USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Harpswell > History of Brunswick, Topsham, and Harpswell, Maine, including the ancient territory known as Pejepscot > Part 21
USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Brunswick > History of Brunswick, Topsham, and Harpswell, Maine, including the ancient territory known as Pejepscot > Part 21
USA > Maine > Sagadahoc County > Topsham > History of Brunswick, Topsham, and Harpswell, Maine, including the ancient territory known as Pejepscot > Part 21
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1 Dr. James McKeen's Notes.
209
GENERAL AND SOCIAL.
Upon the day of the funeral of these men it was reported that the Indians intended lying in wait for the funeral procession, and killing and scalping or making prisoners of them all. In consequence, the bodies were not buried in the ground northwest of Joseph Foster's, in the old graveyard in the woods, but were carried up by water to Ferry Point, and buried there. The bodies were none of them mutilated, except that of the friendly Indian, which was hacked all to pieces." 1
During this period of anxious care and oft-renewed strife, the tradesmen and their families used to live a good portion of the time in the fort or garrisons. Invalids, especially, often made their resi- dence there.
The early settlers were men accustomed to track the pathless forests and often to spend their nights with nothing over them save the glit- tering canopy of the heavens. They were fond of hunting, and often ranged over large tracts of land in pursuit of game. In this way they became acquainted with localities quite a distance off. Mr. Thomas Wilson was a famous hunter. On one occasion he led a party, consisting of Stephen Titcomb, Robert Gower, James Henry, Robert Alexander, and James McDonnell, all of Topsham, through the wilderness to the place now called Farmington, the territory of which they thoroughly explored. Some of them afterwards settled there.2 John Dunlap, son of Reverend Robert Dunlap, was a noted hunter. The following narrative, written by him, illustrates the dan- gers and sufferings to which these early settlers were exposed : -
" When a young man at the age of 18 years my father lost his only cow. He lived near the old meeting-house, and I found her dead in Mair Brook. So dependent was the family on this useful domestic that the loss seemed almost irreparable. So great was the distress of the family that I resolved with myself, that if industry and persever- ance would effect anything, I would never be poor. This resolution remained by me and was continually urging me on to exertion. I left my father and served some time as a soldier in Fort George, but I soon found that this compensation but ill comported with my resolu- tion, - but little was left after contributing to the absolute necessities of my father's family. I immediately concluded upon some other business. This town was then in its infancy, and nothing that could satisfy my ambition and desire of wealth presented itself, and I con- cinded to try my chance in hunting in the wild wilderness. I accord- ingly took my gun and made several excursions in pursuit of beaver.
1 Dr. McKeen's Notes.
2 History of Farmington, p. 9.
14
210
HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK, TOPSHAM, AND HARPSWELL.
I was successful, and found that if the business was well followed that there would be a good prospect of making money. I accordingly extended my range further into the wilderness, and the further I went the more was I encouraged. It was a very hazardous undertaking. I was exposed every night to the wolves which were continually prowl- ing around me, and nothing but my fire, which they feared, deterred them from encountering me. While I kept a brisk fire I feared no harm. I have been several times to the heads of the Kennebeck and Penobscot. I used to go in the month of March, sometimes the last of February, and would be gone about forty days. My return home was always the most fatiguing, from carrying an immense pack of about two hundred pounds. The beaver-skins I took in one of these excursions usually turned me about two hundred dollars. Sometimes when I returned home, I was so altered that the family did not know me. I once lost my hat immediately after I left home, and the effect of the wind and weather, and having a long beard, not having shaved while gone, gave me really a frightful appearance.
" The most eventful tour I ever took was with one Robert Spear. We left this town together, determined on a cruise to the Penobscot, and to its rise. It was in the month of March, and the ground was covered with deep snow. We took with us each a gun, ammunition, four ounces of salt, and of bread what was equal to a dozen biscuit, and each a pair of snow-shoes. We commenced travel, and made the best of our way to the Kennebeck and Penobscot. We passed some rivers and many small streams which were frozen over. On our arrival at the Penobscot, we divided. Mr. Spear took the north side of the river, and I took the south. We were to proceed up the river to its source, and there wait seven days for each other. I traversed the woods, and frequently met with small streams which had been flowed by the beaver, and generally met with good success. After ten or fifteen days I arrived at the source of the river, and there I spent seven long anxious days, listening continually to hear the foot- steps of my companion. My nights were long and dreary in the extreme. The day I spent in wandering about, killing what I could find that was profitable. At the expiration of the seven long days, seeing nothing of Spear, I resolved to return home, and had travelled one or two days, when the thought occurred to me about what account I should give Mr. Spear's family on my return. As I was a single man, I concluded to return, and if possible, find him. I travelled along down on the north side of the river, looking for some vestiges of human beings. What had become of Spear I could not imagine.
