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 8
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 8
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As a counteraction of this policy, reprisals were made by the Indians. Nine persons were made prisoners at Sagadahock. The houses at Merrymeeting Bay were plundered ; and all who made resistance, were cruelly slain. The Indians, in a drunken frolic, soon after killed several of their captives, but sent the rest to Ticonic.
New Dartmouth was the next object of their vengeance and attack. Under the patronage of Gov. Dungan, the place had become remarkably flourishing. One author styles it, "The Garden of the Est," and it was popularly known as the "Sheepseot farms." There was upon the apex of the hill, where is now the burying ground, a for- tification, which Andros had strengthened and mounted. Sept. 5th, 1633, the Indians make their approach and seize Henry Smith and his family. Here they stop their efforts, and defer their attack till the next day. It was a note of warning to the inhabitants ; a reprieve, or a kind of provi- dential interference, during which the frightened inhabitants leave their dwellings and rush to the garrison ; one other family, that of Edward Taylor, being made prisoners. The Indians, chagrined at their loss of the inhabitants, set fire to their dwellings, when a general conflagration ensued. In an hour all was consumed, save two or three exceptions. The labor of years and the fruits of their industry were forever lost. The hope of continuance was gone, and the
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inhabitants must seek safety by retreating before the gath- ering storm. Savage vengeance was aroused, and no mercy was shown to any of those against whom the battle- axe and the tomahawk had been uplifted. Cattle, horses. hogs and sheep, farming utensils and the ripening harvest found a common grave and came to a common end. As an instance of the perfidy and barbarity of the savages, they abused the man sent from the fort to treat with them, and then murdered him. Pity was gone and compassion was a stranger to their bosoms. It was the second time that the torch had been applied to the village, and the second time within the period of twelve years, that it had been reduced to ashes. The storm rages all around. From every quarter there came up a wail of mourning and desolation and woe. Sons fell in the battle field ; hus- bands and fathers had their brains and bowels opened by the savage cimeter in the presence of their own house- holds ; wives and mothers were dragged into a captivity worse than death ; and every hour added some new hor- ror to the already fearfully tragie scene.
A cold, long winter withont homes, or food, or neces- saries of life, was the bitter prospect which these poor pioneers and hardy adventurers had before them. Shut up in the garrison, with its walls and the soldiers as their defenders and only the provisions which their hands, in their flight, had carried there, their stay could be only temporary. If the soldiery could hold out, starvation would soon compel terms of surrender. The entire pop- ulation left, and the place lay a wilderness for the term of thirty years. Tradition, which descended from an aged Indian to Col. James Cargill, and the older inhabitants, reports that the Indians, not being able to subdue at once those in the garrison, gave them a certain time to leave which they readily embraced and went to sea in a vessel.
While one of these terrible wars was in progress, the inhabitants became short of food. Bread there was none ;
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corn could not be raised ; the lands were left untilled, and everything useful to them, that savage ferocity could reach, was destroyed. No one could reach them-they could get nowhere to tell the story of their sufferings to friendly ears who could afford them the means of relief.
At last they determined on building a vessel .* With stealth and the utmost guard, they cut the timber, drew it to the shore and then commenced their operations. They toil on day by day and week by week, till months had elapsed-the women at the same time busying their fingers in carding, spinning and weaving cloth for sails for her- and the time of her launching was soon expected-when she would sail for the westward and return laden with corn -- when lo! on a dark night flames were seen issuing from her hold, and their choice and costly packet is re lived to ashes! It was the work of the savage! Paleness then sat on every countenance and trembling seized every heart. What shall be done? was the next question. Nothing was the reply. The enemy are all around-the wilderness separates us from our neighbors-and all must stand in their own, and not their neighbors' defence. Then a bright thought enters the mind of one brave fellow-the resolution is taken. With a small compass in his pocket, and bidding his friends adien, he starts to go afoot through the wilderness, to Boston. Many days clapse-much fatigue and weariness are experiencel; but he arrives there "safe and sound," and tells the story of their suffer- ings to eur's that listenel and to hearts that folt. The Governor immediately despatched a vessel, laden with sup- plies and filled with armed men and munitions of war. The ship is soon despatched-spreads her broad wings to the breeze and arrives safely and casts her anchor in Sheepscot waters. The report of the signal cannon had been heard as the flood tide and favorable wind carried
* Mrs. John Paskell. James Mallett.
