Gazetteer of the state of Maine, Part 17

Author: Varney, George J
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Boston Russell
Number of Pages: 648

USA > Maine > Gazetteer of the state of Maine > Part 17

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In 1664, Bristol was claimed by the Duke of York to be within the patent he held from the crown, including also Sagadahoc and New York. Sir Edmund Andros, governor of New York, and later of New England, ruled in this part of Maine from 1674 to 1682. In order to secure English control in New York (New Amsterdam), he transported many of the Dutch settlers of that place to Pemaquid. Here some of them were sent to garrison Fort Charles. This structure stood at the

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south-western angle of the village, in such a position as to commana the entrance to the harbor. Gyles in his "Tragedies of the Wilderness," says that he built a city at the mouth of Pemaquid River, and named it Jamestown in compliment to the proprietor, the Duke of York, subsequently James I. The government of the region was for many years located here. The great number of old cellars that have been found, and some paved spaces as of a street, from time to time discovered beneath the soil, seem to corroborate this statement. Gyles also says that Andros built a fort here, which he named Fort Charles, and gar- risoned with " a considerable number of soldiers." In the spring of 1675, King Philip's war broke out in Massachusetts, and by autumn had extended to Maine. The attitude of the Indians toward Pemaquid was threatening. By the untiring exertions of Abraham Shurt, a magistrate and very influential man at Pemaquid, the chiefs of the tribes dwelling at the heads of the rivers were induced to meet him in council. He promised them just remuneration for the furs which had been stolen from them, and security from future aggressions. The savages had great confidence in his probity, and the destruction of Pemaquid and the neighboring settlements was for a time averted. Neither side wholly observed their pledges; and several measures adopted by those having the control in Maine, the most important of which was the orders for the seizure of every Indian known to be a manslayer, traitor or conspirator." A ship-master having got possession of one of these warrants decoyed several Indians of this region on board, and carried them away with the intention of selling them as slaves. Shurt had warned the Indians of the designs uj on them but to no effect ; and the warriors made no discrimination in their rage. A murderous attack was at once made upon all the settlements and trading stations along the coast, and they were destroyed relentlessly. " Pemaquid, the centre of civilization in the wilderness-one of the first born cities of the new world, was to meet its docm. The torch was applied, and the infant city soon envelojed in one devouring mass of flame." The settlers returned at the close of the war, in 1678; but the settlement had scarcely been placed on a comfortable footing when the English Revolution of 1688 began, and England was again at war with France. The colonies of each nation in America were quickly involved, and the savages again burned with rage against the English. Pemaquid was attacked by the French and Indians and destroyed; the fort being battered down, and most of the inhabitants either killed or taken pris- oners. In 1692 the place was again in the control of the English ; and Sir William Phips, a native of this region, and first governor of Massa- chusetts under the second charter, commenced its reconstruction ; erecting a strong stone fort on a point of land whose extremity is marked by a large rock. Though so strong, the fort was in 1696 captured by the French by means of artillery, from the vessels and on the opposite shore. During Lovewell's war (1722-6) the fort became a rendezvous for the returned inhabitants of Pemaquid and vicinity,- though considerably decayed. Colonel Dunbar repaired it in 1729-30 ; but during the war of the Revolution it was destroyed, lest it might become a stronghold of the enemy.

An engagement between the British and the Pemaquid people actually occurred in 1814. On account of various annoyances which they had received from the venturous yeomen of the place, the British

