USA > Maine > Hancock County > Sullivan > Sullivan and Sorrento since 1760 > Part 2
USA > Maine > Hancock County > Sorrento > Sullivan and Sorrento since 1760 > Part 2
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32
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Mell P. Cleaves was appointed Superintendent of Schools with S. R. Downing and John Hall as subordinates.
There were five Constables as follows: John Perry, M. P. Cleaves, Charles Sargent, L. U. Bragdon and S. R. Downing.
Charles Sargent and George Mitchel are each fence viewers and truant officers. The same man that has very satisfactorily handled road affairs, considering the meagre sum appropri- ated, were Mell P. Cleaves. Fred Britton accepted the pound keeper's birth, and Ed. Connors, John Perry and John Stover are fire wardens.
The Bar Harbor Record has an illustrated sketch of this beau- tiful new town in this week's issue. A report of the town meet- ing the first ever held here, will be found elsewhere in this paper.
THE FIRST TOWN MEETING AND TOWN RECORDS
Loaned by Selectman Edwin W. Doyle
1789 Lincoln County to Mr. John Bane in the Town of Sullivan in the County of Lincoln, Yeoman.
Greeting :
In pursuance to and agreeably to the foregoing act you are hereby authorized and required in the name of the common- wealth to notify all the freeholders and other Inhabitants within the town of Sullivan qualified to vote in town affairs on the law that they assemble and meet together at the old meeting house near Salt water falls in the said Town of Sullivan on Tuesday instant, April at ten of the clock in the forenoon there and then to vote and act on the following particulars :
1. To choose a Moderator to regulate said meeting.
2. To choose a clerk.
3. To choose a Treasurer, Fourthly to choose all other town Officers as the law directs.
Given under the hand and seal of Alexander Campbell, Justice of the Peace, dated at No. 4 the 2nd day of April Anno Domini 1789.
By virtue of the warrant to me directed the inhabitants of the town of Sullivan are notified to meet at the time and place appointed and for the purpose above mentioned, April 14, 1789.
Agreeable to the foregoing warrant held a meeting at the time
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and place appointed and proceeded as follows Viz.
1. Chose: Ebenezer Bragdon as Moderator.
2. Chose: Thomas Moon as Clerk.
3. Chose: Capt. Paul Simpson, as Treasurer.
4. Chose: Jabez Simpson Mr. John Bean Mr. Agreen Crabtree
Selectmen Assessor Committee
5. Chose Mr. Asa Dyer
6. Chose Mr. John Preble
7. Chose Mr. William Crabtree
8. Chose Mr. William Wooster
9. Chose Mr. Agreen Crabtree
10. Chose Mr. Joseph Bragdon
11. Chose Mr. Richard Downing
12. Chose Mr. Morgan Jones
Surveyor of Roads.
13. Chose Mr. Jabez Simpson
14. Chose Mr. James Miller
15. Chose Capt. Paul Simpson
16. Chose Mr. Jabex Simpson-Collector of taxes and Con- stable.
17. Chose Mr. Samuel Bane
18. Chose Mr. Philip Hodgkins
Surveyor of Boards.
19. Chose Mr. William Gatcomb
20. Chose Mr. James Miller
21. Chose Mr. Ephrain Dyer
22. Chose Mr. Samuel Ball
23. Chose Mr. Nathiel Preble, Jr. Tithingmen
24. Chose Mr. James Miller
25. Chose Mr. John Bean, Jr.
26. Chose Mr. Henery Everett - Hog Reefs Fence
27. Chose Mr. Benjamin Welsh
28. Chose Mr. Joseph Lancaster
29. Chose Mr. Thomas Ash
30. Voted Ten Pounds to be raised by tax for the use of the Town.
31. Voted Capt. Paul Simpson Justice of the Peace.
These notify that Mr. John Bane and Merram Donal were
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To lay out Roads
Surveyor of land and roads.
married by the Rev. John Urguhart the 26th day of December 1789 as per his certificate bond.
