USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Harpswell > History of Brunswick, Topsham, and Harpswell, Maine, including the ancient territory known as Pejepscot > Part 61
USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Brunswick > History of Brunswick, Topsham, and Harpswell, Maine, including the ancient territory known as Pejepscot > Part 61
USA > Maine > Sagadahoc County > Topsham > History of Brunswick, Topsham, and Harpswell, Maine, including the ancient territory known as Pejepscot > Part 61
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Voted. That whereas it may be an case to Sum if they may Dis- charge part of their Dnes toward ye work by their own Labour therein as accation may Serve, The master workman observing Each mans abillity & Labour Shall state their wages in proportion there unto yt So no injustice be Done
" JOSEPH HEATH Town Clk "
It would appear that little or nothing was done at that time, how- ever, as in 1721 it was voted : -
" That the former Projections of raising a meeting house be revived. That thirty pounds money be raised by rate to carry on ye Sª work with a proviso that Each Inhabitant may be imployd in the work so far as his ability & proportion of ye Sd Rate will alow . Ye value of Each mans Daily labour to be Stated by the master workman & returnd to ye Committee for over Seeing Sd work. Such part of the Sd rate only to be Collected in money as shall be soficient to pay the said master Workman his wages, and also the arrearages which Capt Gyles & Heath Stand obliged to pay on ye Towns Account. The work formerly Done in preparing Timber For ye Sª House to be re- duised out of the rate of those who Did it. And Capt Gyles, Mr Wharton, John Cochron, James Smith, & Joseph Heath to be a Com- mittee to methodize ye work." 2
The meeting-house was erected chiefly at the expense of the Pejep- scot proprietors, the agreement being that the inhabitants should erect the frame of the building and that it should be completed by the proprietors. Sashes, glass, doors, etc., were probably procured in Boston. The following account shows a part of the cost of the building : -
1 Brunswick Records in Pejepscot Collection.
2 Ibid.
639
FORTS, GARRISONS, CHURCHES, ETC., IN BRUNSWICK.
THE GENTLEMEN PROPRIETORS OF BRUNSWICK
To B. LARRABEE
July 28
1735 The account of stuff &c for the meeting house
To 1070 ft Joyce Plank & Board @ 60/ p M
£3
4 0
1438 ft Clear Boards at 80/ .
5
14
To fetching stuff from ye mill 3 men 2 days at 6 /
1
16 6
To Gundolow hire 2 days at 4 /
0
0
To 4 days haling Boards Joyce & Shingles @ 15 /
3
To haling posts for scaffolds
10
To 2000 Clapboards @ 90/
9
To bringing them from Topsham 3 men 1 day
15
To 5 thick Boards for the Pulpitt
13
To 6000 of shingles at 20/
6
To 2180 feet of Joyce
8
S
To 857 feet of 2-inch plank
5 2
To 500 Merchantable Boards
1 10
To 1550 feet of Clear Boards
G 4
Septr
To haling boards 3 days 2 men 4 oxen @ 24/ .
3 12
To Boating Boards, Joyce & from North Yarm" 2 men 4 days at 6 / .
2 8
Jan'y
To half a thousand of Board Nails .
16
To 13 thousand of Clapboard Nails
1 10
To treating the workmen .
6
6
To Gundalow hire 15 / 1 man 2 days @ 6/
1
7
To 3 pair of rais'd Aches at 4/G
12
G
To 200 board Nails
6
6
To 300 Clapboard nails
5
G
To Speaks, brads, hangings for the Canopy
3
15
4
To paid Capt Woodside for assisting in haling the Stuff
15
To Bauisters for ye Pews & Pulpitt stairs
1
17
6
To paid Mr Pearse for work done on the meeting house .
123
To paid said Pearse
5
£199
2
In 1755 the town voted to " repair the windows, long seats, and the underpinning of the meeting house."
