USA > Maine > York County > Kennebunkport > History of Kennebunk Port, from its first discovery by Bartholomew Gosnold, May 14, 1602, to A. D. 1837 > Part 15
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the populace. [1772] The troubles between this and the mother country, continued to increase ; and Dec. 16, 1773, three cargoes of teas were destroyed in Bos- ton harbor, by a number of persons dressed like Indians.
Although Arundel apparently took so little interest in the Indian wars, the town records show no want of energy during the war of the revolution. John Hovey, Tobias Lord, and Asa Burbank were chosen delegates, Nov. 14th, " to join the County Congress which is to set at York, within and for the County of York, on tuesday the 15th instant, to take into consideration what measures may be pursued tending to the peace and welfare of said county." December 27th. Ben- jamin Durrell, John Hovey, Thomas Wiswall, Jonathan Stone, and James Burnham, were chosen a committee of inspection, and were instructed "to proceed in the trust reposed in them, according to the advice of the Prov- incial Congress held at Cambridge, Dec. 5th, 1774."* It was also resolved to raise money to meet the exigen- cies of the times, and to choose military officers ; and Moses Foster, John Hovey, and Jonathan Stone, were instructed to make known the wishes of the town, to " Thomas Perkins, Esq. Captain of the town."
The next year, John Hovey, Jonathan Stone, and Thomas Wiswall were directed " to receive money and other things for the poor of Boston ;" and all the money in the hands of the collectors, was ordered to be paid to Henry Gardner, Esq. of Stowe, Province Treasurer. Two companies of militia, instead of one, were formed ; one of which was commanded by Jonathan Stone, and the other by Benjamin Durrell, the Lieutenant of the former company. The Lieutenants, were James Per- kins, William Smith, Tobias Lord, and Daniel Merrill. The answers of Benjamin Durrell and Thomas Perkins, on resigning their old commissions, were ordered to be published in the New Hampshire paper.
By express, the news of the fight at Lexington was received, the 21st of April, three days after the battle. Benj. Durrell, John Hovey, John Whitten, and Joshua Nason, were chosen a committee, to borrow £60 in behalf of the town, to furnish the inhabitants with am-
*John Hovey was delegate to this Congress,
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munition. They were likewise authorized to borrow such further sums as might be deemed necessary. Ma- ny citizens of the town repaired to Cambridge, and joined the army that environed Boston, some of whom were engaged in the memorable battle of Bunker Hill.
May 29th. John Hovey was " chosen to represent this town in Provincial Congress, to be held at the Meeting House in Watertown." This was the third Provincial Congress, of which Joseph Warren was President. It convened May 31st, and held constant correspondence with the Continental Congress held at Philadelphia. After the convention was dissolved, and the Provincial Charter resumed, Mr. Hovey was chosen representative to the General Court.
To meet the expenses of the war, Massachusetts is- sued £100,000 in paper.
May 22d, 1776, more than a month before the declar- ' ation of independence, the town voted "that if the Honourable Congress should, for the safety of the Colonies, declare themselves independent of the King- dom of Great Britian, we, the inhabitants of Arundel, do solemnly engage, with our lives and fortunes, to support them in the measure." When the Declaration was received, it was recorded on the town book, agree- ably to the request of the Executive Council. Benja- min Durrell, John Whitten, Gideon Walker, John Hovey, and Charles Huff were chosen a committee of correspondence, inspection, and safety ; and John Whitten was appointed to receive rags for manufactur- ing paper for the use of the Province.
The General Court ordered committees to procure clothing for soldiers, and directed the selectmen of towns to take a census of the inhabitants. The popu- lation of Arundel was 1143.
In compliance with the direction of the General Court to the towns of the Province, this town voted, unanimously, to instruct " the present House of Repre- sentatives of this State, together with the Council, to exhibit such a Constitution and form of Government for the State, as they shall judge most conducive to the safety, peace, and happiness of the state, and that the same shall be published for the inspection and general consent of the people, previous to its ratification."
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The committee of safety for 1777, were John Hovey, Benj. Meed Lord, Elisha Boyls, Jonathan Stone, and Abner Perkins.
