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 37
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Mount Des- ert granted to Governor Bernard.
The General Court granted the far-famed Island " Mount Desert" to Governor Bernard, in consideration, as they said, of his " extraordinary services ;"-or more probably, in fact and in policy, to secure his influence and efforts towards obtaining the royal assent. 'Yes,' said they to him, ' your immediate and undi- 'vided attention to the subject is more especially requested, be- ' cause a sufficient number of subscribers or applicants have come " forward, ready to go and settle thirteen townships, as soon as ' the royal confirmation can be obtained.'
* The associations of petitioners for the second class of townships were, David Bean and 80 others; Moses Twitchell and 179 others; Ebenezer Thorndike and 58 others; Wait Wadsworth and 50 others; Samuel Liv- ermore and 40 others .- 13 Jour. H. of Rep. p. 278-9 .- See post, A. D. 1785.
+ First Class :- No. 1 Bucksport. Second class :- No. 1 Trenton.
Between Pe- 2 Orland. East of Union
2 Sullivan.
nobscot and 3 Penobscot. river.
3 Mt. Desert.
Union rivers. 4 Sedgwick. 4 Steuben.
5 Bluehill.
5 Harrington.
6 Surry.
6 Addison.
363
OF MAINE.
CHAP. XIII.]
In the prevalent passion for new settlements, other grants were A. D. 1762. obtained ; some in the old Province of Maine, where the king Fryeburg had no territorial rights. One was that of a township to Joseph granted. Frye, upon conditions cast in the common mould with the others ; subsequently known by a name derivative of his own .* The liberality manifested by government in these numerous grants, was a pledge of public patronage, encouraging to emigrants, as well as settlers ; the beneficial effects of which were in a few years extensively witnessed. The ungranted territory of eastern lands Lands east was still immense, and according to the report of a legislative scot. of Penob- committee, there had hitherto been no claim pretended to any of the region between Penobscot and the eastern line of the Pro- vince, except some right, which the proprietors of the Waldo patent challenged ; and to all this, they were willing to sign an acquittance, in consideration of a single township.f The General Commis- Court, therefore, aware of the advantages which amity and tranquillity afforded, appointed three Commissioners, William Brattle, James Otis and John Winslow, " to repair to the river " St. Croix ; determine upon the place, where the said easterly tia. " line is to begin; extend the said line so far as they shall " think necessary ; and ascertain and settle the same by marked " trees or other boundary marks ;"-they being directed to pro- ceed ex parte, if not met upon the ground, by Commissioners from Nova Scotia. It seems their report was made in the fol- lowing February, accepted by the Legislature and printed. But it shewed rather a view, than any descriptive survey.
As the Indians were tranquil, it had been determined by the Governor's government in a spirit of economy, to keep a very inconsiderable relative to measures force under pay in Maine this season. Only one Lieutenant, one armorer, one sergeant, and fifteen privates were stationed at Fort Pownal ; and the number was still smaller at Forts Halifax and Cushnoc. The Province-sloop cruised upon the eastern coast, and carried supplies and intelligence to the garrison. On her re- turn to Boston, news was received of an attack by the French upon Newfoundland, corroborated by an arrival of 700 French
sioners to ascertain the dividing line between Maine and Nova Sco-
the Indians opposed by the House.
* Fryeburgh.
t Nor had they, as it turned out, in fact, any territorial right on the easterly side of the Penobscot; though they owned several of the Islands in the Bay.
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THE HISTORY
[VOL. II.
A. D. 1762. Neutrals* from Halifax, whom the rulers of Nova Scotia durst not allow to live in that Province. Apprehensive for the safety of our fishing vessels, the Governor with advice of Council, des- patched the sloop and 50 men to Canseau for their protection. But the House, at the next meeting of the General Court, thought the emergency did not demand the expedition,-it was a charge upon the treasury without an appropriation, and the precedent was mischievous ; therefore they blamed him and refused to pay the expense. A proposition of his to visit Fort Pownal, and acquaint himself with the temper of the Indians at this juncture, received also a decided negative. 'Let the Chiefs,' said the House, 'come to Boston, if they wish to have a talk or parley.'- He met them, nevertheless, at Penobscot, in October, and con- firmed the peace, which continued uninterrupted many years.
