USA > Maine > Somerset County > Skowhegan > History of the old towns, Norridgewock and Canaan, comprising Norridgewock, Canaan, Starks, Skowhegan, and Bloomfield, from their early settlement to the year 1849; including a sketch of the Abnakis Indians > Part 15
USA > Maine > Somerset County > Canaan > History of the old towns, Norridgewock and Canaan, comprising Norridgewock, Canaan, Starks, Skowhegan, and Bloomfield, from their early settlement to the year 1849; including a sketch of the Abnakis Indians > Part 15
USA > Maine > Somerset County > Bloomfield > History of the old towns, Norridgewock and Canaan, comprising Norridgewock, Canaan, Starks, Skowhegan, and Bloomfield, from their early settlement to the year 1849; including a sketch of the Abnakis Indians > Part 15
USA > Maine > Somerset County > Starks > History of the old towns, Norridgewock and Canaan, comprising Norridgewock, Canaan, Starks, Skowhegan, and Bloomfield, from their early settlement to the year 1849; including a sketch of the Abnakis Indians > Part 15
USA > Maine > Somerset County > Norridgewock > History of the old towns, Norridgewock and Canaan, comprising Norridgewock, Canaan, Starks, Skowhegan, and Bloomfield, from their early settlement to the year 1849; including a sketch of the Abnakis Indians > Part 15
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* Town Records. t Ibid.
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forty dollars; for the fifth year, three hundred and seventy dollars; for the sixth year, four hundred dollars; for the seventh year, four hun- dred and thirty dollars; for the eighth year, four hundred and sixty dollars; and from and after the eighth year of his ministry in this town, there be paid him the sum of five hundred dol- lars annually, the town reserving to themselves the right and privilege of paying two hundred and fifty dollars of the respective sums aforesaid, in each and every year, in country produce, at the market price in cash," &c. This call, with certain provisions made by Mr. Sperry, was ac- cepted, and he was about to commence his la- bors, but he suddenly changed his mind, and, June 16, 1814, Rev. Josiah Peet received and accepted an invitation to settle in Norridgewock. He had previously labored a few months as a missionary. He was ordained August 4, 1814 .* Oct. 20, 1817, it was voted that "a belfry be erected on one of the porches of the meeting- house, to be built in a workman-like manner." The addition was made.t
May 15, 1819, it was "voted, that the Con- gregational Society shall have a right to the use of the meeting-house one half of the time, and that the several other religious denomina- tions or societies shall have a right to the use thereof the other half of the time, that is, every other Sabbath alternately."}
March 21, 1836, two thirds of the lower story of the church was made into a town hall, the
* Town Records. + Ibid. Į Ibid.
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HISTORY OF NORRIDGEWOCK.
remainder into a vestry, the upper into a hall for worship, and at the same time the church was shingled, and other appropriate repairs were made.
The substance of the following history of the Congregationalist church was written by Rev. Josiah Peet, pastor, and by him furnished for a Religious Periodical, from which it was copied into the Somerset Journal.
The Congregationalist church was formed September 22, 1797, with twenty-four mem- bers .* During that year and the following, thirty more were added, making fifty-four. In 1807, ten more were added; and from that time until 1814, there were but seven additions. The lack of a minister for six or seven years of the time, and the destitution of preaching, re- duced the spiritual progress of the church very much. With the exception of the occasional labors of a missionary, they were nearly desti- tute of preaching from 1784 f until 1813, when a call was extended to Rev. Ebenezer P. Sperry,
* One of the first and most useful members of the church was Dea. John Loring. It was through his influence that Rev. J. Peet, the present and long-tried pastor of the church, was set- tled. The friends of religion in those days were few, and Mr. Loring taxed himself greatly in behalf of the cause he held dear. His liberality and zeal rendered him a conspicuous and worthy example. He has since left the church.
" This is not strictly correct, as Rev. Seth Stetson was perma- nently settled two years, and only left in consequence of a flat- tering invitation to settle in Plymouth Rev. - Loomis also was invited to settle in Norridgewock, and returned a favorable answer, when he received a call to go to Bangor, which he ac- cepted. He preached in Bangor ten or twelve years, and fell dead in his own pulpit. Rev. Allen Greely, row of Turner, preached here in the interval, as did Rev. Messrs. Randall, Bell, Marcy, Elliot, and others. - Dea. John Loring, Town Record, &c.
