History of Penobscot County, Maine; with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 185

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

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THE MECHANICS' ASSOCIATION.

The early history of this, the most notable, and un- doubtedly most useful society, not distinctively religious, in the city of Bangor, is well detailed by Judge Godfrey, at intervals in the preceding chapters. The story of its organization and earlier years need not here be repeated. It will be remembered that it dates by incorporation from February 12, 1828; its organization was completed April 15, 1828. The same year its constitution and by-laws, with a list of early members, were printed in a rude little pamphlet by "Burton & Carter, printers, Ban- gor." The preamble says :

The mechanic powers, combined in their operation, have been gen- erally admitted as the source of all those inventions and arts which have given to society its wealth, conveniency, respectability and de- fence :- Societies having for their object the promotion of these powers, and the amelioration of the distresses of the unfortunate, cannot fail to exert a salutary influence upon the community.

To effect these desirable ends, the present associates agree to be governed as a society by the following Rules and Regulations:

A good preamble, truly. The name of the society was then, as Judge Godfrey correctly puts it, the Bangor Mechanic Association. The roll of membership of 1828, with statement of occupations, can hardly fail to be of interest now:

James Tilton, tanner; John Williams, saddler ; Ed- ward Sargent, house-wright ; Zebulon Smith, watch- maker ; Jacob Garland, cooper; Henry Call, copper- smith ; Stephen Giddings, mason ; Nathan B. Wiggin, John Sargent, house-wrights ; David Meryman, mill- wright ; Samuel Moore, hatter ; Preston Jones, Edmund

Dole, cabinet-makers ; Bradford Harlow, pump- and block-maker ; James Burton, Jr., printer ; Amaziah S. Moore, painter ; Benjamin G. Campbell, tin-plate worker; Preserved B. Mills, tinner; Horatio Beale, painter; Stephen Gilman, cabinet-maker and carver; Edward H. Bayley, turner; Nathaniel Lincoln, carpenter ; John S. Sayward, saddler ; John Reynolds, tailor ; William Em- erson, cordwainer; William Seward, house-wright; Na- thaniel Pierce, joiner; Ezra S. Brewster, printer; Reuben Bayley, Salmon Niles, house-wrights ; Calvin Osgood, joiner ; Andrew Maxfield, mason ; William Robinson, house-wright ; Gardner Brooks, chair-maker and painter; John Brown, house-wright ; Joseph N. Downe, house- wright ; Samuel Fellows, Samuel Eastman, David Mc- Dougal, blacksmiths ; A. A. Dillingham, baker ; Thomas Hancock, wheelwright ; Gilman Merrill, John S. Carter, painters ; Allen Clark, clothier ; Isaac Hodsdon, Rob- ert W. Yallalee, blacksmiths ; Benjamin Richards, house- wright ; Dexter E. Wadleigh, mason ; Michael Sargent, Leonard L. Morse, Asa Davis, house-wrights; Gilbert Wallace, cooper; Isaac Bayley, blacksmith; George W. Maxim, house-wright; Joseph Wing, hatter; Cyrus Brown, house-wright; David Hill, cabinet-maker. Ed- ward Sargent, James Tilton, John Williams, and Henry Call, with their associates, were designated as incorpora- tors in the act of incorporation.

The original organization does not seem to have con- templated the formation of a library, except as "books as connected with mechanics" might be presented to it ; or of a museum, except as "models of machines of new in- ventions" or drawings of machines which might also be given. All "shall be in the care of the secretary, sub- ject to the direction of the Government [the Board of officers] and the inspection of the members." Near the close of 1829, however, the matter of a library came into agitation, and a committee appointed to consider the disposition of surplus funds, reported that an amount not exceeding $65 might well be expended for books and $15 for periodicals. The report was adopted. Gregory's Dictionary of Arts and Sciences, in three volumes, and three more of the old Encyclopedia Americana, with the accompanying book of plates, were accordingly bought; and subscriptions were made to the Library of Useful Knowledge and Silliman's Journal of Arts and Sciences. The seven books named formed the nucleus of the present fine collection. It was little suspected then what a superb local institution might in half a century grow out of this modest initial effort.

Among the curious objects presented to the associa- tion was the old printing press, formerly owned by the printer Peter Edes, and the first brought into the Penob- scot Valley. It was purchased by a number of members of the society, and accepted at a meeting April 13, 1843. This venerable and interesting relic of old-time "black art" is now deposited in the chapel of the Bangor Theo- logical Seminary.

