USA > Maine > The history of the state of Maine; from its first discovery, A. D. 1602, to the separation, A. D. 1820, inclusive, Vol. II > Part 16
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Successes.
In surveying the forts, the towns and the settlements, which had been able generally to defend themselves; and the brilliant suc- cesses which attended the return of our military men from the field, we may well congratulate the heroic enterprize of the people and anticipate a lasting peace. Our militia was at this period
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completely trained for active service ; every man of forty, having A. D. 1726. seen more than twenty years of war. They had been familiar with firearms from their boyhood; and a great proportion of them were practical marksmen, and skilful hunters. They were extensively acquainted with the warfare and the lurking places of the savages; and they imbibed from early life a strong antip- athy towards them, which was strengthened by their multiplied acts of bloodshed and cruelty.
The whole number in Maine, of those killed, mortally wounded, and carried into captivity in the course of the war, including inhab- Losses. itants, soldiers, and seamen, is supposed to have been about 200 ; though an accurate enumeration cannot be made. About a third part of them were at different times made prisoners ; and many were carried to Canada and sold to the French. By the terms of the treaty, they were to be released without ransom ; yet some died, and others found the period long, before they were permit- ted or enabled to return.
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CHAPTER V.
Dummer's administration-Three truck-houses-Indian tradc- Recovery of captives-An Earthquake-Committee of claims- New tier of towns proposed-York and Falmouth-Education- Brunswick resettled-Gov. Burnet arrives-Salary question re- vived-Eastern Councillors-Governor's death-State of the eastern country-Sagadahock-Its revolutions-David Dunbar -Surveyor general of the woods-His order for possession of Sagadahock-Repairs the fort at Pemaquid, and calls it Fort Frederick-Surveys three townships-His other measures-Gov. Belcher arrives-His policy, and the grants to him-Dunbar's arbitrary acts-Complaints and report against him-Bounda- ries between New-Hampshire and Maine .- Treaty with the In- dians confirmed-Governor's view of the eastern country-Dun- bar's removal ordered-Jurisdiction of Sagadahock territory re- sumed by Massachusetts-Dunbar's employment and residence- Returns to England-Resigns the surveyorship of the royal woods-Goes to St. Helena.
A. D. 1725. AT the close of the war, it was apparent, that the settlement Dummer's and prosperity of the eastern country, must depend essentially administra- tion. upon a perpetuation of peace with the Indians. Mr. Dummer, the Lieutenant-Governor, whose discreet management had ac- quired their confidence, was endeavoring to secure their friend- ship and favor, by consulting their wishes, and holding a friendly correspondence with their principal Sagamores. He has been applauded by Douglass,* as an able man, and a wise and watch- ful magistrate. His administration, after the departure of Gov. Shute, was, in general, acceptable to the people ; the General Court made him liberal grants for his official services, and very seldom shewed an aversion to his measures. Two acts, while he was in the chair, are worthy to be mentioned. One was a statute passed, in 1724, to prevent expenses at funerals ;- the
* 1 Doug. Summ. p. 479 .- Dummer's " good management in the Indian " war, will perpetnate his memory with all true lovers of New-England."
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other was the executive sanction he gave, the next year, to an A. D. 1725. application made to the Legislature for an ecclesiastical Synod .* It was opposed by the episcopalians, and severely censured by the English ministry ; hence the proposition was never after re- vived.
houses,
As soon as peace was settled, the establishment of eastern Truck truck or trading houses, for the accommodation of the natives, received the early attention of the Lieutenant-Governor and the Legislature. These were contemplated by the treaty, and might be the means, if judiciously managed, of confirming the peace. They would be places to which the Indian hunters and their fam- ilies would frequently resort ; and a free intercourse with them being opened, the temper and movements of the tribes might be at any time ascertained. If commodities, such as they needed, were furnished, of a good quality, and offered at fair prices, in a barter for their furs and peltry, their confidence might evident- ly be secured, and an intimacy contracted ; by means of which, connected with presents, courteous language, and kind treatment, their malevolence and jealousies would be abated, if not en- tirely subdued.