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HISTORY OF NORRIDGEWOCK.
who returned an affirmative answer. But he soon countermanded his consent, and, in the fall of 1813, Rev. Josiah Peet, agent of the Maine Missionary Society, visited the church in his official capacity. He found it considera- bly depressed and discouraged.
He lectured one evening to the people, and left them the next morning, without expecting to see them again. He relates that as he was going away, a venerable member of the church observed to him, "I know not that you will ever visit us again, but I shall ask the Lord to send you." Soon after, Mr. Peet was directed to spend two weeks with the people of Nor- ridgewock, and a subscription was raised, and Mr. Peet was engaged half of the time for one year. Nine members were added to the church during the winter.
In the summer of 1814, the town and church concurred in giving Mr. Peet a call to labor one half of the time in Norridgewock, and the re- mainder in missionary fields in the neighbor- hood.
On the 4th of August, 1814, Mr. Peet was settled permanently in the town. Rev. Messrs. Emerson and Calef, with their delegates, were present.
For the four following years, but five persons were added to the church. A revival took place in 1819, and thirteen members were added to the church. But four persons were added for the six following years. In the spring of 1826 a powerful revival prevailed. From that time until late in autumn, the church
21*
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HISTORY OF NORRIDGEWOCK.
was gladdened by the evidence of growing interest. During the entire season, about sev- enty persons were converted, some of whom united with the Methodist church. Forty-one were added to the Congregationalist church, and twenty-two were heads of families.
Jan. 3, 1828, Samuel Brintnall Witherell was ordained as an Evangelist. Sermon by Rev. J. Peet.
The present pastor is Rev. Josiah Peet. He has been pastor of the Congregationalist church and society thirty-five years. He has sustained a faithful ministry, has gone in and out before his people with zeal and honor, and his name will long be remembered, and affectionately treasured. There are now one hundred mem- bers in the church, and it has a Sunday school of one hundred and twenty scholars, with a library of five hundred volumes.
Should there be any deficiency, or any mis- statements in this sketch, the writer begs leave to call the reader's attention to his authorities. A history of the church, from 1797 to 1826, was written by Rev. J. Peet, and published in the Christian Mirror. All the facts in that his- tory are embodied here. Besides that docu- ment, the town books are quite full, and have been freely used ; also Greenleaf's Ecclesias- tical Sketches, while information has been re- ceived from Rev. S. Stetson, the former pastor, Dea. John Loring, and others. Doubtless the church books would give some additional data, but though the writer made a most respectful
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HISTORY OF NORRIDGEWOCK.
application to the pastor of the Congregation- alist church, Rev. Josiah Peet, for the use of the church books, the reverend gentleman per- emptorily refused them.
BAPTISTS - FIRST CHURCH.
THE first Baptist church in Norridgewock was organized July 31, 1819, with ten mem- bers : John Piper, David Trask, Joseph Pratt, Daniel Manter, Sarah Piper, Mary Trask, Han- nah Washburn, Mary Washburn, Lydia Trask, Lydia Manter. It was one of the results of the labors of the Bloomfield church, and was organ- ized, and held its first meetings, in the school- house near Old Point, and has occasionally held meetings in other school-houses in the town. Different preachers officiated, among whom may be mentioned the different clergymen of that denomination in Bloomfield. A pastor was never settled, and in consequence of the seces- sions of those who had left to join other church- es, it was so reduced that it disbanded in 1830. It had but twelve or fifteen members, and did not have a very prosperous existence. Most of the members joined the Second Church at the village.
BAPTISTS - SECOND CHURCH. +
This church was organized September 17, 1828, with sixteen members: Jeremiah Tuck, John Cromwell, Nancy Tuck, Ezekiel Gilman, Susannah Kilgore, Sally Kilgore, Mary Crom- well, Jesse Taylor, Motherwell Preble, Susan-
* Mr. McKechnie. Millet's History. + Ibid.
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nah Preble, John Cleaves, Jona. Mitchell, Bet- sey Norton, Betsey McKechnie, Sally Black, and Betsey Merrill.