The form of government proposed by the Represent- atives and Executive Council, was rejected by the people. In Arundel all the votes, thirty six, were in opposition to it. The town appropriated £210, for the encouragement of soldiers, and voted to give Mr. Moody £200 for the year 1778. Col. Jonathan Stone, John Hovey, Esq. Benj. Meeds Lord, Esq. Major Benjamin Durrell, and Capt. Tobias Lord were chosen committee of safety. Congress having assumed jurisdiction of maritime affairs, Massachusetts was divided into three districts, of which Maine constituted one ; and it was designated as the " District of Maine," till its separation from Massachusetts.
The next year, [1779] it was " put to vote to see if the town would choose to vote for a new form of gov- ernment, and it passed in the negative, forty four against it, and no person at the meeting for it."
The late emission of money having greatly depreciated, the town voted " to pay the Rev. Mr. Moody's salary the present year, in produce and labor, the old way as things went at the commencement of the present war." They also chose John Hovey a delegate "to the State Convention to be held at Concord, upon the first Wednes- day of October, to take into consideration the prices of merchandize and country produce, and join in fixing prices upon the same." Paper money had now become nearly worthless, forty dollars of it being worth but one in silver. Forty dollars a week, were paid for the school master's board, and £30 a year for sweeping out the meeting house. In Falmouth, corn was $35 a bushel, beef $5 a pound, molasses $16 a gallon, shoes $7 a pair, and a shirt or pair of stockings $6; and $70 were asked for a bushel of wheat, and $16 actually paid for a pound of tea .*
This scarcity of money, however, did not prevent this town from acting vigorously for the public good. In fact, they appeared to have completely overcome their prudence, and now raised money as lavishly as they
*Williamson, vol. ii. p. 478.
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had formerly been parsimonious. They appeared to be determined to redeem their pledge, and support the Declaration of Independence with their lives and fortunes. Five hundred pounds were raised [1780]* to send men to what proved the unfortunate expedi- tion to Penobscot, and April 5, carried away by their zeal for the public welfare, they agreed "upon a mus- ter day to inlist 19 men to go to Falmouth for eight months," and give them $200 a piece as a bounty. This informal proceeding was subsequently legalized at a town meeting ; and 1500 were raised for this pur- pose, and to send soldiers to join the army. In May, £9,500 were raised to hire men to join the Continental army ; in December £13,135 were raised for the same purpose ; and £3,500 for the defence of the town.
A committee was chosen " to examine the new form of government," which had been proposed to the people for their acceptance, who reported favorably, and their report was unanimously accepted. The constitution and form of government to which this proceeding had re- ference were adopted by the required majority of the towns, two-thirds, and went into operation on the last Wednesday of October.
The following year [1781] a committee was chosen to hire twelve men to serve in the Continental army, for three years, or during the war, and £100, hard money, were raised, " agreeably to a late resolve of Court, to purchase a certain quantity of beef, shirts, shoes and stockings, and blankets." Although these several payments were mostly in Continental money, yet when reduced to their real value, amounted to a sum, which must have been very onerous to the inhab- itants of this town. They were partially relieved, for a short time, by a new emission of paper money, which however retained its value but a short time. The success of the American and French forces which cap- tured the British army, under Cornwallis, Oct. 27, stimulated them to persevere. Silver, had now [1782] become more plenty, being brought into the country by the French.
This town suffered comparatively but little during the
*May 19th, 1780, was the noted dark day.
