USA > Maine > Knox County > Warren > Annals of the town of Warren; with the Early History of St. George's, Broad Bay and the Neighboring Settlements on the Waldo patent > Part 14
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It was probably about the same time, also, that Baruch and Nathan Buckland came to the place from Rehoboth. Baruch, a blacksmith, worked here a while and settled in Camden ; whilst Nathan, a cooper, married a daughter of Mr. Gamble and succeeded to her father's farm.
By a census this year taken for the purpose of ascertaining the ability of the colonies to bear taxation, the county of Lincoln contained 4,347 inhabitants ; viz. Pownalboro', 889 ; Georgetown, 1,329; Bowdoinham, 220; Woolwich, 415 ; Newcastle, 454 ; Topsham, 340 ; Gardinertown, 200 ; Towns- hend, Pemaquid or Harrington, and Walpole, by estimation, 300; Broad Bay, St. George's and Medumcook, by estima- tion, 200.
Up to this time cattle remained scarce at Broad Bay. Few potatoes were cultivated there, the Germans, like the Scotch, having been unacquainted with them in their own country. Rye was the only breadstuff raised by them. But this year, 1764, Daniel Filhorn commenced the cultivation of maize, or Indian corn, which from its more abundant in- crease, soon grew into favor and has been extensively culti- vated ever since .. This grain was also about the same time introduced at St. George's, probably by the recent emigrants who had been accustomed to it in the west. Barley had been cultivated in the latter settlement, and, being hulled by hand in a mortar, was extensively used in the preparation called barley broth. The cabbage was cultivated, and saur krout manufactured at Broad Bay, it is believed, from the com- mencement of the settlement; but this preparation was not introduced at St. George's till about 1777. Flax had been cultivated in both these settlements, and, prior to the intro- duction of sheep, had constituted the principal article of domestic clothing. After the introduction of sheep, linsey woolsey, or a mixture of flax and wool, was used. The get- ting out of wood and lumber continued to be the principal employment of the settlers. In severe winters, when the river was closed with ice, several would often go over to the seashore and get out a sloop load of wood in some acces- sible but uninhabited place, whence it might be sent off and the returns received without waiting for spring. When their land was stripped of its wood, it was burnt over or broken up with a hoe and sowed to grain ; or suffered to lie, and grow up to brushwood. Those of the inhabitants that were fore-
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handed, traded for their West India goods in Boston, and generally went up with a sloop load of cord-wood once a year themselves. Many of them had lived in that vicinity during the Indian wars; had relatives and acquaintances there ; and as there was no passing through the country by land, and the settlements were scattered and detached, Boston formed a central point of connection and seemed more like home than any other place. Those less able, were supplied by the traders who coasted or did business here. Moses Copeland sometimes kept goods for sale, had several men in his employ, and seems to have been ready for almost any kind of business. His account with McLean exhibits charges for work on the saw-mill, rafting lumber, whitewashing at the fort, fencing the Alexander lots, framing Mrs. Giffen's house, setting out apple trees and doing other jobs on the farm, be- sides serving writs against divers persons. As a specimen of prices and currency at this time we give the following : - 6} lbs. butter, £1, 17s. ; 1 pair shoes, £3; 1 day's work setting out apple trees, £1; 1 quire of paper, 10s .; 3 bushels corn at 25s., 3, 15s. ; 1 pair of leather breeches, ££2, 5s. ; 1000ft. of boards, £1; half day of Counce writing Mrs. Alexander's will, 10s. Among the articles sold, besides provisions and groceries, were broadcloth, serge, ticklenberg, osnaberg, leather, shoes and ready-made clothing. The leather was furnished by Sumner and Libbey, the shoes made by Jonathan Nutting, and the clothing by Patrick Pebbles. The last of these, after the death of his father, had worked at the tailor's trade in Boston, married the daughter of his employer, Mr. Ray or Rea, and was now settled on the lot taken up by his father .*
The settlers on the western side of Broad Bay, who had thus far peacefully possessed their lands under Waldo, were this year perplexed by a claim made by Mr. Thomas Drowne, in behalf of the Pemaquid Company, of the lands on that side of the bay as far up as Charles Kaler's lot, as being without the Waldo patent and within that of Pemaquid. Most of them agreed to purchase their lands anew at the rate of 2s. 8d. per acre ; and at least fifty deeds were executed to per- sons who had settled under Waldo. They were, however, allowed to retain the lots assigned them by Waldo for public uses ; and deeds were given them of 100 acres for a meeting- house, 110 for the ministry, and one lot of 25 acres, and
* Jos. Ludwig. T. Kirkpatrick. A. Kelloch, Ist. M.Copeland's ledger. M. Robinson.
