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 35
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72
Settlement of Penobscot proposed.
Animated by a perspective of the Penobscot country filled with people, the Governor told the General Court, during their winter session, that " a great many families" stood ready to re- move thither and settle, provided there were no obstacles in the way of their obtaining a title to the lands. The subject was pop- ular, and he urged its importance upon their consideration, with earnestness ; believing that permanent settlements there would be- come supports essential to the strength and interests of the Pro- vince.
Woolwich incorporat- ed.
On the 20th of October, 1759, the plantation of Nequasset, or Nauseag, was erected into a town by the name of WOOLWICH.t
* Allen's Biog. p. 473 .- Folsom's Hist. Saco and Biddeford, p. 257.
t Woolwich (the 14th town) is said to have been 60 named after that in England, from the relative situations of the two, to " Fiddler's Reach" -- in the Thames and Kennebeck, the turns and courses of the water in both
343
OF MAINE.
CHAP. XII.]
It had been a precinct of Georgetown. The first settlers were A. D. 1759. Edward Bateman and John Brown. They resided here as early as A. D. 1638; and the next year took from Robinhood, an Indian Chief, a deed embracing most of the present township : though afterwards, a large part of it was claimed by Clark and Lake, and by the settlers under them, who erected mills there, as early as A. D. 1660. The cellars and wells of the original inhabitants, who were driven away or destroyed in the second Indian war, are yet to be seen. It is supposed, the place was resettled soon after Dummer's treaty was formed with the In- dians, in 1726.
Early in the opening year, 1760, there were express indica- A. D. 1760. tions, that the wars between the New-England provincials and The Indians the eastern tribes, which at periods, within the last eiglity-five propose peace. years, had overspread the land with blood and desolation, were about to terminate,-probably forever. Wasted by war, famine, hardships, and disease, particularly the smallpox, and now left to their fate, by the people that had made them dupes and self-de-
places being alike. "Trott's Neck," in the southerly part of the town- ship, was sold in 1685, by Agamagus, Moxus, Egeremet. Essemenseco-a chief called by each of these names. Woolwich is bounded northerly by Dresden, on the east by Monsweag bay, and by water on all the other sides, containing about 20,000 acres, in part covered by Nequasset pond of 400 acres. The stream, in passing down from the outlet, descends a fall and meets the tide, where are mill-sites and an alewife fishery. Though the soil be rocky in some parts, it has borne a heavy growth of oak, which has been much used in ship-building .- It is worthy of remark, that Sir WILLIAM PHIPS, the first royal Governor of the Massachusetts Province, was a native of this place ;- born in the south-cast part of the present town on a peninsular projection into Monsweag bay. The first point east of Nequasset stream, is Hockomock ; thence over Tibbets' ferry, one mile and a half to Phips' point; thence across to Westport, Iralf a mile .- Rev. Josiah Winship, a graduate of Harvard, was the first settled minister in this place ; and when he was ordained, June 12, 1765, there were in the town only about twenty families, and two framed houses .- MS. Letter of Moses Davis, Esq .- Sullivan, p. 75-160 .- Mr. Winship continued to per- form the pastoral and parochial duties of his trust " about fifty years," till becoming enfeebled by age, he was persuaded to accept of a colleague, Rev. Jonathan Adams, who was ordained in February, 1817. The titles of the inhabitants to their lands, are either by actual settlement under the grantees of Robinhood's deed, or by deeds from Thomas Clark, and Sir Biby Lake, who was assignee of Roger Spencer .- Sullivan, p. 145-169 .- See post, A. D. 1757 to 1760.
344
THE HISTORY
[VOL. 11.
A. D. 1760. stroyers, the eastern natives saw themselves at the shrine of ruin, when it was too late to avoid the sacrifice. The mixed tribe at St. Francois, was effectually broken and scattered, and their vil- lage in ashes. The brave Tarratines, that once carried terror even among the Sagamores of Massachusetts, were now too much enfeebled, either to resent the menaces of defiance, or oppose a seizure upon their country.
