History of Penobscot County, Maine; with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 161

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 161

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BANGOR HOUSE

645

HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

maneuver which Major-General Hodsdon ordered the Colonel to cause to be performed. The order was given to the regiment, when preparing for inspection-"Break into open column of companies, to the left backward." The order was disapproved by the Major-General the year before, he insisting that the companies should wheel to the right forward. On the Colonel's repeating the objectionable order this year, it was again disapproved; hence the mutinous manifestation.

The Land Agent, Daniel Rose, gave notice that he should sell by auction Township No. 3, Range 4, Norris & McMillan's survey, at the minimum price of twenty cents per acre; No. 4, R. 5, Norris' survey, at a minimum of twenty-five cents per acre; No. 2, R. 9, minimum 25; No. 3, R. 14, minimum 25; Tract A, 2, in R 12; and 14, 25; and Tract X, R. 14, 25. Not more than a town of six miles square, nor less than a tract of a mile square, would be struck off at one time. Terms one-fourth down; remainder in one, two and three years, and interest annually, secured by mortgage on the premises.

John B. Hill, Webster Kelley, and Albert Bingham were admitted to practice as attorneys at the October term of the Court of Common Pleas.

In September a frame meeting-house was completed near the foot of Union street, where Independent street connects with it, by the Methodist society.

Mr. Richard Woodhull opened the Classical School of the Theological Seminary on the 18th of September.

Some excitement was occasioned by the death of Mrs. Nathaniel Pike, formerly of Waterford, said to be under the treatment of a quack. It was said that she was a healthy and strong woman, that on Friday and Satur- day she complained of cold, which had increased on Sun- day, though she was able to make her bed and sit up a part of the time ; that she called in a "steam doctor," who administered four or five emetics in quick succession, which occasioned great distress and apparent derange- ment of the mind ; that on her friends expressing alarm, the "doctor" told them that these effects might have been expected, for the patient had taken opium at some time in her life, and his medicine was battling with the narcotic and would soon overcome it. Their apprehen- sions being quieted, the operations were continued, emetics were administered, the patient was subjected to a steaming process, cold water was dashed over her, cap- sicum was poured down her throat to keep up the inter- nal heat, until Monday night, when nature gave way, and she expired.

Mr. Pike made a statement somewhat modifying the above account, that had gone abroad. The emetics were not administered in so objectionable a manner; the steaming was about fifteen minutes, and subject to the will of the patient. Red pepper, "Composition," and "Nerve Powder" were often administered.

The politicians were as much alarmed for the future of the country in the event of the success of their op- ponents this year as they have been at any time since. An enthusiastic Adams man, deprecating the election of General Jackson, urged his fellow-citizens to "remember

that not only their liberties, but the fate of their posterity, of nations yet unborn depended, in some measure, upon the right of suffrage." Enthusiastic Jackson men ex- pressed themselves in a similar manner, threw up their hats, and shouted "Hurrah for Jackson !" Partisans ac- cused their enemies of "using falsehood in all its phases of hardy assertion, brazen denial, and ingenious misrep- resentation."

The electors of Bangor had a partiality for John Quincy Adams; but, notwithstanding, they gave 184 · votes for General Simon Norvell and the other National Republican Electors, to 94 for Daniel Rose and the Dem- ocratic Electors; yet General Jackson was elected to the Presidency.

Samuel Butman's majority for Representative to Con- gress at the September election was 2,045 over William Emerson and others.

About this time appeared the "Journal of the Times," edited by William Lloyd Garrison, and published at Ben- nington, Vermont. It favored the election of Mr. Adams, and was hailed as an "important auxiliary."

Daniel Wilkins, of Charleston, was appointed Sheriff of Penobscot, in place of John Wilkins, who had re- signed.

There was just complaint that the Supreme Court held a session on election day, thereby depriving jurors, suit- ors, and others, of their privilege of the franchise. This has since been provided against by law.

The young men formed an association called the "Literary Club," and established a reading-room having the leading newspapers, reviews, and periodicals of the day.

November 8, B. B. Thatcher connected himself with Charles Gilman in the editorship of "The Clarion," which was enlarged to a paper of eight pages. It was a rather interesting literary paper to the young people, but it did not get far into its second year before it finished its career.

This month Vaughan & Robinson were doing a crockeryware business at No. 4, and Mrs. Ruth Ingra- ham a fashionable millinery business at No. 5, Merchants' Row. This was a row of two-story stores extending from West Market Place, on the south side of Main street.

On November 18 Elisha Allen-since Chief Justice of the Sandwich Islands-opened a law office on the easter- ly side of Broad street, facing Mercantile Square.