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her up to the point of destination -but how did the hearts; of those famished inhabitants swell with emotion, as they saw the hero return, laden with supplies, and supported by a body of veteran troops, who, some time before, had been sent away by them with weeping eyes and saddened feel- ings, upon his strauge errand.
Their wants are relieved. The Indians wished to come on board their vessel." This they would not allow. They then desired one of their cannon, "big guns," which they had never seen before ; this could not be allowed except at a very large price which the Indians cheerfully paid. They then wished to know how to use it. The English told them. to first put the powder in-then a few dry leaves-then small stones and sand and pounded brick and almost any- thing that they could get into the muzzle, and then they must ram it down hard, and keep doing so, till it was full to the muzzle ; and then they must all get round it and touch it off. All this the simple minded savages most religiously ob- served-the match was put to the powder -- the design of the English was accomplished-the explosion took place-the cannon was burstt-pieces of it, together with sand, stones and other missiles flew in every direction- many of the Indians were killed-more were wounded-and horror and vengeance seized the minds of all. They saw the trick -- it could not be forgiven-they resolve on the extermination of the New Dartmouth settlement-the inhabitants are warned away-they embark on board this friendly vessel, saw the rising flames of the garrison they had left behind, and quit the scenes of their former joys and later calam- ities forever.
It was a noble people. There was there some of the best of the Pilgrim blood : and their faith and powers of endurance were well nigh marvellous. Not like the Pop-
* Mrs. John Paskell. James Mallett.
+ Pieces of this cannon were found in the next century.
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ham Colony which died before it was a year old- - which ted at the opening spring when ample succor had arrived from England and there was no war with the natives -- this colony without the patronage of lords or receiving the fos- tering hand of the king and wealthy men, came in unob- served, cut down the forests, tilled their fields, planted Democratic Institutions, maintained schools, supported the ministry, and manifested all the elements of growth and greatness and continuance. They maintained a civil existence for more than fifty years, and then fled because a storm of hail fell upon them which no human force could withstand ; but as soon as the elements subsided, they return again, strong in hope and buoyant in expectation, lay anew the foundations, and see the pillars of state ris- ing rapidly around them. For a time they stood the second shock of war; and they only yielded when this became too powerful for them to withstand.
Setting aside the time they were absent, during King Phillip's war, they had maintained an existence of some sixty-five years, and then they only left when all their sister colonies were swept away around them. They yielded as the brave always do, fighting nobly to the end.
During the year 1697, Major March, a popular and gal- lant officer, with a command of 500 men, was directed to range the coast Eastward, by sending parties in different directions. On the 9th of September, he landed his men at Damariscotta ; but ere they were all fully ashore, a body of Indians, watching their movements, with the well-known war whoop, unexpectedly poured in upon them a full volley, which killed 12 or 13 and wounded as many more of the troops. Rallying his men, he returned the charge, and drove the enemy either to the woods or their canoes, leaving their dead behind them. It was a desperate encounter-a bloody skirmish-but it left the day in the hands of the English.
This closed the war in Maine ; for the peace of Ryswick
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which took place on the 11th of September, brought glad- ness, rest and enjoyment once more to the wearied anl war-worn inhabitants.
Names of those who appear in the early Sheepscot set- tlement, 1623-1686 :
John Browne.
William James.
James Cooke.
William Marks,
Christopher Dyer.
Moses Pike,
William Dyer, Est ...
Andrew Stalger.
John Dyer.
Deborah Burnett,
Thomas Gent.
James Mason,
Daniel Gent.
Mary Mason.
Elizabeth Gent,
Gyles Godward, L'eute,
Elihu Gunnison, Esq.
John Tower,
Thomas Gyles, Esq ..
Ann Harden.
Robert Foote,
Edward Roberts.
William Lowering.
Moses Pike.
Thoma . Messer.
Widow Willeoft.
Lydia Messer.
James Smith,
Robert Scott.
Sammel Corbisson.
Richard Pain.
Elizabeth Phips.
John Manning, -Jewett.
John Taylor.
Henry Smith,
David Ransford,
Edward Taylor.
Walter Phillips, Clerk.
Thomas Kimball.
