USA > Maine > Knox County > Camden > History of Camden and Rockport, Maine > Part 7
USA > Maine > Knox County > Rockport > History of Camden and Rockport, Maine > Part 7
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SETTLEMENT REVIVES
taken up a tract of land near the Carle place, and both being un- married, boarded with the widow Hilt, whose husband had recent- ly been drowned and who lived near the Hope line. That autumn he returned to his home in New Hampshire and in the spring came back to Camden bringing with him his sister Annie and accompanied by Job Hodgman who worked on his place, while his sister acted as housekeeper. Hodgman afterwards, also took of Mr. Barrett a claim in the same neighborhood, and hav- ing married Annie Hosmer, also settled down to face the hardships and reap the rewards of a pioneer's life amid the solitary grandeur of the hills and primeval forests of Camden. That summer Mr. Hosmer built a frame house on his farm near where the old Hos- mer homestead was afterwards erected, and where his family lived for a century following. He then made another visit to his old home for the purpose of claiming the hand of the lady of his choice, Miss Mary Wheeler, whom he intended to install as the presiding genius of his new home. On arriving at the home of his affianced, he found her ready to return with him as his wife, but an obstacle stood in the way in the strong opposition of her mother and step-father, David Blodgett, not through any objec- tion that they had to the young man, but because they naturally felt unwilling to have their daughter leave a comfortable home to endure the hardships and privations of a pioneer life in a wilder- ness, then so remote from her native town. In the meantime they had made arrangements for the young lady to marry a young man of means, in the neighborhood, and were urgent in their demands that the wedding take place at once. At last, worn out by the importunities of her suitor and the threats of her parents, and unable to hear from her lover in the distant wilds of Maine, she was forced to submit to the publication of her marriage inten- tion, but was the next day stricken down by a fever. For three months she lay between life and death, but on the opening of spring she was pronounced convaleseent. Opportunely at that time, Hosmer returned. Learning what had happened in
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his absence, he obtained an interview with his affianced, and made arrangements to thwart the plans of her parents. The next day the young lady went to call upon a friend, who was in the secret, where she met her lover, who, like "young Lochinvar" fled with her on horseback and took her to his mother's house, where she remained until they could be married, after which she left with her husband for his forest home. No more beautiful or romantic spot could have been selected wherein to pursue life's journey so romantically begun, and we feel sure that the years spent by the hero and heroine of this story in their picturesque home, were as happy as any enjoyed by their successors of the present day in their more luxurious surroundings. To give this pretty romance an appropriate ending it is only necessary to add that the young people were forgiven by David Blodgett and his wife, who also, soon afterwards, came here with their family and settled near their daughter.
Mr. Blodgett, who was born in Dunstable, Mass., Dec. 16, 1744, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and a prominent citizen of Mason, N. H., also became prominent in town affairs after coming to Camden, where he passed the remainder of his life. He was one of the founders of the Congregational church, and held various town offices. As we shall see later he served on several important committees of the town. The most of his descendants removed to Aroostook county.
After fifteen years of married life, Mrs. Hosmer died, and some time later Mr. Hosmer married Miss Nancy Fay of Cam- den. Mr. Hosmer lived many years in the old mansion, built by him on the original farm.
Mr. Hosmer's brother, Asa, and his two sisters, Eunice and Tabitha, soon followed him to the new land. Immediately after- wards came Samuel Russell and John Sartelle, probably drawn here by the same power that had influenced Mary Wheeler to leave her parents and friends for a strange land, for they soon married Eunice and Tabitha and settled in the same neighbor-
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hood. Thus the western part of the town began to grow, but for several years the settlers there were shut off from any commun- ication with the Harbor except by a bridle path which crossed over at "Molineaux's" and thence came down the river to the little growing village.
Wild beasts were still numerous in the forest and were often seen boldly approaching the houses. On one occasion Mr. Hos- mer was returning from a neighbor's and as he came near his barnyard he heard the lowing of his cattle, when all at once he was confronted with bruin, rushing from the yard with a calf in his mouth. Before he could procure his gun the bear with its prey had escaped into the woods.
