History of Penobscot County, Maine; with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 146

Author: Williams, Chase & Co., Cleveland (Ohio)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Cleveland, Williams, Chase & Co.
Number of Pages: 1100

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came up suddenly. Jehonnot threw down his implement, and, raising his hands, uttered such blasphemous expressions as made the bystanders shudder. He was a Justice of the Peace, and did a pettifogging busi- ness, and there being no lawyer in his vicinity he did considerable. After Mr. Godfrey established himself in Hampden, Jehonnat brought a suit before Mr. Stetson, who was a magistrate. Mr. Godfrey ap- peared for the defendant and filed a special plea. Jehonnot said that he did not know anything about that. Mr. Stetson said that he must answer it before he could go on. He said he couldn't; and giving vent to a violent oath, threw his papers upon the table and said that the d-d case might take care of itself, and he would have no more to do with such things. Towards the latter part of his life he became extremely reduced in circumstances. His wife was dead. He was alone; and, being ill, Mr. Stetson took him into his house and cared for him. Rev. Robert Page, a missionary, supposing he was about to die, called to see him, with the idea that he might be of service in a religious point of view. Jehonnot for a long time refused to see him. At length Mrs. Stetson prevailed upon him to admit the visitor. Colonel Jehonnot was very courteous-had a social glass with the minister, and kept up such a constant conversation that Mr. Page could not say a word to him about his soul. He died at the age of eighty-one.

branches of the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial De- partments of the Government."

At the meeting in April Mr. Kinsley was in fact elected, but owing to informality in the returns of several of the towns whose votes were rejected, a new balloting was ordered on July 20th. Mr. Kinsley was again elected. At the November meeting Bangor gave Kins- ley 35 votes, Wiilson 20, Jarvis 2; Hampden gave Kins- ley 60 votes, Wilson 10; Orrington gave Kinsley 25 votes, Wilson I, Jarvis I. At the April meeting Bangor gave Kinsley 45 votes, Wilson 20, Jarvis 23 ; Hampden gave Kinsley 86 votes, Wilson 21 ; Orrington gave Kins- ley all, 53 votes. At the April meeting Bangor gave Kinsley 34, Wilson 17, scattering 6; Hampden gave Kinsley 41, Wilson 7 ; Orrington gave Kinsley 33, scat- tering 16.

On October 22, 1818, Mr. Levi Cram opened a large variety store and, by dint of enterprise and advertising, obtained a large custom. Mr. Nathaniel Harlow, Jr., opened a variety and book-store. Daniel Pike opened a book-store.

Benjamin Bussey, Esq., of Roxbury, in November offered for sale forty thousand acres of settling land in Bangor, Hermon, and Newburg. That in Bangor and Hampden lay in the westerly part of those towns, between the Kenduskeag and Sowadabscook Streams.

Mr. Daniel Pike, Mr. Daniel Kimball, of Bangor, Mr. Henry Little, then of Bucksport, and Miss Rhoda Shed, of Billerica, took passage in the lumber schooner Han- cock, from Penobscot for Boston. On the 29th the ves- sel was wrecked off Cape Ann in a northwesterly gale. The sea broke constantly over the vessel and swept off almost everything excepting the passengers and ship's company. These secured themselves upon the wreck, where they remained without food for sixty hours. They were at length rescued by Captain Lowry, of the. schooner Hannah Jane. A brig went to the assistance of the Hancock immediately after the disaster, but the violence of the storm was such that it could do nothing, and night coming she was obliged to leave the unfortu- nate people to their fate. They were barely saved with only the clothing they had upon them.

The first snow fell on the 18th and 19th of November this year, but soon disappeared. December 8th the ground was free from snow. On the 9th sleighs were running. The river closed permanently on December 10.

Mr. Clement Bunker, a wag, gave notice from Bangor gaol that he would pay a fourth part of his debts or de- liver all his property, excepting his furniture, to his credi- tors to be discharged from debt. It was this same "Clem Bunker," who, on being asked whose horse that was, replied: "If you want to attach it, it is old Jemer- son's [or some other person's]; if you want to buy it, it is mine."

This year, several events of painful interest occurred. The cold in the winter was intense. February was one of the coldest months for forty years. The ice formed in the Bay so that there was passing upon it from Castine to Long Island, and to the opposite shore; also among the Fox Islands.

