USA > Maine > Waldo County > Islesboro > History of Islesborough, Maine > Part 2
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There is an island in the neighborhood called Seven Hun- dred Acres, which also probably belongs to the subscriber, although some doubts have been entertained by the inhabit- ants. Mr. Winslow possessed it completely before the war, and the centre of it is, I have no doubt, within three iniles of the main, which is the criterion of its belonging to the subscriber.
After having given this description the estimation is made that it will net the subscriber from fifteen hundred to eight- teen hundred dollars, the payment of which will be secured by the possessions, buildings and farms of the inhabitants, and better security cannot well be imagined, as the property will amount to four times that sumn.
This island may be conveyed for security of the following notes :
One note of $3,752.98-100 One ditto of 5,000 One ditto of 6,000
$14,752.98-100
GILKEY'S HARBOR, AND CAMDEN MOUNTAINS.
GULL POINT, FROM ISLESBOROUGH INN.
9
HISTORY OF ISLESBOROUGH.
If this security should be accepted by the note-holders in the above farms, payable in five or six years with interest annually, the joint bond of Knox and Jackson* will be given for the first sum, and the name of B. Lincolnt thereto added for the two others.
In this case it would be desired that the sum for three thousand eight hundred dollars should be suspended, and two notes taken, payable with interest in eighteen months, given by Knox and endorsed by H. Jackson, and with secu- rity if desired ; but the money shall be punctually paid at the time stipulated.
THE FIRST SETTLERS.
Mighill Parker, Esq., of Islesborough, wrote Governor Williamson in 1821 that Benjamin Thomas, from Cape Elizabeth, was the first settler, in 1768, bringing his family here in 1769. But from the most thorough inves- tigation, I am satisfied that Shubael Williams was the first settler. He came in 1764, and cleared land on the east side, at what is now known as Bounty Cove, near the center of the island. Here he built a log house. With him were his sons Samuel, Amos, Joseph and Ben- jamin. His lot extended from the east to the west bay, and contained about three hundred acres. In 1786 he conveyed his home to his son Benjamin (unmarried), from whom it descended to the other members of the family. These facts are well authenticated by the descendants of Shubael now living on the island, being handed down from father to son, and are fully substantiated by an old gentleman, now living, and over seventy years of age. Without doubt Samuel Pendleton came with Shubael and settled on the east side, on what is known as Little Island, in the month of September, 1764, and his de- scendants live there yet. When Shubael Williams came
* Gen. Henry Jackson.
+ Gen. Benjamin Lincoln.
2
IO
HISTORY OF ISLESBOROUGH.
to Long Island, his son Amos was ten years old. Amos was the grandfather of Thomas and Emery Williams.
William Pendleton, from Stonington, Conn., came in September, 1769, with his sons, John, Job, Harry, Jona- than and Oliver. All settled at the extreme southern part of Islesborough, except Job, who settled on an island ad- jacent, which now bears his name. All this property is now owned by Mr. Jeffrey R. Brackett. It includes the extreme end of Islesborough, formerly the Thomas Board- man lot, and contains a total of five hundred acres. On the main island Mr. Brackett has built a summer resi- dence, the outlook from which is not surpassed on the coast of New England. The property of John and Oliver is now owned by the Islesborough Land and Improvement Company, of Philadelphia. On Oliver's lot is situated the splendid hotel known as the "Islesborough Inn." This company has improved the land, and what was for- merly Oliver's lot has been sold at great prices to wealthy people, who are now (1892) erecting costly cottages.
Thomas Pendleton, from Stonington, Conn., came in 1775, with his sons Thomas, Samuel, Gideon, Joshua, Nathaniel and Stephen. He settled on the east side, be- low what is now known as Hewes' Point. Most of this land is now owned by his great-great-grandchildren, who are wealthy and enterprising. Thomas Pendleton, senior, was a cousin to Williamn Pendleton, senior. It is said that Hon. George H. Pendleton, late United States Minister to Berlin, was a grandson of Thomas Pendleton, senior. *
Elder Thomas Ames came from Marshfield in 1770, with his son Jabez. They settled on a beautiful point of land on the east side of what is now known as Gilkey's Har- bor, to the west of Ames' Cove. Elder Ames was the first settled minister. When he moved off the island Mr.
