USA > Maine > Washington County > Machias > Memorial of the centennial anniversary of the settlement of Machias > Part 7
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LETTERS.
were helped by the brave and patient lives of just men and pious women, who gave its tone to society, and its currency to virtue. May such excellencies of the earth long remain among you, nor suffer in the coming any abatement of the reverence they held in the past generations.
These very influences, what we mean when we speak of our institutions, have shaped the character of the people of New England, and of those teeming States of the North and West, which New England has founded or controlled. A struggle, which in some form was unavoidable, is now going on to see whether such types of character as the Church. the Schoolhouse and the Home create shall become, as they have not hitherto been, national. We meet this contest which we did not initiate, descending to a trial of brute force where we have never boasted superiority, because our foes could tender no other, and because we cannot decline it without treachery to the memory of our ancestors and to the trust of Heaven. While we are defending the great principles of freedom, civilization and Christianity we have received in charge from our fathers, may you, who at home watch the struggle with your prayers, look well to their dissemination in the bosom of that society in which they had birth.
With pleasant remembrance, And high respect, yours, THOMAS H. TALBOT.
Messrs. Harris, &c., Committee.
From Hon. S. C. Foster, of Pembroke, Me.
PEMBROKE, Me., May 19th, 1863.
GENTLEMEN :-
Your kind invitation to be present at the Centennial
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Celebration of the venerable old town of Machias, is before me. It would give me infinite pleasure to participate in the services and festivities of the occasion, and to exchange congratulations with the living, and pay my profound re- spects to the illustrious dead, but Providence has ordered otherwise, and I submit.
I am, gentlemen, with much respect, Your Obd't. Servt., S. C. FOSTER.
Messrs. Harris, &c., Committee.
From James Boies, Esq., of Calais, Me.
CALAIS, Me., May 6th, 1863.
DEAR SIRS :-
Your polite invitation has been received. I regret very much to think we shall not be able to join you, and be with you at your celebration ; but under present circum- stances we shall not be able to attend. You have our best wishes that all your expectations may be realised.
Yours very Respectfully, JAMES BOIES.
Messrs. Harris, &c .. Committee.
SPEECHES
AT THE STAND DURING THE AFTERNOON.
At three o'clock in the afternoon the people having col- lected at the Amphitheatre, where the services of the morn- ing were held, after music by the Machias Band,
PETER TALBOT, EsQ., of East Machias, the President of the Day, came forward and said:
Ladies and Gentlemen, my Fellow-Townsmen :
I am grateful for the honor the committees who have arranged this Celebration have conferred upon me in designating me to preside on this memorable occasion, and grateful to God, who has prolonged my years and made me a link between the present and that glorious past, which has been to-day so worthily commemorated. The lives of a very few of us, my own among the number, nearly fill the
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whole century of our history as a town. Looking back over the considerable part of it lying within my own memory, I feel that for us and our children the lines have indeed fallen to us in pleasant places. We have not had so rapid a growth, nor can we now boast so large accumulations of wealth, as many towns of half the age of this in more fertile regions of our country, but in physical health, education, morality, and all that goes to make up the true welfare of a people we have every reason to be satisfied with what a hundred years of the Divine goodness has wrought for us.
With this day's services, the generation to which I belong and who meet each other under such solemn circumstances, may ask to be relieved from the more active civic duties .- The work at which we have humbly wrought, the establish- ment and support on its remote frontiers of the sacred and free institutions, that ennoble our country, we leave to you who are to take our places. Our prayer is that you may finish it, working as much better as your means and op- portunities are better.
