USA > Maine > York County > History of York County, Maine, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 63
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" Mr. President, I will detain you but little longer, as this audience must be impatient to partake of more inter- esting fare than that furnished by these dry statements of mine.
" Our ancestors were a set of noble men. The careful study of their transactions, as spread out upon our early records, shows they were men of no mean calibre.
" They acted and put themselves upon the record fear- lessly. With them there was no eircumlocution. No fawn- ing to secure favor or position can be charged to them. When they learned what was right, they went straight to the mark, and did their known duty, fearlessly disregarding consequences.
" Of their sufferings and deprivations a volume might be written. Would time permit, I could relate to you many of these sufferings and deprivations. I could tell you of many instances when the peaceful inhabitants of this vil- lage were surprised by the wily Indians and inhumanly murdered. I could relate to you incidents of the terrible massacre of Feb 5, 1602, when the Indians, at early dawn of that terrible day, made an attack on this village, and be- fore its inhabitants had partaken of their morning meal upwards of one hundred and fifty of them were either killed or made prisoners and carried away into captivity. I could tell you that all the houses on the northeast side of our river were burned, except the garrison-houses, some four or five in number, and the old meeting-house in Mr. Lunt's field, to which many fled, and which they successfully de- fended.
" I could tell you the spot, some two miles from our vil- lage, where the Indians left their snow-shoes, on which they came to town. I could tell you the story of mothers taken prisoners and carried away into captivity, with babes at their breasts, and make the tale more vivid by telling you of the fiendish manner in which these innocent babes were disposed of, that the march of the captive mothers might not be delayed.
" I could tell you the story of the death, on the 25th day of January, 1692, of the Rev. Shubael Dummer, that very good man, and probably the first Puritan minister in this town of any note, who was shot dead by the Indians as he was mounting his horse to pay his pastoral visit to the people of his charge. I could show you the spot where he lived, and where he fell in the presence of his terror-stricken wife, who was taken at the same time by the savages and carried away into captivity. I could tell you of the subse- quent ransom of some of these captives at the expense of the town, and who went after them and paid the ransom demanded, and could tell you the story told by these cap- tives, on their return, in relation to the cruelties of the Indians during their terrible march through the trackless wilderness. I could tell you much more, but cannot now. Innumerable deprivations and sufferings were endured by these noble pioneers, which nothing but eternity can un- fold. And all these they suffered that they might and that we may enjoy freedom of thought, freedom of opinion, and freedom of action. And they succeeded. They laid the foundations strong and deep on which we, their pro- geny, can safely build a structure that will, if we are as virtuous as they were, be imperishable. Let us be grateful for the rich inheritance left by them to us. Let us emu- late their example, revere their character, and endeavor to repair the places left us by them, now waste and desolate.
" But few monuments mark the spots where these, our ' forefathers of the hamlet, sleep.' Let us therefore keep their memory green.
" To the young I would especially appeal-to you of the rising generation. Never suffer this house, which we this evening dedicate, to go to decay ! Make it your purpose and determination to keep it always in good repair ! We whose heads are whitened with the snows of many winters will not occupy it with you long. We give it to you in charge as a sacred trust ! See to it that no ruthless vandal
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hand defaces or injures it ! Consider it a legacy given you by your ancestors, and I pray you, bring no disgrace on their memory by suffering it to go to decay.
"And when we whose race is nearly run sleep with our forefathers, think of us (as we now think of them) as look- ing kindly, propitiously, and lovingly down on every aet of yours which has in view those improvements necessary to render a community prosperous, respectable, and happy."
THE TOWN IN THE REVOLUTION.
The eminently patriotic resolutions adopted by the citi- zens of York were cheerfully and ably sustained during the conflict of arms. The news of the battle of Lexington arrived in the evening. Early the next morning the in- habitants gathered, enlisted a company of more than sixty men, furnished them with arms and ammunition and knap- sacks full of provisions, and, under command of Johnson Moulton, marched fifteen miles that day on the road to Boston, besides crossing the ferry at Portsmouth. This town, according to Williamson, had the honor of putting the first soldiers into the field from Maine. Capt. Moulton continued in the service, and rose to lieutenant-colonel of Scamman's regiment ; and besides occupying other offices of trust in the civil service, he became sheriff of the county. His descendants are numerous, and respected residents of the town.
