History of Cumberland Co., Maine, Part 52

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 52

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But improvements were not allowed to rest with what was done for the Eastern Cemetery. The question of pro- curing a rural cemetery out of the city had been mooted, but there was much opposition to it, which continued till after the land had been purchased. The committee, how- ever, were indefatigable. They at first purchased a little over 54 acres of ground of Oliver Buckley and William Stevens, for $5299. By subsequent purchases, involving an expenditure of about 825,000 more, the area has been increased, so that at the present time the cemetery com- prises nearly 200 acres.

The city has still another publie burial-place, viz. :

FOREST CITY CEMETERY,

lying on the southerly side of Fore River, south of Vaughan's Bridge, purchased of Samuel Haskell, Ang. 12, 1858, con- taining about 56 acres, for which the sum of $5000 was paid.

MOUNT CALVARY CEMETERY

is the Catholic burying-ground. It is situated in Cape Elizabeth, about two miles from the centre of the city, and comprises about 60 acres. Before the selection of this

is a beautiful rural burial-place, situated in Westbrook, about two and a half' miles out of the city. The road to i ground the Catholic citizens had buried in a part of the

Photo. by M. F. King.

Nathan (211/41)

Dr. Stephen Cummings was born in Andover, Mass., Jan. 12, 1773. He received a good education while young, studied medieine, and about the year 1794 married Eleanor Ilale, of the town of Temple, N. II. In 1795 he settled in Waterford, Me., as a physician, and praetieed until 1801, when he removed to Portland, where he praetieed medicine and surgery for some forty-five years, and until near his death, which occurred March 2, 1854. Dr. Cummings was known as among the earliest and most successful physicians of Portland. IIis social, genial, and unassuming ways won for him many friends. He was particularly fond of asso- ciations with young people, who learned to respect him in his old age. IIe possessed that integrity in all his relations with men that commanded their esteem and confidence, and his skill in the practice of his profession ranked him among the best educated men in medicine in the State. His chil- dren were Mrs. Sarah A. Bradley, died 1875; Dr. Sumner Cummings, for many years a physician of Portland, died 1848; Stephen Cummings, died 1863; John M., graduate of Bowdoin College, and physician of Portland for many years, and a farmer during the latter part of his life, died 1878; Fitz Henry Cummings, died 1837; and Nathan Cummings, who was born in Waterford, Aug. 20, 1796, and when five years old came with his father to Portland. He graduated at Bowdoin College in 1817 in a class of eight, none of whom survive.

Nathan Cummings studied law with Stephen Longfellow when his office was in his dwelling-house, and his sign was over the door of the small one-story addition next to the Preble House, which was built for an entrance to the law office, then in the east room. Ile was admitted to practice in the State courts in 1820. By the invitation of the town authorities, he delivered an oration in the First Parish meet- ing-house on the 4th of July, 1822.

In IS24 he married Emily, daughter of Isaac Ilsley,

who was collector of customs for the Portland district twenty-seven years, and who resigned in 1829 rather than hold the office under President Jackson.

In 1830 he was chosen a director of the Caseo Bank in a board composed of the prominent citizens, none of whom are now living, viz. : Eliphalet Greeley, Ezekiel Day, Charles Mussey, M. P. Sawyer, Christopher Wright, Phineas Var- num, Nathan Cummings. Mr. Cummings was annually re-elected forty-six years, and held the office at the time of his death. He was an active politician in the days of the Whig party, and in 1840 he was appointed collector of the port by President IFarrison, and in 1843 he was removed by Tyler for opinion's sake. In 1848 Mr. Cummings en- gaged in the flour business with the late Joseph C. Noyes ; but his home and his books had stronger attractions for him than the uncertainties of mercantile life, and after a suc- eessful business of three or four years the firm was dissolved, and he spent the remaining years of his life in quiet enjoy- ment, with an occasional visit to his friends and the libra- ries of Boston. Ile was a member of the Maine Historical Society, cleeted in 1834.