Two years of drought, fires. It is worthy of remark, that when the operations of the war scarcity and in the northern colonies were closed, they were succeeded by two years of drought and scarcity. In both, the freshness and bloom common to June in other years, were shrouded in the habili- ments of decay ; and the husbandman, in view of his withering fields, had sufficient reason for a deepening despondency of his hopes. The drought of 1761 was preceded by a wasting sick- ness, which greatly added to the calamities of the season. These severe frowns of Providence were followed with devouring fires, which did immense damage. They burst forth from the woods of New-Hampshire, early in July of that year; and burning with irresistable fury, passed through Towoh [Lebanon] in Maine, and being driven by the winds to the eastward, entered Scarborough, Gorhamtown, New-Casco, and the neighboring forests, where they raged till they were only checked by a flood of rain, which fell on the 19th and 20th of August. The next year, (1762,) somewhat earlier in the season, six dwellinghouses, two saw-mills, and several barns were reduced to ashes at Dunston in Scarborough ; six families were burnt out in North-Yarmouth ; and extensive fields were destroyed by the flames or laid open by a consumption of the fences. Even the cattle, in many places, did not escape the violence of devouring fire. A prodigious
The General Court thought it justifiable to " forbid the landing within the Province of these unhappy exiles."-2 Minot, p. 119 .- 1 Haliburton, p. 241, and they were returned to Halifax.
365
OF MAINE.
CHAP. XIII.]
quantity of the most valuable forest-timber was destroyed ; and A. D. 1762. so much were crops cut short, that greater supplies from abroad than usual, were necessarily imported for the people's support.
There were three Plantations incorporated, this year, into Three plan- towns, by the names of WINDHAM, BUXTON and BOWDOINHAM ; made towns. tations whose respective dates are, June 12, July 14 and September 18, in their order .*
Windham was a grant by the Provincial government to sixty of Windham. the inhabitants in Marblehead, A. D. 1734 ;} and was surveyed the next year, when the first permanent settlements were made.
The planters, though few in number, erected a large block-house in the fifth Indian war, and being aided by the proprietors, de- fended themselves manfully against the hostile visits of the natives, so often repeated ;- a fortitude which received additional lustre in the late war. They enjoyed the settled ministry of Rev. John Wright, eleven years prior to his death, in May, 1753; and when Rev. Peter T. Smith was ordained, in 1762, to the sacerdotal office among them, with a salary of £80, there were only thirty- nine families in the place.}
The primary grantees and settlers of Narraganset Number Buxton. One, now Buxton, originated from Ipswich, Rowley, Newbury, Haverhill, and Amesbury in Massachusetts ; and the town is full of their descendants. It was one of the military townships, and though it was granted in 1728, and allotments of land made within four years, we find no settlers upon them, till after the
* These three are the 16th, 17th, and 18th towns incorporated in the State. t See ante, A. D. 1734.
# Windham was previously called New-Marblehead. It contains 25,600 acres. There were 630 original lots, the rest was holden in common. To make the settlement compact, the first lots contained only 10 acres. There are two ponds in this town, Sebago and Duck ponds .- The first church (of 7 members,) was gathered in 1743 .- Rev. Mr. Smith was the son of Rev. Thomas Smith, settled in Falmouth. When he was ordained, the proprietors paid him £83. He was dismissed in 1790; and was suc- ceeded by Rev. Nathaniel Stone, in 1798. The town was first represented in the General Court, 1767, by Abraham Anderson, and a Post Office es- tablished there in 1798 .- The soil is " light, arable, and free from rocks." In 1821, there were 125 orchards-yielding 15,000 bushels of apples annu- ally ; three meeting-houses-one for congregationalists ; one for friends, having a society of 40 families; and one for methodists and baptists; a social library of 100 vols .; 13 school districts; 12 mills and a Comb-factory. -MS. Let. of J. Waterman, Esq., 1821.