Thomas Moon, Clerk
This may certify that William Ingolls and Olive Preble of this Town were married the 28th day of December 1789 by the Rev. John Urguhart as for his certificate bond.
Thomas Moon, Clerk
This may certify that Mr. Samuel Ball and Miss Phebe Urann was married the 2nd of October 1793 by the Rev. John Urgu- hart.
Amos Ames, Town Clerk
This may certify that Mr. Samuel Ingolls and Miss Abigail Wooster were married by me January 8, 1792, John Urguhart.
Amos Ames, Town Clerk
The Rev. John Urguhart Baptized two children the year 1794 for Robert Mercer in Sullivan. The names were Andrew and Betty.
The Rev. Hilsley Baptized one in the year 1796. His name was Robert.
To the Honorable, the Justice of the Courts of general actions of the Peace for the County of Hancock to be holden at Castine within and for said County on the third Tuesday of December A. D. 1813, Respectfully represents the inhabitants of Sullivan in said County.
After the death of Daniel Sullivan June 21, 1783, the town was confirmed to the settlers upon their payment of 1.205 pounds sterling, consolidated notes into the treasury. A small portion of the territory, nine thousand acres, being reserved in 1800, when the Legislature modified its grant to Bowdoin and Wil- liams Colleges. Before the Revolution there were forty families within its limits. These at its close had been reduced to twenty.
At a meeting duly named at the meeting house this 11th day of December A. D. 1813 in persuance of the above warrant. Voted John Bean as moderator of said meeting. Voted that the same be prefered to the Court of session next to be held at Castine within and for the County of Hancock on the third Tues- day of December instant. Voted that Mr. Robert Gordon be
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the Agent to present said Memorial and the same to support by himself or by an Attorney by him appointed.
Paul D. Sargent, Clerk
Lincoln County to Mr. John Bane of New Bristol No. 2 East- side of Union River. Greetings.
By virtue of warrant to me Directed by Nath (blotted) Esq. Treasurer of the said County of Lincoln have hereby required in name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, to warn and no- tify the free holders and other inhabitants within the Plantation qualified to Vote in Town affairs as the Law directs to assemble and meet to gather at the old meeting house near the Saltwater Falls on Tuesday, thirtieth day of March instant at ten o'clock in the forenoon for the purpose of choosing a moderator and also to choose three suitable persons for assessors for collector for the present year to order to assure and collect the sum of eight pounds, nine shillings and eight pence which is said plantations proportion of the County tax, granted and agreed upon at the County general session of the Peace Holden at Walworth. (County seat Bangor) in and for said county in September 1787 to be paid into the County Treasury as soon as may there of. You will not fail and make return to m - - s warrant and of your doings thereon and of the Doings of said Plantation as soon as may be given under my hand and seal at No. 4 the fifth day of March in the year of our Lord 1789.
A true copy of a Warrant from
Alexander Campbell
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
In the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty-nine, an act for incorporating the Plantation of Number Two on the East side of Union River in the County of Lincoln, into a town by the name of Sullivan. Be it enacted by the Sen- ate and those of Representatives in the General Court assembled and by the Authority of the same that the Plantation No. 2 on the East Side of Union River and included within the bound- aries here after mentioned, beginning on Frechman's Bay at the South East corner of Township No. 1 and bourder on the West by said Township No 1, on the North by Township No 8 and on
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No 9 on the East by Township No 7 and on the South by Goulds-borough and Frenchman's Bay. So the bounds began at including Island A, Bean's Island, Dram's Island, Preble's Island, Bragdon's Island, Brount Island, Black Island, and Seward's Island together with the inhabitants (thereof) be and they are hereby incorporated into a town by the name of Sullivan and the said Town is hereby invested with all the Powers, privileges and immunities which other towns in this Commonwealth by law do or may enjoy. And be it farther enacted that Alexander Campbell Esq. be and hereby is impowered to issue his warrant. Directed to some principal Inhabitant of the said Town of Sul- livan requiring him to Notify the inhabitants there-of to meet at such time and place as he shall therein appoint to choose all such officers as Towns are by law required to choose at this meeting.