Occasional preaching by Revs. Datus Allen, Sylvanus Boardman, and Francis Powers, and others, was enjoyed; and in August, 1838, Rev. Thomas Goldthwait was installed as the first pastor. He preached one fourth of the time to the society, and remained proclaiming the Gos- pel until Nov., 1841, when he was dismissed.
About this time the church was greatly re- duced by reason of the dismissal of a large por- tion of the members to form a church at Oak Hill.
In December, 1843, Rev. Arthur Drinkwater began to supply the pulpit. He remained until the fall of 1844. In the meantime the church, aided by the Methodists and Free-will Baptists, erected the excellent meeting-house now stand- ing in Oosoola. It cost about $2000, and was dedicated January 1, 1844 ; sermon by Rev. A. Drinkwater, and other services by Rev. Messrs. Downing and Hutchings.
From March, 1845, to the spring of 1846, Rev. - Stevens preached at the village, and at Oak Hill. He was succeeded, April 25, 1846, by Rev. Isaac Merrill, who preached to both churches, and who remained until March, 1849. The church is now without a pastor. It now numbers forty-three members, and a union Sun- day School is held at the Union House, contain- ing 60 scholars, with a library of 250 volumes.
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HISTORY OF NORRIDGEWOCK.
BAPTISTS - OAK HILL CHURCH.
The third Baptist Church formed in Norridge- wock, was organized June 14, 1842, with 16 members. The pastors of the Second Church have usually officiated in the pulpit at Oak Hill. There is a small Sunday School at the Dudley school house, but none at the church. The present convenient church at Oak Hill was built in 1836, at an expense of about $1100. There are now twenty-two members of the church.
The Baptists of Norridgewock are faithful and persevering Christians, and therefore, good citi- zens.
METHODISTS.
The first Methodist preacher that ever pene- trated these parts and exercised his vocation, was Rev. Cyrus Stebbins, who spoke on a few occasions about the year 1796. About the same time Jesse Lee, a distinguished minister of that sect, delivered a funeral sermon on the death of a young man named Nutting, who was drown- ed. Mr. Lee happened in the town, and was persuaded to preach the sermon, and it is relat- ed that he spoke on the bank of the river, to a very large concourse of people, many of whom were on the opposite shore. He tarried over Sunday, and occupied the meeting house.
The first preacher stationed on the circuit was Rev. Jesse Stoneman, who was sent here in 180 -. He remained here one year, and preached from Bingham to Waterville. He
* Mr. McKechnie. Millet's History.
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HISTORY OF NORRIDGEWOCK.
established the first society and church. The presiding elder was Rev. Joshua Taylor.
Rev. Roger Searle was his successor. To- wards the close of the year, Mr. Searle brought a coarse rustic lad with him, very young, and apparently very diffident and uncouth. To the surprise of the people, this boy entered the pul- pit with Mr. Searle, and made an excellent prayer. On a subsequent Sunday he returned to supply for Mr. Searle, and though a boy, he performed the services very acceptably. The next year he was sent to Norridgewock by the Conference, and was stationed here during the year following. This rough, uncultivated lad, was none other than the now justly distinguish- ed Bishop Joshua Soule, the temporal head of the largest denomination in North America .*
There have been many preachers here, among whom are remembered Rev. Messrs. Asa Heath, Caleb Fogg, Joshua Randall, Daniel Emery, John Lewis, Greenleaf Greely, Gorham Greely, Abram Holway, Henry True, John Allen, P. P. Morrill, Abel Alton, Isaac Down- ing, Ira T. Thurston, Elias F. Blake, Isaac Lord, Parker Jaques, Theodore Hill, Josiah Higgins, Samuel Ambrose, Dan Perry, Harry W. Latham, A. F. Barnard, D. F. Hutchinson, B. F. Sprague, Benj. Bryant, and others.
The present preacher is Rev. Heman Nicker- son, who resides in Skowhegan. He occupies the desk in South Norridgewock, or Oosoola, one fourth of the time. There are about fifty Methodists in Norridgewock. The church has
* Josiah Spaulding, Esq. James Trench, Esq.
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HISTORY OF NORRIDGEWOCK.
a Sunday school in connection with the Bap- tists. Dea. John Clark, Luke Withee and Joseph Tarbell were among the first and most zealous of the Methodists in this town.