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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

Rev. Mr. Loomis had a severe fever, by which he was confined to his bed for weeks. At one time he was thought by his physician to be dying. Rev. Mr. Williams entered an evening meeting of Mr. Loomis's church at the time, announced his death, and suggested that the evening be devoted to prayers. Deacon Adams after- wards said that twelve prayers were offered, and in no one instance was there a request that his life might be spared; when before that had been the burden of prayer. After the meeting he with others went to his house, and, to their surprise, "found the doors all open from the street to his chamber-which was the house where the first Sabbath-school collected in Bangor-the curtains re- moved from his bed, though a cold winter's night. He had revived; his reason was restored; he had been bol- stered upon his bed, and preaching the gospel to those who had gathered around him."*

There was much sickness in the year and several deaths.

Information reached the town that Mr. James Carr, a former resident of the town, who had gone into the Western States two years before, was drowned in the Ohio River from a boat in which he and his family had taken passage for Mississippi, where he intended to re- side, while endeavoring to save his daughter, who had ac- cidentally fallen overboard.

Some speculation in wild lands was attempted this year by Penobscot men. Judge Kinsley, General Herrick, Colonel Gilmore, Francis Carr, John Wilkins, Amos Pat- ten, Moses Patten, John Barker, William D. Williamson, and Joseph Leavitt, obtained a title to about twenty thousand acres in different proportions.

* Adams' Autobiography, 64.

CHAPTER XII.

Confidence Reviving-James Bartlett -Ploughing in January-Asylum for the Indolent-Annual Meeting - Hearse Committee - Sixth School District-Poor-house-William Emerson Elected Represen- tative-Committee Appointed to have Maine made an Independent State -- York Street-Mr. Zadock Davis-Objection to Separation -- Kine-pock-Rev. Elijah R. Sabine --- Ohio Emigrants-Ham and Bean-Comet-Court-house-Corporation. Organized-Theological Seminary-New Regiment-Delegates to Constitutional Convention -Daniel Pike's Goods - Constitutional Convention-Debate on Name of the State-Powder House-Hatter-William Allen, Presi- dent of Bowdoin College.

1819. People this year had increasing confidence in the resources and capabilities of Maine. Reports of successful farming were frequently made, and families who, under the discouragements of the calamities consequent upon the troubles with England and of the cold season of 1815 and 1816, had emigrated to Ohio, had met with greater discouragements from fever and ague there and were returning. They became satisfied that unpleasant

things exist in all climates and everywhere, and that a man must labor to live in all places, and that a stern climate, although it compelled to great exertion, yet there was compensation in a more vigorous and intelligent manhood.

Occasionally the death of a prominent man in Bangor would throw a gloom over the little community. On January 9th Mr. James Bartlett, a merchant, who had come to Bangor from New Hampshire about the time Mr. Leavitt came, had been connected with him by mar- riage and in business, and had been an officer in the town, died at the age of thirty-two. He was highly re- spected, but his business had not proved so fortunate as he had anticipated. Alfred Veazie, Esq., late President of the Veazie National Bank, was his grandson.

Mr. Charles Rice received the appointment of Post- master in Brewer.

In February swine were troublesome to the citizens, and hog constables were reminded that their position was no sinecure.

The weather this month was remarkably mild. In some places the ground was perfectly free of frost. Mr. Stilman Kent, of Orrington, ploughed his ground on the Ioth and sowed a peck of peas on the next day. It was predicted that if the weather continued as warm as it had been until the 18th through the month, that Mr. Kent would have green peas in March.

There were indolent as well as poor people in Bangor at this time, and it was proposed that the town, at its next annual meeting, consider the subject of erecting a house for them.

A large convention of gentlemen from Maine was held in the Senate Chamber in Boston, on February 2d, to consider the subject of separating Maine from Massa- chusetts. William King was President and William D. Williamson Secretary. A standing committee of two from each of the new counties of Maine was appointed. Those for Penobscot were William D. Williamson and Robert Parker.

The annual meeting was held March 8th. Thomas Cobb was chosen Town Clerk; Allen Gilman, Royal Clark, and Wiggins Hill were chosen Selectmen and As- sessors; Harvey Loomis, Allen Gilman, and Hosea Rich, Superintending School Committee; William Emerson was elected Town Treasurer, and William D. Williamson Town Agent; $1, 150 were raised for highways; $1,200 for schools; $400 for the Bridge Company; $600 for the poor; $810 for Mr. Loomis's salary and for collecting it. The collecting of the salary was put up at auction and bid off by Samuel E. Dutton. The collecting of the town taxes was bid off by Francis Carr.

On April 5 John Brooks received 67 votes for Gov- ernor, and Benjamin Crowningshield 46 votes; William D. Williamson received 65 votes for Senator, and Jacob McGaw 48; John Wilson received 30 votes for Repre- sentative to Congress, Martin Kinsley 45; Leonard Jar- vis, 23; Jacob McGaw, 2; John Wilkins received 73 votes for County Treasurer.

