USA > Maine > Knox County > Camden > Sketches of the history of the town of Camden, Maine; including incidental references to the neighboring places and adjacent waters > Part 5
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" Washington's health it shall go round. " Washington's health it shall go round, He will make a good soldier for Washington. Let every man make much of him, [They here rubbed their heads.] See how the good fellow gurgles it in !"
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The foregoing passed off as a "toast," but we should presume it was a verse from some doggerel song, judging from the accompaniment. The festivities were kept up until morning, when the dawn of day admonished them that it was time to bring them to a close.
Thus closed the period of the Revolution with the early set- tiers of Camden. Their actions declare their patriotism in the noble cause of Freedom, and teach their descendants to prize their dearly bought blessings of Liberty as an invaluable inheritance.
1783.
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Number VIII.
Metcalf's exploit with a bear-Another bear story-Michael Davis the hunter-His appearance described-Cause assigned for his eccentri- city-The real cause-The moose incident-His peculiarities-The intrud- ing moose-Relinquishes hunting-His death.
A MONG the incidents of our early history that have come down to us, there is none more extensively known than that of Metcalf riding the bear down the moun- tain. But few, however, are conversant with the details of the incident, which we will here endeavor to faithfully record, that the correct version may henceforth be known. The time of its occurrence, was the winter succeeding the Revolu- tion-1783-84, as near as we can ascertain.
Leonard Metcalf and - Webber, in company with James Richards, went out one day on a moose hunt. The only gun in the company was that carried by Richards, while the two others went armed with a hatchet each. As the company divided, Richards kept at the base of Mt. Batty, while the others ascended it, and kept the same course,-towards Cana- an. Mr. Richards' two dogs had scared up an old bear, on the western slope of the mountain, and after shooting it, Mr. R. went in search of his companions, to apprise them of his success. In the meantime, Metcalf and Webber had found the lair, where the two cubs, of considerable size, were secreted. They tried to ferret them out of the den, by building a fire and smoking the entrance. As one of the cubs essayed to come out, Metcalf made a dab at him with his jack knife. It then rushed out of the den, when Metcalf seized it by the ears and hallooed to Webber to come and knock it in the head with his hatchet, but through fear he dared not approach to render assistance. Cursing Webber for bis cowardice, Metcalf jumped bestride the animal, which dashed with fright down
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the declevity, trying to throw off its tenacious rider. Frimly grasping the bear's neck with one hand, Metcalf tried to cut its throat with his knife, which he held in the other, but the blade kept shutting up, so that his attempts to despatch him were in vain. After thus riding down nearly to the base of the mountain, tearing his clothes, and scratching his legs badly by the bushes and crust of the snow, he was met by Richards, who quickly approached and knocked the bear in the head with his hatchet, and thus relieved Metcalf from his critical situation. They then returned to the den and shot the other cub, and thus closed the exciting adventure. This occurred on the slope of the mountain near Timothy Fay's place.
In passing, we will relate another bear story, which occurred a short time after the foregoing adventure.
One day Mr. Richards and Jessum Wintworth, (who came from Bristol.) went on a bear bunt. The dogs ferreting out a den, gave the alarm by barking until the men ap- proached. Wintworth came up to the den with his axe, and struck at the bear, but the axe slipped out of his hands, and bruin in return struck at him, and hitting his snow shoes, tripped him up. and was in the act of pouncing on him, when Mr. Richards rushed upon the bear, struck him upon the head, and killed him. The two cubs then came out of the den, and were despatched likewise.
The number of bears killed in Camden by Mr. Richards amounted to 30, and the number of moose to 70.
