History of Penobscot County, Maine; with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 148

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

USA > Maine > Penobscot County > History of Penobscot County, Maine; with illustrations and biographical sketches > Part 148

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The Mast Pine (Americana, quinus ex uno folliculo setis) leaves five together, cones cylindrical, imbricated, smooth, longer than the leaves, crest of the anthers of two minute awl-shaped bristles. It is as well the staple of the commerce of Maine, as the pride of her forests. It is an evergreen of towering height and enormous size. It is the largest and most useful of all American Pines and the best timber for masts.

Application of the Emblems. Name. The territory embraced by the limits of the State bears the name of Maine.

Crest: As in the arms of the United States, a cluster of stars repre- sents the States composing the Nation, the North Star may be con- sidered particularly applicable to. the most northern members of the confederacy, or as indicating the most northern State of the Union.

Motto: "Dirigo," I guide, or I direct. As the Polar Star has been considered the mariner's guide and director in conducting the ship over the pathless ocean to the desired haven, and as the centre of magnetic attraction; as it has been figuratively used to denote the point to which all affections turn, and as it is here intended to represent the State, it may be considered the citizen's guide, and the object to which the patriot's best exertions should be directed.

Shield: The Pine Tree. The stately pine, with its straight body, erect head, and evergreen foliage, whose beauty is only exceeded by its usefulness, while it represents the State, will excite the constant prayer of its citizens, semper viridis.

The Moose Deer : The native animal of the State, which retires be- fore the approaching steps of human inhabitancy, in his recumbent posture and undisturbed situation denotes the extent of unsettled lands, which future years may see the abode of successive generations of men, whose spirit of independence shall be untamed as this emblem, and whose liberty shall be unrestricted as the range of the Moose Deer.

The Supporters of the Shield: A Husbandman with a scythe repre- sents Agriculture generally, and more particularly that of a grazing country; while a Seaman resting on an anchor, represents Commerce and Fisheries; and both indicate that the State is supported by these primary vocations of its inhabitants. .

The committee probably did not have the idea that manufactures would ever be one of the interests of Maine, therefore they did not represent them upon the seal. It may be well for future generations that the com-

mittee were so particular in their description of the moose deer and pine-tree, for it is not certain that they will continue to exist so long as Maine has inhabitants. The rifle and the axe are rapidly rendering them subjects of history. The husbandman and seaman possibly may live in the future; but there are times when it would seem as if the aversion of the young men to hardening their hands by tilling the soil, and the policy of the Gov- ernment, would place the supporters of the shield in the same category with the pine and the deer. The crest and the motto will probably be understood while the stars shine and the Latin language exists; and the ex- planations may not be deemed pedantical or supereroga- ory.

On June 24 Mr. William Thompson anticipated Mr. Jacob Chick in the matter of green peas.

This season there was an improvement in packet ac- commodations. The rough cabins of the "coasters" were not up to the requirements of such of the people as were accustomed to make a trip or two to Boston in the year, therefore the "elegant new schooner Boston Packet," was finished in a style to meet their necessities. John Perkins, a veteran and skillful navigator, was master; and to try her fitness for the purpose designed, Rev. Mr. Loomis and several of his parishioners, with their families, made a trial trip into the bay. There was some sea- sickness notwithstanding the "superior accommodations;" nevertheless the vessel was pronounced a success, and was for a long time afterwards a favorite. A journey to Boston was no inconsiderable undertaking. A fortnight's absence was usual. A passage up occupied four or five days frequently, seldom less than two. It would have required several years to accomplish as much traveling as is now accomplished in a single season. And some of the ancients of that day would have had to live to the age of Methusaleh to master as many journeys and as many miles as some of our modern business men master in their business lives.

Mr. Jacob Chick's garden yielded string beans on July 7, to his and his guests' gratification. He thought that esculent never came forward so early here before. He rejoiced in cucumbers on the 19th. Mr. Charles Burr brought new potatoes from Brewer on the 25th. Mr. Chick had green corn on the 27th.

The Governor appointed Prentiss Mellen Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court, and William P. Preble and Nathan Weston, Justices; Benjamin Avery, of Bath, Attor- ney-General ; and Simon Greenleaf, Reporter of Decis- ions.