This day there was a violent snow-storm. The ground, however, was not frozen, the preceding part of the month having been rainy.

Mr. Richard Woodhull gave notice that he would de- liver the first of a course of lectures on astronomy "(gratis), before the Mechanic Association at the Court-house, in this village," on the evening of December 16. The lec- ture was delivered. The "matter and style of the lec- ture" were pronounced "perspicuous, the delivery and manner clear and intelligible," the apparatus "imperfect."

A citizens' watch was organized and commenced its duties on December 15, which were to be continued until the Ist of May.

646

HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

The votes for President in some of the towns in the Penobscot District were as follow :

Adams. Jackson.

Atkinson

Bangor

I84

Bradford

Brownville.

Brewer

Carmel

Charlestown

Corinth.

Dexter.

Dixmont

I19

Dover

Dutton (Glenburn)

Eddington

Exeter

Guilford

Hampden

Howland

Kilmarnock ( Medford)

Kirkland (Hudson)

Levant (and Kenduskeag)

Milo.

Newburg

Newport

Orono (and Oldtown).

107

Orrington

Plantation No. 4 (Bradley)

Plymouth.

Sangerville

Sebec

Stetson

Sunkhaze (Milford).

Williamsburg.

The vote of the State was for Adams, 20,807; for Jackson, 13,963 ; scattering, 10I.

Richard H. Bartlett and Amos M. Roberts gave notice of a copartnership and of their opening a store in Ban- gor for the sale of all kinds of goods. The style of the firm was Bartlett & Roberts. Among their stock was New England rum. Deacon George W. Brown adver- tised wines; Joseph C. Stevens and E. Learned adver- tised brandy and West Indies rum. Indeed, all the deal- ers at this time had no scruples in regard to selling liquors openly.

The river closed on the night of the 18th. The sloop Brutus brought a large quantity of freight from Hamp- den, and having landed it left on that day.

A new Universalist chapel was dedicated at Hamp- den Lower Corner on December 25. The sermon was by Rev. F. Mace; the music was under the direction of Dr. John Abbott, who was assisted by Mr. John Hoyt, of Bangor. Rev. Joshua Hall, Methodist, made the concluding prayer.

On December 30, the Bangor Fire Club, of which George Starrett, Esq., was Secretary, held its annual meeting at Hutchins's hotel (Hatch House) and partook of a supper.

CHAPTER XXII.

Mail Improvements-Joseph Carr & Son-A Croaker-Peleg Sprague and John Holmes United States Senators-Thomas A. Hill Chief Jus- tice Court of Sessions-John Godfrey County Attorney-Snow- Town Clock Agitation-"Final Happiness" Meeting-The Jackson Bells-Annual Meeting-Huntoon & Hunton-McLean Appointed Judge United States Court-Gaol Burnt-Death of Deacon Boyd- Death of Joseph Leavitt-Town Authorized to Regulate the Harbor- Greenleaf's Map of Maine-New Gaol Contemplated-Ice Left- Horse Ferry-boat-Shingles-General Trafton Postmaster-Chick Displaced-Fourth of July-Two Celebrations-Party Bitterness- County Temperance Society-Joshua Carpenter Collector of Cas- tine-Sharp Gubernatorial Canvass-Unitarian Meeting House Dedi- cated-State Election-Hunton Governor-Meteor-First Metho- dist Meeting House-Death of Governor Lincoln-Professor Adams Invited to Brunswick-Madame Royal's Introduction to President Jackson-Lyceum-Dr. Dickinson's Saddle-bags-Death of Jesse Smith-"Hook and Ladder" Company-Annual Meeting of Fire Club.

1829. Mail communication between Bangor and the outer world continued to improve. By a new arrange- ment the mail after January Ist was but little more than two days on its way from Boston to Bangor. It left the former place at 5 o'clock P. M. and arrived at the latter at 8 o'clock P. M. on the second day, stopping at Bruns- wick six or eight hours the first night. It is now some- thing less than a quarter of that time on its way, and in a few years will probably be less than an eighth of it.

"A Unitarian," who frequently attended public wor- ship with the Methodist Society, for "whose moral and religious character he had a profound reverence," was much disturbed on reading in their hymn-book a hymn headed "For the Mahometans," in which were these lines :

Stretch out thy arm, thou triune God; The Unitarian fiend expel,

And chase his doctrine back to hell.

"In charity to them " he believed that "very few of them are disposed to apply such language as the above to a doctrine which it is humbly believed is expressly commanded and enjoined by God himself, and taught by the prophets in the Old Testament, and confirmed by Christ and his Apostles in the New Testament."

