USA > Maine > Piscataquis County > History of Piscataquis County, Maine : from its earliest settlement to 1880 > Part 18
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- But some characteristic incidents came to the surface in connection with this campaign, which deserve to be related to complete its history. Capt. Chase, knowing well that raw recruits were not always reliable in the face of an en- emy, contrived to have a report brought along, while on the march, that the enemy was near, and that they must pre- pare at once for battle. This was solely to try their courage. He had faced the Red coats in open fight, and a few stirring words magnetized his brave volunteers, so that they pre- pared for action, and advanced with firm steps to meet their foes. But as none were there, no battle was fought and they only showed what they meant to do. But this feint, so well intended and so well disposed of, opened a loop-hole to the foul breath of slander. So it was bruited about that, when this fearful notice was served upon the company, the whole of them, except the Captain, took to the woods, each posting himself behind 'a tree so as to fire upon their ap- proaching assailants from a good ambush. But the sharp- est cut was, that one of the officers took care to be far in the rear, so that he might surely intercept every one that at- tempted a retreat. Now it is easy to see through this gos- samer-covered scandal." It should be charged upon the son of some Tory, though it is said that the Tories of the revolu- tion never left any children,-none that would acknowl- edge so unpopular an origin. But was not this the natural
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THE MARCH TO BANGOR.
fabrication of a guilty conscience? Might not some one who felt the twinges of remorse for not shouldering his musket and rushing to the defence of our invaded soil, have got up such an ingenious subterfuge, to allay those pangs, and to join in the laugh with other cowardly exempts, though it cast con- tempt upon those who hazarded so much, even though they found so little to do ?
Gentlemen in Bangor were so well pleased with the readi- ness and valor of these back settlers, that they requested them to organize a volunteer company of minute-men.
Enough in Foxcroft and Dover heartily and promptly re- sponded to this call, to form such a company. William Thayer of Foxcroft was chosen captain, Job Parsons, lieu- tenant, Dennis Lambert, ensign, and Nathaniel Chamber- lain, clerk,-the last three all of Dover. This shows that public confidence was not shaken in some of those maligned so ungenerously by the above reports. I copy the following from J. S. Holmes' record: "This company met frequently to improve themselves in military arts and discipline, and continued as a company, observing good regulations, and due respect for their 'officers, until peace was proclaimed be- tween England and the United States. They then met in February, 1815, and disbanded themselves. Three or four gallons of spirit had been sent to the clerk by gentlemen in Bangor, as a testimonial of their high consideration of the patriotic conduct of this company. And when the company met for the last time under this voluntary organization, it was to celebrate the return of peace, and to cast aside those martial distinctions with which rapacious war had induced them to invest themselves. But the present from Bangor was the most powerful stimulant of the occasion. Over this, and by this, they made merry, rejoicing loud and long that victory had declared in favor of their espoused cause, and that war and bloodshed had ceased to desolate the land."
This capture of Bangor revived the Indian scare, and awakened more stirring alarms than had formerly existed. Many now felt that this would surely arouse all their savage
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HISTORY OF PISCATAQUIS COUNTY.
thirst for blood and carnage, and would embolden them to fall at once upon the defenceless back settlers. The men shuddered, the women turned pale, the children frantic and trembling, knew not what to do. Public defence was out of the question, as the wary savage would creep stealthily from his ambush. As the men and boys were sweating among the black logs, they would cast an eager glance toward the dark forest, to see if these red-skinned marauders were not advancing upon them. But with the darkness of night came the most fearful forebodings. Then, like the wild beast of the forest, the Indian made his assault. So, on retiring to rest, the doors were doubly barred, axes put with- in, the musket loaded, the bayonet fixed, and the gun hung where, at the least sound of approach, it could be seized in the thickest darkness. But this gradually subsided. There was no sound of war, no savage outbreak to justify these fears or to brand this small dwindling tribe with any intend- ed barbarities.
But before we ridicule these fears and sneer at the alarms of those early settlers, let us put ourselves in their places, and honestly conclude what we should have done in such a crisis. Bear in mind that the writer, though then in the county, was too young to be stricken with these fears.
THE COLD SEASONS.