The first annual exhibition of the Theological Semi- nary occurred on the 2d day of August. It was well attended and interesting. The performances were by N. W. Sheldon, M. Ingalls, H.A. Merrill, J. Sewall, Jr., R. Jones, L. Wilcox, H. B. Chapin, N. Chapman, I. Dunning, E. Jones, T. Simpson, S. Stone, A. Jackson. Query-did these gentlemen establish the custom of substituting capital letters for Christian names ?

As the Penobscot Indians, after the separation, were within the jurisdiction of Maine, the State assumed the obligations of Massachusetts in regard to them, as it was

Lemuel Michals.

HISTORY OF .PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

593

right that it should. But it was necessary that the tribe should assent to this, therefore the Governor and Coun- cil appointed Hon. Lathrop Lewis, of Gorham, under a resolve of the Legislature, to treat with the Indians upon the subject. He accordingly met at the Court-house in Bangor, on August 15, the Governor and chiefs of the tribe, and in a short address informed them of the change that had been made in the relations betwixt Maine and Massachusetts; that Maine had become an independent State, and that our Governor and chiefs no longer re- sided in Boston, but among us; that they were ready and willing to assume the obligations of the Governor of Bos- ton and enter into a new treaty to secure an exact fulfill- ment of every thing that was promised by the old, and trusted they would consider the matter and agree to ac- cept the proposition. An adjournment was then taken to the 17th, in order that the chiefs, captains, and men of the tribe might consult in regard to it.

On the day to which the conference had been ad- journed Colonel Lewis again met Governor Etienne, Lieutenant-Governor Neptune, and other chiefs, at the Court-house. Captain Francis, a chief, addressed the Commissioners in his native language. He acknowl- edged the goodness of the Great Spirit, who placed the red men here before the white men came, and gave them all the land from which the waters run into the Penob- scot. He filled the forests with game and the rivers with fish for their subsistence-they were then contented and happy. When the white men came over the great waters, they received them as friends and brothers; they were then many and strong, the white men few and weak; they gave them land and permitted them to live' peaceably among them, and had remained their friends. The white men were now strong, the red men weak, and wanted them to be their friends.

They were well pleased that by the consent of their father, the President of the United States, the Governor and people of the old State, Maine had been formed into a new State, and hoped the time would come when the land once owned by the great Penobscot tribe would contain white men enough to form another new State. That as the Governor and people of the new State wished to take them under their care and protection, and prom- ised to do for them all their good friends, the Governor and people of Massachusetts, had agreed to do, and they placed the greatest confidence in the Governor, chiefs, and people of the State of Maine, they were willing to put themselves under their care and protection.

By their last treaty with Massachusetts they relin- quished their claim to all their lands, except four town- ships and the islands in Penobscot River, above and in- cluding Oldtown, which the Commissioners -- Robbins, Davis, and Hill-told them they were to hold for their use, improvement and benefit, so long as the sun shone, waters run, trees grew, and the world lasted. They wished the Government of Maine to understand this, and to fulfill the promise made by the Government of Massachusetts. They were now ready to relinquish their claim on the old and make a treaty with the new State.

Colonel Lewis replied, expressing satisfaction with what had been said, and assuring the Indians that so long as they conducted well the white men would be their friends, and expressing the hope that their reasonable expectations would be relieved, and that the new State would perform all promises to them as faithfully as the Governor and people of Massachusetts had.

The treaty was signed, and the whole business was conducted with great propriety and decorum.

After the delivery of the papers Governor Etienne and Lieutenant-Governor Neptune were each presented by Colonel Lewis with a piece of fine scarlet broad- cloth for coats. He presented each of the chiefs with a silver brooch, on which were engraved the Arms of the State. The presents were made in the name of Gover- nor King.

The chiefs were much gratified with their presents, and with the new arrangements for the benefit of their people.

On July 11, prior to Colonel Lewis's visit to Bangor, Lieutenant-Governor John Neptune and several other chiefs visited Portland and were introduced to Governor King and the Council in the Senate Chamber, The in- terview excited some curiosity, and a large number of citizens were present.

The Governor addressed them, saying that our chiefs no longer resided in Boston; that their visit gave him pleasure; that their fathers were our friends and we were their friends; that their fathers, long since, "helped us to drive away the redcoats;" that in the last war they did right to take no part; we were strong enough without them; that we should consider them our children; and they should have everything from us that our friends in Boston promised them. Colonel Lewis would talk to them for us, and they could believe everything he said.

