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 9
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 9
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Ann Harden claims for herself and children 140 acres at New Dartmouth, on the north side of the highway that
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CLAIMS AND CLAIMANTS.
leads to the mill and 20 acres of meadow, by patent from Governor Dungan, Aug. 17th, 1686.
Thomas Gent claimed the same land, by Indian deeds, and his claim was allowed as being anterior to the grant of Dungan.
Thomas Gent, who married the daughter of John Taylor of Damariscotta, claims also a tract of land lying within side of the falls on the east side of Sheepscot river, bought of Win. James, bounded west by a little spring, and thence running across the neck by the end of Mason's house, con- taining about 200 acres of upland and 10 acres of meadow. Also land at Damariscotta, upon which he built a house and lived several years, given him by his father-in-law, John Taylor.
Robert Scott, for the heirs of Nathaniel Draper, claims "several parcels bought of Jack Pudding, alias Daniel, Sag- amore of Sheepscot, between the Butt falls and the great bay, over against the Parting gutts, which lie between Nathaniel Draper, Thomas Mercer and the house to the river ;" deed dated March 6th, 1661.
Isaac Taylor, son of John Taylor, claims a tract on the west side of Damariscotta river, in Sheepscot Township, the late possession of John Taylor; of which John Taylor was possessed upwards of fifty years.
Widow Wilcott claims a tract of land on the West side of Sheepscot river-in Alna-below the falls, beginning at the great spring against the falls and along the river to the little spring, to the northward of Samuel Corbisson's house ; which land was in the possession of Thomas Mercer, and by him given to William Wilcott, deceased, and in his lifetime improved several years till the Indian wars. Mrs. Wilcott was the daughter of Thomas Mercer. The southern bound of this claim was at the well-known spring a little to the North of Mr. Charles Leighton's.
Capt. Sylvanus Davis claims a tract of land on the East side of Damariscotta river, at a place called Oyster river,
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REV. CHRISTOPHER TAPPAN.
500 acres, being a neck of land bought of Wittenose, John Cotter and Jeffrey, as by deed June, 14, 1659.
CHAPTER XVII.
REV. CHRISTOPHER TAPPAN.
THIS gentleman was minister of a church in Newbury, Mass. He was the father of four children, three daughters and one son. His son's name was Bezaleel and was set- tled as a physician in Salem, Mass. One of the daughters, Susannah, married Benjamin Woodbridge, Esq., a mer- chant of Newbury, who afterwards moved into Newcastle and settled on the Southern end of Mason's Neck. This name was afterwards dropped, and the place was called Woodbridge Neck. Sarah, another daughter, married Ezekiel Mighill, and Eunice married Eleazer Pierce, all of Newbury. Sept. 16, 1746, Tappan before his death, con- veyed to his three daughters three-fourths of all his unsold lands at Sheepscot, Damariscotta and Mt. Sweagne, and other places in Maine, together with all mills, buildings, etc., to be equally divided between them. The other fourth he conveyed to his son Bezaleel, as by deed, Sept. 11, 1746.
In 1702, Tappan bought of Walter Phillips all the right, title, claim and interest which he held in these Eastern lands. He also bought out the rights of John Mason's heirs, the Gents and others, so that he became the owner of nearly all the present town of Newcastle, and some contiguous places. He purchased the large traet which Phillips owned to the East of Damariscotta Pond, and
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REV. CHRISTOPHER TAPPAN.
also lands in the neighborhood of Mt. Sweague. Moses Hilton, William Hilton, Israel Honeywell, Abraham Nason, Thomas Sloman, John Honeywell and others held their lands under this title. Mr. Pomeroy who lived on Jewankee Neck, just below the present residence of Mr. Gardiner White, bought of Woodbridge, the heir of Tappan. Some of his apple trees were standing within the period of my recollection. There was one large, long. sweet apple, most delicious to our boyish appetites which we used to call the "Pomeroy apple." But the tree and the hand that planto lit, as well as its fellows, together with those who first partook of its fruit, have long since passed away.
