USA > Maine > Knox County > Camden > History of Camden and Rockport, Maine > Part 24
USA > Maine > Knox County > Rockport > History of Camden and Rockport, Maine > Part 24
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1. The heading of this subscription paper was drawn by Judge Thayer and was shown to Mr. Locke by Mrs. Thayer. In a foot- ote of his " Sketches," Page 222, Mr. Locke gives said heading which reads as follows :
" Whereas, the sum of $146.28 has been expended in attempting to effect the liberation of Messrs. Cushing and Chase, late on board the British frigate, Furieuse, as hostages; each of the undersigned, therefore. wishing likewise that Mr Chase should be paid the further sum of $50 for his time and ex- penses while a hostage as aforesaid, promises to pay the sum set against his hame for the purpose of defraying the above expenses an I paying Mr. Chase for his time and expenses as above stated. Feb. 7, 1815." The amount sub- scribed amou .ts to $201.
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HISTORY OF CAMDEN AND ROCKPORT
CHAPTER XXXVI.
POLITICAL EBULLITIONS.
1853. Philander J. Carleton was again elected Town Clerk at the annual meeting held April 4. Cornelius Thomas, Robert Harkness and Amos Barrows, Jr., were elected Selectmen, and Hiram Bass, Treasurer.
"Chose E. G. Knight to oversee the building of the road from Camden Village to Rockport." This was the road now known as Union street. Prior to this time the roads con- necting the two villages were by Chestnut street and over the Elm street hill to Hartford's Corner.
The political parties this year were the regular Anti-Maine Law Democrats, whose candidate was Albert Pillsbury ; Maine Law Democrats, who nominated Anson P. Morrill; Whigs who had nominated Gov. Crosby; and the Free Soilers, who again nominated Ezekiel Holmes. Temperance and slavery were now the great political issues in the state and they proved a troublesome combination. Mr. Pillsbury had a plurality of the votes cast, but there was again no majority and the Legislature repeated the act of electing Gov. Crosby. In Camden the vote stood, Pillsbury, 286, Crosby 206, Morrill 95, Holmes 29. Christopher Young, Jr., of Camden was one of the Senators elected this year, and E. M. Wood was again elected Representative, receiving 256 votes, his opponents being Obadiah Brown and A. R. Hewett.
303
POLITICAL EBULLITIONS
This year Camden Village had quite an extensive fire. This fire broke out on Nov. 7, about a half hour after midnight in a shoe manufactory of J. C. Coombs located where the Fletcher Building now stands at the Main street bridge, which was burned to the ground despite the efforts of the engine company. The flames then spread to the dry goods store of G. L. Follansbee located in the building owned by George Pendleton, standing on the site of the northerly half of Masonic Temple. This building and Mr. Follansbee's stock were principally consumed before the flames were subdued. Mr. Coombs saved some of his stock and had an insurance of $500. Mr. Follansbee also saved a portion of his stock. He was insured for $3,000. The building occupied by Coombs was owned by Mrs. L. H. Rawson, was valued at $500 and insured for $300. The Pendleton building was valued at $2,000 and was insured for $1,000. Mr. E. C. Daniels, mer- chant tailor, was also located in this building. He was absent at the time of the fire and lost almost his entire stock, which was uninsured. The night was calm, otherwise the conflagration which took place that same month thirty-nine years later, might have had its prototype on this occasion.