Neptune replied through an interpreter :

I thank you for the good you say. You see us well to-day. Christ is our Saviour as yours. He is the same to us all-no difference of color. The same Heaven is for the black men and the white men.

One thing in particular I wish to say to-day. Perhaps we get nothing for it. The white people take the fish in the river so they do not get up to us. They take them with weirs; they take them with dip-net. They are all gone before they get to us. The Indians get none. If you can stop them so that we can get fish, too, we shall be very glad.

There is another thing-our hunting privilege. The white men come and spoil all the game. They catch all the young ones and the old ones. We take the old ones and leave the young ones till they grow bigger and are worth more. We wish the white men to be stopped from hunting. They take the timber-they have teams and oxen to haul the trees. Indians have no teams; no oxen to haul tim- ber. We wish your Government to stop the white men from hunting- put their traps in their chests. Let white men have the timber and the Indians have the game.

You see us here very poor. If we were not poor you would see us better dressed. We want you to give us something so that when you see us again you will know us. Perhaps a hat, or shoes, or powder and shot.

One word morc. We want a new Agent. You have a new Govern- ment, a new State. We want you to give us a new Agent.

The Governor promised that what had been said about the wing, the dip-nets, and hedges down in Penobscot Bay, should be attended to, and hoped that the injury done to their fishery would not be much longer a subject of com-

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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

plaint; that he was sorry to learn that white people in- terfered with their hunting, because it was not in our power to prevent it; that as to white people hauling tim- ber, they could do so too. If they had oxen, they could; and could employ them in ploughing their grounds and becoming good farmers. In regard to an new agent, he had no objection ; wished them to be satis- fied, and that the agent should be their friend as well as ours. That their request for something to remember them by should be complied with, and General Cony should provide for their accommodations and wants.

Mr. Alexander Savage, whose handsome chirography may be seen in the town and in the Probate records, taught a writing school this season.

In September there was an examination of the students of the Young Ladies' Academy, with which the Trustees expressed great satisfaction. "The first class of young ladies appeared to great advantage in reading their own compositions, as well as in history, and in rhetoric and criticism. The pieces selected by the young masters were so well spoken as to afford no inconsiderable enter- tainment." The number of students in constant attend- ance was between forty and fifty.

The Governor appointed David Perham, Judge of Probate for Penobscot county; Enoch Brown, Chief Justice of Court of Sessions ; Isaac Hodsdon and Daniel Wilkins, Associates ; Alexander Savage, Register of Pro- bate.

Erastus Foote was appointed Attorney-General of the State.

Rev. Otis Briggs, who had for some time been the preceptor of Hampden Academy, gave notice on Sep- tember 21, that the fall term commenced on the 18th and students would be received at twenty cents per week, and board could be obtained in his family at $1.50 per week.

The company of cavalry was in existence this year under the command of Captain Grant, of Hampden. On September 27, Simon B. Harriman, of Bangor, was elected Lieutenant, and Gershom Flagg, of Hampden, Cornet.

With October came political excitement. On the 13th September the Republicans of the Fourth Congressional District, at Bucksport, nominated William D. Williamson as candidate for Representative to Congress, and Francis Carr as candidate for Elector. Mr. Kinsley's friends, who were disappointed by this nomination, thought it was effected by a sleight of hand and by keeping the people of Penobscot in the dark in regard to a change in the old mode of representation, by a few individuals at the court in Castine. Here was trouble in the party.

But outside of the party there was but one opinion, that as Mr. Williamson could not "possibly bear all the burdens of the people," and was "now tolerably well loaded with offices," it would "be best to try and find some other person who would answer to represent us in Con- gress, and let Mr. Williamson (for a short time, at least) try how well he could bear the weights of office he had upon him." Therefore the Federalists at Eastport, on the 29th September, nominated Jacob McGaw as a per- son who, being burthened with no office, could attend to

the interests of the district. Others thought John Wil- kins could represent the people well, and that Horatio G. Balch or Lemuel Trescott could serve as Electors.

The candidates for Congress, who were finally put before the people of the district in this canvass, were Mr. Williamson, Mr. Kinsley, Mr. McGaw, and Mr. Wilkins.