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war, nor were its harbors visited by the enemy's ves- sels till August 8th, about a year before the treaty of peace was ratified. At that time an English brig of 18 guns came into Cape Porpoise harbor, and took a schooner and a sloop belonging to Newbury. They carried off the schooner, but the sloop get- ting ashore was burnt. While the English had possession of these vessels, Samuel Wildes, who was partially deranged, paddled into the harbor in a small canoe, and ordered them to give the vessels up, and leave the port. After talking and laughing for some time with him, they ordered him aboard the brig. He refused, and turned to pull ashore, when they wantonly fired seven muskets at him, and wounded him in several places. One bullet struck him on his knee, which lamed him for life. When he got ashore, he was una- ble to stand from loss of blood, and he remained in a critical situation for some considerable time. The in- habitants of the town soon collected on Trott's Island, with the intention of crossing over to Goat Island, close to which the brig was anchored. To prevent this purpose, the brig sent a crew of men on to Goat Island, and a schooner of 10 guns, that was in company with the brig, fired grape shot continually through the opening between the islands. They succeeded howev- er in crossing, when the English finding they were likely to be outnumbered on the island, retreated to their boats, and were closely followed by the Americans, who immediately commenced firing upon them. So destructive was their fire, the English turned to come ashore, for the purpose, as was supposed, of giving themselves up prisoners. But the Americans being under`no regular command and suspecting the British were returning to attack them, redoubled their fire and compelled them to go back. Only one, it is said, was able to climb up the vessel's side, and it was thought 16 or 17 were killed. The Americans kept sheltered be- hind the rocks, and discharged their muskets at the brig, which was only about seventy yards from them, when they could do it without exposing themselves. Capt. James Burnham, having fired several times, was rising again to discharge his gun, when a musket ball struck him in his breast, and instantly killed him. Two
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pieces of cannon having been procured of Mr. Thomas Wiswall, who lived at the village, and carried on to Trott's Island, so annoyed the brig, that they began to warp her out of the harbor, but were unable to effect it, till the Americans had expended all their ammunition. In going out, the vessel struck on the eastern side, and was detained a short time. They however succeeded in getting her off, with but trifling damage. It was thought, if they could have got their cannon on to Goat Island while she was ashore, they could have captured her without much difficulty. Part of one of her rudder irons was found a few years since, on the rock on which she struck. There were none injured on our side but Capt. Burnham and Mr. Wildes.
After the surrender of the army of Lord Cornwallis, it was very evident that the British government had given up all expectation of conquering this country, and Sept. 3, 1783, the treaty of peace, which recognized the independence of the United States, was signed at Paris.
The energy manifested by the inhabitants of Arun- del during the war, did not subside with the return of peace. The intercourse with the leading men of the State, in Convention, Provincial Congress, General Court, and in the Army, which many of them enjoy- ed, taught them that they had a community of interest with the rest of the country ; and infused into them a new spirit of enlightened enterprize, which was a cer- tain precursor of more prosperous times.
Many of the citizens of Maine were desirous that the District should become an independent State, and a Conference was called at Falmouth, Oct. 5, 1785, to discuss the propriety of the measure. Massachusetts proper was violently opposed to it, but notwithstanding another Convention was held, Jan. 4, 1786, and a Re- port, prepared by a committee, sent to every town in the District ; and the Convention was adjourned to September. In September there were but six towns represented from the County of York. Thomas Per- kins, Esq. was the delegate from Arundel ; and he was instructed by the unanimous vote of the town, to op- pose the measure. The Convention again adjourned to the 3d of January 1787, at which time a motion
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was made to petition the General Court to sanction the separation, but it was negatived ; and the project was, for a time, abandoned.
The small pox, in 1787, was introduced into this town, and a number of the citizens were anxious to have a hospital established, to inoculate those who had not had the disorder. A large majority of the in- habitants, however, were opposed to the plan, and the following vote was passed, at a town meeting, called upon the occasion.
" Voted to put a final stop to the spreading of the small pox in said town immediately ;- Voted that any person that shall set up any pest-house in Arundel, for inoculation, shall pay a fine of fifty pounds, to the inhabitants of said town." This apparently decisive vote, did not, however, have the intended effect. Dr. Thacher Goddard, who had been living at the village a short time, prevailed upon Capt. James Perkins, whose vessel brought the disorder from the West Indies, to make a hospital of his dwelling house, and a large number were inoculated.
The town [1788] gave " Mr. Thomas Wiswall lib- erty to have gates and bars at Huff's Cove, on the town landing ; and any other person upon the old County road, to Harding's ferry so called."
