USA > Maine > Hancock County > Gouldsboro > Historical researches of Gouldsboro, Maine > Part 5
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6
John Gubtail was born in Berwick, 1730, and married Abigail Goodwin in 1752. Their issue was :
Abijah, married Mary Urann ;
William, married Jane Downs ;
Susan, married William Whittaker, in 1770. (The great grandfather of the present townsman bearing his name.) John, married Mary Woodman ;
Thomas, married Sarah Wilson, 1790, otherwise mentioned ;
Amos, married Abigail Urann ;
Nahum, married Sarah Rolfe in 1796; (grand and great grandparents of the Winter Harbor Guptills.)
69
HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO
Mary, married Jesse Perry in 1798 ; (great grand- parents of many Stevens descendants, Steuben. Jesse fought at Bunker Hill.)
Fannie, married Benjamin Spurling, 1799 ; (great grandparents of many Spurlings, some moved to Cranberry Isle.)
When the Civil feud broke forth, the town of Goulds- boro called a meeting and elected William Guptill lieutenant. He had charge of the town's affairs in this department and conducted the 26th regiment to Bangor. In the Spring of 1889 the authorities of some Southern states made requests of the North for the battle flags captured during the war.
This suggested to Lieutenant Guptill the following :
TAKE BACK THE FLAGS.
Take them, ye Southerns, those symbols of treason, We know that you worship and love them to-day. The black clouds that darken the bright sun of reason, The school and the engine will soon clear away.
Take them, the emblems of bondage and darkness, We've no place to hide them from "Liberty's" sight. When the "torchlight of Liberty" illumes the Southland, You'll spurn them and burn them as brush in the night.
Take them, those symbols of perfidy, take them, We execrate, hate them, and you will some day, Their cost ! Oh, 'twas fearful and boys in blue paid it, And wish you the blessings of Freedom for aye.
Yes, Freedom, the patron of light and of learning, We've sworn to protect 'neath the bright starry flag. Then huzzah for the flag of the free and fearless, And annihilation to slavery's rag.
Take them, cremate them, in hottest fire burn them, And bury their dust in Oblivion's tomb ; Then the high tide of progress will come to the Southland And the blest "Tree of Liberty" shower its bloom.
70
£
WEST GOULDSBORO.
A MONG the early prominent men of West Gouldsboro was Thomas Hill, a native of Weston, Mass., who followed Col. Jones to his part of the township. His wife was Rebecca Train, a daughter of Samuel Train, whose ancestor, John, was an early settler in Weston, 1635. So near as recalled they landed at Skillings river a short time after their marriage and soon after came to West Goulds- boro, but the revolts of war turned their tide to Massachusetts. Marshall, the first child, was born Nov. 2d, 1773, in Massachusetts.
The Hill house was about half way from the present, owned by Mr. J. M. Sears of Boston, to the shore. They had twelve children, ten of whom lived to manhood and the two daughters to womanhood. Two sons, George and Daniel, died when young men. Esquire Hill built the first tannery which was run by horse power, and later Barney's son, Peter, introduced water power. The tannery remains, but the proprietors have passed away and the business ceased. Marshall, the eldest son, also had a tannery on his homestead, now the property of his grandson, James A. Hill. The building was torn down several years ago.
Esquire Hill was Justice of the Peace, the first post- master in Gouldsboro, a deacon of the Baptist church, had
71
.
HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO
family worship and was a regular attendant at the Sunday service in the old town house. He was a man of ability and most exemplary.
Under his direction quite a farm was tilled and cultivated. He employed a number of men, especially in haying. One hot summer morn the men had mown from an early hour that would astound the present generation, and were shirk- ing somewhat. The Squire walked down the field and asked "Who mowed this swath ?"
"Fitzgerald," was the reply.
The same for several swaths until he came to the condemned man.
"Fitzgerald, you may go to the house and hang up your scythe; you have done enough." A rebuke not forgotten by his men.
