Saco Valley settlements and families. Historical, biographical, genealogical, traditional, and legendary, Part 6

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 6
USA > New Hampshire > Saco Valley settlements and families. Historical, biographical, genealogical, traditional, and legendary > Part 6

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).

Great suffering was often occasioned during the Indian troubles to the inhabitants on the Saco river by being crowded into these enclosures promis- cuously, on scanty food, where they were obliged to remain for weeks together before they could safely venture back to their own houses or were conveyed by vessels to settlements westward.

During the summer and autumn it became necessary for the settlers to go

3-1

GARRISONS, BLOCK-HOUSES, FORTS.

forth for the cultivation of their ground, and at times they were scattered about the plantation and in the woodland borders thereof ; always with musket slung to their shoulder by leathern strap, or standing near their place of employment. When no savages were known to be in the neighborhood, the women went down to the river-side to wash their clothing. while their daughters strayed about the clearings, gathering berries and wild flowers,

When an alarm was given by the firing of a gun, all ran for the garrison or fort. At one time two girls at Saco ferry had been down the river bank. and had wandered a considerable distance from the garrison, when noises were heard about the woods sounding like blue jays; but the quick ears of the vigilant planters detected in these sounds the signals of the Indians, and they hastened toward the block-house, where a gun was fired and the gate held ajar for the absent daughters, who were seen in the distance, running with desperation toward the place. What was their horror when one, looking from a flanker, reported that two Indians were running across the clearing to cut off the two girls! They were beyond musket range, and those at the garrison seemed helpless when they would have rendered assistance to their children. But the girls had the advantage, and when the savages saw that they could not capture them they sent their leaden missiles after them. Although neither was harmed, one of the bullets went through the skirt of one's gown, and a piece of the fabric, handed down through the generations that have succeeded, pierced by the red man's lead, has been seen by the author.

One of the most extensive and substantial fortresses built on the Saco river, and which became a place of considerable note, was the truck-house. originally so called, established in the Plantation of Little Falls, now in' Dayton, which was built -so says history-for a trading post from which to supply the Indians with such English goods as they required, at a reasonable price, in exchange for their peltry, in time of peace. The house was built by direction of the General Court in 1730. When danger was imminent the establishment was enlarged and fortified. The principal building was sur- rounded by a high timber wall, with flankers at the corners which commanded all sides of the stockading. Sufficient space was left within for a parade ground and a building for the stores. This stood on the river bank, on the old Bane farm, below Union Falls and near an ancient burial ground. It was at first garrisoned with ten men. In 1744, thirteen men were stationed here, and after the declaration of war between France and England the force was increased to twenty. In the upper story of the block-house within the stock- ade, which was the wooden castle's " dungeon keep," several small cannon were mounted. These were sufficiently elevated to sweep the surrounding country, over the walls of the palisading, and the waters of the river eastward. There is no recorded account of an attempt upon the part of the savages to take this

GARRISONS, BLOCK-HOUSES, FORTS.

primitive stronghold of the Saco valley. They were frequently seen in the vicinity, and when the neighboring planters, nearly all of whom had settled near the fort, were safe within the walls, one of the cannon was fired off and the lurking red men would betake themselves to their distant retreats. After the peace, some of the Indians going down the river in a canoe visited a shingle camp on the bank and asked the workmen about the "thunder-guns" down the stream.

This fortification was built under the supervision of Capt. Thomas Smith, father of Rev. Thomas Smith, the first minister of Falmouth, now Portland, who was the first commander. The following account, rendered to the Gen- eral Court for building and repairing the "truck-house" on Saco river is so curious that, although long, we give space to it. It speaks for itself.

Province of Massachusetts to Thomas Smith Dr.

Built a For sundry men he employed in working and cash he expended in

Parade 19 building or finishing the Truck-house by order of the Honable

foot & 25 ) General Court, on Saco river, as follows:

€ -s -d.

To cash pd Wm Tyler for nails locks bolts & Co. as pr perticular accot ? 29 : 2 : 0.

there of

To ditto pd Wm Wheeler for lime as pr said accot 5 : 3 : 6.

