USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Portland > The history of Portland, from 1632 to 1864: with a notice of previous settlements, colonial grants, and changes of government in Maine > Part 78
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Since the late peace so happily established with the eastern Indians, there are numbers of people from almost all parts of the Province, and many others from beyond the sea have rolled in on your petitioners' estates like a flood, and under pretence of the authority of the vote of Court, of the 11th of November, 1718, aforesaid, for admitting fifty families at least, to settle in the said town, which your petitioners humbly conceive, must undeniably be done by their con- sent only who were and are the true proprietors of said town, and they have without the leave, consent, or approbation of your suppliants the proprietors, in a most unjust and disorderly manner, set down on and possessed themselves of their known estates and settlements, which have been defended at the expense of the lives and blood of many of your petitioners' ances- tors and predecessors and they are daily in the practice of these their unjust proceedings, for they now set themselves up not only as town inhabitants, but even proprietors of the lands, and admit such persons as they sec cause into town.
* Wherefore, your petitioners take leave to make known this their sad and unfortunate case to your Excellency and Honours, and pray you would, of your wonted goodness, clemency and justice, interpose your authority in preserving our estates to us, and order that Mr. Danforth's deed may be
893
APPENDIX.
deemed good to the trustees therein named, for the use specified and to those that hold under them, * * and your petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray, &c.
Robert Jordan,
Benj. Skillin,
John Sawyer,
Samuel Jordan,
Edward Tyng,
Thomas Westbrook,
Samuel Bucknam,
Wm. Thomas,
Wm. Cooper,
Nathaniel Jordan,
Jno. Robinson,
Jona. Sewall,
John Jordan,
Joseph Otis,
Joseplı Calf,
Benjamin York,
Samuel Bucknam,
John Tyler,
Grace Marshall for the heirs of Geo. Brimhall,
Joseph Maylem,
Samuel Sewall,
Elinor Pullen in behalf of
Samuel Pousland,
Dominicus Jordan,
the heirs of Michael
Thomas Fayrweather, in
John Robinson,
Mittou and Anthony behalf of Mr. Samuel Waldo.
Thomas Jordan.
No. XIII.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE AND RESOLVES OF FALMOUTH, FEBRUARY 3, 1774.
The committee on the subject of the communication from Boston after the destruction of the tea, made on the 3d of February, 1774, the following report :
We omit the report as it repeats the common grievances so often set forth.
We therefore further resolve,
1. That we will not suffer to be imported from Great Britain to this town any article what- ever, on which the parliament has laid a duty with the purpose of raising a revenue from us without our consent.
2. That we will have no dealings or correspondence with any person who may willfully pro- mote either directly or indirectly, the operation of such arbitrary acts.
3. That it is the opinion of this town that one of the most effectual means for obtaining a redress of our grievances is, for every town to make proof of their virtue by desisting from the use of all India tea. Therefore,
4. Resolved, That whoever shall endeavor to allure the minds of the people by any means whatever to use India tea until the act imposing a duty thereon is repealed, is pursuing mea- sures in direct opposition to that freedom which the whole continent are at this time contend- ing for, and evidently proves how little they are concerned if all America are enslaved if they can but thereby enrich themselves. Therefore,
5. Resolved, That we will not buy or sell any India tea whatever, after this third day of February, until the act which lays a duty thereon is repealed, and will hold in detestation every person who shall aim to counteract the designs of this town in this respect.
6. Resolved, That as we are at a great distance from Boston, the metropolis of this province, and cannot have so early intelligence of encroachiments upon our rights as they have, we do acknowledge our obligations to them for their carly notices of approaching danger, and for intrepid bellaviour upon the late tea ships arrival. And we trust they will still be our watchi tower, and they may depend on our utmost endeavors to support them at all times, in defense of our rights and liberties. Then,
Voted 2d. That the said committee of correspondence be a standing committee to correspond with the committee of correspondence for the town of Boston. 7
Voted 3d. That the selectmen of this town be a committee of inspection, whose business it shall be to observe if any persons buy or sell tea contrary to the resolves of this town, and to make report thereof to the committee of correspondence.
