USA > Maine > Hancock County > Blue Hill > Historical sketches of Bluehill, Maine > Part 12
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7. Abram B., born March 7, 1835.
The house and buildings once situated upon the John Pearce Carter lot no longer are standing.
JAMES DAY, JR.
At Deep Cove lived James Day, jr., who went thither from the Neck many years ago. He married Nancy Yates, as else- where related, and had seven children, viz .: - James, Eliza, Melvina, Moses, William, Luther Roundy and Nancy Yates. The head of this family was drowned by the upsetting of his boat near the shore of Newbury Neck in Nov. 1850, in his seventy-fifth year, and his widow died July 19, 1864, aged about eighty-six years.
Favorite places for fishing for cod, hake and haddock, in Blue Hill Bay, sixty and seventy years ago, were at the Land Point on the Neck and at Deep Cove nearly op- posite on the shore of Long Island. The writer with others in boyhood often fished at Deep Cove, landed at Mr. Day's shore, gathered berries upon his and on adjcin- îng land, and retains clear and pleasant recollections of those occasions and of the families then residing in that vicinity. None of the houses and people of that period on the upper half of the island remain, and the mention of them even may be strange and new to the people of the present generation.
MOSES FRIEND.
Upon the crown of the island, between Deep Cove and the old mill site on the east
side, was the farm and building of the late Moses Friend, to be seen clearly from the main land. Mr. Friend came to that place from Sedgwick, where he was born. He was a descendant of Benjamin Friend, sr., the first of the name to settle upon the Neck.
Just how many years Mr. Friend resided on Long Island there is no data to de- termine, but it was for a number of years. The buildings he occupied have long since gone and the fields he mowed and cultivated have gone back to a state of nature, leaving little or nothing to remind one of their former existence.
JOHN BARTLETT.
Half a mile or so north of Deep Cove and the house of James Day, was the lot and house of John Bartlett, so well known to the writer "in days lang syne", but, like the others mentioned, long since deserted of habitation and of habitant.
John Bartlett was born at Mt. Desert in the early years of 1800, married Mary Hale, of Sedgwick, July 27, 1826, and set up housekeeping upon Long Island. Their children were:
1. Caroline Hale, born Dec. 23, 1823, out of wedlock.
2. George Gurley, born July 2, 1827; married - Hamilton.
3. Mary Ann, born Sept. 2, 1828; mar- ried William A. Hall.
4. Frederick Augustus, born Oct. 21, 1830; died July 15, 1848.
5. Vienna, born May 1, 1833.
6. John Bushrod, born Aug. 27, 1834; died May, 1866.
7. Nancy Elizabeth, born June 30, 1836; died July 12, 1853.
8. Hiram Hinckley, born Dec. 4, 1838.
9. James Candage, born April 20, 1841.
John Bartlett was a fisherman, and gained his livelihood in that business, with a little farming. In 1840 and 1841, he resided upon Outer Duck island which had but a single house upon it. When his wife was about to be confined with her last child she was brought to Blue Hill Falls to the house of the writer's grand- mother where the child was born and named James Candage Bartlett for the writer's grandfather.
When Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett returned to Duck island, the writer accompanied them and spent two weeks with the family on
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HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF BLUEHILL, MAINE.
the island in fishing and in visiting little Duck island, Baker's island and its light- house, Gott's Island, Bass Harbor, etc. It was a new experience to the writer and in all his wandering about the world since then he has not forgotten it.
The boy, James Candage Bartlett, grew to manhood, settled and married at Somer- ville, Mass., where he still resides. John Bartlett, his father, died many years ago, the date not recorded. His mother died in Charlestown, Mass., at the house of a married daughter some years ago at near- ly ninety years of age.
URIAH MARKS.
A mile or so north of the house of John Bartlett on Long Island, stood, years ago, now gone, the house of Uriah Marks, son of Joseph Marks, whose wife was Melvina Day, daughter of James and Nancy Yates Day.
