USA > Maine > Washington County > Machias > Narrative of the town of Machias, the old and the new, the early and late > Part 9
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FIRST SETTLEMENT.
Esq., Capt. Gideon O'Brien and Mr. Wm. Tupper. Voted That the other part of the article be under consideration and adjourned to next May meeting. 7th, Voted: That the Town give the Selectmen power to lay out a piece of land not exceeding sixty feet by forty feet, for Dr. Parker Clark, for him to erect a dwelling house upon, on the side of the hill, by the North side of the old mill, at the Western Falls and give him a deed of the same. Voted : That five per cent
be paid to the Collectors for collecting. Voted : That not any person dip or take alewives or salmon between sunset Friday evening and Monday morning sunrise, and that the Selectmen have power to give such directions, as they may think beneficial for the preservation of the fish, and to order passages minde where they may judge proper for letting in the fish. and give any other orders for the benefit of fishing for alewives and salmon, that will be most advantageous to prevent the destruction of the fish. Voted: That if any person dip or take fish in the hours prohibited, shall if de- tected be prosecuted agreeable to Law, and pay a fine of twenty shillings lawful money, to be appropriated for the good of the town.
RALPH H. BOWLES, Town Clerk.
On the 27th of March, 1786 a town meeting was called to he held on the third day of April. for the purpose of voting for Governor, Lieut. Governor and Senator. April third the inhabitants assembled at the time and place notified, but the day being stormy and but few inhabitants present at the hour, the meeting was adjourned to Capt. David Long- fellow's 'till five o'clock p. m., of said day. The votes were then taken, his Excellency James Bowdoin receiving 32; Thomas Cushing for Lieut. Governor, 32; Alexander Camp- bell, Esq., for Senator, 32.
RALPH H. BOWLES, Town Clerk.
Town meeting was held on the eighth day of May, ten o'clock in the forenoon to elect a suitable person to rep- resent the town in the General Court of the Common-
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wealth, the ensuing year. Then to choose a Moderator, and act upon the following articles which were adjourned from March meeting to that time., viz :- To see if the town will accept such roads as have been laid out and to hear the re- port of the committee appointed to agree with Samuel Rich for the use of his house at East River, if they should think it a suitable place for Public Worship :- Also for the said committee to inform the town upon what terms the proprietors of the meeting house at the Western Falls will let or sell the same, and to grant money for the said pur- poses. 2nd, to know if the inhabitants will make application for the General Court to erect this Eastern District as a sepa- rate County and to make Machias the Shire town. 3d. To know if the inhabitants of the town will give some relief to Mr. Joseph Averill an inhabitant, who unfortunately receiv- ed a bad wound last Fall, and has been ever since confined and has been unable to provide the smallest help for himself and family. 4th. To choose a fence viewer in place of Obadiah Hill deceased.
By order of the Selectmen,
April 27. 1786.
At the meeting held as above notified Stephen Jones, Esq., was chosen Moderator. The town decided that "It be not requisite to send a Representative the ensuing year. Voted : that that part of the road which wholly comes on Smith, Stillman, and Avery's lot from the Rim to East River, shall be laid out by the Selectmen as nigh as the division line of said lot and Job Burnham's as conveniently can be, shall be acceptable to the town. Voted: that the report of the Committee respecting the meeting houses be adjourned 'till 2 o'clock p. m. Voted : that this town make application to the General Court to erect this Eastern District a separate County and to make Machias the Shire Town, and that a committee be appointed to petition to the honorable, General Court in behalf of this town-viz: Hon. Stephen Jones, James Avery, George Stillman, Capt. David
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FIRST SETTLEMENT.
Longfellow and William Tupper be said committee : and that they apply to Caleb Davis and Benjamin Hichborn, Esq's., to assist them in bringing forward the afore-mentioned application to effect ; also that invitation be given to the inhabitants between here and Union River and Passama- quoddy, to join with them to erect this Eastern District a separate County, and for Machias to be the Shire Town and that the above named committee be empowered to make ap- plication to the Court of sessions, which is held in this County, (Lincoln, ) at Pownalborough, to assist them in the above purposes.
