USA > Maine > Cumberland County > New Gloucester > New Gloucester, Maine, centennial, September 7, 1874 > Part 8
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Since those days many of us have been traveling very different roads, and some of us have met now for the first time, and I can assure you all, it affords me much pleasure that I have the privilege of meeting you once more on this old familiar ground. It is very true that during our absence our faces have grown older, our heads have grown whiter, but I hope our hearts have grown warmer than when we first left. Yet, amid our kind greetings and hearty hand shakings, as we look around upon many old hearth-stones, our hearts are made sad with beholding so many vacant chairs.
I love to visit these scenes of my childhood ; I love to look at the place where the old school house stood, and to think over the many scenes I have seen enacted within its walls. I love to stand in the road, and look down the hill where I have spent so many happy hours in coasting, some- times with the boys and sometimes with the girls. I love to look over the fields where my father, my grandfather and my great grandfather lived and labored before me. If there is
114
THE FIRST CARRIAGE IN TOWN.
any spot in this town I love to visit more than any other, it is the old cemetery, where I can read the inscriptions upon the tombstones, and hold sweet spiritual communion with many loved ones who have passed over the river before us. I love to think of the old men and the old ladies also. I mean those who were old when I was young.
I can very well remember the man who had the first carriage ever owned in this town. It was a two-wheeled horse-cart, and the owner was in the habit of letting it to his neighbors at one dollar a trip to carry their produce to market. I refer to Mr. JOHN HASKELL.
I very well remember ISAAC PARSONS, ESQ., a gentleman of culture and influence, very precise, very correct and very honest. He was the owner of the first chaise and the first pair of calf-skin boots ever owned in this town. I remember the chaise, but not the boots. I very well recollect a clause in the old gentleman's will, requesting his successors never to drive upon the intervale with iron-bound wheels, and always to shut the intervale bars after them. How little did 'Squire PARSONS think his intervale would be crossed by two iron-band roads, traversed by fiery steeds, at the rate of twenty and thirty miles an hour ; but time has brought it all about.
There was an 'old gentleman who lived in a house which sat upon the spot where Captain CUTTER's house now stands. He went by the not very classical name of old "Fuddyduddy." His business was repairing carriages. Some of the mis- chievous boys painted a sign and placed it upon the stone wall, saying, " Wagons and sleighs repaired in the next barn by old Fuddyduddy."
There was another old gentleman whom I do not remem- ber, for he lived before my day; but I have heard those older than myself speak of him, and relate a little incident
115
DRIVING HOGS TO POUND.
in which he took a prominent part. His name was BILDAD ARNOLD ; he lived near the foot of the hill, on that level, sandy farm a little west of Cobb's Bridge ; he was in the habit of calling his hogs by pounding on the house. Mr. LORING, the field driver, came along one day and finding Mr. ARNOLD's hogs in the road undertook to drive them to pound. Mr. ARNOLD sat very quietly in his house, watching the movements of the field driver until he had driven the hogs well up the hill towards the corner, when he pounded upon the house, and back came the hogs with the field driver after them. He succeeded in driving them up the hill a second time. Mr. ARNOLD pounded again upon the house, when back came the hogs with the field driver somewhat excited at their heels. Mr. LORING was a persevering man, and with a firm determination if not a little temper he started the hogs for a third time, fully resolved not to be conquered. After much laboring, fum- ing and sweating, he succeeded in driving them up the hill once more, when rap, rap, rap, went the blows and back rushed the hogs as if ten legions of devils had entered into them. As Mr. LORING* stood gazing upon the scene, I imagine if any one had been near enough, he might have been heard soliloquizing something like this: "I find from experience, that driving hogs to pound is most decidedly an up hill business. Standing as I do here, in full view of the situation, I begin to comprehend the difficulty, and, under the circumstances, I think I had better retire." Suiting the action to the word, I presume he turned upon his heel and walked rapidly home, his mind somewhat exercised with
* This was BEZALEEL LORING, who lived on the OBEDIAH WHITMAN place, a Constable and Deputy Sheriff; the man who hung Drew, and thereby acquired the name of " HANGMAN LORING."
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DOXOLOGY.
the obstinacy of hogs in general, and BILDAD ARNOLD'S hogs in particular.
Late in the afternoon the entire assemblage rose and sang the
DOXOLOGY.
From all who dwell below the skies, Let the Creator's praise arise; Let the Redeemer's name be sung, Through every land, by every tongue.
Eternal are Thy mercies, Lord; Eternal truth attends Thy word ; Thy praise shall sound from shore to shore, Till suns shall rise and set no more.