March 17, 1795 Amos Ames, Town Clerk; John Bane, Mod- erator; Samuel Bean, Treasurer; Joseph Bragdon and William Crabtree, Selectmen; voted to build meeting house and school house.
Know all men that we the Subscribers have agreed to erect and build a house for the Worship of Almighty God and the schooling of our children and for any other use that the Mager Part of us shall think fit to. We do by these Presents Covanant agree to and with each other to pay the Several sums set there against our Names on demand Namely one hundred and forty dollars to Agreen Crabtree for the Seting up of the frame shing- ling the roof on top of said house making and having one above. Laying the upper floor, single and the lower floor double and putting four window frames, fifteen squares in each frame well filled with staples and glass and the remainder part of our money that we shall raise by subscription in other ways to be laid out as the mager part of us. The Propriaters shall think fit and each and every one of us is to own or have as our property in propor- tion to which we have here set our several names both of the Land and all the Privileges that there Belongeth to the same having reference to one acre of Land deeded to us by Mr. Samuel Ball and Capt. Stephen Young, and in testemony of our certain agreement to the above instrument we Severly Now Suscribe our Names.
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Oliver Wooster £3-0-0
Philip Hodgkins
2-0-0
Agreen Crabtree 6-0-0
Samuel Ball 2-10-0
William Crabtree 5-10-0
Stephen Young
5-0-0
Robert Mercer
2-10-0
Edward Pettingell
1-10-0
James Leland
1-0-0
Daniel Harris
1-0-0
George Crabtree
1-10-0
David Wooster
1-10-0
Samuel Hodgkins
1-0-0
Morgan Jones
2-0-0
Betty Cook
2-10-0
William Harrison
2-10-0
William Wooster
5-0-0
A true copy from Town Records
In Senate February 16, 1789, this Bill having two several read- ing passed to be enacted Samuel Phillips, President.
John Hancock, Esq. Governor;
This is a true copy of one attested by John Avery, Secretary Attest Thos. Moon, Town Clerk.
John Hancock, an American statesman was born at Quincy, Mass. January 12, 1737. He became a prominant merchant in Boston, having received a large fortune from an uncle in whose counting house he had been trained. He was a member of the Legislature of Massachusetts in 1766. He was president of the Continental Congress, and his name stands first on the Declara- tion of Independence. During the Revolutionary War, he was major-General of Militia, serving in Rhode Island in 1780 he was made the first governor of the state of Massachusetts, to which office, with the exception of two years, he was re-elected every year until his death. He was a fluent speaker and a dignified presiding officer. His large fortune he used liberally. He died at Quincy, Mass. October 8, 1793. Hancock County, Maine named in honor of Gov. John Hancock.
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Maine, the most eastern state of the Union belonging to the New England group, admitted to the Union, March 15, 1820.
The State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Auto (Uni- versity of Maine) at Orono on the Penobscot, founded in 1868; Bowdoin college at Brunswick opened in 1802, with a state en- dowment; Colby University at Waterville 1818, Bates College at Lewiston 1864.
The French made the first settlement 1604, and Capt. John Smith in 1616, took possession of the Monhegan Island, an Eng- lish colony was formed on the Piscataque River in 1623; and in 1639, Charles I gave Sir Ferdinand Gorges a charter of the region between the Piscataque and the Kennebec, under the title of the "Province of Maine."
Massachusetts claimed the region under her charter, and in 1677 bought out the interest of the Gorges making it a part of Massachusetts until 1820 when Maine was admitted into the Union.
Warrant for Representative, Question of the Separation of Maine to Nahum Hill one of the Constables of the Town of Sullivan.
Greeting
You are hereby required in the name of the commonwealth of Massachusetts to notify and warn the Inhabitants of the said Town of Sullivan duly qualified to vote for Representative in the General Courts of said Commonwealth to assemble at the Town House in said Town near the Ferry on the fourth Monday of July at 2 o'clock P. M. To give in their votes for a Representa- tive of the People of the Commonwealth in the Congress of the United States fourth Eastern District.
