REYNOLDS HISTORICAL! GENEALOGY COLLECTION

3 1833 01742 8852

GENEALOGY 974.102 EL4o 1898

OLD ELIOT.

ELIOT, MAINE, JANUARY, iSaS. No.

THE HANSCOMS. A Family of Shipbuilders.

William Lin wood Fernwld.

Read at the Meeting of the Eliot Historcai Society; — residence oi Dr. J. L. M. Willisi— January 3, 1S9S.

Thomas Hanscom, Shipwright, was in Eliot in 16S3 ; and was then located upon the farm situated between the Tpbey and the Rogers estate?. From the homestead on the high ridge one might behoM then, as he may now. the fittest of riyer views to be found in New England.

He had probably lived in Eliot several years, as he then gave deposition concerning "Joshua Downeings fence on yt side his /eild next ye peeee of Mr. heightens;" and certified that he could remember distinctly the boundary ''which was there in former tyme,"

He was born in 1623 ; for in the deposition referred to, 4< Taken vpon oath this 231I1 July, 168.3, ' he calls himself sixty years of age.

He married Alice Fogg, daughter of Daniel Fogg, one of the early settlers of the town.

In 1697, he sold to Samuel Spinney twenty acres of land which had been granted to him in 1691'. Ami in the dttd of sale he affirms his trade and work: "'I Thomas Hans- com , Sh ipwright. ' '

John Hanscom, a descendant of Thomas, was born in 174S, and married Sarah Stacey, afterwards the wife of Deacon Leavitt of York.

Their oldest son was William Hanscom, born in 1 783. He married Hannah Moore, who came from Scotland with her father, a sea captain, when she was YQry yon ng. Sue was a woman of strong physique, with a no less

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vigorous mind. Her unusually keen black eyes were transmitted with undimmed brightness to all her sons and daughters.

William early set himself to learn the trade of Ship- wright in one of the shipyards at the mouth of the Piscata- qua. It is a noteworty fact that at that time and long afterwards the hours of a day's work were from sunrise to sunset even in the longest days of sun\nier.

About 1820, he built two vessels at D vrham, N. H., that being his first enterprise in building ok his own responsi- bility. Durham was a most favorable place for shipbuild- ing, not only for its location on the Piscataqua, but on account of the plentiful supply of oak timber growing near. Much of the timber used at the Eliot yard was cut at Durham, and rafted downriver. While engaged there he gained the title of Master William Hanscom, which always after distinguished him.

In an early contract for building a ship on the Piscata- qua between a master shipwright and Philip Hedmen, of Boston, merchant, the former agrees to set up, build and completely finish, before the following July, a new square sterned ship with two decks, forecastle and head ; the keel to be 63 feet in length ; 22 feet wide at the main beam ; 11 feet deep between the decks, etc., etc., with full specifica- tions, on payment by Philip Hedman of £660, one-third down, half in money and half in goods; one-third at the laying of the lower deck ; and the balance when completed. Both parties binding themselves in the penal sum of ^1320 for faithful performance of the contract.

Later, Master, William Hanscom built the schooner Olive Eliza ; the bark Pactolus ; and the Berwick, a ship oi five hundred tons, at South Berwick, for Jewett & Ferguson.

He also built there the Fortitude, a ship of the size of the Berwick, which fitted for sea at Portsmouth : as did all the vessels built on the river. The Fortitude was manned with a crew of negroes under white officers.

Thomas Jewett, of the above mentioned firm, was of the family of Sarah Orne Jewett, our esteemed author.

A

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OLD ELIOT, MAINE 3

Afterwards, Master William built vessels at New Castle, Portsmouth; and one at Kennebunk for David Little, called the Pomona. Some of Mr. Little's timber was not approved by the master-builder, who refused to use it as it was unsound. The former reasoned that better material would be too costly. The reply was ; " I will never drown an}' man by using poor stock !" The work was done well, even though the proiitiwas lessened or wholly consumed ; a rule he invariably followed.

ri

The first ship-work done at the Hanscom Yard on what is now the Greenacre estate, Eliot, was about the year 1828, when Master William cut a vessel asunder amid- ships and lengthened it by building a central section between the twro pieces.

In those days all spikes and bolts were made by hand at the shipyard, as were many other things that are now rapidly turned out by machinery.

The oldest son of Master William, — John Hanscom, — wras like his brothers and sisters in being unusually alert and active, and a general favorite. When quite young he went to work in the shipyard with his father who came to depend upon him as his special assistant. When a vessel was launched it was always John who drove out the forward blocks ; and when he set out to go to sea, he went in a vessel modelled by his own youthful skill.

After some years of service on chipboard, he became mate of the brig Lucy, on a voyage to Turks Island. On the passage home with a cargo of salt, a tremendous hurricane was encountered off Cape Hatteras. At eleven o'clock in the forenoon the darkness of midnight sur- rounded the vessel. All would be lost with full canvas fl>ing ! Mate Hanscom ordered the reefing of the sails. No one dared to risk his life in the gale. But he heroically entered upon the dangerous task, thinking the crew would follow. At that moment the entire rigging was carried away, and he was never seen afterwards. The

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shattered vessel was finally towed into Norfolk. He was on!y twenty-seven years of age, and wTas to sail on his next voyage as Captain of the ship Berwick, then nearly com- pleted by bis father. He left a wife and daughter.

William Leigliton Hanseom, second son of Master Wil- liam, was born in 1S12. He learned his lather's business, in the latter's employ and became an adept at an early age. Studying privately, and working for a time in New York, by using the various means for perfecting himself in the business, he thoroughly mastered the theory of naval architecture.

He was very successful in teaching the art at Bala; nd many of the fine merchant vessels sent out from the City of ships, owe their good qualities to his masterful instructions.

In 1845, he decided to build ships at the yard on the Greenacre shore, where his father had built some years before. A high ridge of sand extending half way across the location was dug away [1846,] making the present smoothly curved valley, which was conveniently formed for a ship yard. He then built blacksmith's aud joiner's shops, and a large boarding house. — its cellar still show- ing the location.

In 1847, he built there the ship Elizabeth Hamilton'. of 700 tons burden, for William Jones, of Portsmouth. — The oak used in its construction was cut in Barrington, N. H... whence it was hauled to Dover and brought down the river in gondolas.

Capt. Thomas Jones, the brother of William, became the master on her first voyage, which was to New Orleans. She breasted the winds and the waves successfully, doing efficient service, until she was lost at sea some thirty years afterwards. ^

William L. built the schooner Mary M. Wood, in which he sailed for California, in 1849. One of the ship's company was L. M. Willis, a physician of Eliot at that date, and father of Dr. J. L. M. Willis. President of our Historical Society, William L. went to the mines ; likI

OLD ELIOT, MAINE 5

not meeting the success he desired, returned to San Francisco, where he worked at his trade, getting sixteen dollars per day.

i Lie Mary \i. Wood, that ventured around Cape Horn in the go!d-en year of 1S49, was "enrolled" at Portsmouth in April of that year as "a new vessel," owned by Charles A. Wood of Neponset, Mass.; Asa Smith, Jr., Master ; William L. Hauscom, Master Carpenter. John N. Frost was Surveyor of the Port.

In 1S50, under a contract with Abernethie, Clark & Co., he built a steamboat called the Lot Whitcomb, where .«. ..v is the city of Portland, Oregon. He took up a land claim of 160 acres, on a part of which the city is located. After building the steamer mentioned, he took charge of her us Captain, and run her on the Columbia River for nine months.

In i§$2 n^ was appointed Foreman Shipwright at Kittery Navy Yard ; and shortly afterwards U. S. Naval Con- structor, and stationed at the Kittery Yard. At different times he was stationed at the Charlestown, Philadelphia, and the Mare Island Navy Yards.

He was a man of social character, strong in his likes and dislikes. He was twice married, — his first . wife being Sarah, daughter of Dr. Caleb Emery, of Eliot. His second wife was a native of Gilmanton, N. H., and a very estimable lady.

At one time he resigned his position as Constructor in the Navy, on account of trouble with Assistant Secretary of the Navy, G. A. Cox, but was restored to his position by an act of Congress.

He died in 188 1, a few days later than his only daughter Helen. He was buried at Mt. Auburn, Mass.

Isaiah Hauscom, another son of William Hanscom, sr., was born in 1815. His school advantages were limited to three months in the winter, until he was fourteen years old ; when he went to work in a store at Dover.

A little later he commenced to learn the art of naval architect ire, un:hr his father. So rapidly did Isaiah

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make advancement, that he was able to design and lay down with marked skillfulness one of his father's vessels before he was twenty-one years old.

At that time he was united in marriage to Sarah Cutts Frost, daughter of Joseph Frost of Eliot. By this marriage three sons were born : John Ostinelli, now editor of The Berkely (Cal.) Daily Gazette; William Wallace; and Meldon LeRoy.

Isaiah continued in the business with his father until 1845.. when, during the administration of James K. Polk, he was appointed Construction Clerk of the Kittery Navy Yard. Serving here for four years, he was retired by the appointment of a successor. Immediately he commenced taking contracts on the Dry Dock which was being built for the Government on Pierce's Island, between the Navy Yard and Portsmouth.

On tiie completion oi his contracts, he was selected as Superintendent of the Dock. When this dock was com- pleted, he went to Pensaeola, Florida, to take charge of the Dry Dock being built at that place for the Government.

In 1854, he left, with his family, for California, under a contract to finish the work on the Sectional Dock at the Mare Island Navy Yard, and to build a dock basin and marine railway.

When this work was completed in 1856, he was appointed Constructor in the U. S. Navy, and stationed at the Mare Island Yard, where he built the U. S. Steamer Saginaw, the first government vessel constructed on the Pacific coast.

In i860, he was ordered to the Kittery Navy Yard. After the recapture of the Norfolk Navy Yard from the rebels, he was changed to that station. From there he was transferred to the Chariestown Navy Yard.

On the 23d of January. 187 1, he was appointed Chief of the Bureau of Construction at Washington, D. C, remain- ing in this position until retired from active service by the usual age limit.

One of the first vessels of his designing, was the sharp clipper ship Nightingale, built at the Eliot yard. She

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WAS the fastest vessel afloat during her time ; and was built for the purpose of carding Jenny Lind Goldsehmidt, ihe Swedish Nightingale, on her return to Europe, after her triumphant series of concerts in the United States. Xo expense or ski;) was spared in making the ship a model of elegance, — the inner finish being elaborately carved and gilded most sumptuously, However, she was used for other purposes, and finally captured on the coast of Africa, while engaged in the slave trade. Eventually this vessel was used as the flagship of the squadron in the service of the Western Union Telegraph Company in the commence- ment of their attempt to lava cable towards Russia via Alaska,

The last vessel of his designing was the U. S. ship Trenton, finally lost during a disastrous hurricane at the Samoan Islands.

Isaiah was married a second time ; his last wife being Miss Julia M. Lord of Taunton, Mass. The issue of this marriage was a son, Clifford Isaiah Hanscom, who is the only one of the children to follow the business of the father. This son is at present a draughtsman in the ship building works at Bath.

Isaiah died at Washington, D. C, on March 5, 1880, and was buried at Mount Auburn, Mass.

Master William Hanscom had three daughters : Sarah Ann, who married William 5. Fernald of Kittery, and after his death, Jonathan Leighton of Eliot ; Hannah, who married Nathan Junkins;.' and Harriet C, a gifted writer on moral questions, who became the wife of Francis Raynes.

The family was remarkable for the musical ability of its members, — all being able to read music at a glance, and to execute it most delightfully on a variety of instruments.

When a young man, Isaiah conducted singing schools in the school houses of Eliot and Kittery on winter eve- nings. He sang either of the four parts, played the bass viol in church, and was especially skillful on the cornet. In later years both he and William L. played the piano with ease.

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William E's favorite instrument was the clarionet and tenor his part in singing. John played the bass viol, but when far from friends on his ocean trips, the violin was his companion, upon which he delighted to play the then new music of " Home Sweet Home."

Sarah Ann and Hannah played the melodeon at home, the bass viol at church, and sung alto or any part as occasion required.

The father sung bass.

It was a delight to visit the family at the old homestead, when all would unite in making melody most grand.

U.S. Naval Constructor Frank L. Fernaid is a son of Sarah Ann (Hanscom) Fernaid. He has been sent to Europe by the Secretary of the Navy, several times to examine government vessels in England, Scotland and France. He was a member ol the Naval Advisory Board, appointed by ihe Secretary oi the Navy, to design vessels for a new navy, resulting in our magnificent White Squadion.

Another son, William A. Fernaid, was Foreman of Shipwrights at Kittery Navy Yard.

Carpenter Nathan Junkins, U. S. Navy, is a son of Hannah (Hanscom) Junkins.

William Hanscom's brother Thomas met with a fright- ful accident on a vessel at Portsmouth, by which he was crushed to death. His son,, the Rev'd William Cutter Hanscom, was a Universalist clergyman, a volume of whose sermons, with his biography, has been published. Another son, Simon Parker Hanscom, was a temperance lecturer of notable eloquence.

After William L. Hanscom gave up building at the Eliot Yard, Capt. Samuel Hanscom, youngest brother of William Hanscom, senior, took up the business in 1850. atid there built —

The schooner Lamartine :

The schooner Josephine ;

The clipper ship Nightingale ;

The ship Judge Shaw, — for a Salem party ;

The bark Walter Claxton.

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- His head clerk was his son, Justin V. Hanseom, who is now Secretary to the Hon. Frank Jones, of Portsmouth. ' Another son, who gained a practical knowledge of shipbuilding at the Eliot yard, is U. S. Naval Constructor Joh'i K. Hanseom now stationed at the Navy Yard at Philadelphia.

John Hanseom, (oldest sou of Master William,) who lo*t his lifs at sea, mirriil LyiU, daughter of Capt. Waldron Kennison. Hannah Augusta Hanseom, their only daughter, married Capt. Nason, of Kennebunk.

Mrs Lydia ( Kennison) Hanseom, was a grandaughter ot Dr. Edmund Coffin, who came from Newbury to Eliot.