The cold seasons mark an 'era, sadly memorable in the his- tory of Piscataquis valley. The fertility of the soil none doubted, its tall, sturdy, primeval growth conclusively proved it. When these forests began to be broken, the clearings were more frosty than more open lands in the same latitude. Up to 1815, the seasons were generally favorable, and good crops were harvested, except the late planted, a frequent event in new settlements.
New comers continually arriving called for quite a sur- plus, and in this land of plenty, teams which came to move in new settlers, were often loaded back with wheat, so abundant- ly did these new lands produce it. But in 1815, a change
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THE COLD SEASONS.
came over all New England. In this portion, the corn was all killed by an early frost, and other crops were seriously diminished. With this, came hard times around those cab- in doors. Many with large families had looked the hard- ships of a new settlement in the face, to obtain bread more easily, but dismayed by this failure, they knew not how to "keep the wolf from the door."
But the year 1816 was still colder. On the 29th and 30th days of May, snow fell to the depth of five inches. From the sixth to the tenth of June, there were frequent snow squalls, and every morning the surface of the ground was found frozen. Every month through the summer, frost was visible, and on the sixth of October, three inches of snow again fell. From this time, cold weather prevailed, and an early winter came upon them. No corn was raised this year in any part of northern New England. In some por- tions drought prevailed, but in this region there was an ex- cess of rain as well as of cold. Early sowed rye and wheat ripened, but much of that year's product was pinched, and po- tatoes came in light and watery. In 1817, but little corn was planted, and that failed to get ripe, but other crops were bet- ter than those of the previous year. This summer there was a great scarcity of provisions in all this new region. Corn was nearly unknown. It could be brought from Bangor only on horseback, and this was but rarely attempted.
Wheat sold for three dollars per bushel, rye for two dol- lars, and potatoes for seventy-five cents. Some able bodied men traveled six miles, and worked all day at reaping, to ob- tain one peck of rye to carry back to their needy families. And one peck of wheat per day was the common wages of any laborer. Only those who cleared sunny slopes and sowed early, were sellers, and they profited by their good luck. Among these, Leonard Dearth of Sangerville was un- usually successful, harvesting twenty-five acres of good wheat in the coldest season. But he sold to the poorest and the hungriest, at the highest price, and he did not round the measure. Nor was he afterward more prosperous in his bus- iness than others. He has recently died, aged eighty-eight.
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HISTORY OF PISCATAQUIS COUNTY.
Many shifts and turns were made to arrest the cravings of hunger. Raspberries grew in rich abundance, and these, with a few morsels of bread, and the milk of their cows, con- stituted the evening meal of many a sad, weary and hungry family. Others gathered certain kinds of weeds, clover heads and nutritious plants, stewed them, and adding milk and butter, fed upon them until they could secure some- thing better.
The year 1818 was unusually warm and promising. A large breadth of corn was planted, which ripened, and filled these settlements with bread. Had not every barn, chamber and barrel been absolutely empty, they would have been troub- led to find room for it. The next winter, wheat sold in Ban- gor for only seventy-five cents per bushel.
These cold seasons greatly retarded the settlement of this county, and embarrassed the pioneers, already here. Some gave up their clearings, and returned to their former places of residence. Others caught the Ohio fever, and, if able, made their way westward. Others exhausted the means which they had brought to purchase land and put up build- ings with, in supplying their needy families. This left them poor, and for a long time they remained so.
Usually a fair crop of corn has been harvested in this county. Early frosts occasionally injure it. In 1832 only, since these cold seasons, has it been a complete failure, but for several years following, it was an uncertain crop, and a less amount planted. But now, if properly cultivated, it is as sure here as in any part of northern New England.
The winter of 1835 was unusually cold. More than once the mercury sank to its freezing point, deep and drifting snows were frequent, and they lingered long in the lap of spring. On the first day of April, a solid mass of snow four feet deep lay on the ground from Monson to Moosehead Lake. Nor did it then soon waste. Through that month, there was sledding from Shirley to the lake. In the first part of May, the weather was still cold, and the snows dis- solved slowly. On the 25th day, banks of snow were still lingering in open land, and ice still covered the mill-pond in
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THE GREAT FIRE.
Shirley. But that day was warm and summer-like. Before the sun sank below the horizon, the snow-banks and ice dis- appeared. It continued warm, and in four days the trees were showing their opening leaves. Crops started and grew rapidly, there was no killing frost, until the sixth of Sep- tember, and a good harvest crowned the labors of the year. After this, the seasons were more favorable.