Peleg Sprague and John Holmes were elected by the Legislature to Congress, the latter for the unexpired term occasioned by the resignation of Albion K. Parris.

On February 2Ist there was a fall of eighteen inches of snow, and the snow was five to six feet deep in the woods. Between that and March 3d another, and the roads were completely blocked.

This month the vote for President and Vice-President of the United States was proclaimed. For President Andrew Jackson had 178, John Quincy Adams 83; John C. Calhoun had 171, Richard Rush 83, William Smith 7, for Vice-President. Maine cast one vote for Jackson and eight for Adams. The rest of New England went solid for Adams. The Slave States went solid for Jack- son, with the exception of Delaware and Maryland. Delaware went for Adams. Maryland five for Jackson and six for Adams. Georgia threw seven of its nine votes for Smith for Vice President.

On March 2 a chapel of the Theological Seminary which stood at the corner of Hammond and Fifth streets (west side), was destroyed by fire.

647

HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

The town was agitated upon the subject of a town clock. An article was inserted in the warrant for the town meeting to see if the town would purchase one. The purchase was opposed for the reasons that the town was in debt-had recently incurred heavy expenses, and must continue to be at great expense for other more necessary purposes; that the benefits would be partial; that it could not be located so as to give satisfaction to the citizens.

On March 5 a meeting of such of the "inhabitants as believed in the final happiness of all men " was held in "Crane's Hall." This hall was in the attic of a two- story frame building that stood on the west side of Mer- cantile Square.

The death of Mrs. Eleanor Madison, widow of Presi- dent Madison, at the age of ninety-three, at Montpelier, Virginia, on February II, was announced.

On March 4 the friends of General Jackson caused all the bells in town to be rung until about one o'clock. His cabinet had been announced : Martin Van Buren, New York, Secretary of State; Samuel D. Ingham, Penn- sylvania, Treasury; John McLean, Ohio, Postmaster General; John H. Eaton, Tennessee, War; John Branch, North Carolina, Navy; John M. Berein, Georgia, At- torney-General.

The Congregational meeting-house near the ferry, in Brewer, was dedicated March 12.

At the annual town meeting on the 9th of March, Alexander Sawyer was elected Town Clerk; Amos Patten, James Tilton, William Rice, Selectmen; George Starrett, Treasurer and Collector.

The Fire Wardens elected Daniel Pike Chief En- gineer; Eben French, Assistant; Colonel Zeb. Rogers, Warden of Engine No. 1 ("Old Settler "); General John Williams, of Washington Engine; Edmund Dole, of Hooks and Ladders, west side; John Ham, of same, east side; Edmund Sargent, for removal of merchandise and furniture.

This month a large majority of the members of the Legislature nominated Hon. Jonathan G. Huntoon, of Readfield, as candidate for Governor. He accepted the nomination in a letter signed "J. G. Huntoon." At this time his name was written Huntoon. He was afterward elected Governor as "Jonathan G. Hunton."

President Jackson appointed John McLean Judge of the United States Supreme Court, and William T. Barry, of Kentucky, Postmaster-General in his place

The hemlock gaol was partially . burnt on the 26th. Females formed a line and passed water in buckets to extinguish the fire, while many of the lazy men wrapped in their cloaks were looking on like Spanish hidalgos.

An appropriation of $42,932 was made last year for completing the Military Road from Mattawamkeag to Mars Hill; $5,000 for a light-house on Mount Desert Rock; and $300 for surveying the ship channel of Penobscot River from White Head to Bangor, and ascer- taining the cost of improving the navigation and proper sites for spindles and buoys.

Deacon William Boyd died on the 24th of March, aged eighty-four. He was born in Worcester, Massachu-

setts, in 1745. At the age of twenty-four he settled in Bristol, Maine, where he resided about twenty years. He then removed to Bangor. This was about 1789. He was a religious man, and is said to have been the only church member in the place for nine or ten years. He led an exemplary life. He was a ship-carpenter, and built the first vessel in Bangor, and probably the first above Fort Point. This was for Major Robert Treat. He was appointed Deacon of the Congregational church or- ganized in Bangor and Orrington in 1800, over which Rev. Mr. Boyd was settled. When Rev. Mr. Loomis was settled, in 1811, he was continued a Deacon, and re- mained such until his death. He died sitting in his chair.