Mr. Ephraim Wood died Jan. 7, 1853, at the age of 79 years. He was born at Concord, Mass., and was the son of Hon. Ephraim Wood, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for Middle- sex County. Mr. Wood came to Camden about the year 1795. Being a clothier by trade he erected a mill on the site now occu- pied by the Oakum Factory, where he carried on a most success- ful business. He afterwards carried on the business in the brick building now a part of the Anchor Works. Says Mr. Locke of him : "Enjoying a large degree of the confidence of his towns- men, he was by them many times chosen Selectman, and appointed on important town committees, and for two years repre- sented the town in the State Legislature. The most prominent traits in his character were his firmness of purpose, reliability of judgment, and integrity of mind. A consistent member of the
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HISTORY OF CAMDEN AND ROCKPORT
Baptist church, he was foremost in supporting, by his means and influence, its various institutions." 1 He was three times married and had twelve children, four by each wife. He built as his first residence the house now standing on Knowlton street just across the river from the Oakum Factory and now used for the storage of oakum. Here several of his children were born, among them his son, the late Judge Ephraim M. Wood. Later he bought the Oakes Perry house, the fine residence on Wood street, now owned by the estate of the late Capt. Jessse H. Hosmer, where he lived until the time of his death. Mr. Wood's children by his first wife, Dorothy Pendleton, were Evelyn, (who married William A. Norwood) Dorothy H. Clementina, (who married John W. K. Norwood) and Elizabeth ; by his second wife, Prudence Mirick, Ephraim M., who died young, Ephraim M., (2) Sally M., Nathaniel M .; and by his third wife, Mehitable B. Rogers, Thomas B. and Samuel S., both of whom died young, Samuel S. (2) and Thomas B. (2.) The latter is the only survivor of the family and lives in Boston.
Hon. Jonathan Thayer, one of Camden's most eminent citi- zens, as well as one of the ablest lawyers of his time in the state, died Sept. 20, 1853, at the age of 74 years and 8 months. Judge Thayer was born in Milford, Mass., Jan. 25, 1779, and graduated from Brown University in 1803. After completing his collegiate course he taught an academy for two years in Rhode Island, and then entered the law office of Nathaniel Sears, an eminent lawyer of Providence, R. I. After pursuing his law studies there for two years he went to Norton, Mass., and continued to read with Hon. Laban Wheaton, another distinguished member of the legal profession, with whom he remained one year, when he was admit- ted to the bar at Taunton, Mass., and began his practice at Dighton. After remaining there until 1811 he removed to Cam- den, and took up his practice in this then comparatively new country. In 1821 he married Sophia, youngest daughter of
1. Locke's Sketches, l'age 215.
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POLITICAL EBULLITIONS
Hon. Thomas Rice of Wiscasset. In 1825 he was elected a member of the Executive Council and was re-elected for three successive years, being upon the councils of Gov. Parris and Gov. Lincoln, with both of whom he always maintained a warm friend- ship. In 1831 he was appointed County Commissioner, but the office not being congenial to his tastes, he resigned it and was
Jonathan Thayer.
the next year elected Senator. In 1840 he was appointed Judge of Probate of Waldo County by Gov. Fairfield, the duties of which office he performed for seven years with ability and to the entire satisfaction of all doing business before his court. Judge Thayer was a fine speaker, an effective debater, a gentleman of great. reading and nice discrimination. He was a close student and imbibed the principles of the common law from its purest foun-
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HISTORY OF CAMDEN AND ROCKPORT
tain - from the works of eminent English authors. For many years he had an extensive practice in Lincoln, Hancock, and Waldo counties, and as counsel was often associated with or pitted against gentlemen of much ability. His name will be found in the reports of cases, either as opposing or asso- ciate counsel, with Allen, Crosby, Samuel Fessenden, Greenleaf, Longfellow, Orr, Ruggles, Wilson, Williamson, Wheeler, and others. In 1830 the Reports show that he was either for plaintiff or defendant in every case argued before the Supreme Court at the Waldo bar. While Judge Thayer was in full practice, many students-at-law sought the advantage of his office and instruction. The following gentlemen availed themselved of his tuition : Thos. Bartlett, Esq., Hon. Geo. M. Chase, afterwards consul at Lahania ; Waterman T. Hewett, Esq., Augustus C. Robbins, Esq., Col. E. K. Smart, his son-in-law, and Hon. N. T. Talbot. For thirty- four years Judge Thayer was a member of the Congregational church, but although connected with a particular sect, he ever manifested towards other denominations, great charity and tolera- tion for their opinions. Judge Thayer was a prominent Mason and notwithstanding his busy life, found time to devote to his Lodge and for many years was its Treasurer. He was also one of the "Immortal Nine," who brought Amity Lodge through the dark days of Masonry and saw it re-organized and enjoying its greatest prosperity. A week prior to his decease he arose very early in the morning with a view of taking the steamer Daniel Webster for Belfast. It being dark and rainy, he evidently mis- took a platform in the shipyard for the sidewalk near the road, from which he fell, sustaining injuries resulting in his death. 1 Judge Thayer's two daughters, Sarah and Rebecca K., both married Hon. Ephraim K. Smart.