About this time, 1784-85, there began to appear in the woods and to visit the settlement occasionally an old hunter by the name of Michael Davis, formerly of Dover, N. H. He was an eccentric character, and used to wander through the woods, hunting and trapping from the Kennel o to the Pe- nobscot, accompanied only by his little dog, and subsisted on the products of the chase. When he visited the settlements it was generally to exchange his furs and venison for ammuni- tion and other necesarios. Ile has been represented by Eaton in his Annals of Warren, as having been clad in skins, but such we learn on good authority was not the case. He usually wore a white loose coat, under which way a wide
HISTORY OF CAMDEN. 51
collared hunting shirt, surrounded by a belt at the waist in which was stuck his hunting knife. His dressed leather breeches were after the small clothes' fashion, which were united to woolen stockings at the knees by silver buckles. De- scending from just below the knees were bis leather leggins which were thrust inside his moose-skin moccasins or shoes. The hat he wore resembled the modern Kossuth style. His unique appearance was enhanced by a long white beard which desended to his breast, and thus the more greatly attracted attention and excited curiosity. But his aptitude in relating stories of his personal adventures so engaged the attention of children, and excited their delight, that they always gladly halled his appearance. Some attributed his eccentricities to disapointment in love, but there was another rumor to this effect : he once moved in good society, and was the owner of considerable property which was principally invested in a farm. Being at a tarven one night with some companions engaged in a scene of festivity, cards were introduced, and under the in- fluence of strong drink, and the excitement of the game he staked his money, and lost it. He next hazarded bis farm, which he agreed to mortgage for ninety-nine years. His op- ponent won; the deed was soon after executed, and he lost bis firm. Disgusted with human society he suddenly disap- peared, came to the then wilderness of Maine, where he vowed he would spend his days as a hunter.
From the different reports we have heard from the lips of old settlers at sundry times, we incline to the opinion that the principal cause of his oddity is to be ascribed to the infidelity of one who had plighted to him her vows. It was also said that he had a daughter in New Hampshire to whom he contrived to remit money occasionally.
Whenever he visited the settlement be used to sit down with the settlers around their fireside and make himself sociable. For food his preference used to be gruel or pudding and milk, which he generally called for when he asked for entertainment There are many incidents told about him, a few of which we will here relate. One day while in the vicinity of Thom_ aston, Davis saw a moose which was entrapped by a line .
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snare. On firing at him the bullet severed the line and off ran the moose. The settlers of Belfast used to "thorn" him about it, when he would retort, that if they had their "deserts they would all have halters about their necks!" He had a peculiar distke to some of the Belfasters, and when he used to go there to sell moose meat and could not dispose of it, he used to point to the river and exclaim, significantly,-" Yes there's barring in the Bay !" With the settlers of Camden he was generally on good terms. His likes and dislikes were often governed by the merest childish caprices, as we might cite circumstances to prove. Withal, he was very superstitious as many of his action betokened, one of which was his bowing with great reverence at the sight of bread. In many instances he used to coin words to describe his ideas with. One night be sheltered himself beneath a wind-fallen tree, when a moose came along browsing over him; turning around, he fired at the intruder and broke his leg. The last he heard of him he said " he was running off with a ker shackelling noise."
He continued to lead the life of a hunter for about forty years, when he went and lived with his daughter, who had married a Mr. Partridge, who lived on a farm on the banks of the Eastern, or Penobscot river, where he spent his de- clining years. He attained the age of an octogenarian, and diel ac the home of his son-in-law, as we have been informed by one who visited him while there. The writer before alluded to says he died a pauper, but our aged authority affirms the opinion we have expressed above.
From the original materiel we have gathered relating to this " Leatherstocking " of the wilderness, we might lengthen this sketch, but for a further account we would refer the reader to Laton's Annals of Warren, page 208, and to our Sketches of the Early History of Belfast, No. 7.
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Nunbor Ix.
The first death in Camden-Emigration again flows Eastward-A scheme for obtaining settlers-The plan applied to Barrettstown-The induce- meuts offered to settle in Camden-Names of those who accepted said conditions-Sam'! Appleton and Nath'l Hosmer settle here-The Bachelors' Lodge-Appleton removes to Barrettstown-Returns to Boston and dies a millionaire-Hosmer hires out with a Mr. Brooks-Ereets a Cabin-Fol- lowed by Holmman and sister-A bit of Romance-A. Hoshier, sisters, Russell and Sartelle follow-The bridle path-Incident-A Bear incident -Wm. Molyneaux. Esq., purchases lands-Ereots his mills-liis noble descent-the society in which he moved-A fault-His love of nature- His place described-His Waltonian inclinations-Traits of character illus- trated-Modern excursionists-Anecdote-XL.'s marriage-His history in- vestigared-His death-A remark.
D URING the Revolution, a number of our settlers re- turned to the places whence they came. Among them was Ballard, and Gammans, who went to Boston, and a few others, whose names we cannot give.
Soon after the war, one of the early settlers, Philip Hilt, was drowned in Canaan Pond, which, we think, was the first death that occurred in the settlement.
