USA > Maine > Lincoln County > Waldoboro > History of the town of Waldoboro, Maine > Part 6
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In 1807 the town voted to give to Rev. John Ruggles Cutting an invitation to settle therein and perform the duties of minister of the Gospel.
I. Eaton's history of Thomaston.
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HISTORY OF WALDOBORO.
Joseph Farley, John Head, George Demuth, Thomas W. Sproul, Thomas Waterman and Joshua Head were appointed a committee to engage Mr. Cutting. At a subsequent meeting the committee reported his acceptance. In 1808 the Congregational church was organized and Rev. John R. Cutting installed pastor, the first English preacher in town. The installation ser- vices took place in Smouse's field, upon a staging erected where the Augustus Welt and Nathan Nash houses now are. The church edifice was not built till 1820, and dedicated in September of that year.
In 1807, for the first time the question of the separation of Maine from Massachusetts, came before the town. The vote was none in favor, 205 opposed. The town voted several times on this proposition, always in opposition. Nov. 14, 1816, voted to send a remonstrance against sepa- ration.
The census taken in 1810 showed a further increase of population to 2160.
Previous to 1810 only two militia companies were enrolled in Waldoboro, but this year the "Waldoboro Light Infantry" was organized, uni- formed and equipped. The company was made up as follows :
OFFICERS :
Isaac G. Reed, Captain,
111
PERIOD FROM 1800 TO 1820.
Charles Miller, Lieutenant, Jacob Ludwig, Ensign, Alden Thomas, Clerk, Thomas Simmons, Corporal, Samuel Morse, John Brown,
MUSICIANS :
Christian Walter, Fifer,
Charles Shuman,
Gardiner Davis, Bass Drum,
Charles Demuth, Tenor Drum,
Joseph Groton,
PRIVATES :
John Achorn, John Head, 2d,
George Achorn,
Phillip Hilt,
John Alstine, John Kinsell,
John Bartlett, John Kuhn,
Jacob Burkett, Jacob Kaler,
Charles Burkett, Charles Kaler, 2d,
Frederick Benner,
Paul Kaler,
Charles Benner,
George, Kaler,
Charles Benner, 2d, John Kidder,
Jacob Benner,
John Lash,
Christopher Benner, Jacob Lash, Ralph Cole, George Miller,
John Demuth, Frank Miller,
Martin Demuth, Henry Manning,
Phillip Demuth, John Sides,
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HISTORY OF WALDOBORO.
William Fish,
Andrew Schenck,
Phillip Feyler,
Charles Seiders,
John Freeman,
Henry Seiders,
Thomas Gillard,
Adam Shuman,
Asa Hunt, Phillip Shuman,
John Hahn, Daniel Sampson,
George Hibbard, John Trowbridge,
James Trowbridge.
Rev. Mr. Ritz died in 1811, and the town voted to defray the expense of his funeral. After the death of Mr. Ritz a meeting of the German Society was held and Capt Charles Miller was delegated with full power to go to Philadelphia and engage a minister able to preach in the Ger- man language, and a man suited to the wants of the Society. Capt. Miller performed this duty and engaged Rev. John William Starman, who ar- rived in Waldoboro and preached his first sermon in the German meeting house in the fall of 1811. It appears that he had not been ordained, for Nov, 25, 18II, a committee reported to the Society in favor of paying Mr. Starman $400 a year, "if he will return to us again as an ordained minister in the same manner and form as Mr. Ritz." Mr. Starman complied with this request and began his pastorate in 1812.
The embargo and non-intercourse act, pro- hibiting commerce with England and France, be- came so embarassing that, Sept. 5, 1808, the
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PERIOD FROM 1800 TO 1820.
town voted to petition the President of the United States to have the embargo removed.
In the war of 1812 the people of Waldoboro took no active part until near its close, with the exception of precautionary measures for general protection. June 13, 1814, a committee appointed by the town, reported in favor of having a com- mittee appointed to consult with committees of Bristol, Friendship and other towns in the vicinity, and with officers of the militia, for some uniform mode of conveying alarm on approach of danger, and that the selectmen be requested to immedi- ately cause 50 lbs. of powder to be made into car- tridges with a ball in each cartridge, and the officers of the militia in case of alarm be autho- rized to distribute the ammunition to the soldiers under their command. The report was accepted and Dr. Benjamin Brown, Joshua Head, John Stahl and Payne Elwell were appointed a com- mittee of safety.
The boom of guns in the sea fight between the Enterprise and Boxer, which occurred Sept. 5, 1813, was distinctly heard in town. This action took place between Pemaquid Point and Monhegan.
