Saco Valley settlements and families. Historical, biographical, genealogical, traditional, and legendary, Part 112

Author: Ridlon, Gideon Tibbetts, 1841- [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Portland, Me., The author
Number of Pages: 1424

USA > Maine > Saco Valley settlements and families. Historical, biographical, genealogical, traditional, and legendary > Part 112
USA > New Hampshire > Saco Valley settlements and families. Historical, biographical, genealogical, traditional, and legendary > Part 112

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).

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brick house and store combined, as was then the custom with small merchants, on Fish street,* only a few doors from Mountfort's corner at the foot of North square. Like some others of the Milliken family, he was a warm Royalist or Tory, and being owner of a tract of land and part of a saw-mill, where the city of Ellsworth now stands, he left his children in Boston, save one, in his mansion under the care of his eldest daughter, Mary, then but recently married to a Mr. Vallette, who was at sea, and joined his kinsman, Benjamin Milliken, with whom he was associated in land and lumbering in Maine. Dr. Snow, in his valuable History of Boston, writing of the troublesome days of the Revolution, says :

The solemnity of these sad times was heightened by the occurrence of a fire, on Wednesday, Aug. Ioth. It broke out, between 10 and II P. M., in a large brick dwelling-house belonging to Mr. Milliken and Mrs. Campbell, in Fish street, five or six doors north of Mountfort's corner at the foot of North square. The lower part of the house was in flames before the distressed tenants were apprised of it. Several escaped out of the windows, some naked and much burnt, and five others perished in the flames, three women and two small children. The house was entirely consumed, with part of a bake-house. The inhabitants speedily assembling, with their usual dexterous management, happily put a stop to the further progress of the flames. Earl Percy politely offered the services of some soldiers who could be depended upon, but was informed that the regulations of the town rendered their assistance unnecessary.

The following written by a lady 80 years of age, a granddaughter of Thomas Milliken, speaks for itself :

Mr. Milliken, a Scotchman by birth and a warm Royalist, was considered a Tory, and as he owned a farm and part of a mill at the eastward he determined to leave Boston. Previous to his departure he let a part of his house to a Mrs. Murphy, the wife of a Captain Murphy then at sea; and in the care of Mrs. Val- lette, his poor lame daughter with a broken back, he left her two little sisters. Mrs. Vallette was then twenty years old and had been married two or three weeks; her husband was then at sea.

Captain Murphy arrived home on the Ioth of August, 1774, and his wife in- vited some of her friends to supper in the evening. The supper was cooked in a room where there had been no fire for many years, if ever; there was prob- ably a fault in the chimney. Mrs. Vallette had some of her acquaintance to drink tea and pass the evening, which detained her up later than usual. She had retired to her chamber, was undressed, and sat by the side of the bed tak- ing off her stockings when she heard the cry of "fire " immediately under her window. "Get up, get up, your house is in flames." Raising her eyes, she saw the light bursting into her chamber, and catching the arm of her little sis- ter, who lay sleeping, she dragged her to the door, opened it, and found the stairs on fire. Still holding on to her sister, who was hardly yet awake, with presence of mind she shut the door and made for the window, where the crowd outside were holding up beds and screaming: "Jump, jump." After pushing and almost throwing her bewildered sister from the window, she stepped back and took from a chair a dress to wrap around her, as she was only in her night clothes, but it caught in the hinge of the window shutter and was left behind. When Mrs. Vallette jumped from the window, she fell into the arms of a col- ored man who had formerly lived with her father, and struck with such weight upon his stomach that he never recovered from the blow. Mrs. Murphy, when she saw the flames coming into her room, was partly undressed, and her hus- band had only taken off his coat. As the stairs were winding, and he was un- acquainted with the house, she immediately took his arm and led him to the

*Thomas Milliken, brick-layer, bought a house and land in Fish street, Boston, Sept. 10, 1765, for 208 pounds lawful money and gave a mortgage for 200 pounds, which was not paid and foreclosure followed, Feb. 16, 1790-long after said house was burned and Thomas Milliken had retired to Maine.

