History of York County, Maine, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 44

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 730

USA > Maine > York County > History of York County, Maine, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 44

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The valnable island opposite the mill was claimed by the proprietors. From the records it seemed to have belonged to the Phillips estate, for he sold one-half of it, in 1667, to John Bonython for a quantity of logs suitable for lumber, and in the division of it Major Phillips took the half next his house, while Bonython took the other. No mention of the island is made in the deeds to and from Blackman. At one time it was called Bonython's, then Indian, then Cutt's, and now Factory Island.

When letters of administration were granted on the estate of John Bonython, in 1732, nearly fifty years after his de- cease, to the heirs of his five children, the administrator bought in 5000 aeres valued at 18s. per acre, comprising nearly the amount set off to him in the two checkers when the division of the patent was made in 1681. The heirs, one of whom was Patience Collins, wife of John, and only surviving child of John Bonython, Jr., sold their interest immediately after division to James Skinner, James Mor- gan, and Humphrey Seamman. In 1735, Skinner, Morgan, and the heirs of Seamman effected a division. Of the up- per checker, Skinner had the upper third, next Buxton, the heirs of Seamman next, and Morgan the lower. What re- mained of the lower checker south of Nichols' Brook was divided in like manner.

The Foxwell estate was divided among the heirs and as- signs in 1732. The lower cheeker, set off to Foxwell and Harmon, including Old Orchard Beach, was divided into two equal portions, one mile each in width, by a northwest line starting from the sea and running to the head of the checker, a distance of two miles and fifty rods,-the Har- mon heirs took the southwest portion, and the Foxwell heirs the other. But a narrow strip of the Foxwell portion of the checker now lies in Saco. Pepperell, as the repre- sentative of Mrs. Corbain, heiress of Nathaniel Foxwell, had a strip of seventy rods wide running from the marsh to the upper line of the checker, and Mrs. Norton's heirs had a strip thirty-five rods wide running in the same direc- tion. The marsh was divided separately from the upland. The upper checker of Harmon and Foxwell was divided into halves in the same manner by a line running northwest and southeast, and the heirs or their representatives started from the patent line and ran their lots to the middle of the checker. The lowest lot was assigned to Pepperell, one hundred and twenty-three rods wide; the next ninety-one and a half rods to heirs of Lucretia Robinson, the next ninety-one and a half to heirs of Mary Norton, the next ninety-one and a half to heirs of Sarah Curtis, the next ninety-one and a half to heirs of Esther Rogers, and the last ninety-one and a half to Susannah Austin. As the town line now runs, about two-thirds of this division is in Scarborough.

In 1659, James Gibbins and H. Waddock arranged that Waddock should have the point of land extending from the river and the sea south of a straight line from the river to the old wading place on Goosefair Brook, containing about 200 acres. Waddock's widow sold this to Humphrey Scamman in 1679.

A division of a portion of the Gibbins estate was made in 1730, which consisted of two checkers besides the tri- angular piece at the mouth of the Saco. The second checker, on the eastern side of the patent between the two Foxwell and Harmon lots, was divided into four equal parts, each one hundred and forty-seven rods wide on the patent line. The lowest was assigned to Rebecca Wakefield and Patience Annable, the next above to Hannah Mace, the next to Rachel Edgecomb, and the next, at the head of the checker, to Elizabeth Sharpe. The privilege on Foxwell Brook called Foxwell's Falls the commissioners for the di- vision said belonged to the heirs of Hannalı Mace, Rebecca Wakefield, and Patience Annable equally, and "is to be divided" when they shall all come to set up a mill or mills there. The upper cheker, in the northeastern part of the town, more recently called the MeKenney district, was left in common to the heirs at this time. Descendants of Ra- chel Edgecomb have remained in uninterrupted possession of a portion of the Gibbins estate to the present.

THE PEPPERELL LANDS.