And also to give in their Votes on the following questions No. 2. Is it expedient that the District of Maine shall become a separate and Independant State upon the Towns and constitu- tion provided in an act entitled an act relating to the Separation of the District of Maine from Massachusetts proper and form- ing the same into a separate and Independent State.
Given under our Hands and Seals this 12th day of July 1819
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Presented the within warrant I have Notified the Inhabitants of the Town of Sullivan
Jabez Simpson 1 Robert Mercer
Selectmen of Sullivan
True Copy according to Law.
George Hinman
Attest
Nahum Hill Constable John Sargent, Town Clerk
Agreeable to the foregoing Warrant the Inhabitants of Sul- livan met at the time and place and for the purpose therein mentioned to give in the following Votes for Representative to Congress.
Honorable John William
Twenty-three Leonard Jarvis, Esq.
Martin Kingsley
Five
against Separation Thirty-three
for Separation Thirty
True Copy attest
John Sargent, Town Clerk
To Nahum Hill one of the Constables of the Town of Sullivan- Greeting
You are hereby required in the name of the commonwealth of Massachusetts to notify and warn the inhabitants of the said Town of Sullivan all such as are hereby required by Law to vote for Representative to assemble at the Town House in said town near the Ferry on the third Monday of September instant at two of the clock in the afternoon for the following purpose to choose a delegate to meet with other delegates in the contem- plated new State of Maine at the court house in Portland on the second Monday of October next to form a Constitution or form of Government of said new State.
Given under our hands at Sullivan the sixth day of Sept. A. D. 1819
Robert Mercer
Jabez Simpson Selectmen of
George Hinman Sullivan
Presented to the within warrant I have so notified and warned the inhabitants of the Town of Sullivan such as are qualified to
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Eleven
vote in choosing of Representative to assemble at the time and place according to Law.
Nahum Hill, Constable.
Agreeably to the above warrant met and provided to the specified business by 1. choosing George Hinman Town Clerk protem.
To Choose George Hinman for a deligate to meet with the others at Portland, above
September 20, 1819
George Hinman, Town Clerk protem
To Nahum Hill one of the Constables of the Town of Sullivan in the County of Hancock and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Greeting.
You are hereby commanded in the name of the common- wealth to notify and warn the preholders and other inhabitants of said Sullivan qualified by Law to vote in town meetings to meet at the town house near the falls on Monday the sixth day of December next at ten o'clock in the forenoon to signify by written votes their approbation or disapprobation of the Consti- tution framed and made by the Convention of Delegates from the several towns in the District of Maine held at Portland in October last which Constitution is known by the state and title of the Constitution of the State of Maine and is on said 6th of December to be put to the People of Maine for their adoption on negation.
INCIDENTALS FROM TOWN RECORDS
To see what the town will do concerning the school lot so called which matter was adjourned at the last annual meeting.
Given under our hands and seals at Sullivan the twenty- fourth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight-hundred and nineteen.
Robert Mercer
George Hinman Selectmen
Pursuant to the within warrant, I have notified and warned the inhabitants of the town of Sullivan such as are qualified to vote in choise of representative to assemble at the time and place appointed.
Nahum Hill, Constable
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At a meeting legally warned and held for the purpose on Sat- urday March 11, 1820. The following preamble and resolves were passed without a dissenting vote. Henry Sawyer having been chosen Moderator and Jabaz Simpson, Town Clerk protem.
Whereas an order of notice has been issued by the Honorable Court of Sessions within and for the County of Hancock on the petition of Nathan Shaw and forty-five others praying that a ferry may be established in this town near Capt. Thomas Gor- don's which order has been served on the town clerk requiring this town to show cause if any why the prayer of the said petition should not be granted.
Voted that Hiram Emery be agent to act for the town at the next session of the court.