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bottom of the stairs; then returning for her children, perished with them in the flames. Mrs. Murphy was seen coming to the window with a child in her arms, when a bed was held up and the cry was: "Throw your child, if you cannot come yourself"; but from that moment she was seen no more. Two elderly ladies, members of her family, likewise perished in the flames. One of these, by the name of Gill, was aunt to a gentleman who was afterwards gov- ernor or lieutenant-governor of Massachusetts. The name of the other old lady was King. Fanny Clark, a faithful domestic who had lived in Mr. Milli- ken's family many years, was badly burned, but escaped with her life. James Milliken, the only brother of Mrs. Vallette, had been to wait on some of his sister's company home. When he heard the alarm of fire, he was at the head of what was then called Seven Star lane, which is now Summer street. He ran at once toward home, and on reaching the house found it almost wholly con- sumed. He could get no tidings of his sisters. Some said all the inmates in the house were burnt up; others, that a small woman had been seen to jump out of the window and was nearly if not quite killed. The young man, accom- panied by some of his friends, searched the streets in a state of almost utter distraction, and when informed before morning that his sisters were safe refused to believe it. They had found shelter with a family of the name of Holland.

The scene of the ruins the following morning, as described to the writer by an eye-witness, was heartrending. When James Milliken came to the ruins and saw Mrs. Vallette with one of his little sisters, he screamed aloud, crying out: "Where, where is Polly?" forgetting that the child was on a visit from home. "Safe, safe, dear brother; she is away and has saved her clothes," re- plied his sister. He still went around in a state of little less than distraction, saying: "Sister, yesterday we had a home; today we have none; no mother, father away, and our country ruined." In this way he raved on, until a gen- tleman, in whose store, on Long wharf, he was an apprentice, came through the crowd, and taking him hy the arm forced him into a carriage with his sis- ters, and took them to his own house, where kind and soothing attention and care brought James to himself again; not, however; until the youngest child was brought into his presence.

Every article of furniture and clothing in a few short hours had been swept away, silver melted to dross, valuable papers and the records of family con- cerns, so highly prized by succeeding generations, together with old-fashioned brocade silks, left by grandmothers and great-grandmothers, were all gone ; yet Mrs. Vallette was heard to say, in after days, that when looking over this utter desolation nothing affected her so much as seeing the cage of a favorite parrot her husband had brought her, the first voyage he went to sea, kicking about the ruins. The husband of Mrs. Vallette had amply provided for her during his absence, so that she could draw a sufficiency, not only for herself, but her poor desolate sisters.

James Milliken, though only nineteen years old, was a zealous patriot, and had already performed many small services for his country. He was well known to Messrs. Dennie, Molineux, Proctor, and other gentlemen who were deeply engaged in the revolutionary movement. Every possible attention was paid to the young man and much sympathy felt for his sisters. As Boston was in such a troubled state, they were advised to go to reside in Lexington, where they had friends, with which advice they immediately complied.

In April, 1775, Mrs. Vallette and her friend, Mrs. Reed, were sitting in the evening in their home at Lexington, over a few dying embers, with their infants in their arms. The clock had struck eleven-guns had been heard through the day-the firing had ceased, and they sat talking of the perils of the times when Mrs. Reed said: "Hark, I hear footsteps." "It is only the rustling of the trees," said Mrs. Vallette, "and we will not be needlessly alarmed," pressing at the same time her infant closer to her heart, as if fear- ful it might be wrested from her, and trying to assume a courage which she did not feel. At that moment a gentle rap at the door was heard. "Who is there?" asked Mrs. Reed, in a tremulous tone. "Friends," replied a low voice, speaking through the small hole where the cord had been drawn in to prevent the lifting of the latch outside, for few had locks and keys in these simple times. They immediately opened the door and three men entered in profound silence, each muffled in a long cloak. "Do not be alarmed, ladies,"