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THE HISTORY
[VOL. II.
A. D. 1762. treaty of Aix la Chapelle, in 1748, and the close of the fifth Indian war. There were only twenty-one families in the planta- tion in 1760-1, when the itinerant labors of the Rev. Doct. Paul Coffin commenced there. Yet he lived to see the wilderness subdued and blossom, and every interest of society brighten into maturity ;- for his pastoral connexion with this people was con- tinued beyond sixty years .*
Bowdoin- ham.
Bowdoinham is a name evidently given to the town in compli- ment to a family, distinguished for its wealth and one of its mem- bers, whose benefactions contributed so largely towards the endow- ment of the first College in this State. There were probably residents in the vicinity of Fort Richmond, nearly opposite the head of Swan Island, soon after that fortification was established about 1720. The township extends from Cobbessecontee to Merrymeeting bay and Cathance river ; and was originally claim- ed by the Plymouth proprietors, who conveyed it and other con- tiguous lands to William Bowdoin of Boston.+ But the title was involved in a dispute. For in 1637, July 3, Sir Ferdinando Gorges granted to Sir Richard Edgecomb, of Mount Edgecomb in England, a tract of 8,000 acres, situated or to be surveyed " near the lake of New-Somerset.' The bounds were undefined, if the place of location were not wholly uncertain ; and neither
* Buxton was so called, at the instance of Rev. Mr. Coffin, who originat- ed from a town of the same name in England. He was graduated at Har- vard, in 1759 ; ordained, 1763; and died, 1821. He was a man of talents and learning ;- and was honored with a doctorate. The first minister be- fore him, was Rev. Mr. White ; who preached in the garrison at Little Falls, now in Hollis. The next was Mr. Thompson. There are two meet- ing-houses for congregationalists in town, in which Mr. Loring the suc- cessor of Doct. Coffin, preaches alternately : also two meeting-houses, for baptists, and two for methodists. There are three bridges over Saco river, between Buxton and Hollis; and in Buxton 15 mills. "The soil is gener- ally of a superior quality ;" and orchards are numerous. The town was first represented in the General Court, A. D. 1781, by Jacob Bradbury. N. B. " Bonny Eagle pond" is in Buxton near Standish line .- See ante, A. D. 1733 .- MS. Let. of Charles Coffin, Esq., 1822.
t Doct. Peter Bowdoin, was one of the protestants, who fled from Rochelle in France, after the edict of Nantz was revoked, and arrived at Falmouth, [Portland,] in 1688, and in 1790, removed to Boston, where he died, 1705,-leaving two sons, John and James .- The Doctor's grandson was Governor of Massachusetts, in 1785-6; whose father was rich .- Dr. Allen's Biog. p. 79.
CHAP. XIII.]
OF MAINE.
367
grantee nor his heirs paid any regard to the patent, till after A. D. 1762. Queen Anne's war. But John Edgecomb, of New-London, ap- peared for the heirs, in 1718, and entered in the Book of Claims, a minute of the grant, which seemed to be descriptive of a tract equal to four miles square, on the western bank of the Kenne- beck-river where it meets Merrymeeting bay .* The claim was revived in 1756 by Lord Edgecomb, the heir,t who committed the agency of his interest to Sir William Pepperell. On his death, the title lay dormant till 1768; when the Lord Proprietor empowered Sir William's son-in-law, Nathaniel Sparhawk, to pur- sue the claim.