Sullivan March 11, 1820 Jabez Simpson, Town Clerk protem
On February 16, 1789, the General Courts of said Common- wealth of Massachusetts, formally organized Township 3, or the Plantation of Gouldsboro, as a Town in the County of Lincoln. The County not bearing General Hancock's name until June 25, 1789, Maine became a state in 1820. Hancock post office called Sweetland before seperated from Sullivan.
July 19, 1809: Article 4 - That the selectmen be em- powered by act of legislature for the purpose of deeding to pro- prietors and settlers their Lots in said town be called upon to lay before the Town their doings thereon.
Article 4 - answered by Jabez Simpson that he had received money on the deeds given to settlers and that he would speedily make out and settle with the treasurer required by the act em- powering the selectmen of Sullivan to make deeds to proprietors and Settlers. The proposition of Jabez Simpson accepted to wit, that he would repay the moneys on any persons producing a receipt from the collector Jabez Simpson.
6. Jabez Simpson appointed to keep the Town stock of am- munition.
Attest, Paul D. Sargent, Town Clerk.
Report of the Selectmen of the Town of Gouldsboro and Sul- livan on the preambulation of town line Oct. 30th 1883, assisted
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by George Simpson as surveyor. Persuant to notice met at the store of George Bunker and a hearing of interested parties estab- lished the fact that the fence on division line between lands of the late James McCrate and Jonas Goodwin was the correct line we adopted, the same course South 82 degrees East and made a new line after leaving said fence, spotting trees and mak- ing said spot by a circle thus (0) cut by a marking iron, Con- tinuing said course we find old line in swamp, which near the east end veers about two degrees to the North, on the rise of land just east of said swamp we find corner boundary, it being a stake and stones near an old pine stub being marked 1854-1960 etc. We put up a new stake marked P. O. 1886 as the North cor- ner of Gouldsboro, the South east corner of Sullivan and South west corner of Plantation No. 7.
Barnaey B. Havey and Nathanial Noyes, Selectmen of Sullivan
A. R. Joy and R. R. Joy, Selectmen of Gouldsboro.
A written permit was granted to The New England Telephone and Telegraph Company, a corporation established and existing under the laws of the State of New York and doing business in the State of Maine to construct and maintain its lines and run wires along any of the highways and public roads in the Town of Sullivan. Petition filed in the office of the Town Clerk on the 15th day of July A. D. 1892.
Signed by the Selectmen of Sullivan: Gilbert E. Simpson, Henry Boynton and G. F. Hooper. Henry Boynton, Town Clerk.
On Oct. 22nd 1880 the selectmen run a line between Planta- tion No. 7 and the Town of Sullivan with marks and bounds surveyed by Gilbert Simpson, George W. Pettingill, Sherman R. Downing, Selectmen of Sullivan and A. B. Havey and E. W. Johnson, Selectmen of Plantation No. 7.
Nathanial Noyes, Town Clerk.
Jabez Simpson had the first Post Office on the site where Emery and Harriet Albee now live. Mail came but once a week. It must have been in the early 1800, for that was when Jabez Simpson was in his prime as you can see the records of his acti- vities.
The Annual Town Meeting was held at East Sullivan Grange
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Hall, Monday March 8, 1926, and the following officers were elected for the ensuing year and the following amounts of money raised: Moderator, Edward E. Bragdon; Selectmen, Galen Ha- vey, Eugene C. Hanna and Angus Milne. The selectmen were also chosen as assessors, overseers of the poor and fire wardens; Treasurer, Pearl Tripp; Collector of Taxes, Benjamin C. Baker; Road Commissioners, Archie O. Bunker, District No. 1; William R. Hanna, District No. 2; Member of the school committee Clarence W. Havey; Trustees of York Hill Cemetery B. C. Baker; Trustee of George Gordon Cemetery, James Scott; $3,000 for common schools; $700. for text books; $3,000. for High School; $500. for repairs of school buildings; $700. for support of poor; $1,300. for incidental expenses; $200. for side walks; $3,000. for roads; $1,000. to pay out-standing notes and interest; $7,000. in anticipation of taxes; $100. for advertising the natural re- sources, advantages and attractions of the State of Maine. This matter brought forth considerable discussion.