Hon. Maurice C. Blake, son of Dr. Blake, of Otisfield, grad-
1. This biographical sketch is principally based upon the biography of Judge Thayer in Locke's Sketches, Page 228, which was condensed by Mr. Locke from an obituary no ice written by Col. Smart.
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POLITICAL EBULLITIONS
uated from Bowdoin College in 1838, and afterwards studied law in the office of Hon. Samuel Fessenden of Portland. Being admitted to the bar he came to Camden about the year 1841 or' 42, and entered upon the practice of his profession. He was a Whig in politics and in 1846 was elected by his party representative to the Legislature. Under Pres. Taylor's administration he was appointed Collector of the Belfast Customs District, which office he held for four years. Believing that a wider sphere of action would be more compatible with his tastes and ability, he went to California in 1853, where he took up his residence in San Fran- cisco, there continuing the practice of law, and soon becoming identified with the interests of the city. He was a member of the renowned "Vigilance Committee" and principally through the influence of that organization was elected a member of the Legislature from San Francisco in 1857. The following year he was elected by the "People's Party" Judge of San Fran- cisco County, and took his seat upon the bench in 1858, at a salary of $6,000 per annum. In 1881 Judge Blake was elected mayor of San Francisco and was mentioned at the end of his term for gubernatorial honors, but withdrew from the race, and forming a partnership with his nephew, Maurice Blake, continued the practice of law. During the last half of his life he was a staunch Republican in politics and was a delegate to the national conven- tion in 1884. Throughout all his life he maintained the reputation for ability and integrity that he gained while a resident of Cam- den. He never forgot the home of his early struggles and suc- cesses, and in his last years often visited Camden. He never married. He died in San Francisco, Sept. 26, 1897.
1854. This year the town began to have "March meet- ings," holding the annual meeting in that month instead of April. The annual meeting this year was held March 20, at which E. G. S. Ingraham was chosen Town Clerk; Thos. S. Harback, Robert Harkness and Benj. Clough, Selectmen ; and Hiram Bass, Treasurer.
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HISTORY OF CAMDEN AND ROCKPORT
The ferment and disintegration in the old political parties continued this year and four gubernatorial candidates again ap- peared to contest the election ; Anson P. Morrill, who united the Anti-Slavery, Maine Law and "Know Nothing" issues; Albert K. Parris, Democrat ; Isaac Reed, Whig; and Shepard Carey, " Wild Cat" Democrat. The elements that supported Mr. Mor- rill united in the formation of the present Republican party, 1 and Mr. Morrill who was elected, was really the first Republican Governor of Maine. The result of the vote for Governor in Cam- den was as follows : Morrill 333, Parris 137, Reed 66, Carey 20. Christopher Young, Jr., was again a candidate for Senator, but was defeated. In Camden he ran ahead of his ticket, receiving 180 votes, while his opponent had 330. Hanson An- drews was elected Representative by a large majority, having 401 votes to 144 for Obadiah Brown.
Prior to this election the American or Know Nothing party 2 suddenly showed a great development brought about by secret organization, and on August 9 a Council of the Order was organ- ized at Camden Village, which soon numbered some 240 mem- bers. Shortly afterwards a Council was organized at Rockport, numbering about 100 members and one at West Camden num- bering about 30. In addition there were many outside of the organization who sympathized with the movement. The acts and movements of this secret organization were so guarded that a year is said to have elapsed before even shrewd politicians were
1. Maine claims the honor of being the pioneer state in the movement for the formation of the Republican party, as it was born and christened at Strong, August 7, 1854.