The enemy's cruisers made navigation along the coast very dangerous. On the sixth day of June, 1814, the sloop Mary, which sailed from this port, was captured by a barge containing
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HISTORY OF WALDOBORO.
twenty men from the British frigate Junon. The sloop was burned and the captain and crew taken to Halifax and confined in Melville Island Prison. The names of those captured were Capt. Jacob Kaler, Charles W. Caler, Henry Caler and James Benner. After remaining at Melville Island six weeks, they were put on board the "Chespeake" (captured from the United States) and carried to Plymouth, England, whence they were marched
to Dartmoor prison. There they found Benjamin Brown and Benjamin Kinsell, old acquaintances from Waldoboro. Kinsell had been impressed into the English service, and, refusing to fight against his countrymen, was treated as a prisoner of war. Brown had been captured on an Ameri- can privateer. These men were all present April 9, 1815, when the massacre of prisoners occurred. While confined there James Benner took a severe cold from bathing and was carried to the hospital where to all appearance he died. Preparations were made to bury him, but after lying in syncope twenty-four hours, he revived and at the expira- tion of three days of mental derangement, he was pronounced out of danger. He died in this town Sept. 3, 1873, at the age of 81 years. When peace was declared these prisoners were sent to New York, thence to Boston where they took pas- sage with Capt. Charles Sampson for Waldoboro.1
I. Captain Charles W. Caler, deceased.
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PERIOD FROM 1800 TO 1820.
The most exciting time of the war was caused by the appearance of a British fleet at Camden. On Saturday afternoon, Sept. 3, 1814, a courier reached Major Isaac G. Reed with orders to have his battalion under arms at sunrise the next morning, with three days' rations, prepared to march to the defense of Camden Harbor. At this time the militia of Waldoboro was composed of two companies not uniformed, with the excep- tion of the officers, and the Light Infantry in uni- form. The companies were commanded by Capt. Phillip Keizer, Capt. George Clouse and Capt.
Charles Miller of the Light Infantry. These companies made up a battalion under Major Reed and were a part of Colonel Thatcher's regiment. Sunday morning these troops were in line in front of the town house and roll call showed only eight absentees. Some of these joined their companies before they reached Camden. After an inspection and prayer by one of the clergymen, the battalion, with the Light Infantry on the right, took up its line of march for the "front," followed a long dis- tance by weeping mothers, wives and sweethearts. Sunday night the battalion remained at Warren, and not being provided with tents, found shelter in barns and other buildings. Monday morning Major Reed's command was ordered to what is now Rockland, where shelter for the night was provided by Jacob Ulmer. Alfred Hovey, Quar-
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HISTORY OF WALDOBORO.
termaster, was ordered to report to Major Reed as Acting Adjutant. Tuesday the battalion marched to Camden where it was joined by the other bat- talion of Thatcher's regiment, under Major Hawes of Union. Col. E. Foote's regiment was also on the ground and this display of force deterred the enemy from landing. The two regiments were paraded in review before Major General King of Bath, and were ordered home after a campaign of a week in which they did not have an opportunity to fire a gun. The battalion arrived here Satur- day and were quartered at Major Reed's house' till Monday when a review took place in Smouse's field, and they were dismissed.
The year 1816 was the coldest on record. Frost occurred with more or less severity every month. On the 12th of April there was a storm of snow which laid for a week and made good sleighing. May was cold and on the 24th rain was congealed on the fruit trees then ready to blossom. On the 5th, or 6th, of June wintry weather set in with squalls of wind, snow and hail, from the northwest, which destroyed birds, froze the ground, cut down vegetation and compelled people to put on their great coats and mittens.
I. This house was begun by Rev. John R. Cutting and was then in an unfinished condition. It was completed by Major Reed, its owner, who occupied it.
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PERIOD FROM 1800 TO 1820.
The whole month was cold and heavy frosts oc- curred in July.™
April 12th, 1817, the town adopted a resolu- tion to the effect that "the vice of intoxication hath, in the town of Waldoboro, attained to an extent ruinous to the morals, destructive to the health and injurious to those addicted to it." The selectmen were instructed to use all legal means in their power to prevent the vending of rum and other spiritous liquors.
In 1817 the "new county road," so called, was built from Joshua Head's house to James Hall's mill in Nobleboro, at a cost of $1,422.00. The road was built under the supervision of Isaac G. Reed, Payne Elwell and Samuel Morse. About this time the river was bridged at what is now Soule's mill.
