USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Harpswell > History of Brunswick, Topsham, and Harpswell, Maine, including the ancient territory known as Pejepscot > Part 24
USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Brunswick > History of Brunswick, Topsham, and Harpswell, Maine, including the ancient territory known as Pejepscot > Part 24
USA > Maine > Sagadahoc County > Topsham > History of Brunswick, Topsham, and Harpswell, Maine, including the ancient territory known as Pejepscot > Part 24
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autumn of 1855 the society held its first fair in the old town-house in Topsham, and Reverend Amos D. Wheeler, of that town. delivered an address. The exhibition was a marked success. Since then annual exhibitions have been held, and the condition of the society has steadily improved. It now ranks among the very best of the agricultural societies in the State. It owns upwards of nineteen acres of land, a large two-story building, in which the exhibitions are held, a dining-hall, stable, and other buildings. The society is free from debt, and has a large membership.
September 19, 1774, a grange of THE PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY WAS organized at Topsham, and about the same time one was organized in Brunswick. Both are in a flourishing condition.
CHARITABLE ASSOCIATIONS.
The oldest association for charitable and social purposes is UNITED LODGE, NO. 8, OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS. The charter for this lodge was granted by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, December 14, 1801. The charter members were Jacob Brown, Wil- liam Fairfield, James Rogers, Daniel Holden, Ziba Eaton, Samuel Snow, Jonathan Snow, David Patterson, James McLellan, and Joshua Emery. The first master was Jacob Brown.
The lodge was established in Topsham, holding its first meeting under the charter, February 20, 1802, at the house of Mr. Gideon Walker. The record furnishes no clew as to the exact place of meet- ing after that above mentioned, it simply reading " Mason's Hall "; and although a committee was raised at the first meeting "for the purpose of hiring a hall and furnishing furniture, clothing, etc.," no record of the report of that committee is found. In 1804 a committee was chosen to " draw a draft " (for a new hall), and on February 12, 1805, it was " voted that there be a committee chosen for the purpose of making all the necessary arrangements for building a Masonic Hall and to carry the same into effect."
On May 27, 1806, a committee was chosen to complete a Masonic Hall, and September 23, 1806, it was " voted that the secretary be empowered to subscribe five shares for United Lodge for the purpose of building a hall"; and the new hall was dedicated January 1. 1807. The lodge was evidently not at that time full owner of the hall, as a vote passed March 17, 1807, provides " that the lodge take all indi- vidual shares and pay for them, when the lodge is in capacity to do the same." This hall was in the building now known as the Franklin Family School. Several public displays are recorded while the lodge
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was located in Topsham. On June 24, 1806, the Festival of St. John the Baptist, a "procession formed (under direction of David Patterson, as marshal , and moved to Mr. Daniel Owen's hall, at Brunswick, where thirty-one Masons, together with five musicians, dined and then returned."
On June 24, 1808, the Festival of St. John the Baptist was cele- brated by United Lodge and Solar Lodge of Bath. Jacob Herrick delivered an address at the new meeting-house in Brunswick.
In 1810 the question of moving the lodge to Brunswick was consid- ered, and in 1814 it was voted to petition the Grand Lodge for per- mission to remove it. The answer to this petition was as follows ; -
. GRAND LODGE OF MASSACHUSETTS, JUNE 10, A. L. 5816.
" On the petition of the officers and members of the United Lodge, situated at Topsham, voted that United Lodge have leave to remove from the town of Topsham to the town of Brunswick, of which the officers and members will take due notice and govern themselves accordingly.
" JOHN FOLEY, Grand Secretary." " BOSTON, June 20, A. L. 5816."
The above is a correct copy of the indorsement on the charter.