To Ditto pd Wm Peek for casements glazing & Co. as per his accot 8: 15 : 2.

To Ditto pd John Anthony & Elisha Snow for work by them don as per 15 : 6: 0. their accot

To cash pd Samuel Rounds for work don there as per his accot 13: 8 : 6.

To cash pd Thomas Killpatrick for his son Josephs working there as per ? his accot I : 12: 0.

To cash pd John Bryant for 8 M of shingles dd at the Truck house 8: 0: 0.

To cash pd Wm Dyer for his son John's working there as pr his accot 1 : 12: 0. To Ditto pd Daniel Smith himself and team drawing timber & Co. as ) 4: 0:0. per his accot

To Ditto pd Joseph Favor for working ten days as per his accot (( 6 | - } per day

To cash pd Nathanl Dairell for 14 days work in making brick (@ 7 |-) per day

3: 0:3. 5 : 1 : 6.

To Daniel Chevers for working 64 days as per his accot @ 6 | - per day ! 19 : 7 : 0. & subsistance

To Nathl Favor for working 7112 days at 6 | - per day & his subsistance \ as per accot

21 : 9: 0.

To John Robbins for working there & Co as per his accot 21:17: 8. To cash pd Abial Goodwin and man for carrying up the chimneys, mak- ( ing a new one & Co. as per his accot 5: 0:0. To 6 men, soldiers working as follows- Joseph Lewis 46 days William Gibbs 56 days Jno. Barrows 36 days William Brown 32 days William Hughes 14 days John Morin 46 days

23: 3: 0. in the whole 231 (@) 2 | - per day

To cash pd Benj Joy as per his accot for enlarging of hinges and making ? 0 : 8: 0. nails

To Benj Haley as per his accot for boards & work himself and others &Co. 72 : 18 : 3. To cash pd John Snow for hay for the cattle while drawing ye timber, { I : IO : 0.

Bricks & Co .

GARRISONS, BLOCK-HOUSES, FORTS.

To John Howard for 1 gall Linseed Oyle, to of ground priming & 1 1h ) 1 : 17 : 4.

red Led .

To 4'2 galls Rum at 5 | 10: 6: 3.

To 10 lb sugar ( 11 d per lb) 9: 0 : 2.

To 1912 lbs cheese (@ 12 d per lb 0: 19: 3

To i bushl Indian meal (+ 7 | 0: 7:0.

To horse hire to Arundel, Wells 2 times, Winter Harbor 5 times, Scar- -

borough and Falmouth about getting workmen and expences travel-

6 :

5 : 6.

ling & Co .

To sundry hinges, nails, axes locks latches, priming & Co, as per perticu- 32: 12 : 5. lar accot .

BOSTON Septr 28th 1730 £313: 10 : 6.

Errors Excepd per THOMAS SMITH,

MIDDLESEX SS CAMB-Sept. 29, 1730.

The above named Capt. Thomas Smith personally appeared and made oath that the within and above accompt is just and true. Before SAMUEL DANFORTH Jus. Pasis.

( Province Massachusetts Bay to charges in Building a house for the Indians * of 32 feet long & 16 wide, adjacent to the Truck House on Saco River-viz :-

1735 To 2 M Boards at £3 per M 1.6 To 2 M 10 d & 7 M 4 d nails by Sher-

To 612 M shingles at 25 | - 8: 2:6

borns accopt 7:7:4

To Benjamin Healey 7 days and 34 work clone at 8 | - 3 : 2- To Benjamin Nicholas 3 days work at 3 1 - : 9-

To William Buzzell S days work and '2 To Abram Johnson 8 12 days work at 3 | - 1: 5:6 at 3 | - 1:5:6

To U'riah Gates 6 12 days work at 3 | - : 19 : 6

By cash received of Jere Allen Esq Treasurer & Co 630: Ballance due to Thomas Smith carried to ye Dr. of ye new accopt [1 : 14 :4

631 : 14 : 4.