The third article which respected Mr. Joseph Averill was, with a letter he wrote to the Selectmen asking for relief from the town taken into consideration, and the inhabitants thought best, that a paper for subscription be handed to the inhabitants to sign, to give such relief to Mr. Averill, as they individually should think proper according to their circumstances, and to pay the same to Capt. Stephen Smith, or his order :- This accordingly took place and he received relief. Voted : That Mr. Job Burnham be a fence viewer for the ensuing year in lieu of Obadiah Hill deceased. The meeting was then adjourned 'till two o'clock p. m. The inhabitants met according to adjournment, when Capt. Gideon O'Brien and William Tupper laid before the town a memorandum of an agreement made between Samuel Rich on the one part and said O'Brien and Tupper on the other which is placed on the files. Voted : that as the committee have not had time or opportunity to ascertain and be prop- erly acquainted, with all the accounts and expenses, that the proprietors of the meeting house. at the Western Falls have been at in building the same :- therefore that the same committee may have a sufficient time and opportunity to meet the proprietors' committee, thought it requisite to adjourn this meeting to a future day. Voted: To adjourn this meeting 'till the last Monday in May this instant. N. B .- Not any paper in town, -the below was taken for marks of cattle, etc.,'till a book was procued to record them. James Brown's mark for cattle, sheep and hogs- A crop in the right
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ear; a hole through the left. George Seavy's mark, - swallow's tail in each ear and a half penny out of each the under side. Nathaniel Phinney's-Crop off the right. ear; Josiah Phinney's,-Crop off the left ear. At a meeting of the town held by adjournment. this th of May 291786; voted that the Honorable Stephen Jones be Moderator. Voted- That there be added to the commttee of the town appointed to confer with the Proprietors Committee, which respects the Meeting Houses, an addition of three Messrs James. Shannon, Enoch Sanborne and Capt. Benjamin Crocker be of said Committee. Meeting adjourned for half an hour, when the Town Committee made report, that they had con- ferred with the Proprietor's Committee and that said com- mittee informed them, that the meeting house at the West- ern Falls cost the Proprietors the sum of sixty-five pounds, eigtht shillings and eleven pence lawful money, and that said proprietors would either take that sum -(which it cost them)-or rent said House at the interest of the money. Voted: that the town pay the Proprietors sixty-five pounds, eight shillings and seven pence Lawful money for said meeting house. Voted :- That the sum of two hundred pounds be raised for the purpose of building two meeting houses, one at the Western Falls and the other at Eastern River, and that the sum of sixty-five pounds. eight shillings and eleven pence come out of the two hundred pounds voted to be raised to pay the proprietors for that meeting house now built at the Western Falls. Voted that five be a com- mittee for the purpose of bringing to effect the building of two meeting houses, and that Benjamin Foster, James Avery, Ralph H. Bowles, Esq., Deacon Joseph Libby and Captain Peter Talbot be said committee. The meeting was then dissolved.
RALPH H. BOWLES , Town Clerk.
The Freeholders and other inhabitants of the town of Machias qualified to vote in town meetings are hereby notified and warned to assemble at the meeting house, at the Western Falls, on Monday the sixth day of November, 1786, at ten
.
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o'clock in the forenoon,-Ist. To choose a Moderator. 2d, That the inhabitants may be acquainted with the proceed- ings of the Convention held at Portland September sixth. 1786, agreeable to their request. 3d. To see if the in- habitants will vote for or against a separation of the Counties of York, Cumberland and Lincoln from this Com- monwealth: 4th. To know if this town will choose delegates or send their votes to the convention by the time they are adjourned to. Also, to transact any other business that the . inhabitants may judge requisite for the good of the town and the Commonwealth according to the proceedings of the before . mentioned convention.
The inhabitants assembled at the place and time as notified. Voted that Hon. Stephen Jones be Moderator, and after the proceedings of the Convention. (met at Portland, 6th of September. 1786)-was real at said meeting, the Inhabitants, after mature deliberation, voted that they do not think it expedient at this time that Separation from the State of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts be petitioned for.
Voted : That they do not by any means think it necessary to choose Delegates, but send their votes to the Conven- tion. by the time they are adjourned to. Voted, That a Commitee be chosen to Address the Convention which are to be assembled at Portland, the last Wednesday in January. 1787. to inform the reasons why this Town judge it not requisite to separate themselves from the Commonwealth, and that the Address and Reasons of said Committee when completed. be laid before this town for approbation. Elected Stephen Jones, James Avery and Ralph H. Bowles, said Committee. The meeting was adjourned to Monday this instant, 20th of November at two o'clock p. m.
