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 24
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 24
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The 4th section grants power to the "Trustees to elect and constitute sneh officers of the Academy as they shall deem necessary and convenient, and the making of orders, laws and rules for the good government of the Academy, and not repugnant to the laws of the Commonwealth. "
The 5th section limits the number of Trustees to not more than thirteen and not less than seven ; which last number shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for transacting business.
The 6th section provides for the filling of vacancies.
The 7th enacts, "That the Trustees aforesaid, and their successors, be, and they hereby are, rendered capable in law to take and hold by gift, grant, devise, bequest or other-
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wise, any lands, tenements or other estate real or personal ; provided, that the annual income of said real estate shall not exceed the sum of two thousand dollars, and the annual income of their personal estate shall not exceed the sum of seven thousand dollars ; and all deeds and instru- ments which the said Trustee may lawfully make, shall be sealed with their seal, and shall bind the said Body Politic and their estates, real and personal, under the name of The Trustees of the Lincoln Academy."
Section 8th further enacts, " That if the said Trustees of the said Academy shall, within three years from the passing of this act, furnish evidence to this Court, that funds are secured to the use of this Academy by private donation or otherwise, to the amount of three thousand dollars, the said Trustees shall be then entitled to a grant of half a township of land from this Commonwealth, for the use and support of said Academy."
The 9th section empowers Samuel Nickels, Esq., "to appoint the time and place for holding the first meeting of the Trustees, and to notify them thereof."
In accordance with the provisions of this charter, a sub- scription paper, dated Newcastle, December 20th, 1801, was drawn up by Rev. Kiah Bayley, and put in immediate circulation. The paper was signed by Samuel Nickels and fifty-seven others, whose individual subscriptions varied from five to one hundred dollars ; but whose united sub- scriptions amounted to $1,226. This was in Newcastle. In Bristol thirty-eight subscribers were obtained, and while their individual subscriptions varied from five to fifty dol- lars, their united ones amounted to $741. This list was headed by Thomas McClure, Esq., signed $50. In Wiscas- set the subscription was headed by Captain William Nickels $50, and with him thirty-three others, whose subscriptions varying from five to fifty dollars, amounted in all to $400. In Boothbay the subscription is headed by Rev. John Sawyer and with him are associated twenty-four others.
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LINCOLN ACADEMY.
Their subscriptions vary from four to fifty dollars; the highest is fifty dollars, and amount in all to $225. In Nobleborough from six individuals $170 was obtained. The highest subscription here, Captain John Borlands, was $40 ; the lowest was $20. In New Milford $141 was obtained from eleven individuals. The highest subscription here was Mr. Moses Carlton, $50. The lowest two dollars. All these subscriptions amounted to the handsome sum of $2,973. Besides this, land was given to erect the building on, to the amount of $50. The whole $3,023. In addition to those already named, I find the names of sundry other subscribers, among whom are, Henry Knox, Thomaston, $100; Mark L. Hill, Georgetown, $30 ; Alexander McLean, Bristol, $20; Aaron Ring, Edgcomb, 10; Peleg Talman, Bath, $10.
Considering the value of money, the state of trade and the wealth of the times, our fathers entered into this enter- prise with wonderful spirit, commendable zeal and praise- worthy liberality. The towns around Newcastle, showed their interest in this matter by the promptness with which they responded to the call, and the generous contributions they made for this object.
The sum of three thousand dollars required by the Leg- islature to be raised by private subscription, before receiv- ing State aid, was soon made up, and when this was done, the Legislature assigned them half a township of land from the Commonwealth for the use of the Academy. The grant was assigned from any of the unappropriated lands in the District of Maine, with the usual reservations. This resolve passed June 2, 1802. In November 1, of this year, the town was asked, but refused to give the acre of land on which the old Meeting house stood, near Col. Barstows, to Lincoln Academy, as a lot on which to place it.
This appropriation by the Legislature, not being satis- factory to the Trustees, probably on the ground that it might be some time before the half township of land would
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be settled and become productive capital to the Academy, the Trustees petitioned the Legislature, by their committee raised for the purpose, of whom David Dennis of Noble- boro' was chairman, that instead of unappropriated wild land, they might have the " Gore " which lay between the Plymouth and Waldo patents. This Gore lay principally within the present town of Jefferson, though portions of it extended into other towns. The prayer of the petitioners was answered. The Resolve in aid of the Academy passed February 12, 1803, and the Trustees proceeded to sell out those acres ; and many of the settlers in that vicinity now hold their titles to their farms from Lincoln Academy. There was however difficulty with regard to the Plymouth, Waldo and Drowne claimants, who pretended that their patents severally overlapped portions of this Gore, which was not settled till the year 1811.