At a meeting Daniel Pike, Robert Parker, and Alex- ander Savage were made a committee to procure a hearse,

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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

to fence the burial-ground, and to build a sufficient pound, and $100 were raised for the purpose. The sixth school district was established from Lot 78, on the old Levant road, to the Hermon and Glenburn lines; and the town was authorized to borrow $500 at not exceeding six per cent interest. At the adjournment of this meet- ing Jacob McGaw, William D. Williamson, and Allen Gilman were appointed a committee to inquire into the expediency of hiring a building for the poor, and of ap- pointing a Superintendent thereof. The same gentlemen reported a code of by-laws for the town, having pre- viously been appointed for the purpose, and it was adopted and established.

On May 3 William Emerson was elected Representa- tive to the Legislature, having received sixty-two votes to Joseph Treat's fifty-four. The town instructed the Se- lectmen to petition the Legislature to consent that Maine be formed into an independent State. Eliashib Adams, Robert Parker, and Jacob McGaw were appointed a committee "to take all necessary. measures, at the ex- pense of the town, to obtain a general and effectual inoc- ulation of the inhabitants thereof with the kine-pox." Voted $120 to pay the expense.

On June 2 York street, which had been run out be- tween Pine street and Newbury street, by Daniel Pike, was accepted; also the road which has since been named Kenduskeag avenue for a distance of two miles from Harlow street bridge.

On June 23 the town wanted to raise $250 to rebuild the Harlow street bridge "in a durable and permanent manner, with an arch or water-course of stone." But on July 3 they voted to erect a wooden bridge, instead of one of stone and earth, provided Messrs. Burrill & Tilton would secure the payment of $100 towards the expense thereof.

On July 26 Jacob McGaw had I vote for Represen- tative to Congress; John Wilson, 17; Martin Kinsley, 34; William D. Williamson, 4; and David Perham, I. Eighty-nine votes were cast for the separation of Maine from Massachusetts, and 17 against it.

Mr. Zadock Davis, with whom the reader has become somewhat acquainted, had a poetical propensity and a way of stirring up his customers, at the same tickling the lawyers, that told. Here is an instance of his enter- prise on March 11, 1819:

NOTICE TO CUSTOMERS.

"This notice, or this Proclamation, May meet with no one's approbation; Although my warmest thanks are tendered

To such as have me service rendered; While those who have delinquent been Are much reprov-ed for their sin, Are cautioned now to mend their ways And pay me up in THIRTY DAYS! And there you'll find 'twill make a saving: You'll save what lawyers all are craving, You'll save the sheriff's lawful ration, And gain my hearty approbation."-ZADOCK DAVIS.

The snow was so deep in March that the mails were interrupted and delayed for weeks. At one time, for two weeks, not a paper of any description whatever was received at the office of the Register.

The subject of the erecting Maine into an independent State was again discussed. The committee appointed at the Boston meeting put forth a circular, giving reasons for the separation ; one among others was this, that the new State would "become an inviting receptacle for emigration hither," The circular was satirized and rid- iculed. Time was wanted for consideration, when the subject had been before the people for thirty years! People were warned not to leap from the frying-pan, lest the fire should be their portion ; as if there could be a choice ! But the sentiment in favor of separation was -

growing stronger.

The Selectmen this year did not overlook the sug- gestion in regard to the "indolent." They gave notice of their intention to bind out a number of children from six to sixteen years of age, who were chargeable to the town, and others who were spending their time in idle- ness and vicious pursuits, and the parents of such chil; dren, who had no visible means of support, but lived idly and indulged themselves in habits of continued intem- perance, "unless such parents, by a change of conduct, rendered that measure unnecessary."

Mr. Daniel Pike had provided a respectable quantity of books this year which he offered at Boston prices. But there was not sufficient demand for them to enable him to keep a book-store exclusively. Dry goods and groceries were a part of his stock in trade.

The action of the town in regard to the kine-pock was occasioned by the arrival of a vessel in the river with the small-pox on board, and of the prevalence of that disease in Belfast. No case existed in Bangor, and the com- mittee appointed to procure the vaccination of the in- habitants attended to their duty so promptly that every person was vaccinated in one week, and all fear of the small-pox entering the town allayed. The physicians and the people were indebted to Dr. Manly Hardy, of Bucksport, for genuine vaccine matter, which he dis- tributed without compensation.

