USA > Maine > York County > Saco > History of Saco and Biddeford, with notices of other early settlements, and of proprietary governments, in Maine, including the provinces of New Somersetshire and Lygonia > Part 27
USA > Maine > York County > Biddeford > History of Saco and Biddeford, with notices of other early settlements, and of proprietary governments, in Maine, including the provinces of New Somersetshire and Lygonia > Part 27
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HISTORY OF SACO
vicinity, offer a rare combination of facilities for the erec- tion of extensive works.
The Lumber trade has long been the principal branch of business on Saco river. In early times the mills were supplied with logs from the forests in the vicinity of the Falls ; in the former part of the last century, they were procured at the distance of a few miles above the mills. In the winter of 1772, it is said, a few persons for the first time ascended the river as far as Fryeburg in quest of timber, and finding an abundance, turned the attention of millmen to that region for their future supplies. After the war the number of mills was increased. Before the year 1800, seventeen saws were in operation about the Falls, viz. on the western side 4, Gooch island 4, Spring's is- land 4, Indian island.2, the east side 3. The treble mill on Indian island was built soon after that time. Those on Spring's island were erected by Capts. Seth Spring and Moses Bradbury, 1794-8. There were others on the small streams in different parts of both towns. The quantity of boards sawed per day (24 hours) has been estimated at fifty thousand feet. The only intermission from the la- bor of the mills has invariably been from sunset on Satur- day, to the same hour on Sunday .* There were grist- mills on both sides of the river. A Fulling mill was built on what is now called Thacher's creek by Capt. Brad- bury, 1788 ; since removed to Spring's island. About 8000 yards of cloth are dressed in it per year. Capt. Bradbury built the first house on the island 1795, and re- moved to it. Soon after, Capt. Spring built his western bridge ; and, in 1797-8, the eastern one.
The manufacture of clapboards, shingles, and lathes, has been attended to at different times on a small scale. A mill is now owned by Mr. Abel Hersey, which con- tains machines for sawing these articles. About 70 M. clapboards and 300 M. lathes are annually turned out. Considerable quantities of staves, &c. have been, and are still furnished for the market. In the year 1826, the fol-
: *The property in a saw consists of 24 parts called days ; a person owning one day is entitled to the use of the mill (if single) one day per month. One fourth of a single sawmill is 6 days ; of a double one, 12 days. The subdivisions are carried to hours and minutes.
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lowing exports were made to foreign ports : 1,340,663 feet of boards; 65,200 staves ; 276 M. shingles ; 1616 shocks and heading; 4000 hoops. The year ending Sept. 30, 1827, the amount of lumber sawed was 21 million feet, the greatest part of which was carried to Boston, Providence, and New York.
The amount of registered tonnage in the district of Saco and Biddeford, 1820, was 11SS tons, including 248 temporary ; enrolled, 2059; licensed under twenty tons 116. At the present time, the registered tonnage is 2009 tons, 81 temporary ; enrolled 2250 tons ; licen- sed under twenty, 112 tons. The average number of tons built, per annum, during ten years ending 1829, is nearly 650 tons. The greatest amount for one year in that period, was in 1825, viz. 1679 tons.#
By the returns made to the Legislature 1820, the amount of tillage land in Saco, was 763 acres; mowing 3246 acres, including 193 salt marsh ; pasturage, 3459 acres. Annual products ; 6189 bus. Indian corn ; 248 bus. wheat ; 369 bus. rye ; 316 bus. oats ; 1334 bus. barley ; tons of hay : 1804 upland ; 351 fresh meadow ; 97 salt.
