USA > Maine > Hancock County > Gouldsboro > Historical researches of Gouldsboro, Maine > Part 2
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Voted that the committee take work or material from the inhabitants which shall be allowed them in their tax to be raised for building the school houses.
Voted that the committee shall have power to determine where the houses shall be built if the different wards do not agree.
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Voted that the selectmen are impowered to lay out any necessary road within the town in addition to the one voted in April from Prospect.
Meeting dissolved.
A true record of the proceedings.
Attest : A. W. KIDSTON.
(The road mentioned was from Prospect Harbor to the County Road.)
In June 1794, the town extended a vote of thanks to Mr. Thomas Holland, "for his faithful attention to the instruction and moral of the Youth, which have been com- mitted to his care."
November 5, 1795, the tax is first recorded in dollars and cents. It is learned that in June 14, 1794, there were 66 polls.
Moses Goodwin's tax was five shillings, Benjamin Sargent's was seven shillings and that of Aaron Rolf was six shillings and six pence.
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GEN. DAVID COBB.
F ROM 1795 to 1820, for a quarter of a century, Gen. Cobb was the most conspicuous and influential citizen of Eastern Maine, possibly of the state.
David Cobb was the son of Thomas and Lydia Cobb of Attleborough, Mass. and was born September 14, 1748. He was fitted for college by Joseph Marsh, Jr., of Brain- tree, Mass., who had a classical or Latin private school there from 1740 to 1762. Young Cobb studied medicine with Dr. Perkins and was engaged in successful practice when the Revolutionary movement began.
In 1766 Mr. Cobb graduated from Harvard college, settled at Taunton and married Eleanor Bradish of Cam- bridge, Mass. He was elected representative to the General Court in 1774, as a colleague with his brother-in- law Robert Treat Paine, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
In 1777, Mr. Cobb entered the army as lieutenant- colonel of the Sixteenth Massachusetts regiment, of which Henry Jackson was colonel. He saw hard service at Springfield, N. J., at Monmouth and at Quaker Hill, R. I. where he led what may be termed "a forlorn hope" to delay the progress of the Hessian cavalry. His activity, talent and high military qualities attracted the attention of
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Washington, who, on June 15th, 1781, appointed him an aide, in which capacity he assisted in the capture of Cornwallis.
He remained in this position until 1784. having also been commissioned lieutenant-colonel commanding the 5th regiment (late Rufus Putnam) 7th January, 1783, and a brigade-general by brevet. After the close of the war he went to Mount Vernon as a member of Gen. Washing- ton's military family.
Next to the high personal regard for the General, was his great admiration of Lady Washington, whom he was fond of quoting as his beau ideal of womanly grace and loveliness. It is said Gen. Washington usually retired to his library from the dinner table, where he often engaged 'in social conversation. On one occasion when Col. Cobb was with him there, Gen. Washington broke the silence by saying he felt a great solicitude about the prospects of the people of Massachusetts.
"The climate," said he, "is cold and trying, the soil sterile and unproductive. The best crop would be of stones; you can raise a few onions, perhaps but little else. While we in Virginia are favored with a most salubrious climate and with a soil as rich and productive as the sun ever shown upon."
Col. Cobb replied: "Sir, we have our heads and our hands."
Gen. Washington then smiled, an unusual thing for him to do. What would New England, with its cold and inhospitable climate, and uninviting soil have been to day but for the heads and hands of its inhabitants, in early days.
Cobb returned to Taunton in 1784 and resumed the practice of medicine. The state needed his service. In 1784 he was appointed chief justice of the Court of
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Common Pleas for Bristol county, an office which he held for about eight years.
In 1785, he was elected major-general of the Fifth Division of Massachusetts' militia. In 1786 a local insur- rection took place in Eastern Massachusetts which was particularly aimed at the courts. In June the mob attempted to prevent the holding of Judge Cobb's court. He ordered the militia out and addressed the mob: "Away with your whining," was his determined and memorable reply, "I will hold this court if I hold it in blood. I will sit as a judge or I will die as a general." In an instant all was quieted.
In 1789, Judge Cobb was elected representative to the General Court, and for that year and three more years was Speaker of the House. In 1792 he was appointed as com- missioner to run the boundary line between Massachusetts and Rhode Island, a matter which had been in dispute for more than 150 years. In 1793 he became a member of the Third Congress. In 1795 was appointed agent of the great Bingham estate in Eastern Maine. In July 1796, he removed to Gouldsboro and built a house at Gouldsboro Point which was torn down when the present house of Bingham Whittaker was erected. An English cannon ball was found in its wall, a trophy of a ravage of the coast.