[1763.] In the year 1763 the town voted to set off and sell thir- teen pews on the floor and sixteen pews in the gallery of the west meeting-house, " The oldest inhabitants that have no pews to have the preference in buying said pews." The proceeds were to be used to defray the expense of repairing and finishing the meeting-house.
[1797.] Some difficulty appears to have arisen in 1797 in regard to the jurisdiction over and responsibility for the meeting-house, as in
640
HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK, TOPSHAM, AND HARPSWELL.
March the town passed several rather contradictory votes in regard to the matter. In the first place it was voted that the town had no right to repair the west meeting-house, and that it ought to be repaired by the owners of pews.1 Then it was decided by vote that the whole town should have all the privileges in the meeting-house that had been heretofore enjoyed. Third, that if there was any vacant space for pews, the proprietors had a right to sell it, and to use the proceeds for repairing the meeting-house. Finally, it was voted that the owners of pews were not the sole owners of the meeting-house.
The meeting-house was that year cut in two in the middle, one half was moved a few feet, and an addition inserted, the width of two pews.2 It is not probable that any repairs were made to this building after this date, as in 1806 the First Parish erected a new building on the site of their present edifice.
The old building was unoccupied for many years, excepting for occasional services. At one time, probably about 1828, it was occu- pied for a short time by the Baptists. It was destroyed by fire in 1834, the fire being the work of an incendiary.
The second meeting-house of the First Parish was erected at New Meadows about the year 1756. Previous to that time services had been held in a barn situated near the present residence of Bartlett Adams. In 1755 a proposition was made that the town should build a meeting-house at the east end of the town, but it was defeated. A committee was however chosen by the town to solicit subscriptions for this purpose, and the building was erected not long afterwards upon the ground now (1877) occupied by the barn of Mr. Ephraim Wilcox. Although the building was erected by subscription, yet inasmuch as those worshipping in it were members of the First Parish, and as the minister of the First Parish was instructed by vote of the town to preach at New Meadows a certain portion of the time, this meeting- house may properly be called the second meeting-house of the First Parish.
This building stood unoccupied for many years, and was finally car- ried off piecemeal, from time to time, by those living in the vicinity, for fences, out-buildings, etc. The last remnant was carried away about the year 1834.
The third meeting-house of the First Parish was begun in 1806, and was completed the next year. It was built by individuals who sold
The Baptists had withdrawn.
2 Mrs. Lamb, Dean Swift, and other aged citizens.
641
FORTS, GARRISONS, CHURCHES, ETC., IN BRUNSWICK.
the pews, and then the building was made over to the parish. The land was bought of Robert D. Dunning and William Stanwood, and not, as is believed by many, of the college. The college, however, contributed something towards the erection of the building, for the privilege of holding Commencement and other exercises in it, but has never had any other ownership in it than the right to the pews in the south gallery.
...
..
..
This meeting-house was built under the direction of Mr. Samuel Melcher, who was a superior workman. It is said that the underpin- ning for this meeting-house was brought here from Yarmouth, being hauled over Crip's Ledge.
Reverend Samuel Eaton, of Harpswell, in his seventy-fourth year, and who had but just recovered from a fractured leg, made a prayer on the frame before it was raised. The outside was nearly finished before September 2, 1806, and the inside was fitted, temporarily, for the
41
642
HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK, TOPSHAM, AND HARPSWELL.
exercises of the first Commencement at Bowdoin College. The first bell ever rung in town was placed on this meeting-house. It was bought by subscription, but precisely when it was bought is not known. This meeting-house was also the first to be warmed by a stove. In 1807 the building was dedicated. President Appleton preached the sermon from the text, " He hath loved our nation, and hath built us a synagogue."
In 1833 this building was remodelled and made more pleasant and commodious. In 1845 it was taken down, and the present edifice was erected upon its site. The spire of the present edifice was blown off in 1866.
The Conference Room of the First Parish, on Centre Street, was erected in 1823.