After peace was restored, the tide of emigration, which had been checked by the war, began now again to flow eastward. For the purpose of obtaining occupants for their lands, the Twenty Associates, or Lincolnshire Company, as they were sometimes called, made an agreement for their procurement, with Charles Barrett, of New Ipswich, N. H. The present
* Dr Moses Dakin informs us that the name of Hope originated as fol- lows: When the township was first surveyed .-- by James Malcom, Erq., we think .- the four corners of it were designated by the letters H O P E. When preliminary Sous were taken for the plantation to Lo incorporated 2/3 town, it was decided to adopt the name of Hope, agreeably to the name thes fortuisously bestowed upon it on the surveyor & chart.
The first white male child born in Hope is said to be Sam'l Hewitt, who now resides in Rockland.
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town of Hope was divided into 120 lots of 160 acres each. Barrett was to build a meeting house and school house, and obtain 40 settlers, aud to have 80 lots out of the 120, thus leaving the Lincolnshire Company 40 shares. He gave said township the name of Barrettstown, which it retained until it was incorporated in 1804, when it received the name of Hope." The western part of Camden, came under the same apportion- ment as Barrettstown. The inducements offered by Barrett were these : Every settler was given 100 acres out of tha 160 for settling on said lots, and it was left as optional with them to purchase the remaining 60 acres. To ensure the improvement of these lands. there was a proviso inserted in the deeds, to the effect that if each settler did not clear up three acres, he should forfeit bis claim.
Among those who availed themselves of these indncements and settled in Hope and the back (or western) part of Cam- den, were the Saffords, Philbricks, Barretts, Mansfields, Hodg- mans, Russels, Hosmers and Appleton. We will notice a few of these names more specifically. Samuel Appleton of Boston, came here about the year 1783 or '86, in company with several of the above then young men; among whom was Nath'l Hosmer of Mason, N. H., and made a clearing on the now Elisha Mana- field place, where he erected a log hnt. Among those who shared the room of Appleton's cabin, we think was N. Hosmer, and several others, who thus lived in common until they cleared their respective lots. A Miss Chloe Robbins, who came from Union. kept house for them, and thus their cooking, washing, and household duties were attended to. Appleton after residing here about a year. went to Barrettstown. or Hope, and took up a claim where Thomas Perry now lives. After residing there about two years he became dissatisfied. and returned to Boston. As is well known, be afterwards rose to eminence as a merchant, and died a millionaire. The town of Appleton derived its name from him.
Nathaniel Hosmer when he came with Appleton. had put 25 cents left after defraying his expenses in getting here ; so to him it was like commencing anew in the world. After remaining in company with Appleton a short time, he hired out with a Mr.
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Brooks who owned a lot of land near where James Carle now lives. They boarded with widow Hilt. (whose husband was drowned as before remarked.) who lived on the old Hilt farm in the edge of Hope.
As before stated, Hosmer had accepted of the offer of one hundred acres made by Barrett, which he located on the place he afterwards occupied,-where his son, George Hosmer, now lives. He erected a cabin near the Pond in front of the present Hosmer homestead, and in the ensuing fall he visited his home in New Hampshire. The following spring he returned to Cam- den. accompanied by his sister Annie, and Job Hodgman. Hodgman worked on the place, and Annie acted as housekeeper. Hodgman afterwards married Annie. The same summer Hosmer erected a frame house, situated about twenty rods west of the present homestead.
Having thus obtained comfortable quarters, he started for New Hampshire again, where he went to claim the hand of one to whom he was affianced. Her parents were strongly opposed to the match. On a pretext, she visited a neighbor's; there prepared for the flight : soon after fled on board the vessel, and with her future protector, was in a few days the mistress of the home he had prepared for her in the wilderness. Her maiden name was Mary Blodgett. * Soon after, Mr. Hosmer's brother Asa, and his two other sisters followed him. Samuel Russell and John Sartelle, came immediately after, and marrying the above sisters, Eunice and Tabatha, settled in that vicinity.
At this time the road that led to the harbor was simply a bridle path, and crossed over by Molyneaux's, and thence to the foot of Megunticook stream. At one time Mrs. Hodgman was returning from the harbor, when night overtook her. Fastening her horse she laid down among the brush and leaves. and slept soundly till morning, when she arose and pursued her way home.