Voted 4th. The selectmen be and hereby are desired to withhold their approbation for license
Jeremiah Jordan,
Brackett.
894
HISTORY OF PORTLAND.
for tavern keeping or retailing, to such person or persons as may presume to buy or sell tea contrary to the aforesaid resolves.
Voted, 5th. That Mr. Benjamin Mussey, Mr. Robert Pagan, and Mr. Enocli Moody be a com- mittee to enquire what quantity of tea is in town, of what quality, in whose hands it is, and when imported, and make report at the annual meeting in March next.
Voted 6th. That a copy of these proceedings be by the town clerk transmitted to the com- mittee of correspondence in Boston.
At this meeting Capt. Jeremiah Pote and Mr. Robert Pagan desired their dissent might be entered to the sixth resolve, and to the epithets given the Ministry and East India Company.
No. XIV.
Proceedings of the Convention of Delegates from the towns in Cumberland County, September 21, 1774, at Falmouth, for the purpose of effecting a concert of action in relation to a non-impor- tation agreement, &c.
At a meeting of the following gentlemen chosen by the several towns in the County of Cumberland, held at Falmouth, in said County, on the 21st day of September, 1774, at the house of Mrs. Greele, viz., from
Falmouth.
Hon. Enoch Freeman, Esq., Stephen Longfellow, Esq., Mr. Richard Codman,
Capt. John Waite,
Mr. Enoch Ilsley, Samuel Freeman. Scarborough.
Capt. Timothy McDaniel,
Reuben Fogg,
Mr. Joshua Fabyan. Brunswick.
Mr. Samuel Thompson,
" Samuel Stanwood,
Capt. Thomas Moulton. Isaac Parsons.
North Yarmouth.
Mr. John Lewis,
David Mitchell, Esq.,
Mr. Jonathan Mitchell,
John Gray,
Samuel Dunn, Capt. Judah Dyer, Dr. Nathaniel Jones,
Mr. George Strout.
Harpswell. Mr. Joseph Ewing,
Capt John Stover,
Mr. Andrew Dunning. Windham. Mr. Zerubbabel Honywell,
Thomas Trott,
66 David Barker.
The Hon. Enoch Freeman, Esq., was chosen chairman. Mr. Samuel Freeman, Clerk.
A committee from the body of people who were assembled at the entrance of the town, waited on this convention, to see if they would choose a committee of one member out of each town, to join them to wait upon Mr. Sheriff Tyng to see whether he would act in his office, under the late act of Parliament for regulating the government.
On a motion made, Voted, That a messenger be sent to tlie said Sheriff Tyng, to desire his attendance at this convention. A messenger then waited upon Mr. Tyng with the following billet, viz :
"Mr. Sheriff Tyng's company is desired at the Convention of the County, now sitting at Mrs. Greele's.
SAMUEL FREEMAN, Clerk.
" Wednesday, Sept. 21st, 1774, 11 o'clock, A. M."
Mr. Tyng accordingly attended, and after some interrogations, subscribed the following declarations, viz :
" COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND, Falmouth, Sept. 21, 1774.
" Whereas great numbers of the inhabitants of this County are now assembled near iny house, in consequence of the false representation of some eyil minded persons, who have
William Cutter. Gorham. Solomon Lombard, Esq., William Gorham, Esq., Capt. Edmund Pliney,
" Briant Morton, Mr. Joseph Davis. New Gloucester.
Mr. William Harris,
Cape Elizabeth. Dr. Clement Jordan,
Mr. Peter Woodbury,
895
APPENDIX.
reported that I have endeavored all in my power to enforce the late acts of Parliament, relat- ing to this province : I do hereby solemnly declare that I have not in any way whatever acted or endeavored to act in conformity to said act of Parliament : And in compliance with the commands of the inhabitants so assembled, and by the advice of a committee from the several towns in this County now assembled in Congress, I further declare I will not as Sheriff of said County, or otherwise, act in conformity to, or by virtue of, said acts, unless by the general consent of the said County. I further declare, I have not received any commission inconsistent with the charter of this Province, nor any commission whatever, since the first day of July last.
WILLIAM TYNG."