The inhabitants met as above mentioned and adjourned to the house of Captain David Longfellow, when the proceed- ings of the Convention was read, and then the proceedings of the Committee appointed by the Town to draft an Address was laid before the inhabitants for their approbation and some small amendment being made. It was voted that the
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address be acceptable and that the same be forwarded to the President of the Convention, that is to assemble at Port- land, the last Wednesday of January, 1787. The meeting then dissolved.
RALPH H. BOWLES, Town Clerk.
Following is the Address: "Sir. the proceedings of the Convention of Delegates assembled at Portland, September 6, 1786, was received by the Selectmen and laid before a legal meeting of the Inhabitants of this town warned to assemble for that purpose, and after mature deliberation, it was voted unanimously, that this Town does not think it expedient at this present period, that a separation from the Commonwealth should take place. as you may observe by the enclosed copy of their proceedings and appointed us a Com- mittee to transmit the same to you, and inform you as Pres- ident of the Convention, the reason which actuated them to vote for it. We therefore according to the direction of the town beg leave to state some of the reasons that influence the inhabitants in this measure. They conceive that what the honorable Convention states as Grievances are not in- conveniences or burthens that are natural to all States, and will always in some cases operate more powerfully in some part of the State than in others. We are not under the least apprehension, but that the Legislature will always be ready (when proper sters which the Constitution points out for that purpose are justly directed to them) to remove those inconveniences or burthens, so far as it is possible or consistent with the good of the whole, and although some Acts of the General Court may operate more against the three Eastern Counties, still the Inhabitans of the town of Machias do not think that their interests are so different as to be a sufficient. foundation for them to seek Separation :- neither do we conceive, that The General Court being so large operates any more against . those Counties, than the other parts of the Commonwealth. That the General Court is large and consequently makes their business more perplex-
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FIRST SETTLEMENT.
ing we readily admit, but for the removal of that evil, we look forward to the year 1795, when a revisal of the Con- stitution is to take place, when a full remedy may be obtain- ed by having only three or four members out of a County instead of one from every town.
In application to the Supreme. Executive Authority, the repairing to the office of the Supreme Judicial Court and State Treasurer in Boston, can be attended with much less expense, than those inland Counties where the Suitors have to travel by land, which is more expensive than water con- veyance which is frequent from the Eastern Ports. That a considerable part of the inhabitants in these Eastern Counties are not represented cannot by any means be considered as a Grievance, for we apprehend the faults lie wholly at their own doors, as the Districts and Plantations on a proper ap- plication would doubtless be incorporated whereby that difficulty would be removed. This we are convinced of by our experience: therefore think that cannot be a sufficient reason for Separation. The present mode of taxation by polls and Estates is one of those inconveniences, which will in all States operate more powerfully in some parts than in others. But we are informed the General Court, at their late session has lightened that burthen as much as they possiblycan. and that they have passed an act to receive Inmber for Taxes: If this is true it will operate in our favour then it will in favour of other Counties, as it will not be so ex- pensive to send our lumber to Boston from the Eastern part of the State to pay our taxes, as it will cost those who have taxes to pay, who only live twenty miles from Boston.
The Excise and Import Aet may be considered in the same light, as the article respecting taxation, for that burthen is wholly or in a great measure removed by the Excise upon Cyder, which we are informed the Legislature has laid on that article the last session. The difference of the duty upon Deeds they, with all due deference to the honorable Conven- tion, think too triding to mention. However should we be misinformed in respect to the Acts passed the last session as is before mentioned : and even grant that the present mode
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of taxation, the Excise and Duties on Deeds, operate more against the Eastern Counties than any other part of thia Commonwealth- but still we are of opinion that it cannot operate to such a degree as to make a Separation any way necessary.
To suppport a separate Government would in the opinion of this Town, be attended with much greater expense than what these Counties pay towards the present, without any real advantage coming to us.
