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 6
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 6
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Silas P. Briggs, Esq., a smart lawyer, came here from Saratoga, N. Y. ; remained a few years and then returned to his former home, where he is now living.
Robert N. Smith, Esq., was a son of the late Hon. Noah Smith of this city. He was an erratic genius, and an eccentric adventurer. His whole nature was averse to the patient, persevering toil of lawyer life. Hence he left town, and after much travel both in this country and Europe, and many a strange adventure, he came to an untimely end, by a railway accident near Springfield, Ill. in 1860.
Geo. B. Burns, Esq., was a son of New Hampshire. After teaching for a time in a Seminary in Charleston, S. C. and studying law in Boston, he came to Calais in
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1851. He was assiduous in business, true to his friends, unyielding in his convictions and faithful to his clients. He did a large amount of business, amassed quite a for- tune, and died in 1871, from over work and exposure, and not of old age.
Hon. Geo. E. Downes is a son of the late Hon. Geo. Downes of this city. He began the practice of law in Cherryfield, but after a time returned home. For several years he has held the responsible office of Mu- nicipal Judge, and discharged its duties to the entire satisfaction of the public. He is esteemed as a sound legal adviser, and a genial, kind-hearted, obliging and honest citizen.
G. F. Granger, Esq., a son of Hon. Joseph Gran- ger, read law with his father, and began practice in 1859. On the breaking out of the Rebellion, he entered the army as Captain of volunteers. Subsequently he was elected Colonel, and afterwards promoted to the rank of Brevet Brigadier General, as a reward for merit. At the return of peace he again entered his father's office as a law partner, where he is still busily and successfully employed.
C. B. Rounds, Esq., is a native of Auburn, Me. and a graduate of Bowdoin College. He read law with A. M. Pulsifer, Esq. of Auburn, and in 1866 became a law partner with Hon. Joseph Granger. The next year he opened an office in his own name, and has ever since been rising in reputation as a well read and tal- ented attorney. For a time he served as Superintend- ing School Committee ; and the existing, excellent sys- tem of graded schools in this city is largely the fruit of his judicious labors.
Geo. A. Curran, Esq., is a native of Calais. Losing
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his father when quite young, and the family being left in straitened circumstances, he was thrown upon his own resources ; and he is therefore essentially a self- made man. After clerking a while in a book store, he read law with C. R. Whidden, Esq., and was admitted to the Bar. He is quick to perceive and understand, and fluent in speech and writing. He has a fair share of legal business, and for several years has been a reg- ular contributor to the Calais and St. Stephen papers. He is esteemed as a worthy and growing man.
M. N. McKusick, Esq., is a native of Baring, Me. He was educated in the Milltown, N. B., Academy, and began his life work as a school teacher. In 1861 he en- listed in the 6th Battery of Maine Light Artillery. He was soon after appointed Orderly Sergeant, and then elected 1st Lieutenant. He had command of the Bat- tery in the wilderness, and was severely wounded at Cold Harbor. On recovering from his wound, he was placed on the staff of Col. McGilvery, and afterwards appointed Post Adjutant at Pittsburg, where he was honorably discharged in 1864. Returning home, he again took the ferule, served as Selectman of Baring, and studied law. In 1869 he was admitted to the Bar, and the next year became a law partner with C. B. Rounds, Esq., where he still remains, an energetic, go- ahead man.
J. G. Beckett, Esq., came from Scotland. For several years he carried on a successful business as a Confectioner, and acquired considerable property. In 1870 he attended the Harvard Law School, and the next year, gained admission to the Bar. But thus far, sickness and a multitude of cares, have prevented him
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from attending very closely to the duties of his profes- sion.
A. R. Whidden, Esq., a son of C. R. Whidden, Esq., of this city, read law with his father and was admitted to practice. But soon after, he took a severe cold that in- duced brain fever, from the results of which, unhappily, he has not yet recovered.