"County of Cumberland-At the convention of committees from the several towns in the said County, held at the house of Mrs. Greele, in Falmouth, in said County, September 21st, 1774, Voted, That the foregoing by William Tyng, Esq., subscribed, is satisfactory to this con- vention. Attest : SAMUEL FREEMAN."
The convention then formed themselves into a committee to accompany Mr. Tyng to the body of the people, to present the above declaration, and adjourned to the old Town House, at 3 o'clock, P. M., the deliberation to be in public.
The committee accordingly went with Mr. Tyng, who read the declaration to the people, which they voted to be satisfactory, and after refreshing themselves, returned 'peaceably to their several honies.
P. M. 3 o'clock, met according to adjournment.
Voted, That Mr. Samuel Freeman, Solomon Lombard, Esq , Stephen Longfellow, Esq., David Mitchell, Esq., John Lewis, Capt. John Waite, Samuel Thompson, Capt. Timothy McDaniel, Doct. Nathaniel Jones, Isaac Parsons, Enoch Freeman, Esq., David Barker, and Capt. John Stover, be a committee to draw up the sentiments of this convention, and report the same at the adjournment.
Then adjourned to Thursday morning at eight o'clock.
* *
No. XV.
Proceedings of the Committees of Correspondence and Inspection in Falmouth.
The following will exhibit some of the proceedings of the committees of the town at three different periods of this year.
FALMOUTH, January 4, 1775.
The committee of inspection met, pursuant to adjournment at Mrs. Greele's. Present, Messrs. Benjamin Titcomb, Enoch Ilsley, Benj. Mussey, Jos. Mclellan, Pelatiah March, Joseph Noyes, Smith .W. Cobb, Pearson Jones, Jedediah Cobb, John Butler, Sam'l Freeman, Theo Parsons. The Chairman absent. -
Voted, That Mr. Benjamin Titcomb be chairman of this committee for this evening.
The committee proceeded to give their opinions respecting Mr. Smith's request [made with due deference to the committee, as the only proper authority existing at that time].
Voted, That Mr. Smith be desired to attend.
Mr. Smith attended and was heard.
Voted, That it is the opinion of this committee that Mr. Smith if he should sell the powder he imported from Great Britain at 20s. ? Ib, would violate the 9th article of the American Associatión.
Voted, That the chairman, or (in case of his absence) any three of the committee should be einpowered to convene the committee whenever he or they shoukl think proper.
Attest :
THEO. PARSONS, Clerk.
FALMOUTH, March 2, 1775.
At a meeting of the committee of inspection, at the library chamber, to determine what
896
HISTORY OF PORTLAND.
ought to be done with respect to a vessel that arrived here this day from Bristol, supposed to have goods and merchandize for Capt. Thomas Coulson on board,
Voted, That Mr. Benjamin Mussey, Capt. Joseph Mclellan, and Mr. Benj. Titcomb be a committee to employ some persons to see that no goods are landed from said vessel during the debates of the committee of inspection, and to desire that Capt. Coulson and the master of said vessel would attend this committee. Capt. Coulson and the master accordingly attended ; and being asked if said vessel came from Bristol, and what she had on board, answered that she did come from Bristol, and had ou board rigging, sails and stores for a new slip lately built here by Capt. Coulson.
Voted, That Capt. Joseph Mclellan, Mr. Jedediah Cobb, Mr. Benjamin Mussey, and Mr. Samuel Freeman be a committee to go on board said vessel, or employ some other persons to go on board her to see whether she has on board any goods other than the rigging, sails and stores for said new ship.
The meeting was then adjourned to eight o'clock to-morrow morning to meet at the library chamber, and that in the mean time the absent members be desired to attend.
FALMOUTH, March 3, 1775.
The committee of inspection met pursuant to adjournment. Present, Enoch Freeman, Esq., Messrs. Daniel Ilsley, Benj. Titcomb, Enoch Ilsley, John Waite, Steplien Waite, Benj. Mussey, Wm. Owen, Sanı'l Knights, Jedediah Cobb, John Butler, Jabez Jones, Smith Cobb, Pelatiah March, Pearson Joues, Joseph Noyes, Samuel Freeman, Joseph McLellan, Theophilus Parsons.