*The destruction of several fine ships in this port during the last war, by the British, is worthy of notice. June 16, 1814, the Bul- wark 74, (carrying about ninety guns.) David Millne Commander, anchored 23 miles east from Fletcher's Neck ; five large boats, con- taining about 150 men well armed, were soon after despatched from the ship, who at first landed on Stage island. After remaining there a few minutes, as if deliberating whether to ascend the river, they passed over to the Neck, where Capt. Thomas Cutts met" them with a white flag, and asked the leader of the party, whose name was Sey- mour, his intentions. He answered-"to destroy the place." Capt. Cutts, who resided on the Neck, and had gathered much valuable property around him, then enquired if he would not negotiate for the value of the property in money ; and was referred to Capt. Millne, who soon after came ashore in his gig. The Capt. said he had posi- tive orders to destroy property, and would accept no terms. The men in his presence set fire to the hull of a new ship, 265 tons bur- then, valued at $=000; cut in pieces another on the stocks, 540 tons, which with the loss of timber exceeded $7000; and carried away & third, which Capt. Cutts afterwards ransomed for $6000. All these ; vessels were the property of the latter. The men also entered his . store and plundered from it goods to the value of $2000. They like- wise burned a small schooner, and a sloop of 50 or 60 tons, from Cape Cod. After committing this wanton and unjustifiable destruction of private property, they returned to the ship, and soon left the coast.
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In Biddeford ; tillage, 456 acres ; mowing 2222 acres, including 193 salt marsh ; pasturage, 1969. Annual products ; 3108 bus. Ind. corn ; 41 wheat; 41 rye ; 12 oats ; 1702 barley. Hay, 1203 tons upland ; 308 fresh meadow ; 116 salt.
A Post Office was established in Biddeford 1789 ; when Benjamin Hooper, Esq. was appointed Postmas- ter. Mr. Joseph Barnard, of Kennebunk, first carried the mail on this route, at first on horseback, afterwards in a light wagon. He was succeeded by the late Jo- siah Paine, Esq. of Portland, the enterprising contrac- tor who first introduced the use of coaches with four horses into this part of the country, and effected more to- wards promoting the facilities of travelling in Maine than any other individual. Mr. Hooper resigned the office of postmaster 1798 ; he died 1802, at the age of eighty two. His son, Daniel Hooper, Esq. was next appointed, and on his decease in 1800, was succeeded by William P. Hooper, Esq. Until 1802, the post office was kept at the public house of Messrs. Hoopers ; in that year it was removed to Cutts's island, where it continued till 1807, when it was removed to the village in Saco. The late John Cleaves, Esq. was appointed postmaster 1810, and has had two successors in the office.
The population of Biddeford by the first census, 1790, was 1018; in 1800, 1296; 1810, 1563; 1820, 1738. Saco, at the same times, had the following numbers : 1352, 1842, 2492, 2532. In the summer of 1829, the writer made an enumeration of the inhabitants of Saco, and found the number to be 3712, giving an increase over the census of 1820, (which is supposed to have been inaccurately taken,) of nearly twelve hundred. Instances of longevity have occurred in both towns, some of which were of a remarkable character. In Saco three persons have died at the age of 100 years ; viz. James Miller, 1764; Job Hanscomb, 1777 ; and the late venerable Deacon Amos Chase, who was born at Newbury 15 Jan- uary, 1718; and died 2 March 1818. From 1811 to 1828, forty two persons have reached or exceeded eighty years ; nine of whom were ninety or upwards. The num- ber of deaths during that period, at the average of 35 per
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AND BIDDEFORD.
annum, was 595. In 1815, the Rev. Mr. Cogswell com- puted the average number of deaths annually at 30. The oldest person known to have lived in Biddeford, was Pen- dleton Fletcher, who was born on Fletcher's Neck, where he died 1807, aged ninety nine years and six months. The oldest now living in that town is Daniel Tarbox, to whom the writer has been indebted for several local par- ticulars. Daniel was born at Winter Harbor, nearly ninety years ago, and was baptized by Rev. Mr. Willard.
