USA > Maine > Washington County > Milltown > Annals of Calais, Maine, and St. Stephen, New Brunswick; including the village of Milltown, Me., and the present town of Milltown, N.B. > Part 2
USA > Maine > Washington County > Calais > Annals of Calais, Maine, and St. Stephen, New Brunswick; including the village of Milltown, Me., and the present town of Milltown, N.B. > Part 2
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Hon. J. G. Stevens of St. Stephen, in his able and interesting "Prize Essay on Charlotte County," says : "The first settlement of the County began in 1784," when several persons previously of H. B. M's. 71st. Regiment, with others from Nova Scotia, Massachusetts, New York and elsewhere, united in a Corporate Body called the "Cape Ann Association," and obtained a Grant of a large tract of land in what is now the Parish of St. David. The Grant was given to David Clenden- in and 147 others. Many of them, and some accom- panied by their wives and children, in that year and the next, permanently located on the Grant. Among them were David Clendenin, William Moore, William Vance, Thomas Mclaughlin, Reuben Smith, Samuel Thomas, Josiah Hitchings, Francis Norwood, Nathaniel Parsons, David McAllister, and others probably, whose names cannot be ascertained. The descendants of these peo- ple still occupy farms in St. David.
25
PIONEERS .- ST. STEPHEN.
In the same years, 1784-5, and probably from the same localities, fourteen other families came and set- tled near the bank of the St. Croix, probably below Porter's Stream and down to the Ledge. The names of the men were Edmund Doherty, James Thompson, James Nickerson, Zeb. Linnekin, John McMullen, John Lily, Joshua Babb, Wm. Gallop, John Leeman, Luther Dany, Alex. Patterson, John Jordan, John Young, and John Hopps.
Having erected log cabins in which to reside, these brave pioneers at once engaged in clearing the land of its dense forests, and raising such crops as the soil and climate would permit. Wm. Moore, who appears to have been the most wealthy and energetic man in the colony, built a Saw-mill and Grist-mill on Porter's Stream, at the locality ever since called Moore's Mills ; and some attention was soon paid to lumbering. The farms yielded bountiful harvests, the river was alive with fish and the forest with game, the industrious women wove all the cloth needed for garments, there were no taxes to pay and no expensive fashions to fol- low, their dwellings were warm and comfortable, and the thrifty colonists had no reason to complain of their wilderness homes and enjoyments. They ought to have been and probably were, a contented and happy people.
But the village of St. Stephen owes its origin mainly to a colony led thither by Capt. Nehemiah Marks. He was a native of Derby, Connecticut, and
26
PIONEERS .- ST. STEPHEN.
appears to have been a man of marked ability and. en- ergy. Shortly after the beginning of the Revolutionary War, he went to New York, and engaged in the British service as a bearer of military despatches on both sea and land, with the rank of Captain. At the close of the war in 1783, in company with many other Loyalists, he left the United States and sought a home in Nova Scotia. He was allowed a pension of £96 a year, and had talent enough to win success anywhere. But not finding in Halifax an opening that was congenial to his energy and ambition, and desiring if possible to assist his companions in exile, he left that city and with 104 others sailed in a small vessel to St. Stephen. They landed June 24, 1784, in front of the present "Porter house," and pitched their tents along the shore, from thence to Marks' Corner.
Having assisted his companions in building log houses and making other needful preparations for the coming Winter, Captain Marks returned to Halifax to obtain from Government if possible a Grant of land and such other assistance as his people might require. He was successful. King George III., being anxious to have his remaining North American territory well peo- pled, willingly granted to each actual settler, 100 acres of land, a generous supply of farming tools and build- ing materials, and regular army rations for three years. Not long after, the Royal agents, Messrs. Jones and Morrison surveyed and laid out the land into village lots and hundred acre farms ; and one of these was given to each man residing in town.