On June 24, 1816, a procession being formed, the lodge was joined by the officers and members of Freeport and Solar Lodges, and by the District Deputy Grand Master Oliver Bray, Esquire. The pro- cession, preceded by a band of music, marched to the meeting-house in Brunswick, where an oration was delivered by Robert Pinckney Dunlap. The procession was again formed, moved to Washington Hall, and partook of a bountiful dinner provided by Robert Eastman. The lodge did not return to Topsham, but met in Washington Hall, from this date until January 16, 1817, when a new hall, on Mason Street, was dedicated. Only Masonic visitors were present at this ceremony. Robert P. Dunlap delivered an oration, and the fraternity afterwards "partook of a sumptuous dinner" at the house of the master, Doctor Jonathan Page. In January, 1822, this lodge was incorporated into a body politic, " with all the privileges usually granted to other societies, instituted for purposes of charity and beneficence." In the year 1844 the Masonic Hall was enlarged and refurnished at considerable expense. This hall was over the Mason Street School-house, and the whole building (and land) was in 1872 sold to the town for an engine-house. The lodge moved from the
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hall on Mason Street, October 3, 1872, into spacious rooms in the third story of the new building, known as " Lemont Block," on the corner of Maine and Pleasant Streets.1
The following anecdote comes in naturally in this connection. Early in the century a man came to Brunswick, who claimed that he was a Free Mason when he was not one. The deception was at once detected, but a few of the members of that fraternity determined to have some sport with the man, and at the same time give him a lesson that would be likely in future to deter lim from attempting to gain a clandestine admission into other lodges. He was told that it was the custom of the Masons there to initiate all strangers before admitting them to the lodge, and that no exception could be made in his case. He consented to submit to the ordeal, and a room over Schwartkins's shop was at once prepared for the ceremony. The details of the initiation have not been preserved, but it is known that he was anointed with water in such quantity that it ran down through the floor on to the table at which Schwartkins and his family were at dinner. After the ceremony was finished the candidate was asked whether it was similar to what he had previously experienced when he was admitted to the fraternity. He replied, " It resembles it some, but you use a great deal more water here."
THE BRUNSWICK HUMANE SOCIETY was organized May 2, 1820. This was, as its name would indicate, a benevolent society, its object being to make gratuitous provision for the sick and destitute, of bedding and clothing, as far as it was able; and to assist such desti- tute children as manifested a desire to attend the Sabbath school. with suitable clothing. The meetings of the society were held at the residences of members. During the first year there were weekly meet- ings at which the time was occupied in making or repairing such gar- ments as they were able to procure for the above purposes. After the first year the incetings were less frequent.
In March, 1822, the society contributed clothing, bedding, etc., " to students who had suffered in consequence of the fire on March 4." and it was at this time voted " that the sum of thirty dollars be delivered to Reverend William Allen to be expended in such articles as he shall judge proper for indigent students."
The last meeting recorded was held October 30, 1834.
During its existence this society did a good work in relieving the wants of the poor and adding to the comfort of the sick.
1 For the foregoing account we are indebted to Ira P. Booker and to L. H. Stover, Secretary of United Lodge.
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HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK, TOPSHAM, AND HARPSWELL.
The PEJEPSCOT LODGE, NO. 13, INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FEL- LOWS, was chartered May 2, 1844, and was instituted June 13, of the same year. The charter members were Giles Bailey, John S. Cush- ing, John D. Coburn. Leonard P. Merrill, William H. Morse, and Horatio Hall.
The first officers were, John S. Cushing, N. G .; Wm. H. Morse, V. G .; Jos. Lunt, 2d, T. ; L. P. Merrill, Sec.
A hall was leased for five years of John S. Cushing, over his store on the corner of Maine and Pleasant Streets. It was neatly and elegantly furnished. The carpets, drapery, curtains, etc., were of the best material, and the regalia compared favorably with any in the State. There were forty-two members the first year, and in 1849 the number had increased to eighty-six. In December of that year the hall, which the lodge had occupied for five years and six months, was destroyed by fire together with its contents, including nearly all of the books and papers belonging to the lodge.
After the fire, the lodge held its meetings in a room over the store on the corner of Maine and Lincoln Streets, now A. T. Campbell's store.
The lodge did not flourish after the fire as it had done previously, and the number of its members grew less each year, and finally, in 1858, the charter was surrendered. From that year until 1875, there was no lodge of Odd Fellows in Brunswick.
In the fall of 1875 the old lodge was revived, and on the evening of October 6 there was a public installation of officers. Grand Mas- ter Stone was the installing officer, and the following were installed officers of the lodge, Frank Johnson, Noble Grand ; Ed. Beaumont, Vice-Grand; R. B. Melcher, R. S .; W. F. Tyler, P. S .; E. T. Gatchell, Treasurer.
The LADIES' SOLDIERS AID SOCIETY was organized September 16, 1862. It lasted during the civil war. In 1863 a series of public tableaux was given by it for the purpose of raising funds.
LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES.
Of the numerous associations of a literary and scientific charac- ter, which have existed in either of the three towns, the NUCLEUS CLUB, of Brunswick and Topsham, deservedly takes the highest rank. It was instituted April 7, 1820, and existed under the name of the Nucleus Club until about 1832, when its name was changed to that of the Brunswick and Topsham Athencum, and
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under that name it flourished for some years longer, when it was disbanded.
