USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Harpswell > History of Brunswick, Topsham, and Harpswell, Maine, including the ancient territory known as Pejepscot > Part 77
USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Brunswick > History of Brunswick, Topsham, and Harpswell, Maine, including the ancient territory known as Pejepscot > Part 77
USA > Maine > Sagadahoc County > Topsham > History of Brunswick, Topsham, and Harpswell, Maine, including the ancient territory known as Pejepscot > Part 77
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From 1834 until 1841, General Thompson held the office of adjutant and quartermaster-general of the State, and was in command of the troops called into service on the eastern frontier. For three years he was State agent for the prosecution of the military claim of Maine against the Federal government for expenses incurred in protecting her northeastern frontier, and in prosecution of the business he passed a considerable portion of his time in Washington. He was in 1831 and 1832 State treasurer, and in 1856 a senator in the legisla- ture.
As a politician, a Democrat of the old school, he was firm in the maintenance of the principles of the party in which he believed, swerving neither to the right nor the left, as party fancies might dic- tate. but always courteous and considerate to the views of an oppo- nent. His wonderful clearness of intellect, his ready power of expla- nation, his thorough knowledge of business details, gave him command over the minds of others which few men untrained to the professional arena possess. He had a wealth of determination, or power of will, which led him straight on in the path which he had marked out for himself. As a citizen, he held large and liberal views of public affairs, and his aid was always sought and granted in the carrying out of projects to promote the growth and prosperity of the town.
He was a Freemason of high rank. He died August 4, 1871, and was buried with Masonic honors.
THOMPSON, CHARLES.
Mr. Thompson was a native of Topsham. When nine years of age he removed with his parents to the neighboring town of Lisbon.
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At the age of twenty-one he returned to Topsham and engaged him- self as a clerk in a store. Economical and industrious, he soon acquired a sufficient sum of money to enable him to make an invest- ment in navigation, and, succeeding in his venture, he continued ever after to invest his funds in the same line of business, and generally with a corresponding degree of success. When the Androscoggin Bank was organized, in 1834, Mr. Thompson, being one of the princi- pal stockholders, was elected president, and was continued in that position until the charter, by its own limitation, expired.
Mr. Thompson was an ardent patriot, and served in the war of 1812. From 1812 to 1820 he filled the office of adjutant of the Third Regi- ment, First Brigade, Eleventh Division of State Militia. He was con- sidered so worthy of trust that, in 1814, the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, by an order issued at the August term, placed the entire control of the Court House in his hands, with authority to grant its use for other purposes whenever he might deem it advisable. In 1831 he was elected as a representative to the legislature, and could have held the position longer had he so desired.
Mr. Thompson was a man of strict integrity. He was a kind man in his family, and a lover of hospitality. He was also a good neigh- bor and a wise counsellor. He was faithful to his engagements ; and masters of vessels, and others in his employ, if proving themselves worthy, were long retained. Though he never made any religious pro- fessions, he was a decided friend to the cause of religion and a liberal supporter of its institutions. He was warmly interested in educa- tional matters, and was one of the chief supporters of the Topsham Academy. He also sent two of his sons to Bowdoin College.
He had a clear and comprehensive intellect, was well informed in all ordinary matters, possessed sagacity and perseverance, was shrewd and calculating, had a large business experience, and was thoroughly posted in commercial matters. He was, at the time of his death, undoubtedly the wealthiest man in Topsham. He died October 4, 1866.
" He was a man of quick perceptions and a clear insight in regard to men and things, and one who often uttered his convictions in strong and decided language. He adhered to them, also, with pertinacity. even though they were sometimes formed upon insufficient data."
THOMPSON, BRIGADIER SAMUEL.
Samuel Thompson was born March 22, 1735. He resided in Bruns- wiek until after the close of the Revolutionary war. He served on the Board of Selectmen of Brunswick in the years 1768, 1770, and
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1771. He was a member of the Provincial Congress, and about the year 1774 he was appointed or chosen lieutenant-colonel of militia. He was afterwards colonel, and on February 8, 1776, he was chosen by the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachu- setts as a brigadier-general of the Cumberland County troops. He was about this time at the head of the Committee of Safety for the district. Ile was elected, also, the same year, as representative to the General Court. About the year 1783, possibly in 1784, General Thompson moved to Topsham, where he afterwards resided. He was chosen as a representative from Topsham to the General Court for twelve terms, -each year from 1784 to 1788, from 1790 to 1794, and in 1797 and 1798. In 1797 he was also chosen senator to the General Court.
