USA > Maine > York County > Kennebunkport > History of Kennebunk Port, from its first discovery by Bartholomew Gosnold, May 14, 1602, to A. D. 1837 > Part 17
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190
HISTORY OF
[FROM 1813
were extremely high. Flour was worthfrom 14 to 15 dollars a barrel, corn two dollars a bushel, molasses $1,25 a gallon, and other articles proportionably high.
Notwithstanding the risk, several of the ventu- rous mariners of this port, with small craft, kept running during the war, but one of which was ta- ken .* Owing to the bad luck of the Gleaner, no privateer was fitted out the second year of the war, but many citizens of the town joined those of other ports, some of whom were fortunate, and others were lost.
Besides privateering, several vessels were fitted out, [1814] under the Danish flag, but all of them except one, notwithstanding their disguise, were captured by the English.
A new privateer brig, the McDonough, Capt. Weeks, with 70 men, was fitted out, but she fared no better than the Gleaner. She was captured the second day out by the Bacchante Frigate, and her crew carried to Halifax, and afterwards to England, and were impris- oned in Dartmoor till the end of the war.t Not discouraged by these failures, two other fast sailing brigs were built, the Ludlow and Lawrence. The former, commanded by Capt. Mudge, was fitted out in the winter, and on going to sea sprung aleak, and put into Havana, where she was detained in making repairs till peace was proclaimed. The Lawrence had not sailed when the treaty of peace was signed, December 24, and was sold toa merchant in Boston. During this year, the ship Alexander, a Salem privateer, was chas- ed ashore by the Ratler, seventy four, about two miles to the westward of Kennebunk river. It being low water, and very smooth, the British hauled her off on the rise of the tide, with but little injury to her. Alarms were frequent during the war, and the militia were repeatedly called out, but there was no attempt by the English to land in this vicinity.
Besides the new road to Wells, the road between Arundel and Saco had been shortened during the sum- mer, and the mail and accommodating stages ran
*Sloop Charles, Andrews.
tTwo only of her crew died in prison, Capt. John Stone and Jesse March.
191
KENNEBUNK PORT.
TO 1815.]
alternately through the villages of Arundel and Kenne- bunk.« Previous to this year, there had been no post office in the town, and the citizens had taken turns in bringing the mail from the Kennebunk post office. By order of the Post-master-general, a branch of that office was established in Arundel, and John Patten was appointed assistant postmaster, by the postmaster at Kennebunk.
With the return of peace, [1815] business revived, and the harbor of Kennebunk exhibited in appearance of great activity. The West India business, freighting, and ship building, were conducted with their former energy.
Mr. Moody having become old and infirm, his parish proposed settling a colleague with him, and they of- fered Mr. Nathan Lord, of Berwick, $400. They af- terwards offered him $550 during Mr. Moody's life, and $700 after his decease. Mr. Lord, who preached here a short time, did not accept the offer, but settled in Amherst, and is now President of Dartmouth College. Several persons belonging to the society having chang- ed their religious views ; and others, not being willing to pay two ministers, availed themselves of the Reli- gious Freedom Act, of 1811, and formed new societies, or joined the baptist society.
The custom house, which had been heretofore loca- ted in Kennebunk, was removed to the village of Arundel, and George Wheelwright was appointed Dep- uty-Collector. Joseph Storer, who succeeded Mr. Clark in the Collectorship, resided at the village of Kennebunk.
There was a remarkable rise of the tide in Kenne- bunk river in June of this year. At low water it suddenly rushed in, and in a few minutes had flowed several feet high. It again ebbed, as rapidly as it ad- vanced, to its former level. The brig Union, that was lying at a wharf near the mouth of the river, was with difficulty prevented from striking adrift, so rapid was the flow of the tide.t
*The stages ran through the village of Arundel but a few years.
tThere was a similar phenomenon observed at Nantucket, in 1836.
192
HISTORY OF
FROM 1816
Another attempt was made, in 1816, to make Maine an independent state, and the General Court of Massa- chusetts directed all the towns and plantations in the District to vote upon the question.
In Arundel, where there were 357 qualified voters, there were 63 votes against separation and 23 in favor. Although a majority of votes cast, were in favor of becoming an independent state, but a few votes were thrown; and the subject was again submitted to the people in September, at which time the votes of this town were 93 against, and only 13 for the proposed measure. A convention had been ordered to meet in Brunswick, on the last Mon- day in September, to count the votes, and, if the required majority were obtained, to form a state consti- tution. Each town was required to send as many delegates as it was entitled to representatives to General Court. Eliphalet Perkins and John Mitchell were delegates from Arundel.