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said one, in the same low tone of voice; "we are friends to our country and are pursued by the enemy; we have hid in the woods through the day, and have come now to seek your bounty and a shelter for the night." "And these you should have with all my heart," said Mrs. Reed, whose countenance bright- ened up when she found that instead of the dreaded enemy her guests were those distinguished patriots, John Hancock, Samuel Adams, and Paul Revere; "but," she continued, "you would not be safe here a moment. Why, the red- coats are prowling around us in every direction; they were here only yesterday, eating up all my pies, and bread and cheese, and because they could not find enough at my neighbors' to satisfy their hunger they must needs rip open their beds, and leave their cider running out. O, sir, these are dreadful times " "They are indeed, madam," said Mr. Hancock. "But, gentlemen, " he said, turning to his companions, "what shall we do, for it is certain we are not safe here?" They looked at each other, but did not speak. "Have you any neighbors," asked Mr. Hancock, "where we might find safety for the night ?" "None except my father's," replied Mrs. Reed, "who lives five miles off, on the main road. It would be dangerous for you to go by the road, and you would not find your way through the woods, and we have neither man nor boy to guide you; they have all gone to fight the red coats." "Will you stay alone and nurse my baby," asked Mrs. Vallette of her friend, "while I go and show the gentlemen the way?" She answered: "I will do so, though it is sad to be alone in such dangerous times But you must not go; you are not able, you are lame and never walked a mile at once in your life; you must not think of going on this wet night." Mrs. Vallette made no reply; she knew there was not a moment to be lost, so laying her infant in the arms of her friend, she wrapped her riding-hood around her and desired the gentlemen to follow her. When they saw this deformed little woman, not more than four feet high, pre- pared to walk a distance of over three miles, they looked at each other in mute astonishment, but not a word was spoken, for the case was desperate. Mrs. Vallette taking the offered arın of Mr. Hancock, they went forward, the other two gentlemen bringing up the rear. The rain which had fallen for some days previous had so swelled the brooks that the gentlemen were obliged at times to lift Mrs. Vallette over them. Thus wading and walking they reached the farm-house about three o'clock in the morning. No sooner had they aroused the family, and made known who they were and what they wanted, than every individual was up and in motion; and even the dog tried to show them by his gestures that they should find protection. A blazing fire soon shone forth, and a plentiful repast was provided, and notwithstanding the gloominess of the times a degree of cheerfulness and even humor pervaded the little company. At early dawn a carriage was prepared to convey Mrs. Vallette home to her infant. Mr. Hancock politely lifted her into the carriage and said: " Madam, our first meeting has been in troublesome times. God only knows when these scenes will end; but should we survive the strug- gle, and you should ever need a friend, think of me."

About two months from this event the battle of Bunker Hill was fought. There James Milliken fell, mortally wounded, was taken prisoner, and, with several others, was thrown into a cart and conveyed to the jail, which then stood in Prison lane, now called Court street. Here he lingered, destitute of care and attention, and even the necessaries of life, until he went down to an early grave, at the age of twenty, and was soon forgotten amidst the horrors of war. Several gentlemen went to the prison, wishing to see him, but were not permitted.

It appears that Thomas Milliken had gone to Ellsworth at the time his house was burned. This loss of his house, store, and contents nearly ruined him financially. The mills and lands owned in company with his cousin Benjamin in the east were confiscated and he was left a poor man. He married for his second wife Mary McKenney, of Frankfort. Me .. in 1777, and by her had six children, probably born in Surry, now Ellsworth. While these children were still young their father d. The widow m. Joseph Carr, of Frankfort, by whom she had other six children.

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5. SARAH,4 b. April 29, 1825; m., first, one of the Scarborough Carlls and is said to have been ancestress of all of the name now scattered through Maine, but I do not find record of such union. Her second husband was Joseph Hodgdon, to whom m. Sept. 18, 1746. He was adminis- trator on her father's estate. These had a son whose posterity lived in Saco.

FIFTH GENERATION.

CHILDREN OF JOHN AND ELEANOR SALLIS:

1. JOHN,5 b. in 1760, in Scarborough ; was a tanner by trade. He entered the Colonial army and served until the close of the struggle for inde- pendence. He m. Christiana Mitchell, of North Yarmouth, and resided in that town some twenty years, and built several vessels which he freighted to the West Indies. In this business he acquired considerable wealth, but three of his vessels were taken by the French and his heirs are still interested in the French spoilation claims. He removed to Belfast in 1802, where he built a store, tavern, and the finest mansion- house in the town. From the latter place he went to Montville, Me., where he owned a tannery and large farm. He d. in Montville, Dec. 24, 1848, and his wife, b. in North Yarmouth, 1764, d. Aug. 8, 1854. These had ten children, of whom hereafter.