ACCT OF DISBURSEMENTS FOR VE GARRISON AND TRUCKHOUSE ON SACO RIVER NOVEMBER 1736.

Province of Massachusetts Bay to Thomas Smith Dr.

To 1563 feet of boards for a floor for the corn and meal room, a shed to cover the smiths bellows and cole house, and a shed for washing in, at [3 : 10 : 0 per thousand £ 6: 3:9.

To 2000 Shingles used in covering ye foresaid sheds (« 25 | - per M. £ 2: 10: 0. To cash pd Caleb Young for working about ye chimneys, hearths and ovens, pointing &Co. 5 days at 10 | - per day £ 2: 10: 0. To Caleb Young at my table 18 meals and drink between meals £ 1: 7:0.

To several men in doing the carpenters work on above floor and sheds and assisting & tending the mason in his work-altogether 57 days work at 3 | - per day £ 8: 11 : 0.

To sundry charges for wooding ye Garrison from Oct 1735, to Septr 1736-[2.1 : 16 : 4. 1.50: 11 : 6.

Sworn to by Capt. Thomas Smith and allowed.

. This building was probably erected for the accommodation of the "remnant of the Pequawkets," who went to some fort wwreupied by white men and expressed a desire to live with them. They were afterwards sent lo Boston.

}

E. D.Chellis.

SACO RIVER BLOCK-HOUSE.

Built in 1730.

GARRISONS, BLOCK-HOUSES, FORTS.

Notwithstanding the short interval between the building of the truck-house and the extensive repairs or additions made by Captain Smith, yet as early as 1748 Capt. Thomas Bradbury petitioned the General Court for liberty to repair the establishment. He describes the condition of the structure and its appur- tenances as follows: "The side of sd Blockhouse fronting on the River is in great danger of being undermined by se River without a wharf to prevent the same. And the side of the Blockhouse wants to be new Pallasaded. The roof of ye house wants shingling and other repairs to keep the men dry in their lodgings, as also to secure the Provisions & Amunition. Likewise newsilling. There also wants a new boat, as also one to be repaired, to carry up the pro- vissions and other stores." The General Court allowed ten shillings to build a wharf, twenty pounds for palisading, shingling, and repairing the house, and seventeen pounds ten shillings to build a boat for the purpose mentioned.

The first commander, Captain Smith, seems to have held the position until his death, in 1742. In the memoir of the minister it is said : "My father died at Saco, Feb. 19, 1742. He was engaged there as Indian agent, or truck- master, and had been in the service of the government in connection with Indian affairs in the state." He probably died, like the "faithful sentinel," at his post in the block-house, where he had lived for about twelve years. The Rev. Ammi R. Cutter succeeded to the command in 1743. He was fol- lowed by Capt. Daniel Smith, of Biddeford, who soon transferred the place to Capt. Thomas Bradbury, who is said to have been in command during the last Indian war. He was there in 1748, and must have been succeeded by Capt. Jonathan Bane, of York, soon after, for it is related that the soldiers were disbanded in 1759, and the cannon removed to Fort Castle William in Boston Harbor. A son of Captain Bane was lieutenant of a company sta- tioned here. The Bane family settled on the land about the block-house and held custody of the enormous iron key, which was in the hands of a descend- ant not many years ago. This impressive symbol of authority was wrought by some early smith, probably by Joseph Tyler, for he it was who furnished the locks for the truck-house.

This frontier fortress long remained upon the river bank to remind the passing traveler of the times when safety was only secured by vigilance, and of the trying experiences through which the early settlers passed to hold pos- session of the lands on which their descendants, in peace and quietness, but with much complaining, have lived and gathered their harvests. The building gradually fell into decay, its heavy timbers were separated by the intervale frosts of many winters, and at length the ruins were removed and nothing left to mark the spot but the cellar and some old graves near by.

The evidence at hand goes to prove that there were no less than three garrisons or forts in what is now Buxton. Governor Shirley ordered the com- missioners appointed by the General Court for that purpose, Nov. 30, 1743.

