USA > Maine > Washington County > Machias > Narrative of the town of Machias, the old and the new, the early and late > Part 14
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Votes were then given in for Governor :
Samuel Adams. Edward H. Robinson, Forty-nine
For Lient. Governor : Moses Gill, Thomas Russell,
Forty-seven
Forty-seven Forty-eight
169
HISTORY OF MACHIAS.
For Senators :
Alexander Campbell, Ninety-six Ninety-six
Waterman Thomas,
Voted: That eighty pounds be raised for schools.
Voted : That one hundred and twenty pounds be levied for roads. It was put to vote whether the sum of thirty- four pounds, twelve shillings be paid to Morris O'Brien, for the support of a poor child, he has taken care of for five years-the vote was put and negatived
Voted: That the sum of one hundred and fifteen pounds, ten shillings be raised as town charges for arrears.
Voted That the Town Clerk and the Town Treasurer be allowed six pounds each for their services the ensuing year.
Voted; John Cooper, George Stillman, Marshall Thaxter be a Committee to settle with the Administratrix of the estate of the Rev. James Lyon, deceased.
The following names were drawn from the box to serve as Grand Jurors-Consider Drew, Benjamin Foster, Marshall Thaxter, Josiah Harris, Samuel Holmes, Amos Boynton, John Fairbanks, Enoch Sanborne.
Voted; That the thanks of the town be given to Hon. Stephen Jones, Benjamin Foster, Esq., James Avery, Esq., for their services and punctual attention to the business of the town, the last year.
FINALE OF THE MARGARETTA.
When the Patriots had won the victory, on the memorable 12th day of June, 1775, and brought their Prize to anchor in the Harbor of Machias, at about sunset of that day, a consultation was held; Jeremiah O'Brien, who had been elected Captain early in the morning before the battle com- menced, in the early evening hours, was yet the admirable Leader, assisted by John O'Brien, and the other four younger O'Brien Brothers, Joseph Getchell, Samuel Watts, Josiah Weston, John Drisko, the latter Captain of the Company who had come to the aid of Machias from "Chandler's River," now Jonesboro, and "Pleasant River,"
170
FIRST SETTLEMENT.
now Addison, and others; this "Council of Expediency" unanimously agreed to float the Margaretta to the head of the tide on 'Middle River." The resolve was executed in detail; a crew of twenty-five chosen men, equipped with axes, ropes and other things, went on board of the Mar- garetta at about dark and Joseph Getchell always declared "Our crew put in a hard night's work:" before the next morning sun was an hour high the job was completed.
The vessel was taken into a basin or kind of "natural dock," on the hour of the full tide, about fifty rods above the presert bridge on the West side of Middle River; in Marshfield ; was drawn up by use of ropes, chains and "pike- poles" as "high on the "Flats" as "we could get her" said one of the help and "We cut down trees and bushes and en- closed her from view so much as we could and returned to Machias in season for a late breakfast."
The reason for choosing so remote and secluded spot for the Margaretta, was fear that the British Admiral known to have a small fleet of ships at Port Royal, since called Annapolis, N. S. only one days sail from Machias River, and among them two or three ships with regular Naval officers in command, and suitable armament for destructive warfare, might dispatch a force to Machias to re-capture the Mar- garetta. If Admiral Graves, who was in command of the fleet at Boston, as, also Port Royal, N. S. had forthwith attempted to inflict punishment on the people of Machias, as a retaliatory measure, his success could scarcely be doubt- ted. Fortunately he did not.
Joseph Getchell, senior, who was well in the van of the battle, June 12th, then nearly forty years of age, who lived to be eighty years old; his son Joseph, Jr., a Ind of eight years when the vessel was beached and "hid in the woods," the junior Getchell also lived to be seventy-five years of age; these men lived long after 1800 and were living wit- nesses and their testimony was and is to-day unquestioned, as to the disposition of the first Naval Prize of the Revolutionary War!
The Declaration of Independence July 4th, 1776, succeed-
171
HISTORY OF MACHIAS.
ed by Proclamation of War, nearly thirteen months after the battle at Machias, did not reach Machias so as to become well understood, until nearly the "middle of August.