In later years Barney, the ninth son, became proprietor. He was appointed first postmaster in West Gouldsboro October, 19, 1841. He was the pioneer summer tourists' host. Among the names of guests, appear in 1862 Nathaniel Hawthorn and son Julian; in 1866, James Freeman Clark, Jamaica Plain, Mass. ; in 1869, Henry W. Foote and family, also Mrs. S. A. Eliot, Boston ; in 1871, Arthur Foote, Lewis S. Osborn; in 1873, Mrs. Edna D. Cheney and daughter, Boston.
Esquire Thomas built a vessel at his shore called "The Ten Brothers." Later a vessel was built by Rufus, Thos. Jr. and Barney, three of the ten brothers, Thomas being captain of the "Dawn."
Esquire Barney's daughter Charlotte was a violinist and teacher of dancing as was her brother, Peter L. Both won the esteem and patronage of eastern communities. Miss Hill owned the first piano in town which was the admired of all admirers. This heir-loom descended to her niece and
72
HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO
namesake, Charlotte Hill Gowing. Miss Hill died of diphtheria.
After her mother's death (Clarissa Lyon of Needham, Mass.,) Esq. Hill married Mrs. Abbie Dunbar of Gouldsboro, who after his death, sold the place to Mr. Alpheus Hardy of Boston ; thence at the death of Mr. Hardy passing into possession of the present owner. Records do not show nor tradition relate the culture and refinement that has existed in this house in former days.
Mr. Barney Hill the last family owner, during a severe storm, entertained the stage driver and passengers. A lady was taken very ill during the evening and nothing would relieve her but a certain doctor's pills. The distance was too great and storm too severe to go but the discretion of Mr. Hill won the day. He knew the medicine, but had none, so he told her he would send to the house of Capt. John Hammond his neighbor, for the pills.
He went into the pantry and taking some white also brownbread, rolled up the pills and in due time returned with a glass of water added. They were hastily taken, washed down with the water, and quickly relief came and the patient slept. There ignorance was bliss.
The ship building was quite an industry in former days, several of the vessels receiving the name of the principal owner. Among the vessels may be mentioned :
The Java, built for Capt. Isaac' Clewly of Prospect, Waldo Co.
The Eliza Ann, rebuilt for the owners, Holway and O'Brien, of Machias.
The E. Wood, built for Capt. Allen Moore.
The Martha Wood, for Capt. Simon Sargent. The schooner met with a mishap and the insurance company re- fused to settle as her cargo was bound to a port beyond their
73
HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO
limits, but the accident occurred within those limits and the captain and builder, Ebenezer Wood, appealed to Mr. Rufus Choate. Upon the presentation of this fact, Mr. Choate assured them the victory was theirs, as it proved. Capt. Sargent after he became blind was fond of relating his adventures on the ocean. This transaction with Mr. Choate was prominent for he proved a good pilot.
The Northerner, was a brig built by Jerry Stevens who was captain. The material was furnished by E. Wood.
The Forest, a topsail schooner, was the last of Ebenezer Wood's ship building.
The brig Tugwassa, was built by Asa Dyer.
The D. C. Brooks, by Thomas Leighton.
The Connaught, by Luther Stevens. The latter was launched on Buchanan's election day, 1856.
The schooners H. Jones and F. Taft, and brigs Saginaw and Macosta, were built by Mr. William Stevens as was the schooner, Monadnock. The latter was built on the site of Mrs. N. Shaw's smoke house.
In 1866, the Clarabelle, built by Edmund Young for Capt. S. L. Tracy.
In 1874, the Vineyard, was built by John Salisbury.
The Lygonia, a fore and aft schooner, about 100 tons, was sunk off Long Island. The Dawn, was another of the early vessels.
Until his death, Mr. William Stevens built boats. The last schooner was the Alcyon, built by Messrs. Will Johnson and Jones.
