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 53
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t Parsonsfield, (44th town,) contains 22,000 acres of good soil .- The con- veyance to Parsons and others, was executed by Alexander Scammel, Jo- tham Moulton, and Philip Hubbard, a " Committee." The public lots are leased for 999 years. There are in town 7 grist-mills, 7 saw-mills, a fulling- mill, a woollen factory, an oil-mill ; one meeting-house for congregational- its; one for Calvinist baptists; two for free-will baptists; and one for friends. Rev. Benjamin Rolfe was settled over the congregational parish in 1795, when a church was gathered. He was dismissed in 1815. Elder Samuel Weeks, succeeded by Elder John Buzzell, was settled over the free-will baptists; and Elder Wentworth Lord, succeeded Elder Levi Chadbourne, both of whom were Calvinist baptists .- The town was first represented in the General Court in 1806, by David Marston. A post of- fice was established here in 1798 .- MS. Let. of Hon. Rufus McIntire, A. D. 1820.
+ Standish, (the 45th town,) is equal to 8 miles square ; including a large portion of Sebago-Lake, and an Island of 500 acres. Much of the land consists of pine plains. In Standish, there are two baptist societies,
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A. D. 1785. Great freshet.
It was in this section of the District, that the uncommon fresh- et, in October, did such immense damage. 'Two days and 'nights it rained without cessation, as powerfully as was ever ' known.' The waters in the rivers, particularly the Saco and Presumpscot, rising to a fearful height, swept away bridges and mills, and otherwise made such destruction, that seven towns* the next year, had their taxes, to the amount of £530, abated by the General Court.
one of congregationalists and one of methodists. Mr. Thompson was suc- ceeded in Sept. 1793, by Rev. Jonathan Gould, who died in July, 1795; and in Sept. 1796, Rev. Daniel Marrett was settled. The first representative to the General Court was Edmund Mussey, in 1806 .- See ante, A. D. 1750-1-2 .- MS. Let. of William Thompson, 1827.
* These were Biddeford, £100; Pepperellborough, £100; Lebanon, £80; Sanford, £60; Buxton, £75; Wells, £90; and Limerick, £25.
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CHAPTER XX.
Measures to separate Maine from Massachusetts-Falmouth Gazette first printed-A Convention upon the subject of Separation-No- tice taken of it by government-A list of grievances-Addresses and memorials-Portland, Turner and Union incorporated- Shays' insurrection-New-York case settled-Land lottery-The Separation-Result of measures-Policy of government to satisfy the people of Maine-Governor Hancock re-chosen-Economy, industry and retrenchment-A remarkable explosion-Three towns incorporated-The Constitution of the United States adopted- Slavery abolished in the State-An eastern College contemplated -Twenty new towns incorporated-George Washington inaugu- rated first President of the United States.
THE separation of Maine from Massachusetts had now been a A. D. 1785. subject of general conversation for many months. The want of Separation a distinct government had been often felt during the late war, discussed. of Maine and was still recollected. As the State debt was large, there must be heavy taxes through a series of years, which most men would like to avoid. An excessive thirst for superfluities was draining the country of money, while thousands were poor and perplexed with debts. These, and such as had every thing to gain and nothing to lose, were inclined to try an experiment. There were, however, advocates for the measure among all class- es ;- men of probity, wealth and intelligence, who believed a sep- arate administration would be of essential benefit to every por- tion and interest of the community. Some of the greatest op- Opposition. ponents were men in office ; and all of them could present plausi- ble and correct pleas, that the generous favors and provident care which the people of Maine had at all times received, from the State government, ought to silence every complaint ; and that by a separation at the present juncture, the vigor and force, indis- pensable to the protection and security of the District, would be essentially weakened, if not altogether paralized
Still it was quite difficult either to collect the public sentiment First No. of upon the subject, spread and scattered as the people were over Gazette. Falmouth VOL. II. 66
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A. D. 1785. an extensive District ; or to move them in a way altogether ju- dicious and unexceptionable. To aid the object, the first num- ber of the 'Falmouth Gazette,' printed by Thomas B. Wait, appeared new year's day, 1785 ; being the earliest Newspaper published in this State. At the written request of several gentle- men, the Editor published a notification, in September, of the following purport :-
A meeting called upon the subject of separa- tion.