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another of 41, for the support of schools. Of the lots prom- ised for similar purposes on the other side of the river, no deeds were given by Waldo, and we believe they were never realized .*
This year is distinguished for the first militia regimental muster ever held at St. George's. It took place on Limestone hill, near the State Prison in the present town of Thomaston. Col. Cargill of Newcastle commanded ; and it may be inter- esting to those who remember the gorgeous uniforms and glit- tering ornaments worn by such dignitaries in later times, to be informed that the commander appeared on this occasion in a drab pea jacket and comarney cap.t
1765. The year 1765 commenced with the passage of the celebrated Stamp Act, the beginning of those attempts to raise money without the consent of the people, which gradu- ally alienated the colonies from their mother country and brought on their final separation.
In this year, if we may trust the memory of persons who were then young, died Capt. John North, then in command of St. George's fort, which was not yet entirely dismantled. This gentleman seems to have given general satisfaction both as a civil and military officer. After his death, but how soon after is not known, his son Joseph North and his son-in-law, Lieut. McKechnie, a Scotchman by birth, who was a land surveyor and also sometimes practised medicine, removed to Fort Hali- fax, and afterwards became men of property and influence at or near Augusta .¿ About the same time, probably, James and Samuel Howard also removed, having been appointed to some military or other office, in the same neighborhood.
Up to the close of the war, there had not been a framed house or barn in the whole settlement of St. George's, except the meeting-house and possibly one barn at the fort. But in 1763 a framed house was erected by Capt. McLean for his sister, Mrs. Giffin, who with her son Robert then resided on lot No. 2, above Oyster River. It was a small house framed by John Keyes, then in the employ of Copeland, who charges McLean £8 for 8 day's work framing it. In 1764 another framed house was built by Moses Copeland near his mills. In 1765, a third framed house was built by William Boggs, and others soon after by John McIntyre, John Spear, Hugh McLean and David Kelloch. In that of Mr. Boggs, dwelt
* Papers of Jacob Ludwig, Esq. in possession of Col. J. Ludwig.
t Joseph Copeland, Ist. Samuel Boggs, 3d. D. Dicke.
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the builder till his death in 1792, his father living with him till his death, which occurred in 1783. His son Joseph and grandson J. W. Boggs, still occupy this house, near the wil- low trees, which were planted by the former in 1807. It has been shingled three times ; its oak sills are still sound; and it forms a commodious and comfortable habitation. That of Capt. McIntyre, stood on the farm occupied by the late Calvin Crane, near the old apple trees between the present road and river. In this house, which consisted of one story and was painted red, the builder kept tavern for many years, at the same time keeping a ferry at his shore. License for the latter was granted in 1763, and the fees allowed were two coppers for each person, and two for a horse .*
1767. In 1767, Alexander Lermond purchased the mill lot at Oyster River, repaired, or rebuilt, the old dam, and built a grist-mill ; which, being moved by the tide waters, was extensively resorted to, especially in dry seasons. Two years after, he built a house and moved on to this lot, relinquishing his own and the adjoining one, purchased of William Ler- mond's heirs, to his sons John and Alexander. This mill and dam were afterwards removed lower down the stream, near the present bridge, and a saw-mill added. These mills con- tinued to run for more than twenty years, and, during the old age and after the death of Mr. Lermond, were shared by his sons Alexander and William, and son-in-law J. Wyllie. At a still later period William Lermond rebuilt the saw-mill with a new dam below the bridge.
The project of raising a revenue in America was this year revived by an act of Parliament imposing a duty on paper, paints, glass and teas. This act contributed much to open the eyes of the colonists and enable them more perfectly to understand the policy of the mother country. Parliament had, many years before, prohibited the establishment of manu- factures here, in order to extend the market for those of England ; and now, by laying a duty upon those manu- factures, seemed determined to make the colonies pay tribute for what they had been compelled to purchase of her.
Yet notwithstanding this cause of disquietude, the peace- able state of the Indians, no longer exposed to French influ- ence, invited emigrants to the eastward and gave rise to several new settlements. Elisha Snow came from New Meadows, and, building a saw-mill on the Wesscrweskeag
Copeland's Leger. S. Boggs, 3d.
Rec. C. of Sessions.
Jos. Boggs.