2. This organization got its name from the fact that its members, when asked questions regarding its objects and real name, always answered "I don't know." Its watchword was " America for Americans." It demanded the repeal of the naturalization laws and the law which permitted other than native Americans to hold office. It rose with great rapidity and suc- ceeded in electing many Governors, Congressmen, etc., throughout the country and in 1856 elected presidential electors in the state of Maryland. After that time it went to pieces as rapidly as it had arisen and in a short time went out of.existence altogether.
309
POLITICAL EBULLITIONS
aware of its existence, and the effect of its influence upon the old political organizations in the state is well illustrated by the vote of Camden above stated.
In the midst of these political ebullitions the business of the town was in a most prosperous condition. Shipbuilding was then the leading industry here and in 1854, in both villages, there were ten vessels built, - three ships, five brigs and two schooners, aggregating 4413 tons.
This year a telegraph office was first established in town, although the poles had been erected and the wires put through the town in 1848. The first message was sent May 9, 1854.
1855. Annual meeting March 19. Officers elected : E. G. S. Ingraham, Town Clerk; Jotham Shepard, J. W. K. Nor- wood and Ezekiel Vinal, Selectmen; and Hiram Bass, Treasurer. The question of rebuilding the Goose River bridge at Rockport came up at this meeting and it was voted "To build a new bridge at Rockport if it can be built for Three Thousand Dollars & if no one will build it for this sum specified above, voted to build two abutments." It was also voted to expend one thousand dollars on the bridge. This was the beginning of a somewhat long and more or less heated controversy over the "bridge question," which was not settled until 1856, and after several typical Cam- den town meetings.
The new Republican party began at once to assert itself in Maine politics. The Democratic party was still strong, its discordant elements having this year come together, while the Whig party still continued to exist, though only as a fragment of its former self. The Republicans nominated Gov. Morrill, while the candidate of the Democrats was Judge Samuel Wells, and of the Whigs, Isaac Reed. The latter party cast but 10,610 votes in the state this year. Gov. Morrill received a plurality, but not a majority of the votes cast, and Judge Wells was elected by the Legislature. Camden gave a good Republican majority, the vote being 425 for Morrill,
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HISTORY OF CAMDEN AND ROCKPORT
271 for Wells, and 46 for Reed. Hiram Bass of Cam- den was one of the Republican candidates for Senator and received here 433 votes to 304 for his opponent, but failed of the election. Gilman S. Barrows was elected Representative, having 425 votes, while his opponent, Hanson Gregory, had 319.
Daniel Andrews, an old settler of West Camden, died in 1855 at the age of 87 years. Mr. Andrews was born in New Hampshire (probably in Concord) and came to Camden when a young man. He married Olive, daughter of Wm. Gregory, and settled upon the old farm on the slope of Mt. Pleasant, now owned by his grandson, Aaron A. Andrews. Mr. Andrews' chil- dren were Experience, (who married a Mr. Mossman ) Polly, (who married Chas. Ulmer) James, Milly, (who married Hugh Thomp- son) Daniel, William, Harriet, (who married Edward Nelson) and Betsey, (who married Silas Walker.) His son, Daniel, died a few years ago at West Rockport, aged about 99 years and 9 months.
William Simonton, Esq., son of James Simonton, Jr., for many years a Justice of the Peace and prominent citizen of the west part of the town, died Dec. 22, 1855, aged 67 years and 7 months. Mr. Simonton was a farmer, trader and lime-burner. He married Mrs. Elizabeth Roberts Leland, widow of Reuben Leland, by whom he had the nine following children: Eliza A., (who married Robert White) Sarah G., (who married James W. Clark) Margaret J., (who also married James W. Clark.) William P., Thaddeus R., Lavinia G., (who married Andrew E. Clark) Theodore R., Frederick J. and Harriet A., (who mar- ried George Burkett.)
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A BRIDGE FIGHT
CHAPTER XXXVII.
A BRIDGE FIGHT.