GARRISONS, BLOCK-HOUSES, FORTS.

forthwith to repair to the County of York and take effectual care that a garrison be erected in " Newbury Narragansett." Under this order the first fortifica- tion in the township was built that year. In 1744. a meeting of the proprietors was called to see if they would "clear round the garrison " according to the order of the General Court's committee. This was a log block-house, sur- . rounded by a timber stockade like nearly all of the frontier defenses. It was built at Salmon Falls, upon land reserved for public use, near the log meeting- house and probably because the settlers at the time were living near.

At a meeting of the proprietors of Narragansett, No. 1. held in 1750. a committee was chosen to petition the General Court for liberty to remove the fort in consequence of inability to get water where it then stood. Upon the high ground at Salmon Falls, where this fort stood, wells could not be sunk without blasting through the granite ledge there, and the inhabitants were unwilling to assume the expense of such an uncertain experiment. But a well of good water was an important requirement within the walls of such a place of refuge, in case the settlers should be compelled to remain there during an Indian siege.

The proprietors requested their clerk to call a meeting in 1754, to see if a vote would be taken to build a fort at or near the " Broad Turn." Also. to see if the proprietors would find men to help keep the same in case of war. which was then much looked for. In the petition it was stated that the Province fort was "very ill convenient " for the settlers on the northeasterly side of Martin's Swamp, and that there were not accommodations for all the inhabitants in said fort. In closing, they stated that unless they could have a place of defense according to the petition they must of necessity leave the township. In compliance with the request, a meeting was held and a vote was passed to raise money and build a fort forthwith. At a later meeting. it was voted to pay William Hancock eight pounds upon his building a fort or garrison to be forty feet square with palisades or stockades three feet and one- half in the ground and ten feet above the ground, said stockades to be set double, and a good flanker, or watch-box, to be built at two opposite corners. This was to be located where the inhabitants living on the northeasterty side of the swamp could be accommodated, finished within twenty days from date. and paid for by the proprietors. There are reasons for the belief that this garrison was connected with the dwelling-house of William Hancock, and not at Pleasant Point : as in the will of Mr. Hancock he mentions " My Flanker Hlouse." The garrison, or fort, connected with the house of Joseph Woodman, at Pleasant Point, was not the original Province fort which the proprietors wished to have removed to some locality where a supply of water could be found.

During the French and Indian war all the settlers in Narragansett, No. 1. left the plantation and none returned for resettlement before 1750. The dangers

GARRISONS, BLOCK-HOUSES, FORTS.

from wandering Indians were not then over and the garrisons were kept in repair. At one time the settlers found the door of their block-house, which they had left closed, wide open. These had been forewarned by an old, experienced scout that they should never go and return by the same path when visiting their clearings, and being suspicious that all was not right, they heeded the advice. When the wars were over a party of Indians who came to the settlement to trade informed the men there that some of their tribe were secreted in the fort at the time the door was found open, and that, on the following day, they ambushed the path by which the settlers came and missed them.

Capt. John Elden seems to have held command of the Province fort, so called, in Narragansett, No. I. It is related that while the families of the early inhabitants were living in the garrison for security while the men were absent for a day and night, a runner brought news that the enemy was in the neighbor- hood. But Mrs. Elden, the captain's wife, a woman who showed heroism on more than one occasion, became master, or mistress, of the situation. She donned her absent husband's uniform, seized a sword, and with voice changed to a masculine tone, marshaled the other women, also arrayed in male attire and armed with muskets, about the fort as if preparing to resist an attack. This was kept up during the night and part of the succeeding day until the "relief guard " returned and the male persuasion took charge of the garrison. Some of the first children born in the plantations on the Saco had their advent within these primitive forts, and the stirring events with which they were associated in childhood were related to their grandchildren at the fireside on many a winter evening.

The General Court authorized the erection of a fort in Pearsontown, now Standish, to be of hewed timber, one hundred feet square, with extensive flankers at opposite corners, as the custom then was. The actual building, called a "house," was only eighty feet square. After being nearly completed, it was partly destroyed by fire, but rebuilt, and fortified with two swivel guns. This was built about the time the French and Indian war came on in 1754-5. It stood on the high ground at Standish Corner, where the open square now is. For particulars the reader is referred to the Standish town history in this work.

