USA > Maine > Lincoln County > Sheepscot > The history of ancient Sheepscot and Newcastle [Me.] including early Pemaquid, Damariscotta, and other contiguous places, from the earliest discovery to the present time, together with the genealogy of more than four hundred families; > Part 13
USA > Maine > Lincoln County > Newcastle > The history of ancient Sheepscot and Newcastle [Me.] including early Pemaquid, Damariscotta, and other contiguous places, from the earliest discovery to the present time, together with the genealogy of more than four hundred families; > Part 13
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Capt. James Nickels was taken by the Indians to Can- ada* when Capt. John MeNear was carried there, the second time. McNear, who understood the ways of the Indians, told Nickels to appear weak, when the Indians
*E. D. Robinson, Esq.
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would want to wrestle with him, because they would com- pel him to carry burdens according to the strength which they supposed he had. Taking up with McNear's advice, he let them throw him three or four times, when he "got mad," and threw them, one after another, as fast as they would close in with him. They then concluded that he was a "powerful man" and let him alone. Nickels returned from Canada, purchased lands and built his house to the North of Royal Wright's and a little to the East of Til- bett's blacksmith shop. He was concerned in the "Tea plot" in Boston Harbor in 1773. Alexander Nickels, 3rd, James Nickels' youngest son, settled on the farm next North of Robert Robinson's.
Thomas Nickels, a young man, was killed by the Indians* and scalped, at the edge of an evening, as he was filling lis pail with water at the spring, not far from the home- stead. The Garrison was near. Bushes were in the neighborhood of the spring and the Indians waylaid him.
Samnel Nickels, Esq., was in many respects a remark- able man. He was tall in stature, athletic in form, com- manding in person, kindly in manner, even in disposition, a prompt and efective officer, of good business habits, a beautiful penman, a worthy citizen and loyal to the State. He held several public offices-was Clerk of the town for more than twenty years, and, to the last, appears to have retained the confidence and respect of his fellow men.
He purchased the tract of land between the Sheepscot lots which bordered East on Cavessix river, and the Dam- ariscotta lots which lay up and down that river-and from "Freshwater Cove"-Isaac Dodge's, brickvard-to Alex- ander Nichols 3rd for a mere trifle-it is said about 25 cents per acre. This included the Middle lots. He afterwards purchased as high up as Ebenezer Clarke's. }
* Mrs. Margery Robinson.
+ E. D. Robinson, Esq.
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INFLUENTIAL MEN.
This tract he divided into ten lots. The upper five were laid out East and West. The Southern five lots were laid out North and South. John Hill had one of these lots. Alexander 3rd had another. The Southern line of the Cross lots was about half way from the Town House to E. D. Robinson's.# Robt. Robinson bought his farm of John Hill.
Enoch Perkins, who followed coasting, bought fifty acres of "Squire Nickels" for 100 dollars, and paid for it entirely in N. E. Rum which he brought from Boston. + A per- fectly honorable transaction in those days. Times have changed.
Sammel Nickels built the large two story house now owned and occupied by Orlando Delano, Esq. The frame is of white oak, sound and "as hard as a rock." The honse is now (1867) 103 years okt and in good repair. 75,000 bricks were used in the chimney which stands in the middle of the house. The wainscoting, made of the best limber, is now as perfect as in the day when the joiner pronounced it finished. The heaviest gales don't shake the house in the least. Two years ago Mr. Delano took down one of the outbuildings, and he found the roof in sufficient order to shed the rain "without leaking a drop." The shingles (shaved) were the same that Sammel Nickels, Esq., had laid on in the day of its erection, 101 years be- fore. Here Nickels kept tavern for many years. The house is a princely establishment and is beautifully situated.
William MeLelland ; was of Scotch Irish descent, and vame from Medford Mass., to Sheepscot about the year 1734 or 5. He married Mary Ballantine, and after the Presbyterian Church was formed, he was chosen Deacon of it. He was a beautiful penman, and was Town Clerk
* Mrs. Robinson,
. + Daniel Perkins.
+ Miss Mary Murray.
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from the fourth year of its organization till his death, which occurred in 1763. His records are as fair, save a slight coloring of the paper, as they were the hour the ink dried on the paper.
He had several children. Elizabeth, the oldest, mar- ried David Murray, Esq. Margaret married Samuel Waters.' There were three sons all of whom died young. Mary married an Averill of Alna; Sarah, a Taggart of Pittston. One other daughter completed the family.
