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 18
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 18
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1786. The Convention deliberate upon the matters before them, and without coming to any definite conclu- sion, adjourn to the following Sept. 5. Samuel Nickels was Delegate.
At the same meeting, May 9, the town voted to petition the General Court, to establish the Superior Court at Wis- casset. Falmouth is, at this time, divided, and Portland incorporated. This was July 4, just ten years after the Declaration of Independence. They also ask that the Court of Common pleas shall hold its Sessions at Wiscas- set : and they petition the Court of Sessions to have the Jail built, at the same place. Their prayers and those of the other petitioners, were answered.
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March 16. Jonathan Jones, John Given and Benj. Woodbridge were appointed a Committee, to lay out a road from Jonathan Jones' residence to John Given's ;--- Damariscotta Pond to Woodbridge neighborhood. This road was the subject of contention for a long time ; and at last it was settled by the gift of the land to the town, over which it ran, by Jones and Given. It was accepted by the town April 7, 1788.
The town also voted a road from Damariscotta Pond to Salt water, and a landing place. Laid out and accepted April 6, 1789.
A committee was also raised to lay out a road from Ebenezer Clarke's across "Wading Place" to the County road. Accepted April 6, 1789.
1787, Feb. 11. Vessel cast away at Bangs' Island. Capt. Chase and his apprentice drowned .* She was a sloop of ninety tons, bound from Sheepscot to Newbury. The two drowned were Capt. Moses Chase and John Deane. Three of the crew were saved. The loss was attributed to the want of a lighthouse at the mouth of the harbor, none having been erected there. Immediate measures were taken to secure that object.
1787. In the latter part of this year, a Circular was sent into the town, requesting the minds of the inhabitants, respecting a separate State Government, and a Warrant was issued calling a town meeting ; but the voters failed to meet, and no action was taken. The feeling in favor of the measure, was evidently declining, and the work of creating another State, was reserved for the succeeding Century.
On the 5th of November, the town was asked to express their minds on the United States Constitution which was done in Convention September, 1787. They voted " not to accept the Constitution as it now stands." They chose David Murray a delegate to the State Convention, at
* Deane's Journal, p. 359.
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Boston, which was to be held the second Wednesday in Janu- ary 1787, to represent the minds of the people there, upon the question. The instructions, given him, as drawn up by James Cargill, Benjamin Woodbridge and Samuel Kennedy, the town's committee for that purpose, were. " That he join said Convention and give his vote against Said Constitution, as it now stands, and if his brethren in Convention assembled, should think it proper to write to Congress the objections they have against said Constitu- tion, to act his own judgment for this town's objections." A majority of 19 of the towns in the State, were in favor of the new Constitution. The vote stood 187 for, and 168 against it.
1788. There were 54 votes thrown April 7, for Captain Henry Hodge, for County Treasurer, and none for any other person. An unsuccessful attempt was made this year, to add two and one-half miles to the North side of this town. December 18, the town was called to the responsible duty, for the first time, of electing a President and Vice President of these United States, and Represen- tative to Congress, under the New Constitution. For Electors the Hon. Samuel Thompson had 43 votes ; and William Widgery had 42 votes. Hon. George Thateher received 61 votes for Representative and was elected.
1789. The petition is again renewed to have Wiscasset made a shire town for the County. In 1799 the Legisla- ture passed the act for this purpose. 1790, assistance being asked for the support of old Mr. Robert Hodge, the town agrees with Mr. Jacob Rowell to " keep him comfortable. with meat, drink, washing and lodging ," for one year, from date. May 4, for 5s per week ; and that he will take his cow at £3, in part pay for his keeping. Voted to appraise all his articles of furniture except bed and bedding, and deliver them to said Rowell, taking proper security to have them delivered at the end of the year in as good order, as when he received them. 1790, the votes for a Federal Repre-
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sentative were, for William Lithgow, 57; for George Thatcher, 14. The town was indieted by the Grand Jury and summoned to answer to the Court of Sessions, to be held at Waldoboro' September 13, for not being provided with a town school. Samuel Nickels was the Agent for the town. The prosecution appears to have had a salutary influence ; for at the meeting in September, when they chose an Agent to defend and settle the action, thirty pounds were raised for the support of a school. And this was followed by appropriations in every subsequent year, for that objeet.
