USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Harpswell > History of Brunswick, Topsham, and Harpswell, Maine, including the ancient territory known as Pejepscot > Part 59
USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Brunswick > History of Brunswick, Topsham, and Harpswell, Maine, including the ancient territory known as Pejepscot > Part 59
USA > Maine > Sagadahoc County > Topsham > History of Brunswick, Topsham, and Harpswell, Maine, including the ancient territory known as Pejepscot > Part 59
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SHOEMAKERS. - In 1802, there was a shoemaker's shop a few feet north of the residenee of Mr Ephraim Griffin, and another about where the office of Mr. W. B. Purinton is now. The names of the proprietors are not known.
About 1820, Andrew Dennison, who had made boots and shoes for some years previously, was succeeded by Samuel Knight, who eon- tinued in the business until about 1838. At a later date Parker Nash carried on this business.
TAILORS. - The first tailor in Topsham to whom any reference has been found was Thomas Wilson, in 1775 and previously. In 1802 a tailor by the name of Carr oceupied a small house which stood just in front of where Deacon David Seribner now resides. Other tailors
1 Pejepscot Papers.
613
COMMERCIAL HISTORY OF TOPSHAM.
known to have carried on business in this town were John Chambers, 1828 ; John Brown, 1840; Warren Hathorn, 1844; William Heath, 1845 ; Frank T. Littlefield, 1850.
TIN SHOPS AND STOVE MANUFACTORIES. - Mr. H. M. Prescott had a tin shop here as early as 1828, in a store which stood about where Mr. W. B. Purinton's office is now. In 1836, William H. Winslow had a tin shop and manufactured air-tight stoves for his customers. In 1844. H. P. Hubbard & Co. carried on the same business for several years.
WEIGHERS OF HAY, ETC. - Nathaniel Walker is supposed to have owned the first hay-scales in town. They were of peculiar, though simple construction, as the accompanying engraving shows.
19/00
The first patent scales (Fairbanks) were bought about 1839 by Gardner Greene, and were placed on the lot where the engine-house now stands. Isaac P. Tebbetts purchased the next scales, which were on Winter Street.
TRADERS.
There have never been in Topsham any stores devoted to a special branch of trade, unless the two first mentioned should be deemed such, but they have all been of the variety order, keeping a general assortment of goods.
At the May term in 1761, William Wilson and Philip Higgins, both of Topsham, were licensed by the Court of General Sessions for
614
HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK, TOPSHAM, AND HARPSWELL.
Lincoln County to sell tea and coffee. In 1764, William Reed, of Topsham, was licensed by the same court to sell tea
Brigadier Thompson kept store near the site of the present depot, as early as 1790. It is probable that there were no regular stores in Topsham earlier than that date, but that the settlers relied on Bruns- wick for their supplies.
In 1792, Joseph Haley was licensed as a retailer. Benjamin J. Porter and William King, under the name of Porter & King, kept near the southwest corner of Winter and Main Streets, from 1792 until 1802. or a few years later.
Between 1794 and 1799, Ezra Smith, father of St. John Smith, of Portland, was in business here as a store-keeper, but not meeting with much success, moved away about 1801. Isaac Johnson was also licensed as a retailer in 1792.
About 1798, Robert Labish and John Blanchard were engaged in trade here. Blanchard's store was on Green Street, about opposite Thompson Street. According to the statements of some of the aged people now living, these two were the first stores in town.
In 1801, Ezekiel Winan, David Holden, Ezra Smith, James Cush- man, James Stone, John Morse, and Porter & King were all licensed as retailers.
In 1802, James Stone, father of the late Colonel Alfred J. Stone, of Brunswick, kept store in a low, one-story building, on the spot where Mrs. Joshua Haskell now lives, on the corner of Main and Elm Streets. At that time there were woods back of it Henry Wilson kept a store where Charles E. White now does. James Cushman kept a store next south of White's, and Thomas G. & Nathaniel Sand- ford kept one where Mountford's shop now is, Thomas G. continuing in trade as late as 1829.
Prior to 1815. Nathaniel Quint was in trade. Ilis store was de- stroyed by fire about the date given above.
In 1819, Bowman & Haskell commenced to trade in the small honse now occupied by Mrs. Berry, opposite the blacksmith's shop on the Island, and continued for ten years or more.