In the year 1830 the constitution, by-laws, and rules of the club were printed, together with a list of its members at that time.
The exercises at the regular meetings of the club were a discussion of a subject which had been proposed, and accepted by the club, at a previous meeting, a lecture, dissertation, or such other performance as may have been provided for by the superintending committee or by the by-laws.
On the evening of each anniversary an address was delivered by the president, and a poem or dissertation by some member, previously appointed by the club for the purpose.
The by-laws provided for "a superintending committee," whose duty it was to select subjects and assign them to different members for discussion ; to procure lecturers ; purchase apparatus ; and to have the general superintendence of all matters not otherwise pro- vided for.
Standing committees were also chosen annually, for the considera- tion of the subjects mentioned in the list given below. The club pos- sessed quite a large library, which was procured by purchase and by donations. When the club disbanded the books were distributed by lot among the members.
The following is a list of the officers and committees in 1830 : -
John C. Humphreys. President ; James Cary, Vice-President ; Fran- cis D. Cushing, Secretary ; - -, Librarian.
Library Committee. - A. B. Thompson, John Coburn.
Superintending Committee. - Ebenezer Everett, John Coburn, Wm. Smyth, Charles Weld, John McKeen, Samuel P. Newman, Alpheus S. Packard, Elijah P. Pike, and Abner B. Thompson.
On Chemistry. - Parker Cleaveland, Geo. E. Adams, Geo. W. Holden, A. S. Packard, and Joseph McKeen.
Folitical Economy and Civil Polity. - Robert P. Dunlap, S. P. Newman, C. Packard, R. T. Dunlap, M. E. Woodman, S. Veazie. C. Thompson, and P. O. Alden.
Literature and Belles-Lettres. - S. P. Newman, E. Everett, and R. P. Dunlap.
Banking and a Circulating Medium. - E. Everett, Thos. G. Sand- ford, N. Hinkley, N. Perkins, and A. B. Thompson.
Electricity and Magnetism. - Win. Smyth, I. Lincoln, James McKeen, and L. T. Jackson.
Navigation and Commerce. - A. B. Thompson, S. Veazie, W. Frost, John Dunlap, and N. Hinkley.
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Astronomy. - C. Weld and James McKeen.
Agriculture. - David Dunlap, John McKeen, Nath. Dunning, and G. W. Holden.
Subjects connected with the Business and future Prospects of the Vil- lages of Brunswick and Topsham. - John Coburn, J. C. Humphreys, F. D. Cushing, Dennis Gillett, J. S. Cushing, R. Forsaith, C. Water- house, John Owen, and Jos. Dunning,
Mathematics and Surveying. - E. P. Pike, Wm. Smyth, and R. D. Dunning.
Hydrostatics and Mechanics. - P. Cleaveland, J. Cary, Joseph Griffin, N. Houghton, L. T. Jackson, J. W. Moore, L. T. Cushing, J. R. Larrabee. H. M. Prescott, J. Stinchfield, and E. P. Pike.
Public Schools. - John McKeen, Geo. E. Adams, N. Perkins, Asa Dodge, and J. B. Cleaveland.
Roads and Canals. - Charles Packard, John Coburn, Joseph McKeen, M. E. Woodman, and C. Thompson.
History. - A. S. Packard and C. Weld.
THE PYTHONIAN SOCIETY was organized in January, 1825. Its object was debating, composition, and friendly and social intercourse. Only persons desirous of cultivating literary tastes by reading and discussions were invited to join. Dissertations were required from each member in turn.
Its anniversary was observed every year in Jannary, at which time officers were chosen, and an address delivered by the president ; some- times there was also a poem, and always a supper.
The society had a small but select library, which was distributed among its members when it was disbanded, which was about 1853, having had an existence for upwards of twenty-five years.
The average membership was small, perhaps fifteen or sixteen. We are unable to give a list of its members, but it is worthy of remark that John S. Cushing was a member for upwards of twenty-five years, he having joined it the first year of its existence and continued an active member until he removed from town in 1852. The constitu- tion, by-laws, and a list of members of this organization were once printed, but no copy has been obtained and it is doubtful whether one now exists.
In the winter of 1829-30 the BRUNSWICK LYCEUM was formed. It originated in the following manner. The Washington Fire Club had been accustomed to hold its annual meeting and to have an address delivered, in the winter season. This year the address was by Pro- fessor A. S. Packard, on the organization and importance of lyceums.