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1
211
GENERAL AND SOCIAL.
Whether he had fallen into the hands of the Indians, or had been devoured by wild beasts, I had no means of ascertaining. My mind was the whole time vacillating between hope and fear. After I had been travelling a number of days, and had been looking and listening, a pole stuck up in the middle of the river in the snow arrested my attention. I at once concluded it must be placed there by some human being, and thought I would go and see if there were any tracks. I repaired immediately to it, and on it found a piece of birch bark with writing upon it, to inform me that Spear was sick close by on the bank of the river. It is impossible to describe my feelings, - how long it had been there, whether he was dead or alive, - a thou- sand conjectures passed over my mind. I concluded to search, and immediately fired my gun, which was in about a minute answered. I followed the direction of the report, and in a few minutes found poor Spear lying under a log with some bark laid upon it, which afforded him but a scanty shelter. He was suffering from an acute rheumatic fever. He seemed overjoyed at my appearance. What to do for him I was at a stand. For this. complaint, and indeed for any, I had nothing to administer; I built a camp, built him a good fire, and stayed by him, doing everything for him I could. Necessity, the mother of invention, suggested one application after another. His pains were extreme, and his spirits almost exhausted. I at length concluded to dig away some snow, get some good turf, green as I could find it, heated by the fire, and apply it to the part of the body most affected with pain. This proved a lucky expedient, he grew better, and after a while he was able to start for Fort Halifax, where, after a tedious travel, we arrived. I left him and came home. Spear followed in about a month." 1
These early settlers were not only accustomed to the chase as a means of obtaining a livelihood, but were also obliged to draw a part of their subsistence from the water. Fishing was with them a neces- sity as well as a means of amusement. The catching of sturgeon, shad, and salmon was the constant occupation of many, while it served as a means of relaxation from their ordinary avocations to a few. Captain David Dunning probably belonged to this latter class. Salmon were formerly caught in dip-nets at the foot of Fishing Rock Island, or Shad Island, as it is now called, and also in set nets at Middle Rock, or the rock upon which the pier of the bridge rests. 'These set nets had cork's attached to them, so that the attendant
Pejepscot Papers.
212
HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK, TOPSHAM, AND HARPSWELL.
could tell by the sinking of the corks when a salmon was caught. One day a man was sitting on Middle Rock watching his net, while Captain Dunning was catching salmon at the falls above with a dip- net. The man on the rock observing the corks on his net to sink in the water, drew in the net, and with it drew in Dunning, still alive. It appears that the latter, in reaching over to dip up a salmon, had slipped, and falling into the river had floated down until he caught in the net. Two other versions of this story are given. In one account he is represented as having fallen into the water from a ladder and being caught in his own net. In another, the accident is given as first narrated, but Captain Dunning is represented as drawing himself out of the water by the aid of the net.1
Going to meeting was, in the last century, an event of considerable interest. Meeting-houses were well filled and in some cases it was thought necessary to shore them up. All went to the same meeting. Ministers appeared with their large white wigs and commanded more awe than just respect. Nearly every one walked to meeting, and in some instances women would walk four or five miles and carry a child. Some of those who lived at a distance from the meeting-house owned a horse, a saddle, and a pillion, which would accommodate a man, his wife, and one child, and often two children. In the summer boys and girls both went barefooted. When within sight of the meeting- house, the girls would step into the bushes at the side of the road and put on their stockings and shoes, which they carried with them. The boys, however, usually went barefooted into the meeting-house. All the people carried their dinners with them, and in summer ate them in the woods near by. In the winter the meeting-house was their din- ing-room. The men usually resorted to the neighboring inn for their luncheon and grog. In the winter season many carried foot-stoves with them. There were separate seats in the meeting-house provided for colored people, and they were never allowed to sit in the same pew with white people. It is said that Deacon Dunning had a negro lad for a servant of whom he was very fond, and whom he always took to meeting with him. As the boy at first was too young to sit in the seats provided for persons of his race, and as it would not do to allow him to sit in the deacon's pew, he had to take his seat on the floor of the aisle beside the pew.