Gen. Cobb's home was most hospitable. There Gen. Knox. Gen. Henry Jackson, William Bingham, the principal owner of the Bingham estate and others visited him.
The roads of that time were few and bad, and the ocean was the great highway for travellers. Few men of any note passed by without calling upon Gen. Cobb. Upon his arrival at Gouldsborough he at once commenced great enterprises, which he hoped would benefit both proprietors and settlers. He laid out miles of roads in the town and
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northerly of it on lands of the estate. Some of these roads were built.
General Cobb built wharves, storehouses, saw mills and ships, and for a time shipped large quantities of lumber to the West Indies. He was passionately fond of agricultural pursuits and spent much time and money in promoting that interest. He fondly hoped to found a city at Gouldsboro, but business and settlers went to other towns, Ellsworth, Steuben, Narraguagus River and further to the eastward. The city of his ambition faded away like a dream, and is now almost as much a myth as Norumbega on the Penob- scot. With all his business cares the interests of the District of Maine made constant demands upon him. He was Senator from Hancock county in 1801-5, acting as President of the Senate.
In 1803 he was appointed Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas for Hancock County, and held his court at Castine until 1809. (His son Thomas served at Castine as Register of Deeds.) In 1804, he headed the Federal electoral ticket of Massachusetts, as candidate at large.
A Federalist in politics he was distinguished for his love of order and attachment to the Constitution. As the presiding officer of a public body he was unrivaled, grace- ful and dignified in his deportment. He attended court in Revolutionary attire: tri-colored hat, broad backed coat, a single breasted jacket with pocket flaps, breeches with bands and buckles at the knee, and high white top boots.
Gen. Cobb despatched the public business with ease and faculty, and won by his impartial performance of the chair the praise even of his adversaries. Hon. Joseph W. Williamson, of Belfast, Me., thus describes the general's appearance and manner:
"In stature he was large, and had a full face and over-
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awing eye. He was hasty in temper, expressed himself with much energy, and a most commanding voice. I have heard him order a lawyer to silence, and to his seat, with a power of voice and feeling that was almost overwhelming. On a certain occasion, supposing that an attorney at the bar was guilty of a fraudulent act, he exclaimed with great force while on the bench, "A dishonest lawyer ! He is worse than the devil for he violates personal confidence and a sacred oath !"
Gen. Cobb was major-general of the Fifth Division of Mass. militia in the District of Maine for several years before 1814, when he was succeeded by John Blake, of Brewer. He was lieutenant-governor of Mass. in 1809 and was defeated as a candidate for re-election. He was supreme executive councilor for the district of which Hancock county was a part for 1805, 1808, 1812, 1813, 1814, 1815, 1817. That office seems always to have been kept open for him. In 1820, the management of the Bingham estate passed into the hands of his son-in-law, Col. John Black of Ellsworth. Being in feeble health Gen. Cobb returned to Taunton with his children, January 8, 1808. Mrs. Cobb died while visiting at Taunton. Gen. Cobb's widowed daughter, Mrs. Betsy Smith, came to Gouldsboro, as her father's faithful house- keeper. When he left here he left his books, papers and a diary kept through the Revolution, now in pos- session of his great-grandson, George N. Black, of Boston, and another diary of his life at Gouldsboro, in possession of some eastern descendant. (A portion of the latter is here presented through the kindness of Miss Mary Black, a great grand-daughter of Gen. Cobb. she having saved the copy from a Maine paper.) After his removal to Taunton, Gen. Cobb took much interest in public affairs
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and remembered with peculiar satisfaction his residence in Maine.
Gen. Cobb received the honorary degree of Master of Arts from New Jersey College in 1783, and from Brown University in 1790; was a member of the American Acad- emy of Arts and Sciences and of the Mass. Medical Society, also Vice President of the Massachusetts society of the Cincinnati in 1810.
Gen. Cobb was founder of Taunton Academy. When- ever any public good was to be effected he was active and efficient. In 1829 he removed to the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, of which he was one of the founders, to spend the remainder of his life there. He died April 17, 1830 and desired to be taken out of the back door of hospital and buried without pomp and ceremony.
He was buried at Taunton beside his wife. A monument has been erected to their memory.
His will of February 18, 1829, was proved in Hancock county (a large part of his property being still there) August 18, 1830. The trustees of his will, were his sons, Thomas and D. G. W., of Taunton, his sons-in-law, Judge Samuel S. Wilde, of Boston, and Col. John Black, of Ellsworth. As a matter of fact it seems Col. Black settled the estate. General and Mrs. Cobb had eleven children, of whom six died in Maine, two in the Northwest and three in Massachusetts.