Pepperell sold but small portions of his immense interest in town during his lifetime, and these a few house-lots about the mill. Neither did he make any extensive im- provements upon his property here. His part in the saw- and grist-mills, a wharf and store or warehouse below the Falls, a small house built on the spot where the Bartletts'

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house stood, and which was used at an early period for the accommodation of travelers, are all that can be remem- bered as his work. He was often in town dressed in scarlet cloth trimmed with gold-lace. He always attended meeting on Sunday when there, and was often at the house of Rev. Mr. Morrill. Though traditionally not distinguished for liberality, he frequently threw a guinea into the contribu- tion box, invariably passed as a compliment to strangers when present, and its collections were the minister's per- quisite. Upon his death, in 1759, the schedule of his property in town amounted to over 5500 acres, in the following pieces : the mill-right, from Gray's line to Main Street and two miles back, supposed to embrace 300 aeres ; a 100-acre lot one hundred rods from the first; Pepperell half of the great lot, 1200 acres; Deep Brook lot, 700 acres ; Guinea lot, 600 acres; Berry's lot, 350 acres ; Long Reach lot, 700 acres; Old Orchard lot, 490 aeres; and an interest in Foxwell's right, 870 acres. This was all devised to his grandson, William P. Sparhawk, on condition that when he became of age he was to take the name of William Pepperell.

The confiscation of the Pepperell estate took place by act of General Court, 1779, in consequence of the adherence of young Sir William to the crown. A life interest in the Saco lands, devised by Sir William before his death to his wife and daughter, was respected, and in exchange for it the State assigned two-ninths in absolute property to them by deed of 1788. Charles Chauncey was Lady Mary and her daughter's agent, and Hon. David Sewall agent for the commonwealth in the disposal of these lands. A grant of 10 acres was made the town for a meeting-house, training- field, and burying-ground. One acre for a meeting-house Judge Sewall located where that of the first one was erected. The other 9 acres were located contignons to the other town land. The land necessary for a wharf was purchased of the agent abont 1801, and a company formed to build it. The other wharf-where Pepperell's had stood-was built by Messrs. Cleaves, Tucker, and Capt. Spring at the same time. Col. Cutts bought largely of the confiscated lands. The Pepperell half (about 1200 acres) of the great lot he secured at different times, and also about 1000 acres of the remainder of this tract. Half of the saw-mill owned by Pepperell he purchased, with other portions of the confis- eated property.

LOUISBOURG EXPEDITION.

Of the citizens of this town who are remembered to have taken part in this expedition under Pepperell, were Deacon Benjamin Haley, Benjamin Scamman, Nathaniel Seamman, Andrew Stackpole, Roger Smith, Jonathan Smith, Haven Tarbox, and Benjamin Mason.

REVOLUTION.

The first Committee of Correspondence and Safety for this town was chosen Nov. 9, 1774, and consisted of Tris- tram Jordan, Deacon Amos Chase, Paul Junkins, James Foss, and James Scamman. Col. Cutts and Capt. Junkins were chosen delegates to a county congress. A separate committee of inspection was chosen, composed of T. Jordan, Deacon A. Chase, R. Patterson, Deacon S. Scamman, Jo-

seph Libby, Humphrey Pike, and Dominiens Seamman. In 1775 the town was divided into four militia districts, and those capable of bearing arms were exercised once a week in military movements. The Committee of Safety, etc., in 1776, were T. Jordan, Deacon Chase, Deacon S. Scam- man, Joseph Bradbury, and Richard Burke. The Com- mittee of Safety, etc., in 1780, were Capt. Paul Junkins, Elisha Ayer, Nicholas Dennet, James Foss, and Thomas Deering. The last Committee of Safety was chosen in 1782, and was composed of Col. James Scamman, Capt. Joseph Bradbury, Lient. Samuel Chase, Lieut. William Cole, and Mr. James Coffin. Men, money, and food were liberally contributed by the citizens of this town during the entire war.

The following persons were in the Continental service during some period of the war : John Googins, killed at Hubbardston, Stephen Sawyer, son of David Sawyer, Sr., John Hooper, Abiel Beetle, Nicholas Davis, Jonathan Nor- ton, Daniel Bryant, James Scanman, son of Ebenezer, John Tueker, John Runnels, John Ridlon, John Carli, Ebenezer Carll, Evans Carll, William Carll, sons of Robert, Levi Foss, Richard Foss, sons of Walter, Zachariah Foss, and Elias, sons of Joseph, Jobn Duren, Anthony Starbird, William Starbird, William Berry, James Evans, Samuel Sebastian, Joseph Norton, Maj. Stephen Bryant, Josiah Davis, Joseph Richards, Ephraim Ridlon, Stephen Googins, Thomas Means, Solomon Hopkins, James Edgecomb, and Solomon Libby.