The meetings were held on November 6th. Bangor shows its appreciation of the candidates by giving Mr. Williamson 25 votes, Mr. McGaw 41, and Mr. Wilkins 20. Brewer gave Williamson 5, McGaw 17, Wilkins 1; Orrington gave Wilkins 51, Kinsley I, the other candi- dates none. The votes in the district were, for William- son 608, for McGaw 289, for Wilkins 126, for Kinsley 152, for J. Cooper 160, scattering 30. Mr. Williamson required 150 votes more to be elected.

Mr. John Bovee Dods, after taking sufficient time, on November 15th issued a statement intended to relieve his reputation from the stigma cast upon it by Rev. Halsey A. Wood. He had intended to abide the "judg- ment of the great day" in regard to his errors and those of his slanderers. He would "not be understood to re- fer to any of the officers and students of the institution, but to all those persons who have not only made public remarks, but a thousand additions to the published let- ters of Halsey A. Wood." He said that Mr. Wood had acknowledged two of his statements to be erroneous- that he had given him no later certificate, and that he was in Amsterdam early in the summer of 1819; but he had not altered that in relation to the affair in the vicinity of Albany, that would be "decided hereafter in a more serious contest." He challenged any one to prove any statement Wood had made against him. In relation to his change of name he made this explanation: " My family name is Bovee ; but it is customary among the Dutch to permit their children to be offered up in baptism by a godfather in the Dutch Reformed churches. After this manner I was presented for baptism by John Dods, my mother's brother. I, therefore, according to this custom, take upon me this name. My youngest brother was offered up in baptism by Philip Vedder. It is always customary that the eldest son should retain the family name and annex to his own the first letter of his father's given name. The name given to my father was Jacob; therefore my eldest brother's name is Matthias Jacob Bovee. The wife, also, after the death of her husband, again subscribed her maiden name, retaining only the first letter of her husband's name." He an- nexes a certificate signed Jane B. Dods, Matthias J. Bovee, Philip Bovee Vedder, and several other Bovees, that they had never given Halsey A. Wood, or any other person, permission to publish John's name throughout the Union. They did not, however, deny that Mr. Wood's statement in regard to John's conduct was true.

The only thing striking in Mr. Dods's statement is his disposition to forgive his calumniators.

By the census taken this year, the population of Ban- gor was 1,221, showing an increase since 1810 of 371. That of Hampden was 1,478, increase 199. Brewer, 734; Orrington, 1,049; Increase of both in the decade, 444.

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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

The weather in December was unusually cold, even for that season of the year. The mercury on high ground stood at twenty-six degrees, and near the river at thirty and three-fourths degrees below zero, at 8 o'clock P. M.

Mr. Williamson sent circulars this month to every town in Maine for materials for his history.

A meeting of the Republicans of the county of Penob- scot was notified to meet at Mrs. Hatch's tavern, on the 4th January, 1821, to see if a candidate for Congress could be agreed upon, and the difficulty in the party settled.

The subscriptions and contributions in money for the Theological Seminary in the months of June, July, and August, were 64, in sums varying from $1 to $76 each, amounting in all to $498.08. In September, October, and November, they were 75, in sums varying from $1 to $163 each, amounting to $667.19.

CHAPTER XIV.

Penobscot Agricultural Society Formed-Canvass for Representative in Congress-The Mails-Comet-The Aspirants for Office-Town Meeting-Officers Elected-Appropriations-First Congregational Meeting-house-General Herrick Appointed Sheriff-Isaac Hodsdon Clerk of Courts-Receipts of Seminary-Ice-Earthquake-Mr. Wil- liamson Made Governor in Place of Mr. King, resigned-Mr. Davenport Gives the Seminary Its Site-Bangor Young Ladies' Academy-Hampden Academy-Colonel Webster-Premiums Offered bv the Penobscot Agricultural Society-Williamson Resigns the Post- office -- Clark Appointed Postmaster-Fourth of July-Boys' Cel- ebration-" Federalist "-Candidates for Governor-Mr. Williamson Elected to Congress-George W. Pickering-L. & L. Crane- Charles Hammond's Block-Bent's Bake-house-Moses Burley's Stages-Death of Hon. F. Carr-Supreme Judicial Court-Chief Justice Mellen's Charge-Snow October 19-Cattle Show-Governor Williamson and General Herrick-A Political Controversy-The Mi- litia System-Musters Criticised-A Court-martial and Its Result -- A Military Arrest-Troops Complimented-Receipts of the Sem- inary.