* The editor throws in a query here.
İİ
HISTORY OF ISLESBOROUGH.
Ames conveyed his land to Joseph Woodard. Joseph Woodard conveyed to James Sherman, who lived here and raised a large family. At his death Sherman's heirs conveyed to John Pendleton Farrow, who sold to J. D. Winsor, of Philadelphia, President of the Islesborough Land and Improvement Company, who now holds the estate of one hundred and twenty-six acres.
Captain John Gilkey came in 1772, probably from Cape Cod. He settled on the west side of Gilkey's Harbor, and it is from him that this harbor derived its name.
Valentine Sherman and his son Robert came about 1791, probably from Connecticut. Both settled at Gil- key's Harbor, near Elder Thomas Ames. Valentine sold his land to his son on Aug. 1, 1792.
Capt. Anthony Coombs senior came about 1782, from New Meadows, with his sons Anthony, Jesse, Robert and Ephraim. He settled on the lot next north of Shu- bael Williams, where the meeting house now stands. His descendants still own and live on part of the estate. His sons settled on the north-east side of the island, above Sabbath-Day Harbor, where they built a saw and grist mill.
Capt. Peter Coombs, senior, came in 1784 or 1785 from Brunswick. He settled at Sabbath-Day Harbor, on the lot now occupied by "The Islesborough" hotel and other buildings, summer cottages, steamboat wharves, stores, etc. He sold his land to Mighill Parker in 1791, Aug. I, and returned to Brunswick. Mr. Parker sold to Joseph Ryder, whose grandson, Jason Roscoe Ryder, still lives on and owns part of the estate. Mr. Ryder, senior, had a grist mill on his land and a tide mill, where the early settlers carried their grist to be ground.
Hosea and Fields Coombs, brothers, came about 1782. Hosea settled northerly of Capt. Anthony Coombs, on the
HISTORY OF ISLESBOROUGH.
lot known as that of the late Capt. Solomon P. Coombs, a grandson of Hosea. On this lot are the cottages of Hon. Joseph W. Porter, Sanborn, Bragg, Garland, Burr, Spratt and Milliken. Fields Coombs settled at the head of Sab- bath-Day Harbor. Philip Coombs, a grandson of An- thony Coombs, and now 84 years old, says that there is no relation between his family and the descendants of Hosea and Fields .*
Joseph and Peter Woodard came in 1784 from Hing- ham, Mass., and first settled on the north-easterly side of the island. Joseph afterwards bought Elder Ames' lot at Gilkey's Harbor, and also the lot now owned by John P. Farrow, which had been sold to Derby Academy, of Hing- ham, Mass., by Joseph Woodard. Joseph was drowned in Belfast Bay. Peter probably moved away.
Sylvester Cottrell came about 1786, and settled on or near Hewes' Point. He sold his lot July 1, 1790, to Sam- uel Jackson, of Boston. This deed was the first recorded in Hancock County Records. Mr. Cottrel is said to have died in Miramichi.
Elihu Hewes came about the same time, and settled on the Cottrell lot on Hewes' Point, which was named for him.
Joseph Boardman came in 1774, from Boston. He married here the same year, and settled on the extreme southerly point of the island. His descendants say he was one of the innumerable number who threw the tea overboard in Boston Harbor.
Benjamin Marshall was here early. The town records say, "Old Mr. Ben. Marshall came to town meeting July 5, 1793. He was probably the father of Thomas Mar- shall, who settled on the northerly end of the island."
Simon Dodge, senior, came about 1784, from Block Island, R. I., with sons Simon, Noah, Rathburn, Mark,
* Query by the editor.
14
HISTORY OF ISLESBOROUGH.
Laury, who sold the property to J. P. Farrow, who sold it to James Dodge. Dodge in turn sold it to Dr. A. S. Davis, of Chelsea, Mass., who built him a cottage on the head, and was the pioneer to build summer cottages in Islesborough.
Rev. Charles Turner Thomas was here in 1788, and married Mary Gilkey. He may have been a son of Ben- jamin Thomas, senior.