2. BENJAMIN,5 b. in 1764, in Scarborough; m., first, Elizabeth Babbridge, by whom ten children. She d. in North Yarmouth in 1807, and was buried there. He m., second (published March 25, 1809), Mrs. Lydia, widow of Jeremiah Bean, of Montville, Me., by whom two children. He was a farmer, tanner, and currier in Buckfield village. He d. Sept. 20, 1818, and was buried in Buckfield. His widow m., third, John Dilling- ham, of North Auburn. She was buried by Mr. Milliken's side in Buckfield.

3. JOSIAH,5 b. in 1766, in Scarborough; was living when the “ Milliken Covenant " was made in 1792, and was lost at sea.

CHILDREN OF THOMAS AND WIVES:

I. MARY,5 b. in Boston about 1754; m. a Mr. Vallette in 1774, and was living in the brick house owned by her father when it was burned as before stated. She had the care of two younger sisters at the time, and her mother was probably dead. She sustained an injury by a fall when a child and became a hunchback. She was a woman of true patriotism (opposed to her father's views) and heroism. She had children.

2. JAMES,5 b. in 1755, in Boston, was a young man of warm patriotism who fell, mortally wounded, in the battle of Bunker Hill. He was im- prisoned in Charlestown, where he died in a few days at the age of 20. For particulars read preceding sketch.

3 POLLY,5 younger than the preceding, was a child with another sister under the care of Mrs. Vallette in 1774. It would be of interest to learn the history of these two daughters, and diligent inquiry has been made through the Boston press, without desired information.

4. JOSEPH,5 b. 1769, own brother of the preceding, went from Boston to Ellsworth after his mother's death. He m. Sally Leach, 1819, and had issue, 'eight children: Jackson,6 Joseph,6 Nathaniel," Charles,6 John,6 Ebeneser,6 Sarah,6 and Lovinia.6 He d. in 1849, at Ellsworth.

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5. PRISCILLA, 6 b. Oct. 16, 1779; m. Nathaniel Smith, of Ellsworth, in 1800, and died at Mariaville, Me., Jan. 16, 1834. She had ten children and her descendants are now numerous.

6. JAMES,5 b. Jan. 10, 1780, in Ellsworth, Me., and d. there Feb. 13, 1849. He m., first, Polly, dau. of Thomas and Jane (Smith) McFarland (b. in Trenton, Me., Mar. 23, 1782, d. in Hancock, Me., May 15, 1832), Dec., 1803, and by her had eleven children. By second wife, Mrs. Penelope Hunter (Maber) Moore (b. June 30, 1800, and d. May 12, 1892), to whom m. Nov. 30, 1834, he had three other children.

7. ELIZABETH A.,5 b. June 24, 1784, in Ellsworth, Me., and d. in Charles- ton, S. C., Sept. 30, 1824. She m. Feb. 7, 1805, Joseph Tyler, b. in Mendon, Mass., Feb. 12, 1779, d. in Charleston, S. C., Oct. 20, 1843. He sailed from Boston, Oct. 29, 1821, in the ship "Diana," David Higgins, master, with his family, and after a rough and exceedingly un- pleasant voyage, arrived at Charleston, S. C., Nov. 7, 1821. There were three children and numerous descendants.

8. JOHN,5 went to sea when a young man, about 1807 or 1808, and was never heard from.

9. HANNAH,6 m. Nathaniel Doake, master mariner of Boston, and had two children.

IO. THOMAS,5 m. Lovinia -, resided in Frankfort, Me., and raised a family there of whom no records have been found.

SIXTH GENERATION.

CHILDREN OF JOHN AND CHRISTIANA:

SARAH,6 b. Dec. 10, 1786; m. - Gould, and died at Montville, Me., aged 85 years.

2. REBECCA,6 born in 1791 ; m. Ebenezer Everett, a cousin of the distin- guished Edward Everett, of Boston, and d. there aged 89 years.