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had for some time threatened Pemaquid. Accordingly on the 29th of June, the frigate Maidstone anchored in Fisherman's Island Harbor, whence 8 barges containing 275 men, set out for Pemaquid Harbor. Captain Sproul with about 100 men met them in the night; a dense fog enveloping the rival forces, so that neither the barges nor the men could be seen, except by the flashes of musketry. It is not known that any person was injured during the engagement, which lasted about an hour ; but the British gave up the attempt on Pemaquid, and turned their boats toward New Harbor, one mile distant by land and seven by water. At their approach, the two boys stationed on guard fired the signal gun, and Captain Sproul and his men hastened to the rescue. William Rodgers, who lived near, called from the shore, warning them that a hundred Bristol boys would soon be upon them. They received his friendly counsel with ridicule, and the officer in command uttering an oath, ordered the bow gun to be discharged at him. The promised force was soon at hand; and from the shelter of the rocks along the shore, they sent havoc among the English forces. The foremost barge being disabled, fell back, and another took its place. But finding they were suffering considerably while their enemies were secure, they gave up the contest, and returned to their ship without having inflicted any serious injury upon the Americans. The Maidstone hovered about the coast for a few weeks after this affair, when she returned to England, where the captain was court-martialed and discharged from the service " for making an attack upon Bristol without orders."

The inhabitants of Bristol are mainly of Scotch descent, with a mixture of Scotch-Irish. There are also descendants of the Dutch, some of whom were transported here from New Amsterdam (New York) by Governor Andros. There is also a sprinkling of German stock, who emigrated under the patronage of Waldo.

At Bristol village are a lumber-mill, a grist and threshing-mill, a block-factory, cooper's-shop, etc. At Pemaquid are lumber, grist and carding-mills, a fish-oil and scrap factory, etc. South Bristol has three oil companies, a shipyard and a lobster-canning factory. Round Pond, on the eastern shore, has five oil and scrap companies, a sail-factory, and a granite quarry.

The nearest railroad stations are those at Newcastle and Damaris- cotta. There is a stage-line from those points to Round Pond, Bristol and Pemaquid. The other business points are New Harbor, South and West Bristol. There are two churches of the Methodists, one church of the Congregationalists, and one of the Advents in the town. Bristol has twenty public schoolhouses, and its school property is valued at $10,200. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $488,125. In 1880, it was $589,159. The rate of taxation in the latter year was 23 per cent. The population in 1870 was 2,916. In 1880 it was 3,196.

Broad Cove, a post-office in Bremen, Lincoln County.

Brockway's Mills, a post-office in Sangerville, Piscata- quis County.

Brooklin is the most southerly part of the mainland of Han- cock County, being also near the western side. Sedgewick bounds it

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on the north-west, from which it extends south-eastward into the sea, and north-eastward toward Bluehill Bay. It is 26 miles from Ells- worth and 50 from Bangor. The town has good harbors. In 1856, a lighthouse was erected on Flye's Ledges, but it does not now appear in the list of the national lighthouses. The town is rather rugged in its appearance, and its rocks show evidence of a paying deposit of phos- phate of lime. The soil is gravelly, but strong and productive, and the inhabitants are giving more attention to agriculture than formerly. Hay is the principal crop ; and porgy chum has been largely used for dressing the land. There was formerly a large porgy business, but little is done in it at present. Smoked herring are produced in con- siderable quantities ; there is a lobster-canning factory, a barrel-fac- tory, and the manufacture of boots and shoes is also quite a business. The first permanent settler of Brooklin was a Mr. Black. His daughter Elizabeth, the first child born in the town, lived to the age of one hun- dred and two years. In 1688, there were two families at Naskeag, Charles St. Robins and La Flour. Naskeag Point is frequently men- tioned in documentary history, and there are said to be " signs " of its occupation at a time and by a people now unknown. The territory of Brooklin was set off from Sedgwick, and incorporated in 1849 under the name of Fort Watson. One month later its name was changed to Brooklin.

There are in the town nine stores of general goods, one of fancy, and one of millinery goods. The town-hall is a large building of three stories, crowned with a mansard roof. The Baptists have a very good church edifice, that is much frequented. Brooklin has nine public schoolhouses, valued at $4,500. The valuation of estate in 1870 was $186,899. In 1880 it was $177,534. The rate of taxation in 1880 was $14.50 on $1,000. The population in 1870 was 966. In 1880 it was 977.

