USA > Maine > Washington County > Machias > Narrative of the town of Machias, the old and the new, the early and late > Part 13
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The sense of your Constituents respecting the propriety of an application of that nature, will be fully conveyed to you, in the report of their Committee, raised for the pur- pose of taking into consideration the aforesaid paper, which Report was unanimously accepted by the town, and a copy of the same ordered to be communicated to you and will accompany this. We therefore trust that you will oppose any measures that shall be brought forward in the General Court, with a view of separating us from the Common- wealth of Massachusetts. The Gentlemen on the Boston seat we highly respect, for their abilities, integrity and great information :- you will therefore act agreeable to the sentiments of your Constituents in consulting them on all important matters.
It would be a happy circumstance for the Inhabitants of this Commonwealth, who live on the Eastern border of this State, if the Line between the Commonwealth and the British Government of New Brunswick, could be finally ascertained and established, so that no doubt might arise in future to whom they owe allegiance, and to whom they have a right to look for protection, and the Civil officers know how far their jurisdiction extends. This is a matter of im- portance :- you will therefore particularly attend to it.
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FIRST SETTLEMENT.
You are well informed as to the smallness of our County, as to number of inhabitants and of the very great expense that has and will arise in buikling a jail, paying jurymen, ex- ploring and laying out a county road, through one hundred miles of wilderness and many other incidental charges, that naturally arise, and a number of the Inhabitants unable to afford the least pecuniary assistance towards dofraying the charges of the County, and in fact our County much redue- ed below what was expected, by a number of towns, now in the Eastern part of the County of Hancock, which previous to the division of the County of Lincoln, it was always ex- pected would be incorporated into this County and for what reason they were annexed to that County, we are yet to learn as we cannot find it was by any request of the inhab- itants of those towns.
This County really stands in need of some assistance from the Legislature, and in Petitions from the Justices and the Grand Jury of the County which will be presented praying that the duties on Commissions, Licenses and the Excise due from the County may be appropriated for the use of the County : which petition you will not fail of giving your utmost support. There is also some back taxes that are due from the inhabitants of this County to the Commonwealth, which we really think would in the end be for the real benefit of the State if they were appropriated for the use of the County, as it would serve to increase our numbers by encouraging others to move into the county and finally add to the strength and wealth of the Commonwealth: but to be exempted from town and County taxes is what we never expect.
There is now before the Committee of Accounts two bills exhibited by this town against the Commonwealth for sup- port of the State's poor, and they will receive another of same tenor; you will use your influence to have them allowed. For what reason the two former have not been passed upon we are not able to say. The like accounts are every Session passed in favor of the towns, and you can represent the true state of this town being the frontier of the Commonwealth
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HISTORY OF MACHIAS.
is more liable to have poor foreigners imposed upon us than any other except Boston. If any other voucher or in- formation is necessary on this subject, you will apply to John Cooper, Esq., who is well acquainted with our situation and can give any necessary information, and we have no doubt of his friendly aid upon the business.
If General Campbell goes Senator from this District we doubt not of his assistance in accomplishing the several matters mentioned.
With great esteem we are your friends.
STEPHEN JONES, JAMES AVERY, GEORGE STILLMAN, JEREMIAH O'BRIEN, PETER TALBOT.
May 10, 1791.
The meeting was then adjourned withont day.
On the 8th day of September, 1791, the names of the following persons were drawn out of the box to serve as petit Jurors : Joseph Hill, Enoch Sanborne, George Seavy, Aaron Hanscom, Jr., Tilley Howe, Ebenezer Gooch.
A town meeting was held at the meeting house, at Eastern Falls, on Monday the second day of April 1792; the object being to vote for Governor and other State officers. Also to choose a Moderator and transact the regular town business. The third article in the Warrant was to see if the Com- mittee report what shall be done to settle town accounts before it was incorporated ; and to raise such sum of money as may be owing by the town on such accounts. The fourth article was "To make choice of some suitable persons to take care of the Meeting Houses and burying yards."
At this meeting the vote stood for :
John Hancock for Governor, 104
Samuel Adams for Lieut. Gov'r., 104
Alexander Campbell, for Senator, 105
The Selectmen chosen were Stephen Jones, Dr. Wm. Chaloner, Benjamin Foster.
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FIRST SETTLEMENT.
Voted :- by the town that seven and one half per cent be given to the Collectors. - Silvanus Seavy. Joseph Getchell, Jr. who offered their services and were chosen for the present year.
At this meeting three pounds were voted as compensation for the Town Clerk the current year.
Voted :- "Not to accept the bad and doubtful debts as rendered by David Gardner to the Committee in payment of his debt to the town amounting to £102, 13s &p."
