USA > Maine > Waldo County > Brooks > Sketches of Brooks history > Part 10
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MARY, b .- , 1756; m. - , ENOCH LEATHERS of Sangerville.
ABIGAIL, b .-; m .- , RICHARD KNIGHT.
ELIZABETH, b .-; m. BENJ. SKILLINGS. Removed to Ohio.
BENJAMIN, b .-. 1758; m. 1st, April 9, 1793, PATTY PEARSON of Bucktown; 2nd, Sept. 22, 1803, SALLY NEWT of Buckfield; d. 1842.
HANNAH, b .-. m. April 26, 1793, CALEB LUMBER of Buckfield.
NELLY, b .- , m .- , -CLUFF.
FANNY twins
b .-; m. May 12, 178S, JOSEPH LOMBARD.
ANN S b .-; m .- , RICHARD LAMBERT.
PETER, b .- , 1768; m .- , 1820, PATTY TEGRO; d. 1855.
SIMON, b .- , 1774; m .- , POLLY TEAGUE; d. 1847.
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THE REVOLUTION
Brooks was not settled until 1799, and not incorporated as a town until 1816, and could not be given credit for representation in the Struggle for Independence, but many of its early settlers saw service in the war of the Revolution.
JOSEPH ROBERTS, JR., whose record is as follows :-
1. Appears with rank of private on muster roll of Captain Sam- uel Dunn's company, Colonel Edmund Phinney's Thirty-first Regi- ment of Foot, dated July 11, 1775. He enlisted May 15, 1775, from Cape Elizabeth Maine, for one month and twenty-seven days.
2. Appears on return of Captain Dunn's company (October re- turns), 1775.
3. Appears in an order for bounty coat, or its equivalent in money, dated Cambridge, Mass., November, 1775. For service in Captain Dunn's company.
4. Appears on muster roll of Captain Jonathan Sawyer's company, Colonel Phinney's regiment, dated at Garrison Fort George, Decem- ber 8, 1776. He enlisted January 1, 1776.
5. Service at Dorchester Heights, August 31, 1776. Residence, Windham, Maine.
6. Travelled from home, Windham to Bennington, January 6, 1777.
7. Travelled from Fort Edward to Windham, January 15, 1777.
8. Appears on muster and pay roll of Capt. Roberts Perkins' Co. of Light Horse, raised by resolve of September 22, 1777, for guarding Burgoyne's troops to Prospect Hill. He enlisted September 27, dis- charged November 7. 1777.
9. Appears on muster and pay roll of Captain Samuel Waterhouse's company, Colonel Jacob Gerrish's regiment of guards at Winter Hill. He enlisted April 2, 1778.
10. Appears on muster and pay roll Captain John Dodge's com- pany, Colonel Jacob Gerrish's regiment of guards. He enlisted July 19, 1778; discharged December 16, 1778.
11. Appears on muster and pay roll of Captain Nathan Merrill's company, Colonel Jonathan Mitchell's regiment. He was detached for Penobscot Expedition, and allowed pay for mileage. He enlisted July 8, 1779; discharged September 25, 1779.
12. Appears among a list of men moved from Cape Elizabeth since 1776, dated Cape Elizabeth, January 17, 1782.
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THE REVOLUTION
A pension was granted of $8.00 a month, from April 9, 1818. This was dropped under Act of May 1, 1820, but restored by Act of June 7, 1832, at $76.66 per year. It was allowed April 10, 1834. The sec- ond pension commenced from March 4, 1831.
JAMES JORDAN-Private, Captain Joshua Jordan's company, Colonel Jonathan Mitchell's regiment. Service from July 7, 1779 to Septem- ber 25, 1779, two months, twenty days, on Penobscot expedition. Roll dated Cape Elizabeth.
NATHANIEL . EMERSON-Private, Capt. Abraham Foster's company, Col. Samuel Bullard's regiment; enlisted August 18, 1777, discharged November 30, 1777, service three months, twelve days. Company marched to reinforce Northern Army under General Gates, also Cap- tain William Green's Company. Colonel Cyperean Howe's regiment enlisted July 30, 1780, discharged in Rhode Island. Company raised for three months.
