USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Portland > The Portland reference book and city directory, 1850-51 > Part 17
USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Portland > The Portland reference book and city directory, 1850-51 > Part 17
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Mr. Nathan Gould had his les broken to-day, by being caught in the machinery of the Atlantic Engine, while the Company were playing her, near the head of Deer Street.
Of the one hundred and eighty square rigged vessels owned here, not one is in our harbor, fair winds for departing, having prevailed for several days in succession. A gallery of Paintings has just been opened for exhibition in the Exchange, by Mr. C. O. Cole,and another at 67 Exchange Street, hoth creditable to the community.
19th. Last evening, a large building in Brunswick, near the lower falls, owned by Gens. Humphrey and Dunlap, was destroyed by fire. .
20th. Mr. Newcomb of North Yarmouth, met with his death, by being jambed between the cars.
26th. Horace Greeley of the New York Tribune, delivered a lecture before the Portland Lyceum this evening.
31st. Semi-annual Bank dividends, announced to-day-Canal Rank 3 per cent., Casco 3, Merchants 4, Manufacturers & Traders 4, Bank of Cumberland 4.
APRIL.
2d. The deaths in the city, last year, were 227 males, 182 females; total 409.
3d. Anunal city election-Charles Q. Clapp, democratic candidate for Mayor, J. B. Cahoon, Whig candidate -- no choice.
Rev. Mr. Hadley, recently entered on his duties as Unitarian minister at large for the city.
5 th. The Annual State Fast.
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6th Last night between 12 and 1 o'clock, the stable on Lime Street, occupied by Mr Nathan Ilsley, for the storage of hay, and the carpenters shop of Mr. Moses Russel, were destroyed by fire, and the contiguous buildings were much damaged.
9th. A fire last night, nearly destroyed the tavern stand of Mr. Israel Hunt, corner of Portland Street and old County Road.
The steam boat Elizabeth, recently commenced running between Maine Wharf and the Ferry Village, the first attempt at steam ferryage in this quarter.
18th. James B. Cahoon was elected Mayor by the two Boards of the city Coun- eil, no choice having been affected after two trials by the people.
19th. Messrs. Boyd & Hanson. riggers, and Mr. Hiram Brooks, cooper, were burned out last night, on Union Wharf.
20th. The " first salmon" of the season, at the Elm House.
30th. Mr. Ebenezer Ryerson, Mason, while at work making morter on one of the wharves, fell in appoplectic fit and expired immediately.
MAY.
Ist. Several parties from the city, visited Graves's Hill, and "May Queens" were there crowned with the trailing arbutus, or May flower, according to time honored customs, amidst music, mirth and enjoyment.
2d. By the thermometrical record published to. day. it appears, that the April just past, was two degrees colder than the average of this month for thirty years previous.
3d Fires to-day at the dwelling house of Ephraim Wentworth, Washington St, and in the attic of the House of Correction ; damaged in both ca ses, inconsiderable.
7th Wm. Huse and Jacob Clark, were this evening, elected Deputy Marshals.
Charles E. Beckett, Geo. A. Thayer and J. L Kelly, were licensed to sell ardent spirits fer mechanical and medicinal purposes.
8th A telegraphic despatch from Washington, announced the appointment of Luther Jewett to the Collectorship.
12th The citizens, through the ballot box, authorized the sale of the Exchange building for $149,000, to the General Government, 610 in favor to 85 opposed.
14th Last night, the coopers shop of Edwin Fernald, on Maine Wharf, and the coopers shops of Chase & Cushing, and James L. Boyd on Stone Wharf, were de- stroyed by fire.
Subsequently to the fire, occurred one of the heaviest gales experienced in this sec- tion for years, during which, the sch. Superior of Bristol was driven on Half Way Rock, and went to pieces, and a child of Mrs. Eliza French, a passenger, was drowned, while the crew and Mrs French, with much difficulty reached the rock, where they remained some thirty hours, before they were rescued.
18th Last night, the brick building on Union Street, occupied by Knowlton & Munn carpenters, and Wm Graves. Jeather dresser, was much damaged by fire.
