History of Penobscot County, Maine; with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 164

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 164

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Penobscot. The warrant was issued to Walter Powers, who appointed the meeting at the house of Peter Lirotte, but Lirotte refused to have the meeting at his house, and it was adjourned to an open field and held around a cart. Barnabas Hannawall was chosen Moderator; Jesse Wheelock, Town Clerk; Amos Mattocks, Daniel Savage, and John Hanford, Selectmen; Randall Hanford and Barnabas Hannawall, Constables. Powers administered the oath to the Selectmen. About a dozen Americans participated in the organization. Mr. Justice Rice and Captain - Coombs, of the Provincial militia, protested against the proceedings. The French inhabitants took no part.

A second town meeting was held September 1, by di- rection of Moderator Hannawall, at Raphael Martin's house, to elect a Representative to the Maine Legisla- ture. Peter Lirotte (a Provincial captain of militia) was elected, against the protest of Justice Rice, in His Maj- esty's name. About twenty of the French inhabitants participated in the proceedings.

It had been reported among the Provincials that John G. Deane and Edward Kavanagh had, in August pre- vious, under a resolve by the Maine Legislature, been through the settlement, taking an account of the number of settlers, and had taken pains to impress it upon them that they were inhabitants of Maine and owed no alle- giance to Great Britain.

These proceedings were reported by James A. Mac- lauchlan, a magistrate, and an agent of the British Gov- ernment to prevent aggressions upon the disputed terri- tory, to the Provincial Government. Whereupon the Governor and Council sent the Attorney-General and Maclauchlan to Madawaska to learn facts and " prevent further aggressions." The result was the arrest of Mod- erator Hannawall, Selectman Savage, Town Clerk Wheel- ock, and one Daniel Bean, who, refusing to give bail, were committed to prison to answer to indictments that might be found against them. Some French people were arrested who gave bail and were not committed. Some escaped to the woods; among them John Barker.

On October 13 the grand jury of York county, Prov- ince of New Brunswick, found a bill of indictment against Barnabas Hannawall, John Baker, Walter Powers, Jesse Wheelock, Daniel Savage, Randal Harford, John Harford, Nathaniel Bartlett, Augustin Webster, and Amos Mattocks, for attempting to procure sedition within said Province, and to subvert His Majesty's authority within the same, and to set up and establish a foreign power and dominion in place thereof. Of these, Hannawall, Wheelock, and Savage were tried before Mr. Justice Chipman, found guilty, and each sentenced to pay a fine of £50, and be imprisoned in the gaol of the county for three months and until the fines were paid.

The imprisonment of these men, however, did not continue long. Before the end of November they were on their way home, having been permitted to depart on their personal security for the payment of fines and costs. The release was in consequence of communications from the British Minister at Washington to the Government of New Brunswick, and the order for their release was

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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

signed by the Governor of the Province, Sir Archibald Campbell.

This affair created much excitement in Bangor, but the opinion prevailed to some extent that the action of the Legislature in relation to the territory when negotia- tions were pending between the General Governments for the settlement of the boundary question, was injudicious and seemed too much like nullification.

The lead mine discovered at Sebec a year or two be- fore this was said to contain very rich ore, equal to the Missouri, and, in the opinion of English miners.who had examined it, inexhaustible.

The Educational Association for Penobscot county or- ganized this year, held a public meeting in Bangor on October 5. The introductory lecture was given by Rev. Mr. Huntoon, of Bangor, and the closing by Rev. Mr. Niles, of Brewer. Rev. J. C. Lovejoy and Daniel Pike, Esq., of Bangor, and Judge Perham, of Brewer, were appointed a committee on the qualification of teachers.

The indications of thrift and growth in Bangor this year were very encouraging. Nine brick-yards turned out three million two hundred thousand bricks. The number of buildings erected was in the neighborhood of one hundred. Among them were fourteen large brick stores, two blocks three stories high.

The Bangor Commercial Bank went into operation. Thomas A. Hill, President; Thomas A. Hill, William Emerson, Amos Patten, James B. Fiske, James Crosby, Directors; Edward Richardson, Cashier.

Lieutenant J. S. Gallagher, Second Regiment United States Infantry, who had been stationed at Bangor as As- sistant Commissary of Subsistence, was transferred to Fort Gratiot, Michigan Territory, and left on the 19th of October. Lieutenant Samuel L. Russell was appointed to his place.