In 1819 the question of separation having been decided by a majority of the voters of the district, delegates were chosen to a convention in Portland, to frame a State Constitution. The del- egates from this town were Joshua Head, Isaac G. Reed and Jacob Ludwig, Jr. On the 6th of December the town voted 33 in favor of accepting the Constitution and 2 opposed.
At the same time the selectmen were author- ized to contract for and secure conveyance of a suitable place whereon to set a powder house and
I. Annals of Warren.
118
HISTORY OF WALDOBORO.
to cause to be built thereon a brick building, in which to deposite the town's stock of ammunition. This powder house was subsequently built on Prock's Ledge where it was a prominent object till 1885 when it was torn down by the selectmen and the brick used for building a chimney in the engine house which was built that year.
The business of shipbuilding was a growing industry, although confined to a small class of vessels.
The German language continued to be used by a majority of the people in every day conversa- tion. When using English their speech was de- cidedly "Dutchy."
CHAPTER XV.
PERIOD FROM 1820 TO 1840.
The census of 1820 made the population of Waldoboro 2449. The increase was due to the business prosperity and importance of the town. A flourishing village was rapidly being built up on the eastern side of the river whither trade had gradually removed. Shipbuilding and trade were drawing many citizens hither and every branch of industry was prospering. During the early part of this period came Joseph Clark, Robert C. Webb,' John Bulfinch and others. Henry Ken- nedy removed from the northern part of the town and began business in the village as a trader and later as a shipbuilder.
Maine had become a State with nine counties and two hundred and thirty-six towns. We are informed that the design for the State seal was conceived by Col. Isaac G. Reed, who was a member of the Constitutional Convention, and the design sketched by Miss Bertha Smouse,2 his step- daughter. From her sketch was engraved the
1. Robert C. Webb came from New Castle in 1822 and taught school several terms in the Charles Crammer district. Later he operated a tan- nery and manufactured shoes.
2. Bertha Smouse married Dr. John G. Brown.
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HISTORY OF WALDOBORO.
seal which has been in use since Maine became a State.
Previous to 1821 the post office had been lo- cated on the west side. John Head, who had been postmaster twenty-six years, being ready to relinquish the office, it was confidently hoped that it might be removed to the east side for the con- venience of a majority of the citizens, who desired the appointment of Payne Elwell. To the sur- prise of everybody Charles Samson, who resided and conducted a store at Thomas's Hill three miles south, received the appointment. A town meeting was called Jan. 8, 1821, at which it was voted "that the town petition the Postmaster General to remove Charles Samson from the office of Postmaster of this town." The remon- strance goes on to represent that Mr. Elwell, who resided in the centre of the village, had a very convenient place for the office to be kept, and was well qualified for the position, that Charles Samson resided three miles from any part of the post road, and was withal extremely obnoxious and displeasing to the great mass of the people. Notwithstanding Mr. Samson held the office eight years, when he was succeeded by Col. Isaac G. Reed, who removed the office to the village in 1828.
The same year Samuel Sweetland and others petitioned the legislature for a division of the
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PERIOD FROM 1820 TO 1840.
town. A special town meeting was called and it was voted to remonstrate against such division and to authorize the selectmen to take such measures as they may think expedient, at the ex- pense of the town, to oppose the petition. The town was not divided.
May 5, 1823, the town voted to pay Rev. Mr. Mitchell and Rev. Mr. Starman their salaries to the end of the year, and "that all contracts ex- isting between them and the town be null and void from and after the 2 1st day of October next; and providing said Messrs. Mitchell and Starman shall within twenty days signify in writing to the town clerk their consent to annul their contract with the town." May 19th Rev. Mr. Mitchell signified his consent; May 20th Rev. J. W. Star- man stated: "I feel extremely hurt by the words in which the town vote is expressed. I never did, nor do I consider myself a minister of the town of Waldoboro; that my call as minister of the Gospel to this place, came solely from the Ger- man Protestant Society and Church, and there- fore there are no labors to cease, nor any con- tract to be annulled between the town and me; that in conformity to a contract which exists be- tween said society and the town I will call upon the town within six months for the balance due me by said society; that I willingly submit that even this connection between the town and me
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HISTORY OF WALDOBORO.
be dissolved as soon as the town pleases." Thus ended the employment of ministers by the town.
Sept. 13th, 1824, the town voted to lay out a "bridle road" from meeting house cove, by John P. Gross's to Jacob Heavner's, agreeably to the petition of John P. Gross and others; other bridle roads were subsequently laid out. The same year a bridge was built where the old boom spanned the river near Bulfinch's. This bridge was a private enterprise, which was accepted by the town some years later.
