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 3
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 3
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In 1743, a warrant was issued for calling a meeting of the proprietors. On the 31st of August following, they met at Orange Tree Tavern, Boston. And at an adjourned meeting held Monday, the fifth day of December of the same year, "they began to draw by lot, according to their several interests in the first division of ninety lots, con- taining one hundred acres more or less, and marked letter A, in the plan. On the 3rd of January, 1744, they pro- ceeded to draw the second division, by lot, marked B, on the plan, "in two parts, a house lot near the fork, and a small out lot of the same number." And at the next adjournment, March 6th, 1744, they proceeded to a third division of the lands marked C, "containing more or less named and numbered, extending to the head line of the plan, which is from the head of Muscongus to the head of the Damariscotta river."
CHAPTER III.
WARS AND TROUBLES.
PROSPERITY attended this settlement till 1675 when it was destined to fall before the flames which savage fury had kindled. Woolwich had fallen-Sheepscot had been burnt -the inhabitants were fugitives at Cape Newaggon and
-
15
WARS AND TROUBLES.
elsewhere-Georgetown had been laid waste-blood flowed like water and Pemaquid must sink before the mighty earthquake and terrible blast.
Fifteen leagues of seacoast, Eastward of Casco Neck, were overrun-two hundred and sixty were known to have been killed or carried into captivity-many were missing whose deaths were unnoticed-others were wounded who survived-possessions were laid waste-domestic animals killed, chimneys, cellars and burnt vestiges showed where dwellings had stood and happiness had been enjoyed ; but now all was deserted and in full possession of the savage foe !
Storms do not continue always-fires will finally burn out ; and so human wrath and violence will at last have spent its force. The war comes to an end and peace -- welcome peace-is proclaimed. Many of the inhabitants return to their homes, and joy, prosperity and happiness are substituted for mourning, desolation and woe. But their quiet is of short duration. Ten years of peace, and the sword is again unsheathed and the tomahawk once more uplifted. King William's war is declared and fear and trembling, like successive waves, roll in on every side. The work of butchery commences and Maine becomes a field of blood. Sheepscot is destroyed and Pemaquid is the next object of vengeance.
Fort Charles was on the spot where Fort Frederick had stood. The County was called Cornwall and the sur- rounding town Jamestown. Thomas Gyles, a man of emi- nence, worth and piety, and a large landholder at Merry- meeting Bay, had settled there. His residence was about one-fourth of a mile from the Fort; and, being commis- sioned by Gov. Dongan, Chief Justice of the place, he did much to enforce law and correct the bad morals of the people. His family consisted of himself, wife and seven or eight children. Besides the homestead, he owned a farm about three miles from the fort and near Pemaquid Falls
I6
WARS AND TROUBLES.
Aug. 2, 1689. The Garrison was under the command of Capt. Weems who had with him only fifteen men and was poorly able to repel an assault. The Indians numbered about one hundred ; and, meeting with a man by the name of Starkie, who was passing from it to New Harbor, they seized him, threatened him, but promised him his life if he would tell them what he knew about the fort. To save his- own life he told them, with too much truth, that Mr. Gyles and fourteen men had gone to his farm at the Falls, and that the people were scattered about the Fort, and but few in it who could fight.
The Indians then divided into two parties. One made an assault upon the Fort and soon compelled a surrender. The terms of capitulation were, life, liberty and safety ; but these were violated.# Some the savages butchered and others were made prisoners. About the same time, Capt. Skinner and Capt. Farnham, in attempting to come on shore from a neighboring island, were shot dead as they were stepping from the boat to the shore. Capt. Pat- tishall, whose vessel was lying at the Barbican, was cap- tured and killed.
The other party went in pursuit of Gyles and his men. The sound of guns at the Fort was to be the signal for the firing of the Indians upon Gyles and his men.
One of the sons of Thomas Gyles was named John; and from him we draw, as he was an eye witness of the scene. His account, written after a seven years' captivity, is truthful, graphic, concise and clear. He says that his father went with some of his laborers, his two oldest sons and himself to one of his farms which lay upon the river, about three miles from the Fort, in order to gather his English harvest. They labored diligently and without molestation till noon. After they had dined, the men went to their labor ; some in one field to their English
* This account of Williamson differs from Gyles.