Chief Justice Mellen presided at a session of the Supreme Judicial Court in October. But one indictment for a criminal offence was found, and there was no trial. The Journal said the Chief Justice "presided with his usual ability, fairness, and impartiality. We think the Chief Justice an excellent judge in many respects, and especially in keeping the lawyers in order and to the point."

The Madawaska difficulties were the occasion of a meeting of the Governor and Council, who resolved "to adopt all proper and constitutional means to procure the release" of the prisoners, and appointed one of their number to go to Fredericton to see the prisoners and provide for their families, and caused a " general order to be issued to the militia to be in readiness to meet such requisition as circumstances may require, and as the President of the United States may deem necessary for the protection of our citizens and territory."

The organization of Madawaska was made after the designation by the King of the Netherlands of the bed of St. John River as a suitable boundary between the United States and British America, and therefore con- sidered unquestionably justifiable, as it was made on the United States side of the line designated.

This year a public clock, the product of the skill of

Mr. George Fitts, an ingenious mechanic of the town, was placed upon the Unitarian church, at a cost of $500, raised by private subscription.

The Bangor Bridge Company under their act of in- corporation took preliminary steps for building a bridge to connect Bangor and Brewer.

The complaints of the selling of liquor and drunkenness in Bangor were common: "Citizen " in the Journal on the 6th of December says:

I had supposed that temperance societies and the unpopularity of drinking strong liquors would be sufficient to put a stop to the evil. I say evil; I have no doubt, in my own mind, that it is the greatest evil of our day. We now almost daily, and in some instances oftener, see some of our fellow-beings-and some of them once respectable-falling into the mud in our streets, and when down not able to rise. We find grog-shops erected and kept in nearly every possible place, selling spirits without license, making drunkards by the thousand. Shops are kept open on the Sabbath and young men are carried home to their parents on that day unable to help themselves.

In the issue of the 20th a subscriber says:

I can assure the editor that I will find ten shops and cellars in the village that are selling rum, gin, and other strong drinks without a license, and also a greater number of stores. Many of the store-keep- ;ers do not wish to be thought rumsellers, and have removed their rum into the second story.

The editor corroborates the statement, but adds that he is in possession of some very gratifying facts in rela- tion to the progress of temperance in the town and vicinity.

Proposals were requested in October by Thomas A. Hill, John Godfrey, and Thornton McGaw, Committee, for building a brick court-house agreeably to plan.

Ford Whitman, Joseph K. Lumbert, and John Fiske wished to contract for building a block of brick stores, 335 feet in length by 58 feet wide, and for graveling a wharf 335 feet in length. This block was built on Ex- change street.

On the 26th of November, 1831, the Selectmen, Daniel Pike, Royal Clark, and Henry Call, published a petition to the Legislature setting forth that, on applica- tion, the Overseers of the Poor had furnished supplies to Oliver Leonard, Esq., and his wife Sarah, before his de- cease to them both, and after his decease January 3, 1828, until her decease; that, in 1829, said Sarah re- ceived an annuity,* and left an estate of considerable amount; that the administrator of Sarah's estate had re- funded the supplies furnished her, but doubted his authority to refund the sum advanced before the death of her husband, and refused to do so; whereupon they prayed the Legislature to authorize the administrator to refund that sum, being $83.53.

On March 3, 1832, the Legislature granted the Select- men leave to withdraw.

General Trafton had on exhibition some fine specimens of apples and grapes from the farm of General Herrick, of Hampden, and fruit growers were convinced that the climate of the region would be no obstacle to success in raising many of the most valuable kinds of fruit.

On December 22 pledges were given in the Methodist

*The annuity was received before and at her marriage, but suspended by proceedings in chancery. A final decree restored the annuity after his death. She was the widow of a British surgeon when Mr. Leonard married her.

HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

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congregation, to abstain from the use and manufacture of ardent spirits, except when they were absolutely necessary as a medicine.

CHAPTER XXV.