' Agreeably to a request signed by a large number of respect- ' able gentlemen, and presented to the printers of this Gazette, ' the inhabitants, in the counties of York, Cumberland and Lin- 'coln, are hereby notified, that as many of them as can conven- 'iently attend, are requested to meet at the Rev. Messrs. Smith's 'and Deane's meeting-house in Falmouth, on Wednesday the ' 5th day of October ensuing, to join in a Conference, upon the ' proposal of having these counties erected into a Separate gov- 'ernment ; and if thought best, to form a plan for collecting the ' sentiments of the people upon the subject, and pursue some ' peaceable and proper method for carrying the same into effect.'
October 5. A Conven- tion. At the appointed time and place, thirty-three delegates appear- ed from twenty of the principal towns, viz. ten from York, twelve from Cumberland, and eleven from Lincoln ; several of whom were gentlemen of abilities and influence. They organ- ized themselves into a Convention, by the choice of William Gorham, President, and Stephen Longfellow, jr. Secretary .* The object was stated and course justified .- To assemble, they said, in an orderly and peaceable manner, for consultation upon the common good, or for redress of grievances, was considered by them as natural privileges founded on reason, and secured by the Bill of Rights in the Constitution. But, considering the importance of the subject which had called them together, the inadequacy of the present representation from the towns, and the necessity of knowing the opinion of the whole people,-the Convention re- An address solved to send an Address to the several towns and plantations in the District, and request them to choose delegates to another Convention then appointed, to be holden in the same house, on the first Wednesday of the ensuing January, for the purpose of considering these questions :- Is it expedient, that these eastern counties should be formed into a separate State ?- If so, what
to the peo- ple.
* Both of Gorham.
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will be the best methods, by which in a regular and orderly way, A. D. 1785. to carry the measure into effect ?- The address prepared and immediately transmitted, was dated Oct. 5, and signed by a Com- mittee of seven, Peleg Wadsworth being Chairman .*
The Governor, in his speech to the General Court, Oct. 20, Sentiments took notice of these proceedings, conformably, as he said, to ad- and House
of the Gov. vice of the Council. He represented the course pursued as hav- subject. upon the ing an evil tendency, towards dismembering the Commonwealth. The " design," he said, " had been for some months evident, by " a great number of publications in the Falmouth Gazette, call- " ing upon the people in the counties of York, Cumberland and "Lincoln, to assemble together for the purpose of separating " themselves from the government of this Commonwealth, and " of withdrawing the duty and allegiance they owe to the State. " In consequence of these calls, about thirty persons, as I am " informed, assembled at the meeting-house in Falmouth, on the " 5th instant, and sent out a circular for another meeting in Jan- " uary."-In reply, the General Court, thought and felt, as they said, ' that attempts by individuals, or bodies of men, to dismem- ' ber the State, were fraught with improprieties and danger. The ' social compact solemnly entered into by the people of this ' Commonwealth, ought to be guarded with the utmost care ; and ' it will,' added they, 'ever be the aim of the Legislature, to ' prevent all infractions of it, and to preserve the Constitution ' entire. Should any legislative measures become necessary for ' these purposes, they shall be made the subject of future delib- ' eration.'
A Convention assembled, Jan. 4, 1786, according to appoint- A. D. 1786. ment, and chose a Committee of nine, to prepare a statement of January 4. evils and grievances, suffered by the people of the three eastern meeting. counties, and estimate the expenses of a separate government, compared with those paid by them, connected with Massachu- setts. The next day, they presented a statement of the follow- ing particulars :-
1. The interests of these three counties are different from A list of those of Massachusetts, and therefore, they can never be fully understood by her, nor will they for the same reason ever be
* The whole Committee were Peleg Wadsworth, Stephen Longfellow, jr. William Gorham, Stephen Hall, Jeremiah Hill, Joshua Fabyan, and Hen- ry Y. Brown.
grievances.
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A. D. 1786. duly attended to and promoted, during the present connexion. In fact, their advancement and importance are checked and de- based, to a degree prejudicial even to the United States at large.
2 & 3. The seat of government is at a distance, the Gen- eral Court large, and its business multifarious and perplexing ; so that the petitioners and suitors in their journies, as well as in de- lays, have to suffer many and great inconveniences, expenses, and discouragements.
4. Public Justice cannot, according to the Constitution, be ' administered promptly and without delay' by the Supreme Ju- dicial Court, throughout this extensive Commonwealth. Most assuredly so long as the Clerk's office, and the records of all that is done by that Court, within these Counties, are kept in Boston,* legal process and lawsuits must be attended with additional costs, perplexities and delays of justice.