•ooo-

SHIPBUILDERS AND SHIPBUILDING In Eliot.

Compiled for the Eliot Historical Society.

Ich-abod Cole.

Some of the finest vessels ever put afloat in any waters, were constructed and lauuehtd from the Hanseom Shipyard > in Eliot, located at the foot of the hill now known as Greenacr:.

The ship Elizabeth Hamilton, 742 tons, built in 1847, for the firm of William Jones & Son of Portsmouth, N, H., designed and built by William L. Hanseom, — afterwards a distinguished Naval Constructor.

He also designed and launched from this yard', the fjllo.vi'ivj vessels, viz.:

In 1848, the schooner LamartiN'E, 114 tons ;

In 1849, the schooner Sacramento, 172 tons.

These two schooners were clipper built, and designed as fast sailers for fruiters up the Mediteranean, and for the West India trade. He also built —

In 1849, the schooner Mary M. Wood, 135 tons.

He sailel in her around Cape Horn to San Francisco, with a _wLLpair of gold hunters.

IO OLD ELIOT, MAINE

After he left Eliot for California in 1849, Capt. Samuel Hanscom, his uncle, took the entire charge of ship building in this yard, in which he built, —

In 1850, the bark Walter Claxton, 231 tons ;

In 185 1, the clipper ship Nightingale, 1066 tons.

This ship was named in compliment to Jenny Lind, the famous Swedish songstress.

In 1852, he built and launched from this yard, the ship Josephine, 948 tons.

These were all first class vessels ; and were the last that were built in Eliot.

The Nightingale, built for the Australian trade, is said to have made the quickest run trom this country to Austra- lia ever made by a sailing vessel. Her design was furnished by. Isaiah Hanscom, afterwards a Naval Constructor, who built many U. S. war vessels at the Navy Yard during the war of the rebellion.

Besides the foregoing named vessels, there were pre- viously built in South Eliot, by Master James Paul, ship Howard and schooner Eagle.

There were also built in the back part of the town the ship Farmer Goodwin and schooner Hammond.

'There were also built in the south part of the town in the seventeenth century, of which no authentic record can be found, many smaller vessels, by master builders William Tetherly and Stephen Spinney.

It is a remarkable fact that the first merchant steamer, and the first naval war steamer, built on the Pacific slope of the Rocky mountains, were built by two Eliot ship- builders, viz.: William E. Hanscom built the Lot Whit- comb, merchant steamer, in Oregon, in 1850; and his brother, Isaiah Hanscom built the Saginaw, U. S. war steamer, ten years later, in the Mare Island Navy Yard, California.

William Hanscom, their father, was a noted Eliot

OI«D ELIOT, MAINE II

shipbuilder, — bis shipyard being farther up the river, in South Berwick, where be built many vessels.

THE EARLY HANSCOMS.

The following- "Quitelaime" is valuable as referring to the three earliest generations of Hanseoms, "the Family of Shipwrights," — Thomas i, the grandfather, Thomas 2, the father, Thomas 3, the son; Anne Fogg and Esther Libbey, sisters of Thomas 3 :

Know ail men by these presents/that We Daniel ffogg, Jun'r, of Kittery, in ye County of York, & Anne my wife, Shi being one of ye Daught'rs and Coheirs of Thomas Hanseom, late of sd Kittery, dec'd. have & do by these presents our Strives, our heirs, Ex'rs, &. Adm'rs for and in Consideration of a Yalluable Sum of money in hand rec'd of Thomas Hanseom Our Brother, remise, release & forever Quitelaime unto our sd brother, Thomas Hatiseotn, of Kittery Aforesd, his heirs, Ex'rs, Adm'rs, & Assigns forever, All & All maner of Suits, Actions, Yarienees, quarrells, Controversies, dues, Claims & demands whatso- ever, from ye begining of ye world to ye day of ye Date hereof referring to ye Estate of our Grandfather Thomas H msconi or of Our father Thomas Hanseom deed, real or psonil. In Witness whereof, We have hereunto Set Our hands_& Seals this thirieentii day of ffeb'ry, Anuo Domm : 1720-1.

Daniel ffogg

Anne ffogg her mark

Signed Sealed & Delivered In ye prsence of us Jos Ham- mond, Andre w Brown.

York sc ffebry [8: 1720-1. Daniel ffogg Above named & Anne his wife, psonally appearing, Acknowledge 1 ye foregoiug Instrum't in writing to be his free Act and Deed.

Coram Jos Hammond J: pac's

A similar document of the same date, has the signatures of David Libbey and Esther [Hanseom] Li~)oey, his wife.

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DR. CALEB EMERY

■'•* Dr. J. L. M. Willis. — o —

One of the most prominent men of his time, of more than local reputation as a skillful physician and business man, was Dr. Caleb Emej£Y, who began the practice of medicine in Eliot, and continued the same till his death, Feb. 16, 183 1, at the age of forty-three years..

Dr. Emery was a man of great personal magnetism ; of strict integrity ; and marked force of character.

He took a great interest in the welfare of his State, and was a leader in political circles. At the time of his death ke was a prominent candidate for Governor. : He is said to have been a remarkably handsome man, about 5 feet 10 inches in height, and rather stout.

His death, which came very suddenly from heart trouble, caused a deep gloom in the community ; and no man has ever left more warm personal fritnds.

Dr.. Emery was a gifted speaker, and delivered many notable orations. Manuscript fragments of one of these are in the writer's possession, and are herewith published. They are parts of his oration delivered at Eliot* on the Fourth of July celebration, 1S25 :

1 [Of the hero and soldier, of 1776, who survived and entered into the jubilance of the anniversary, he said :]

" His heart is elevated in thanksgiving to the great Father and Benefactor of us all ; bu. age has now relaxed those fibres and withered that arm once so able to attack. and so strong to defend. Like some mouldering and moss grown tower, which song of bard and legendary tale has sanctified, he stands a living witness, — the venerable sur- vivor of the many worthies, that have long since gone down to the tomb, canonized by the page of histoxy..

" We revere thy virtues, thou hoary patriot 1 we glory in "thy deeds. We are mindful of thy deceased companions- iu-arms, and we honor their memory. A, Nation's bless-

* See Old Eliot, Vol lr No. IV. _..-..,. - ■. ■• :o-

OLD ELIOT, MAINE 1 3

ings, a Nation's gratitude, have and will continue to de- scend upoii their surviving associates, till the candle of" life shall have burned down to its socket."

[He then brings to the front the Leaders, whose names have been written in the roll of renown :]

11 The space of time that has elapsed since the Revolu- tion, has lind down in the dust (which the blood of many of them had already hallowed,) most of the great men to whom, under Providence, we owe our national existence and privileges. A few still survive among us, to reap the rich fruits of their labors and sufferings."

[With an intuition as well as keen observation of all that Free Public Schools can do to elevate, expand and magnify a town, he gives out his thought and praise of wholsome education in Eliot and everywhere :]

11 To trace the progress of Science and to point out the benefits of Education, must be at once a pleasing and useful employment.

" It is Education that renders the civilized citizen supe- rior to the savage of the wilderness. And as in acquisition it can be obtained by our own industry and labor, atten- tion, inquiry and exercise are indispensable pre-requisites of improvement.

"Left in a great measure to the researches and the inventions of men, the progress of learning has been slow and gradual ; but thanks to our worthy ancestors who first settled in this western part of the earth is justly due, for ' their early and generous support to the interest of Educa- tion. Whilst struggling with the evils of poverty and the calamities of war, they were attentive to the cause of literature and religion.

''The establishment of Schools for all classes of people, where the children of the rich have no greater privilege than those ot the poor, is peculiar to New England.

" In Maine ample provision is made for the instruction of youth ; and is contemplated even by the Constitution

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an article of the first importance. It was justly consid- ered by the framers of the charter of our political rights that the preservation of rational freedom depended, in a great measure upon the information and virtue of the citizen.

44 Under this impression it was among the first acts of our Legislature to provide for the education of youth. And notwithstanding the existing law for that purpose is considered by many as unequal and unjust in its opera- tions, it is believed by the majority of the commuuity to be not only equal and just, but the only way in which the money assessed could be apportioned to give the poor an equal chance with the rich for the advantages of education.

i4 With these views it is of vast importance to youth that we should select for our teachers not only men of suitable education, but men * * *

[The next pages seem to give a Half Century contem- plation and letrospection :]

"Forty-nine years has the sun in his annual circuit shone upon Independent America. Forty-seven times ha^ he descended to his utmost Occident a gloriou's witness to the grateful recollections of millions of enlightened free- men. Now, he again hangs over these vast and consecra- ted regions ot Liberty, and seems to" light up in splendor the pagentry of this day's celebration. At this moment he is gazing upon thousands of speakers, who are holding in enraptured silence hnndreds of thousands of listening auditors. Here genius need not exhaust her efforts and eloquence need not task her powers. The sweet remem- brance of scenes that are closed forever, scenes of which the living witnesses are continually swept away by the besom of time, and the few that remain may truly say, 44 We only have escaped to tell you," — the remembrance, I say, of scenes connected with all that is honorable to human nature, with many a tender association, with many endearing reflections and the warmest emotions of grati- tude comes home to the breast with a pathos more subdu-

OLD ELIOT, MAINE 15

ing and persuasive than the appeals of a Cicero, and more spirit stirring than the thunders of a Demosthenes.

" It is not my intention at this time to enter upon a his- toric detail of the discovery and settlement of America ; to tell you of our father's perils by sea and sufferings upon land ; nor of their conflicts with a savage foe. Neither shall I recount to you the oft repeated story of the wrongs and oppressive acts which they received at the hand of the mother-country, — how they accumulated petition upon petition, and remonstrance upon remonstrance without effect ; how they wrere rebuffed and insolently intreated by a court abandoned to the guidance of pernicious councils, until the bloody deeds of Lexington consummated the drama of injustice and oppression, and Bunker Hill gave an earnest of the crisis which we are now assembled to celebrate !

" There is a point beyond which the hand of oppression cannot reach. A point at which the soul of man, which has apparently been sinking in silence and abjectness beneath its iron sway, suddenly re-acts as if its elasticity had been gathering in secret; rises superior to its condition and putting forth unwonted energies, exhibits with accu- mulated effect its own most astonishing powers.

" The Revolution to which we are indebted for Indepen- dence and the blessings of our Free Institutions was not the offspring of calculation and design. It was an event that does not appear to have been within the contempla- tion of the patriots, who, at first embarked in resisting the principle of the British ministry in their claim to tax America without her consent. It was an issue to which they were driven by the violent measures of that infatuated cabinet, and the unyielding obstinacy with which they i. wsted on pretensions so subversive of all that was dear to man. There seemed no alternative but Slavery or Independence. And the bold and successful emprise by which they achieved the latter will ever stand a noble and cheering example of what may be accomplished by a people w'.iu, understanding their rights, have the courage to defend them.

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The paltry raid insignificant tax of a penny a pound upon tea, was b\ no means an object of sufficient magni- tude to have awakened the colonies to such a pitch of excitement and have kindled J.he spirit of revolt through this continent Theirs was not mere animal instinct that is not burdened but by the weight of an imposition, and that is not pained until it is flayed. When they saw this little speck in the political horizon, they were aware that it might gather to universal blackness — that the morning cloud was but the precursor of the evening tempest. To have tamely submitted to be taxed without their consent ; to have abandoned the doctrine that taxation and represen- tation should go together, would have been a cowardly treason against the rights of associated man. They, there- fore, met the principle at the threshold, and contested it through every inch of its progress. And when the resources ot arcHm»ent aiid supplication had been exhausted in vain, they burst asunder the cords which bound them to the des- tinies of the sea-girt Isle, and asserted the imprescriptable right of man to institute government for himself.

" Bat the historical interest of our Revolution does not depend solely on the importance of its direct consequences, and the extent of the political and moral changes which it has tended at least to hasten. It will always command attention as a complete development of the temper, motives and resources of a whole Nation

'• It was not like most wars, a combat between cabinets orarmies; a mere trial of military or diplomatic skill; but the united effort of a people as individuals for the vindica- tion of their rights. Nor was it a single burst of exaspera- ted feeling ; a short madness ; one of those revolutions, in which men sometimes exhaust themselves by struggling to acquire a liberty which they know not how to value or maintain, and then fall bark into the same conditions as before ; — but a sober, deliberate, calculating resistance of oppression, adapting its means to its end, and pursuing that and through the greatest sacrifices of comfort and feeling.

Another fact also adds a charm to its historv, that it was

OLD ELIOT, MAINE 17

accomplished within the limits of a single life, and that the same persons who began, lived to complete it and enjoy its results. Inconsequence of this, our interest in many individuals conspicuous at the beginning of the contest, never ceases.

" Nor does the reflection that our Revolution was not the result of political foresight and the production of a series of measures and events directed to that particular object at all diminish our interest in the story or depreciate the worth of the acquisition.

'• When told to seek in the early history of our country* the causes of its independence, some men expect to find the desire of it springing up among the first colonists, and increasing in each successive generation. But for this they will seek in vain ; though we may undoubtedly look back to the settlement of the country, and further still, back to z'n'c iv-i^iiuatiun, for the origin and growth of those principles and feelings, which rendered the colonists so jealous of their rights, and particularly of that of taxing themselves, that when it came at last to the alternative, they did not hesitate to prefer these rights even to their allegiance, dear to them as it was. And having made this determination, persisted in maintaining it through dangers, toils, and privations, almost without example.

*' Perhaps this error may have been encouraged also by an idea, that since the effects of our Revolution have been' so glorious and beneficial, it is honorable to our ancestors to assume that they anticipated those effects, and designed from the first to declare America independent in order to produce them. But no one intimately acquainted with their conduct and motives, can suppose that it adds any- thing to their just praise thus to ascribe to them the gift of prophecy.

" Had they foreseen this rapid and -astonishing splendor and durability of their own fame, the advantages which the Revolution would yield to themselves and those which it would confer on their children and country, the\r v^uld have exhibited no very singular merit in embracing tLe alternative which thev chose.