George Washington was inaugurated President of the United States, April 30, 1789, and the government was duly organized. A census was ordered to be ta- ken, [1790] and Maine was divided into nine collection districts. The number of inhabitants of Maine was 96,540 ; of the County of York 28,821 ; and of Arun- del 1802. The port of Kennebunk, including Arun- del and Wells, was included in the Saco district, of which Jeremiah Hill was Collector. The town was this year divided into five school districts or classes, and £80, ($266) were raised for the support of schools. The heads or agents of the districts, were chosen in town meeting, and each one employed its own instruct- or. It will perhaps better show the estimation in which education was held by the inhabitants of this town, pre- vious to this period, by continuing the account of schools and instructors from the time when Mr. Eve- leth was dismissed. The town had granted 200
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acres of land, in 1720, for the use of schools, but it was never laid out ; and the proprietors divided it, with the other common land, amongst themselves. In 1733, four years after the dismission of Mr. Eveleth, the town was presented by the grand jury, for not having a school according to law, and Mr. Hicks, a citizen of the town, was employed for about two dollars and fifty cents a year. There was no school kept again in town, till 1736, when ££30 (about 25 dollars) were rais- ed, and Mr. John Williams was chosen school mas- ter. Generally, the school master was chosen at town meetings, like town officers, but sometimes the select- men were authorized to employ one. Mr. Williams, who was an inhabitant of the town, continued to be chosen annually, till 1740, when he was dismissed for asking an increase of pay. Low as his compensation was, the town neglected to pay him, and he was obliged to sue for it the following year. For several years af- terwards, the town either had no school, or only employed an instructor a short time for the purpose of avoiding a fine, giving him less, generally, than the fine would have been.
Samuel Wildes, who was also an inhabitant, suc- ceeded Mr. Williams, and had his town tax abated, for his services. In 1745, the town was again com- plained of, for want of a school, and William Water- house was chosen, who was allowed forty shillings, old tenor, being but little more than one dollar. The next year, Mr. Wildes was again chosen, and had 20s, or about fifty cents. After this lavish expenditure, the town concluded not to have a school the following year, but a complaint being entered, " one Mr. Samu- el Murphet was chosen Scoole Master." In 1748, " Samuel Robinson was chosen Scoole Master, and did not Refuse to Serve." He did not keep however, nor did the town expect him to, having only chosen him, in hopes of avoiding a fine. The next year they did not even choose one, and the town was again presented. In 1750, " Master Parrot hired for a quarter, to keep school at the rate of ££120, old tenor for him, and the town to pay his board."* The amount allowed him,
*Mr. H. Journal.
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about $45, was not for one quarter only, but for the year. The instructor was obliged to keep in several different places, to accommodate all parts of the town. Mr. Parrot began his school the last day of March ; and Mr. Hovey says, " July 3d. Master Parrot's time for keeping school in this part of the town is up." This was much the longest time, that they had ever had a public school, at one time, at the Cape ; although they sometimes employed a female to keep a private one .* Mr. Parrot made school keeping his business, and kept in various parts of the country.
It does not appear by the town records that there was any provision made for schools, in 1651, but the next year, Benjamin Downing, the town clerk, was chosen, " a school master to Serve ye. Town for three months for sixteen poundst p. month and find him Self." A Mr. Hickey was next chosen, who kept several years.
In 1766, while Mr. Hickey kept at Cape Porpoise, the selectmen employed, at the same time, Mr. Joseph Ward at Saco road. This was the first time, that two instructors had been employed at the same time ; and the measure was violently opposed by the inhabitants of the town. They refused to settle with Mr. Ward for his services, till he obtained his pay by process of law. He was an able teacher, and, in the revolutiona- ry war, served as Aide-de-camp to Gen. Ward.
Mr. Adam McCulloch was first employed in 1767, and kept three years ; and was followed by Benjamin Burbank and Moses Johnson. About 1772, Mr. John- son's place was supplied by Ezra Thompson, generally known as " Old Master Thompson."
In Mr. Thompson, the town found a man whose habits and disposition were exactly calculated to suit them. Satisfied with a bare maintenance, he indulged them in their dilatoriness, receiving pay when it suited them to give it, or not receiving it at all. He was a native of Wilmington, Mass. and during his residence in Arundel of nearly thirty years, he did not visit his friends ; and he gave as the reason for not doing it,
*Mr. Hovey, in 1745, says " James and Eben. went to school with Mrs. Cole ;" and in 1748, that they went to Mrs. Dorman's school.
tAbout six dollars.