5. The present regulations of trade operate unequally and un- justly towards these Counties ; for they tend to depress the price of lumber and discourage and injure those employed in getting it, -thus contributing proportionably to the special emolument of traders and men in other parts of the State.
6. A great part of the inhabitants in these Counties are de- prived of a representation in the popular branch of the Legisla- ture, where all money-bills originate ;- a grievance, from which there appears at present no prospect of relief.
7. The present system of taxation upon polls and estates is unequal and unjust; because the eastern inhabitants and their stocks cannot be employed to the same advantage, nor their lands improved with the same profit, as in other, or older parts of the Commonwealth.
8. The excise and impost acts operate a grievance upon the inhabitants of these Counties ;- the eastern people being dispro- portionate consumers of foreign articles. Sheep cannot be kept by them without great difficulty and expense, owing to hazards from wolves and other beasts of prey, and the great severity and length of the winters; and in general, they have no products from their orchards, and few conveniences of life, as the fruits of husbandry among them.
9. The act imposing a duty on deeds, &c. operates unjustly
* This evil continued till the year 1798.
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CHAP. XX.]
upon us, by reason of the more frequent conveyances of real A. D 1786. estate, and their smaller value in new, than in older settled coun- tries.
The Committee also made some calculations upon the probable expenses of a separate government; but as it was uncertain what the form would be, they concluded to present no estimate.
signed aud
The Convention ordered the Report to be signed by the Presi- Report dent, and sent to every town and settlement within the District, sent to the appointed another Convention to be holden on the first Wednesday Lowas. of the next September, at the same place, and subjoined to each report, a request to the towns and plantations,- that they would choose delegates at the next March meetings, and certify the number of votes for and against such choice ; and that the dele- gates chosen may come together prepared to act upon the griev- ances, and adopt some regular peaceable measures for relief. In the interim, the subject was pursued through the medium of the Falmouth Gazette, in which it was moreover urged, that the Courts of Common Pleas and General Sessions of the Peace ought to be abolished, and the business of Deputy-Sheriffs, trans- ferred to Constables,
The Convention, which assembled Sept. 6, consisting of 31 Sept. 6. members,* resolved, that in their opinion, these Counties were suf-
Second Convention,
* The following are the members of the two Conventions ;- those with this mark {*) were members of both :-
COUNTY OF YORK.
Arundel-Thomas Perkins. Berwick-Nathaniel Low.
Brownfield -* Henry Y. Brown, Jas. Haywood, Samuel Haywood.
Buxton-Sam'l Knight, Nath'l Hill.
Fryeburg-Joseph Frye, Paul Lang- don, Daniel Fessenden, Isaac Walk- er, Nathaniel Merrill. Wells-John Storer.
COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND.
Brunswick-Aaron Hinkley.
Cape-Elizabeth -* Jas. Leach, Bar- zilla Delano, C. McLellan.
Falmouth --* PELEG WADSWORTH, *Stephen Hall, *Samuel Freeman, John Waite, Enoch Ilsley, Daniel Davis, Stephen Codman.
Gorham -* WILLIAM GORHAM, Pres,
COUNTY OF LINCOLN.
Bath-Dummer Sewall. Bristol -* William Jones.
Georgetown-Wm. Lithgow, Daniel McFaddan.
Hallowell-Daniel Cony.
New-Castle-Samuel Nichols. Lewiston-Lemuel Cummings. Pittston-Reuben Colburn.
*S. Longfellow, jr. Clerk ; * Ed- mund Phinney.
Gray -* Jedediah Cobb.
New-Gloucester -* John Merrill. Scarboro'-Wm. Thompson, Joshua Fabyan.
Standish-Seth Spring.
Topsham -* Samuel Thompson. Vassalborough -* Dennis Getchell. Winslow -* Zimri Heywood. Winthrop-Jona. Whiting, Joshua Bean. Hancock Pl. [Clinton,] John Philbrook,
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A. D. 1736. fering the grievances, presented by the former Convention, except what is expressed in the fifth article ; that the only effectual remedy perceived, rested in the power and privilege of legislating for themselves. A Committee was then appointed to petition the General Court, that these Counties be erected into a separate State ;- to address the people upon the subject, and request towns to meet and vote upon it. The town-clerks also were directed to make to the President of the Convention, returns of all the yeas and nays taken in town-meetings, for and against a separation. -The language of the address was courteous and well expressed.