Between 1819 and 1829, and perhaps both earlier and later, George F. Richardson had a store in town.
About 1820, Samuel and Nahum Perkins opened a general retail store. After a time Samuel sold out his interest to Nahum, who con- tinued it until 1826, when his store and stock were consumed by fire. He subsequently went into business again Green & Hallett kept store in 1820 in a wooden building where the bank is now.
615
COMMERCIAL HISTORY OF TOPSHAM.
From 1820 to 1834, Jonathan Baker kept store in a building which used to stand directly opposite the bank. The cellar of it still remains.
From 1822 to 1825, perhaps longer, William Frost kept store in a building which stood about half-way between where W. B. Purinton's office now is and Summer Street.
In the spring of 1825, John Tebbetts moved to Topsham, from Lisbon, and engaged in general trade, and also in the boot and shoe business. At first he was in partnership with Jeremiah Clough, under the title of Tebbetts & Clough, but the partnership was dissolved November 24, 1828, and the business was afterwards continued by Mr. Tebbetts alone. His stock of goods is said to have been large and choice, and he carried on a very extensive business for the place for many years thereafter.
In addition to those already mentioned, the following individuals and firms were prominent in general trade at or about the dates given : -
In 1822, Gardner Greene, to 1829 or later ; Nathaniel Greene, to 1840 ; Hallett & Brown, Charles Thompson, Samuel Veazie, to 1829 or later.
1824. Samuel and George Dennett, Frost, Swett & Co.
1825. George and William Dennett.
1826. Calvin B. Robbins & Co , William Dennett, the latter con- tinuing in trade for many years.
1828. Jairus Fuller, Jr., Samuel R. Jackson & Co., Abel Merrill, Jr.
1829. Alfred White, and either alone or with others to 1857.
1830. Green and Barron.
1833. J. & B. Barron.
1836. Obed Frost, to 1849 ; Sandford A. Perkins.
1844.
Frost & Whitney, Isaac P. Tebbetts ; Tebbetts, Howland, & Co.
1845. Clough & Thompson.
1850. A. G. Poland, George S. Holt.
1853. Lewis P. Work.
1855.
Alexander Ridley.
Some of the above-named traders were doubtless in business some years before the dates given, and many of them. after retiring for a while from active trade, recommenced either in partnership with others or singly. At the present time, however, the greater number are residents of other towns or are no longer amongst the living.
616
HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK, TOPSHAM, AND HARPSWELL.
PRICES.
The proximity to each other of the villages of Topsham and Brunswick affords of itself an assurance that the prices of standard articles of trade did not vary much in the two towns.
The early settlers in Topsham, and perhaps in Brunswick too, used to trade somewhat at Richmond Fort. From an account-book of Judge Minot, of Brunswick, who was stationed at that fort in 1732 and subsequently, the following statements are taken : -
In 1732, William Reed, of Topsham, was charged with 30 lbs. pork @ 1s. 3d. ; bread, 2s .; rum, 5s. ; "phlip," 1s. 2d.
From 1736 to 1739 the following articles were charged to Jacob Clark, of Topsham : -
1736, May 20, 7} yds. " Ozmb," 4s. ; rum to James, 1s. 8d. ; rum, 1s. 3d. July 30, 6 yds. swan skin, 7s. 6d. ; 1} yds. linen, 88. April 15, 4 lbs. shot, 1s. 3d. ; bread, 4s. ; thread, 4s. August 15, tobacco, 1s. 8d. ; 3 galls. molasses @ 7s. 1739, 4 yds. linen, 7s. ; a pr. hose, 12s. 6d. ; 2 prs. yarn hose @ 6s .; 1 cap, 6s. 6d. ; indigo, 1s. ; 1 pint of rum, 1s. 4d. ; 5 yds. swan skin @ 11s. 6d.
Thomas Thorne, of Topsham, also had a very similar account about the same time.
In 1777 the selectmen, in accordance with an Act of the legislature of the Commonwealth, " To prevent Monopoly and Oppression," fixed the price of labor and of all articles in general use.
The prices named were so nearly like those adopted by the town of Brunswick that their insertion here would be substantially a repetition of that list, and they are therefore omitted.
BANK.
