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 4
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 4
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Nicholas Manning who was the surveyor under John Palmer, the Duke of York's Agent, and appointed by Gov- ernor Dungan, has left us
"the dementions off the town necke."
"ffrom the Southwesterly pount off the town necke is 149 pole to the South Side off Mr. Goddard home lott from
* Sullivan remarks, "Where that river was, may be uncertain ; but perhaps it was the Sheepscot," It is not "uncertain" to the older inhabitants of the town Newcastle.
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ANCIENT SHEEPSCOT.
thens is 84 pole to a Cross Street to the north sid off Christopher Dyers home lott is 50 pol then a lott Reserved for the Cattell and pepell to have water ffrom the Spring in Said lot from the north Sid off Said lott to the hay way that goeth into the wods is 30 pole the Said hay way is 4 pole wide ffrom thens to the Cov nor off John Manning lot is 3 pole the Ramender off his ffront on a gett is 7 pole from thens to William Dyers home lott at the North pount off Said neck is 70 pole the bred off Said neck a loung by Said Goddards lott ffrom the East Sid to the west off the neck is 92 pole
Nich. Maning home lott is in ffront 15 pole and depe the
off phips lott bred in ffront"
These figures are 149-84-50-30-4-3-7-70. Total 397.
Their custom was to have two acre lots for "home lots," where they erected their dwellings for neighborhood pur- poses and for security ; and then, to have "out lots" at a distance where were their tillage and wood lands. The road that connected those located East with the town, was dignified as the "King's Highway."
The plan of the "Necke" here given, its length and breadth, is inserted for its antiquity, and as a rare relic of other men and other times.
A street extended from the Southern to the Northern point of the Neck. Two hundred and thirty-three rods from the Southern point was a street that crossed the long street at right angles, and ran from the Eastern to the Western branch of the Sheepseot. On the banks of the Western branch of the Sheepscot, and parallel with the long street, was another street, to accommodate the fam- ilies that lived on that part of the Neck. Near where the old Henry Cargill house nowt stands, there commenced another street of four rods wide, which, following the
* It was also called "The town," "The town Necke," and "Mason's Necke." + 1863.
29
ANCIENT SHEEPSCOT.
present road led off by Lewis Kennedy's, to their farms, woods and Grist Mill on Cavessix river. This was "Alleyn's Falls." He probably resided here and was their miller. This street was the "King's Highway." To the North of the commencement of this street, on the crown of the hill, was their fort,* a small stockade; and to the South, around the spring, was a "Common" where the people and their cattle obtained drink.
Between the "Common" and the "King's Highway," was the residence of John Mason, the chief man and the largest landholder of the village. The Blacksmith Shop was nearly opposite the Common. The place is now easily identified. It is on the Western side of the street. Chris- topher Dyer lived in the neighborhood ; and William Dyer on the Northern extremity-"North pount"-of the Neck, probably near where Franklin Carney's store now stands. He gave the name to Dyer's river and to the Neck oppo- site, probably because he ownel it. Madam Elizabeth Gent lived on Garrison Hill. She was a large landholder, having purchased the tract of the Indian Sagamores that lies between Dyer's and Cavessix rivers, and from the North line of John Mason's purchase, to Winnesitico . Falls,-above Hartley Erskine's. Her son Thomas Gent lived "on the Eastward side of Sheepscot Great Neck, near the point,"t where Francis Dodge now, 1863, lives. John Manning resided near the Common. He married John Mason's daughter, and John Mason married the daughter of Elizabeth Gent. One witness says, John Mason's house was on the low ground, near the head of the cove and a large spring. The house of Thomas Messer was on the Alna Side not far from the spring, that is on the old
* Sullivan, p. 230, says, Sir Edmund Andros erected a fort at Sheepscot.
+John Dall's deposition. John Curtis' deposition. Thomas Gent's residence at Damariscotta was only brief.
30
ANTIQUITY OF SHEEPSCOT.
Wiseasset road. Samuel Corbisson's was to the South of this.
The deeds, under which Madam Gent and her son Thomas Gent held their lands, are not now in existence.
The location was beautifully chosen. The ground was level and well adapted to agriculture. The rivers were bountifully stored with fish. The marshes and meadows afforded large quantities of hay for their cattle ; the out- lands were heavily covered with forests; and there was easy access to the sea. All things considered, their sit- uation could not be excelled on any part of the river. They could hunt in winter, and find an easy market for their lumber or whatever they might have to sell. Dam- ariscotta, Pemaquid and Georgetown were their nearest neighbors.