Mr. Hosmer was an active man of affairs and left his impres- sion upon the age and community in which he lived. He did not confine his endeavors to the rocky soil of his well loved farm, but in middle life came to the Harbor and engaged in business with Frederick Jacobs. Just before the war of 1812 they built the schooner, Mary, and had another on the stocks, which was burned by the British when the war broke out. After this loss he retired once more to his lakeside farm, and engaged with his sons in tilling the soil. He was the father of seventeen children, seven of them being the sons and daughters of his first wife, Mary Wheeler, and ten of his second wife, Nancy Fay. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren and those of his brother, Asa, still live among us, and the name of Hosmer has ever been respected and honored in this community. The old homestead in more recent years became the property of the town and was used for a time as a Town Farm, but several years ago it went into other hands and the old house was destroyed by fire. The farm is now owned by Mrs. Edward L. Mathews.
The Hodgman place is the one a few years ago owned by Warren Storer and now owned by Ephraim W. Pendleton. It is located on one of the lofty hills of that part of the town and commands a most magnificent view of ocean, lakes and
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HISTORY OF CAMDEN AND ROCKPORT
mountains. The descendants of the first Hodgman, too, are among the most respected citizens of our town. One of his sons was Gen. Amos Hale Hodgman, who was born in the year 1792. He received his education from Dr. Patch and served an apprenticeship at the clothier's trade with Ephraim Wood. In 1814 he went to Warren where he carried on his trade for awhile, but afterwards he went into other business there and engaged largely in shipbuilding. He was a Justice of the Peace, and in 1827 was Colonel of the 14th Regiment, being subsequently promoted to the office of Brigadier General. He was also a member of the Governor's Council and in 1836 was a delegate to the convention at Baltimore that nominated Martin Van Buren for President. He was a prominent Mason. In his later years he retired from business and continued to reside in his adopted town, Warren. He was thrice married and was the father of ten children. He died August 1, 1871.
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LAST DAYS OF PLANTATION
CHAPTER XII
LAST DAYS OF THE PLANTATION.
At about the same period of which we have been speaking, the first settlements were made in that portion of the old township that lay outside of the limits of the land of the "Twenty Associates" and which had been annexed to it from Lincolnville. 1 This sec- tion of the town has been known as the "Harkness Survey" from its having been surveyed by John Harkness.
Those who came earliest to this part of the town were probably the Dillinghams and Palmers, but others may have come at about the same time. The Lincoln Records of Knox County, Vols. I and II show conveyances between the Palmers and Dillinghams of Bristol, Maine, of land on the shore of the bay, some as early as 1782. We have not the exact date when the first settlers came there, but it is evident that Joshua Dillingham came as early as 1782 or 1783. About 1790 his brother, Lemuel, came and settled in the neighborhood, and a few years afterwards a younger brother, Josiah, also came. These three brothers were the sons of Lemuel Dillingham who moved to Bristol from Hanover, Mass. Lemuel, the eldest, was a seaman in the Continental navy, and received a pension in 1831. He moved from Camden to Belfast where he died in 1845. Joshua, the second son, served as a privateer in the Revolutionary war, and after moving to Camden
1. The present town of Lincolnville was formed of the plantations of C'anaan and Duek Trap, and incorporated in 1802.
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became a prominent citizen of the town. He married Miss Marcy Palmer by whom he had four children, Nathaniel, whom we shall frequently meet hereafter in this history, Rachel, who married Joseph Myrick, Sally, who died in infancy and Joshua, who removed to Ohio where he died in 1848. Josiah, the youngest, was one of the charter members of Amity Lodge, No. 6, F. & A. M. He was a master mariner and is said to have been lost at sea.
These early settlers took up their claims in that section, probably under bounty land warrants as Revolutionary veterans. Afterwards when the Waldo Patent came into the hands of Gen. Knox, these titles had to be confirmed by deeds from the general and Mrs. Knox, which were granted after the general moved his family to Thomaston. 1
When the earliest of these settlers came here the road now known as the "Belfast Road" had not been laid out and the land was only accessible from the water. The experience of Joshua Dillingham will illustrate how these settlers managed. Mr. Dillingham came from Bristol in a vessel and landed on what has since been called "Dillingham's shore." He was twenty-four years of age and brought with him his young wife and they lived at first in a log cabin which he had previously erected near the shore. This cabin stood on the land which has since been a part of the R. D. Kent farm, and which now, by a singular coincidence, is owned by Col. Charles Dillingham of Houston, Texas. After- wards he built the old Dillingham homestead, up on the road. the same being the original part of the buildings now known as the "Sagamore Farm" buildings. Mr. Dillingham's son, Joshua, lived in the large two-story yellow house which stood about where the "Hill cottage" is now located, a short distance southerly of the "Sagamore " buildings. This house is well remembered by our older people. It finally came into the possession of Mr. Henry Knight and was demolished some forty or fifty years ago. Mr. Dillingham's son, Nathaniel, lived in the "Kent House," as
