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 25
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 25
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The bed of clams from which the Indians drew their supply was in a large cove to the North and West, at a convenient distance from the encampment and which helped to form the peninsula of which we are speaking.
At the deposit of clam shells, various Indian imple- ments, such as stone axes, pestles, gouges, arrowheads have been found-also caleined stones, ashes and all the marks of fire. Their wooden and skin furniture and apparel, have all vanished. Substantial articles or parts of them only remain. Here they spent their winters, and when the cod and whale fishery could not be pursued, they resorted to the clam banks for food. These never failed them. In the spring they went up river and caught salmon and shad, and at other seasons of the year they pursned the game ; but the immense number of elam shells proves incontestibly the grand gathering point, and where for untold years they lived and died. All thoughts and talk
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about their cities, are dreams and idle words. They had no cities. Their birch or log canoe was their fishing boat and ship of commerce ; the bow and arrow their weapon of defence, and houses made of poles, birch bark and skins, were their castles and places of abode. At certain seasons of the year they migrated, and at others they hibernated in these rude structures, and spent their time to but little more purpose than the bear who passes his winters by sucking his paws. Few only of their works remain.
In the town of Bremen, on a farm owned by Mr. Jacob Keene is another of these clam shell deposits. It is not so extensive as that in Cushing, yet it is near the water, in a fine, sunny, warm place, at the edge of the river looking Southward, near a spring of water, and defended in the rear by rising grounds and dense forests. Mr. Keene tells me that in some places it is ten feet deep-that the bank is actually raised by it-that Indian implements have been frequently found there, and that the soil is excellent for the production of almost any crop. Excellent corn grew there in the summer of 1863. I have examined the local- ity and can attest the truth of these statements. It was fine camping ground and the clam banks were not far distant.
Two miles above this, at Broad Cove, on land once owned by Mr. Benjamin Palmer, is another of these col- lections. It is to the East of the creek where the Indians. in the last century, fired upon the canoe, in which were William Hilton and sons and killed some of them.
On the upper end of Loud's Island, formerly Muscon- gus Island, is found another of these beds of clam shells. It was once undoubtedly quite extensive ; but the most of the bank containing it, has been washed away by the heavy seas that roll in, during Southeasterly storms, from the broad Atlantic. Here are found calcined stones, and other marks of fire, and the summer of 1863, an Indian
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skeleton was seen protruding from the bank. The dirt had been washed away around it-a woman with a spade pushed it to the bottom of the bank, where it lay till the action of the weather and the high tide scattered it beyond recovery. "Lo! the poor Indian !"
He may have been a warrior or he may have been a king, a prophet or a priest ; it matters not now ; there is none so poor as to do him reverence. Men smile as they look upon his bones, and feel satisfied that the race has passed away.
On the Eastern side of the Sheepscot river, at that nar- row passage called the "Gutt," is another of these clam shell deposits. The spot choseu for encampment was sim- ilar to the others described ;- on the bank, and near the mouth, of a river; never in the interior; with fresh water at hand, and an easy water communication in different directions. The spot was level and sunny, looking South- ward, and defended from the cold raw winds which swept down from the interior. The clam banks were near.
At other localities there are similar deposits; and wherever they are found they prove the headquarters of numbers of Indian families, probably of a tribe, through many generations.
OYSTER SHELL DEPOSIT IN NEWCASTLE.
And these facts serve to dissipate the theories of the formation of the Oyster Shell Deposit, at the "indraft" in Newcastle, on the Damariscotta river. On that rich and beautiful peninsula, was their encampment. Here they lived, and died, and were buried. All the marks of savage life found at clam shell deposits are found here. In this place they cooked and eat their oysters; and the shells were carried out and deposited in a precisely similar man- ner that the Indians did the clam shells at the mouths of the various rivers.
