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 7
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 7
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The affairs in this Eastern province were exceedingly disarranged. Arbitrary measures were pursued ; evil dis- posed persons were not brought to justice ; and those who had returned and re-possessed their lands, were threatened with ejectment. and were obliged to submit to exactions, that made their situation one of embarrassment and con- stant perplexity. It was this that called forth the petition of John Alleyn and others to Geo. Dungan in 1684, and of Robert Foot and others, and which were returned, and promised to be considered, when the Governor should go to Pemaquid.
But it appears, that instead of going there himself, he. in 1686, sent two commissioners there for that purpose. These were John Palmer, one of the council of his Maj- esty's plantation and colony of New York, and John West. one of his partisans and favorites, both of whom were eager for wealth and distinction. They were invested with plen- ary power and were sent into the province. They reached
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Pemaquid early in the summer of 1686. The former inhabitants had mostly returned to their late places of abode which had been forsaken during Phillip's war ; and Abraham Shurte, Esq., a man of integrity, was exercising the office of Clerk of the Plantation. They visited New Dartmouth, Sheepscot and other settlements and islands. The former county lines were acknowledged; and the name of Cornwall given to it by the Duke's commissioners in 1665, was continued.
They next proceeded to regrant or confirm the lands to former settlers, and to other claimants and possessors. In those transactions they were guilty of the most mean and ermel avarice. They were, as Cotton Mather, says: "as arbitrary as the Grand Turk." The poor were oppressed. and the people generally, felt the weight of their unrelenting hands. In the single town of New Dartmouth, it is said. they executed about 146 leaseholds, reserving, for every one hundred aere lot, an ammal quit-rent of five shillings, or a bushel of merchantable wheat. The several tracts so leased to individuals, were generally intended to contain only 100 acres ; yet some were allowed only house lots of three or four acres. And for executing any leasehold of one hundred acres of upland and twenty of marsh, they demanded the enormous fees of $2,100 ; and probably for less or larger quantities, a proportionate sum .*
They made ample provisions for themselves, surveying for each other 10,000 acres ; and for the Attorney General of Massachusetts, Mr. Graham and some others, they set apart, and gave six, and in some instances, even eight thousand acres. From the main, they went to the islands ; and even John Dalling, an old inhabitant of Monhegan, only retained his homestead, by taking a leasehold from these men.
Their "surveys" will be introduced by a petition for a
* Williamson, v. I, p. 582.
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survey and also the power under which they were made. "To the honored Capt. John Palmer, Esq., one of the Judges of his Majesty's Colony of New York & Albany Ne, And Chief commissioner ffrom the Right honored Col- onell Thomas Dungan, for the ordring and Settling these Eastern parts of his majesty's Colony at Pemaquid &
The petition of Caleb Ray humbly Sheweth,
Whereas ; your honour, Peticoner being an Inhabitant in the Towne of Sheepscot Immbly Requests Your honor to grant that he may have one hundred Acres of land lying and being on the neck of land Commonly Called Long Neck, butting on the Eastward side of the Creek to ve East Side of the towne and soe Ranging East ; to; the west side of a Creek Commonly Called Mill Creek ; or Allen's ffalls' Creek Together with ; accomodation ; of : meadow adjoyning to it.
Your honor Peticoner therefore humbly Desires the Grant of the abovesaid Land and meadow, and order that it may be Speedily laid ont by the Surveyor in order; Your Peticoner may have a Patent for the Same and he as in Dnty bound Shall Ever pray &c."
On the back of this petition, was written, "Peticon of Caleb Rave for 100 acres of Land on the Great Necke."
Underneath this was written, "Granted."
The petition shows a sufficiently humble spirit on the one hand, and a haughty one, on the other. In truth. "The Honored Capt John Palmer. Esq., one of the Judges of his Majestie's Colony of New Yorke & Albany, and Commissioner from the Right Honorable Thomas Duncan, etc.," conld only be approached by such humble men as Caleb Raye and his co-partners, the tillers of the soil, with hat in hand, and "with your leave, Sir."
There were then three papers to be signed and to be paid for :- 1, The Petition : 2, The Survey; 3, The Patent or Deed. A very convenient, but most arbitrary
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way, to filch money, or its equivalent in produce, from the pockets of those, who, when they returned home from the office of these Dignitaries, were obliged to hear their own children cry for bread which they might not be able to provide for them.