John White,
Elizabeth Gent,
Cal b Ray, Ensign.
- Goddard .
William Wilcott.
Phips,
George Speare,
Walker,
John Mason.
Sanmel Boles,
Nicholas Manning. Surv ..
James Marston.
William Dale, Nathaniel Draper.
John Alleyn, Esq . .
Walker.
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SHEEPSCOT AND DAMARISCOTTA.
CHAPTER XV.
SHEEPSCOT AND DAMARISCOTTA.
SOON after William and Mary ascended the throne, war was proclaimed against France. This continued ten years and ended with the treaty of Ryswick. This joyful event took place Sept, 11, 1697, and was hailed with the utmost delight by all the New England colonies. The Canadian French could do us no more injury, though the Indians con- tinned to molest us for a time. Several aets of savage ferocity and murder were committed during the year 1698. At Spruce Creek, Kittery, an old man was literally mur- dered, May 8, after he had surrendered. His life was taken by a gigantic savage who was reputed to have been seven feet high ; and his two sons were hurried away into captivity. But the giant was, in a few hours afterwards, shot dead by his own gun, as he grasped the barrel reversed and was endeavoring to pull his canoe towards him, at the shore.
The minds of the people of Massachusetts were once more turned towards Maine, and emigration thither was encouraged. But the undertaking was vast and difficult. A ten years' war, just brought to a close, was attended with every discouragement. There were no mills, no enclosures, no roads ; on the contrary, there were dilap- idated buildings, wide, wasted fields and melancholy ruins. Deeds, and monuments of land, titles and evidences were either mutilated or destroyed. Claims in abundance were presented, and claimants, in numbers, were at hand. Dif- ficulties arose ; perplexities abounded ; the weak were in
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danger of being overwhelmed and defrauded out of their rights by the avarice and cupidity of the strong; and youthful heirs, and new made widows as well as infirmity and advanced age, were exposed to the intrigues and unfairness of many who looked with covetous eyes upon these extensive forests and desolated homes.
To remedy these evils, and to prevent controversies, the General Court established a Committee on Claims, con- sisting of seven members, some of whom were lawyers, but all were men of intelligence and established reputa- tion. This was in 1700. The names of the Committee were, Samuel Sewall, John Walley, Eliakim Hutchinson, Nathaniel Byfield, Timothy Clark, Samuel Phipps and Israel Tay. They appointed times and places for their sessions ; received titles and claims ; and after examining all that were rendered in, made a return to the Legisla- ture.
But in the next year, 1701, things began to assume a gloomy aspect in Europe. The storm of war, which, for a little while had lulled, was evidently again arising. Lieu- tenant Governor Stoughton, in his address to the General Court, May 1701, told them that from intelligence receive l from abroad, war was most imminent. In sneh an event, this country, as usual, must be an unmitigated sufferer. And what added to the gloominess of the scene, was, sev- eral distinguished persons died about this time. Among them was Earl Bellamont, the Governor of New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine. This took place at New York March 5, 1701. On the 7th of July following, Gov. Stoughton diel, leaving behind him as> >- less reputation and an honorable name. Sept. 16th : 1- lowing, died James the Second, at St. Germains, France, having abdicated the British Crown more than twelve years before. .
His son surnamed in England, the "Pretender," immedi- ately aspired to the throne from which his father long
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years before had fled in disgrace. The French monarch, Louis the Fourteenth, by declaring in his favor, enkindled anew the flames of war. But, as the Pretender was a Catholic, the English nation, before this, had resolved to limit the possession of the crown to the Protestants of the Royal line, and finally concluded to settle it upon Anne, princess of Denmark, another daughter of James, and sister to Mary, as she and William died without issue, whenever a successor should be needed.