Archibald McNichol, Esq., a native of Charlotte County, N. B., read law with Geo. B. Burns, Esq., and afterwards with Hon. J. A. Lowell of Machias, with whom for a time he was a partner. In 1867 he moved to Eastport and entered into partnership with Samuel D. Leavitt, Esq. In 1873 he came to Calais and op- ened the office formerly occupied by G. B. Burns, Esq., where he is doing a large business and steadily winning popular favor.
L. G. Downes, Esq., a son of the late Hon. Geo. Downes, is a graduate of Bowdoin College, and an able lawyer. Until recently he has resided in Machias. In 1874 he was a member of Gov. Dingley's Council ; and there is no doubt that he will long remain a prominent man in Washington County.
F. W. Knowlton, Esq., is a native of Hampden, Me., and a graduate of Tufts College. He was admitted to the Bar in April 1874, and enjoys the reputation of being an honest, intelligent and promising young man.
It will be seen by this list that the members of the Calais Bar have been "neither few nor small," and that every one who faithfully attended to business, reaped prosperity.
2nd. LAWYERS,-ST. STEPHEN.
St. Stephen has had fewer members of the Bar than
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Calais, but the average ability has not been inferior. St. Andrews being the shire town of Charlotte County, and for many years a larger village than St. Stephen, the lawyers have preferred to reside there. Much of the up-river legal business has been done there; yet St. Stephen has for many years numbered among her citizens, Barristers of high rank.
By the English Court arrangement there are three grades of lawyers. Young men that pass a satisfactory examination, are admitted as Attorneys. After two years, if their attainments and ability warrant the pro- cedure, they are advanced to the rank of Barristers. Still later, those of sterling talents are promoted to the grade of Queen's Counsellors. By this wise arrange- ment a lawyer's title indicates his legal attainment and standing. A knowledge of this fact is essential to a right estimate of the English Bar.
The first lawyers in St. Stephen were Robert Mow- att, and Peter Stubbs. They came at an early day from St. Andrews, did a large amount of business, and were accounted worthy men. Mr. Mowatt married a daugh- ter of Robert Watson, Sr. Both of them long since went to that "bourne whence no traveller returns."
Geo. S. Hill, Esq., a son of Abner Hill of Milltown, N. B., after receiving a classical education in Dartmouth College, N. H., read law with Judge Chipman of St. John, and was admitted an Attorney in 1821, and a Barrister in 1830. He opened a law office in St. Steph- en, and immediately gained a large number of clients. But the people perceiving him to be a man of extensive information, wide scope of vision, and sound judgment, soon sent him to the Provincial Parliament ; where as Legislator or Councillor, he faithfully served his con-
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stituents and country for twenty-five years. He died in 1862, beloved and honored by all who had made his acquaintance.
Alexander Campbell, Esq., a native of St. Andrews and a son of Colin Campbell formerly High Sheriff of Charlotte County, read law in St. John, became an At- torney, and in 1832 settled in St. Stephen. Two years after he rose to the rank of Barrister, and soon proved himself a sound, able and reliable lawyer. But like many others he was swept away by the California gold fever, and is now a prominent lawyer in San Francisco.
Stephen H. Hitchings, Esq., a native of St. Stephen and a son of Robert Hitchings, read law with Geo. S. Hill, Esq., and on becoming an attorney, in 1835, opened an office in Milltown, and in 1837 attained the grade of Barrister. He has been very successful in business. He is now the senior member of the Bar in St. Stephen, and widely known as ajudicious counsellor and valuable citizen.
Thomas B. Abbott, Esq., came from the States, read law with Geo. S. Hill, Esq., was admitted as an Attorney in 1837, and Barrister in 1839. He was well versed in law, and a man of kind feelings and gentlemanly ad- dress. After some twenty years practice, he "slept with his fathers."
George J. Thompson, Esq., a son of the late Rev. Dr. Thompson, Rector of Christ's Church. St. Stephen, was educated under the tuition of his father, and read law in the office of Geo. F. Street, Esq., St. John, afterwards Judge of the Supreme Court of New Brunswick. Hav- ing obtained a thorough knowledge of law, he was ad- mitted as an Attorney in 1837, a Barrister in 1839, and subsequently a Queen's Counsellor. The people of St.