IS OLD ELIOT, MAINE

4< After the die was east, they endeavored very naturally to alleviate their immediate distress by indulging what were then deemed extravagant hopes of the future ; but even then, it never entered the wildest of their dreams, that those of them who should live longest, or their children, would look around on such a scene as more than one of the chief among them now beholds. They saw directly before and all about them difficulty, peril and distress. And this very independence through which they were compelled to pass in order to obtain security, was in their opinion by no means the least of the evils they had to encounter. Yet painful as the step was, they rejoiced when it was taken : because they were by that time persuaded it was the only means of preserving their liberty, which they valued still more highly than their allegiance.

11 There is no doubt that individuals had different opin- ions with regard to the - time when they should renounce their allegiance, and that a great majority in Congress were ready for the measure some months before all the colonies were willing to adopt it. Not that they felt the pain of the sacrifice less, but they saw its necessity more, and were sooner convinced that they had no other alterna- tive than independence or subjection.

"Fellow Citizens, when we look backward and con- sider through what scenes of peril and suffering, of fear and doubt our fathers had to wade to attain that independence in which we now rejoice ; when we look around us and reflect that three millions of people have since been multi- plied to ten, that insignificant, dependent provinces have been converted to sovereign and independent States; that an atom in the political balance has been swelled to a powerful Nation, setting the moral world in motion by the force of its policy and example ; that a constitution adop- ted in wisdom has been sanctioned by experience, gather- ing friends and supporters as it waxes in years ; that great cities have under the influence of a government of laws been redeemed from the forest ; that commerce has whit- ened with its canvas every ocean ; that the husbandman cultivates his soil in security and fears not that the

OLD ELIOT, MAINE 1 9

hand of lawless might shall despoil him of the productions of his industry ; that our waterfalls are now occupying in every direction with manufactures which are fast convert- ing our political to a commercial independence.

" I say, Fellow Citizens, considerations of this sort, and a comparison of what we might have been if this epocha had been blotted from the record of time, afford reason for gratitude and cause for exultation."

[The last fragment of the Oration is a eulogy of the man whose name at that date was most familiar to every ear, and whose presence had just been the Iresh inspira- tion of the States, — the honored and exalted LaFayette :]

" And Maine has lately been honored by a visit from One who has yielded himself to the united voice of a people, and returned in his age to receive the gratitude of the Nation to whom he devoted his youth.

" It is recorded on the pages of American history, that when this friend of our country applied to our commission- ers at Paris, in 1776, for a passage 111 the first ship they should despatch to America, they were obliged to answer him, that they possessed not the means nor the credit sufficient for providing a vessel in all the ports of France.

" 'Then,'' exclaimed the youthful hero, 4I will provide my own.'

11 It is a literal fact, that when all America was too poor to offer him so much as a passage to her shores, he left, in his tender youth, the bosom of home, of happiness, of wealth, of rank, to plunge in the dust and blood of our then inauspicious struggle.

" This friend of our fathers has been welcomed to our shores. He has enjoyed a triumph such as never con- queror or monarch enjoyed,— the assurance that through- out America there is not a bosom which does not beat with joy and gratitude at the sound of his name !

" He has met and saluted the few that remain of the ardent patriots, prudent counsellors and brave warriors with v\ bom 'he was associated in achieving our Liberty.

20 • OLD ELIOT, MAINE

But he has looked in vain for the faces of many! Lincoln. and Greiae, and Knox, and. Brooks are gone; the heroes of Saratoga and Yorktown have fallen before the only foe not meet.

of Heroes and of Men, our

beloved WASHINGTON, the Saviour of his Country, rests in the bosom of the soil he redeemed. On the banks of his Potomac he lies in glory and peace.

14 The voice of Washington that reached him in the Austrian dungeon could not welcome him to the shades of Mount Vernon. But the grateful children of America have bid him welcome in his name. Yes, every tongue hath exclaimed with emphasis and joy, —

" Welcome, Welcome LAFAYETTE !"

-oo-

Dr. Emery's oration was delivered in the old-time Meeting-house, with its sounding board and date of 17 15. The Sunday home, it had been, of John Rogers; and the less gifted but most sincere Alpheus Spring ; and the intellectual and magnetic Samuel Chandler, always to be remembered in Eliot. And a house where were the rejoic- ings over the surrender of Quebec ; and the reading of the Declaration of Independence on a Summer Sunday after- noon, 1776 : and the utterances and re-iterations of the thousand thiugs of public note in the days when the pul- pit antedated our newspapers.

But few now remember this ancient abode of peace and truth. If some elderly hand would but trace on paper the memory outlines of it, a drawing — historic — couidbe com- pleted a ud printed in Old Eliot.

It is needless to add that when Dr. Emery closed his address, a most enthusiastic hand-clap ended the hour.

Old Eliot.— Dr.. J. L. M. Willis. Editor.

Attgustiue Caldwell, Printer. Subscription Rate. 50 cents per y<

OLD ELIOT.

Published Monthly. Dr. J. L. M. . Willis, Editor.

Vol. II

ELIOT, MAINE, FEBRUARY

[89S.

No. II.

OLD KITTERY : How the "Old People" said it Received its Name

George W. P'rosst.

About the time the earliest settlements were made on the old Piscataqua Plantations, in one of those beautiful indentations th^t mark the northeasterly shcre, near the mouth of that picturesque and noble old river, lived Good- man Rye, who afterwards moved near to what is now known as Rye Beach.

In the year 1630 could be seen a small rude boatman's cabin, occu^ ied by Goodman Rye, his wife Katherinc, and two children.

Rye was a native of Cornwall, England, and in his early years spent much of his time in and around the tin mines. At the age of' eighteen years he went to Dtvun and worked at boat building.

At the age of twenty he married ; and the same year, accompanied- by his wife, came to America in one ot the Plymouth colony trading vessels.

Goodman Rye landed at the Isles of Shoals, where he found employment in repairing and building boats for the fishermen. Owing to the scarcity of lumber and the trouble of getting it from the mainland, he decided to move from the Islands to near the settlement at Straw- berry Bank.

Tradition tells us that Goodman Rye's cabin occupied land where, many years later, was built the old Pepperell Fort. Be that as it may, Rye and his wife Katherine, and their only daughter Katherine, — who was also known by the pet name Kitty,— were the only white people then living on that shore or vicinitv.

- A

22 OLD ELIOT, MAINE

Years rolled by and Kitty had grown to be a beautiful young woman. She often accompanied her father on his fishing trips in and outside the harbor, and became quite expert in navigating one of his small boa's through the strong Lides and eddies of the old Piscataqua.

At the age of sixteen she began to have many admirers at Strawberry Bank, among the young men at the trading post, where she often went with her father in pleasant weather, purchasing supplies for the little family. Often would one of the young men at the post, on Kitty's return, take her in his boat, and accompany her to her father's cabin. It was at this post that Rye always traded and disposed of his small stock of dried fish in exchange for such supplies as were needed in his house and for his boat building.

Young Philip Wannerton, whose father held an office at the trading post, made frequent visits across the river to the humble cabin of Goodman Rye, and had become the favorite suitor for the hand and heart of Kitty. In fact, his visits had become so frequent that whenever his acquaintances saw him leave the landing in his boat alone, he was sure to be accosted : " Where are you bound now, Phil, over to Kitty Rye's?"

Xot only Phil received this salutation, but main- of the residents of Strawberry Bank, whose boats happened to head toward the opposite shore, were at once hailed, "Where now, over to Kitty Rye's?" And the residents at the Bank, old and young, became so accustomed to this playful salute, that they designated the opposite shore as Kitty-Rye ; and in the course of time it became —

KlTTERY.

Tradition tells us that about 1645-50, one Philemon Pormott, senior, a Schoolmaster, of much education, taught in the different families from Wells, York, to the Strawberry Bank. In that capacity Pormott often visited the family of Nicholas Frost, instructing the children, and, it is supposed, was the first to write out the name of Kittery, as we have it today, in honor of his young and

OLD ELIOT,

MAINE

23

much esteemed pupil. Kitty. And thus lie has immor- talized her name. Kitty in time became Katherine Wannerton the wife of Philip Wanuerton.

To this traditionary narrative, (aided by an ancient document in my possession, nearly wasted away by Time,) I have given much thought and the care it > importance and interest demanded. Xow I leave it to others who are skilled in the researches of " Old Kittery" and the Origin of its Name.

Washington, D. C.

QUAKERS IN KITTERY

I7T

Kittery, May 6th. 1737. A List of Quakers allowed by the Select men this year, vizt.

Andrew Xeal Andrew Xeal, Jr. Daniel Furbish, Sen'r James fenix Jabez Jenkins Francis All in. Jr. William Fry, Jr. Joseph Fry -Michael Kiunard Nicholas Morrell John Fry

John Xeal Thomas Weed Peter Whittum John Morrell, Senr Francis Allin William Fry Benjamin Fry Samuel Hill, Sen'r Samuel Jounson Edward Whitehouse James W'hittam

EARLY TOWN MEETIXGS IX KITTERY (ELIOT)

At a Town Meeting held in the Xortherly Parish Meeting house in Kittery on Monday the 12th day of January, 1S01 :

Voted, that the Selectmen call a part of the Meetings in the Xortherly Parish Meeting-house [Eliot,] in said town and that one third part of the Meetings in said Town be called in future by the Selectmen, at the Xortherly Parish Meeting-house in said town.

24 OLD ELIOT, .MAINE

ELIOT SHIPS-.

Francis Keefe.

The following letters and Certificates of Registry are from the Collectors of Customs at Boston and San Fran- cisco. They will be read by those who are interested in the history of ship building in Eliot. The Registries affirm that the boats were built in "the District of Ports- mouth ;" of which Eliot is a part.

The Boston and San Francisco letters are glimpses of the careers of two of the many boats built at the Hanscom yard at Eliot : The Mary M. Wood of 1849; and the Nightingale, — named for the Swedish Jenny Lind, — of 1S51.

" Port of Boston, Mass. Jan. 3, 189S. The Schooner Mary M. Wood was documented at this port August 25, 1849; document surrendered at San Francisco May 4, 1850.

The Ship Nightingale was documented at this port October 14, 1851. The last document issued to this Ship was in November, 1872. This document was surrendered in San Francisco, October 5, 1874.

" We have no later record of either of the above vessels. — W. F. Jones, Deputy Collector."

" Copy of Certificate of Registry, No. 366, of Schooner Mary M. Wood, 135 35-95 tons. Issued at the Port of Boston, District of Boston and Charlestown, Aug. 15, 1S49.

11 In pursuance of an Act of the Congress of the United States of America, entitled " An Act concerning of the Registering and Recording of Ships or vessels," Charles A. Wood of Neponset, State of Massachusetts, 7-S, having taken or subscribed the oath required by the said Act, and having sworn that he together with Asa Smith, jr. of Eastman, state aforesaid, i-S, are the only owners of the ship or vessel called the Mary M. Wood of Neponset, whereof Asa Smith, jr., is at present master, and a citizen of the United States as he hath sworn ; and that the said ship or vessel was built in the District of Portsmouth,

OLD ELIOT, MAINE 25

A. D. 1S49, as Pe" Enrc'l :ent, No 35, issued at Forts- mouth, June 29, 1849. Now cancelled. Property partly changed. And said Enrollment having certified that the said shin or vessel has one deck, and two masts, and that her length is eighty- four feet six inches, her breadth twenty-three feet and 3-4 inches, her depth seven feet nine 1-2 inches; and that she measures one hundred thirty-five tons and 35-95ths. That she is a Schooner, has a Billet head and St squire stern ; and the said Charles A. Wood, having agreed to the description and admeasurement above specified, and sufficient security having been given according to said Act, the said vessel has been duly regis- tered at the Port of Boston.

Given under our hands and seals at the Port of Boston, this 25th day of August, in the year 1849.

Concerning the Nightingale, the most renowned of boats that originate 1 at Eliot ship yard, we have received the following "Copy of Certificate ot Registry, No. 284," dated October 14, 185 r , and bearing the signature of " P. Grcely, Jr , Coll. of Customs."

* * " George R. Samps in of Boston having sworn that he together with Le^v is \V. Tappan of said Bustou (co- partners) are the only owners of the ship called the Nightingale of Boston, whereof John B. Fiske is at present Master. Built 1851. The said ship has two decks, three masts, her length is one hundred seventy-seven feet ten and three-fourths inches, her breadth thirty-six feet, her depth eighteen feet ; and she measures ten hundred sixty-six 12-95 tons. She is a ship, has a woman figure head, a square stern; and she was duly regis- tered at the Port of Boston, October 14, 1851."

The San Francisco letter dates the Mary M. Wood at that Port in 1S50, her earliest venture, and with gold- seekers from Eliot and vicinity :

Port of San Francisco, January 14, 1898. Francis Ceefe, Esq., Sir: The records of the Registry Desk of this office show the following concerning the

26 OLD ELIOT, MAINE

Mary M. Wood and the Nightingale.

The Schooner Mary M. Wood, built in 1S49, was reg- istered at Boston August 25, 1S49. Number of registry 366.

She -.vps enrolled at San Francisco May 4, 1S50, by Charles A. Wood of Neponset, Mass., owners being Charles A. Wood, 7-8, and Prescott Bigelow, 1-8, both of Neponset, the Master being Wood. Number of enroll- ment, .245.

. She was registered at San Francisco, July 17, 1850, by Wood. Owners, Wood, 7-8, Bigelow, i-S, Master, James S. Higgins. Registry, No. 164.

- She was again registered in San Francisco, February 15, 1S51 by Prescott Bigtlow. Register No. 40 ; owners, Wood, 5-8, Bigelow, 1-8, and James S. Higgins, 2-8. Master, Bigelow. This registry was cancelled February 17, 1852, the vessel having been sold abroad.

The ship Nightingale was purchased of the United States Government in 1865. She was registered at Boston November 2, 1865. Registry No. 412.

She was registered at San Francisco. April 24, 1S66 by Charles L. Bulkley of San Francisco, owner being Bulkley. Registry No. 131. This last registry was surrendered at New York, October 29, 1S69.