1856. At the annual "March meeting" held on the 17th of the month, George W. Simonton was elected Town Clerk ; Hiram Bass, Jotham Shepherd and Ezekiel Vinal, Selectmen ; and James Clark, Treasurer.
This might well be called a "bridge year," as the principal business of the town was in relation to the building of bridges, both at Camden village and at Rockport village. The principal trou- ยท ble, however, was over the Rockport bridge, which first came up as we have seen in 1855. It is evident that the bridge question was a source of much eloquence and logic, as well as of more or less feeling and acrimony. No less than five meetings were called to discuss it, and the arguments were warm and the votes close. At the annual meeting the town first voted $2000 for widening and rebuilding the bridge at Camden Harbor. It then proceeded to raise $6000 by loan for re-building the "Goose River" bridge.
At a meeting held April 26, the records have the following, some portions of which have a more or less familiar sound : "Under 10th Art. It was motioned by E. K. Smart, That the Selectmen be instructed in accepting proposals to build 'Goose River ' bridge, not to accept one for more than seven thousand dollars. Joseph Andrews moved an amendment to raise to eight thousand, and E. K. Smart accepted the amendment. The
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HISTORY OF CAMDEN AND ROCKPORT
amendment was declared, doubted and doubt carried, and then it was Voted : The Selectmen be instructed to limit their expen- ditures on Goose River bridge to seven thousand dollars. The vote was doubted and the doubt was lost 69 to 60. The moderator not being certain the count of hands was correct and there being many calls for 'poll the house,' consented so to do. The following is the result: In favor of limiting the Selectmen to seven thousand dollars, as reported by the moderator to the meeting, 73. Against limiting Selectmen as above, 75. It was then said by many that the count was not correct, (some having come in while counting, who were not counted, as declared by the moderator, he not knowing they wished to be counted. ) It was again demanded by many that lines be formed out of doors for counting. The moderator then ordered 'Form lines out of doors.' The order was obeyed and the result as follows: In favor of limiting to seven thousand dollars, 85; Against limiting, None, 00." 1
On May 27, another meeting was held at which it was voted to "Reconsider the vote of the annual meeting in March last, whereby the Town voted to build a bridge at Rockport" and "expend the money, or any part thereof (which was raised in 1855 for re-building bridge at Rockport) in repairs on said Bridge as it now is." This action did not meet the approval of all the citizens, so another meeting was called on June 7, at which the Bridge and anti-Bridge factions were very equally divided and both sides ready to fight. The contest was precip- itated at the start over the election of a moderator which the bridge advocates won by a very small margin. Tellers were then appointed and then by a vote of 209 to 154, it was voted to build a bridge "with two fifty feet spans." This vote was also taken
by lining the voters up out of doors.
Another meeting was called on June 21 with an article in the warrant to see if the town would vote "to reconsider the vote 1. Town Records, Vol. 3, Page 188.
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A BBIDGE FIGHT
passed June 7, 1856 'to build a stone or wooden bridge at Rockport,'" which article was "passed over" (after again form- ing the line out of doors) by a vote of 297 to 213. This ended the bridge fight. The report of the committee on accounts the following year shows the expense of new bridges to have been as follows : Rockport bridge, $4,300. Camden Harbor bridge, $1,167.32.
This year the Whig, Free Soil and Liberty parties consolidat- ed with the new Republican party which became predominant in Maine politics and, with the exception of two years, has remained so to the present time. The old Whig party, however, nomina- ted a candidate for Governor, the candidate being George F. Patten. The Republican candidate was Hannibal Hamlin, afterwards Vice-President of the United States, while the Demo- crats again nominated Gov. Samuel Wells. Hamlin was elected by a large majority. In Camden he received 484 votes to 249 for Wells and 38 for Patten. Seth L. Milliken, afterwards so prom- inent in Maine politics, began his political career this year by being elected Camden's Representative to the Legislature, receiving 481 votes to 284 for Caleb Thomas. Another Camden man, Hiram Bass, was elected Judge of Probate at this election. In Camden his vote was 494, while his opponent had 277. Elbridge E. Carle- ton of Camden was one of the unsuccessful candidates for County Commissioner, although he made a good showing in town.