But where did they get their oysters? In the stream
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that ran by their place of settlement in the large bay above and in Oyster Creek which enters into this bay on the eastern side. Here they used to be found in abundance, but when the mills were put upon the river, which was done at an early period of the settlement, they were killed out. An occasional one is now found ; and Captain Samuel Glidden who was born upon this point, and till within a short time (1852, when this was written) owned and resided here, has told me that within the period of his remem- brance a bushel of oysters have been taken out of this creek in a single tide.
The quantity of oyster shells, though large and for amount unequalled in any of these Eastern parts, and found in different places, have been over-rated by Dr. Jack- son, State Geologist and others, and their origin has some- times been strangely accounted for. The soil under them is precisely like that above and around them, showing that they were first thrown upon the ground and at the edge of the bank, and that the dirt, in some places, in the lapse of time, has been able to cover them. The chief deposit is at the Eastern point on the bank of the river and opening into the bay above, and on the Northern point upon the bay, and opposite to the island where was their place of interment. There is a small per centage of clamshells among them. The bones of human beings, of birds and animals, wood ashes, cinders and stones, Indian implements and other things of interest and useful to man, have been found among them. Fresh water in abundance is found in the vicinity; and in this beautiful locality, almost unequalled in Maine, was no doubt the headquarters of a large number of Indians and others, throughout untold gen- erations. And as the time was long when these inhabitants resided here, and there were many of them, with these oyster deposits close at hand, it is easy to see how these banks were heightened and enlarged when the meat was taken ont and the shells no longer in use, were thrown upon
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them. There they lay and the piles increased through untold generations, precisely as the clam-shell deposits increased at different places upon the sea shore. The clam- shells being smaller, of course would not so increase in heaps as would the oyster shells when thrown away.
It is supposed by many that in this vicinity was the lost "city of New England " called Norumbega, or the ancient city of Arumpeag which is thought to mean the place of men. And on an island in the beautiful bay above, tradi- tion says, was the place where they used to bury their dead. The oysters, the spring fisheries above of shad and alewives, the pleasant location, and the excellent soil as well as a good territory for hunting, made it a place of attrac- tion and a cheerful abode for all who were disposed to locate themselves there. And beyond question large num- bers made it the desired place of their habitation through- out successive centuries.
When the settlers first came to these parts, vessels used to come from the Westward to dig for oysters and carry them away and they found it a profitable business. But as soon as the thick deposit of saw dust which constantly came down from the mills situated above that the English erected there, began to accumulate on the bottom, and sunken slabs and other lumber increased, the breathing holes of the oysters were stopped, their sustenance was cut off and they perished.
In Sheepscot river, above the Falls, I have myself seen oysters that were taken from the bed of the channel; and in Oyster river, in Warren, oysters were formerly found ; so that the necessity which some have felt of supposing that the oyster banks on the Damariscotta, was the result of some mighty action of the earth, either in throwing them up from beneath, or bringing them from afar, is unsatisfactory and absurd. And equally ridiculous is the idea that the Aborignes at their annual festivals, brought them from afar. They were not accustomed to do things in this way.
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If the oyster deposit was large, it is to be remembered that the oyster shell is larger than the clamshell ; and that the same number of oysters would create a heap much faster than the clams would. Many of these shells are in a remarkable state of preservation. Though their cubical contents have been over-estimated, yet they are numerous ; and a visit there, from a reasonable distance, will amply repay the trouble.