3 JOHN,6 b. in 1793; m. and d. at St. Stephens, N. B., at the age of 32, without male issue.

4. MARY,6 d. in infancy.

5 MOSES,6 b. in 1795; setttled in Searsmont, Me., where he d. at the age of 73, leaving a son George,7 a bachelor now about 62 years of age, en- gaged in orange culture at Los Angeles, Cal., and two daughters, Ann7 and Ellen.7

6. SETH,6 emigrated to California, and died there at the age of 71 years, leaving two sons, John.7 of New York, who has several sons and daugh- ters; William," of Chicago; Albert, and Rebecca." John Milliken, Jr., of New York, is a successful inventor.

7. DOROTHEA,6 m. Dr. Dana, and d. at Eastport, Me.

8. CHRISTIANA, 6 m. -- Chandler; d. at Columbia Falls, Me., aged 80.

9. MARY E.,6 m. - Lane and is traveling in Germany with her dau. at the age of 84. She is a lady of superior intelligence, well preserved, having a full set of natural teeth as white as pearls, a clear, fresh com- plexion, and erect carriage and youthful spirit. Her home is with her dau., Mrs. George M. Towle, of Brookline, Mass.

10. WILLIAM,6 b. Jan. 15, 1800, in North Yarmouth, Me., and was many

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years engaged in farming and tanning leather, but afterwards went to Port Lavaca, Calhoun county, Texas, where he built several houses and other buildings, intending to make that his permanent residence: but the Camanche Indians made a raid upon the town, burning all but one of his houses, and he abandoned the place and returned to Maine, where he resumed the tanning business, and continued it until his death in Camden, Nov. 21, 1867. His wife was Lucy P. Perrigo, of the French family of Perigaux, whose burial-place and monument are at Pere La Chaise, near Paris. These had four children, of whom hereafter.

CHILDREN OF BENJAMIN AND BETSEY :

I. ELMIRA,6 b. April 8, 1790, in Buckfield, Me., and was published for marriage to Ezekiel Record there Nov. 1, 1812.

2. JOHN,6 b. Nov. 19, 1791, in Buckfield, Me .; m. Jemima Bradstreet Minot and settled in Eastport, Me., but after his marriage he settled in Gray, where I suppose he d. He had three sons and three daughters.

3. BETSEY,6 b. June 22, 1793 ; m. John Minot, of Eastport, Me.

4. HULDAH,6 b. May 18, 1795 ; d. in 1833, at Buckfield.

5. CHRISTIANA, 6 b. Aug. 24, 1797 ; m. Robert Stevenson, of St. Andrews, N. B.

6. DORCAS,6 b. May, 21, 1799 ; d. Aug. 23, 1818.

7. BENJAMIN, 6 b. Jan. 1, 1801; d. Sept. 20, 1818, in St. Andrews, N. B.

8. JOSIAH,6 b. Jan. 1, 1803 ; m. Elizabeth Freeman and settled in Buck- field, but subsequently removed to Poland, Me. He was a tanner by trade; died in Portland, in 1866; his widow was living there in 1877. Seven children, of whom more hereafter.

9. MARGARET F.,6 b. Dec. 22, 1804; m. William Bragdon, of Boston, and d. in Newton, Mass., Dec. 7, 1881, leaving children.

10. ESTHER F.,6 b. Jan. 29, 1807 ; m. Harvey Boyden, of South Walpole, Mass., May 12, 1835, and d. there Apr. 17, 1866, leaving children.

II. SUSAN B.,6 b. July 2, 1811 ; now living in Walpole, Mass., unmarried.

12. WILLIAM H. H.,6 b. Oct. 22, 1813 ; d. in 1818.

CHILDREN OF JOSEPH AND SALLY :

I. JOSEPH L.,6 b. Aug. 22, 1826 ; m. Susan M. Dunning, Aug. 23, 1851, she b. in Providence, Pa., Mar. 9, 1835. Mr. Milliken was a native of Ells- worth, but went to Wautage, N. J., where he learned the cooper's trade ; removed to Elmira, N. Y., where he enlisted as sergeant in Co. C, 144th N. Y. Vols .; was discharged for disability after two years' service. After close of the war he had a meat market at Elmira and worked at his trade when able. He d. from effect of exposure and hardship while in the army, at Wellsboro, Pa., Apr. 11, 1880. He had issue, five chil- dren, whose names will appear.

