USA > Maine > York County > Buxton > One hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of the town of Buxton, Maine : held at Buxton lower corner, August 16, 1922 : with additional history > Part 7
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13
Sons and Daughters and Friends of Buxton:
We are wont to think that in the ever increasing wonder and
0
89
Town of Buxton, Maine
complexity of the world's life we as individuals are as grains of sand upon the shore to be laved by the ebbing and flowing tide of human events. On the contrary the growing unity of man- kind has given added efficiency to every personal life. Where human influence once ended practically with the limits of the community, it now extends far beyond, small though it be, into the great vortex of the world's life. This town of our nativity is a unit in the state and nation; and its voice, with that of its fel- lows, must be for good or ill, surely for the good. Noble men and peradventure nobler women have sprung from her soil, her sons have battled successfully for independence, national unity and world freedom, her children have migrated to all parts of the country, into forest and swamp, to the sagebrush plains of the far West and the smiling slopes of the Pacific. The sun- shine of domestic love and the fragrance of good deeds still il- lumine its homes and bless its social life. The past is secure. The future lies in the hand of God. It lies also in the hand of man for God works through humanity to the consummation of the divine purpose. Through the efforts of us all may that future be rich in achievement, nobler and grander than sage has fore- told or poet dreamed.
HONOR ROLL
Presentation of Soldiers' Roll of Honor including practically all the men of all the wars of the United States to the Town Clerk of Buxton by Rev. C. F. Sargent, President of the Day.
RESPONSE
As Clerk of the Town of Buxton I accept this Soldiers' Roll. Brave men who participated in the several wars, many of whom made the supreme sacrifice that this beautiful country of ours might be free. I will carefully file it with the many other im- portant documents entrusted to my care and at the expiration of my term of office will pass it to my successor.
R. BLANCHE DEAN
C
-
90
One Hundred Fiftieth Anniversary PRESENTATION OF U. S. FLAG BY DR. ARTHUR G. WILEY
Citizens and Veterans:
Only a few years ago the G. A. R. was a strong organization of veterans, but the past few years have seen the ranks grow thinned. Today we salute and honor the brave men that Buxton sent out to keep the North and South under one flag.
On March 23, 1885, the John H. Came Post, Grand Army of the Republic, was organized in Buxton, and we shall always honor the men who became the members, also we honor all soldiers from Buxton.
About seventy-five of our finest young men were active in the terrible World War when the nations literally threw themselves at each other's necks over night. One native son was destined to make the supreme sacrifice, and his comrades here have honored him and his splendid young manhood forever by naming this newly formed branch of the American Legion, the Harold F. Hutchinson Post. Before many years have passed you will be World War veterans in truth.
Buxton is proud to give this flag to you, and if the need ever arises we shall look to you veterans to be the first to respond to the call for the defence of this glorious "Star Spangled Banner."
ADDRESS, ACCEPTING THE U. S. FLAG BY ARTHUR T. SAWYER
Mr. Speaker, Comrades and Friends:
Before accepting these beautiful Colors in the name of the American Legion, I will give you a brief outline of the activities of this organization that has come into being since the close of the great World War.
Sometime during the month of February that followed the signing of the Armistice, a small number of Veterans assembled at
一
91
Town of Buxton, Maine
Paris for the purpose of forming some kind of a Veterans' asso- ciation along lines similar to those adopted by our Older Com- rades at the close of the Civil War.
At this meeting invitations were extended to representatives of every overseas organization to be present at a larger meeting to be held at Paris during the following month. Nearly 1,000 men attended this preliminary caucus.
A constitution was adopted, an executive committee chosen and the organization named The American Legion. From this small beginning the association grew rapidly until at the present time it has a membership of approximately 1,000,000 distributed among some 11,000 Posts, with headquarters in every state in the union, every American possession, and a great many foreign countries.
For some time the ex-service men of Buxton have hoped to see a Post of the American Legion established in this town, and dur- ing the past two months have worked earnestly to bring this about.
At a preliminary meeting held the tenth of last month a tem- porary organization was formed, officers elected and formal ap- plication made for a charter. This charter has been approved and we now have a regularly constituted Post of the American Legion in Buxton.
It has been customary in selecting a name for Legion Posts to honor some local comrade who lost his life in the great World War. Following this custom we decided to name our Post in honor of our fellow townsman, Harold F. Hutchinson, who gave up his life for his country at St. Mihiel, September 12, 1918.