The following note will be considered strictly private according to the Author's wishes, and is not to be spoken of to any one. I know not to whom it was addressed, whether Clergyman or Justice; that part of the paper being gone to whom it was written ; but it is presumed, as in all similar cases, he was prompt to the time and place. and that he was faithful to keep the secret.
" POWNALBORO', Oct. 23, 1790.
" Sir :- I should be happy to wait upon you to-morrow morning at your house, to solenmize a marriage &c. I wish you the marriage to be kept a secret at present ; please to let no one know your business, and you will greatly oblige your Humble Servant.
(Signed) THOMAS FAIRSERVICE. "
N. B. It is very important that marriages should be kept secret, sometimes.
May 4, the town accepted of a road previously laid out, from the Sheepscot and Damariscotta road by Alexander Nickels and John Nickels to David Soames' or Freshwater Cove. This is the road that runs down from Wright's tan- vard to the Soames neighborhood.
1792, April 2. Road shut up that leads from County road, near William Kennedy's through Cargill's land to salt water ; the town reserving the right of opening it again. by giving two month's previous notice.
November 2, voted to open a road from David Soames to Job Day's. Accepted April 1, 1793.
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1793, September 12. The town raised a committee of three, James Little, John Catland and Christopher Hopkins, to superintend the building of one half of the bridge over " Damariscotta Mills Stream." They may let out the work by the job : but it must be done in a workmanlike manner, and be finished with rails on each side. The work, how- ever, appears not to have been done, at that time; for the town was complained of the next year for the bad condi- tion of the bridge and were cited to appear, to answer to the complaint before the Supreme Judicial Court, to be holden at Hallowell, in and for the County of Lincoln, at the July term. At the same time the bridge, over Nickels' Mill Stream, was complained of because it had no railing. Moses Carleton was chosen Agent for the town. The result was, the town paid the cost of Court, and put the bridges in passable repair.
Ou the 22d of June of this year, 1793, the following " Act for incorporating certain persons, for the purpose of build- ing a bridge over Sheepscot River, in the County of Lincoln, and for supporting the same," was passed by the General Court of Massachusetts.
" Whereas, the erecting a bridge over Sheepscot River, above the Falls, at Averill's Ferry, between the towns of Pownalboro' and Newcastle in the County of Lincoln, will be of great public convenience ; and whereas David Silves- ter, Esq., and others have presented a petition to this Court, praying that they, and such as may associate with them, may be incorporated, for the purpose of building the same, with power to collect reasonable tolls for their com- pensation :
SEC. 1. Be it therefore enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives, in General Court Assembled, and by the authority of the same, that the said David Silvester, John Page and Timothy Parsons, with such other person, as may hereafter associate with them, for that pur- pose, be and they hereby are made a Corporation and Body
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Politic, for the purpose aforesaid, by the name of The Pro- prietors of Sheepscot River Bridge, and by that name may sute and be sned to final judgment and execution, and do and suffer all matters, aets and things which bodys politic may or ought to do or suffer ; and the said Corporation, shall, and may have and use, a common seal, and the same may break and alter at pleasure.
SEC. 2. Provides for the calling of a meeting of the Proprietors for the purpose of organization, choosing a clerk, &e., &c.
SEC. 3. Provides for the building of a draw and wharf, and that the wharf shall be used by, and the draw opened for the use of vessels, whenever they shall wish to pass it, " during daylight of each day," without expense to the owners of such vessels.
SEC. 4. Provides for the rate of toll, and the said toll shall commence on the day of the first opening of the said bridge for passengers, and shall continue for the term of seventy years from said day.
SEC. 5. Provides "That the said bridge shall be well built with suitable materials at least twenty-four feet wide, and well covered with planks, with sufficient rails on each side, and boarded up eighteen inches high from the floor of said bridge, for the safety of passengers traveling thereon ; and the same shall be kept in good, safe and passable repair at all times ; and at the expiration of the term hereby granted to the Proprietors of in such bridge, the same bridge shall be delivered up to the Commonwealth, in good and passa- ble repair."