The Irish blood in John O'Brien's body was not sluggish, nor did his pulse run low! He procured help, uncovered the beached Margaretta, floated her to anchor in near proximity to the settlement at Machias, procured new sails, a few small "five pounders" or field pieces and "such other utensils of war" as were then available, placed on board such "ship stores" as were deemed indispensible, selected a crew of twenty men, the best "raw material" he could impress for the service he had in view: leaving Machias in the early Fall season of '76; he assumed the work of a Privateer! It is not recorded that O'Brien was then equipped with Letters of Marque, indeed if he made formal application to Congress for such, there is no evidence that he waited for the parchment, for then a long time was required to reach Philadelphia by mail and wait for the returning response. The writer of this is not informed as to any success the newly equipped American ship obtained .previous to April, 1777. (The name was changed from Mar- garetta to Machias Cruiser.) Before September, 1777, there is evidence, see store accounts, on sheets of paper, as well as in book, of goods taken out of "the prize" vessel or vessels, at Machias. This "Prize, or the prizes, could not have been captured by any other person or Commander than John O'Brien.
In September or early in October, Capt. O'Brien sailed from Machias, via. "Moosepeckky Reach ;" town of Jonesport since 1832; sailing westerly until near and off Mt. Desert. Here he espied a vessel in the offing, which he thought was a merchant vessel from the West Indies for Port Royal or St. John. (New Brunswick was not incorporated 'till 1784, the Province being one, Nova Scotia.) The supposed merchant- man proved to be a " man of war." O'Brien had bourne down upon her until he was within long range shot, deter- mined to "Give her battle," before he discovered that he
172
FIRST SETTLEMENT.
was in the presence of a well manned, warship of the British Navy! He could do no less than crowd on sail and make his escape if possible. The wind proved favorable; Sawyer's Cove at Jonesport was forty miles distant in an easterly direction. By this time the man of War was in full chase, with an occasional shot at O'Brien, doing no harm. "The race was six and six" for three to five hours the war ship if anything was making a gain on the O'Brien craft. Capt. O'Brien had thoughts of gaining harbor and shelter in Machias Bay, but when near to Sawyer's Cove he thought prudence the better part of valor, and he ran into the Cove, up to the head on to the flats: he and his crew, not stop- ping to take any of their belongings, went overboard and disappeared in one of the half dozen houses, of as many families as then lived on the adjacent shores. The Br. Commander not daring to follow O'Brien up the Cove, thinking, probably, of shoal water and rocks, came to an anchor just at the entrance, lowered a boat with half a dozen men on board, proceeded to inspect the American vessel out on the flats, and felt satisfied with doing no less than firing the craft which "was burned to the water's edge." So late as 1845 timbers of that wreck were readily rec- ognized, sticking above the flats when the tide was off, and the writer of this for fifty years or longer has had no doubt that those timbers were the "bones" and that spot the final resting place of the Margaretta !
In corroboration of this fact, the late Oliver Sawyer of Jonesport, born in 1806, died at an old age often repeated that-"my mother, who in 1778 was eight to ten years old, her birth place being in sight of the spot where the O'Brien vessel was beached, said she witnessed the entire affair as related in the foregoing as to the race up the Cove, the burning of the vessel and that Captain O'Brien and some of his men came to her father's house evening of the same or the next day morning : that the burning vessel made "such ablaze I never forgot it." Captain O'Brien was not the man to boast of his victories either before the Sawyer Cove incident or afterwards as his history invariably shows:
173
HISTORY OF MACHIAS.
it is not to be presumed, that he would have many words to spare explaining his one and only defeat in his several years service during the Revolution.
The late Capt. Geo. Burnham. a native of Machias, who was past ten years of age in 1800. was well acquainted with Jeremiah O'Brien, Joseph Getchell, Jr., and others, who participated in the engagement of June 12th, 1775; he had listened to the "old story." often repeated; also the tale of secreting the Margaretta near the forests of Middle River; with the effort of John O'Brien, to do some service for his Country by utilizing the before named ship, in turning its guns upon the enemy of his Liberty loving associates, in- cluding the reverse of Mose-a-peck-ky Reach.
HIGH MARSH, &c.