The records of San Francisco concerning arrivals and clearances of vessels for the years 1849-51, were destroyed in the great fire of 1S51.

Passenger and crew lists reach no further than the middle of the year 1851, and no other account of the "es^els" voyages or cargoes is available. E. B. Jerome.

From the Portsmouth Shipping Lists we gather a few hints of voyages of other boats built at Eliot :

The Elizabeth Hamilton : 1849, January 10. Ar- rived at Liverpool from Mobile.

February 8. Cleared at Liverpool to New York. Jones Master, Sailed February 11.

From New York for Lavacca. Spoken 28 April.

June 7, arrived at Mobile from Lavacca.

OLD ELIOT, MAINE 27

Brig Josephine, Porter, Master: 1849, June 25, ar- rived at Cowes from Havana.

Proceeded same day for Cronstadt.

Arrived at Cronstadt July 10.

Arrived at Deal August 31.

Arrived at Bordeaux September n.

Sailed (rom Bordeaux for Philadelphia September 28.

•000-

UNNECESSARY NEGLECT.— 1819.

To Caleb Emery, Esq.. Justice of the Peace in and for the Count}- of York :

I the subscriber, Clerk of the Company commanded by Tobias Shapleigh do hereby give information against the following persons, who being duly enrolled in the said Company, and being duly notified to meet with said Company on the 22th day of September, 18 19, were guilty of the offences and did incur the forfeitures set agaiLSt their names :

Levi Andrews ( For unnecessary, neglect- \ has forfeited 4 James 3uptilt \ ing to appear on said day f dollars each.

I therefore, agreeably to my oath of office and in com- pliance with the requisition of the law, in this behalf, request that you would issue a summons to each of the persons named in the above informations, to appear before you and shew cause if any he has, why it should not be adjudged that he pay the forfeiture set against his name, tor the offences which he is therein ailedged to have committed.

Dated at Eliot this 20 day of October in the year of our Lord, 1819.

James W. Shapley, Clerk of the Company Commanded by TOBIAS SHAPLEIGH.

28

OLD KLIOT, MAINE

THE BLUE TROOP OF HORSE. 1757.

Roll of the First

Nathan Goold. — O —

Troop of Horse

at

Sir William Pepperell's Regt. They were

Barwick," in called " The

Blue Troop of Horse," 1757. the Massachusetts Archives.

Abraham Lord, Capt. John Heard Bartlett, Lieut. Thos. Hodsdon,

Quarter "Master. James Gowen, Cornet. Nathan Lord. Clerk. Aaron Goodwin, Corp. John (Pears?) Benja. Wilson

Privates.

George Rogers John Hainmons Joseph Curtis John Fourbush Joseph Goold, Jr. Tobias Fernald, Jr. Ebeur. Deering Joseph Fornald Thomas Cutts, Jr. Timo Waymouth Dinnis Fornald Nathl Rogers John Shapley, Jr. Nathan Bartlett Enoch Hutchins, Jr. Nich Shapleigh, Jr. Saml Hanson, Jr. Joseph Emery Wm Shapley"

Copied from the original in

Roberd Cutts, Jr. Stephen Tobey, Jr. Benj. Fernald Abraham Lord, 3d John Hill Nathl Clark Joshua Roberds Wm Clark, Jr. Saml Wentworth, Jr. Saml Pray Jacob Shorey Jonas Hamblton Tilly Hagins Saml Lord, Jr. Joseph Hubbard Jeremiah Lord Danl Grant Danl Junkins Joseph Junkins, Jr. Alex Junkins, Jr. John Nowell Joseph Grant Jeremiah Moulton Nathl Webber David Lord Chas Leby Joshua Reckerds Henry Hobbe,

-000-

AN OLD ELIOT FISHER.

Daniell ffurbish presented for endeavouring to catch ffish upon ye Lords day, is for his ofence to pay : 5s for ye use of ye pore of ye Town. July ye 70 1696.

OLD ELIOT, MAINE 29

AN ELIOT SHIPWRIGHT.

William Linwood Fernald. — O —

William Brooks. — born in 1787, one hundred and ten years ago, --was one of Eliot's stalwart shipwrights of the early part of this century.

It was his custom to leave his home on Bolt Hill at daybreak, walking to the Neck, from whence he went by boat to the shipyard at Badger's Island, Kittery, arriving there in season to begin work at sunrise.

Much of the shipwork of that time was performed by the huge broad ax and other i^oU requiring considerable muscular effort.

The regulation wage was $1 25 for the day. — which ended at sunset. But board was furnished at the yard ; and after supper all hands were required to move timber, or unload vessels, whenever such work was desirable.

After returning at night he frequently walked to his pasture near the great marsh and built fence by mjonlight. He often heard the Portsmouth clock strike midnight while he was still working there.

He said he never. knew what it was to be tired before he was fifty years old.

He maintained a hale and vigorous health, a.iJ lived to be ninety years old.

The story of one old man is the story of them all, per- haps. We may have easier days than our sires, and lighter work ; but they were the men of hardier muscle and. unyielding endurance.

000

ELIOT SOCIAL LIBRARY. A Memory.

A. A. Hanscom.

— O —

I read many of the books of the old Eliot Library, when

I was a boy. I think the volumes were then kept at Mr.

Leighton's, whose house was next to, — or very near. — the

30 OLD KMOT, MAINE

old Meeting-house at the corner of the road leading to the river.

Mr. Keefe in his historic rehearsal of this earlier enter- prise, [Old Eliot. December, 1896,] does not mention Mr. Leighton, as Librarian. He was one of the last, — per- haps the very last of the Librarians. He died not many years ago, a very old man.

His son William Leighton was Foreman of an Ax Manufactory, in this city, [Manchester, N. H ] when I came here in 1S64. Doubtless the family is scattered now, as are many other families of early Eliot. — Letter.

•ooo-

ROLL OF CAPT. JOHN WKNTWORTH'S

COMPANY. January 31, 1761.

Copied from the Original Roll in the Mass' its Archives.

Nathan Gool.i. — O —

Capt. John Wentworth, Kittery

Lieut. Joshua Warren, Saco

Lieut. Thomas Moody, York

Ensign, Thaddeus Trafton, York

Sergt. Enoch Hutchins, Jr., Kittery, Deceased

Sergt. Joseph Allen. York, Deceased

11 John Crocker, Kittery Charles Trafton, York Corp. Thos Pettegrow, Kittery Phillip Stackpol, Berwick

" Eleazer Fergusonjr., Kittery

" Samuel G rover, York Drummer, Jeffrey Jones, Kittery, Minor

Privates

Enoch Hutchins, Kittery Jas Usin Berwick

John Parker, Kittery, minor Tobias Leighton, Kittery, Ephriam Keen, " " minor

Ephriam Crocker " " Moses Welch, Jr., York

Joshua Forguson " " Joseph Allen, Jr. "

Dec'd Mathew Young, "

John Brown Kittery Jona Sergant Jr York minor

OLD ELIOT, MAINE

31

Joseph Hutchins Jr Kittery

minor Abraham Chapman " Pel-tiah Haley Moses Seavt-y, Jr. M

Thos. Tripe/ Jr Silas Hamilton, Berwick

minor William Gowen, Kittery enlisted March 10, 1760 and died Sept. 29, T760 Joseph Haley, Kittery Dan! Paul

John Grindle Lebanon Moses Beikford Berwick Henry Beikford, " Dec'd Saml Furbush Kittery Joshua Fernald-- - " minor Danl Jones Kittery Jona Plain "

Saml Tripe York R.obt Yoik Leabenon John Chadban Kittery , Hezekiah Cloutman

Lebanon minor William Presson Kittery Joseph Trew_ Kittery David. Willson Kittery Uriah Naison Benjamin Seavey Arundel

Daniel Crosbe York Jas Clark Berwick Moses Welch York Brian Davis Kittery Benjamin Harford Leabenon Joshua Trafton York John Heaton York Nathl Coffin Kittery Curtis Tompson York Samuel Coaston Berwick Abijah Stephens "

John Fernald Kittery Joseph Nocks Berwick Saml White Josiah Haley Thos Obrin Jas. Oliver, York, Dec'd Gideon Whitteus York minor Timothy Crowley " Giddeon Serigings Kittery

minor Thos Serigings Kittery minor Noah Paul

Jotham Trafton York Eliphalet Maire, Kittery Simeon Grover York John Warmouth Summerset

Dec'd Solomon Tibbitts Leabenon Jonathan Door "

Kittery

•000-

AN UNFORTUNATE

THANKSGIVING -0

DAY.

We present Katherine Neal for doing seruile work, to say making a shirt upon ye last day of Thanksgiving. —July 7, 1696.

Katherine Neal being presented for doing of seruile labour on ye day of thanksgiuing, her husband appearing in her behalfe, and pleading Ignorance, she is acquitted, paying frees: 2s 6d ffees payd in Court.

— Octobr The 6th 1696.

OLD KLTOT, MAINE

KITTERY. 1674. Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages in this Town.

Copied from the earliest book by Augustine Caldwell.

Daniel Goodwin married to Amie, daughter of Miles Thompson, Octob : 17, 1682.

Margrat their daughter born August 23, 1683.

Daniel their Son born June 13: 1685

Miles their Son born July 31 : 1687.

Nathaniel their Son born Oetobr 29 :'. 1689.

Amie their daughtr born April 19, 1693.

Samuel their Son born May 24, 1695

James their Son born July 15, 1697.

Thomas their Son born August 5, 1699.

Sarah their daughter born Septernbr 22, 1701.

Anne their daughter born Oetobr 19, 1703, and died Novembr 24 : 1703.

Anne their second daughter of that name born Feb- ruary 16, 1704.

James Goodwin married to Sarah daughter of Miles Thompson Dee. ir, 1686.

Adam their Son born April 12 : 1687. Sarah their daughter born January 6 : 1689. Mary their daughter born May 23, 1691. Sarah their daughter died May 16, 1696. James Goodwin died July 31, 1697.

Anne the daughter of John Woodman and Mary his wife born March ye 10, 1692-3. John their Son born May 4, 1696. Mary their daughter born June 5, 1701.

Hannah, daughter of Joshua Remick & Anne his wife, born March the 10: 1694-5.

Sarah their daughter born August 27: 1696. Joshua their Son born September 4: 1698. Joseph their Son born Novembr ro, 1700.

OLD ELIOT, MAINE $$

Anna their daughter born Oetobr 19, 1702.

Ichabod their Son born July 27, 1704.

Isaac their Son born February 14, 170 —

Ischabod Retniek above uamed Died April ye 6th [torn]

Abigail daughter of Nicholas Gowan & Abigail his wife born April 12, 1695.

Elisabeth their daughter born July 5, 1697. Margaret their daughter born March 19, 1699. Hester their daughter born Novebr 20, 1701. Nicholas their Son born Novembr 12, 1703. William their Son born April 4, 1705. Patrick their Son born March 30, 1707. Anne their Daughter born Jane'y 29, 1709. James their Son born Feb'y ye 14th, 17 15.

Mary ye daughter of Joseph Couch & Anne his wife was born January the 2 : 1696.

Miles son of Bartholomew Thompson was born Apl ye 15, 1689. Bartholomew his Son was born Decembr 7, 1690.

John Gowen Son of William Gowen & Elisabeth his wife was born November ye 19, 1668. William their Son born Elisabeth their daughter born James their Son born March 29, 1675. Margret their daughter born Nov: 15, 167S. Lemuel their Sou born ffeb'y 9, 1680. Sarah their daughter born March 30, 1684. William Gowen, senr died April 2 : 1686. Wiiliam Goweu Jun'r died October 12, 1691.

Continued in March number.

•000-

34 ©*.D ELIOT, MAINF,

COMMODORE ISAIAH HAXSCOM. 1880.

Commodore Isaiah Hanscom, late Chief of Bureau of Construction, L\ S. N., born at Eliot, Maine, June 29, ir S 1 5 , died at Washington, D. C, March 5, 1880.

Mr. Hanscom was one of six children, of whom one sis- ter and one brother only of that happy family now remain to sorrow for him. In early life he very naturally embraced the vocation of shipbuilding, for which his ancestors were famous in the early days. And it was not surprising that he was so successful.

But it was not in this vocation that the charm of his life was so beautifully and completely developed as in his gen- erous and disinterested kindness to all those around him. His benevolence and charity seemed to be the common - property of all, for no one tailed to receive aid at his hands who asked a favor. In his days of decline this beautiful trait was manifested in M I'm better now," so charming to those around a sick bed.

Mr. Hanscom was greatly interested in the prosperity of All Souls' church ; being a member of the Board of Trus- tees at the time of his death. During the construction of this edifice he served on the Building Committee, and never wrearied in his efforts to bring to its present completion this beautiful place of worship. It is largely due to his efforts that we are indebted for the organ and the arrangement of the music which adds so greatly to our services. In this direction his interest was constant. His whole soul was in the church and the church work. Everything that tended, to beautify the church or- increase the impressiveness of the service had his hearty co-operation and support. As a member of the Committee on Hospitality, his chief desire was to open wide the doors of the church to all seekers of a broad and liberal faith. He was pre-eminently a man of good words and works... _ Whatever he said, was filled with a kindly influence, which shed a beautiful light upon the lives of all who were associated with him.

A good tree is known by its fruits, and in the fruits of

OLD ELIOT, MAINE 35

kindness, gentleness, liberality of heart and faith, and a Love to Man which embraced all within its reach, Mr. Hanscom was rich indeed. In these, all who knew him best and loved hini most will cherish his memory. In these he will live and lead those who are left to a higher and nobler life." While we mourn with the bereaved family in their affliction, and while their affliction is also ours, yet we mourn not as those without hope, for we know that we shall go to him. And while it remains to us to work, the contemplation of his beautiful traits can but inspire us with greater zeal, nobler aspirations, and greater love.

During his long and weary illness not one word of dis- content escaped his lips. One of his last walks was to the beautiful church which he loved, on Sunday, January 25, when Rev. Mr. Savage of Unity church, Boston, preached,

When too weak to rise from his pillow his constant de- sire was to have his friends bring him an account of the doings of the Lord's day.