He was a member of the old rifle corps forty-five years ago. The corps was then celebrated for its social gather- ings, when the best literary talent of the town vied in witty songs, sentiments, and sharp sayings. At the elose of an anniversary dinner, Mr. Cummings thus gracefully and feel- ingly alluded to our departed comrades, whom he has now joined. To fully appreciate the sentiment which brought all to their feet, it must be recollected that the adopted color of the corps was green :

" Our departed comrades : Their plume is the wild weed, Their inantle is the green of the valley."

Ile died in 1870, leaving three sons and one daughter who yet survive,-Dr. Isaac I., a graduate of Harvard Col- lege, Mrs. Charlotte A. Miller, Augustus, and Stephen H.

193

CITY OF PORTLAND.

Western Cemetery set off to them. But in 1857 the Rt. Rev. David W. Bacon, late bishop of the diocese of Port- land, with that enlarged policy which characterized all his measures for the welfare of' his church, procured this site for a cemetery, where the faithful members of his flock might repose after death in grounds consecrated according to the forms of their own faith.

THE LONGFELLOW HOUSE.

Next west of the P'reble House, somewhat back from the street, beneath a shade of drooping elms, is an old mansion, which was the first brick house erected in Portland, in 1785. It was built by Gen. Peleg Wadsworth, who in his day was a distinguished military man, having been second in command in the expedition to the Penobscot, in 1779, and the first representative in Congress from this district. His son-in-law, Stephen Longfellow, who afterwards ocen- pied the house, added a third story to it, and the line of addition is still plainly to be seen in the weather-beaten bricks. It is a plain, old-fashioned mansion. The impres- sion generally prevails that the poet Longfellow was born in this house, but it is a mistake.

COLLECTION OF CUSTOMS.

Falmouth was the only collection district in Maine pre- vious to the Revolution. In 1701 naval offices were es- tablished by law in every seaport in the province, " for the entering and clearing of all ships and other vessels trading to and from it," and a fee-table was prepared for their regu- lation. The colony laws relating to imports were numer- ous. At first small duties were laid upon wines and spirits, which were afterwards extended to " all goods, wares, mer- chandises, and provisions of all sorts, excepting fish, sheep's wool, cotton wool, salt," and a few other articles of common necessity. By a statute passed in 1670, by Massachusetts, the duty was ad valorem Id. for every 20s. value, but the tariff was then, as now, the subject of continual alteration.

When the naval office was opened in this port we have been unable to ascertain. Moses Pearson is said to have been the first naval officer, which was probably about 1730. He was succeeded by Enoch Freeman in 1749, who was appointed deputy collector in 1750. But the business of the town increasing, it was thought proper to establish a collection district here in 1758, and Francis Waldo was appointed the first collector. Ile was representative of the town in 1762 and 1763. At the commencement of the Revolution he went to England and never returned. Ilis estates here were confiscated under the absentee act in 1782 and sold. Ile died in London. Allon McLean was Waldo's deputy until 1760. McLean was killed in the house of Capt. Ross, in Middle Street, in March, 1760, by the falling of the garret-floor loaded with corn. This fell upon McLean in the chamber, carried that floor down, and killed John Fleet in the kitchen. They were both from Scotland, each twenty-six years old, and buried in one grave.

In 1770, George Lyde was appointed collector of the port by the board of commissioners, who appointed Thomas Oxnard, of Falmouth, his deputy. At the commencement of the Revolution the officers of the customs here were 25

Mr. Lyde, Mr. Oxnard, Mr. Child, weigher and ganger, David Wyer, Sr., tide surveyor, and Arthur Savage, comp- troller. On the breaking out of the war all the persons connected with the custom-house, except Mr. Child, joined the royal party and left the country. Mr. Child was then appointed to the principal charge of the post by Massachu- setts, under the title of naval officer, and held it until his death in 1787.

Before the Revolution the custom-house was kept in a dwelling-house, on the corner of King and Middle Streets, and was burnt in the conflagration of the town. The next custom-house was a pine shed, and the third a wooden building, but little better, which was also used as a store- house ; the next building, described by Mr. Neal as a " Doric temple," was a tall structure of Sand Bay granite, and was superseded by another granite building, of much larger di- mensions, erected by the United States, on the site of the present custom-house. It was an imposing structure, with a row of columns in front. It was destroyed by fire in the great conflagration of 1866, and the new structure was afterwards erected.