The interest in regard to agriculture found expression early this year in the formation of the Penobscot Agri- cultural Society. A meeting was held at the Court-house on the 3d of January, at which General Jedidiah Herrick presided, and Daniel Pike was Secretary. A committee of one from each town in the county was appointed to solicit subscriptions and collect the assessments of one dollar a year from the members, and Jedidiah Herrick, Philo H. Washburne, Samuel E. Dutton, Francis Carr, Simeon Stetson, Zeba French, David Perham, Samuel Clark, and Green Sanborn were appointed Trustees; Daniel Pike, Treasurer.

The subject of Representative to Congress was re- newed. At the meeting at Mrs. Hatch's Tavern, at which Wiggins Hill was chosen Chairman and Thomas Treadwell Secretary, the Bucksport nomination of Mr. Williamson was "cordially approved," and the meeting was declared adjourned "sine qua non."

It was said that a friend of Mr. Wilkins called this meeting, and four Federalists acted in it. But An Elector was of opinion that "if talents, integrity, and an unim- peachable character were considered as any recommenda- tions to public notice, and his profession as a lawyer was no objection, Jacob McGaw, Esq., was in every respect deserving the support of the intelligent and independent electors of the district." This writer was doubtless a "Federal Republican."

But there was still dissatisfaction with Mr. Williamson among the "Democratic Republicans." Some said only nine towns in the county were represented at the Hatch Tavern meeting, when there were twenty-seven towns in the county, and it was simply a caucus nomination of only a third part of the county. Some thought a man should not be taken for Congress because he was a mem- ber of a particular party, without regard to talents or : qualifications, but "a liberal man, a man of talents and integrity," such as Mr. McGaw, should be taken. The wrangling increased, and Mr. S. Harriman stepped into the area and proclaimed John Wilkins "to be an upright, faithful, honest, judicious, and capable man for any of- fice," therefore as suitable to represent the Fourth Dis- trict in Congress.

Mr. Wilkins, being Collector of United States Taxes, was calling for the arrearages of the direct tax of 1798.

The second trial for Representative to Congress oc- curred on the 22d of January. The votes in Bangor were: For McGaw, 48; Wilkins, 26; Williamson, 24; Kinsley, none; scattering I. In the district, Williamson received 863, against 944 for all others. There was no choice.

The mails were a subject of complaint. One mail a week was hardly up to the requirements of a growing community, when it was received regularly by the way of the Kennebec, but after the Post-office Department changed its route and sent it to Buckport and across the Penobscot twice it became so old and diluted by the time it reached Bangor that it was of "very little service."

In March a comet of considerable brilliancy attracted attention.

Mr. Wilkins, in consequence of his aspirations for Congress, was disturbed by the appearance of a rival for the offices of Register of Deeds and County Treasurer. Thomas Cobb, who had been for twenty years Register of Deeds, County Treasurer and Clerk of the County in the county of Hancock, and more recently Clerk of the Courts in Penobscot county, but supplanted by Isaac Hodsdon, was presented for Mr. Wilkins's places, and it was said that Mr. Wilkins was not satisfied with those offices because of his efforts to get into Congress, there- fore neither he nor his friends had cause of complaint because another candidate was set up against him.

The annual town meeting was held March 12. Thomas Cobb was again elected Town Clerk ; Thomas Cobb, Wiggins Hill, and James Tilton, Selectmen and Assessors ; Thomas A. Hill, Treasurer ; Allen Gilman, Agent ; Harvey Loomis, Hosea Rich, Thomas Cobb, Superintending School Committee.

For schools $800 were raised ; for highways $1,000 ;

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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

for Mr. Loomis's salary $870 ; for the Bridge Company $400 ; for the Treasurer $15 for his services; to the Assessors $1.3373 per day were to be paid "while en- gaged in the duties of their offices." The Superintend- ing School Committee were supplied with $25 for rewards for the best scholars. The Treasurer was au- thorized to borrow $500.

At another meeting, on this day, Thomas Cobb re- ceived 63 votes for Register of Deeds, and John Wilkins 53. Thomas Cobb received 68 votes for County Treas- urer, and John Wilkins 49. But the county did not know Mr. Cobb as well as they did Mr. Wilkins, there- fore it elected the latter.

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History of Penobscot County, Maine; with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 148

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