A company raised from neighboring towns for a short term, in 1776, commanded by Capt. John Elden, of Bux- ton, did important service in fortifying Dorchester Heights. Those in that company from this town were 2d Lieut. Samuel Seamman, afterwards deacon, Jerathuel Bryant, John Muchmore, Daniel Field, David Clark, Abner Sawyer, Josepli Norton, Andrew Patterson, David Sawyer, Jr., James Edgecomb, Robert Bond, Daniel Field, Jr., Abra- ham Patterson, Moses Ayer, John Young, Hezekiah Young, Joseph Patterson, William P. Moody, Samuel Dennet, John Scamman, and Samuel Lowell.

Col. James Scammau led a regiment to Cambridge early in 1775, and remained about a year. He was popular with his men, and had their confidence and good-will. He failed to be at the battle of Bunker Hill, on the 17th June, with his regiment, to which he was ordered, and reproach for a time fell upon him ; but an investigation resulted in his acquittal. At the end of a year he resigned, and re- turned home, and subsequently engaged in trade with his brother Nathaniel. Ile died in 1804, aged sixty-four. The lines found inscribed on his tomb were furnished by the Hon. Cyrus King:

" A man of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy."

" This stone to strangers may impart The place where Scamman lies ; But every friend consults his heart, For there he never dies."

The sloop "Squirrel," of Saco, Capt. Alexander Paine, with Robert White, second mate, sailed from Casco Bay in February, 1783, and on the 23d of March following were taken by a cruiser from the Algerine-Mole, and carried into Algiers before the Dey, who proposed that if they would embrace

HON. JOHN FAIRFIELD.

The history of Saco, or even that of York County and the State, would be incomplete without a personal sketch of the life and services of one of its most honored sons, the late Governor John Fairfield, whose life was a high type of the man, the citizen, the legislator, and the Christian. He was born at Saco, Me., Jan. 13, 1797, and there ever re- sided. Distinguished by an ardent love of knowledge, an active mind, and great strength of purpose, on arriving at manhood he devoted himself to the study of law, and entered a profession which has contributed its full share in the establishment and defense of constitutional liberty. At the bar he soon acquired such reputation that in June, 1832, he was appointed by the executive of the State reporter of the decisions of the Supreme Judicial Court.

While in the successful performance of the duties of this office he was called, in 1835, by the electors of the First Congressional District, without solicitation on his part, to represent them in Congress, and was re-elected in 1837. His services were now demanded in a different direction. He was elected Governor of his native State in 1838, and thrice re-elected to the same exalted station. It was during this period of his public life, when great and unusual respon- sibilities were upon him as the chief executive of the State, growing out of collisions with foreign power, that he dis- played a decision and firmness of character which com- manded the respect and fixed upon him the attention of the whole country. He became emphatically the favorite of the State, and resigned the governorship March 7, 1843, to accept a seat in the United States Senate, made vacant by the resignation of Hon. Reuel Williams. In 1845 he received a re-election to the Senate for the term of six years. It may be remarked as a singular fact that in all the offices he held he never served out the regular term, but was transferred by promotion to a higher place. On Dec. 24, 1847, during his term as senator, he was in his usual health and met his friends with his accustomed cheer- fulness and cordiality. At noon he submitted to a surgical operation to which, with undoubting confidence, he had looked for relief from an infirmity under which he had labored. His physical energies were not equal to his courage and fortitude. His system sank under the abated anguish which followed, and at twenty minutes before eight o'clock in the evening, in the full possession of his mind, he breathed his last.

The characteristics and worth of Governor Fairfield can be better and more appropriately expressed by quotations from addresses of his colleagues and those intimately ac- quainted with his life, on the occasion of his death.