Sermons were lengthy in those days, which often made it necessary for the parson, after a pause, to exclaim, " Wake up, my hearers !"
1 Field Book of the survey of Bakerstown, in Pejepscot Papers.
213
GENERAL AND SOCIAL.
Parson Miller was, however, relieved from this task at length by old Mr. G. Coombs, who, with repeated raps with his rattan on the side of his pew, would make the meeting-house ring. At the east meeting- house, Deacon Snow, who wore a white wig, sat under or in front of the pulpit, and " lined out " the hymn, so that every man present might have an opportunity to sing. This was the common practice.1
One of the established institutions of those times was the board of tithing-men. It was their duty to preserve order during religious services, and to enforce the observance of the Sabbath. The most remarkable of all the men who ever filled this office was Mr. Crispus Graves. He was born and attained his majority in Topsham. He possessed a strong, muscular frame, and was quite tall. He had a large, strongly marked face. As far as his knowledge extended, his reasoning powers were good, and he could express his thoughts with conciseness and energy. He was a tithing-man for many years. In the old first meeting-house in Topsham, his pew was near the out- side door. It was a wall pew with a large window. From his seat he could look the minister in the face, or turning around, could inspect the passers-by on the different roads in sight. He always had with him a remarkably long whipstock and lash. If he chanced to spy, dur- ing religious services, any " descendant of Belial, strolling about, or sitting on the fences, or in any way desecrating the Lord's day," he felt it incumbent upon him to leave the church and administer the necessary reproof. He hesitated not, also, if need were, to threaten the culprits with both the administration of the law and of his whip. He was an object of dread to all Sabbath-breakers. He did not con- sider, moreover, that his care was restricted to the oversight of human beings only. During his twenty-five years in office, he taught all owners of dogs to be sure and see them locked up before they them- selves went to meeting. Occasionally, however, some unlucky cur would escape from his confinement and would follow his master to inceting. As surely as such an event happened, Mr. Graves would be on the watch, and if the dog came within his reach, it would receive as smart a stroke from him as his arm and whip could inflict. It made no difference whether it was in prayer-time or in sermon-time, the whip was sure to descend if the dog came within reach. Even during the singing the yelling of the dog might be heard exceeding even " the voice of the chorister or the double altos of his choir." Mr. Graves was so perfectly serious and solemn in his manner and so firm in his
1 James Curtis's Journal, in Library of Muine Historical Society.
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HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK, TOPSHAM, AND IIARPSWELL.
belief that it was his bounden duty thus to disturb the services, that the ministers were greatly at a loss to determine in what manner to interfere. Remonstrance would not only give offence, but would be useless ; while without some interference, the evil was sure to continue if it did not become increased. It was a hard matter for Mr. Graves to give up his place in the old meeting-house and go to the new one. He got bravely over the struggle, however, and bought a pew in the new building. This time it was noticed by every one that he chose a pew the very farthest from the door, at the northern extremity of the house. The window at his pew faced the hearse-house only. There were now no tithing-men, and no culprits to watch, but Mr. Graves never forgot or forgave the canine desecrators of the solemnity of the Sabbath. It was remarked at the time that he had taken the back- most pew of all, because he thought his services would no longer be needed. This, however, was not so.
The dogs took much greater liberty in the new house than they had taken in the old, though they seldom got so far up the aisle as Mr. Graves's pew. On two occasions, however, when he was nearly eighty years of age, his old enemies " traversed the whole length of the aisle, as if to defy the old lion in his lair and try his mettle. But he was up to them and in service-time too. The ruling passion was too strong, even with the hearse-house his only perspective. He gave the dogs a good sound thrashing, and their loud yells and yelpings in- stantly, of course, arrested all devotional feelings, although Mr. Goss kept straight on with his prayer." The narrator1 of the above con- eludes his account as follows : " I was present at the time, and no doubt many others now living were witnesses."
During the early days of the society of the First Parish of Topsham, when it used the old meeting-house at the east end of the town, the choir was large, and for a time was led by a Mr. Nichols, a shoemaker in Brunswick, who was a very fine singer. It was afterwards led by a Mr. Ripley, and still later by a Mr. Blanchard. No instrumental music was made use of in those days. At one time, probably about 1821, an attempt was made to introduce a bass-viol, but the project was thwarted by Mr. William Randall, an influential member of the society, who declared that he would n't " hear a fiddle in God's house."
