USA > Maine > Ancient dominions of Maine : embracing the earliest facts, the recent discoveries, of the remains of aboriginal towns, the voyages, settlements, battle scenes, and incidents of Indian warfare, and other incidents of history, together with the religious developments of society within the ancient Sagadahoc, Sheepscot, and Pemaquid precincts and dependencies > Part 13
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" No buildings could be reared end-wise to the street," obstructing the water view from the fort ; "but broadways, with all the doors opening on the street ; - none elsewhere." It was ordained that all trade should be in the street and in front of the houses between sun and sun ; " and at the opening and closing of the hours of trade, "a bell should ring or a drum beat, every morning and 1 evening." Drinking and drunkenness were prohibited, both to the " Christians and among the natives." All persons were forbidden "to lye ashore in the night, upon the neck or point of land the fort stands upon ; " and no one, at any time, was to be admitted to the fort, except some few on occasion of business below ; " but none to goe up into the redoubt."
These regulations were decreed by the Governor
1 Pemaquid Papers, pp. 20-24.
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in Council as measures of safety in the municipal 1678. arrangements of the city of Jamestown, to be en- forced by Cæsar Knapton, commandant of its newly erected Fort Charles.
The Massachusetts traders, however, attempted to set at defiance the authority of the Duke of York; and one Alden of Boston, in violation of the regulations of trade at Pemaquid, guided by one Roads, entered St. George's river to beat up trade with the Indians. But Commander Knap- ton made a prize of the "Ketch and cargo."
In a quarrel on board the Ketch Cumberland, Israel Dymot, master, in the waters of Pemaquid, 1680. Samuel Collins was knocked overboard and perished.
The master of the Cumberland and a confederate, John Rashly, were charged with the homicide, arrested, and tried before a special commission to the Court of Sessions at Pemaquid. Thomas Sharp, the officer now in command, presided over the commission, John Joselyn sitting as Just- ice-in-chief.
The Duke of York extended his authority into Sagada- hoc ; and at New York orders in Council were passed in June, regulating magisterial jurisdiction there.
The fugitive planters on the Kennebec must, therefore ;. at this date, have returned to their former homes. But Pemaquid, with its city of Jamestown and Fort Charles, was the legal center of all intercourse with the natives, and. all the rest of the world ; and was the only port of entry and clearance. Thus population, trade, and wealth were. concentrated under her protection ; and Pemaquid became. the metropolis of the East ; and was invested with an influ -- ence and importance, as the mart of eastern trade; never before attained. It was at this date that buildings of stone. rose along her paved streets to replace those of wood, which gave to her land-locked harbor, bristling with cannon at its entrance, enlivened with commerce-ships of war riding in.
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its waters-a city-like aspect from the Bay below. Her courts, arms, and trade, with legal and warlike appendages of Judges, naval and military men, all conspired to make Jamestown of Pemaquid a place of aristocratic importance. It was the climax of her power and pride as the Queen City of the East.
A change in the military arrangements of the 1681. force stationed at Jamestown of Pemaquid, assigned Francis Skinner to the chief command.
This officer was required in general orders "to be very carefull to Prevent any disorders or Trouble amongst the Indians and others - to see that they be Civilly used as for- merly." Apprehension of further hostilities now became rife. The public mind was excited, and government began to strengthen the frontier defenses.
RETURN OF THE SHEEPSCOT PLANTERS.
The return tide of population had now fairly set 1682. and flowed freely in to the eastern frontiers.
The deserted farms of Sheepscot began to draw baek their ancient cultivators ; and the Ducal Province was swollen with the influx of population. All the fishermen and old inhabitants were, by order of Government, " to be restored and protected." 1
An extraordinary movement was this day made Aug. 19. in behalf of the interests of New Dartmouth. At the abode 1 of Robert Gibbers, Fort Hill, Boston, assembled according to previous notice and arrangement, Jolın Alyen, Thomas Gent, Christopher Dyer, Thomas Mener, Robert Scott, William Lowering, John Whit, Daniel Gent, William Willcutt, John Brown, John Dyer, Caleb Ray, Eliza- beth Phyps, Daniel Ranisford, with "severall other of ye fformer inhabitance of Shippscutt River, who did joyntly
1 Pemaquid Papers, p. 15; pp. 49-50.
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Bind themselves to stand to severall articles of Agreement ffor yº settling of a township on a neck of Land surveyed, and a town laid out thereon, generally known and called by ye name of Mason and Jewett's neck-lying and being in Shippscutt River."