William MeLelland went into Garrison when his daughter Elizabeth was seven years old, and was in Garrison seven years. This was during the Spanish and Indian war. One summer the Indians were so numerous that the people were obliged to go out in companies, guarded by armed men, to do their farm work. Bread was so scarce, as well as other supplies, that they were obliged to pick peas and eat them in milk as a substitute.
One day, the women went out to pull flax; and one of the number took her babe with her ; and after nursing it, she laid it down to sleep, wrapped in a blanket, and went to work .. All of a sudden the Indians made their appear- ance with the usual war whoop-when the women leaving all, and that mother forgetting all, fled, in a body, to the Garrison. There was a fight, and the Indians were beaten ; and after the assailants were driven back the mother thought of her child. A party went in search of it, not doubting but Indian wrath had crushed it ; but contrary to all expectation the child had escaped their notice. The mother joyfully seizing it, bore it in ecstasy to the Gar- rison. It had not waked !
McLelland was Moderator of the Town Meeting in 1754, and when he died it was in the midst of his usefulness, and great lamentation was made over him.
One day* when Mrs. David Murray-Elizabeth McLel-
* Mrs. John Murray.
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land that was-went out into the field to pull flax, she took her three young children with her- two little boys and a daughter, 8 years of age. The boys she wrapped in a blanket and laid them down by the side of a log to sleep and told the little girl to watch them. While pulling, her attention was attracted by a noise, and looking up, she saw a large, white-faced bear running down the hill, directly towards the children. Imagine her feelings ! They, however, were but momentary ; for the bear kept straight on his way-took no notice of the children-or the mother, leaped over the other end of the log from where the children were lying-and made, like a shot, for the woods between them and the river. She supposed the bear was chased.
One evening," between sunset and dark, when Mrs. David Murray was out with her pails to the spring, just across the road, a few rods to the East of the house, and had filled them both with water, a huge bear appeared from the thick neighboring wood, intent upon the prey before him. Seeing her danger, she ran for the house, as she never ran before, with the bear following after. But she had just time to reach the house with her pails, and shut the door after her, before the unwelcome visitor came up with her. She cooked and ate her supper, but Bruin was disappointed of his. On subsequent days, Mrs. Murray was careful to get her water for the night, at an earlier hour.
Samuel Waters + came from England ; was a cooper by trade ; purchased the head of Dyer's Neck, from river to river, and resided on it. The country was wild ; but his strong arm and determined will soon made "a clearing" and created him a home. He was a very pions man, and
* Miss Mary Murray.
+ Mrs Fitzpatrick.
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INFLUENTIAL MEN.
did much towards sustaining religious ordinances among the people, and used frequently to have meetings at his own house ; but like many good men he had some peculiar notions and ways, which, at this time, seem a little singular. When his second wife died, a friend in sympathy remarked to him, "Yon have lost your wife, Mr. Waters." "Yes," he replied, "the loss of women and the increase of sheep will make a man rich." The last years of his life he spent in Jefferson, and when the bass viol, just purchased, would be brought into the house where he worshipped, he would leave it, saying, "It is both base and vile." When asked " Why ? " he said, "they could play both Psalm tunes and dancing tunes upon it."
When asked a question which he did not care abont answering, he would feign deafness-appear as though he did not hear, and would make no reply. He was a firm Presbyterian, and used to go to Waldoboro to partake of the communion. He was very benevolent ; and when, in the spring of the year, people used to come from Balltown, to catch fish, he would entertain them, free of charge.
Robert Hodge, Sen., came from Ireland and lived where the late Capt. Thomas Chase resided. He died at the advanced age of 101 years. He used to go to Damaris- cotta Mills on horseback ; and when there, one day, speak- ing about eels, they asked him how large a one he had seen in Ireland. "Oh," said he, "abont as large as my old horse." He was a large landholder. He lost his facul- ties before he died. His nephew, Capt. Robt. Hodge, built the house where the late Capt. Thomas Lennox resided, and kept tavern there. He acquired nearly all the property of his unele. Hodge, Sen.'s house was after- wards taken down, and the present one erected in its stead.
There were two "flankers," one to the North and the other to the South of Hodge's house. They were once attacked by the Indians, and the rock that the Indians
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tired from, lay just across the road in Capt. Lennox's field. He took it away and planted apple trees in its place.
Capt. Robert Hodge owned two of Tappan's ten acre lots. In his Inventory were two negroes, Cæsar and Phillis. a boy and girl.