News was received that Dr Cooledge, the murderer of Matthews, had committ- ed suicide.
23d A wooden house belonging to Nathan Winslow, in rear of 241 Congress Street, and near the First Parish Church, was destroyed by fire, between 12 and 1 o'clock this morning.
31st Bartholemew's Panorama of a voyage to Scotland, commenced exhibiting at the Exchange Hall.
JUNE.
Ist Joshua Dunn entered upon his duties as Post Master.
2d The Hutchinsons gave a Concert at the City Hall.
3d Yesterday a tract of wood and pasture land, about twenty acres in extent, be- longing to Mr Nahum Ficket and others, about two miles from Stroudwater Village, was convulsed in a most singular manner. In one place, the ground sank away nearly forty feet ; scores of trees were carried hundreds of feet from where they grew, and broken up and heaped together in the utmost confusion; and in one
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EVENTS IN 1849.
section, it seemed as though a huge plow had ripped up the surface, turning out the forest trees and undergrowth, as though they were reeds and grass, and laying fur- rows fifteen feet deep. Some ascribed the convulsion to a small neighboring stream undermining the ground, others, with more plausibility, considered it the work of gasses, striving to escape from beneath.
6th A Free Soil Convention was held at Lewiston. Geo F Talbot was nomi- nated candidate for Governor.
An old cellar on the farm of Mr Peter Lunt, at Back Cove, was recently dis- covered to have been dug over, and in one place, the ground bore an impress corres. ponding to a medium sized old fashioned iron pot with lega It is surmised that money concealed there long years before, perhaps the proceeds of some robbery, was exhumed and carried away, as two or three strange individuals were noticed a few days previously hanging about the locality.
16th This morning a foul murder was committed in a barn at Back Cove, on the person of an Irishman, name unknown. A person passing in the vicinity of the barn just as the day was dawning-about 4 o'clock-heard a noise within, as of two persons struggling, but did not like to venture in alone; and when subsequently he with others went to the barn, they found the body as above stated, cut and gashed in the most horrible manner. The murdered man and his fiendish companion had probably slept in the barn on the hay.
2Ist A fire last evening on Oak Street, near its junction with Congress Street, de- stroyed a building belonging to Mr. Charles Blake, and damaged three or four others.
22d The "Stark Guards" from Manchester, N. H., arrived here last evening, and encamped on Mt Joy.
While digging the garden of Wm Pitt Fessenden, a laborer turned up a piece of metal, which on removing the mould with which it was encrusted, proved to be a shilling piece of the reign of Queeu Elizabeth, dated 1579. It was probably drop- ped there by some of .he early settlers of the country.
26th The festival of St John the Baptist, was celebrated by the Masonic frater- nity of this State and New Hampshire, with a grand parade to-day, and dinner on Mt. Joy. B. B. French of Washington, delivered the address. .
29th Yesterday and to-day, a State Convention of the Democratic party have been in session at the City Hall. John Hubbard was nominated candidate for the Gubernatorial Chair.
JULY.
2d. The new Theatre in Union Street, (Umpire Block) called the Portland Mu- seum, was opened for the first time this evening.
4th Independence day-was celebrated by the City Authorities with more than ordinary ceremonies. The bells were rung and cannon were fired at sunrise, noou, and sunset. A grand procession was formed at 10 o'clock, A M composed of the Engine, and other companies, connected with the Fire Department, the several literary and benevolent societies of the city, &c-said to be the finest array ever witnessed here. After marching through some of the principal streets, this proces- sion proceeded to an immense canvass Pavilion erected on Mount Joy, where speeches were delivered, interspersed with music from the City Brass Bands, and Glee singing. In the evening there was a grand display of Fire Works on the hill, in front of the Observatory.
A neat silver pitcher was presented to Wm. H. Ayres, late Ist. Director of Vol- unteer Engine Co. No. 3, by the Company, as a testimonial of the esteem which the Company bore towards him. The company with invited guests, sat down to a choice dinner, at their new hall, corner of Market and Milk Streets, on the coca- sion.