To try the title, Mr. Bowdoin brought an action against one Trial of the Springer of Bowdoinham, the ter-tenant, and shewed a derivative title. title from the Plymouth proprietors, and a quit-claim from Abba- gadasset, an Indian chief ;- all which the counsel for Springer, or rather Edgecomb, encountered, by exhibiting Gorges' grant to the ancestor, and a transcript of the description entered in the Book of Claims ; and endeavored to shew, that the lake of 'New- Somerset,' mentioned, was Merrymeeting bay. But the early acts of possession by the Plymouth company, and the Indian deed, prevailed against an obsolete indefinite grant ; and his Lord- ship lost his case. Yet by a decision of the Superior Court, per- haps about 1767-8, the south line of the Plymouth patent was determined and fixed in the northerly line of Bowdoinham.}
Early in the winter session, the Governor congratulated the A, D. 1763. General Court, on the joyful news received of a general peace. Peace. By the treaty signed at Paris, Feb. 10, 1763, it appeared, that Treaty of France had renounced to Great Britain, all Canada, and all her Paris, Feb- other northern dominions in America. This was followed by a royal ruary 10. Proclamation from the British crown, Oct. 7; erecting Canada into a Provincial government by the name of Quebec, and run- Quebec ning a part of its southerly line, as a boundary, from the point formed.
Province of
* Book of Claims, p. 32 .- Sullivan, p. 135.
t Nicholas Edgecomb, removed from Blue-point to Saco, in 1660. His son Robert married Rachael Gibbons .- Folsom's Saco, &c. p. 112.
Į See ante, 1637, 1760 .- Sullivan, p. 118 .- Bowdoinham was called before incorporation, Richmond. The fort stood on the bank of the river. It was dismantled, about 1754-5. The town was first represented in the General Court, in 1784, by Zacheus Beal.
368
THE HISTORY
[VOL. II.
A. D. 1763. where the 45th degree of latitude intersects the St. Lawrence, and in that parallel eastward, across the outlet of Lake Cham- plain, thence "along the highlands, which divide the rivers that "empty themselves into the said river St. Lawrence, from those " which fall into the sea"-extending to the bay of Chaleur ;- a line supposed to form the northern boundary and limit of Maine.
Note .- Government of Nova Scotia, from De Monts' patent, 1603, to the conquest by the English, 1710-1713.
1603. De Monts' Patent. [French.]
1613. M. Suassaye, Gov. under Madame Guercheville.
”ʼ Conquests by Sir S. Argal. [English.]
1620. Mons. Biencourt. [French.]
1621. Sir William Alexander, Proprietary Ruler. [English.]
1630-50. La Tour-Razilla-d'Aulney. [French.]
1651. La Tour, sole Commander. [French.]
1652.
M. Denys and le Borgne, Governor's. [French.]
1654. Conquered by Major Sedgwick. [English.]
1655. Stephen de la Tour's claim. [French.] 1656. Sir Thomas Temple, Governor. [English.] 1667-8. De Bourg and M. Denys. [French.] 1682-90. M. de la Valier .- M. Manneval. [French.]
1690. Conquest bv Sir W. Phips. [English.] 1691. John Nelson, Governor. [English.]
1697. M. Villebon, Governor. [French.]
1702. M. Brouillon. [French.]
1705-6. M. de Subercase. [French.]
1710. Conquered by Col. Nicholson,-Vetch, Governor. [English.]
1713. Conceded by treaty of Utrecht to England.
[For residue, see 1 Hal. N. S. p. 316-19.]
369
OF MAINE.
CHAP. XIV.]
CHAPTER XIV.
