USA > Maine > Knox County > South Thomaston > History of Thomaston, Rockland, and South Thomaston, Maine, from their first exploration, A. D. 1605; with family genealogies, Vol. I > Part 16
USA > Maine > Knox County > Rockland > History of Thomaston, Rockland, and South Thomaston, Maine, from their first exploration, A. D. 1605; with family genealogies, Vol. I > Part 16
USA > Maine > Knox County > South Thomaston > History of Thomaston, Rockland, and South Thomaston, Maine, from their first exploration, A. D. 1605; with family genealogies, Vol. I > Part 16
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This foothold being thus retained by the enemy in our im-
* Original letter, in possession of Mossrs E. & A. W. Brown, which, in a neat fair hand, on coarse paper, folded in square forin, with waxen seal. and no post-mark for the very good reason that there were no mails then, presents a very good specimen of the letters of those days.
Vor .. I. 12
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mediate vicinity, the militia of the regiment now under Col. Wheaton of this town were frequently called out, and more permanent detachments stationed in particular places. But the depredations of the British or their tory adherents, and the acts of retaliation and revenge which they gave rise to, had now arrived at their greatest height. One Capt. Pomeroy, a native of Meduncook, in a British privateer brig, on one occasion landed with 19 men at Jameson's Point, took Robert Jameson, whom he found mowing in the field, prisoner on board his vessel, and, on account of his unyielding disposi- tion, put him in irons. His men then drove up Jameson's cattle and killed a good yoke of oxen for beef and three fat hogs, which, without stopping to dress them, they hurried on board the vessel, together with three firkins of butter and two guns which they forcibly took from his log-house. Jameson, naturally of a violent temper, became so enraged at this con- duct of an old schoolmate who had been brought up in the same neighborhood with himself, that he made use of all the abusive language and opprobrious epithets his tongue could command, and, in reply to the threats of Pomeroy, who bran- dished his sword over him, would bare his breast and dare him to injure him. Finding that neither threats nor force would silence him, Pomeroy was glad to put him ashore and get rid of him. Jameson departed with a threat that, if ever fortune put it in his power, no distance of time or regard to consequences should prevent his taking revenge.
Some time after this, Capt. Pomeroy, having taken a prize, ran in for a harbor at Owl's Head and anchored, in a foggy night. Capt. George Little, who commanded an American armed vessel, ran into the same harbor and anchored a short distance from him. In the morning when the fog cleared away, the two hostile flags were flying almost within pistol- shot of each other. Pomeroy lost no time in getting under way with his prize and escaping from so formidable an oppo- nent. Little was equally alert, and soon sailed in pursuit. Pomeroy, having the start and his vessel being a fast sailer, gained upon his adversary and arrived safe at Biguyduce. But his prize sailing more slowly, Little manœuvered and cut her off whilst concealed from the view of Pomeroy by an island. This prize was then immediately manned by Little, and, with a crew of picked men, followed Pomeroy as if nothing had happened. It was night before they arrived in Biguyduce harbor. Little stood by the late prize-master and with a pistol at his breast compelled him to give such answers when hailed by Pomeroy as put him at ease and induced him
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to order her alongside. No sooner was this done than Little, with a stamp of his foot, brought his crew upon deck, and springing on board the brig exclaimed with an oath, "this is a States' vessel, and whoever stirs or speaks is a dead man." Pomeroy had just time to slip over the bow into the boat and make for shore; whilst Little, cutting the cables, hoisted sail and left the harbor with both vessels. The alarm was spread and a few guns fired from the fort, but in. the darkness of the night they had no effect.