1. See Life of Henry Knox by Noah Brooks. Page 236.
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it is now called, while the old Palmer place is the one now known as "Selbourne, " owned by Mr. Harry W. Stearns. Mr. Dilling- ham died in Camden, May 6, 1820.
Another of the early citizens of Camden who deserves notice at this time, was William Molineaux who came here from Boston in 1786. In 1769 he had become one of the "Twenty Asso- ciates " by purchasing the share of the company held by John Oulton, one of the original Associates. Afterwards he purchased large tracts of land in different parts of the township including Beauchamp Point, a good sized section in Camden village where the Baptist church now stands, the Ballard lot at Goose River, lots at Clam Cove and at the outlet of Lake Megunticook. He did not settle here permanently until a number of years afterwards, but came here frequently to attend to his business in this locality and go on hunting and fishing excursions. He possessed a love for nature in her wild, rugged and picturesque aspects, which resulted in inducing him to make his home amid the grand nat- ural scenery of Camden, selecting as the place of his residence an exceedingly beautiful spot at the outlet of Negunticook 1 Lake. In writing of this location in 1859, historian Locke says ; "The exquisite beauty of the locality is appreciated by every enthusias- tic lover of nature, and by the excursionist it will ever be regarded as a charming place of resort. In front of his house at the outlet of the pond (or lakelet ) is a high elevation of land which divides the course of Megunticook stream and is thus made an island. From the rocky summit of this cliffy island can be had a fine view of the lakelet and the meandering stream below, as well as of the surrounding picturesque scenery. Surrounded by such a combination of romantic, rural charms, it was but natural that Molineaux should not only become an admirer, but a deciple of good old Izaak Walton. The angling rod and fowling piece
1. This lake is called Negunticook Pond on the oldest charts of Camden. Afterwards it became successively, Molineaux's Pond, Canaan Pond, Lincoln - ville Pond, and finally, Lake Megunticook.
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were his principal sources of diversion, and for days at a time he would indulge in the sports derived from them." In addition to a house, Mr. Molineaux erected a saw-mill and grist-mill at the water privilege at the source of Megunticook river. The last remnant of the old mill buildings disappeared several years ago, but the location still goes by the name of "Molineaux's Mills," and the dam at the outlet of the lake is still called "Molineaux's dam," although it is now owned by the various manufacturers on the river below and is used simply to hold back the waters of the lake as a reservoir for the water privileges in the village.
Mr. Molineaux is said to have been possessed of consider- able wealth. He was born in this country and was, as his name implies, of French extraction. It has been said that he was of noble lineage, of the Huguenot stock, and that his ancestors were among those who fled from the fatherland to escape persecution. There seems, however, to be no definite information relative to his ancestry. It seems to be certain that he was educated, re- fined and accomplished, and possessed all the old-time grace and charm of manner and courtly accomplishments usually ascribed to the aristocracy of the French "old regime." Previously to com- ing here he and his brother, John, carried on a mercantile busi- . ness in Boston where he moved in the society of the elite of his day, and was the friend and companion of many of the leading men of New England. In Drake's History and Antiquities of Boston (p. 657) the name of Wm. Molineaux appears signed to a memorial dated Dec. 19, 1760, as being one of the "principal business men of Boston." The name also appears elsewhere in Drake's History associated with the names of John Hancock, Samuel Adams and James Otis. Molineaux is said to have been of a quick and impulsive disposition, which, especially when ex- cited by liquor, of which he sometimes partook to excess, often led him "in his intercourse with his fellows, to use indiscreet lan- guage and act with such impropriety as to end the affair with deep regret," but at other times he was punctillious in the
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observance of all the courtesies of a gentleman.1 This was illus- trated in his conduct towards the young lad, Robert Thorndike, of Goose River, whom he often took with him on his hunting and fishing rambles. In speaking of these excursions in after years Thorndike always remarked concerning Molineaux's dignity of deportment and the gentlemanly deference with which he treated him by always addressing him as "Master" Thorndike, while at the same time he was always social and a pleasant companion. Locke relates the following anecdote as characteristic of Molineaux : "At one time while a man named Stackpole was at work for him, he intentionally ยท disobeyed Molineaux's commands in several instances and as he knew it irritated him, he again repeated the act, when Molineaux stepped into the house, got his gun, and loading it, rushed towards Stackpole (who was of a fearless dispo- sition) and presented the gun at him, when Stackpole defiantly laid bare his breast and dared him to execute his menace. Find- ing the ruse would not accomplish the design of intimidating him, Molineaux shouldered his gun, and with a significant look, replied, Lucky there were not a flock of such scamps; if there were I would shoot one for an example for the rest !'"