About the year 1718 or 1719, Mr. Tappan agreed with two men, Michael Thomas and Samuel Getchell to come down and settle at Damariscotta. Getchell appears to have been unmarried ; but Thomas had a wife and family. They came and settled on the precise spot that John Taylor had occupied the century before, and from which he fled at the breaking out of the first Indian war in 1675. According to Getchell's testimony, taken in 1737, they came and built a house on the West side, of the river, near the lower salt water falls, and fenced in about four acres of land, which inclosed the place where a house formerly stood. Part of an old chimney was then standing there. Getchell came away, after living there about ten months. leaving Thomas with his wife and family. At that time no person lived there except Thomas and his family, and the wild Indians of the woods. Getchell and Thomas mowed grass on the hill by the apple trees, where Walter Phillips formerly lived, and also the salt marsh near the Bay.
Benjamin Cheney who took Getekell's place, came to Damariscotta and lived with Thomas. They broke up land and sowed peas near the house, and also planted corn on Glidden's Neck. They commenced a fence at the brook where Algernon Austin's brick store stands, and
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REV. CHRISTOPHER TAPPAN.
running up a few rods, swung round Southwesterly upon the side of a "great, long hill," past Daniel Hopkin's, Col. George Barstow's and Ebenezer Farley's, and terminated at the shore, below where Walter Phillips first lived. They cut the fresh meadows that lay between Damaris- cotta and Sheepscot, and made use of the hay. The tract fenced was for a pasture. Cheney said that while he lived there, the Indians, among whom were Capt. Nathaniel and Capt. John Ne Wonnet, used often to visit them ; and also one old squaw who told him that her husband was one of them who sold the land to Walter Phillips ; and they all said that Phillips purchased all the land thereabout, and he never heard of any other person laying any claim to it, till it was purchased by Mr. Tappan.
In 1721, John Manning of Boston writes to his father Nicholas Manning of Long Island, that the Indians who were hostages in the Castle had broken out, but were retaken, though not till one of them was shot dead. They were then treated as prisoners of war. This put a new aspeet upon the Indian difficulties at the time. He also says, that after their recapture, they were exceedingly dis- pleased and sullen. The English had also taken Monsieur Castine's son which he had by Dockawandah's sister, and made him a prisoner of war with them. The forces are continued at the Eastward, and more men are to be sent there. The English were ordered not to fire, nor shed the first blood ; but to stand on their defence.
The General Court passed an Act which forbade any one trading with the Indians, not even to obtain provisions, on pain of paying a penalty of five hundred pounds. The repetition of the offense was death.
A Mr. Walter was concerned, in some way, with Man- ning in the lands. John Manning had been sued and arrested, though he had done all he could to free the estate from embarrassment. It was difficult to meet engagements. The General Court offered to loan 50,000
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REV. CHRISTOPHER TAPPAN.
pounds, but they were coupled with such terms that he could not comply. 4 Capt. White had bought out the Drapers, six hundred acres. After enumerating the diffi- enlties which surrounded him, in connection with the other claimants, he says, there was one way left. Mr. Tappan, the minister of Newbury, had bought all of Walter Phil- lip's land at Damariscotta, and got some families on the same; and also had purchased a mill to be erected at Damariscotta Falls. Tappan had been to see Manning to consult on affairs.
Mr. Tappan proposed to have all the land between the Damariscotta and Sheepscot rivers, Northwest passage, prected into one township ; and to build a fort at Sheepscot, on Mason's Neck, where there was one formerly ; and also, to have a certain number of families, each to occupy a small lot of land on Mason's Neck, to build their houses on, with their farms at a distance as it was formerly ; so that, in case of trouble with the Indians, there might be a place of general safety and resort. He would find a min- ister and a doctor for the place and do his best to make a flourishing settlement there.
"He does seem to me," says Manning, "to be a prity Injenus jentell man and seems to be very raell in the matter. I am apt for to think, that if you comply in the case, ye rest of ye proprietors of Shipscott will du the same ; your advice in ye matter."
Manning adds as news, that his wife had been sick a "twelve month" and helpless as an infant, that the small pox was raging in Boston and had carried off a thousand souls. They were very much "distressed" for help. Nurses' wages had been thirty shillings a week ; wood thirty shillings a cord. "Our straits are great; never the like in Boston."
In 1725 and 1728, Christopher Tappan and Obadiah Gove purchased of the heirs of Elizabeth Gent and Thomas Gent, all their right and title to lands at Sheepscot.
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DAVID DUNBAR.