Pomeroy being thus deprived of his vessel and his prize together, failed to obtain another, and got reduced to poverty ; so that, some years after the war closed, he was compelled to serve as a common sailor. Paul Jameson, brother to Robert, was master of a coaster, and, coming across Pomeroy down east, wished to engage him as a hand. Pomeroy was willing to ship, but feared he might encounter his old antagonist, who, he knew, would not forget the oxen and porkers. Capt. Jameson promised to protect him, and assured him of perfect safety, as he was more than a match for his brother. Robert's revenge, however, was not so easily diverted from its purpose. He got intelligence of his brother's having his enemy on board, and studied only an opportunity to get at him. This he at last effected in the following manner. The vessel hay- ing anchored at Clam Cove, he went down one foggy morn- ing and, counterfeiting his cousin Alexander's voice, hailed and requested to be set on board. The captain took the boat and sculled ashore; but, finding no one there, he walked along the beach a few rods, when Robert sprang from the bushes where he had been concealed, jumped into the boat, and put off with all his might for the vessel. The captain observing him, made an attempt to regain the boat, and, find- ing it too late, entreated to go with him; but all to no pur- pose. There being no other craft handy, he was suffered to pass to the vessel and, climbing her side, was beheld by Pomeroy, who, unsuspecting any evil, seemed thunder-struck and completely cowed at the sight. Jameson then told him that he had come to get pay for his butter; that he meant to take no advantage of him; that he might defend himself in any way he was able; but satisfaction he would have. Pomeroy replied that he was sensible he acted wrong in plun- dering private property ; that he was ready to make any reparation in his power; that it was done in a time of war, when actions were not usually weighed with the same care as in peace; that many things during the contest were done im- properly on both sides; but that, since the war was termi-
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nated, it was incumbent on all to forgive and forget transac- tions they could not approve ; that, for his part, he should make no defence, but, if he were determined on revenge, he was in his power and could only suffer death. Jameson re- plied. "strip, and defend yourself; fight, only fight, and I shall be satisfied." But the other refusing, he began beating, kicking, and bruising the passive Pomeroy, still trying to in- duce him to defend himself; but in vain. At last, sated with abuse in words and blows, and Pomeroy lying apparently dead, he took a bayonet and pricking him a little to see if life remained, left him with the assurance that this was but the beginning of his revenge-this was only the payment for his butter, and that wherever and whenever he found him he should in the same manner take pay for his hogs, and that the third time he should have pay for his oren .*
Such are the passions engendered by war, and most of all by civil wars, -in which neighbors, friends, and brothers, are led by a sense of duty, interest, or inclination, to oppo- site sides, and view each other not as foes merely, but as traitors and parricides.
* The late H. Prince, senior ; Mrs. Diana Jones, &c.
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CHAPTER VIII.
INCIDENTS OF THE REVOLUTION, CONTINUED.
. Ar a town meeting, Sept. 8th, Messrs. Snow, Tolman, Heard, Lovett, and Bartlett were chosen a committee to con- sider the proceedings of a convention at Concord, held July 14th, on the currency and regulation of prices. But at an adjourned meeting, Sept. 14th, the committee reported action inexpedient " till the next sitting of the next convention, it being so near at hand." This report was voted " not to be satisfactory," and a new committee was appointed to consider further and make report on the 21st; but at that time few people attended, and nothing further was done. The great exertions in fitting out the expedition against Biguyduce, the · mortifying result to which it came, together with the severe drought, the interruption of the coasting trade by the enemy, an embargo imposed upon our own shipping, the consequent paralysis of business, and the high price and scarcity of pro- visions, gave sufficient occupation and concern to most people in these remote settlements, and afforded them little opportu- nity to consider and discuss the graver questions of public policy.
But the urgency of the cause in which the country was en- gaged, would not allow the people here to confine their atten- tion wholly to their own necessities. A convention, the pre- cise object of which is not now known, seems to have been held at Wiscasset, which Col. Wheaton, (it does not appear at whose request) attended ; as, Nov. 29th, the town voted to pay him £31, 6s. for his time and expenses in such attendance. On the same 29th of November, in pursuance of a precept from the House of Representatives and a warrant from the selectmen, a town meeting was held, and Col. Mason Wheaton was elected the first Representative of Thomaston " in the Great and General Court of Massachusetts Bay, convened at Boston in May last and still in being." Thus was the town first represented in the last year of the old Massachusetts charter of King William and Queen Mary, then about to expire.
1780. The year 1780 was an eventful and trying one, in many respects. In addition to the distresses prevailing at the close of the preceding year, the winter that succeeded was one of remarkable severity. After a violent storm of snow, two feet deep or more, which occurred on Christmas,
12.