The second paper which I shall here introduce, and which I have termed No. IL, is a "survey," answering to the Petition above inserted. This was published in the IV vol. of the Maine Historical Collections, page 225. The Petition itself was not dated. This "Survey" bears date, Aug. 16, 1686, and reads as follows :
"By vertue of an Order from y honored John Palmer. Esq .; one of ye Counsell ; in the Colony of New York and Commissioner ffor the Granting of Lands in ye County of Cornwall & in yesd County I have Survayed & Laid out ffor Caleb Raye a Sertayne Tracte or parcell of Land within the bounds of New Dartmouth on the Great necke Contayning one hundred & one Acres & one hundredl and fforty poles. Beginning at a Sertayne poynt or Islet fformerly Called Cole's Istet ; and ffrom thence Rannging Easterly a Lounge y Water Side to a Red ; oake tree Marked one ffoare sides & from thence East South East : Cross ve sd ; necke to a white oake Standing by the Mill Creeke Marked one ffore Sides & ffrom thence Northerly a Lounge ye sd Mill Creeke ffifty five poles, to another whit oake Marked one ffoare sides : & ffrom thence west north west Cross ve sd ; neck a gayne three hundred poles ; to a Stake Sett by y" side of a Cove : & ffrom thence a Lounge re sd Cove to ve poynt of Je Islett Afforest ; fifty-three poles ; & allso; twenty Aceres of Meadowe Lying on ye west Side of ye River yt goeth to ve Mille beegining att the re whit oake Afforesd standing by Je Mille Creeke beeing yr Southerly or Southwesternmost bounds of his upland there and from thence Southerly a Longe je sil shoare to a Stake by the River sid : & ffrom thence nor- north west to a whit oake standing one ye Eadge of the
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upland Marked one ffoare sids; & ffrom thence to ye sd white oak tree where itt beeganne. performed ye ; 16 ; Day of Angst 1686. allso a duble house Lott in the town Aioyning & Lying to ye northward of Samuel Boles his house Lott contayning ye quantity of Seventeen poles & eight ffoutt ffronting to the king's highway ffrom thence Easterly thirty fore poles to the Cove & alounge by ye sid of sd Cove seventeen poles & Eight ffootte Reare northerly up y" Said Cove which Contaynes two Accres and Seventy flive poles ; ye whole beeing performed Augst ye ; 16 ; Day ; 1686."
signed "NICH. MANNING. Surveyor."
These boundaries are easily traced. He commenced at what is now called "Weare Islands," owned I believe by James Preble, and followed the shore round, past the late Hartley Nickel's brickyard, and then took as a starting point, a red oak tree marked on four sides. Then he struck across the neck, through land probably now owned by Wm. Gray and Robert Kennedy, and reached a point on Mill creek near Shattuek's Mill dam. The bound was a white oak marked on four sides. Then he ranged up the creek fifty-five rods to another white oak and made that his Eastern bound. Then he struck back again, west north west, three hundred rods, to a stake which he set by the side of the cove that lies to the South of Sheepscot Meeting house. From thence he travelled south till he reached the first mentioned bound. The trees and the stake standing in his day, have all passed away; but the natural boundaries continue, and will remain the same, till the end of time. His marsh or "meadow" butted his land on the southern corner, and is the same that is now owned by Robert Kennedy and others. It lies next below Shattuck's Mill dam on the western side of the stream.
The double house lot lay on the western side of the cove which was the Western Boundary of his hundred
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acre lot. It extended from the Cove to the King's high- way and was in a part of the field afterwards owned by the late Henry Cargill's heirs. It may have included the brickyard.
On the back of the above survey, in a different hand writing, was the following, "Survey of land for Caleb Raye to be patented." Underneath was written the word "ffact"; performed.
They then surveyed a lot next North of this for William Willcot of 100 acres. The third lot was for George Spear. The fourth lot was for Thomas Ghent. This included the homestead of his mother, Madam Gent. The fifth lot was for James Marston.
From their fees, taken from a distressed and enterprising people, they realized at least five or six hundred pounds sterling ; and those who were in the interest of the com- missioners, excited among the timid settlers, the fear of being ejected from their homes, if they delayed to take their deeds and pay the fees. But although lands were surveyed, and patents allowed, and fees also paid, no title was in fact derived by the leaseholders from these proceed- ings. For Indian deeds, or the Grant under Elbridge and Aldsworth prevailed against them.