CHAPTER VI.
ANTIQUITY OF SHEEPSCOT.
WHO commenced this settlement, and at what time it tvas done, is quite uncertain ; yet, there is evidence that it dates back to a very early period of Colonial history. The opinion, that it may have been a continuation of the Popham colony, is entirely unsupported by the facts in the case and by the writers of that period. The Popham set- tlement was a short-lived affair. The men composing it, were not of the right kind to battle with the rigors of our Northern winters-to fight with the Indian and the beasts of prey-to hew down the forests-till the lands-bear up under the hardships of pioneer life and lay the founda-
31
ANTIQUITY OF SHEEPSCOT.
tions of many generations. A single winter's privations broke up the enterprise ; and the opening spring witnessed a speedy return to the land of their fathers, whose fire- sides were blazing with bounties and homes were amply prepared for their relief.
Instead of any remaining behind and engaging in another similar enterprise, as some have supposed, Strachey, their own favorite author, has told us, that they all left and went back to England in the ship that came the next year for their relief. His language is, "Where- fore they all ymbarqued in the new arrived shipp, and in the new pinnace, the Virginia, and set sail for England. And this was the end of that Northerne colony upon the river Sagadahoc."
Hubbard,* speaking of their hardships and the deaths among them, says, "And indeed the seasoning of a hard winter in that barren, rocky and mountainous desert so discouraged all the rest, that they took the first advantage of shipping that next came, to return home for England the following year, viz. : Anno Domini 1608."
But in what year the settlement at Sheepscot began, is not precisely known. Undoubtedly it grew up, like Pemaquid, from small and obscure beginnings. While Pemaquid was the grand Entrepot for mariners, tradesmen and fishermen, Sheepscot, in her marshes, both salt and fresh, her unrivalled soil, magnificent forests, and spring "run" of salmon, shad and alewives, and also in her mill sites and easy access to the sea, was a gem of untold worth to the agriculturist and planter, and presented facil- ities and prospects of a brightened character to many, who were less charmed by the allurements of a dwelling at the ocean's side.
Pemaquid, Georgetown and Sheepscot, like a family of sisters, grew up side by side, having neither Government
* See General History, p. 37.
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ANTIQCITY OF SHEEPSCOT,
patronage, nor the assistance of lords and powerful organ- izations like the Popham colony; but from the outset, they became self-reliant ; and like the forests which they came to subdue, they struck their roots deep --- spread their branches wide, and lived to profit themselves and bless those that came after them. These three grew up side by side-had a common origin-a similar experience-a resemblance of life and a like destiny. For nearly sixty years, they lived, flourished and gave each other mutual aid and comfort ; and it was neither the rigor of winter nor our Northern blasts that discouraged them. They staid and bore their hardships, without murmur or com- plaint, till Indian wrath, like a furious tornado, and with Sirocco fierceness, swept over the land, burying beneath it men and their habitations, cattle and flocks and all who tended and guarded them.
Some, choosing an inland habitation, while others would prefer a dwelling by the sea, Sheepscot, no doubt, received "planters" soon after, or at the same time, that Pemaquid and the settlement on Monhegan became a fixity. Each seemed to be necessary to the life of the other. The Duke D'Rochefancault says, in the 2d vol. of his travels, "Some attempts were made by the Dutch to settle a Col- ony at Newcastle as early as 1607," though, at that time, unsuccessful. Afterwards, as vestiges show, they became residents here at least for a time. This was on the Sheep- scot river above Wiscasset Bay. Tradition also declares in favor of the testimony of the vestiges and of this writer. The older inhabitants are well persuaded that the Dutch once fixed their habitations in this locality, and at a date far back in the annals of the country.
Sullivan says," "There was a settlement there," at New- castle, "as early as in any part of the Pemaquid country." And "There were in the year 1630,t eighty-four families,
* Page 165. + Page 167.
33
ANTIQUITY OF SHEEPSCOT.
besides fishermen, about Pemagnid, St. George and Sheepscott."
That this settlement was of an early date, is proved by the following fact. There is now in one of the cellars of those early inhabitants which is partially filled up, the stump of a pine tree of two feet in thickness, that was ent . about the year 1817 by the late Capt. Thomas Chase of this place. Now, carrying back the time, from the cutting of that tree to the hour when the little seedling showed itself in that partially filled cellar, and you will find yourself standing upon a point of time as early as that which the Records have assigned for the destruction of that once flourishing Colony.