Mr. Moody died April 7, aged 73, and was succeeded by Mr. George Payson, who was ordained July 3, 1816.
The ancestor of Mr. Moody, William, came from Wales in 1633, and settled in Ipswich. He removed to Newbury in 1635, and was admitted freeman. He was a blacksmith, and first adopted the practice of shoe- ing oxen to enable them to walk on ice. He died Oct. 25, 1673. He left three sons, Joshua, Caleb and Sam- uel. Samuel married Mary Cutting, Nov. 30, 1657. Their children were, William, John, Samuel, Cutting, and probably others. Samuel, the third son, was born in 1671. He had but one son, William, whose sons were, Samuel, William, Thomas, Silas, and Nicholas. Silas, the fourth son, was born in 1743, graduated 1761, and settled in Arundel, 1771. He married Mary, daughter of the Rev. Daniel Little of Kennebunk, in 1773. Several of their children now reside in town. Mrs. Moody is still living, at the advanced age of 81, in good health, and with unimpaired faculties.
Mr. Moody was a man of fair talents, but his health, which was always feeble, disqualified him for close ap- plication to his studies. Some of his occasional sermons evinced much research, and the one on the death of Washington, was published by request of his society. He maintained a considerable degree of popularity,
193
KENNEBUNK PORT.
TO 1818.]
and was much respected during his long settlement in this town of more than forty five years.
On account of the severity of the cold the previous summer, in 1817 there was a greater scarcity of provis- ions than there had been for a long period. The crops were not only all cut off in New England, but the wheat crop of the southern states was almost wholly de- stroyed by early frost. Flour was from 14 to 15 dollars a barrel in Philadelphia.
The next year, [1818] was much more favorable for agriculturalists ; and emigration to the western states, which had been very common, was checked. Many however continued to emigrate, amongst whom was the Rev. Andrew Sherburne. He had the year before joined the Massachusetts Missionary Society, and had been preaching in New Hampshire, but his family con- tinued to reside in Arundel.
Mr. Sherburne was born in Rye, N. H. and his ances- tors were amongst the earliest settlers of Portsmouth. His early education was quite limited. He joined the continental ship-of-war, Ranger, at the age of thirteen, and served on board of her and other ships, during the war; having been taken prisoner three times.
He continued to follow the sea for several years after the war. In 1787 he visited Cornish, Me. and soon after became religious ; and began to preach occasion- ally in 1800. His first wife was Jane Muchamore of Portsmouth, who died in the spring of 1815. The same year he married Betsey Miller of Arundel, who survived him. Mr. Sherburne was a man of respectable tal- ents, and a very fluent speaker. Although his early advantages had been limited, and his situation in life unsuitable for study, he nevertheless acquired a decent education. His devotion to politics, however, injured his influence as a preacher. In 1810, he was deputy marshall, and assisted in taking the census of that year ; and in 1814, he was assistant assessor of the direct tax. After his removal to Ohio, he became poor, and almost destitute. In 1827 he wrote his Memoirs, which are well written and evince considerable talent. The next year he visited this town to make sale of his work, and realized a handsome sum. He died shortly after his return to his family. He left several children.
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194
HISTORY OF
[FROM 1819
Although the attempts made to separate Maine from Massachusetts, had heretofore been defeated, the subject was again agitated in 1819. The votes of Arundel were 23 for, and 109 against the measure. The re- quired majority of the votes of the District were, however, in favor of separation, and by an Act of Congress, Maine was admitted one of the United States of Ameri- ca, March 15, 1820.
The population of Arundel had not kept pace with its wealth. By the census of this year, the number of inhabitants was 2498, being an increase in ten years of only 121, or about five per cent. while the property of the town had gained twenty fold. Many of the young men had removed from the town; and those that remained found employment on board vessels trading to the West Indies, the unhealthy climate of which islands caused a great mortality amongst them.
The amount of tonnage owned in this port was 7509 tons. An appropriation of $5000 was made by Congress this year, to build piers at the mouth of Ken- nebunk river, for the improvement of the harbor.