Rev. Elijah R. Sabine, a clergyman of the Methodist denomination, a native of Connecticut, whose residence was in Hampden, died at the age of forty-two, at Augus- ta, Georgia, in the summer of 1818. He possessed some literary ambition, and wrote a work called "Charles Ob- servator." He was highly esteemed. He was the father of Francis M. Sabine, Esq., of Bangor, and of Hon. Lorenzo Sabine, the author of "The Loyalists," and other works. The following poem, from his pen, was published this year :

CHRISTIAN CONTENTMENT.

Holy contentment, which our God commands, Is not a stupid dullness of the soul; It well consists with sympathy of friends, - It bids the tide of pure affection roll.

It gives refinement to the human mind, And makes the feeling heart more feeling still; And by its God-like nature seems designed

To fit the soul of all we see or feel.

Tho' sad afflictions be our lot beneath, It sees the hand of Providence in all;

And humbly bows, without a murmuring breath, Yields to its Sovereign and obeys his call.

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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

That pride and unbelief, and Satan, too, Would keep our souls from such a useful grace; The world and peevish nature join the crew, To vex our spirits and destroy our peace.

Consider, too, our trials here are small Compared with others and what we deserve; And eke the promise, which declares that all Augment our bliss, and shall God's glory serve.

Such faith and works the victory shall give, And peace in streams shall water all the soul ; And we a life of holiness shall live, And with the shout of victory reach our goal.

Heaven, at last, shall be our endless rest, Angels our friends, and God our father be; And saints shall join to shout redeeming grace, And glory give to the Eternal Three.

And if we miss this happy frame of soul, Do lift our hearts against the King of Heaven, We must lament while endless ages roll, Without a hope that we can be forgiven.

Let nothing hinder, then, the great pursuit Of seeking for this necessary grace, But gain the temper and bring forth the fruit, And stand prepared to quit the world in peace.

James Brooks was re-elected Governor this year, by a majority of 6,704. The whole number of votes thrown in Massachusetts and Maine was 79,885. More than two-thirds of the votes were in favor of the separation, and the act of separation was passed by the Legislature.

On June 17 Drs. Hosea Rich and Joshua P. Dickin- son gave notice that they had "carried the inocculation for the kine-pock to every house and every family," and that "the small-pox is not, and has not been, in this place or the immediate vicinity."

The reports from Ohio emigrants, on the whole, con- tinued to be discouraging. Daniel Campbell, who had removed to Columbia, from Charleston, wrote on the 23d of March that for three or four months in the year the mud and roads were so bad as to be almost im- passable. "The whole face of the country is like a hog- yard in a wet time. I should think, on a moderate cal- culation, twenty thousand souls emigrated into this State last year, and through it into the Western States. Mat- thew Hedges was here the other day, and said he be- lieved his wife had shed tears enough to grind a bushel of wet rye. If that be true I should think that there was enough among them to keep a mill a-going all the time." All the large bottoms were subject to inundation -the water rising sometimes sixty feet. On all the in- tervales and the large rivers it was rather sickly, and very sickly on the great prairies and fertile places in Illinois. "I cannot say but the laws of the country are good enough; but there doth not appear to be energy enough to execute them so far as to protect the innocent and condemn the guilty."

Mr. John Ham and Mr. Newell Bean became partners in June, under the style of Ham & Bean. They kept those articles for sale, as well as "rum, brandy, Holland gin, and an assortment of wines and cordials." Mr.

Ham many years afterward became a rigid temperance man, and made amends for any mischief he might have done in the sale of liquors, by sacrificing a portion of his fortune in the purchase of the Franklin House for a tem- perance hotel.

A comet made its appearance this summer. Its appar- ent size was that of a star of the first magnitude. The length of its train was more than twice the apparent diameter of the moon. Believers in the supernatural predicted another war. They had hardly recovered froin the terror occasioned by the last war, and were in a frame of mind to predict anything. Certain elderly ladies of the more ignorant class were considerably dis- tressed.

The anniversary of Independence was celebrated in Brewer by a parade of Captain Fitts's Bangor Artillery and a public dinner. There were the usual regular toasts, and this with other volunteer sentiments:

"Separation: Maine has arrived at the age of man- hood and claims its freedom." Two guns.

The Penobscot Court-house Corporation, having been incorporated on June 12, 1819, a meeting for or- ganization was notified to be held on July 31.

On the 7th of July the Theological Seminary was per- manently established in Bangor.

