USA > Maine > Hancock County > Gouldsboro > Historical researches of Gouldsboro, Maine > Part 3
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will be in a measure ruined, but the chief operating reason for my undertaking, is the example it will be to this part of the Country, in which to their disgrace, not a single Farmer resides ; added to this, by seeing the mode of raising their bread and other beneficial branches of culture, they will gradually forsake the Lumber (stealing) business and thereby add a value to their soil, which at present they conceive of no consequence ; they even would not accept of the best soil of the World, as a present ; if the Timber was off it, thence the burnt grounds which are large in quantity and most of them very good for culture are looked upon as ruined and mere wastes, by these fellows, and their informa- tion has a baneful influence upon all those who visit here for purchasing or residing. It is of the first consequence that this opinion should be changed and nothing will do it but producing the most damning conviction from the soil itself, which I will do.
"SATURDAY 15th .- Still at work on the burnt fields.
"SUNDAY 16th .- All is rest. Messrs. Townsley and Holland of Stuben dined with me.
"MONDAY 17th .- Again on the burnt field. Five acres are cleared for the plow and if I succeed in a Crop I shall be as happy as a Farmer ought to be.
"TUESDAY 18th .- The Surveyors and Chainmen being unwell from fatigue of late exertions, they obtained discharge and sail tomorrow in Brown's Schooner. Wrote to Mrs. Cobb, Mr. Bingham and General Jackson.
"WEDNESDAY 19th .- Yesterday Mr. Sparhawk of Penob- scot came here from Col. Jones where he had left Mr. and Mrs. Hunnewell and Miss Hall, who had come from Penobscot on a party of pleasure, to invite me to a trouting party up the West River, but my engagements would not permit. This day having finished my correspondence, etc.,
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I went with Hunnewell, who came here for me to Col. Jones'. My Surveyor expected to sail this morning. Laborers on the black logs.
"THURSDAY 20th .- Embarked with the Ladies at Jones' in Hunnewell's barge for Union River ; he was returning to Penobscot; the pleasure of his and the Ladies' company induced me to take this opportunity to visit the Lands on Union River ; reached Oak Point at night; thro' rain dis- agreeable in boat, Col. Jones with us. My Surveyor and men sailed this afternoon from Gouldsboro and took unto them ye first Cucumbers of our Garden.
"FRIDAY 21st .- Went up Union River as far as the first Falls. (at Ellsworth) Stopped on the Trenton side of the Bay as we went up; very valuable Lands, most of which belong to us and Jones; these lands are certainly worth two dollars per acre, from their Lumber and situation ; put up at Jones' Sons near the lower mills ; near this in No. 8, is said to be a large quantity of Iron Ore. Our departure on account of Tide prevented my seeing it at present.
"SATURDAY 22nd .- As we returned from Jones's called upon Mr. Ross on that side of the River, a gentlemanly Scotchman, then proceeded down with intention of calling on Mr. Peters (John Peters) of Blue Hill, but wind and Tide prevented. Got to Oak Point, our company anxious to return to Penobscot and Col. Jones and myself equally so to go to Gouldsboro.
"SUNDAY 23rd .-- Left our friends at Oak Point and walked on to the narrows to obtain a conveyance to Goulds- boro. Procured a boat at the Narrows and arrived with Col. Jones at his House at night.
"MONDAY 24th .- Came from Col. Jones early in the morning and found my two laborers still at work on the
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burnt logs; they have almost finished the Lots I designed to clear. First peas from our planting.
"TUESDAY 25th .- Sent a letter to Judge Jones of Machias informing him of the arrival of my map, that those persons at that place who wish to settle on some back Lands might now come to view the place where. Still clearing Lands. Clearing the intervale, ploughing lands for Rye with Col. Jones' plow and oxen from Gubtail's that got out of the pasture at night. In vain the next day the search was made, another pair procured but unfortunately they were not used to the plow. (A failing nowadays with young people.)
"MONDAY SEPTEMBER 7th .- Still searching for oxen. I went up the Eastern Bay to get my Horse Shod, where I dined with Townsley and in returning was overtaken by Gen'l Alexander Campbell and Major Wallis, of Narra- guagus with whom I went to Col. Jones's and stayed ye night.
"TUESDAY 8th .- Foggy and rain returned home and bro't Gen. Campbell and Major Wallis with me. My men had found a yoke of oxen this morning and had them chained to the Fence when I came home but the rain prevented their using them this day. Campbell, Wallis and Col. Jones dined with me. Jones returned home, the others stayed the night with me. Preparing the Fall work.