At the time of the " Great fire " in Damariscotta in 1845, the records of the Academy were entirely consumed, so that whatever is now known of its former doings, are the mere gleanings of these fleeting years. But it is well understood that the Trustees immediately went to work, and soon the Academy was in active operation. A lot of land was procured at the corner of the river road and the old road to Sheepscot, a few rods North of Mr. Elias Bailey's. In 1803, Enoch Perkins furnished timber to the amount of $27.90. At the same time, in July, Robert Rob- inson furnished timber to the amount of $27.42. By these charges I should judge these two men furnished the frame in the early part of 1803; for their bills were settle:lin July. In March 1804, Joseph Jackson received payment for 2,000 feet of clear boards, $32.00. These were for fin- ishing. The lot was donated by Alexander Little. In Feb- ruary 1805, $35.55 were paid Charles Clark for 2,000 feet of clear boards and for drawing them. The lock and handle for the door, cost $3.75. October 5, $1.20 was paid for six bushels of hair ; so that I conclude they were between two
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and three years in building it. The stove was purchased November 13, 1805, and cost $68.60. The first Treasurer was John Farley ; the second Rev. Kiah Bailey. The building was two stories, commodious and of good propor- tion. The reason why it was situated in that neighborhood was that Mr. Bailey resided near by ; the Preceptor and many of the scholars boarded with him, the lot there was donated by a resident there, and Mr. B. could have a con- stant oversight of the school.
Daniel Haskell was the first Preceptor. He commenced school October 1, 1805, with forty scholars. The tuition amounted to $62. The second term commenced Jannary, 1806, and continued to May ; Number of scholars 32. Third term commenced May 22, and continued to Septem- ber 4; Number of scholars 46. Whole number of scholars 118. Whole amount of tuition for the year, $257.60. Daniel Haskell continued Preceptor two years, to Septem- ber 1, 1807. Among his scholars I find the names of Wil- mot Wood, Wiscasset, and Mobec Mitchell, North Yar- mouth, afterwards Congregational minister at Waldoboro. The second year began October 1, 1806. Number scholars, first term, 41; second term, 45 ; third term, 35. Second year ended September 1, 1807. Third year commenced October 6, 1807. N. S. S. Beman, Preceptor. Afterwards Rev. Dr. Beman, of Troy, New York. Whole number of scholars 99. The fourth and fifth years were tanght by Mr. Beman. Among the names of his scholars, I End those of Jonathan Adams, James Cargill, Daniel C. Mor- ton, Joseph Sherman : all of whom arrived to distinction among their fellows. Mr. Beman left at the close of his third year in 1810. Mr. Bailey delivered the Dedicatory Discourse of the Academy; and the building continued standing there nearly thirty years, when it accidentally canght fire in 1828 and burnt to the ground.
Mr. Wood was a lawyer and resided in Wiseasset. Jon- athan Adams was a clergyman and preached in Woolwich,
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Deer Isle and Boothbay. Daniel Morton was a minister and the Author of the lives of Mrs. Kiah Bailey and Rev. Levi Parsons ; and Mr. Sherman was a successful teacher. both in this State and in Kentucky. James Cargill, though short in life, made that life exceedingly laborious and use- ful. He was converted to God when a young man under the ministry of Rev. Kiah Bailey. When fitted for college he entered at Middlebury, where he remained until kis second year ; then 1810, he came to Bowdoin, where he graduated in 1814. He was a very pious man, and exerted a salutary influence among his fellow students. He estab- lished the weekly evening prayer meeting which has been kept up ever since, and planted the oak tree in the College yard, in commemoration of the event .* He was looking forward to the Ministry as his chosen profession, but con- sumption, soon after his graduation, laid her cold, ema- ciated hand upon him, and the angels conveyed him to the land that was sorrowless and the home of the blest.
At one time he was in company with Mr. Jewell, a Free Will Baptist minister, when conversation turned upon doc- trinal and denominational differences; but Cargill who valued the meat of the nut more than he did the shell, replied by saying in conclusion : "Bro. Jewell, names are nothing ; if you love my Jesus, you will do well enough."
His dying words were singing the 122 Hymn of Watts. Book II :
"My God, permit me not to be A stranger to myself and Thee ;"
This was uttered in a distinct and clear voice ; and when he came to the third stanza :
"Call me away from flesh and sense One sovereign word can draw me thence ;"
the spirit departed, and he stood the companion of Jesus. before the radiant face of God.