1794. The following tariff for highway work, was established by the town, at their March meeting, viz : 4s. per day for a man ; 2s. for a yoke of oxen, Is. 6d, for a rart ; 3s. for a plough.
The town was petitioned, and granted leave, to build a bridge over Damariscotta River at the Lower Falls, as the General Court " shall think fit to direct. " The town voted
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that the pall cloth be kept at David Murray's, and that it may be lent to any person " freely without cost." John Farley was appointed Agent for the town to provide a standard for weights and measures. He is also appointed Agent, to sell the land at the head of Damariscotta Pond, and to give a quit claim deed for the same. The town is prosecuted for not having the gospel statedly preached among them. And Nathaniel Bryant is chosen to defend the action. Rev. Mr. Williams was shortly after invited to preach among them, on probation, for settlement. James Brown brings an action against the town, for not supporting his mother, a panper. The damage is laid at £136 " odd. " Jonathan Jones was appointed Agent to attend to the case. In the mean time, the town agreed to give James Brown €7, 10s. for keeping his mother, Jane Brown, one year from date, October 6. The stipulation was, that he should keep her "comfortable with meat, drink, washing and lodg- ing." On the next year, April 4, the town agrees to give James Brown $25.00, together with the use of his mother's third of the farm, for keeping Jane Brown one year from that time. An effort was made to send a Delegate to the Convention at Portland to take into consideration the mat- ter of separation from Massachusetts ; but the town refused to do anything about it. Jonathan Jones was authorized as Agent, to sell the town Landing where Abel Cressy lives, and the road leading to it, at private sale. A vote was passed October 6, that the Selectmen be empowered to get the town surveyed and planned according to a resolve of the General Court. In choosing a Federal Representative, Hon. Henry Dearborn had 53, and Jonathan Bowman had 18 votes.
June 25, Pownalboro' is made to disappear from the Records, and from the map of the District. Formerly it embraced three Parishes, the North, the South and the West. In 1802 the South Parish, or Precinct, was incorporated as the town of Wiscasset, and in 1794, June 25, the West is
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incorporated as the town of Dresden, and the North as the town of New Milford. In the West Parish was a Court House and a Meeting house. Prior to the Revol- tion, Rev. Jacob Bailey an Episcopalian and a rank Tory, who hated the Republicans as bad as be did the Pilgrims, was settled here and received a part of his pay from the Plymouth Proprietors. His polities pre- vented his stay there, during the war. The Episcopa- lians, at that period, favored the cause of the King. A prejudice was raised against them, on this account, and this is the reason why their growth was so slow in the District and State of Maine, for two-thirds of a century afterwards .* The Parish afterwards became Congrega- tional under the labors of Rev. Freeman Parker, who was settled here in 1797.
New Milford the third Parish of Pownalboro' was ineor- porated the same time as Dresden. This town embraced a. small portion of the old Sheepseot settlement. Several families were scattered up and down where Charles Leighton, Charles Fairservice, Eben Averill and Francis Fairservice now reside ; and when in the next century Newcastle began to be settled, population extended itself over into Alna, and came up from Wiseasset, so that, previ- ous to the Revolution, an active, thriving community was found about the bend of the river, and at the Head of the Tide. Roads began to be cut in different directions ; elear- ings were made ; Nelson's Mills were built ; a fertile country was found there; and, at the proper season, immense numbers of shad, salmon and alewives were taken, and the river below afforded a good supply of oysters.
This was the ninety-second town that was organized in the District of Maine. In 1796, a church was organized and Rev. Jonathan Ward settled by the town. He was of the Calvinistie faith and his ministry was fruitful of corres- ponding results. Mr. Ward was settled as a Congrega-
* Hon. Judge Groten.
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tionalist over a Congregational Church. His ministry con- tinned until 1817, when he was dismissed at his own request, and removed to Plymouth, N. H. His successor was Rev. Samuel Johnson, who was settled in November 25, 1818.