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Stephen soon become aware that in every respect he was a first class lawyer, and entrusted to his care a large amount of legal business ; but he too has gone where "the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest."
Hon. J. G. Stevens was born in Edinburg, Scotland, and educated in the University of that city, and partly under the tuition of those world renowned men, Sir Will- iam Hamilton and Christopher North, then Professors in that Institution. His father, Andrew Stevens enjoy- ed the freedom of Edinburg, and was a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Scotland. His mother, a daughter of Sir Colin Campbell, was a lady of refined culture and literary taste. She occasionally wrote articles for the periodicals of the day, and was the author of several interesting volumes, among which were "Llewellyn," and "Fanny Fairfield."
Mr. Stevens came to this country with his brother, Rev. Andrew Stevens, in 1840, and made St. Stephen his home. He studied law with Alexander Campbell, Esq., a distant relative, and D. S. Kerr, Esq., now of St. John, and became an Attorney in 1845, a Barrister in 1847, and a Queen's Counsel, and Judge of the County Courts in 1867. He was a member of the Pro- vincial Parliament from 1861 to 1867, except during the year when the Anti-Confederationists were in pow- er. His appointment to the Bench was solely for mer- it. As a Judge he commands the respect of the Bar' and the unqualified commendation of the people. He is the author of the able "Digest of Law Reports in the Courts of New Brunswick," recently published, and is still busy with his careful pen. A great reader, a deep
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thinker, a hard worker and a courteous gentleman, he bids fair to live many years and to do much good.
George S. Grimmer, Esq., a son of John Grimmer of St. Stephen, is a man of whom the parish has every reason to be proud. He read law with J. W. Chandler, Esq., of St. Andrews, gained the position of Attorney in 1847, Barrister in 1849, and subsequently Clerk of the Peace, and Clerk of the Charlotte County Court. He is also a Queen's Counsellor, and in 1861 was in the Provincial Parliament. He is still actively and success - fully engaged in the duties of his office and profession.
Lewis A. Mills, Esq., became an Attorney in 1863 and a Barrister in 1865. He is well read in law, and a man of considerable ability.
J. G. Stevens, Jr., B. A., a son of Judge Stevens, received his education in the University of New Bruns- wick, and attained the station of Attorney in 1869, and Barrister in 1871.
James Mitchell, M. A., is a graduate of the same college, and became Attorney and Barrister at the same time as Mr. Stevens. These two young men are in partnership, and are doing a fair business and giving promise of becoming able lawyers.
M. Macmonagle, Esq., came from King's County, is doing considerable business, gives good satisfaction, and is evidently a rising man. He was admitted At- torney in 1871 and Barrister in 1873.
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XIV. F. & A. MASONS.
It is conceded by all who have examined the sub- ject, that Masonry is not only ancient and honorable, but also an institution friendly to the best interests of humanity. Ignoring sects and parties it tries to gath- er all worthy men into one democratic fold, and there teach them to walk and work together in brotherly love. The Lodge room is a common home, where all stand upon the same high level, and are equally exhorted and ยท bound to respect, trust and assist each other. Bad men may and sometimes do. join the Fraternity, as unworthy people are sometimes admitted into churches ; but the intention is to admit only the honest ; and the influence of a well regulated Lodge is for good and good only.
Masonry has long been a world-wide fraternity ; and hence among the early settlers of Calais and St. Stephen, there were a few brethren of the mystic tie. Though coming from far apart homes, these brethren soon recognized their masonic relationship, and felt a common desire to have some secluded retreat, where they could meet on the level and part on the square. Such meetings, they were convinced, would mitigate the dreariness and weariness of their isolated, back-woods residence. Accordingly, after going through the need- ful formalities, the masons began their work.