A treaty with those at St. John and Passa- tnaquoddy.
The tribes that first sued for peace, were those at the river St. John and at Passamaquoddy. They had been forward in taking the tomahawk, and probably feared the severities of the English, which they so richly deserved. One tribe, therefore, sent Michael Neptune, and the other Bellomy Glaube, to see Governor Law- rence at Halifax, who entered into a negotiation with them, Feb. 23, 1760 ; by which, the treaty made in December, 1725, and confirmed at the river St. John, in August, 1749, by the Mickmaks and Marechites, was fully recognized, and their allegiance to the king renewed. The Indian delegates, furthermore agreed to traffic only at the truck houses ; to have this renovated treaty signed before the 20th of the ensuing May, by the Sagamores and chief men in the tribes represented by them ; and in faith of the engagement, to put three hostages in the meantime, into the hands of the English .*
Also with the Tarra- line tribe.
This news and the tranquil conduct of the Tarratine tribe, so far quieted the eastern inhabitants, that they left the garrisons and block-houses, early in the spring, and returned to their own farms or dwelling-places.t About the same time, several of the tribe in the vicinity of Fort Pownal told the commander, General Preble, that they desired nothing more than peace. They said they wished to dwell with their families, at some place near the garrison, receive its protection, and enjoy the neighborhood and friendship of the English ; ' living with them, as many tribes had ' lived with the French in Canada.' To effectuate therefore, their purposes, four of their chief men, Kehowret, Joseph Ma- rie, Sockaiteon and Sockebasin, went to Boston, and, on the 29th of April, formed and signed articles of treaty, with the Governor
* See this treaty entire, on 3 rolls of parchment, Sec. office, Boston. It is said, even the remaining neutral French, and the Mickmaks [Cape Sable Indians,] finally joined in this treaty. The Mickmaks at this time were in number near 3,000 souls .- Chubb's Sketches, p. 99, 100.
t Eaton's MS. Narrative p. 15.
345
OF MAINE.
CHAP. XII.]
or in the Council chamber. As usual, the Indians acknowledged A. D. 1760. themselves to be the good subjects of King George ; confessed their rebellion and the consequent forfeiture of their lands; re- linquished all allegiance to the French government ; and prom- ised to deliver up future offenders for trial, according to the laws of the Province. The tribe was reduced, as stated by the dele- gates themselves, to five Sachems, seventy-three warriors, and perhaps 500 souls. All they had left to them was the privilege of hunting, and the possession of such tracts, as the English might assign to them. So few and insignificant had become the whole Abenaques people, that not one tribe of them, not even the Can- ibas Indians, took any leading part in settling a general peace.
The signal advantages obtained the last year over the French, Canada were pursued this season with an intrepidity and determination, and con- conquered, which aimed at nothing less than the speedy and entire conquest England by firmed to of Canada. In a train of glorious achievements and events, Mon- treaty. treal capitulated, Sept. 8; a French squadron in the bay of Chaleurs was vanquished by Captain Byron, commander of the war ships, left for the protection of Louisbourg ; and at length, all the French subjects inhabiting the territories from the Bay of Fundy through the Canadian country, and all the Indian tribes in that region, were subdued and subjected to the English govern- ment. In fine, the whole acquisition so gloriously achieved, re- ceived a solemn confirmation to the English, at the close of the war, by the sanctions of a treaty, which was succeeded by a peace to the frontiers of New-England, firm and enduring. Cap- tives returned to their homes; and friends who had long been separated, joyfully embraced in the fond hopes of being never more disturbed by the war-whoop and tomahawk of the mer- ciless savage .*
* As soon as Louisbourg surrendered, July 26, 1758, to the British arms, Nova Scotia resumed fresh courage and a more enlivening aspect. The government was new-modeled and improved,-and a House of Representa- tives established 2d October ; when Governor Charles Lawrence, among other measures, invited people from the New-England and other Colonies to settle upon the lands which had become vacant by the removal of the Acadians, or French neutrals. He also, through an agency established in Boston, " declared he was ready to receive any proposals, that might be made to him for settling this valuable tract of country-100,000 acres of which had produced wheat, rye, barley, oats, hemp, flax, &c. without failure for the last century ; and another 100,000 had been cleared and stocked VOL. II. 44
346
THE HISTORY
[VOL. II.