The amount of money annually raised by Saco for the support of schools has not much varied from $1500, for several years, being $500 above the sum legally required. The town is divided into nine classes or districts. Two schools are supported in the central class throughout the year, and two additional during six months. In the other classes, the terms vary according to the number of pupils. SACO ACADEMY was incorporated 16 Feb. 1811, and endowed by the State with half a township, consisting of 11,520 acres of land. In consequence of a donation of $1000 to its funds by the late Marshal THORNTON, the Trustees gave his name to the institution. The Academy is now in a flourishing condition, under the highly appro- red preceptorship of Hezekiah Packard, jr. A. M. A private seminary denominated the "Classical School," is conducted by Phineas Pratt, A. M. A High School for young ladies, under the care of Miss A. Hall, was es- tablished in 1829, and continues to be liberally patroni- sed. There are other private schools in the village, in- tended for a younger class of pupils.
In Biddeford, the amount of school money raised an- nually has not exceeded $1200; the sum required by law is about $700. . A grammar school is supported du- ring the greater part of the year near the Falls, and the remainder of the money is distributed among ten classes.
The following list contains the names of persons born in Biddeford and Saco, who have been liberally educated, commencing with the former town. Harvard College. Samuel Jordan, 1750 ; second son of Capt. S. Jordan ; a representative of the town several years. He died of yellow fever, 1802, aged seventy three .* John Willard,
*The yellow fever has been brought into the river by vessels from
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HISTORY OF SACO
1751, minister of Stafford, Conn. He received a doc- torate in divinity from Yale College. Joseph Willard, 1765 ; D. D. LL. D. President of Harvard Coll. 1781- 1804. Jeremiah Hill, A. M. 1787. Mr. Hill entered college 1767, and left before his class graduated. He afterwards received the usual honors. Mr. Hill was en- gaged for a considerable period in mercantile business ; he 'represented the town in the General Court several years, and was through life an active, useful and promi- nent citizen. He died in June, 1820, aged seventy three. James Sullivan, 1790 ; the oldest son of Gov. Sullivan. He died at Boston soon after leaving College. William Sullivan, 1792 ; LL. D. Boston. Moses Porter, 1799. Abel Lawrence Peirson, 1812; M. D. Salem, Mass. George Thacher, 1812 ; A. M. Saco. Grenville Mel- len, 1818 ; A. M. North Yarmouth. Bowdoin College. Richard Cobb, 1806 ; A. M. Boston. Edward Henry Cobb, 1810; A. M. late of Portland. Frederic Mellen, 1823, Portland. Gorham Dean, 1825; a young gen- tleman of highly promising talents, who died at the close of his last collegiate year, in Providence, R. I. where he had gone for the benefit of his health.
SACO. Harvard College. Cadwallader Gray, 1784 ; a merchant at the Falls, afterwards of Buxton. James Gray, 1786. Richard Cutts, 1790 ; A. M. Washington, D. C. Gideon Tucker, 1820. Dartmouth College. Nathaniel Coffin, 1799 ; A. M. Wiscasset. Bowdoin
College. Seth Storer, 1807; A. M. Scarborough. (Office at Saco.) William Rufus King, 1823. Daniel Tristram Granger, 1826; Newfield. Joseph Warren Leland, 1826. Ichabod Goodwin Jordan, 1827. John Fairfield Hartley, 1829. Waterville College. Albert
the West Indies in at least three instances ; 1794, 1796, and 1802. The second time the whole number of persons who were sick, as we are informed by Dr. Porter, was 43, eleven of whom died. In June, 1802, a vessel came up to the wharf in Biddeford, with the infection on board, but it not being known for several days, many were ex- posed who fell victims to the disease. It soon spread throughout the neighborhood; of sixty three cases, says Dr. Porter, fourteen proved fatal. Those who survived the fourth day after the attack, generally recovered.
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Gallatin Lane, 1827; Belfast. Now in Bowdoin Coll. : George Washington Cole, William Vaughan Jordan, Seth Storer Green, Henry Gookin Storer. The number of gentlemen educated at College now resident in Saco, is fifteen ; viz. five graduates of Harvard, one of Dart- mouth, nine of Bowdoin.