As a member of the Building Committee Mr. Hmscom's mm? is inscribed on the tablet in the church vestibule. His works have an immortal inscription and will be cher- ished forever by those who hold his memory dear.

Mr. William L- Hanscom, the elder surviving brother of the deceased, entered the Navy as Constructor in 1853. The appointment of Mr. Isaiah Hanscom in the same ser- vice followed in 1S56. Both under Peirce's administration.

Commodore Hanscom leaves a wife and four sons. Three sons are living at the west.

Rev. James Freeman Clarke of Boston and Rev. Alex- ander Kent of Washington, D. C. conducted the burial services, Sunday afternoon. March 7, at All Souls; and in the early spring a new made grave in Mt. Auburn will be the resting place of our honored and beloved friend.

Truly the memory of the just is blessed. Sustained and soothed by an unfaltering trust, he was as one who "wrap- ped the drapery of his couch about him, and lay down to pleasant dreams." — Washington, D. C. March 13, 1880.

7i)iiO*XC

36 OLD ELIOT, MAIXK

GENEALOGICAL QUERIES. — o —

Mx. Nathan Goold, Portland, Maine, seeks information concerning the following names :

The marriage of William Gowen to Abigail ? Did

she marry again John Hodgdon, Feb. i, 1766? Did they have any children besides James and Elizabeth Gowen? Probate records say that she had small children, 1763. William Gowen, the son of William was 33 years, 6 mos. and 26 days old when he died in the army, Sept. 29, 1760.

Who did Daniel Ferguson marry? It was probably about 1720. He died probably in 1751. Born Nov. iS, 1695. His wife was dead in 1747. Of his son Alexander I know nothing except that he was alive in 1747. Daniel Ferguson's daughter married Benjamin Goold, Jr. in 1744. We do not know the date of her birth.

Daniel Ferguson was the son of Alexander and Elizabeth (Gowen) Ferguson. Elizabeth Gowen was daughter of William Gowen the first, and grandaughter of Nicholas FVost the first. .

Wanted — the date of marriage of Hon. James Gowen to Lois Woodbridge — which may be found at York";

The date of Hon. James Gowen's death, and the date (and age) of widow Lois' death. They perhaps had gravestones; and perhaps Nicholas Gowen and his wife Abigail may have had gravestones also.

THE ROGERS FAMILY. We are at work upon a genealogical history of the Rogers' of Eliot. Will anv members of this Family aid us by giving us the names of parents, grandparents and other lines of this ancient house. — Augustine Caldwell, Eliot, Maine.

Old Eliot. Augustine Caldwell, Printer, Eliot, Maine,

Subscription Rate : Fifty cents per vear.

Single copies five cents.

OLD ELIOT.

Dn. J. L. M. Willis, Editor.

Vol. II. ELIOT, MAINE, MARCH, 1898. No. III.

ELIZABETH FROST.

Nathan Goold.

Elizabeth Frost was the fifth child of Nicholas and Bertha (Cadwalla) Frost, — the first of the name in Eliot, — and was born in Kittery, May 10, 1640.

She married May 14, 1667, William Gowen, sometimes called Smith, because the word Gowan meant a smith, (see Arthur's Dictionary of Family Names.) He was a carpen- ter, probably from Scotland, and was the ancestor of the family in Maine.

Elizabeth received from her father's estate ^"105 T2sh 6d, and from her brother Nicholas Frost, Jr's estate, sixty acres of land on the south side of Sturgeon Creek, (see York Deeds, Book III, Fol. 67-8.)

William Gowen was granted a houselot in 1670.

In 1677, the estate of Tristram Harris, Harrison or Har- riden, was divided between the children of William Gowen. Harris was killed by the Indians in 1676, in Capt. Charles Frost's company. Before his death he stated to several people that he wished his property divided among William Gowcn's children, expressing love for them; especially Nicholas, who, it is slated, was the oldest. For the deposi- tions of John Gowen aged about thirty years, Mrs. Mary Frost aged about twenty-one, John Forgesou aged about twenty-two, Francis Smale aged about fifty, and John Tom son aged twenty-two, see York Deeds Book III, Fol. 16. Nicholas and John Gowen divided Tristrum Harris' fifty acres, Book VI, Fol. 171. The inventory of Tristrum Harris' estate, of which William Gowen was administra-

38 OLD ELIOT, MAINE

tor, is published in York Deeds, Book V, Part I, Fol. 22 and 24. Harris had no relatives in this couutry ; but John Turner 01 London, who was his sister's husband, claimed some part of it without success.

William Gowen died in Barwick, April 2, 1686. probably less than fifty years of age ; and his widow Elizabeth was appointed administratrix of his estate. But his son John was made an administrator, January 19, 1697, when the plan for distribution of the estate was approved by the Judge of Probate. The land was divided by referees in 1700, and Nicholas and John had the homestead, valued at ,£100, they to pay Lemuel ^10, when he was twenty-one, also Sarah, when she was the same age, and the same amount to James. Then Nicholas and John divided the homestead. Elizabeth and Margaret had sixty acres of land at Sturgeon Creek valued at £2$, with ^15 to be paid to their mother. The above is in addition to personal es- tate given them. Besides the homestead, Nicholas and John had ^"30 each, and Lemuel, Elizabeth, Margaret and Sarah had ,£20 each, perhaps more at another division.

Among the charges against the estate of William Gowen were the following under date December 18, 1696 :

6 gall Rhum 4s Sugar & spice 1 14 o

Coffin 10s Taking him up 3s o 13 o

Bringing up Lemuel at 5 yrs old 20 00 o

Bringing up Sarah at 2 yrs old 39 00 o

1 gall Rhum 4s 1 gal wTine 2s 6d o 06 6

Raile [robe] for his grave o 05 o

Coffin for son William o 10 o Digging his grave and Raile and Linnen to Rap -

[wrap] him in & Drink at his funerall 1 02 o

A gun taken by the indians when he was killed 1 10 o

The Inventory of the estate is recorded in York Deeds, Book V, Part I, Fol. 39, dated April 2, 1686, the amount given being ^265 09 oo» but there evidently was an error made in the footing.

OLD ELIOT, MAINE 39

William Gowen, in his time, was a freeholder at Kittery in 1635, witnessed several legal documents, and served as an appraiser and administrator of estates. Widow Eliza- beth Gowen lived, probably, until after she was ninety- four years of age.

Children :

1. Nicholas, born about 1668, married Abigail Hodson

daughter of Benoni of Berwick. He was admitted to practice as an attorney at the Inferior Court of Common Pleas and sworn according to law, April 6, 1703, at a court held at York. This was twenty-two years before Noah Emery the reputed first resident lawyer of Maine, who was his sister Margaret's son. Nicholas was representative to the General Court from Kittery in 1709, and the Hon. James Gowen was his youngest child. He died about 1742, and his house is still standing, called the Shapleigh House, referred to in Old Eliot . vol. i, p. 2>Z^ Dut tne date of its erection was evidently earlier than there stated. Nicholas Gowen had nine children. In a deposition it is stated that he was the oldest child.

2. John, born about 1670, married Merc}' Hammond,

daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Frost) Ham- mond. He was selectman of Kittery in 1717, and died January 9, 1733. He had nine children.

3. William, born about 1672. He was killed by the In-

dians October 12, 1691.

4. Elizabeth born about 1673, and married Feb. 11, 1694,

Alexander Ferguson who died Sept. 11, 1731. They had seven children.

5. James, born March 29, 1675, and his wife's name was

Mary. He was a blacksmith, and lived in Wells.

6. Margaret, born November 15, 1679 and married

March 17, 1695, Daniel Emery, who died October 15, 1722. She died November 21, 1751. They had ten children.

40 OLD ELIOT, MAINE

7. Lemuel, born Feb. 9, 16S0, wife's name was Sarah,

and they were residents of Boston in 17 15, when he built a brick block on King [State] street.

8. Sarah, born March 30, 1684, married in 169S William

Smith of Berwick, and had children.

My father, William Goold, of Windham, Me., was a descendant of Elizabeth Frost through her son Nicholas, whose son William Gowen married Jane Gowen, a grand- daughter of Catherine Frost by her second husband, Joseph Hammond. William Gowen had a son, William Jr., who was the father of James Gowen, of Westbrook, Me., the father of Betsey Gowen, who married Nathan Goold of Windham, and they were my grandparents.

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Vessels Built by Eliot Master Shipwrights. — 1800-1839.

William Lin wood Fernald. O

Capt. Josiah Remick, who lived at the head of Oram- phegan Creek, upon the estate of the late Abner Staples, built vessels "between the house and the barn," we are told, and launched them into the Creek. His pet daugh- ter, Mary Jane, born in 1797, was honored in having the entire fleet named for her.

He first built the schooner Mary. This was followed by the schooner Jane. He finally built a brig which he named the Mary Jane.

This daughter became the wife of James Tobey and the mother of Martin Tarry Tobey.

It is said that in building these vessels, twelve men went into the woods where they cut and hewed the timber for one; and after hauling it to the shipyard, constructed a vessel, the entire work being completed within a twelve- month.

From the Portsmouth, N. H. Directory ot 1S40, I copy

OLD ELIOT, MAINK • ' 41

the following list of vessels built on the Piseataqua by Master William Hanscom, in addition to those previously mentioned in Old Eliot:

Schooner Cossack, 48 tons, built at Portmouth 1815

Schooner MeDonnough, 98 tons, Portsmouth 1815

Brig Diornede, 217 tons, Shapley Island, now Pierce, 1816

Schooner Brilliant, 106 tons, Portsmouth 1817

Brig Alabama. 84 tons, Portsmouth 1818

Brig Sultana, 225 tons, Shapley Island 1820 Schooner Covington Packet, 32 tons, Shapley Island 1822

Ship Marian, 330 tons, South Berwick 1824

Ship Olive Eliza, 386 tons, South Berwick 1825

Ship John Hale, 368 tons, Durham ."'..'. 1827

Ship Ann, 334 tons, Portsmouth 1828

Sen? oner Susan Mary, 137 tons. Durham 1830

Brig Corsica, 183 tons, South Berwick 1830

Ships Pactolus and Berwick previously mentioned [ 7 Id Eliot, January, 1S9S,] were each nearly 500 tons, and built in 183 c and 1832 respectively.

From the same source I take a list of vessels built by Master James Paul during the years between 1800-1839 :

Brig William and Mary, 1S2 tons, at- Dover. Ship Howard, 291 tons, at Kittery. Schooner Harriet, 63 tons, at Portsmouth. Schooner Enterprise, 79 tons, at Kittery. Schooner Robin, 47 tons, at Kittery. Ship Commerce, 292 tons, at South Berwick. Ship Alfred, 314 tons, at Kittery. • Ship Alexander, 318 tons, at Durham. Schooner Eagle, 94 tons, at Eliot.

It is supposed that the vessels credited to Kittery, were built hear the Paul wharf location in Eliot.

The brig Columbus, built at Eliot in 1825, was

42 OLD ELIOT, MAINE

not mentioned in the Directory list.

Timothy Spinney is mentioned as having built the schooner Washington, 97 tons, at Kittery, — supposed to be at the Neck.

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PACKARD— CHANDLER.

The following letter may not be regarded as of historic value; but it will revive the memory of two men who, if not born to fame, were surely not born to be forgotten. References to fruits and garden of eighty years ago will interest :

Postage twelve and a half cents. To be left at Post Office Portsmouth.

Rev. Sam'l Chandler, Eliot.

Wiscasset, June 1$, 18 17.

Dear Brother, I wrote you some time since, & have been hoping to hear from you. But not receiving a lettei, I conclude to pass a few lines by some private conveyance.

The difficulties I stated to you & the embarrassments &: discouragements I fell, have in some respects lessen'd. The persons who caus'd division have been pretty well ascertain'd and mark'd. I think I discover more of a con- ciliatory spirit, & have reason to calculate on more har- mony & affection. Providence seems to be (to use Dr. Young's term,) educing good out of evil.

Our family are well. Alphes S. has kept the Latin Grammar School in this Town two quarters, & has just returned to Gorham. Charles pass'd the vacation at home, & on Wednesday last, return'd to College.

Mrs. Packard was nearly prepared to take Charles in the vacation & go on to Eliot for a week or ten days, but she found so much to do for Alpheus and Charles before they could leave home, that she gave up the excursion.

We are very desirous to see you and sister Lvdia at

OLD ELIOT, MAINE 43

Wiscasset this season. Charles & all of us would be much gratified at seeing you at Commencement, ist Wednesday in Sept'r.

I wish you to see how my little farm is alter'd. I re- cei\ M a box of tiees from my brother of Marlboro'. They are doing remarkably well, — some plums, some pears & oilnut— & one quince.

I receiv'd a small box of cions from your brother Na- than, of the best kinds of fruit. They were ir.serted with great care & take remarkably well. Not having pear trees, I put four or five cions of different kinds of pear into the thorn, & they have started & are flourishing. I have the summer sweeting, the Baldwin, the Spitsborg, & oth- ers of the best quality, now growing much to my satisfac- tion. In regard to trees I feel enrich'd & the season now wears a promising aspect.

Mary & myself wish to be affectionately remembered to your Doctor & Mary Ann, Alpheus & Hannah. Take this from your affectionate brother H. Packard.

P. S. By coming at Com't, you & Lydia would see all our family together. Do make ye effort. H. P. ooo

First House "at the Rivers mouth :*■'

1650. Forasmuch as the house at the Riv.r-; mouth wher Mr. Shapleig's Father first built & Mr William Hilton now dwtlleth : In regard it was the first house ther bylt.

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'James Sullivan wrote to the Selectmen of Kittery, Dec. 24, 1774:

" There can be no Neutral in a Civil war, we must join our Brethren in Battle should there be one, or submit to slavery by swearing allegeance to Parliament. And to sue for chains of slavery will be to our eternal scandal: to stand still and let the shackles be rivetted will prove us cowards,, and to fight without hope of success, or such preparation as will encourage it, will be madness."

44 OLD ELIOT, MAINE

NICHOLAS GOWEN'S WILL. 1733. — o —

In possession of Mr. Albert Lord.