The question being put, whether Capt. Coulson's taking said rigging and sails out of the vessel in which they arrived, and his appropriating them to rig liis new ship in order to send lier to England, will be a violation of the American Association.
After a long and serious debate, it was resolved in the affirmative by a majority of fourteen to five.
Voted, Therefore, that said rigging, sails and stores, for said new slip, ought forthwith to be sent back again, without breaking any of the packages thereof-by a majority of fourteen to five.
Voted, N. C. D. That all other goods and merchandize that were imported in said vessel ought also forthwith to be sent back again, without breaking any of the packages thereof.
Voted, That Messrs. Enoch Ilsley, John Waite, and Daniel Ilsley be a committee, imme- liately to inform Capt. Coulson of the result of this committee, and that they are now sitting, if lie is desirous to attend them. Capt. Coulson attended, and informed the committee the vessel in which liis rigging and sails arrived, was so out of repair that she was unfit to return back again, until she was repaired, and that in order to repair her, the freight must be taken ont. The inseting was then adjourned to 3 o'clock P. M., to meet at the same place.
Attest : THEOPHILUS PARSONS, Clerk.
FALMOUTH, September 22d, 1775.
At a meeting of a committee of the said town of Falmouth, chosen on the 19th instant, to put the Resolves of the General Court and Congress of this colony in execution,
Voted, Mr. Enoch Moody, Chairman. Mr. Nat. Green Moody, Clerk.
Voted, That Capt. P- be ordered to go to the General Court, by land, on or before Thursday next, to answer for his conduct with respect to exporting fish. *
Voted, That Messrs. Moses Plumer, John Bagley, and Wm. Mclellan be a committee to inspect inward and outward bound vessels.
Meeting adjourned to the house of Enoch Moody on Tuesday next at 5 o'clock, P. M.
October 3d. The committee met at the desire of Mr. Samuel Longfellow, who on his passage to the West Indies, met with a gale of wind, damaged his vessel, and lost part of his deck-load, and asks leave to reload his vessel, and proceed on his voyage. Then
Voted, That he be not permitted to take any more loading on board.
Deacon Titcomh' and Mr. Enoch Ilsley applied for leave to send a sloop on a whaling voyage: The committee voted that it was not in their power.
To shew further what kind of government existed at that time, I add the following :
FALMOUTH, Nov. 4th, 1775.
At a meeting of a number of gentlemen, from the several towns, at Col. Tyng's house, Col. Jona. Mitchell chosen Moderator, P. Jones, Clerk.
897
APPENDIX.
Mr. James Sullivan was chosen Commander-in-Chief over the Militia and the other com- panies now in pay in the province.
Toted, That four persons be appointed to assist Mr. Sullivan.
Voted, That Col. Mitchell be second in command-Col. Fogg third-Deacon Titcomb, Major Noyes.
Mr. Isaiah Tucker be commander to take care of the cannon and see them in order. Voted a committee to supply the soldiers.
Voted one person to supply the people, and Mr. Wm. Owen was chosen.
Voted a person to collect what balls we can get. Mr. Brackett Marston, and Mr. John Bagley, to collect the balls.
No. XVI.
Muster roll of Capt. David Bradish's Company in Col. Phinney's regiment to August 1, 1775.
David Bradish, Falmouth,
Capt., enlisted Jona. Gardner,
Private,
May 12
April 24, 1774. John Clough,
Bartholomew York,
1st Lt., 66 Thomas Paine,
Paul Ellis,
66
2d Lt., 66
Eben'r Newman,
66
Wni. Farrington,
66
2d
Levi Merrill,
66
3d
60
66 Joseph Barbour,
Abner Dow,
66
4th
Josiah Shaw,
Henry Sewall,
66
1st Corp., 68
Joshua Berry,
Isaac Child,
66
2d
3d
66
Tobias Pillsbury,
Richard Gooding,
66
4th
66
Thomas Cavanah,
Benjamin Tukey,
6:
Private,
Loring Cushing,
66
66
Benjamin Scollay,
66
66
66
Daniel Marston,
Cornelius Bramhall,
66
66
66
Henry Flood,
Abijah Parker,
66
66
James Flood,
Abijah Pool,
66
66
Joseph Thomes,
Zachariah Nowell,
66
66
66
Samuel Cates,
Wm. Hutchinson,
6:
66
John M'Intosh,
66
6.