* Hon. George Evans.
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LINCOLN ACADEMY.
In 1829 the present Academy building was erected where it now stands, to better accommodate the growing population in that vicinity and at Damariscotta Mills; as it did not prove to be large enough for its intended pur- poses, it was enlarged on its western end a few years ago.
It was a wise measure of the fathers to erect it, and it has proved of incomparable worth to the past and present generation. It also promises well for the future.
The following is a list of the preceptors or principals of the Academy, in the order of their service, with other infor- mation concerning them.
1. Daniel Haskell.
2. Nathan Sidney Smith Beman.
3. Harvey Talcot.
4. Edward Hallister.
5. Fiske, afterwards a college professor.
6. Daniel Morton.
7. Elijah Jones.
8. Samuel G. Clapp.
9. Bradeen.
10. Freeman Bradford, deceased.
11. Augustus F. Lash, a graduate of Bowdoin, deceased,
12. James Drummond, a clergyman.
13. Joseph T. Huston, Preceptor of Bath Academy, and Professor of Mathematics in the ship North Carolina U. S. Navy.
14. Stephen H. Hayes, a clergyman in Maine and Massachusetts.
15. Benjamin F. Mitchell, President of a college in Tennessee.
16. A. B. Wiggin, Principal of the High School in Bath two years or more, and teacher in Saugerties, N. Y.
17. G. Snow Newcomb, a resident of Kingston, Mass.
18. Henry M. Pierce, L. L. D., once President of Rutgers Female Institute, New York City.
19. Larkin Dunton, Master of girls Normal School, Boston.
20. Charles L. Nichols.
21. A. P. Whittemore.
22. J. Manchester Haynes.
23. Granville M. Thurlow.
24. W. H. Kelley. September 6, 1880. Preceptress of female department :
Miss Anna G. Reed of Taunton, Mass., from 1846 to 1852.
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SCHOOLS FROM 1753 TO 1882,
Assistant lady teachers :
1. Miss C. A. Stockbridge, resides in Michigan.
2. Miss Lucy Wells.
3. Miss Anna O. Glidden, deceased.
4. Miss Mary Page.
5. Miss Nellie L. Goodenow, resides in Boston.
6. Miss Emily D. Thurlow, deceased.
7. Miss Amanda Weeks, resides in Damariscotta,
8. Miss Ada Webb.
9. Miss Mary E. Hilton.
10. Miss Emma Cook.
11. Miss E. O. Pratt.
12. Miss Mary P. Chapman.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
SCHOOLS, FROM 1753 TO 1882.
JUST how much the towns, or individuals did for the support of schools during the earlier days of the town's existence, it is impossible for us now to say. The most we can gather at this late day, is from the Town Records. And these are exceedingly brief. There is only here and there a notice of the schools in them. During the provin- cial existence of the town, while education was not wholly neglected, there is reason to believe, as in most new coun- tries, it was lamentably low. And, after the incorporation of the town, the first notice I find of schools in the Town Records, was March 22, 1763. There is this entry : " Voted that we have no town schoolmaster this year." By which, I conclude, that the town was one district, that they employed one schoolmaster, and that they had both a
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SCHOOLS FROM 1753 TO 1882.
school and a school teacher previous to this year. The people were poor, much of the time there was border war- fare, and political difficulties began to thicken.
But after passing this vote, the town" " having fifty householders " was prosecuted for not having a public school. This brought the town to action ; and, instead of contending, they threw themselves on the mercy of the Court and were discharged by paying costs, £1, 4s, 8d.
Two years afterwards, in the Town Warrant for a meet- ing to be held March 6, 1765, an article was inserted to see what the town would do about " employing a school- master to keep a town school this present year ;" and how much money they would vote to raise for that purpose. But the town decided to do nothing about it, at that meeting.
However, at a meeting held September 11th of this year, the town agreed that Mr. Eleazer Hudson should teach "in this town or district, for one year from this ; and that his compensation should be £26, 13s, 4d," together withi "Board, lodging and washing." One half of the said sum should be paid at the end of six months, and the other half at the end of the year. They also agreed to pay 6s, Sd per week for Mr. Hudson's " board, washing and lodging."
They also arranged that the school should be kept on both the East and West sides of the town, in proportion to the "rates " paid that year. More definitely, they agreed that the school should be kept four months at the "Flankers,"+ two months at William Cunninghams, or thereabouts, where a place convenient might be provided ; one month at the upper end of the townt on Sheepscot river ; two months at Damariscotta Mills ; two at Abner Perkins,§ and one month at Damariscotta river.