Molineaux made his permanent residence here in the year 1794, shortly prior to which date he was married. Mr. Locke gives the following account of his end : "About the year 1800, 2 while Molineaux was in his canoe with a young man fishing on the pond in sight of his house, the canoe capsized and he was drowned, but the young man was saved by swimming ashore. Molineaux was a good swimmer, but it was supposed that his unfortunate habit had gained the ascendancy over his strength, and thus incapacitated him to put forth proper exertion
1. Sketches of the History of Camden, p. 57.
2. Mr. Molineaux died a little later than this date, as the Lincoln Records of Knox County show that he niade conveyances of land in 1801. They also show that his widow and administratrix, Mary Molineaux, was licensed by court to sell his real estate Jan. 10, 1803. He probably died some time in 1802. His grave now unmarked, is in Mountain Cemetery. His widow survived him many years.
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to save himself. His hat fitting tightly on his head, thus buoyed him from sinking, and was the means of finding his body." 1
Until after the Revolution the Camden settlers had to get along without a village "store," but as the place began to grow, traders began to look upon it as a good location in which to set- tle and in a few years several "merchants" had located here. The first to try his fortune in business here was John Dergin, an Irish sailor, who was cast away in the year 1783, on the island of Grand Manan, where he was badly frost-bitten, whereby he lost the most of his toes and became lame for life. Being rescued he went to Boston, where he fell in with another Irishman by the name of Ward, with whom he entered into a partnership. They turned what small effects both had into cash, and invested the same in merchandise with which to try their fortune in traffic. With their small stock of goods they came in a vessel to Goose River, where they started their store in part of an unfinished frame house belonging to Robert Thorndike. Dergin being lame, attended to the store while Ward. traveled about the country as a "pack-peddler." This partnership lasted about nine months when Ward went to Boston, 2 and Dergin moved to Camden Harbor, where a store was fitted up for him by James Richards about on the site of Carleton, Pascal & Co's store building. After trading here for seven or eight years, carrying such goods as were then usually found in a country variety store, he sent for his brother to come over from Ireland to join him. The vessel on which his brother sailed was lost with all on board. Dergin re- mained here for two years longer, and having accumulated what then seemed a good property, and being unmarried, and feeling himself alone in the world, sold out his business and returned to his native land.
The first physician who settled in town was Dr. Isaac Bar-
1. Sketches of the History of Camden, p .. 59.
2. Ward became a fruit dealer in Boston, and became wealthy. Locke's Sketches, p. 60.
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nard who came here in 1787, married a Miss Tolman and lived at the Harbor for some five or six years, when he moved to the River. He did not remain long there, but being of a roving nature he shifted from place to place, remaining but a short time in the same town.
We have now completed the plantation history of Camden, and before entering upon the town history it may be interesting to note briefly some of the names that have been applied to the different localities in and about the township.
LORD
CAMDEN
The name Camden 1 was given to the township as early as 1768, in honor of Charles Pratt, then Baron, afterwards Earl of Camden, 2 who was a strong parliamentary friend of the colonies prior to and during the the Revolutionary war. When parliament and the king proposed measures for the subjugation of the colo-
1. We find it spelled Cambden (occasionally Campden) on the old records, up to 1800. With the beginning of the new century, the present form, Cam- den, began to be used.