William Grinnell came before 1791, from Block Island, R. I. He was selectman that year. He settled on the west side, below Sprague's Cove. He sold out to Joshua Moody, and moved to Belfast, where he died Dec. 5, 1842. Moody's grandson, John Moody, who is eighty-seven years old, now lives on the same lot.
Josiah Farrow came about 1790 from Bristol. He was a Revolutionary soldier.
John Farrow came in 1785 from Bristol. He was a nephew of Josiah Farrow, and he purchased the land of Benjamin Thomas. He built the schooners Rebecca, Mayflower, Specia, Rialto, and Mary Jane. His great- great-grandson, John O. Farrow, still lives on the estate.
Jonathan Parker came before 1795, from Groton, Mass. He settled on the northerly end, east side, next north of Samuel Veazie.
Godfrey Trim came about 1792, or before, with his sons Godfrey, James and Robert. He settled on the north end and east side.
Simon Parker was here 1791. He bought the lots of Benjamin Coombs and John Sprague.
Mighill Parker came about 1790. He bought out Capt. Peter Coombs at Sabbath-Day Harbor. The lot was afterwards owned by Joseph Ryder.
Prince Holbrook, from Brunswick, came here about I790.
I5
HISTORY OF ISLESBOROUGH.
Joseph Jones here in 1791. He married Betsey Ames, daughter of Elder Thomas Ames. They had no children.
William Elwell came in 1789, from Burton's Island, St. George. He removed to Northport.
David Thomas came before 1786. He settled on the north end of Acre Island. The names of the children have an "Old Colony flavor."
Adam Turner was one of the early settlers.
John Sprague came before 1794. His lot was near Sprague's Cove, west side. Lydia Sprague, widow of Jonathan, brother of John, came about 1800, with her sons, Simon, Solomon and Rathburn, and settled on the west side near Sprague's Cove.
Elisha Nash, from Weymouth, Mass., came in 1791, and bought a lot August Ist.
Jeremiah Hatch, Jr., came here about 1780, from Marsh- field, Massachusetts, settled on the south-west side. His descendants live on this lot.
Benjamin Thomas, Jr., came in 1790, from Marshfield, Massachusetts. He settled on the north end of Seven- Hundred-Acre Island. This property remained in the family one hundred years. Then sold to Islesborough Land and Improvement Company.
CHAPTER II.
GENERAL KNOX AND THE SETTLERS.
TN 1788 the inhabitants sent a petition to the General Court asking for examination of the claim of General Knox to the ownership of the island, and for incorpor- ation as a town. For some reason action on the petition relating to the claim was deferred for several years. In the meantime many of the settlers took deeds from Gen- eral Knox, while others, the most of whom lived above the Narrows, declined to do so. After further petitions the General Court, March 9, 1797, appointed a com- mission to "settle and declare their rights." I give a copy of reference and agreement:
Whereas the Legislature of this Commonwealth, by a re- solve passed on the ninth day of March last, appointed Na- than Dane, John Sprague, and Enoch Titcomb, Esquires, commissioners, they, or the major part of them, to settle and declare the terms on which any settler on the lands held un- der the late Brigadier General Samuel Waldo (and not here- tofore alienated) shall be quieted in the possession of one hundred acres of land, that may best include his improve- ments, and who hath not made any agreement in writing concerning the lands with Henry Knox, Esquire, representa- tive of the heirs of the said Waldo, as by the same resolve may appear ;
And whereas, since the war with Great Britain, to wit, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-seven, William Burns was a settler on a lot of one hundred acres of land situated in Islesborough, the bounds
ISLESBOROUGH SKETCH.
17
HISTORY OF ISLESBOROUGH.
whereof shall be ascertained and settled by the said commis- sioners in their report hereon-the same lot being part of the land held under the said Waldo and said William Burns, a claimant now in possession thereof ;
Now, in pursuance of the said resolve and appointment, we the said Henry Knox, representative as aforesaid, and the said William Burns, do refer and submit it to the said commissioners, they or the major part of them, to settle and declare the terms aforesaid on which the said William Burns, his heirs and assigns, shall be quieted in the posses- sion of the said lot, holding ourselves, our heirs, executors, administrators and assigns respectively, bound by their re- port in the premises, when made into the Secretary's office of said Commonwealth, as directed by the said resolve.