Brooks is situated near the centre of Waldo County. Monroe and Swanville bound it on the east, Waldo on the south, Jackson on the north, and Knox on the west. The area is about 25 square miles. The hilliness renders the scenery quite varied and pleasing. There are several fine bluffs, and some very beautiful views. Among the highest elevations may be mentioned Sprout and Oak hills, estimated to be from 500 to 800 feet in height. The ponds are Passagassawa- keag, Half-moon, Corson and Clements. The first is the largest, hav- ing an area of about one mile in length and half a mile in width. It is the source of the river of the same name, which empties into Belfast Bay.

The rock is generally mica schist. The soil is a granitic gravel loam, and quite fertile. Hay and potatoes are the largest crops, but apple orchards yield well. The forests comprise a variety of trees,- maple, birch, beech, ash, hemlock, spruce, fir, cedar, oak, basswood, poplar, &c.

The post-offices are Brooks and South Brooks. There are several small saw-mills on Marsh, Sawyer and Ellis streams. At Brooks vil- lage is a clothing manufactory, a grist-mill and saw-mills. The Brooks cheese-factory is well supplied by the farmers, and sends out large quantities of excellent cheese. South Brooks has mills manufacturing staves, shingles, long lumber and barrels. The Belfast and Burnham

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branch of the Maine Central Railroad passes through the town, having a station at Brooks village, a little north of the center of the town.

The territory of Brooks was embraced in the Waldo patent. Its plantation name was Washington. It was incorporated in 1816, and named in honor of Governor Brooks, of Massachusetts. Joseph Rob- erts, from Buckfield, who built the first mills in town, was said to have been a resident here in 1799. In 1801, he, with his two brothers, John and Jonathan, were settled in town. Not long after Benjamin Cilley, with his sons, Benjamin, Peter and Simon, from the same town, took up their residence here. The first lawyer was Phineas Ashmun, who came as agent for Thorndike, Sears and Prescott, proprietors of most of the land in this and adjoining towns. He was also the first post-master. Jacob Roberts was the first physician. This town was awhile the home of Hon. Woodbury Davis, formerly a judge of the Supreme Court of Maine. It is claimed for Brooks that no town of its size has done more for the cause of freedom and temperance.

The religious societies in Brooks are the Congregationalist, Baptists, Methodists and Friends. The town has seven public schoolhouses, and its total school property is valued at $2,100. The valuation of estates in 1870, was $200,176. In 1880, it was $229,437. The popu- lation in 1870, was 868. In 1880 it was 877.

Brooksville, the most south-westerly town of Hancock County, is bounded on all sides by Penobscot Bay and its connected waters, except on the south-east where it joins Sedgewick,-being al- most an island. The next towns to the northward are Castine and Penobscot, and on the east, Bluehill. The south-western projection bears the name of Cape Rozier, in honor of James Rozier, the compan- ion of Weymouth in his voyage to the coast in 1805, and the historian of that voyage. The Indian name of this cape was Mose-ka-chick, sig- nifying a moose's rump. Mr. A. W. Longfellow, of the Coast Survey, gives this legend respecting the locality. In very early times, as an Indian was pursuing a moose over the peninsula upon which Castine is situated, it came to the shore, and leaping in, swam toward the oppo- site side of the harbor. The dogs were unable to follow the game, but the hunter himself followed in a canoe, and succeeded in killing it upon the shore. On his return, he scattered the entrails of the animal upon the water, where they may be seen even to this day, in the shape of certain rocks strung along at intervals.

The waters of Castine Harbor and North Bay wash its shores on the north, and Bagaduce River, running northward from its ponds in Sedgewick, forms the boundary line on the east. The town is 22 miles south-west from Ellsworth, and 40 miles south of Bangor. The Deer Isle and Bucksport stage-line passes through it. The principal eleva- tions of land are Perkin's and Kench's Mountains and Wasson's and Clapboard hills. Perkin's Mountain is said to abound in minerals, yielding also alum and copperas. It is said that seventy or eighty years ago some mineral resembling coal was taken from its bed near the foot of the mountain and tested in a blacksmith's forge. At the foot of the mountain on the western declivity is a chalybeate spring. The granite quarry at the foot of Kench's Mountain affords a fine quality of stone. In 1875, about $26,000 worth of worked stone were shipped from this quarry. The "Devil's Track," a peculiar formation in the

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solid granite of this mountain, and the clam shells lying high upon Dodge's and Haney's points, and the mound on Henry's farm, afford themes for the curious. Walker's Pond is said to be a sheet of en- chanting loveliness. It is also one of the best alewive fish pastures in the country. Parker's and Smith's ponds are also attractive sheets.