THE GREAT FIRE.
The most severe and extensive calamity that ever befell this county was the great fire of 1825. Previously the an- nual rain-fall had been sufficient to secure good crops, and to prevent extensive conflagrations. But in August and Sep- tember of that year no rain fell, and a severe drought exten- sively prevailed. The crops had grown and ripened. By the beginning of October, the wells were without water, the small mill streams had failed, the brooks ceased to flow, and the fish gathered in the deep pools, or lay dead upon their dry, stony beds. Much of the cleared land contained decay- ing stumps, and was inclosed with log fences, while the stub- ble upon the grain and mowing fields was thick and rank, and all as dry as tinder. Still those who were clearing up new land, in their eagerness to burn off the fallen growth, set fires as fearlessly as ever. And these fires did not go out, but lingered and smouldered still.
In the evening of October 7th, after a still, smoky day, a violent gale arose from the north and north-west, fanning these smouldering fires into a furious and rushing blaze. In the wood-lands the flames rolled on in solid column, while the wind scattered the sparks and blazing fragments like chaff, lighting up stumps, fences, and often the dry stubble. Everybody was awake. Men and boys were hurried to the earlier points of danger, but were soon summoned back to fight the fire from their own threatened dwellings. Wooden fences were torn down, if near buildings; back fires were set, to singe off the stubble, and burn up stumps, when the fire could be kept under control; water was hauled from the living
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HISTORY OF PISCATAQUIS COUNTY.
fountains, to keep back the fiery deluge, and save their homes from devouring flames. Thus it was through that memora- bly terrible night. As morning broke, the wind subsi- ded, the fires lulled away, relieving the terror-stricken and weary inhabitants. Then a dense and distressing smoke cov- ered the land, darkening the air beyond the limits of our State. Near the fire this was painful to the eyes, and so af- fected the lungs that some of the cattle fell sick by it. For more than a week this continued, then a slight fall of rain dissipated the smoke and nearly extinguished the remaining fire. Soon after, a heavy rain broke the drought and filled the wells and streams.
Almost every man's wood-land had been burnt over, and much of its growth killed; large tracts of timber-land had been severely injured; and many buildings destroyed. In Guilford, four sets of farm buildings well finished and fur- nished, with all their contents, were destroyed; several in Parkman shared the same fate, and others in several towns were swept away. In Medford, the loss in pine and other timber was heavy, but in other parts, the best timber land was spared, though the fire had marked its way from Moose- head Lake across the county. None of the buildings de- stroyed were insured, but help for the sufferers was widely solicited, and liberally obtained, for many felt that they had but just escaped a like serious disaster. Indeed, many houses had been cleared of their contents, as their destruction seem- ed inevitable, but a favorable change saved them. The writer witnessed some of these scenes, and faced some of these trials. They have not, they cannot, fade from his memory.
A thrifty forest growth now succeeds those branchless, blackened trunks left by the raging element; better fences have replaced those which then added fuel to the flame; other buildings have arisen over the ashes of those demolished, for nature and necessity are both reformers, and a full half cen- tury rears up lasting monuments to remind us of its flight.
CHAPTER XXVII.
ECCLESIASTICAL SKETCHES.
LIKE all new settlements, this county in its incipient stages of religious life and action, labored under two formid- able difficulties. The greater part of its early settlers were irreligious, and indifferent to the introduction and progress of religious institutions; and while struggling with the hardships unavoidable in pioneer life, it was easy to contin- ue in the neglect of them. Again, when these settlements were commenced, all the prevailing religious denominations were in active existence. So those who professed religion . differed in sentiment, and could not readily amalgamate. To combine in a union church or society, then, was less easy than now. So the work was begun from without. Mis- sionary societies sent the first preachers into these new parts, and by their labors the first churches were planted. Such societies then existed, and there were men of God willing to press their way into these remote settlements, sometimes traveling on foot, to preach Christ crucified to these back settlers.
For convenience' sake, the subject will be pursued denom- inationally, arranging the churches of each according to their respective dates. We begin with the
CALVINIST BAPTIST.