Brigadier Thompson died in 1797, and was buried in an old burying- ground at Ferry Point, in Topsham. His remains were afterwards removed and placed in the same grave with those of Humphrey Thompson, his son, in the village burying-ground.
Samuel Thompson was a man of some wealth, for the times. He was worth, according to the inventory of his property, some over $35,000. A little less than half of this amount was in real estate, of which he owned the most in Topsham, though he possessed consid- erable in Bowdoin, some in Bath, and an inconsiderable amount in Brunswick.
In regard to his character, it is hardly possible to render Brigadier Thompson exact justice. Nothing has been learned as to his private and social life. It is known, however, that his wife was, at times, insane, and it is said that on one occasion she killed an adopted son, of some five or six years of age, with a pair of steelyards. One of his children was also an imbecile. Under such circumstances, it is hardly probable that his home life could have been a happy one.
In regard to his public life, it is not so difficult to form an opinion, though even here, owing to his outspoken and vehement manner, he made so many enemies that it is difficult to know the truth of some statements made in regard to him. One thing is sure, that he was one of the leading men of his day, running over with zeal and patri- otisin. The late Judge Freeman says of him, "He was a portly man, not of very tall stature, but somewhat corpulent, and appar- ently of a robust constitution, but not supposed to be possessed of much real courage. Nature had furnished him with strong mental powers and a capacity which, if it had been rightly directed and employed, might have rendered him a useful member of society, but
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his mind needed cultivation." He was strictly a " self-made " man, and was particularly remarkable for his firmness of opinion - often amount- ing to obstinacy - and for his ready wit, which, when he was in the House of Representatives, often excited the mirth of his brother members.
In his religious views Samuel Thompson was a Universalist, or rather a Winchesterian. He believed in the Trinity, in a day of gen- eral judgment for all mankind, and in the punishment of the wicked in a literal hell-fire, but he also believed in the final salvation of all. Tradition says that the brigadier died in great agony of mind, expect- ing to suffer for his sins in fire and brimstone for 50,000 years. He also evidently believed in the doctrine of foreordination, as he was accustomed whenever anything went wrong to console himself with the reflection that " it is all right in the great plan." It is said that on one occasion, as he was going from Topsham to the General Court, he stopped at Nichols's in Brunswick for a pair of new boots. Not being so well suited with them as he desired, he complained to Nich- ols, who replied, " It is all right in the great plan." "N-n-nichols," said the brigadier, stuttering, "the great plan has nothing to do with these boots."
Samuel Thompson was a zealous Whig or Anti-Federalist. He was a delegate from Topsham to the convention that " convened at Boston. January 9, 1788, and continued until February 7, following, for the purpose of assenting to and ratifying the Constitution recom- mended by the Grand Federal Convention." On the question of rati- fication he voted nay. A letter to Madison, quoted in a letter to Washington, February 3, 1788, contains the following : " The leaders of this party [Anti-Federalists] are Mr. Widgery, Mr. Thompson, and Mr. Nassow, from the province of Maine." As throwing some light upon the probable reasons for Mr. Thompson's negative vote, we quote the following extract from a letter of General Knox, bear- ing date New York, January 14 [1788 ?] : -
" The second party in the State are in the province of Maine. This party are chiefly looking towards the erection of a new State, and the majority of them will adopt or reject the new Constitution, as it may facilitate or retard their designs, without regarding the merits of the great question."
On this question of the adoption of the Constitution, Mr. Thompson made several speeches. His longest one was against the paragraph providing for a standing army. His remarks, especially those begin- ning, "O my country !" called out replies from the opposite side.