* Record of Court of Sessions.
+ Sheepscot.
# Woodbridge's neighborhood.
§ Where Daniel Perkins now resides.
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SCHOOLS FROM 1753 TO 1882.
October 4, 1766. Hugh Homes brings in a bill against the town, for the following items : " by " (to) " half a Cord of wod when Master Shinger Cept school, €0, 28, 0d. July 20, 1767 ; "by " (to) "Maken sats and benches in the Meeting house for the school, 4s." So, I conelude that Mr. Faithful Singer, (for that was his name,) had succeeded Mr. Hudson as teacher of the town schools, and that the schools had been continued from year to year.
The next notice of the schools, bears date October 27, 1766, when the town " voted not to hire Mr. Faithful Singer as town schoolmaster for this town or district."
March 10, 1768, Christopher Hopkins charges the town with boarding Mr. Leison, the schoolmaster, one month at 5s per week, old Tenor £10, £1, 68, 8d. Hauling firewood €1. Hugh Homes also brings in a bill this year for wood for the school to the value of €2, 8d, which was allowed.
August 22, 1768, the town voted to raise €40 lawful money for the support of schools, for the year ensuing this date. They constituted Richard Bowers, Lemuel Perkins and Nathaniel Rouling a committee for the Eastern side of the town, with power to employ a schoolmaster or school- mistress, as they may think proper, and to draw upon the town treasury for the support of the school. They also voted that Benjamin Woodbridge, David Hopkins and John Cunningham be a committee to provide a schoolmaster for the Western side of the town, having power to draw upon the treasury for their proportion of the school money ; and that the people at the Head of the Tide shall have power to draw out their proportion of the school money to hire a school mistress amongst them. The town was practically districted by this arrangement.
We now pass on to March 14, 1769, when the town voted that Henry Hodge, Robert Koghern and Peter Patterson should have a school amongst themselves, with power to draw upon the town treasury for its support, in proportion to the taxes that they paid. These families lived over to the West of Crombie's Reach.
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SCHOOLS FROM 1753 To 1882.
They also chose John Plummer, Samuel Waters and John McChire a committee to provide a school at the "upper end" of the town. This was making substantially five districts, all of which, it is to be supposed, were provided with teachers that year.
September 4, 1770, the town voted to " continue" Mr. Moses Halman, " schoolmaster to keep school at £150, old tenor, per year ;" by which I conclude, that he had been employed there, previous to that time.
The next year, March 12, 1771, the town voted to raise £30 for the support of a "town school or schools." But on March 11, 1773, they voted not to do anything about a town school that year.
Nothing farther appears to have been done by the town in its official capacity for schools, until April 6, 1789, a period of 16 years, when the town again voted not to do anything about a school at present. A period of twenty- one years, from the time of the last school, passes away, when we arrive at May 7, 1792 ; then in defining the limits of school districts, the town voted that the inhabitants have liberty to class themselves for a town school and make a return of their doings to one of the selectmen, on or before the first day of June next ; and if the town, or any part of it, shall neglect to class themselves by that time, then the selectmen shall have power to divide the town into classes, as they shall judge most convenient. And that each class or district shall have power to employ their own schoolmaster, with the approbation of the selectmen. On the 2d of Nevember, 1792, the selectmen reported to the town, that the inhabitants had failed to do anything about districting themselves, and that they had proceeded to do it. But the town failed to entertain the matter.
The action of the selectmen seems not to have given satisfaction, and the people proceed to classify themselves. And on January 3, 1793, the town voted that this classifi- cation should become a law till the next annual meeting.
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SCHOOLS FROM 1753 TO 1882.
April 3, 1793, the town voted that the people should divide themselves into districts or classes, and make return of their doings betwixt this time and our next May meeting. The matter appears to have dropped here ; for I find noth- ing farther respecting this matter, in the records of that or subsequent years.
In 1795, the town raised £30 for the support of schools ; in 1796 $100, and 1797 $200. After this, the thing became established. Money was voted for schools every year from 1792 ; and there was a general increase till 1801, when they raised $500; but in 1806 they dropped down to $300. But in the April meeting, an attempt was made to raise $200 more, which failed. Then, some friend of education had the town indicted for " neglect of schools ; " and they were required to answer that indictment before the Supreme Judicial Court, to be holden at Wiscasset on the second Tuesday of June, 1807. David Murray was chosen agent to defend the town in the action. That year $600 were raised for the support of schools.