WILLIAM KIMBALL, JR .- Fifer, Frigate "Boston" commanded by Cap- tain Samuel Tucker, engaged March 19, 1779. Roll made up for ad- vance wages for one month.
JONATHAN ROBERTS-Windham, Private, Captain Nathan Merrill's Company. Marched from home July 8, 1779. Discharged September 25, 1779, service two months, seventeen days with Colonel Jonathan Mitchell's detachment. Company raised in Cumberland County for service on Penobscot expedition, also Captain Merrill's Company, Colonel Mitchell's detachment; pay abstract for mileage, sworn to at North Yarmouth November 3, 1779; mileage for ten miles allowed said Roberts; reported as having first drawn rations at Falmouth and as discharged at Falmouth.
JOHN ROBERTS-Private, Captain Moses Ashley's Company; Colonel Joseph Vose's regiment. Muster roll dated July 1, 1777, enlisted Feb- ruary 6, 1777, enlistment during war.
JOHN YOUNG- Windham. Private, Captain John Brackett's Com- pany, Colonel Edmund Phinney's 31st regiment, Company return dated September 29, 1775; enlisted May 16, 1775, also Captain James John- son's Company, Colonel Edmund Phinney's regiment, residence York.
Among others of the earlier settlers who served in the war of the Revoution, were Joseph Roberts, Sr., Jonathan Roberts. Sr., Samuel Bowen, Robert Thompson, Samuel Jones, and Joseph B. Crary.
The last four while not among the first settlers were among those who signed the petition for the incorporation of the town.
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SKETCHES OF BROOKS HISTORY
Many of Brooks' foremost citizens, while not among the first, but who might be classified as among the earlier citizens of Brooks, also served in the war of the Revolution.
THE WAR RECORD OF THE PROPRIETORS WHO SERVED IN THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION
WILLIAM PRESCOTT
William Prescott, Pepperill, Colonel; engaged April 19, 1775; service, 3 months, 20 days; also Colonel; order of the day, dated Cambridge, May 9, 1775, regulating distribution of provisions; also communication dated Cambridge, May 25, 1775, signed by Captains in Col. Prescott's regiment, stating their approval of said Prescott, John Robinson and Henry Woods, as Colonel, Lieutenant Colonel, and Major, respectively of said regiment, and asking that they be commissioned; also return of officers belonging to said Prescott's regiment; dated May 25, 1775; ordered in Provincial Congress, May 26, 1775, that said officers be commissioned; also general orders dated Headquarters, Cambridge, July 22, 1775, making disposition of the forces about Boston and di- viding the army into 3 grand divisions to consist of 2 brigades each; said Prescott's regiment. assigned to a brigade to be commanded by Brig. Gen. Heath, which with another brigade and a reserve corps, were to be commanded by Maj. Gen. Putnam; also Colonel, . 10th regiment; list of field and staff officers appearing on a return of Capt. Henry Farrell's (1st) Co., (probably Oct., 1775) also petition ad- dressed to the council dated Cambridge, Oct. 28, 1775, signed by said Prescott, Colonel and Lieutenant Colonel, John Robinson, asking that certain officers belonging to said Prescott's (10th) regiment who had served as commissioned officers from the formation of the army re- ceive their commissions; ordered in Council Oct. 3, 1775, that said officers be recommended to Gen. Washington for commissions; also Colonel; memorandum of firelocks received of sundry officers and soldiers; date of delivery. Jan. 8, 1776; also Colonel; serving as Vol- unteers, Capt. James Hosley's Co. of Volunteers, Col. Jonathan Reed's regiment; engaged Sept. 26. 1777; service 1 month, 15 days; Company raised in Townsend, Pepperill, and Ashby, and marched to assist army under Major-General Gates.
DAVID SEARS
David Sears, Sandisfield. Descriptive list of men in Berkshire County in 1779 to serve in the Continental Army; age 17 yrs .; stature 5 ft.