The First Baptist Church was organized June 6, 1824, with eleven members. Rev. Job Wash- burn was the first pastor.
In 1825, it appears a movement was made to set off a portion of the town to the town of Union, for the Selectmen were instructed to write to the representative of the town in the legislature to oppose any such legislation. Again in 1830 an effort was made by the town of Bremen to annex to that town Johnston's Island, and our represent- ative was instructed to oppose such annexation.
Census of 1830 was 3113.
Wild animals were still troublesome and as late as 1830 the town offered a premium of five dollars for every wild cat killed in town.
Commodore Samuel Tucker, who had been a frequent visitor, died at his home in Bremen, March 10, 1833.
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PERIOD FROM 1820 TO 1800.
A weekly newspaper called the Lincoln Patriot was published here several years by G. W. and F. W. Nichols. It was a folio sheet, 21×3I inches, very nicely printed on clear rag paper, and was furnished to subscribers at two dollars per annum. Its files show that its columns were well filled with advertisements of the business of Wal- doboro, Thomaston, Warren, Nobleboro, New- castle and Wiscasset. Long political articles were the principal feature, and the local news column, so prominent in modern newspapers, was con- spicuous by its absence. The Patriot was pub- lished in the interest of the Democracy, and tra- dition states that the Federalists, the opposition party, gave it the derisive name of Lincoln Poker. The first number was issued Dec. 5, 1834.
About 1835 George Sproul moved the old Sproul dwelling back from the corner and erected a brick building extending part way to Pleasant street. South of the block near the corner was a well with an old fashioned wooden pump. This well is now under Charles Keene's store.
The Waldoboro Lyceum met in Sproul's hall. James Hovey was secretary. One of the subjects for discussion was "Has every man his price?" Another was: "Was it right for the powers of Europe to confine Napoleon Bonaparte on the Island of St. Helena?"
E. Bartlett French opened a law office in
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HISTORY OF WALDOBORO.
Sproul's new block, a name which our readers will recognize as Ezra B. French. About the same time Dr. Elijah A. Daggett offered his services as a physician and surgeon. Turner & Harvey be- gan the business of sailmaking on Smouse's wharf.
During this period the following packets were plying between this port and Boston: Schooner Example, Capt. Haupt, schooner Hero, Capt. Wallace, schooner Atlantic, Capt. Kaler, schooner Othello, Capt. Cole, schooner Packet, Capt. Cudworth, schooner Bahama, Capt. Winch- enbach, schooner Medomak, Capt. Isaac Winchen- bach, schooner Bertha, Capt. Castner, schooner Watchman, Capt. Woltz, schooner Mary Jane, Capt. Woltz, schooner Columbia, Capt. Kaler, schooner Firm, Capt. Creamer.
In 1836 the United States treasury having surplus revenue, it was distributed to the several States, to be refunded when called for. The legislature of Maine accepted its share of the money and passed an act to distribute it among the several towns according to population, on condition that it should be returned, if called for, on sixty days notice. March 13, 1837, the town voted to accept its proportion of the fund, "on the condition specified in the act," and Col. George Sproul was appointed agent to demand and receive the money and receipt therefor. It was also voted that the money so received, be
125.
PERIOD FROM 1820 TO 1840.
deposited in the Medomak Bank. March 19, 1838, the town voted to divide the "surplus reve- nue" received from the State, per capita, and George Sproul was appointed agent to pay it out. Subsequently the agent was instructed to pay to each person who was an inhabitant of the town, March 1, 1837, "ten dollars and four cents," After this payment a balance of $115.01 remained which was paid into the town treasury.
In 1838, Colonel Reed was succeeded as, postmaster by George W. Nichols, Editor of the Patriot.
In 1838, this community, as well as the whole country, was agitated by news of the death, in a duel at Bladensburg, Md., of Hon. Jonathan Cilley, member of Congress from this district. Public meetings were held in the leading towns of the State. In Waldoboro a meeting was held in Sproul's Hall, Saturday evening, March 3rd. Gen. Denny McCobb presided and Thomas D. Currier acted as Secretary. A committee on res- olutions composed of the following gentlemen was chosen : Hon. John Manning, George D. Smouse, Parker McCobb, Jr., George Sproul and Joseph Clark. The resolutions expressed the deepest in- dignation of the citizens of Waldoboro at the foul murder of their representative.
The Universalists held services occasionally
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HISTORY OF WALDOBORO.
when Rev. Mr. George and other clergymen officiated.
Philip Seiders became landlord of the Bar- nard Tavern, which had been refitted as a suitable "stopping place" for the man of business or pleas- ure.