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there was another on New Year's day, still deeper; in both of which the wind was north-westerly. These were the principal snows; yet the fences were all covered during the winter, and there was no travelling except upon snow-shoes. There were no thermometers here in those days for marking temperature, but for forty-eight days the sun had not power enough to soften the snow even on the roofs of houses. Capt. Benjamin Burton, who had, July 14, 1779, withdrawn from the Continental service and returned home, but was now, we believe as Lieutenant, stationed at Camden with a body of State troops under Capt. Geo. Ulmer, went in February with a flag of truce to obtain the release of a young man from Warren who had been taken the fall before, in a schooner that was cut out of the Wessaweskeag River, loaded with lumber for the West Indies. He passed directly from Cam- den harbor to Biguyduce, across Penobscot Bay, on the ice; and, succeeding in his mission, returned in the same manner. Mr. Wheaton, in attending the General Court at Boston, per- formed the journey this year, as in several subsequent ones, by land on horseback; and, it is said, spent about a fortnight on the road, usually, each way. The St. George's River, however, was clear of ice by the 16th of April, as appears by the following extract from notes made in the account-book of Matthias Hawes, one of the early settlers of Union. "Sunday, 16th of April, 1780. This day the first of our going down the River by water; the week past, General Wadsworth Arrived at George's with his army. . . Likewise Walder Dick and a Number of other Tories were taken on the water, &c."
The latter portion of this entry was probably but one of the flying rumors of that troubled day, without any founda- tion ; though the former part was undoubtedly correct. For the command of the whole eastern department, between Piscataqua and St. Croix, was now given to General Peleg Wadsworth of Duxbury, who had been second in command at the Biguyduce expedition the preceding year. He was empowered to raise a company of volunteers in Lincoln county, whenever he should think the public safety required it; and to execute martial law, ten miles in width upon all the coast eastward of the Kennebec and upon the islands, conformably to the standing rules and regulations of the American army. He arrived at Falmouth, April 6th, and took immediate measures for raising the troops required for that and the more eastern posts. With a portion of these, he came to St. George's the following week, and fixed his
.
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head-quarters in this town at the house of Col. Wheaton ; which is still standing, as before mentioned, in what is now Wadsworth Street, Thomaston. His principal force, in which Benj. Burton acted as major, was stationed at Megunticook or Camden harbor, with smaller divisions at Clam Cove and at his head-quarters here .*
Four months later in this year, the town was the scene of that most trying of all tragedies, an execution under martial law-the first and perhaps the only one that ever took place in the State. To draw the line more distinctly between friends and foes, Wadsworth had issued a proclamation strictly prohibiting all intercourse with the enemy. But illicit traffic and predatory incursions being continued, in one of which Capt. Soule of Waldoboro' was murdered, his wife wounded and house plundered, another proclamation was is- sued denouncing death upon any one convicted of aiding or secreting the enemy. Subsequent to this, a man by the name of Jeremiah Braun, residing back of Damariscotta, was taken up, charged with piloting a party of British through the back country for the purpose of pillaging. He was tried on the 23d or 24th of August by a court-martial at Wads- worth's head-quarters, condemned, and sentenced to be. hung. Being a man of feeble intellect, and, as many thought, scarcely conscious of any offence in what he did, his sentence was generally considered as only a feint to frighten him and pre- vent a repetition of the crime. Many went to the General, and among them Mrs. James of Warren and other warm patriots, to intercede for his pardon. But the crisis de- manded decision; an example was thought necessary, and Wadsworth remained inflexible. On the day after the sen- tence, a gallows was erected on Limestone Hill, or, according to some, the limb of an old pine tree used as a substitute. To this, in a cart drawn by oxen, driven it is said by Mr. Lampson, and in presence of the military and a few specta- tors, the miserable man was conducted; fainting and, as de- scribed by an eye-witness, "more dead than alive" from fear. In this situation, Mr. Coombs, who was standing near, was asked to lend his handkerchief to tie over the prisoner's eyes. Supposing it a farce, he complied; and the prisoner, to ap- pearance already dead, was swung off to the astonishment of the spectators. The General was greatly moved, and was observed walking his room in apparent agitation the most of the following day. Many friends of the revolution regretted
* Burton's MS. narrative, &c.
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that such an example of severity, however necessary, should fall on such a victim.