SACO RIVER, (with a brief account of which we must conclude our inquiries,) is one of the largest in New England, yet being much broken in its course by falls, is not navigable to any considerable extent. It springs from three sources in the White Mountains ; the branch issuing from the southwest side of the mountains, near the Notch, is considered the main stream; next to this is the middle branch, which is the smallest ; and beyond is the branch called Ellis's river, which rises on the north- east side of the mountains, and after a course of about eighteen miles, unites with the main branch in the town of Bartlett. Cutler's and New rivers are mountain tor- rents that discharge into the Ellis. The Ammanoosuck, a branch of the Connecticut, rises within about two rods of the Saco, flowing in an opposite direction. The whole length of Saco river is estimated to be 160 miles; run- ning in its general course SSE, and discharging into the sea in latitude 43 degrees, 28 minutes ; longitude from Greenwich (London) 70 degrees, 26 minutes. The principal Falls are, the Great Falls, at Hiram, where the water descends 72 feet ; Steep Falls at Limington, 20 feet ; Salmon Falls, at Hollis and Buxton, 30 feet, and Saco Falls, 42 feet. The latter are about four miles from the mouth of the river. The ordinary rise of the water in the spring is from ten to fifteen feet, but in great fresh- ets it has been kuown greatly to exceed that number. A long storm which occurred in October, 1785, raised the river to an immense height, sweeping away mills and bridges, and inundating houses that stood in its vicinity. In 1814, there was the greatest freshet known since that of 1785 .* At such seasons the appearance of Saco Falls
*The view of the Falls prefixed to this volume, represents them during a rise of the river greater than is usually experienced. It was taken from below the bank nearly opposite the Nail Factory.
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HISTORY OF SACO
is truly sublime ; and formerly, before the scenery about them was destroyed, presented a spectacle of grandeur and beauty seldom equalled. From the mouth of the river a fine beach extends to the east about five miles, (formerly the travelled road,) called Old Orchard beach. This name arose from a growth of apple trees formerly near the beach, (below the schoolhouse,) planted at a very early period ; some of them remained as late as 1770. Another beach of less extent, but not inferior in other respects, is found at the Pool, connecting Fletcher's Neck with the main and forming the south shore of that peninsula. Its distance from the Falls is about nine miles.
The small streams by which different parts of Saco are watered, generally derive their origin from an immense bog, commonly called the Heath, and flow into the river and sea. On one of these, Foxwell's brook, there is a fine waterfall, with a descent of about sixty feet, surroun- ded by scenery of a wild and striking character.
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APPENDIX.
A. p. 18.
The passage of the Dutch author, De Laet, referred to as a trans- lation of Capt. Smith's notice of Saco river, and of the coast of Maine in general, is the following :
Ab hoc (i. e. amne Sagadehoc) versus occasum provincia Aucocisco [Casco] amplissimi sinus gremio praetenditur, multaeque insulae cum suis portubus per sinum sunt sparsae. Haud longe hinc Sowo- COTUCK ad angulum continentis qui latum sinum aperit arenoso quidem littore sed crebris insulis et cautibus illi objectis, aditu difficilem et non nisi minoribus navigiis. Quid multa ? tota haec ora a Penobscot huc usque, et longius a Pen. versus ortum, ejusmodi rupibus et saxosis insulis scatet, ut mirum sit tam procerarum arborum feracem esse, ne- - que quisquam hic est quod intuentes non magis deterreat quam afficiat ; tamen mare hic, si usquam, mire piscosum, and hae insulae tot arbori- bus amoenae, tot fontibus riguae, tam variis fructibus dites, tamque hic avium copia, ut non careat fide, licet littora tam aspera sint, tamen convalles et interiora Continentis facundissimo esse solo. Lib. iii. Cap. iii.