"SATURDAY 12th .- Agreeable to invitation to some of . my neighbors, I attended them in mending a piece of very bad road where it passes thro' No. 7; finished the business and returned at night much fatigued. (Gen. Cobb was on the alert for repair of roads.)
"SUNDAY 13th .- Sett off this morning for Col. Jones's, who had engaged to go to Penobscot Court ; went from his House at one o'clock and arrived at Oak Point in the
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evening. My intention in visiting Penobscot, separate from showing myself as an Inhabitant of the County of Hancock, and seeing the People of the County, was to see Gen'l Knox and Mr. Park Holland the surveyor, both of whom I expected to meet there.
"MONDAY 14th .- Landed at Blue Hill Bay opposite Mr. Peters', walked to the narrows or Bagaduce River and embarked in a canoe, in which we went down the River, passing three rapids, but the tide meeting us we put ashore at Avery's, three miles from Penobscot and lodged the night. Moody Brown came to Labor.
"TUESDAY 15th .- After Breakfast we walked to town. (Castine) I called upon Mr. Hunnewell, the Sheriff ; Col. Jones upon Mr. Lee ; the Gent'n of the Law of my acquaintance arrived the last evening from the Westward. Gen'l Knox told them he could not attend this week at Penobscot, which I was sorry to hear. Dined with the Court this day, very decent and respectable.
"SATURDAY 19th .- Took leave of our Friends at Penobscot to return to Gouldsboro. Walked from the Ferry to Mr. Peters at Blue Hill, where we lodged much fatigued.
"SUNDAY 20th .- Pursued our rout and arrived at Col. Jones' in the evening, where I was informed of the arrival of Col. Hall, Mr. Tillinghast and a number of men as laborers, who came in Brown's Schooner last Tuesday to my House; pleasant day.
"MONDAY 21st .- Got to my Nest on the Point at ten o'clock where I found this addition to my family as men- tioned together with my son Thomas, some of the men at work clearing Land, others in hewing Timber, at which they had been employed since their arrival. If I had known of the arrival of these people when at Blue Hill, I should
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have bro't Mr. Peters the Surveyor with me. I had engaged him to be here this week, as I want his services in laying out a road north from this, and these laborers are now come to work upon it.
"TUESDAY 22d .- Heavy blast from the North without much rain. Col. Hall, who bro't with him a Capt. Smith from Middleboro sett off to view the Falls, Narraguagus, where they propose commencing a settlement at No. 17. The laborers at their daily toil.
"WED. 23rd .-- The gentlemen Col. Jones, Mr. Hall, Sheriff Hunnewell guests went Trouting and returned to Col. Jones'. The next morn they embarked in a boat for Penobscot. Two carpenters arrived, Messrs. Presbuy and Goward. An early frost killed Beans, Potatoes and Cucumbers.
"SATURDAY 26th .- This week I took all the men out upon the Road leading from the Point, on which we worked the whole day. We made it a little better, but such is the state of it that vast labor is necessary to make it good ; Mr. (John) Peters, arrived at dinner in Company with Col. Jones. I am happy to see him.
"SUNDAY 27th .- All at rest except Mr. Peters and myself, we rode to view where to begin the Road I intended to cut out.
"MONDAY 18th .- This morning tho' cloudy and unfair, I sett off with the Surveyor and Labourers to begin the new road. We commenced it just above Mr. Furnald's (Clement) about one mile West of the line of the town of Steuben, in No. 7, and pursued a direction North as the land would admit; Showery all day but we continued to work till night having completed almost half a mile : returned to the Point at night.
"TUESDAY 29th .- Again on the Road; the weather still
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showery ; the Carpenters preparing the stuff for repairing the House, in the barn, and the Mason getting ready to pull down the Chimney of the house for to erect it new ; they intended to have begun this day, but the weather was unfavorable. They are making Mortar. Altho' the weather was bad the Road Cutters got forward almost as far as yesterday. They returned to the Point at night. Wrote letters to General Jackson by Brown's Schooner in which is to return Capt. Smith who came with Col. Hall to view the Country of the Narraguagus. They returned from that Tour last Saturday much pleased with the land. Smith will remove his family next Spring if he can obtain some cultivated place for their residence, near where he intends to commence his improvements.