Revenue in America-Disturbances with the Indians-The Forts Halifax and Pownal-Public lands-Census-Topsham, Gor- ham, Boothbay, Bristol and Cape-Elizabeth incorporated-Stamp act-First Congress-Stamp act repealed-The royal woods- J. Wentworth, Surveyor-Machias granted-Lebanon-The peo- ple-Duties laid on teas, glass, paper-Salaries and Fees regu- lated by the Crown-Sandford incorporated-Penobscot-A Con- vention-Troops stationed in Boston-Dispute between the Gov. and House-Gov. Bernard leaves the Province-Duties repealed, except on teas-Boston Massacre-Militia-Public lands -- Thomas Hutchinson commissioned Gov. of the Province-Set- tlement of Penobscot and Kennebeck-Hallowell, Vassalborough, Winslow and Winthrop incorporated-Revenue officers-Dofec- tion of William Brattle-Pepperelborough, [Saco] incorporated -Right and Prerogative-Letters of the Gov. and others sent hither from England-Judge Oliver impeached-Belfast and Waldoborough incorporated-Patriotism of ministers and law- yers-Episcopal sect-Causes of political controversy well under- stood by the parties-Letter to Mr. Tyng-Teas destroyed in Boston-Hutchinson goes to England-Edgecomb and New-Glou- cester incorporated.
AMIDST the diffusive glory and joy with which the war had A. D. 1763. closed ; the politicians of Great Britain thought it a highly fa- Measures vorable period, for trying more effectually the experiment long for raising a revenue in contemplated of raising a revenue in America. The colonies America. were large sharers in the fruits of success; and it was said the exhausted state of the national treasury, the weight of debts and taxes in England ; and the reimbursement money and pensions-all, rendered a call on them for contributions both rea- sonable and just. The ministry, therefore, without loss of time, gave the officers of the colonial revenue, instructions very strictly to enforce the acts of trade ;* and Grenville went so far in the House of Commons as to suggest an internal tax by a stamp-act.
* See ante, " American System ;" A. D. 1750-1-2, Chap. xi. VOL. II. 49
370
THE HISTORY
[VOL. II.
A. D. 1763. This, however, was postponed ; but the order for executing rigid- ly the molasses act, occasioned deep and general excitement .* Perhaps no act enforced, could more vitally affect the interests of the eastern country. For it was apprehended, that the fish- ing business, estimated as amounting in Massachusetts itself to £164,000 sterling by the year, might thereby be broken up ; and the particular advantages of sending lumber and other commodi- ties to the foreign plantations, would be entirely lost. There were likewise other impolitic measures urged by the king's servants.
General Thomas Gage, having lately succeeded General Am- A disturb- ance with Indians. herst in the chief command of Canada, proposed to carry war the northern into the country of the Indians, south of the Great Lakes ; and for this purpose, made a requisition even upon Massachusetts, for 700 men. But the call was deemed unreasonable though there were a great rupture in that quarter, and the General Court disregarded it ; believing with the Governor, that in view of their loyalty and duty, there ought rather to be adopted timely and special measures for the security of the eastern country. Savage hostility at this age was considered a contagion, and no one could foresee how far it might extend. Though the eastern Indians were not numerous, said he, they are able, even without foreign assistance, to spread desolation through our scattered and defenceless settlements ; and there ought to be under constant pay, at least 200 men for their protection. It is true, added he, the tribes are in professed amity with us, but what is the charac- ter of Indian faith? what apprehension of evil from savage men is out of time, whose maxim is,-" the first blow is the best part of the battle ?"+
There were besides some special reasons for these jealousies Eastern In- and fears. For early the last spring, an unfortunate affray had ed and paci- happened at Penobscot, a few miles from Fort Pownal, in which dians injur- fied. an Indian was killed by a party of four English hunters, who took from him several traps and a large lot of fur. It was sup- posed, the bloody perpetrators when at home lived in the county of Cumberland, yet the uncertainty prevented detection ; and
* 2 Minot, p. 140 -" In 1763, there were three families settled on the " southern part of Orphan Island and not another settler above them on " the river at this time." Mr. Buck settled at Bucksport the next year .- MS. Letter.
t Governor's Speech, Dec. 1763.
371
OF MAINE.