Thus ended one of the most enjoyable days the Town of New Gloucester ever witnessed, "remindful of the past and auspicious of the future."
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APPENDIX.
AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
New Gloucester, although a remote inland town, took a decided stand in the Revolutionary War, as appears by the following votes, etc.
1774, September 24. Col. WILLIAM ALLEN, Capt. WILLIAM HARRIS and Capt. ISAAC PARSONS were chosen a committee to attend a County Convention at Falmouth, to consider what measures were expedient to adopt for the gen- eral interest of the County in the then alarming situation of public affairs.
The following is a copy of the record of that Convention.
At a meeting of the following gentlemen chosen by the several towns in the County of Cumberland, held at the house of Mr. GREELEY, innholder in Falmouth, in said County, the 20th day of September, 1776, the Honourable ENOCH FREEMAN, Esq., being chosen Chairman, and Mr. SAM'L FREEMAN, Clerk, viz : from-
Falmouth-The Honourable Enoch Freeman, Esq., Stephen Longfellow, Esq., Mr. Enoch Ilsley, Mr. Richard Codman, Capt. John Waite, Mr. Samuel Freeman.
North Yarmouth-David Mitchell, Esq., Mr. Jolin Lewis, Mr. Jonathan Mitchell, Mr. John Gray, Mr. William Cutter.
Scarborough-Capt. Timothy M. Daniel, Capt. Reuben Fogg, Mr. Joshua Fabyan.
Gorham-Solomon Lombard, Esq., William Gorham, Esq., Capt. Edmund Phinney, Capt. Bryant Morton, Mr. Jona Davis.
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MR. SHERIFF TYNG'S DECLARATION.
Cape Elizabeth-Dr. Clement Jordan, Mr. Peter Woodbury, Mr. Sam'l Dunn Mr. George Strout, Dr. Nathaniel Jones, Capt. Judah Dyer.
Brunswick-Mr. Samuel Standwood, Mr. Samuel Tompson, Captain Thomas Moulton.
Harpswell-Mr. Joseph Ewings, Capt. John Stover, Mr. Andrew Dunning. Windham-Mr. Zorobable Honywell, Mr. Thomas Trott, Mr. David Barker. New Gloucester-Mr. William Harris, Mr. Isaac Parsons.
A committee from the body of people who were assembled at the entrance of the town, waited on this Convention, to see if they would choose a committee of one member out of eaclı town to join them, to waite on Mr. Sheriff TYNG, to see whether he would act in his office under the late act of Parliament for regulating the Government.
On a motion made,
Voted, That a messenger be sent to Mr. TYNG to desire his attendance at this Convention. Mr. Dow, who was desired to attend on this Convention, then waited on Mr. TYNG with the following billet, viz :
Mr. Sheriff TYNG's company is desired at the Convention now sitting at Mr. GREELEY'S.
SAMUEL FREEMAN, Clerk.
WEDNESDAY, Sept. 21, 1774, eleven o'clock A. M.
Mr. TYNG accordingly attended, and after some interrogations, subscribed the following declaration :
COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND.
FALMOUTH, Sept. 21, 1774. .
Whereas, great numbers of the inhabitants of this County are now assem- bled near my house, in consequence of the false representations of some evil minded persons, who have reported that I have endeavored all in my power to inforce the late acts of Parliament relating to this Province, I do hereby solemnly declare that I have not any way whatever, acted or endeavored to act in conformity to said acts of Parliament, and in compliance with the commands of the inhabitants so assembled, and by the advice of a committee from the several towns in this County, now assembled in Congress, I further declare I will not, as Sheriff of said County or otherwise, act in conformity to, or by virtue of said acts, unless by the general consent of the said County. I further declare I have not received any commission inconsistent with the charter of this Province, nor any commission whatever since the first day of July last.
WM. TYNG, County Sheriff.
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SENTIMENTS OF THE CONVENTION OF 1774.
COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND.
At the Convention of Committees from the several towns in the said County, held at the house of Mr. GREELY, in Falmouthi in said County, Sept. 24, 1774,
Voted. That the foregoing, by WILLIAM TYNG, EsQ., subscribed, is satis- factory to this convention.
Attest,
SAMUEL FREEMAN, Clerk.
The Convention then formed themselves into a committee to accompany Mr. TYNG to the body of people to present the above declaration, and ad- journed to the old Town House at 3 o'clock P. M., the deliberations there to be in public.
The committee accordingly went with Mr. TYNG, who read the declaration to the people, which they voted to be satisfactory, and after refresliing them- selves returned peaceably to their respective liomes.