In the prosecution of their trust, Palmer and West were directed to lay claim to the country as far East as the St. Croix river. This was the limit of the Duke's patent ; and they commenced to exercise over this immense tract, the prerogatives of government. Not acquainted with these facts, a shipmaster from France, belonging to Piscataqua, in the pursuit of trade, went to the Penobscot with a cargo of wines, where they landed, with the impression that the place was within the French dominions. But because they had not been entered in the Custom house at Pemaquid, Palmer and West sent and seized them. The affair gave great offense both to the French and the people of New England. However, through the influence of the French
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ambassador, at the English Court, the wines were restored, and the difficulty healed.
During Dungan's administration many Dutch families were removed from the banks of the Hudson to those of the Sheepscot." There they remained till the next Indian war, when they departed, and never returned. The English settled the country. There are evidences of the Dutch settlement at Sheepscot, and it is also said that many families of that people resided on the banks of the Damariscotta.
CHAPTER XIII.
SIR EDMUND ANDROS.
SIR EDMUND ANDROS was appointed Governor of Mass- achusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Maine, Plymouth and Rhode Island. This appointment seemed to suspend, if not to nullify the authority of Dungan at Sagadahock and the Eastern country. A disagreement and conflict arose between them. However the matter was soon settled by a Commission from the Crown appointing him Capt. General and Vice Admiral over the whole of New England. New York and the Jerseys. His council consisted of thirty-nine members any five of whom constituted a quorum, and Edward Randolph was appointed Secretary.
The powers of this council were almost absolute. Their own will and judgment, were their rules and formulas.
* Sullivan p. 291.
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"All statute laws were at their feet ; all taxes subject to their command ; and land titles might be made their play- things." Andros, like his Master James, at the first, made plausible professions ; but he soon proved himself a cruel instrument of despotism and he became a just and gen- eral object of execration. His chief advisers of the coun- cil were Palmer, Mason, Brockholt, Usher and Randolph ; while West, Graham and Bullivant were "his parasites and confidants." The people were only permitted to meet once in a year, in their primary assemblies, for the choice of officers; those worshiping in a Congregational way, were threatened with the loss of their houses of worship unless they reformed ; no marriages were allowed to be performed, unless the parties or their friends were first bound in a bond with a penalty to be forfeited unto the Government, should any unlawful impediment come to light ; the press was restrained ; land titles were insecure ; and the liberties of the people generally vastly circum- scribed. The inhabitants were taught that they must have new patents to their real estate ; Indian deeds were pro- nounced no better than "the scratch of a bear's paw ;" okl deeds of lands and ancient titles were not held valid where the charters were vacated; new assurances for land must be preceded by a petition for the same, with a description of the lot or claim ; and large fees were demanded in every step and stage of the process. Sometimes it cost £30 to obtain a single deed and £2 10s were demanded for the probate of a single will. These emoluments were divided between Andros, the chief judge, and Dudley, his deputy.
In 1688, Andros resolved on a visit to the Penobscot. At Pemaquid he met some of the inhabitants who made sad complaints against Palmer and West, and prayed him to confirm their original rights and possessions to them, which had been greatly disturbed by these two notorious and troublesome gentlemen. But he pronounced that all that had been done by Dungan's commissioners, had been
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of no effect. And yet immense sums had been paid for confirmation of titles under that Commission.
Troubles being experienced with the Indians, he forti- fied and supplied eleven garrisons in different parts of Mine. At Pem iquil he stationed two new comp inies of 60 men each, besides 36 veteran troops; Ia New Dart- mouth he placed 24 of the regular soldiery under Lieu- tenant John Jordan, besides Capt. Withington's company of 60 men ; and the little fort on the Damariscotta, was to be relieved every week from the garrison at New Dartmouth. At Sagadahock and other places he also established gar- risons and threw in troops for their defence.