Governor Etienne's Friends-Money Value of Temperance-Congrega- tional Meeting-house at Oldtown-Damon on Bangor-Washington's Birthday Celebrated-Town Election-Boundary Question-Act for the Survey of Lumber-Children in Penobscot County-Road Com- missioners-School Committee-Packet "Free Trade" Wrecked- Kenduskeag Bank Organized-Death of Daniel Pike-Methodist Chapel Bell-Freight of the "Free Trade" --- Dr. Pond Becomes Pro- fessor-Cold Spring-A Winding Walk-Quarantine-Cholera- Building-J. P. Rogers Appointed Attorney-General -- Two Fourth of July Celebrations-State Election-Death of William D. Williamson -"Free Trade" Again Running-Regular Army and Population of the Several States in the Revolution-Credit to Captain Hasey-Na- tional Republicans Complain of Postmaster Trafton-Lawlessness- Benevolence-Madawaska " Insult"-Orders of General Hodsdon- Vote of Bangor at Presidential Election-Samuel Snow, Jr., Killed -Piscataquis Canal & Railroad Company-Judge Williamson's His- tory published-Death.

John Atean, Governor; Joseph Lion, Councilor; Norril Lion; Sappeal Mohawk, Co .; Joseph Poris; Jo Mary Mohawk; Nicolar Netchet; Poris Bear, Esquire; Noel Poris; Peal Pole Poris; Captain Nicolar; Peal Michael Sousep; Captain Fransnay Sousep; Fransnay Sousep; Sabatis Sousep; John Sousep; Jo Mitchell ; Captain Jo Mary ; Sabatis Bear ; Deniselas Jo Nicolar ; Fransnay Jo Nicolar; Sol Ninepence; Atean Racoon; Glossean; Jo Michael Glossean; Socabason Glossean; Andra Sappeal; Tomer Soc Lexis; Sappael Sock Lexis; Peal Michael Sock Lexis; Captain Francis; Peal Nicolar Francis; Peal Nicolar Palassy ; Sabatis Sunksus; Loui Neptune; Cap- tain John Orson; Captain Atean Orson ; Nicolar John Orson; Paul Sousep John Orson; Jo Mary John Orson; Sabatis Martin; Jo Lolar; Loui Lolar ; Jo Swarsin, pub- lished a card in the Journal of January 3, alleging that they were Indians of the Penobscot Tribe, friends of the then Governor, John Atean, and all over eighteen years of age, which was the period of their majority and free- dom from their fathers.

It was estimated that the advantage derived by the people of this county in the last three years from the temperance cause, if it could be reduced to money, was of more value than $200,000.

A Congregational meeting-house was built at Oldtown this year.

Bangor at this time was attracting much attention, and enterprising business men were establishing them- selves in the town. Mr. Isaac Damon, an architect of note from Northampton, Massachusetts, in a letter dated Bangor, January 26, 1832, said :

I was most agreeably disappointed at the appearance of the place, and greatly surprised at the magnitude of its business operations. Bangor is situated on the west side of the Penobscot, and on both sides of the

Stream Kenduskeag, over which a new and excellent bridge has been constructed the past year. It has four houses of public worship, three of which are brick-three of them have bells, and one is furnished with a town clock; besides these, you have presented in the same view another meeting-house in the growing village of Brewer, upon the east side of the main river. There is also a Theological Seminary, together with public free school, very creditable to the people, as evidence of a just concern for universal education, in conformity with the spirit of the age and the laws of the State. There are seventy-three stores and shops occupied by merchants and traders, and a great number of almost all descriptions of mechanics. There are five public houses, one of which, where I am now writing, owned and occupied by Mr. Ebenezer French, and the widows and heirs of the late Zadoc French, Esq., by whom it was created, is a splendid mansion, that would be an ornament to any of our largest cities ; and, what is of more importance to the traveler, it is kept in a style in no respect inferior to its appearance.

To give you some idea of the growth of Bangor I will first notice that seventy-two dwelling houses and stores have been erected and put under contract for building within the past year; more than half of which appear to be substantial brick buildings, and most of them are rented or contracted for before they are completed; while many persons are waiting their removal here for a chance to hire a house and store.

It may be well inquired, what sustains the business and population so rapidly concentrating at Bangor ?

The resources afforded by the great extent of terri- tory connected by the river and tributary streams, all navigable for boats and rafts, which here find a common outlet for the immense pro- ductions of the forest, from a distance of more than an hundred miles, consisting of lumber of almost all descriptions, superior, in general, to any that can be procured in any part of New England. Great as this branch of business undoubtedly is, it will soon be rivalled by the supe-" rior importance of those agricultural productions which here also must receive their destination to different part of the United States and to foreign countries. The mills at Stillwater and Orono comprise upwards of fifty saws, estimated to cut over forty millions of boards; to be added to these are numerous mills above, on the main river, as well as those on the Kenduskeag and other streams connected with and falling into it above Bangor, which greatly augment the quantity of boards; besides which there are clapboard, lath, and shingle-mills that manu- facture an almost incredible quantity of those articles to add to the stock of boards and timber. In fact, the value and fitness of materials for building to be found at Bangor, together with the faithfulness of their merchants in the execution of contracts and the high character of their survey, have come to be in such extensive reputation that large orders are sent here to be executed from the principal manufactur- ing places in New England.