The two owned together from the South end of Sheepscot Great Neck where Thomas Gent many years resided, to Winmesitico Falls, near the North line of the town. Tappan and his heirs afterward laid claim to the whole tract ; and it appears to have been arranged, that Gove took that portion of the purchase which Mason made of the Sagamores that lay South of the Eastern branch of the Sheepscot, while Tappan held what was North of it. Gove's descendants settled in Edgecomb- from the East- ern branch of the Sheepseot to the Cross river-by virtue of this ohl deed of Mason's. The case was carried into Court and argued : but Mason's deed was so indefinite- that no reliance was placed upon it, and the Claimants lost their case.
CHAPTER XVIII.
DAVID DUNBAR.
WE now come to the year 1729 and introduce to our readers, a man who figures largely in the affairs of the settlers at that time ; and who thereby, has acquired a rop- ntation which otherwise would never have belonged to him. For thus it sometimes happens in the affairs of this world, that individuals of very little real worth, are thrown into situations where they acquire a notoriety which other- wise they never would possess. Circumstances and not merit give them a name. Of this class is David Dunbar. an Irishman, who had been a Colonel in the British service. but had been deposed. He came over to this country under the patronage of the British Ministry, and landed at
1 )3
DAVID DUNBAR.
Pemaquid. He was poor, but a man of pleasing address ; and through the influence of his friend, Col. Bladen, a member of the Board of Trade, he at length obtained a Royal Instruction and Proclamation, by which the whole Province of Sagadahock was given into his hands. He was directed to superintend and govern it ; little more being required of him on the part of the Crown, than to reserve 300,000 acres of the best timber lands of pine and oak, for the use of the Royal Navy.
His arrival was in the spring of 1729; and his first object was to secure the good will and co-operation of Phillips, Governor of Nova Scotia. He next put in repair the fort at Pemaquid, changing the name of it from Fort William Henry to Fort Frederick, a compliment to the Prince of Wales. He divided the land between Damaris- cotta and Muscongus rivers into two townships. The Southern portion of which included all that lay South of a line running Southeasterly from what is now called
Cove, he called Harrington. That which lay North of it, which includes what is now the upper part of Bristol, Damariscotta and Nobleboro, he named Walpole. He also erected the township of Townshend, now Boothbay, and Southport. These places were named from three British noblemen. Broad Cove was the third parish in Bristol.
At Pemaquid Harbor, he laid out the plan of a city. To each settler he surveyed a City lot of two acres ; also forty acres more, including his improvements ; and after- wards a one hundred acre lot, more remotely situated. The title that he gave to the settlers of their lands was Leasehold Indentures, with the antiquateil reservation of a "peper corn rent," if demanded. Being inflated with his success, he determined the next spring, 1730, to be thorough in his measures. To encourage emigrants to settle within the bounds of his jurisdiction, he offered to every one who would abide in the Province, a hundred acres of land where he might choose to select it, besides a
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DAVID DUNBAR.
supply of one year's provisions. To invalidate and obscure the jurisdictional rights of Massachusetts, he procured, besides the King's Proclamation and Instruc- tion, a Royal Order to the Governor of Nova Scotia, for taking formal possession of the country-and to effectuate his plans and enforce obedience to his demands, he obtained from Annapolis and Cansean, thirty men, besides an officer, to man the fortress at Pemaquid, pretending. probably, that this, having long been considered the key to that Province, ought to be a Public Garrison. Lands were conveyed by him to William Vanghan of Damaris- cotta, and also the benefit of the excellent water privilege at the Fresh falls. The Commissioners for 1811, say that Vaughan held his lands at Damariscotta Mills under the Brown title ; and they also say, that he had lands at Har- rington, for which he afterwards compromised with Shem Drowne, by paying him two shillings, lawful money, for every hundred acres.
Dunbar was active and energetic ; and introduced a large number of persons into this section of the country. The MeCobbs, the Reeds, the Aulds, Mcclintocks, McFar- lands, Briers, Knights, Fossets, Montgomerys, Kennedys. Campbells and others whose names have been familiar in this region, for the last 130 years, were introduced here. about this time. They originally came from Scotland, and settled in the North part of Ireland. Persecution drove them from their native lands; and freedom of conscience to worship God, as well as permanency of home, brought them to these extensive shores. And one reason why Dunbar received the appointment was, he told the king and the ministry, that these people were anxious to emi- grate to America. They came here-a noble race-hewed down the forests, cleared the fields, built them dwellings. erected the Sanctuary, and by its side the School House. where their children both heard the Word of the Lord and were taught the elements of education. It was America
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DAVID DUNBAR.
in her incipient greatness. These were among the choicest of European emigrants, and their blood was as precious as any that coursed in the veins of the people of these United States. If no more, Dunbar performed one good work in introducing to these shores, this fearless and indom- itable people.