The colonists were now fairly and pleasantly lo- cated, and their future prosperity seemed to be assured. Before their rations ceased, they would have abundant
27
PIONEERS .- ST. STEPHEN.
time to fell the trees, prepare the soil and raise a sup- ply of food. But serious obstacles were in the way. Some of the men had been in the army long enough to acquire a decided distaste for the steady habits and hard labor needed in clearing the land and cultivating the soil. Others were unacquainted with that kind of business, and therefore able to accomplish but little, even though diligent. Others were intemperate and therefore worse than useless citizens. The supply of rations seemed to render immediate industry and econ- omy unnecessary. Three careless years passed away ; the rations ceased, and hard times began. Little pro- vision had been made for this inevitable emergency ; the improvident people had but a small amount of mon- ey or means to purchase supplies, and no good market was near. Haggard destitution soon set in. Food, rai- ment, tools, glass, nails, furniture, became alarmingly scarce and difficult to obtain. Of course, in this pri- vation, there was much suffering, sickness and discour- agement.
But "necessity is the mother of invention" and the spur to activity. By the skillful use of wooden pegs, comfortable houses and furniture were constructed without nails. In the absence of leather. shoes were made of the raw hides taken from the shanks of moose and deer. The hunter and the fisher brought in food. Farming began in earnest, and soon yielded a fair return. Flax was raised and wool grown, and both were manufactured by the thrifty women into cloth and garments. The lumbering business began to be pushed with vigor, and vessels came with merchandize to bart- er for the timber. The faithful ministry of Rev. Dun- can M'Coll, imparted religious hope and faith; and
28
PIONEERS .- ST. STEPHEN.
slowly the Settlement became self-sustaining and hope- ful.
The first sale of real estate took place in 1785, when Jacob Libbey sold his farm extending from the Bridge to Main Street, and perhaps further down, to Nehemiah Marks, for £25, in money, a barrel of beef . and a barrel of pork. The land is now valued several hundred times higher ; but Libbey was in need of funds and food, and probably felt satisfied with his bargain.
With our well supplied markets on every side, where every needful commodity is kept for sale, it is difficult for us to realize the many deprivations and con- sequent trials of a new and isolated settlement. In those early days, fish and venison were plenty, but often almost uneatable for want of salt. It was therefore a very joyful day when Capt. Robert Pagon arrived at St. Stephen with a small cargo of salt ;- the first ever imported Tradition has not preserved the date, but the auspicious event could not be forgotten. How nice it was, and how grateful these poor people were, to have their potatoes and fish or moose beef, seasoned with salt !
In addition to the persons already mentioned in these annals, the following list of names is copied from old account books kindly loaned the author by G. M. Porter Esq., kept in the store of his father, Joseph Porter, at Ferry Point, Calais, from 1788 to 1791. It was probably the first store in the vicinity, and it re- ceived the patronage of the entire community. Few of the people at that time had much ready money ; and hence as many as could, bought goods on credit, and therefore their names appear in Mr. Porter's day-books. The settlements had no legal names and none are found
29
PIONEERS .- ST. STEPHEN.
in the store records ; but his customers doubtless in - cluded nearly all the people on each side of the St. Croix, from Baileyville to Robbinston, including the parishes of St. James and St. David. The early edu- cation of these pioneers had in many , instances heen sadly neglected. Each one knew his own name, but some were not acquainted with the art of spelling. The entry clerk, himself not a Master of Arts, adopted the phonographic style of spelling according to sound : and his careless and faded penmanship is in some places almost illegible. As nearly as possible I give the names as he wrote them, and leave the reader to decide for himself whom they mean.
In 1788, those who "got trusted" at the store were Samuel Andrews, Nathaniel Bailey, John Berry, Dea. Jacob Boyden, Benj. Bradford, Wm. Bugbee, Peter Butler, John Campbell, Peter Church, Esq., Henry Colloff, John Dyer(?) James Dyer, Jones Dyer, Robert Conners, Thomas Fitzsimons, Thomas Grace, James Gozline, David Hitchings, John and David Johnson, Samuel Jones, Thomas Lindsay, John Long, Hugh MacKay, Angus McDonald, Donald McDougal, John McKinsay, John McPhail, Alex. McRa Esq., James McNab, Hugh Malcom, David Mowatt, Samuel Pierce, Thomas Pettigrove, Francis Pettigrove, Joseph Por- ter, William Scott, Abiel Sprague, James Sprague, Wm. Swain, Thos. Tompkins, Robert Watson. and Thomas Wire.