The present custom-house is one of the finest buildings in the city. The material is a very light-colored granite, from Concord, N. H., resembling the finest marble. It cost about $500,000, is thoroughly and elegantly finished within and without, and is believed to be fire-proof. We subjoin the following names and terms of office of the col- lectors of customs at the port of Portland. from 1787 to 1879: Nathaniel F. Fosdick, 1787-1802; Isaac Isley, 1802-29; John Chandler, 1829-41; Nathan Cummings, 1841-43; John Anderson, 1843-45; Robert P. Dunlap, 1845-49; Luther Jewett,* 1849-53; Ezra Carter, 1853- 57; Moses McDonald, 1857-61 ; Jedediah Jewett, 1861-

# The pedigree of Joseph Jewett, who came from Bradford, W. R., Yorkshire, England, to Rowley, Mass., 1638, from Henri de Junit, a knight of the First Crusades, is in possession of Rev. Chleb Hutchin- son, of Indiana, who is compiling a history of the family.

Descended from this Joseph Jewett, of Rowley, through Nehemiah Jewett, Speaker of the House of Massachusetts, were Joseph and James Jewett, who came to Portland from Rowley during the latter half of the last century.

Joseph Jewett lived on Middle and Silver Streets, and the amount of silver stored in his cellar during the French war gave a name to the street.

The brothers were graduates of Ilarvard College, and their children were Rev. Caleb Luther, collector of this port; Jelentiah, mayor of Portland ; Joseph Scott, major-general of the 5th Division. M. V. M., and colonel in United States army, 1839: Georgo, colonel in militia. Some of these were connected by blood and marriage with Elijah Kellogg's family, Governor Dunlap's family, Professor Young's family, and Gen. Jameson's family.

Gen. Jewett's children are (1) Col. James C., the only American merchant who was allowed by Congress to arm his vessels. He was Governor of the Lobos Islands, which he discovered and protected by the guns of his vessels, and which the Peruvian government bought of him by paying to his order $1,000,000 into the United States Treasury : (2) William S .; (3) Robert P .; (1) Mary Jane; (5) llar- ricette de Mar, who married C'apt. Frederick Forsyth, last commander of the historic " Rifle Corps."

The other Jewetts of this branch are Sarah O., " Colorado" Jewett, first Governor of Colorado, Mrs. Dell P. Harrison, of New York, and Seward Jewett.

A few years ago a family by the name of Mahony, in this city, changed its name to Jewett. Of course none of these belonged to the Jewetts of Rowley. - GENEALOGIST.

194

IIISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, MAINE.

63; Israel Washburn, Jr., 1863-77; Lot M. Morrill, 1877.

POST-OFFICE.

The post-office building is of Vermont marble, and cost $500,000. The ground floor is ocenpied by the spacious and well-arranged apartments of the city post-office, and the whole second story by the United States court-rooms and offices. The building is elegantly fitted and furnished throughout, and is one of the finest in the city. The first post-office building owned by the United States in Portland was known as the Exchange, and occupied the site of the present building. It was erected by the city at a cost-in- cluding the land-of $100,000, and was sold to the United States in 1849 for $149,000, $2000 of which were to be expended in repairs. It was in its day the most notable structure in Portland, being composed of beautiful syenite from the Kennebunk quarries. The length of the building on Exchange Street was 136 feet, and its principal front, on Middle Street, 75 feet, the height being three stories. It was surmounted by a dome 75 feet high from the sidewalk, and 63 feet in diameter, and the front elevation supported by a row of eight beautiful columns. The Exchange was destroyed by fire, and with it the natural history collection. It was rebuilt by the United States, and stood till the great fire of 1866. The present building occupies the same site, and was erected by the United States government after the fire.