A revision of the constitution and by-laws was adopted April 12, 1839, Article VII. of which says decisively that "the association shall collect and establish a library, museum of curiosities, and a cabinet of minerals, for the

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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

use and benefit of the members, their apprentices and families ; which . shall be enlarged and im- proved from time to time, as the state of the funds will admit."

The new constitution was published to the world in 1839, and again in 1852, when a list of members was appended. There were now remaining in the society nine members of 1828, one of 1830, five of 1831, four of 1832, ten of 1833, fourteen of 1834, three of 1835, three of 1836, four of 1838, seven of 1839, seven of 1840, eleven of 1841, six of 1842, six of 1843, seven of 1844, ten of 1845, nineteen of 1846, four of 1847, seven of 1848, five of 1849, eighteen of 1850, eighteen of 1851, and two of 1852; - one hundred and seventy-nine in all.

Before 1860 the association had accumulated a fund of $600 and a library of several thousand volumes, with an attractive though not large museum. The money was lost mainly in an effort to give the local public a course of first-class lectures; but the library was kept to- gether pretty well, and was well used. The average number per year, during the decade 1856-66, of books taken out by members and their families, was 2,072-in one year 2,585, and in another, the smallest, 1,337. The library has since greatly increased, especially by the addition from the Mercantile Library in 1874, and now contains about. 16,800 volumes. Of these more than fourteen thousand are in circulation ; the rest are reference books.

For many years the association exerted a marked and beneficial influence in the city. The school system, especially, owes much to it. During the last fifteen years the work of the society has greatly changed. Instead of meetings for discussion and mutual improvement, it now devotes its energies solely to the maintenance of the library. The trust fund for its support amounts to $12,000, the interest of which goes to the repair and purchase of books.

In the latter part of 1866 it was voted to open a sub- scription for a trust fund for the benefit of the library. This was done, and with eminent success. Franklin Muzzy and Thomas N. Egery headed it with $1,000 each; Willard Cutter and nine others gave $200 apiece; thirteen $100 subscriptions were made; and smaller sums were added to the total amount of $6,535. In May fol- lowing the City Council accepted the subscription as a trust for the association, and the amount collected ($6,- 468.65) was invested in the securities of the United States. Upon the death of Mr, Muzzy in 1873 $4,000 were added to the fund under his will-which, with other sums, makes up the present trust of $12,000, held for the benefit of the library. Mr. Muzzy was mainly in- strumental in raising the original subscription, and much of the success of the library is considered due to his ex- ertions.

The early meetings of the association were held in Cram's Hall, on West Market Square. December 19, 1828, it was voted to remove to the hall of the Baptist meeting-house, where the association remained until April, 1834, when the "Mechanics' Lecture-room" in the third story of the Mercantile Block, Mercantile Square,

was obtained and fitted up. In October, 1856, the first meetings were held in the new hall of the association in Granite Block, East Market Square. Upon the transfer of the Mercantile Library collection, the final removal was made to the present spacious quarters in the Ken- duskeag Block, at the end of Kenduskeag Bridge, which had formerly been occupied by the Mercantile Associa- tion. The library had generally been kept in the hall of the Mechanics', except while in Mr. Sayward's shop. The old-time courteous and accommodating Librarian, Mr. Daniel Holman, one of the members of 1846, is still in charge. Any resident of Bangor, whether a mem- ber or not, may draw books from the library, on payment of $2 per year; and non-residents may also take books, at $4 à year, or may make more temporary arrangements. Any person may consult the library in the room, and such has always been the rule. The pages of this His- tory owe much to the liberality of this arrangement, and the kindness of the Librarian and his assistant. This library is a most beneficent public institution.

The following-named gentlemen have served as Presi- dents of the association: James Tilton, 1828-30; John Williams, 1831-32; Henry Call, 1833-34; John Brown, 1835; Franklin Muzzy, 1836; J. S. Sayward, 1837; Sam- uel Ramsdell, 1838; A. R. Hallowell, 1839; P. B. Mills, .1840; James R. Macomber, 1841; N. B. Wiggin, 1842; O. S. Beale, 1843; William S. Mitchell, 1844; E. T. Fox, 1845; A. Leighton, 1846; William H. Perry, 1847; J. M. Lander, 1848; P. B. Rider, 1849; Rufus Prince, 1850; William Hall, 1851; J. Fogg, 1852; Ed- ward Wiggin, 1853; T. H. Morse, 1854-55; J. W. Strange, 1856-57; Isaac Small, 1858-59; A. W. Benson, 1860; Charles Sawtelle, 1861-62; William S. Potter, 1863-64; M. Schwartz, 1865; Willard Cutter, 1866-69; Byron Porter, 1870-71 and 1874; George A. Davenport, 1872-73; C. B. Brown, 1875; F. M. Lawrence, 1876; Scott Dunbar, 1877-78; Bernhard Pol, 1879-80; G. W. Mer- rill, 1881.