In witness whereof we hereto set our hands this twenty- fourth day of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-seven.
HENRY KNOX,
By DAVID FALES, his Attorney. WILLIAM BURNS.
Signed in presence of FIELDS COOMBS, JOHN HARKNESS.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
This twenty-fourth day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand and eight hundred.
On the foregoing reference between Henry Knox, Esquire, and William Burns, for quieting the said William Burns agreeably to the before-mentioned resolve, in the possession of said lot of land, bounded as follows : Beginning at a stake and stones standing on Penobscot west bay, thence running south thirteen degrees east adjoining on Samuel Warren's land two hundred and thirty-two rods to a spruce tree for a corner; thence south fifty-four degrees west forty-six rods to a stake and stones; thence north fifteen degrees west adjoining on Amos Williams' land two hundred and thirty- two rods to a stake and stones at shore; thence easterly as said Penobscot runs forty-nine and a half rods at right
3
18
HISTORY OF ISLESBOROUGH.
angles to the first mentioned bounds, containing sixty-seven and a half acres of land, as by the plan and description signed by John Harkness, surveyor, hereto annexed, will appear, reference thereto being had.
We the commissioners before named, having met and heard the parties, do settle, declare and report that the said William Burns be quieted in the possession of the above bounded premises, to have and to hold the same to him the said William Burns, his heirs and assigns forever, to his and their use forever, on the terms following, namely : the said William Burns, his heirs, executors or administrators, shall, on or before the first day of October, which will be in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and one, pay to the said Knox, his heirs, executors or administrators, the sum of eighty-one dollars with interest from the first day of June, one thousand eight hundred. And on the payment of the same, the said Knox or his heirs shall make, or cause to be made to the said William Burns, his heirs or assigns, a deed of the above described premises, whereby he and they may hold the same in fee simple forever.
Given under our hands and seals.
NATHAN DANE. [Seal. ]
JOHN SPRAGUE. [Seal. ]
ENOCH TITCOMB. [Seal.]
19
HISTORY OF ISLESBOROUGH.
WILLIAM BURNS' LOT IN ISLESBOROUGH, NOV. 4, 1799.
Surveyed for William Burns a lot in south-west divis- ion on Long Island, Islesborough, in the county of Han- cock, bounded as follows, viz .: Beginning at a stake and stones standing on the bank of Penobscot west bay, thence running south thirteen degrees east adjoining on Samuel Warren's land, two hundred and thirty-two rods to a spruce tree for a corner ; thence south fifty-four degrees west forty-six rods to a stake and stones; thence north fifteen degrees west adjoining on Amos Williams' land two hundred and thirty-two rods to a stake and stones at shore ; thence easterly as said Penobscot runs forty-nine and a half rods at right angles to the first-mentioned bound, containing sixty-seven and a half acres of land.
JOHN HARKNESS, Surveyor.
N. B. Twenty acres middling ; thirty acres swamp, poor cold land ; ten acres barren ledges ; seventeen broken with ledges; upland broken with ledges so that there is not more than one and a half acres of plowing in a piece. No water in a dry time except one spring.
S 13°E
232
46
672 Acres
S54°W
S 15°E 232
20
HISTORY OF ISLESBOROUGH.
BENJAMIN WILLIAMS' CLAIM AS A SETTLER, IN 1787, UNDER THE SAME REFERENCE.
Benjamin Williams' Lot in Islesborough, Nov. 5, 1799.
Surveyed for Benjamin Williams a lot of land in north- east division on Long Island, in Islesborough, in the county of Hancock, bounded as follows, viz .: Beginning at a spruce tree on the west bank of said island, thence running south twenty-seven degrees east adjoining on William Grinnell's land, ninety-four rods to a spruce tree standing on the bank at the head of Seal Harbor; thence south-westerly as said harbor runs, bounded thereon to Seal Harbor Point; thence northerly and easterly as Penobscot west bay runs, bounded thereby to the first- mentioned corner, containing one hundred acres of land. JOHN HARKNESS, Surveyor.
