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 17
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 17
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 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36
The Captain was contumacious. He did not obey orders. He had been rather accustomed to give, than to receive them. Whereupon, the Committee assembled three days afterward, June 23, at the house of Capt.
206
DANGERS OF THE COUNTRY.
Prince Barker and "Ordered Col. James Cargill to take the care and charge of Capt. John Hodge's Sloop, Rigging and Sails, and to hanl her up at a place Called MeRack- ney's Rock. 2dly., Ordered That the Commanding Officer of the Rigiment See that the Powder that was brought into this town, by Capt. John Farley, be distributed as was agreed at ye time it was sent for."
Col. Cargill, the fearless, the active and the efficient, had taken the Sloop in hand, and she must obey. She was hauled up and stripped ; and Capt. John Hodge had leave to tarry on shore awhile.
Four days after this, the committee, are together, prompt as the returning sun, at the house of Capt. Prince Barker. What Had called them together ? Some diseases are con- tagions. So is sin. So is rebellion. There was a near kinsman of Capt. John Hodge who had indulged in intem- perate and abusive language against Congress and the Committee, because of their position and their doings. There were traitors in those days. His case must be attended to. He is cited before the Committee ; the facts are proved, and he is obliged to make the following confession.
"Whereas, I the Subscriber, in time past, have spoken some nnadvised words, not agreeable to the directions of the Congresses or our Committee of Correspondence, I hereby acknowledge myself sorry for the same, and do promise to agree, in all matteis, according to the orders of the Congresses, Continental and Provincial ; and to assist my countrymen, in all respects whatsoever, in defence of my country, with life and interest."
Signed, ROBT. HODGE, Junior. Attest, BENJ. WOODBRIDGE, Clerk.
July 18, 1775. The Committee are together again at the house of Capt. Prince Barker. A proposition had been made by David Silvester for the release of the Sloop,
207
DANGERS OF THE COUNTRY.
Three Brothers. As the Sloop had incurred no guilt in the case, and she would do no one any good tied up at MeRackney's Rock, they conclude to let her go. Col. Cargill, David Hopkins and Sammel Calley were appointed a Committee to agree upon what terms Capt. John Hodge's Sloop should be released to Capt. David Silvester.
At the same time. they required. that Capt. John Hodge make an "acknowledgement for his past conduct in writing." The Committee were resolute (for Cargill was there) and the subdued Captain found himself minus, for the gold he had received at British hands. Hodge lived where the late Capt. Thomas Lennox did, but he owned land on Dyer's Neck. He said "he was not allowed to think at home ; but he could go over to Dyer's Neck, and there he could think as he pleased."
But Capt. John Hodge, on the 13th of June, 1775, sub- seribed, with his own hand, the following writing, "I, the subscriber, being Master of the sloop Three Brothers, do promise to the Committee of Inspection of the town of Newcastle, that I will not take any cargo on board said sloop, nor suffer any to be taken on board, before 1 acquaint the said Committee thereof, and where I intend to carry said load ; and also to conform to their directions, agreeable to the orders of Congress."
The captain was subdued ; no more trouble from him.
Yon sware that you will have no connection with George the third, King of Great Britain, nor aid and assist him or his forces or fleets which are sent from England against North America, or any of the Thirteen States in North America ; and that you will discover any Plots or Conspiracies they are forming against the said States that shall come to your knowledge ; farther, you will aid and assist the States whatever lies in your power against the forces that are come out against them.
Signed, ALEXR. NICKELS.
Dated, Newcastle, Oct. 28, 1778.
208
DANGERS OF THE COUNTRY.
1776. In May, the General Court declared Massachu- setts a Free, Independent and Sovereign State, by enact- ing that all Civil and Military Commissions, and all Writs, Precepts and Recognizances, shall, after the First day of June next, be issued in the Name of the Government and People of Massachusetts Bay in New England, and bear date in the Christian Era, without any mention or recogni- tion of the British Sovereign. It was the bold, decisive. ultimate step. Things had been ripening to this result, and at last it came. Massachusetts led the van. She took the first Step. She was now a Power in the earth. Her course was onward -- right onward to Wealth, Happiness and Renown.
Newcastle when called upon, takes her stand for the Country -- for Freedom -for Right-for God. And on the 24th day of June in Town meeting assembled, she sol- emily declares-
"That if the Honorable Congress shall judge it neces- sary for the safety of the Colonies, to declare themselves independent of Great Britain, they will support them in the measure, with their lives and fortunes."