Voted: "To raise 102 pounds to be levied upon the poles and estates and collected for the payment of the debts which were contracted during the late war (Revolution) and is now due to individuals."
Voted :- That Capt. Peter Talbot be appointed to take care of the meeting house at Eastern River, and James Dillaway was chosen to take care of the meeting house and burying yard at the Western Falls.
Votes were given in for County Treasurer, and for George Stillman. Esq., there were eighty votes.
The meeting adjourned without day.
On the second day of April. 1792. the inhabitants assembled at Eastern River and chose the following for Grand Jurors: Benj. Foster. Esq .. Nathan Longfellow, Jr .. Jeremiah O'Brien, Enoch Waterhouse. Joseph Seavy, Nathaniel Phinney, Stephen Parker, Amnos Boynton. The following names were drawn for petit Jurors: Daniel Meserve, John Sanborne, Samuel Hohes, John W. Foster. Benjamin Gooch, Abijah Foster.
The same year on the seventh day of May a town meeting was held at Western Falls. The first article in the warrant was "To know the minds of the town whether they will limit the time for the different school districts, to improve their school money, and to. agree how the money shall be appropriated in case it is not applied to the purpose of the grant within the limited time.
Second Article: "To know if the town will request the Selectmen, to call on persons that may have any papers in their possession, that relate to any transactions between the
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HISTORY OF MACHIAS.
town and individuals, more especially to receive any papers, that may be in Mr. Stephen Parker's possession and that relate to the agreement between the town and the Rev. James Lyon, and that the same papers be deposited with the Town Clerk.
Third: To choose a Committee to report such By-Laws, as may appear necessary for the town.
Fourth : To take the votes of the inhabitants of this town for and against the District of Maine, respecting its being erected a separate State.
The Selectmen presided. The votes were taken for Representative and. there was for Phineas Bruce, Esq., forty and he was accordingly chosen.
Voted: That the money now on hand belonging to the different districts, and that which is to be apportioned this year, shall be applied for the benefit of schooling the children in said districts, and if not expended for the purpose aforesaid in two years, the money from the delin- quent districts, shall be applied for the advantage of those districts who have schooled their children.
Voted: That the Selectmen be requested to call on any person or persons, that may have any papers in their possession that relate to any transactions between the town and individuals and to receive the papers that may be in Mr. Stephen Parker's hands mentioned in the Warrant.
Stephen Jones, George Stillman, Jeremiah 'O'Brien, Marshall Thaxter, James Avery, Gideon O'Brien, Phineas Bruce were chosen a Committee to prepare such By-Laws as they may judge necessary.
Voted: Against a separation of the State 113; For a Separation 2, James Avery was chosen to serve as a Grand Juror at the S. J. Court to be holden for the Counties of Lincoln, Hancock and Washington.
Whereas application has been made to the town of Machias, by seven of the inhabitants, free holders in said town requesting that a meeting may be called. for the pur- pose of appointing a Committee, to dispose of the town privelege of the fishery or regulate the same according to
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FIRST SETTLEMENT.
law :- Ordered, that the Constables of the town of Machias, notify the Inhabitants of said town, qualified by law to vote in town meeting. to assemble at the meeting house, at Eastern River on Tuesday the fifteenth day of May inst, at ten o'clock before noon, to choose a Moderator, then to act on the above request.
Assembled as per notification; Mr. Jones was elected Moderator. Voted: That the article in the warrant re- specting appointing a Committee to dispose of the town privilege of the fishery be dismissed. The vote was after- wards reconsidered.
Voted : That this meeting be adjourned for one month N. B. "The inhabitants did not attend as by adjourn- ment."
VOTING FOR PRESIDENT.
The inhabitants were legally called together at Western Falls on the second day of November, 1792, to give in their votes for three electors for the choice of President and Vice- President of the United States, for the five counties in the Province of Maine:
Alexander Campbell, 65
Nathan Jones,
56
Phineas Bruce, 64
Nathaniel Wells,
6
Nathaniel Thwing,
1
Votes were also given in for three Representatives to Congress.
For the County of York Geo. Thacher had 134
For the County of Cumberland Daniel Davis had 98
Peleg Wadsworth 37
For the Counties of Lincoln, Hancock and Washington :
Wm. Lithgow had 134
Henry Dearborne 1
Monday the fourteenth day of January. 1793, a town meet- ing convened at Western Falls, to vote for two Represent-
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HISTORY OF MACHIAS.
atives in Congress ; one for the County of Cumberland and one for counties of Lincoln, Hancock and Washington :
Peleg Wadsworth had 9
Daniel Davis, 28
Win. Lithgow, 34
Henry Dearborn, 3
In the town meeting held April first the voters made choice of George Stillman, Moderator. Mr. Bowles was re-elected Town Clerk.