Upon the head or northern end of Long Island seventy years ago, was the farm, house and barn of Joseph Marks, who there resided many years, although at this writing but little evidence is seen that it was ever inhabited. The Marks and Bart- lett places were favorite resorts for berry- ing parties and for parties indulging in clambakes, fishing and other sports.
Of the family of Joseph Marks there is no data at hand by which the writer can make a true record, but from memory he can speak of a son, Uriah, and a daughter, Thankful. The family came to Blue Hill and to Long Island from either Sedgwick or Penobscot, and there it would be natural to look for the family history.
Joseph Marks' wife was Martha A. Bill- ings, who came from Sedgwick or Penob- scot. He died in April, 1855, and she in 1872. They had nine children, among whom were: Joseph, Abel B., Otis R., William, Caroline, Calorn B.
THE CARTER FAMILY.
Returning from the upper end of Long Island to the earliest settlement made by James and David Carter, we find located between the houses erected by them, the house of Robert Carter, the son of David and Abigail, who was born Jan. 9, 1803, and married Melinda Candage, daughter of Joseph Candage, jr., Sept. 1, 1837.
The house referred to in which he and his family resided was built shortly after his marriage, but has been gone from the
spot many years. Robert Carter was blind, having been made so when a child by measles or some other disease incident to children. He was a kindly and well- informed man, possessing that remarkable memory so characteristic of his race, which enabled him to retain what was read or told to him. He died in 1867 at the age of sixty-four. His children were:
1. Vienna, born Dec. 14, 1839.
2. Matilda, born May 5, 1846.
3. Rose Eleanor, born Jan. 29, 1854.
In the David Carter house (father of Robert), long since demolished, lived, after the death of the builder, Samuel, brother of Robert, and his family. He was born in 1800, married Sally Curtis, of Surry (Newbury Neck) by whom he had seven children.
1. Abijah Sprague, born Nov. 21, 1830.
2. Sarah, born Nov. 3, 1832.
3. Deborah, born July 4, 1836.
4. Joanna, born March 4, 1839.
5. Susan Emeline, born March 27, 1841.
6. Abigail, born Feb. 11, 1843.
7. Mary Jane, born June 2, 1845.
Samuel Carter was a farmer, a man of good reputation, and a deacon of the Neck and Long Island Baptist church. The writer knew him and his family well, at the time he taught a winter school upon the island, but of his and his wife's later life and their deaths he knows nothing.
In the youth of the writer, Samuel Cain, brother to the wives of James and David Carter, lived upon Long Island, but just where, it is now not easy to locate. He was a tall, thin man with sharp features and a prominent nose, and by the wags of the day, was called "the mosquito maker". When he made his appearance on the main land the word would be passed around with the caution "Look out for mosquitos, for Sam Cain has just brought a raft of them from Long Island."
Mr. Cain has been dead many years- peace to his ashes-and though a very worthy man the story of his mosquito- making doubtless sticks to some people left who knew him besides the writer.
James Carter, jr., lived upon his father's place on the island. He married and moved to Sedgwick, where he died at a good old age.
JOSEPH GOTT.
The next place below Carter's Point, in the memory of the writer, was that of
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HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF BLUEHILL, MAINE.
·
Joseph Gott, who came from Mt. Desert, and married Hannah Carter, daughter of David and Abigail (Cain) Carter, Decem- ber 16, 1812. He was a farmer and fisher- man and was lost at sea about 1840, from the bowsprit of schooner "Mary. Ann", Capt. Samuel Eaton, owned by John Cheever. He had children as follows:
1. Lemuel, born Oct. 23, 1813.
2. Harriet, born Sept. 2, 1815.
3. Mary, born May 9, 1818.
4. Joseph, born Nov. 9, 1820.
5. Sophia Carter, born Nov. 20, 1822.
6. Martha, born May 29, 1825.
7. David, born Oct. 25, 1827.
David Gott, brother of Joseph, also lived on Long Island, probably at this place. He married Joanna Carter, a sister of his brother's wife, June 27, 1808. He was drowned July 7, 1814. His family record shows that he had four children:
1. Abigail, born Aug. 20, 1810; married . Moses Friend.
2. Joanna, born March 28, 1812; married Amos Gott, Brooksville.
3. Hannah, born March 28, 1812; mar- ried Galen O. Marks, Brooksville.
4. David, born March 23, 1814; died March 31, 1815.
FRANCIS AND ISAAC GRANT.
