History of Cumberland Co., Maine, Part 14

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 780

USA > Maine > Cumberland County > History of Cumberland Co., Maine > Part 14

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We give below the report of this convention entire, to- gether with the remarkably able statement and declaration put forth by that body. This statement, antedating the Declaration of Independence by nearly two years, was prepared, it is believed, by Hon. Charles Freeman, of Fal-

" The act went into operation June Ist, but vessels then within the harbor were allowed until the 14th to depart, after which no ves- sels were allowed to go in or out except coast wise with provisions for the anstenance of the inhabitants. The House of Burgesses in Vir- ginia appointed the first day of June to be kept as a day of fasting and prayer ; and in Philadelphia the bells were rung muffled, and business was generally suspended.

t This was had in the first parish September 11th, the amount raised in town we cannot ascertain. In February, 1775, Falmouth sent to Boston as a donation, fitty one and a half cords of wood, and Cape Elizabeth, forty-four and a half cords.

# The committee con-iste l of Enoch Freeman, Stephen Longfellow, Enoch Ilsley, Samuel Freeman, Richard Codman, and John Waite.

mouth, who was clerk of the meeting and chairman of the committee.

"Proceedings of the Convention of Delegates from the towns in Cumber- lund County, Sept. 21, 1774, at Falmouth, for the purpose of effecting a concert of action in relation to a non-importation agreement, etc.

" At a meeting of the following gentlemen, chosen by the several towns in the county of Cumberland, held at Falmouth, in said county, on the 21st day of September, 1774, at the house of Mrs. Greele, viz. : from Falmouth, the Hon. Enoch Freeman, Esq , Stephen Longfellow, Esq., Mr. Richard Codman, Capt. John Waite, Mr. Euoch Isley, and Mr. Samuel Freeman ; Scarborough, Capt. Timothy MeDaniel, Capt. Reuben Fogg, Mr. Joshua Fabynn : North Yarmouth, Mr. John Lewis, David Mitchell, Esq., Messrs. Jonathan Mitchell, John Gray, William Cutter; Gorham, Solomon Lombard, Esq., William Gorham, Esq., Capt. Edmund Phiney, Capt. Briant Morton, Mr. Joseph Davis; Cupe Elizabeth, Dr. Clement Jordan, Messrs. Peter Woodbury, Samuel Dann, Capt. Judah Dyer, Dr. Nathaniel Junes, Mr. George Strout ; Brunswick, Messrs. Samuel Thompson, Samuel Stanwood, Capt. Thos. Moulton : Harpswell, Mr. Joseph Ewing, Capt. John Stover, Mr. An- drew Dunning ; Windham, Messrs. Zerubbabel Honywell, Thomas Trott, David Barker; New Gloucester, Messrs. William Harris, Isaac Parsons.

" The Hon Enoch Freeman, Esq., was chosen chairman; Mr. Samuel Freeman, clerk.

" A committee from the body of people, who were assembled at the entrance of the town, waited on this convention to see if they would choose a committee of one member out of each town to join them to wait upon Mr. Sheriff Tyng, to see whether he would act in his office under the late act of Parliament for regulating the government.

"On a motion made, Foted, That a messenger be sent to the said Sheriff Tyng to desire his attendance at this convention. A messenger then waited upon Mr. Tyng, with the following billet, viz. :

"' Mr. Sheriff Tyng's company is desired at the convention of the county, now sitting at Mrs. Greele's.

"SAMUEL FREEMAN, Clerk. "' Wednesday, Sept. 21, 1774, 11 o'clock A. M.'

" Mr. Tyng accordingly attended, and, after some interrogations, subscribed the following declarations, viz. :

"' COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND, FALMOUTH, Sept. 21. 1774.

"' Whereas great numbers of the inhabitants of this county are now assembled near my house, in consequence of the false representation of someevil-minded persons, who have reported that I have endeavored all in my power to enforce the late acts of Parliament relating to this province, I do hereby solemnly declare that I have not in any w y whatever acted or endeavored to act in conformity to said net of Par- liament; and in compliance with the commands of the inhabitants so assembled, and by the advice of a committee from the several towns in this county now assembled in Congress, 1 further deelare I will not as sheriff of said county, or otherwise, act in conformity to, or by virtue of, said acts, unless by the general consent of the said county. I further declare I have not received any commission inconsistent with the charter of this province, nor any commission whatever since the 1st day of July last.