An agent for fire engines came to Waldobo- ro previous to 1840, and interested the citizens, who decided to purchase a machine, and the funds were raised by subscription, Hector M. Brown and George D. Smouse being instrumental in raising the necessary funds. This machine was a rotary pump and was named the "Water Witch." It is still in existence.
The troubles over the northeastern boundry of Maine, commonly called the "Aroostook War," caused much excitement all over the State in 1839. The legislature passed a resolve for the protection of the public lands, and ordered a draft for ten thousand men from the militia for imme- diate action. The draft in Waldoboro was de- layed and the men were not called out. The town voted to make up the pay of soldiers to $20 a month, "Should they be marched;" also voted that should the drafted men be marched out of town the selectmen be authorized to convey them to the place of rendezvous in the best possible way. Although the drafted men from Waldoboro were not called out, Simon Shuman of this town
127
PERIOD FROM 1820 TO 1840.
served in Capt. Daniel Dority's company of infantry, in the detachment called into actual ser- vice, from Feb. 20, 1839 to April 23, 1839, when discharged.1
I. Records in Augusta.
CHAPTER XVI. FROM 1840 TO 1860.
The census of 1840 made the population of Waldoboro 3661.
Jan. 1, 1840, Joseph Shuman, aged forty-four years, was crushed to death while felling trees in the woods. The next year Thomas Vannah, while bathing in the river near the village, was drowned.
The sixty-fourth anniversary of American in- dependance was celebrated July 4, 1840. A pro- cession was formed at Hussey's Hotel at 10 o'clock, A. M. under the direction of Col. John T. Castner, Marshal, assisted by Messrs. Solomon Prock, William F. Storer, F. W. Nichols, Charles S. Brown and Michael T. Simmons, and were es- corted by the independent companies to the Con- gregational meeting house, where an oration was delivered by Harvey C. Lowell, Esq. of East Thomaston. The declaration of independence was read by Col. George Sproul. After the ser- vices at the meeting house, the company returned to the hotel, where a dinner was served. The same day the ladies of the Congregational society held a successful fair.
The following year July 4th was celebrated
129
PERIOD FROM 1840 TO 1860.
by the Washingtonians. A parade through the streets, under the direction of Capt. William S. Cochran, ended at the Baptist church, where the oration was delivered by Edward A. Reed, Esq. In the procession was carried a transparency, the execution of which was creditable to the ingenuity and taste of the gentleman who painted it-John Balch.
Heretofore no serious calamity had occurred to check the prosperity of the village, but on the Ioth day of October, 1846, a fire broke out, which destroyed nearly the whole business portion as well as several residences. Two little children were the innocent cause of all this destruction of property. They were playing with matches in Andrew Sides' barn and communicated fire to a pile of shavings, which, fanned by a strong north wind soon enveloped T. D. Currier's and Andrew Sides' houses and barns in flames. In a few min- utes Sproul's barn was found to be in flames, the sparks having passed over Isaac Reed's house leaving it unharmed. From Sproul's barn the fire spread to the building in the corner next to Pleas- ant street and from thence took an opposite direc- tion, burning both sides of the street to Main street and down Main on the south side to Gor- ham Smouse's store. The fire was discovered about two o'clock P. M., and in two hours the district described was in ruins. The only engine
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HISTORY OF WALDOBORO.
and company here was powerless against such a wind, and a request was sent to Thomaston for aid. In response a company and engine were despatched and arrived here in the evening. During the night fire broke out in Dr. Ludwig's house, which stood where Willett's Block now is, and the house and barn together with Gay's store were completely destroyed. The latter fire was supposed to have been the work of an incendiary. It was a fearful night. Rum held supreme con- trol and the hours were spent by many in riot and fighting. A large number of the merchants were in Boston, buying their winter stocks. The fol- lowing traders were burned out: Joseph Clark, B. B. Haskell, Henry Kennedy, James Hovey, Alfred Hovey, Schwartz & Castner, John Sides, Genth- ner & Morse, John Balch, Thomas Gay, Edward Benner, A. T. Moses, J. A. & C. Levensaler, Henry Howard. The Custom House and Post- office, the Medomak Bank, the offices of Dr. H. Bliss, Dr. Ludwig, Isaac G. Reed, John Bulfinch, and the tailor shops of Henry Herbert and Ham Bros. were also destroyed. Besides the families of Mr. Currier, Mr. Sides, and Dr. Ludwig, there were several families living over stores who were burned out. With characteristic energy the burn- ed district was immediately rebuilt in a more sub- stantial manner than before.
Soon after the fire of 1846 the necessity of
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