Benjamin Simpson, of this town, assisted in the destruc- tion of the tea in Boston, Dec. 16, 1773. He was then an apprentice to a bricklayer, and nineteen years of age. He was out during a portion of the time as a soldier, and about 1790 removed to Saco. Moses Banks was a lieu- tenant in the service ; first moved to Scarborough, after to Saco, where he was known as a skillful surveyor and draughtsman. He died 1825, aged ninety-two.
In the Provincial Congress in session from Oct. 7, 1774, to July 19, 1775, Daniel Bragdon was chosen delegate from this town.
The action the town took during the war may be ascer- tained by reference to the town records. In 1775 a mili- tary watch was ordered kept at night at the mouth of the harbor. In 1776 the selectmen were empowered to dis- pose of one of the cannon belonging to the town, for mili- tary purposes. In 1777 a bounty of £6 was offered all the militia of the town who would enlist in the army. In 1778, the proportion of shoes, stockings, and shirts for the soldiers was voted to be purchased. The selectmen at the commencement of the war were Dr. John Swett, Edward Grow, Joseph Grant, Jeremiah Weare, and Samuel Harris.
There are but two garrison-houses now standing in town, the MeIntire and Junkins. The MeIntire house has been occupied as a dwelling for years, and until quite recently by Mr. John McIntire, one of the wealthiest men in town. It was built by his ancestors, who were early settlers in this part, and, as the name indicates, were emigrants from Scot- land, as were many of their neighbors. The Junkins house is much ont of repair and fast going to decay.
The French who had colonies in Canada and Nova Scotia, and whose claims to territory conflicted with those of the English, were considered by the settlers as inciters of hatred, and fanners of the flame of Indian wars, from which they
suffered so much. Therefore, when the expedition against Lonisbourg was set on foot in 1745, the people entered into it with enthusiasm, and three full companies enlisted in it from this town. The Rev. Samuel Moody went as chaplain, and Dr. Alexander Bullman went as surgeon, and died there.
The war of 1812-14 was not particularly popular ; many thought it unnecessary, and hence were not free to make voluntary sacrifices for it. Yet the requirements of the government were all met, and some engaged in the service upon the northern frontier.
In the war of the Rebellion men and money were freely given, and every quota promptly filled. The records of her action as a town during the late fearful struggle for national existence bears a favorable comparison with other towns of like resources.
TOWN OFFICERS.
When the settlement was so nearly destroyed in 1692, the town as well as church records were swept away, and the first preserved town record now extant is of year 1695-96, in which Samnel Donnell, James Plaisted Thomas Trafton, John Brawne, and Joseph Weare were the selectmen. In 1698, Matthew Austin, Nathaniel Ram- sey, Lewis Bane, Arthur Bragdon, Sr., and Samuel John- son were selectmen ; James Plaisted, town clerk. In 1699, James Plaisted, Arthur Bragdon, Daniel Black, Joseph Banks, and Richard Millbery, selectmen ; Abraham Pre- ble, lot-layer and surveyor. In 1702 the selectmen were Abraham Preble, James Plaisted, Lewis Bane, Joseph Banks, and Samuel Came; James Plaisted, clerk. In 1714-15, Arthur Bragdon, Samuel Came, Richard Mill- bery, Joseph Young, and Joseph Moulton were the select- men.
Some of the first representatives to the " Great and General Conrt," at Boston, were Lieut. Abraham Preble, 1699 and 1709; Samuel Donnell, 1700; James Plaisted, 1701 ; Capt. Lewis Bane, 1705 and 1711 ; Lieut. Samuel Came, 1716.
DISTINGUISHED MEN.
Besides the distinguished citizens of the town already alluded to in the course of this sketch, the following are deserving of mention :
The first settled minister, Rev. Shubael Dummer, who was killed by the Indians in 1692, was born in Newbury, Mass., Feb. 13, 1636. His father, Richard Dummer, was born in 1599, in Bishopstokes, Hants, England, and came to Roxbury, Mass., where he settled in 1632. Shubael Dummer was a pupil of Rev. Thomas Parker, of Newbury, who fitted him for college. He graduated at Harvard in 1656, when twenty years of age. At the age of twenty-four he became a preacher, and preached in Salisbury about two years. He then came to York about 1662, and after preaching here about ten years was ordained Dec. 13, 1672, and preached his own ordination sermon from the text, " Return, O Lord ! and visit this vine," at which time the first Congregational Church was organized.