While listening to an interesting sketch of our public and municipal history, the recital of what has been done as a town and community, it has seemed fitting that a more spe- cial mention should be made on this occasion of those worthy men in various stations, whose characters have illustrated our annals, and whose energy and spirit inspired their fel- low-townsmen to perform the deeds of heroism which we have to-day celebrated. If these men have not found a place in our national history, let us be thankful that it is only because men of kindred nobleness all through the land made such examples common. But in our local history they demand, and we gladly give them just and peculiar honor. Among them I know of none more worthy of reverent men- tion, that he, whose prayers, counsels, and patriotism so long inspired our fathers with patience and constancy in their
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sufferings and labors, the first settled minister of Machias, REV. JAMES LYON,
and I call on his successor, Rev. Henry F. Harding of Ma- chias, for a suitable response.
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SPEECH OF REV. HENRY F. HARDING.
MR. PRESIDENT :- I feel considerable diffidence and em- barassment in standing here, to speak in response to the name of my honored predecessor, in the presence of so many of his descendants, and of others who lived near his own time, and perhaps retain personal recollections of him. I feel obliged to confess that I am not a man of facts, nor in any way skilled in antiquarian researches ; and I believe, the information handed down concerning the venerable first minister of this parish, is singularly scanty and extends lit- tle beyond what is preserved in the memory of living men. Moreover, I am admonished to be careful in my statements by the keen eye of our accurate historian, which I discover fixed upon me from a distant part of the audience.
Mr. Lyon it appears, was settled as the minister of this town of Machias in the year 1771, only eight years after the landing of the first settlers ; and he continued in this pas- toral relation, preaching both at Machias and at the cast vil- lage, now East Machias, till the time of his death, which oc- cured in 1795. Thus it is apparent that these early settlers in this wilderness were not unmindful of the importance of a gospel ministry : and from all that is handed down to us, we are led to believe that they were singularly fortunate in the man chosen for this purpose. The impression I have formed of him is that he was a man of more than ordinary talent, of strong will, greatenergy, deep emotions, and faith-
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ful and laborious in the discharge of the duties of his office. An aged man, our honored president on this occasion, relates that he distinctly remembers, in his boyhood, seeing him frequently moved to tears in his earnest appeals to his con- gregation. But how he lived, what he wore, what in his fervent patriotism he would have done for his country, in the way of adding territory to our eastern border, which, if he had been permitted to accomplish the purpose, would have saved us the necessity of doing the same work at this late day,-are they not all recorded by the faithful pen of our historian ? From this time to the present, the church which he founded has not wanted a priest to minister at the Altar or a minister to break unto the people the bread of life. And it seems fitting that, on this memorial occasion, we should recall to mind the names of those worthy men, who have succeeded the first pastor of this church and stood in the same relation to this people. Among whom is Mr. Steele, for the long period of thirty-one years sole minister of this town, and holding this relation till it was dissolved by his death ; and concerning whom the universal testimony from the lips of all who knew him, is, " He was a good man;"' could a nobler epitaph be written on the tomb of the depart- ed? Nor should we forget to mention Mr. Ward, whose memory is fresh and fragrant in the minds of many present, whose saintly spirit and fervent piety, is a sacred legacy to the church to which he ministered.