2. Lord Camden's popularity in the colonies is shown by the large num- ber of towns named for him in various parts of the country.
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HISTORY OF CAMDEN AND ROCKPORT
nies by inciting the Indians to wage against them their inhuman mode of warfare, Lord Camden arose in parliament, and in speak- ing of this barbarous scheme, said : "It ought to be damned -it holds forth a war of revenge such as Moloch in Pandemonium advised ; and it will fix an inveterate hatred in Americans against the very name of Englishmen, which will be left a legacy from father to son, to the latest posterity." From such a man Camden may well be proud to have derived its name.
The name Negunticook 1 (as the oldest charts and records have it) or Megunticook, as it is now written, was given to this locality, (more properly applied to Camden Harbor) by the Tarratines. It superseded the ancient name Mecaddacut applied to the same locality by the Wawenocks, 2 although it would seem that the latter name was sometimes applied indiscriminately to the whole region from Camden to Owl's Head. Mr. Sibley in his History of Union (p. 21) has the following upon this subject: "Bedabedec may have designated the coast and included the Penobscot Hills and Owl's Head. When it is considered that the Indians, giving to the consonants a soft or obscure sound, do not enunciate them distinctly, that Smith gives the name as it sounded to his English ears and Champlain as it sounded to the French, it is not improbable that Bedabedec and Madambattec and Mecaddacut are meant to represent the same Indian word.
We quote the following from Locke 3 as being of interest in this connection.
."In the Mass. Hist. Coll. IV., p. 106, the definition of Megunticook is given as meaning "large bay." In speaking on the terminal syllable in this word, the late David Crockett of Rockland, who had acquired a good knowledge of the language of the Penobscot Indians, says that "cook" is a part of a com-
1. The form Negunticook was used until about 1794, after which it was written Megunticook.
2. Locke's Sketches, p. 61.
3. Locke's Sketches, p. 62.
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pound word and means haven or harbor, and the other part of the compound word designates something which is distinctive in the harbor. Eaton in his Annals of Warren, p. 134, says that Megun- ticook signifies "great swells of the sea." Francis Sogabason, an Old Town Indian, gives the same definition, as also does Sogaba- son Neptune. Other authorities might be cited, but these are sufficient to establish the meaning of the word. * * From a statement made by Lewis Ogier a number of years ago, embodied in a short sketch now before us, we learn that the name was sometimes pronounced, Mar-tac-a-ma-coose, and is thus spelled. James Thorndike says that the first settlers and Indians as far back as his memory goes, used to pronounce it Netuc-hama- coose. Sogabason Neptune pronounced it Me-gun-tar-cook, accent on the third syllable." 1
Mt. Battie used to be called McGlathry's mountain because Capt. McGlathry once owned a larger part of it. So Mt. Megun- ticook in the old days was often spoken of as Dillingham's moun- tain, because Mr. Dillingham once lived near its base and owned a greater part of its southern side including the "Table Land."
The name Chickawaukie, now applied to the sheet of water formerly known as Tolman's pond, is said to signify "sweet water," although there seems to be no Indian authority for the same.
The other names of localities in the old township have been mentioned elsewhere or their meanings are obvious.
1. In Sibley's History of Union, p. 4, appears the following fable relative to the derivation of certain names in this section : " There is a tradition that several Indians came from the east on a hunting and fishing excursion. At the harbor in Lincolnville they caught some ducks and called the place Duck Trap. They proceeded with their ducks to Camden, which they called Me-gun-ti-cook, because there they began to cook them. On arriving at Friendship, they broke their cooking pot and called the place Me-dun-cook. Proceeding up the St. Georges, they came to Sunnybec Pond, which they named Sunny-bake, because they were obliged to cook their fish and food in the sun on the rocks."
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HISTORY OF CAMDEN AND ROCKPORT
CHAPTER XIII.
THE TOWN INCORPORATED.
1791. In the year 1790 the population of Camden had reached 331, and its citizens believed that it had attained to a sufficient size and importance to be under a town government and deter- mined to apply to the next General Court for an act incorporating the plantation "into a town." This they did the following win- ter; their petition was granted and the act passed on February 17th, 1791, incorporating Camden as the twenty-second town of Maine. As was appropriate, the act of incorporation was recorded on the first page of the first record book of the town and reads as follows:
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