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THE REVOLUTION
9 in .; complexion, light; engaged for town of Sandisfield; delivered to Lieutenant Story; also Capt. Allen's Co .; entered service July 22, 1779; discharged April 22, 1780; term 9 months; also list of men raised for 6 months' service and return by Brig. Gen. Paterson as having passed muster in a return, dated Camp Totoway, Oct. 25, 1780; also payroll of 6 month's men raised by the town of Sandisfield for services in the Continental Army during 1780; marched to camp July 2, 1780, discharged Jan. 5, 1781; services 6 months, 7 days, including travel (75 miles) home; also descriptive list dated Lenox, Aug. 20, 1781, of men raised in Berkshire Co. agreeable to resolve of Dec. 2, 1780 and delivered to William Walker, Superintendent for said county, Ashley's regiment; age, 18 yrs .; stature 5 ft. 9 in .; complexion light;' hair brown; occupation, laborer; residence, Sandisfield; engaged for town of Sandisfield; term, 6 months; reported; receipted for by Col. Shepard.
ISRAEL THORNDIKE
Israel Thorndike, Beverly (also given Boston). Petition dated, Bev- erly, Oct. 29, 1776, signed by Josiah Batchelder, Jr. and Company asking that said Thorndike be commissioned as Commander of the schooner "Warren" (privateer) ordered in Council Oct. 30, 1776, that a commission be issued, also 1st Lieutenant, brig "Tyrannicide," com- manded by Capt. Jonathan Harraden; list of officers of the State Navy; warrant issued, Mar. 10, 1777; also Ist Lieutenant, brig "Ty- rannicide" commanded by Jonathan Harraden; engaged Feb. 22, 1777, discharged Aug. 31, 1777; roll sworn to in Suffolk County; also peti- tion dated Salem, Nov. 7, 1777, signed by Joseph White and Miles Greenwood, of Salem asking that said Thorndike be commissioned as commander of the schooner "Scorpion" (privateer) ; ordered in Coun- cil, Nov. 8, 1777, that a commission be issued; also petition dated Boston, June 12. 1780, signed by Ebenezer Parsons, in behalf of him- self and said Thorndike of Boston, asking that said Thorndike be commissioned as commander of the ship "Resource" (privateer) or- dered to Council June 12. 1780 that a commission be issued; also, cap- tain ship "Resource" (privateer), descriptive list of officers and crew, dated Beverly. June 21. 1780; age 25 yrs .; stature 5 ft. 716 in .; com- plexion, dark; residence, Beverly.
HATEVIL HALL
Hatevil Hall was born March 24, 1736; married Ruth Winslow. They settled in Windham, afterwards in Buekfield. and thence in Brooks, Me .. where he died May 10, 1804. His wife died June 11, 1778, and he married Ann Jenkins.
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SKETCHES OF BROOKS HISTORY
He could easily jump over a rope held as high as two men could raise it.
He served seven years in the Revolutionary War and did duty every day of service. He was at Braddock's defeat, July 19, 1755, his age at that time being nineteen years.
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His children were:
JOB, born about 1754. married first to MARY TRIPP, and second to NANCY MURRAY.
RUTH, born about 1756. married first JOHN BRIGGS; second NATHANIEL SMITH. SARAH, born August 24, 1758. married ROBERT GETCHELL.
HEZEKIAH, born about 1760, married and had a large family; settled in Kentucky.
ENOCH, born November 10. 1763, married MIRIAM FURBISH.
SUBMIT, born October 15. 1766, married DANIEL P. ELLIOTT.
JOHN, born about 1768; died young.
HATEVIL, born about 1770; married in Turner 1792 to JUDITH MORGAN.
ABIGAIL, born March 27. 1772; married DANIEL CAMPBELL.
NATHAN, born in 1774; married SUSANNE FORBES, settled in Buckfield.
DORCAS, born June 23. 1776, married ISRAEL HERRICK.
Children by the second wife:
MARGARET, married JOSEPH ROBERTS, JR.
SHADRACK, born Feb. 4. 1779; married SARAH ROBERTS; settled in Brooks, Me.