The experiment was tried. Two trading houses were imme- Established diately established, one at Fort St. George, and one at Fort Rich- at Rich- mond, St. mond ; and in a couple of years, a third was established at fort George's and Saco: Mary, near Winter-harbor, where it was continued for seven years.t The keepers of these houses, called " truck-masters,"
* 2 Hutch. Hist. p. 291-2 .- "Synods had been frequent under the first charter."
t Capt. James Woodside was the first truck-master, and superintendent of Fort Mary, and the trading house at Saco. But as it had fallen into decay, the General Court, 1727-8, ordered it renewed 8 or 9 miles above the old stone fort, on the west side of Saco river, and a building, 55 by 27 feet, and 9 feet posts, to be erected of square pine timber, 9 inches thick, together with a store-house for safely keeping the goods. The spot se- lected was 100 rods below Union Falls in the present town of Hollis. A sergeant, with a guard of ten men, was stationed there for the protection of trade; the treasurer of the Province was directed to supply it with goods to the amount of £800; and Capt. Thomas Smith of Boston, father of the minister at Falmouth, was appointed truck-master, as early as 1737, with an annual salary of £120. A Chaplain was also appointed, who prob- ably visited other trading houses, and preached to the settlers .- Folsom, p. 223.
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A. D. 1726. were annually chosen by the General Court, *- special regard being had in the selection, to men of the greatest probity, pa- tience and discretion ; whose characters and manners were like- wise acceptable to the natives. The situation was in a few years, so desirable, that it was sought by men of distinguished reputa- tion and influence. Articles, principally necessaries, with a few gewgaws, were, to the amount of £1,000 or £1,500, purchased every year in Boston, at wholesale prices, and transported to each trading house in proportions, correspondent to the several The trade. demands. These, the truck-masters were instructed to sell, at an advance upon the prime cost, sufficient only to cover the freight and waste. Nay, sometimes in the retail of molasses, su- gar, rum, corn, meal, bread and tobacco, the government allowed them ten per cent. for waste, and sustained a loss in the articles, whenever they fell at the trading houses, below the price of pur- chase. A full value was paid the Indians for their furs and skins ; presents were frequently made them; and when they were employed to obtain information, carry intelligence, or do other service, they were liberally rewarded. In the absence of the sanups, or husbands,-whole families were sometimes kept from starving ; and the truck-masters were authorized by advice of the commanding officers at the forts, occasionally to entertain and treat the Indians in the name of the government and at the public charge.+
The regula- tions.
Upon the whole, however, the trade was a tax upon the Pro- vince ; the advance upon the furs purchased, being altogether in- adequate to the gratuities, the stipends to the truck-masters, and the expenses of maintaining a small garrison at each trading house. Still the loss was cheerfully borne, when it was found that the good effects of the establishments were fully equal to anticipation. The tranquillity of the Indians became settled. Finding they could purchase commodities there, better and cheaper than in Canada, they were satisfied ; and hence those of the Abenaques
* At St. Georges,-those in succession, were Thomas Smith, John Noyes, Jabez Bradbury. At fort Richmond, Joseph Heath, Edward Shove, John Oulton. At Saco fort, Thomas Smith, and Ammi R. Cutter.
t 12 Mass. Rec. p. 88-197-512 .-- NOTE .- Jeremiah Allen, Esq. of Bos- ton, was treasurer of the Indian truck-trade; and in one year between May, 1731, and 1732, balance in his hands due government, was £11,953 2s. 9d. ; the next year, £10,556, Ss. 9d .-- 4 Mass. Rec. p. 473.
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tribes that remained, presently returned to the former places of A. D. 1726. their abode ; being in this way drawn from the neighborhood of the French, and rendered less liable to their instigations. In reg- ulating the soldiery at these ' truck houses and garrisons,' the General Court, by a statute of 1730, ordered every officer to be cashiered and fined, who should sign a false muster roll, or certify untruly a soldier's service or dues .*
After the Indians returned from hunting in the spring of 1727, A. D. 1727. the chiefs of the Canibas, Wawenock, and Anasagunticook tribes, The treaty addressed a letter to the Lieutenant-Governor, by which they as- confirmed. sured him of their desires to accede to the late treaty. Nothing could have given stronger indications of a settled peace ; and ac- cording to their wishes, he and a large number of gentlemen met about 100 Indians at Falmouth, July 11, where the treaty was solemnly confirmed, with an additional article, stipulating, ' that the ' Indians should join 50 of their men with 150 of the English, or ' in that ratio, to subdue any refractory Indians who might attempt ' to disturb the peace.' Greater confidence was given to the force and effect of the treaty, by a general pacification about this time among the rival powers in Europe; the colonies and tribes on this side of the water having been partakers in all their later wars.