Capt. James Campbell also owned a slave "boy." though an old man.
David Murray was a man of superior talents and had a wide and commanding influence. He was an able Justice of the Peace - was well read in the law - was for many years entrusted with the highest civil offices which it was in the power of his townsmen to bestow ; - was a Militia officer and distinguished himself in military affairs; and when he died, a loss was felt that could not easily be repaired.
Major John Farley, a man of good capacity, fine social qualities and sterling worth, came in town in 1773 and was one of those who was destined to shape, in a large meas- ure, the destinies of Newcastle. He purchased land of an Englishman by the name of Powers; also of Nathaniel and John Winslow : and finally the entire right which Woodbridge claimed to lands in that section of the town."
His first residence was just inside of the " line of the highway and opposite MeMichael's residence," but he afterwards, 1780, built and resided in the house now ocen- pied by Mr. William Trumbull. He was a tanner by trade, and carried on business there. He held several town offi- ces - went to Bagaduce as Major of the Militia, in the expedition under the command of Generals Lovell and Wadsworth during the Revolution - was frequently chosen a Representative to the General Court - was a State Sen- ator for Lincoln County - a Distriet Elector for President and Vice President of the United States in 1804, and cast his vote for Thomas Jefferson - was Treasurer of Lincoln
John Farley's testimony.
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INFLUENTIAL MEN.
County - first Postmaster in Newcastle on the Damaris- cotta side, and Agent for the erection of the Battery on Damariscotta River in 1808.
His son, Ebenezer Farley, Esq., was a member of the Convention that framed the Constitution of Maine in 1820 ;- A District Elector of President and Vice Presi- dent of the United States in 1828, and voted for John Quincy Adams ; - Chosen a member of Governor's Coun- cil in 1829, but declined ; - A Representative in the Legis- lature of Maine in 1836, and Treasurer of town for many years.
Capt. Alexander Nickels (Nichols) distinguished himself during the French and Indian war and was especially use- ful when Governor Pownal visited the Penobscot and at other times. It is supposed that he afterwards moved to Pemaquid. Alexander Campbell lived where Elias Bailey now does. James Speed's successor was Rev. Kiah Bai- ley. Present ocenpant, 1850, Gardiner Perkins. Speed and his wife were buried in their front fieldl. Alden White's house is on a part of Speed's lot. Job Day lived at the foot of the "Big Hill" that was detached from New- castle and joined to Edgeomb. John Nickels owned 100 aeres at Freshwater Cove ; then came Thomas Campbell's 200 acres ; then David Soames.
John Taylor is the only one of the ancient families of the seventeenth century whose descendents now reside in Newcastle. Joseph Glidden, Sen., purchased and resided on the front part of the large estate which he once held here.
Charles Glidden came to this country as early as 1656, and settled in Portsmouth, N. H. He afterwards moved to Exeter, where in 1672 he took the oath of allegiance and died there leaving a large family. He is the first of whom we have any record in New Hampshire, coming thither probably under Mason, who was Governor of Portsmouth in Hampshire, England. In this County lies the town of (ilidden.
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INFLUENTIAL MEN.
From him descended Joseph, Tobias and Zebulon, all of whom were born in Lee, N. H. Joseph, the eldest brother came to Newcastle from Durham, N. H., about the year 1750. His first purchase of land of which we find any record was the 192 acres of the Win. Vanghan estate, as per deed executed at Portsmouth, N. H., 1758. See map. To the above he added other purchases of land, two from Benjamin Jones, one from John Hussey and one from Joseph Taylor, all of which bounded westerly on the county road, thus obtaining for himself an outlet which for years he could not have had. In his purchase of Vaughan's Executor, he was restricted as follows: "That the sail Joseph Glidden is to build a house and to live in the same within six months from this date, and improve by ploughing four acres of said land, in order that the country be settled and improved."
His purchase of the Taylor homestead was made in 1774. How soon after this he occupied this place is uncer- tain ; but it was probably in 1781, as Joseph 2nd was married in that year and all of his children were born in the old homestead which his father vacated for his use. In this place he resided until his death which occurred in 1817.
The southern wall of that purchase, extending from Damariscotta river to Glidden Street, is still standing, and the line went directly up over the hill, near the Academy, where the flag staff now stands.