6th. The locomotive on the down train from Lewiston, yesterday afternoon, be" came detached from the train, by the breaking of the connecting bolt, and the sud" den jerk caused thereby threw the engineer from the locomotive, who, as he fell accidentally opened the valve, letting the full force of the steam on the locomotive. The locomotive freed from all incumbrances, shot off at a tremendous speed, but after running about thirteen miles, came to a halt for want of a supply of fuel.
The newspapers announce the death of Joseph T. Sherwood, for many years Brit- ish Consul at this port. He died yesterday at the age of 59.
Ilth. Thermometer at noon to-day, stood 97 above zero.
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EVENT3 IN 1849.
13th. A published list of the tax payers, show that 190 are assessed sums varying from $100 to $3035.
14th. Thermometer run up to 100 1-2.
A man named James Smith, a Nova Scotian by birth, died in consequence of ex- posure to the heat, in Portland Street, near the Alms House.
15th. But twelve deaths are reported by the Superintendant of Burials, out of the 20,000 citizens of Portland, for the last month-this while the Asiatic Cholery is sweeping off hundreds per day in some cities of the Union.
16th. The atmosphere very clear-the planet Venus, was to be seen almost the whole day, with the naked eye.
17th. The Deluge Engine Company went on a trip to Bath.
19th. One of the Powder mills at Gorham, blew up to-day abont noon, and a workman named Hatch, was shockingly burned and mangled.
25th. The sabbath school children, and others connected with the Federal Street Sabbath School, went on a pic nic excursion to North Yarmouth, by the way of the cars.
The new wharf at the Montreal Rail Road station has just been completed.
27th. This morning about 3 o'clock, a cannon which had been taken from the Fun house, was discharged at the house of a colored man named King, on Mouut Joy, by some persons unknown. It was loaded with five six-pound balls, one of which passed through the head board of the bed on which King and his wife were sleeping. There had been trouble in the vicinity, on the night of the 4th, and it was supposed this act was perpetrated in revenge.
The Sons of Temperance had a grand celebration in this city to-day.
31st. The woods and underbrush of the Swamp just beyond the Boston Rail Road Bridge, have been on fire for a week past, and a space one mile in breadth by wo in length, has been burut over.
AUGUST.
3d. Hon. Stephen Longfellow, for many years a conspicuous lawyer of the Cum berland Bar, and once a member of Congress, breathed his last, at the age of 73.
4th. At the recommendation of the President of the United States, a public fast was held throughout the country, in reference to the Cholera.
7th. Rev. J. J. Curruthers of this city, delivered the annual Oration before the Literary Fraternity at the Waterville College commencement to-day.
The annual meeting of the Atlantic and St. Lawrence Rail Road corporation was held at the City Hall, to-day.
10th. A fire this morning destroyed the hotel on Preble Street, called the Preble Street House, damaged two other buildings, and consumed a large quantity of sbooks, shingles, &c.
11tb. The Center Street Iron Foundry and Machine Shop, of Mesers. E. Orcut & Co., were destroyed by fire.
After an unprecedented drouth of nearly four months, this section was visited with a copious rain.
13th. The Washington Hook and Ladder Company went on an excursion to Bos. on, via Steamer John Marshall
The boot and shoe store of Messrs. Bell & Elder, on Middle Street, was broken open and robbed to the value of $60.
16th. The Torrent Engine Company went on an excursion to Gardiner.
17th. This morning, between 3 and 4 o'clock, two banrs belonging to Mr. Isaac Ilsley, just beyond Back Cove Bridge, were destroyed by fire.
The Casco Engine Company No. I, left, per steamer, on an excursion to Ban- gor. A Free Soil Convention was held at North Yarmouth, yesterday. Charles A. Stackpole, Marshall Cram, Jos. W. Parker and Meshack Humphrey, were nom- inated candidates for County Senators .
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19th. Between 12 and 1 o'clock this morning a house belonging to Joshua Rich- ardson, and barn occupied by J. S. Myers & Co., on Congress Street, Mount Joy, were destroyed by fire.