" WILLIAM TYNG.'

"' County of C'umberland .- At the convention of committees from the several towns in the said county, bell at the house of Mrs. Greele, in Falmouth, in said county, Sept. 21, 1774, Voted, That the foregoing, by William Tyng, Esq., subscribed, is satisfactory to this convention. "' Attest : SAMPEL FREEMAN.'

" 'The convention then formed themselves into a committee to accom - pany Mr. Tyng to the body of the people to present the above deel- ration, and adjourned to the old town house nt three o'clock p.M., the deliberation to be in public.

" The committee neeordingly went with Mr. Tyng, who read the declaration to the people, which they voted to be satisfactory, and, after refreshing themselves, returned peaceably to their several homes. " Three o'clock r.M., met according to adjournment.

" Voted, That Mr. Samnel Freeman, Solomon Lombard, Esq., Ste- phen Longfellow, Esq., David Mitchell, Esq .. John Lewis. Capt. John Waite, Samuel Thompson, Capt. Timothy MeDaniel. Dr. Nathaniel

PERIOD OF THE REVOLUTION.

Jones, Isaac Parsons, Enech Freeman, Esq., David Barker, and Capt. John Stover be a committee to draw up the sentiments of this conven- tion and report the same at the adjournment.

" Then adjourned to Thursday morning at eight o'clock.

" September 22 .- Met according to adjournment, when the commit- tee presented the following report, which, after being read paragraph by paragraph, was unanimously accepted, viz. :

"The great concern with which the people of this county view the increasing differences which now subsist between the mother-country and the colonies, and the dark prospect which some late acts of the British parliament have in particular opened to them, has occasioned the several towns berein to choose committees for this convention, 'to consider what measures it would be thought expedient to adopt for the general interest of the county in the present alarming situation of our public affairs.' We therefore, the said committees, pursuant to the request of our respective towns, guided by a strong attachment to the interests of our oppressed country, think it proper, with respect and deference to our brethren in other countries, to make known our miods, as follows :

" We think it the indispensable duty of every subject of the English constitution, for our own sakes as well as that of future generations, to use his utmost care and endeavor, necording to the station he is in, to preserve the same inviolate and unimpaired; for we regard it not only ns the foundation of all our civil rights and liberties, but as a system of government the best calculated to promote the people's peace and happiness, And we lament that in the present administration there are men so lost to all the principles of honor, equity, and justice as to attempt a violation of the rights which we have long enjoyed, and which, while we profess ourselves, as we now declare we do, alle- giant subject = to George the Third, our rightful sovereign, we have a right still to enjoy entire and unmolested ; and it is a melancholy con- sideration that the acknowledged head of this re-pectel State should be induced to pass his sanction to such laws as tend to the subversion of that glorious freedom which preserves the greatness of the British empire and gives it reputation throughout all the nations of the civil world. It is too apparent that the British ministry have long been hatching monstrous aets to break our constitution, and some they have at length brought forth. We think the colonies deserve a better treatment from his majesty than this which he assents to. We are bis loyal subjects, and merit his regard, and cannot help thinking that if he would pursue his own unbiased judgment. aod Iny aside the selfish counsel of wicked and designing men, he and his subjects would be mntually happy, and provocations on both sides cease. But since the ministry have borne their tyranny to such a length as to endeavor tu exceute their wirked designs by military foree in our metropolis, we fear it is their aim to introduce despotie monarchy. But though their tyranny and oppression seems now with hasty strides to threaten all the colonies with ruin and destruction, we hope no vengeance will nffright or wiles allure us to give up our dear-bought liberty, that eboieest hoon of heaven, which our fathers came into these regions to enjoy, and which we therefore will retain while life enables us to struggle for its blessings.

" We believe our enemies supposed we must submit and tamely give np all our rights. It is true a vigorous opposition will subject us to many inconveniences, but how much greater will our misery be if we relinquish all we now enjoy, and lay our future earnings at the mercy of despotie men ? We cannot bear the thought. Distant posterity would have cause to curse our folly, and the rising generation would justly execrate our memory. Wo therefore recommend a manly op- position to those eruel nets and every measure which despotism ean iavent to 'abridge our English liberties;' and we hope that patience will possess our souls till Providence shall dissipate the gloomy cloud and restore us to our former happy state.