Among the men in Capt. Sullivan's Co., organized in Oct. 1780, for the protection of Frenchman's Bay, is the name of Benjamin Sargent, entered Nov. 1, time, 15 d'ys, wages, 1£. To show there was another soldier in his family the following anecdote is recalled :
74
HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO
The old cellar, at the south of Sunnyside Farm, guarded by an apple tree and a lilac bush, was the site of his home, shared by his wife, a Massachusetts woman, and nine children, Capt. Simon Sargent being one. Mr. Sargent's occupation was that of cook on board ships and sometimes he took a long cruise. One late fall he was on his return home when the vessel was blown off by the gales and landed in the West Indies. The supplies for his family could do them no good and no word was received of the father's whereabouts.
With the unflagging energy that characterized the New England mother, Betsy proved the Queen over circum- stances by walking the shore path to the home of her brother-in-law, Andrew Sargent, (the only trace of the home of Mr. Sargent is the last cellar on the Jordan Road before entering Winter Harbor) and bringing home a salt fish and some potatoes. During the winter the childrens' diet consisted largely of potato bread upon which they subsisted.
Spring smiled on the brave mother's efforts by returning her husband and his supplies.
The first schoolhouse was built about 1800, back of E. K. Merritt's store. Afterwards the schoolhouse was moved to the present location of E. M. Stevens' pump.
Two seats of learning were erected, the northern near the town house and the southern near where J. B. Wright's dwelling now stands. A half term was kept in each house, and pupils from the Pond, Goodwin district and South Gouldsboro came here. The district was divided; the Pond school house built and also the present one here. Number of pupils 57.
The northern house was used by Wm. Eaton for a cabinet maker's shop.
75
HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO
The southern house is used for a dwelling by Hiram Bunker. The hall over the present school room was built by the residents, a ladies' society aiding greatly.
Perhaps the greatest event in this small village was the campmeeting for two seasons, in the falls of '47 and '48. The session was for one week in the birch grove at Col. Taft's Point. Day and night the roads were full of all sorts of vehicles including even a four horse coach from Ellsworth and another from Cherryfield, the latter conveying young men. While waiting for their horses to be harnessed at Col. Taft's in the evening after the meeting, they sang hymns. The people wending their way home in the bright moonlight, not only recall the novelty of the coach, at that time, but the rare harmony of those young voices.
The village still has summer tourists and Taft's Point is a favorite resort. One of the modern conveniences was the telephone placed in S. L. Tracy's store in August, 1892. Six residents agreed to pay ten dollars apiece or the deficit at the end of the year for three years. The first year's receipts exceeded sixty dollars.
Ice cutting was quite an industry in former years. The last cut was in 1890, Rodick Brothers of Bar Harbor being the operators. Five years ago through the agency of E. K. Merritt clams were shipped, several thousand bushels were dug each winter for export. Last winter, 1902, Mr. Thos. F. Martin canned in a small factory, expending $1,134.00 for clams and labor in the village. Is this industry worth protecting ?
The ladies sewing society built, with aid from those interested, a Union church, dedicated in 1892.
There are two patriotic orders here; the Junior O. U. A. M. organized in April, 1902, has 44 members, and the D. of L., organized in June, 1902, 54 members.
76
=
#
THE GOODWIN DISTRICT.
O N THE 4th day of November, 1801, Nathan Jones deeded to Moses Goodwin of Berwick, (Maine) the western lot 650 acres, of his quarter section, for $2,600. The bounds, southerly, Frenchman's Bay ; southeast, land conveyed to Thomas Hill ; northwest, to Township number seven ; west, to township of Sullivan, to a bay called Flanders, being the northwest corner of Gouldsboro.
Moses Goodwin also contracted for a wife, marrying Susan Jones, the twelfth child of Nathan Jones's issue. The Goodwin house was where that of G. H. Robertson now stands.
The children of Moses and Sarah Goodwin were :
I. Nathan Jones Goodwin, married Hannah Bunker ; children, Nathan Jr., deceased, Louise, (deceased.) married John U. Small, Sullivan, and Miss Mary Goodwin the last living of this branch.
II. Louise, married Harrison Dyer of Addison Point, died there. One child, Ann, deceased.
III. Sarah, married Elbridge Holt of Belfast. Three boys, Charles and George deceased, Fred living in West Gouldsboro.
77
ASH'S POINT.