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that it would have cost him thirty dollars, and he had not been in possession of that sum, at one time, during his continuance in the place. Fortunately for the ri- sing generation, he was a man of good education, being a graduate of Harvard College ; and to his instructions were the inhabitants of the town mainly indebted for their holding a more respectable rank in society. A better education enabled them to engage in more prof- itable pursuits than fishing and milling ; and the pros- perity of the town kept pace with its increasing intelli- gence.
Mr. Thompson was an eccentric man, and very pe- dantic. In politics he was a staunch whig, and in 1775 he gave the town three months schooling, as his part of the public burthen. He was never appointed to any town office, except " scribe" to the committee that reported on the form of government submitted to the people, in 1780. In the latter part of his days, he be- came intemperate and destitute, being dependant upon charity for his clothing. Having fallen down in a state of intoxication, and remaining some time without being discovered, he took a violent cold, which soon ended his days. He died July 5, 1798, aged 64. His grave stones* are still standing, near the dwelling house of Samuel Robinson. Mr. Thompson was never married.
The first school house in town was built in 1780, in the meeting house yard, near where the present one stands, by the exertions of a few of the most enlighten- ed citizens ; but the town refused to lend them any aid.
Even their extreme poverty was no sufficient excuse for this gross neglect in educating their children. If their poverty kept them ignorant, their ignorance in its turn kept them poor. If they had shared in the in- telligence and information of other towns, they would likewise have vied with them in enterprize and wealth. Notwithstanding the great obstacles to their prosper-
*The following is the inscription on his grave stones. " In grateful remembrance of Mr. Ezra Thompson, who was born Sept. 23, 1734, at Wilmington, Mass. son of James and Abial Thompson. He graduated at Harvard College 1756. He was a good Classical Scholar, and spent upwards of 20 years of the latter part of his life as an Instructor of the Youth of the town of Arundel, to their great improvement. He died July 5, 1798."
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ity, other towns rapidly advanced in wealth and popu- lation, while Arundel remained in poverty and igno- rance ; and almost unknown in the other parts of the province. If they had taken a proper interest in edu- cation, it would have led to more frequent intercourse with enlightened men of other towns, and could not but have had a salutary effect in their business concerns. There being no men of learning within the town, is undoubtedly the cause of there being so few documents from which to compile its history. If some of the in- habitants had been educated, they would probably have shared in the prominent acts of the Province ; and been the means of preserving for the use of their pos- terity, an account of the various fortunes, accidents, and reverses of the earlier settlers, during the trying period of the early Indian wars. Other towns are wholly indebted to their men of letters, for the records of their early proceedings, and for the remembrance of their prominent acts, during times of trial and danger.
Nor were the bad effects of this neglect of education confined to themselves. Their children suffered for the faults of their fathers. Even after the town had gained some reputation on account of its wealth, its citizens were never called upon to fill any public office, or their services required in any public employment ; and to this day do they feel the blighting effect of this neglect.
As before remarked, the only extenuation of this fault was their extreme poverty. So very poor were the inhabitants after the resettlement of the town, they were unable to build their own mills ; and were oblig- ed to make extravagant grants, in order to induce wealthier people to remove into town. Several had the privilege of cutting timber in any part of the town, for their mills. The exercise of this right was after- wards of immense injury to the town ; and the evils arising from it, were only ended by a legal decision and valuable definite grants of land.
During the troubles with the Indians, and in seasons of scarcity, Berwick, and the other towns in the coun- ty, were obliged to afford this town charitable assist- ance ; and so destitute was it, that it acquired the name of " Poor Arundel," by which appellation it was known for a great number of years.
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CHAPTER VIII.
Ship building .... Village .... West India business .... Politics .... Par- ish divided .... Phantom ship ..... Sherburne's meeting house built .... Pier built .... French spoliations .... Kennebunk made a collection district .... Baptist society formed .... Small pox .... Carhart's claim .... English and French war .... Imports and tonnage ..... Embargo .... Census .... War with England .... Bank incorporated .... Privateers .... New religious societies formed .... Mr. Moody died .... Maine separated from Massachusetts .... Population .... Town takes the name of Kennebunk-port .... The second in wealth .... Piers and light house built ... Granite .... Village incorporated .... Bye-laws.
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