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This address was favorably received, and the club voted to call a meet- ing of the citizens to hear the address and to consider the propriety of forming a lyceum. A meeting was held in the Universalist Church on Federal Street (now Dirigo Hall, on Gilman Avenue), and a lyceum was formed Committees were chosen to provide dissertations or essays on the particular subjects of which they had charge. Several lectures were given, but the society lasted only for a short time.
The BRUNSWICK AND TOPSHAM ATHENEUM was the Nucleus Club under a different name. It received this name about 1832. This society was in existence in 1836, but no later reference to it has been found. At a meeting of this society in May, 1833, a committee was chosen to inquire into the practicability of building a railway from Brunswick to the tide waters in Casco Bay.
In November, 1842, the BRUNSWICK AND TOPSHAM LYCEUM SOCI- ETY was formed. It was in existence in 1845, perhaps later. The society not only provided lectures, but public discussions were held by it in the Maine Street Baptist Church in Brunswick.
The CASTALIAN SOCIETY OF BRUNSWICK was in existence in 1845. Nothing more is known concerning it. The name would indicate that its object was to encourage a taste for poetry.
The BRUNSWICK LINNEAN SOCIETY, organized in May, 1845, was formed at the suggestion of Professor Cleaveland, the object being to " acquire a systematic knowledge of natural history." Meetings were held once a week at the residences of its members. At each meeting a dissertation was read by soine member, and various subjects were analyzed. During the summer, botany was the subject of study. At other times, ornithology, conchology, entomology, ichthyology, mete- orology, mammalogy, physiology, and geology.
In the summer, excursions were made. July 1, 1846, the society went to Harpswell Island to visit a grove of the mountain laurel. The next summer an excursion was made to Merrymeeting Bay, in the steamer " Rough and Ready." Other excursions were made at differ- ent times to localities of interest in the vicinity.
Each anniversary was observed in a fitting manner. The first by an excursion and picnic to Harpswell Island. The second by a social meeting, with invited friends, at Common's Hall, at which an oration was delivered by W. G. Barrows, a poem by G. F. Dunning, and an original ode by A. W. Knight. Upon the third anniversary a social gathering was held at the Brunswick Seminary, an oration was deliv- ered by H. K. Craig, and a poem by A. W. Knight.
In 1848 a number of lectures were delivered before the society (not
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HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK, TOPSHAM, AND IIARPSWELL.
public) by Professor Cleaveland, G. C. Swallow, A. W. Knight, Oliver Stevens, S. J. Humphrey, L. P. Merrill, W. G. Barrows, and Doctor J. D. Lincoln.
The society flourished until the spring of 1849 (a period of four years), when it was " voted not to assign any regular parts during the summer, but to come together in a social way once a fortnight and occasionally for a walk." Meetings were thus held for a short time, when they ceased altogether.
The average membership of the society was from twenty-five to thirty.
A TOWN HISTORY AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY was organized in Brunswick, March 30, 1870, by the choice of A. G. Tenney, chair- man, and John Furbish, secretary. Apart from creating an interest in its members for the objects for which it was formed, this society resulted in a failure.
Debating societies and lyceums of minor importance have also existed in various parts of each of these towns, but they do not call for particular mention here.
MUSICAL SOCIETIES.
. The first musical society in this vicinity was the HAYDEN SOCIETY, formed about 1825.
This was followed in 1829 by the MOZART SOCIETY. This society was formed for the cultivation of musical tastes and for social inter- course. Its meetings were held at the Tontine Hotel, Maine Hotel, and at Robert Orr's office. It embraced members from Topsham as well as from Brunswick. Robert Orr, General Abner B. Thompson, James McKeen, M. D., John H. Thompson, and Benjamin Dennison are known to have been members.
About 1844 the BRUNSWICK BRASS BAND was formed. It was probably the earliest band formed in this vicinity. It consisted of fifteen members and was in existence five or six years. William R. Field, Jr., was the leader during the last year of its existence.
The musical organizations of a later date have been too numerous to admit of mention here.
MORAL ASSOCIATIONS.
In 1826 the PEACE SOCIETY OF BRUNSWICK was organized. It continued in existence for seven years, perhaps longer. Nothing has been ascertained in regard to its membership or its meetings.
March 20, 1838, the TOPSHAM ANTISLAVERY SOCIETY was organ-
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ized. James McKeen, M. D., was elected president ; David Scrib- ner, vice-president ; and Joseph Barron, secretary. The whole number of members was fifty-eight. Their constitution required them to meet quarterly for the purpose of discussing the subject of slavery.