Librarians: John Sargent, 1830; John S. Sayward, 1830-31 and'33 (Mr. S. had the library at his shop on Ex- change street, and opened it every Saturday afternoon); James Burton, 1832; Reuben Bagley, 1834-35; C. H. Wing, 1836; Samuel Ramsdell, 1837; T. H. Morse, 1838; O. S. Beale, 1839; Moses Saunders, Jr., 1840; E. T. Fox, 1841; P. B. Rider, 1842; W. H. Perry, 1843; J. C. Mitchell, 1844; H. S. Brown, 1845; A. L. Perry, 1846; O. P. Sawtelle, 1847; Willard Cutter, 1848-49; L. W. Rogers, 1850-51; Daniel Holman, 1852-56, 1867 to this time; G. W. Orff, 1857; A. W. Benson, 1858; William S. Townsend, 1859-64; W. L. Seavey, 1865; W. H. H. Pitcher, 1866.

THE BANGOR MERCANTILE ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of the merchants of Bangor was called November 2, 1843, to take into consideration the form- ing of a society to be called the Bangor Mercantile As- sociation. The meeting resulted in the association be- ing formed, and the first choice of officers took place November 30, 1843, as follows: James Crosby, Presi- dent ; Thomas H. Sandford, Vice-President ; Charles

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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

Hayward, Secretary ; Francis M. Sabine, Treasurer ; Isaiah Stetson, William H. Dow, Ezra Jewell, Waldo T. Pierce, Ephraim Moulton, Directors; George W. Picker- ing, Amos M. Roberts, John True, Solomon Parsons, James Jenkins, Board of Arbitration.

The association was incorporated by act of Legislature February 5, 1844.

At this time there was a small library in the city called the Bangor Social Library. The association proposed the purchase of the library, and during the year 1844 succeeding in obtaining it, or the use of it, on some terms not recorded. But evidently they still remained two distinct libraries; for the Librarian's Report for 1856 records that 275 volumes were added to the Mer- cantile Library and twenty-six to the Social Library. In April, 1858, a union seems to have been made of the two, on condition that all members of the Bangor Social Library Association be admitted to equal privileges in the Bangor Mercantile Association, which was probably done at that time, as there is no further mention of the Social Library.

The association held their meetings and had their library in various rooms; but for several years their library and reading-room was in Bowman's Block, over the Whig and Courier office, Kenduskeag Bridge.

There is no mention of a Librarian previous to 1847. Mr. Thomas Smith was appointed that year, and held the office till April 1, 1869, at which time he resigned, being quite advanced in years. E. H. Carr was ap- pointed in his place.

January 27, 1871, the Mercantile Association moved their library, reading-rooms, etc., to the new rooms fitted up for them in Kenduskeag Block.

May 23, 1871, they voted to change the name of their association to the Bangor Library Association.

In 1870 the association was involved in debt, and therefore considered the matter of transferring their property to the Mechanics' Association, on condition that the latter would assume the liabilities of the Library Association, and also admit all the citizens of Bangor to the use of their books and the privileges of member- ship. By December of that year the association was $3,500 in debt, and on the 15th of the month they voted to transfer their entire library and all other property of the association to the Mechanics' Association. Janu- ary 27, 1874, the transfer was accomplished.

At the last meeting of the Mercantile, July roth following, a final statement of the financial standing of the association showed that all indebtedness had been can- celled, and that a balance of $357.35 had been passed into the treasury of the Bangor Mechanics' Association, with assessments further amounting to more than $100. The thanks of the association were tendered to the re- porting officer, Treasurer F. M. Sabine, who had held the office from the organization of the association in 1843, a period of thirty-one years of gratuitous service. It was voted that all books, papers, etc., of the society (records of treasurer and secretary) be turned over to the Bangor Mechanics' Association; and the association ad- journed to meet no more.

WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION .*

In 1874 the pioneers of the Women's Christian Tem- perance Union were among the women of Bangor whose hearts the stories of their sisters' thrilling deeds in the West had kindled to a like warfare of love.

They were a part of the earnest, determined band which, in March of that year, formed themselves into "The Women's Temperance Crusade," in response to the following paragraph in the Daily Whig of March 3-the first summons to the new movement :

A meeting is to be held in Temperance Hall at 2 o'clock next Thurs- day afternoon, to organize a praying band of ladies who will visit the saloons in the city after the manner of similar organizations in the West.

Some of them were among the most active and ener_ getic workers in that time of inspiration and of hope, as well as among the small number, fervent and faithful, who might well be called the prayer-mothers of that associa- tion. One of them has been spoken of as "the grand, fervent, and maternal presence to whom all hearts spon- taneously turned for a leader;" and one was the devoted, efficient, and gifted secretary,-first of the Crusade, and then of the Union, -whose "labors more abundant " from that time to this have filled the whole of her heart and her life.

Within a year and a half from the organization of the Crusade, the Reform Club, of men redeemed from the spells of the poison-cup through the influence of this mother-society, had taken an engrossing place in its char- ities and labors, and the devoted desire to "stand by our fallen brothers" seemed to eclipse that radiant zeal for the removal of the tempting demon which had been the first inspiration of the Crusade.

Our little handful of pioneers, regretting the narrowed scope of a work whose possibilities were daily broaden- ing before them, and drawn anew by the tidings of the Woman's National Union, then just entering upon its comprehensive warfare, began-first individually, and then collectively-to see some important things waiting to be done which no exisitng organization even attempted; and conscience said to them, "These things may be the very work appointed of God for you."

While cordially approving and sympathizing in the work of the Crusade, and wishing them a hearty God- speed in its continuance, they could not bear to be them- selves unfaithful to the light they saw, by turning away from the many avenues of work which opened before them. They longed, among other things, to try what their feeble efforts might do, if sustained and energized by a Higher Power, to arouse the churches to a keener appreciation of the terrible curse, and a more earnest and systematic participation in the warfare against it, than it seemed to them then existed ; " they longed to lend hand and soul to their sisters in other States, whose battle is so hard and faithful against the legalized traffic in death ;" and many other longings filled their hearts and beckoned them on.

They believed also that two associations could carry out these desires, in addition to doing the work of the Crusade, far better than one; but the struggling, half-

* By the great kindness and self-sacrificing labor of a member, whose name appears with honor in our Literary Chapter.

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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

defined hope within them pointing to a new organization, was indulged only in the spirit shown to be still existing by the first annual report : "We remain in friendly and unaffected good will towards all the associations which are unselfishly laboring for the removal of the great curse. It is designed not to antagonize, but to supple- ment and fulfil."

The decision, however, to form another organization was not hastily made, nor without deliberation and prayer. For many weeks after this partial revealing of a new way, they met weekly for prayer and conference. Cour- age came with prayer. Their hope grew stronger daily and their purpose clearer. Their first quickening thought had come in the early winter; but the month of May had almost dropped its last blossoms, and the decisive step was not yet taken. If they unconsciously waited for a sign, such as was given to holy men of old on occasions when their faith strode less like a conqueror than in those days it was wont to do, such a token came.

At this crisis, when the embryo power seemed all ready to speak and move-and did not-but waited for the Al- mighty to breathe into it a living soul, these ladies learned that the "Women's International Temperance Confer- ence," which had been appointed for June 12, at Phila- delphia, had received, as yet, no greeting from the State which aspires to be leader in the noble work of law, and that no one of her daughters had been commissioned as a delegate. This was the "dew on the fleece" that con- firmed their shrinking hearts. For had they not acted now, and formed themselves into a body authorized to send such delegate, their State, with her splendid record for temperance shining on her statute books, would have had no representation in one of the noblest of the world's conventions.

Pressed by this urgent motive, they hastened at once (June 6, 1876), to organize themselves into a new associ- ation, and to give it the name of "The Women's Chris- tian Temperance Union." Immediately after, according to the record of the Corresponding Secretary, "they elected and qualified as a delegate to the 'International Conference,' Mrs. Benjamin Plummer, whose understand- ing testimony to the efficacy, both of our noble law and of the "Women's Movement," was eagerly listened to and could not have been spared from the conference, as the only voice raised there for the Commonwealth which has so many years been banner-bearer in the great social re- form, and for the city which, first in New England, re- flected the light of the Western beacon-fires."