Joseph Leavitt, Esq., died on March 6, at the age of sixty-two. He was born in Stratham, New Hampshire. Before his majority he went several voyages to sea. After attending Exeter Academy one year, he taught school seven years. He then went into trade in Lee, New Hampshire, where he remained fourteen years. In 1810 he removed to Bangor with his accumulations, which were considerable. He was quite enterprising ; built ves- sels, carried on trade in various kinds of merchandise, bought and sold lands, was engaged in banking as a Di- rector of the Bangor Bank, built a brick block a little way up Washington street on the right-the block since converted into a store-house and offices by the European & North American Railway, and in the hall of which the Young Ladies' Academy was first kept. He was Town Clerk, Selectman, and member of the first conven- tion on the separation of the State in 1816, at Brunswick. He lost much in the war, and at his death his worldly possessions were small.

The town was authorized by the Legislature this year to regulate the harbor.

Moses Greenleaf published his Map and Statistical Survey of Maine.

At its April session the Court of Sessions considered the subject of building a new gaol of rough granite.

The ice left the river on April 15, vessels arrived, and the spring business opened favorably.

A horse ferry-boat was built by Master George Sav- age for G. W. Brimmer, of Boston, and John C. Dexter, and put upon the route between Bangor and Brewer.

Bangor dealers were obliged to sell their shingles in Boston at this time at $1 and $1.25 per thousand.

General Mark Trafton was appointed postmaster, in place of Major Royal Clark, removed.

Mr. C. M. Rogers became landlord of the Penobscot Exchange, in place of Jacob Chick, removed.

A portion of the Democrats having in view the strengthening of their party, made a movement for a partisan celebration of the Fourth of July. This awak- ened the patriotic indignation of such sturdy Republic- ans as John Wilkins, Jacob McGaw, Benjamin Nourse, John Williams, Edward Kent, P. B. Mills, Samuel Low- der, and others, and they organized with much enthusi- asm to have a citizens' no-party celebration. They de- sired to know if the managers supposed "that our citizens were so tame, so spiritless, so yielding, so slavish

648

HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

as to submit in silence to such imposition-to be hood- winked, and hooked on as the mere tail of the Jackson kite ? "

The party feeling at this time was bitter. A Jackson caucus at Kennebunk instructed its delegates to an Au- gusta convention to "ascertain if any individual by the name of Jonathan G. Hunton is known to reside within the limits of the State !" Another caucus in Elliott in- structed their delegates "to inquire who this Jonathan G. Hunton is."

The convention to which these delegates were sent nominated Judge Samuel. E. Smith, of the Court of Common Pleas, as the Jackson candidate for Governor.

There were women at this time who had the courage to lift up their voices in public. Miss Clarke advertised to give a course of ten historical lectures in the brick school-house on State street. The lectures were well attended and Miss Clarke received many encomiums.

A caribou (reindeer) was exhibited at Hutchins's inn.

1829. This year Ruel Williams, George Evans, Timothy Boutelle, and others, were competitors for the office of Representative to Congress in the Kennebec district, and Joshua W. Hathaway, John G. Deane, Leonard Jarvis, Samuel Upton, and Jeremiah O'Brien, and others, in the Hancock district. There were 4,525 votes thrown in the former district and 4,520 in the latter, at the first balloting, when there was no choice.

The stimulus given the citizens by the announcement of a partisan celebration by the "Jacksonites " was the occasion of an unusual celebration of the anniversary of Independence this year. " Edward Kent, Esquire," de- livered the oration at the First Parish meeting-house ; the prayer was made by Rev. John Smith, D. D., Profes- sor of the Theological Seminary ; "Rev. George E. Adams" read the Declaration of Independence, prefac- ing it, "in a very pertinent and happy manner, by a few eloquent remarks." The audience was "very numerous, respectable, and intelligent ;" the oration was pro- nounced "a chaste and eloquent production," and was listened to "with gratified attention." It breathed the sentiments of enlightened patriotism, unsullied by the bitterness of party spirit, and was worthy of the day.

Mr. B. B. Thatcher prepared the following hymn for the occasion, which was "sung with fine effect" by the choir :

Oh ! not alone is sacred soil, Where temples have been built to God, And odors burned o'er fires divine, And blood of victims stained the sod.

But holy is the air we breathe, And holy is the ground we tread ; For here, upon a thousand hills, Our fathers' life-blood hath been shed.

On Freedom's proud, high battle-ground, For all we are and hope and have, They fought-and fell-and the world saw ! Their memories shall find no grave ;

But ages hence, o'er the wide earth, Unnumbered millions of the free

Shall wake, this day, their deathless fame, With praise and prayer, O God ! to Thee.

Thy breath was flame upon their souls, When the stari'd banner wav'd them on ! Grant us to feel the breath they felt,

That we may prize the wealth they won.