Mr. Sherburne was succeeded in the baptist society by the Rev. Jotham Day, who was settled in November. From the time of the decease of Mr. Moody, this socie- ty had added to its numbers greatly, by addition of members from the congregationalist society. The members residing in and near the village, outnumbered those living in the upper part of the town, and had preaching the greater part of the time. April 11th, several members were dismissed from the church for the purpose of forming a new one, and the second Baptist society was duly organized May 29th .*
Mr. Payson, whose health had for some time been
*A Ger:nan traveller, who came passenger to this port in 1820, and who resided sometime in the village, published an account of his travels, on his return to his native country. Amongst other anecdotes related by him during his residence here, he stated that the baptists cut a hole through the ice, for the purpose of baptising a woman. It being extremely cold, the minister was unable to hold her, and she slipped under the ice and was drowned. This accident he said caused but little sensation, it being admitted by all that she must have gone to heaven.
It is perhaps unnecessary to say, that this story, like most otlı- ers of a similar character related by European tourists in America, had not the least foundation in fact.
195
KENNEBUNK PORT.
то 1820.]
very feeble, asked his dismission. His society, with expressions of regret, consented and he was dismissed July 19th. After his dismission he spent a winter at the south, and in some measure regained his health. He afterwards took charge of Limerick Academy, and subsequently of a seminary for young ladies, in Port- land. But even this confinement was more than he could bear, and he returned to this town, where he died Oct. 25, 1823, aged thirty four years.
Mr. Payson was a man of fine talents, and generally popular with his society. He was naturally reserved in his manners, but affable and cheerful with his ac- quaintance. He was born in Pomfret, Conn. in 1789, and graduated at Yale College in 1812. He married, June 1, 1819, Lois W. Lord of Arundel, who afterwards married Nathaniel Dana, Esq. of Boston, and is still living. Mr. Payson's father and the father of Dr. Pay- son of Portland were brothers. The following account of the family is taken from Farmer's Register. " Pay- son, Edward, Roxbury, freeman 1640, whose first wife died in 1641, had by a second, sons, John, born 1643, freeman 1630; Jonathan, born 1644, a deacon of the church at Roxbury, and died 15 Nov. 1719, and prob- ably others. Edward, the fifth minister of Rowley, was son of Edward Payson, and was born at Roxbury, 20 June, 1657 ; graduated a H. C. 1677, freeman 1680, was ordained 25 Oct. 1682, died 22d Aug. 1732, aged 75. Elizabeth, his wife, died 1 Oct. 1724, aged 60. He afterwards married Elizabeth, widow of Hon. S. Appleton. His sons, Samuel, H. C. 1716; Elliot ; Stephen ; Jonathan ; David, and Phillips. Phillips, H. C. 1724, the minister of Walpole, was ancestor of the several distinguished clergymen of the name. The late Rev. Edward Payson, D. D. of Portland, was of the fifth descent, the whole line being clergymen from the Rowley minister."
Mr. Joseph P. Fessenden was employed to preach after the dismission of Mr. Payson ; and was ordained Oct. 25, 1820. The free meeting house was built at the village this year, and was occupied alternately by the baptists and methodists. The post office was estab- lished in the town, and Stephen Towne was appointed post-master.
196
HISTORY OF
[FROM 1820
From the amount of business carried on at the port of Kennebunk, it was generally known in the commer- cial world, while Wells and Arundel, which composed the district, were almost wholly unknown. The inhab- itants of Arundel therefore, again petitioned the Legislature to have the name of the town changed to Kennebunk. The inhabitants of the eastern part of Wells having also petitioned to be set off as a separate town by that name ; and having entered their petition before that from Arundel, the town of Kennebunk was incorporated, June 1820. In consequence, Arundel took the less convenient name of Kennebunk-port, February 19, 1821, by the following act of the Legisla- lature.
" Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Repre- sentatives in Legislature assembled,-That from and after the passing of this act, the name of the town of Arundel shall cease, and the said town shall hereafter be called and known by the name of Kennebunk-port, any law to the contrary notwithstanding ; and nothing in this act contained shall be construed to impair any rights of said corporation."
The town had now reached the summit of its pros- perity, being no longer " Poor Arundel," but a town of much importance in the new state,-the second in wealth,-ranking next to Portland in valuation .* The amount of property in the County of York, was $3,- 326,360, and in Kennebunk-port, $324,123, being con- siderably larger than the property of the whole county in 1812. Of a state tax of $50,000, Portland was asses- sed $3,527; Hallowell $703,96; and Kennebunk-port $702,69. It being partly assessed on polls, and the population of Hallowell being greater than that of
*The valuation of North Yarmouth was greater than that of Kennebunk-port, but Cumberland being taken from it in 1821, left Kennebunk-port the second in point of wealth.