The next place and house was that of Francis Grant, who came from the Ken- nebec and married Mercy Gray, Sept. 2, 1812. He gained his livelihood by farm- ing and fishing and the children were:
1. Thomas, born Oct. 27, 1813.
2. Moses, born Jan. 9, 1816.
3. George Stevens, born Sept. 6, 1818.
4. Lydia Gray, born July 24, 1822.
5. Francis, born Feb. 26, 1824.
6. Mercy, born July 3, 1827.
Francis Grant died Feb. 17, 1873, aged eighty-five, and Mercy, his wife, in 1844.
Isaac Grant and family, he a brother of Francis, from Bath, settled upon the island near his brother sometime previous to 1840. He was a ship's caulker by trade, caulked the ship Tahmaroo bui't at Blue Hill Falls in 1842, and other vessels built in the town. He and his family moved at a later date to Ellsworth, where his sons Isaac and George became vessel owners and active business men. The members of . his family are not given in the Blue Hill records.
THE CHATTEAUS.
Another family by the name of Kitfield resided for some years near the Grants, but there is no entry in the town records concerning the family. Farther down the island shore lived three families by the name of Chatteau-Joshua, Charles and John who came there from Deer Isle. They were fisherman, boatbuilders and farmers. The record of family of Joshua is not found in the town books.
Charles Chatteau, (afterwards changed to Chatto) married Martha Eator, daughter of Jeremiah and Patty Eaton, of Blue Hill Neck, Jan. 6, 1825. The births of his children as recorded were:
1. Louisa, born Aug. 3, 1825; married George Closson Aug. 29, 1840.
2. Almira Jane, born Feb. 21, 1828; died Nov. 25, 1829.
3. Abigail, born May 6, 1829.
Dates of deaths of Mr. and Mrs. Chat- teau are not recorded.
In the boyhood of the writer, Charles Chatteau was master and owner of a pink- stern fishing vessel named "Credit". It was in the days when bounties were given to fishing vessels. The writer and other boys of his acquaintance made a fishing cruise with Capt. Chatteau among the outer islands-Swan's Island, Outer Long Islands, etc .- finding their own provisions and having half the fish they caught. They did not catch many fish but had a pleasant outing at what was called "bounty catch- ing" for the vessel. A year or two later the "Credit" was seized by the United States authorities for obtaining a bounty illegally; was condemned and sold. And the connundrum among the boys was, "Why cannot Charles Chatteau do any more business?" The answer was, "He has lost his Credit."
John Chatteau married Hannah (Barks) Friend, widow of Daniel Friend, July 22, 1829. She had by her first husband, Mr. Friend, three children as follows:
1. Deborah Shacksford, born April 16, 1823.
2. Martha Dodge, born Nov. 10, 1824.
3. Daniel B., born Dec. 28, 1826.
and by Mr. Chatteau her second husband, as recorded :
4. Hannah, born May 27, 1830.
5. John Roundy, born Nov. 26, 1833.
6. Stephen, born Dec. 13, 1835.
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HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF BLUEHILL, MAINE.
The dates of deaths of Mr. and Mrs. Chatteau are not given.
AMOS CARTER.
Farther down toward the extreme lower end of the island resided Amos Carter, son of James, jr., born upon the island June 3, 1805, married Martha Choate, by whom he had children, as follows:
1. Joan Emeline, born March 11, 1830.
2. Hannah Angeline, born March 11, 1830.
3. Mary Augusta, born May 13, 1832.
4. Lavina H., born Dec. 20, 1833.
5. Martha Edna, born Feb. 13, 1837.
6. Mercy Caroline, born Dec. 20, 1840.
7. Amos Pierce, born Oct. 20, 1842.
Mr. Carter died about 1844, and his widow married Elder Samuel Macomber, a Baptist preacher, October 2, 1847. Moses Carter, a brother of Amos, lived on the lower end of the island. He married Olive Dow Feb. 10, 1835, by whom he had chil- dren as follows:
1. Rowland C. born Jan. 8, 1838.
2. Nelson, born Dec. 25, 1841.
3. Sarah D., born Aug. 10, 1843.
4. Mary L., born Nov. 5, 1847.
5. Byron P., born Feb. 18, 1854.
This family removed from the island many years ago and nothing further is recorded of it at Blue Hill.