Capt. Joseph Cargill has told me, that, as long ago as 1830, he counted stumps with a hundred and fifty-five circles on them. A circle is supposed to be gained, to a healthy tree, every year. In the woods which have never been cleared since the settlement of these parts, any quan- tity of cornhills are seen, which show what the inhabi- tants were doing when the last act of Indian barbarity was performed, and the tillers of the soil were driven from their homes.
It is well known, that, after the village was burnt, and the inhabitants were driven off, the country was left to grow up to woods ;- that a heavy forest rested upon the cornfields ; and that timber, of immense size, pressed upon what was once their tillage lands and their gardens. Some portions of this forest, of late, were standing; and even now,* there is a small growth that protects the earth in its ancient form.
From the names of those settlers which have survived, the probability of the nationality, is English, though there, undoubtedly, was a sprinkling of Dutch among them, or before them. Among the names I find those of Dale,
* 1850.
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ANTIQUITY OF SHEEPSCOT.
Dyer, Stalger, Draper, Gent, Mason, Messer and White. And it is certain that they were under the British Crown, and that the Duke of York established a government there.
Tradition, believed by the inhabitants, says that the Dutch once settled there.
And, that this settlement was populous, is equally evi- dent. Their principal street was a mile and a quarter long. The land on both sides was lail out in two acre lots, in the form of a parallelogram, narrow on the street and extending a certain distance in the rear. Each of these was the home lot of a proprietor. And, from the numerous cellars found there, by the settlers in the next century, it is evident that the greater part of those "home lots" were taken up and settled on. Besides, cellars were found in other localities which would swell the population to some hundreds of souls.
There were settlers over West, on the river's bank. Several families resided on the Alna side ; and some to the west of the mountain, as the cellars indicate, and more or less were scattered, from Garrison Hill to the lower end of the "Great" (Sherman's) "Necke." The place had at least fifty years' growth. I have in my possession, the names of about fifty of these ancient inhabitants ; nine- tenths of whom were males. And each of these, if the head of a family-as probably they were-stands as the representative of several others. But I have only a small portion of the names of those adults who once flourished there.
They prospered-they multiplied-"farmed it"-fished -traded-lumbered. Their religion was transported from across the sea ;- their children they taught ;- the govern- ment was Democratic ;- they ha I no king-no bishop-no Hierarchy-no Parliament. And yet, it was a community where every one saw, that it was for his own good to promote the benefit of the whole. Their very isolation
35
ANTIQUITY OF SHEEPSCOT.
compelled them to deeds of benevolence and to acts of common mercy and charity.
Some forty rods to the South of their fort, on the oppo- site side of the street, and near the Northern corner of the field where the road now strikes off in a Southeasterly direction, stands a barn formerly belonging to the late Henry Cargill, Esq. His son, Mr. Charles Cargill, just now deceased, told me but a short time before his death, that a number of years ago, as this barn was undergoing repairs, in digging a few inches under ground, the work- man accidentally came to a floor of flat stones. These stones had evidently been brought some distance, as there was no locality near, where they could have been obtained. They were abont four inches thick; and the floor which was eighteen or twenty feet square, was compactly laid, joint nicely fitting to joint, and part perfectly meeting part.# What particular use it was intended for is quite in vain for us to inquire ; yet it was no doubt considered a place of considerable importance. Near this, as Mr. Joseph Cargill, the brother of Charles, told me, his father found, when he first came on to the place, some seventy- five years since,t the foundation of a building of consid- erable size, laid in solid masonry,; stone and lime. He used the stone for other purposes ; but it was not till many years after, that the pavement of flat stones was discov- ered. What connection, if any, the two had with each, is not known. It may have been a church ; or it may have been a storehouse, which is more probable; or it may have been the residence of John Mason which, we know, was in this vicinity. He appears to have been the chief man of the village ; and it was at his house that the Com-
* These remains are similar to those found at Pemaquid.
+ 1855, the date of writing.
* A similar foundation was discovered at Pemaquid.
36
ANTIQUITY OF SHEEPSCOT.
missioners of the Duke of York met to settle and arrange the affairs of the province.