N. B. Twenty acres good land ; twenty swamp, cold poor land; thirty acres barren ledges; thirty broken land. Said lot very much broken with ledges. Not more than one acre in a piece fit for plowing.
Seal Harbor
*
S 94°E 94
100Acres
West Penobscot Bay
* Perhaps 94 should be 27.
-
2 Ť
HISTORY OF ISLESBOROUGH.
JOSEPH WILLIAMS' CLAIM AS A SETTLER, 1786.
Joseph Williams' Lot, Islesborough, October 30, 1799.
Surveyed for Joseph Williams a lot of land in north- east division on Long Island, in Islesborough, in the county of Hancock, bounded as follows, viz. : Beginning at a cedar standing on the bank at the head of Seal Har- bor ; thence running south seventy-three degrees east one hundred and thirty rods to a stake and stones; thence south nineteen degrees east adjoining on Captain Anthony Coombs' land, eighty-four rods to a stake and stones; thence south forty-five degrees east adjoining on said Coombs' land to a stake and stones standing on the east bank of said island ; thence south-westerly as Penobscot east bay runs, bounded thereby ninety rods on a straight line to a stake and stones standing on the bank at shore; thence north seventy-four degrees west adjoining on Shu- bael Williams' land, forty-seven rods across said island to a stake and stones on the west bank at Seal Harbor; thence northerly as said Seal Harbor runs, bounded there- by to the first-mentioned bounds, containing one hundred acres of land. JOHN HARKNESS, Surveyor.
N. B. About thirty acres good land-hard wood ; thirty acres swamp, cold, poor-spruce wood ; forty acres ledgy, broken.
Seal Harbor
MELN
47
100 Acres
S 73°E
East
84
Bay
29
S43'E S 19°E
22
HISTORY OF ISLESBOROUGH.
NOAH DODGE'S CLAIM AS A SETTLER, 1784.
Noah Dodge's Lot in Islesborough, October 23, 1799.
Surveyed for Noah Dodge a lot of land in north-east division on Long Island, in Islesborough, in the county of Hancock, bounded as follows, viz. : Beginning at a stake standing on the bank of Penobscot west bay, thence run- ning south eighty degrees east adjoining on Nathaniel Toothaker's lot, one hundred and four rods to a stake and stones ; thence south thirty-one degrees west adjoining on Joseph Woodard's lot, seventy-one rods to a stake and stones ; thence south forty-two degrees west adjoining on Mighill Parker's land, forty-four rods to a stake and stones ; thence south twenty-eight degrees west adjoining on said Parker's lot, eighty rods to a stake and stones; thence south seventy degrees west adjoining on Hosea Coombs' lot, thirty rods to a stake and stones; thence north twenty-six degrees west one hundred and twelve rods to a stake and stones on the bank of said Penobscot west bay; thence north-easterly as said bay runs to the first-mentioned corner ; containing one hundred acres of land. JOHN HARKNESS, Surveyor.
N. B. About fifty acres good land ; twenty-acre swamp, mossy, poor spruce ; thirty acres shoal soil. No water in a dry time. Six miles to mill by water.
West Penobscot Bay
N 26 W 124
100 Acres
S 80°E
104
S70°W 30
S 28 W S42W S31°W
80 . 44
71
23
HISTORY OF ISLESBOROUGH.
NATHANIEL TOOTHAKER'S CLAIM AS A SETTLER, 1793.
Nathaniel Toothaker's Lot in Islesborough, October 24, 1799.
Surveyed for Nathaniel Toothaker a lot of land in north-east division on Long Island, in Islesborough, in the county of Hancock, bounded as follows, viz. : Begin- ning at a stake and stones standing on the west bank of said island, thence running north forty-two degrees east one hundred and ten rods to a stake and stones; thence south forty-seven degrees east two hundred and forty-seven rods to a stake and stones; thence south forty- seven degrees west to a stake and stones standing at shore at Sabbath-Day Harbour; thence westerly as the shore runs, sixteen rods to a stake and stones; thence north forty-seven degrees west adjoining on Joseph Woodard's lot, one hundred and sixty rods to a stake and stones ; thence north eighty degrees west adjoining on Noah Dodge's lot, one hundred and four rods to a stake on the bank of the west bay; thence across the cove to the first-mentioned corner ; containing one hundred acres of land. . JOHN HARKNESS, Surveyor.