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ORPHAN FRIENDS LODGE,-ST. STEPHEN,
was instituted Oct. 26th, 1809, by virtue of a warrant issued to Samuel Darling, Ebenezer Bugbee, and Thad- deus Ames, by Sir John Wentworth, Baronet, of Hali- fax, D. G. Master of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia. Among the prominent members of this Lodge were William Todd, Sr., Jacob Young, Shubael Downes, Joseph Whitney, John Cottrell, Daniel Whit- ney, Jonathan Rogers, Samuel Stuart and others : and managed by such men, the institution, for a time, enjoyed great prosperity. But by the death or removal of many of its most active and reliable members, the Lodge at last became so reduced that about 1822. it resigned its charter and ceased to exist.
SUSSEX LODGE, NO. 327 .- ST. STEPHEN,
was instituted Mar. 17, 1846, under a warrant from the Grand Lodge of Ireland, issued by Augustus Frederic, Duke of Leimster, and granted to Dugald Blair, M. D., Thomas W. Rogers, and James Frink. This Lodge, although, with all other lodges of the Province, in 1868 it gave up its Irish warrant and received a charter from the Grand Lodge of New Brunswick, has retained its name and continued its work without interrruption to the present time ; and it is now in healthy and vigorous condition. Its officers are Samuel Weelock, M. ; An- drew, McFarlane, S. W. ; E. G. Vroom, J. W.
There have been two Royal Arch Chapters in St. Stephen. The first received its warrant from the Grand Chapter of Ireland ; but like Sussex Lodge, it surrendered its Irish warrant, and in 1868 received a charter from the Grand Chapter of Scotland, by which
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it receives its name and number :- ST. STEPHEN R. A. CHAPTER, No. 125. Its present officers are Hugh Mckay, H. P. ; George F. Pindar, K. ; E. G. Vroom, S. It is doing well.
THE ST. STEPHEN ENCAMPMENT OF KNIGHTS TEMPLAR, organized in 1872, has a charter from the "Grand Re- ligious and Military Orders of the Temple and Hospital" of Scotland. Its officers are Wm. Vaughan, Eminent Commander ; David Main, Sub Prior ; JJ.H. Rose, Mare- schal. This Commandery is in good order and well supported.
ST. CROIX LODGE .- CALAIS.
On the downfall of Sussex Lodge in 1822, the Ma- sons in Calais felt it to be their privilege and duty to start a Lodge on the American side of the river. Ac- cordingly after mature deliberation, a petition for a Charter was sent to the Grand Lodge. The petition- ers were
Joseph Whitney,
Charles Spring,
Thodore Jones,
Isaac Lane,
Asa A Pond,
Samuel Darling,
Ebenezer Reading,
Rufus K. Lane,
William Goodwin, John Brewer,
William Smith, Lorenzo Rockwood,
David Duren,
John Hall.
The Grand Lodge granted the request, April 18th, 1824 ; and in the following December, "ST. CROIX LODGE OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS, NO. 46," was duly or- ganized. The officers elected were
Asa A. Pond, W. M. John Hall, S. W.
Eben. Reading, J. W. Wm. Pike, Sec'y.
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F. & A. MASONS.
Theodore Jones, S. D. John Milliken, J. D.
The meetings of the Lodge were held in a chamber or hall in the L of the inn near the corner of Main and Church Sts. Here it worked and prospered under its Warrant of Dispensation, till June 24, 1826, when, in the new Congregational Church, it was solemnly con- secrated by Libbeus Bailey, D. D. G. M. of the 6th District. A large audience was present, and the ser- vices were very impressive. The officers installed on the occasion, were the same as those above named, ex- cept
Wm. Goodwin, S. W. Geo. Downes, J. W.
Martin Meserve, Treas. Isaac Lane, J. D.
Matthew Hastings, S. S. Newell Bond, J. S.
Thomas McFarlane, Tyler.
Shortly after, the L of the inn, containing the Lodge room was removed to Salem St., and converted into a dwelling house,-the Simpson building. A new and larger wing to the inn was erected, having a larger and more convenient hall ; and here the Lodge met and prospered for three years.