In religion Gen. Cobb was a Congregationalist. This sketch of this eminent Maine citizen, executive councillor, general, judge, lieutenant-governor, and senator is given in order that the people of Maine may hold him in remem- brance. His poitrait hangs in the Senate chamber at Boston, over which body he presided four years. There is nothing in or about that portrait to remind the beholder that
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when Gen. Cobb presided over that body he was a citizen of Gouldsboro. Let us who hear this sketch (from material collected by Col. Joseph W. Porter and Miss Mary N. Black) perpetuate his memory in Gouldsboro by manifesting that same integrity, patriotism, and indomitable energy exercised by the nobility of the man who saw his hopes blasted but in his civic position performed service of untold value in those early days.
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EXTRACTS FROM GEN. COBB'S DIARY.
"BOSTON, DECEMBER 1795 .- Mr. Baring (Alexander Baring, afterward Lord Ashburton who married a daughter of William Bingham) to whom I delivered the letter from Mr. Bingham, (William Bingham of Philadelphia, United States senator, purchaser of the Bingham Purchase in Maine) wrote a letter to Mrs. Cobb, that went by the stage this evening, informing of my arrival here." (Until Thurs- day 31st, Gen. Cobb's time from 26th was spent with business relative to the Bingham estate.)
"THURSDAY 31st .- Wrote a Letter to Mrs. Cobb, made arrangements for paying carpenters and took an early dinner at John Codman's, at two o'clock in company with Codman and Mr. Baring, I set off in the mail stage for New York, arrived for the night at Flagg's at Weston.
"FRIDAY, 1st JAN. 1796,-at six o'clock we were in the stage: breakfasted at Marlborough, dined at Worcester, put up at Brookfield, Hitchcock's for the night.
"SATURDAY 2nd .- Pursued our journey through Spring- field, dined at Sheffield ; to Hartford at night.
"SUNDAY 3d .- This day we remained at Hartford and worshipped with Parson Strong; teaed with Col. Wardsworth.
"MONDAY 4th .- Pursued our journey at five o'clock
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this morning, breakfasted at Middleton, dined at New Haven, and reached Staffords at night, Lovejoy's.
"TUESDAY, 5th .- At five o'clock on board the stage, pushing through very deep muddy roads and arrived at night at Rye, fifteen miles short of the established Stage House.
"WEDNESDAY 6th .- Being thirty-one miles from New York and the mail to be delivered this morning at ten o'clock, made it necessary to commence our journey at two o'clock this morning. Very dark and muddy. In the course of an hour after we sett off, the Stage was upsett. The darkness of the night was such the Driver could not distinguish the road ; no damage was done, excepting a little bruise on my arm, but was a caution to me not to get in the stage again till daybreak and I tediously walked through the mud till then. Arrived at New York at eleven o'clock, took Quarters at Mrs. Loring's with Mr. Baring; the company of this Gent was the reason of my not going to the House of my friend Col. Smith.
"THURSDAY 7th .- Gen. Knox called upon us this morning and in company with him we walked out and called upon sundry persons or rather their houses and left cards. (Until our departure we were royally entertained.)
"WEDNESDAY 13th .- This morning at ten o'clock. Mr. Baring, myself and Mr. Lincoln, son of the General, crossed to P- Hook for Philadelphia . reached as far as Woodbridge before dark when we put up; as the Roads were so horribly bad we determined not to ride after dark having had enough already by such a mode of travelling. A good house.
"THURSDAY 17th .- Proceeded on our journey as soon as it was light in the morning and through the worst roads I ever passed in my life, we got to Trenton at night. "FRIDAY 15th .- On our journey by daylight, crossed
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the Delaware, Breakfasted at Bristol and arrived in Phila- delphia at three o'clock afternoon and conducted Mr. Baring to his quarters. I wrote a letter to Mr. Bingham, inform- ing of my arrival ; at the close of the evening at his request, I called upon him. He appeared to be happy in seeing me and was much satisfied with my conduct.
"SATURDAY 16th .- Called upon Bingham at twelve o'clock where I found Mr. Baring. They were conversing on the subject of the Maine Lands; called upon some of my old acquaintance particularly Mr. Brick's family. (17th and 18th dined with Bingham.)