Off the coast of Bristol and Bremen, are two islands lying in range of each other, of abont 6 miles in length. Those best informed, suppose them once to have been one island ; for they are now connected by a bar on which foot people can cross, from one to the other, at low tide. The northernmost island is now known as " Hogg Island, " and the Southern one is called Lond's Island, formerly Mus- congus Island. Within the memory of man, there was on the North end of Loud's island a pond of fresh water con- taining eight or ten acres, where reeds, rushes and flags used to grow, and where the black duck and snipe used to make their nests and rear their young. This pond is now level, much diminished in size, mostly filled up and desti- tute of water, and covered with sand blown in from the beach, about one foot in thickness. Uuder that is mek and marl of unknown depth, which the inhabitants dig up and use for emiching their lands. This place is now protected from the ocean by a wall of sand and small stones raised by the wind and forced up by the waves. Outside of this, and to the North of it in the direction of Hogg island, once extended a point of land covered with trees. When these trees were ent away, and the roots which protected the bank, had decaved, the land began to give way under the action of the waves. This point of land was onee an Indian Burying Place ; and something more than sixty years ago, there came a violent storm which washed the greater part of this point away, uncover- ing Indian skeletons, human bones, brass beads, earrings,
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metallic and stone axes, flint stones, arrow heads, in almost numberless quantities. The specimens carried away have been almost endless, and some are found there at the present time. The sea has also done its part in carrying away these relies of the dead. About twenty acres have been washed away within the memory of man, and with it the entire cemetery of these sons of the forest. At the present rate of decrease, the entire upper end of this island will be gone, before a hundred years shall roll away. In one instance, the skeleton was found by a man digging for sand, in an npright position, with a brass kettle over its head. The hair had grown out long, and had changed from black to the color of copper. Other brass kettles have been taken from the same locality. One was kept for some years by an individual, who, having no use for it, sold it to a blacksmith. He worked it up into skimmers. Was not that a bright thought? He certainly had the idea of utility, and showed that he had quite as much respect for the wants of this generation as he did for the burial places of the dead.
The inhabitants from the main land oftentimes go to this old hallowed spot, for the purpose of getting sand; and occasionally they dig up human bones, beads, etc., though they are growing quite scarce. Directly over, on the other side of the point, was the Indian settlement, as is indicated by debris, calcined stones, rich soil and a clam shell deposit. This was about two feet in thickness, mostly covered with a hard turf and underneath is a sandy loam of reddish color. The shells have been undisturbed, and unbroken. The strip however is narrow, as at least three rods in width have been carried away by the violent storms and heavy seas that come rolling in from the broad Atlan- tic. Unless stopped by a heavy sea wall, raised by the hand of man, the entire Northern end of this island will soon be among the things that once were ; and then, all Indian greatness and life, and manners and relics too, to-
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gether with the ancient pond, will be searched for here in vain. Not a great while since an Indian skeleton was found here which a woman dug out with a shovel, when it rolled to the bottom of the bank, and she left it
"Alone in its glory."
Nearly a mile to the South of this, is another place, where Indian bones and relics have been frequently found .*
THE MYSTERIOUS CORAL.
On the 6th of September, 1864, I was at the house of Thomas Nelson, Esq., in Alna, who lives just below the " Bend " in the Sheepscot river. He showed me some specimens of pure coral which had been taken from a locality just across the river, from where he lived. Stepping into a small boat, we paddled across the narrow stream, and visited the spot from whenee it was taken. The bank is quite steep and rises to an elevation of a hundred and fifty feet, and is no place for a settlement neither for farming nor til- lage land. Mr. Nelson's attention was attracted to the place. by observing his cattle to go there, and stop, and look, as though they saw something unusual. He went himself and found a stone of old coral, or rather of limestone, about two and a half or three feet square, and five inches thick. a.slab, with small pieces of broken coral imbedded therein, and forming part of the stone. He broke the stone into small pieces and carried some of them, as curious speci- mens, to his house. I collected all I wished for myself, and we left many portions on the ground. Examination showed the origin of the stone. It was the work of the coral insect, made in torrid climes, under the sea, and the predominant ingredient, was carbonate of lime. Now the question is, who carried that stone there ? What part of the world did it come from and when ? How came it to be left in this obscure place ? That it is was the work of human
* Capt. Loud.
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hands, there can be little doubt ; for there is no other stone of like kind, nor ever has been, to be found in this vicinity. The place was a granite formation, covered with sandy loam, and common stones lying promiscuously all around. The corals of commerce are generally small specimens, easily handled and easily carried ; but here is one that would require two men to carry it, and then they must move with care. That it was brought here by water, in a boat, there can be little doubt; but why be transported here at all ? and why be left, after it was brought here ? Who will solve the mystery ?