The British have made encroachments on, our Eastern frontiers, and are still endeavoring to extend their Bound- ary Line farther West, purely in consequence of their in- formation that these Eastern Counties are wishing to be erected into a separate State, and we would not in the small- est degree wish to gratify their inclinations, for they have ever boasted, that if our Government could once be divided in interests, and Principles and Territory, they would more readily fall a prey to their wishes should separation of this State take place; these Counties would not be in sit- uation to settle the dispute so much to advantage, as they will in this present convention and the force of Union to support it. The great extent of these Counties and there being but thirty inhabited towns and should war with any Foreign Power take place, this State in its weak situation, would probably fall the first sacrifice, and then Mass- achusetts would not think it so particularly her interests to use their exertions in its defense, as it would in the present connection. Neither is it probable the Commonwealth will in the present situation of affairs be brought to give her consent as it would be an example for the Counties of Berkshire and Hampshire to separate which they now seem inclined to do; and when a State once begins to decide it Inay be attended with many fatal consequences, and congress, who are bound to support the Constitutional Rights of each State, would not give their consent in such a measure.
At a time when our affairs are in such a precarious sit- uation, when we labor under so many embarassments, which cannot be remedied by a Separation but rather increased ;
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FIRST SETTLEMENT.
when the deluded People, in many of the Counties, are ris- ing in open Rebellion to all Law and Government we think it impolitic, unwise and unjustifiable to further perplex Government in prosecuting measures so unwarrantable to obtain a separation at this time.
We observe the Honorable Convention voted, that those Towns and plantations, that do not send delegates or send their votes will be considered as acquiescing in a Sep- aration. This we beg leave to observe is a method to collect the minds of the People different from what has been here- tofore practiced and a construction put upon their silence, not warranted upon any Principle of Reason; therefore least so unjustifiable a consruction be put upon our silence, the Town has directed their proceedings to be transmitted to you. We are yours.
S. JONES, JAMES AVERY, Committee.
R. H. BOWLES,
To the Hon. William Gorham, President of the Conven- tion to assemble at Portland, in January, 1787. JAMES AVERY, T. C.
The next Town meeting was legally appointed to meet at the meeting house at the Western Falls, on March 16th, 1787. to elect Moderator and all other necessary Town officers, as towns in this Commonwealth are by Law authorized to choose in the months of March or April annually. Article 3d reads,-To grant money for making and repairing high ways, minister and school taxes and for other purposes. 4th, To know the mind of the town re- specting the place where they will hold Town meetings in future. 5th, To know if the Town will come into some measure for the more expeditions mode of assessing and collecting taxes. 6th. To inquire into any complaints re- specting any encroachments on the Lands granted by the
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HISTORY OF MACHIAS.
Proprietors to the Rev. James Lyon and act thereon what shall appear to be right and equitable. 7th, To know if the Town will abate any part or the whole of Benjamin Gooch's taxes for several years past. Sth, To vote what . shall be allowed the Collectors for collecting the nine years taxes for the Rev. James Lyon and choose a Com- mittee to settle with said Collectors, and to act upon any other business that may come before said meeting; more especially for regulating the Fisheries.
STEPHEN JONES, MORRIS O'BRIEN, STEPHEN SMITH,
Selectmen.
Machias, March 16, 1787.
Agreeable to the foregoing Warrant the Inhabitants met at the time and place therein mentioned and made choice of Col. George Stillman, Moderator.
The following persons were chosen Town officers: Selectmen, Stephen Jones, Stephen Smith, Benjamin Foster, Joseph Libby, Jeremiah O'Brien : Assessors, Enoch Sanborne, David Longfellow. John Foster; Treasurer. George Stillman. ; Collectors, Samuel Holmes, John Scott : Constables, Wm. Albee and Ephraim Chase; Surveyors of Highways, Jeremiah O'Brien, David Longfellow. Daniel Stone, Silvanus Seavy, Daniel Hoit: Surveyors of Lumber, Eleazer Hatheway, William Albee, Gideon O'Brien, Moses Foster, Ephraim Chase, Amos Boynton, Jonathan Pineo, Peter Talbot, Nathan Longfellow, Jr., and Joseph Getchell, Jr. Fence Viewers Amos Boynton, Ebenezer Gardner, Joseph Munson, Jr., John Berry. Feild Drivers, Nathan Longfellow, Jr., John Crocker. Aaron Seavey, Nathaniel Phinney, Amos Boynton. Scalers of Weights and Measures, Benjamin Foster, George Stillman. Hog Reeves. Benjamin Gooch, Stephen Monson John Monson, Benjamin Harmon. John Crocker, John Kelly, Israel
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FIRST SETTLEMENT.