A bountiful dinner was served to over two hundred people by the ladies of the Grange. After dinner two collections were taken for deserving causes; one for a citizen who was ill and the other for prize money for the Boys and Girls 4H Club. $28. raised for each. Dissatisfaction arose and the Boys and Girls gave $10. of their amount to the former cause.
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MILITARY
Revolutionary War
The military history of these towns during the Revolutionary War centers largely around Daniel Sullivan, one of the founders of the towns named for him, who raised a company of militia during the early part of the war and had them stationed at Wankeag Point, where he lived for the defense of that section. In 1779 Captain Sullivan was in command of his company at the siege of Bagaduce (Castine) remaining until after the defeat there of the American forces under the command of Lovell and Salstonstall, when he returned home. He remained in command of his men, acting under Captain John Allen of Machias, until he was taken prisoner by the British February 24, 1781. In Col. Allen's report at Machias, where he commanded a Revolutionary force, mention is made of Captain Sullivan's coming from Frenchman's Bay September 13, 1777 with drafted militia for service there, and of his coming again November 13, 1777.
During the time Capt. Sullivan was at Wankeag Point (Sor- rento) he kept his men in readiness for service and inflicted several heavy blows on the British.
The following is a copy of a letter written by Capt. Daniel Sullivan of Wankeag Point (Sorrento) later called New Bristol and then Sullivan, to Col. Alexander Campbell of Cherryfield, Maine.
Frenchman's Bay the 28th of July, 1779
Sir:
Yesterday three men set off from here to get news, one of them has got back, went no further than Col. Hall's where they met Col. Hall's son direct from Bagaduce (Castine) with an express for all the militia east that our armed vessels is forty-five in num- ber, amongst them the Berlong, which the Boston has taken. She is now fixed out and down river. They have landed six thous- and men, surrounded them, the Captain of the Boston killed in battle with the Berlong and the Berlong's Lieutenant. I am now setting off with all the men I can muster and any men you send and see fit to send to me to join my company, I will do my best
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for them. The schooner that has plagued us so went off last night.
So I am with greatest respect your most humble servant,
Signed, Daniel Sullivan
The men that turns out now is to be under pay and ration and travel allowed and share of all plunder. Our army is build- ing a fort this side of Bagaduce; let the men come by Bluehill. Rolls of men under command of Captain Daniel Sullivan, of Sullivan, in the Revolutionary War 1777-1780.
Number 1
Roll of Captain Daniel Sullivan's Company of Militia in Col. Foster's Regiment in the County of Lincoln, (Hancock) who marched to Machias three different times, 50 per cent bounty 1777.
Captain Daniel Sullivan; Lieuts. Jasper McFarland, Asa Dyer, and John Bean; Srgt's. Samuel Hodgkins, Eben Berry, Judah West, Thomas Richardson, Benjamin Libby, Reuben Abbott, Oliver Wooster, Robert Ash, and Moses Abbott; Privates Samuel Ball, Benjamin Clark, David Simpson, Lemuel Clark, Josiah Googins, Samuel Milliken, Ephram Haynes, Peter Godfrey, Thomas Googins, Stephen Hardison, Phillip Martin, Daniel Scammon, Peter Abbott, John Mahoon, Samuel Johnston, Wil- liam Slater, Samuel Preble, Jerek Parrydon,
Nathaniel Hardison, James Bean, William Wooster, John Wil- liams, Moses Bartler, Stephen Clark, Nathaniel Preble, Benjamin Welch, Benjamin Ward, Tilly White, Daniel Richardson, Richard Parsons, Samuel Reed, John Manchester, Jona Rodick, Samuel Jordan, Jno. Barnes, Moses Bartler, Jno. Johnston, Thomas Ash, Joshua Bickford, and John Springer.
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