In 1841 it was sold with the land, and the building on School Street, which was erected by the Second Baptist Society, and which had been occupied by them as their place of worship, was pur- chased and refitted for the Congregational vestry, and is still used as such.
BAPTIST MEETING-HOUSES. - The first meeting-house erected by the Baptists was built at Maquoit in 1798 or 1799. It stood about a mile below the old First Parish Meeting-House, on the right-hand side of the road where the old Maquoit burying-ground is. It was somewhat similar in appearance to the old First Parish Meeting-House, having no steeple, and being roughly finished. In 1853 it was sold to Samuel Dunning and moved to his ship-yard for a boarding-house.
The next building erected by the Baptists was at New Meadows, in the year 1800. In 1848 it was taken down, and the present edifice erected on its site.
The third Baptist meeting-house was what is now known as the Congregational Vestry. It was erected in 1826 by the " Second Bap tist Society," and occupied by them for about ten years. In 1841 it was sold to the First Parish.
The fourth building erected by the Baptists was the one now occu- pied by the Catholics, on Federal Street. It was erected in 1829 by the Federal Street Baptist Society. It cost about eight hundred dol- lars. It was sold to the Methodists in 1836, and was occupied by them until the erection of their present house in 1866. Subsequently it was sold to the Catholics.
The Maine Street Baptist Church was erected in 1840. In 1867 it was remodelled and greatly improved, at a cost of $2,000. The pul- pit and platform were remodelled and finished in black-walnut and
643
FORTS, GARRISONS, CHURCHES, ETC., IN BRUNSWICK.
chestnut, to correspond with the newly arranged pews, which were also made of chestnut and without doors. The aisles were carpeted, the ceiling was frescoed, and gas fixtures were put in.
FREE-WILL BAPTIST MEETING-HOUSES. - The first Free-Will Baptist Meeting-House was erected in 1810. It was a small, one-story build- ing, and stood quite near the Freeport line. What became of this building is not known. The society worshipping in it afterwards, in 1827. united with the Universalists and Congregationalists in building the Union Meeting-House at Growstown.
The Village Church of the Free-Will Baptists, on O'Brien Street, was erected in 1876, the society having previously worshipped in Lemont Hall.
THE UNION MEETING-HOUSE AT GROWSTOWN was erected in 1827. This house was built jointly by the Free-Will Baptists, the Congrega- tionalists, and the Universalists. Reverend Sylvanus Cobb, a Univer- salist, preached the first sermon in it. It is still used by the Free-Will Baptists, and although it was built for a Union meeting-house, they have from the first had control of it for the greater part of the time.
UNIVERSALIST MEETING-HOUSES. - The first church edifice erected by the Universalists was situated on Federal Street, opposite the present High-School building, on the lot now owned by the Unitarians. It was built in 1828. and cost about seven hundred dollars, which in those days was quite a sum of money. Mr. Anthony C. Raymond built the house, chiefly at his own expense. When completed he sold pews to fifteen persons. and subsequently a few more pews were disposed of. but he was always the principal owner. The house was dedicated November 24, 1829. In 1847 or 1848 the building was sold to the Maquoit Baptist Society, and it was removed to the junction of the old Harpswell and Mair Point roads, where it received the name of the Forest Church. In 1875 it was sold to the Grangers, moved back to the village, and placed at the corner of Union Street and Gilman Avenue, where it is used as a hall.
The second church building erected by the Universalists was what is now known as the MASON STREET CHURCH. It was built in 1846, the basement of the building and the land being the exclusive property of Mr. John L. Swift. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev- erend E. G. Brooks, of Bath (now Reverend Doctor Brooks of the Church of the Messiah, Philadelphia). The prayer of consecration was offered by Reverend George Bates, of Turner, recently deceased. Other parts of the services were performed by Reverend Giles Bailey,
644
HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK, TOPSHAM, AND HARPSWELL.