In those old times people were better church-goers than now, even if the standard of morality was no higher. In those times almost every one attended religious services on Sunday, some walking sev-
1 The late James McKeen, M. D.
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GENERAL AND SOCIAL.
eral miles, while others, riding from a greater distance, would, in the winter time, drive to the house of Mr. Alexander Rogers, who lived near by. This was absolutely necessary if they needed to get warmed, as the old church was never heated, even in the most severe weather, save by the fervor of the parson's theme and the little foot-stoves carried by the ladies. It was never considered time to start for church from Mr. Randall's until Mr. John Graves, who, from his exact regularity in attendance, was called " the clock," was seen to pass.
After the close of the Indian wars Brunswick and Topsham pro- gressed rapidly in wealth and importance. Agriculture became the chief employment of the people, though a few were engaged in coast- ing. - carrying wood and lumber to other markets. As the prospects of the town grew better and better, the proprietors became more encouraged and assisted the purchasers of their lands by taking their pay in lumber or such products of their labor as could be spared.
As previously mentioned, the earlier inhabitants travelled mostly on foot, though a few owned horses and did their visiting on horseback. Indeed, nearly everything that a man could not transport himself was carried in that manner, and the saddle-bags were made capacious enough to hold veal, mutton, and produce of all kinds. At the meeting-house and at every retail store there was a horse-block with three steps, for the convenience of persons when mounting their steeds.
It is uncertain to whom belongs the honor of owning the first two- wheeled chaise. Judge Minot of Brunswick, and Robert Patten of Topsham, who were contemporaries, each owned one prior to the Revo- Intion. Robert Patten, very likely, bought lis soon after his marriage in 1768, although a ride in his " shay" may have been one of the inducements to his fair lady-love to wed him. Mr. James Curtis in 1830 wrote in his journal that fifty years previously (1780), when he was twelve years of age, " there was not a wheel carriage nor even a sleigh in Brunswick."
There is, however, no question that Judge Minot owned one pre- vions to that time, but as Curtis lived at New Meadows, and the judge at Mair Point, the former may never have seen it. About the year 1790, Captain William Stanwood, Captain John Dunlap, and Benjamin Stone each owned a chaise. These chaises are described as clumsy, lumbersome vehicles, without springs and very heavy.
The first balanced two-wheel chaise in Brunswick is said to have been owned by William Alexander. Professor Cleaveland once hired
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HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK, TOPSHAM, AND HARPSWELL.
this chaise to journey in to Boston, having first measured it and tested its strength in order to be assured that it was a safe vehicle.
Wagons were not introduced until about the year 1816 or 1817, and there had been but two or three carts, in Brunswick at least, previous to that date. The late Captain Peter Jordan, who lived at New Meadows, stated that he had the first wagon at the eastern part of Brunswick. He said that at the time of his purchase it was considered a great luxury, but that it was in reality little better than a cart. It was very heavy and was clumsily built, and as the body rested directly upon the axles. without the intervention of springs of any kind, the rider was apt to be jolted about not a little.
During the early part of the Revolutionary War, nails were so high that many used wooden pegs for 'shingling, boarding, and flooring their houses.1 At this time such luxuries as carpets were unheard of here. The first one ever made in Topsham (for they were all home- made at first) was made in 1799, by Miss Margaret Rogers (the late Mrs. Nathaniel Green). This carpet was made of small squares of cloth about ten inches in diameter. These squares were alternately light and dark colored, and each one had some figure upon it, either an oak-leaf, a heart, or two hearts joined. A light-colored figure was always put on a dark square and vice versa. In 1800, at the time when the death of Washington was commemorated at the old meet- ing-house in Topsham, this carpet was borrowed to cover the rough platform which was built up in front of the pulpit, and upon which were seated the poet of the occasion and the dignitaries of the day. There was one other carpet in town at this time, belonging to the wife of Doctor Porter, but as it was fastened to the floor she objected to having it taken up.2
Weddings in those days were so similar to each other and differed so little from the present fashion, except in the amount of display attending and the sports following them, that it seems unnecessary to go into details concerning them. Three occurrences of this kind, however, were so peculiar as to demand special mention here. The first occurred in 1783 or 1785, and the facts have been deposed to under oath. Mr. William Walker, of Falmouth, and Miss Sybil Staples, of Topsham, had long been affianced and were anxious to be married. The day was fixed upon, and Reverend John Miller, of Brunswick, was requested to officiate. The wedding was to take
1 McKeen, MSS. Lectures; also James Curtis's Journal.
2 Diary of the late Dr. James McKeen.
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GENERAL AND SOCIAL.