In 1829, the Anti-masonic mania reached Calais ; and so intense was the public feeling, that in the latter part of this year, St. Croix Lodge and most others in the country deemed it prudent to suspend work and cease to hold meetings. Accordingly the furniture, jewels, charter and records were packed in boxes and stored in the ante-room, and the hall deserted. A few years after, the inn was burned, and the Lodge lost all its property except its Seal, which was in the hands of its secretary.
For fifteen long years the Fraternity waited for the epidemic to subside and the right hour to come to call
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F. & A. MASONS.
them again to labor. All grew rusty, and not a few en- tirely forgot all the nice points in the work and lectures. The right time came at last. Jan. 11, 1844, the Grand Lodge met in Augusta, and Matthew Hastings, then a member of the Legislature, in the name of his brethren in Calais, requested it to grant a Dispensation empower- ing the St. Croix Lodge to resume its work. The request was complied with ; and June 4, 1844, the Lodge met at Milltown in the building now occupied by S. Adams. At the next meeting, June 8, the following officers were elected :
M. Hastings, M. Joshua Veazie, S. W.
Seth Emerson, J. W.
Wm. Boardman, Treas.
John Manning, Sec'y. L. L. Lowell, S. D.
W. H. Tobie, J. D. Thomas McFarlane, S. S. Alfred Berry, J. S. Isaac Lane, Tyler.
Aug. 7, 1844, the Lodge moved into Bishop and Berry's Hall on Point St., and the same evening "voted that the Regular Communication should be on the Mon- day preceding the full moon." The rules of the Grand Lodge were also adopted the same evening.
At the annual meeting in January, 1845, Joshua Veazie was chosen M., Seth Emerson, S. W., and L. L. Lowell, J. W.
In the Spring, the Lodge finding its room incon- venient, moved into a hall fitted for its use, in the L of the house now owned by the heirs of John Goodwin, and used as a school-room. May 29, 1845, it received a new Charter without expense ; and was again in good working order.
But the quarters of the Lodge were still not satis- factory ; and during the Summer an arrangement was made with the Congregationalist Society, to erect a two
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F. & A. MASONS.
story building ; the lower floor to be a vestry, and the upper floor a hall for Masonic use. Sept. 30, 1845, the corner stone was laid in due and ample form by Jeremiah Fowler, D. D. G. M., and an appropriate address delivered by Rev. James Alley, Rector of a Church in St. Andrews, N. B. The house was finished the next season, and occupied for the first time, Dec. 21, 1846.
It seemed as if the poor, wandering Lodge had at last found a permanent home ; but new trials soon came. The parish insisted that the hall should be used for Masonic purposes only. The Masons insisted that they should control it as they pleased ; and a long war of words ensued. Besides, the Lodge was poor and unable to pay its half of the building expenses. Finally discouragement set in, and Oct. 25, 1847 it was "voted that St. Croix Lodge cease to hold meetings in this place, from and after this evening." Virtually the Lodge disbanded.
But during the Winter, better thoughts and coun- sels came. The possibilities of the exigency were am- icably talked over, and through the instrumentality of L. L. Lowell, a member both of the parish and Lodge, the hall was leased ; and Mar. 10, 1848, the brethren again met in it, and once more reorganized, choosing Wm. H. Tyler, W. M. ; Matthew Hastings, S. W. ; and Frank Williams, J. W. Stated and special meetings continued to be held and prosperity ensued.
In accordance with an Act of the Legislature, the Lodge was legally incorporated, Mar. 6, 1854, and soon after it purchased the hall for only $600, and thus ob- tained full and peaceable possession of a home. Here for sixteen years, after the quiet manner of the Frater-
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F. & A. MASONS.
nity, it cultivated "brotherly love, relief and truth."