The only bank ever in operation in Topsham was the ANDROSCOGGIN BANK. It was chartered in 1834. Charles Thompson was the presi- dent and John Coburn the cashier for the whole term of its existence. Its charter expired in 1854 and was not renewed The capital stock of this bank was $50,000.
TOWN VALUATION.
The earliest valuation of the town of which any record is to be found was made in 1752. It was at this time as follows : -
Polls, 28 ; property, £180 78.
The wealthiest man in town then was Lieutenant Adam Hunter,
617
COMMERCIAL HISTORY OF TOPSHIAM.
whose real estate was estimated at £1 15s., and personal property at £18 4s.1
The total valuation for 1758 was, polls 47 ; property, £1,052 128. Adam Hunter, then a captain, was still the richest man, his whole estate being estimated at £115.2
A new State valuation was completed in 1761, and " Topsham pre- cinct" was assessed but seventeen shillings.3
The following is the valuation of the town in the years named. We have been unable to find the valuation for any year between 1771 and 1841. In 1771 the number of polls was one hundred and six ; per- sonal property, £21 11s. 8d. ; estates, £204 17s. 5d. In 1841, the val- uation of the town was $428,931. In 1850 it was $581,232. In 1860 there were three hundred and forty-five polls, and the valuation was $810,623. In 1870 the number of polls was three hundred and sixty-five, and the valuation was $879,051.
The assessment of the town for county expenses was, in 1764, £6 10s. ; in 1787, ££18 12s. 6d. ; in 1807 it was $440.89 ; and in 1813, $245.58.
POPULATION.
The first regular census of the town, known certainly to have been taken was in 1765. At this time there were in Topsham fifty-four houses, fifty-two families, seventy-eight males under sixteen years of age, eighty-five males over that age, eighty-five females under and seventy-eight over sixteen, and one negro, - a total population of three hundred and twenty-seven, exclusive of Indians. The population subsequently to the above date has been as follows : -
1776
657
1810
1,271
1820
1,429
1830
1,564
1840
1,883
1850
. 2,010
1860
1,605
1870
1,501
1 Pejepscot Papers. 2 Ibid.
8 North's History of Augusta, p. 71.
618
IIISTORY OF BRUNSWICK, TOPSHAM, AND IIARPSWELL.
CHAPTER XXII.
COMMERCIAL HISTORY OF HARPSWELL.
THE principal occupation of the first settlers of Harpswell is said to have been cutting cord-wood and shipping it to Boston, Salem, and other ports, although farming and fishing were doubtless carried on to some extent. Bailey's Island, which is now nearly barren of trees, was at that time densely covered with wood. After a while the set- tlers devoted themselves almost exclusively to farming and fishing.
FISHERIES.
We have been unable to obtain any statistics of this business at an early date. At the present time there are caught, dried, and cured in Harpswell about 20,000 quintals of fish annually, consisting of cod, hake, haddock, pollock, and cusk. Smaller fish, such as mack- erel, porgies, and herring, are also caught in abundance. In the month of September the herring come in very plenty, and it is not uncommon to see, in Mackerel Cove and Jaquis' Harbor, from seventy-five to one hundred and fifty sail of vessels. Large quantities of the fish are taken to Portland, where they are packed and shipped to various parts of the country as "Portland Herring." During the months of March, April, and May, most of the fishermen are engaged in the lobster fishery. The fishing smacks are so arranged that the lobsters are kept alive, and large numbers are shipped to Portland, Boston, and New York.
In former years the clam business was quite an important branch of the fisheries. but it is not so now. About the year 1863 there were put up, and sold at prices ranging from $8.00 to $14.00 per barrel, not less than 2.500 barrels. The principal dealers in fish are S. Watson, A. T. Trufant, and John Power, of East Harpswell ; Smul- len & Prince and J. M. Johnson, of Orr's Island; E. C. Simpson & Co. and J. B. Pinkham, of West Harpswell.
MILLS.
Owing to the fact that Harpswell possesses no streams large enough to afford sufficient water-power, but little attention has been given to manufactures in this town.
619
COMMERCIAL HISTORY OF HARPSWELL.