To the Southwest of this, and not far from the point of the Necke, is another cellar of considerable size with flat stones in the bottom, showing that here was a building of impor- tance ; and the bricks found there, some of which are in perfect condition and some with all the ignitible portions burnt out of them, gave evidence that these as well as wood were used in its construction and that fire in its intensest fury was the cause of its destruction. Many of the cellars once found have been filled of later years.
Still further Sonth on the opposite side of the street. stands that very important appendage of every settlement. whether it be great or small, new or old, the blacksmith shop. Several years ago, four individuals of us visited the spot, for the purpose of making discoveries. We had our implements with us, and dug down through the debris and new made land, to the depth of eight inches when we came to a hard pan which formed the floor of the important character who once reigned there. Here were made all the ox shoes, the cranes, the hooks and trammels ; the- everything ornamental, curious and useful for the needy inhabitants of the whole village. It was the Birmingham of the place. And here, too, the honest yeomanry would meet of a stormy day to talk over the politics, discuss the municipal affairs, and project enterprises relating to their little kingdom, with quite as much patriotism and wisdom as men do nowadays.
On this floor we found cinders and slag, which fell from the furnace, bits of iron, the bolt of a lock, and a piece of work partly finished, something in the shape and about the size of a large latch. It might have been his last work that the manufacturer was attempting to finish, as the Indian war whoop was heard from the neighboring hills, and the unprotected inhabitants were compelled to flee for their lives. The relics taken on that occasion, are
37
ANTIQUITT OF SHEEPSCOT.
-till in my possession. The setting sun then compelled us to retire from a work which we never since found time to resume. The anvil of this son of Vulcan, was found in the next century, and put to a similar purpose by a differ- ent hand. I wish I knew its history ! What revelations might then be made !
Other articles, belonging to these wilderness settlers. have been found, by the present inhabitants, as they have been ploughing their fiells or searching among the stones and bricks of the cellars. Particularly have chunks of melted pewter, of various sizes, been found among the ruins of these cellars, showing that when these houses were consumed by fire, their pewter platters, basins etc., were lost, being melted at the time.# Charred corn and peas have also been found in abundance, having passed through the action of fire at the time the houses were burned. In fact, the inhabitants, when the news of danger arrived, had only time to flee for their lives, leaving their goods behind them, which, together with the buildings that contained them, became an easy prey to the flames.
Capt. Joseph Cargill has informed me, that many years ago, when his father was digging a trench for an aqueduct to lead the water from the spring in the middle of his field to his brickyard which was situated at the bank near the head of the cove, he struck upon two large, white oak plank, near the water, one lying directly on the top of the other, with the sawdust as bright as the day when it was cut, lying between them. These plank were about two feet under ground, and were sawed in a sawpit, with one of those large whip-saws that are used for sawing plank for ship building. It was Mr. Cargill's opinion that these two plank lay at the bottom of the pit ; hence the ease with
* The ring found by Capt. Chase a few years ago, (see Maine Hist. Coll., vol. 4, p. 216, Note,) belonged to the Woodbridge family of later date.
38
ANTIQUITY OF SHEEPSCOT.
which they were covered, and escaped decay, when all was perishing above them. There are evidences, that, near this place, was the spot where ship building was carried on. Those hardy pioneers had every facility for this object ;- timber enough-good rivers-help sufficient and .. a ready market.
They built a vessel where the late Hartley Nickel's brickyard is, in which, it is said, the inhabitants left .* It is not long since there were visible marks of a shipyard there.+ There is a tradition, that, when the inhabitants saw that they must leave, some of them met together and agreed to dig a pit and deposit their pewter dishes and other valuables in it. After they had deposited the choicest things there, they covered the pit over, but when the inhabitants returned, the place could not be identified. They dug much and often, but the carefully covered arti- cles could never be found .;
There was a wharf near the Southern end of the "Little Necke" on the Eastern side and South of the old ship- vard.s
The mills of this neighborhood were situated on what then began to be called "Mill Creek," now "Mill Brook" or "Mill River." This was at the Falls, called by them "Allen's Falls," about a mile to the East of "The Town," and accommodated both Sheepscot and Damariscotta. It is an excellent mill privilege and mills have stood there almost ever since the recollection of the oldest inhabitants. When the present settlers first moved in there, they found an old mill stone, broken in pieces-undoubtedly belong- ing to a former mill that had been erected there. This, Capt. Joseph Cargill worked into his stone mill dam which
* Col. James Cargill.
+ Capt. Alex Cunningham.