Hon. James W. Bradbury, of Maine, addressed the Senate as follows :

" I need not speak of his honorable eareer in this body. You will bear witness to the sound judgment and ready zeal which he brought to the discharge of his varied duties; to that honesty of purpose which knows no guile : to that frankness and sincerity incapable of conceal- ment ; to that firmness of resolution which no difficulties eould shake nor dangers overcome ; and to that purity of life and conscientious regard to his convictions of right which distinguished him as a man and a Christian."

Senator Niles said :

" If he was not a brilliant star in our political galaxy, he was all he claimed to be,-a plain, unassuming man, never attempting to shine or to attract attention to himself, but with his strong sense, sound judgment, and practical views, was content with an honest and faithful discharge of his public duties. Ile was true to his constitu- ents, true to his country, faithful to his party, and faithful to his principles."

Correspondence of the Herald prior to his death :

" Governor Fairfield, of Maine, is a man whose noble heart beat for his country when the British invaded the territory of his native State, and it was he who stood nobly for her rights, her honor, and her glory during the timid administration of Martin Van Buren. I have care- fully studied his character, and believe that we have few more patriotic, and none more honest. He is one of the strongest men in the Senate. I look upon him as one of the last of the seventy-sixers in everything that dignifies a patriot and gives force to a statesman ; and the only thing that I regret is that we have not more sueh men. Like Dickenson, of New York, he seems to represent the purer and younger Democraey, and to have ent loose from the worn-out hacks of the party. They both will yet write their names, if not beguiled by the seductions of place and honor, in letters of glory upon the brightest page of their country's fame."

Representative Hammons :

" Governor Fairfield was emphatically a self-made man. By his own industry and exertions he acquired an education, studied law, aud at an early day took rank among the first of his profession. His fine talents and affable deportment soon attracted public attention. . . . His publie career was not long, but brilliant. . . . He possessed in an eminent degree all the elements of popularity."

He married, Sept. 5, 1825, Anna Paine, daughter of Dr. Thomas G. Thornton, of Saco, who was United States marshal during the war of 1812-14. His children are George A., Sarah, wife of B. F. Hamilton, of Saco, Hamp- den, Martha W., Lucy, wife of E. F. Dodge, Minnesota, John W., Annie P., wife of C. M. Perkins.

Hampden Fairfield received his preparatory education in Saco high school, and graduated at Bowdoin College in 1857. He read law with Moses Emery, of Saco, and was admitted to the bar in 1860. He was in practice at San- ford and Kennebunkport for several years, was elected clerk of courts in 1867 for three years, and in 1871 re- moved to Saco, where he remains in the practice of his profession.

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the Mohammedan religion they should have their liberty; but if not, they should be immediately sent as slaves on board a row-galley, to be chained to an oar all their lives. Their answer, in which they said they " had always found their God a good and just God," and that they " had rather en- dure punishment than forsake him," so enraged the Dey, that he immediately ordered the captain and first mate to be sent to the mines, while the second mate and eighteen men were sent on board a cruising row-galley of twenty-six eight-pounders, and there chained to their oars.

They were here kept on a short allowance of goat-flesh and coarse bran-bread, without any shelter from the inclement weather, for four years and nine months.

About the 20th of December, 1787, a French frigate, of forty-eight guns, commanded by M. John Le Cotte, engaged their vessel, and after firing several broadsides, grappled them. When the Algerines saw that they were to be taken, they fell upon their prisoners with cutlasses and bayonets, and continued their butchery until overpowered by the French. Only seven were left alive. After ordering the Algerine barbarians put to death, their vessel was scuttled. The seven survivors were taken to Bordeaux, in France, where they were kept until their wounds were healed, when they were sent to New York. Here they arrived in Feb- ruary, 1790, and immediately set out on foot for Saco, beg- ging their victuals by the way.

Capt. Paine and the first mate remained in the mines.

WAR OF 1812.

The last war with Great Britain was not so popular in Maine as in some sections of the country. The require- ments of the general government were met, but not in very noticeable excess. The immense shipping interests of all the shore towns in this State were prostrated by the war, and many were ruined by it. Foxwell Cutts, son of the colonel, for several years prior to the war was largely inter- ested in navigation, and his large and costly ships were en- gaged in a profitable freighting business to various parts of the world.