N. B. About fifty acres good land ; fifty acres swamp, poor spruce wood. Five miles to mill by water.
Understood to be Thomas Toothaker.
Sabbath Day Harbor
N47E 160
N 80 W 104
MZES
41
100 Acres
Cove of East Bay
N 42°E 110
$ 47 E 247
24
HISTORY OF ISLESBOROUGH.
SAMUEL WILLIAMS' CLAIM.
That during the war with Great Britain, in 1776, he left his lot when the Britons came to Biguaduce, and did not return until after the war. Said Williams stated that the reason of his leaving his lot was because he would not take the oath of allegiance to the king of Great Britain.
Samuel Williams' Lot in Islesborough, October 26, 1799.
Surveyed for Samuel Williams a lot of land in north- east division on Long Island, in the county of Hancock, bounded as follows : Beginning at a white birch tree on the west bank of said island, thence running south forty-nine degrees east adjoining on Rathburn Dodge's land, one hundred and two rods to a stake and stones ; thence north forty-two degrees east one hundred and forty-seven rods to a stake and stones standing on the bank at Lassell Cove; thence westerly and southerly as said cove and Penobscot west bay runs to the first-men- tioned bounds ; containing one hundred acres of land.
JOHN HARKNESS, Surveyor.
N. B. About twenty acres, swampy, spruce and hem- lock, poor; eighty acres beech, birch, maple, middling ; good land, but rocky, hard land. No water in a dry time except one spring.
West
Bay
N49W 102
100 Acres
N 42E 197
25
HISTORY OF ISLESBOROUGH.
ELLISON LASSELLE JR.'S CLAIM AS A SETTLER, 1786.
Ellison Lasselle's Lot in Islesborough, Oct. 12, 1799.
Surveyed for Ellison Lasselle a lot of land in north- east division of Long Island, in Islesborough, in the county of Hancock, bounded as follows : Beginning at a white birch tree standing on the west bank of said island, thence running south forty-seven degrees east sixty-five rods adjoining on Samuel Williams' lot, to a stake and stones ; thence north twenty-nine degrees east, two hun- dred rods to a stake and stones standing at shore of east bay ; thence northerly as Penobscot east bay runs, bound- ed thereby to Turtle Head ; thence westerly and southerly as the Penobscot west bay runs, bounded thereby to the first-mentioned bounds; containing one hundred acres of land. JOHN HARKNESS, Surveyor.
N. B. Thirty acres good land; twenty about half middling ; thirty swampy, spruce wood, cold, poor; three acres salt marsh ; the rest dry, poor. Five miles to mill by water.
East Penobscot Bay
S 2
9
100 Acres
W
2
00
West Penobscot Bay
Lassell's Cove
N 47W
Turtle Head
4
26
HISTORY OF ISLESBOROUGH.
JONATHAN HOLBROOK'S CLAIM AS A SETTLER, 1783. (Assigned to Prince Holbrook.)
Prince Holbrook's Lot in Islesborough, Oct. 24, 1799.
Surveyed for Prince Holbrook a lot of land in north- east division on Long Island, in the county of Hancock, bounded as follows, viz .: Beginning at a stake and stones standing on the east bank of said island, thence running north forty-seven degrees west adjoining on James Trim's land, two hundred and fifty-nine rods to a stake and stones ; thence north forty-two degrees east seventy- eight rods to a stake and stones ; thence south forty-seven degrees east adjoining Samuel Warren, Jr.'s, land, one hundred and forty-eight rods to a stake and stones stand- ing on the bank at shore; thence southerly as Penobscot east bay runs, bounded thereby to the first-mentioned corner ; containing one hundred acres of land.
JOHN HARKNESS, Surveyor.
N. B. About twenty-five acres middling good land ; the rest swampy, cold, mossy, poor wood ; about ten acres hard wood, the rest spruce ; no good timber. Six miles to mill by water. No good harbor for a boat.
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