Coppy of X : Gou ens Will

X: B: all the Lands mentioned in this Will was Some time Since Given

& Conveyed by Deeds from the Said Xicho: for which

See Countv Records.

In the Name of God, Amen, the Eighth day of Jan'y in ye Year of our Lord one thousand Seven Hundred & thirty three, I Nicholas Gowen of Kittery in ye County of York within his Majesties Province of ye Massachusetts Bay in New England. Yeoman, being Sick in Body but of Good and perfect memory, thanks be to almighty God.

Calling to remembrance the uncertain Estate of this Transitory Life and that all flesh must yeild to Death when it shall please God to Call ; do make, Constitute, Ordain & Declare this my Last Will and Testament in manner & form following, revoaking ec Annulmg by these presents all <Sc Every Testament & Testaments, Will & Wills, heretofore by me made & Delivered Either by word or writing. & this to be taken only for my Last will & Testa- ment & none other.

And first being pennitent and Sorry from ye Bottom of Heart for my Sins past, most humbly Desireiug forgiveness for ye Same, I Give ec Commit my Soul unto almighty God my Saviour and redeemer in whom & by ye meritts of Jesus Christ, I Trust & believe assuredly to be Saved & to have full remission & torgiveness of all my sins, & that my Soul with my body at ye Generall Day of Resurrection shall rise Again with Joy through ye meritts of Christs Death & Passion, Possess & Inherit ye Kingdom of Heav- en prepared for his Elect and Chosen, and my Body to be buried in a Decent Christianlike manner, at ye Discreation of my Executors.

And now for ye Settleing of my Temporall Estate & Such Goods, Chattels & Debts as it hath pleased. God far above my Desserts to bestow upon me, I Do Order give &

OLD ELIOT, MAINE 45

Dispose ye same in manner & form following (that is to say)

First, I will that all those Debts and Duties I owe in Right or Conscience to any matmor of Person or Persons whatsoever, shall be well & truly Contented & paid, or ord tiued to be paid within Convenient time after my Desease by my Executors hereafter Named.

Item. I Give & bequeath Unto my well beloved wife Abigail, one half part of my farm whereon I Now Live: vizt half ye PI inting, mowing & pasture Land: and half ye Orchard, & half ye_building thereon, to be used and Improved as She shall think fit dureing her widowhood. I also Give her one yoak of Oxen and half my Cows.

Item. I Give & bequeath unto my son William Gowen, all my Lands in Kittery lying on ye Eastward Side of Stoney Br^ok.S: all ye Right, Title & Interest that I have or ought to have in any Land, lying on ye Eastern Side of sai *■ Brook, to him ye said William Gowen Dureing his N ^urdll Life, and after his Decease to his two Sons, Vizt : William and Nicholas in Equall halves to be Divided b.-twe 11 th m : iiid the same to Desend from them to ye Next Heir malts, them and each of them respectively and Successively to their Heirs male in fee tail forever, from Gj. iicr«.tiuii tu Generation, without any other or further Division.

I give & bequeath unto my son Patrick Gowen, a Tract or parcell of Land Containing about ten acres, be it more r Less, being the Nt>rth East Corner ^f my farm whereon I now Live, bounded on ye north by John Heards Laud, & on ye East by ye Rocky Hill Commons, on ye West by my P .s+ure Fence and Extending Southward as far as to my Pasture B irrs and fr m ye said Barrs up ye Hill as ye way or path goes, and by ye same to ye Head Line next ye Commons, which I Give to him in manner following, Vizt: That it shall be his own Estate Dureing his Life & after his Decease it shall be to his next male Heir, and to De- scend to ye next Heir Male in his Line Successively for- ever. & in case of failure of male Heir in his Line, then

46 OLD ELIOT, MAINE

ye same shall Descend to my Son James Gowen and ye next Heir male in his line Irom Generation to Generation Successively forever, Unless ye sd James will buy ye Same of ye said Patrick : then <Sc in such case, Patrick may sell to Jaraei, but to no other than such as shall have ye farm whereon I now Live.

Item. I Give and bequeath to my son James Gowen, all my farm whereon I now Live (Excepting ye aforesd Tract of Land Given to Patrick & saveing my wife's Dower as aforesd Dureing Life,) the said farm with ye Buildings and Appurtenances, To him ye said James and to his Next Heir Male Lawfully begotten, and to Descend from him to ye next Heir male in his Line from Generation to Generation Successively forever, without being Divided : and in Case of failure of Heirs male in ye said James his Line, then the same shall Descend to ye Next Heir male in Law in fee tail Successively forever, Only Excepting and reserving the Use & Proffit thereof to my wife Dureing'the minority of ye said James, to be Disposed of for payment of Legacies as hereafter to be appointed.

Item. I give & bequeath unto my three sons, William, Patrick and James, all my other Lands and Grants ( f Lands, and all my Rights in the Commons and Undivided Lands in KitUry and Berwick, and in any place or places wheresoever, to be Equally Divided between them, to them ye sd William, Patrick & James their Heirs and assigns forever.

Item. I Give & bequeath to my wife Abigail ye Best bed and furniture.

Item. I Give & bequeath to my son James that yoak of Oxen Called his oxen and half ye Cows.

Item. I Give & bequeath to my wife Abigail & my Son James, all ye rest and residue of my Personall Estate of Every Kind and Quallity, to be for them Selves and for ye payment of my Debts and Such Legacies as I Give in this my Will as here after Mentioned.

Item. My Will is that my Hon'd Mother, Elizabeth Gowen, Widow, shall be maintained & Comfortably Sup-

OLD ELIOT, MAINE 47

ported in my House & upon tie Incomes of my Lands (Dureing her Natural! Life) by my Wife and ruy son James.

Item. I Give & bequeath Unto my Daughter Abigail Thompson twenty pounds. And my Will is that my son William, (in Consideration of what I have given him in partnerships with his two Brothers, as mentioned before in this my will,) shall pay ye said Twenty Pound, to her in any Vendable Good, or Lumber of ye Produce of ye Land, so given to him, and to be at a reasonable or Market price, & at ye market place Convenient, and within ten years after my decease.

Item. I Give & bequeath unto my Daughter Elizabeth Hart, twenty pounds, and my Will is that my son Patrick (in Consideration of what I have Given him in partnership with his two brothers as mentioned before in this my Will) shall pay ye sd twenty Pounds to her in any Vendable Goods or Lumber of ye Produce of ye Lands so Given to him, And to be at a reasonable or morkit price & at ye Market place Convenient and within ten Years after my Decease.

Item. I Give & bequeath Unto my Daughters Margaret Lord, Esther R >ss, aaJ \tl\h Tiiarla to Each of them twenty pound, to be paid to them by my wife Abigail and my son James, in Cattle or Other Moveable Goods, ye Produce of ye place where I Live, at a Just Value & with- in Ten Years after my Decease.

Item. I Do hereby Nominate and appoint my Loving Wife Abigail and my sons William Gowen, Patrick Gowen «Sc James Gowen to be ye Executors of this my Last will and Testament. In wittness whereof I hereunto Set my hand aud Seal the Day and Year before written.

Nicholas: Gowen:

Signed, Sealed, Pronounced & Declared by ye said Nicholas Oowen to be his Last Will & Testame.it in presence of

S: Shorey J: Hodson

J: Frost N: Emery Coppy pr

4S OLD ELIOT, MAINE

1703. JOHN GOWEN'S LAND. 1709.

November 14, 1809. Then laid out to John Gowen, Fifty Acres of land, Fifty poles in Bredth, East & West, &. is One Hundred & Sixty poles In length North & South, and is bounded on the East Side by Daniel Emerys land and Commons. And on the South End by William Grants meadow, and on the west and north with Commons, and is a grant given him by ye Town ot Kittery. May the Tenth, One Thousand Seven hundred and Three 1703 of Fifty Acres. Daniel Emery, Sur'r.

A True Coppy of ye Original Transcribed & Compared March ye 7th, 1709-10. p. Jos: Hammond, Clerk.

A True Coppy as Appear's in Kittery Town books page (129.)

At a Legal Town Meeting held at Kittery, May 10th 1703, Granted To John Gowen Fifty Acres of Land to him his Heirs & Assigns forever.

A True Coppy as appears in Kittery Town book, page (102.) Exam'd pr Charles ffrost, Cler.

Grant & Return of John Gowens land of 50 Acres at Berwick, Sold to John Frost, Esq., page 102: &: 129: Copia.

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Octobr The 6th, 1696. The Town of Kittery being pre- sented for not keeping a sufficient Bridge ouer Stirgen Creek, &c. Mr. Josh: Downing to answer in behalfe of sd Town. It is ordered by this Court.that ye sd Bridge shall be built within six weeks from ye date hereof, upon the fforfiture of Hue pounds to be payd to the Tresr of this County, for ye use of the sd County, and to pay ffees 4s: 6d

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OLD ELIOT, MAINE 49

KITTERY.— 1674-1740. No. II. Registry of Births, Deaths, Marriages.

Copied by Augustine Caldwell.

Samuel Spinney married Elizabeth Knight, Septembr ?6, i6S7.

Samuel their Son born Oetobr 13, 16SS.

James there Son born March 8, 16S9-90, and died Septembr 24, 1690.

John their Son born July 17, 1691.

Thomas their Sou born July the 20, 1693.

James their Son born ffeb ye 1st, 1695.

Nathan their Son born September 27, 1697.

Jeremiah their Son born October 19, 1699.

David their Son born Sept 12, 1706.

Jonathan their Son born June 28, 1708.

Sarah daughter of James Spinney & Grace his wife, was born July ye 19, 1697.

Hannah daughter of Christian Remick and Hannah his wife was born April 25, 1656.

Mary their daughter born August 7. 1658. Jacob their Son born November 23, 1660. Sarah their daughter born July 16, 1663. Isaac their Son born July 20, 1665. Abraham their Son born June 9. 1667. Martha their daughter born ffebruary 20, 1669. Joshua their Son born July 24, 1672. Lydia their daughter born ffebruary 8, 1676.

Margaret daughter of Jno Adams & Anny his wife born June 12, 1699.

Mary their daughter born ffeb 17, 1709. Sarah their daughter born Oetobr 13, 1703. John their Son born Aug 29, 1706. Thomas their Son born October ye 25, 171 1. Mark their Son born Aug 29, 1714.

50 OLD ELIOT, .MAINE

Katherine daughter of Andrew Neal and Katherine his wife, was born Deeembr ye 4, 1695.

John their Son born Oetbr ye 18, 169S. Andrew their Son born May 4, 1701. Hannah their daughter was born May 28, 1704. John Xeal, Sen'r, died Feb iS, 1704.

Daniel Emery married to Margaret daughter of Wm Gowen and Eliz'h his wife, the 17th March, 1694-5. Daniel their Son born June 25. 1697. Noah their son born Deeemb 11, 1699. Zechariah their Son born March 12, 1703-4. Simon their Son born Jan'y 6, 1702. Margaret their daughter born Mch 3, 1706. Caleb their son born Octobr ye 17, 1710. Anna their Daughter born March 19, 1712-3. Joshua their Son born June 30, 1715. Tirzah their Daughtr born Sept 19, 17 17.

Thomas Goodwin married to Mehitable, daughter of Lieut. Roger Plaisted.

Thomas their Son was born July 29, 1697. Ichabod their Son born June the first, 1700.

William ye Son of Thomas ffernald and Mary his Wife, born Nov'r 1. 1702.

Lydia their daughter born Feb'y 11, 1703. Mary their daughter born April 22nd, 1708. Hannah their Daughter born Dec. 10, 1713. Thomas their Son born March 3, 1716-17. Abra'm their Son born Nov. 14, 1719.

Francis Son of ffrancis Allen & Hannah his wife born April 4, 1697.

Hannah their daughter born August 10, 1699. Robert their Son was born Oct 4, 1701. Anna their daughter born Sept 4, 1703. Elisabeth their daughter born Decemb'r 30, 1705. Elisabeth, ye second of that name, born Feb'y ye 7th,

OLD ELIOT, MAINE 5 1

Robert, ye second of that name, born July 24, 1710. Mary their daughter born July 15, 1712. Jabez their Son born Aug 19, 1710. Lydia, their daughter born Jul}' 12, 1717.,

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A KITTERY POINT GUARD.— 1776.

From the original Roll in the Jia«. Archives, Vol. xxxvi, p. 21.

Nathan Goold. — O —

The following soldiers were stationed at Kittery Point from November 14 to December 31, 1776.

The sergeant's pay was £2 4sh. per ^.onth ; and the privates £1 i6sh.

Moses Hubbard, Sergt.

Privates :

Edward Webber Jno. Norton

Chadbourn Warren William Todd

William Hodsdon Jno. Hutchins

Philip Hubbord .Samuel Dearing Simeon Lord

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1697. THE FROST COMMEMORATION. 1897.

The exercises of July 4, 1897, commemorating the Two Hundredth Anniversary of the Massacre by .he Indiai.s o.' Mijcr Charles Frost, have been fully printed, with addi- tional historical matter. The pamphlet will be sent by mail to any who may order it ; and the price of the same is Uventy-cents. Orders addressed to

Augustine Caldwell, Eliot, Maine.

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OLD ELIOT, MAINE

QUERIES.

Dr. EdmOnd Coffin, buried near Eliot R. R. station. Can his grave be located ? When did he reside in Eliot, and where was his earlier home ? Any facts concerning him. Dr. J. L. M. Willis, Eliot.

i. Simon Frost, born March 3, 1705-6, son of Charles Frost, Jr., married -M&r-y Sewall of York, widow of Joseph Hammond. Who was the father of M-a-ry Sewall ?-? SAM '-^>

2. Major Samuel Nason, born in York ; married, first, Mary Shores, Stratham, N. H., 1765; second, Mrs. Joanna Tilden Moulton, 1778. Samuel Nasou settled at Sanford, 1778. Who was his father? Is there an}- record of his ancestry? Was he a descendant of Richard Nason of Kittery, 1647 ?