And from the memory of those who have passed away, our thoughts naturally turn to the living representatives of those who in the past discharged the duties of this sacred office, not only in this pulpit, but elsewhere in our land. I know that it is the opinion of many that the ministers of the gos- pel in this day, have departed from the faith and practice of the fathers ; that they preach another gospel than that which they preached, and other doctrines than that of "Christ and
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Him crucified": that strange themes are introduced into the pulpit, and discourses unworthy of the sacred desk and incompatible with the sacred office. The standing charge against the ministry of this day, is, that they preach politics and not the gospel. I say, we are not permitted to remain in ignorance of this feeling and this charge. Indeed, we are reminded of it sometimes in a very pointed, and I might add, also, amusing manner. Such an experience I lately enjoyed. I was riding in a stage coach with an old lady and several other passengers. As she seemed much disposed to talk, I thought I would improve the opportunity to have some re- ligious conversation with her. I commenced by asking her if she was in the habit of attending church on the Sabbath. " No," she replied, "I do not go to meeting much ; I don't hear anything now-a-days but rum and niggers, and I think I might as well stay at home." I thought so too if that was all she heard, and we dropped the conversation. But not-
withstanding the old lady and all who think with her on this subject, though I feel myself but an insignificant member of that large and distinguished class of men, whom I represent and but poorly qualified to speak in their behalf, still I will venture to say in their vindication, that in the whole world, a class of men of equal numbers, can not be found, who have the interests of religion, of morality and good order, more near to their heart, who are animated with a purer and deep- er patriotism, who have a more intelligent perception of the great moral and political issues at stake at this day, or who would make greater sacrifices for truth, for liberty and hu- manity, than the present clergymen of New England. What- ever course they have seen fit to take, and whatever themes they have felt called upon to discourse about in the pulpit, they have been actuated by no other motive, than the sin- cere and strong desire to advance the truth and to promote the glory of God and the good of their fellow men. And I
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firmly believe that when better times shall come, and the fearful strife that now distracts our beloved country, shall have passed away, and peace shall have again blessed the land, this honor will be cheerfully accorded to them, that they strove to do faithfully the duty they owed to God and man. And now while we are contemplating the lives of those good and faithful men of former times, I cannot close with a more appropriate sentiment than this,
May those who now or hereafter stand in their places, follow faithfully in their footsteps and never dishonor their memory.
The President :- In looking over the old town records, you will find the name of
STEPHEN JONES
in the most prominent and responsible offices. Nearly all of the remarkable spirited and patriotic papers which were put forth by the little town during the Revolution are from his pen. I myself well remember how for many years the respect due to his talents, benevolence and integrity gave him almost unbounded influence in all the civil, political and social affairs of this community. Mr. Talbot, like myself a kinsman of Judge Jones, will tell us something of his char- acter. .
SPEECH OF HON. M. JONES TALBOT.
MR. PRESIDENT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN :- I have been requested to say something to you of the character of the late Judge Jones-not because of any peculiar qualification
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I possess, but from the fact of my being a connection of his, and the long acquaintance that existed between his family and the family of my father. His house was always our home when in this village, and he and his family were equal- ly as free at my father's house. I have therefore, thrown together some facts relating to him, and expressed some opinions from my own observation without consulting any history or record but tradition.
But in listening to the very lucid and able address of the forenoon, I found most of the things that I might say were better said than I can say them. Indeed, such was the promi- nent part he acted in the early history of our town, the his- torian could not possibly do justice to his subject without giving his character a prominent position, so that what I shall say must necessarily be a twice told tale. And if I was to consult my own feelings, I should give place to others.
Stephen Jones, better known in this vicinity as Judge Jones, was born in the town of Weston, Massachusetts, about the year 1735. His family connections were respecta- ble, and at that time were considered wealthy ; but having lost his father when about eight years old his education was limited, and he learned the trade of house carpenter. When about twenty-two years of age he joined the Provincial forces, and served one campaign against the French in the vicinity of Lake Champlain and Lake George. On their return at the close of the season, through the wilderness, their suffering from cold and hunger was so intense as to induce them to kill and eat their dog.
He was not one of the first settlers: but had been here to see the place previously to his removal hither, with his uncle, Capt. Ichabod Jones, a merchant of Boston, who had become much interested in the settlement of this town. Judge Jones came here for a permanent residence in 1766.
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and built or purchased a small house at the foot of Centre Street, afterwards enlarged, in which he resided as long as he lived in the town. The house is yet standing very much as he left it. He had not been here long before his strong intellect and sound judgment gave him a command- ing influence, despite his limited education. He was chosen Moderator of the first town meeting to which office he con- tinued to be elected until increasing years rendered him un- willing to perform the duties of the office, which was but a few years before he left the town. When the inhabitants of the town petitioned the Great and General Court of Massachusetts, or instructed their Representative, (for these pioneers held to the right of instruction,) his name is invari- ably at the head of the Committee. He was early appoint- ed Justice of the Peace, and as then there was no higher court nearer than Pownalboro, it was an office of considera- ble importance, and by his sound judgment and strict in- tegrity he made decisions as equitable and as satisfactory as have since been made by those of much larger . literary and legal attainments.