Previous to 1773, and no doubt considerably later, much contention arose between Settlers over titles, claims and ownership of the High Marsh Lots as well on the Main river as on Middle River; the great fields of salt hay, or hay grown on Nature's salted lands. Possession or Squatters' rights seemed to be construed into fee simple and was often enforced by muscle under control of strong mental power; sometimes fist and pitchfork would secure to their possessor whatJustice Mellen could not confirm nor could Judges Crane, Campbell and Jones, before Judge Mellen came to this County to hold Courts, who suggested milder methods and Statutory provision of Settlement. By mutual agreement among Claimants it was decided in 1773, just ten years after the Sixteen Associates came to Machias, or more likely in 1772, that the"Marsh Lands" should be run out and divided into small lots of three to seven acres, a few being described as containing more than seven acres, five acres appearing to be the average size of lots.
It should be kept in mind that Marshes and their hay products, even more than the wild game and vast forests of timber, were magnetic factors in the early settlement of Washington or as at first called Lincoln County.
174
FIRST SETTLEMENT
The club and fist-cuff close engagements and personal en- counters were carly known on "Pleasant River" and some- times evidence of collision existed between the athletic Nash and the giant Bucknam families.
No Monument marks the spot where the "Hay ground conflicts" took place: yet they have no inconsiderable recognition in stories of early local events! These items of history are recorded to show the relation and contribution of "Marsh hay" to the number and value of farm stock as held by our ancestors.
A Document on file in the Selectmen's office in Machias, discloses the following Agreement made by the Sixteen Associates and others :- "The Courses and Boundaries of the "High Marsh" lots, in the town of Machias, carefully and impartially laid out by Daniel Merritt. Surveyor, with the assistance of Mr. Samuel Scott, Mr. Benj. Foster and Mr .. Japhet Hill, Committee and chosen for said Business, in June and July, 1773."
There were eighty-five lots each and all separately de- scribed, limits defined and recorded. Allowing five acres to each lot there would be an aggregate of four hundred and twenty-five acres.
"This Chart so minute in descriptive detail of the High Marsh Lands of Machias, more especially Middle River, has been handled and examined so much, in the one hundred and twenty-seven years of its existance, for making deeds and searching for titles that it is fast becoming tattered and torn, a relict that ought to be saved.'
JOHN ROBERT'S PETITION.
In the early days, the way of approaching town authorities for aid, in cases of misfortune, are singularly direct ! The following is illustration.
Machias, March 16th, 1789.
To the Selectmen of the town of Machias :-
Your humble Paticioner Begs leave to inform your honours that I have been an inhabitant of the town of Machias these
175
HISTORY OF MACHIAS.
four years-have been subject to all the Laws and Custom of the said town-but met with the misfortune of lowsing the uce of my arme-By the fawling of a tree, Which has reduced me to extream Poverty-If I Teases your honors to mention me in your Warent to try If the town Will do any- thing in my behalf-as I shall think mysef ever Bound in duty to your honours-and you will oblige your humble Paticioner as a man in grate Distress.
JOHN ROBERTS.
Under date April 6, 1789, one Stephen Parker came to the support of Roberts' claim, by writing and sending to the authorities the following :-
To the Gentlemen Select: and others, the humane In- habitants of Machias: -
The Humble Petition of John Roberts Humbly Shewetli. that Petitioner, during a period of four years, hath resided in this town, and by indefatigable labour and assiduity in his calling, zealously Endeavored to Render himself a citizen meritorious, of the immunities promulgated by the Ambassadors of the States: cheerfully paying his quota of taxes and ever demeaning himself amenable to the laws :- That Petitioner by "fatal" catastrophe is rendered incapable of earning his Support as usual, having had his thigh broke; his shoulder dislocated and otherwise materially bruised, by which Petitioner is Reduced to the lowest ebh of penury and distress; being destitute of Clothing to de- fend him from the Inclemency of the Weather.
May it therefore seem meet, to your Honorable and Humane Sirs to Commisserate his distressed situation, and by your Charitable Benefaction, Enable him to go in quest of an experienced Surgeon, from whom he may find assistance :- and Petitioner in duty bound will ever Pray.
STEPHEN PARKER.
Commencing with the days of Puritan Rule in New Eng- land, down to within the last Century, a law prevailed, or a
176
FIRST SETTLEMENT.
custom which is often equivalent when a person immigrated to a town. it became a duty of the Selectmen to warn him to emigrate forthwith! Provided he had no visible means of support. Machias was no exception to the custom, as the following Report to the Selectmen clearly illustrates :
Machias, 5th August, 1790.