Mr. Nelson has several specimens, and kindly gave me one, which are all open for the inspection of the curious.
STONE RELICS.
Stone relics have been found at Sheepscot. On the farm of Augustus Averill who lives about one-half mile North of Sheepscot Bridge, there was found by him, as he was ploughing, not long since in his field, some antiquities of this kind. One was a stone about 14 inches in length and 4 or 5 in diameter, with both ends terminating in an oval form. Its proportions were exact and made in the most mathematical manner. It was a mind well educated in this business that formed it. There were also found cutting instruments in the hatchet or rather chisel form with a perpendicular handle, all of one piece, so constructed as to perform the service of the chisel or the axe when employed in the service for which it was designed. When they were made, or by whom, and how long they have been buried there, who can tell? They were unquestionably designed for some useful purpose, and by a people not acquainted with mining or the use of iron tools.
Captain William Chase who lives at the Southern point of the " town necke," has in his possession a considerable number of metalic relics left there by the earliest settlers when they abandoned their homes and fled to save their
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lives. A stone with particular marks upon it, was found by him and used with others for the foundation of his house.
THE BARK SUNBEAM.
The bark Sunbeam was built in the summer of 185-, at Damariscotta Mills, and her builders and owners were Cap- tain Edward Lincoln and Joseph Haines, merchant. Late in the fall she sailed for Havanna, Captain Lincoln having on board his wife and only daughter, a little girl about - years of age. On the return voyage, bound for Philadel- phia, the vessel struck on the sand, a little to the South of the Capes of the Delaware, and near the boundary line which separates the States of Maryland and Virginia. The evening before the vessel was cast away, the Captain and his little family sat up late, making preparations for land- ing, and all were jubilant at the thought of reaching Phila- delphia, the next day. But about four o'clock in the morning they were awakened from their slumbers, by the thumping of the vessel upon the shore. They just had time to escape from their berths and the cabin before the the vessel filled, leaving everything behind them. Mrs. Lincoln escaped in her night clothes, and with her husband and child ascended the mizzen rigging, the sea making a clean breach over the hull of the bark. It was on the morning of the 17th of March, and the waves beat and the winds blew pitilessly upon that helpless crew and the beautiful vessel that was to bear them up for a time. By some means they contrived to cut the mainmast away which fell into the fore rigging. Hither the crew ascended and were safe. But the child of Captain L. survived the terrors of the storm till towards noon, when, chilled with wet and cold, it died, and was swept from its father's arms into the sea and found a watery grave. Its body was never recov- ered. The mother, overcome with fatigue, and cold, soon
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after fell off and was drowned. The father, then appear- ing to lose all fortitude, and overcome with the heavy calamity that had befallen him, as well as suffering the loss of strength, perished and fell into the sea. The waves were so violent, that the erew were unable to reach him or render him the least assistance. The bodies of Captain L. and wife were afterwards recovered. They were estima- ble people and both were members of the 2d Congrega- tional Church in Newcastle. When the tide went down and the storm had abated, the crew and the mates were enabled to make their escape to the shore.
A BARN BURNT.
At eight o'clock in the evening of October 7, 1856, a large barn belonging to Nathaniel Bryant, situated between . Dr. Call's and Captain F. Hopkins, and containing about twenty tons of hay and farming utensils, was consumed by fire. How the fire originated, is a mystery. Probably a pipe. Loss $700. Insurance $400.
SINGULAR STATE OF THE WEATHER.
During four or five days about the 20th of July 1856, the heat was intense, the thermometer rising to the neigh- borhood of one hundred degrees, and in some instances, even above that figure. Then it changed, and a wet season ensued. The sun was scarcely seen for fifteen days, there being immense quantities of rain and fog. A large amount of hay which had been cut, some in bunches and some in swath or spread out, was nearly spoiled. The crop was uncommonly large, but was on this account greatly diminished in value. At the end of that time the sun broke out, when the people were enabled to get their hay, such as it was. Since that time, the weather has been exceedingly wet and cold. And at the present time of writing, August 26th, a brisk fire is burning in the stove
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and for two nights there has been quite a frost. The hay has not been all gathered yet, especially that on low lands, and some on high lands. But the feed in the pastures has been excellent. There has been also an uncommon amount of thunder and lightning.