The "island of Bacchus," with which the French navigators were so much charmed, is doubtless Wood Island. At the present time, however, the vine is not found there, nor the walnut, although a great variety of growth still covers the island. Beech, Oak, Maple, Bass, (or lime tree, ) Ash, Fir or Spruce, Moose wood, Pine, Hornbeam, and Birch, overspread its surface, which consists of about thirtysix acres. In summer this island is a very delightful spot, not unworthy the ad- miration bestowed by the French. The other islands near the mouth of the river, in what was anciently called Saco BAY, are much smal- ler, and nearly destitute of vegetation ; Stage island, formerly called Gibbins' island, on which a monument is now erected, contains but five or six acres ; Basket island about four acres; the others (Eagle and Ram islands) are still less in extent.
B. p. 29.
Grant from the Council of Plymouth to Lewis and Bonython, now SACU.
TO ALL CHRISTIAN PEOPLE to whom this present writing indented shall come, the Council for the affairs of New England in America send Greeting in our Lord God Everlasting. Whereas, King James, of famous memory, late king of England, Scotland, France & Ireland, by his Highness's Letters Patent and Royal Grant, under the great seal of England, bearing date the third day of Nov. in the eighteenth year of his reign of England, France and Ireland, &c. for the cause therein expressed, did absolutely give, grant and confirm unto the said Council for the affairs of New England in A- merica, and their successors forever-All the Lands of New Eng-
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APPENDIX.
land lying and being from forty to forty-eight degrees of northerly latitude, and in length by all that breadth aforesaid from sea to sea, throughout the main land, together with all the Woods, Waters, Riv- ers, Soil, Havens, Harbors, Islands and other commodities whatso- ever thereunto belonging, with divers other privileges, preheminan- ces, profits and liberties, by sea and land, as by the said Letters Pa- tent, amongst other things contained, whereunto due relation being had more at large, it doth and may appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that the said Council for the affairs of New England in America, as well for and in consideration that Thomas Lewis, Gent. hath already been at the charge to transport himself and others to take a view of New England in America aforesaid, for the bettering of his experience in advancing of a Plantation, and doth now wholly intend, by God's assistance, with his associates, to plant there, both for the good of his Majesty's realms and dominions, and for the propagation of Christian Religion amongst those infidels, and in consideration also that the said Thomas Lewis, together with Capt. Rich. Bonython, and also with their associates and company, have undertaken at their own proper cost and charges, to transport fifty persons thither within seven years next ensuing, to plant and inhabit there, to the advancement of the general Plantation of that country and the strength and safety thereof amongst the natives or any other invaders. Also, for the encouragement of the said Thos. Lewis and Capt Richard Bonython and other their associates and assigns-and other good causes and considerations, the said Council thereunto moving :- Have given, granted, enfeoffed and confirmed, and by this their present writing do fully, clearly and absolutely give, grant, enfeoffe and confirm unto the said Thomas Lewis and Capt. Richard Bonython, their heirs and assigns, forever, all that part of the main land in New England in America aforesaid, commonly called or known by the name of Swanckadocke, or by whatsoever other name or names the same is or shall be hereafter called or known by, situated, lying and being between the Cape or Bay commonly called Cape Elizabeth, and the Cape or Bay commonly called Cape Por- poise, containing in breadth from northeast to southwest along by the sea, four miles in a straight line, accounting seventeen hundred and three score yards, according to the standard of England. to every mile, and eight English miles upon the main land, on the North side of the river Swanckadock after the same rate, from the sea through all the breadth aforesaid, together with all the Shores, C-eeks, Bays, Harbors and Coasts along the Sea within the limits and bounds afore- said, with the woods and islands next adjoining to the said land, not being already granted by the said Council unto any other person or persons ; together, also, with all the Lands, Rivers, Mines, Mine als of what kind or nature soever, Woods, Quarries, Marshes, Waters, Lakes, Fishings, Huntings, Hawkings, Fowlings, Commodities, Emol- uments and Hereditaments whatsoever, with all and singular their and every of their appurtenances in or within the limits or bounds aforesaid, or to the said Land lying within the said limits or bounds belonging, or in any wise appertaining-TO HAVE AND TO HOLD all and singular the said lands and premises with all and sin- gular the Woods, Quarries, Marshes, Waters, Rivers, Likes, Fish- ings, Hawkings, Huntings, Mines, Minerals of what kind or nature soever, Privileges, Rights, Jurisdictions, Liberties, Royalties, and all other Profits, Commodities, Emoluments and Hereditaments whats)- ever, before, in and by these Presents given and granted or herein