In corroboration of the above, as well as to show the wild rumors which prevailed then as now in our own times of mil- itary excitement and anxiety, we give another extract from Mr. Hawes's notes. "Sept. ye 3d, 1780. This day rainy. Last week there was a Tory condem'd to Be hang'd, on Tues- day the Day Following was Executed at headquarters. Like- wise we heard this Day that there has been Blood shed for England and that the King and Lord North had fled," &c.
Another offender, by the name of Nathaniel Palmer, was also condemned, but made his escape from the barn in which he was confined at Wadsworth's head-quarters. Several courts-martial were held the same season, and were composed of such officers, whether in the militia or the public service, as were nearest at hand. In a book kept by Burton, then on duty under Wadsworth, we find the following entry. "June 1, 1780. Capt. Thomas Starrett, 5 days on Court-martial ; Lieut. Kelloch, Lieut. Nutt, Lieut. Bucklin, 5 days each; Lieut. Killse (doubtless Hugh Killsa of this town) 3 days." Subsequently, without date, though probably at the time of . Braun's trial, "Capt. Starrett, Lieuts. Libbey, Killse, Kel- loch, and Nutt, one day each."
From the commencement of the Revolution, as in all poli- tical changes and civil dissensions, some diversity of feelings and opinions had obtained among the people here, as in other places. Time and events had been going on, gradually sift- ing the people and separating the wheat from the chaff. The nearness of the enemy at Castine, while it gave new anima- tion to the true friends of American freedom, also tempted the wavering and the avaricious to the opposite side. It was then as since; some were led by interest, or in some cases principle, to side with the old order of things, while at the same time their nearest kindred, brothers, sons, and even wives, might be equally zealous supporters of the new, - look- ing with more prophetic eyes to the brighter promise of the future. T. Mclellan and perhaps others of this town at dif- ferent times were, without any specific allegations, accused by the watchful and suspicious whigs of making shoes and furnishing other supplies to the enemy. Mr. Snow, though one of the earliest members of the committee of safety and often elected to other town offices, and though one of his en- terprising sons at least, had borne arms in service of his country, and others of his family were not untouched by the Whig spirit, had, himself, a strong love of property and, be-
.
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ROCKLAND AND SOUTH THOMASTON.
ing deeply engaged in its acquisition and anxious perhaps for the present prosperity of the little community he had planted, was now beginning to be pretty well known as an adherent to the claims of the mother country. He was a man of action rather than investigation; and, having once seized upon an idea or jumped at a conclusion in religion or politics, he was too prompt and earnest in acting upon it to waste any time in doubt and re-examination, but threw into it the whole of his powerful will and characteristic energy. Feeling bound to submit "to the powers that be, as ordained of God," he did not hesitate as his interest and opportunities led to hold a scarcely concealed intercourse with the British and their par- tisans, whose power, in this quarter at least, seemed likely to predominate.
A copy of the following impudent letter from a notorious tory actively engaged in smuggling, privateering, and land depredations upon our coast, has been preserved among the Watson papers, but whether ever received by him to whom it was addressed, is doubtful. It might have been intercepted or taken from Long's person at some one of the many arrests to which he was subjected. "To Mr. Elisha Snow, Senior. Sunday, 10th of Dec. : .. Sir. The bearer of this I am very confident is to be trusted, therefore I think proper to send this message to you to inform you that I am very desirous of purchasing all the Rum you have now by you, as I hear you have a quantity. It is intirely my business I am now upon, therefore if you conclude to sell it or as much as you can spare I have the money with me and will conduct with all carefulness possible So that no one can in the least sus- pect me or you, and as for keeping this matter a secret I need not request as you must study your own interest on that occasion. I hope you will git it from George's and have 6 or 7 barrels ready for me and you may depend upon being paid your asking, if in reason. Don't be surprised if I call at your house in four or five nights from this, about 10 or 11, after all is still, as I mean no harm to any one. I was last night in the Gig and saw a schooner laying, but knowing whose she was, determined not to take her. Please to inform Crouch and Thorndike they may proceed [on their voyages] without Danger. No one need to be afraid of me except Coombs, and at present I shall not disturbe him. I am, Sr.
"John Long.
"If you can hear of any letters from Boston to me, pray procure it if possible. If Capt. Jurden is amind for voyage to the West Indies I can help him to one, and a vessel will
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HISTORY OF THOMASTON,
be all ready to sail from Bagaduce if he will go to any English port, and with two sets of papers."