Noble words! which but indicated the spirit that con- ceived and nttered them. Newcastle was true to her pledge. On the Fourth of July, only ten days after this Resolve, the Thirteen Colonies declared themselves Inde- pendent : and on the 24th of December following, the Town are together and agree to pay a Bounty of twenty dollars to each man who shall "enlist, march and continue in the service three months ; and that the sums shall be assessed in five days ; and in five days more, paid into the Treasury of the town.
The town boundary is now disputed. Edgeomb claimed a strip of territory running from river to river, over which Newcastle had held jurisdiction ; but Newcastle, though requested, refused to do anything about the settlement of it, at present.
209
DANGERS OF THE COUNTRY.
Peter Huntoon and family are ordered to leave the town forthwith, lest they become a publie charge.
But the rogues were not all confined to Newcastle. Other places were infested with them. On the 20th of January, 1776, Timothy Parsons of Pownalboro' wrote to the Com- mittee of Inspection of Newcastle, exposing the position and design of this man. I give his letter as I find it, as it will afford us the best history there is of the affair. "I am informed," writes Mr. Parsons, "that Abiel Wood has pur- chast or agreed for A large Quantity of Suger of Somebody neare Damiscotta River. You are Knowing I suppose, who has Sugers to Sell there by the H. H., which is soon to be hanled Over by Land. As said Wood has violated the American Association and been published in the Gazateer as Such and in Many other instances an Enemy to American Liberty by the Committee of Inspection which has been confirmed by the General Courts, and as the Eleventh Article in the Association Strictly forbids All persons from having any further Dealing with any person that is so pub- lished, the following instance May serve for an example. Said Wood sent to Portsmouth for three bbls of pitch by one Goldwaith of Woolwich this fawl past which he purchased for Said Wood thens and had got it on board his Boat. General Sullivan being informed of it Sent a file of Men and took Said Goldwaith into Custody and his Boat and pitch. The General Ordered Said Goklwaith Sent to the Committee for Tryal, and the pitch to be taken out of the Boat and put into the Province Store wh was done. The Committee Sent and had Said Goldwaith before them and he received for his Kiness to Said Wood forty-eight ower's imprisonment, twenty-four of which was without being Alowed anything to Eat or Drink. The pitch was con- demned for the County's use and considerable of his Estate taken from him to pay Charges. General Sullivan was one of the Members of the Continental Congress when the Association was paid, and Undoubtedly he took a proper
210
DANGERS OF THE COUNTRY.
Method with Goldwaith, for his traiding for Wood. I hope the Committee of Inspection for Newcastle, if they should find any Goldwaiths in Newcastle, Endeavoring to Supply Wood with Sugers or traid with him, in Any Other Respect, that they will inflict as just a punishment on the Man, and Take as Good Care of the Goods, as ower Friends at Ports- mouth did."
" When the Resolve of the General Court Came Down that Confirmed the Committee of Inspector's doings, in pub- lishing Said Wood A Violator of the Association and an Enemy to American Liberty, the people here, in General, in Stead of Breaking of Traid with him, Seame more Dis- posed than Ever to support him in his Traid. The priest Spends Considerable part of his time in advising people to traid with him. But at present, he has Nothing to traid on. I trust there is Virtue Anoff in Newcastle, to prevent his having any further Supply from or throw Newcastle, which is the Duty of Every town and place that regards the American Association, which is the Grand Criterion of Every Friend to American Liberty."
The Tories were the enemies of the country. Then, there were foes withont and foes within, and the foes within were worse than the foes without. Congress was awake to them and so were the people. They could not be trusted, for their acts of cruelty were frequent and enormous, and at every opportunity, they would betray American interests into British hands. Numbers of them fled the country, and either settled abroad, or else returned in disgrace, when the war was over. There was a loyal man by the name of Soule who lived at Broad Cove, that had incurred the hatred of the Tories, and they were determined on revenge. He was an early riser, and one morning going out before it was fairly light to feed his cattle, he was seized by those desperate men who pinioned his arms behind him, to take him away. He begged permission to go into his house and bid his family adieu, which was
211
DANGERS OF THE COUNTRY.
granted. On going into the room where was his wife with her babe in bed, he went backwards to a table, took up a knife and carried it to her that she might cut the cords that bound his hands, He wished to seize one of the four guns which he always kept standing loaded by his bedside, in order to defend himself; but, just as she was in the act of cutting the cord, the rebels seeing what was going on, aimed their guns at him, shot him dead, and split in two the thumb of the right hand of his wife. They then made off, and left the house filled with sadness, mourning and woe.
1777. At the Annual meeting, five individuals, James Carr, Jacob Greely, James Cargill, John Farley and William Nickels, were elected a Committee of "Safety, Correspond- ence and Inspection."