When the trouble arose between the Colonies and Eng- land, he was emphatically loyal ; his sympathies were doubt- less in favor of peace. But when the sword was drawn and wet with the blood of his fellow citizens, he at once sided with his country and used his influence for its defence .- He was a great admirer of Washington and a strong advo- cate of the Union and Constitution. In the early division of parties, he was a Federalist and so continued while that party continued, sympathizing with his native State and strongly opposing the separation of Maine therefrom, on all occasions when the attempt was made.
In 1790 the County of Washington was organized and he was appointed Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas and Clerk of Sessions, and Judge of Probate, all these
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offices he filled acceptably, and by long experience acquired a practical knowledge of law, which in the then state of society, was very useful.
His religion would have been called at a later day Unitarian, but among the carlier Puritans it would be called Armenian, consisting more in right-doing than in feeling. He was a strong advocate of what was called the standing order, and opposed to all sects and sectarians, always advocating and using his influence in favor of a well educated minister settled and paid by the town. He was an advocate of free schools and always voted for the largest sum proposed to be raised for that object, although his tax was large.
He was a friend to the poor : any one who in difficulty ap- plied to him found a safe counselor and ready friend. His office was in his house : all who called there on business, rich or poor, were welcomed to a meal's victuals or the hos- pitable glass of grog, (there were few teetotalers then, ) and his house was ever open to strangers of distinction. Among the many who thus partook of his hospitality, were the late celebrated French diplomatist, Talleyrand, and the pioneer Albert Gallatin, soon after their arrival in this country.
Having property and business at East River for near half a century, he generally went there twice a week riding on horseback round Middle River, there being then no bridge. He was a man of good common sense, sound discriminating judgment and integrity of purpose. He was once toasted at a public dinner as "the first man in the town and the first man in the county," which was more truthful than ele- gant.
After the death of his wife in 1820, he hastened to close his business and went to reside with his only living child in Boston, where in 1824 or 1825, he ended his active and useful life, aged nearly 90 years, respected and honored by all who had known him.
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The President :- "No name is more conspicuous in our carly history than that of
COL. JEREMIAH O'BRIEN,
whose daring courage made him the leader in what accurate historians have pronounced the first Naval Battle of the American Revolution. Mr. Walker, connected by marriage with his family, will give you some of the traditions of him which his descendants have preserved."
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SPEECH OF GEORGE WALKER, ESQ.
MR. PRESIDENT :- The first century since the settlement of our town is completed ; its record is made up; the early actors in that scene are gathered to their fathers, and their deeds, whether of glory or shame, are registered in the book of immortality. Machias, among the eastern towns, stands pre-eminent ; we point with pride to her historic record, and we cherish with satisfaction her traditional memories. Here it was that one hundred years ago this day, a feeble band of pioneers in the cause of civilization, and civil liberty, landed their humble bark ; here it was that a few years later thie first naval battle in the American Revolution was fought, and the first blood shed in naval strife ; and here it was that a few years later, in 1814, the inhabitants of the town stood captives before an invading army.
In view of these facts it is fitting that we should in mem- ory recall the name of Col. Jeremiah ()'Brien. His active life spent in promoting the welfare of the town, his heroic ex- ertions in behalf of civil liberty and National Independence, make it proper; and above all, we should not forget that he belonged to a family of men of sturdy intellect and de- voted patriotism, and who left the impress of their sterling
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character upon many an enterprise, and whose deeds are inwrought into the texture of our municipal history.