WAR OF 1812
BROOKS IN THE WAR OF 1812
DANIEL J .. HAMILTON, who came to Brooks from Berwick, Maine, was in the War of 1812. His grandfather was a son of the Duke of Hamilton, allied to the House of Stuarts. His grandfather, with two of his brothers fought against Cromwell, and they were banished by him and sent to America in irons on the good ship "John and Sarah" from London, England. They settled in New Hampshire, and, like so many others, proceeded to work their way through the world .. Daniel was in the War of 1812. He was taken prisoner and parolled. He made a trip down through Maine, stopping at Brooks and Belfast, and selecting a farm in Swanville. He married Esther Roberts, the tenth child of Joseph and Esther Hamlin Roberts. She was born March 20, 1795, and came to the town of Brooks when eight years of age. She had dark brown hair, dark grey eyes, and a disposition admired by all who knew her. She lived over eighty years, and was an intensely religious woman-a Freewill Baptist in belief. She was recognized for her wonderful memory and keen in- tellect, retained until her death. She met Daniel Hamilton, a noble looking man, with a dignified way that made him respected and ad- mired. He also was a Freewill Baptist. They were married on March 4, 1813, and lived a long and happy life together. He was credited to the Plantation of Washington-now Town of Brooks.
GILMAN ROBERTS, seventh child of Joseph and Esther Roberts, was born in Buckfield. Maine, October 28, 1788. He died in Brooks, Maine, May 4, 1877. He served in the War of 1812. He spent most of his life in Brooks, with the exception of removing to Bangor in for a few years.
SIMON CILLEY (SELLY) (SULLY), b .- , 1774; m. POLLY TEAGUE of Turner who d. June 15, 1859, age 84. A house carpenter, Brooks. Served in the war of 1812 under Capt. Gilbreth, in Gen. Brown's command. At the Battle of Bridgewater. (vide Col. Joseph for a de- scription of this battle) Niagara and Chippewa. Died Nov. 13, 1847.
Children:
ELIZABETH, b. Jan. 31. 1797; m. WM. BASSIE; d. July 5. 1867.
DARLING, b. April 23. 1798: m. ESTHER FROST: d. Aug. 22, 1875.
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SKETCHES OF BROOKS HISTORY
MOSES, b. April 28, 1800; m. 1st, MARTHA CILLEY, 2nd, LYDIA ROBERTS; d. June 8, 1834.
JUDAH, b. Aug. 28, 1801; m. 1st, Nov., 1819, SUSANNAH CILLEY, d. Aug. 27, 1853; 2nd, CORDELIA FROST.
POLLY, b. April 25, 1803; m. PETER CILLEY; d. June 29, 1869.
FANNY, b-, 1805; m. CALEB LAMBERT.
ANN, b. Oct. 15, 1810 .; m. JOHN MATHEWS.
SIMON, JR., b. Dec. 23, 1811; m. 1st, 1836, PHEBE CILLEY, 2nd, 1852, HANNAH SCRIBNER.
DEBORAH, b. March 5. 1816; m. JAMES DOUGLASS; d. June 10, 1871.
PETER CILLEY (SELLY) (SULLY) b .- , 1768; m. PATTY TEAGUE, Moved to Brooks, Me .; a farmer. Died 1856, age 87. Children:
NANCY, b. April 15, 1794; m. LUTHER FOGG of Brooks, Me., d. May 6, 1854; d. April 21, 186S.
SARAH, b. May 14, 1796; m. 1st, ISAAC CILLEY; m. 2nd, ABNER HAM; d. June 24, 1874.
HANNAH, b. July 27, 1798; m. JOHN PILLEY; d. Dec. 10, 1875.
PETER, JR., b. Nov. 11, 1802; m. POLLY CILLEY.
JOSEPH, b. June 14. 1805; m. 1st, Jan. 11, 1827, BETSEY GILMAN; m. 2nd, April 12, 185S, MRS. LUCRETIA (ACHORN) PORTER; d. May 15, 1871.
BENJAMIN, b. Sept. 5. 1809; m. 1st, Oct. 20, 1831, MAHALA PIPER; m. 2nd, MARY FOLSOM.
MARTHA, b .- , 1819; m. ARTHUR HALL; d .- , 1875.