During the time of the American Revolution, the subject was agitated of forming a new town out of the North Parish in Pownalboro', and that portion of the town of Newcastle which lay to the North of the Sheepscot river, and to the Westward of a line drawn from the " Bend " in Sheepscot river, to the North limits of the town. And the principal reason assigned, was, that that portion of the inhab- itants might enjoy better religious privileges. Accordingly an article was inserted in the Warrant calling a meeting of the town for April 29, 1778. "To see if the town will receive and grant a request from a number of freeholders hving at the Northwesternmost part of this town, they having a prospect of joining the North Parish in Pownalboro' which will be much more convenient for them to attend publie worship." This request the town denied.
On the second of July following, a similar request was presented by the inhabitants at the " Head of the Tide," so called, with similar results.
These people then requested the town to relieve them from "paying a Minister rate" in Newcastle, that they might join the North Parish in' Pownalboro' and be assessed there. But in Town Meeting, January 20, 1779, they voted " not to take any notice of the request given in by the inhabitants in the Northwest part of this town."
The subject appears to have slumbered for the next ten years ; and in the Warrant calling a meeting of the town to be held on the 18th of December, 1788, an Article was inserted, to see if the town will exempt all the inhabitants that live to the North and West of Mr. Samuel Simpson's South or Southeast line, from "paying any rates" for build- ing a Meeting house or Meeting houses, and from paying
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any Ministerial tax in said town forever; or whether the town will excuse any of the inhabitants from paying such taxes. This request the town granted ; and it excused all the inhabitants that lived to the West of the high lands that range up Northeasterly on the center of Dyer's Neck. The people then were at liberty to join the first Parish in Pownalboro'.
This was only the entering wedge to something further ; for in April 5, 1790, the town was again asked to vote, to see if they would set off the inhabitants to the North of the great Bend in Sheepscot river that they might be incor- porated into a town with the North Parish in Pownalboro. This they denied.
On the 8th of September, of the next year, 1791, these inhabitants again petitioned the town to be set off to a new town, if the General Court should so direet, only to be denied.
But to quiet these people, and to retain them, if possible, in town, the town, in meeting assembled, on the 7th of May, 1792, resolved to have preaching for that year in two places ;- at the new Meeting house in the center of the town, and at the Head of the Tide, at such place as the inhabitants there residing, shall appoint. And the inhab- itants at the Head of the Tide should have preaching in proportion to the amount of taxes that they would raise. They also promised that the families of Mr. Jesse Cooper who lived on the center of Dyer's Neck, and of Capt. David Murray who lived where the late Col. Robt. Murray resided, and all to the North and West of them, should be
reckoned with them. It was with the same end in view that the town on the 6th of, October, 1794, voted to build a Meeting house on the "first high hill" to the Westward of the dwelling of William Waters, on the North side of the town road. This was "to accommodate the inhal)- itants living at the Northwest quarter of this town." The spot chosen was near where Mr. Cyrus Rundlett now lives ;
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and the town went so far as to appoint a committee of five individuals to carry on the building of the house. They had power given them to agree on the dimensions of the house, draw a plan of it, sell the pews and pay the expense of building. But the house never was built. These people, wearied with a fifteen years' suit at Head Quarters for justice and accommodation, applied to the General Court for relief ; and not in vain. They granted their request ; and sent a Citation to the town of New- castle to send an Agent to General Court to show cause why the prayer of the petitioners should not be granted. And on the 3d of November 1794, the town held a meet- ing, and chose Jonathan Jones as Agent. But the Agent had no influence in opposing. The thing was so manifestly just and proper in itself, that it was accomplished at once, when properly referred to the chief Tribunal of the State. The Aet for incorporating the Town of New Milford, was passed June 25, 1794. And the Act setting off a part of Newcastle to New Milford, was passed Feb. 18, 1795.
And on the 7th of January, 1796, the committees of the two towns who had been previously appointed for that pur- pose, met to settle accounts. They agreed that the town of New Milford should pay to Newcastle the sum of $100, in four annual installments, in consideration of "the said Newcastle maintaining their own poor in future." New Mil- ford should also pay their County tax for the last year. Thus ended the long and tedious controversy, and Northwest New- castle was reluctantly diminished, though there was enough left of her to make a prosperous, an influential and a wealthy town. A later day, however, showed another instance of Secession, as we shall show anon. In both instances, how- ever, the thing was done in a perfectly "constitutional"' way ; and when the controversies were ended, all the towns interested in them, moved on with a new life and to a des- tiny more glorious than before.