the pastor, by Reverend Seth Stetson, and by Reverend W. C. George. The town clock and bell on this building were purchased chiefly by subscription, by citizens of Brunswick and Topsham, in 1847, the town of Brunswick appropriating, however, the sum of two hundred dollars toward the purchase of the clock. Colonel Andrew Dennison was the most prominently connected with the movement, and the sub- ject was started by him. He transacted the business, and the bills were made in his name as agent for the town. A bell weighing 1,700 pounds was purchased of Henry N. Hooper & Co., of Boston, but it was unsatisfactory in tone and was returned. Another bell was then purchased of George II. Holbrook, East Medway, Massachusetts, weighing 1,794 pounds, and costing $479.57. The same bell is now in use. The clock was purchased of Howard & Davis, Boston. It cost, including dial, hands, etc., and expenses of freight and putting up, $340.30.
METHODIST CHURCH. - The Methodist Church on Pleasant Street is the only one ever erected by that denomination in Brunswick .. It was built in 1866 .. The society had previously worshipped in the building on Federal Street which they bought of the Baptists.
The new edifice on Pleasant Street was begun in the spring of 1866 and was completed in December of the same year. It cost with the lot $9,000 ; nearly the whole amount was raised by voluntary subscrip- tion and by the sale of pews. There was, however, a debt of about $1,000, which was finally paid in the year 1872.
On December 5, 1866, the chapel was dedicated with the following services : -
Invocation, by Reverend E. A. Helmershausen ; address, by Rever- end J. Colby ; hymn (964th), by Reverend L. D. Wardwell; prayer, by Reverend D. B. Randall ; reading of Scriptures, by Reverend C. C. Cone ; hymn (968th), by Reverend Mark Trafton ; sermon, by the same, followed by an offertory, psalın of consecration, presentation, declaration, prayer of consecration, anthem, doxology, and benediction.
In 1875 the church was thoroughly repaired, some marked improve- ments made, and the lot inclosed with a handsome and durable fence. The cost of these repairs and improvements was about six hundred and fifty dollars, which was promptly paid.
ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, EPISCOPAL. - This church was erected in 1844 and 1845, from plans furnished by Richard Upjohn, architect, of New York. The cost of the building and land was about $4,000, most of which was contributed by friends in Rhode Island, New York, and Philadelphia. It was consecrated according to the use and liturgy of
645
FORTS, GARRISONS, CHURCHES, ETC., IN BRUNSWICK
the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, on Friday, July 11, 1845.
The deed of donation was read by Reverend Thomas F. Fales, rector of the parish, and the sentence of consecration, by Reverend Robert B. Hall, of the Diocese of Rhode Island. Morning prayer was conducted by Reverend Messrs. James Pratt, of Portland, and Alexander Burgess, of Augusta. The rector read the ante-commun- ion service, assisted by Reverend R. B. Hall, who read the epistle, and Reverend Francis Peck, of the Diocese of Maryland, who read the gospel. The consecration sermon was preached by Bishop Hen- shaw, of Rhode Island.
Various changes have been made in the church. In 1858 the present arched ceiling was put in, under the open-timbered roof, to improve the acoustic properties of the building. Changes were made in the chancel furniture, but the most noticeable improvements were made by Reverend Mr. Taylor, in August, 1873, which have made the church so beautiful. The memorial window to Bishop Burgess was placed in the chancel in 1868, and that to Reverend Doctor Bal- lard in November, 1871.
OTHER BUILDINGS.