Such were the preliminary proceedings to a re-settlement of New Dartmouth and Edgecomb, embraced within the ancient out-laid town of Mason and Jewett's Neck. Pre- paratory to a resumption of their homes and improve- ments, articles of agreement were drawn, by which their future government at Sheepscot was to be administered.
With the exception of " fruit trees, their barns and fenc- ing stuff," the previous inhabitants agreed for the common good " to relinquish all former rights, titles, and privileges." Each settler, within a twelve-month, should resume his improvements, or forfeit all right and title to a settlement, minors and apprentices excepted.
CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS REGULATIONS.
It was resolved, "a tract of land be laid out for A Min-is-tree, with a convenient place to set a meeting house to ye best advantage for ye town;"-and that they should have a man of their own free choice ; and such a man " as ye mager part of ye town Like."
" Noe person or persons whatsoever shall build any ves- sels, cut or carry away any timber, spars, fencing stuff, hay, thatch, &c., without the Leave, Licence and Approbation" of the settlers. It was further voted-" that every man, housekeeper, and single persons, att 1 ye Agge of sixteen years, should provide three pounds of good powder and twelve pounds of lead bullets and swan shot-and keep a good ffier Loke muscet ( musket) and ffowling gonne."
This body of Sheepscot immigrants would seem, from the schedule of their articles of agreement, to have been con-
1 Full act., P. Papers, pp. 49-57.
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firmed republicans in their religious and civil proclivities, thoroughly imbued with the sentiments and views of the colonists of the Massachusetts Bay.
It would appear that this body and their friends 1684. repaired immediately to the occupancy of the Mason
and Jewett's Neck township on the Sheepscot River. Their original articles of settlement were put on record at Pemaquid-were there examined by William Shurt; and the subscribing witnesses made their certificate at New Dart- mouth, on the 16th September of this year.
At this date, therefore, the head waters of the Sheepscot and the ancient clearings of the "Sheepscot farms," must have been re-occupied, and these early plantations recovered from the waste and solitude of nearly an entire decade. The sounds of the hammer, the axe, and the hoe-the ring of the blacksmith's anvil, the voice and bustle of busy life, once more enlivened the resuscitated town of New Dartmouth, in the County of Cornwall. It is not certain, however, that the Massachusetts emigration of the Fort Hill gathering did not locate on the point on the south side of Sheepscot falls which was the head of the neck of the Mason and Jewett claim, where, subsequent to this period, we have mention of a small fortification. The probabilities of a new location here, are much confirmed by the vestiges of ancient and populous occupancy, still traceable on the earth's surface, as well as from a petition 1 made shortly after this emigration, to the Ducal authorities, to have the rights of the emigrants and their possessions there secured and quieted against adverse claimants.
By the energy of the Ducal Governor, Andros, the plans for effecting a recovery of the wasted plantations Sept. 8. of the desolations of King Philip's war in the east- ern frontiers, were executed with success.
1 See Petition in Pemaquid Papers.
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A royal mandate issued through the council at New York, to the residents of "Jamestown," the capital of Pemaquid, to revive the ancient "Merry Meeting" plantations. The inhabitants of Pemaquid erected a block house fort, at that point. A file of soldiers, under command of John Rowden, was detached from Fort Charles, to occupy the wooden defenses of this renowned Kennebec hamlet; and thus resus- citated, "Merry Meeting" became a central and principal point in the settlement of the interior Kennebec precinct, but as an appendage to Pemaquid. 1
All the central points within the ancient dominions were now re-occupied.
FRESH INDICATIONS OF SAVAGE VIOLENCE.
As the return tide of population rushed in full and free, a restlessness, foreboding renewed hostilities, was developed, especially on the Kennebec.
Depositions, showing the actual state of feeling, were taken, and put into the hands of government.
One Dennes, a resident on the Kennebec, swore, "that he heard one counted a captain among the Indians, say, that his heart would never be well, till he had killed some of the English again." This blood-thirsty savage, Capt. Antonie, further said, "he would burn the English houses and make the English slaves as they were before."
John Hornibroke testified, that, on a certain occasion, " four natives lay one night at his house." One threatened to stab the English with his knife ; another said, " that the hatchet hung over their heads," and "that he was weary of keeping the Indians from falling out with the English, who did threaten to burn English houses, and make them slaves, as they were before."