CHAP. XIV.]
it was found to be so much impossible to repress the resentments A. D. 1763 which the villainy enkindled among the Indians, that an actual rupture with them was apprehended. The current of feeling, especially among inconsiderate men, set strongly against the very name of Indian, so that they wished for only plausible excuses to take arms. Aware of this, the Governor issued a proclama- tion, July 19, forbidding all hostile acts towards the eastern tribes ; and made the greatest exertions to soothe the people's fears, to remove the Indians' jealousies, and to take the offenders ; pursuing also another party, who had pilfered from the Canibas tribe, and compelling a restitution .* These evils educed a legislative act, to prevent the English from hunting in any part of the king's woods. About the same time, three of the Tarratine Chiefs vis- ited Boston, and peace was once more fully confirmed.
On the resignation of General Preble, Thomas Goldthwait A. D. 1764 was appointed commander and truck-master at Fort Pownal ; the Forts Pow- garrison then consisting of a lieutenant, gunner, armorer, chap- Halifax. nal and lain, interpreter, two sergeants and thirty-two privates. Besides furnishing the establishment with all necessary articles and sup- plies suitable for the Indian trade, a large outer building for bar- racks, 40 feet by 24, was erected near the fort, to accommodate public worship, and to shelter the Indians in tempestuous weather, who resorted thither to trade. Fort Halifax, commanded by William Lithgow, had not usually been garrisoned by so large a number of men, though the Governor said the public safety required it.
Possession of the Penobscot country and the prospect of a The public long peace, drew to the General Court a large number of officers objects of lands, and and soldiers, with petitions to be remunerated for their " services and sufferings."t The claims involved the duties of gratitude and justice ; and the General Court directed lists to be made of all their names, beginning with those in the first expedition against Louisbourg ; and directed a second tier of townships eastward of Union river, and all the Islands upon the coast, except Mount Desert, to be surveyed ;- " in order that some further reward for " their brave services might be given them in the unappropriated
* Council Rec. p. 14, Jour. H. of R. p. 35.
t The king by proclamation encouraged these grants without any po- cuniary exaction or terms .- 2 Holmes' A. Ann. p. 263.
public boun- ly.
372
THE HISTORY
[VOL. 11.
A. D. 1764. " lands of this Province."-The demand for new lands had now greatly enhanced their value ; dormant claims were revived ; and the Plymouth proprietors, for instance, thought their patent to be in fact above all price. Partaking of the fever, government appointed again two ranging parties to explore the bays and rivers Penobscot and St. Croix.
Census or- dered by the Lords of trade.
At this flourishing period of the colonies, the Lords of Trade ordered a census of the inhabitants to be taken, determining to know more fully the extent of their ability to bear taxation. Ac- cordingly the General Court of Massachusetts directed the select- men of towns, to take and return into the Secretary's office in the course of the year, a correct number of the people, families and dwellinghouses ; Indians civilized, negroes, and molattoes, within the Province.
The Gover- nor's view of the Indian tribes.
This was evidently the cause which induced the Governor's enquiry into the number of the remaining eastern Indians. Though his estimate be not quite correct; the result, as he stated it to the General Court, at the spring session, supposed the num- ber of warriors at Norridgewock to be " probably more than 30;" on Penobscot, " at least 60;" and about Passamaquoddy, " at least 30." He said there were two other tribes, "one settled " at Wawennock upon the river Perante ; and the other upon the " river St. Francois, both of whom keep a constant communica- " tion with our Norridgewocks and Penobscots."-" The Pas- " samaquoddy tribe, (he thought,) belonged to the nation of St. " John's Indians,-a large people consisting of many hundreds, " (the Indians say, some thousands) of warriors."-The calcula- tion of the Governor, however, was manifestly below the true census .- For besides the Mickmaks, the number of the eastern Indians, including those at St. John's river, must at this time have exceeded 1,500 souls ;* and according to Manack, a French priest, the natives of Nova Scotia were now " near 3,000."+
The census of the Inhabitants, as taken, was neither very
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