Opposite Damariseotta Mills on the other side of the Bay, is a point of land called "Belvidera." It is beautiful for situation. At the extreme Western part of this point of land, Gov. Dunbar, in the year 1730 or 1731, built him a house which he occupied two years or more. The remains of his cellar are now seen ; also of his rock ehin- ney, now fallen ; and a circular hole about four feet in diameter and as many feet deep which was probably used as a magazine for powder and other choice articles.
Directly in the rear, and to the East of this locality, is a beautiful rising ground that has a commanding view of the entire Bay and shores around. Here Dunbar had a cellar dug about forty feet by fifty, for the purpose of erecting a superb mansion that would correspond with the important Dignitary that would inhabit there. But, alas! for human calculations and earthly hopes ! Soon after, petitions were in circulation for his removal.
The cellar of this projected house, is still there, exhib- iting all the marks of hasty, if not unwilling abandonment. The dirt which is a clayey loam, was thrown out upon the four sides of it, and it remains just as it was left by the shovel. Water is at the bottom of it, and the cattle have a beaten path down the four corners of it, where they descend to drink. It is overshadowed by tall pines, nearly two feet in diameter, which have arisen, as if to assert their sovereignty, since the former transient proprietor left.
Dunbar was imperious in his will and avaricious in his disposition. He soon became unpopular with the people. Those who resided between the Sheepscot and Damaris- cotta rivers-to the North of Townshend, were slow in
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DAVID DUNBAR.
submitting to his claim and dictation. For this, he threatened to punish them, by expelling them from their possessions. He was regardless of either ancient Grants, Deeds or actual Possessions, and resolved to bear down all opposition, and make in his own name, any conveyance by which he could make money. All descriptions of claim- ants who were thus disturbed, spread their complaints before the General Court. The Pemaquid Proprietors- the Drowne Right claimants, complained that Dunbar had encroached upon their domains, and with force and arms, was holding possession of them. They asked for relief and protection.
Christopher Tappan professed to hold several tracts at Damariscotta, which had been improved for a series of years, till the inhabitants were driven away by the Indians. Settlers had returned to them, and were happy at their homes, till they were thrown into perplexity and embar- rassment by the unscrupulous demands of Dunbar. Many others presented their Memorials to the Legislature which were filled with similar representations. Joseph Roberts, Samuel Whittemore and Jonathan Loring who lived in the vicinity of the Sheepscot river, stated that Dunbar came with an armed force, drove them from their lands, seized their timber, burnt and destroyed their houses and even threatened to throw them into confinement.
While making these charges, the petitioners asked that the "tyrant" might be removed, and that Massachusetts would resume her former jurisdiction over this oppressed and distracted District.
The Memorials of the Petitioners were in the winter of 1731, laid before the Legislature. They appointed an able Committee of both Houses, to consider them ; and, accord- ing to Sullivan, in the year 1732, the Report was made that settled the controversy.
In this Report, the following facts and principles were stated :- That the lands mentioned in the petitions, and
4
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DAVID DUNBAR.
likewise the whole territory between the Kennebec and Nova Scotia were within the Royal Charter, granted to Massachusetts, about forty years before, by William and Mary, and have ever been from that time to the present, under her care and jurisdiction :- That the Legislature have, from time to time, been at great expense to defend this territory from the incursions and cruelties of the Indians, and particularly during the last war :- That laws have been made by Massachusetts for the good of this entire Province, and that they have been enforced against the trespassers of the king's lands :- That the Memorial- ists have made great sacrifices and corresponding exer- tions to settle the country ; and that they have always been good and loyal citizens; and that their predeces- sors, in former years, had expended vast sums of money and much labor in making improvements in these lands :- That, though Col. Dunbar had appeared as the pro- fessed agent of the Crown, yet he had uniformly refused to exhibit his Commission or an exemplification of it, and had appeared among the inhabitants with a number of armed men, and required, nay, even compelled, them to take deeds of him or quit their possessions :- And they conclude an able Report by saying :- "That the Gov- ernment of the Province were in duty bound to interpose in favor of Petitioners and other sufferers, to lay their complaints, the facts and documents, before the Lords of Trade, and obtain, if possible, the opinions of the Solic- itor and Attorney Generals of England upon the subject."