After the services the procession re-formed, and es- corted by a company of volunteer citizens under Captain Philip H. Coombs, with Major William E. Robinson and Mr. Cyrus Arnold as marshals, marched to the Penobscot Exchange and partook of a rare dinner provided by C. M. Rogers.

Jacob McGaw, Esq., presided at the feast. Sentiments were given by the President, Enoch Brown, John Wilkins, James Crosby, Eben French, George B. Moody, Samuel Butman, Edward Kent, Samuel Call, Samuel Lowder, and John C. Dexter, Esquires; all prominent citizens of Bangor and neighborhood; by Edward Wilkins and Benjamin Butman, soldiers of the Revolution; by Gen- eral Joseph Treat, General John Blake, and Major W. E. Robinson; by Hon. Emery L. Emerson, Senator from York county, Hon. George W. Coffin, Land Agent of Massachusetts, and by Benjamin Bussey, Esq., of Boston. The only things pointed were in the sentiments of Mr. Call and Mr. Lowder. The former gave a fling at "modern reformation," meaning Jackson politics, and the latter a kick at the exclusives who celebrated the day in the interest of Jacksonism, his sentiment being: "The memory of our departed friends on the west side of the Kenduskeag."

On this day a meeting of gentlemen from different parts of the county was held in the Court-house to make preparations for the formation of a county temperance society. Judge Moses Greenleaf, of Williamsburg, pre- sided, and Hon. R. K. Cushing, of Brewer, was Secre- tary. John Wilkins, Hiram Nourse, Edward Kent, George E. Adams, and Dr. Cushing were appointed a committee to draft a plan of organization.

The " Jacksonites" celebrated the day in a manner satisfactory to themselves, having music from Piscata- quis. Their opponents were so well satisfied with hav- ing "taken the wind out of their sails" by the citizens' celebration, that they concluded to make no comments unfavorable to their exclusive neighbors.

The Brewer Light Infantry, "after six years of turmoil and division" under Captain Abraham Hill, reconciled their differences by the election of Robert Clary Captain and Thomas Gregg Lieutenant.

The County Temperance Society was organized on the 9th, and Hon. Judge Perham was elected President.

Colonel Joshua Carpenter was appointed Collector of the Port of Castine. He was a clamorous supporter of General Jackson-not scrupulous in regard to the lan- guage he used in conversation, and well disposed to "mag- nify his office." The Register considered his appoint- ment " a subject too serious for raillery."

James Lander & Company had a weekly accommoda- tion conveyance by stage and batteau to Houlton. It left Bangor on Tuesday morning and arrived at Houlton on Saturday. It left Houlton on Tuesday and arrived in Bangor on Friday.

The subject of temperance was at this time so prom- inent before the community, that the keeping of spirit-

649

HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

uous liquors for sale was becoming unpopular, and Mr. Albert G. Chick, whose education had been in the other direction, advertised that he had opened an establish- ment where he intended to keep "refreshments of every kind, with the exception of spirituous liquors, which, by the way, are no refreshment, and will not be kept either the counter or under the counter."

The interest in the Gubernatorial election became in- tense in August. The friends of the new administration scraped up everything they could find against Mr. Hunton. His personal enemies presented their side of the case against him. For so good-natured a man he was very much badgered, and his political friends had about as much as they could do to deny and explain the matters charged against him. It cannot be denied that the Eastern Republican, under Nathaniel Haynes, was bitter and relentless, and that much partisan hate was engendered by it that ought to have been avoided. The course of the administration press in the State, however, was exceedingly effective, and the agrarian element at length came uppermost under its influence. Their op- ponents made the best fight they could, but their weapons were not of a character to turn aside those of their ad- versaries.

On the 12th of August the "National Republicans " of Penobscot held a convention at Bangor, and re-nomina- ted Solomon Parsons for Senator. They passed resolu- tions condemning the proscriptive course of the Admin- istration in removing "honest and faithful public ser- vants" to reward "party zealots," and adopted an address to the Electors, three columns in length, reported by George B. Moody, Esq., in which the politics of the country were reviewed from beginning to end, the cor- ruption and bad faith of Jackson and his "Republican " party denounced, and the virtue and purity of the "Na- tional Republican " party asserted.

It was claimed for Mr. Parsons, by the Register, that he had served the people "faithfully and honestly, and with credit to himself, for two years;" that he had "grown upon the esteem" of the people, and that "those who had been acquainted with him as a legislator con- curred in the opinion that he stood high at the Senate board for intelligence, capacity for business, industry, honesty, and independence."

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History of Penobscot County, Maine; with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 161

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