Toward the close of 1807, Elder Thomas Macomber of Sumner, and Elder Nathaniel Gould of Vassalborough, were sent by the Baptist Missionary Society, on an exploring tour into these frontier settlements. In Amestown, now Sanger- ville, they found only thirteen resident families. Here they
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HISTORY OF PISCATAQUIS COUNTY.
preached the word, an interest was awakened, and soon twelve persons were ready to be organized into a Baptist church. In January, 1808, one was duly organized, the first in the county. It rose in numbers to twenty-three members, and eventually became connected with the Bow- doinham Association.
Mr. William Oakes, already a member of the Canaan Bap- tist church, was reclaimed from a back-slidden state, and not long afterward was licensed to preach. He led their meet- ings, and preached and attended funerals in the adjoining settlements, and eventually, was ordained by a Council in Canaan. An attempt was afterward made to vote him the "minister lot " in Sangerville, but the town refused. Elder Oakes again lapsed into various inconsistencies, was called to account and suspended from the ministry. By this time, this church in Amestown had been weakened by backslidings, and difficulties had arisen among its members, it held no regular meetings, and ordinances were abandoned, and it was dropped from the Association and became extinct. It might have been gathered too hastily, and some of its materials evidently needed a careful scrutiny and a constant watching not then readily enjoyed. It was in this church that Daniel Ames, already quite conspicuous, had a standing, but he never renewed his connection with any other.
Elder Oakes did not prove to be utterly graceless, but after a few years of wandering, both in faith and practice, returned with professed penitence, and regained his standing in the church and in the ministry. He labored as a temporary sup- ply in various places, and often with apparent success, but never was a permanent pastor.
GUILFORD.
From 1808, soon after Dea. Robert Herring moved into the settlement, religious meetings were statedly held. Baptist ministers early and frequently visited the place, and in 1813, Elder Robert Low organized a church of thirteen members, most of them dismissed from the Baptist church in New
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BAPTIST.
Gloucester. This church held on its way and enjoyed a healthy growth. Persons of this denomination who settled in adjoining towns, sought a home in it until they were ready to colonize and form one by themselves. In 1815, Elder Thomas Macomber visited this people, and measures were taken to settle him, and he received the minister's lot of 320 acres. He moved into the place in 1816. Soon after, a re- vival was enjoyed, which strengthened the church. Again, in 1827, an extensive revival prevailed, which brought many into the church, increasing its membership to more than 100. This was the most extensive, protracted and effective revival this town has ever enjoyed. Its influence was felt for sev- eral years, and many still survive who cherish a grateful rec- ollection of it.
In the spring of 1831, this society raised a meeting-house, the first in town, and dedicated it, July 4, 1833, Rev. R. C. Spaulding preaching the sermon. In 1835, Elder Macomber retired from his active pastorate, and afterward preached oc- casionally in other places, as he was able. He had received during his ministry, one hundred and eighteen persons to the church. Aside from the "lot of land," and a share in the annual income of a small ministerial fund, he received no stipulated salary; but he labored, working with his own hands, to provide for a large family, as Baptist ministers then generally did.
. Elder Macomber was not educated in the schools, but was evidently taught of the Spirit. He was not a great preacher, but a safe teacher, guide and overseer. Many may excel him in the required qualifications for the pulpit of the present times, who could well have sat at his feet for lessons of thorough Christian experience. Through his mis- sionary labors in other places, souls were converted and foundations for other churches laid.
He remained in town till his last summons came, and died, December 18th, 1852, aged seventy-eight, highly esteemed for his every day piety. After Elder Macomber's retire- ment, an educated ministry was sought and pecuniary sup-
1
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HISTORY OF PISCATAQUIS COUNTY.
port was required. This church came up to this new de- parture with commendable readiness. Elder D. E. Burbank, a young man from Waterville College, was the next per- manent supply, and his labors were cheered with conver- sions and additions. But his health was poor, and after two years he tendered his resignation, and in a few years closed his earthly career in East Winthrop, dying at an early age. Revs. Lucius Bradford, T. Goldthwaite, L. Kingman, O. B. Walker, and others for a short period, from 1857 to 1873, have supplied this church, dividing their labors with some neighboring place.