Jacob Amey,
66
66
Philip Fowler,
Charles Knight,
6
66
Joseph Cox,
66
Matthias Haynes, .
George Bell,
Enoch Moody,
66
66
John Penniman,
66
Wm. Moody,
66
66
Benjamin Randel,
66
66
Moses Burdick,
66
66
Richard Conden,
Eben'r Clough,
66
¥
Jona. Rand,
John Pettingell,
Joseph Hearsay,
Drum Major, 66 Fifer,
James McManners,
66
66
66
*
66
66
John Bailey,
66
66
Moses Grant,
¥
66
Zachariah Baker,
60
66
Daniel Gookin,
Samuel Dow,
Daniel Mussey,
1st Serg., May 12
Daniel Green, Joshua Robinson,
66
66
Lemuel Gooding,
66
John Scott,
66
66
No. XVII.
The houses now standing, 1831, which survived the conflagration of the town are, in Congress street, Jeremiah Preble's, and David Wyer, jr's, opposite the burying-ground, Abner Lowell's, Enoch Moody's, on the corner of Franklin street,* Thomas Smith's, corner of Wilmot street, Dr.
66
66
66
66
Caleb Carter,
898
HISTORY OF PORTLAND.
Deane's, next above the meeting house .* On the south side, Smith Cobb's, Mrs. Greele's, Jona- than Paine's,* corner of Essex street, and Jonathan Bryant's.
Middle street. Col. Tyng's,* Theophilus Bradbury's,* Jolin Greenwood's, now Mrs. Jewett's, corner of Silver street, Joshua Freeman's, corner of Exchange street, Benjamin Titcomb's, cor - ner of Plum street,* Marston's tavern, Ham's, corner of Center street, Wm. Mclellan's and Benjamin Mussey's, both moved back and now standing in Temple street, Deacon Codman's, the tavern house now occupied by Morehead, John Barbour's, a house belonging to Gen. Preble which stood where Court street enters Middle street, now on Court street, lately occupied by Jonathan Stuart, the house on the corner of Court street then occupied by the Owens, who moved to Brunswick, Dr. Watts's,* on Lime street, and the house occupied by the late Dr Harding on a court .*
Fore street. The two story wooden house on the corner of the street which leads to Clay Cove from Middle street,* Benjamin Proctor's, one story, now standing in the rear of Warren and Hersey's brick store .* Wni. Thomes',* Fore street above Plum, Deacon Cotton's, corner of Center street, moved to Cotton street, Bryce Mclellan's* near the foot of High street, and Poge's, near the junction of Fore and Pleasant streets.
Exchange street. Mrs. Deering's, a house moved by Col. Waite to Fore street, and now stand- ing there above Center street .*
Plum street. The Randall house east side next below Capt. Mclellan's.
Center street. The late Judge Frothingham's, corner of Free street, Dinsdale's, near the foot.
Congress street. The Mclellan house,* opposite Mechanics' Hall, Motley house nearly op- posite, the Asyluni house, which then belonged to Benjamin Larrabee, the Trott house one story, nearly opposite State street.
*These houses remain in 1864.
A drawing of the town was made representing it at the time of the fire, of which it was proposed to make an engraving. The following graphic letter from Dr. Deane on the subject will repay perusal.
"Sir-I find you have been so partial to me as to manifest in a letter to the Col. some opinion of my skill in drawing, by desiring that I would suggest some alterations and amendments in Pointer's draft. I profess but little experience in such matters; but I have been examining it as well as I could-and in general I think the design very badly executed; for I can find scarcely one building drawn according to truth. King street is not so straight as it ought to have been ; and all the liouses adjoining it are drawn with their ends to the street, whereas the most of them fronted it. The court-house is miserably done. One street is omitted, viz. that between Capt. John Cox's house and the Miss Holton's. The wind-mill should have been placed further to the north-east. Back street should have altered its course from the meeting honse to the wind-mill. Barns and buildings of less importance are almost wholly omitted, and some large stores not inserted. All the buildings between the wind-mill and Fiddle lane on Back street are left out. These are some of the most essential faults that have occurred to me ; but it would be endless to enumerate all the errors.