ยท In the Camden Advertiser of Jan. 30, 1852, (a newspaper then published here) will be found a tale entimed "Truth Stranger than Fiction, " -- written by "Frank," in which the details of said amour are given, but under fictitious names. About fitteen years after the event, the heroins of the story diedl, and Nancy Fay became Hosmer's second wife,'and now mrvives him.
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Bears, at this time, were more numerous in this vicinity than at the harbor, and were often very bold in their predal excur- sions, and were frequently seen near the houses. An instance is noted where Mr. Hosmer was one day returning from a neighbor's, and as he neared his barnyard he heard the lowing of the cattle, when presently a bear rushed from the enclosure, bearing a calf in his mouth. Before a gun could be obtained, bruin with his prey was out of sight and beyond reach.
About the year 1786, Wm. Molyneaux, Esq., of Boston, having purchased of the Lincolnshire Company the whole of Beauchamp Neck, and other parcels of land at the Harbor, together with the land at the foot of Canaan Pond, erected two mills, a grist and saw mill, on the stream at the egress of the pond. This lakelet is still known among our older citizens under the name then given it-Molyneaux's Pond. Mr. Moly- neaux did not settle here permanently until a number of years afterwards, but he used to frequently come down from Boston ' to attend to his business, and make excursions in fishing and hunting. He was said to have been of noble ancestry,-of the Huguenot stock,-and his parents were of those who left their fatherland for opinions' sake. Born in America, of wealthy parents, Molyneaux inherited largely those traits of character and qualities of mind peculiar to the French people, to which was added a polished education. This combination of quality gave him the manners and refined taste of a gentleman. Possessed of these courtly accomplishments, he moved freely in the society of the elite of his day, and was the companion and guest of some of the leading men of the Revolution, and of the aristocracy of New England. However, he did not approach the standard that constitutes the benu ideal of a gentleman, as certain defects and obliquities in his character materially marred it in several respects. Being very quick and impulsive in his disposition, especially when under the influence of exciting drink,-in which he occasionally indulged to excess-he would sometimes in his intercourse with his fellows, use indiscreet language and art with such impropriety as to end the affair with deep regret. But we would not dwell here, for judged by the lives of celebrated cotemporaries, who often conformed
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to the customs of those times, his excesses would be greatly palliated. A host of such names occurs to the mind of the intelligent reader, and we would let him pass with the crowd, appreciated for his merits, and not detested for his occasional obliquities of conduct.
Possessing a love for nature in her most romantic aspects, it is not a marvel that he selected the wild and rugged yet sublime spot for his residence which he did, at the foot of Negunticook * Pond. The exquisite beauty of the locality is appreciated by every enthusiastic lover of nature, and by the excursionist it will ever be regarded as a charming place of resort. In front of his house at the outlet of the pond, (or lakelet,) is a high elevation of' land, which divides the course of Megunticook stream, and is thus made an island. From the rocky summit of this cliffy island can be had a fine view of the lakelet and the meandering stream below, as well as of the surrounding picturesque scenery. Surrounded by such a combination of romantic rural charms, it was but natural that Molyneaux should not only become an admirer but a disciple of good old Izaak Walton. The angling rod and fowling piece were his principal sources of diversion, and for days at a time he would indulge in the sports derived from them. A young lad, (now the venerable Robt. Thorndike,) who used frequently to accompany Molyneaux on his hunting and piscatory rambles, remarks on the gentlemanly deference with which he always addressed him, by prefixing to his name the title of Master. On all occasions he was thus punetilious in the observance of the smallest courtesies of life, and on his excursions of pleasure he never forgot the dignity of a gentle- man. At the same time, however, he was always social and companionable, but not . unduly familiar. Accompanied by " Master" Thorndike, he used to follow the stream, or sail on the lakelet in his birch canoe, in quest of the finny tribes,
"And angle on."
*Cyunan Pond. (a= Woodford's map of Camden cilla it,) is called by the name of Negunticook Pond on an old chart of Camden we have examined. Such was the name it went by at the time alluded to, but i afterwards took the naine of Molyneaux's, next Cannan, and lastly the name of Lincolnville Pond
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We have sailed and angled there, and know somewhat of the enchantment of the place. To this day, Negunticook lake and . stream has been a favorite place of resort for "the brethren of the rod and line," and Waltonian Associations annually spend weeks there to indulge in the diversion of their *illustrious predecessor,"-Molyneaux.