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stream, laid the foundation of the present South Thomaston. He was followed in 1773 by Joseph Coombs, then 21 years old, with no other property than his axe, and soon after by several other young men from the same place. Coombs also built a saw-mill, and, in connexion with Snow, a grist- mill. The latter subsequently opened a tavern, which with the mills, formed the nucleus around which a village grad- ually grew up. Wesserweskeag, corrupted by the English into Westkeag, keag, or gig, signified, it is said, in the In- dian tongue, land of sights, [prospects, visions, or ghosts,] wizard point .*
In 1767, also, John Lermond of the upper St. George's, with the occasional aid of his two brothers, went over to what is now the village of Rockland, built a camp, and got out a cargo of oak staves and pine lumber there. Not in- tending to settle, he put up no buildings, but the harbor was long afterwards known as Lermond's Cove. Its Indian name was Catawamteak, signifying " great landing place," as parties coming down the bay in canoes usually landed there either to avoid the tedious passage round Owl's Head in their course along the shore, or to proceed to St. George's for the purpose of trading, fishing, or passing down on their way westward. The place was permanently settled about 1769 by Isaiah Tolman, Jonathan Spear, - Crockett, David Watson, James Fales, Ichabod and Comfort Barrows, John Lindsey, Constant Rankin, Jonathan Smith, and John Godding, who erected log huts, and began to clear up their farms for agriculture. Lindsey's was the only house in what is now the principal village. It stood on the site of the stores built by C. Holmes and J. Spofford in Lime-rock street near Kimball's corner. For the want of mill privileges connected with tide waters to attract business, the growth of the place was slow. John Ulmer removed thither from Waldoboro'in 1795 and commenced the business of lime- burning, at which time Lindsey's was still the only house at Lermond's Cove. After the incorporation of Thomaston, it began to be distinguished by the name of the " shore," or " shore village," in contradistinction to the settlement on the river. On the establishment of a Post-office about 1820, it took the name of East Thomaston, and was incorporated by that name on the division of the town in 1848. This name in 1850 was changed to that of Rockland. The trade and navigation of this place prior to 1812 was inconsiderable,
.
* H. Prince, Esq. Mrs. S. Fuller, &c.
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many of its inhabitants purchasing their English goods at Warren. Since that period, its business, wealth, and popula- tion have rapidly increased, the last of which now amounts to 5221. Its lime quarries are an inexhaustible source of wealth. It contains four churches, the ' Lime Rock Bank,' incorporated April 1, 1836, a Deputy Collector's Office, es- tablished in 1848, the office of the 'Lime Rock Gazette,' commenced in Jan. 1846 ; and by its recent efforts for the suppression of intemperance, the improvement of its public schools, the establishment of libraries and other social institu- tions, is doing much to improve the taste and elevate the character of its population .*
West of the last mentioned place and at George's, below Mill River, a few settlers were established, but we know not exactly how early. Among the earliest was Oliver Robbins at Mill River, whose daughter Milea, afterwards the wife of P. Butler, is said to have been the first child born east of that river.i
In 1767, also, some preliminary steps were taken toward the settlement of the present town of Camden. In virtue of an agreement previously made in the life-time of Gen. Waldo, between him and the other proprietors of the patent incorporated as " the 20 associates," a tract of land 52 miles wide, extending from the salt-water N. 332 deg. W. 29 miles into the country, containing 100,000 acres, together with sundry islands on the coast, was selected by the said associ- ates, and, on the 7th April, 1768, released and confirmed to them by the heirs of the said Waldo as their share of the patent. This tract, situated between the present towns of Rockland, Warren, and Union on the one side, and Lincoln- ville, Searsmont and Montville on the other, was divided into townships, and one of them, adjacent to the ocean, surveyed into lots for settlement. The survey was made by David Fales, Esq. in 1768; at which time not a tree had been fel- led, or building erected in the whole township. Within three or four years after, settlements were begun at Megunticook by James Richards, at Goose River by Peter Oat, and at Clam Cove, perhaps, by William Gregory. Richards was soon followed by Eaton, Ogier, Minot and others. Mills were erected, and an embryo village formed, which however con- tained no framed houses prior to that of Mr. Richards in 1788. Oat was a German, who had previously resided long
* M. Robinson. David Crocket, Esq. + Rev. J. L. Sibley.
12
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enough in Boston to give his children an English education, and Gregory came from the neighborhood of Dedham.