" The late act for regulating the government of this provinec we consider in particular as big with mischief and destruction, tending to the subversion of our charter and our province laws, and in its dire example alarming to all the colonies. This, through the conduet of some enemies among ourselves, will soon bring us into diffienlties which will require some able counsel to remove. We therefore recom- inend to each town in this county to instruct their several representa- tives to resolve themselves, with the other members of the House at their approaching session, into a Provincial Congress for this purpose.

" To this Congress we shall submit the general interest of the pro- vinee, but, for the particular benefit of this county, we do advise and recommend, ---

" 1. That the justices of the sessions and Court of Common Pleas, and every other civil officer in this county, which no authority can remove, but that which constituted them agreeable to charter and our own provincial laws, would religiously officiate in their several de- partments, as if the aforesaid act had never been invented, and that every private person would pay a strict obedience to such officers, be always ready to protect and to support them, and promote a due observance of our own established laws. And if any person whatso- ever should henceforth in any manner dare to aid the operation of the said tyrannie act, they should be considered as malignant enemies to our charter righ's, unfit for civil society, and undeserving of the least regard or favor from their fellow-countrymen.

" 2. That every one would alo his utmost to discourage law-suits, and likewise compromise disputes as much as possible.

"3. That it he recommended to the Hon. Jeremiah Powell, Esy .. and Jedediah Preble, Esq., constitutional counselors of this province, residing in this county, that they would take their places at the board the ensuing session as usual.

"4. We cannot but approve of the recommendation given by the cimvention of Suffolk County to the several collectors of province taxes, not to pay one farthing more into the province treasury until the government of the province is placed on a constitutional founda- tion, or until the Provincial Congress shall order otherwise; and we recommend the same to the several collectors in this county. But we think it the duty of the several collectors of county, town, and district taxes to perfect their collections, and pay the same into their several treasuries as soon as possible. And here we think it proper to observe, that though we do not coincide in every instance with our Suffolk brethren, which may be owing to a want of knowing all the circum- stances of affairs, yet we highly applaud their virtuous zeal and determined resolutions.

"5. We recommend to every town in this county charitably to contribute to the relief of our suffering brethren in our distressed metropolis.

"6. Lost oppression, which mnketh even wise men mad, should hurry some people into tumults and disorders, we would recommend that every individual in the county use his best endeavors to suppress, at all times, riots, mobs, and all licentiousness; and that our fellow- subjects would consider themselves, as they always are, in the presence of the great God, who loveth order, and not confusion.

"7. That, when a general non-importation agreement takes place, we shall look upon it to be the duty of every vender of merchandise to sell his goods at the present rates ; and if any person shall exorbit- antly enhance the prices of his goods, we shall look upon him as an oppressor of his country. And io order to prevent imposition in this respect, we recommend that a committre be chosen in each town to receive complaints against any who may be to blame herein. And if he shall refuse to wait ou such committee, on notice given, or be found culpable in this respect, his name shall be published in the several towns of the county as undeserving of the future custom of his countrymen.

"S. That every one who hns it in his power would improve our breed of sheep, and as far as possible, increase their number : and also encourage the raising of flax, and promote the manufactures of the country.

"9. As the very extraordinary and alarming act for establishing the Roman Catholic religion, and French laws in Canada, may intro- duce the French or Indians into our frontier towns, we recommend that every town and individual in this county should be provided with a proper stock of military stores, according to our province law, and that some patriotic military officers be chosen in each town to exercise their several companies, and make them perfect in the mili- tary art.

" 10. Our general grievances being the subject of deliberation be- fore the Continental Congress, renders it inexpedient to consider them partienlarly : on their wisdom we have a great dependence, and we think it will be our duty to lay aside every measure to which we have advised that may be variant from theirs, and pay a due regard to their result.

" And now we think it proper to Feelare that, as we have been re- counting the hardships we enduro by the machinations of our enemies at home, we cannot but gratefully acknowledge our obligation to those illustrious worthies, our friends of the minority, who constantly op- posed those wicked measures, and would heartily wish that some great and good men would invent and mark out some plan that will unite

IHISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, MAINE.

the parent State to these its colonies, and thereby prevent the effusion of Chris san bloodl.

" Then, vote 1, That every member of this convention be severally interrogated, whether he now has, or will hereafter take, any commis- sion under the present act of Parliament for regulating the govern- ment of this province.

" The members were accordingly interrogate 1, and each and every one of them answered in the negative.