In 1789, the following additional names are found in the Day-book :-
Bray, Brady, John R. Brewer, Henry Brown, Esq. Colin Campbell, Carlow, John Cooper, Thos. Delyder- nier, Dr. Samuel Emerson, Robert Fawcett, John Fos- ter, Dr. Gordon, Henry Gouldsmith, Eben Greenlaw,
30
PIONEERS .- ST. STEPHEN.
Joseph Hale, John Hamlin, James Hannah, Benjamin Henderson, Humphrey, Job Johnson, William Kilby, James Lane, Thomas Lashure, Nin. Lindsay, William Mabee, Jacob Mabee, Hugh McPhail, Morrison, Andrew Murchie, McCullum, Jacob Norwood, Eben Owen, Alex. Patterson, Joseph Parker, Daniel Ray, A. M. Simpson, Barna Simpson, Daniel Soames, Daniel Swett, Ed. F. and N. J. Robbins, Wm. Tower, Matthew Thorn- ton, Samuel Turner and Robert Verder.
In 1790-91, the following additional names are found in Mr. Porter's Account books :-
Thomas Ball, Isaac Bailey, John Barber, John Bohannon, Neal Brown, Jona. Caldwell, Hugh Camp- bell, Geo. and Peter Christie, John Colvin. Roberson Crocker, Silas Cummins, Joseph Dunham, John Fair- banks, Alex. Furguson, Wm. Frazier, Moses Fisk, John and Jeremiah Frost, B. Getchell, James and Wm. Grant, Thomas Grimmer, John Hall, Martin Haman, John Hasty, Daniel, Joseph, and Samuel Hill, Robert Hitchings, John Hopps, Wm. Jackson, Joseph Lawler, Robert Livingstone, John Loyall, Peter McDarmed, Neal McBean, Rev. Duncan M'Coll, Duncan McCullum, Daniel McCormic, James Maxfield, Thomas Mitchell, John Murchie, Samuel Millberry, James and John Noble, Robert Pagon, John Pettigrove, Abraham Pine, Benj. Pomroy, Dennis and Miles Post, Angus Rankins, Capt. Ed. Ross, Sibley, Mikel Simpson, James Stewart, Stickney, Ralph Taylor, Charles Thomas, Isaac Tit- comb, Tyler, James Thompson and Jacob Young.
No estimate of the population of St. Stephen can be made from these names, as quite a number of the persons mentioned did not reside in this Parish. But if the tradition is truthful, that in 1790, there were only sixteen white residents in Calais, then there must have
31
PIONEERS .- ST. STEPHEN.
been several hundred in St. Stephen and vicinity. In fact, during many years, the English town, in every respect was far ahead of her humble American sister. The list of names however is valuable because it ap- proximately determines the date of the settlement of the ancestors of many persons now residing in this part of the country.
For several years the colony appears to have been destitute of domestic animals. The first oxen were brought from Robbinston; the date uncertain. A while after. Capt. Marks imported a cow from Halifax. The first horse ever seen in town, was driven into St. Stephen, in 1795, by Wm. Moore of St. David. Robert Watson, the father of the present Bank Cashier, was the first owner of a horse. This was near the beginning of the present century.
William Buchanan whose house stood near the present residence of F. H. Todd, Esq., came from St. John in 1783, and engaged in getting out "King's masts"; that is, tall, straight pine trees more than three feet in diameter. Other lumbermen not long after began getting . out and shipping "ton timber"; that is, large pine logs roughly hewn square. Others split and shaved shingles for exportation. The mill on Porter's Stream, manu- factured boards and deal. In a few years, a brisk trade sprang up ; and the often returning vessels brought an abundance of the needed merchandize.
At first the little fleet engaged in this exporting and importing, were owned in St. Andrews, St. John and elsewhere; but in 1797, Alexander Gooden or Golden, built a small schooner in St. Stephen, and two years later, Joseph Porter built another. These were the first vessels built on the river above Robbinston.