P. M., 3 o'clock, met according to adjournment.
Voted, That Mr. SAMUEL FREEMAN, SOLOMON LOMBARD, ESQ., DAVID MITCHELL, ESQ., Mr. JOHN LEWIS, Capt. JOHN WAITE, Mr. SAMUEL TOMPSON, Capt. TIMOTHY M. DANIEL, Doctor NATH'L JONES, Mr. ISAAC PARSONS, ENOCH FREEMAN, ESQ., Mr. DAVID BARKER and Capt. JOIIN STOVER, be a committee to draw up the sentiments of this convention, and report the same at the ad- journment.
Then adjourned to Thursday morning, 8 o'clock.
September 22. Met according to adjournment, when the committee presented the following report, which, after being read paragraph by paragraph, was unanimously accepted. *
The great concern with which the people of this County view the increasing differences which now subsist between the Mother Country and the Colonies, and the dark prospect which some late Aets of the British Parliament, have in particular opened to them, lias occasioned the several towns herein, to choose committees for this Convention, " To consider what measures it would be thought expedient to adopt for the general interest of the County in the present alarming situation of our publie affairs." We, therefore, the said committee, pursuant to the request of our respective towns, guided by a strong attael- ment to the interest of our oppressed country, think it proper, with respect
* STEPHEN LONGFELLOW, EsQ., though he voted fully against the late Acts of the British Parliament, yet he manifested his dislike to some expression made use of in said report, which he termed harsh and provoking.
120
SENTIMENTS OF THE CONVENTION OF 1774.
and deference to our brethren in the other counties, to make known our minds as follows :
We think it the indispensible duty of every subject of the English Constitu- tion, for our own sakes as well as that of future generations, to use his utmost care and endeavour, according to the station he is in, to preserve the same inviolate and unimpaired; for we regard it not only as the foundation of all our civil rights and liberties, but as a system of government, the best calcu- lated to promote the peoples' peace and happiness. And we lament that in the present administration there are men so lost to all the principles of honour, equity and justice as to attempt a violation of the rights which we have long enjoyed, and which, while we profess ourselves, as we now declare we do, allegiant subjects to George the Third, our rightful Sovereign, we have a right still to enjoy entire and unmolested. And it is a melancholy considera- tion that the acknowledged head of this respected State should be induced to pass his sanction to such laws as tend to the subversion of that glorious freedom, which preserves the greatness of the British Empire, and gives its reputation throughout all the nations of the civil world. It is too apparent that the British ministry have long been hatching monstrous acts to break our constitution, and some they have at length brought forth. We think the Colonies deserve a better treatment from His Majesty than this which he assents to. We are his legal subjects, and merit his regard, and can't help thinking that if he would pursue his own unbiased judgment, and cast aside the selfish counsel of wicked and designing men, he and his subjects would be mutually happy, and provocations on both sides cease. But since the ministry have borne their tyranny to such a length as to endeavour to execute their wicked designs by military force in our metropolis, we fear it is their aim to introduce despotic monarchy. But though their tyranny and fell oppression seems now with hasty strides to threaten all the Colonies with ruin and destruction, we hope no vengeance will affright or will allure us to give up our dear bought liberty, that choicest boon of Heaven whichi our fathers came into these regions to enjoy, and which we therefore will retain while life enables us to struggle for its blessings.
We believe our enemies supposed we must submit and tamely give up all our rights. It is true a rigorous opposition will subject us to many incon- veniences, but how much greater will our misery be if we relinquishi all we now enjoy, and lay our future earnings at the mercy of despotic men ? We cannot bear the thought. Distant posterity would have cause to curse our folly, and the rising generation would justly execrate our memory.
We therefore recommend a manly opposition to those cruel acts, and every measure which despotism can invent to "abridge our Englisli liberties," and
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SENTIMENTS OF THE CONVENTION OF 1774.
we hope that patience will possess our souls, till Providence shall dissipate the gloomy cloud and restore us to our former happy state.
The late act for regulating the government of this Province, we consider in particluar, as big with mischief and destruction, tending to the subversion of our Charter and our Province laws, and in its dire example alarming to all the Colonies. This, through the conduct of some enemies among ourselves, will soon bring us into difficulties, which will require some able counsel to remove.
We therefore recommend to each town in this County, to instruct their several representatives, to resolve themselves with the other members of the House at their approaching session into a Provincial Congress for this pur- pose.