" Voted, That the several committees which compose this conven- tion, or the major part of each, be, and hereby are, desired to inter- rogate the civil officers, and other persons whom they may think fit. in their respective towns, whether they now have, or will hereafter take, any commission under the aforesaid act.

" Voted, That the whole proceedings of this convention be by the clerk transmitted to the press, and also to the town clerks of the respective towns in this county, as som as may be.

" Voted, That this convention he continued, and that the com- mittee of Falmouth, or the major part of them, be, and hereby are, empowered on any occasion that in their opinion requires it to notify a meeting of the delegates thereof, at such time and place as they may think proper, setting forth the ocension thereof.

" Voted, That the thanks of this convention be given to the Hon. Enoch Freeman, Esq., for his faithful services as chairman.

" A true copy.

" Attest : SAMUEL FREEMAN, Clerk."

CHAPTER XI.

WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.

Battle of Lexington-Troops sent from Falmouth-Capture of Capt. Mowatt-llis Release-Preparations for the Defense of the Town- Its Destruction by Mowatt Destitution and Patriotism of the In- habitants- Military Movements in this Section-Close of the War.

Ar the outbreak of the war Capt. Mowatt was in com- mand of a sloop of war at Falmouth-the " Cancean." News of the battle of Lexington reached the town on the 21st of April, 1775, two days after the engagement, and the same day a company of soldiers was sent off to aid the people in the neighborhood of Boston. The town called a meeting on the 23d, and took active measures to furnish ammunition, and issued orders for the drilling of the Min- ute Men ; a committee was also chosen who were directed to procure instantly such provisions for the use of the town as they should deem necessary, and deposit it in a suitable place, for which the town treasurer was authorized to give his notes of hand. The committee consisted of Timothy Pike, Daniel Dole, William Frost, Enoch Isley, Benjamin Titcomb, and Stephen Waite, to whom John Fox, William MeLellan, and Simeon Mayo were afterwards added, while Joseph MeLellan, Thomas Smith, Enoch Ilsley, and Paul Little were added to the Committee of Correspondence. " These prompt and spirited proceedings were adopted not- withstanding the ' Cancean' was then lying in the harbor, whose commander was constantly urged to check them by the vindictive feelings of Colson and others, who had suf- fered for their non-compliance with the decrees of the pop- ular party." The next day an alarm was created by the arrival of two traders, which were supposed to be reinforce- ments for Mowatt, and many people, under this impression, moved their property out of town. On the 9th of May an attempt was made to capture Mowatt's vessel. The plan

seems to have been conceived by Col. Samuel Thompson, of Brunswick, who, as we are informed, had for several weeks previous to the attempt been holding secret meetings at the house of Aaron Hinckley, in company with Col. Parrinton, Capt. John Simmons, John Merrill, James Porter, and others. Here they formed a sort of independent military organization. Samuel Thompson was chosen colonel, and John Merrill and Thomas Thompson, captains. Capt. John Simmons was appointed commodore. This appears as if the design was to capture the man-of-war, and use it as an armed vessel against the English. Willis says they came " with a design to destroy the ship," which is prob- ably incorrect. The account which we find in Wheeler's History of Brunswick, Topsham, and Harpswell, says, " The original plan was to procure a vessel of sufficient size to carry a company of some sixty or seventy men ; to disguise the vessel as a wood-coaster; to conceal the men in the hold ; sail for Portland in the night, go alongside the 'Canceau,' and board her immediately. The rendez- vous was to be New Meadows. The disclosure of the plan altered their arrangements somewhat, but did not deter them from their design.

" They sailed from New Meadows on the night of May 8th, and landed on the morning of the 9th, in a grove of thick trees, at a place called Sandy Point. There were about fifty armed men, each wearing in his hat a small bough of spruce. Their standard was a spruce-pole, with a green top left upon it. Sentinels were posted around their camp, and several persons who chaneed to pass that way were seized and detained. Peletiah Ilaley was sent into town to obtain what information he was able. About one o'clock in the afternoon Capt. John Merrill, with two of his senti- nels, while walking near the shore, saw Capt. Mowatt, with Rev. Mr. Wiswall, of St. Paul's Church, and his surgeon, land at Clay Cove, and walk up the hill. They compelled them to surrender, and immediately sent for Col. Thomp- son to come and receive Mowatt's sword. This he did, but returned it immediately. A number of prominent citizens of Falmouth visited the camp and urged the release of the prisoners. The 'Spruce Company' were inflexible, but as night was approaching they concluded to march their pris- oners to Marston's tavern. About nine o'clock the prisoners were released on a promise to return the next morning, Gen. Preble and Col. Freeman pledging themselves for them. The prisoners, however, did not keep good their promise. The company left on Friday. There were other companies joined them while in Falmouth, and some misdeeds were committed by soldiers, but there is no positive evidence that it was by Thompson's men. On their return they took back some boats belonging to Mowatt. When about leav- ing, it is said that they were considerably alarmed at the approach of a fishing-smack belonging in North Yarmouth, which they erroneously supposed to be a vessel sent out by Mowatt to capture them."