Address to the people.
Friends and Brethren :- Agreeably to the duties assigned us, we have thoroughly considered the grievances of the people in these Counties, and believe the formation of them into an inde- pendent State, is the only measure which could bring effectual relief. You experience distresses and evils, which will not be lessened till you legislate for yourselves. True liberty is rational, and government is a problem of easy solution. But restraint is arbitrary ; and mysteries in politics are absurdities. The object and end of all civil authority ought to be the good of the people ; and the design of government-to secure unto them the rights and blessings of life. We therefore, in a spirit of justice and duty to ourselves and all concerned, send you this address, and also the form of a petition to the General Court, requesting that body to relinquish all claim of jurisdiction to these Counties, and consent to have them formed into an Independent State; and we expect you will give your early and unabating attention to the important subject.
Memorial to the Gen- eral Court.
In the courtly address prepared to be presented to the Gen- eral Court, the memorialists say,-' we have always heartily united in the support of government and law, and we are the advocates of Justice,-disposed to pay all the taxes due from us, towards removing the weight of public debt. Of the unappro- priated lands, we expect no more than our just proportion ; and we claim only the exercise and enjoyment of equal rights and equal privileges with other parts of the State. But the most of us reside at a great distance from the seat of government. Our local interests, numerous and great, can never be fully represent- ed, nor minutely understood in legislation, so long as the connex- ion continues. We therefore believe it to be a duty, which we owe to ourselves, our fellow citizens throughout this District, and
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even the Commonwealth at large, to spread our grievances and A. D. 1786. requests before the General Court, in a peaceable and dutiful manner, agreeably to the Constitution ; and we do respectfully pray this honorable body to relinquish all right of jurisdiction to these three Counties, and consent to their being formed into a separate State. We likewise, as friends and brethren, most ar- dently wish that the whole business might be managed and adjust- ed, upon the broadest basis of justice and equity.'
The Convention adjourned to the 3d of January ; and in the The oppo- meantime, the opposition assumed a formidable attitude. The sition. remonstrance from Machias, which contained the substance of all the arguments, alleges thus :- that the supposed grievances were only the burdens or inconveniences incidental to all govern- ments and States. If the laws or any regulations operated une- qually, the Legislature will administer all the relief in their pow- er, consistent with equal rights and the good of the whole. Yes, and by a provision in the Constitution itself, it may be amended in 1795, and evils, if they exist, be remedied. As to burdens, the expenses of supporting a separate government, would enhance the taxes to a degree far beyond what these counties have ever yet paid ; and in the event of a war, our total inability to defend ourselves is self-evident. The encroachments of the British upon our eastern borders may be resisted with more success, and the dispute settled with more ease, if the connexion be con- tinued, than if it be dissolved. In truth, while our political and pecuniary affairs labor under such complicated embarrassments- the people in several parts of the western counties rising in open rebellion,-we think it unwise and unkind, farther to perplex the departments of our administration.
At this interesting conjuncture, Falmouth was divided, and Portland the peninsula with several opposite Islands, was incorporated into ated. a town, July 4, 1786, by the name of PORTLAND. The " Neck," as it had been called, was first settled under the Plough Patent of Lygonia, A. D. 1630, as one author supposes. There might have been at that period fishing cabins and hunting camps con- structed upon the shores ; as there certainly was a settlement pro- jected upon the Neck, in 1631, by passengers on board the Plough, effected in 1632, by Cleaves, and promoted in 1638, under Richard Dummer, to whom the patent was delivered with directions to take possession. The transfer, April 7, 1643, to
incorpor-
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A. D. 1786. Alexander Rigby and the consequences have been previously stat- ed. In May, 1690, Fort Loyal was surrendered to the savage enemy, and the place was laid waste, and continued without in- habitants about nine or ten years, to the close of the war. It then revived, though its cup of afflictions was not yet full. For in Queen Anne's war, which followed, though there was a contin- ued garrison at Fort Loyal, the peninsula was nearly depopulat- ed. Rev. Thomas Smith, the first settled minister, was ordained March 8, 1727 ; at which time a church was also organized. In October, 1764, Rev. Samuel Dean was settled with him as a col- league. Though about 400 dwellinghouses and stores were laid in ashes by the enemy in October, 1775, and a vast amount of other property destroyed ; a most flourishing village, Phoenix-like, has since risen ;- being increased in the course of two years, 1786 and 7, by the erection of 45 dwellinghouses. It has always been the shire-town of Cumberland ; and for 25 years past, the larg- est village and capital town in Maine .*
Two new towns in-
There were two other towns incorporated this year ; namely, corporated. TURNER, July 7, and UNION, October 20 ; the prior name of the former was Sylvester Canada ; and of the latter Sterlington.