CHAPTER XIII.
Eastern patents, and grants-Business and livelihood of the inhab- itants-New statute-laws-Trustee process-Jury-boxes-Poor debtors-French neutrals-Gov. Pownal leaves the Province- Eastern members of the Council in three administrations-Pow- nalborough incorporated-The counties of Cumberland and Lin- coln established-Lieutenant-Governor Hutchinson in the chair- Governor Bernard arrives-Trade with the Indians-George III. crowned -- New valuation-Political parties-Governor and House at variance-Custom-house officers-Writs of assistance- Districts instead of towns-Public finances -- York bridge- Twelve townships, eastward of Penobscot-Mount-Desert granted to Governor Bernard -- Fryeburg to J. Frye-Line between Maine and Nova Scotia-Calamities, drought, sickness and fires -Windham, Burton and Bowdoinham incorporated-Treaty of peace at Paris.
A. D. 1757, to 1760.
AT this eventful period of our history, there was particular and extensive notice taken of all the numerous interests, which so essentially concern a rising community. The larger patents, and proprieties, though they had for some years been dormant, were no longer neglected, or overlooked.
Limits of the Plym- outh patent.
As to the limits of the Plymouth patent, Messrs. Walcot, Gridley, Pratt, Worthington and Hawley, five eminent lawyers
with English grass, planted with orchards and embellished with gardens- the whole so intermixed, that every individual farmer might have a pro- portionable quantity of ploughed land, grass land, and woodland." By a second Proclamation, Oct. 12, 1758, he prescribed the terms upon which lots would be granted to settlers, and guaranteed liberty of conscience and worship to all christians, except papists. In consideration of these flatter- ing encouragements, numbers of agriculturalists, emigrated from New- England and settled on the southerly shores and easterly borders of the Bay of Fundy .- 1 Haliburton's Nova Scotia, p. 200-223 -- 234 .- From Boston arrived there, six vessels carrying 200 settlers; from Rhode Island, four schooners with 100 passengers ; from New-London, 100, and Plymouth, 180 em grants == to 580 souls. In 1764, the Acadians were permitted "to settle in the Province [of Nova Scotia] and hold lands upon taking the customary oaths."
347
OF MAINE.
CHAP. XIII.]
of the age, to whom the subject was referred, awarded, in 1757, A. D. 1760. that the southerly boundary of that patent, on the eastern side of the Kennebeck, be limited by the line which forms the northerly bound of Woolwich ; that the claimants under Clark and Lake, hold the lands in that town below its north line, between Mon- sweag bay, and the Kennebeck waters, southerly to Towasset bay, also all Arrowsick, and 450 acres of Parker's Island ; that the southerly boundary of the same Plymouth patent on the west side of the Kennebeck be a line drawn at right angles from the river, through the lowest bend of Cobbeseconte river ;* that the northern extremity of the same patent ought not to extend farther, than to a line drawn east and west across the mouth of the river Wessarunset ; f and that the Pejepscot Company ought Limits of the to hold the lands eastward to the mouth of Cathance, and north- purchase. Pejepscot ward to the falls 20 miles above those at Brunswick,-also Small Point peninsula, [Phipsburg,] and the Islands in New-Meadow's river, excepting Sebascodegan and Little Damariscove.} The Tract of the territory of the Wiscasset Companys was determined in 1762, company. Wiscasset to lie between Monsweag river and the water which separates the main from Jeremisquam, and to extend as far as the upper Narrows in the Sheepscot at Flying Point, and westward to a line equidistant between the Sheepscot and the Kennebeck. There were several plans renovated or projected at this period, and great exertions making, by the proprietors of these large tracts and of the Waldo patent, to enhance the value of their lands, and to settle them with enterprizing inhabitants.