1 Pemaquid Papers, p. 205.
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John Voarny and Will Bacon swore, that, in behalf of their neighbors, "to search out ye truth of ye Ingen news y' was going, we did take our viage ffrom Kenybecke to Casco." At the house of James Andrews, they learned from a native who was in the habit of visiting at Andrews' house, and had received much kindness at his hands, "that ye Indones was minded to rise in rebellion again, and cut off y. English;" and that when the time liad been determined on among them, " he would send them a burch rine, as though he had brought them a letter."
John Molton " testifyeth and saith, that, while working in lis field chopping, good wife Cutery called to him, to luke to himself, for there was an Indeon would do him a mischief." On looking up, he saw a savage approaching across Mrs. Cutery's field. Not saying a word, the Indian rushed on Molton with a drawn knife in his hand, and attempted to stab " ye sd John Molton w' ye same, twice." But Molton so fiercely defended himself with the axe, " threatening ye said Indon, to cut out his braynes with ye same," that the savage took to his heels, persuaded that discretion was, to him, the better part of valor.
These facts would indicate that, despite the remembrance of treachery and wrong, a degree of intimacy of intercourse, somewhat remarkable, existed between the natives and the pioneer settlers of the eastern frontier, whose roofs sheltered and whose bounty often fed the weary and hungry son of the forest.
IRREGULARITIES AT THE CAPITAL.
Joslyn, the head of the Judiciary at Jamestown of Pema- quid, as well as the venerable Shurt, had now gone to the grave. Irregularities had grown up at Jamestown, under the mal-administration of military rule. The rumor of this state of affairs reached the ears of the Governor at New
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York, and led to a sharp reproof. Francis Skinner was admonished " that' the looseness and carelessness of his command, gave strangers occasion to notice his extravagan- cies and debaucheries ; that, for the future, " swearing, drinking and profaneness, too much practiced and suffered, should be wholly surpressed." Such were the sharp words of Captain Brockholls, to Francis Skinner, commander of Fort Charles. 2
PEMAQUID FOSTERED BY GOVERNMENT.
The residents of Jamestown at Pemaquid were chiefly of the New York emigration. Being the capital of the Ducal Province in the east, Governor Andros fostered the growth and importance of the place. All native trade, all commer- cial transactions, were required to be done at Jamestown. Under the guns of Fort Charles, safety was assured to those who bought and sold with the Indians. Here was the port of entry and clearance, and the custom house ; and here resided Alexander Woodrop, as sub-collector and receiver of the public revenue. John Allen was the commissioned Justice and Sheriff of Pemaquid and its dependencies.
TEMPERANCE PRINCIPLES LEGALLY ENFORCED.
It was unlawful to sell ardent spirits, except under speci- fied limitations. Strong drink had become a public evil ; and undoubtedly was feared as a source of public calamity and savage outrage. Therefore, bum-boats were forbidden to trade from harbor to harbor. An ordinary was to be
1 Pemaquid Papers, p. 74.
2 Fort Charles was a redoubt, " with two guns aloft, and an out-work about nine feet high, with two bastions in the opposite angles, in each of which were two great guns and another at the gate-way. There were fifty soldiers, and sufficient ammunition, stores of war, and spare arms and provisions for about eight months."- Thornton's Ancient Pemaquid, p. 127.
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opened on every island or fishing place, by an approved man of the place, for the benefit of fishing crews, who should not suffer " any man belonging to a boat's crew, to sit and tipple to excessive drinking, or unseasonable hours."
LAWS OF TRADE AND TUNNAGE DUES.
A vessel not of the Dukedom could not make a voyage unless her crew owned property in or resided at Jamestown in Pemaquid.
One dog only was allowed to a family. The circle of trade was enlarged, and two places were now opened to the natives : one at the Block House of the Merry Meeting set- tlement, and one at Pemaquid. All vessels trading or fishing in the eastern waters, were required to give an account of their voyage and take a clearance at the Custom House at Pemaquid. No lands located on any river, creek, or on the sea-board could have more than four acres front, and in that proportion for every fourscore acres. Religious duties and habits were fostered by the government. " For the promotion of piety it was ordered that a person be appointed to read prayers and the Holy Scriptures." The rites and services of the Church of England would, there- fore, appear to have been the established denominational feature of the religious character of the population of Jamestown at Pemaquid.
All vessels 1 not of the Ducal state were ordered to pay into the public revenue-if a decked vessel-" four quin- tals, and if an open boat, two quintals of merchantable fish."
No vessel could enter the Kennebec or any of its waters which did not clear at Jamestown.
DONGAN'S ADMINISTRATION.