A large proportion of the male population of the town are engaged in coasting and the fisheries. There is a porgy-oil factory at Buck's Harbor; and in other parts of the town are two saw, two shingle, two grist-mills and a planing-mill, and one wool-carding, cloth and yarn- factory. The soil of the town is chiefly clay loam, and the principal crops are wheat and potatoes.

Brooksville was formed from parts of Castine, Penobscot and Sedgewick, having been set off and incorporated in 1817. It took from Sedgewick an eighth, and from Castine and Penobscot each a fifth of their taxable property. It was named in honor of Governor Brooks, of Massachusetts. Its history is largely included in that of Castine and of Penobscot. James Rozier was the first explorer, and 1605 was the year of his visit. The first settlers were John and Samuel Wasson and David Hawes, Revolutionary soldiers. They found three squatters already in possession, a Mr. Roax, Eben Leland and Arch Haney. About 1780, William Roax and Elisha Blake settled upon the cape. The first white child born within the present town limits was Mary Grindle, May, 1765. Upon Henry's Point and near Oliver Bakeman's, the British, in 1779, erected six-gun batteries. Both have been nearly obliterated by time. The first corporate meeting was held in John Bray's house. Col. John Hawes, Col. David Walker, John R. Redman and David Wasson, esqs. were eminent citizens.

The Methodists, Congregationalists and Baptists each have a church edifice. Brooksville has nine public schoolhouses, valued at $5,000. The town valuation in 1870 was $238,987. In 1880 it was $207,443. The rate of taxation in 1880 was 2 per cent. The population in 1870 was 1,275. In 1880 it was 1,419.

Brownfield is situated in the south-western part of Oxford County. Denmark lies on the east, Fryeburg on the north, Hiram and Porter on the south, and the New Hampshire towns of Eaton and Conway on the west. The Saco River comes down through the northern part, then turning east ward, forms part of the eastern boun- dary. The Portland and Ogdensburg Railroad passes through the town, following the general course of the river. There is much fine interval land along the course of the Saco, through the eastern part of the town. and along the course of its tributary, the South Branch, through the middle of the town from the south- west. The ponds are Burnt Meadow, Dyer's and Rattlesnake, each about half a mile in diameter. From near the centre to the southern line is occupied by a group of seven hills. Burnt Meadow Mountain, near Brownfield Centre, is the highest, variously estimated from 500 to 2,000 feet. South Mountain is next in size. On the opposite side of the stream, in the northern half of the town is a line of three mountains. Frost's Moun- tain, the eastern one, being estimated variously from 300 to 1500 feet in height. The western in this line is Tibbet's Mountain, and the middle one is Peary's Mountain. Whale's Back is a solitary eminence near

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the south-western angle of the town. These mountains are much fre. quented in the season by the lovers of picturesque and extensive views.

Farming is the principal occupation, yet there are many fine water powers in the town and many mills. The manufactures are long lum- ber, staves, shooks, tubs and kits, basket-bottom rocking-chairs, meal and flour, clothing, carriages, sleighs and harnesses, etc. The princi- pal business centres, are Brownfield Centres, (Brownfield P.O.), and Brownfield Depot (East Brownfield P.O.) An eye has been had to beauty as well as comfort in planting many shade trees, chiefly elm and maple, both in the villages and about single residences. Brown- field is connected with Portland, 41 miles distant, by the Portland and Ogdensburg Railroad, and with Bridgton by stage line