A description of the dwellings occupied by Thomas Purchase, Stev- ens, and others, among the very early settlers, would be interesting. but there is no record or tradition concerning them. The following account of A Frontier Home, copied from Sewall's " Ancient Domin- ions of Maine," will probably give as good an idea of those ancient habitations as can now be obtained from any source : -
" A simple structure of logs was reared from the buts of the an- cient trees, fallen by the pioneer axe on the spot where they were cut down for a clearing. The walls of a rectangular structure thus built were covered with bark or thatch. The enclosed earth was excavated for a cellar, which was unwalled. The excavation was then planked over with riven logs of pine, and a trap-door in the centre of the floor- ing let you into the bowels of the primitive structure, consisting of a single room below and a garret above, to which a ladder led the ascent. In one corner of the log-walled room, a large fireplace opened its cav- ernous depths. The back and one side was built of stone, while a wooden post set the opposite jamb, supporting a horizontal beam for a mantel-piece. Through the bark, thatch, or slab roof, or outside and up the back wall of the building, was reared a bob-work of cleft wood, whose interstices were filled with mortar-clay, which, in place of
646
HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK, TOPSHAM, AND HARPSWELL.
brick and mortar, was called ' cat and clay.' On the hearth, usually a flat stone, an ample store of wood was heaped, which was felled at the door, while the capacious fireplace, glowing with light and heat from the blazing hearth-pile. not only illumined the whole interior, but afforded a snug corner for the indiscriminate stowage of a bevy of little ones."
Allusions to other buildings which are not now in existence, but the location of which is a matter of interest, will be found in other con- nections. What follows relates only to such buildings as are known to have been built in the last century or in the early part of this century, and which are still in existence, either in whole or in part.
Probably the oldest house now standing in town is what is known as the ROBERT THOMPSON HOUSE. It is on the south side of the road to Harding's Station, and is the first house to the east after passing Cook's Corner. It was erected by Cornelius Thompson, and has been owned in the Thompson family until 1869. Cornelius Thompson owned the lot in 1738-9, and his first child was born in 1741. If, as is probable, the house was erected previously to the birth of this child, the house is not less than one hundred and thirty-six years old.
The chimney to this house is about four feet square at the top. The bricks are laid in clay. The flooring boards are sixteen to eigh-
647
FORTS, GARRISONS, CHURCHES, ETC., IN BRUNSWICK.
teen inches wide, and are treenailed instead of nailed. The west room, or parlor, is panelled on the sides and ends up to the windows, and is plastered above. The sides of the building on the north and east are bricked between the studs as high as the ceiling of the lower story. This was done for warmth. In the corner of the parlor is a buffet with shelves, etc., elaborately moulded by hand. The frame of the house is of massive timber. The door-hinges are of wrought-iron, large, clumsy, and of curious construction.
The house faces the south. The present road north of the house was not in existence when the house was built. The occupants had a private road from the house leading southeasterly to the New Mead- ows River road, which was only a short distance off.
The next oldest house in town is the HINKLEY HOUSE, now owned and occupied by Chapin Weston. It is just north of the railroad, near Harding's Station. It was occupied by Doctor Dunken as early as 1775, and probably about 1770, as this latter was the date of his marriage. It was occupied, before Dunken had it, by Gideon Hink- ley. Hinkley's first child was born in 1758, and his last one in 1770. If the house was built by Hinkley, it was probably erected about 1756 or 1757, and on that supposition would now be one hundred and twenty years old. It may, however, have been built before Hinkley's time, as Thomas Westbrook owned the lot in 1737 ; and if the house was built by the latter, it would be nearly one hundred and forty years old, which would make it an older house than the. Robert Thompson house just described.
Jacob Weston. grandfather of Chapin, bought this house in 1783 or 1784. and it has remained in the Weston family ever since. It is similar in appearance and in construction to the Thompson house, and it does not therefore require a more particular description.
The house now occupied by Deacon James Smith, at New Meadows, was built by Samuel Melcher prior to 1768.
The house once owned and occupied by Nathaniel Larrabee, and which was built somewhere about the time of the Revolution, is still in existence, and is owned by Grows & Bowker and used as a store- house. It is at New Meadows.
The dwelling-house now occupied by the family of the late Doctor John D. Lincoln is the oldest in the village. It was built in 1772 by Captain John Dunlap, who lived in it until the year 1800. During its occupation by Captain Dunlap it was a public house, and at one time Talleyrand was a guest in it. Between 1800 and 1806 it was occupied by Captain Richard Tappan. From 1806 to 1820, Henry Putnam,
648
HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK, TOPSIIAM, AND HARPSWELL.