THE MILITIA
In the early days the Militia drilled in the "Old Tannery Building" which was located just below "The Old Grist Mill" so called, owned by Edward Godding and now occupied by the Brooks Garage.
For a muster and drill field the Militia used the Lang field so called, now owned by Mrs. Ezra A. Carpenter.
The files of the Office of the Adjutant General of the State of Maine show record of commissioned officers but no record of the en- listed men for the early period. Under the law all able-bodied men from the ages 18 to 45 were enrolled in the State militia. The Brooks Light. Infantry served in the Aroostook War. The Brooks Light In- fantry existed at the date of the requisition of the President for troops and was reorganized for service in the Civil War.
A muster field, occupied at times by Brooks Militia was the Thorn- dike place; the first lot of land cleared by Joseph Roberts, Jr. He exchanged this with one of the Proprietors, Thorndike, for a lot of land west, where was erected the first house built in Brooks. An in- cident is recalled by Dr. Albert E. Kilgore as told to him by his grandfather, Lieutenant Albert H. Rose, that at one time when the local militia were in camp, at the Thorndike place, some citizens of Brooks and nearby towns, who were not members of the local militia, dressed themselves as horribles and with obsolete army equipment made an attack on the militia. They were repelled by the Regiment in camp, which resulted in a battle without bullets between the en- campers and the invaders. One of the invaders had disguised him- self by placing a large lobster claw over his nose; this was knocked from his face and he was recognized by some, member of the local militia. An attempt was made to capture him, but he was able to escape after members of the militia had chased him several miles on the Monroe road. After this episode a feeling arose between the members and non-members of the militia and from that date interest was not so active.
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SKETCHES OF BROOKS HISTORY
EARLY MILITIA 7th Regiment, 1st Brigade, 3rd Division Militia of Mainc
Name
Rank
Appointed
Termination
Joseph Freeman
Colonel
June 25, 1822
Feb. 17, 1825
Ebenezer G. Sturgis
Adjutant
Sept. 2, 1822
deranged
Cyrus Sherman Quarter Master
Sept. 2, 1822
deranged
Jacob Roberts
Surgeon
Sept. 2, 1822
deranged
Thomas Sawyer, Jr.
Major
Dec. 13, 1823
promoted
Thomas Sawyer, Jr.
Captain
Sept. 7, 1822
promoted
Thomas Sawyer, Jr.
Lieut.
Mar. 3, 1821
promoted
Seth Brown
Lieut.
Mar. 3, 1821
Sept, 21, 1822
Phineas Sawyer
Lieut.
Nov. 18, 1822
Mar. 16, 1824
Phineas Sawyer
Ensign
Sept. 6, 1822
promoted
Alfred M. Whitney
Ensign
Nov. 18, 1822
promoted
Transferred to 3rd Regiment, 2nd Brig., order of Council Feb. 7, 1824
3rd Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division
Edwin Beaman Quarter Master July 13, 1825
James Cochrane
Surgeon
July 13, 1825
Alfred M. Whitney
Captain
Feb. 7, 1824
William Reynolds
Lieut. May 8, 1824
William Reynolds
Ensign
Feb. 7, 1824
Moses Varney
Ensign
May 8, 1824
2nd Regiment, 1st Brigade, 3rd Division
Joseph Freeman
Captain
Mar. 3, 1821
pro. see. 7 regt.
3rd Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division
Name
Rank
Appointed
Termination
Hugh M. Boynton
Adjutant
July 13, 1825
Aug. 16, 1832
Noah Gilman
Surgeon
July 11, 1831
Apr. 23, 1839
John B. Pollard
Surg. Mate
May 31, 1839
Feb. 25, 1843
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THE MILITIA
B Company Light Injantry, 3rd Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division
Name
Rank
Appointed
Termination
Hugh MI. Boynton
Captain June 14, 1834
Apr. 23, 1836
Justin Roberts
Lieut. June 14, 1834
Apr. 23, 1836
Jonathan H. Right
Ensign June 14, 1834 Apr. 23, 1836
Company disbanded by order of Council Mar. 18, 1836, G. O. No. 25, 1836.
Allen Davis
Captain
Mar. 4, 1837
Feb. 27, 1840
Francis Thorndike
Lieut.