OTHER LONG ISLAND FAMILIES.
Capt. Merrill Dodge, whose wife was Abigail Carter, a daughter of David Car- ter, lived on the island at the lower end, but later removed to the main land in the tide-mill district, where he lived and died. A history of him and his fa nily belong to that part of the town.
Nathan Staples, whose wife was Sally, from Sedgwick, lived upon Long Island near the lower end. His family record is s follows: Children:
1. Elizabeth, born July 10, 1838.
2. John, born Jan. 3, 1841.
3. Nathan, born April 20, 1843.
David Cain and family once lived here, but their family record is not found in the Blue Hill records.
John Cain, brother of David, born Dec. 28, 1814; married Deborah Friend, daugh- ter of Daniel and Hannah (Bark) Friend, who had a large family of children as fol- lows:
1. Samuel Pearly, born Dec. 4, 1845.
2. John Warren, born Oct. 28, 1847.
3. Hannah Maria, born May 18, 1849.
4. Sabrina, born Dec. 5, 1852.
5. Martha Ellen, born April 26, 1855.
6. Harriet Ann, born -, 1857; ¿ died Sept -, 1860.
7. Newell Judson, born Oct. 11, 1859.
8. George Elmer Ellsworth, born Oct. 1, 1861.
9. David Willis, born March 5, 1864.
This family removed from Long Island to Surry.
Samuel Cain, a brother of John and David, once lived on Long Island. He was a ship-caulker by trade, and he married Hannah McIntire, by whom he had chil- dren :
1. Herbert, born April 16, 1844.
2. Alice, born March 16, 1845.
3. Arthur, born August 5, 1846.
4. Evelyn, born Nov. 3, 1849.
5. A daughter, born April 23, 1855; died March 12, 1857.
Upon removing from Long Island, Samuel Cain settled at Blue Hill village.
James Fogg, from Freeport, settled upon Long Island sixty or more years ago. His wife was a Chatteau, sister of Charles, Joshua and John. He had a family of children, the eldest being Sarah, who mar- ried Pearly Cain, who lived in Brooklin. Mr. Fogg's house was on the east side of the lower end of the island. His family record is not found in the copy of the town records in possession of the writer.
Next to Mr. Fogg's place was that of Stephen Dunham, a half brother of the Chatteau's above named. His wife was a sister of Eliphalet Grindle. They had no children.
Abel S. Town also lived on Long Island before and at the time of his marriage to Sarah R. Choate, youngest daughter of George Choate.
One or more Conary lived at one time on Long Island, and in later days other families, unknown to the writer, have lived there. On the easterly side from Stephen Dunham's place to the head of the island there have been no houses, and only one, that of Moses Friend, on the central ridge, Along the ridge, from the upper end to the Carter places and thence along to the lower end ran a rough and hard road.
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HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF BLUEHILL, MAINE.
A granite quarry was opened at the lower end some years ago, but was eventu- ally abandoned and several mines were opened, but did not prove a success.
At this writing, 1905, probably few, if any, of the descendants of the families . named in this paper are living on the island. In outline and physical appear- ance, except having been denuded of its forest trees, it remains much in the con- dition it presented to one who knew it sixty or seventy years ago.
SETTLEMENT, ORDINATION AND PASTOR- ATE OF REV. JONATHAN FISHER. THE FIRST SETTLED MINISTER AT
BLUE HILL.
Jonathan Fisher was born at New Braintree, Mass., October 7, 1768, son of Jonathan and Catherine (Avery) Fisher. He entered Harvard college from Dedham, Mass., in 1788, rom which he graduated in 1792. He studied theology, and was licensed to preach at Brookline, Mass., by the Cambridge (Mass.) Association, October 1, 1793.