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WARS AND TROUBLES.
hay, and others to another field of English corn. Mr. Gyles, the younger of the two older brothers, and John Gyles, remained near the farm house in which they had dined. At about 1 P. M. they heard the report of several guns at the Fort which caused Mr. Gyles to say he hoped it was the signal of good news and that the Great Council had sent back the soldiers to defend the inhabitants; for when they had heard of the Revolution in England they deserted. But to their surprise from 30 to 40 Indians, at that moment, discharged a volley of musketry upon them from a rising ground near the barn.
"The yelling of the Indians," continues Gyles, "the whistling of their shot and the voice of my father whom I heard cry, 'What now! What now!' so terrified me (though he seemed to be handling a gun) that I endeav- ored to make my escape. My father ran one way and I another ; and looking over my shoulders, I saw a stout fel- low pursuing me, with a gun and cutlass glittering in his hand, which I expected every moment in my brains. I soon fell down and the Indian seized me by the left hand. He offered me no abuse, but tied my hands, then lifted me up and pointed to the place where the people were at work about the hay, and led me that way. As we went, we crossed where my father was who looked very pale and bloody, and walked very slowly. When we came to the place, I saw two men shot down on the flats, crying out, 'O Lord!' There the Indians brought two captives, one a man and my brother James, who, with me, had endeavored to escape by running from the house when we were first attacked." This brother was about fourteen years of age. The oldest brother, whose name was Thomas, wonderfully escaped by land to the Barbican, a point on the West side of the river, opposite the fort, where several fishing vessels lay. He got on board one of them and that night sailed from the harbor.
The Indians, after doing what mischief they could, sat
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WARS AND TROUBLES.
down, and made their captives sit with them. After some time they arose, and pointed to them to go forward. They marched about a quarter of a mile, and then made a halt. Here they brought Mr. Gyles. They made pro- posals to him by old Moxies, who told him that they were strange Indians who shot him, and that he was sorry for it. Moxies or Moxy was the chieftain of a tribe whose head- quarters were at Broad Cove. His "Sea-down" sit-down, as he used to call his wigwam and surroundings, was in the vicinity of the clam-shell deposit, on the point of land now owned by Mr. Benjamin Palmer of Bremen. But it was Eastern Indians that were engaged in this bloody work.
To their proposals Mr. Gyles replied that he was a dying man, and wanted no favors of them; but being a pious person, he only craved the privilege of praying with his children. This being granted him, he recommended them to the blessing and protection of God Almighty ; then gave them the best advice he was capable of, and took his leave of them for this life, hoping to meet them in that better world where the tomahawk would not be uplifted nor parents shot down before the eyes of their weeping children.
He parted with a cheerful voice, but looked very pale, by reason of his great loss of blood which now gushed out of his shoes. The Indians lead him aside ! the blows of a hatchet were heard! but there was neither shriek nor groan ! Gyles says he afterwards heard that he had five or seven shot holes through his waistcoat or jacket, and that he was covered with some boughs. He was a good man and the malice of the Indians soon wafted his spirit to those regions of bliss of which Revelation alone gives us the assurance.
The Indians led their captives on the East side of the river, towards the fort; and when they had approached within a mile and a half of it, they could hear firing and
19
WARS AND TROUBLES.
see smoke on all sides. There they made a short stop and then moved within the distance of three-fourths of a mile of the fort, into a thick swamp. There Gyles saw his mother and two little sisters, and many other captives who were taken from the town. "She asked me about my father," continues Gyles, "I told her he was killed, but could say no more for grief. She burst into tears, and the Indians moved me a little further off, and seized me with cords to a tree."
The Indians had come to New Harbor and sent spies for several days to see how and where the people were em- ployed. They found that the men were generally at work at noon, and left about their houses only women and children. Therefore they divided themselves into several parties, some ambushing the way between the fort and the houses, as likewise between them and the distant fields, and then, alarming the farthest point first, they killed and took the people at their pleasure and very few escaped.