I should think it advisable that the gentleman who makes the plate should come and see the town ; for I can conceive of no other way for him to get so true an idea of it. The expense of his journey will but little augment the cost of the whole. But if it should be thoughit best to go on with the work immediately, I would suggest the following alterations :
Let barns, &c., be placed where you can recollect there were any ; and perhaps it would not be amiss to make some where you do not remember any. Not only does justice require it, but it is necessary to give the appearance of a compact settlement. Let the meeting-house have a bell, and also a window or two in the tower. Especially let the taking of a man with a torch in Cox's lane be inserted. The stripping of a fallen officer near to Capt. Pearson's house in the street ; and the knocking down of an incendiary with the breech of a gun near to Mr. Butler's door. Perhaps it would not be amiss to have two or three teams that were belated in some of the streets, and people luddling goods into the carts. A man may be placed near the fre-shell that fell near the meeting-house, tossing it away with the muzzel of his gun.
APPENDIX.
899
I think the sun might be placed higher above the horizon, or else left out entirely. The street as you enter the town is more than twice as wide as it should be. I suppose there should be another boat attempting to land at Mr. Cotton's, and armed men opposing it.
The hay-market should be placed where the street divides.
The wharves should be nearer parallel with the cross streets than they are.
The roof of Doctor Watts' house should be shaped after this manner.
The roof of my house thus,
The roof of Col. Preble's thus,
The roof of Mr. Marston's house thus,
The roof of your shop thus,
The roofs of Mr. Codman's and Capt. Boynton's thus,
Mr. Codman's store from the harbor thus,
The rest may be represented as having common, or pitched roofs.
Onc general fault that I observe is, that the low houses are made too small in proportion to the large ones.
Mr. Codman's lane should have been right against the front door of the meeting-house, and a little to the north-east of it, the lane that goes down between Capt. Ross' and Dea. Titcomb's. My house is seventy feet from the nearest part of the meeting-house, the barn and part of the wood-house should appear between them. The hill at the north-cast end of the Neck is not near high enough; nor do the grave-stones appear plenty enough in the burying-ground. The land should rise, you know, as you come out of the town ; from Capt. Joseph Mclellan's to Mr Joshua Brackett's, it is up-hill.
These corrigenda I have found in the draft I borrowed of Mr. Preble. Possibly it may be different from that which you have. You will please to see whether these faults are in it, and direct the engraver accordingly.
What if you should write over the piece, "A View of the burning of Falmouth, in Casco Bay, the principal town of the county of Cumberland, in the Province of the Massachusetts Bay, in New England."
At the bottom you may put something like the following :- "That execrable scoundrel and monster of ingratitude, Capt. H. Mowatt, of Scotland, who had been treated with extraordinary kindness a few months before by the town of Falmouth, obtained by his most earnest solicita- tion an order from Graves, one of King George's admirals lying at Boston, together with the command of a small fleet, having on board the necessary apparatus, to burn and destroy the said town. He came before it the 17th day of October, in the year 1775, and near sunsct, made known his infernal errand, by a flag with a letter full of bad English and worse spelling; at the same time proposing to spare the town, and endeavor to get the order reversed, if the can- non and arms, with some persons as hostages, werc delivered into his hands. The inhabitants assembled and voted by no means to submit to this infamous proposal. Therefore he spent the next day in cannonading, bombarding and throwing an immense quantity of carcasscs and livc-shells into the defenceless town, and kindling some fires with torches, whereby more than three quarters of the buildings, with much wealth in them, werc reduced to ashes, and the remaining ones greatly torn and damaged-by which horrible devastation and loss, estimated at , many hundreds of persons were reduced to extreme distress. And this just view of the town in flames, is made public to slicw to the world a specimen of the conduct of George the third and his tory-underlings, towards colonists who were supposed to be uneasy under British tyranny; and what vengeance was cxccuted upon them long before the corrupt court of Britain declared them to be in a state of rebellion.
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