In the spring of 1794, he preached four months at Blue Hill, returned to Cam- bridge, but accepted a call in the spring of 1796 to become pastor of the Blue Hill church, and went thither in July of that year.
The town had begun in 1792 the erection of its meeting house, and was carefully looking about for a pastor who would settle there. The town and parish in those days were one, so it is to the town records that one must turn to learn of the negotiations that took place, which re- sulted in the settlement of Mr. Fisher.
At a meeting of the town held on Sep- tember 24, 1795, it was
"Voted, That the town will settle a Minister.
"Voted, That Mr. John Peters, Mr. Robert Parker and Col. Nathan Parker be a committee to apply to Mr. Jonathan Fisher and see if he will settle as a Minister to this town, and request his Conditions and report the same to this town on Monday, the 12th day of October next, at 2 o'clock in the afternoon."
October 12, 1795, the town assembled, chose Ebenezer Floyd, moderator and
"Voted, That Capt. Joseph Wood, jr., Mr. Phineas Osgood, Mr. Ebenezer Floyd,
Mr. Robert Parker and Mr. John Roundy be a Committee to form proposals to be offered to Mr. Jonathan Fisher to settle in this town and lay the same before the cili- zens at their next meeting. Adjourned to Friday the 16th inst., at 1 o'clock p. m., at the meeting house."
October 16, 1795,
"Voted, That the Church in this town be desired to appoint a Committee at their meeting on Tuesday next to wait upon Mr. Jonathan Fisher and make him the fol- lowing Proposals to settle in this town, viz :-
"That the town will allow him one hundred and twenty pounds cash, or sixty pounds cash and build him a barn forty by thirty feet as a settlement, and that they will also allow him Sixty pounds Salary and fall and Clear for him five acres of land yearly on the Minister's lot for ten years, and after the expiration of the said ten years they will allow him Eighty pounds yearly as a Salary during his services to this town as their Minister, and that he may absent himself from the Service of the Church five weeks in each and every year.
"Voted, That Mr. Edward Carleton present the foregoing Propospals to the Church at their Meeting to be held on Tuesday next, to be by their Committee offered to Mr. Jonathan Fisher.
"Voted, That Mr. Edward Carleton be requested to desire the Church in their directions to the Committee which they may appoint to wait upon Mr. Jonathan Fisher with the Proposals of this town to inform him that it is the opinion of this town that an exchange can be made in the Minister's and Mr. Carleton's lots to his wishes, if he should see fit to settle with the town.
"Voted, That this Meeting stand ad- journed to Friday next, then to meet at the Meeting house at 3 o'clock in the afternoon."
October 22, 1795, the town met agreeable to adjournment, and proceeded as follows, viz :-
"Voted, That this town accept Mr. Jonathan Fisher's answer of this day and agree to his proposed Settlement and Salary.
"Voted, That the said answer be re- corded."
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HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF BLUEHILL, MAINE.
BLUE HILL, Oct. 22, 1795.
To the inhabitants of the town of Blue Hill.
Gentlemen :- Having received your proposals for settling in the Ministry among you and having taken a view of the Jot of land reserved for the first Minister; the settlement and salary appear to be generous and equal to my expecta- tions; considering the intancy of the Country.
In the land I am somewhat disappointed, it being much of it broken, and containing but little timber. Considering this last circum- stance, I hope the town will not be offended, nor think it unreasonable, if I request that the pro- posals stand as follows, viz :
That the town will allow him two hundred dollars cash and build him a barn forty by thirty feet of thirteen feet and a large stud and finish it completely as a settlement and that they will also allow him two hundred Dollars salary and cut and haul fifteen cords of hard wood eight feet in length and fall and clear five acres of land on the minister's lot yearly for ten years.
That after the expiration of the said ten years, they will allow him two hundred and fifty Do! lars as Salary, and cut and haul thirty cords of hard wood, eight feet in length, yearly, during his services to this town as their minister; that & full payment of the salary for each and every year be made before the commencement of the year following; that he may absent himself from the services of the Church five weeks in each and every year and that in the case of time of sickness, he shall not be obliged to make it good; except the time exceeds four weeks yearly.