On the first stir about the fort, the youngest son of Mr. Gyles was at play near it, and running in, was, by God's goodness, thus preserved. Capt. Weems, the commander of the fort, with great bravery and courage, for two days defended it. It was not a place of much strength, and when the commander was wounded and the best of his men killed, he beat for a parley which resulted in these conditions :-
1. That the Indians should give him Mr. Pattishall's sloop which had been captured. 2. That they should not molest him in carrying off the few people that had got into the fort, and three captives that they had taken. 3. That the English should carry off in their hands what they could from the fort.
Thus fell the fortress. Savage ferocity triumphed ; wild brutality enacted a scene of sadness which long years could scarcely efface ; demons, in human form, spread desolation and barrenness all around, and woe, like the pall of death, spread its thick mantle over the entire region.
20
ANCIENT RUINS AT PEMAQUID.
The fort surrendered, and the Indians entering it, Capt. Weems and his little band sailed away. Soon after the rising flames and tall pillars of smoke convinced the suf- ferers that their cattle and effects were destroyed and their many habitations, late the scene of thrift and joy, like a forgotten dream, had passed forever away.
After the Indians had laid waste Pemaquid they moved to New Harbor. Before the war there were here 12 houses. These the inhabitants deserted as soon as it became unsafe to live in them.
The little band of sorrowing captives are taken to the Penobscot. Mrs. Gyles and her two little daughters, after a long captivity, are redeemed. John is also redeemed at the end of seven years, but the 'brother, who was captured with him, was cruelly put to death by these wild men of the forest.
CHAPTER IV.
ANCIENT RUINS AT PEMAQUID.
Ox the Western bank of Pemaquid river, and North- easterly from the fort, is a wide point of land that juts out to the Eastward and forms a beautiful bend in the river. It is a part of the farm owned by Mr. Nathan Lewis, who moved on to it from Boothbay in the year 1872. Previous to this, the farm was owned by Mr. Joseph Young, who resided there many years, and he sold it to Mr. Lewis. This point of land lies beautifully down to the water, where is a landing place capable of being approached at all seasons of the year. About eight or ten rods from the
21
ANCIENT RUINS AT PEMAQUID.
shore, at the falling off of the table-land above, is an eleva- tion raised several feet by human hands, which is crowned by a mound of six or eight feet in hight and thirty feet in diameter. This mound is divided into three apartments ; the walls which separate them and the circular enclosing the whole being composed of stone, with an outer layer of earth and turf. The Western part of this mound was found by Mr. Young, many years ago, to contain a pit about the size of a well. On removing the stone that covered the mouth, the pit was discovered several feet deep, and all walled up and lined with stones in solid masonry.
Around this mound was a walk, as if for a sentry, of eight or ten feet in width, the exterior or outer edge being of stone. This mound commands a complete view, both of the river and falls above, and the fort, harbor and ocean below. The entire ground from that to the bank below, has been raised several feet by human hands, with gravel, sand and dirt, brought from a distance ; and the mound itself, though not designed for a garrison, was probably covered by a building which served the purpose of a look- out, a place of deposit, and, perhaps, means of defence. The internal structure and mode of formation looks more like a place for depositing merchandise, treasure, etc., than a place for armed men and munitions of war. Besides, all ancient testimony unites in saying that the fort was on the other side of the river, and on the point below. Though, when valuables were deposited there, means were taken to defend them. To the Southwest of this mound, about a dozen rods, was the blacksmith shop, as is evidenced by the coal, cinders, slag and bits of iron always connected with such an establishment. And from the interior of this mound to the shore, under the elevated ridge already spoken of, there was, in all probability, a subterranean passage which led from these apartments to the water. The ground around, and particularly toward
22
ANCIENT RUINS AT PEMAQUID.
the water, on either side of this ridge, bears the marks of a kind of cultivation different from that now known or practised by any of the present generation of their imme- diate aneestry.
Easterly from this mound, and hard by the bank of the river, are seen the sites of three buildings which stood side by side, each of which was about twenty or twenty- five feet by thirty in size. The cellar walls were well laid up in stone, and that one which was nearest the river had a stone floor ; and proper excavations might show that they all had stone floors. All these cellars were probably once connected with an under avenue, leading to the shore. The stones of the floor were flat, of a bluish slate, nicely fitted together, and worn smooth, as if done by the feet of men. A part of these stones have been removed to answer the necessities of the present generation. The walls are now mostly standing; and through the eastern- most one is a niche or aperture of about three feet square, that may have led to the shore below. Two of these cellars are entirely filled up, and the third one nearly so, with stones and dirt. Mr. Young used to empty into it the cartloads of small stones which he picked up upon his farm. Was not that utility and a wise economy, when, by driving a few rods farther, he might have emptied them into the river? But then he made a few feet of land, and cut a half hundred more of hay. And what was respect for the dead, and reverence for works of the past, in com- parison to the gain of a dollar and fifty cents ?