The Ducal interests had now fallen into the hands of the recently appointed Governor of New York, - "Thomas Don-
1 Pemaquid Papers.
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gan, 1 Vice-Admiral under his Royall Highnss of New York and Dependencies in America," after a short interregnum, under Lieut. Col. Brockholls.
The residents in the Ducal Territories had petitioned their lord " to permit the people to have a share in the Gov- ernment." The Duke of York granted the prayer so far as to establish the popular branch of an House of " Assembly," chosen by the people.
" A man of integrity, moderation, and genteel manners, though a professed Papist," Dongan, was instructed to call an " Assembly." 2
" The free-holders of Pemaquid and Dependencies met," and made election of Gyles Goddard 3 to represent the Ducal province of the East, in the Assembly at New York.
West and Palmer were commissioned to aid in the admin- istration of the affairs of the Eastern Dukedom; and in the execution of the duties of their commission, they visited Pemaquid, New Dartmouth, and Sheepscot, to make and confirm grants of land-to correct abuses-to quiet his majesty's estates and possessions-to see that garrison duty was faithfully done-to empower civil officers and appoint justices of the peace and quorum -- to let and establish excise and customs for revenue. 4
Such were the extraordinary powers of John West and John Palmer, Royal Commissioners of the Duke of York, the abuse of which made them odious to the citizens.
MILITARY AND CIVIL DESPOTISM.
The inhabitants of the Dukedom complained of the evils of their condition, growing out of their subjection to the will and pleasure of military authority, often exercised in a
1 Pemaquid papers, p. 95.
.. 2 Holmes' Am. Annals, vol. i. p. 461, note 3.
3 Thornton's Pemaquid, p. 131.
4 Pemaquid Papers, see Commission, pp. 111-113.
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most reckless and arbitrary manner. It was matter of com- . plaint to the Governor at New York, that it had been the practice of the Commander at Pemaquid to threaten the dissolution of their courts at his pleasure, -to threaten the Justices with imprisonment and with irons, and to apprehend by force of arms the King's Justices. The fishermen of " Sagadahoc Island" had, as was supposed, at the instance of Richard Patishall, been forbidden to build on the portion of the island used for making their fish, and were required to remove their warehouses and salt stores. A considerable population must have concentrated there at the date of this order, so that the place must have been crowded ; and though it is not easy to identify the island at this period, yet it undoubtedly was an ancient and well known locality,-the term Sagadahoc having possibly been used to designate the group of islands at the mouth of the Kennebec, separating between it and Sheepscot Bay.
NEW PORTS OF ENTRY DEMANDED.
At the same time the petitioners of Pemaquid requested the Governor to assign, as ports of entry and clearance, two places in addition to that at Pemaquid : one at " New Dart- mouth in Ships-Gutt river," where it was alleged a consid- erable population had settled, " and many more coming "- promising a considerable trade in shipping " ffor maste and lumber ;" and " an office," or some person at Sagadahoc in Kennebec river, " ffor entering and clearing."
At each point public defenses had been erected, at the cost and by the enterprise of the new-comers, against the savages, " who had begun to menace war," with a view to cut off the new race of white men, before they should become too many for them.
CONFERENCE OF THE COLONIAL GOVERNORS.
The Governors of New York, New Hampshire, and Mas-
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sachusetts, Dongan, Cranfield, and Dudley, with a Mr. Shrimpton, held a conference in New York at " fort James," to discuss and concert measures of defense against the east- ern savages, whose restlessness and menaces foreboded another scene of savage war. Dongan urged pacific meas- ures, and cherished confidence in the overtures that had been made, and in the success of a rigid enforcement of the regulations made to guard the intercourse between the red and white men in the Dukedom, and was adverse to all measures offensive to the natives. No definite concerted plans were agreed on.
FIRST APPEARANCE OF EXISTING FAMILY NAMES.
For the first time, the names of Parsons, Gyles, Cook, Johnson, Neal, and others, whose descendants still live in and about the heritage of their fathers, on the banks of the Sheepscot, are found among the early inhabitants of the Dukedom, as petitioners for the public good, or remonstrants against existing public evils. Foot, Lovering, Ray, Gunni- son, and Paine were now dwellers at New Dartmouth. Nicholas Manning was put in commission as commander of a company of foot soldiers, and Gyles Goddard as Lieuten- ant ; John Allyen, John Dolling, Lawrence Denni, Thomas Giles, Alex. Watrop, Thomas Sharp, Richard Patishall, as Commissioners and Justices for the County of Cornwall. At New Town, Sagadahoc, John Beattery was commissioned as a Captain of foot.