Mar. 4, 1837
May 1, 1839
William P. Hall
Ensign
Mar. 4, 1837 Apr. 27, 1834
Rem. C. M.
Jacob W. Roberts
Lieut.
May 23, 1839
June 8, 1842
Libbeus Jones, Jr.
Ensign
May 23, 1839
July 4, 1842
Company disbanded by order of Council June 30. 1842.
2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, Militia of Maine
Thomas Sawyer
Brig. General Nov. 14, 1831
May 10, 1838
Thomas Sawyer
Colonel · Apr. 25, 1825
Promoted
William Reynolds
Captain July 11, 1829
Feb. 16, 1831
Allen Hamlin
Captain
July 23, 1831
Oct. 31, 1834
Moses Varney
Lieut. July 11, 1829
Promoted
?
(' Company Light Infantry, 3rd Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division
James Huxford
Captain
May 20, 1837
Mar. 27, 1841
Andrew D. Bean
Lieut.
May 20, 1837
promoted
William H. Gilbert
Ensign May 20. 1837 Feb. 15, 1838
Benjamin Rowe Ensign Mar. 23, 1838
promoted
Andrew D. Bean Captain Apr. 22, 1841 Mar. 13, 1844
Benjamin Rowe Lieut. Apr. 22, 1841 Mar 13, 1844
Sylvanus Eaton
Ensign Apr. 22. 1841 Mar. 13, 1844
Company disbanded by order of Council Mar. S. 1844, G. O. No. 15, 1844.
D Company Infantry, 3rd Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division
Allen Hamlin
Captain July 23, 1831 Oct. 31, 1834
Darling Silley
Ensign July 11, 1829
promoted
Moses Varney
Lieut. July 11, 1829
promoted
الرسم الأوسط
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SKETCHES OF BROOKS HISTORY
Name
Rank Appointed
Termination
Moses Varney
Captain
Mar. 3, 1835
Apr. 13, 1837
Darling Silley
Lieut.
Mar. 3, 1835
Jan. 14, 1837
Thomas P. S. Downing
Ensign
Mar. 3, 1835
July 18, 1836
James Paul
Captain
Mar. 4, 1839
William Cilley
Lieut.
Mar. 4, 1839
Israel Jones
Ensign Mar. 4, 1839
Expired on Limitation June 13, 1846.
C' Company Light Infantry, 3rd Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division
James R. Huxford
Captain Oct. 15, 1858
Michael Chase, Jr. 1st Lieut.
Oct. 15, 1858
O. C. Prescott
2nd Lieut.
Oct. 15, 1858
John C. Pilley
3rd Lieut.
Oct. 15, 1858
A. G. Rose
4th Lieut.
Oct. 15, 1858
F Company Infantry, 4th Regiment, Me. Volunteers
Andrew D. Bean
Captain May 8, 1861 Resd, May 12, 1862
James Huxford 1st Lieut. May 8, 1861 Resd. Oct. 28, 1861 Charles H. Burd, 2nd Lieut. Belfast May 8, 1861 S.C.D. July 14, 1862
George G. Davis
1st Lieut. Nov. 1, 1861 prom. to Capt. May 12, 1862
AROOSTOOK WAR
Muster Roll of Captain James Huxford's Company of Light In- fantry in the Detachment of drafted Militia of Maine, called into actual service by the State, for the protection of its Northeastern Frontier, from the twentieth day of February, 1839, the time of its rendezvous at Bangor, Maine, to the twenty-sixth of April, 1839, when discharged or mustered. -
Captain
Lieutenant Francis Thorndike
Benjamin Rowe
Musicians
Sylvanus Eaton
Isaac Fogg Lucius Huxford
William Reynolds
Erastus Lane
Thomas A. Herrick
Brazillian W. Lane John Penn Pilley
Charles H. Thorndike Nathaniel Boynton
Ensign
James Huxford Sergeants
Corporals Benjamin Cilley
Orrington Smith
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THE MILITIA
Privates
Batchelder, William
Gross, Joseph
Mead, James
Bennett, Alanson
Gross, John
Nesmith, Isaac C.