Another band was organized this year, known as the " Camden Brass Band," with the following members : Paul Stevens, leader ; F. H. Thorndike, Samuel B. Kirk, Edwin R. Tyler, D. G. Mc- Carthy, Henry B. Pierce, John C. Berry, Silas C. Thomas, George Berry, Leroy B. Wetherbee, Carter Payson, Hollis M. Lamb, Horatio P. Easton, Simeon C. Tyler, J. Clifford Eames. This band became a fine musical organization and gained an enviable reputation both at home and abroad. In 1858 the ladies of Cam- den, as a token of appreciation of his musical talents, presented to the leader, Mr. Stevens, a beautiful silver bugle. The organ-
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HISTORY OF CAMDEN AND ROCKPORT
ization continued for several years, but was broken up at the beginning of the Civil War.
In September of this year a military company was organized in Camden Harbor, called the "Camden Mountaineers," with the following officers : W. A. Norwood, Captain ; A. E. Clark, 1st Lieut .; Benj. C. Adams, 2d Lieut .; George Crabtree, 3d Lieut .; Moses L. Parker, 4th Lieut .; Charles F. Hobbs, 1st Sergeant and Clerk ; P. P. Bryant, 2nd Sergeant ; Eben Thorndike, Jr., 3d Sergeant ; P. U. Stevens, 4th Sergeant ; Edwin C. Fletcher, 5th Sergeant ; A. B. Wetherbee, 1st Corporal ; Sargeant Sartelle, 2d Corporal; H. M. Lamb, 3d Corporal; A. R. Bachelder, 4th Corporal. At about the same time a Rifle company was organ- ized at West Camden, with the following officers: Hiram Fisk, Captain ; Geo. W. Simonton, 1st Lieut. ; A. M. Annis, 2d Lieut .; Robert C. Thorndike, 1st Sergeant and Clerk. It had been expected that the state would pass a law compensating citizen soldiers for expenses incurred in maintaining military companies like the ones organized here, but such a law failing of passage, both of these Camden companies disbanded March 31, 1858.
St. Paul's Lodge, No. 82, F. & A. M., was chartered at Rockport by the Grand Lodge of Maine, May 2, 1856. The first meeting of the Lodge under dispensation, was held Nov. 20, 1855, under the name of St. John's Lodge, but when the charter was granted the name St. Paul's was inserted. The first officers of the Lodge were Austin Sweetland, W. M .; Thomas B. Grose, S. W .; Hosea B. Eaton, J. W .; Alex. Pascal, Treas .; P. J. Carleton, Sec'y ; Oliver Andrews, S. D .; Andrew M. Annis, J. D .; John W. Buzzell, S. S .; Calvin H. Dailey, J. S .; Joshua G. Nor- wood, Marshal ; John W. Stillman, Tyler. This Lodge was an offshoot of Amity Lodge and has today a large and prospering membership.
1857. Annual meeting March 16. Principal officers elected : George W. Simonton, Town Clerk ; Hiram Bass, Abel Merriam and John C. Cleveland, Selectmen ; James Clark,
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A BRIDGE FIGHT
Treasurer.
This year, the first time for sixteen years, there were but two parties in the field at the gubernatorial election. The old Whig party and all the smaller parties that had been flourishing to a greater or less degree, had disappeared, leaving the contest to the Republicans, who nominated Lot M. Morrill, and the Democrats, who nominated Manassah H. Smith. Mr. Morrill was elected by a good majority. The campaign was an earnest one, as all cam- paigns were at this period. The vote shows that Camden voters were strongly arrayed upon the side of the Republican party. Mr. Morrill received 319 votes and Mr. Smith, 202. Seth L. Milli- ken was again elected Representative, the vote standing 309 for Milliken and 182 for Samuel Chase. This being an "off year" in which there was no presidential campaign to enthuse and bring out the voters, the total vote of the town was considerably smaller than the year before.
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