On this joyful return of peace, there was an anxious desire to greet a speedy return also of the unhappy English captives scat- recover tered, as it was said, throughout Canada. To procure their re- captives. English lease, therefore, Mr. Joseph Kellogg and seven attendants with two Indian pilots, were appointed early in 1728, to visit Quebec, Montreal, St. Francois and Trois Revieres. It was a difficult duty ; and to encourage them in their mission, several Indian captives, the property of individuals, were ransomed at the public expense, and despatched in company with the agents. At this period, nothing was left untried, to keep the Indians quiet, and to secure their good will. Special presents, worth between 30 and £40, were transmitted to the chiefs at Penobscot ; and it was proposed to send two well educated, prudent and exemplary men among the eastern tribes, to instruct their youth and strengthen their friendship.+
On the 29th of October, was the shock of an earthquake, Oct. 29. which rendered the year memorable, and which we would not quake.
* An. Charters, p. 481 .- 13 Mass. Rec. p. 280. + 13 Mass. Rec. 20.
A mission to
An earth-
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A. D. 1727. fail to notice. It commenced 40 minutes after ten at night, when the weather was clear, the sky serene, and the air cold. The first noise heard resembled the rattling of stagecoaches, driven speedily upon pavements, and lasted half a minute before the shock was actually felt. In the midst of it, the tops of chimnies and stone-walls were thrown down; doors were forced open ; and people found it difficult to stand unsupported. Seamen upon the coast supposed their vessels grated over shoals of gravel. Its course was from north-west to south-east; gradual in its progress and egress ; and extending from the Delaware to the Kennebeck. Its whole duration was about two minutes. The uncommon alarm was not without its moral benefits, exciting in many places repentance and reform .*
Committee of claims.
In the present and two succeeding years, various measures were resumed to revive and resettle this eastern country, so often doomed to the fatalities of bloody and destructive wars. A new Committee of Claims were appointed ; who were directed to hold meetings at Falmouth, receive all evidences of title and elaim to lands, which might be presented, and especially use all means practicable, to shew and satisfy the Indians, how far they had made fair and valid conveyances to the English.f
Western jine of Mlạine.
The boundary line on each side of New-Hampshire was agi- tated ; and that Province, feeling unable to cope with Massachu- setts in settling so important a question, referred it to the king, refusing to join in the appointment of commissioners upon the subject. Apprehensive it would be of no avail to press the measure, still disposed to encourage settlements, Massachusetts proposed to send a skilful surveyor, and ten men on a ranging tour, the distance of 100 milest from Quampeagan, in direction of the dividing line between New-Hampshire and Maine; and thence north-eastwardly to the river Kennebeck. Returning by way of fort Richmond, they were to make report of facts and observa-
* " A general revival of religion took place-40 out of 124 were the " fruits of it in the Rev Mr. Emerson's parish in Portsmouth."-Smith's Journal, p. 18 .- 2 Hutchinson's Hist. 295. Till this, " there had been no " very violent shocks of earthquakes in the memory of any then living." -2 Holmes' A. . Ann. p. 119.
+ 12 Mass. Rec. p. 88,-The Committee were William Tailer, John Tur- ner and 5 others.
# 13 Mass. Rec. p. 40 .- i. e. "North- west 103 miles from Quampeagan,"
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tions. Mr. Haven was appointed surveyor; yet through fear A. D. 1727. the movement might displease New-Hampshire and disturb the Abenaques tribes, it was postponed .*
of townships
wick to Pre- sumpscot proposed.
Next, we find it proposed to survey a back tier, or second line A new tier of townships from Salmon-falls river to the Androscoggin, and from Ber- offer them to settlers upon most favorable terms. The soil be- longed to the Province by purchase ; the inhabitants in the new range would be a barrier to the old towns on the seaboard in case of another rupture with the Indians ; and therefore plausible ' pretences were encouraged and even sought for, to promote ' the claims and applications for lands.' The descendants of officers and soldiers employed in expeditions against the Narra- gansett Indians in King Philip's war, and in the campaigns against Canada, and Nova-Scotia, the preceding century, and also the suf- ferers in later wars, were all admitted to notice ; and many who had acquired some knowledge of the country, while in the public ser- vice, manifested an enthusiastic desire to make it the place of their future residence.+ Yet the lands upon the seacoast, eastward of Georgetown, were either inhabited or appropriated ; and it was urged, that should no considerable facilities be offered to emi- grants and settlers,. they would go to other places. So far too as the proposition had respect to old soldiers, or their posterity, it carried with it the appearance of gratitude ; and a Committee was directed to lay out a second tier of townships, which should be severally six miles square, and extend from Berwick to Pre- sumpscot.