The next fort to be mentioned was for the protection of the Indians themselves. Of this we have little more than vague tradition to inform us. No petition from the projectors of the undertaking, nor recorded action of the Indian council, has been found to aid our description. Historians have stated, without giving their authority, that the Sokokis Indians, fearing an invasion by Mohawks, employed English carpenters from Saco to build them a fort at the mouth of the Great Ossipee river. The exact location where the fort stood is not now known, but tradition has marked the site between the present

HARRISONS, BLOCK-HOUSES, FORTS.

village of Cornish and the outlet of the river, near where the old Pequawket trail crossed at the fording place. This fortification has been represented as of great strength. A determined search, and suitable excavations, would undoubtedly discover the remains of the stockading where the timbers were entrenched. Some have supposed this to have been the fort in which Capt. John Lovewell left some stores and part of his men in 1724. when he went through the wilderness to fight the Sokokis at Pequawket. If the company crossed the stream at the head of the Killick pond, in what is now the north part of Hollis, not far from the old William West homestead, directing their steps toward Saco river, they may have followed the Indians' trail to the mouth of the Great Ossipee, at Cornish, where the fort of the Sokokis stood.

As Quebec had fallen and the wars with the Indians had ceased before the other Saco valley towns were settled by the white men. there was no need of garrisons, block-houses, or forts for the protection of the inhabitants, and here our chapter ends.

Old Times on the Saro.

IRST CLEARINGS .- The pioneers who contemplated permanent settlement were sometimes squatters on the soil for several years before a title to their claim could be secured, as old letters relating to such transactions, now at hand, clearly prove. When the new- comer "pitched " upon a lot some distance from the cabins of those who had preceded him in settlement, a rude puncheon-and-bark camp was built. The woodman felled a goodly number of straight spruces, or chestnut trees, and cut them into sections, some eight feet in length. These were split into halves and set in a narrow trench, two feet in depth, excavated in the ground. On the inside, ribs were treenailed to the upright puncheons, which constituted the wall, to hold them in place. The roof was usually constructed of light poles covered with broad squares of chestnut bark; sometimes "shingled" with bark peeled from the white birch. At one side a light frame or platform was raised two feet above the ground and covered with cedar or hemlock boughs for a conch. This rude hut served as a shelter from the storms by day and a place of rest at night. We may designate this class the first generation of Saco valley houses.

To this remote habitation a quantity of provision sufficient to last a few weeks was carried; then, pushing up his sleeves and his coon-skin cap from his bronzed brow, the pioneer began to hew the forest down and lay the foun- dation for his future home. From the dewy morning until the deep shadows fell over the wilderness, the metallic ring of the axe could be heard, inter- rupted only by the echo-raising crash of some forest monarch, or the short intermission of the noon-time meal. Thus, day succeeded day, while the old primeval forest that had withstood the tempest shock of centuries, yielded to the ruthless axe. The "cut-down" expanded into an "opening," and the opening into a "clearing," the whole being an overture to the warming sun- shine and refreshing dew.

The work of felling trees was greatly facilitated by the somewhat dan- gerous method called "driving." This was accomplished by under-cutting the trees upon a considerable area, on one and the same side, until a number sufficient for a "drove " were ready to be driven down; then a heavy tree, which stood in the rear of this "wounded army," was selected for a "driver "

OLD TIMES ON THE SACO.

and felled upon the nearest neighboring tree, which fell in turn, carrying others down in its descent, like tenpins in the bowling alley, until an acre was covered with " fallen heroes."