Voted : Cyrus Swan an inhabitant of the town. Only a few new names appeared in the list of officials chosen. Ten men were chosen: Hog reeves, Ezekiel Richardson, Jirah Phinney, Joseph Foss, Theodore Scott, Jacob Penniman, Nath'l Phinney, jr., appearing in the list. Voted :- One hundred pounds for the support of Schools. Voted :- Two hundred pounds for Highways. Voted :- One hundred pounds for contingent charges. On the same day votes
were taken for State officers : for Governor :-
John Hancock had 82; Elbridge Gerry 1; For Lieut. Governor, Samuel Adams 82; Benjamin Lincoln, one; for Senator, Alexander Campbell. 73; Waterman Thomas, 9.
There seemed to be a vacancy in the seat for the member of Congress from the County of Cumberland and the In- habitants of Machias, in a separate warrant had been notified to meet at same time and place to vote for a successor; votes were given in for one Federal Representative for the County of Cumberland, as specified in the warrant, Daniel Davis receiving 30 and Peleg Wadsworth 49.
Machias first of April 1793.
Attest, RALPH H. BOWLES, Town Clerk.
A town meeting was called by the Selectmen to assemble at the Meeting House at Eastern River on Tuesday the 14th day of April, at ten o'clock before noon to elect Representative to the General Court; also for the transaction of town business.
Phineas Bruce was unanimously elected.
George Seayy had the greatest number of votes cast for
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FIRST SETTLEMENT.
one Grand Juryman and was accordingly chosen. Stephen Jones was chosen Highway Surveyor in place of Wm. Ellis Smith, who had declined to serve.
Voted: That the Subscribers who have agreed to build a house of Public Worship at the Western Falls, be per- mtted to set the same on the land belonging to the town purchased of George Libbee, to be solely appropriated for a house of public worship, for the inhabitants of this town, that wish to attend public worship in that part of the town, and that the Subscribers have liberty to appoint a Com- mittee to dispose of the ground for erecting pews in said house to re-imburse their expense.
Petit Jurors were chosen to serve in the Court of Common Pleas, viz :- Jacob Longfellow. James Crocker, Israel Andrews, Levi Foster, Aaron Hanscom, Daniel Meserve.
The town record reads as follows: "Taken up Nov'r. fifth 1793 by JJoseph Getchell. Jr. a stray black heifer, coming in, two years of age, a little white under her side forward of her flank; has not any artificial marks about her."
Daniel Palmer's mark for his creatures a half penny out of the right ear.
The warrant calling the annual meetng at Eastern River on Monday the seventh day of April 1794. besides articles of usual purposes. contained one viz: To know what the town will allow Phineas Bruce, Esq .. for his services as Representative for the town to the General Court. This meeting chose Stephen Jones. Benjamin Foster, James Avery. Selectmen : William Emmerson, John Cooper, Mark Scott, Assessors: Nathan Longfellow, jr., and Stephen Munson, Collectors of taxes :. Voted: That Munson have the same for last year's collection in proportion as Long- fellow had.
William Chaloner. Henry White and Samuel Rich, Fish Committee. George Stillman, Henry White, Peter Talbot, Wmn. Emmerson, Nathan Pinco, School Committee.
Other officers were nearly the same as chosen at last meet- ing: also appropriations of moneys.
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HISTORY OF MACHIAS.
Voted: That the Selectmen and School Committee be and hereby are required to take a list of children in the town, and report a system for a division of the town into Districts, and the best system, for the support of schools and layng out the sums of money in the future'-report to be made at the adjournment of this town meeting.
Voted: For ammuntion and town charges thirty pounds, four shillings. Votes for County Treasurer being taken. there was for George Stillman, Esq., twenty-six votes, all that were cast. Voted: To adjourn to the first Wednesday in May next, at ten o'clock before noon, and then to be held at the Western Falls.
On the seventh of April, 1794, the Selectmen presiding votes were given in for Governor as follows, viz: Samuel Adams, seventeen; William Cushing forty-eight; Elbridge Gerry sixteen. For Lieut. Gov'r. His Honor Samuel Adams, sixty-five; James Sullivan, seventeen. For Senator Alexander Campbell, sixty-nine; Waterman Thomas, forty- eight; Isaac Parker, twenty-two; Daniel Coney, one.