In the Winter of 1863-4, the brothers who had ad- vanced to the R. A. degree, being desirous of enjoying the further benefits of the Order, took the proper steps. to establish a Royal Arch Chapter. A Dispensation was granted to them, April 15, 1864, and a Charter, May 4, 1865. The first officers of St. Croix R. A. Chapter, No. 17, were B. M. Flint, H. P. ; L. L. Lowell, K. ; James Manning, Scribe : W. H. Tyler, Secretary. The Chapter has ever been prosperous ; and there are at present about 114 Companions. The St. Croix Council of R. & S. M. received its Charter, Nov. 27, 1866. The first officers were B. M. Flint, T. I. M. ; D. E. Seymour, R. I. M .; E. E. Emerson, I. M. ; L. C. Bailey, Recorder. The present number of mem- bers is about 75. The Lodge meets on the first Mon- day, the Chapter on the first Tuesday, and the Council on the second Thursday of each month.
During the War of the Rebellion, many of the brothers enlisted in the army of the Republic ; all fought bravely, several attained high rank, and not a few lost their lives in defending and maintaining the Union.
All the affairs of the Order continued to run smooth- ly till Aug. 1870, when its home was consumed by the great fire that devastated the business part of the city. But the age of discouragement had long ago ended. A small hall was hired, and work went on as usual. The next year a large hall was obtained, finished and fitted up with ample accommodations and conveniences. It was dedicated Feb. 22, 1872,-the late M. W. M. John H. Lynde officiating. Since then, nothing noteworthy has transpired.
Many members of the Lodge have moved out of the
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F. & A. MASONS.
city, many have been summoned to the Grand Lodge above ; but over two hundred still remain. Of the sev- enteen Masters who have occupied the Chair in the East, only seven are living. Brs. Matthew Hastings, Joshua Veazie, Frank Williams, D. M. Gardner and J. C. Rockwood, held the highest office in the Lodge, four years each. Wm. McHenry, who fought in the army of the Iron Duke at Waterloo, served as Tyler for sev- enteen years, and never failed to guard well the door. Rufus Carver was sixteen years Treasurer, and L. L. Lowell twelve years Secretary. Brs. Seth Townsend, the first initiate, M. Hastings, the third, and Seth Emerson one of the first members, although consider- ably over three score and ten, still retain their first love for the Order, and occasionally participate in its meet- ings. A long and useful career for the Institution, now seems inevitable.
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CONG. CHURCH,-CALAIS.
XV.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH,-CALAIS.
Rev. Duncan M'Coll in his Diary, states that in 1806, "the people of Calais engaged a Congregation- alist Minister to preach to them." The name of this clergyman is not given, and the length of time he re- mained in the place is not mentioned. But unquestion- ably this was the first Congregational movement in the town, and the man then engaged was the first settled - pastor in Calais. He probably preached here only a few weeks or months at most.
Rev. Mr. M'Coll further states that in 1811, "the people of Calais employed Rev. Mr. Abbod," (probably Abbott) "a Congregationalist gentleman, to preach for them six months." We are not informed what persons were the leaders in this movement, but the event dis- closes an early tendency among the people towards Con- gregationalism. In fact a community so democratic as this was, could tolerate no other form of church gov- ernment.
After this date, at various times came Rev. Mr. Adams, Rev. Elijah Kellog, and probably others, serv- ing as missionaries and urging the people to greater zeal and a more united and definite effort in the direct- ion of morality and Christianity. The good seed ger-
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CONG. CHURCH,-CALAIS.
minated. The better class of citizens became disgust- ed with the churchless heathenism of the place, and re- solved if possible to inaugurate a more respectable and religious state of society.
After long deliberation, much talk and many prayers, the auspicious moment came, and a decisive movement was made in the right direction. In the old Central School House, Aug. 17, 1825, a day never to be forgotten, "the first Congregational Church in Cal- ais," was duly organized. Revs. Elijah Kellog of Port- land, Jonathan Bigelow of Lubec, and Alexander McLane of St. Andrews, were present and conducted the service. Eight persons united in the church relation ; three men and five women. Their names were Ama- ziah Nash, Daniel McDougal, E. M. P. Wells, Mary M. Jellison, Jane Darling, Lydia Christopher, Lucy Gates, Mary Ann Boies. The five ladies were married, and their less devout or more scrupulous husbands were at least not opposed to the good work going on. The five families were thus enlisted on the right side.
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