Characteristic of Molyneaux, the following anecdote may be related: At one time while a man named Stackpole was at work for him, he intentionally disobeyed M.'s commands in several instances, and as he knew it irritated him he again repeated the act, when Molyneaux stepped into the house, got his gun, and loading it rushed towards S., (who was of a fearless disposition.) and presented the gun at him, when S. defiantly laid bare his breast and dared him to execute his menace. Finding the ruse would not accomplish the design of intim- idating him, M. shouldered his gun, and with a significant look, replied, "Lucky there were not a flock of such scamps; if there were, I would shoot one for an example for the rest !"
Molyneaux did not permanently locate here until the year 1794, at about which time he married, and brought his wife with him. As to what business he was engaged in previous to coming here we are not advised. We find in the Boston Gazette and County Journal of Jan. 8, 1781, an advertisement of W. & J. Molyneaux, who kept a store on State Street and dealt in . English and India Goods." We know that Moly- neaux had a brother John in Boston, where he frequently used to visit, and we are inclined to the opinion that the above partnership was between them. We also find in Drake's His- tory and Antiquities of Boston. (p. 637.) the name of Wm. Molyneaux signed to a memorial dated Dec. 19, 1760, as being one of the "principal business men of Boston." This name occurry in Drake's History on several important occasions and is often associated with such names as John Hancock, Samuel Adams, and James Otis. In conversing with Mr. Drake a few . months since in relation to the name thus mentioned by him in his History, he was of the opinion, or it was his impres- sion, that he was engaged in the coppersmith business. From allusions in his History of a subsequent date (on p. 752) we are
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convinced that it could not be our Molyneaux. The proba- bility is in favor of the merchant we have mentioned, as col- lateral circumstances would seem to indicate.
As some have supposed that our Molyneaux was the one mentioned in history as being an intimate triend of James Otis, and as but little is known as touching the life of this peculiar man, and as we deem it worthy of a more than usual notice, we have thought it proper thus to dwell upon and in- vestigate the facts of the case.
About the year 1800, while Molyneaux was in his canoe with a young man fishing on the pond in sight of his house, the canoe capsized and he was drowned, but the young man was saved by swimming ashore. Molyneaux was a good swim. mer, but it was supposed that his unfortunate habit had gained the ascendancy over his strength, and thus incapacitated him to put forth proper exertion to save himself. His hat fitting tightly on his head thus buoyed him from sinking, and was the means of finding his body.
Were we to judge of the character of Molyneaux simply by the company he kept, the style in which he lived, and by those he used to frequently entertain as guests and be enter- tained by in return, we should accord to him the title of a gentleman, as his surviving acquaintances and friends all con- tend that he well merited the distinction.
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Number X.
The first trader-His beginning-His partner-Dissolution of partner ship-Dergen removes to the Harbor-His brother-Dergen returns to Ireland-His successor-First physician-Names of places-Megunticock -Mecadducket-A tradition-Speculative thoughts-Signification of In- dian names- Pronunication-MIt. Batty-Megunticook mountain-Chick- ewakie -- [NOTE, on Indian names]-The first road laid out-[ NOTE: Origin of the name of Ducktrap)-Death of a traveler. .
ITO introduce to the reader the first trader who kept store in town, ;we will revert to the year 1783. During the above year an Irish sailor by the name of John Dergen was cast away upon the island of Grand Manan, and being badly frost-bitten, lost the most of his toes, and was thus made lame for life. Being thus disabled from following his vocation, he turned his attention to obtaining a livelihood upon the land. Proceeding to Boston in quest of employment, he fell in with one of his countrymen named Ward, when a plan was formed between them of turning what little effects they had into money and investing the same in goods, for the purpose of trying their luck in trafficking. With a small stock of goods they embarked in a vessel from Boston bound for Goose River. Because of Dergen's lameness it was agreed that Ward should travel about the country on foot as a pack-peddlar, while Dergen should remain at Goose River in the store ; which was in the unfinished framed house of Robt. Thorndike. In about nine months the partnership was dissolved, when Ward went to Boston, * and Dergen moved to the Harbor, where a store was fitted up for him by Jas. Richards on the site where Caleb Thomas' store stands. His stock consisted of such goods as are generally found in a country variety store. After trading here for seven or eight years, he sent for his brother in Ireland to
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