 28th, 1763. And although I now promise to Play Discharge my Office, yet I shall vary as ye Wind. Boston Advertiser, Dec. 3, 1852, Drake, Hist. Bost., pp. 540, 656, 663.
2 Lin. Rep., 1811, p. 62.
3 There is some reason to believe that a preliminary survey was made in 1737.
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL AND BREMEN.
lots, which were subsequently distributed by lot among the several claimants.1
But before making the distribution, in order to render their proceedings legally binding on all parties, they held a meeting / at the Orange Tree Tavern in Boston, and effected an organi- zation according to legal forms. The meeting for the purpose was appointed for Aug. 1st, 1743; but as there was not a full attendance, nothing was done. After several other ineffectual attempts, the organization was at length effected Nov. 15th; and each proprietor's proportion of "ye lands " determined. The following is the list of proprietors at this time, and the number of votes to which each was entitled, as decided by themselves. Habijah Savage, Esq. 30 votes. Jonas Clark 2 votes.
George Craddock, Esq. 5
- Saml. Clark, 2
Adam Winthrop, Esq. 5
Thomas Ruck, 2
40 John Chandler, Esq. 2 6.
John Alford and Joshua Winslow, Esq. 23 4
Joseph Fitch, 1
Sarah Sweetser. 21
Timothy Parrott, Abigail Tilden, 1
John Phillips, 25 4
Christopher Tilden, ) John Freeland,
Joanna Phillips, 23 “
Benj. Stephens, 23 4
Guardian to his 1
Ezekiel Cheerer, Esq. 2₺ .
daughter Prudence, Anderson Phillips, 1
Sheri Drowne, 15 «
--- 30
Henry Phillips, 1 Shem Drowne, 8 " 20
90
The reader will notice that the whole number of votes pro- vided for was 91, instead of 90.
The proprietors being now organized as a company, began a book of records, which was continued a little more than 20 years, the last meeting having been held Nov. 24th, 1774. This re- cord, in two thin volumes is still preserved in the archives of the Antiquarian Society of Worcester, Mass.
We learn from it that they gave full warrantee deeds to those purchasing lands of them ; and in several instances where ac- tions of ejectment were brought against such, their agent was instructed to appear before the courts in defense of the settlers. Thus in 1762, Dr. Sylvester Gardiner, in behalf of the Kennebec
1 The plan of this survey, on which the lots were all numbered, and by which the partition of the property among the several claimants was made, has not been found. It would be an interesting document, if it could be brought to light.
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company, brought articles of ejeetment against James Cargill, James Given, Joshua Maddocks and Caleb Maddocks; and the committee having the matter in charge was instructed to assume their defense before the court. It does not appear what dispo- sition was made of the suits, but it is believed they were never brought to trial. Again, in 1767 and 1768, Thomas Bodkin brought actions against James Yates, John Randall, James Bailey, and Simon Elliot, for lands at Round Pond, which had been purchased of them; and the agents were authorized to defend the suits before the court at Pownalboro. What the result was is not known, but probably the trial never took place.
A single point in reference to this claim remains to be noticed here; - the settlement of the boundary line between the pro- prietors of this claim and those of the Kennebec purchase, so called, which was effected April 13th, 1763. The original grant which served as the foundation of this last mentioned claim, was made by Plymouth Company of (Old England,) in 1629; and the territory conveyed was described as " all that tract of land, or part of New England, in America, which lyeth within, or between, and extendeth itself from the utmost limits of Co- bisecontee, alias Commazecontee, which adjoineth the river Kenbec, alias Kenebekike, toward the Western Ocean, and place called Nequamkike, in America; and fifteen miles on each side of the river commonly called Kenebec River:" 1
The boundaries of this tract, as thus defined, were not cer- tainly very definite except as to one point ; - it was to extend 15 miles on each side of Kennebec river ; - but by direction of the company, Capt. North, in 1751, undertook to establish the lines intended. In making his survey, Judge North, the accom- plished author of the History of Augusta (page 35) suggests that North with his party probably ascended the river to the northern limit of the claim, and then measured east, 15 miles to a point which he marked, as the extreme northeast corner of the tract claimed. From this point he run a line southerly, parallel with the river, and struck the coast at Pumpkin Cove, which is a slight indentation in the coast of Pemaquid point. near the present light-house. This coast line he found to be just 34 miles in length. Thus the Kennebec claim was made 1 Sal. Ilist. Maine, 116. Hist. Coll., 1, 299.
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL AND BREMEN.
seriously to interfere with that of the Pemaquid proprietors ; and for several years both parties insisted with equal pertinacity for its exclusive claim, but at length, at the date just given, a compromise was effected substantially as follows, viz :
1. The Pemaquid company, in substance, acknowledged the right of their opponents to all that part of the Pomaquid terri- tory lying west of the Pemaquid river and ponds.
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2. The Kennebec company immediately reconveyed to the Pem- aquid company all that part of the present town of Bristol lying west of Pemaquid river, and south of a line which is thus de- scribed ; " to begin on the east side of Damariscotta river where a line running E. 15° S. from the Northerly part of a point of land which forms Pleasant Cove, on the W. side of said Dama- riscotta river will strike; -- from thence to run E. 15° S., with- out variation of compass to Pemaquid river aforesaid."
3. The Kennebec company also conveyed to their opponents 2000 acres immediately north of the line just described, to be laid out in a single tract between the two rivers, and having its northern boundary parallel to said line.
A single reservation was made out of the tract first mentioned of 100 acres, "to be bounded easterly on land of Robert Mckown."
It would be difficult now to show why the Pemaquid company should agree to such a settlement, as by it they relinquished a con- siderable part of their original claim; but in order to contend successfully with the settlers, it was important that the proprie- tors should be at peace among themselves, and besides this there was probably concealed in the plan of settlement a de- sign to aid the Kennebec proprietors in establishing their claims to lands lying further north. The eastern boundary of this great Kennebec claim being established on the Pemaquid river by mutual agreement, the owners of it might expect less diffi- culty in extending it northward in the territory beyond the bounds of the Pemaquid company.
Only a few years later (1768-9), by a decision of the Superior Court of Mass., the south boundary of the Kennebec claim was determined to be a line running due east and west correspond- ing, east of the river, very nearly with the present northern bound- ary line of the town of Woolwich. This line, extended east- ward, would strike the Damariscotta river some two miles south of the present village at the bridge, thus giving to the Kenne-
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bec proprietors only a small part of the territory previously in dispute between them and the Pemaquid proprietors. But as late as December 10th, 1812, they pretended to convey by deed to Samuel Flagg jr., what remained of their claim to the Pem- aquid territory north of the 2000 acres previously mentioned.
The Brown claim, because of the many conveyances, and re- conveyances of "undivided" parts by the supposed heirs, and others holding under them, became so exceedingly complicated before the final settlement, early in the present century, that it would be vain now to undertake to unravel it. Only a bare out- line can be here given.
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