Į Mr. Alex Cunningham. § Mrs. Decker.
39
INDIAN PURCHASES.
The built on the same spot, many years ago. When the lands were heavily covered with forests and the snows were leep and held on later than they do now with a cleared country, the flow of water on this stream was much larger than it is at present; and even now it is considerable. The remains of an old grist mill stand upon the site at the Falls at present. Shattuck's saw mill is below this.
Other industries, such as briek-making, were no doubt pursued, as there were excellent facilities for the manufac- ture of this article right at their doors, and there were men and time enough to make them.
CHAPTER VIL
INDIAN PURCHASES.
THE settlers, as yet, had received no titles to their lands, and the only regulations they had, appear to have been those of their own making. The English claimed the sor- "reignty of the land, and the Patents of different com- panies began to conflict with each other. But the Indians who were the ancient lords and the real owners of the soil, had not as yet parted with their title to them. The English who had come in, seemed to have lived there only by sufferance; for as soon as the flames of war were kindled, the inhabitants were obliged to flee. While peace continued, they prospered : but when war arose, the Indian power was seen and felt, and the patents and orders of white men had no more force than the paper on which they were written. Accordingly, the settlers began to make purchases of the Indians. John Mason, Nicholas
INDIAN PURCHASES.
Manning and Madam Gent at Sheepscot, bought all the lands between Sheepscot and Mill Rivers, and from Win- nisittico Falls, the present Match factory, down, so as to include the upper end of Cape Newaggan Island. Here is Mason's deed.
"January 20th 1652. Be it known unto all men, by these presents, that we, Robinhood and Dick Swash and Jack Pudding, do hereby severally and jointly grant and make free sale unto John Mason. one neck of land lying in Sheepseot river, which bounds of the said neck is from Sheepscot Falls, over a cove, to a parcel of pines, and from thence right over the said neck unto the head of another cove, on the Eastward side of the neck ; and a parcel of marsh ground lying on the other side of the river southerly, which bounds is from the burnt islands which is the northerly end of it, and from thence to a freshet called by the English "The Oven's Mouth," and all the said marsh is on the southward side of the river, with the upland joining to it ; and we the said Sagamores, Rob- inhood and Dick Swash and Jack Pudding, our heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, do hereby grant and give quiet possession unto the said John Mason, his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, with a parcel of fresh marsh lying at the head of Allen's Falls.
Witness : Nathaniel Draper
Edward Roberts.
Nathaniel Draper of Sheepscot, doth acknowledge that this deed is the act of the Indians, here subscribed before me, this 15th day of March, 1666-67
Per me, Walter Phillips, Recorder. Nicholas Reynolds, Justice Peace."
The bounds of this deed are traceable. He started from Sheepscot Falls, and struck directly across, South- easterly, over the cove, to a "parcel of pines," which stood upon the bank on the opposite side-thence he struck
41
INDIAN PURCHASES.
across to the cove South of Garrison Hill -- thence he followed the river up the Reach, and on through its wind- ings, to Campbell's, now White's Mill ; thence he struck right down Southwesterly to the "freshet called by the English 'oven's mouth,'" in the lower part of Edgecomb, with all the marshes and upland lying to the West of this line. The "burnt Islands" at the upper part of this large tract, were so called because they had been overrun by fire.
Nicholas Manning's estate lay to the South of this, or rather he appears to have been a partner with Mason, (as he married his daughter,) and it ran down and included Barter's Island, Sawyer's Island, and the upper end of Cape Newaggan Island.
I have in my possession an old writing of Manning's, and what purports to be the 308th page of the book of his surveys. As it is good history and throws light upon these ancient and obscure transactions, I shall here copy it for the benefit of the curious.
"The Bounds off the Land of Capt. Nich. Manning in Sheepscott River which Runs at the westerly side off Cape nawagon up to Aallings ffalls ; as also the Land off John Mason my wiffe father bofft of three Sagemores the prin- cipal that ever had ben in the Esttern Contry in the yeare Conveyed Janery the twenty 1652, and was Recorded in the Rein off King Charell the Second, one thousen Six hundred sixty five, allso in the year 1666 Nathanell draper, and Edward Roberts wear sworn beffor me, by the Nathanell draper, the other being ded, Edward beffor then," and beffor any convaymant was by the Crown off England Esten Contrey,t presently John Mason went unto Nicholas ' Reynolls the first Justis made in them parts which is March 1666-67; presently ther was on Samell
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