It is computed that over four hundred yoke of oxen, with an ap- propriate number of choppers and loggers, are scattered over the territory contiguous to the river and its tributary streams, for a dis- tance of more than 120 miles, all connected with the mills and busi- ness of this place. When this view is taken of the resources of the county, together with the important fact that ten or twelve ships and vessels of various descriptions are, and probably will continue to be annually built here and in the immediate vicinity, there is no difficulty in finding efficient causes for the growth and permanent increase and prosperity of Bangor.

In regard to agriculture, he says that from his residence and observa- tion for several months he is convinced that "no part of New Eng- land affords so great inducements for our enterprising and industrious . young men to come and settle down as farmers. The soil is good, and a cash market is at hand for produce. I have no doubt the chance is better from the mere pursuit of agriculture for a young man to acquire property, support a family, and enjoy health and promote his happiness here than in any of the Western States re- mote from the Atlantic."

The Mechanic Association celebrated the 22d of Feb- ruary, the one hundredth anniversary of Washington's birthday, by thirteen guns at sunrise-"the old thirteen" -and one hundred at noon, and a meeting in the Court- house in the evening, where a prayer was made by Rev. Mr. Huntoon. Washington's Farewell Address was read by Rev. Mr. Ripley, and remarks were made by Henry Call, Esq., and others. The temperature in the morning was from twenty to twelve degrees below zero, and the ..

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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY MAINE.

day was said to be "one of the brightest and most beauti- ful of our winter days."

The day was celebrated in Hampden. An address was delivered by Hon. Enoch Brown. Washington's Farewell Address was read by Rev. Otis Briggs. The music was directed by D. John Abbott, and was pro- nounced "excellent." Captain Edward Snow " served up " a dinner in "good style," which was partaken of by citizens, among whom were several soldiers of the Revo- lution. General John Crosby officiated as President ; Hon. S. Stetson and General J. Herrick as Vice-Presi- dents. Some of the volunteer sentiments were partisan and spicy :

By General Herrick (Whig). "President Jackson's Visit : A series of vulgar fractions reduced to their low- est terms."

By Colonel Emery (Democrat). "The Tariff of 1828: Recommended by Adams and Clay, and may it sink into oblivion with those who recommended it."

By A. Matthews. "Free Trade: Sensible in theory, but infeasible in practice."

It was predicted at this time that the buildings to be put up the next season on the east side of the Kendus- keag, and the consequent transfer of business to that side, with the location of the bridge there, would cause "a nearer equilibrium in the growth and prosperity of our town." During a series of years the business on the west- erly side of the Kenduskeag predominated over that of the easterly side.

The town election this year occurred on the 12th of March. Edward Kent had 175 votes for Moderator; William D. Williamson, 133. It was a partisan election. The majorities of the Whigs were about the same for all the candidates. Samuel Lowder, Royal Clark, and Henry Call were elected Selectmen; Timothy Crosby, James R. Fiske, and John Wilkins, Overseers of the Poor; Ford Whitman, Treasurer.

The Northeast boundary question was before the Leg- islature this year, and proceedings were had in relation to a surrender of a portion of the territory for a consid- eration, which created much acrimonious feeling.

An act regulating the survey of lumber was passed by the Legislature, which was decidedly of great import- ance.

The Fire Wards of the town established some regula- tions for efficient action this year.

The number of children in Penobscot county by the last census was 7,407 males, 6,954 females; total, 14,361. In the then ten counties it was the ninth in numbers. The whole number of children in the State was 171,406.

Portland became a city this year.

Wiggins Hill, Samuel Louder, John Ham, Ezra Hutchins, and John LeGro, Jr., were chosen Road Commissioners, under a statute of the last Legislature, instead of Highway Surveyors.

The School Committee of this year were John God- frey, William Abbott, Daniel Pike, John Ham, Samuel Garnsey, Thomas J. Foiks, William Thompson, John Thurston, William Blaisdell; and $2,000 were raised for the support of schools.