In 1800, Capt. N. Marks died. And here properly ends the pioneer age of St. Stephen.
32
SURVEY AND SALE OF CALAIS.
V.
SURVEY AND SALE OF CALAIS.
Washington County was organized, June 25th, 1789 ; and about that time, by order of the General Court of Massachusetts, Rufus Putnam and Park Hol- land surveyed and divided into townships, a large area of territory bordering on the St. Croix. In their Plan, Calais is marked No. 5 ; and this, for more than a doz- en years, was its only legal designation. The town- ship contained 19392 acres of finely timbered and there- fore valuable land. Moreover, it was for sale; and a purchaser soon appeared.
June 27th, 1789, Nathaniel Wells, D. Coney and John Reed, a committee appointed by the General Court, sold Township No. 5, to Waterman Thomas of Waldoborough, Me., for the sum of 672£, 8s. 3d., pay- able in "Treasurer's Orders." The deed is worth pre- serving. It is here given verbatim.
"Know all men by these presents, that we the un- dersigned, a Committee appointed by the General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and by the re- solve of said Court, authorized and empowered to sell and dispose of the unappropriated lands of said Com- monwealth, lying within the counties of York, Cumber- . land and Lincoln,-for and in consideration of the sum of six hundred and seventy two pounds, eight shillings and three pence, on (in?) Treasurer's orders, agreeable to a Resolve of the General Court aforesaid, which pass- ed, Mar. 9th. 1787, paid by Waterman Thomas of Wal-
33
SURVEY AND SALE OF CALAIS.
doborough in the county of Lincoln and Commonwealth aforesaid, Esquire, the receipt whereof we do hereby acknowledge, have granted, bargained, sold and con- veyed, and by these presents do in behalf of said Com- monwealth, grant, bargain, sell and convey unto the said Waterman Thomas, a tract of land in the aforesaid Commonwealth, lying within the County of Washing. ton, being Township number five, bounded as follows, viz :- Beginning at a spruce tree and heap of stones, the northeast corner of number Four, standing on the west shore of Schoodic or St. Andrew's Bay,-thence south seventy Degrees West, four miles, two hundred seventy one rods to a cedar stump and stones-the corner of four Townships mentioned under numbers three and four,-thence north twenty degrees west, five miles, one hundred and four rods, to a stake and stones on the southerly bank of the Schoodic river, thence down the middle of the same to Schoodic bay opposite the Devil's Head so called, thence southerly by the western shore of Schoodic bay, to the first mentioned bounds,-said tract containing 19392 acres, reserving however, to each settler who may have settled on said lands, prior to Jan. 1st. 1784, one hundred acres of land, to be laid out so as to include their improvements and be least injurious to the adjoining lands,-and re- serving also four lots of 320 acres each for public uses ; -to have and to hold the before granted and bargained premises, to him the said Waterman Thomas, his heirs and assigns forever ;- and we the said Committee, in behalf of the Commonwealth aforesaid, do covenant and agree with the said Waterman Thomas, that the said Commonwealth shall warrant and defend all the before granted premises, to him the said Waterman Thomas,
1
34
SURVEY AND SALE OF CALAIS.
his heirs and assigns forever, against the lawful claims and demands of all persons whatever.
In witness whereof, we the said Committee have hereunto set our hands and seals, this twenty-seventh day of June in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine.
Nathaniel Wells, L. S.
D. Coney, L. S.
John Reed, L. S.
Mr. Thomas, within a few years, sold one half the township to Shubael Downes of Walpole, Mass., one quarter to Edward H. Robbins of Milton, Mass., and one quarter to Abiel Woods. Subsequently Edmund Monroe purchased a large share of the lands belonging to Messrs. Downes and Woods. These were the original proprietors, and to them run back nearly all the legal land titles in the City.
At first the proprietors' shares were undivided ; but after a time, Samuel Jones surveyed the township and divided the land into fifty, and, in some instances, hundred acre lots. Below the lower Steamboat wharf, the lines from the river, run S. 70 degrees W. ; above that point, S. 45 degrees W. ; and these remain the courses of the farm lines to the present day.