REBELLION.

During the Rebellion, this town, in common with others, stood nobly by the government, and its sons went into the different arms of the service to aid in maintenance of the nation's life. (See military record of the town.)

SURFACE AND SOIL.

The surface is generally level, and a large proportion of it susceptible of cultivation. In the centre of the town is a large bog, containing about 1000 acres, called the Heath, from which several small streams take their rise. On one of these-Foxwell's Brook, in the southeast-there is a beau- tiful waterfall, some 60 feet in descent, surrounded by wild and romantic scenery. The soil is good for corn and hay, which are the leading agricultural productions. Good clay is found in some parts, from which an excellent quality of brick is made.

TRAVELING FACILITIES.

The first roads, other than the one along the sea-shore, were made from landing-places on the river into the woods,

for the purpose of hauling logs to raft to the mills at the Falls. The different proprietors laid out or extended these roads to suit their convenience, and in course of time they came to be used as public highways. The way laid out by the partners in 1718, from their mill at the Falls to the middle line of the patent, was made a public road and ex- tended to the Scarborough line in 1754. It is now the post-road to Portland. The Buxton road was laid out the same year. Communication between settlements on each side of the river was kept up by means of ferries till about 1757, when the Lottery bridge was built, connecting Factory Island with Saco, and in 1767 Col. Cutts, Deacon Chase, Thomas Gilpatrick, Jr., and Benjamin Nason built one joining the island to Biddeford. In 1785 a freshet swept off both bridges, but they were rebuilt again. In 1774 the road from Old Orchard to the Ferry road and the Boom road were laid out. The western Spring Island bridge was built by Capt. Seth Spring about 1795, and the eastern one in 1797-98. Later came the introduction of railroads. The Portland, Saco and Portsmouth, and the extension of the Boston and Maine, supply the town with these excellent modes of modern travel. The Saco and Boston Steamboat Company was incorporated in 1867, having for its ohject a line of steamers between the two cities.

CIVIL LIST. SELECTMEN.

The following are the names of the selectmen of the town of Saco from the incorporation to the adoption of the city charter :

1762-67, Tristram Jordan, Amos Chase, Robert Patterson : 1767-69, Tristram Jordao, Thomas Cutts, Joseph Libby; 1769, Tristram Jordan, Amos Chase, Joseph Libby; 1770, Amos Chase, Joseph Libby, Robert Patterson; 1771, Thomas Cutts, Amos Chase. Tris- tram Jordan : 1772-74, Amos Chase, Tristram Jordan, Rubert Patterson ; 1780, Humphrey Pike, Richard Burke, Robert Carll; 1781-84, Samuel Seamman, Richard Burke, Humphrey Pike; 1784-87, Samuel Scamman, Humphrey Pike, Joseph Bradbury ; 1787, Samuel Scamman, Humphrey Pike, S. Boothby ; 1788-90, Samuel Scamman, James Coffin, Humphrey Pike; 1790-92, Samuel Scamman, Humphrey Pike, Josiah Fairfield ; 1792-94, Humphrey Pike, Joseph Bradbury, Josiah Fairfield; 1794, Jo- siah Fairfield, James Coffin, Humphrey Pike: 1795, Joseph Bradbury, James Coffin, Nicholas Deonett ; 1796, James Coffio, Nicholas Dennett, Juseph Bradbury ; 1797, James Coffin, Nicholas Dennett, James Gray, Jr. ; 1798-1801, Samuel Scamman, Nich- olas Dennett, James Gray, Jr .; 1801, James Gray, Jr., Joseph Bradbury, Ichabod Fairfield; 1802, James Gray, Jr., Joseph Bradbury, Edmund Moody ; 1803-6, Joseph Bradbury, Edmund Moody, Benjamin Pike; 1806, Samuel Scamman, Thos. Means, Bracy Banks; 1807, James Gray, Thomas Means, Jos. Morrill ; 1808, Edmund Moody, Aaron Scamman, Benjamin Pike; 1809- 11, Edmund Moody, Aaron Scamman, Benjamin Pike ; 1811-15, Benjamin Pike, Aaron Scamman, Tristram Jordan, Jr. ; 1815-19, Tristram Jordan, Jr., William Moody, Benjamin Pike; 1819, Tristram Jordan, Jr., Aaron Scamman, Samuel Nye; 1820, Ste- phen Fairfield, George Scamman, Samuel Nye : 1821-24, Benj. Pike, Aaron Seamman, George Scamman ; 1824, Benjamin Pike, George Scamman, George Parcher; 1825, Benjamin Pike, George Scamman, George Parcher; 1826-31, Benjamin Pike, George Parcher, Samuel J. Jordan ; 1831, Benjamin Pike, George Scam- man, Cottvo Bradbury ; 1832-36, George Scamman, Cotton Brad- bury, Nathan Hopkinson; 1836-39, Cotton Bradbury, Tristram Jordan, Jr., Jonathan King: 1839-41, Cotton Bradbury, Nathan Hopkinson, Frederic Greene; 1841, George Scamiman, John F. Scamman, Robert Cleaves; 1842-45, Cotton Bradbury, Jobn F. Scamman, Fleming Hill; 1845, Cotton Bradbury, Gideon Tucker,