The following are the names of the postmasters of Port- land since Samuel Freeman, who was appointed by Benja- min Franklin, Postmaster-General, by a commission-still preserved in this office-bearing date Oct. 1, 1775. Deacon Freeman was removed by Jefferson, in 1803, for political reasons; Samuel Freeman, Oct. 5, 1775-1804; Thomas M. Prentiss, 1804-5; Joshua Wingate, Feb. 20, 1805, to Aug. 8, 1805 ; James Wingate, Ang. 9, 1805-15 ; Robert Ilsley,* 1815-28; Math. Harris ;} Nathaniel Law, 1828- 29; Nathaniel Mitchell, 1829-34; Thomas Todd, 1834- 39; Nathaniel Mitchell, 1839-41; Sylvanus R. Lyman, 1841-45; Nathan L. Woodbury, 1845-49 ; Joshua Dunn, 1849-53; Nathan L. Woodbury, 1853-57; Samuel Jor- dan, 1857-61 ; Andrew T. Dole, 1861-65; Woodbury Davis,* 1865-71 ; Charles W. Goddard, 1871.

FIRE DEPARTMENT.

Nahum Littlefield, Chief Engineer. Granville II. Cloyes, First Assistant Engineer. John 11. Russell, Second Assistant Engineer. Charles D. Skillings, Third Assistant Engineer. Amory Il. Rogers, Fourth Assistant Engineer.

APPARATUS.

The fire-apparatus consists of five steam fire-engines in commission and one held in reserve ; five (horse) hose-car- riages, which are run in connection with the steamers ; two hose-carriages held in reserve; two hook-and-ladder trucks ; one hand-engine and hose-carriage; one hose-car- riage held in reserve at the almshouse, and one fire- department wagon for general use.

The following are the engines in use :

$ Died in office.

+ Appointed in 1825, but declined.

Machigonne Steamer, No. 1 .- Located No. 557 Con- gress Street. This engine was built by the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company, Manchester, N. II. Put in ser- vice July 1, 1871. It is a double reciprocating vertical engine, 74-inch cylinders, 8-inch stroke ; pumps 42 inches in diameter, 8-inch stroke; will throw 600 gallons of water per minute ; it has #g square feet grate surface, 219 square feet of heating surface. Weight, 7400 pounds. Jeremiah Ilsley, Foreman ; Edward W. Porter, Engineer.

Portland Steamer, No. 2 .- Located No. 134 Congress Street. Built by Amoskeag Manufacturing Company, Manchester, N. Il., in 1861 ; rebuilt in 1871. Diameter of steam cylinder 83 inches, 12-inch stroke ; plunger pump 42 inches diameter, 12-inch stroke. Weight of engine, 5600 pounds. The engine held in reserve, likewise called Portland, No. 2, is kept at No. 2 engine-house, and is used in summer, while the first No. 2 is used in winter. Edward 11. Sargent, Foreman; John Cousins, Engineer.

Cumberland Steamer, No. 3 .- Located No. 176 Brackett Street. Built by the Portland Company in 1870. Steam cylinder 9g inches in diameter, 10-inch stroke; diameter of pump 42 inches ; will throw 400 gallons per minute. Weight of engine, 6800 pounds. Richard II. Ball, Fore- man ; Alfred Wiggin, Engineer.

Falmouth Steamer, No. 4 .- Located No. 157 Spring Street. Built by the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company, Manchester, N. II. Put in service Dec. 20, 1873. It is a double reciprocating vertical engine ; diameter of cylinder, 73 inches, stroke 8 inches ; pumps 4} inches diameter, 8-inch stroke ; will throw 600 gallons of water per minute. Weight of engine, 7600 pounds. A. F. Griffin, Foreman ; T. Il. Williams, engineer.

Cusco Steamer, No. 5 .- Located No. 380 Congress Street. Built by Portland Company in 1866, rebuilt 1871. Steam cylinder 95 inches in diameter, 10-inch stroke; sleeve pump, 42 inches in diameter, 10-inch stroke ; will throw 400 gallons per minute. Weight of engine, 6800 pounds. Robert Il. Murphy, Foreman ; Charles P. French, Engineer.

Dirigo Hand Engine, No. S .- Located at the westerly end of Congress Street, on Burnham Street, near Libby corner. The engine was built by Leonard Crockett in 1852. Diameter of cylinder, 63 inches, 16-inch stroke. The com- pany receive no pay for their services, doing duty in the city only when specially called for. Henry Batchelder, Foreman.