If these proposals be agreeable to the town, they will be cheerfully accepted on my part, provided I can find my way clear to settle in this town on any conditions.
I request your prayer to God for me, that he would direct and assist me. I can give you en- couragement of my accepting your invitation, but request the liberty of deferring a positive answer till after my arrival at the westward. Wishing grace, mercy and peace to attend you.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your Servant in Christ, JONATHAN FISHER.
"Voted, That Mr. John Roundy, Mr. Peter Parker and Mr. Jonathan Darling be requested to acquaint Mr. Jonathan Fisher that the town have accepted and agreed to his proposed Setttlement and Salary, and that it is their desire that he would come down for the purpose of set- tling by the first of May next, if conven- ient, if not, as soon after as convenient. This meeting was then dissolved."
To Messrs. John Roundy, Peter Parker and Jonathan Darling.
GENTLEMEN : By a vote of the town at their meeting held by adjournment on Thursday the 22d Oct. 1795, you were requested to acquaint Mr. Jonathan Fisher that the; town have ac- cepted and agreed to the settlement and Salary proposed by him this day in his answer to the town's proposal of the 16th.
You are also by a vote of said town desired to acquaint Mr. Fisher that it is their desire that he would come down for the purpose of set- tling by the first of May next it convenient, if not, as soon after as convenient.
EBEN FLOYD, Town Clerk.
Blue Hill, 22d Oct., 1795.
"Mr. Jonathan Fisher, having accepted the offer of the town and agreed to settle as their Minister, the town are hereby no- tified thereof and that a Meeting will be held at the School house on Beech Hill on Monday, the 4th of January next, at one o'clock in the afternoon for the follow- ing purposes, viz :
"1st. To choose a Moderator.
"2d. To agree upon a method and the time when to chop down the trees for Mr. Fisher.
"3d. To see what steps they will take with regard to building a barn for Mr. Fisher.
"4th. To see if they will take any steps with regard to ordaining Mr. Fisher.
EBEN FLOYD, JOSEPH WOOD, Jr.,
Selectmen."
Blue Hill, 16th Dec., 1795.
Blue Hill, Monday, 4th January, 1796 .- "Voted, Capt. Joseph Wood, Jr., Moder- ator.
Voted, That there be ten acres chopped down for Mr. Jonathan Fisher by the 10th day of May next.
"Voted, That the Selectmen apportion to each High-way District in this town according to the High-way rate the last year, their several proportions for chop- ping down the said ten acres and send the same to the several Surveyors of High ways who with their Districts, or such part as are necessary, shall chop down thu same as may be laid out by the Committee to be appointed at this meeting for the purpose at the above time and the same to be deducted from their next year's High- way rate at 4x per day.
"Voted, That Capt. Joseph Wood, Jr.
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HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF BLUEHILL, MAINE.
Mr. Robert Parker and Mr. John Peters be a Committee to lay out the before-men- tioned ten acres, who are to be allowed the same wages while they are employed on that business as those who chop down.
"Voted, That the Barn to be built for Mr. Jonathan Fisher be put up at this meeting to the lowest bidder."
· The same was knocked off to Daniel Spofford who agreed to build the same for $140.
"Voted, That this meeting stand ad- journed to Saturday next, then to meet at the School House on Beech Hill at 1 o'clock in the afternoon.
Saturday, 9th January, 1796-The town having met according to adjournment :-
"Voted, That Mr. Daniel Spofford be allowed one hundred and forty seven Dol- lars for building a Barn for Mr. Jonathan Fisher, at or before the first day of June 1797, of the following dimensions, viz :-- forty feet long, thirty feet wide and thir- teen and a half feet stud and finish the same complete.
"Voted, That Mr. Daniel Spofford be paid fifty Dollars at or before the first day of June next towards building said Barn and that the remaining Ninety-seven Dol- lars shall be paid to him at or before the first day of June, 1797.
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