The house known as the "Glidden house" on "Glidden's Neck," was built by him and is probably 130 years old. Capt. Samuel Glidden, grandson of Joseph, Sen., when he was a young man occupied this house and lived in it for a number of years. Mr. Charles E. Metcalf has owned and resided in it since May, 1862. In 1854 Capt. Samnel Glidden informed me that many years before, the whole covering became rotten, when it was entirely stripped, and shingled and clapboarded anew. Since that time it has
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INFLUENTIAL MEN.
been in good repair. It is a square two story house, with the front facing and overlooking the river to the South- the Oyster Banks to the East -- and having an Ell that extends out towards the beautiful bay at the North. It is finely situated upon a broad, fertile plat of ground, and for beanty is not exceeded by any residence in the vicinity.
The frame of the house is of white oak, "all squared to a line," and is now, 1854, in as good a state of preserva- tion as it was when it was framed. Not a sleeper nor a sill has become rotten ; but the wood has acquired a peculiar flegree of hardness, common to the white oak when kept dry. The house was boarded with thick, heavy boards, put on perpendicularly and then clapboarded. At the first, there was a cellar ander ouly half the house, but it has since been made as large as the entire house. It bids fair to last, at least, till after this entire generation has passed away.
Twelve children, nine daughters and three sons, were born to Mr. Joseph Glidden, Jun., when he occupied the honse, the last of whom, Mrs. Bryant, died not long since at the advanced age of 86 years.
When the elder Joseph Glidden purchased the place, he found a colony of Indians inhabiting the Neck of land upon which the Oyster Banks are, where they remained and were tolerated for many years greatly to the discomfort of the old gentleman and his family. They would engage in criminal and destructive acts, and even steal the dinner from the table while the mother was waiting for the family to come and gather around. But they were tolerated and befriended for many years, notwithstanding the many annoyances from their close proximity.
When at the age of 82 years Joseph, Sen. married his second wife and lived to be more than 95. He was a man of great probity, devoutly religious, and one of the most esteemed citizens in town.
The families of Gliddens have been numerous and in-
The Joseph Glidden House, Erected in 1760.
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Anential. The descendants of Joseph have been chiefly engaged in commercial and seafaring pursuits, while the other families have been engaged in that which has been both honorable and profitable.
William Vanghan was one of the first Counsellors of New Hampshire and continued in office from 1680 to his death 1719: was made freeman 1669, Judge C. C. P. from 1680 to 1706, and Chief Justice from 1708 to 1715. Dec. 8, 1668, he married Margaret daughter of Richard Cutt who died Jan. 22, 1690, aged 40 years. Their son George Vaughan was born April 13, 1676. He married first, Mary daughter of Andrew Belcher ; second, Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Elliot and became the parent of nine children. George was Counsellor 1715, and appointed Lieutenant Governor which commission he held until the appointment of Lient. Gov. John Wentworth in 1717. He died Nov 20, 1725. His son William Vaughan was born Sept. 12, 1703. In 1722 he was Lient. Colonel and one of the prin- cipal planners of the expedition to Lonisburg in 1745. He commanded a division under Sir Wm. Pepperell and was one of the foremost, and brave in battle. For many years he was a merchant in Portsmouth and finally removed to Damariscotta and settled 14 miles above Pemaquid. He made his will March 23, 1744, which shows who of his family were then alive as well as those who were married. He gives property to his mother Elizabeth, to his sisters, and to John Tarah Ross, William and Elizabeth Bennett, Hunking and Margaret Wentworth, Cutt Mary Shannon, to sister Jane Vanghan and to Bro. Elliott Vanghan.
He was a prominent and influential man in these parts and after the capture of Louisburg, was induced to go to England by friends who were anxious for his promotion in view of his distinguished services, and he died there of small pox about the middle of Dee. 1746, aged 43 years.
In 1722, at the age of nineteen, he graduated at Har- vard College, and then he became a merchant in Ports-
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INFLUENTIAL MEN.
mouth where he remained several years after the death of his father. But this not being a field suited to his tastes and wishes, about the year 1728, he established a fishing and trading establishment at the island of Matiniens, at the entrance of Penobscot Bay, where he employed a number of small vessels in the fishing business. Here he set up stages to dry his fish, and built houses for himself and his men, the foundations of which, it is said, are yet remaining, and are pointed out as the remains of "Squire Vaughan's village." From here he went to Damariscotta and made a large land purchase including Damariscotta Pond which then took the name of "Vanghan's Pond," and at the Falls he built two double saw mills and a grist mill, greatly to the benefit of himself and the inhabitants.