Washington Hook-and-Ladder, No. 1 .- Located on In- dia, ucar Congress Street. Truck built by Hunneman & Co., Boston, and put in service in August, 1874. The company attached consists of 20 members. Benj. L. Saw- yer, Foreman ; W. R. Gribben, Clerk.

Eagle Hook-and-Ladder, No. 2 .- Located on Market, near Congress Street. The company attached comprises 10 members. Truck built by Remington & Co., Provi- dence, R. I., in 1866, remodeled and improved in 1869. John 11. Long, Foreman ; Frederic E. Jacobs, Clerk.

FIRE-ALARM TELEGRAPHI.

Connected with this are 41 alarm-boxes, 28 miles of wire, 4 bell-strikers, 6 large gongs, 16 city call-bells, 8 private

Photo, by Lamson, Portland.

Dando Moulton

DAVID MOULTON is sixth in descent from John Moulton, the emigrant aneestor, who was born at Ormsby, Norfolk Co., England, about 1599. Left England, with his wife Annie and five children, in the spring of 1637 ; settled at Winnacunnett, N. H., in 1638, admitted a freeman May 22, 1639, was chosen the first. deputy to the General Court the next September, and died about 1650.

His grandfather, David Moulton, was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, and was in the battle of Butt's Hill, R. I., fought Ang. 29, 1778, under the command of Gen. Sullivan. He married Dorothy, a descendant of Joseph Moulton, who was also one of the first settlers of Winnaeunnett (Hampton), N. H. Removed from Hampton to Porter, N. H., in 1794, and at the first town-meeting held after the incor- poration of Porter, in 1807, he was chosen chair- man of the selectmen, and continued a member of the board until 1822, with the exception of two years.

Joseph Moulton, sceond son, and father of the sub- ject of this sketch, was born July 23, 1797. Married Abigail Goodwin, daughter of Zachariah Beal, of Portsmouth, N. H., Feb. 10, 1823. She was born at New Market, Jan. 25, 1798. He was a shoe- maker and tanner at Portsmouth, N. H., and at Porter, Me., until 1835, when he removed to Fox- croft, Mc., where he carried on farming until 1855, when he removed to Westbrook (now Deering), where he continues to reside in 1879. He held the office of adjutant of 2d Regiment, 2d Brigade, 6th Division, ten years; of deputy sheriff for Oxford County, eight years; for Piscataquis County, eight

years; of coroner, for fourteen years; of United States deputy marshal (appointed in 1840); and of selectman, assessor, and overseer of the poor of Westbrook for the years 1856-57. In polities he was a Democrat until the formation of the Repub- lican party.

Of their children, David is the eldest son ; born at Porter, Nov. 21, 1825. He was educated at the town schools of Porter and Foxcroft Academy. At the age of fourteen he became a clerk in Bangor, Me. Subsequently he was a student at Foxcroft Academy, followed by two terms as a teacher. In the spring of 1844 he came to Portland, and for several years was a clerk in a hat and eap store. He afterwards set up business for himself, and engaged in the hat and cap trade, and for a time in the sale of corn and flour.

May 15, 1863, he was appointed deputy collector of customs for the district of Portland and Falmouth. This office he continues to hold, having officiated under Jedediah Jewett, Governor Washburn, and Lot M. Morrill, collectors. He also acts as cashier at the custom house, and is responsible for a faith- ful and accurate disposition of all moneys received. Gen. Taylor, for whom he cast his first vote, Lin- coln, and Grant, were his choice for presidents. He married, Nov. 26, 1852, Elizabeth J., daughter of Ebenezer Wentworth, of Biddeford, Me. His wife was born April 4, 1829, and died Feb. 10, 1869, leaving five children,-Abbie Cora (deceased), Henry C., Sarah Agnes, George Albert, and Mary Lizzie.

Photo. by Lamson, Portland.