The following is the valuation of some of the principal towns in the state.
Portland $1,695,185
Saco
286,542
North Yarmouth
361,741 20 York 256,940 50
Kennebunk-port
324,122 50
Kennebunk 238,940 50
Hallowell
316,046 70
Bangor 132,993 50
197
KENNEBUNK PORT.
TO 1825.]·
Kennebunk-port, the tax of that town a little exceed- ed the tax of this.
The second baptist society, which was organized in 1820, had had no settled preacher, but their pulpit had been generally supplied by the neighboring ministers. Sept. 25, 1822, Mr. Charles Blanchard was ordained, who continued to preach till April 25, 1823, when he was dismissed ; and Elder Joshua Roberts, then settled in Kennebunk, was employed a short time.
The observatory near the village, which is 54 feet high, and which cost about $400, was built by sub- scription, during this summer.
Two hundred and fifty dollars, were voted at a town meeting, for the sufferers by fire at Alna and Wiscasset. Several persons being opposed to the ap- propriation, and it being ascertained that it was not strictly legal; and it being also understood that their loss had been amply made up to them, only $100 were forwarded.
The methodist society having increased in numbers, an attempt was made by them, in 1824, to obtain part of the ministerial fund, but with no better success than the baptists.
The meeting house of the congregational society being about a mile and a half from the village, where a majority of its members resided, a new house was built in the village, which was dedicated in October. The parish, which now held its meetings for business separate from the town meetings, voted that the meet- ings for public worship should be holden one half the time in each house.
The town voted in 1825, to have a new plan of the town taken, and $15 were appropriated for the pur- pose. By the survey for this object, the distance across the head of the town, on Lyman line, was ascertained to be two miles and 288 rods.
After the dismission of Mr. Blanchard, for some time, there was no settled minister over the second baptist society. June 19th, the Rev. Gideon Cook, who had been settled in Sanford, was settled over this society.
In consequence of the English West Indies being closed against American vessels, and the trade with
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198
HISTORY OF
[FROM 1826
Hayti and the other Islands which were principally visited by Kennebunk vessels having greatly fallen off, the business of this port had much declined in 1826. There were but a few West India vessels owned in the district. The principal part of the shipping being freighting vessels, gave but little active business to the place. The amount of duties collected this year was only $16,537, and in 1827, but $9,345. Freighting business the next two years, [1828 and '29] was very dull, which caused failures of several commercial houses in this town and in Boston, by which a large amount of property belonging to citizens of Kennebunk-port was lost. These losses had a ruinous effect upon the pros- perity of the town, destroying confidence, and causing a stagnation of business, that has not yet been wholly over- come. Besides direct pecuniary losses, a large number of dwelling houses, and several stores and wharves were at once thrown into the market, which reduced the value of real estate in the village, at least 75 per cent. below the prices of 1820. Buildings which cost sever- al thousand dollars, were sold for a less sum than the lots, on which they stood, cost but a few years before.
The partial removal of the meetings from the old house, to the new one in the village, had caused much difficulty in the congregational society. It was also divided in sentiment, a portion of its members being unitarians. While Mr. Fessenden was holding meet- ings at the village, the old meeting house was occupied by other congregational preachers, unitarians, or meth- odists. This difficulty, arising from the same cause that originated the troubles between Mr. Hovey and the parish, had a similar termination. Mr. Fessenden was under the necessity of leaving the society. He remov- ed to Bridgeton, where he still continues to preach.
Mr. Cook, who was dismissed May 29, 1828, was succeeded in the second baptist society by the Rev. David James, who was settled July 25, 1829.
Mr. Fessenden was succeeded in the congregational society, by the Rev. Cephas H. Kent, formerly settled in Barrington, N. H. who was settled Nov. 12, 1830.
The population of the town at this time was 2763, of whom 1339 were white males, 1415 females. There
199
KENNEBUNK PORT.
TO 1831.]
were 722 males, and 660 females under the age of 20; 579 males, and 502 females, between 20 and 70; 37 males, and 52 females, between 70 and 90; and 1 male, and 1 female, between 90 and 100. There were 6 colored males, and 3 females ; 5 blind persons ; and 3 deaf and dumb.
The amount of tonnage owned in this district was 5,571 tons ; and the amount of duties collected in 1829 was $6,107, and in 1830, $10,272.