22d. A Whig County Convention was held in this city to day. Seth Storer, Al. vah Maraton, Marshal Cram and Oliver M. Cook, were nominated candidates for Senators.
Mr. Akers, the young sculptor, recently finished a head of Samnel Bradley-a fine specimen of art, and probably the first ever wrought in this city.
25th. The Portland Light Infantry Company, was reorganized last evening, by the election of Samuel J. Anderson, Captain, Charles C. Harmon, Ist. Lieut., H. P. Deane, 2d. Lieut., E. A. Marreti, 3J 'Lieut., Albion Witham, 4th Lieut.
SEPTEMBER.
Mr. Spencer a psycological lecturer at the City Hall, has recently been aston- ishing his auditories with his wonderful power over his subjects.
5th. The annual Commencement at Bowdoin College.
6th. The Portland Light Infantry, paraded in their new uniform, for the first time to-day.
Mr. Henry Bibb, a fugitive slave, delivered an address on the enormity of slave- ry, this evening.
7th. A Convention of colored people of Maine and New Hampshire, was held at the Abyssinian Church yesterday-object to unite upon some general method of ac- tion, in regard to the abolition of slavery, &c.
The Einpire Engine Association of Lynn, arrived in our city on a visit to day, and were received by the Portland Engine Company No. 5.
The Volunteer Engine Company raised a flag staff in front of their house, 110 feet in height.
Up to to-day, 55 deaths have occurred of Cholera in Bangor.
10th. Last night the notorious kouse of King on Mount Joy, was the centre of a disgraceful riot-during which some twelve or fourteen persons were badly wound- ed, by fire arms, and one, a Capt. Snow, was killed-and this afternoon one of the houses of King, maugre the presence of the Police, was set on fire and burned to the ground.
11th. Last night, the joiner shop of Messrs. Cummings & Brock, in the rear of the Ist Parish church, was destroyed by fire, together withea large stock of window frames, doors, &c.
13th. The Pioneer Engine Company No. 1, of Biddeford visited our city.
17th. Madame Biscaccianti, gave a Concert at the Exchange Hall.
Mr. L. G. S. Boyd discovered a large wild Cat, in his garden, which he shot at and wounded ; the animal however, made off, and Mr. B. pursued and shot at and killed him, as he was endeavoring to get through a fence on Brackett Street.
Two hundred and seventy-one vessels were counted at anchor, in our harbour on the 16th, and the docks showed a perfect forest of masts.
19th. The Cape Cottage was destroyed by fire last night.
22d. Last night two saw mills at Saccarappa, belonging to Messrs. Walker and Warren, were destroyed by fire.
27th. Last night, a barn containing 30 tons of hay, belonging to Thomas War- ren, on Mount Joy, was destroyed by fire-the work of an incendiary.
28th. The barn of Joshua Haskell, on Oxford Street, was destroyed by fire last night.
OCTOBER.
21. A fleet of Three Hundred Vessels was seen off our harbor from the Obser- vatory to-day, catching mackerel. To the naked eye, they presented the appear- ance of an immense city.
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3d. The anuual Fair and Cattle Show of the Cumberland County Agricultural and Horticultural Society, commenced in this city to day, to be continued three days. Gen. H A. S. Dearborn of Roxbury, Mass., delivered the Address for the occasion .- Much interest seemed to be felt in regard to the object of the Society, and the exhibition of agricultural implements, and articles of mechanical and house- hold skill, was large-while that of the Cattle was equal, at least, to those of for- mer occasions.
7th. A severe storm to-day, from the North Eastward.
8th. The store of Mr. C. P. Ingraham, was broken open last night, his safe was blowed to pieces by gun powder, and six hundred dollars was taken therefrom. The robber left a note on the store blotter -- as follows :- " Mr. Ingraham :- We have got your money, and if you say anything about it, we will have your life. We know you like a book-no more at present from A Goodfellow."
The Torrent Engine Company of Bath, visited our city and were received by the Deluge Company, and entertained with a supper at the City Hall.