3. Who were the ancestors of Mary Shores, the first wife of Samuel Xason ?

Mrs. Charles H. Nason, 51 Green St. Augusta, Maine.

Joseph Chandler, born in Kittery, October 20, 1747, married June 16, 1774, Margaret daughter of Samuel and Alice (Fernald) Gunnison. Joseph Chandler had a brother Eliphalet and sister Hannah, and doubtless there were others of the family. Who was the father of Joseph ? There is a family tradition that the father of the said Joseph was slain by the Indians.

Mrs. J. E. Riley, Regent Samuel Ashley Chapter D. A. R.

Claremont, N. H.

Old Eliot: Published Monthly. Augustine Caldwell, Printer, Eliot, Maine. Subscription Rate, Fifty Cents per year. Single copies Five Cents.

Entered as Second Class Matter at rhe Post Office, Eliot, Maine.

OLD ELIOl

Dr. J. L. M. Willis, Editor.

Vol. II. ELIOT, MAINE, APRIL, 189S. No. IV.

NICHOLAS GOWEN AND HIS WILL.

Nathan Goold.

Some years since the writer made an investigation into the division of the estate of Nicholas Gowen. The will of 1733 has now been printed in Old Eliot, vol ii, p. 44-7 ; and perhaps it may be well to say that it had nothing to do with the division of his estate. Why it was probated Jan- uary 2, 1753, we are unable to state.

Mr. Gowen died between March 24, 1740 and November 27, 1742 ; and was then about 75 years of age. The indi- cations are that he had been out ot health at least ten years.

In 1739 and 1740, Nicholas Gowen made deeds to his youngest son, who was afterwards known as Captain and later as Hon. James Gowen of Kittery, now Eliot, and thus disposed of his estate without reference to the will previously made. The division was as follows : —

He gave his son James his homestead and his farm of about 130 acres at Kittery. The farm was bounded on the, north by land of John Hurl, Zachariah Emery, Benjamin Goold, and Ichabod Weymouth ; on the west by land of Jonathan Nason : on the south by land of Andrew Neal, Thomas Weed, and widow Judith Gowen [of Lemuel, son John,] and on the east by Rocky Hill Common, so called.

In addition, he gave James the barn, orchard, privileges, &c; also, four oxen, four cows, two 3 year old cattle, two 2 year old cattle, two yearlings, two calves, tw*elve sheep ; and utensils of husbandry of every sort belonging to the farm.

The consideration was one half of all the productions of the farm, and James to keep all in good condition. Nicho- las Gowen and his wife to occupy the west end of the

54 OLD KLIOT

house, and to be provided with firewood, and a horse for his use during life. He and his wife were to be buried by James "in a christian like manner," and at his death, James was to pay to his children the following amounts : To Patrick Gowen ^30 Elizabeth Hart ,£20 Margaret Lord ^20 Anna Thurla ^"20 Hester Ross' heirs ,£20 His widow, Abigail, was alive in November, 1742. The notice at the head of Nicholas Gowen's will, (Old Eliot, March, 1898, p. 44,) has reference to the above div- ision. The will published in York Wills has no notice of that kind, and leaves the impression that the estate wTas settled under it. The writer was so deceived for some time, until the discovery of the deeds.

Nicholas Gowen's daughter, Hester, and son Nicholas, jr., were not mentioned in the will of 1733, and the infer- ence is that they had died before that that time.

Perhaps the family record may well be given here. His ancestry is given in Old Eliot, vol. ii, p 37-9, and in addi- tion to what is there published, it can be said that he had land granted him at Kittery in 1685, 1694 and 1703; and was a land surveyor in 1699. Hs seems to have been a man of affairs in his town, judging by the number of legal documents to which his name is affixed.

His widow, Abigail, sold Nov. 27, 1742, to her son Wil- liam, both of Kittery, for ,£5, six acres at 4< Pudden Hole," land she had received from her deceased lather's — Benoni Hodsdon — estate.

Nicholas Gowen's children were as follows : Abigail, born April 12, 1695, married Feb. 13, 1713, Miles

Thomson. Elizabeth, born July 5, 1697, married Joseph Hart of

Berwick. Margaret, born March 19, 1699, married Abraham Lord, a son of Nathan Lord, Sr. Margaret was the mother of Abraham, Jr., and Benja. Meads Lord.

OLD ELIOT 55

Hester, born Nov. 20, 1701, married Feb. 10, 1727, Hugh Ross.

Nicholas* born Nov. 12, 1703, perhaps died before 1733.

William, born April 4, 1705, married June 26, 1724, Jane Gowen, born May 13, 1706, a daughter of her father's brother John, whose wife was Mercy Ham- mond. She died Sept. 20, 1750, aged 44 years. He died in 1748, aged about 43 years. He was a scout in Capt. John Wheelwright's Company, July 9 to Sept. 5, 1722. Had six children.

Patrick, born March 30, 1707; wife's name Miriam. He was a tanner and surveyor ; and lived at Berwick, in 1750. He had at least two sons in the army. Samuel died in Capt. James Gowen's Company in 1760; and Patrick, Jr., was in Capt. James Sa- ward's Company in 1762.

Anna, born June 29, 1709, married Dec. 9, 1724, Richard Thurla, a son of Jonathan and Mary of Newbury, Mass. Had seven children.

James, born Feb. 14, 1715. married Nov. 21, 1738, Anna Smith, daughter of William ; and before 1769, married for his second wife Lois Woodbridge, probably a daughter of John and Elizabeth, of York, Maine, who died about 1813. He died about 1781, aged nearly 66 years. He had seven daughters. The indications are that the oldest child, Abigail, had

died before the deeds were made. But she was living in

1733. when the will was made.

The above facts were gathered for my own satisfaction, but they may interest others of the Gowen descendants.

•000

56 OLD ELIOT

THE ESTATE OF JAMES GOWEN. 1781.

Nathan Goold.

The IF011. James Gowen, of Kittery, made his Will, Octobers, 1780, and it was presented to probate, February 12, 1 78 1.

He. gave his widow Lois (Woodbridge) Gowen, one half of his real estate in Kittery, (except what he gave his eldest daughter, Sarah Hodsdon,) one third of the stock of cattle, sheep and swine, all his homespun clothing and bedding, all provisions, household goods that were hers before marriage, all his silver money and gold, it being a part of the money that belonged to her when they were married, one third of all his paper money and debts due him, and his horse and riding chair.

He gave his grandson, James Gowen Cole, one half of the real estate in Kittery, excepting the part he gave Sarah Hodsdon, and one third of the cattle and sheep. He was to pay all the legacies, just debts, and funeral charges.

He gave his daughter Sarah, wife of Moses Hodsdon, twenty acres of land "where her home now stands," to go finally to his grandaughter, Sarah Hodsdon.

He gave daughter Elizabeth, wife of Col. Caleb Emery, twenty shillings lawful money, "equal in value to present paper currency."

To his daughter Anna, wife of Col. Joseph Hubbard, he gave ten pounds, "the present paper currency," within one year after his decease.

He gave his daughter Louise, who afterwards married Col. John Shapleigh, in 1789, one feather bed, bedding, and his gold ring.

Then to his daughters, Sarah Hodsden, Phebe, who was

&gm ^.sfrthe wife of Joseph Came, Mary, the wife of Gideon Knight,

Louise, and the heirs of Abigail, wrho was the wife of John

Cole, all the rest of his worldly goods : the heirs of Abigail

Cole to have but one share.

He gave his son-in-law, John Cole, his small desk, and

OLD ELIOT

57

James Beatte, of Kittery, one half of his rights in the two townships lying to the eastward of Penobscot river.

He appointed his wife, Lois, executrix of the will. The witnesses were Japhet Emery, Japhet Emery, Jr., and Joshua Hubbard.

The following is a copy of the inventory of the estate as returned to the Probate Court at Alfred :

York, ss. A true Inventory of all and singular the Estate, Goods & Chattels of the Honble James Go wen, Esq., late of Kitery, in the County of York, deceased Testate, taken by us the Subscribers, in Silver lawful money, the 30th day of May, A. D., 1781, Shewn us by Mrs. Lois Gowen, Widow of said deceased, and Mr. John Cole, Executors to his last Will & Testament, Vizt,

His home Farm containing about 160 acres with buildings thereon ^"iooo o o

6 Acres of fresh Marsh (more or less) at

Sturgeon Creek 24 o o

his Interest in two Townships lying to the

Eastward of Penobscot River in the

Commonwealth of Massachu'tt,

Value to us Unknown A pue in the Rev. Mr. Spring's meeting House 600 his homespun apparrell or Cloathing 10 o o

1 Beaver Hatt partly worn 12s, 1 Brown

broad Cloth Coat part worn, 70^ 420

1 old Crown broad cloth Jacket 12s $d

Old velvet do 45 1 pr old velvet Breechs 6.? 1 part wTorn

black Jacket 12s 1 part worn blue broad cloth cot 36^

one Cloak 61s part worn part worn great coat 605 1 wig 12s

1 Ditto & old velvet cap 3^

^1044 2 o

o 16 4

o 18 o

4 17 o

3 15 o

58 OLD ELIOT, MAINE

i pr Silver shoe Buckles 95, 1 pr of Gold

Sieve Buttons 175 ~d £1 6 7

1 Gold Ring 12s r Pocket Book 12s 140

His Books, vizt, one large Bible part worn 10s The old standing Laws Book of Massachusetts 24s Sundry Ternperary Laws Do 12s 260

Sundry Journals of the general Court of Ditto 0120

Bailey Dictionary 10s the 5 vols of

Smollets History of England 10.? 100

the 4 & 5 volumes of Mr. McCaulys

History of Ditto 20s - 100

Sundry old Sermons Book & Pamphlets 6s 60

1 pr Money Scales 6s 1 pr of old spectacles js 070 1 yoke of Oxen 6 years old ^18

1 Yoke Steers 2 years old £j ^500

one two year old Heefer 505

Two year old Steers ~os 600

one ditto 305, two light brindle Cows and their

Calves, £5 each Cow and Calf 1 black Cow & her calf £5, one Fallow Cow 905//

1 other cow & her Calf 8oj 3 sheep & 2 Lambs- 36s

2 three year old Heefers their Calves, each

of them & their calves 90s 900

5 Swine 64s, one horse & riding chair 2osh

1 Case of Draws 60s (horse probably ^19) 26 4 o 1 large round table 15s 1 small old table 2s

6 old slit back chairs 10s 170

6 old kitchen chairs 5s two round about chairs 8s 13 o 1 foot wheel part worn 4s 1 Gun 40s

Warming Pan 9s 2 13 o

1 old churn is 1 Tub 2s 1 pail is 6d

1 old piggin & old bread trough is 056

Hand saw 5s 20 weight of old Pewter Dishes 20s 159 1 Eartheru Dish 4s 6d 1 pr of steelyards

most worn out is 056

1 large Aulgur 3s, small ditto 2s

1 Speke Gimblet & nippers is 060

II	10	0
9	10	0
5	16	0

OLD ELIOT, MAINE 59

2 Rasors & case 2s Protractors & 2 pr

dividers 6s 080

1 Spring Box 2s part of a case of Knives

and Forks 2s 040

1 old Powder Flask & Bullet pouch 2s

old Kitchen Shovel & Tongs 5s

small shovel & Tongs 6s

2 pr old handirons 6s o 19 o 1 Feather Bed 60s Set of old Curtains &

Iron Rods 30s 4 10 o

1 old Coverlid 6s 1 old Bedtick 4s

old under Bed 3s o 13 o

1 Pillow 3s Case is 6d 2 case Bottles is 6d

& Sundry Junk Bottels 2s 080

1 Bedsted 45 2 old Ditto 5s 1 Kittle &

pot most worn out 4s o 13 o

3 old Chests 5s I small Desk 30s

1 Writing Desk 6s 210

1 frying pan 6s pr old Saddle Bags 3s

old Saddle & Bridle 12s 1 1 o

12 Cyder Barrel! part worn 36s 3 old Hhd 9s

Sundry old dry Cask & old Wooden Bottles 250 Sundry kinds of Provisions ^15

1 Iron Tooth Harrow 15 15 o

1 pr of old Cart Wheels & Cart 60s

1 prof plow Irons most worn out 15s

3 old chains 26s 8d Iron Crow 6s

Clevis 5s 2 old woodsleds 4s Slay 6s 628

one Ox Yoke Ring staple. Forks and other

small Tools of Husbandry 12s

one old Broad Ax & narrow ditto 9s 1 1 o

Cash in Silver and Gold £12 Paper Ditto 180 Continental Dollars equal

to 14s 4d silver money 12 14 4

Note of Hand

against Major John Nowell £3 o o

Ditto agat Capt. William Rogers for 17 10 11 Ditto against Mr. Caleb Emery for 24s 140

6o

OLD ELIOT

Ditto against Mr. David Moore

deceased for 42 3

Do agt Joseph Hubbard & Capt.