In 1790 the plantation was allowed to expend the sums assigned to it in the State taxes Nos. 5 and 6, amounting to £119 7s. 2d., " in support of a teacher of piety, a school or schools, and making and repairing roads." It early received the name of Cambden, probably from the proprietors, as we frequently find it mentioned by that name before its incorpor- ation, Feb. 17, 1791. Its Indian name, Megunticook, ap- plied also to its noble mountain, signified " great swells of the sea." A turnpike was granted in 1802, and soon after made by Simon Barrett, over a part of Megunticook moun- tain, which, suspended as it is between heights above and precipice and pond below, adds another feature to the bold and beautiful scenery of the place .*
This year a Moravian minister, by the name of Cilly, came from Germany to Broad Bay, and, preaching a more spiritual and less worldly minded religion, converted many of the set- tlers to the Moravian faith, who in 1770 removed to North Carolina and joined a similar society there. Three years after they were followed by others, who left in consequence of the conflicting claims made to their lands ; so that the set- tlement lost not less than 300 families, including many of its most skilful husbandmen and estimable citizens.t
1769. The newly imposed duties met with great opposi- tion on the part of the colonies, which was carried so far by the Legislature of Massachusetts, that Gov. Bernard, August 1, 1769, embarked for England in disgust, leaving few friends of any party, and devolving the executive government upon Lieut. Gov. Hutchinson.
In the midst of these political agitations, the minds of the superstitious were still further perplexed by an unusual ap- pearance in the heavens. It is thus described by Moses Copeland, Esq. " In August, 1769, there was a blazing star seen, and the blaze was thought to be about thirty yards and lasted about a month."
It was first observed by Wm. Dicke under circumstances which made a strong impression upon his mind. He was but 16 or 17 years of age, wholly uneducated, and if he had
* Contract recorded in Reg. Office, Wis. 2 Will. His. p. 551. H. Prince, Esq.
t So say Holmes' Am. Annals, p. 306, and 2 Will. His. p. 399 ; but it is hardly credible that so many could have been spared at so early a period without depopulating the place.
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ever heard of such a thing as a comet, it was only as the her- ald of calamity, that " from his horrent hair shakes pestilence and war." He was on a hunting excursion, passing alone in his float up Seven-tree Pond, surrounded as it was by the un- broken, uninhabited forest, which then covered the present town of Union. Stopping to spend the night upon the island which that pond embosoms, and rain coming on, he drew his float on shore, inverted it as a shelter from the storm, and slept beneath its covert till the rain was over. When he awoke the clouds had dispersed ; the stars glistened in the sky ; and the terrible phenomenon with its long fan-like train met his astonished gaze. The troubles of the Revolution coming on, confirmed him in the belief of its ominous charac- ter ; and when the comet of 1811 was observed, he confi- dently predicted the war which ensued .*
The acts of trade, passed many years before, and now rig- idly enforced, by interdicting the lumber trade to the French W. Indies, gave new embarrassment to commerce and checked the operations of shipbuilding and the fisheries. Seamen found difficulty in obtaining employment, and the eastern peo- ple their usual supplies. Associations were formed against the importation of British goods, and all who refused to unite in them were deemed enemies to the public welfare.
1770. In the following year, 1770, the duties were all repealed except a tax on tea, which was retained in token of the right of Parliament to tax the colonies whenever it was deemed expedient. This led to associations, which became pretty general, for disusing tea altogether.
* Copeland's MS. John Dicke, 3d.
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CHAPTER VIII.
FROM 1770 TO 1775; DOINGS AT ST. GEORGE'S PREVIOUS TO AND AT THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE REVOLUTION.
THE history of Insects presents, if possible, more capri- cious and unaccountable movements than that of mankind. In some seasons, the larvæ of species before unnoted, make their appearance in such surprising numbers as to frustrate the labors of man, and lay waste entire crops. But the same mutability of our climate, which allows these strangers to come, causes them after a time - often a very short time, wholly to disappear. In 1770, according to the journal of Moses Copeland, Esq., " about the 17th of July, there was a black worm came, a'most like a canker-worm ; and they came in great swarms and eat the grass and grain all before them ; but they staid but about ten or fourteen days and were removed, or it was thought that in a month's time there would not be any green thing left." A similar insect made its ap- pearance some time after the revolutionary war ; but the precise year is not known. They were particularly destruc- tive to flax, moving in a direct line like the ranks of an army, and devouring all clean as they went. From this circum- stance, they were called the army worm. Some defended their fields by plowing a furrow, or digging a trench on the side of their approach; the steep side and crumbling carth of which they were unable to surmount. Others collected a portion of them on birch bark, and dragging them along the ground to the river, committed them to its current, supposing from their martial habits that the others would not fail to follow their leaders. Whether this mode succeeded as well as the other, or what name and rank the insect holds in ento- mology, the author is unable to state .*
In consequence of the removal of the Moravian emigrants from Broad Bay, many persons from the south shore of Mas- sachusetts came to that place about this time, and purchased their vacated farms. Among these were Charles Sampson,
* According to Mr. D. Dicke, they resembled, not the canker-worm proper, but the caterpillar whose webs disfigure the apple trees in spring. So undeviating was their line of march that, rather than pass round a loghouse which Mr. Anderson was then building, they as- cended the walls and passed over, without in the least changing their direction.