As late as 1823, Dea. John Clark, Josiah Spaulding and wife, Ezra Turner and wife, Hannah Allen and James Trench were about all the Methodists in Norridgewock, but in 1824-5, there was a revival and about sixty joined the connection.
UNITARIANS.
The first Unitarian Society and Church in Norridgewock was organized May 28, 1825. Hon. Warren Preston, Chairman; Asa Clark, Esq., Secretary ; Richard Sawtelle, Esq., Treas- urer; Warren Preston, Amos Townsend, Asa Clark, Committee; Thomas C. Jones, Esq., Collector. Among the names attached to the call for the Society, and among the officers, are many of the principal people of the town.
The first pastor was Rev. William Fessenden, who labored with the Society about one year. In the year 1826, the Society took the name of the Second Congregational Society, and in September of the same year, Rev. Samuel Brimblecom was invited at a salary of $500 per annum. Mr. Brimblecom remained, dis-
charging his duties faithfully, until November, 1829, when he removed. The Society included those known as liberal Christians, and Unita- rians and Universalists worshipped together. Mr. Brimblecom, however, became somewhat dissatisfied with the position he occupied, and * Hon. Cullen Sawtelle. Society Records.
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HISTORY OF NORRIDGEWOCK.
at the Session of the Maine Convention of Universalists in June, 1829, he made a public announcement of his belief in Universalism. He has since been recognized as a Universalist preacher, and now resides in Grafton, Massa- chusetts. He was succeeded in 1830 by Rev. Thomas Beede.
Mr. Beede afterwards became a Universalist preacher, and died in the winter of 1848 - 9. The meetings were held in the court-house. The Unitarian Society was highly respectable, and wrought a good work.
FREE-WILL BAPTISTS.
The Free-Will Baptist Church in Norridge- wock was originally situated in Fairfield, but its location was changed to the former place in the year 1829. At that time the Rev. Cyrus Stilson occasionally preached to the church, and during that year a revival was enjoyed. The fruits were an addition of ten by baptism. The church was about this time aided by the efficient labors of Rev. Messrs. Williamson, Leach, Gray, Colcord, and Hutchins. In 1830, two united with the church by baptism, and two by letter. In 1832, Rev. Samuel Hutchins baptized eight who united with the church. Two united by letter. From the year 1836, until 1842, Rev. Samuel Hutchins was pastor of the church, and discharged a good ministry. During his stay the following additions were made : - In 1836, 3; 1837, 4; 1838, 3; 1839, 3; 1840, 6; 1841, 6; 1842, 1.
* Communicated by Rev. Stephen Bowdoin.
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HISTORY OF NORRIDGEWOCK.
In 1843, Rev. Abel Turner supplied the pul- pit a short season, and baptized three. Rev. Ephraim Harding commenced laboring in the same year, and baptized three. He continued until the year 1847, when the services of Rev. Samuel Wheeler were secured. The people of this denomination are liberal towards other sects, and the labors of Mr. Wheeler are highly acceptable. "The common people hear him gladly." He preaches one fourth of the time in Oosoola.
The present number in the church is thirty-four. For Sunday School statistics, see Baptist sketch.
Rev. Stephen Bowdoin, of this connection, resides in Norridgewock, though his labors are mainly directed to fields in other towns.
UNIVERSALISTS.
Different clergymen in the denomination labored occasionally to the believers in a world's salvation from sin and suffering, as early as the year 1830, but the society was first organized August 16, 1836. Rev. Darius Forbes was chairman, and T. J. Copeland clerk of the first regular meeting, and T. J. Copeland, Wm. L. Wheeler and Dr. Amos Townsend were ap- pointed to draft a constitution. The first officers were Calvin Heald, President ; Joshua Gould, Secretary ; Amos Townsend, Treasurer; Eben E. Russell, Collector.
Mr. Forbes preached a portion of the time to the Universalist Society, in the Court House,
* Society Records, S. W. Turner, Esq. 22
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HISTORY OF NORRIDGEWOCK.
during the year 1836 - 7, and April 1, 1838, he was engaged to supply the desk every Sabbath for one year. His efforts were highly blest, and great interest was taken in his labors. The following editorial paragraph is taken from the Somerset Journal for 1838.