To the Northeast of this mound, and up from the bank of the river where these foundations exist, is a low swampy place where were tan-pits, the sites of which are easily ascertained, and the bottom planks of which are plainly felt, by running a sharp stick down three or four feet. Many of the side plank of these pits have been taken up, by curiosity seekers, and carried away. But enough remain to show what kind of a people that was
23
ANCIENT RUINS AT PEMAQUID.
who placed them there. Tan was found there, and also the ruins of a bark mill when the last settlers first moved on there.
From this mound, in a Northerly direction, was a road which led on to the farm next North of this, and which is now owned by a brother of Mr. Lewis. This man and a neighbor of his, some years ago, were ploughing on an elevated spot, when they struck upon the foundation of an ancient building whose superstructure had long since passed away. On examination they found it to be a solid stone work, forty feet square by measurement. The build- ing resting upon this foundation, was, in all probability, the meeting house, and the three buildings, before spoken of, were, undoubtedly, store houses. The drain of these cellars is yet discernible.
In parts of this entire territory, are found broken pot- tery, pipes, sea coal, charcoal, bones, arrow heads, pieces of freestone, Duteh bricks, human bones, human teeth, pick-axes, keys, and all the marks of civilized and savage life.
Cellars and other marks of civilized life, exist in almost any quantity, all this side of the river, as well as the other, from two or three miles below, to the falls above. There was a numerous population here in former times. The ruins at the fort have often been remarked upon; these have received less notice ; therefore they are the subject of record at the present time.
These works belong to the people of whom we have been writing. The place was first settled about 1609 ; and the colony increased and flourished till King Phillip's war, 1675, when it was destroyed. At the close of that war, the place was re-settled, and continued to flourish till King William's war, when it suffered a second demolition and burning. The fort was taken, 1688, the buildings were burnt, the inhabitants slain, or driven away, or taken captive, and the place lay desolate for thirty years.
24
ANCIENT RUINS AT PEMAQUID.
When the present inhabitants settled here, they found a dense forest where had been cultivated fields, cleared pastures and fruitful gardens. On leveling the forest, these works of the fathers appeared ; and though the marks of many of them have been erased, enough remain to show the glory, commercial importance and prosperity of Ancient Pemaquid.
These works and this place were what, in all probabil- ity. was called the Barbican. This name was once applied to a locality in London. Gyles said it was on a point on the Western side of the river.
The ruins on the Eastern side of the river have been so often described by tourists and others that no notice is taken of them here. These include the fort, paved streets, etc.
Sometime during those years when Ancient Pemaquid was in its glory, the people wished for more water power than was afforded them by the falls. In order to obtain this, they threw a substantial dam across the Pemaquid stream at the falls. This created a pond above. They then cut a canal from the pond, on the eastern side of the stream, and parallel with it, to the cove below. The dis- tance was about 600 yards. Below the dam, they then dug side canals or conduits from the main canal, to the stream below. There were about six of them. This created a water power of sufficient force to answer their purpose. Over these side canals were placed their saw mills, their grist mill, fulling mill and other necessary machinery. The remains of this canal, though mostly filled up, are, to this day, visible. They planned and practised, precisely as do the men of this generation, in similar circumstances. The nearest water power, besides this, was through the woods, four or five miles to the North.
The fort at Pemaquid which had been demolished in August 1688, was rebuilt in 1792, by Governor Phipps, at great expense, on the site of the old one, and was named
Sheepscot River
The
.Dyer's Necli
Town Vecka
Dyer's River
E. Branch Sheepscot River
This Map, taken by Nicholas Manning, surreyor, in the early solllement of Sheepscot .is here inserted for the sake of ils antiquity.
25
ANCIENT SHEEPSCOT.