Andrews. Wardens, Enoch Waterhouse, Benjamin Goocrh, George Seavy. JJoseph Libby. N. B. Those with this mark S sworn in meeting: those with this mark X sworn afterwards.
Voted : That the sum of two hundred pounds be raised for making and repairing highways, for the ensuing year: that men's wages be six shillings per day and four shillings for a yoke of oxen ; and that two days be levied on the poles and the rest on the estates.
Voted: That the sum of eighty-six pounds be raised the coming year to pay the Rev. James Lyon. Voted, That town meetings in future he held alternately at the Western Falls and East River.
The matter respecting any encroachments on the lands granted to the Rev. JJames Lyon, being submitted by the parties of James Avery. Stephen Jones and George Stillman -Voted that the article be dismissed. Voted :' That the tax of Benjamin Gooch for 1786 be ahated, excepting his highway tax.
Voted: That there be allowed two and one half per cent to the Collectors for collecting the nine years tax and that James Avery. Esq .. Capt. Jeremiah O'Brien, Stephen Jones. Esq., be a Commiteee to settle with the said Col- lectors. Voted : That a collector be appointed to collect the deficiency of Rates due the Rev. Mr. Lyon in 1772. '73, '74, and the Assessors grant a Warrant for collecting the same and that John Scott be said Collector. Voted : That the same regulations respecting fish that was voted last year be continued in force for the present, and that all set nets shall be taken up or tied up, during the time prohibited for tak- ing fish under the same penalty as taking fish.
Voted: That Morris O'Brien have liberty to build a weir for taking fish in the Creek near his Point subject to the regulations of the Selectmen.
Voted: that one year more be allowed for opening roads and highways, provided there be gates or bars where any fence crosses the road.
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Voted: that the landings for receiving split lumber for taxes be at the Western Falls and the East River Landings. .
Voted: that hogs may run at large the ensuing year. Regulations for the assessing and collecting the taxes of the Town of Machias-1st, all taxes, as grants of money. voted by this Town shall be assessed on the polls and estates of the Inhabitants by the assessors, and committed to the Collec- tors with a Warrant to collect the same within two months at farthest after the same is voted, and a return of such assess- ment with the names of the Collectors, to whom the same is committed to collect be made by the Assessors to the Town Clerk and Town Treasurer :- should the Assessors neglect to make their assessment and returns in manner and within the time as above mentioned, then in that case the said assessors be accountable to the town for the full sums they have so neglected to assess, to be recovered by Execution from the Town Treasurer. 2nd. the collectors, on receiving a list of the assessment with a Warrant for collecting the same, shall immediately proceed on the business of collect- ing and complete the whole before the next annual mecting. 3d. the collectors shall on the first Monday of each month, render a true account of all moneys they have collected, with the names and sum, each person has paid, which account so rendered shall be entered with the records of the Selectmen, and laid before the town at their annual meet- ings; any collectors who shall neglect to render such return to the Selectmen, as aforesaid, shall forfeit the whole pre- mium or commissions they otherwise would have been en- titled to and have received for collecting. 4th, The Col- lector shall pay into the Town Treasury all sums he may collect monthly taking the treasury receipt for the same, and make up and settle his whole account before the annual meeting; on any Collectors neglect, the Town Treasurer is to issue execution against such deficient Collector. 5th, the Town Treasurer shall keep a fair and regular account of all money's received for the use of the town, and pay the same out agreeable to the orders he may from time to time receive from the Selectmen and lay a fair statement of his
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FIRST SETTLEMENT.
accounts before the town at their annual meetings. 6th, The Collectors may receive orders from the rate payers in payment, for the amount of such person's ministerial tax, and the Town Treasurer to receive the same from the Col- lector and charge said minister therewith. 7th, Any person who has a tax to pay to the minister may settle and pay the same, bringing a receipt from said minister to the collector, who had the collecting of the same, which collector shall receive such receipt for payment and credit such person therewith for which said Collector shall be allowed one per cent for his trouble and no more for all sums settled in the manner aforesaid.
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