A new and most favorable impulse was given by the conquest Enterprize of Canada, and the prospects of a perpetual peace with the In- dians, to every species of enterprize and improvement. The losses sustained by removals and deaths, being fewer than in any form-
* This was afterwards, about A. D. 1766, confirmed by the Superior Court of the Province .- Sullivan, p. 118 .- Jeffries v. Donnel .- Hon. David Sewall's MS. Let. also, see post, A. D. 1774, note to Pittston.
t The south line of the township of Cornville, as located :- about half a league above its present southerly boundary .- Mr. Roger Walcot was of Connecticut, Maj. Hawley of Northampton, Col. Worthington of Spring- field, and Messrs. Gridley and Pratt were of Boston. They sat in Boston. Į See Printed " Statements of Kennebeck Claims."
§ Called the " Boston Company" in 1734, who held meetings in the name of the " Jeremisquam or Wiscasset Proprietors."-Ante, vol. I, p. 330-1, also MS. Let. of M. Davis.
and liveli- hood of the inhabitants.
348
THE HISTORY
[VOL. II.
A. D. 1760. er war, were soon repaired either by a return of fugitive settlers or by new emigrants. Ship-building, trade and settlement, were even promoted, by the stories of soldiers and visitors, who, hav- ing lately seen the country, gave extravagant representations of its goodness, beauties and water-privileges. A sailor's or travel- ler's tales about remote places, often carry with them such an air of romance, as to have an absolutely irresistable influence upon both the curious and the enterprizing. If the lumber business, opened a captivating yet delusive prospect of gain ; the cultiva- tion of the soil and the raising of domestic animals, being prop- erly esteemed the almoners of human life and the means of solid wealth, soon commanded considerable attention. But the early inhabitants found great difficulties in preserving their smaller cattle, sheep and poultry from destruction by the wild beasts. So in the late war, when the cattle were turned or strayed into the woods, to get subsistence, which a new farm or small enclosures did not yield, they were often killed by the savages. Yet many of them, more particularly cows, it is affirmed, had partaken so largely of the general and perpetual fear, or had so much in- stinctive knowledge of their danger, that they would flee affright- ed at the sight of an Indian, and run with speed to the nearest garrison. If they were shot, the report of the gun would give alarm, and therefore they were, to some extent, a safeguard to the inhabitants. A few of them, being " lost in the woods, were " found on the return of peace, after an absence of three years."
Wild beasts.
Though there were in the neighboring forests great numbers and varieties of wild beasts, and some of them, such as bears and wolves, being very bold and ravenous, oftentimes killed the smaller domestic animals ; the abundance of moose and deer, slain by the hunters, was a full equivalent for the loss. Fond of ground juniper, of which there was a plentiful growth about the river St. George, a herd of moose resorted thither in 1762; and being obstructed in their retreat by a crust upon a deep snow, 70 of them were killed in one winter .*
* Eaton's MS. Nar. p. 15 .- It was necessary, in the vicinity of the St. George's river, to rebuild the houses. They were at this age constructed of logs and covered with bark ; and nine of them were raised in one day. The nearest mill was at the distance of 20 miles. The only road was the river; and the travel from house to house was in foot paths. There were
349
CHAP. XIII.] OF MAINE.