After an administration of sixteen months, Andros closed his Gubernatorial career. He was among the wrong people for a man of his views and measures. "He found himself in the midst of a generation of the first · emigrants and their patriotic sons, who were schooled to the doctrine of principles and consistent measures, and who were alive to every sentiment of liberty, civil, religious and rational. Equality of rights was a maxim deeply inscribed upon the tablet of their hearts. But, by tame submission to rulers, in whose appointment their wishes were not consulted ; to laws, in making of which they had no voice, to taxes imposed and appropriated without their consent ; to attacks upon the sacred rights of conscience and the title deeds of their homes without their assistance, were to put on at once and tamely wear the chains of slavery. The popular and mighty struggle in the mother country against Popish hierarchy and despotic domination, under James and his adherents, was well understood through the colonies, and the triumphs of liberty and privilege, were news most ardently desired and daily expected. Such a prospect must have inspired our Pro- vincial patriots and statesmen here, with a bolder spirit of reform. In the spring a general murmur of discontent spread through the community, which was followed by the
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flashes of a rumor that the Governor's guards were to be let loose upon Boston. Half-smothered indignation could no longer be suppressed. The smitten spark set the public in flames ; and early on the morning of April 18, 1689. the populace threw the Governor and thirty of his most obnoxious partisans into confinement. Several of them, such as Andros, Dudley, Randolph, West, Palmer, Graham, Sherlock and Farwell, were not allowed to be enlarged on any bail that could be offered."
The flame is kindled ; the news spreads; the country is awakened; people flock into the town; patriotic songs were sung ; patriotic speeches made ; and patriotie meas- mies pursued. Simon Bradstreet, the late Governor, Thomas Danforth, late Deputy Governor and President of Maine. and thirteen others, men of firmness and distinc- tion, were induced to take the direction of affairs, and oppose, by all the weight of their authority, every attempt at rashness and extravagance. Andros, an unwilling spec- tator of the storm, which more than any other man, he himself had raised, was compelle I to surrender the keys of government and the command of the fortifications. After three days of popular commotion, the waves of feeling began to subside, though the shock throughout the admin- istration, was felt for a much longer time.
April 20, 1689, a general convention of the people was held. Simon Bradstreet, Thomas Danforth and thirty-five others were appointed "A committee of safety." Isaac Additon was chosen clerk, and Wait Winthrop appointed Com- mander in Chief of the Militia. The news reaches the colonies that James has abdicated the crown, and William and Mary, his daughter and son-in-law, were the king and queen of England. Joy unbounded and quite unre- strained, prevailed throughout New England. The king's agents were politically dead, many of his officers thrown into prison, the grants and deeds which they had issued, were null and void ; soldiers rose up and in some instances,
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threw their haughty and lordly officers in. o close confine- ment, and the people from the Penobscot to the Hudson felt light and breathed easy again. A judicious and wise king was upon the throne ; Ducal authority was swept away ; tyrannical enactments and barbarous decrees were no more, the name of New Dartmouth is soon to cease, and the County of Cornwall will never be needed again. Another chapter is to be read ; other events are to trans- pire ; new laws are to be enacted and put in force ; new institutions to arise, and a brighter, better day in its own time to be ushered in.
CHAPTER XIV.
THE SECOND DESTRUCTION OF SHEEPSCOT.
AN interval of ten years of peace had now transpired. Mamy of the inhabitants had returned and resumed their former positions and occupations, and others had immi- grated with them. The Dutch had founded settlements, and were manifesting their usual industry and prosperity. Forests were hewn down ; lands cleared ; the meadows, both salt and fresh, were ent, houses built, barns were laden in autumn, and cattle reposed securely, while the sheep fattened in the pastures. A considerable "town" had sprung up on Sheepscot "lower Necke," schools were established, men worshipped God according to the dictates of their own consciences; vessels were built; and ships lay in the stream, receiving their cargoes, when lo! the dark clouds appear in the East. James had been driven from his throne !- Andros, in this country, is seized,
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together with his obnoxious officials, and thrown into prison ! the contest between papacy and protestantism is renewed, and rages in its utmost fury ! France receives James into her bosom, and espouses his quarrel! the Indians, in this country, who had long looked upon the coming in of the English and their encroachments upon Aboriginal dominions and influence with a jealous eye and added to this, the various acts of injustice committed by the English against the Indians at various times, were stirred up by the French to deeds of cruelty, savage feroc- ity and revenge. They began to butcher their cattle, slay their inhabitants, burn their dwellings, and commit depre- dations. Even in Andros' day, the evil spirit began to show itself. He himself was averse to war, and did, for a time, all he could to avert its realities and horrors ; but after he found that his efforts were unavailing, and that the terrible scourge must be hurried on, he went into it with a will. He collected, according to one author, 700 men ; Holmes* says 800 ; and Elliot puts the number at 1,000 ; and with these, he enters upon an Eastern expedi- tion, breathing vengeance and slaughter and dire destruc- tion. He had visited Piscataqua, Pemaquid and the Pen- obscot, on a Former excursion, but now, at the head of an army and late in Nov. 1688, he takes up his line of march for the seat of war. His project was opposed by all the more wise and considerate, and in the end it proved abortive. His soldiers suffered incredibly with cold and fatigue, and many of them perished. It was at the wrong season of the year; and the expedition ended in chagrin and disgrace ; for he neither took a captive nor killed a foe. To varnish his inglorious adventure, and cover a mortifying retreat, he ordered the repair and erecting of eleven forts at different points from Piscataqua to Penob- scot.