2. NATHANIEL,6 b. May 18, 1827, in Ellsworth, Me .; m. Fannie Smith, of Surry, Me., in 1848, and d. Dec. 12, 1869. Five children, of whom with seventh generation.

3. EBENEZER,6 is the only son living ; now in Boston. He has been a sea- captain.

JOSEPH L. MILLIKEN.

HON. JAS. A. MILLIKEN

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CHILDREN OF JAMES AND POLLY AND PENELOPE:

I. ANNA,6 b. Oct. 2, 1804; m. Alsander Bartlett, b. 1805, d. June 8, 1883, and had ten children. She d. in Trenton, Me., Sept. 20, 1890.

2. JOHN, 6 b. July 24, 1806, in Trenton, Me. ; m. Oct. 29, 1829, Rosilla Coats, b. in Sullivan, Me., Nov. 11, 1809, and d. in Hancock, Me., June 29, 1893. He d. in Hancock, Mar. 10, 1884. He was a strong Abolition- ist; joined the Republican party at its organization and continued an active member until his death. He served in the Legislature in 1850; senator in 1863 and 1864. Seven children, of whom presently.

3. MARIA S.,6 born Feb. 22, 1808 : m. Eben Bartlett and had nine children. She d. Nov. 25, 1892.

4. THOMAS,6 b. Oct. 13, 1809 ; m. Sally (Nichols) Godfrey, b. Jan. 28, 1801, and d. Jan. 4, 1883. Four children.

5. ELIZA T.,6 b. Oct. 14, 1811 ; m. Charles Elwell, and d. Jan. 26, 1894.

6. HON. JAMES A.," b. in Hancock, Me., Sept. 8, 1813; m. Lucretia B. Coffin, b. Mar. 26, 1821. He d. in Cherryfield. Me., July 8, 1891 ; she d. June 7, 1882. One son, of whom more. He received his education in the public schools of his native town and in Ellsworth, and was a student at Waterville Academy, which was changed to Waterville Class- ical Institute. He taught school for several years at Ellsworth and in various towns in Washington and Hancock counties. When eighteen years of age he became apprenticed to learn the mason's trade, and worked at it for many years, devoting his leisure to study. He prepared for the ministry and preached as a Universalist about 1841, being an earnest advocate of that creed. He was a resident of Columbia until 1855, when he removed to Cherryfield. While living in the former town he served in some official capacity much of the time. He was justice of the peace and did considerable probate business. He read law in the office of George F. Talbot, was admitted to the Washington county bar in 1855, and immediately opened a law office in Cherryfield. He formed a copartnership with Frederick I. Campbell, in 1880, which continued until his death. In Cherryfield he was first selectman and town treas- urer many years; manifested a warm interest in the cause of education and was a trustee for the academy there and one of the trustees for the Washington County Academy, one of the oldest institutions of the class in Maine. He was originally an earnest member of the Free Soil party and in 1854 was its candidate for congressman. So close was the vote that he contested the seat, but unsuccessfully ; many, however, believed he was elected. At the formation of the Republican party he cast his lot with them and was ever after a staunch defender of those grand principles for which the party was distinguished. He was a faithful supporter of the Union cause during the Rebellion, and after the war represented his district as an active worker in the Legislature. He was associated with Hon. Dennis L. Milliken, his kinsman, as commissioner on the Equalization of Municipal War Debts, as chairman ; this labo- rious and responsible position he filled with fidelity to the state and honor to himself. In 1873 he became judge of probate, and was re- elected to that office every four years from that date until the spring of 1888, when he was stricken with paralysis, from which he never recov- ered; he then resigned his seat. Judge Milliken was a competent land

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Saco Valley settlements and families. Historical, biographical, genealogical, traditional, and legendary, Part 112

Author: Ridlon, Gideon Tibbetts, 1841- [from old catalog] Publication date: 1895 Publisher: Portland, Me., The author Number of Pages: 1424

Author: Ridlon, Gideon Tibbetts, 1841- [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Portland, Me., The author
Number of Pages: 1424