Nathan Longfellow, Jr., hereby informs the Selectmen of Machias, that he has brought with him, into this town, from Newbury, a poor boy. by the name of Samuel Brown. NATHAN LONGFELLOW, JR.
No doubt Mr. Longfellow's good citizenship and well-known earthly possessions operated to give the "poor boy" a residence, otherwise Samuel Brown would have been de- ported, in a manner not dissimilar to that applied to the Chinamen of to-day.
J
SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
In 1790 a school tax was reported. the town being divided into Four Districts. West District was known as Machias. The aggregate assessment was £23. 4s. 2p. In list of West District are sixty-four names, among them Jacob Penniman, Ebenezer Ingley. Job Burnham, Dr. Parker Clark. James Flinn. Stephen JJones. Ladwick Hol- way. Morris O'Brien and four sons Jeremiah, John, Gideon. Joseph: Ellis Smith. Marshall Thaxter. Hannah Hill is assessed for nineteen shillings and Olive Longfellow ten shillings, four pence, the first time a woman's name has appeared in the tax list, probably Hannah and Olive were the first women tax-payers in Machias.
The "East District" now East Machias. assessed £22, 18s. the list contains names of JJosiah Harris. Capt. Wooden Foster. Joseph Hill, Samuel Scott, Robert Munson, Samuels Rich and fifty-eight others.
The Middle River District, including what is now Marshfield. the Hoyt-Armstrong territory down as far as
.
177
HISTORY OF MACHIAS.
the present Rim Bridge, was assessed for £2. 17s, Op. The following are the persons assessed.
Meekel Dawdell,
Stephen Dave,
James Avery,
Wm. Craston,
Henry Griffith,
John Derby,
Daniel Hoit,
Jonathan Berry,
Aaron Hanscom,
J. and J. Crocker, V
A. Hanscom Jr.,
Benjamin Fcss,
Nathan Hanscom,
Joseph Getchell,
Joseph Libbee,
Hannah Hill,
Daniel Meservey,
Samuel Hill,
Jacob Palmer,
Benjamin Harmon,
George Stillman,
Jonathan Pineo,
George Sevey,
John Scott,
Samuel Cates,
Daniel Stone,
Jeremiah Singley,
Enoch Waterhouse,
Benj. Crocker,
Joseph Averill,
William Webb,
Stephen Smith, Jr.
Hannah Hill appears as the heaviest tax payer in the Middle District, her tax being £1, 9s, 9p.
The Lower District included Machiasport the aggregate assessment being £11, 11s, 10p. The following are the Rate payers :-
Ebenezer Gardner,
Obed Libbee, Peter Richardson,
Nathaniel Phinney,
Nathaniel Phinney, Jr.,
Jonathan Woodruff,
Josiah Phinney,
Stephen Parker,
Enoch Sanborne,
Wm. Emerson,
Richard Sanborne.
Benjamin Ackley,
John Sanborne,
Barthol'w Connors,
John Holmes, Samuel Holmes,
Amasa Lewis,
Timothy Libbee's Est.,
Charles Smith,
Daniel Emerson,
James Gooch, David Libbee,
Ephraim Hadley.
In addition to the foregoing estates there were in the town
178
FIRST SETTLEMENT.
(including four districts) twenty-seven single (unmarried) Polls, assessed £5. 1s, 3p.
In February, 1790, a Resolve adopted by both Houses of the Massachusetts, General Court copy of which was sent to Machias, called for the payment of the "Back Tax," for the Eastern District of the County of Lincoln, and the Assessors of Machias responded to the call. The tax would not be called heavy in later days, yet it was only adding burden to burden one hundred and twelve years ago.
The poll tax was 1s., 4p. There were one hundred and twenty-two polls, besides the tax on real and personal hold- ings. Peter Talbot paid the largest tax on real estate, 1s. 3p. Samuel Holmes the highest on personal estate being Sp. The entire list of names is here given :---
James Avery.