1
35
PRIMEVAL AGE .- 1790 to 1800.
1136802
VI.
PRIMEVAL AGE .- 1790 to 1800.
There is a tradition that in 1790, Calais had only sixteen white inhabitants ; but few as there were, it is impossible at present to ascertain all their names. The colony however was firmly established, and additional settlers came in every year.
Prominent among them was Capt.Jonathan Knight, who came from Machias about 1790. His farm fronted the river at Salmon Falls, and his hospitable home was near the angle of the road in that vicinity. For many years his house was the trysting place for the merry, and a sure refuge for the poor, the weary and the stranger.
It is said, and with some probability, that Capt. Knight fired the first gun in the first naval engagement of the Revolutionary War. Veritable history relates that June 12th., 1775, the brave men of Machias cap- tured in their harbor, the English armed schooner Mar- garetta, after a sharp conflict with musketry and by boarding, in which five Englishmen and two Americans were killed and several others wounded. Capt. Knight was one of the boarding party. The tradition relates that Capt. O'Brien the commander of the Americans, ordered his men not to fire till they could see the en- emies' eyes. As they approached the Margaretta, Knight, whose sight or imagination was stronger than his com- panions', whispered to his leader, "I see their eyes." O'Brien replied, "then fire ;" and he did. It was the
36
PRIMEVAL AGE .- 1790 to 1800.
first gun. The musket, a "Queen's arm," was long kept in the family, and shown as a proud memento.
Mr. Knight was an energetic, popular and pros- perous citizen of Calais. He had six children ; Paul, Westbrook, John, George, Henry and Mrs. Lydia Jones. They have all gone from earth ; but many of their descendants still reside in town, and rank as good citizens.
The oldest son, Paul Knight, spent the first part of his married life at Englishman's River Settlement near Machias. He then moved to Robbinston, and re- mained there several years. Before 1800, he came with his family to Calais, and settled in the southeast part of the town. He had eight children, among whom were three pairs of twins. His wife was Hannah Whit- ney of Jonesport. Five of the children are still living, viz. : James, Mrs. Ann Maria Bradbury, Mrs .. Emily Smith, Mrs. Calista Griswold, and Mrs. Mary Emer- son.
Sept. 5, 1792, the proprietors sold 100 acres of land to Thomas Berry. This is the first sale of land for a farm, of which I have found any record. There were few if any, previous. Soon after, John Johnston and Abigail Sprague bought 100 acres each. These people probably resided for a time on their land ; but it is difficult to trace their history.
On the same day of September 1792, Thomas and Francis Pettigrove of Kittery, Me., bought each, a. hun- dred acres of land in Calais, and soon after came here to reside. Francis located near the Ledge, and Thom- as, on Hinkley Hill. Each reared respectable families. Francis jr., the son of Thomas, married Mary McCurdy of Campobello, and remained on the homestead of his
37
PRIMEVAL AGE .- 1790 to 1800.
father. He had seventeen children, ten of whom lived to adult age, viz. :- Thomas, Nevil, Mrs. Caroline Short, Mrs. Sarah Colby, Mrs. Charlotte Foster, Francis, William, Mrs. Abigail Smith and Mrs. Lucy B. Smith who still resides at the old home. None of the others dwell at present in Calais. Some of Francis Pettigrove, senior's posterity however still live in the lower part of the city and retain the family name.
Ananiah Bohannon and wife with their two sons, John and Daniel, came from Machias and settled in Calais at an early date. Their home was near the spot where the Abner Sawyer house now stands. They ap- pear to have been moral, active and useful citizens. Mrs. Bohannon, in all the region round, was often em- ployed and highly prized as a midwife.
Sept. 9, 1792, John Bohannon, for the small sum of £15, bought of E. H. Robbins a hundred acre lot, in what is now the heart of the City, embracing nearly all the business part of Main St. In the Deed there was a reservation of the "right to lay out a road four rods wide, across the same." It is evident there were then no public highways in the Township ; and wild land was considered of small value. Unaware that he owned the site of a future city, Mr. Bohannon in 1796, sold his land with all its improvements, to Mr. Robbins, for one hundred dollars. But still liking the location, in 1797 he rebought one half the lot, and continued to live in his original cabin.