* Annals, p. 494.
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THE SECOND INDIAN WAR.
The causes of this war had, for a long time, been in oper- ation. In fact, the treaty made at the close of the last war, Sept. 8, 1685, was never very satisfactory to the English : for it required of them to pay for an annual quit- rent, a peck of corn for every English family, and for Major Phillips of Saco, who was a large landholder, a bushel of corn. This, to the Indians, was a profitable arrangement ; but to the English it was mortifying and burdensome.
The first acts of hostility were committed at North Yar- mouth, Aug. 13, 1688. The plantation, at that place, was thought to be a direct encroachment upon the rights and territories of the Indians. The inhabitants began to build a garrison upon the Eastern bank of Royall's river. The Indians perceiving this, thought to deter them ; and in revenge, proceeded to kill several cattle on the opposite side of the river. Other acts of hostility were committed by them. The work on the garrison progressed with renewed efforts ; and about the middle of August, a small party waylaid two workmen who were in search of oxen to labor on the garrison, and made them both prisoners. This was in the morning when the men were going to their daily employments. The rest of the savage party who were well armed, rushed from the woods as they advanced towards the half-finished garrison, and accosting them with insolent language, began to provoke a quarrel. Words were followed by a scuffle, in which at first an Indian gave a man by the name of Larabee a push, who instantly raising his gun, shot his assailant dead. While in the act of firing, he was seized by another stout Indian whom a third man by the name of Benedict Pulsifer,
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struck with the edge of his broad axe, and the skirmish became general. Some fell on both sides.
The English, perceiving that they were fewer in numbers than the savages, withdrew to a place of less exposure under the bank of the river, an l making a stand, defended themselves with great bravery, till their ammunition was nearly gone. The commander of the garrison, Capt. Walter Gendell, was an eye witness of a part of the con- test. He had long been a trader with the Indians, and from the very friendly intercourse he had always main- tained with them, he took a bag of ammunition and has- tened, in a float, with a servant, to the assistance of his brave comrades. He stood upright, as the servant pad- dled, that the Indians might know him, thinking that his presence might dissuade them from further aets of hos- tility. But these both were shot by particular aim ; and Gendell throwing the ammunition ashore, had only time to exclaim, before he breathed his last, "I have lost my life in your service." Supplied with ammunition, the men were enabled to maintain their groun 1 till dusk when the enemy retired. Our loss was two killed, besides Capt in Gen lell, whose loss was deeply lamented. He was a man of enter- prise and worth ; and as one of the trustees, the township had been confirmed to him. Several of the Indians were killed, and the survivors passed the night upon Lane's Island. Here they had a horrid carousal; in the course of which they brutally murdered the two men who hal been taken by them, while in pursuit of the oxen.
The attack stopped the work on the garrison, and delayed the settlement of North Yarmouth for many years. The inhabitants soon removed to Jewell's Island ; but being pursued by the savages, were barely able to defend themselves from a violent and murderous attack. A friendly vessel afterwards took them off, and conveyed them to Boston.
This bloody affair alarmed the people on the whole
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coast. Suspicions were excited against the Sokokis Indians ; and it was supposed, that they, contrary to the late treaty, knew of the intended outbreak, but failed to give information of it. That they might be brought to terms, and that the secret springs of these late hostile arts might be more perfectly known, or lers were given by Ben- jamin Blackman, Esq., to Capt. John Sargent to make arrests of some of them. About twenty, some of whom were ringleaders in the late war, were seized, and sent to Fort Loyall. They were afterwards taken to Boston where they were unwisely released by Governor Andros.
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