Ilis successor was the Rev. Samuel Moody, known by the world-wide name of " Father Moody." Father Moody was the son of Caleb Moody of Newbury, and was born
Pboto. by Kimball, Augusta,
E. G. Moody.
HON. EDWARD CHARLES MOODY, the subject of this sketch, was born in York, Maine, Feb. 15, 1849.
He is the ninth generation from William Moody, the American common ancestor, who emigrated from Wales, England, to America in 1633, and perma- nently settled in Newbury, Mass., in 1635.
Rev. Samuel Moody, widely known as " Father Moody," was the grandson of William, above named, and came to York in 1698, and was settled as its minister in December, 1700.
Rev. Joseph Moody, the only son of Father Moody, known as " Handkerchief Moody," was a graduate of Harvard College; a man of great learning and piety. His biography is given in the history of the town of York, embraced in this volume. The farm now occupied by the subject of this sketch was pur- chased by Joseph Moody, a son of the Rev. Joseph, and he is the fifth generation who has successively occupied it. It is a beautiful situation, on elevated land, about two-thirds of a mile from the Atlantic Ocean, " Long Sands Bay" being directly in front to the southeast, the whole of which, extending for miles, is in full view. In summer this bay, white with the sails of vessels and steamers plying their
various vocations, presents an enchanting view. In winter, during storms, when old ocean in his angry mood lashes the shore, the view is majestic, sublime.
Our subject inherits from his grandfather, Capt. Charles Moody, a grandson of the last named, named Joseph. Capt. Charles Moody died April 1, 1871 ; a man of strict integrity and great moral worth. Our subject received a good common-school education in his native town, and academical instruction at an academy in the county. His official life has only been the responsible one of " chief accountant" at Kittery Navy Yard, and the honorary one, as a member of the Executive Council in this State. He married, Aug. 3, 1870, Juliette, daughter of Hon. Nathaniel G. Marshall, and has three children, viz .: Sally B., born Sept. 2, 1872; Edna, born Aug. 31, 1874; and Edward Charles, born July 4, 1876. An ancient curiosity, an old English clock, now stands in the family mansion, which belonged to the grand- mother of " Father Moody," and true to the use for which it was designed, still correctly marks the flight of time, although over two hundred and fifty years old.
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TOWN OF YORK.
there Jan. 4, 1675 ; graduated at Harvard College in 1697 ; came to York, May 16, 1698; was ordained as the succes- sor of Mr. Dummer, Dec. 20, 1700; and died here Nov. 13, 1747. Father Moody married, first, Hannah, daughter of John Sewall of Newbury. The issue of this marriage was Joseph Moody, born May 16, 1700, Mary Moody, born Aug. 24, 1702, and Lucy Moody, born July 6, 1705, and died the same day. Father Moody married, for his second wife, Mrs. Ruth Newman, of Gloucester, in 1732. By this marriage there was no issue.
Joseph, the first child of Father Moody, is reported to have been an excellent scholar. He graduated at Harvard College at the age of eighteen years, studied law, and com- menced his profession in York. Ilis popularity was so great that he was elected to any and every office which he would accept. He was appointed judge of the Court of Common Pleas July 9, 1731. All these worldly honors did not please Father Moody. He had made up his mind that Joseph must become a minister and preach the gospel to the people. With Father Moody to wish a thing done, it must be done. Accordingly, he had the town divided into two parishes in 1731, just as Joseph was beginning to reach the high honors which his great ability merited. The edict went forth from Father Moody that Joseph must re- nounce all his worldly ambition and honors, and become pastor of this newly-formed parish. Joseph obeyed, resigned as judge, and moved some four miles into the interior of the town, then almost a wilderness, and preached some six years, when, believing his vocation to be one for which he was not fitted, and that he had committed a great sin by assuming the sacerdotal robes, became low-spirited and gloomy, and closed his labors as a minister.
It was during this gloomy interval that he believed him- self unfit to look upon the face of his fellow-men, and in order to prevent this he wore over his face a dark cloth for a long time ; hence the name "Handkerchief Moody," by which he became commonly known.
There is a tradition that his gloomy state of mind was occasioned by his accidentally shooting a friend. The bet- ter opinion, however, has always been that the trouble arose from the idea he entertained that he had committed a great sin in attempting to preach the gospel. After his resigna- tion as pastor he recovered, and was a useful man for a period of fifteen years, until his death, March 20, 1753, aged nearly fifty-three years.