These facts and documents were sent to England and laid before the Board of Trade. Samuel Waldo, who had a large interest in the Muscongus Patent, was chosen by the Proprietors to go to London upon this important errand. Shem Drowne, in behalf of the Pemaquid Pro- prietors, also presented a petition to the Crown for the removal of Dunbar. Accordingly he was displaced ; but he remained in the Province about two years, when,
108
WILLIAM VAUGHAN.
through the influence of his friend Col. Braden, he received the appointment of Lieutenant Governor of New Hampshire. Portsmouth became his residence. His property at Belvidera Point passed into the hands of Rev. Mr. Rutherford, between whom and Dunbar there existed terms of friendship.
His office in New Hampshire was no sinecure ; and after about three years he left it, went home to England-was prevailed upon for $2,000 to relinquish his situation as Sur- veyor of the King's woods, and was appointed to the Gov- ernorship of St. Helena, by the East India Company, where he died. His widow afterwards married a man by the name of Henderson and spent the remainder of her days at St. George.
CHAPTER XIX.
WILLIAM VAUGHAN.
As early as 1730, William Vaughan of Boston, and son of the Lieutenant Governor of New Hampshire, came to Damariscotta Fresh Falls and commenced a settlement. He claimed under the Brown title as far East as Pem- aquid Pond ; and West, to Mill River; Samuel Kennedy says," to "Sheepscot upper great falls." James Noble, Esq., and Elliot Vaughan, Esq., his brother came with him. In 1730, he built two double saw mills and a grist mill ;+ and began to farm out the lands and introduce settlers. His men used to cut the meadows on Mill Brook
* See deposition 1765.
| Col. Wm. Jones.
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TAPPAN'S ARRIVAL AND PROCEEDINGS.
stream, Deer Meadow and Burnt Camp Meadow; and from Canalm Winslow's fence to the head of Damariscotta Pond, on both sides. He died 1755, the year after Cape Briton was captured. Previous to his death, he bequeathed to Mary Mercy and Jenny Campbell each 100 acres of land. He also devised by will lands to others. Damaris- cotta Pond in his day was called "Vaughan's Pond ;" and deeds of land lying on both sides of that body of water, were said to be bounded on one side by "Vanghan's Pond." He was a man of energy and good business capacity, and helped to introduce many settlers around Damaris- cotta Pond. In 1740, he built a house which was after- wards consumed by fire ; and it is supposed that the grants and title deeds which Dunbar gave to settlers were burnt up in it.
After his death, his right passed over to Elliot Vaughan and James Noble, Esqs. Noble afterwards married his widow ; and it was from this gentleman, that the town Nobleboro derived its name. At first, there was strong opposition to it; but at last the inhabitants acquiesced in the appellation.
After the war, Vaughan, not feeling secure in his title. went to England to get it confirmed by the king, but never returned. His heirs, however, and grantees. remained undisturbed in their possessions.
CHAPTER XX.
TAPPAN'S ARRIVAL AND PROCEEDINGS.
IN 1733 Tappan arrived in Sheepscot and commenced to survey his lands. According to the testimony of James
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TAPPAN'S ARRIVAL AND PROCEEDINGS.
Cargill, he commenced at Nickel's Mills, ran down the Canasixet river, southerly, to the end of the Neck, where Francis Dodge resides ; thence Northerly, following the shore to the Town Cove, in front of the Garrison ; thence they continued on a distance of five miles from the end of the Great Neck, to where Daniel Anderson afterwards re- sided, a little to the North of the School house in the Woodbridge neighborhood. Cargill's father, David Cargill was surveyor ; James Campbell was agent ; William Ken- nedy and Solomon Hopkins were chairmen ; and James Forester carried the pack. There they drove down a stake.
They then commenced to survey the lots. They began at the Southern extremity and continued on Northerly, be- tween Canasixet river and Crumbie's reach, and then be- tween Canasixet river and the road that runs Northeasterly from James Preble's to the Woodbridge neighborhood, till they had numbered forty-five lots. This is as far as Tap- pan sold in his life time. His heirs, however, claimed to the North line of the town. Between the road running Northeasterly from James Preble's, and that which runs over Garrison Hill to the North and then the river as a western boundary, he surveyed fourteen ten acre lots. These lay side by side, and commenced at the road that runs by David Kennedy's, and continued on as far as Henry Freeman's. The estate of the late Capt. Thomas Lennox now embraces two of those lots. These were designed as " Home lots," and the "Out lots" were those already named.
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