Turner.
To reward Capt. Joseph Sylvester and his company, for their services in the expedition against Canada, in 1690, the General
* Portland, the 46th town, and only CITY in the State, is about 3 miles in length, and, on average, 3-4ths of a mile in breadth. It embraces, exclu- sive of streets and what is covered with water, 2,157 acres of land-six of which are marsh. In 1797, it contained 390 dwellinghouses; 4 meeting- houses; and 452 shops, barns and outhouses .- In 1820, its numbers were 700 dwellinghouses ; 321 shops or stores ; 66 ware-houses ; 11 bake houses ; 6 distilleries ; 7 tanneries; 7 slaughter houses ; 15,583 tons of shipping ; $92,096 square superficial feet of wharves; and 6 fire engines ;- also 10 houses for public worship,-viz. one for episcopalians ; one for first con- gregational society,-Rev. Mr. Smith and Mr. Dean; one for 2d ditto,- Rev. E. Kellogg, settled in Oct. 1788; 3d do. Chapel, 1808; 4th do. 1812; friends (1743,)-established in 1790; methodist, in 1794; baptist, in 1801; Union, or christian society, in 1810; independent methodist, in 1819 ; and, universalists, 1821 .- Portland Library was founded in 1763 ; an Academy was incorporated, 1794; and there are in town 25 societies, for different charitable, pious and literary purposes. Here also is a small State-house ; a very elegant Court-house of brick ; a brick Academy of three stories ; a market-house ; 5 banks ; and 8,581 inhabitants, in 1820. It was the seat of the State government from the Separation to 1832. The same year it was incorporated into a CITY, Hon. A. L. EMERSON, Mayor. Its popu- lation in 1830, was 12,601 inhabitants .- See Falmouth, vol. 1, p. 393.
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Court granted them a township, which, when the divisional line A. D. 1786. was run between the two Provinces, fell within the limits of New- Hampshire. On a representation of these facts by James War- ren, Joseph Joslyn, and Charles Turner, agents for the claimants under the original grantees, the General Court, June 25, 1765, remunerated their loss by a grant of this township ;- upon condi- tion that thirty families and a minister should be settled, and a meeting-house built there, within six years. But the proprietors were so remiss, that the first trees were not felled till 1774; nor did the accessions to the settlement, the succeeding year, consist of any more than three families. Rev. John Strickland was or- dained, Nov. 20, 1784, when there were only about 30 families, or 180 souls, in the plantation. Turner* embraces about 40 square miles.
Union is still larger, containing about 50 square miles ; and is Union. a part of the Waldo patent. The original settlement of this township was begun early in the Revolutionary war, by men dis- posed to retire from the distresses and perils upon the seaboard and banks of Georges' river, to places in the interior of more safety. Its growth was slow; for when it was incorporated, it contained only seventeen families, perhaps less than 150 souls.t
Governor Bowdoin again, on his re-election, reminded the Governor's Legislature of their duty to creditors, to their own honor, and Speech. to the nation, stating that a million and half of dollars, would not meet the demands upon the treasury, the current year, if the army notes, the other public securities then due, the civil list, and the exaction of Congress were all included ; and yet the taxes for two or three years past remained uncollected. Measures, said he, more efficient must be adopted.
But so much was the attention of the Legislature diverted Legislative
measures.
* Turner, (47th town,) was named for one of the agents, C. Turner. Mr. Strickland, a native of Hadley, (Mass.) and a graduate of Yale College, 1761, continued to be the minister of Turner till 1792. He was succeeded by Rev. Amasa Smith, of Belchertown (Mass.) in 1804, who left in 1806 ; and Rev. Allen Greely was settled A. D. 1810. The north line of the town is 53 miles; west line 10 miles ; south line 3 miles and 250 rods.
t Union, (48th town) is large in territory and its soil is good. A church was formed in 1803, and in Sept. 1805, Rev. Henry True was settled. The plantation name, Sterlington, was adopted probably by the first settlers, because some of them who lived in Warren, had emigrated from Sterling in Great Britain .- See Warren, A. D. 1776.
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