He married Lucy, daughter of John White, of Glouces- ter, Mass., and had six children : Samuel, born April 18, 1726; John, born Feb. 27, 1728 (died in infancy ) ; Joseph, born July 13, 1729 ; Hannal, born Sept. 15, 1731 ; Thomas, born Aug. 3, 1733; Lucy, born Feb. 13, 1736. From Jo- seph and Thomas, the third and fifth of his children, have proceeded a numerous race of that name.
Hon. N. G. Marshall, of York, to whom we are indebted for the above facts, has in his possession a law-book used by " Handkerchief Moody," printed in London in 1627.
We learn from a letter written by Judge Sewall to Chief Justice Parsons, dated York, June 16, 1810, that Samnel Moody, the oldest son of Joseph Moody and grandson of the famous preacher, Father Moody, was educated through the benevolent interest of Jeremiah Bragdon, of York.
He graduated at Harvard College in 1746, and, after leav- ing college, taught the York grammar school several years. Ile became a preacher, and preached acceptably for several years ; but, although he received several flattering invita- tions to become a settled minister, he declined on account of a natural diffidence and distrust of his abilities. His great delight and peculiar gifts seemed to be in affording instruction to others. His knowledge of the languages was excelled by few, and his manner of communicating them to his pupils surpassed by none. While he taught the gram- mar school at York his fame in this respect had drawn pupils from various quarters for the purpose of being fitted for college. The late President Willard, Governor Strong, Rev. Messrs. Tompson, Caton, and Smith were among his pupils at York. At length the trustees of the donation of Lieutenant-Governor Dummer, for perpetuating a grammar school in that part of Newbury called Byfield, gave him an invitation to take charge of the institution, which he ac- cepted, and to which he removed about 1747; and his brother Joseph and family soon after went and occupied the mansion-house and farm given by Governor Dummer for the support of the school. Here it was his peculiar genius, inclination, and usefulness were united and became conspicuous. Ilis great aim in that department was to make it answer the benevolent intention of its founder ; for this purpose he was unwearied in increasing its funds and raising the school to celebrity. His benevolent, disinter- ested mind disdained any personal pecuniary emolument while in that or, indeed, in any other situation. His whole mind seemed to be drawn to benefit others and to make the institution useful to the community ; aud a large num- ber of literary characters in the United States who received the rudiments of their education in the Dummer Academy can subscribe to the truth of this position.
" After officiating about thirty years in that department, his constitutional or hereditary gloom attacked him in such a manner as incapacitated him to discharge its duties satis- factorily, and he resigned the office and removed to York, and resided with his brother Joseph until his death, which happened suddenly and momentarily while on a visit to Exeter, N. H. His remains were removed to York, where a sermon was delivered by the Rev. John Tompson, of Berwick, one of his pupils, to a large concourse of his affectionate friends, conuections, and acquaintances."*
Col. Jeremiah Moulton was born in this town in 1685 ; was taken prisoner by the Indians in 1692 when the town was destroyed, and carried to Canada ; marched with Capt. Harmon and the 200 men to Norridgewock in 1724, and destroyed the Indian village there, killing Father Râle and twenty-six Indians; commanded a regiment at the siege of Louisbourg in 1745 ; was afterwards sheriff, coun- cilor, judge of Common Pleas, and probate. Besides these, he filled various offices in town. He died July 20, 1765, aged seventy-seven. His son and grandson were sheriffs of the county.
Henry Sewall is said to have been the first emigrant from whom all of the Sewall name are descended in this country. He had a son John who settled in this town, and from him
# See Bench and Bar and Civil List of the county.
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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, MAINE.
sprang the men who became noted. David Sewall was born in 1735, graduated at Harvard 1755, and established himself here in 1759. He was the second liberally-educated resident lawyer in the State at that time. He was appointed register of probate in 1766; associate judge of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts in 1777, which he held twelve years. Appointed by Washington judge of the United States Court for the district of Maiue, Sept. 26, 1789, which office he held till 1818, when he resigned ou account of the in- firmities of age. For fourteen years he was president of board of trustees of Bowdoin College. He was register of probate nearly seventeen years, and judge forty-one. He died in 1825, aged ninety. He left no family.
Daniel Sewall was born March 28, 1755 ; was appointed register of probate by Governor Hancock, March, 1783, and held the office until 1820. In 1792 was appointed elerk of the Court of Common Pleas; had been assistant clerk to Timothy Frost eleven years. His contract with Mr. Frost at first was to work for him from sun to sun for one shilling per day. When the law of 1797 made clerks of Common Pleas recording clerks of the Supreme Court he received that appointment for York County, and held it, with exception of 1811, till 1820. He was appointed postmaster of York by Timothy Pickering in 1792, which he retained fifteen years. In 1815 he removed to Kennebunk, where he died.