At the commencement of the troubles with France, about 1743, Vaughan having erected a Garrison there, he thus writes to a friend at Portsmonth : "We are all well, though in other respects, exceedingly unfortunate. The times are likely to be dangerous in such a remote place as this. The people are hourly expecting to hear that France has joined Spain in a war against England, and as the Indians are so much under the influence of the French, that if there are not some cautionary preparations taken by the Government to secure these parts, it will be dangerous for them to tarry here. The Irish people are not so much moved, as many of them have not been acquainted with the barbarities of the Indians, but the people in my concerns are mostly English, from Dover, Somersworth, Oyster River, Exeter, Kittery and Scarbor- ough, and are actually about seventy souls, men, women and children that live in my houses around me, and the men usually employed in my service. Some of them have had their fathers and mothers killed ; some their other relations ; others have been wounded in their own persons by the Indians in the former wars. They are in a great uproar, and say they will leave the place if some security is not procured for it."
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INFLUENTIAL MEN.
In 1812, in the controversy about the title of lands in Lincoln County, Nathaniel Rollins of Jefferson made the following important deposition. "My father told me, at six years of age, that he removed to Damariscotta, now New- castle, at the request of Capt. William Vaughan who also lived there. Vaughan had large ox teams which he used to let out to get logs. My father worked with one till 1745. He also assisted Vanghan in building a garrison to protect the settlers against the Indians. This fort was 100 feet square, built of hewed and sawed timber, about seven inches thick. Vaughan owned all the land on both sides of the pond and on both sides of the river down to the ledges' which are about five miles below the toll bridge. I have worked for Vaughan, getting logs two miles above said pond. I am well acquainted with a meadow about one mile above the head of said pond, called Vanghan's meadow, which I knew persons to ocenpy under said Vaughan for many years. There are sundry meadows on the westerly side of said pond, about one mile distant therefrom, being within said claim, all of which I have often mowed, under said Vaughan. He put a considerable number of settlers on his claim on the East side of said pond and river, and himself built a large house and lived in it, on the East side of said pond, and made large improvements there, set out an orchard, and built a large barn, and he used to have twenty yoke of oxen at a time, and a large number of cows, horses and other creatures. I remember once hearing said Vanghan and sundry old people (all now, 1812, dead) speaking about the land said Vaughan owned at Damariscotta, and Vaughan said his claim extended from the head of said pond to 'the ledges.' I also remember hearing him say that he purchased a con- siderable part of said lands of the Indians. And I know of and saw the said Indians come to Vaughan and get pay for land they had sold him. And he delivered them eight quarters of beef at one time, towards said purchase. After
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NEWCASTLE FROM 1753 TO 1882.
the death of said Vaughan, I recollect one Temple who pretended title under the Plymouth Company, came down and built on part of Vanghan's claim, and an action was commenced by Elliot Vaughan and James Noble, executors of Vaughan's will, against Benj. Hutchins, tenant of said Temple, and a special court was holden in the garrison house, in which I then lived, and the Vaughan claim prevailed."
Vanghan took an early and honorable part in the seige of Louisburg. He was present and took part in the fight, and when victory was obtained, a certain writer says of him, "he was not only the primum mobile, but the very thing in this grand affair. I have great value for his virtue in general, and for his solid, firm, intrepid, persevering temper." He was unquestionably a man of uncommon ability, talents, courage and influence.
CHAPTER XXVII.
NEWCASTLE FROM 1753 TO 1882.
Ox the 19th of June, 1753, An Act was passed by the General Court for "erecting a place called Sheepscot, in the County of York, into a district by the name of New- castle." The inhabitants found that they labored under difficulties, as a plantation, and that the state of the times required a more efficient civil organization than they then possessed.
The bounds of the district were, "beginning at the Nar- rows, called Sheepscot Narrows" in Sheepscot River "at
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NEWCASTLE FROM 1753 To 1882.
the upper end of Wiscasset Bay, and so extending frout said Narrows up the said river eight miles : from thence Southeast to Damariscotta River ; and to extend down said river eight miles ; and from thence to the Sheepscot River, at the place first mentioned." The District was invested with all the powers, privileges and immunities that towns in the province "do or may enjoy," that of sending a Representative to the General Assembly, only excepted. This was the first municipality established by the Provincial Government, within the territory of Sagada- hoek, reckoning Georgetown within the Province of Maine, and was the twelfth town established in the present State. According to usage, it received a Copy of the laws, at the public expense.
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