"TUESDAY 19th .- Mr. Bingham called upon me this morning. We had a little chat. Went to the President's levee; he asked me to dine with him and Mrs. Washington which I did. I never knew him more amiable in my life. It is evident to me he feels the Grubb street villanous treat- ment that has lately poured fourth from some hireling presses ; this however, must be borne with, as the usual gratitude of a people, however disgraceful it is to human nature for the best and greater services. (The time was spent in business and socially too.)
"WEDNESDAY 27th .- Dined with the President in a large company of ladies and gents ; went with Mr. Morris to the theatre in ye evening." (The following week Gen. Cobb was waiting for the contract between Messrs. Baring and Bingham to close.)
"WEDNESDAY 3rd .- All this day at my quarters. In the evening visited Bingham; he informed me of the conversation between him and Baring, by which it appeared my conjectures of him were justly founded ; i. e. he came into this country for the purpose of purchasing of Bingham a part of his lands in Maine; that the purchase price was determined upon before he left England, as well as the spot
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of land he intended to be concerned with, but if he could, he was to obtain it a little cheaper. He cannot, however, the terms of the purchase are in general agreed to, but some little difficulties arise from respecting the price of the subsequent purchases adjoining the lower million. They will soon disperse and the contract be completed.
"FRIDAY 12th .- At eight o'clock this morning I took leave of my little Quarters in 8th St. and at ten from the Stage house I sett off to New York; only reached Bristol by night ; the roads were so intolerably bad.
"FRIDAY 19th .- In a slay at 5 o'clock this morning, dined at Springfield and lodged at Palmer.
"MONDAY 22d .- Arrived at Boston through a snow storm at four o'clock afternoon, and put up at Mr. Archi- bald's. (Occupied with business till)
"FRIDAY 26th .- At nine o'clock this morning set off for Taunton where I arrived at four. Happy in finding my family in health.
"MONDAY 29th .- Hunt returned to Boston this morn- ing with Mr. Oliver Leonard (afterward of Brewer, Me.) and a Mr. Parsons; the two last came to see me on the subject of Leonards Township.
"SATURDAY 5th .- This day evening Col. Jones of Gouldsboro arrived here and gave me information of the situation of my little Family and concerns there that were pleasing ; that my plan for regulating the taking of Lumber had gone into complete operation, etc; he stayed with me till Thursday the tenth and then returned to Boston.
"SUNDAY 6th to WEDNESDAY 9th .- These days were chiefly occupied in company with Col. Jones visiting differ- ent parts of the town.
"TUESDAY 15th to SUNDAY 20 .- During these days I was mostly employed in consulting with the Attorney
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General, procuring papers from the Secretary's office, etc., for his use in the prosecution of the Grantees of Trenton.
"MONDAY 21st to TUES. 29th .- During these days I had frequent consultations with the Attorney General on the subject of the prosecution he was directed to commence and with Francis Shaw about the reservations in Gouldsboro, his dispute with Jones and the Mill at Musquito Harbor ; wrote a letter to Mr. Bingham and to Mr. Swan in London. The Attorney General has got all his paper with a fee fifty dollars, and he commences ye suit at April Term. Shaw is too hard to make a bargain with, perhaps I may find him better disposed when I see him again.
.
"FRIDAY APRIL 1st .- Received a letter from Mr. Bingham with a power of attorney or agency enclosed." (Breaking up the home at Taunton, selling estate of his fathers' and making preparations for the voyage occupied the time with the illness of Gen. Cobb for four weeks in April and May. June, plans effected.)
'"SATURDAY 18th .- This morning at eight o'clock we sett sail, with very little wind at W., went down harbour of Boston, passed Cape Ann at sun setting.
"SUNDAY 19th .- Gentle wind all last night but a rolling sea; the ladies and a little son sick. Make no land to-day but supposed at night to be off Sequin." (Leaves missing until July 5, 1796.)
"SUNDAY JULY 5th,-A day of rest, no news, no arrivals. (Gouldsboro.)
"MONDAY 6th .- The Laborers with fresh spirits went to work on the fences. a tedious job. On my return from visiting them I caught two or three dozen trout, which I bro't home for my late dinner. Was happy in having the company of Mr. O. Leonard from Taunton to dine with me, who had arrived in a Schooner in the midst of the Fogg
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just as I got home. Very foggy with rain and severe thunder at night.
"THURSDAY 9th .- As it is necessary to have either business or pleasure in operation to prevent the mind being unemployed, Leonard and myself went fishing in the harbour. We caught Tomcods and flounders for our dinners and enjoyed them with a dish of large clams at four o'clock.