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mentioned, or intended to be hereby given or granted with their and every of their appurtenances and every part and parcel thereof (ex- cept before excepted) unto the said Thomas Lewis and Capt. Rich- ard Bonython, their heirs, associates and assigns forever, to the only proper use and behoof of the said Thomas Lewis and Capt. Richard Bonython, their heirs, associates and assigns forever, yielding and paying unto our Sovereign Lord the King one fifth part of Gold and Silver Ore, and another fifth part to the Council aforesaid, and their successors to be holden of the said Council and their successors by the rent hereafter in these presents reserved, yielding and paying therefor yearly forever unto the said Council, their successors or as- signs, for every hundred acres of the said land in use, twelve pence of lawful money of England into the hands of the Rent Gatherer (for the time being) of the said Council, their heirs or successors for all services whatsoever. And the said Council for the affairs of New England in America aforesaid, do by these presents nominate, de- pute, authorize, appoint and in their place and stead put Wm. Black- stoon, of New England aforesaid, Clark, William Jeffreys, and Edw. Hilton, of the same, Gent'n, and either or any of them jointly or sev- erally to be their lawful attorney or attorneys, and in their names and stead to enter into the said part or portion of Land, and other the premises with the appurtenances by these presents given and granted, or into some part thereof in the name of the whole, and pea- ceable and quiet possession and seizin thereof for them to take, and the same so liad and taken in their names and stead to deliver pos- session and seizen thereof unto the said Thomas Lewis and Capt. Richard Bonython, their heirs, associates and assigns, according to the tenor, form and effect of these presents, ratifying, confirming and allowing all and whatsoever the said attorney or attorneys or ei- ther of them shall do in and about the premises by virtue hereof. In witness whereof the said Council for the affairs of New England aforesaid have hereunto caused their comnion seal to be put, Giv- en the twelfth day of February, Anno Domini 1629, and in the fifth year of the reign of our sovereign Lord Charles, by the grace of God King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c.
R. WARWICK. [seal appending] EDW. GORGES.
June 28, 1631. Possession, livery and seizen given and delivered by the within named Edw. Hilton, Gent. one of the Commissioners nominated by the Lords of the Council for the affairs of New Eng- land, unto the within named Thomas Lewis, Gent. in the presence and sight of the persons under named. Tho. Wiggin, James Par- ker, Henry Watts, George Vahun.
A true copy of the original, received April 5, 1731- Attest, JAS. MOODY, Register.
Grant from the Council to Oldham and Vines, now BIDDEFORD.
TO ALL CHRISTIAN PEOPLE to whom this present writing indented shall come, the Council for the affairs of New England in America send Greeting in our Lord God Everlasting. Whereas. King James. of famous memory, late King of England, Scotland, France & Ireland, by his Highness's Letters Patent and Royal Grant, under the great Seal of England, bearing date the third of Novem- ber, in the eighteenth year of his reign of England, France and Ire- land, for the cause therein expressed, did absolutely give, grant and
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confirm unto the said Council for the affairs of New England in A- merica, lying and being from forty to forty-eight degrees of norther- ly latitude and in length by all that breadth aforesaid, from sea to sea throughout the main land, together with all the Woods, Waters, Rivers, Soils, Havens, Harbours, Islands and other Commodities whatsoever thereunto belonging, with divers other privileges, pre- heminances, profits and liberties, by sea and by land as by the said Letter Patents (amongst other things contained whereunto due rela- tion being had) more at large it doth and may appear.
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