Ephraim Hadley,
Israel Andrews,
Aaron Hanscom,
Thaddeus Ames,
Aaron Hanscom, Jr.,
Samuel Bryant,
Nathan Hanscom,
James Brown,
Isaac Hanscom,
Philbrook Brown,
Eleazer Hathaway,
Benjamin Berry,
John Holmes,
Andrew Brown,
David Libby,
Nathaniel Babb,
Daniel Libby,
Ephraim Chase,
Timothy Libby,
Patrick Connors,
Barnabas Lyon,
Samuel Cates,
Robert Munson,
William Crosson,
Joseph Munson Jr.,
Jacob Crosby,
John Munson,
William Davis.
Stephen Munson,
Gamaliel Demmons.
Thomas Miller,
John Day,
Thomas Mitchell,
David Dunn.
"Negro Milow,"
Wmn. Emerson,
Stephen Parker,
Moses Elsmore.
Nath'l Phinney,
Robert Elliot,
Nath'l Phinney, Jr.,
Benj. Foster,
Josiah Phinney,
Woodin Foster,
Jacob Palmer,
John W. Foster.
John Palmer,
179
HISTORY OF MACHIAS.
John Foster,
Anthony Pepper,
Levi Foster,
Samuel Rich,
Abijah Foster,
Peter Richardson.
Benj. Foster, Jr.,
Ezekiel Richardson,
Moses Foster,
George Stillman,
Paul Foster,
George Seavy,
Samuel Foster,
Joel Foster,
Joseph Seavy, John Seavy.
Daniel Foster,
Silvanus Seavy,
Elias Foster,
Enoch Sanborne,
Wallis Fenleson,
John Sanborne.
John Fairbanks,
Samuel Scott,
John D. Fulsom,
Samuel Scott, Jr.,
Ebenezer Gardner,
George Scott,
Benj. Gooch,
Daniel Scott,
James Gooch,
Theodore Scott,
William Gooch,
Jesse Scott,
Ebenezer Gooch,
Jonathan Stickney,
David Gardner,
Joseph Stewart,
Josiah Harris,
Ebenezer Smith,
Tilley Howe,
David Smith,
Samuel Holmes,
Mark Scott,
James Holmes,
John Stewart,
Ephraim Holmes,
Peter Talbot.
180
FIRST SETTLEMENT.
Account of payments made to Rev. James Lyon, Dr.
The following is copied from a sheet of fools-cap, made in the Pastor's own style of penmanship :
1784-To what you (the Parish ) Recv'd of Foster, Longfellow and Seavey, €13. 8. 6.
1785-Paid you by Nathan Loufellow, 51.
10. 6.
My order on Chase, Collector, 34. 9. 6.
1786-Paid you by Nathan Longfellow, 50. 0. 0.
36.
0. 0.
1787-Paid you by Samuel Holmes, Paid you by John Scott,
50.
9. 1.
1788-Paid you by N. Longfellow. Paid you by John Foster,
27. 12.
10.
1789-Paid you by E. Waterhouse, Collector, To my order on Benj. Gooch,
50. 0
0.
36. 0. 0.
57. 17. 6.
29.
2.
9.
" Joseph Getchell,
18. 1. 8.
" Samuel Smith,
6.
0. 0.
" Silvanus Seavey,
3.
10.
4.
" S. Swan,
5.
8.
0.
" S. Seavey,
34.
7.
434.
John Holmes,
0.
8.
0.
-- Getehell,
39.
11.
7.
-Longfellow,
43. 0.
0.
66 Stephen Munson,
30.
0. 9.
66 J. Wallis,
2.
8.
4.
Joseph Getchell,
4.
14. 9.
Jacob Longfellow,
8. 8. 1.
" Stephen Jones, Esq.,
0).
14. 0.
" Thomas Webster and Lewis,
3.
13. 1.
£794. 5.
13.
By my Salary for ten years including 1794, £892. 0. 4.
which includes deficiency of £32. 4. 0. previous to 1784
Total of Receipts
794. 5. 134.
-
Balance due
£97. 15. 234.
To my order on Chase for
36. 0. 0).
60.
0. 0.
1790-Paid you by Daniel Meserve, To ditto by James Gooch,
181
HISTORY OF MACHIAS.
BRIDGES.
The first Bridge across Middle River was built in 1783 nearly where the present bridge near the school house is now. It will be remembered that all the travel then and until 1824-25 between Machias, Machiasport West side and East Machias and all places East, except by water was by the Middle River and road across this bridge.