The event expected was at hand. Mary died in 1694: and in March 8th, 1702, her husband also died, living eight years after her decease. Anne ascended the throne; and on the fourth of May following, declared war against the King of France. William was greatly lamented both by his American and English subjects ; but their minds were soon occupied by their new Queen and the state of things before them. The French stirred up the Indians against the Americans, so that troubles were experienced all along this Eastern frontier, notwithstanding the General Court had taken every precaution to enlist the Indians in their favor. They united with the French and made common cause with them during the war. The work of death soon commenced ; the woods rang with the sound of the Indian war whoop ; settlements were broken up ; villages burned ; inhabitants were taken and made tlie subjects of savage cruelty ; farms were forsaken; and mill sites lay unim- proved. Haverhill and many other places met with a fate which chills the blood, even at this late day; and the Province of Maine, it is said, lost more than a fourth, per- haps a third part of her inhabitants, during that fearful war. Those killed, and taken captive, even though the settlements were sparse, amounted to no less than two hundred and eighty-two. From 1675 to 1713, when the famous treaty of Utreetht was signed, which terminated Anne's war with the French, and with it Indian hostilities which lasted eleven years, no less than five or six thousand
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SHEEPSCOT AND DAMARISCOTTA.
.
of the youth of this country perished, either by the hand of the enemy or diseases contracted in the service.
A melancholy aspect was witnessed throughout the Eastern country. More than 100 miles of sea coast, once dotted with residences and adorned with flourishing set- tlements, and improved estatee lay unpeopled and des- olate. Title Deeds, Records and other papers of value, were either mutilated or lost; and so many years had intervened since the inhabitants had fled, that happy homes and productive fields began to assume the appear- ance of wilderness solitude.
Yet the Government, the land owners and such of the inhabitants as were left, together with their descendants, were ready to engage with alacrity and gladness in the work of re-settling the country. For this a second "Com- mittee of Eastern Claims and Settlements," was appointed by the General Court. This Committee consisted of nine persons ; four were taken from the Council and five from the House of Representatives. Their names were-of the Council-Elisha Hutchinson, Isaac Additon, John Phillips and Paul Dudley, Attorney General ; of the House, John Clark, Edward Quimby, Thomas Oliver, William Dennison and the Clerk of the House. After appointing clerks, and notifying the times and places of their meetings they were directed to receive and examine all claims that were exhibited to lands in Maine or Sagadahock, to sanction the title of such as appeared sound and clear, and report the residue. In reviving towns, as a matter of safety, it was thought best to plant the families together in clusters, say from 20 to 30 each, in certain localities, near the sea shore. There they could be united in a close and defensi- ble manner, have three or four acres to a family as a home- stead, and then, in addition to this, possess outlands in quantities equal to their wishes or necessities. Accord- ingly, the General Court ordered the re-settlement of five towns; Saco, Scarboro, Falmouth, North Yarmouth and
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SHEEPSCOT AND DAMARISCOTTA.
Arrowswick. In no other places were the people allowe l to settle, till proper plans and places could be designated by the Government, through the medium of the Committee.
After this measure the people were again encouraged to renew their settlements in Maine. For the protection of the people and the promotion of trade, a fort of stone was erected at Cushnoe, now Augusta, by Dr. Noyes of Boston one of the Plymouth proprietors. This was in 1716; and a garrison was there maintained at the public expense. Flourishing settlements were made at this place at this time, also at Brunswick, Topsham and other places. Good buildings were seen going up, saw mills were erected, husbandry began to thrive and large stocks of cattle were raised. Noyes, who erected this fort and was a patron of this colony, was a member of the House of Delegates, and died March 16, 1721. In the war which followed, this set- tlement was broken up and the fort was burnt by. the Indians.
The Committee, for the settling of claims to lands in M tine, was appointel in 1713; and their service was to expire in 1720 ;- twenty years from the appointment of the first Commission. Not a great while after this, indications of trouble began to appear among the Indians through the influence of the Jesuit Rale, whose headquarters were at Norridgewock, and other French instigators. Rale's influ- ence over the Indians was immense ; and it was artfully employed in stirring them up to deeds of violence and blood among the English settlers. But about the year 1719, numbers of citizens of Massachusetts, once inhab- itants of Maine, or their descendants, through fear of los- ing their claims to ancient estates, by the statute of lim- itation began to enter on them, and fix their habitations once more in these Eastern parts. The tide continued to set in this direction till 1722, when Lovewell's war com- menced which lasted three years.