"WEDNESDAY 30th .- Mr Peters and the Road Cutters went off to their business with an intention to continue in the woods for a week. The Mason began pulling down this morning. The Family removed to neighbor Godfrey's where we cook our food, but we still lodge in our rooms. However disagreeble it must be submitted to, till the Chimney is finished. Brown sailed for Boston, Capt. Smith on board.
"THURSDAY Oct. 1st .- This morning the Mason began laying the foundation of the Chimney. The Carpenters in the Barn are getting everything ready for finishing my little box in a jerk. (In 1812 an English cannon ball was lodged in the wall of this "little box.") The Road Cutters are encamped in the Woods where I carried them their dinner and found them very alert and merry, pleased with their new mode of life. My family is at present large enough : seven Road Cutters and Col. Hall their Commander with Mr. Peters the Surveyor, all of whom encamp in the Woods, two Masons, two Carpenters and ten Labourers at
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the House, besides Mr. Tillinghast, myself, two sons and two Maids. Pleasant day.
"FRIDAY 2d .- My business going on with great activity; every person has his proper business assigned him and all appears to be in order. I carried my Road Cutters their Dinner and dined with them as I have done every day since they have been on the business ; they go on with rapidity ; two miles are now cleared with cause ways layed and no better road in the County.
"SATURDAY 3d .- The Road Cutters, Masons and Car- penters regularly pursuing their business. Col. Jones with Mr. Parker of Penobscot and Mr. Wilde (Chief Justice Samuel S. Wilde) went off this morning for Machias. I attended them as far as Tunk Mills ; on an eminence near which Mr. Peters and myself took a view of the ground over which we supposed it probable the Road now cutting will pass. (The road and farm work progressed well.) Col. Hall had to leave for a time, business taking him Westward. Mr. Townley took his place. Messrs. Wild and Parker returned from Machias. After dinner we went to Col. Jones, where we lodged. Parker and Wild sailed for Penobscot in the morning.
"SATURDAY 17th .- Brown's schooner arrived this morn- ing from Boston which she left Monday; to my great disappointment bro't nothing for me. Col. Jones and Mr. Pagan (Robert Pagan of St Andrews) arrived at Dinner ; Pagan stayed the night, Jones returned.
"SUNDAY 18th .- This morning I rode with Mr. Pagan, who is on his way to St. Andrews ; as far as Townley's in Stuben, where I stopped and then returned to the Point with Townley who dined with men. The Road Cutters came in this morning to see us and will return at evening to their Hutt.
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"MONDAY 19th .- I went to view the Road now seven miles distant ; they penetrate the Forest very well, Townley their leader, went home sick on Saturday ; Macomber a good fellow, I have appointed in his place. They have a very good Hutt, which being covered with boards, now shelters them from all weather ; they wait the return of Townley to lay the cover of their new bridge ; At present we pass on string pieces.
"TUESDAY 20th .- The Labourers this day finished the Potatoes that they have put into the Hole for the winter. This cellar is closed up and secured against the cold; it contains about two hundred bushels. The rest of the Potatoes are put in the Barn for the use of the Cattle for the present, and into the cellar for the use of the Family.
"WEDNESDAY 21st .- Went over with Townley whom I have requested to Superintend the business, to view the Great Marshes. (This was the property of Gen. Cobb, afterward a part bought by one of his laborers, Jerry Tracy.) People are at work on them cutting and stacking their hay. It is not so well mowed as it ought to be; care must be taken with this marsh and some expense laid out on it, for ditching etc. When I returned home I found Mr. Holland, the surveyor, who had come from Penobscot to see me ; his friend Capt. Mandeville arrived this morning ; he is a farming Gentleman from the County of Hampshire and has come here to purchase two or more Townships in the northern part of this million acre and Holland is concerned with him. I gave them my terms for two Townships which were 3-6 per acre and seventy settlers in seven years on each. Mandeville said it was much dearer than he expected and the number of settlers were too great ; they could agree to the terms ; they said they wanted the Town- ships for a number of young men of their Country to settle
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upon and pretended that Hundreds were engaged in the purchase; then why startle at seventy settlers upon a Township, their object is speculation, more than settling and Holland is deeply concerned in the business. I advised Capt. Mandeville to go up the River and view the Lands ; perhaps his opinion would change on seeing them or perhaps mine would by the time I should see him in Boston next winter. From the conversation I had with Holland at Penobscot Court I supposed he intended on his return from Boston to come here and join me as a surveyor. I find his object is quite different ; he intends to continue in the Surveying Line, occasionally to speculate wherever he has opportunity, which his profession always affords ; he is a good fellow, but a little too cunning. They returned to Frenchman's Bay this evening. The potatoes were finished this day and are secured. Work progresses as well as usual.