On the 17th of January, the Selectmen, Samuel Waters and David Hopkins, ordered Benjamin Day and family to " depart " out of town before the 20th, lest they become a town charge. If this was not gospel, it was both law and the custom of the times.
December 22. Agreeable to the recommendation of General Court the town voted £30 for the benefit of the soldiers' families, and the Selectmen were appointed a committee for that purpose.
1778, March 16. Selectmen were appointed a committee to provide for the soldier's families. James Cargill, Jacob Greely and Henry Little were chosen a committee of Inspection, Correspondence and Safety.
One seventh part of the male population, were in the Continental army. Town on May 28th, voted to supply their clothing. The assessment was made by a rate. The people manufactured and made the articles. €50 were also raised for the support of the soldiers' wives who belonged in town. The plan of government for Massachusetts Bay which the General Court had framed, not being acceptable to the people, was not adopted.
212
DANGERS OF THE COUNTRY.
The stand taken by the town in favor of the war, liberty and the country, was patriotic, noble and prompt. New- castle made out for the army, more than her quota of soldiers, and was ever ready to furnish supplies. If she ever failed, it was not because of her unwillingness but of her inability.
July the 2d of this year, the town agreed to hire £127, 16s, to pay three soldiers that went into the Continental army, their bounty and mileage, and they ordered that the sum be immediately assessed and collected.
Congress this year, divided the State of Massachusettsinto three districts, the Southern, Middle and Northern. This last embraced the three Counties of York, Cumberland and Lincoln which acquired the distinctive appellation District of Maine.
This appellation was retained, till the District was erected into an independent State.
The number of persons in town, who, this year, were assessed to pay a State tax, was seventy. Benjamin Woodbridge was Constable and Collector. He was also appointed to collect the State tax of forty-two persons living in " Adjacent " places.
1778, April 29. A committee was raised "to lay out" a Bridle road from Ezekiel Laiten's to Samuel Waters,' on Dyer's Neck. Accepted March 14, 1780.
During the Revolutionary war, a ship and a brig were loading, one with masts and the other with lumber, at Wiscasset, destined for France. Sir George Collyer, in the British Sloop of war .Rainbow, came up the river, seized them, and laid the inhabitants under contribution for supplies. The Colonel of the Regiment demanded their release and the departure of the vessel. This was refused. Several notes passed between them. Finally, the Colonel told the British Commander, if he did not release the vessels and leave the harbor within a specified time, he would station his Regiment at Daggett's Castle, a high bluff
213
DANGERS OF THE COUNTRY.
about four miles below Wiseasset, and with his cannon blow him to atoms as he descended the river. The doughty Captain, deeming discretion the better part of valor, took the hint and left.
After his departure, the two vessels sailed for France where their cargoes sold at enormous prices, and they took their pay in guns and other material of war. They arrived home in safety, where both they and their cargoes were cordially welcomed. They were profitable voyages.
At one time, Colonel Jones* went to Boston on horse- back, and returned with his saddle bags full of powder.
1779, January 6. Town voted to raise €50 for the soldiers' families. April 27, a letter was received from the town of Bristol in which they propose to join with Newcastle, Edgeomb and Boothbay, in sending a Representative to the General Court. The plan proposed was, that each town should choose a committee of three, making twelve in all, and that they should meet at Pemaquid, and choose one man for the four towns, to represent them in General Court. But Newcastle refused to concur. And on the 18th of August the town refused to give its consent to have the Constitution of State Government altered, and to send a Representative.
A County convention was called to meet at Wiscasset November 3, to consult on matters relating to the County. Major John Farley was chosen Delegate, and the town agreed to pay their proportion of the expense incurred thereby. £200 was voted for the benefit of the soldiers families. A committee was authorized to alter the road on James Given's land. Committee of Correspondence, Inspection and Safety, were James Cargill, Benjamin Woodbridge, Amos Parsons, David Haynes and James Little. A road was ordered to be laid out from Robert Cochran's to Edgcomb line. Accepted March 13, 1781.
* William Jones, his grandson.
214
DANGERS OF THE COUNTRY.
Soon after, Majorbiguyduce was occupied by the British, 1779. Colonel Cargill was ordered there with a body of men. He went, and burnt the Blockhouse and Cartilage, and afterwards, by order of Government, he again appeared at the head of a party, and labored indefatigably, till almost exhausted with toil and hunger, in filling the ditches and leveling the breastworks. Yet some of the cavities are now to be seen.