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who for many years coasted from the place and afterwards kept tavern; and Waterman Thomas, who opened a store of West India goods, had an extensive trade to Boston, England and the West Indies, and by his popularity exercised great influence over the settlement. Previous to this time, Wm. Farnsworth was the only settler of English extraction in that place, except the few already mentioned at Broad Cove and below. Mr. Schenk, a German emigrant of a later period, who commenced tanning about five years before this period, was now gradually extending his business. Per- severing in this line, he acquired wealth and influence, and as captain of the militia during the revolution, was distinguished for his energy and decision. Shipbuilding was commenced there by John Ulmer, who this year built a brig of 150 tons, called the " Yankee Hero."*
The same business was also begun this year at St. George's. The first vessel there, after the abortive attempt of McLean, was built on Packard's rock, below Copeland's creek, in the borders of the present town of Cushing, by Messrs. Packard, Malcolm, and Patterson. It was designed for a coaster, prob- ably a sloop, named the Industry, and commanded by David Patterson, 2d, who had previously coasted some time in com- pany with Reuben Hall. He was a promising young man, had recently built a fine house, for the times, and had at this time a young wife and one infant child. The vessel was launched late in the fall, and, on her first trip in November, was lost in a snow storm, as was supposed, near Cape Ann. Every soul on board perished ; and only one trunk, and some fragments of the vessel were ever seen. Those on board were David Patterson, Captain ; Major Fales and son from Massachusetts ; George Briggs, who had traded near the fort, John Porterfield, Robert Gamble, John Mastick, David Mal- colm of Massachusetts, Alexander Baird, Samuel Watson, Mrs. Benjamin Packard with her child, and Abigail Patterson, a relative of the Captain. Their fate made many mourners, and caused a great sensation in the settlement ; more especially as the Captain's brother, then of Massachusetts, had the year preceding been cast away at Musquito Harbor with seventeen persons on board, all of whom perished.t
In October of this or the preceding year, there is some uncertainty which, another melancholy occurrence happened
* Jos. Ludwig, Esq.
+ T. Kirkpatrick. Mrs. O'Brien. D. Dicke. D. Patterson.
12*
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in the upper town, which overwhelmed two of the Scottish families in grief, and spread a sadness over the whole settle- ment. Two young men in the Stirling neighborhood, James Dicke and John Anderson, went into the woods in the after- noon to examine their sable traps, of which they had a range near the present line of Waldoboro'. The forenoon had been warm ; which they spent in digging potatoes, and left home in their summer clothes without any apprehensions of a change of weather. But a cloud arose in the north-west ; the air was suddenly darkened ; a sheet of snow descended ; and a furious wind rolled through the forest, snapping the aged trunks and endangering all beneath. Alarmed, they resolved to return ; but the thick snow obscured the view, changed the appearance of things, and bewildered their minds as to direction and distance. Chilled by the change of temperature, they hastened their steps, till they came upon a well known path leading to Judas' meadow. Pleased with the discovery, they now probably felt sure of reaching home, and pressed on with the utmost alacrity. But, as is usual in such cases, their course had been changed unobserv- ed, their ideas of position reversed, and every step was carry- ing them farther and farther from home. They discovered their error on arriving at Judas' meadow, but the darkness of night was added to that of the storm, and they deemed it impossible to find their way back. There was a camp in the meadow, and some hay in stacks. Here, as was judged from appearances, they determined to spend the night, and secured themselves as well as they could against the cold. What shouts for aid, what desponding cries they uttered, no ear was there to hear. The storm continued and the wind blew violently through the night. In the morning they took the road for home, and having arrived near the present dwelling place of Peter Mink, one of them yielded to the piercing cold and the preceding night's exhaustion and fell prostrate in the snow. The other pressed on for a short distance, and fell likewise. There, after a long and anxious search, they were found by their friends and neighbors, who, with saddened hearts, traced the history of their melancholy fate from their tracks and other indications that appeared. In the same storm, two women, Mrs. Rhines and Mrs. Bennet, lost their way in the woods and perished in a similar manner at what is now Rockland .*
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