Brownfield was conveyed by Massachutetts in three several grants to Capt. Henry Young Brown in consideration of his services in the French War. He was to settle 38 families therein by June 10, 1770 ; and in three years from that time to have a minister settled in the planta- tion. He made the first clearing of land in 1765. The settlement was organized as "Brownfield Plantation," in 1787, and incorporated as a town in 1802. The name was in honor of the proprietor. At the opening of the war of 1812 the population was less than 900, yet 25 persons, including 1 captain and 3 lieutenants, entered the American army. Of these, 4 died in the service from sickness, and 18 returned, 2 of whom were wounded. The first settled minister in Brownfield was the Rev. Jacob Rice, a graduate of Harvard College, who was ordained in 1805. " Master Simeon Colby, the first schoolmaster, taught seven years in the single school-district, and was ever after held in rever- ence in the town. Eminent names of a later date are Daniel Bean, Isaac Spring, Joseph Howard, Samuel Fisher, Daniel Goodnoe, Rufus K. Goodnoe, Judge Joseph Howard, et als. There are women now living in the town at above ninety years of age. Several other persons are over eighty-five. The Congregationalists, Universalists and Free Baptists each have a church in this town. Brownfield has fourteen public school- houses, valued, with other school property, at $7,000. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $249,166. In 1880 it was $252,346. The rate of taxation in the latter year was 2} per cent. The population in 1870 was 1,321. In 1880 it was 1,229.

Brownville lies in the south-eastern part of Piscataquis County. Pleasant River runs from north to south through the western part. The area of the town is 21,320 acres. The stage route from the Bangor and Piscataquis station in Milo to Katahdin Iron Mines runs through the town. Brownville is bounded on the north by Township Number 5 (next east of Katahdin Iron Mines), west by Williamsburg, south by Milo, and east by Schoodic Pond township,-the pond lying on a portion of the boundary line. The upland ridges constitute the chief portion of the town. On these the soil is stony but productive. Along the stream it is a light, rich loam. The productions consist chiefly of slate, of which three or more quarries are wrought. The Bangor and Piscataquis Slate Company opened the first in 1843. This quarry has sent out from 8,000 to 12,000 squares of slate annually, which sold in Bangor at from $35,000 to $40,000. When fully operated, it employs about 60 men, paying out in wages $25,000 a year. Merrill's

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quarry was opened in 1846. Mr Merrill owns in connection 1,500 acres of land and has put up the buildings to prepare annually 30,000 squares oï roofing slate. About 80 men are steadily employed. This quarry is about 2 miles from Brownville Village, on the narrow gauge railroad to Katahdin Mines. The Highland quarry, more recently opened, shows slate of superior quality. Many of the inhabitants are Welsh, having been brought in to work the slate, to which they were accustomed. They are industrious, and in most cases excellent citizens.

The principal manufactories of the town are saw, clapboard and grist mills, a shovel-handle and a carriage factory,-at the village in the southern part of the town.

The first two or three purchasers of the township failed to meet their engagements, and it reverted to the State. In 1805, a Mr. Holland explored it, and soon after this it was purchased by Moses Brown, Esq., and Major Josiah Hills, of Newburyport, who commenced its settlement. In 1806, they built a dam and mills on Pleasant River, where the mills at the village now stand ; and Major Hills, moved in and took charge of the business. Dr. Isaac Wilkins moved his family in in 1808, or earlier; Rev. Hezekiah May, a Congregationalist, came in the same year, preaching on Sunday through the year, and teaching school winters. Deacon Francis Brown, from Newbury, Massachu- setts, who came into town in 1812, was the first trader in the place, and a man who exerted a healthful influence upon the community.

The inhabitants organized as Brownville Plantation in 1819, and in 1824 it was incorporated as the town of Brownville.

The town now has a Congregational and also a Methodist church. It has eight public schoolhouses, valued at $4,400. Its valuation in 1870 was $157,626. In 1880 it was $212,452. Its population in 1870 was 860. In 1880 it was 896.