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, MAINE.

Elias Parcher; 1846, Cotton Bradbury, Charles Hill, Fleming Hill; 1847-50, Cotton Bradbury, Nathaniel M. Towle, Nathan Hopkinson ; 1850, Nathaniel M. Towle, Nathan Hopkinson, John Gains ; 1851-54, Cotton Bradbury, Charles Hill, Seth Scamman ; 1854, Charles Hill, Seth Seamman, Ebenezer Cleaves ; 1855, Seth Seamman, Moses Lowell, Ebenezer Cleaves ; 1856, Seth Seamman, Moses Lowell, Cornelius Sweetser: 1857-59, Cornelius Sweetser, Ivory Lord, David Fernald : 1859-61, Cornelius Sweetser, David Fernald, Henry Simpson ; 1861-63, David Fernald, Henry Simp- son, Henry J. Rice; 1863-65, David Fernald, Moses Lowell, Ivory Lord ; 1865, Cornelius Sweetser, Jason W. Beatty, George Par- cher ; 1866, George Parcher, Chas. Littlefield, Jas, M. Burbank.

TOWN CLERKS FOR THE SAME PERIOD.

1762-90, Tristram Jordan: 1790-97, Humphrey Pike; 1797-1809, James Gray, Jr .; 1809-25, Benjamin Pike; 1825-33, James Gray ; 1833, James Gray and Jobn Chadwiek ; 1834-36, John Chadwiek : 1836-44, George Sutherland; 1844-58, Abraham Forsskol; 1858-66, Joseph L. Milliken.

TOWN TREASURERS FROM 1762 TO 1867.

Ebenezer Ayer, 1762-72; Col. Thomas Cutts, 1772-94; Samuel Scamman, 1794-1814; Capt. Samuel Moody, 1814-19; Hon. William Moody, 1819-22; Daniel Granger, 1822-24; Jonathan Tucker, Jr., 1824-32 ; John Chadwiek, 1832-55; John C. Brad- bury, 1855-65; William Perkins, 1865; David Tuxbury, 1866.

CITY GOVERNMENT.

A charter incorporating Saco as a city was approved Feb. 5, 1867. At the first municipal election thereafter, March 18th, Joseph Hobson was chosen mayor. His suc- cessors have been : James M. Deering, 1868 ; Moses Lowell, 1869-70 ; Oliver Dyer, 1871 ; Edward P. Burnham, 1872- 73; George A. Carter, 1874-75 ; Paul Chadbourne, 1876 ; Ira H. Foss, 1877 ; Oliver C. Clark, 1878-79. Joseph L. Milliken, who held the office of town clerk nine year's pre- vious to the city incorporation, has been clerk of the city since its organization to the present time.

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History of York County, Maine, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 44

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford) Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck Number of Pages: 730

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 730