11th. The annual convention of the Unitarians of the North, commenced its sittings in this city yesterday, and closed this evening by a social levee and a supper, at the Exchange Hall.
16th. The Gov. Brooks Engine Company of Medford, Mass., visited the city to-day.
A cannon ball was recently dug up in the Western Cemetery, probably one thrown ashore by Mowatt, during his bombardment of the place, in 1776.
221. An Englishman, named Frederick Strickland, day before yesterday missed his way among the White Mountains-( while descending from Mount Washing- ton) and perished from exposure.
25th. An exhibition of fancy dancing and tableaux vivants, was held at Union Hall, this evening, under the direction of Mr. Foster, in which over one hundred masters and misses, on costume, took part. Some of the tableaux, were very beau - tiful.
30th. During the Southerly gale last night, a new house belonging to Mr. Alex- ander Barbour, corner of North and Congress Streets, and a small house belonging of Mr. George Tibbets, on Brackett Street, were blown down.
NOVEMBER.
3d About half past 8 o'clock, this evening, a fire was discovered in the stable on the Motley estate, so called, which before it was extinguished consumed the stable, and ruined the two-story donhle house, owned by Rev George W Bourne on Brown Street, contiguous. A valuable stud horse was burned to death in the stable.
6th The fine ship Caroline C Dow, was launched this afternoon, from the ship yard of Turner & Cahoon, at Cape Elizabeth.
The fine new ship Scioto, was recently fitted with a suit of cails of the Cotton Canvass manufactured by the Portland Manufacturing Company.
8th Mr C C Mitchell, for many years a well known trader in this community, died suddenly of appoplexy.
10th A severe gale commenced in this section on Thursday night, 8th, and con - tinued up to to-day noon, during which the front of a block of brick buildings con- structing by Mr Bradbury Rand, on Brown Street, and a portion of a block on Dan- forth Street, constructing by Mr. H. B. Richards, were blown down.
During the same gale the ship Hanover. Capt Rogers, with salt, from Cadiz bound for Bath, ran ashore at the mouth of Kennebec River and went to pieces, and all on board. thirteen in number, were drowned.
The schr Baltimore of Harpswell, while at anchor under Richmoud's Island, parted her cables, and drove upon the rocks at Prout's Neck, where she rolled bot- tom upwards, and was much stove. Her crew escaped on board of a boat to an- other vessel, which rode out the gale.
20th Last night the store of Memrs Conley and Blanchard, on Custom house Wharf, was broken into, and their safe was ruined by attempting to burst it open with gun powder. Nothing of consequence was taken.
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Same night the grocery store of Mr A G Robinson, at Back Cove was entered and robbed of goods to the value of $30, and a valuable dog, left in the building, was shot through the head and killed.
24th The weather remarkably mild for the season-a bouquet of panses, sweet peas, mullen pinks, &c , was picked in the garden of a citizen to-day, in perfect order.
26th A chief of the Ojibeway Indians named Meaungwudaus, and his two sons, gave an entertainment at the Temple Street Chapel this evening, in which they gave dessertations on the manners and customs of their tribes.
27th An experimental trip of the stock holders, waa made over the Androscog. gin and Kennebec Rail Road to day. the cars leaving Portland at 7 o'clock, and ar -. riving at Waterville at about 12. Eleven long cars composed the train on its enter- ing into Waterville. The event was celebrated in that place, by ringing the bells, firing cannon, &c, and a sumptuous repast was furnished by the citizens to the stockholders present, who numbered nearly two thousand.
29th The annual Thanksgiving.
DECEMBER.
3d The cars over the Androscoggin and Kennebec Rail Road, commenced their regular trips to-day.
The moon, last evening, as it rose behind Mount Joy, threw a singular light over the humid atmosphere, which, being mistaken, for a fire, was the occasion of a gen- eral turn out of the Fire Department !
6th A countryman and team loaded with flour and empty barrels, backed off Union Wharf to day ; but the tide being out, got of with a thorough smearing of dock mud, to himself, borse vehicle and load.