The Inhabitants held a meeting on the seventh day of April and made choice of the following to serve as Grand Jurors; Benjamin Foster, Woodin Foster, Nathaniel Phinney, Amos Boynton, Enoch Waterhouse, Jonathan Pineo, Solomon Meservey Daniel Merservey.
The same day Stephen Jones, Moderator, the article in' the last warrant respecting Phineas Bruce, Esq., our Representative, who being present generously presented his services gratis, for attending the General Court in their sessions the last year.
Nathan Longfellow, jr. declined serving as Collector and Jacob Longfellow was chosen in his stead.
Voted: That the Report made by the Selectmen and School Committee be accepted and placed on the files.
RALPH H. BOWLES, Town Clerk.
April twenty-third, 1794, the Selectmen issued their warrant for a town meeting to be held at Western Falls, on May seventh, to choose some suitable person to represent this
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FIRST SETTLEMENT.
town in the General Court of this Commonwealth. At this meeting " "The majority of electors voted to send a Represent- ative."
Votes being taken, 'sorted and counted by the Selectmen, and Phineas Bruce was unanimously chosen.
To the Selectmen of the town of Machias. The in- habitants of this town and legal voters in said town, request that a meeting of the inhabitants, may be called as soon as may be by law, to act on the following business; To con- sider whether it is the wish of this town for the Represent- ative chosen should attend at the next sessions at the expense of the town: Also, To consider some other method better calculated for the preservation of fish.
Machias, May. 8, 1794.
STEPHEN HALL. BENJAMIN FOSTER, Jr.,
STEPHEN MUNSON, DAVID GARDNER,
SILVANUS SEAVY, LEVI FOSTER,
EBENEZER SMITH, JOHN SEAVY.
AARON HANSCOM,
JOHN D. FOLSOM
JESSE SCOTT.
JACOB PENNIMAN,
JOHN FOSTER,
BENJAMIN GOOCH,
MOSES ELSMORE.
The Selectmen called the meeting to be held at the meet- ing House at East River in said Machias, on Saturday the seventh day of May inst. at ten o'clock in the forenoon, for the purpose of choosing a Moderator, and acting upon the foregoing request, also determined how the tax abated should be appropriated. The inhabitants assembled as per call. Stephen Jones was elected Moderator.
Voted :- That it is the opmion of this town that no person shall be permitted to dip tish on the Eastern side of East River, from the mill to the lower end of the board sluce, during the time the fish way is open for the fish going up. Voted : - That the Collectors of tax No. 5, abated by the General Court, settle with the selectmen and pay their collections into the town Treasurer, and the Selectmen to
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HISTORY OF MACHIAS.
make such abatements, as they shall think necessary, that are in the Collector's books. This meeting adjourned with- out day.
These are to notify and warn the freeholders and other inhabitants of the town of Machias qualified to vote in the choice of Representatives, to assemble at the meeting house at the Western Falls, Tuesday the 27th day of this instant May, at ten o'clock before noon, to choose by ballot one man of like qualification and of good moral character, to serve on the the Grand Jury at the next Supreme Judicial Court next to be holden at Hallowell, within and for the County of Lincoln and the Counties of Hancock and Washington, on the second Tuesday after the fourth Tuesday of June, agreeable to a warrant from the Clerk of said Court to me directed; and also at the time and place aforesaid to be present at the appointment of one person to serve as a petit juror, at the Court aforesaid, to attend at the time and place as above mentioned.
Machias, 19th May, 1794.
JOHN KELLY, Constable.
The inhabitants met agreeable to the foregoing warrant and the votes being given in, Cyrus Swan was chosen and accepted.
George Halliburton Avery's mark for cattle, sheep and swine "A crop off the right ear a hole in the same and half penny cut on the upper side of the left ear."
The Inhabitants were warned to appear at the Meeting House at Western Falls on the first Monday of November., 1794, being the third day of said month, at ten o'clock before noon, to give in their votes to the Selectmen of said town of Machias, for one Representative to the Congress of the United States for the Counties of Lincoln, Hancock and Washington; also to appoint some suitable person or per- sons to take an accurate plan of the township of Machias as by law is directed.
At a meeting of the inhabitants qualified as the law directs, at the Meeting House at the Western Falls, on Mon-
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FIRST SETTLEMENT.
day the third day of November, 1794, at ten o'clock before noon the electors chose William Chaloner. Town Clerk pro- tem and adjourned to the office of Phineas Bruce. Esq. : present Stephen Jones. James Avery. Selectmen.
Votes were taken for a Representative to the Congress of the United States as follows: Jonathan Bowman had 17: Alexander Campbell. 5; Henry Dearborn, 2.
The meeting voted that the Selectmen be Committee to take an accurate plan of the township of Machias, agreeable to an Act passed the 18th of June, 1794.