Daniel Bohannon settled first on the lot now occu- pied by Hon. William Duren; but that tract of land having been reserved for the benefit of the town, he made for himself a farm, about a mile further down riv- er. He had seven children. His youngest son, Shu-
38
PRIMEVAL AGE .- 1790 to 1800.
bael D. married Marcia Pettigrove, and still resides on the old homestead.
About the same time, Nathaniel Bailey located in the same neighborhood ; but afterward moved to Bailey- ville. William Hill also settled in that vicinity, but subsequently moved to the Ledge on the opposite side of the river.
John and James Noble also settled in the lower part of the town, about 1790. James died in early manhood ; but two sons of John, still reside in town ; -aged and respectable men.
The permanent settlement of Township No. 5, was now effected, and the people were busily at work in their new homes. In most respects the location proved to be excellent. In farming, lumbering, hunting or fishing, there was plenty of employment, and the labor- er was sure of a fair compensation for his toil and skill. There were no expensive fashions to follow, no place of costly amusement to visit, and with one sad exception, no easy way to spend money foolishly. Land, houses and food were cheap, and fuel cost nothing but the cut- ting. But nearly all the citizens fully believed that ardent spirit was essential to their welfare ; and hence many squandered in rum, the fortunes they might have made. Very little cloth or flour appears to have been bought. The following price-current of the articles in common use, is taken from Joseph Porter's ledgers from 1788-91.
£. s. d.
Indian meal, pr. bush.
6.
Rye 66 6.
Potatoes,
1 6.
Men's shoes, pr. pair,
6 6.
Women's
5.
39
PRIMEVAL AGE .- 1790 to 1800.
Rum,
pr. gal.
3
6.
Molasses, 66 66
2 6.
Tea,
pr. 1b.
3
4.
Tobacco, " 66
1.
Sugar, 66 66
9.
Pork, 66 66
8.
Lard, 66
1.
Butter, 66 66
1.
Candles, " 66
1.
Salt fish, "
3.
Axes, apiece,
6
8.
And other things in proportion.
In those days there was no Clergyman, Lawyer or Doctor in the settlement ; nor any Church, corporation or institution. No elections were held, no troops pa- raded, no officer exercised authority, no court sat ; but every one did what to him seemed best. Yet law and order prevailed, friendship grew, peace and love were enjoyed, and the Schoodic Valley gained the reputation of being a backwoods Eden. And the number of its inhabitants gradually increased.
40
ORGANIZATION .- 1800 to 1810.
VII. ORGANIZATION .- 1800 to 1810.
Hitherto there had been no policy adopted in Cal- ais, and no organization attempted. There were not more than a hundred inhabitants in the Township ; but some of them were energetic and far-seeing, and a high- er state of society was inevitable. Symptoms of a hope- ful progress now became manifest in various ways.
Jarius Keene, a ship builder from Duxbury, Mass. located in Calais about the year 1801, and in 1803 laid the keel of the first vessel built in the Township. It was the Liberty, a small schooner ;- the beginning of a large and profitable business, still carried on. Mr. Keene soon became a leading and very useful citizen ; and whether in his ship-yard, at church, in Town-meet- ing or at the head of a Military company, he never fail- ed to do his duty. .
In 1802 or 3, Peter Christie, Abner Hill & Co., of St. Stephen erected a Saw-mill at Stillwater, now Mill- town, which from the rapidity of its movement was nam- ed the "Brisk mill." This at once gave new life and interest to that part of the town. Other mills were soon after erected at the same place, and lumbering on the St. Croix began in earnest. Workmen thronged to that locality, and "death to the trees," rang loud and sharp from hundreds of whirling axes. The clang and rattle of the mills were incessant. Vessels came from Boston and other distant ports, to bring merchandize, and to carry back timber, plank, boards and shingles. Money
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