No measure could afford the older towns more gratification. The old For nearly a century, they had stood in single file between the towns. ocean and the woods, and never were a people's prudential and heroic virtues put to severer test. In the late war, Kittery, York, Wells and Berwick, were represented .every year in the General Court ; and Falmouth, three years, including that of peace. They were severally supporting settled ministers, distinguished for their talents, piety and learning,; besides maintaining common
12 Mass. Rec. p. 258 .- 6 Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc, p. 108 -- 110,
t Smith's Jour. p. 17 .- " People are constantly flocking down here to " petition for lots."
į In York, Rev. Samuel Moody, graduated, 1697, died, 1747, Æt. 72,
" Kittery, « John Newmarch,
1690, " 1754.
' Wells, Samuel Jefferds, 1722, 1752, " 45,
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A. D. 1727, schools and private garrisons. The towns assuming a preemin- to 1728 ence at this period, were York and Falmouth. One was the
York and
chief towns.
Commerce and affairs of Fal- mouth.
Falmouth shire town and seat of Justice, where all the public records were kept ; and the other a place of great resort and considerable commerce. At a time, in 1727, thirty vessels were seen in the harbor of Falmouth, besides several standing upon the stocks ; and, within a preceding twelve month, there were enumerated in that town, 64 families ; which in the course of two years, in- creased to 100 or more, Men were admitted inhabitants in town-meeting, on payment of £10. All the land lying on the water in Purpooduck, and 30 lots on the peninsula, were survey- ed, located and assigned ; a saw and a grist-mill in the neigh- borhood were in motion ; a meeting-house finished ; and March 8th, the same year, (1727,) Rev. Thomas Smith was settled .* The town books having, in some of the Indian wars, been either destroyed or carried to Canada, the General Court, upon petition, ordered the counterpart or copy of the original confirmation made by President Danforth, July 26, 1684, to Edward Tyng and others in trust, to be recorded in the secretary's office of the Province, and in the registry of deeds at York.
'The minis- try and common schools in Maine.
In laying the foundations of a rising community, the men of this age are entitled to the highest considerations for the interest at all times taken by them, in the settlement of a pious ministry, and the support of common schools. These they placed in the same grade with liberty, safety and the supports of life. In 1727, Mr. William Thompson was settled at Scarborough; and in 1730, Mr. Samuel Willard, at Biddeford ; Mr. Thomas Pren- tice, at Arundel ; and Mr. Ammi R. Cutter, at North-Yarmouth. t All the lands in several of these towns were taxed expressly for the support of their schools. Even the Province itself, contributed towards the salary of two or three ministers; and once, the in- habitants of Kittery received from the public treasury £400 to
In Falmouth, Rev. Thomas Smith, graduated, 1720, died, 1795, At. 93.
" 2 P. York, " Joseph Moody, 66 1718, 1753, “ 53.
" Berwick, " Jeremiah Wisc,
1700, " 1756, " 74.
Biddeford, " Samuel Willard,
1723, 1741,
Greenleaf's Ecclesiastical Sketches, p. 11-21-56 .- 10 Coll. M. Hist. Soc. p. 270. * Smith's Journal, p. 17-20.
t Town privileges were not fully allowed to North-Yarmouth, till Janu- ary, 1732. It had been only a " propriety ;"-14 Mass. Rec. p. 237-267, 286, 353, 472. Mr. Prentice graduated at Harvard College, 1726.
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assist them in re-building their meeting-house ;* the former being A, D. 1727, laid in ashes by lightning. tơ 1728.
Fort George was repaired ; and Brunswick was among the Brunswick first places re-peopled after the war. In 1730, a chaplain was resettled. allowed at this garrison ; and it was in this place, where Sabbat- ist, the Anasagunticook Sagamore, requested government to keep some supplies : for, said he, in " cold winters and deep snows, my Indians, unable to go to Fort Richmond, sometimes suffer."-The government, always in such instances cheerfully administered relief; and the tribe remained quiet, though constantly viewed with distrust. The settlements in this section advanced slowly. Harpswell was a precinct of North-Yarmouth, twenty years. In " 1730, and not before, some ventured to set down in Topsham ;" yet there were, " in 1750 only eighteen families in the place- seventeen of whom were Scottish Hibernians, and all protes- tants.t In Georgetown the greater part of the people were Sectaries. presbyterians ;- there were in Falmouth a few episcopalians ; otherwise the inhabitants in Maine were devoted to the congrega- tional order.