Previous to 1758 there was a wind-mill in the town and a tide-mill called Jones's Mill.1 The location of the wind-mill is not known. The tide-mill was situated near the farm of Arthur Orr, and was at one time owned by him. It was originally built by a family of Quakers, by the name of Jones. Captain James Sinnett, of Bailey's Island, remembers a very old mill at Widgeon Cove, which was standing as late as the year 1804. It was then owned, in part, by Silas Allen and Deacon James Wilson.
About the year 1800 there was a wind-mill near Charles Merry- man's. It was built and owned by Major Paul Randall. The great shaft for the mill he hauled from Brunswick, and it was so heavy he nearly broke the backs of his oxen drawing it over some of the hills. The mill did not do much business. It was situated down near the shore, instead of upon the ridge, which would have furnished more wind-power. The present saw and grist mill was erected about the year 1850. It is owned in shares, about twenty in number.
In 1855, or thereabouts, there were two grist-mills on Great Island, one owned by Stephen Purinton, Esquire, and the other by a Mr. Ridley.
SALT-WORKS.
During the Revolution salt was very scarce. An Irishman on Great Island, who understood how to make salt from sea-water, sug- gested the building of salt-works on that island. A company was formed, a building erected, and kettles and other appliances were pur- chased. The Irishman, whose name was Millay, had charge of the kettles. A yoke of oxen was employed to draw wood for the ovens. Sixty bushels of salt per week were manufactured, and it was sold in Boston for two dollars per bushel.
TRADES.
The population of Harpswell is so scattered that it has been found uo easy thing to obtain an account of the various trades pursued in former times or at present. The following is all that we have obtained any information about.
BAKERS. - Early in the present or late in the last century a Mr. Ryan had a bakery on Great Island. He moved to Brunswick in 1804 or 1805.
BLACKSMITHS. - Nehemiah Curtis, whose shop was one mile above the Congregational Church on the Neck, was the first blacksmith in
Memoranda of Reverend Samuel Eaton, in Pejepscot Papers.
620
HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK, TOPSHAM, AND HARPSWELL.
town of whom we have any account. He was succeeded in the busi- ness by his son and grandson, of the same name. The grandson kept the shop until 1820. Somewhat later in the business were Ben- jamin Curtis, whose shop was half a mile northwest of the church, and Barstow Curtis, whose shop was where Abijah Stover now lives.
BOAT-BUILDERS. - David Doughty was the first boat-builder on Great Island. He was engaged in this business as late as 1847. He was succeeded in the business by William Doughty. Since then the business has been carried on by quite a large number of persons.
BOOT AND SHOF, MAKERS. - James Merryman, on the Neck, near the Baptist Church, and William Orr, on Orr's Island, were engaged in the boot and shoe business for some years. They moved away about 1847.
BRICK-YARDS. - In 1805 there was a brick-yard owned by a Mr. Douglass, situated on the Neck, about three miles above the Congre- gational Church. It was in operation only a short time. There was another one carried on by a Mr. Reed in 1812 to 1815, on Orr's Island.
CARPENTERS AND JOINERS. - John Curtis, in 1802 to 1804, and Waitstill Webber, an apprentice of Curtis's, in 1804, worked at this trade. Their shop was on the Neck, about two miles above the Con- gregational Church. In 1806, John Bibber pursued this occupation.
GUNSMITHS. - A man by the name of Nason lived on Bailey's Island about 1856, and carried on the business of a gunsmith. His shop was where Prince & Smullen's store is now.
HARNESS AND SADDLE MAKERS. - A man by the name of Barstow carried on the above business for one year in 1816 or 1817.
MASONS. - The only mason that we have received any account of was a man by the name of Ewing. He lived on Great Island, but at what date is not known to us.
SURVEYORS. - The only surveyors of land of whom we have any ac- count were Paul and Benjamin Randall, who lived about two miles and a half above the Congregational Church. Paul died about 1874 ; Benjamin, about 1847.
TAILORS. - From 1800 to 1806, D. Merritt carried on the tailoring business in town. He moved to Durham.
TANNERS. - In the carly part of the century, Thomas Farr had a tannery in Stover's Cove, on the Neck, and Benjamin Dunning had one about three miles above the Congregational Church. In the cast- ern part of the town, Stephen Purinton had one.
621
COMMERCIAL HISTORY OF HARPSWELL.
TRADERS.