Jonathan Pineo was the Surveyor or Agent of the town in building the bridge. His account of settlement for road bridge work, material, etc., was settled December 9th, 1783. As Lieut. Pineo's accounts furnish the first written or printed record of "Bridge Builders" in the Province of Maine East of the Penobscot River the following becomes matter of interest.
Dec. 2, Jonathan Pineo, one day's work ; oxen half day. John Berry, half day's work ; oxen half day. Joseph Getchell, Sr., half day's work ; oxen half day. Stephen Jones, Esq , four day's work ; oxen one day. Capt. Stephen Smith, four day's work; oxen two days. Capt. David Longfellow, one day's work; oxen two days.
Dec. 3, Jonathan Pineo, one day's work ; oxen one day. John Berry, one day's work ; oxen one day. Joseph Averil, one day's work oxen one day. Joseph Getchell, one day's work oxen one day. Jo's Getchell, Jr. one and half day's work ; oxen one day. Benjamin Foss, one day's work; oxen one day. Esquire Jones, four day's work ; oxen one day. Capt. S. Smith, four day's work ; oxen one day. Capt. Jacob Longfellow, one day's work; oxen one day.
Dec. 4th, Capt. Smith, two and half day's work ; oxen one day. Esquire Jones, one day's work ; oxen one day.
Jona'n Pineo, one and half day's work; oxen one day. John Berry, one day's work ; oxen one day. Joseph Getchell, two day's work ; oxen one day. Benjamin Foss, one day's work ; oxen one day.
Dec. 6th, Capt. Smith, two day's work ; oxen one day. Esquire Jones, one day's work ; oxen one day. Jo's. Getchell, one and one half day's work ; oxen one day. Enoch Waterhouse, one day's work; oxen one day. Daniel Stone, one day's work ; oxen one day. Joseph Averil, one day's work ; oxen one day. John Berry, one day's work ; oxen one day. Jonathan Pineo, one day's work ; oxen one day.
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FIRST SETTLEMENT.
Dec. 9th, Esq. Jones, four day's work ; Capt. Smith, two day's work; Job Burnham, one day's work ; Jeremiah O'Brien, one day's work ; Jacob Longfellow, one day's work ; Benjamin Foss, one day's work ; John Berry, one day's work ; oxen one day. Joseph Getchell, Sr. two day's work; oxen one day. David Libby, one day's work ; oxen one day.
Jonathan Pineo, one day's work ; oxen one day. Joseph Averil, one day's work ; oxen one day. Japhet Hill, two day's work ; oxen one day. Henry Griffith, one day's work ; oxen one day.
Dec. 10. 1783: I hereby certify the foregoing to be a true copy of what work was done, in the year 1783, on the Rods etc.
JONATHAN PINEO, Surveyor.
The following is annexed to the above account.
1782. The town of Machias To Jonathan Pineo, Dr. To 83 days work, in looking out Rodes and
clearing, by the direction of the Commetty ap- pointed for that purpose.
It is in evidence that, when "Capt. Smith" and "Esquire Jones," worked on the road or on the bridge a day, they sometimes were accompanied by a "hired man," which materially increased the number of their day's work. The reader will note that Jones, O'Briens, Smiths. Long- fellows, did not shrink from or shirk using ax and shovel with common men :- Is not the prosperity of Machias in large measure, the last seventy-five years, due to the industry and economical habits of the town's Pioneers of one hundred twenty-five years ago?
One hundred and nineteen years later a Bridge was built. at East Machias and in the territorial limits of the old Machias : a description of the modern bridge is here given.
The Pope Memorial Bridge at East Machias spans the river where the "Upper Bridge" stood from a time carly in the history of the town. In August, 1902. the old bridge
1
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HISTORY OF MACHIAS.
was torn down and work commenced on the memorial bridge, which is built entirely of concrete reinforced by steel bars imbedded within the structure. The foundations all rest on bed rock, and with the superstructure of gravel concrete, which is really artificial stone, make a bridge consisting of threee lliptical arches and is formed in practically one solid piece. These arches carry a roadway twenty feet wide and a granolithic of concrete built in panels and topped by a neat coping guarding each side and gives a substantial finish to the whole structure.
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