Fort William Henry. Capt. Chubb, of Andover, Mass., with a company of men, was put in command of it; but it was disgracefully surrendered to a combined force of French and Indians in 1696. The enemy continued ener- getic, wily and bold ; and expeditions under Captains Church, Converse and March, were made into this Eastern country. Capt. March, in Sept. 9, 1696, made an excur- sion up the Damariscotta river; and, in attempting to land, was surprised and fired upon by the Indians, and though he gallantly charged and repulsed them, had 12 or 13 of his men killed, and as many more wounded. This bloody affair finished these predatory proceedings in Maine for this year.
CHAPTER V.
ANCIENT SHEEPSCOT .*
IF you start from Wiscasset Bay and follow the course of the river upwards, about four miles' distance, you will come to a point of land which divides the river, and makes it to form two branches. The Eastern branch runs in a N. N. E. direction, nearly a mile, and then it forms a graceful bend or sweep, and having reversed its course, it runs in a Southwesterly direction about two miles, forming what is called "The Reach," or Crumbie's Reach ; and then it sweeps again in an easy turn and runs E. S. East- erly nearly a mile, when it again divides-the southern branch running under the Newcastle and Wiscasset Bridge, thus forming and watering the extensive Marshes which lie in the Southwestern part of the town-while the other,
26
ANCIENT SHEEPSCOT.
which is the main branch, again reverses its course, run- ning parallel with Crumbie's Reach and the main Sheep- scot, and continues on nearly a mile when another branch strikes off to the Eastward and Southward, where it receives the waters from Bryant's Meadow and makes another large area of marsh, while the main river con- tines on in a N. N. E. course up to the falls,t thence into the woods where the road crosses it which goes from Sheepscot Bridge to Damariscotta, and thence up to the upper part of Newcastle and into the town of Jefferson. This river is now called "Mill River," or "Mill Creek ;" and the point of land which runs down between it and Crumbie's Reach was formerly called "The Great Necke." And this river which has been thus hastily sketched out, was called "Cavissex River," "Canasixet River" and Can- issex River."*
The western branch of this river which is formed by the point of land already alluded to, continues on in a N. N. East direction about a mile when it comes to "The Falls." After passing these it pursues its same general course about one-third of a mile when a branch strikes off and after a graceful bend runs N. Easterly up through marshes, a distance of four miles to "The Falls," formerly called "Win- nisittico Falls" and "Fresh Falls." This river is called "Dyer's River" from Mr. Wm. Dyer who anciently erected his house near the foot of it not far from where the store of Franklin L. Carney now stands. The main or Western branch of the river continues on in its primal course about four miles when it bends and runs Northwesterly, through "Puddle Dock" village, "Head of tide" village,
* In the History of Saco and Biddeford, p. 13th, the author says, Sheepscot was called Aponey. Hon. Wm. Willis, M. H. C., p. 232, says, "The Indian name was Sheepscot." The name probably was imported from England.
+ Formerly called Allen's falls.
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ANCIENT SHEEPSCOT.
when it sweeps again and enters the town of Whitefield. It is, taken all and in all, a magnificent and profitable stream. It sweeps through many miles of country, forms almost a countless number of acres of marsh, its waters are well stored with fish, and its banks are lined with for- ests, pastures, cultivated fields and other signs of civiliza- tion. The marshes which these waters form, are of immense value to the inhabitants. No town, in this vicin- ity, equals Newcastle in this respect.
That tract of land which is formed by the dividing of the Sheepscot River at the South, and the branching of the Dyer's River at the North, with the Sheepscot on the West, was anciently called "The Little Necke,"# in opposi- tion to "The Great Necke" already spoken of, as being formed by, and lying between, "Mill River" and "Crum- bie's Reach." After the purchase of Mason in 1652, it was called "Mason's Necke," and afterwards the "town necke". It is a beautiful place. It is more than a mile long, and its mean width is one-third of a mile. Its surface is nearly level, quite free from ledges and stones, and with its loamy soil forms excellent land for cultivation. Towards the North, between "Garrison Hill" and "The Falls," is a rising ground, where, during the early days of this settlement, was a fort, and where is now the "Burying ground" in which the inhabitants, since the year 1630, have been accustomed to inter their dead.
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