Mr. James Booker kept store as early as 1752 and as late as 1762. About the latter date Andrew Dunning and Alexander Wilson were also in trade ; that is, they were licensed retailers, and had a stock of goods which they disposed of to the settlers when called upon, but they probably did not confine themselves exclusively to that business.
Joseph Coney came from Boston in 1795 and opened a store, which was opposite the lower end of Orr's Island. It was afterwards occu- pied by Bruce & Everett, Silas H. Dodge, and Jacob Merryman. Joseph Eaton kept store near the Congregational Church until his death, about 1846. A Mr. Pinkham once kept store at the end of Potts's Point, but the date is unknown. In 1847, Washington Gar- celon, post-master, had one near Paul Randall's.
Bailey's Island. - The old store which once stood at the head of the cove, on the outer end of Bailey's Island, has been occupied by the following men in succession : Perry & Howard, of Brunswick, about 1800 ; Joseph Coney, Major John Rowe, Zachariah Lambert, and Captain David Johnson. The store now occupied by Lubee was formerly owned by Ralph Sinnett.
A Mr. Dana and a Mr. Twombly both kept store on this island for a long time. The former was at the lower end. The date of their doing business is not known.
Orr's Island. - In the early part of this century Edward Ingraham kept a store on the southwest end of the island, where Prince & Smullen's store is now. He had a brother in business with him, who was probably Nathaniel. S. F. Merrill at one time had a store at Lowell's Cove.
Great Island. - In the latter part of the last, or in the first of the present century, a Mr. Ryan had a store at Condy's Harbor.
Esquire Snow kept a store for many years at his wharf on New Meadows River.
INSURANCE COMPANY.
On February 14, 1855, Paul R. Curtis, Shubal Merryman, Isaac A. Johnson, Thomas A. Estes, Thomas U. Eaton, Abram J. Allen, Simeon Curtis, L. H. Stover, Pennell Alexander, Thomas Alexander, and Abel Thompson were incorporated as the HARPSWELL MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY. The first officers were Thomas Alexander, president ; Thomas U. Eaton, secretary ; Abel Thompson, treasurer. The first Board of Directors were Stephen Purinton, James Orr, David
622
HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK, TOPSHAM, AND HARPSWELL.
Webber, Alcot S. Merryman, Thomas U. Eaton, Thomas Alexander, and Henry Barnes.
The losses of this company have been so little that there has never been a necessity for making any assessments upon the members. The present officers are Thomas Alexander, president ; William C. Eaton, secretary ; Shubael Merryman, treasurer. The present directors are Thomas Alexander, Pennell Alexander, William C. Eaton, Shubael Merryman, Sylvester Stover, Stephen Purinton, and Samuel E. Smullen.
PRICES.
The following charges and credits are taken from various accounts in James Booker's account-book, and are copied verbatim :-
1750
Lawful money
to two pare of buckels 5 /4 & one pare of buttons 1/10 one pare of Shoes 6/8 & one pare of Stockens 3/9 two yards of striped humspun Cloth & a half
eight yards of Checkt humspun Cloath .
1
1
4
two pare of mittens 2/8 & thre pare of buttons 4/10 one Raizer
0
7
6
one pare mens shoes .
0
6
0
one gallon Rum
0
2
8
one Centle of fish
0
9
3
a Quarter of a thousand of pins
0
0
7
half a pound of powder
0
1
0
one Jarr of Oyl
0
9
4
one pare of pomps
0
6
8
one pare plush Briches
1
4
0
six pound of Cotton Wool
1
0
8
thirty one Cord of wood @ forty shillings one comb
8
5
4
two quarts molases
0
1
4
one peck Rie meal
0
0
11
one pound of Coffy
0
1
4
one bushel Corn
0
2
4
one hundred of nales
0
1
8
one Sithe
0
40 0
two pound of Chocolat
0
16 0
three pound of Shugar one load of hay
1 17
4
five bunches Shingles
0 10
8
half a dozen puter plates . one pare of silver buttons
0
13
4 2
0
3
0
2
2
1
18
2
.
0
1
4
.
0
G
8
.
0
1
4
.
0
1
1
0
2
0
half a bushel of beans eleven yards of bed ticking half a pound of peper
1 10 0
0 10 5
623
COMMERCIAL HISTORY OF HARPSWELL.