A T ASH'S POINT are ruins of an old French
fortification and also Indian relics have been found of much interest. The first settler quoted is a man by the name of Bickford but Thomas Ash is the first recalled ; the date of his location here is unknown. His son, Nathaniel, married Lucy Johnson and settled here too.
The children of Nathaniel Ash were :
I. Nathaniel Jr., married Ruth Hall. Their issue was, Elisha C. Ash, died in military service, March 9, 1862, Ellen M., married John H. Tracy, Gouldsboro. They cared for the parents of Mrs. Tracy and her bachelor uncle. Mr. Tracy has lived here 46 years.
II. William, unmarried, died Dec. 22, 1888, aged 91 yrs. 5 mo.
III. Miriam, married Wiley Hall. At the shore of the Hall homestead is ballast said to have been thrown out from English ships that loaded here with lumber.
IV. Susan, married Isaiah Hall of Sullivan.
V. Hannah, married Marshall Guptill of Gouldsboro.
VI. Lucy, married a German,-Hoffsis of Rockland. VII. Betsy, married Abial Pettee of Sullivan.
78
PROPOSALS FOR CARRYING U. S. MAIL.
T HE FOLLOWING proposals for carrying the mails of the United States were advertised in the Philadelphia Gazette, June 15, 1799 :
Will be received at the General Post Office in Phila- delphia, until the 12th day of August next, inclusive. In Maine:
Scoodic by Machias, Chandler's River, Columbia and Narraguagus to Gouldsboro once a week, estimated eighty- eight miles.
From April 15th to October 15th, Leave Scoodic every Saturday at two P. M. and arrive at Gouldsboro the next Tuesday by six P. M. Returning leave Gouldsboro every Wednesday at five A. M. and arrive at Scoodic on Saturday by ten A. M.
From October 15, to April 15, leave Scoodic every Sunday at two P. M. and arrive at Gouldsboro on Wednesday by six P. M. Returning leave Gouldsboro every Thursday at six A. M. and arrive at Scoodic on Sunday at ten A. M.
2. From Gouldsboro by Sullivan, Trenton, Blue Hill, Castine, Buckston, Prospect and Belfast to Ducktrap, once a week ; estimated eighty-five miles. From April 15 to October 15, Leave Gouldsboro every Wednesday, at five A. M. and arrive at Ducktrap on Saturday by ten A. M.
79
HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO
Returning leave Ducktrap every Saturday at two P. M. and arrive at Gouldsboro the next Tuesday by six P. M.
From October 15 to April 15, Leave Gouldsboro every Thursday, at six A. M. and arrive at Ducktrap on Sunday by ten A. M. Returning, Leave Ducktrap every Sunday at two P. M. and arrive at Gouldsboro on Wednesday by six P. M.
Note 2. Half an hour shall be allowed for opening and closing the Mail at all offices where no particular time is specified.
Note 7. The contracts for the routes numbered 1 to 9 are to be in operation on the 1st day of October next, and are to continue in force until the 1st Oct. 1801.
JOSEPH HABERSHAM, Postmaster General.
General Post Office Phila., June 10, 1799.
POND DISTRICT.
-
T HE FIRST settler was John Leeson, about 1820. He built a log house and barn on the west side of the road where Mr. Fred Holt's apple trees are now located. The next settler was Samuel Tracy who built his log house in 1826 where Mr. Frank Rolf's house now is.
Mr. Tracy was a noted ox teamster. He possessed an extra pair of oxen. Often when the road was bare of snow instead of skidding entirely, he would make some marks with his goad and such was their agility that his pair moved the load as rapidly as though the skids were there.
Isaac Bunker's house was near F. R. Rosebrook's location. Caleb Joy lived in a log house at the left hand
80
HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO
of road, after passing the mountain. Simeon Hall and Hollis Joy were old settlers.
Nearly opposite Mr. Joseph Sargent's house was a field of wheat in 1835 belonging to John Leeson. He was going away and wished to sell his grain. Patrick Mulhern, who had been taken as a farm hand, through the kindness of Mr. Nahum Jones, who trained a number of "boys," placed his first wages in Mr. Leeson's hand for the field of wheat. The receipts from the grain were double the sum paid. Thus the nucleus of the stolen gold came from the "Pond" wheat field.