About 1845 the LIBERTY ASSOCIATION OF BRUNSWICK was formed. Nothing has been ascertained in regard to this society, but judging from its name, it was probably a political society.
PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATIONS.
The earliest society of this kind, not including insurance companies, etc., which appear in another connection, was the BRUNSWICK WATCH ASSOCIATION. This was an organization of citizens voluntarily asso- ciated together to secure the village against fire during the winter season, when it was difficult to obtain water. At that time, there being no suction hose, the engines had to be filled by buckets.
The association was formed January 14, 1826, a meeting of citi- zens being called for this purpose. At this meeting Joseph McKeen, Parker Cleaveland, Caleb Cushing, Richard T. Dunlap, Abner B. Thompson, and Benj. Weld were chosen a committee to prepare a system of rules for regulating the watch. They reported, and the association adopted, the following
BY-LAWS FOR THE WATCH.
1. " The watch for each night shall consist of four citizens, two of whom shall remain at the place of rendezvous, while the other two are out upon duty.
2. " The watch shall so divide themselves every night, that each half shall perform duty in that part of the village in which they reside, so far as this may be practicable.
3. " The watch shall make five rounds of the village during the night, the rounds commencing at ten o'clock, hu'f past eleven, one o'clock, half past two, and four o'clock.
4. "Each round shall be divided into two parts, viz., one part, commencing at the place of rendezvous, shall proceed up Main Street to the Academy, thence returning by the meeting-house to the store of Joseph McKeen, Esquire, pass through Cross Street to Federal Street, thence down the same to School Street, through that to Pleas- ant Street, proceeding up that street to the house of Captain John A. Dunning, and thence return to the place of rendezvous.
" The other part, commencing at the same place of rendezvous, shall
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proceed down Main Street to the bridge, thence through Bow Street to Mill Street, and up that street to the house of Mr. B. Wells, thence back through Mill Street to Main Street, thence through Mason Street to Federal Street, up that street to the house of Mr. C. Water- house, thence back through Centre Street to Main Street, and thence to the place of rendezvous.
5. "The watch will proceed on their rounds without causing any unnecessary noise or disturbance to the inhabitants. In case of fire they will give the most prompt and effectual alarm.
6. "One member of the committee, in the afore-mentioned order of their names, will superintend the watch, as expressed in the sub- joined list of the watch.
7. "Every member of the association who may be necessarily prevented from watching in his turn, shall furnish a suitable substitute, who, if not a member of the association, shall be approved by the committee for the week, or instead thereof, he shall pay the sum of one dollar ; and the name of the substitute shall be presented, or the money paid to the committee for the week, as early as twelve o'clock of the day preceding his turn to watch.
8. " Each watchman, when out on duty, shall carry a watch-pole ; and the poles during the day shall be deposited at the place of rendez- vous, together with lanterns, to be used when necessary.
9. " The names of those who may be delinquent, or fail to com- ply with the by-laws established, shall be communicated by the com- mittee to the association at the close of the season."
The by-laws were printed in sheet form, together with the " Order of the Watch," which gave the names of the members and the dates upon which they were expected to watch. The place of rendezvous was, at first, the counting-room of Farrin & Dunning. In 1827 it was at Barker and Rogers's Inn.
The Executive Committee in 1826 were : -
Joseph McKeen, Parker Cleaveland, Caleb Cushing, Richard T. Dunlap, Abner B. Thompson, Benjamin Weld. The association contained at that time one hundred and thirty-one members, some of whom were professors in college, and nearly all of whom were amongst the most esteemed citizens of the town.
The expense of the watch was paid by voluntary subscription the first year, but afterwards it was assessed by the committee upon the citizens, according to the amount of property they had exposed to fire. Hot coffee, bread, butter, cheese, and cold meats were furnished the watch at midnight. The watch-poles which were carried by the
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watchmen were about three feet long, with a hook at one end. The poles were used to walk with, and the hooks were used to catch into the clothing of any culprit who sought to escape from the watch by running.
A " Watch Book" was kept at the rendezvous, in which the watch each morning recorded any interesting event which occurred during the night. A book containing the records from January 1st to March 31st, 1827, is the only one we have been able to find. It contains no record of historical value, but has much of a humorous character, as the following extracts will show : -
" January 6th. Nothing material happened during the night. Found one light in a dangerous position (viz. at the head of a bed in a chair) ; two fires badly taken care of, and some courting on hand, people up late."
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