Some statute regulations of this period are worthy of particu- A. D. 1760. lar notice. One act, passed in 1758 made original provision for Statutes in- stituting the the attachment of a debtor's property in the possession of his trustee pro- trustee,-requiring a disclosure upon oath. Others, in 1760, Selection of cess. made it the duty of towns to keep two jury-boxes,-from one Jurymen. of which all jurors were to be drawn, except the petit jurors to the Common Pleas and Sessions, who were to be taken from the other box ; both being replenished with tickets, bearing the names of townsmen most suitable for the important service. Prior to this, they were chosen by the qualified voters in town meetings, called for the purpose .* Any two justices of the quorum were authorized to discharge poor debtors from imprisonment, upon of poor debt- Discharge their taking an oath of their inability to pay the debt.t The gaol. ors from support of the French Neutrals, though defrayed by the Prov- Support of ince, was a disagreeable burden to the towns; for they were still Neutrals. French ignorant bigoted catholics, broken spirited, poor and indolent. Falmouth, for instance, received from the public chest, £141, and York, £30, in one year, for maintaining a part of them.
Governor
But the people bore their burdens with fortitude, and the gov- ernment managed the political affairs with wisdom. Governor Pownal. Pownal, who was a watchful and economical ruler, had to a re- markable degree acquired the confidence and esteem of the eas- tern inhabitants. The repeated visits he paid them ; his regard for their critical and trying situation ; his energetic measures at Penobscot ; and his unremitting attention to their interests, in general, merited in their opinion all the tributes of respect and praise, which they were disposed so cheerfully to render him. His frank and facetious manners gave him great acceptability in Sagadahock ;} though they rendered him obnoxious to the shafts
no carls. The wood and staves were cut near the river and hauled on handsleds, or by horses and cars. One Bogs brought from Boston the first flock of sheep, into the St. Georges, ever owned there.
* Prov. Stat. A. D. 1699, p. 332, 624, 633.
t Passed A. D. 1763, and the debtors oath prescribed in form, which has ever since prevailed. The new act, however, only revised and improved. former laws upon the same subject .- Sce ante, vol. I, p. 384.
# As an instance of his humor, accommodated to the blunt manners of the Irish settlers upon the river St. Georges, whom he often visited, it may be mentioned, that he called Captain Thomas Kilpatrick whose name was a terror to the Indians,-" Tom kill the Devil ;- and in return for his own energetic measures against them, he was called, " Tom pound the devil."-Eaton's MS. Nar. p. 4.
350
THE HISTORY
[VOL. 11.
A. D. 1760. of satire,-as being inconsistent with the puritan sentiments and habits of Massachusetts people. He solicited a recall, at a point of time most favorable to his honor and happiness ; it being before the field of battle was entered by the antagonists of right and prerogative, and before the tide of his own fortune had slack- June 3. Hle leaves the Prov- ince. ened. When he embarked, June 3, both houses in a body at- tended him to his barge ; and his subsequent opposition to the measures of Parliament, framed against the colonies, while he was a member of that body, fully proved, they had not misplaced their confidence in him as a friend to equal rights and civil liber- ty,* according to the pure whig principles of the age.
Members of the Council In the three administrations of Belcher, Shirley and Pownal, in the 3 last a period of thirty years, ; the Councillors from Maine were Timo- administra- tions. thy Gerrish, Samuel Came, Jeremiah Moulton, John Hill, Jabez Fox, Nathaniel Sparhawk, and Richard Cutts ;- for Sagada- hock, John Jeffries, James Allen, John Wheelwright and Wil- liam Brattle.
Mr. Gerrish. Mr. Gerrish resided in Kittery and was Colonel of the wes- tern Yorkshire regiment. He was first chosen into the Council, in 1730, and had a seat at that board five years successively. He was also on the bench of the Common Pleas, t in 1731, where he continued several years. But he was more distinguished for his Mr. Came. military than his judicial abilities. § Messrs. Came and Moulton were both inhabitants of York. The former having represented his town in the General Court five years, was chosen into the Council, in 1733, and had in all, nine successive elections into that Legislative branch. He was commissioned to the bench of the Common Pleas, in 1730, which he filled with reputation to himself twenty years. Col. Moulton was elected into the Coun- cil for the first time in 1735. Though he was unassuming in his disposition and manners, and never a restless aspirant for office ; few men in this age and this Province, had a greater share of public confidence, or were called to fill so many places of official trust and responsibility. He was representative of his town in the House two or three years ; county treasurer ; a judge on the bench of the Common Pleas, about thirty years
Col. Moul- ton.