"SUNDAY 25th .- The Road Cutters from the Woods returned this mornnig; they came in on this day to get themselves clean clothes and return at night. I dined at Col. Jones's this day and stayed the night.
"MONDAY 27th .- Before I came from Jones's this morning I wrote a letter to Gen. Knox by the post ; my particular object in going to Jones's was to get his opinion of the value of the old Saw Mill for the ensuing year as I had been offered a sum for the use of her, that I thought too low ; he engaged to give me 20 M. of boards which was four fimes as much as I had been offered ; and likewise to make enquiries about some mills that cut their Logs from the West side of No. 7 and also to make some arrange- ments with him to prevent Trespasses being committed on the Trenton Lands, of which he owns a part; returned to the point in the forenoon. Two of my labourers were
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preparing to take passage for returning Westward the other was employed assisting Carpenters.
"TUESDAY 27th .- Last eve one of my Road Cutters came home under pretence of sickness ; this morning two more came in, same excuse ; they wanted to go home in the vessel that sailed for Boston. In the course of the day I had heard that these fellows, with one or more had stop'd at a House on Sunday eve, on their way to their Hutt and having with them Rum and provisions for three days. They drank up the Rum in company with the owner of the House and lay drunk there all night. The Commander of the Party did not unfortunately go from the Point 'till Monday morning. Being acquainted with these circumstances. I told them when they applied to go home, that they might go and welcome, for I wished to have no dealings with a set of deceiving, drunken, mischief making Rascals ; that I would pay them nothing for what they had done and I would prosecute them for damages in not complying with the terms of their engagements when they came into my service. To those who complained of being unwell, I told them they were deceiving villians, their sickness was fained, that it was no unusual trick for Yankees to make such excuses and that I would not be imposed upon by such scoundrels ; they would depart from this place. The Gun- dalo's went to the Marsh to bring my Hay. Mr. Peters the Surveyor arrived this evening.
"WEDNESDAY 28th .- The Malcontents of yesterday, came to me this morning and promised that if I would for- give them they would go to work with faithfulness and never be guilty of the like bad conduct in future. They would behave peaceably and remain the term for which they were engaged, if I would permit it. To one of them who had been constantly a mutineer, I observed he was so great a
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villain I much doubted the sincerity of his repentance, but I would make a farther trial, on his present promises and if he now deceived me he should have no mercy. They returned to their work in the Woods. Mr. Peters surveyed the shore of the Point ; The Gundalo returned with a load of Hay from the Marshes.
"THURSDAY 29th .- Mr. Peters and my son went to the Road Cutters. Peters will stay with them. The Gundalo went to the Marshes and returned at night with another Load of Hay. Col. Jones with his Sister and Daughter, and Mr. Townley and wife came and dined with the Road Cutters, Mr. Peters and my son.
"FRIDAY 30th .- Last Wednesday another of my Fatt Oxen was killed ; one of Shaws ; he weighed :
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140
116
122 Quarters
66 Hide
34 Tallow
603
No particular occurrence ; the Carpenters to finish their labor.
"SATURDAY 31st .- I am clearing away the rubbish about the House and graveling it. The Workmen at their several employments.
"SUNDAY, Nov. Ist .- Two of my Workmen who had been with me thro' the season embarked this evening for their return to the Westward ; wrote to Gen'l Jackson and Mrs. Cobb. My Road Cutters from the Woods came in this morning and returned in the evening to their Hutt.
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"MONDAY 2d .- The Surveyors, Mr. Peters and Mr. Townley, had met with difficulty in passing the Road in the direction I wished it, and from their reconnoitering they supposed it must go a circuitous route that I very much disliked. As I felt myself engaged in this business I was determined to examine for myself and accordingly this morning I sett off with these Reconnoiters for the Woods and lodged this night with the Road Cutters. Much fatigued with this march.