Lewis B. Smith

His grandfather Jonas, born in Hollis, N. H., married Sarah Pool, a native of the same place, in 1792. Removed to Portland about 1800, and reared a family of seven sons and four daughters. Jonas B. Smith, father of Lewis B., was fourth son; was born in Portland in the year 1801; married Lucy Bartlett, daughter of Bartlett Holmes, a native of Plymouth, Mass., in 1820. She was born in 1802. He went to Bath, Me., in 1811, and there was engaged in ehair- making and painting. He died in 1835. Of his six children, Lewis B. was second son, born in Bath, Dec. 24, 1825, and there received his early education.

In 1841 he came to Portland, and learned cabinet- making. He also learned wood engraving, stereo- typing and electrotyping, which he successfully car- ried on for some time, and for a few years he was engaged in the manufacture of candles and soap. Very soon after taking up his residence in Port- land he began to take an interest in local politics and the affairs of the city.

From 1845 to 1860 he was a member of the fire department, and was its chief engineer in 1859-60. In 1858 he was appointed justice of the peace and dedimus justice, offices which he now holds. Dur- ing the same year he was elected clerk of Free Street

Baptist parish, and still retains that position by successive elections. For some twelve years he was a member of the superintending school committee of the city, and in 1873 its chairman.

Mr. Smith was originally a Whig, but upon the organization of the Republican party, in 1856, he became an advocate of its principles. He was a member of the City Council in 1857-59, and during the last two years president of the council.

In 1861 he was appointed United States weigher and gauger at Portland, and in 1863 he received the appointment of deputy collector of customs, and by reappointment retains the office in 1879, for three terms being a deputy under Governor Washburn, and one term under Hon. Lot M. Morrill. He was appointed a member of Governor Corry's staff in 1864, and ranked as lieutenant-colonel, serving for three years. In 1857 he was appointed railroad commissioner, on behalf of the State of Maine, for the Boston and Maine Railway.

Ile married, Oct. 28, 1847, Julia Ann, daughter of George B. Eaton, of Portland. She was born in May, 1824.

Their children are Helena Virginia (deceased). (lara Virginia, wife of George M. Bosworth, Chas. D., Frank L. (deceased), Lewis E., and Fred. B.

195

CITY OF PORTLAND.

eall-bells, 4 repeaters, 5 galvanometers, 4 testing-keys, and 330 jars of battery.

CHARLES MCLAUGHLIN & CO.

The firm of Charles MeLaughlin & Co. was established in 1857, and was then composed of Charles Davis and Charles MeLanghlin. George E. Davis, Charles Walker, Daniel W. Ames, and Albert Drummond afterwards became members. Charles Davis retired from the firm in 1871, and Daniel W. Ames in 1874.

This firm began business on Commercial Street, No. 163, near the head of Union Wharf, removed to No. 84 (Thomas Block ) in 1860, where they remained until December, 1879, when they removed to the large and spacious store on Cen- tral Street (head of Central Wharf). This store, represented

MCLAUGHLI

.Co.

CHAS MELAUGHLINGC

"CHARLES MCLAUGHLIN & CO.

by the eut, is one of the largest and best-arranged wholesale grocery-stores in New England. This firm ranks with the heaviest wholesale grocers of Portland.

THIE PORTLAND WATER COMPANY.

Under a charter from the Legislature a company was organized April, 1867, for the purpose of supplying the city with water from Lake Sebago, a distance of seventeen miles. The water from the lake is received into an oval brick conduit, three feet high and two feet broad, and a little more than a mile in length, constructed through a ledge of hard rock ; six hundred feet of this conduit being a tunnel six feet by four in size. From the end of the eou- duit the water is received into a wrought-iron pipe, coated inside and out with a lining of cement, and twenty inches in diameter, by which it is conveyed through the town of Standish, and thence following the highway through Gor- ham and the villages of Sacearappa and Stroudwater to the reservoir. This reservoir is bounded by Vaughan, Brackett, Bramhall, and Chadwick Streets, covering an area of 100,000 square feet, and has a capacity of 12,000,000 gallons. Over thirty-three miles of distribution-pipe and abont twenty- eight miles of service-pipe have been laid through the city.

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History of Cumberland Co., Maine, Part 52

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