This attack of Thompson and his men has been pretty harshly criticised, but however premature it may have been, it was, in a measure, successful, and had he been properly seconded by the citizens of Falmouth, no doubt the " Can- ceau" would have fallen into their hands.

The threat of the officer on board the " Canceau," that

WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.

unless the prisoners were given up he " would lay the town in ashes," produced great excitement in Falmouth. No one knew but that Thompson would carry them off by force, and that the threat would be executed at any moment. " Our women," says a letter of Freeman's, " were every one of them in tears or praying, or screaming; precipitately leaving their houses ; especially those whose husbands were not at home, and widows; hurrying their goods into coun- trymen's carts, never asking their names though strangers, or carrying their children either out of town or to the south end." Before morning, on the night of the arrest, not only Col. Phinney's meu, but militia from Gorham, Cape Elizabeth, and Stroudwater, to the number of six hundred, bearing the news of the preceding day, came into town. They were exceedingly exasperated that Mowatt had been discharged, and seemed determined to destroy his ship. When it was ascertained that Mowatt had not in- tended to keep his parole, they vented their rage upon his hostages, Gen. Preble and Col. Freeman, whom they kept in confinement that day without dinner, and refused to per- mit their children to speak to them. Towards evening they were released on conditions of their furnishing refreshments to the military then in town.

" The town was now under military government, and the officers resolved themselves into a board of war. Being thus organized, they proceeded to call before them persons suspected of being Tories : old Mr. Wyer, Rev. Mr. Wis- wall, and Jeremiah Pote attended upon their summons. They exacted from Capt. Pote money and provisions, and required him to give a bond of two thousand pounds to appear before the Provincial Congress and give an account of his conduct .* The soldiers not being under proper sub- ordination conducted in an irregular and disorderly manner, to the disgust and danger of the inhabitants, all whose per- suasions did not prevent them from committing some ex- cesses. They rifled Capt. Colson's house and used it as a barrack, and from Sheriff Tyng's house they took a silver cup and tankard and his gold-laced hat .; The confusion was considerably increased by the free use of liquor found in Colson's eellar ; under this inspiration, a man by the name of Calvin Lombard went to the water-side at the foot of King Street, and fired a musket loaded with two balls at the 'Canceau,' which penetrated deep into her side. The same day a party of Thompson's soldiers seized Col- son's boat on the shore, and next day nearly a hundred meu hauled it through the streets to the fields near where the meeting-house of the third parish stands ; the day after, another boat was hauled to the same place. These repeated aggravations called from Mowatt a demand for retribution ; he required that Lombard should be given up, that the in- habitants should dispel the ' mob from the country,' as he called them, and restore the boats, or he would fire upon the town. These requisitions created considerable alarm, but

the inhabitants at this time averted the danger by assuring Mowatt that the disturbances proceeded from the country people and were beyond their control.t

" After much exertion the people of the town succeeded in persuading the soldiers to return home; the last company left town May 13th. The soldiers had not at this time learned subjection to their officers ; they made their own wills the guide to their conduct, and when Col. Phinney and Col. Thompson required them to yield obedience to their orders, replied, . we have obeyed them long enough, considering what we have got by it.' While this force remained in town Mowatt felt uneasy for the safety of his ship : having heard that cannon were to be brought from the country to be used against it, he sent two letters on shore in which he declared that the moment a shot should be fired upon him, he should consider the town in a state of open rebellion and should fire upon it. The inhabitants met as early as eight o'clock in the morning and voted their disapprobation 'of the pro- ceedings of the armed body, but that they were unable to resist them.' All further trouble was avoided at this time by the departure of the soldiery, which was soon followed by Mowatt and Colson's ships, and the people began again to enjoy some repose.

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History of Cumberland Co., Maine, Part 14

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford) Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck Number of Pages: 780

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 780