May 10, 1799, the town voted that all persons between the ages of 4 and 21 shall be considered scholars by the selectmen. And in April 4, 1803, leave was asked, and granted by the town, to James Cargill and others, to build a schoolhouse on the town's land, on Garrison Hill. This is the first schoolhouse, that, I can find, was built in New- castle. The schools had been kept in different places, as convenience and interest might suit ; and at one time, it was kept in the partly finished Meeting House on the Eastern side of the town, and Orchard Cooke Esq. was teacher.
For the long time from 1753 to 1792 I find but a few years where there is any record of the town voting any money for the support of schools. And the records were then kept with great particularity and care.
John McNear was the first Town Clerk. He continued in office from 1753 to 1757. He was a poor speller, a poor
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SCHOOLS FROM 1753 To 1882.
penman and a bad grammarian ; and his records are brief and without beauty or finish. William MeLelland follows him in 1758, and continues in office till 1762. He was a beautiful penman, but his records are brief. Then comes John McNear again till 1766, when Samuel Nickels was chosen Clerk and continued in office till 1803. He was a good penman, correct in business, and he has left us a record worthy of the man and the position he held.
And during all the years from about 1760 to 1792, and even sometime after this date, articles would almost invari- ably be inserted in the town warrant, to see what time the rams should be kept from the sheep; whether the town would allow stallions over a year old to run at large ; whether the hogs might run in the highway, they being properly "yoaked and ringed ;" and what bounty the town would pay for killing a "grown wolf," but nothing was said about the children, or what provision these civil fathers would make for their hungry minds, a few years only excepted. Youth of this generation, we live in a more hopeful day. Improve your present privileges, or your loss and shame will be far greater than those who hewed down these forests, killed those wolves, and destroyed the Indians forever. It is to be presumed they did the best they could in the circumstances ; but they opened a path for you, which, though run with patience, will be crowned with glory.
From 1808 to 1822 the amount of money raised, each year, for the support of schools, was $500, except 1811, when $S00 was raised for that object. In 1823, 1824 and 1825, $600 was each year appropriated for this purpose ;- in 1827 and 1829, $500 ;- from 1833-1837, $620 ;-- in 1840, $650 ; from 1842 to 1847, $700; in 1852, $820; and from 1854 to 1858, $1,500, This shows the estimation the town has had for its schools and what they have been willing to do for their support. And it has been money well invested. The schools have been prosperous, well con-
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CLAM SHELL DEPOSITS.
ducted, and greatly to the advantage of the place. Here the children and the youth have laid the foundation of that education which has made them useful in life, influential among their fellow men, and a blessing to those that shall come after them. Wide is the difference between them and those lands where education is neglected, schools are not known, and the children are allowed to grow up in ignorance, neglect, and barbarous customs and manners.
May 5, 1821, the record states, that "at a meeting held this day the action of the Selectmen was accepted by which the town was divided into eleven school districts." And on April 6, 1844, the town voted that the several school districts chcose their own Agents. The town had done it before.
CHAPTER XXXV.
CLAM SHELL DEPOSITS.
THERE is one item of antiquarian interest which I have scarcely ever seen noticed by any writer of our country, whether he be early or late; and that is the clam shell deposits which are found all along the coast of Maine. I know of several of them. There is one of them on what is called the Hawthorne farm in the town of Cushing, once owned by Mr. Isaac Burton. It is a peninsula extending Southward into the St. George's river about ten miles below that part which "trends westward into the magne." The deposit is on the extreme southern end, on a beautiful plat that looks toward the sun, and was defended from the cold winds of the North and Northeast by the rising
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CLAM SHELL DEPOSITS.
grounds in the rear and the heavy forests that overshad- owed them. Here the Indians had their encampment, raised their corn, and continued to live through untold gen- erations. The clam shell deposit was near the bank, helped to form the bank, and was from one to eight or ten feet deep. The whole deposit was about three rods wide and fourteen rods long. It is the accumulation of ages. Many of the shells, under the action of the plough and the harrow, and being exposed to the action of the weather, have changed entirely to a black mould ; and a vast num- ber of bushels are in the various stages of decomposition, from the perfect shell to that which is ground to the finest dust. It makes capital soil; and the seed which is cast there, whether it be corn, oats, potatoes or turnips, is sure to produce a plentiful crop. I have never seen better. It is the richest, surest, best part of the farm, by far. The river fogs moisten the crops in summer, and the influence of the salt water keeps back the frosts in autumn. The crop is as certain as anything can be.
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