Patrick Mulhern's education consisted of two words, "Patrick Mulhern." The writing lessons were exchanged for milking instruction to Mary and Clarissa Jones. An old almanac was the tablet and no blank space was uncovered.
The first school house was in 1836 on the crest and right side of "school house hill," just below Mr. Hiram Rolf's blacksmith shop. The present house was built under the mountain. The number of pupils were eleven.
In Capt. Daniel Sullivan's Sixth Militia Regiment Oct. 1780, for the protection of Frenchman's Bay, is the name of Caleb Joy. He was a private in service 14 days. The time of his discharge was Dec. 23 and his wages 5s, 4d or the whole amount with mileage 1£.
SOUTH GOULDSBORO.
E DWARD HAMMOND was born in 1798 in what is now known as the town of Sorrento, on the old Hammond place. He moved to So. Gouldsboro with his parents in 1806 and died at the same place in 1883,
81
HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO
Ivory Sargent was born in So. Gouldsboro on the old Sargent place in 1799. He died on the same estate in 1883.
Jacob Bunker was born about 1781, at Pretty Marsh. He came to So. Gouldsboro about 1801 and died at the same place about 1861. The exact figures cannot be obtained.
Isaac Bunker, the father of Jacob, came to So. Gouldsboro about 1801 and died at the same place about 1825 or 1828.
The first school at So. Gouldsboro was in Jotham Sargent's dwelling house.
The first schoolhouse was built in 1839. It was sold to Alfred Rich in 1874, and remodelled for a dwelling house. It is now owned by J. Harvey Hammond and is occupied as a dwelling house.
Arthur B. Holt's house is on the old schoolhouse site.
The present schoolhouse was built in 1874, the Ladies' Sewing Circle doing quite a little toward the building, buying the bell. blinds etc. A Christian Endeavor society was organized in May 1883 with thirteen active and thirty-one associate members.
The old lobster factory was built in 1870 and was taken down about 1886. It was moved to Prospect Harbor, and is now the present sardine factory at that place. The new clam factory now building (1903) stands on the old lobster factory site.
The sardine factory was built in 1901, at a cost of about $10,000. The pay roll for 1901 was about $18,000, and the pay roll for 1902 about $15,000.
The first postmaster was James C. Hammond who received his appointment in May 7, 1878. The district contains fifty pupils.
Some names familiar to sea-faring men are Captains
82
HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO
Reuben Hammond, Leonard Bunker, John and David Sargent and Harry and Charles Bunker.
Two years ago a fish stand was established by David Crowell of Boston. Another is owned at Winter Harbor by F. R. Bunker. The following statement was obtained through the courtesy of the fish warden, S. P. Cousins :
Report of Fishing Industry, Town of Gouldsboro, one year ending March 31, 1903.
NO.
Cases Sardines,
42,000
VALUE $120,000
Lobsters,
277,250
38,485
Fresh and Salt Fish,
241,131
3,975
Bbls. Clams in Shell,
748
1,066
Cases Clams,
455
1,365
Bushels Herring,
11,000
3,300
Lbs. Smelts,
8090
809
Bbls. Clam Bait,
100
525
Smoked Alewives,
22,000
175
Bbls. Salt Herring,
50
150
Value of Fish Products,
$169,850
NO.
VALUE
Boats,
130
$12,000
Steamers,
4
12,000
Sardine Factories,
2
13,000
Fish Stands,
3
5,000
Weirs,
8
1,800
Lobster Pots,
6000
6,000
Amount invested in Fishing Industry,
$49,800
No. Men Employed in Fishing Industry,
130
S. P. COUSINS, Warden.
83
STAVE ISLAND.
T HIS ISLE is two and one-half miles long and one mile wide and the eastern side is about one-half mile from the mainland. It contains 528 acres. The first settler is said to have been Reuben Salisbury, about 1800, who there lived for two years. His daughter, Lois, was the first white child born on the Island.