1750
Lawful money
one barril of flower .
1
11 11
two pare of woman's Shoes
0
9
4
six pound & a half of tobacco .
0
2
7
one pair of bed blankets .
1
4
0
four ounces of homspon thred .
0
2
1
eight pound of Shoot
0
2
S
Quarter of a yard of Cambrick
0
2
4
Broad Cloath & trimen for a Jacket .
1 19
1
Ten bizcake [biscuit ?]
0
0
10
one cap
0
2
4
one thousand shingles
0
10 8
one wheelbarer
0
9
4
TOWN VALUATION.
Our account of the valuation of Harpswell is very meagre, and down to 1840 we have no record of anything except the number of polls. The following is all we have been enabled to obtain : -
1773
polls 203
1780
175
1790
214
1800
262
1830
247
1840
289
estates $250,335
1850
328
345,544
1860
367
410,566
1870
404
66
426,968
POPULATION.
In 1765 there were in Harpswell fifty-five houses, one hundred and eleven families, two hundred and twenty-four males under, and one hundred and eighty-eiglit above sixteen years of age, two hundred and twenty-four females under, and one hundred and eighty-six females above sixteen, and fourteen negroes. The total population, exclusive of Indians, was eight hundred and thirty-six. Brunswick at this time had a population of but five hundred and six.
In 1776, Harpswell had nine hundred and seventy-seven white inhabitants, while Brunswick had but eight hundred and sixty-seven.1
In 1778, Harpswell had twenty-seven Revolutionary soldiers, and one hundred and seventy-eight males over the age of sixteen.2
1 Census of Massachusetts, 1765 to 1776. 2 Massachusetts Archives, Book 185, p. 391.
624
HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK, TOPSHAM, AND HARPSWELL.
The following is the population for the years in which we have been able to find a census of it : -
1810
1,190
1820
1,253
1830
1,352
1840
1,448
1850
1,535
1860
. 1,603
1870
1,749
It will be noticed from the census of the three towns, that while Brunswick and Topsham have lost in population since 1850, Harps- well has made a steady gain from the very first, and in no decade has she lost in population.
625
FORTS, GARRISONS, CHURCHES, ETC., IN BRUNSWICK.
CHAPTER XXIII.
FORTS, GARRISONS, CHURCHES, AND OTHER BUILDINGS IN BRUNSWICK,
FORTS.
FORT ANDROSS. - The first fort ever erected upon the banks of the Androscoggin, by Englishinen, was undoubtedly that built by Gov- ernor Andross in 1688, which has since been called by his name. After King Philip's war, Andross, desirous of promoting the eastern settle- ments, came to Pejepscot in midwinter, with an army of 1,000 men, and on the now vacant lot adjoining the present store of J. T. Adams & Co., a few rods south of Bow Street, he erected a stone fort.1 It was large and in form very zigzag. In 1689 it was under the com- mand of Lieutenant Colonel McGregory and Major Thomas Savage. It was demolished about 1694.2
FORT GEORGE. - From about 1694 to 1715 the fort previously men- tioned lay dismantled and entirely unfit for purposes of protection to the settlers. Accordingly, on July 28, 1715, the following proposal was presented to the House of Representatives by the subscribers : -
.. Wee the subscribers Proprietors of the Lands in Brunswick and Topsham, &c. being desirous to make such a settlement as may be able to sustain a war with the Indians, Do acknowledge the Favour of the General Court in their readiness to encourage and protect the intended settlements and particularly in the Repair of the Fort there ; Yet perceiving the House inclinable to a Wooden Fort on account of the cheapness of it : We being sensible that as this Fort is set so, as to be a Bridle to the Indians ; So if a War should arise, it may be expected, they will leave no means untryed to become Masters of it ; towards which the Remoteness from Snccour will give them great advantage ; and considering how much the Lives and Estates there will depend upon the strength and security of that Fort: We have been induced to make the following Proposall.
.. That whereas the Wooden Fort at Winter Harbour cost, as we are informed Four hundred Pounds, when Provisions and Labour were
1 Pejepscot Papers.
2 Massachusetts Historical Collection, 3d Series, p. 85. 40
626
HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK, TOPSIIAM, AND HARPSWELL.
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