This institution was incorporated by the Legislature ot Massachusetts in February, 1814, at the instance of the Orthodox Congregationalists, under the name of "Maine Charity School." Rev. John Sawyer was very active in procuring its establishment. It was originally located in Hampden, and was designed to educate young men of proper capacity for the ministry, even though their pre- liminary education had not been liberal. The war oper- ated to its prejudice, and on March 10, 1817, a meeting was held in Hampden to resuscitate it, and a society was organized to raise funds in its aid. Martin Kinsley was made President; Rev. Mighill Blood, Vice-President ; John Godfrey, Treasurer, Jehudi Ashmun, Secretary. The subscriptions were liberal beyond expectation, and agents were appointed further to increase its funds.

On August 20, 1819, the Trustees of the school pub- lished a circular, setting forth the place, purposes, and position of the institution, with a view to interest the public in its welfare.

They said that as early as 1810 an association was formed in Portland denominated "The Society for The- ological Education," designed to aid intelligent young men in procuring an education for the gospel ministry, and having in view the supply of the new settlements ; that in February, 1812, it obtained a charter ; that a Lit- erary and Theological Seminary was essential to its suc- cess; that they appointed a committee who obtained a charter of a distinct corporation entitled "Trustees of the Maine Charity School;" with fifteen Trustees-John Sawyer, Harvey Loomis, Samuel E. Dutton, and Eliashib Adams, of Bangor ; Kiah Bailey, Newcastle ; Eliphalet Gillet, Hallowell ; William Jenks, Bath; Mighill Blood, | Bucksport ; David Thurston, Winthrop; Jona. Fisher, Bluehill; Daniel Lovejoy, Fairfax ; Edward Payson, Portland ; Thomas Williams, Brewer ; David M. Mitch-

----

If we would baffle all their skill and power, And gain the price for which we should contend, We must believe the word of promise sure; Gird on the armor and their power withstand.

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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

ell, Waldoboro ; Ammi R. Mitchell, North Yarmouth ; that the trustees organized May 5, 1814, and that the school went into operation under Mr. Jehudi Ashmun as Principal, who continued as such until November, 1817, when it contained eleven theological students. The literary department of this school during the time was in connection with the Hampden Academy.

At this date the friends of the school were enabled to admit a greater number of scholars and to provide for every department of instruction. Therefore the trestees elected Rev. Abijah Wines, M. A., late of Newport, New Hampshire, Professor of Theology; Jehudi Ashmun, B. A., Professor of Classical Literature ; Ebenezer Cheever, B. A., was placed in the academic branch.

At this date (August 20, 1818,) there were under its tuition eight students from New Hampshire; six from Maine; three from Massachusetts; and two from Ver- mont, preparing for the ministry.

The resources of the seminary were a few thousand dollars subscribed by the Trustees mainly; less than $1,500 subscribed by ladies in the eastern part of New England, to endow one or more scholarships ; half of the funds of the society for theological education; the aid of the Maine Charity School Society, that had, besides direct members, under its patronage above thirty cent societies of ladies and gentlemen; annual subscriptions; congregational collections ; the donations of benevolent individuals, and the avails of the missionary services of the instructors in the vicinity of the institution.

On August 26, 1813, the Trustees voted to establish the institution permanently in that place which would give the best encouragement, and appointed Rev. Mighill Blood, Samuel E. Dutton, and Thomas Adams a com- mittee to receive propositions and to report on the first Wednesday of July, 1819. Propositions came from Castine, Bucksport, Hampden, Brewer, and Bangor. The subscriptions were for Castine, $7,644; for Bucks- port, $6,200; Hampden, with the subscriptions for the county of Penobscot, $7,751; Brewer, with the same subscriptions, $8,468; Bangor, with same, $8,960. These subscriptions for the county of Penobscot, without refer- ence to town, were $5,168. The institution was accord- ingly located in Bangor.

The season of 1819 was remarkably favorable for agri- culturists. The appearance of the crops was more than usually encouraging. Mr. Jacob Chick, the keeper of the inn on Fish street, raised corn which was fit for the table on the 12th of August.

During the absence of Brigadier-General Trafton, on the petition of Major Henry Little and others, approved by Acting Brigadier-General, Colonel Hodsdon, the companies ot Deer Isle, Vinalhaven, Islesborough, Sedg- wick, and Brookville were detached from the First Regi- ment, First Brigade, Tenth Division, and formed into a new regiment called the Sixth. On his return, August I Ith, General Trafton resumed his command.

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History of Penobscot County, Maine; with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 146

Author: Williams, Chase & Co., Cleveland (Ohio) Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Cleveland, Williams, Chase & Co. Number of Pages: 1100

Author: Williams, Chase & Co., Cleveland (Ohio)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Cleveland, Williams, Chase & Co.
Number of Pages: 1100