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While discussing the fourth section in regard to elections, General Thompson said : -
" Mr. President, I have frequently heard of the abilities and fame of the learned and reverend gentleman [Reverend Mr. West] last speak- ing, and now I am witness to them. But, sir, one thing surprises me : it is to hear the worthy gentleman insinuate that our federal rulers will undoubtedly be good men, and that therefore we have little to fear from their being intrusted with all power. This, sir, is quite con- trary to the common language of the clergy, who are continually rep- resenting mankind as reprobate and deceitful, and that we really grow worse and worse day after day. I really believe we do, sir, and I make no doubt to prove it before I sit down, from the Old Testament."
On the question of considering the Constitution as a whole instead of by paragraphs, he remarked that, in his opinion, " the Constitution, and the reasons which induced gentlemen to frame it, ought to have been sent to the several towns, to be considered by them. My town considered it seven hours, and after this there was not one.in favor of it. It is strange," he continued, " that a system which its planners say is so plain that he that runs may read it, should want so much explanation."
While the question of slavery was discussed, General Thompson exclaimed, " Mr. President, shall it be said, that after we have estab- lished our own independence and freedom, we make slaves of others? O Washington, what a name has he had ! How he has immortalized himself ! but he holds those in slavery who have as good right to be free as he has. He is still for self, and in my opinion his character has sunk fifty per cent."
When the paragraph in regard to the writ of habeas corpus was read, General Thompson asked the president to please to proceed. " We have," said he, " read the book often enough. It is a consistent piece of inconsistency."
These extracts from his speeches show that though the brigadier was a bitter opposer of the Constitution, he possessed no mean power of debate, and could express himself tersely and vigorously.
As a public speaker, we cannot with fairness judge Mr. Thompson by his harangues to the populace. In these he was impetuous, noisy, and sometimes even furious. The late Doctor James McKeen de- scribed his speech on one occasion in the following words : -
" The brigadier was of too fiery a temperament to be either appeased or softened, but went on continually hurling his gall-bladder invec- tives against all who failed to come up to his measure of vehement
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demonstrations." It is to be presumed that his manner in the House of Representatives was calmer and his speech more considerate.
General Thompson, though perhaps not haughty or overbearing in his manner, had a good deal of pride in his position as a public man and an officer. It is related that once, when a member of the Gen- eral Court, he was crossing a toll-bridge leading into Boston, when the tollman demanded toll. Toll not being required from members of the legislature at that time, the brigadier replied, with great dignity, " I belong to the House, sir." "Belong to the House ! I should think you belonged to the barn," wa's the reply of the tollman, evidently induced by his rustic appearance.
As regards his military qualifications, Williamson describes the brigadier as bold and courageous, but as not possessing sufficient coolness, consisteney, foresight, or intelligence to qualify him for a leader. In regard to his bravery there seem to be conflicting opinions. His exploit in regard to the capture of Mowatt has already been men- tioned, and some other facts connected with his military career would seem to show that he was not deficient in courage. The following anecdote, however, if true, would seem to indicate both cowardice and stinginess.
It is related that on one occasion Captain John Ross, of Sebasco- digan, the master of a coasting vessel, was in Boston and ready to sail for home with only two hands (Robert Gorden and William Coombs) with him. Just before the time for sailing the brigadier came on board and bespoke a passage. He brought with him a pil- low-case full of gingerbread and some molasses for his rations. They set sail and started on their homeward voyage. The bay was full of cruisers. When abreast of the Isle of Shoals they discovered a small vessel, apparently a fisherman, inside. She soon, however, hoisted her canvas in pursuit. Captain Ross ordered the two swivels to be fixed on the windlass bits, loaded with powder and ball. Coombs was stationed at one, and Gorden at the other. The hostile vessel ap- proached rapidly, passed by the bows of the coaster, saw the swivels and the two men swinging their lighted ropes to keep them alive, and passed on her way and left them. All this time the brigadier, " ex- pecting death would be his portion, stood in the companion-way, out of sight, trembling with fear and suffering the horrors of despair." When the privateer had passed by, the brigadier made his appearance in good spirits, and exulted that he had saved his gingerbread.
Notwithstanding the anecdotes tending to throw ridicule upon him, and the animadversions of his enemies, it is evident that General
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HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK, TOPSHAM, AND HARPSWELL.