The aims and purposes of our organization can best be given by repeating to you the preamble to our constitution which is as follows:
For God and Country we associate ourselves together for the following purposes:
To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America; To maintain law and order; To foster and perpetuate a one-hundred per cent Americanism; To preserve the memories
1
1
1
r
92-3
One Hundred Fiftieth Anniversary
and incidents of our association in the great war; To inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation; To combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses; To make right the master of might; To promote peace and goodwill on earth; To safeguard and transmit to posterity, the principles of Justice, Freedom and Democracy; And to consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by devotion to mutual helpfulness.
Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to accept this beautiful flag in the name of the HAROLD F. HUTCHINSON POST, NO. 130 of the Department of Maine, American Legion.
ADDITIONAL HISTORY
44
EARLY HISTORY OF NARRAGANSETT NO. I LEADING UP TO SETTLEMENT AND INCORPORATION
BY ERNEST W. CRESSEY
The principles of self-government were brought into being when forty-one adult males signed the historic document in the little cabin of the Mayflower; and the town was the first political creation of our New England ancestors.
As every true American citizen feels the patriotic blood tingle in his veins while reading the early pages of his country's history, so our hearts throb within us as we read the traditions and beau- tiful legends of the Aborigines, the pioneer Americans, which mat- ter has descended to us, and we must accept it as part of that history as it is so closely connected with the early history of the seven "Narragansett Plantations" of which Buxton was "Number One." The story of the "Pilgrim Fathers" chronicles the most inspiring chapter in our country's history. It is a story of splendid achievement, heroic deed and noble sacrifice. The record, as it is written in the early struggles of the "Plymouth Plantation," is one to enkindle lofty ideals of citizenship and to stimulate us all to increased devotion to our country, to our God and to the serv- ice of mankind. Out of Plymouth Colony was born a mighty na- tion which stands in the forefront of Christian civilization, and today is the hope of the world.
New England was inhabited by more than twenty different Indian nations at the advent of the Pilgrims, many of whose names are indelibly stamped upon the rivers and lakes and moun- tains of our land, and long after every other trace of that won- derful people shall have passed away, the names of our moun- tains will be their monuments, and the musical designation of our lakes and rivers will perpetuate their memory for all coming time. The manner in which the white men came into possession of the
95
-
0
96
One Hundred Fiftieth Anniversary
American territory forms a chapter in which no lover of humanity desires to linger. According to their belief, no white man ever reached the Indian heaven. Not having been created by the Great Spirit no provision was made for him in their scheme of theology. But one exception was made in favor of George Washington. Be- cause of his justice and benevolence to the Indians he stood pre- eminent above all other white men.
The Indians believed in Kishe Manitou, or the Great Spirit, the immortality of the soul, and looked forward to the "happy hunt- ing grounds" as a final resting place after death.
Rev. John Eliot preached to the Indians for many years. Many of his sermons were three hours long, and when finished he gave the men tobacco, and the women apples to help digest the ser- mons. He believed in converting and educating the Indians rather than killing them. He translated the Scriptures into the Indian language. His many converts and praying Indians were friendly during the war.
INDIAN CHANT AND WAR SONG
"Manitto! Manitto! Manitto! Thou art great, thou art good, thou art wise; Manitto! Manitto! Thou art just.
"In the heavens, in the clouds, oh ! I see Many spots - many dark, many red; In the heavens, oh ! I see Many clouds.
"In the woods, in the air, oh! I hear The whoop, the long yell, and the cry In the woods, oh ! I hear The loud whoop!
"Manitto! Manitto! Manitto! I am weak - thou art strong - I am słow, Manitto! Manitto! Give me aid."
97
Town of Buxton, Maine
Three hundred years ago the Pilgrims made a visit to the Great Sachem, Massasoit, of the various Indian tribes known as the Wampanoags. This was after receiving "Welcome Englishmen" from Samoset, the messenger of peace. The famous treaty was drawn up between the settlers and the Indians, and ratified with the calumet, or pipe of peace. A monument was dedicated at Plymouth by the Improved Order of Red Men of Massachusetts in 1922 to commemorate the long friendship of over fifty years between these Indians and the first white settlers of New Eng- land. The Two Hundred Fiftieth Anniversary of the Narragan- sett campaign and victory over the Indians will occur on Decem- ber 19, 1925. Massasoit was always a faithful and true friend to the settlers until his death in 1661, being 81 years old. He had two sons, Wamsucket and Metacomet. On their own request, the government of Plymouth gave them English names - Alexander and Philip.