Nicholas Manning was appointed surveyor, sub- collector, and searcher of his Majesty's customs, 1686. under stringent instructions and with great powers.
DUKEDOM MERGED IN MASSACHUSETTS.
The ancient plantations had now become generally re-oc- cupied, many families from the banks of the Hudson having removed into the Duke's Territories of the Eastern Prov- ince of Pemaquid. At this juncture the decease of
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1685. Charles II. elevated James II. to the vacant seat Feb. 16. of the throne of England. His views were arbi- trary, and his rule despotic. Dongan, whose com- mission was renewed, was instructed " to allow 1 no print- ing press" in New York. Sir Edmund Andros
1686. was commissioned Governor of New England, Dec. 24. and had arrived in Boston ; landing at Pools' Wharf, escorted by sixty "red-coats," he marched " to Gibbs' house on Fort Hill." 2 Andros was instructed to give toleration in religious sentiments, but to encourage the establishment of the Church of England. 3 Accord- ingly he applied for one of the Boston churches for religious services, on the day of his arrival. 2 The old South was · selected, but the proprietors protested against its use, because it was private property, "and they could not with a good conscience consent that their meeting-houses should be made use of for the Common Prayer worship." 2
A Royal order 4 of this date directed that for Sept. 19. the future the "fort and country of Pemaquid, with the Greate Gunns ammunicon and stores of war," be delivered unto Sir Edmund Andros, and annexed to and continued under the government, territory, and dominion of New England.
Such was the aspect of the revived state of affairs, exhib- iting all the varied phases of a fresh population, now fully re-occupying the wild wastes of King Philip's war, in the East.
ANDROS RESTORED TO POWER.
Sir Edmund Andros, in virtue of his office as the Guber- natorial head of New England, once more ruled the eastern
1 Holmes' Am. Annals, pp. 467-8.
2 Judge Sewall's MSS. Diary.
3 Holmes' Annals, p. 468.
4 Pemaquid Papers, p. 131.
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territory of this Ducal State, now merged in Massachusetts, as the " District of Maine,"-the Dukedom ceasing forever.
The act of annexation did not pass unnoticed or without opposition by remonstrances from the inhab- 1687. itants of the late Ducal State. The citizens of " New Harbor," of the town of Bristol, an ancient suburban pre- cinct of Pemaquid, convened in town meeting, ordered that a petition should be forwarded to the " Hon. Governor and Councell of Assembly at New York," in which the plea was urged, - " that Pemaquid may still remain the metro- politan of these parts, because it ever have been so before Boston was settled." 1 But the prestige of the ancient capital of New England had gone. The plea of hoary life and honors could avail nothing. Pemaquid fell, and on her ruins Boston climbed to her position and emoluments, as the capital of New England. Andros made Boston the seat of his administration, and determined on seizing the French possessions on the Penobscot, to swell the bulk of his domin- ions.
RECKLESSNESS OF ANDROS.
The frigate Rose, Commander George, at Pema- quid, was ordered to be held in a state of readiness 1688. for the Governor's use. Embarking in a sloop at Boston, Andros sailed among the islands of Casco Bay, eastward bound. He entered and ascended the Kennebec river. Thence cruising along shore, he joined the frigate at Pemaquid.
From thence he set sail for the Penobscot, and was soon safely moored under the Promontory of " Big-uy-duce," the site of the French and Indian town of the Baron de Castine.
The wild nobleman was too wary to be surprised. Hav- ing descried the fleet winging its way from afar down the
1 M. H. Coll. vol. v. p. 137.
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magnificent bay, he had fled and secured himself and family in the sheltering depths of the forests.
Andros landed. He entered the works :- viewed the deserted premises, where all had been left as it was-house- hold stuff, fire-arms, ammunition and cloths-the chapel with its altar and pictures. The church was held sacred. The booty was secured. Andros returned to Pemaquid, met the natives, and distributed presents.
The bay, the harbor, the situation of Pemaquid made a great and favorable impression on the mind of the Royal Governor. It struck him that Pemaquid might become the great mart of the East. Portland, Bath, and Bangor had no existence in the wildest visions of the most distant forc- shadowings of the Governor's speculations, as his imagina- tion peered into the distant future !
FORTS REBUILT.
Decay and time had reduced the fort to a ruinous state. Andros ordered it rebuilt. Receiving the congratulations and listening to the complaints of the eastern people, Andros returned to Massachusetts. But his unceremonious visit to the establishment of the "Baron de Castine " was deemed a wanton outrage, to revenge which Castine excited his savage retainers to prepare for war.
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