Thompson must have been in some respects a remarkable man, or he could not for so long a period have possessed the confidence of a majority of his fellow-citizens and have filled the responsible stations which he did. At all events, the strength of his patriotism ought to overshadow many minor defects of character.
TITCOMB, REVEREND BENJAMIN.
Benjamin Titcomb, fourth son of Deacon Benjamin and Anne Tit- comb, was born in Portland, July 26, 1761. He was educated at Dummer Academy, Newbury, Massachusetts, and afterward at New- buryport ; served an apprenticeship in the art of printing, establishing himself in the printing business at Portland. On the first day of Janu- ary, 1785, he " struck off" with his own hands the first sheet ever printed in Maine.
About 1798 he left printing, and with no other preparation than that which the grace of God gives, began to preach to the small Baptist society then recently gathered in Portland, the first meetings of which were at Mr. Titcomb's house. In 1804 he removed to Brunswick, and became pastor of the Baptist Church which had been gathered here by Elders Case and Williams. The meetings of this society for several years were held at Maquoit, in the meeting-house which was built by the society in the latter part of the last century.
In 1829 the meeting-house on Federal Street, which is now occupied by the Catholics, was built ; and in this Elder Titcomb finished his pub- lic labors, retiring from the pulpit at the age of eighty-three, after a forty years' ministry in Brunswick.
In 1820, Elder Titcomb was elected a delegate to the convention that formed the Constitution of Maine ; and at the request of General King, opened the convention with prayer. Not fond of political pre- ferment, he afterward declined.office, which was several times offered him. He was one of the original trustees of Waterville College, now Colby University, and took great interest in that institution. He was a man of decision, " strong in faith," a ready speaker, preaching with- out notes. Ile retained his mental faculties in a good degree to the last, dying at his residence on Federal Street, September 30, 1848.1
UPHAM, THOMAS C., D. D.
Professor Upham was born in Deerfield, N. H., January 20, 1799. He graduated at Dartmouth College in 1818. He then went through
1 From Griffin's Press of Maine, p. 34.
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three years of theological study at Andover, in which he gained such distinction by his indefatigable study, his scholarship and attain- ments, that, after completing the course, he was selected by Profes- sor Stuart to assist him in the Greek and Hebrew instruction of the seminary.
He subsequently became pastor over the church of his Rochester home, where he labored a year with characteristic zeal and energy, and to the great contentment of his people, until 1824, when he was chosen to the professorship of Moral Philosophy and Metaphysics in Bowdoin College.
In 1852, Professor Upham spent a year in European and Eastern travel, visiting England and Scotland, France, Switzerland, Germany, and Italy, Egypt and the Holy Land, his companion of travel being Reverend Mr. Thompson, then of the Broadway Tabernacle, New York. One result of his tour was a volume, in which we have the impressions made on an observing, contemplative, highly cultured, and poetic mind of the people and scenes he visited. This volume, of which a third edition has been printed, ranks high among the most thoughtful and instructive works of that class. He was a voluminous writer. A collection of his works would make at least twenty vol- umes. Among the better known of his writings are his treatises on mental philosophy and on the will. He also published a volume of minor poems, under the title, " American Cottage Life," which went through six editions.
The variety and extent of the literary labors of Doctor Upham afford proof of the varied character of his erudition. He was indeed a devourer of books. He explored all the libraries of the college and visited those of other institutions. He read all works in his own department and biographies and books of travel, from which to draw manifold illustrations. "He was deeply read in European history. Probably the State could not have produced a man more conversant with the politics of Europe. Occasionally during the first two or three years of his professorship, he occupied the pulpit of the Bruns- wick church to the great gratification of his hearers. Ile supplied the pulpit in Harpswell for a season or two, and his active interes, and personal effort in encouraging that people and the people of Topsham in maintaining the ordinances of God's house are held in grateful remembrance. In person he solicited contributions among the people of Harpswell toward their new church, and with success surprising to themselves.
" All questions of public moment, whether regarding religion or
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HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK, TOPSHAM, AND HARPSWELL.
morals and manners, found him a vigilant observer and active partici- pant in all good measures.