Some time after his father's death, Alexander, then chief, made a visit to the Pilgrims and during his visit was taken sick and died. This was made the direct cause of declaring war. The Indians ac- cused the Pilgrims of having poisoned Alexander.
After the death of Massasoit and Alexander, the younger son, who succeeded to the chieftaincy of the Wampanoags and became the famous King Philip, waged a deadly war against the settlers. Philip was an Indian of more than ordinary abilities, a man of sagacity, cunning, unfaltering courage, and even eloquent and convincing in his argument. He visited numerous tribes and with great secrecy effected an extensive confederacy, and united in his enterprise with the Wampanoags, the Narragansetts, Ossipees, Pequawkets and many other tribes of New England and Canada, making more than 3,000 warriors. The Narragansetts were the most numerous and powerful of all the tribes. Their chief was Canonchet, a fearless Indian and great leader of his tribe, second only to King Philip. Though under a treaty of neutrality with the whites it was believed that they welcomed and gave shelter to
-
1
98
One Hundred Fiftieth Anniversary
other Indian tribes. They were jealous of the whites, or palefaces, and of the Mohawk tribe, a member of the "Iroquois League of Nations," which remained friendly during the war.
The good offices of Samoset and Squanto had a great influence for the cause of peace. They were messengers to their chief, Mas- sasoit, who was a man of peace, but his son, Philip, was a man of war.
NARRAGANSETT WAR
Buxton owes its origin and settlement to the Narragansett, or King Philip's war. War became inevitable and commenced as most Indian wars have by a few scouting Indians making attack on different places.
On June 24, 1675, a small party of Indians made a night at- tack on the people of Swansea, a thinly settled town adjoining "Mount Hope," Philip's headquarters, now in the town of Bristol, Rhode Island. Other tribes immediately commenced hostilities, and by December they had burned several towns and killed about fifty whites. When winter came on Philip and his warriors re- turned to the Narragansett country for shelter, and in the spring would renew their carnage of war. Their mode of fighting was to suddenly and furiously attack an unprotected place in small, skulking parties, who made their assaults in the darkness of night, or from ambuscade rush suddenly on their victims with yells and shoutings, committing enormous cruelties and rapid devastation.
In less than one year the Indians clothed all New England in mourning.
It was resolved to regard the Narragansetts as enemies; and af- ter all the tribes had taken winter quarters, nearly a thousand men were mustered by the United Colonies on Dedham Plain, com- manded by General Winslow, on December 9th; just before the "Hungry March" (about forty miles) against the stronghold of King Philip, the heroic Sachem of Mount Hope, a Proclamation was made to the troops, in the name of the Government, "that if they played the man, took the fort, and drove the enemy out of
99
Town of Buxton, Maine
the Narragansett country, which was their great seat, they should have a gratuity in land besides their wages." They marched for ten days in the cold winter with skirmish fighting on the way with Indians.
After a night spent in the open air the soldiers waded through the snow in a snowstorm from daybreak till about one o'clock, P.M., December 19th. They were piloted by Peter, a friendly Indian. At last they reached the cluster of wigwams protected by a fort. This fort was in a swamp containing about five acres and called Pattisquamscut. The battle commenced immediately and lasted six dreadful hours. The entrance to the fort was narrow and proved to be the gate of death to many of the soldiers. Never was there a greater exhibition of personal courage. Six brave captains passed through the narrow entrance in the face of death and left their lives as a testimony to their patriotism and courage. Nothing could check the determined valor of the white men. The soldiers pressed on, and the group of Indian wigwams were very soon set on fire. It is estimated that more than a thousand Indians were killed and wounded, and the English lost about two hundred. The enemy was driven out, and their huts were consumed by fire. The bloody victory over the "Red Men" was won on December 19, 1675. They had now conquered their foes and achieved a great and enduring benefit for their country and succeeding gen- erations.