1780. At the March meeting, James Cargill, Henry Little, John Chase, Jolin Farley, and James Woodbridge were chosen a committee of Inspection, Correspondence and Safety. September 1, 1779, the Convention chosen by towns to form " A Plan of Government for the State," met at Cambridge and after a protracted and laborious season, finished their labors, the Constitution was submitted to the people for their adoption or rejection. On the 9th day of May, the people of Newcastle were brought to a vote upon it ; and of twenty-seven voters in the House, twenty- tive voted in favor of it. The Constitution was adopted by the State.
A second County Convention was held at the house of Mr. Witcher in Wiscasset on the 20th of June, to consult on matters relating to the County. David Murray was Delegate.
This year, for the first time, the people of the State were called upon to choose State officers, under the new consti- tution. In Newcastle, John Hancock had twenty-one votes for Governor, James Bowdoin two votes for Governor ; James Bowdoin had thirteen votes for Lieutenant Gover- nor; William Lithgow of Georgetown had twenty-one votes for Senator, which was all that the County of Lincoln was entitled to. It was the work of freemen, and a new chapter in the history of the State.
On the 6th of November, the town agreed to give David Murray thirty-two shillings and sixpence per pound for three thousand, four hundred and eighty "weight" of beef
215
DANGERS OF THE COUNTRY.
which he agrees to deliver to the Agent of the County appointed by the General Court, to receive the same. The money was to be assessed on Newcastle and its "adjacents," in the speediest time possible.
1781, Feb. 1. Another demand being made for beef, according to a resolve passed by the General Court in November last, the town voted not to comply, at present : but chose two delegates to meet in County Convention at the house of Ebenezer Witcher in Wiseasset, on the 14th of February inst., to take such measures as shall appear to them most for the benefit of the County, in these "dis- tressing circumstances." Jonathan Jones, Wm. Nickels, Hugh Holmes, Robert Simpson appointed Committee of of Inspection, Correspondence and Safety. May 13. The town voted not to raise any men for the Continental army, but agreed to petition the General Court, to be relieved of that burden. The Selectmen were to petition in behalf of the town. Oct. 3. The town, considering their circum- stances, in having their communication ent off, in a great measure, by sea, andl consequently their trade, voted not to assess any State tax at present, "in hope that the General Court, when they duly consider the matter, will not exact it of us." The "adjacents" were invited to send, each a man, to assist the Assessors of Newcastle, in making out the State and County taxes for this year.
In every tax of £1,000 upon the whole State, the Dis- triet of Maine paid £92, 2s., Id. Beef tax on Maine, was 236,120 lbs. Shoe and hose tax on Maine, in 1780, was 1.016 pairs; York furnished 69; Falmouth 72; Pownal- boro 36 pairs : and other towns in proportion. Thomas Cushing had 8 votes for Lient. Gov. Wm. Lithgow had 5 and Thomas Rice 3 votes for Senator. These were all the voters present at that meeting.
1782. A new demand is made, both for men and means. The town ordered the Selectmen to send up to the Gen- eral Court a list of the sol liers who have already gone
216
DANGERS OF THE COUNTRY.
from Neweastle and were in the Continental army, and which would amount to more than the present quota. And considering their distressing circumstances, "they thought it out of their power to pay Continental taxes."
1783. The committee of Correspondence and Safety is dispensed with. May 8. The town voted not to assess any State or Continental tax which came to this town before peace was proclaimed, and to indemnify the Select- men for any loss or inconvenience occasioned to them thereby. The town had got up a little bit of a rebellion. Whereupon in November they were surprised by an Exe- ention taken out against them, by Edmund Bridge, Esq., for a deficiency to the State, of their required portion of beef. The amount of the Execution, was £251, 17s., 4d.
The Execution was taken out the 15th of November and would expire in fifty days. This forcible appeal brought the town to terms. A town Meeting is hurried along ; and the case is just as plain as the Warrant calling the meeting, that that debt must be paid. A vote of town meeting would not delay the last hour of grace, no, not a single moment. Peace had come and so had their deter- mination to pay that debt. The nation had whipped the English, and there was power enough left to bring a little town in Maine to terms. Newcastle had done well in the Revolution ; but her debts to her country, must be paid. They were paid-the rebellion was quelled. For, on the 16th of December, they empower Jonathan Jones to go and see Mr. Bridge on account of said Execution, and also consult Jonathan Bowman, Judge of Probate, to know if another State tax must be assessed immediately, and make return of his doings to the Selectmen. Newcastle is her- self again. Legal suasion has its uses, in this unwilling world.