place in Topsham. either at the residence of the bride's parents or at the meeting-house. " The course of true love ne'er runs smoothi." There was no bridge across the river at this time and a sudden and unusual freshet prevented all crossing at the ferry, so that Mr. Miller was unable to keep his appointment. The bride and groom, deter- mined not to delay, were equal to the emergency. By some means communication was established with Mr. Miller. The bridal party took their place on the Topsham side at the ferry-landing. After the bridegroom and bride had joined hands, Mr. Miller, on the opposite shore, lifted up his voice, and in a speech heard distinctly across the river, pronounced the twain to be one flesh.1
The following marriage certificate was copied verbatim from the original, now in the possession of Mr. J. L. Douglas, of Bath, and shows the ancient form of marriage of the Friends, which has been slightly modified. and is in use by this society at the present time : -
" Whereas, Cornalas Duglas of Harpswell, in the County of Cum- berland, son of Elijah Duglas and Phebe his wife, and Ann Estis, Daughter of Edward Estes and Patience his wife, both of the afore sd town And County and Provence of the Massachusetts baye, in newengland, having declared their intentions of taking Eich other in marige, before two publick meeting of the people Called quakers, in Harpswell and falmouth, acording to Good order used amongst them, and Procedeing thirein after Delibarate Consideration, they allso ap- earing Clear of ali others, And haveing Concent of parents and Rela- tives Concerned, ware approved by sd meeting. Now these are to certify all whome it may concern, that for accompleshing their sd Intentions, this 10th day of the 11th month called november, anno- domi seventeen hundred and sixty seven, they the sd Cornalas Duglas and Ann Estes, appeared in a publick assembly of the afore- said people, And others met together att their publick meeting house att Harpswell, aforesaid. And he, the said Cornalas Duglas, in a solom maner, takeing the said Ann Estes by the Hand, Did openly Declared as follows : friends, I Desire you to be my witnesses, that I take this friend, Aun Estis, to be my wife, promising through the Lord's assistance, to be unto Her a true and Loveing Husband untel it Shall pleas the Lord by Death to sepperate us. And then and their in the said assembley, the said ann Estis did in like manner Declare as followeth : friends. I Desire you to be my witnesses, that I take this friend, Cornelas Duglas, to be my Husband, promasing through the
1 Pejepscot Papers.
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HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK, TOPSHAM, AND HARPSWELL.
Lord's assistance, to be unto him A true and Loveing wife, until it Shall pleas the Lord by Death to sepperate us. And as a further con- formation theirof, the said Cornelas Duglas and ann Estis did then and their, by these Presents, set their hands, she according to Cus- tom, assuming the name of her Husband,
" CORNELAS DUGLAS. ANN DUGLAS.
" And we, whose names are hearunto Subscribed, being present at the Solomnizing of Said marrige and Subcribtion in manner afore- said, as witnesses, have allso to these Presents Subscribed our names, the Daye and year above writen.
" JOSHUA BABB, ELIJAH DUGLAS, PATIENCE ESTES,
NATHANIEL PINKHAM,
ROGER TOOTHAKER,
LEMUEL JONES,
GIDEON TOOTHAKER,
JOIIN BARKER,
THANKFUL JONES,
JOIIN BARKER, JR.,
SARAH PINKHAM,
ELIZABETH DUGLAS,
ELEANOR HAIS,
WAIT JONES,
MARY HAIS,
SARAH ESTES,
BETY WEBER,
ELENOR ESTES,
ABAGAIL RODEX,
MARCY JONES,
CATHRINE PINKHAM,
RACHEL JONES,
SARAH PINKHAM."
The other wedding to which reference was made is remarkable only for the coincidence of the relationship. On September 28, 1825, in the Friends' Meeting-House, in Durham, Elijah and Reuben Cole, of China, twin brothers, were married to Elizabeth and Mary Jones, daughters of Edward Jones, of Brunswick, and twin sisters.
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