1796. In March, the town instructs the Treasurer to
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provide what powder the law requires. May 5. The Selectmen are authorized to petition General Court, for liberty to build a bridge over Dyer's river, where Erskine's Mill now is. The prayer of the petitioners was granted ; and on the 15th of September, the town voted to build a bridge over Dyer's river, on the upper side of the oldl one. It was to be 20 feet wide, and covered with square timber or three inch plauk :- to be of proper height, not less than two feet higher than the old bridge ; and to have proper pieces of timber laid on each side of the bridge, in the room of rails ; and the whole to be finished in a work- manlike manner.
William Waters who lived near, agreed to build the bridge in the manner described, for one hundred dollars ; and to the acceptance of the Selectmen in three months from that date.
The town voted to accept $14 for trespass committed on the Ministerial lot by Samuel Follansbee. The Selectmen were directed to put up guide posts, wherever needed, according to law. This is the first attempt of the kind in town, and was designed to be a perpetual custom.
Oct. 10. Nineteen votes were cast for Brigadier Harnden for Elector for President and Vice President of these United States. For Representative to Congress, Hon. Henry Dearbon had 16 votes, and Hon. Jonathan Bowman 2 votes.
In the year 1795, Feb. 11th, there was an Act passed the Legislature of Massachusetts; Entitled "An act incor- porating certain persons for erecting a Bridge over Damar- iscotta River, in the County of Lincoln." The next year, 1796, Feb. 13th, another act was passed, in addition to the above recited Act, and relating to the same thing. On the 10th of March, 1797, an Act was passed incorporating the Damariscotta Bridge Company and repealing all former Acts, relating to this matter.
The 2d Section of this Act provides "That John Farley,
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Waterman Thomas, William MeCobb, James Cavannaugh and Matthew Cottrill, together with those who may here- after associate with them, and their or any of their heirs and assigns, be and they hereby are constituted a Corpo- ration and Body Politic, for the purpose of erecting a bridge over Damariscotta River, near the falls at the head of navigation of said river."
Section 3d enacts, "That for reimbursing the said John Farley and others before named, their heirs and assigns, the money which may be expended in building and sup- porting said bridge, a toll be and hereby is granted and established for the sole benefit of the said John Farley. and others before named, their associates, heirs and assigns, for the space of seventy years, to commence from the day of opening said bridge for passengers, according to the rates following; (rates omitted.) Provided however That the General Court shall have the right to regulate the toll after the term of twenty years from its commencement."
In 1843, forty-six years after the building of the Bridge, the toll was reduced.
. Damariscotta Pond was formerly the receptacle of immense numbers of fish, such as alewives, salmon and shad which used to go up the stream and sluice ways which nature formed there and spawn in the deep and commodious water above. But after the mills and dam were erected at the falls, their passage up was entirely closed ; and the vast schools were broken up. But the elder Mr. Kavanagh, after he had come into possession of that property, one day in May, observing alewives in the stream below, had them taken in nets and transported to the pond above. He then directed his men to build a passage for them, so that they might ascend and descend at their pleasure. They did so ; and the consequence has been, a supply of fish in the stream ever since. The inhabitants then petitioned the Legislature to pass an Act, protecting the fish.
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April 4. The town voted to lay out a road from Alex- ander Nickels' to the old town road, near Ebenezer Clarke's. Also from town road near Dr. Myrick's to Turnbull's Ferry ; Damariscotta Bridge. The first of these roads was accepted May 5, 1796.
1797. The Selectmen were empowered to employ Dr. Bush "to try to cure Polley Laiten, and to go as far as twenty-five dollars." But the Doctor was unsuccessful. Polley Laiten was not cured. The town is indicted before the Grand Jury for not being provided with a "town stock of powder, balls, flints and kettles." The Court met at Waldoboro and John Farley was Agent. The matter was settled.
John Farley had fifty-one votes and Nathaniel Thwing four votes for County Treasurer.
1797, May 10. Mary L. ..... , "considered as one of the poor of the town," is set up at "vendue to them or him that will take her at the lowest sumn per week," during the ensuing year. Ebenezer Clarke bids her off, at 5s. 3d. per week, but he engages to make "her life comfortable."
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