After addressing a letter of sisterly greeting to "The Women's Temperance Crusade," and establishing their weekly business meeting and an open prayer-meeting, to which they hoped to draw many other temperance-loving Christians, the little "Union " was fairly launched upon its work.

Using the Corresponding Secretary's annual reports as the substance of our story, we will give a sketch of this work for the five years of its existence, joining her record of '76-'77 on to our imperfect beginning, at the month of July :

In July we began a series of prayer and conference meetings with the

churches, which proved a blessing to ourselves and, we believe, a boon to those who received us. We sought to carry our work of prayer and of Christian endeavor against the great evil into every church, to be strengthened by their sympathies, and perchance to speak a word of awakening, if any careless sons and daughters were too much at ease in Zion.

In this plan we were met with courtesy and God-speed by nearly all the pastors. In the meetings they joined with us heart and voice, and the doors were opened to us of all the Protestant churches except two, in which women's speaking is much against the traditions. We held nine such meetings between July 23 and January 14.

The round of the churches having thus been made, in February the Union invited the pastors to co-operate with us in establishing a monthly union prayer-meeting of all the societies. Their co-operation was promised, and on Monday evening, February 19th, the first such meeting was held in the Union Street Methodist church, and we looked forward to another course of happy and successful effort in this direc- tion.

These meetings were, however, unexpectedly prevented by the Rev. G. F. Pentecost's visit to the city at that time. His religious meetings "awoke a greater interest than has been seen in the place for many years, absorb- ing the attention of the churches, as well as bringing in scores of the hitherto indifferent.

The multitude of meetings which resulted from this visit left no room for the monthly prayer-unions.

The Union held this year, besides the meetings just named, and those held weekly, four public meetings at City Hall, two of which were for lectures by the brilliant lecturer, Professor George E. Foster, of Fredericton, and by the popular speaker, Mrs. Abby S. Doutney, of Mas- sachusetts; occasional prayer-meetings at private houses, and one at the jail.

Another series of gatherings also, of a different nature, are yet to be added, viz., mission meetings at the Maine Central Depot, commenced on Sunday afternoon, May 6th.

"The work has been continued for the succeeding Sundays," says the Secretary on June 6th, "some clergy- men and some singers giving us most welcome aid. We have had meetings of deep interest, and in those throngs of young hearts hungering for the bread of life we find a call to gratefully devote to the service of God and hu- manity, in this Mission, more of time, of strength, of whatever gift may be ours, than ever before."

During the summer of 1876 the members of the Union commenced visiting the rumsellers of the city (the visi- tors, at one time, never exceeding two in number); for they felt that-

For that chiefest robber who robs his brother of his soul, if he is chief of sinners, he most needs our redeeming love.

This effort of Christian charity was begun August 29, 1876, and sus- tained at irregular intervals till May 1, 1877, when it was made a regu- lar weekly business. Those who visit are sustained by the prayers which are offered for them at home, and are led on by the unspeakable pity which sees precious manhood, time, and all divine gifts squandered in the gambling, profanity, drunkenness, idleness, degradation, and despair of these dens of iniquity. Our pledges have been accepted by some whom we find there, as well as by many others.

The Union commenced the work of tract distribution in the City Soup-house in January, 1877.

Temperance documents and papers, religious tracts, and a variety of interesting reading matter were procured by gift and purchase, accord- ing to our means, and received at the Soup-house with greatest pleas- ure by the children, by the countrymen, and in short, by all classes. A weekly distribution was continued there till the Soup-house was closed, April 7th.

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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY MAINE.

This work soon expanded into a more general distri- bution.

Several of the religious publishing houses gave us freely of their issues, which, with temperance and other papers, have been systematically dis- tributed in the jail and lockup, in rum-shops, and sailor boarding- houses, and in some business streets.

The police-station was visited with coffee and the pledge for the unfortunate waifs, thrown in there day to day by the "crime of crimes," from March 4 to April 8, when other workers became interested and undertook the mission.

In active support of the national work we have tried to contribute our mite, having sent 118 subscriptions to the newspaper organ of the society. We have had the satisfaction of witnessing the growth of a marked interest in the State and National work.

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History of Penobscot County, Maine; with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 185

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