" REVIVAL OF RELIGION .- There is quite an interesting state of things existing in connexion with the Universalist Society in this town. That the Lord is affording them tokens of his presence, we cannot doubt. "
In consequence of a very flattering invitation to settle in Hallowell, Mr. Forbes removed in January, 1839, universally regretted. The remainder of his year was occupied by Rev. John A. Henry. Mr. Forbes now resides in Boston. He is author of a treatise on Odd Fellowship, and a popular theological work.
In April, 1839, Rev. Albion S. Dudley took pastoral charge, and he was succeeded in 1840 by Rev. R. Blacker, now of Livermore. From that time the society remained in a destitute condition, with the exception of occasional preaching, until November 12, 1848, when Rev. J. W. Hanson, from Danvers, Mass. com- menced laboring in the parish. Religious services are observed in the Court House, every alternate Sabbath. There are eighty families that support the gospel of Universal Grace.
The " Oberlin Sunday School and Bible Class," connected with the society, was organized June 16, 1837, though its meetings have been sus- pended a portion of the time since. It now nuni- bers fifty, and has a library of 200 volumes.
HISTORY OF STARKS.
JAMES WAUGH, the first settler on Sandy River, was born in Townsend, Massachusetts, about the year 1749. He came down to Clin- ton, in early life, and availing himself of the offer of the New Plymouth Company, he took his gun, knapsack and dog, in the year 1772, and started up the Kennebec, determined to follow the stream until he found a farm to suit his eye. When he came to the Sandy, or Penobsquisumquisebou, he found he could not cross the river, and thought he would follow up, what seemed to him a very small stream. The first lot in the angle formed by the junction of the streams pleased his eye much, but he concluded to look further before settling. The next lot so exactly suited him, that he resolved to settle upon it.
The farm he took merits a moment's descrip- tion. It lies nearly opposite the Old Point, and when first seen by Mr. Waugh, was entirely cleared, and filled with the ancient cornhills of the Indians, which remained visible until with- in a few years. The intervale is formed by a sharp bend of the river, and contains one
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HISTORY OF STARKS.
hundred acres of the richest soil, requiring only eighty rods of fence! A portion of the soil is washed each year by the spring tides, which deposit a rich sediment, rendering dressing needless. Indeed, for seventy-five years there has not a plough struck the soil, nor has plant- ing or artificial manuring been resorted to, and yet two tons of hay to the acre has been the annual produce. When discovered, the growth of native grass was so luxuriant, that a tall man could stand in the field, and tie the ends of the stalks together above his head. There is no sand or gravel, but the soil is the finest loam, producing the heaviest crops. In the words of the present owner, James M. Hilton, Esq.,-"That land never yet told a lie." Taken as a whole, there is not a better farm of its size in Maine or New England. " Singular * as it may seem, a distinguished agricultural editor once lived on this farm, and he found it an un- profitable place. So much better is practical, than theoretical farming."
Mr. Waugh marked the lot, and returned to Sebasticook, and in the following spring he re- turned with three others, Captain - Fletcher, and his sons Daniel and Joseph, and erected temporary, bullet-proof camps, and began to plant the new soil. After waiting until they had gathered the fruits of their industry, they spent the winter of 1773 in Clinton, and were married, and in the spring of 1774, the four came up, with their wives, and began the set-
* J. S. Abbott, Esq.
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HISTORY OF STARKS.
tlement of Sandy river. Mr. Waugh's wife's name was Fairfield .*
January 10, 1775, James Waugh was born, said by some to be the first white child born on Sandy river, if not in Somerset County.f He enjoyed the confidence of his fellow-citizens, discharged many trusts, and died in Norridge- wock, August 31, 1318, at the age of 43 years.
The Indians were here in great abundance, " as plenty as the red squirrels," and the whoops they made at night, and their frequent appear- ance, filled the early settlers with great alarm, so much so, that after remaining a short time, the females were afraid to stay longer, and accordingly they were sent to Fort Halifax. The men remained and worked together. Each one had a dog by his side, a gun near by, and a powder-horn and shot-pouch slung around him, and thus accoutred, they tilled their fields. Though in constant fear, they were never attacked. The Indians were always peaceable, and in the autumn the females returned.