Esquire, lived in it. At the latter date it passed into the hands of Doctor Isaac Lincoln (whose wife was a daughter of Captain Dunlap), and from him it descended to his son, its late owner. There was a store in the yard south of the house, which was afterwards moved across the street, and is now occupied by Mrs. Griffin as a millinery store.
What is now the town POORHOUSE was built about 1775 by Thomas Thompson, a cousin of the brigadier, so that it is now over one hun- dred years old.1
The residence of Mrs. Joseph McKeen, on McKeen Street, was built in 1776, or soon after, by Samuel Stanwood, who occupied it until 1804, when he sold it to President McKeen. It was occupied by the latter from 1807 until his death, and has been occupied by the family of the late Joseph McKeen, Esquire, since that time.
The building now occupied as an office by the Eastern Express Com- pany was built in the latter part of the last century and was once used as a tobacco manufactory by Coffin & Thurston. It then stood near the corner of O'Brien Street, where is now the residence of Mr. Benjamin Greene. It was afterwards removed by Daniel Stone and used as a store. The date of its erection and by whom it was built are not known.
The building now standing on the northwest corner of Centre Street, occupied in the lower part by John H. Brackett, tailor, and by Larkin Snow, grocer, and the upper story of which is used as a tene- ment, was built with one story in 1797 by Colonel William Stanwood. In 1804 he added another story to it and fitted it up as a law office for his son, David Stanwood, Esquire. The lower part was used for a store. This building stands within a few feet of the spot where McFarland's blacksmith shop once stood. The latter was torn down in 1797 and Stanwood's shop erected in its place.
The house now occupied by Mr. R. T. D. Melcher, on Maine Street, was built in 1798 by Mr. Shimuel Owen, and afterwards was sold to Mrs. Greenleaf, and was subsequently sold to the present occupant.
The next house north of the above, which formerly stood very near to it, was built by Shimuel Owen, and was occupied by him until he built the Melcher house. Colonel Estabrook lived in this house in 1802. Mr. Owen at length sold it to a Mr. Read, a brother-in-law of his wife. It was afterwards sold to Captain Samuel Dunlap. His
1 Dean Swift.
649
FORTS, GARRISONS, CHURCHES, ETC., IN BRUNSWICK.
widow married Reverend George Lamb, whom she survived. She still owns and occupies the property.
The house of Caleb Cushing, now owned and occupied by James Alexander, on Maine Street, was built in 1799.
A portion of the residence of Mr. William Pierce, on Lincoln Street, is quite old. It belonged to a house which was originally hauled from Fish-House Hill by a tailor named Robinson. In 1801 Robert Orr, Esquire, had an office in it. It was afterwards owned and occupied by Doctor Charles Coffin, who sold it to Captain Thomas Growse, and he, in 1810, sold it to Mr. Ebenezer Nichols. Nichols kept it as a public house for a few years, and his widow afterwards occupied it. After she left it the building was occupied as a private dwelling until 1838, when it was purchased by Mr. L. T. Jackson, was taken down, and rebuilt as a part of Mr. Pierce's house.
The white cottage between Doctor Palmer's and Mr. Benjamin Dennison's, on Maine Street, was built and occupied previous to 1802 by Mr. Aaron Melcher. It was afterwards owned by Isaac Gates, a lawyer, and was sold by him to Major Rowe, a Revolutionary soldier, who still later sold it to Mr. L. T. Jackson, by whose heirs it is still owned.
The present residence of the Honorable Charles J. Gilman was built by Captain John Dunlap in 1800, and it was for many years one of the finest residences in town. It is still a handsome abode. The small dwelling-house in Mr. Gilman's yard was built previous to 1800, and was occupied for some years by a watch-maker named Bisbee, whose shop stood nearly opposite.
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