A packet schooner called the Free Trade, that plied between Bangor and Boston, Captain H. Harriman, master, struck on the Duck ledges on Sunday morning, April 8, and bilged. She was on her return from Boston with a freight of $20,000; vessel worth $4,000; small insurance on all. The passengers were landed in the vessel's boats on Monhegan Island. The master was absolved from blame. The Free Trade was new and owned in Bangor. The captain attributed the loss to the disregard of his orders by the mates. The weather was bad and continued so for several days. The captain made great efforts to recover her and some part of the cargo, but did not succeed. The wreck was afterwards picked up off Cape Cod (April 25), and was towed into Gloucester. A portion of her cargo was saved. The Free Trade was repaired and put upon the route again the next September.

On April 30 Kenduskeag Bank was organized. John Wilkins, Joseph R. Lumbert, Elisha H. Allen, George W. Pickering, and Levi Cram were chosen Directors. John Wilkins was made President, and Theodore S. Dodd Cashier.

Daniel Pike, a prominent citizen, died May 6, at the age of forty-eight.

A fine-toned bell was put in the Methodist meeting- house in April.

A writer in the Journal discovers that there were "seven- ty-one barrels of liquors" on board the schooner Free Trade when she was lost, and did not wonder at the quantity on board a smuggler's vessel when it might be sold "either with or without license, without any molesta- tion or hindrance in this town." Another, in reply, says that no town in the State is in advance of Bangor in temperance.

Rev. Mr. Pomroy said of the trustees that Dr. Enoch Pond had accepted a professorship in the Theological Seminary; and acknowledged the receipt of $1,000 from Mrs. Lord of Kennebunk for the benefit of the library.

The spring was cold this year. Fires were comfortable up to and into June. They were kept up until May 24th in Baltimore, and snow fell later as far south as Newport, Rhode Island. It was claimed that the climate was quite as mild as that in those places.

In June "A Friend " proposes a walk with a friend in the morning in several stanzas of this style of poetry :

My friends ! the sun begins to gild The concave of the Eastern sky; And all the landscape now is filled With sounds of mirth and jollity.

Winter has gone, and lovely June Is clad in cerule vestments fair; Then rise and listen to the tune Of Linnet in the summer air.

We'll hasten to our fav'rite spot, Where rise the crags so high and steep; And lose ourselves in busy. thought, While going down the " Lover's Leap .*

It has been a question with many of the Bangor ro-

* " Lover's Leap" is a fine, bold cliff on the bank of the Keridus- keag, three-fourths of a mile above Bangor village, a mile above Ken- duskeag Bridge.

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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

mancers how the precipice called "Lover's Leap" ac- quired its name, and frequent attempts have been made for its solution. A poem was written in 1881, from which a solution satisfactory to some sentimental pilgrims to that spot may be gathered. "Raven Hair " must have belonged to a tribe anterior to the Penobscot, or "Iron Hand" been under the influence of that nectar which inspires so many of the knights of the wood to perform astonishing feats, and led to the enact- ment of a law for the suppression of its use. The poem may be found in the sketch of Kenduskeag town, in the second division of this book.

Jonathan P. Rogers, of Bangor, was appointed Attor- ney-General of the State, in place of Erastus Foote.

On the 28th June the Selectmen gave notice that a quarantine was established from that date on all vessels which should arrive within the limits of the town in the Penobscot River, from Eastport and Lubec, and the British Provinces, and any port in which cholera morbus or any contagious disease was prevailing. Timothy Crosby, Esq., was appointed Quarantine Officer, and Dr. Rufus K. Cushing, Physician.

Much alarm existed because of the prevalence of Asiatic cholera in Lower Canada. A public meeting of the citizens was called, and physicians were called upon by the Board of Health to report regulations in regard to | the disease. They replied by saying, in order to allay undue excitement and alarm, that there were but few in- sulated and solitary cases within the bounds of the United States, and those were connected with the emigration of foreigners from Canada, and that they had positive as- surance that the disease was in no case spreading or pre- vailing. For regulations they referred to the then recent report of the Boston Board of Health, published in the Journal of June 26th, in the principles of which they concurred. The cholera did not reach Bangor until 1849, when many persons died of the disease, and great alarm prevailed, and business was prostrated.

Dr. John Mason was selected by the citizens, in 1831, to visit New York to obtain information respecting the disease, and observe its symptoms and modes of treat- ment.

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History of Penobscot County, Maine; with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 164

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