In consequence of the many losses sustained by its inhabitants, the decrease in business, the fall in real estate, and the removal of wealthy individuals from the town, the state tax of the town, by a resolve of the Le- gislature, was reduced $300; and the county tax was proportionably lessened.
By the state valuation of 1831, Kennebunk-port ranked the second in the county, and the eleventh in the state, in point of wealth .*
The state tax of the town, on $50,000, was $459, being the thirteenth in amount in the state. The num- ber of taxable polls, was 454, being 46 less than in 1821.
The toll bridge was made free this year by consent of the proprietors, and a county road was located over it.
The charter of Kennebunk bank, which had not ex- pired, was revoked by the Legislature, at the request of the stockholders. This institution had been unfortu- nately managed, about a quarter part of its capital having been lost. The building was sold to the gener- al government for a custom house, at less than half its cost.
No drawback on duties is allowed on merchandize of foreign growth and manufacture, when shipped from ports which are not ports of entry for vessels from the Cape of Good Hope. To entitle the ship owners of Kennebunk to a return of duties on foreign goods, it was, by act of Congress, made " a port of entry for
The following is the valuation of the towns noticed in 1821.
Portland $2,362,643
Hallowell 484,602
Bangor 405,667
Saco 331,799
Kennebunk-port $264,061
York 262,235
North Yarmouth 238,827
Kennebunk 224,194
200
HISTORY OF
[FROM 1831
vessels arriving from the Cape of Good Hope, and from places beyond the same."
May 28th, the second baptist society, which had had no regular preaching for nearly a year, employed Elder Charles Johnson .*
Mr. Kent was dismissed by the congregational parish in April, 1832, and he removed to Freeport ; and there was no regular preacher in that society till Dec. 20th, when the Rev. Levi Smith was installed. Mr. Smith, who is the present minister, was settled in East Sudbu- ry, Mass. before his settlement in this town. The di- visions in this society, originating in building the new meeting house at the village, had been increased by the contention for the income of the ministerial fund,- sometimes the orthodox part of the parish having pos- session of it, and at other times the unitarians obtain- ing it. To remove this cause of strife, it was agreed in 1833, to place the fund-about $1400-in the town treasury, for the payment of the debts and current ex- penses of the town.
Mr. Johnson having left the baptist society, the Rev. Shubael Tripp was settled June Sth.t
In October a new congregationalist society was formed, at the upper part of the town, called the Union Society, and Rev. James Carruther was employed to preach.
An appropriation of $6000 was made by Congress, to build a light-house on Goat Island, at the entrance of Cape Porpoise harbor ; and John Lord was appoint- ed keeper, with a salary of $350.
Another post office was established, at the north part of the town on the post road leading from Alfred to Saco, called the North Kennebunk-port post office, and Edmund Currier, jr. was appointed post master.
The summer of this year was unusually cold and damp. The air was almost clear of insects ; and mar- tins, that feed upon the wing, were unable to find food for themselves or their young. This famine caused the
* Mr. James was dismissed June 13, 1830.
t Mr. Tripp preached nearly two years. He removed to Ken- nebunk, where he died April 28, 1837.
201
KENNEBUNK PORT.
To 1836.]
destruction of nearly the entire species, in this neigh- borhood. Their nests were found filled with dead, and not a solitary bird has been seen at their accustomed places of resort, since this period.
The piers which had been built at the mouth of Kennebunk river, by the United States government, had greatly improved the harbor ; but they were sub- ject to decay from an unlooked for cause. A small insect called the sand flea, while in its maggot or inci- pient state, devoured the timber of which they were constructed, and in a few years wholly destroyed them. They had several times been repaired, and the eastern one entirely rebuilt ; but it was evident that no building material but stone could be permanently useful in con- structing them, and an appropriation of $10,500 was made by Congress for that purpose in 1834.
It had always been supposed that Kennebunk-port afforded no building stone, and the greater part used in the village had been brought from Wells. The agent for building the piers, [1835]* in searching for stone in the neighborhood of the river, found a quarry about two miles from the village, which, it was thought, would answer a very good purpose. Specimens of it being examined by geologists, it was pronounced to be of a very superior quality. A company for the purpose of quarrying, was formed, and shares in the quarry which originally cost but $75, were sold at the rate of $83,- 000. Several other companies were formed shortly after, [1836] and a large quantity of stone was quarri- ed for the piers, and for the New York and other markets.
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