Revs. C. M. Herring, A. J. Nelson and E. B. Haskell were reared up in this church. It has passed through vari- ous trials, but always stood firm as a pillar and ground of the truth. Rev. J. F. Norris supplied it in 1878, and its present membership is seventy-three, as reported in the min- utes of 1879. Elder Norris left in 1879, and resumed mis- sionary labors in Burmah, and this church is now destitute'.
DOVER, NOW SOUTH DOVER.
. This was organized, June 20th, 1818, consisting of six members. In 1822, Elder Nathaniel Robinson moved into town and became its pastor. He received one half the lot of land reserved for the first settled minister, and dwelt upon it. Their place of meeting was in the Lambert neighbor- hood. The church grew under Elder Robinson's care, at one time numbering more than seventy members. For sev- eral years no other meeting was held in town, and the popu- lation was steadily increasing. In 1834, Elder Robinson closed his labors with this church, to engage in Bible dis- tribution. Rev. J. F. Page succeeded him. A meeting- house was built in 1838, and the church took the name of South Dover. In 1826, a Free Baptist church was organized in the same neighborhood and eventually purchased one half of the meeting-house, and they now alternate in the use of it, each having preaching one half of the time. This
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BAPTIST.
church now reports a total of forty-four members. Elder Robinson possessed very good native endowments, but was not much indebted to early training. He was an easy, logical speaker, a man of the positive, decided cast, in forming, hold- ing and expressing his opinions, more outspoken in declar- ing his opposition to what he disapproved of, than his dis- senting brethren always relished. He was quite an organ- izer, well acquainted with human nature, having a good share of worldly wisdom, and unavoidably influential. He would make personal sacrifices for the cause of Christ, and readily encourage any movement that promised good to Zion or the elevation of depressed humanity. After closing his ministry in Dover, he left the place, and eventually died, I think, in Bangor, at a very old age.
PARKMAN.
Many of the early settlers of this town were Baptists. These united, as they scattered in, with the church in Guil- ford. In August, 1818, eighteen persons were formed into a separate church, Joshua Coburn and Peter Cummings being chosen Deacons. Mr. Zenas Hall, who had been licensed by the church in Guilford, was then supplying them, and through his labors, a religious interest had been awakened. He was invited to settle with them, and was ordained as pastor, January 14th, 1819. Eventually he received the minister lot, but by agreement relinquished a part of it to the Universalists and Methodists. He was an industrious man, an active citizen, an earnest preacher, and an exemplary Christian.
No other meetings for several years were held in town, re- vivals were frequent, and the church steadily increased. El- der Hall obtained a greater influence over that people than any other minister ever swayed in the county. At length the temperance reform commenced, and his position and course in regard to it has been stated in the history of Park- man.
In December, 1831, they completed and dedicated a meet-
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HISTORY OF PISCATAQUIS COUNTY.
ing-house, the second in the county, and a revival followed its early occupancy.
Elder Hall continued to labor successfully with this people until 1845, and then removed to Ohio. He left a church of nearly two hundred members strongly attached to him. He lived in the Western States until the Great Rebellion. His visit to his early friends, and the change in his views have been already given.
After Elder Hall's removal, the church obtained supplies, but was never so prosperous, and steadily declined in its membership. It enjoyed a revival last winter, and now re- ports a total of sixty-eight, and sustains preaching one-half of the time, the Free Baptist occupying their meeting-house the other half.
SANGERVILLE.
This was organized in February, 1823, and Mr. Daniel Bartlett from Hartford was ordained as its pastor. Revivals ensued, and the church rose rapidly to a large membership. Elder Bartlett's health failed, he was afflicted by the loss of his wife, difficulties arose, and he left the place in 1827. In 1830, a meeting-house was raised at the village, but it was not completed until 1835, and then it was owned in part by other denominations. In 1831, another extensive revival was enjoyed under the labors of Rev. Philip Chamberlain, and the membership of the church rose to 120. Serious dif- ficulties then arose in the church, discipline reduced its mem- bership, and deaths and emigration carried off some of its most substantial members. Rev. Atherton Clark was em- ployed to supply it, in 1836, but the depletion still went on. In 1839, a second church of eleven members was organized ·in the south part of the town, and this reduced the old church still more. It maintained worship a part of the time until 1847, and then it was dropped from the Association. The second church was always small, some of its members still survive, but this, too, has been dropped from the Association, making three Baptist churches which have existed, and be-
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