When several acres had been cut, it was necessary to wait for the wood to season before the torch was put in. It was during this interval that the log-house was put up. Many of these, which we denominate the second gen- eration of houses, were constructed of round logs cut from saplings; but the better class, designed for a more permanent domicile, were built of hewed timber prepared with much labor. On the occasion of "rolling up the log- house," as the process was called, it became necessary to call for the assistance of the neighboring settlers, for, when the walls of the house had been raised to a considerable height, the combined strength of several men was required in placing the heavy timbers. One by one the tiers were laid on, neatly dove- tailed at the corners and firmly treenailed together. The openings between the logs were sometimes filled on the inside with triangular shaped ribs hewed out with the narrow axe and pinned in place. On the outside, after being thoroughly "chinked " with meadow or tree moss, the openings were plastered with clay mortar.

The chimneys were laid up of rude stones upon the outside of the walls of the house at one end, and sometimes " topped out " with sticks or an empty cask. The fireplaces were so enormously wide, and high withal, that the person of studious proclivity could sit upon the hearthstone and, looking upward through the "flue" which opened to the outer world, read the heav- enly runes that marked the "great dipper." the "yard-ell," and consider the sweet influences of the Pleiades and the bands of Orion.

In the front walls of these cabins two or three openings were left for the door and windows. Rude frames were attached to the squared ends of the timbers and filled with oiled paper, which was sufficiently translucent to admit the light, and too dense to satisfy the inquisitive stranger from without when passing: a sort of window and curtain combined, you see; probably the sug- gestive precursor of ground glass. When a heavy plank door had been attached by long wooden hinges, a puncheoned door laid, and some pins driven into the wall within for the family wardrobe, the log-house was ready for occupancy.

The furnishing of these primitive dwellings was of the most simple and inexpensive character. At the tireside was a high-backed settle, sometimes called the "resting chair," for heads of the family, while the young folks sat on saw-blocks, usually called by the pioneers " on-marchantable shingle-bolts." The eating-table was made from a single plank, hewed into form with an axe and supported upon legs driven into augur holes. A few shelves laid on long treenails driven into the wall timbers served for the dishes, and a cleat with slots of various sizes constituted a rack for table cutlery and spoons.

OLD TIMES ON THE SACO.

Water for culinary purposes was brought from a woodland spring in a home- made bucket which reposed upon a block in a corner.

We have now reached a point in our descriptive summary where a problem of intricate character must be solved. It has been laid down as a philosophical fact that no two bodies of equal proportions can occupy the same space at the same time. Now, then, here about this fireside there are ten robust children to be disposed of for the night, to be provided with places of rest. "Where on airth," as old folks would say, can room be found for them all? The growing boys and girls were much too heavy for suspending upon pegs in the wall, and baskets for stowage seemed to be wanting. Of course there was a great high bed in one corner, well supplied with warm blankets in winter, but this was the parental couch. However, we shall see that the inventive faculties of the pioneer fathers and mothers were exercised to economize and utilize space; every square inch of the small house was put to some practical use. Hidden away from the eye of the curious visitor, and hovered by the great bed, was a primitive article of furniture with a capacity as elastic as the conscience of a congressman. Let us pull this semi-vehicle from its day-time seclusion: it ran on wheels and was appropriately called a "trundle-bed," otherwise, "truckle-bed." It was of humble stature, but as broad and long as the space assigned for it under the big bed would admit of. We must now fancy an experiment in the art of packing rawhide. Ned has become drowsy and calls for his share of the trundle-bed; he is well tucked in at one side. Soon Bill was in correct feather for rest and he was laid alongside his snoring brother. Now Zeke demands attention, as his head drops forward in his chair, and his father assigns him a portion of space in the gang-bed. Sam has gone to sleep upon the hearth-rug beside the dog and Bob is snoozing on his father's knee; these are also stowed away in the head tier. Was that bed full then? Why, bless your stars, no. There are three curly-headed lassies still to be disposed of. Molly, Sally, and Charity must find a place in the same accommodating couch, in the end opposite to that occupied by their brothers, who, packed hard together, " spoon fashion," were now wallowing over the shady moors of dreamland. All are in the embrace of nature's sweet restorer. By the father's side little Mercy shall find repose, while baby Jim nestles upon his mother's protecting arm. Such old-time beds were saturated with sleep. Now we breathe easier.

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Saco Valley settlements and families. Historical, biographical, genealogical, traditional, and legendary, Part 6

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