To this Congress we shall submit the general interest of the Province, but for the particular benefit of this County we do advise and recommend-
1. That the Justices of the Sessions and Court of Common Pleas, and every other civil officer in this County, whom no authority can remove but that which constituted them agreeable to Charter and our own Provincial laws, would religiously officiate in their several departments, as if the aforesaid act had never been invented, and that every private person would pay a strict obedience to such officers, be always ready to protect and to support them, and promote a due observance of our own established laws, and if any person whatever should henceforth in any manner dare to aid the operation of the said tyrannic act, they should be considered as malignant enemies to our charter rights, unfit for civil society, and undeserving of the least regard or favor from their fellow countrymen.
2. That every one would do his utmost to discourage law suits, and likewise compromise disputes as much as possible.
3. That it be recommended to the Honourable JEREMIAH POWELL, ESQ., and the Honourable JEDEDIAH PREBLE, EsQ., Constitutional Counsellors of this Province, residing in this County, that they would take their places at the Board the ensuing session as usual.
4. We cannot but approve of the recommendation given by the Conven- tion of Suffolk County to the several Collectors of Province taxes, not to pay one farthing more into the Province Treasury until the government of the Province is placed upon a constitutional foundation, or until the Provincial Congress shall order otherwise; and we recommend the sanie to the several Collectors in this County, but we think it is the duty of the several Collectors of County, Town and District taxes, to perfect their collections and pay the same into their several Treasuries as soon as possible. And we think it proper to observe, that though we do not coincide in every instance with our Suffolk brethren, which may be owing to a want of knowing all the circumstances of affairs, yet we highly applaud their virtuous zeal and determined resolutions.
9
122
SENTIMENTS OF THE CONVENTION OF 1774.
. 5. We recommend to every town in this County charitably to contribute to the relief of our suffering brethren in our distressed Metropolis.
6. Lest oppression, which maketh even wise men mad, should hurry some people into tumults and disorder, we would recommend that every individual in the County would use his best endeavours to suppress at all times, riots, mobs and all licentiousness, and that our fellow subjects would consider them- selves, as they always are, in the presence of the great God who loveth order and not confusion.
7. That when a general non-importation agreement takes place, we shall look upon it to be the duty of every vender of merchandise to sell his goods at the present rates, and if any person shall exorbitantly enhance the prices of his goods we shall look upon him as an oppressor of his country, and in order to prevent impositions in this respect, we recommend that a committee be chosen in each town to receive complaints against any who may be blamed hierein, and if he shall refuse to wait on such committee on notice given, or be found culpable in this respect, his name shall be published in the several towns in the County, as undeserving of the future custom of his countrymen.
8. That every one who has it in his power, would improve our breed of sheep, and as far as possible increase their numbers, and also encourage the raising of flax and promote the manufactures of the country.
9. As the very extraordinary and alarming act for establishing the Roman Catholic Religion and French laws in Canada, may introduce the French or Indians into our frontier towns, we recommend that every town and individual in this County would be provided with a proper stock 'of military stores, ac- cording to our Province law, and that some patriotic military officers be chosen in each town to exercise their several companies and make them perfect in the military art.
10. Our general grievances being the subject of deliberation before the Constitutional Congress, renders it inxepedient to consider them particularly. On their wisdom we have a great dependence, and we think it will be our duty to lay aside every measure to which we have advised that may be variant with theirs, and pay a due regard to their result.
And now, we think it proper to declare, that as we have been recounting the hardships we endure by the machinations of our enemies at home, we cannot but gratefully acknowledge our obligation to those illustrious worthies, our friends of the minority, who constantly opposed those wicked measures ; and would heartily wish some great and good men would invent and work out some plan that will unite the parent State to these, its Colonies, and thereby prevent the effusion of Christian blood. Then-
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VOTES OF THE TOWN, 1774 AND 1775.
Voted, That every member of this Convention be severally interrogated, whether he now has or will hereafter take any commission under the present act of Parliament for regulating the government of this Province.
The members were accordingly interrogated, and each and every of them answered in the negative.
Voted, That the several committees which compose this Convention, or the major part of each be, and hereby are desired to interrogate the civil officers, and other persons whom they may think fit, in their respective towns, whether they now have, or will hereafter take any commission under the aforesaid act.
Voted, That the whole proceedings of this Convention be by the Clerk transmitted to the press, and also to the Town Clerks of the respective towns in this County as soon as may be.
Voted, That this Convention be continued, and that the Committee of Falmouth, or the major part of them, be and hereby are empowered on any occasion that in their opinion requires it, to notify a meeting of the delegates thereof, at such time and place as they may think proper, setting forth the occasion thereof.
Voted, That the thanks of this Convention be given to the Honourable ENOCH FREEMAN, EsQ., for his faithful services as Chairman.
A true copy.