On the accession of George II. a year since, the immediate George IE. appointment of a Governor had been anticipated, in the place of July 13, crowned, Mr. Shute. But being disposed to please his provincial subjects, Burnet, William the king deliberated, and then selected WILLIAM BURNET ; who Governor. arrived at Boston, July 13th, 1728, with a commission embracing Massachusetts, New-Hampshire and Maine. There were many imposing circumstances in his favor. Born at the Hague, whither his parents had retired to avoid the persecution of the Stuart dy- nasty, he was named William, after the illustrious prince of Or- ange, who was his godfather, and who soon after ascended the British throne. His father, Gilbert Burnet, the celebrated bishop of Sarum, had by his ardent piety and love of civil and relig- ious liberty, rendered his name dear to the people of New-Eng- land, and secured for the son an earnest of popular affection. The large and handsome person, and graceful manners of the Govern- or commanded respect ; his good abilities, his taste for books, and his acquaintance with mankind gave him rank among the
A. D. 1728.
* This was in 1731 .- 14 Mass. Rec. p. 64 .- The salary of Mr. Prentice, was £40,-of Mr. Thompson, £100. The school tax was from a half-pen- ny to a penny per acre on improved lands.
+ 3 Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc. p. 142.
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A. D. 1728. good and the great ; and his pleasant wit and excellent disposi- tion rendered him acceptable to all. Popular as Governor of New-York and New-Jersey, he submitted to the change with con- siderable reluctance.
His first speech, in- sists on a salary.
In his first speech, he told the Legislature he should insist upon a permanent salary, agreeably to the royal instruction, which, he promised himself the House would not be backward to obey. Desirous of avoiding, "if possible, an immediate controversy with the Governor, the House made him some valuable presents, and voted to give him £1,000 sterling, in compensation for a year's services. This he refused to accept, because it was not perma- nent ; not despairing of his ability to bring the House into his views, during the session, till he had kept the General Court together five months. He then prorogued the Legislature, and transmitted particulars to the ministry .* The House also sent instructions to their agents ; yet, if a calculation were to be predicated upon past experience, no result favorable to their wishes could be ex- pected. For the fact was, that in consequence of the long and bitter altercation with Governor Shute, the Province was forced at last, to take an 'Explanatory Charter ;'t which expressly empowered the Governor to negative the speaker, and also for- bade the House to adjourn for more than two days at any one time. When power and privilege are at war on such unequal grounds, the result is obvious.
A feature of his adminis- tration.
So much superior to all other public topics and considerations, was the salary question, at the present period, that the cotempo- rary statute book does not exhibit one printed act, passed during the administration of Gov. Burnet. He was a stranger in the Province. Had he been well acquainted with the sentiments and spirit of the people at large, he never would have tried an experiment upon their respresentatives, with so much pertinacity. A majority of the Council considered it prudent to comply with the instruction, as the salary could be only during the life or the commission of the present Governor. But the members of that body did not emanate immediately from the people; and several of them were non-residents. Their republican politics, though sufficiently rigid, were better tempered with true wisdom. Those for Maine, in the present and preceding administrations of
* 2 Hutch. Hist.
t This was dated Ang. 26, 1726.
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Mr. Shute and Mr. Dummer, were Adam Winthrop, Joseph A. D. 1729 Hammond, Charles Frost, Edward Hutchinson, and Wm. Pepper- Councillora. ell, jr. ;- and for Sagadahock, Spencer Phips and Samuel Thax- ter. Messrs. Winthrop and Hutchinson were both non-resident members, living in Boston, and belonging to distinguished fami- lies. Mr. Winthrop was elected in 1716, and the two succeed- Winthrop. ing years. He was a gentleman of talents, learning and influ- ence .* Mr. Hutchinson had two elections, and these were in Hutchinsoni. 1725 and 6. He was a man of more business than eminence. Messrs. Hammond and Frost belonged to Kittery. They were men of good understanding, and great usefulness. Mr. Ham- Hammond. mond succeeding to the honors of a father of the same name, and having represented his town in the General Court seven years, received twelve successive elections into the Council, in- cluding the year 1718, when he was first chosen. He was also a judge of the Common Pleast about ten years. Mr. Frost was Frost. elected into the Council in 1719, from the House, where he was holding a seat as representative from his town. He received six elections into the Board ; and was also on the bench of the Com- mon Pleas with Mr. Hammond. Mr. Pepperell, whose father, ¿ Pepperell. of the same name, was among the early settlers on the Isles of Shoals, was an inhabitant of Kittery, which he had represented in the General Court two or three years. He was first elected into the Council in 1727, where he had a seat 32 years. His merits and future fame will appear in their appropriate place. Messrs. Phips and Thaxter, were non-resident Councillors. It is believed they both lived in Boston. Mr. Phips, the adopted Phips. son of Sir William Phips, § was for the first time a Councillor in 1722, and afterwards received nine elections. He was a
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