P. S. Many meadows and swamps that fall were not ent, because they were so overflowed that the men could not get on them. And the having was not completed till late in September. The potato crop was greatly damaged by the rot.
THE "APPLE STORY. "
BOSTON, May 31, 1881.
To -, Esq. My Dear Sir : In compliance with your request I send you herewith a sketch of the "apple story, " referred to in your note of the 12th inst.
It so happened that when I was about nine years of age, I spent a summer at Lincoln Academy, Newcastle, Maine. The Preceptor at that time, whose name I do not now recollect, was the immediate successor of Preceptor Beaman, afterwards widely known as Rev. Dr. Beaman, Pastor of a Presbyterian church in Troy, N. Y. Two years previous to the time of which I am now speaking, I spent one summer under the tuition of Dr. Beaman. Dur- ing a certain forenoon, the Preceptor first named, espied one of the boys taking a bite of an apple, his face being half concealed by the lid of the desk. This led the Pre- ceptor to inquire about the apples, for there were several in the boy's desk, how he came by them, and if any other hoys in the school had the like, when it appeared that the apples had been taken from Major Farley's orchard with- out his knowledge or consent, and that about one-half a dozen boys including myself were involved in the then not uncommon trespass. On learning the facts of the case the Preceptor gave directions to all of us to keep what remained and come to him with them at the close of the
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morning session. At noon all of us were on hand with our apples, in front of the Preceptor's desk. He was very kind and gentle with us, but did not fail to give us to understand that we had done wrong, in that we had appropriated to our own use the property of another with- out so much as asking his consent. To all of which we could make no reply. The Preceptor then directed that all the apples that remained be put into the most capacious satchel among us, which he himself selected and that we all proceed with them to Major Farley's residence, state the case to him, and ask his pardon. The largest boy, prob- ably twelve or thirteen years of age, was charged by the Preceptor with the duty of making confession and asking pardon in behalf of all of us. The day was warm, and as we trudged along the highway the satchel of apples was changed from one to another, so that the load was not especially burdensome to any one. As we drew near the house, there was a little uneasiness all around, as to what kind of a reception we should meet. Would Major Farley frown upon us? Would he call us hard names ? Would he threaten us and forbid our ever again coming near his orchard ? But almost before we were aware of it we had turned into the lane, covered with tan bark, leading down to his house. There sat Major Farley, calm as a summer evening, at an open window facing us, wondering no doubt what could be the errand of these young lads. When arrived at the house, and standing outside the window, mutual salutations were exchanged, when the boy who was to be spokesman, with much self-possession, and in fitting terms, informed him of our offence, and stated that we had come by direction of the Preceptor of the Academy to return what apples remained and to ask his pardon. The expected and much feared crisis had now arrived, and the question was to be solved, whether we should return to the Academy filled with shame and self-reproach; or with buoyant tread and lightened hearts.
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Never shall I forget that important moment, when, with all the dignity of a Judge, and in tones of greatest kind- ness Major Farley replied : "Young gentlemen, it gives me very great pleasure to see you, and to assure you of my heartfelt interest in your welfare. I am very sorry that the apples were not ripe. Before many days a plenty of them will be ripe and fit to eat, then you will be entirely welcome to as many as you like."
The question was then asked: "What shall be done with the apples we have brought with us ?"
The Major hesitated a moment, as if desirous of second- ing the wise instructions of our Preceptor, and pointing to the ground beneath the window, where was a hollow worn by the droppings from the caves, said : "You can put them there."
Thanking him for his great kindness, and bowing our- selves away from that benevolent presence, we returned to our school as happy a company as can be imagined.
It is needless to say, ever after this, Major Farley was our ideal of a noble hearted, christian gentleman.
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