Boober, Calvin I.
Guptill, William
Oakes, Ebenezer G.
Bowden, Sylvester
Hall, Arthur
Osgood, Fred P.
Bunker, Benjamin
Hanson, Levi
Osgood, Isaac
Burton, David
Hardin, Marshal
Parker, Amasa W.
Carlisle, George W.
Herrick, Jeremiah H. Higgins, Jesse
Patten, Michael H. Partridge, Francis
Condon, Daniel
Cotton, Horace
Hoitt, Samuel P.
Perkins, Ephraim M.
Curtis, Ezra -
Hubbard, John H.
Rich, Franklin
Dodge, Sabbina
Ingalls, Nahum H.
Rich, Oliver T.
Door, John E.
Jackson, Oren
Roberts, Benjamin
Douglass, James
Jones, Libbeus
Roberts, Winslow
Fogg, John H.
Johnson, Kimball
Rowe, Learned
Fogg, William L.
Kenney, Isaac S.
Smith, Amos
Ford, Moses
Keys, Otis
Stetson, Nahum
Frost, Enoch
Kimball, Thomas
Saunders, Silas
Garland, Ebenezer
Lawrence, Daniel
Thompson, Emery
Gerrish, Nathaniel
Leathers, Benjamin
Watts, Samuel
Gilman, Enoch W.
Lowell, Ebenezer
Webb, Edward
Gray, Alexander
Mathews, William
Worthing, William P.
Green, Asa
McLane, Daniel
Young, Alfred
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THE AROOSTOOK WAR
The question respecting our north-eastern boundary had for some time been· attracting much attention. It soon culminated in a series of measures which threatened to involve the United States in another war with Great Britain. These events demand some minuteness of narrative. What was called "The Aroostook War" was quite a mem- orable event in the history of Maine. By the treaty of 1783, at the close of the Revolutionary struggle, one-half of the St. John river be- longed to Maine, but at the close of the War of 1812, Great Britain claimed the whole, including both banks. There was, at this time, on the north or eastern side of the river, an American settle- ment of scattered log huts, extending for a distance of nearly twenty miles. The inhabitants were principally of French descent, and had emigrated to that American region when the English took possession of Acadia.
This plantation had been incorporated as the Town of Madawaska, and a representative was sent to the Legislature of Maine, but the British authorities in the vicinity remonstrated against this, sent an armed force, and broke up the meetings.
In June, 1837, Congress sent an officer to Madawaska to take a census of the people and, at the same time, to distribute the surplus money which had accumulated in the United States treasury. A British constable arrested this agent, and carried his prisoner to the nearest English shire-town. But the sheriff there, alarmed in view of so reckless a procedure, refused to receive the prisoner, and he returned to Madawaska and continued to prosecute his mission.
Governor Harvey of New Brunswick, hearing of the distribution of money to the people assumed that it was a bribe to induce the in- habitants to continue their allegiance to the United States. He there- fore ordered the agent to be re-arrested, and he was lodged in Fred- erickton jail. Governor Dunlap, who then occupied the Guberna- torial Chair of Maine, issued a general order announcing that the soil of our State had been invaded by a foreign power. The militia were therefore called upon to hold themselves in readiness for active service. A flame of indignation swept over the State. A few weeks after, the British authorities, influenced by a message from President Van Buren, set the imprisoned agent at liberty. There had been a great mustering of forces on both sides, and many ludicrous events
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THE AROOSTOOK WAR
which provoked much ridicule, but both parties wisely decided to refer the question to arbitration, and the Madawaska War was ended.
After the War of 1812 the British claimed the whole of the upper part of the vast valley of the St. John. They demanded all the land above the forty-sixth degree of north latitude, which included about one-third of- what was supposed to be the territory of Maine. The question in dispute was referred to William, King of the Netherlands.
He decided that the line should run about halfway between the boundaries claimed by the two powers, which was a very strange de- cision. The question submitted to him was -- "Which of the two boundaries is the one authorized by the treaty?" And he decided in favor of a line which the treaty certainly did not indicate, and which neither of the parties had thought of. To enter into the details of this discussion would be wearisome to the reader.
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