Brunswick is the most easterly town of Cumberland County. On the south it is bounded by bodies of water connected with Casco Bay. On this side lies Harpswell, connected with Brunswick by a bridge and a neck of land scarcely more than fifty rods in width. On the east lies West Bath, in Sagadahoc County, separated from Brunswick by New Meadows River. The Androscoggin River, in the form of a bent bow, separates Brunswick from Topsham, in Sagadahoc County. Freeport lies on the west, and Durham, in Androscoggin County, on the north-west. In the southern part of the town are several good havens for vessels,-of which are Maquoit and Middle bays. The Androscoggin soon after passing the falls in this town broadens and becomes navigable for vessels. Many of these have been built at Brunswick in the Narrows, and more in Topsham, on the opposite bank of the river. This stream is spanned by two elegant iron bridges, one of which is for steam cars. There is also a wooden bridge for both teams and steam cars. The scenery about the falls is quite picturesque, and the vicinity probably affords more pleasing drives than any other town in New England. There is here a natural fall of 40.83 feet (easily to be increased to 55 feet) within a horizontal distance of 1,980 feet. The rock occasioning these falls is a coarse graphic granite with gneiss, and shows some fine crystallization ; among others, large garnets, green fel- spar, quartz, etc. Oak Hill in the western part of the town, the Pinnacle,

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RUSSELL RICHARDSON.SO

PEJEPSCOT FALLS, BRUNSWICK AND TOPSHAM, ME.

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in the extreme west, and Ham's Hill, on the eastern side, are the prin- cipal though not great elevations of land. The eastern half of the town is level, and the soil a sandy loam, with a numerous growth of Nor- way pine. The western part is much varied with moderate elevations and depressions. The soil is chiefly a gravelly loam. All parts of the town are tolerably productive. The chief crop is hay. The manufac- tures are cotton cloth, wood-paper pulp, paper boxes, lumber, carpentry, pumps, soap, marble and granite work, carriages and harnesses, leather, furniture, boots and shoes, washing-machines, meal and flour, confec- tionery, ships and boats. The Cabot Manufacturing Co., organ- ized in 1857, owns most of the water-power on both sides of the river. The factory of this company employs upward of 500 hands, and pro- Ances fine and coarse sheeting and drills. Below this are a grain mill, a lumber and carpentry mill and a wood-pulp paper factory. There are also in the village one or two paper-box factories, gas works, a grain- mill run by steam-power, and in the western part of the town is a plow-factory. Some $10,000 has recently been invested in a corn-can- ning factory. Brunswick was formerly a great lumber-producing, place, having had, half a century ago, thirty saw mills, besides cotton, woolen and grain-mills. It is situated at the head of tide water on the Androscoggin, and is midway between Portland and Augusta, being connected with these places, and also with Bath and Lewiston by railways. Brunswick is the seat of Bowdoin College, the oldest and best furnished educational institution in the State. It was named for James Bowdoin, governor of Massachusetts at the date of its incorporation, June 24, 1794. Five townships, situated in what is now Piscataquis County, were granted by the State for its support. Hon. James Bowdoin, son of the governor, some years later gave the college 7,000 acres of land, £1,100 in money, his library, collections of minerals, paintings and philosophical apparatus. Rev. Joseph McKeen was the first president, and the first class entered in 1802. His successors have been Drs. Jesse Appleton, William Allen, Leonard Woods, Samuel Harris and Joshua L. Chamberlain. The scholarship has always been maintained at a high standard. Besides the classical course, there are scientific departments open to the undergraduate, and four schools to the graduate, viz .: letters, (including fine arts), science, philosophy and medicine. There is a military professor, and the lower classes are trained in military science and tactics. The library has about 35,000 volumes. There are some 250 students. The college has recently re- ceived gifts to the amount of $110,000 .*

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Gazetteer of the state of Maine, Part 17

Author: Varney, George J Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Boston Russell Number of Pages: 648

Author: Varney, George J
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Boston Russell
Number of Pages: 648