The Narragansett chief, Canonchet, was captured and executed, and King Philip still continued his bloody work until he was killed by an Indian as a revenge in 1676. His wife and only son were made prisoners, and the son, the innocent young Prince of the Wampanoags, was sold for a slave in the Island of Bermuda. Thus were swept away the humble glories of the Narragansetts and their allies.
The noted historian, Bancroft, called it the "Narragansett Fort Fight." This battle was one of the most memorable ever fought with savages. The hardship and sufferings of that war have
IT
100
One Hundred Fiftieth Anniversary
scarcely a parallel. Several towns, perhaps a dozen or more, were nearly or wholly destroyed; 600 buildings, mostly dwelling houses of some kind, were burned; and one out of every eleven men capable of bearing arms was slain, in the territory of New England.
Now the soldiers had fulfilled their contract with the Govern- ment and commenced efforts to secure the promised land bounty. The business of granting the land was delayed about fifty-eight years, and the soldiers were nearly all dead. The work of decid- ing to whom the bounty was entitled had been a matter of great difficulty, as so much time had elapsed since the service was per- formed. The soldiers, or relatives of the soldiers, pressed the matter forward and finally the General Court of Massachusetts voted, April 26, 1733, that there were 840 entitled to the bounty and chose a committee to survey and lay out unappropriated lands in this Province to the officers and soldiers who were in the Narra- gansett War, or to their lawful representatives.
CONDITIONS OF SETTLEMENT
The General Court stated that "they shall be obliged to settle Sixty Families at least within the Township with a learned Ortho- dox minister within the space of seven years from the date of this Grant; also, lay out a lot for the first settled minister, one for the parsonage and one for the school."
These 840 grantees met on Boston Common, June 6, 1733, ac- cording to order of the Court, and entered into due organization within two months as requested. Seven independent associations, each embracing 120 members, were formed. This committee met at Luke Verdey's in Boston, October 17, 1733, and assigned the grants as follows:
Narragansett, Number One, now Buxton, Maine, to Philemon Dane and 119 others from Ipswich and vicinity; a lot of land six miles square on Saco River, Number Two, now Westminister, Mass., to James Lowden and 119 others; Number Three, now
.
IOI
Town of Buxton, Maine
Amherst, N. H., to Richard Mower and 119 others; Number Four, now Greenwich, Mass., to Edward Shove and 119 others; Number Five, now Bedford, N. H., to Col. Thomas Tilestone and 119 others; Number Six, now Templeton, Mass., to Samuel Chandler and 119 others; Number Seven, now Gorham, Maine, to Shubael Gorham and 119 others from Barnstable, Cape Cod.
The General Court accepted the plans of the committee set forth in the "Plat Number One," which was consented to by Gov- ernor Belcher, February 22, 1734, on which date Philemon Dane and 119 others became the legal proprietors of Narragansett, Number One.
The first step taken by the proprietors was to have a committee lay out 123 lots, no lot to exceed 20 acres, by John Hobson, Sam- uel Chase, James Chute, Philemon Dane, Committee. On No- vember 24, 1735, the lots laid out by the committee chosen were distributed among the proprietors by drawing lots. The first in- dividual ownership of lands in the town of Buxton began on that day. These were called "Home Lots" by the early settlers. There were three other divisions into which the town was later surveyed.
The next thing for the proprietors to do was to get the town settled. In 1736 a bounty of 20 pounds in bills of "Public Credit" (depreciated paper currency) was voted to each proprietor to the number of ten, who would build a house 18 x 18 and 7 feet stud on his lot in this township and finish the same, and clear four acres of land fit for mowing within two years. In 1737 a bounty of 40 pounds in bills of "Public Credit" was voted to each pro- prietor to the number of thirty, who should comply with the terms of the vote and give 80 pounds bond; also said "houses shall be built within two years, land cleared and fenced, settle a family in each house, and continue there for seven years." Voted to raise 1,200 pounds in the same bills to pay the promised bounty.
In 1738 it was voted to lay out 123 more lots, of 60 acres each,
.....
102
One Hundred Fiftieth Anniversary
and was surveyed by Joseph Woodman, Samuel Chase and John Brooks.
In May, 1742, some of the settlers petitioned to Governor Shirley among other things: "We have been put to very extraor- dinary costs and charges in carrying on our settlements thus far - have been obliged to live without any settled public worship of God among us-school for our children-public buildings or necessary fortifications, whereby our own lives and the lives of our families, with our substance, have been in continual jeopardy in this exposed frontier, and our children under the disadvantage of a 'Wilderness Education.' Unless there be other settlers admitted, we shall be obliged to leave our habitations very soon and yield up our improvements to the wild beasts or savage natives."