A weir at the southern end of the Island and fishing have furnished the principal occupations ; although the soil is very fertile.
About 1856 Mr. William Wood of West Gouldsboro became a settler of the southern part, Then porgying was a good industry and Mr. Wood cleared land and established a home for himself.
Hither came Capt. Jerry Stevens and brother to build a brig, the "Pilgrim." She was built where now stands Joseph and Albert Wood's fish house. Capt. Jerry Stevens sailed the brig. Mr. Richard Henry Dana's "Two Years Before The Mast," began in this ship in which he rounded the "Horn."
In winter quite a quantity of timber and wood have been cut. A number of families have lived there for a brief period but the island is now in the possession of J. D.,
84
HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO
Albert, C. H. and F. T. Wood. It has always been a favorite picnic ground ; the fish chowders and clam bakes served there being unexcelled by any elsewhere.
While Nathaniel Hawthorne was at West Gouldsboro, the village folks had a picnic to Stave Isle which was attended by Mr. Hawthorn and son Julian. After dinner Miss Charlotte Hill tuned her violin and the young folks began dancing on the green in front of Mr. William Wood's house. Coming up the harbor were Messrs. Fountain and Serenus Rodick of Bar Harbor who were sailing two New York guests. They landed at the beach, went up to the scene of merry making and tripped the light fantastic. It is stated by one of the West Gouldsboro girls that the New Yorkers danced as if THEY WERE of the party.
This Harbor is an excellent one and has been surveyed for a government anchorage but money swayed the location to Portsmouth. On the eastern side of the bar is the Wood Brothers' weir which was one of the best locations on the coast, but the oil from canning factory has decreased its merit.
IRONBOUND ISLAND.
G EORGE CHILCOTT, an English soldier, landed in the state of Connecticut. At the close of the war he procured his discharge, wandered east to Cromwell's Harbor, Mt. Desert, obtained employment with a Mr. Wasgatt and remained on his farm for some time.
Several years previous Elizabeth Allen of Kittery, Me., came to Gouldsboro where she became the wife of a Mr. Bunker. They had six children, Isaac, Mark, Philip, Polly,
85
HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO
Hannah and one who married a Mr. Everett, Mr. Bunker died, his widow married a Mr. Clemens and they had one son named James.
When George Chilcott came to Cromwell's Harbor, Mrs. Clemens was in her second widowhood. They formed an acquaintance and about 1786 or 7 it resulted in their marriage. George Jr., was born in 1788 and John 1790. Mr. Chilcott visited Ironbound Island, then State's land, to seek a home for himself. He concluded that land covered with old growth wood so heavily, was strong land and would make a good farm. Full of resolution and pluck and liking hard work, he was the man for the situation.
At the west end of the island Mr. Chilcott cleared a spot, built a log house and moved his family about 1790, becoming the first settler of Ironbound Island. (Since obtaining this information we have learned that the grandsire of Mr. Barney Havey, of West Sullivan, Andrew Havey, lived there previous to Mr. Chilcott's permanent residence)
Mr. Chilcott commenced burning and clearing. the soil produced abundantly. He raised cattle and enough to feed them. By industry, honesty, economy and the aid of an excellent wife, he reaped New England thrift.
In the summer of 1806, the author of my authority, Mr. Samuel W. Cleaves of Steuben, then two and a half years old, went to Ironbound, in charge of his foster-mother, Elizabeth Chilcott. They had a new house, a barn thirty-five by forty-five feet, had cleared twenty-five or thirty acres of land, cut twenty tons of hay, had a yoke of oxen, two or three cows, a lot of young stock and quite a flock of sheep. A year or two previous to 1806, they lost their younger son John, the first white man buried on the Island.
In 1803 or 1804, Philip Bunker, above mentioned,
86
HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO
cleared two or three acres on the east end of Ironbound, built a log house and lived there a few years. When Barnabas Young of Eden, Me.,bought Philip's claim in 1808 Philip got a site elsewhere and soon moved his family. Also came George Anderson from Eden, but stayed only a few years.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.