Attest : SAM'L FREEMAN, Clerk.
VOTES OF THE TOWN.
1774, September 27. Voted, To choose a committee of seven in number to inspect over the inhabitants of this town, to see whether the people do subject to the resolves of Congress, and expose them that do not.
Voted, The following persons be that committee : MICAH WALKER, JOSIAHI SMITH, ISAAC PARSONS, JOIIN WOODMAN, ENOCH FOGG and NATHANIEL BEN- NETT.
The above committee was to act in relation to the non-importa- tion and non-consumption of British goods.
1775, March 21. Voted, That Capt. WM. HARRIS, Capt. ISAAC PARSONS and MOSES MERRILL, JR., be a committee to join in a County Convention, if called for.
Voted, Capt. WM. HARRIS, JOHN WOODMAN and ENOCH FOGG be a com- mittee to provide a store of provisions and ammunition for the town's use, according to the recommendation of the County Congress.
124
ACT TO PREVENT MONOPOLY.
1775, April 25. Voted, To have twenty men in readiness to go upon any campaign that may be called for, and upon the shortest notice.
Voted, That those that shall go shall have their proportionable part of their labor done every week (faithfully) so long as they shall be gone, and that they shall have their wages for their bounty, and be furnished with as much pro- vision as they will carry, and be billeted on the roads upon the town's cost.
(The above meeting was verbally notified by the Selectmen upon news of Lexington fight.)
1775, October 30. Voted, That Capt. WILLIAM HARRIS, Capt. ISAAC PAR- SONS and DAVID MILLET be a Committee of Safety.
Voted, To join the other towns in this County in fortifying on Falmouth Neck.
1776, March 19. Voted, That Capt. ISAAC PARSONS, Capt. WILLIAM HAR- RIS and PELEG CHANDLER be the Committee of Safety.
1777, March 24. Voted, That EBENEZER COLLINS, SAMUEL MERRILL and LUKE RYERSON be the Committee of Safety.
1776, May 21. Voted, That if the Honorable Congress should, for the safety of the Colonies, declare them independent of Great Britain, they will solemnly engage with their lives and fortunes to support the Congress in the measure.
An act of the General Court in 1777 to prevent monopoly and oppression fixed the following schedule of prices.
Wheat, 7s. a bushel.
Butter, 10d. a pound.
Rye, 5s.
Peas, 8s. a bushel.
Corn, 4s.
Beans, 6s.
Wood, 2s.
Potatoes, 1s. 4d. a bushel in the Fall,
Pork, 4d. a pound.
not over 2s. at other times.
Beef, 3s. 4d.
Men's yarn stockings, 6s. a pair. " shoes, 8s. "
Hides, 3d.
Calf Skins, 6d. «
Beef, 3£ 14s. 6d. a bbl., 240 lbs.
Salt, 10s. a bushel.
Pork, 4£ 12s. " 220 “
West India Rum, 6s. 8d. a gal. by hhd. Cotton, 3s. a pound.
6s. 10d.
bbl. Oats, 2s. a bushel.
7s. 8d. gal. Flax, 1s. a pound.
2s. qt. Coffee, 1s. 4d. «
New Eng. Rum, 3s. 10d. a gal. by hhd.
Tallow, 7¿d. "
4s. 6d. a gallon. Flannel, 3s. 6d. a yard.
Sugar, 8d. a pound retail.
Wood delivered in Boston, 28s. a cord.
125
VOTES OF THE TOWN, 1778 AND 1779.
Molasses, 4d. a gallon.
Cheese, 6d. a pound.
Turkeys 5d. a pound. Milk, ¿d. a quart.
Tow cloth, 2s. 3d. a yard.
The Selectmen of towns were authorized to fix prices in pro- portion, and a penalty was imposed for selling at higher prices.
By a subsequent act, the Selectmen and Committees of towns were allowed to fix prices every two months, to take effect after the same were posted in public places in town.
1777, July 22. Under this last act, ENOCH FOGG, JOHN HAS- KELL, JOHN TYLER, HONORY BUTLER, E. MERRILL and PELEG CHANDLER were chosen the committee.
1778, March 23. Voted, That PELEG CHANDLER, PETER GRAFFAM, LUKE RYERSON, EBENEZER MASON and BEZALEEL LORING, be the Committee of Safety.
1778, April 6. A Town Meeting was called to encourage enlistments. The return of the officer on the warrant is as follows :
CUMBERLAND, SS.
Agreeable to the within warrant, I have warned the inhabitants personally, they all being assembled in a muster, in the training field, and by the leave of the Militia Officers, the people attended the meeting.
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