"TUESDAY 3d .- At sunrise this morning we proceeded on our Tour into the Forest, having a Brandy bottle, a small piece of pork and some biskitts in my pocket. We traversed the rout where they supposed the Road must go into circuitous direction and found in No. 10, that if ulti- mately, it must go that course, it will carry us much farther out of our way, than they before had any conception of and even then it must pass with difficulty. We passed between the Round and Long Ponds, so called, which empty by
different passages into Tunk River, The Long Pond lies in No. 10; the other pond lies in three Townships, No. 4 7 and 10. On the N. E. side of it, in No. 10, from a mountain of Rock. we had a delightful view to the North and East. It appears to be a very level Country and most of the wood is hard, which at this Season is very distinguish- able ; we descended the East side of this mountain to Tunk River and passed down it to the Great Falls, charming mill sites. The N. E. corner of No. 10, is only fifteen or twenty rods above them upon the western bank of the River and they are almost one mile east of the bounds of No. 7. They are in No. 4 now Stuben, and ought to belong to the purchase of the Townships above. We camped just below these Falls for the night. Our Hutt was built of bushes, with a large fire at our feet, where after eating pork and
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biskett and drinking our Brandy, we slept comfortably in our Great Coats during the night.
"WEDNESDAY 4th .- With the dawn we pursued our rout to examine between the Round Pond and Tunk River, which was supposed to be impassible for the Road by reason of Heath and Meadows; and after running down the Brook that comes out of the Pond, thro' the Heath we came to a small neck of hard land that separates the Heath from the Meadow. Both sides of the Brook here as good land for the Road as can be and in the very direction I wished for. After making the discovery, I laughed at my Surveyor and his attendant for trusting too much to hearsay and report without examining for themselves and then returned to the Road Cutters' Hutt where we arrived at twelve o'clock and where, with an appetite that foregoes all choice, I feasted on minced fish and potatoes, then marched off for the point which I reached by sunset fatigued enough. The letters from Gen'l Knox and Mr. Bingham, which came ·by express last Monday, were waiting for me; Those letters contained directions for me to wind up my affairs and proceedings here as soon as possible and to repair to Philadelphia, with all speed. This I shall do, but some little time will be taken up in returning the Road Cutters to the Westward. It will not do for me to depart 'till they are gone, and I shall improve the first conveyance for this purpose.
"THURSDAY 5th .- Making arrangements in my mind how with the least expense to the Proprietor I can leave this place. The surveyor marked the road to the Brook and came in. My House not sufficiently secured for the Winter ; the Carpenters must remain for awhile.
"FRIDAY 6th .- One of the Masons came this morning and began preparing the mortar for plastering, I walked
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over to Col. Jones to make inquiry after a vessel said to be bound from Mount Desert to Boston. The vessel from the Mount will not sail 'till after next week.
"SATURDAY 8th .- Wrote a letter to Mr. Bingham per post in which I informed him, I should be off from here in a week and that I would be in Philadelphia in a month.
WEDNESDAY 11th .- The Workmen are finishing the little House very rapidly; three little rooms, one laythed and two of them will be plastered to-morrow; the Road Cutters went on to their Hutt this Day to bring off their axes, blankets and cooking utensils. I hear of no better conveyance for the Road Cutters than the fishing schooner ; I am fearful I shall not arrange the Log cutting business in so good a manner as I wished, as it is so difficult to get Trusty characters here to attend to it ; they are all con- cerned in the plunder ; I wrote to Jackson to send me an account of what had been purchased of Shaw of Gouldsboro, for the plunder is eqully great here as elsewhere and ought particularly to be preserved, but I can get no returns. Severe blast at S. W. with rain.
"SATURDAY 14th .- Settled this morning the accounts of the road cutters and others. Col. Jones and Mr. Towns- ley came at my request and dined with me. These gentlemen I have engaged to superintend the lumber of the lands and I have assigned to each the limits of their juris- diction. They have assured me of their determinations to persue their business with the utmost fidelity and alertness. If they do they will serve me much better than many other characters, for, having been long concerned in their business themselves, they are better able to detect the roguery of those who now persue it. The provisions etc., are on board the schooner for the use of the men in their voyage up. "SUNDAY 15th .- This morning I gave to Townsiey his
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Instructions and Letters to sundry characters on whom he can call for advice and assistance in the prosecution of the business entrusted to him. I delivered to my Son all the Keys and Papers that he will want, with an invoice of my Furniture and Stores and then with my traveling Trunk on a Horse, I bid adieu to my little Family and my Friends on the Point and sett off for Col. Jones'. Townsley attended me. The Road Cutters will embark this after- noon, if the wind should come fair ; the two carpenters from the Westward will remain for a fortnight longer to finish as much as they can of the inside of the House; they will then return with Mr. Tillinghast, a young Trader there, into whose care I have put them. The other Carpenters and the two Plasterers will finish their work by Thursday next ; arrived at Jones's to a late Dinner.
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