This put an effectual stop to Eastern emigration for the
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SHEEPSCOT AND DAMARISCOTTA.
time being, and again deluged. these Eastern shores with; blood. This was purely an Indian war, as there was, at that time, peace between the French and English. Rale, however, was killed in 1724; many of his people were slain ; all his forces routed ; and with his fall, ended the supremacy of the Indians in these Eastern parts. There were wars afterwards, it is true, and many of the English were slain ; but the Indians never afterwards recovered what they lost in that battle. Their stronghold was taken : their chief warriors were slain ; and the great presiding spirit, Rale himself, was made to pay the penalty due to his instigations, his intrigues, his crimes. At his death, there was great rejoicing among the Colonists and thanks were rendered to God that the most dreaded of their enemies was ingloriously slain.
After his death, the Indians easily came to terms ; arti- cles of agreement were made, and peace was ratified. It was during this war, that Lovewell's fight occurred which is memorable in the annals of Indian warfare. Ratifica- tions took place at Falmouth, Dec. 15, 1725, signed by four Sagamores on the one part, and the Commissioners on the other. This has since been denominated "Dummer's Treaty," than which none ever made by the parties has been more celebrated or lasting. Both sides were pre- pared and both rejoiced in it. They had become tired of warfare, and now desired the blessings of peace.
At the diminishing of the Aboriginal power, that of the Colonies began to increase. Settlers flocked into Maine : old wastes were recovered; new fiells opened; towns sprang up as by magie; settlers became established in their estates ; and the wilderness was made to rejoice and blossom as the rose. There were sufferings in reserve for them, it is true ; but they never afterwards were driven from their homes. They held on to what they had gained ; yea, made fresh conquests and continued to grow and thrive, till their arms encircled the land, and the red man
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CLAIMS AND CLAIMANTS ..
with his tomahawk and war songs, was driven away, to be seen and feared no more.
CHAPTER XVI.
CLAIMS AND CLAIMANTS.
WE have now entered upon a new century-a new era is opening before us-other actors appear on the stage and other scenes pass before our eyes. Ocenpancy of lands and re-settlement are the themes. The claimants had pre- sented a list of titles to the Committee appointed by the Legislature and they were expected to decide upon their merits and legality. A list of some of them follows.
John Mason died, leaving a wife and several children. His widow afterwards married a man by the name of Allen ; and in the next century she, in behalf of herself and children, laid claim to the large tract of land that her husband had bought of the Sagamores in 1652. John Mason had one son only, whose name was James. He had a daughter called Mary who married Elias Mulford and lived in East Hampton, N. Y. She appears to have fallen heir to the homestead at Sheepscot ; for in 1736, she sollit to David Cargill, a native of the North of Ireland, who came to this country and settled. The property remained in the line of Cargill's descendants, till a few years since when it was sold. Addison Carney now occupies Cargill's home- stedd.
There was another person, who, through the Allen fam-
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CLAIMS AND CLAIMANTS.
ily laid claim to John Mason's immense estate. The claim is as follows :
"To the Hon. Commissioners on Eastern Lands :- Stephen Calef claims a tract of land lying within the towns of Edgecomb and Newcastle, bounded as follows :- Begin- ning at Sheepseot Falls over the cove to a parcel of pines -- thence to the marsh lying on the other side of the river which bounds it from the burnt islands, which is the Northerly end thereof, and from thence to a freshet called "Oven's Mouth ;"-Cross river-seven or eight miles below. "Also, one full sixth part of two three hundred acre lots laid out in Sheepscot to David Allen formerly of Boston, deceased, which land was conveyed by Thomas and Frances Allen to Samuel Calef, miele to said Stephen, and says in the conveyance, it is the same tract which David Cargill bought of Elias Mulford and Mary his wife, as descended to her from her father James Mason, late of East Hampton, N. Y. who was the only son of John Mason of New Dartmouth, in said Sheepscot river."
There were other grants as appears by the following claims, some of which were made under Indian titles, and others by virtue of patents issued by Col. Dungan, the Ducal Governor of these lands.
"Benjamin Tower, heir to his father John Tower, claims a house lot, about two acres, next the fort, at said Dart- mouth, being abont 104 acres upland and Eastward of Dyer's river and adjoining the land of John Brown, as by deed from T. Palmer, Esq. Commissioner from Col. Dungan."
A. Lovering claims for himself and brother and sister 160 acres of upland and 20 acres of marsh, on the East- ward side of Dyer's river, in New Dartmouth, to pay quit- rent 13 bushels of wheat every year, by patent to his father Wm. Lovering, under Col. Dungan, Aug. 20, 1686.
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