In October, 1742, Voted: "Whereas there was a committee chosen sometime passed to build a (log) meetinghouse in said Township (30x 25 and 9 feet stud of logs or hewn timber) for the public worship of God, and by reason of the talk of a French war it is not yet built; it is now voted that the said committee shall forthwith go on and fully build and complete said meetinghouse." It was built at Salmon Falls.
The population is estimated at about fifty people living in log houses as no sawmill had been built.
The first white child born in this town was Rebecca Chase, daughter of Deacon Amos Chase. She married Mr. Chase Parker.
To relieve the anxiety of the settlers a Garrison, or Fort, was built at Salmon Falls about December, 1743, very near the log meetinghouse. The General Court voted to expend 100 pounds in building said fort; also the proprietors voted to assist the in- habitants in keeping it when built by the Province. Prior to this time the settlers, if they needed protection from the Indians, found it in the fort called the "Saco Block House," just across the Saco River in Hollis, now Dayton, which was built in 1730. It was also used as a "trading post" with the Indians, and exchanged goods for furs, baskets, etc. This may be a good reason why the
1
IO3
Town of Buxton, Maine
Indians were more peaceful in this vicinity. It 'seems some came to trade and others were seen at different times passing through the town, but we find no record of their doing any harm. But in wartime the settlers were very cautious of the treacherous In- dians. In the town of Gorham the settlers suffered much, as the Indians killed people and cattle and destroyed property. It re- quired strong and brave men like our forefathers to undertake and carry through the dangerous and sacrificing enterprise of settling new towns in the wilderness among savage beasts and savage men. Besides the Indians, there were probably bears, wolves and wild- cats to look out for. The proprietors had tried very hard to get the town settled according to agreement, but the constant talk of war kept the people in fear of the war-whoop, the tomahawk and the scalping knife, as they knew the Indians would help the French in time of war.
On March 15, 1744, France declared war against England. Be- ing poorly protected, perhaps without guns or ammunition, very soon after the alarm was given and the settlers heard the exciting news, it seems they all left town. For a period of about five years, or until after the close of the war in 1748, there were no white men living in this town.
SOME OF THE EARLIEST SETTLERS, 1740-44
Deacon Amos Chase, Samuel Chase, Nathan Whitney, Joseph Simpson, John Bryant, Thomas Gage, Robert Brooks, John Brooks, James Sands, Magnus Redlon, John Davis, Nathaniel Durell, Joseph Woodman, Ichobod Austin, Samuel Ingalls, Isaac Appleton.
It seems quite probable that a few people came to town in 1749, but it was considered too small a number to call it a settle- ment until the next year.
104
One Hundred Fiftieth Anniversary PERMANENT SETTLEMENT
In 1750 the permanent settlement and continuous history of this town begins. Some of the old settlers came back and new ones with them.
At a legal business meeting of the proprietors held in Rowley, Mass., May 8, 1750, it was voted that there should be preaching in said Township forthwith. Voted to appoint a committee "to treat with Rev. Timothy White, or some other worthy gentleman, to preach with the inhabitants of the Narragansett Township, No. I, as soon as may be, so that the said inhabitants shall not be desti- tute of the public worship of God in said place; the said Commit- tee to agree with a preacher for six months' time."
The Rev. Mr. White accepted the invitation, and before his six months had expired a committee was chosen, October Io, to treat with him for his continuance in the ministry with the inhab- itants. He was paid by the proprietors and was the first minister engaged to preach in this town.
Another committee was chosen to lay before the General Court to grant liberty to remove the Fort, or Garrison already built, to some convenient place for water.
The first sawmill was built and completed by Joseph Woodman on Stackpole's Brook, near Saco road. Several votes were taken to have a sawmill built during the first settlement, but no one ac- cepted of the bounty offered until now.
By request of the settlers the first business meeting of the pro- prietors was held in this town on October 12, 1752, at the log meetinghouse at Salmon Falls. Voted "to choose and impower a committee to see the meetinghouse finished as soon as may be thought convenient." The price paid per day for labor was 2 shillings and 8 pence, or about 65 cents.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.