The State and Continental taxes had, for some time, been felt to be a burden, by this and the neighboring towns ; and on the 28th of November, John Farley was
217
'TOWN CENSUS AND VALUATION.
appointed by the town to attend a Convention of Dele- gates from neighboring towns, at the house of Oliver Nash, Esq., at Broad Cove, to consult and take such measures, as they may judge proper, to get an abatement of their taxes. One of the objects of this meeting appears to have been, to make a representation of the whole matter to the General Court, and have them take some action upon the matter.
CHAPTER XXX.
TOWN CENSUS AND VALUATION.
IN 1783. the year after the Revolution, there were in town, as per valnation, 28 families, consisting of 114 per- sons. They were distributed in families, as follows : Widow Sarah Cunningham, 5 ; Thomas McNear 5 ; Hugh Holmes, 4; Widow Mary Kennedy, 2; Col. James Cargill, 7 ; Samuel MeLelland, 1 ; Widow Mary Hodge, 2; William Kennedy, 9 ; Henry Kennedy -; Robert Cochran, 5; Nancy Hopkins, 1 ; Peter Patterson, 5; David Cargill, 5 ; David Somes, 9; John Cochran, 2; Adam Cochran, 3; James Brewer, 3 ; Allan Malcolm, 5; Samuel Kennedy, 1; Elias Perkins, 2 ; William Kennedy, 1; Samuel Kennedy, 4; John Cunningham, 6; Benjamin Cheney, 5; Capt. Samuel Nickels, 12 : David Linscott, 3; Alexander Dun- can, 3 ; Benjamin Woodbridge, 4. The number of rate- able polls that year was 32 ; polls not rateable, 3. Dwell- ing houses, 15 ; Barns, 15 ; Mills, none ; Buildings worth £5 and upwards, none ; Acres of tillage land 533 ; Acres of English mowing land, 141: Acres of fish meadows, 16;
·
218
TOWN CENSUS AND VALUATION.
Acres of salt marsh, 169; Acres of pasturage, 121; Acres of woodland, 704; Acres of unimproved land, 2,113; Acres of land unimprovable, 580; vessels two, 93 tons each ; Stock in trade, none ; Horses and mares 13; Colts two years old, 1; Colts one year old, 4; Oxen, 40 ; three years old, 21; two years old, 32 ; one year old, 47; Cows, 75 ; Sheep six months old, 153; Swine, six months old and upwards, 49; Ounces of plate, none ; Debts due €149 ; Money on hand, £9, 10s. There were also on the Eastern side of the town six colored people and some on the Western.
It is to be remembered that when this valuation was taken, the country was just emerging from a long and per- ilous wir with the most mighty nation on earth, and that, of consequence, the inhabitants, especially in these East- ern parts, were few and comparatively poor. War is the great destroyer !
Jonathan Jones is chosen the first Representative to the General Court, under the new Constitution.
1784. The General Court took action on the prayer of the petitioners. And on the 1st of September, the town were together, and appointed a committee to meet a com- mittee of the General Court, and to provide entertainment for them while they were in town. It is believed that they were not successful; or if so, only in part; for in 1786, they vote to make their arrearage tax by last year's valnation.
This year an unsuccessful attempt was made to sell a lot of land which the town obtained of Jonathan Fish, that lay at the Head of Damariscotta Pond.
1785. Benj. Rackley agrees with the town to keep Mrs. Cooper one year from the 2d of May, at the rate of 4s., 9d. per week.
The State tax for this year, was £166, 17s, 23d., and was assessed on 69 individuals.
The General Court employed a Public Religious Teacher,
219
TOWN CENSUS AND VALUATION.
for one half of the year, to labor in the destitute Towns and Plantations.
This year, Jan. 1, was distinguished by the issuing of the first number of the "Falmouth Gazette," Thomas B. Wait, Editor. It was the first newspaper printed in the State.
At the "Call" issued in this paper, the Convention of 33 Delegates met October 5, at Falmouth in Rev. Messes. Smith and Deane's Meeting house, for the purpose of tak- ing into consideration, the condition of the three Counties of Maine,-York, Cumberland and Lincoln, and whether it would be for their benefit to have a separate State Gov- ernment. They send out circulars to the towns in the District, calling a meeting for the same purpose, to be held the first Wednesday in January, 1786, at the same place as the first. at 10 A. M. The town voted a compli; ance; and Samuel Nickels was appointed a Delegate. His instructions were: 1, To vote for a separate State Government ; 2, If the Convention should conelnde not to separate, then he must leave and return home ; 3, If the Convention should deem a separation expedient, and inaugurate measures to that end, then he must use "his own discretion with his brethren," as to the manner in which the thing should be effected.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.