" Professor Upham's whole life was that of a true philanthropist. The famous line of Terence, Homo sum, humani nihil a me alienum puto, was illustrated in him as fully as in any human being. There was a fountain of kindness and good-will within him, ever full and overflowing. His domestic affections were deep and abiding Noth- ing could show more strikingly the love that was in him, seeking for objects on which to fasten, than the fact that, not being blessed with children of his own, he adopted children and loved and did for them as if they were his own.
" The oppressed and down-trodden found in him a sympathizing, active friend. He was an early and liberal patron of colonization, constituting himself a life member of the society by a contribution of $1,000. His name stands on the first roll of signers to the temper- ance pledge in Brunswick, drawn up immediately after the visit of the eminent Doctor Edwards. He watched with eager eye every move- ment for the ends of civil and religious liberty in Europe or on this continent. He labored earnestly in the cause of peace, and yet when the cloud of civil war hung over our land, his heart was stirred within him for the salvation and integrity of his bleeding country. To crown all, he was instant in season and out of season, in college, in the street, and from house to house, in the cause of his Master. No one was more sensitive to anything which promised good or threat- ened evil to the interests of moral or of vital godliness. .
" There was not the shade of self-exaltation in anything he said or did. He was far as one could be from the appearance of being puffed up by his attainments or his wide reputation. His manner and bearing were not even what might have been excused in one who could not but be aware that he could sustain elegant and learned dis- course with any of the philosophers or statesmen or men of letters of the world. On the contrary, he could take the level of the most humble and illiterate, with no appearance of condescension, readily adapting himself to their apprehension, their prejudices, or their humors, thus in the best sense becoming all things to all men if he might thereby win them to the right and the true."
He died in 1872.
VEAZIE, GENERAL SAMUEL.
General Veazie was born in Portland, Maine, April 22, 1787, and came to Topsham when about twenty-one years of age, without capi-
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tal, and established himself in a small business. He afterwards en- gaged in the lumber business on the Androscoggin, and in ship-build- ing. He built a dozen or more vessels, equipped them, freighted them with his own lumber, and carried on a direct trade with the West Indies.
In the war of 1812 he took an active part. In 1812 he was chosen ensign, and in 1819 captain of a Topsham company in the militia. He was afterwards promoted rapidly, until he filled the office of general. He is said to have been, thoughi a strict disciplinarian, an efficient and beloved commander.
" Identified with all the social, religious, and political interests of Topsham, General Veazie became one of its leading citizens. His liberality towards the church where he worshipped, the trees which he planted, and the good taste and improvements displayed, will not be forgotten in coming generations.
"In 1826 the inducements of a larger field for operations, on the Penobscot, called his attention there, when he made valuable pur- chases in Oldtown, which became so important that he closed his business at Topsham, and moved to Bangor, in 1832.
" The loss of such a citizen to Topsham was soon apparent in his operations at Oldtown and Bangor.
" His comprehensive mind made him master of the situation, and while he continued to build ships and give employment to his old mechanical friends who followed him, his manifold lumbering inter- ests, at Oldtown and Stillwater, proved the wisdom of his invest- ments. Superadded to these he became noted as a banker, founding the Bank of Bangor, which was merged into the Veazie Bank, both institutions ever having the confidence of the public, based upon his capital and management.
" The Bangor, Oldtown, and Milford Railroad becoming unprofitable to its proprietors, was sold to him, when, as if by magic, it recuper- ated, and became one of the leading arteries of Bangor. In 1855, having lost his wife, he moved to the then village of North Bangor, where he afterwards married. The citizens of that village petitioned the legislature to be incorporated as a town under the name of Veazie, which was granted, and here, some three miles from Bangor, he ever after resided.
" General Veazie was a Jefersonian Democrat, a min of great executive ability and financial capacity, had an iron will, accompa- nied by a resolute energy and inflexible integrity. He was a good husband, devoted parent, and an excellent neighbor. His word, like
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the bills that bore his name, was never 'below par,' and he was always the young man's friend. Wielding a large influence, and although often solicited, he would never accept office, nor ever held one, as the writer believes, except that of councillor to the governor of the State. His life was one of incessant activity and usefulness to the day of his death, March 12, 1868, when, in the full possession of his faculties, surrounded by his family, he bequeathed to them a good name, and probably the largest fortune in the State."
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