It does not appear that any of these tempting offers were accepted, though it is probable that the pacific assurances of safety from depredation were far from disagreeable to those of either party whose lives and property, especially shipping, were in their exposed situation so much in jeopardy. This Capt. Long was a resident of what is now Cushing, came thither from Martha's Vineyard, and, taking the tory side, be- came a daring and troublesome adventurer, known and feared both by sea and land, difficult to capture and hard to keep when captured.
But, in spite of all the peculiar dangers, as well as tempta- tions and opportunities afforded for illicit traffic, to the inhab- itants of the southern part of Thomaston, most of them re- mained much attached to the cause of colonial freedom. Mathews, Coombs, Keating, and Thorndike were particularly active in the people's cause. The first of these, having been from the beginning an enterprising man of business, was much esteemed by his fellow citizens, was lieutenant of the militia company, was chosen one of the first board of select- men and assessors after the town's incorporation, and was re- elected to the same offices the following year; but, from some cause, resigned both offices in May, and his name thencefor- ward disappears from the town records. His reputation seems to have suffered an eclipse at this time from which it never recovered. It is said that an intimate friend without his con- sent obtained for him a commission as an officer in the British pay, and, now that the American cause looked so dark and the enemy had obtained so strong a foothold in this part of the country, set before him the emoluments and advantages it would give him when the contest was over, in such glowing colors, that Mathews, in a moment of weakness was over- persuaded to take the commission; and, though he made no use of it, the fact of having it in possession leaked out, and he became a suspected man. This occasioned him great mortification, especially when it had extended so far as to af- fect the mind of his intimate acquaintance and friend, Gen. Wadsworth, who refused to receive his note which the neigh- bors had offered as the best security possible for a bull that they were anxious to purchase for beef, - saying they " might take the animal, but he wanted nothing to do with Mathews.' His remorse, regret, and chagrin, so greatly affected his mind and preyed upon his health, that he gradually sank, and died not long afterwards.
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ROCKLAND AND SOUTH THOMASTON.
Notwithstanding the rigorous measures of Wadsworth on land, it was not so easy to put a stop to the ravages of tories along the coast in privateer vessels and shaving-mills as they were called. These last were a class of privateers, generally large open boats with sails and sweeps, and manned by some six or eight armed men, who, being familiar with every nook and inlet of our coast, found it no difficult task to capture the unsuspecting coaster. Early in the present year, a sloop loaded with lime sailed from the George's River, bound for Boston. In those days the coaster did not often go "out- side" as at the present time, but generally kept in shore. The owner of the vessel and cargo, Col. Wheaton of this town, was on board at the time. Nothing occurred to im- pede the passage until she had passed Cape Small Point, when one of those suspicious looking barges or shaving-mills was seen coming past the headland in Harpswell Bay, evi- dently in pursuit of the sloop. The coaster being in among the islands and on a lee shore, was completely hemmed in, and, having only three men on board all told, and no arms, it was folly to think of contending with an armed force of ten men. The only chance of escape was to get out past the point, when the vessel could be kept off and have the wind more free. The shaving-mill came dashing on, in close pur- suit ; and, just as the sloop had weathered the point and was about putting up her helm, she was boarded and captured. The leader, Linneken, another tory well nigh as much feared as Long in this quarter, and probably the same ordered to be- brought "to justice" in 1775, after he had got possession of the sloop, offered to ransom her to Col. Wheaton for $200; but the latter refusing so to do, the destination of the vessel was immediately changed and her course shaped for Halifax. In the mean time one Jocelyn, who lived on Ragged Island, having seen the whole transaction, hastened to New Meadows where there was a militia training, and related the whole matter to the captain. The company was immediately or- dered to the right-a-bout face and dismissed; when some twenty or thirty robust soldiers volunteered to embark with their captain in a small fishing schooner which lay moored in the bay, and, if possible, recapture the sloop and give Linne- ken " a mauling."
The sloop had not been in the possession of the tories long, when the eagle-eye of their leader with his glass espied a small schooner standing towards them. The sloop was on the wind; and the schooner was some ten miles off, running down across her bows. As the two vessels neared each
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