On the breaking out of the Revolution, Mr. Waugh's neighbors were fearful that the Indians would be excited against the settlers by the English, and they left him alone, with none nearer than those on the north bank of the Kennebec. Mr. Waugh remained through
The facts in relation to James Waugh, and the early settle- ment of Starks, were obtained from John Waugh, Esq., the second son of James, and brother of the Colonel, who was born March 11, 1777. He is now (1849) living, and respected for his excellence.
t See Thomas Farrington.
22*
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HISTORY OF STARKS.
the Revolution, and in 1777 he was appointed Captain of a scouting party, as is seen by the following
" Orders.
" To Mr. James Waugh, Commander of a Scouting Party on Kennebeck River.
" You are to proceed up said river with your Party, to the Great Carrying-Place, then divide the Party equally, send three to the Crotch of the Main River, or as far as Moose-Pond on the Eastern Branch of said River. The other three are to cross the great Carrying-Place, to the Dead River, and scout between s'd Dead River and the Seven Mile Brook. Keep a faithful account of your Proceedings, and Advise me by all opportunities of the Discoveries you make of the Enemy - Till further Orders.
" WILLIAM HOWARD L. Col. " Hallowell Aug. 2. 1777."
Empowered by his Commission, he went up the Kennebec, and divided his men, who were four in number. An agreement was made that Oliver Wilson and Luke Sawyer should go towards the Lake, while Captain Waugh, Isaac Smith, and Samuel Weston, should scout on the Dead river. Orders were given that neither party should fire a gun in any emergency, unless Indians were seen. Wilson and Sawyer were in a canoe, and they had gone but a short distance when Sawyer discovered a bear swimming, and fired at him. He shot him, but Wilson sharply upbraided him, telling him that the report would alarm the other party. The two scouted to the lake, and returned to
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HISTORY OF STARKS.
the appointed place of rendezvous, but no trace of the other three could be found. They re- turned to Norridgewock, where they learned that the sound of Sawyer's gun so alarmed the other party, that they scarcely looked behind them in their flight, until they reached Norridge- wock, from which place they sent an express to Col. Howard, who ordered out a detachment of troops, and had got them nearly to Norridge- wock to disperse the Indians, before the mis- take was rectified.
Captain Waugh and his men saw an Indian trail on the Dead river, and the tracks of two white men among the rest, and they knew that they were prisoners. It was afterwards ascertained that Roger Chase and John Noble were hunting on the Dead river, when they were discovered and taken prisoners by a party consisting of three Indians, and carried to Canada, where they were surrendered to the English. Chase proposed to his friend, several times, that they should make an attempt to escape, but he refused. The Indians seem to have been well-disposed, and to have taken them for the sake of the bounty offered by the English. They were imprisoned in an English frigate which lay in the St. Lawrence, about three fourths of a mile from shore. After being on board several days, Chase proposed to his companion to attempt an escape. He replied that he could not swim, but that if Chase would make an effort, he would not expose him. This was agreed to, and, accordingly, Chase improved the first dark night by tying his cloth-
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HISTORY OF STARKS.
ing in a hard bundle, and after securing it well to the back of his neck, swimming to the shore, though it was in the inclement month of December. He reached the shore in safety, and after rubbing himself to restore circulation, and dressing himself, he started through the woods of Canada for home. He had neither compass, fire-arms, nor money, but he was a brave and experienced hunter, and was noth- ing daunted. He begged of the occasional French settlers he met, and, for the most part, subsisted on what they gave him. On one occasion, nine days elapsed between leaving a French settlement and reaching food. And what was the luxurious repast he obtained ? As he was about giving up to die in despair, he saw a bear's foot floating in the water, that some fortunate hunter had thrown away. When he removed it from the water, it was so far decomposed that the hair slid off, but Mr. Chase declared it to be the best meal he ever ate. It sustained him till he reached Norridge- wock. His companion escaped from the frigate in Boston harbor a short time after. Roger Chase was not only a man of remarkable endurance, but of some humor withal. He was out hunting on one occasion with Samuel Weston, and on reaching their camp, he com- plained of indisposition, and asked his com- panion to procure light food for supper. On being asked what he would prefer, he replied, " Some bread crummed in melted bears'-grease !"
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