"THURSDAY 16th .- Sett off at six o'clock for Machias with Bruce (Thomas Bruce of Machias) and Mr. Leonard, lodged at Pleasant River. Left orders with my men to persue Haying with activity in my absence. Some of the roads very bad.
"FRIDAY 17th .- Persued our Journey thro' the most infernal roads the whole distance and arrived at Machias at two o'clock. Judge Stephen Jones and others called upon me. Put up at Bowles's. My niece was happy to see me.
"SATURDAY 18th .- Conversed with some men who want a settlement on one of the interior Eastern Townships. Viewed the mills on this branch which are the finest in the country; four saws at the dam, and go all the season thro'. The quantity of boards they cut is immense. Conversed with Judge Jones on the subject of the logs that are cut off the lands of the rivers by him and others. I find it will be difficult if not impossible to prevent the depredation at present, but they may be bro't to pay the same for them as is customary on the Kennebec River. Judge Jones, who is a large owner of the mills and a man of great influence has promised me to use his endeavors to have the business adjusted to my satisfaction. My plan is for the Mills to pay so much on every thousand of Boards they cutt for the Logs. I foresee some difficulty in carrying out this plan as the Township on these Branches immedi- ately adjoining Machias are not within our purchase."
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(The Bingham estate in Maine comprised more than 2,000,000 acres of land.) "I am determined this immense destruction of Lumber shall not continue without some returns for it, if I am obliged to resort, perhaps to the worst remedy, a legal process. Lodged with Col. Stillman.
"TUESDAY 19th .- Came up with Col. Stillman in a Canoe from his House to Machias Town. This is the only mode of conveyance in this Country as they have no roads. It is a matter of great surprise that People of property and influence, whose wealth must be so greatly increased by good Roads, pay so little attention to the subject. Roads westward from Machias for eighteen miles are infamous. Teaed with Bruce and called upon friends.
"MONDAY 20th .- After Breakfasting with Judge Jones, Mr. Leonard and myself sett off on our return to Gouldsboro ; dined late at Pleasant River and by dark reached Gen. Campbell's at Narraguagus where we lodged. Obtained on my way the number of inhabitants in No. 12. "TUESDAY 21st .- Passed our Journey leisurely, dined with Mr. Townsley at the head of the Eastern Bay, fifteen miles from Gouldsboro and reached home at three o'clock, where I found my men still busy at work on the Hay.
"WEDNESDAY 22d .- Rode up to Gubtail's Farm to view the feed; called at Ash's for the girl to be my House Keeper, went with old Mr. Thomas Gubtail up the West River, Trouting ; caught a dozen of the finest I ever see and returned with them at night." (This stream is now visited by sportsmen.) The next day Robert Ash's daughter Abigail, went as housekeeper to Gen. Cobb's.
"SUNDAY 26th .- Walked with Mr. O. Leonard around the Point, called upon neighbor Moore (Peltiah) and family. viewed the Timber trees that are fallen down. etc.
1770904
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"MONDAY 27th .- Gen. Cobb and Mr. Leonard came to W. Gouldsboro, procured a boat of Col. Jones and sett sail for Gen Knox's, to see the map, so that Mr. Leonard should be better able to choose his Township."
THURSDAY 30th-At twelve o'clock they embarked. "At night we arrived at Cranberry Islands. The next morn at sunrise we left the Islands, passed Bass Harbor, with a light wind, arrived at Naskeag Point (Sedgwick) ten o'clock. Rain ; lodged on shore.
"AUG. 1st .- Tide in favor, liftle wind, passed Egger- moggin Reach and anchored alongside Pond Island, in Penobscot Bay.
"AUG. 2nd .- With oars and tide we arrived at south end of Long Island, at Mr. Wm. Pendleton's.
"MONDAY 3rd .- At two o'clock we arrived at Camden, with assistance of our oars, where we procured Horses, and by night arrived at Gen. Knox's at St. George's, very happy in being under the roof of a Hospitable Friend after five day's vexation in fog and calm." (Mr. Leonard decided the prospect of a claim on the Penobscot was better for him than the Machias one he intended to take. Five days were needed to make the return trip. )
"THURSDAY 13th-The men were at work on burnt land preparing for Rye. The surveyor and two of his chainmen were unwell; the fatigue they suffered in the woods, by the heat of the last week had not only made them unfit for service, but sickened them against pressing their business any further ; they are pidgeon-hearted fellows and they shall go home.
"FRIDAY 14th .- The Workmen are clearing the burnt fields of the black Logs, for the purpose of sowing Rye and Wheat and Grass seed. This land at present lies in such situation that unless it is soon cleared and put to grass, it
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