Wm. B. Sewall, son of Daniel, was born in York, Dec. 18, 1782; assisted Judge Bourne, of Kennebunk, in preparing the Maine Register of 1820; published the Register several years; was secretary of the Senate in 1822; moved to Kennebunk upon the death of his wife in 1819, and assisted his father in the duties of his office ; removed to Portland in 1823, and took charge of the editorial department of the Advertiser ; returned to Ken- Debunk in 1837, where he died a few years since.
Henry Sewall, oldest brother of Daniel, was born Oct. 24, 1752 ; joined the army at the age of twenty-three, and served honorably through the Revolution, rising to the rank of captain.
Wm. P. Preble was a native of this town. His father, Esaias, was a captain in the Revolution, and a member of the convention to ratify the constitution of Massachusetts. Wm. P. was born in Scotland parish, Nov. 27, 1783 ; fitted for college uuder Rev. Roswell Messenger, then settled in town, and for many years known as the blind preacher ; graduated at IFarvard in 1806. Ranking high in mathe- maties, he was appointed a tutor in that branch in 1809, and retained the place two years. He studied law, and first commeneed practice in this town ; removed to Alfred, and in 1811 was appointed county attorney ; in 1813 he removed to Saco. In 1814, President Madison appointed him United States attorney for Maiue. In 1818 he removed to Portland, and in 1820 was made judge of the Superior Court. Hle sat upou the bench till 1828. He was appointed minister plenipotentiary to the Hague by Presideut Jackson. In 1844 he engaged zealously in the railroad interests of the State, and was identified with the enterprise that had for its object the connection of the waters of the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence by rail with the sea and Portland .*
PHYSICIANS.
Next to ministers, physicians occupy a large portion of regard in communities. Among those remembered as first in town were Dr. Joseph Swett, Dr. Bennet, Dr. Job Lyman, brother of the minister, Dr. J. Gilman, Josiah and Jeremiah S. Putnam.
SURFACE AND SOIL.
The surface is quite broken, and along the sea-shore roeky. Some valuable salt-marsh is found about Brave Boat Harbor and on the York River above the post-road bridge. Agamenticus Mountain in the north, from which the town originally took its name, has an elevation of 680 feet, and is a noted landmark to mariners approaching the coast. The United States Coast Survey erected an ob- servatory upon its summit, from which one of the grandest prospects in the country is obtained. There are two head- lands, Cape Neddick and Bald Head, both objects of in- terest from the massive blocks of rocks against which the waves beat furiously during storms. At the extreme end of Cape Neddick is a small ledgy island called " the Nub- ble," barely separated from the mainland by a narrow rocky channel, through which the tide rushes like a mountain torrent ; and yet a captain not long since, to show his skill, ran his vessel through this passage without injury. Off " the Nubble" is a celebrated ducking-ground of sports- men, widely known as such in several States. The soil along the York River is clayey and fertile, and some as fine farms as can be found in the country are successfully cul- tivated here. The otber portions of the town are more sterile, but, notwithstanding, some valuable farms have been won by dint of great labor from the surrounding rocky wastes. The apple flourishes well and bears bountifully,- so much so that Cider Hill has long been a name applied to a section of the town. Here is shown an apple-tree yet living which is said to have been brought from England in a little tub or box by one of the early settlers more than two bundred and thirty years ago. The land on which the tree stood till recently was owned by Nathaniel Masterson, who was marshal of the county when the authorities of Massachusetts took possession, and was imprisoned by their posse. He was slain by the Indians, together with all his family except one little daughter, who was adopted by the Youngs, and married into the family. Ever since that event there has been a Masterson Young living in York. Since the forests have disappeared agriculture has been the leading pursuit, and corn, potatoes, and hay the prin- cipal crops.
Latterly this town has occupied an isolated position, though formerly it was on the great stage-route from Bos- ton to Portland; but since the introduction of the railroad era through travel was diverted to that channel, the nearest station of which was seven miles away. Late years visitors have been attraeted by its beautiful scenery, sparkling sea views, fine beaches, fishing, sporting, and boating advan- tages ; and boarding-houses have been crowded with guests during the summer, giving life and gayety to the village so full of interesting reminiscences of the olden time. A railroad in contemplation, joining Portsmouth with Saco, and passing through the intervening shore towns, will be,
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