* Allen's Biog. p. 482 .- Eliot, p. 386 .- 2 Minot, p. 64.
t See ante, A. D. 1728. # Or " Inferior Courts."
§ One of his daughters married Hon. Rishworth Jordan of Biddeford.
351
OF MAINE.
CHAP. XIII.]
prior to the division of Yorkshire ; also, in 1760, he was sen- A. D 1700. ior justice, and the next year Judge of Probate. He was like- wise Colonel-commandant of the western regiment; and in the reduction of Norridgewock, and also at other times, the pru- dence, skill and bravery, which marked his conduct, gave him rank among the military characters of distinction. He was a member of the Council board 17 years in succession-a man of sound judgment-possessing a character of uncommon excellence. His son, of the same name, was sheriff of York county many years ; and also Lieutenant-Colonel of the regiment .- Mr. Hill Mr. H.Il. of Wells, was the grandson of Joseph Hill .* He had twenty- nine successive elections into the Council, first in 1742, and last in 1770. He was appointed a Judge of the Common Pleas in 1753,-an office which he filled about 13 years. He was also a part of that period a Judge of Probate. Mr. Fox Mr. Fox. had three elections into the Council, A. D. 1752-3-4. He died, April 7, 1755, before the political year for which he was last elect- ed had expired. He resided in Falmouth, and was a representa- tive of his town to the General Court, in 1745, and in five sub- sequent years. Mr. Sparhawk was an inhabitant of Kittery. Mr. Spar- His wife was the only surviving daughter and child of Sir Wil- hawk. liam Pepperell; and himself was first elected to the Council Board, in 1760, the next year after the Baronet's decease ;- a seat which he filled 13 years in succession. He was also as many years a Judge of the Common Pleas. He was six years a representative of his town ; his first election being in 1745. Mr. Cutts also belonged to Kittery. Three brothers of his Mr. Cutts. name, Robert, John, and Richard, emigrated from the west of England, about 1645, and settled on the Isles of Shoals. Rob- ert, who removed to Kittery, was appointed a magistrate by the king's Commissioners, in 1665 ; and when he died, in 1672, he left a large estate to his son Richard, the father of the Council- lor. This gentleman was chosen a representative of his native town in 1734, and also in seven other years, prior to his first election into the Council in 1755, the successor of Mr. Fox.
* Peter Hill of Saco, was a deputy to the Lygonian General Assembly, in 1648. He died in 1667. His grandson, Joseph Hill, whose father's name was Roger, was born in 1671; married Hannah Bowles of Wells in 1689, and settled in that town, and superintended the erection of Fort Mary in Saco.
352
THE HISTORY
[VOL. 11.
A. D. 1760. He was also eight years a member of the Board,-a man of considerable talents and influence.
Mr. Jeffries.
Mr. Allen.
For Sagadahock-Mr. Jeffries was the successor of Spencer Phips at the Council Board in 1733. He received eleven elec- tions in succession, except in the year 1742, when James Allen Mr. Wheel- was chosen, but never afterwards. John Wheelwright of Wells, wright. succeeded Jeffries, A. D. 1745 ; receiving in all, ten successive elections. He was the great-grandson of the famous minister, Mr. John Wheelwright. For thirty years past, he had acted as Mr. Brattle. Commissary General of the whole Province. Mr. Brattle, a man of extraordinary talents, was a Harvard graduate, in 1722, a minister of the gospel, a lawyer and a physician *- eminent in each profession. He resided in Cambridge. He was a Major- General of the militia, and a member of the Council eleven years. All these Councillors for Sagadahock were non-residents, if we except Mr. Wheelwright.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.