7th This afternoon, Mr Alexander B Waite, fell into the hold of the ship Caro- line C Dow, and was so injured that he lived but a few hours after. In his demise the community is deprived of an excellent citizen.
21st The furniture of the Board of Aldermen and Common Councilmen, and of the officers connected with the City Government, was partly removed to day from the Exchange to new quarters at the State House building, on Congress Street -where the City Council will bereafter hold its sessions.
22d During a severe storm to-day, the schr Cygnet, with four, for this port, while at anchor under Richmond's Island, parted her cables and went ashore on the rocks at Cape Elizabeth, where she bilged.
25th President Taylor's Message to Congress, which was delivered in Washing. ton yesterday noon, was received here and issued in extras to-day, by the Argus and Advertiser, thirty hours after its delivery.
PRODUCTS OF THE ALMS HOUSE.
In 1848 there were manufactured on the Alms House Farm 440,000 Bricks, and the Produce raised was as follows :
100 Tons Hay, 7 6 Straw,
25 bushels Carrots,
19,181 lbs. Pork,
800 3 Potatoes,
37 Shoats,
Beets,
60 Ducks,
500 Turnips,
28 Pigs, sold.
In addition to the labor performed on the Farm, the inmates of the Alms House, performed labor on the Streets, &c., with the assistance of Cattle, to the value of $2,363 03.
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40 busbels Barley and Rye,
400 Boel, 100
VALUATION AND POLLS.
237
ASSESSED VALUATION
Of the Real and Personal Estate in Portland, together with the number of Polls for the last thirty years.
Year. 1820
Real Estate.
[Combined] Personal Estate. No. Polls.
1,321,452
1,313,975 1410
1821
1,300,240
1,335,380
1397
1822
1,208,250
1,404,660
1470
1823
1,227,865
1,366,810
1538
1824
2,678,989
1846
1825
2,757,352
1711
1826
2,547,087
1690
1827
1,357,952
1,274,302 1755
1828
2,647,503
1752
1829
2,692,476
1774
1830
2,757,179
1918
1831
2,962,036
1830
1832
3,144,572
1855
1833
3,326,624
1914
1834
3,465,596
1962
1835
3,991,529
2125
1836
4,389,013
2184
1837
4,177.673
2207
1838
3,999,484
2249
1839
4,048,735
2184
1840
4,054,095
2141
1841
4,112,946
2249
1842
4,158,046
2265
1943
2,132,103
2,036,019 2231
1844
2,159,312
2,206,476
2274
1845 .
2,290,187
2,344,551 2272
1846
2,375,216
2,584,743
2422
1847 2,533,685
2,736,840 2569
1848
2,851,326
3,094,004
2703
1849
3,062,991
3,329,673
2753
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PORTLAND DIRECTORY.
BOUNDARIES OF THE SEVERAL WARDS.
WARD 1. Commences at the foot of India Street, runs thence through the centre of said street to Con- gress Street, thence to the junction of Franklin Street, thence to Back Cove ; embracing all the city territory to the N. E. of this line with "the Islands."
WARD 2. Commences at the foot of Deer Street, and runs thence through the centre of said Street, to Church Street, thence to Federal Street, thence to Pearl Street, thence to Congress Street, thence to Wilmot Street, thence to Back Cove, and comprises all the territory between this line and the line of Ward 1, as above described.
WARD 3. Commences at the foot of Exchange St. runs thence through the centre of said Street, to Con- gress Street, thence to Myrtle Street, thence to Back Cove, and comprises all the territory between this and the separating line of No. 2.
WARD 4. From the foot of Centre Street, to Con- gress Street, thence to Elm Street, thence to Back Cove, comprising all the territory between this and the division line of No. 3.
WARD 5. Commences at the junction of Centre and Pleasant Streets, thence through the mi.ldle of Pleasant Street, to Oak Street, thence through Oak Street to Cumberland Street, thence to Green Street, thence to Deering's Bridge, and comprises the terri- tory between this line and the division line of No. 4.
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