Attest :
WILLIAM CHALONER, Town Clerk, pro tem.
To the Gentlemen, the Selectmen of the town of Machias :-
"It having pleased the Divine Disposer of all things to deprive us of our late Pastor: we the subscribers, inhabitants. of the town of Machias, request that a meeting of the inhabitants may be called for the purpose of entering into some measure for supplying the town with an able Minister of the Gospel."
Machias, fifth of Nov., 1794.
George Stillman, Nathan Longfellow, Jr.,
William Chaloner, Aaron Hanscom.
James Crocker, v John Edmonds.
The above application having been made to us, the sub- scribers, Selectmen of the town of Machias do, in com- pliance of said request, hereby notify and warn all of the inhabitants of Machias qualified to vote in town meeting to assemble at the Meeting House of East River in Machias on Tuesday the twenty-fifth day of November inst. at ten o'clock before noon, first to choose a Moderator to said meeting.
Second, To take into consideration the above request and act thereon as shall be thought advisable.
Machias, tenth of November, 1794.
STEPHEN JONES, JAMES AVERY. Selectmen of Machias. BENJAMIN FOSTER. 7
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HISTORY OF MACHIAS.
Agreeable to the above Warrant the inhabitants met and made choice of Stephen Jones, Moderator. Motioned and seconded that the town now enter into some measures for the support of the Gospel.
Voted: That the town now enter upon the business.
Voted: That there be a Committee appointed for the purpose of procuring a Minister or Ministers for this town.
Voted : That said Committee consist of thirteen persons.
Voted : That Enoch Sanborne, Stephen Jones, Ben- jamin Foster, George Stillman, Deacon Joseph Libby, John Crocker, Wm. Emerson, Col. Jere O'Brien, Peter Talbot, John Foster, James Avery, John Cooper, Jonathan Pineo, be and are a Committee for the above purpose.
From the original record-signed, Geo. Stillman, Clerk pro tem. Attest as on file,
RALPH H. BOWLES, T. C.
The inhabitants of the town of Machias being convened in town meeting by a Warrant issued for the purpose of knowing their minds, whether they would give Mr. Clark Brown a call to settle.with them in this town, as a Minister of the Gospel, and what settlement and salary, they would give him-After choosing Stephen Jones, Moderator, it was voted unanimously to give Mr. Clark Brown a call to settle as a Minister of the Gospel in this town; also a number of inhabitants who could not attend sent a certificate subscribed by them certifying their desire for Mr. Brown settling with us. A vote was then passed for giving Mr. Brown one hundred pounds salary, to be paid annually if he accepted the call.
Another vote passed almost unanimously for giving him one hundred pounds as a settlement to be paid at two annual payments.
A Committee consisting of the five following persons were chosen to communicate said votes to Mr. Clark Brown and request his answer ;- George Stillman, Phineas Bruce, Stephen Jones, Deacon Joseph Libbee, Capt. Stephen Smith.
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FIRST SETTLEMENT.
Samuel Foster was voted as Surveyor of lumber for the ensuing year.
The annual town meeting was held at Eastern Falls, Monday, the sixth day of April, 1795. The first article in the Warrant called for the choice of the usual town officers. The second article provides for the election of a Collector to co lect the arrears on the tax book of Silvanus Seavey deceased. Third. To appoint a Committee to settle with the Executive of the estate of the late Rev. James Lyon. Votes were to be taken by the Selectmen same place and date for State officers.
At this meeting Stephen Jones was chosen Moderator, Ralph H. Bowles. Town Clerk, Capt. Henry White, John Cooper, Peter Talbot, Selectmen. No new names appear in the list of officers except Josiah Hitehings was made one of the field drivers. Stephen Jones, Gideon O'Brien, William Emerson, George Stillman, Jonathan Pineo. Jesse Scott were chosen School Committee. Elias West, Samuel Smith, Joseph Stewart, Jonathan Pineo. Jr., Isaac Hans- com, Benjamin Foss, Jr., Nathaniel Babb, Nathaniel Phinney. jr., were chosen Hog Reeves.
Voted: That John Cooper. Gideon O'Brien. Wm. Emerson be a Committee to examine the town accounts.
Voted: That seven and a half per cent be given the Collectors for collecting the taxes the ensuing year.
Voted: That the hogs shall not go at large.
The inhabitants voted for County Treasurer. After being counted there was for George Stillman, eighty-six.
The town agreed that Stephen Munson be Collector in lieu of Wallace Fenlason, and that said W. F. be excused from serving his term 'till it is required of him by the former directions of this town and agreeable to Law.
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