In June, 1775, Machias, then a proprietary, was assailed by a fragment of the British navy, not by a mailed steamer, not by a "turreted monitor," bearing within themselves their terrible enginery of death, but by a schooner ninety tons burthen, called the "Margaretta," carrying four twelve-pound- ers, and sixteen swivels, as her armament. Capt. Moore, a brave and gallant young man was her commander. On land- ing he demanded by what authority a liberty pole, which the people had put up to express their attachment to the national cause, had been erected, and was told that it was by the authority of the citizens. He then directed that it should be taken down or he would fire upon the town .- A town meeting was called, and the people voted, that they would not take it down. A further time was given till the following Monday to see if the citizens by another meeting would not reverse their former doings. In the mean time, the people sent to the neighboring settle- ments for help. On Sunday, Capt. Moore attended church, and while there, he saw, through the open door, a company of twenty or thirty men armed, crossing the river on logs, at a point above tide waters ; he made his way out of the house not by the door, but through the nearest window, and on board his vessel, and dropped down the river into the bay. The next day the citizens to the number of sixty, col- lected such arms as they could get, took a schooner, and boats, and went down in pursuit of the Margaretta, and soon ' came in view of her. And here in the open light of heaven, in the swell and currents of the bay, without organization, and without previous experience in naval service, they re- solved to give battle and attempt her capture. Before en- tering upon their perilous enterprise they selected Jeremiah ()'Brien their Captain. He made the necessary prepara-
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tions, and began the attack, and after a short engagement, Capt. Moore surrendered, but not till after he received a wound of which he died the next day. And thus ended the first attempt in the Revolution to take Machias. Two other attempts were made shortly after, in which Col. O'Brien took an active but not so prominent a part. Both, however, failed. After this, O'Brien was Captain of a privateer during most part of the war. He was taken prisoner and carried to Eng- land and kept in close confinement, till by a stragetic move- ment he effected his escape, and returned to his home.
The valor and love of country that animated him in early life never failed him. In the last war with England when a thousand British troops had possession of Machias, though on the verge of life, though his strength was broken, and his form bowed by the weight of years, he dared to brandish in the face of his captors that sword which forty years be- fore he had drawn in behalf of American Independence, and which he did not sheath till that Independance was com- pleted.
Let us then, at this time, children of a later day, inheritors of the institutions for which he fought, consider well the duty we owe our government. Let us be imbued with a patriotism that will not let us forsake our country in this her hour of peril, and be animated with a courage that shall remain undaunted even in the presence of a formidable and invading foe.
The President :- " As long as sincere piety and Christian charity shall be revered, there will be in this community men and women who remembering what their fathers and mo- thers have told them of the psalms and prayers, the labors and zeal of
DEA. JOSEPH LIBBEY,
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will believe that some special grace of Heaven has accrued to this community from such a good man's faithfulness .- Will Mr. Emerson of Machiasport, give some sketch of this old Puritan.
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SPEECH OF REV. CHARLES EMERSON.
MR. PRESIDENT :- The worthy and beloved man whom you have fitly named, moved to Machias from Scarborough or that vicinity before the Revolutionary war. His occupa- tion was that of a farmer though like all the old settlers he attended somewhat to lumbering. He was an industrious man, and by kind offices to others, and attention to his own business, gained the love and respect of the community around him.
Dea. Libby was a Republican, he espoused the cause of the Colonists in their struggle for their inborn rights which were denied them by their Rulers at home. He did not look with indifference upon the wrong's the Colonists were suffering by the arbitrary measures of the British Government to- wards them, but was ready to make any sacrifice which du- ty, patriotism, or loyalty required.
He was a good man. He was not governed by mere im- pulse in the discharge of his religious duties. His piety was vital, practical, decided. His hopes of salvation rested on that stone which God laid in Zion, for the hope of the guilty .- His union to Christ gave life and energy to his spiritual be- ing, and prepared him to perform the various duties of life upon the principles of Christianity. Deacon Libby was the first who served in that office in the church at Machias .- He used the office of a Deacon well, and purchased to him- self a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. He attended funerals in different parts of the town, and when a Clergyman was not present, officiated
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