Philip Hubbard for Do against Samuel Emery for Do against Dominieus Goodwin, Esq Do against Nahura Marshall for Do agt Major Samuel Leighton for Ditto against Samuel Emery for 40s Do agt Deacon Jacob Whittier for

5	*5	10
1	1	10
0	18	0
1	0	2
1	7	0
2	0	0
1	16	0

77 16 9

Iron spade & Old Iron Shovel of

old Iron Morter 060

Shoe Leaxher 8s his part of the Boards that

the Timber Mr. Stephen Hodsden hailed

off his land before his decease which

Boards said Hodsdon Sold & paid the

said Exce 58 Dollars new Emission money 9 5 7 6 Fiddle back chairs iSs round table 12s

pot 5s ±d 1 15 4

Kettle \s linen wheel qs the 5 last Articles

Mrs. Go wen says she purchased with

her own money o 13 o

The following articles Mrs. Gowen says were hers before she married to the sd deceased, namely

3 Feather Beds & Beding

1 large Damask Table Cloth & Sundry napkins

1 great chair 8j 2 fiddle back chairs 6s

1 old cane back ditto zs ^d Kitchen chairs 8s

1 black Walnut table 285 3 Trunks 20^

1 large Tin Tea Cannister 6s

large looking Glass ^5 5 Silver Tea spoons and two large

Silver Spoons 36s

4	0	0
4	0	0
0	16	0
0	10	0
2	8	0

5 6

OLD ELIOT 6 1

small square Table $s 19 Pewter plates 40s 280

about 30 tts pewter Dishes Sos 7 Knives &

9 Forks js 470

2 Copper Tea Kettle 30^ 3 Bell mettle

skilletts 54s 440

1 Iron Tea Kettle 9.? Copper sauce Pan 12s

1 Old Brass ditto 35 140 Brass chafing dish 55 Iron ditto is 6d

1 Brass skimmer 45 Iron do 2s 0126 Gridiron 6* 1 Toaster 35 pr flesh forks 2s

lignum vitae mortar gs 100

2 old Tin coffee Pots 2s Sundry Tin Vessells 12s o 14 o

1 Block Tin Teapot 9s pewter Tankard 6s

n drinking Glasses 48s 3 3 o

3 large Glass Beakers gs 1 Glass decanter gs

1 Skrreene 135 1 11 o

delf Bowls 95- 24 delf and Stone plates 36s

1 China plate 3 Cups & 2 Saucers 12s

2 >tone mustard potts 1 ditto Pickle leaf 3s

Glass Salt celler 2s 320

2 Stone Teapots 45 6d 2 small stone Bowls

aud pepper Box 2s 6d 070

one large gilt picture 125 small looking Glass Ss 1 o o 1 pr hnndirons iqs 1 pr Brass headed ditto 12s 120 1 small shovel and pr tongs 6s Tapboarer

& 4 Gimblets 6s 0120

1 large Aulger 6s about 25 tts of old iron 10s

2 handsaws 12s 180

1 Uoorbrush 3s 2 Bedsteds & 4 Bed Cords 170

1 Loom & 3 Weaver Stays 48s

one Linen Wheel 15s 3 3 o

1 frying pan 5s 1 spit 6s 1 small pot 6s

1 pr flat irons 9s 1 1 o

1 Brass candlesticks & 4 Iron ditto 8s

1 brass Kettle 24 1 12 o

one large Bible part worn 6s

one small ditto 2s 080

6? OLD ELIOT, MAINE

a note of the State of Massachusetts Bearing

Date the 9th of January 1777 on Interest

for Ten Pounds 10

Ichabod Goodwin

Stephen Hodsdon Appraisers June 13, 1781.

Joshua Hubbard

Lois Gowen and John Cole, Executors.

Widow Lois Gowen made her will January 4, 181 2 ; and it was recorded in November 18 13. The inventory of her estate amounted to S3409 92. Seventy acres of land and the buildings were valued at S2500 00.

The errors on the original inventory have not beeii corrected in these pages; the intention is to give a literal copy.

The home farm of Hon. James Gowen was where the Shapleigh House, so called, stood ; and which has lately been taken down. It was also his father, Nicholas Gowen's.

One article mentioned on the inventory now lies before me. It was classed among the " Sundry Temperary Laws." It is a pamphlet of nineteen pages and the title is ''An Act providing Remedy for Bankrupts, and their Creditors :" and commences, " Whereas divers Persons in this Province having of late become Insolvent, have se- creted themselves and their Estates, to the great Hurt of themselves, their Families and Creditors ; For Remedy whereof," &c. It was printed in May, 1757. On the top right hand corner is written, in his plain bold hand, " Jas. Gowen, Kittery."

■&&- k ^ £--

OLD ELIOT, MAINE 63

CAPT. JAMES GOWEN'S COMPANY. 1758.

(In Col. Jedidiah Preble's Regiment.)

— O —

Nathan Goold. — O —

Jedidiah Preble, the Colonel of the regiment in which Capt. James Gowen's Company served in 1758, belonged in Falmouth, now Portland, Maine. He went to that town from York about 1748, where he became prominent in military and civil life. He was the father of Commodore Edward Preble. Col. Preble was a subaltern at Louisburg in 1745 ; Captain in 1746; Lieutenant Colonel in 1754; commissioned Colonel of this regiment March 13, 1758, and Brigadier General in 1759. He was twice wounded in battle- In the Revolution he was appointed to the command of the Massachusetts troops, but declined on account of age and ill health. Gen. Artemas Ward was appointed in his place. He was a member of the Council at Cambridge, nnd on the most intimate terms with the most historic 1:12:1 of those times. He was a man of about the stature of Washington, with whom he often drank wine and dined, while at Cambridge, during the seige of Boston. His memory deserves well of his Country.

Capt. James Gowex was born, in what is now Eliot, Maine, February 4, 1 715. He was the youngest child of Nicholas and Abigail (Hodsdon) Gowen, and grandson of William and Elizabeth (Frost) Gowen. His first wife was Anna Smith ; and the second, Lois Woodbridge. He had no sons, but seven daughters.

James Gowen in civil life was one of the most prominent men at Kittery in his time, serving as a selectman twenty years; Judge of the Court of Common Pleas seven years ; and was a Governor's Councillor 1770 to 1774. It is re- corded that when at Albany, he sent his chest home in Sir William Pepperrell's sloop, Capt. William Moore, under date of Juue 14, 175S.

&4

OLD ELIOT

The following is the muster roll of Capt. James Gowen's Company, in Col. Preble's Regiment :

" Muster Roll of a Company of Foot in His Majesty's Service, under command of Captain James Gowen, in a Regiment raised by the Province of the Massachusetts Bay for the Reduction of Canada, whereof Jedidiah Preble, Ksq., is Colonel, Viz."

James Gowen, Capt. Kittery.

Thomas Hutchins, Lieut, do.

John Adams, do. York. Died July 16th (of

wounds received in the battle of July 6th.) James Allen, Lieut. Falmouth.

Samuel Rounds, Ensign, York. Discharged Sept. ist. Sollimon Staple, Sergt. Kittery. William Remick, do. do.

Shem Emery, do. do. Died July 8th. (Proba-

bly killed in the battle of that day.) Samuel Beal, Sergt. York.

Berwick.

do.

Kittery.

do.

do.

York.

do.

do.

David Gowen

do. Corp.

Andrew Green do. John Crocker do. Peter Lewis, do. John Black, do.

Ditto. Private

Discharged Oct. ioth,

Discharged Oct. ioth. Discharged Nov. 12th.

Charles Smith, Drummer, Kittery. Discharged Sept, 8th

Ftirbuf Allen, Private, do.

Samuel Allen, do. do.

Bash am Allen do. do.

Samuel Bridge, do. York.

Benjamin Beale, do. do.

John Bredean, do. Kittery.

Richard Brawn, do. York,

William Bryer, do. Kittery,

Henrv Benson, do. do.

Discharged Oct. 3d,

Discharged Sept. 1st. Died July 2d. Discharged Oct. 3d.

OLD ELIOT, MAINE
Joseph Bradbury,	Private	York,
Joshua Brooks	do.	Kittery.
Thomas Batson,	do.	do. Dis
Josiah Black,	do.	York. Disc!
Moses Banks,	do.	do.
Aaron Ingraham,	do.	do.
Samuel Kingsbury,	do.	do.
Joshua Lord,	do.	do.
Weymouth Lydston	do.	Kittery.
Joshua Moor,	do.	York.
George Moor,	do.	do.
Thomas Moulton	do.	do.
Andrew Masee,	do.	Kittery.
Richard Monson,	do.	do.
Joshua McLukas,	do.	York.
Eliphalet Masce,	do.	Kittery.
Thomas Oliver,	do.	York.
Benjamin Patch,	do.	Kittery.
Samuel Parker,	do.	York.
Daniel Puttie,	do.	do.
Joseph Rounds,	do.	do.
John Ramsdel,	do.	do.
John Steavens,	do.	Kittery.
Ebenezer Smith,	do.	York.
William Steavens,	do.	Kittery.
Edmund Spinney,	do.	do.
John Spinney,	do.	do.
Moses Seavey,	do.	do.
Thomas Stone,	do.	Berwick.
Dependent Stover,	do.	York.
Richard Tyman,	do.	do.
William Weeks,	do.	Kittery.
Paul Williams,	do.	do.
Peasia Way mouth,	do.	do.
James Webber,	do.	do.
Benjamin Wittain	do.	do.
Samuel Waymouth	do.	Somersworth.
Alden Warren,	do.	Berwick.

05

Discharged Sept 1st Discharged Oct. 20th.

66 OLD ELIOT

Moses Whitney, Private, York. Benjamin Welch, do. do.

Samuel Webber, Jr., do. do.

Boston, Jan. 27th, 1759. Krros Excepted.

per Jas. Gowen.

Men that found their own Guns — i. e. James Gowen Joshua McLucas

John Adams David Gowen

Samuel Rounds Joseph Bradbury

John Black

Boston, January 19th, 1759. I do hereby certify that Capt. James Gowen hath ac- counted with me for the King & Province, Fier Arms reed for the use of his Company in the Regiment under my command and hath charged the Several Persons who have not returned their Guns, &c, in his Roll with the Same agreeable to a vote of the General Court.

Jedidiah Preble, Coll.

Endorsed on the back:

"Muster Roll of Capt. James Gowen & Co. in the Late Expedition to Canada from March 1st to Dec. 9th, 175S."

The Captain's pay was £S — per month.

Lieutenant's " £5 — " "

Ensigns " £3 — los/i "

Sergeant's " £2 — $sh — id "

Corp and Drummers £i-i8s/i—jd "

Privates £i-i6sh — o "

The above was copied from the original Roll, made by Capt. James Gowen, on which he charges some of the soldiers £3, for guns they lost in battle. That roll is in two separate volumes in the Mass. Archives.

Three hundred men of this regiment left Falmouth in three transports, May 21, 1758, and at Kittery were ioined

OLD ELIOT 67

by the balance in four more vessels ; from which place they departed the 27th. Their destination was Albany, by Long Island Sound and the Hudson River ; and they arrived there June 7. From Albany they marched to Fort Edward, where they arrived the twenty-fourth, and at Lake George tour days later.

On July 5, they embarked on Lake George, and were with the army under Gen. Abercrombie. They were in the battle of July 6, when Lord Howe was killed ; and marched the next day to within a mile of Fort Ticon- deroga. Here the regiment took part in the battle of July S, when they fought from one o'clock until sunset. In both battles the army lost nearly two thousand men. The ninth, they marched to Lake George, where the}* em- barked, and arrived at Fort William Henry the next day.

The regiment remained at Lake George until Oct. 23, when they marched towards Albany, where they arrived the twenty-seventh. The thirtieth, they started on their march home through Springfield to Boston; and according t > the endorsement of the muster roll, the campaign ended December 8, 1758.

Parkman in his Montcalm and Wolfe, gives much infor- mation about this campaign of 175s. He says: " Aber- croinby was in command ; but the gallant Lord Howe was the real chief of the army; but he was killed on July 6, and it is said that 'the soul of Gen. Abercromby's army seemed to expire with him.' "

The advance of this army down Lake George, July 5, was probably one of the grandest spectacles ever seen in this country. There were 900 batteaux, 135 whaleboats, and a large number of heavy flat boats bearing the artil- lery. The men were in the highest spirits. Parkman says :..

4 ' From front to rear the line was six miles long. The spectacle was superb. The brightness of the summer day ; the romantic beauty of the scenery ; the sheen and sparkle of those crystal' waters; the countless islets, tufted with pine, birch and fir ; the bordering mountains, with their green summits and sunny crags ; the flash of oars and

6$ OLD ELIOT, MAINS

glitter of weapons ; the banners, the varied uniforms, and the notes of bugle, trumpet, bagpipe, and drum, answered and prolonged by a hundred woodland echoes. 'I never beheld so delightful a prospect,' wrote a wounded officer at Albany, a fortnight after,"

The campaign was a disaster, and the army returned defeated and dejected. They were defeated by an inferior force, through the incompetency of their commander.

ooo

GARRISONS IN KITTERY. 1690. - — o —

Nathan Goold.

In an account of Garrisons, &c, given April 30, 1690, those at Kittery were as follows :

Lower Fart of Kittery 10 garrisons, viz : Jno. Morels, Jno. Shapleys, Jos. Hammonds, Wm. Tutherlys, Wm. Furnells, Jno. Alcots, Joseph Curtice, Jos. Wilson, Wm. Peprills, & Wido. Champernoons. not one Souldier in them all, but kept & defended by their sd inhabitants.

The uper Kittery — or Barwick, 8 garrisons, viz: Majr Frosts, Benony Hodsdons, Jonr Masons, Daniell Stons, Ens Abotts, Richd Masons, Wm Spencer, and Thomas Homes, in all which garrisons but six souldrs.

Ammunition in ye hand of Major Frost, powder about 50 tts, shot about 100.

Provissions in ye province of Maine in ye hands of Majr. Frost, 4 Bar pork, 2 hh Bread.

m

OLD ELIOT, MAINE 69

vRY.— 1674-1740. No. III. Registry of Births, Deaths, Marriages.

KITTERY.— 1674-1740. No. Ill

Hannah, daughter of Joseph Wilson, born November 19, 1683. Joseph his Son born Octobr 28, 1684. William, his Son, born August 28, 1687. Ruth, his daughter, born April 19, 1689. Gowen, his Son, born January 29, 1690. Agnes, his daughter, born March ye 1, 1692. John, his Son, born Jau'y ye 13, 1694. Rebecca, his daughter, born Febru'y 16, 1696. Deborah, his daughter, born April 19, 1698. Mary, his daughter, born fteb. 25, 1700. Anna, his daughter, born March 29, 1702. Elizabeth, their daughter, born Sept. 23, 1705.

Marv, daughter of Benjamin Nason & Martha his wife, born Sept. 25, 1699.

Benjamin, their Son, born October 10, 1691. Patience, their daughter, born November 10, 1693. William, their son, born July 18th, 1695. Pheby, their daughter, born Jan. 22, 1698. Annah, their daughter, born May 2d, 1700.

-000-

RESPONSE TO QUERIES.

00

The Chandlers. . .

Mr. Eben Putnam, Genealogist, and editor of 'Putnam's Historical Magazine, [P. O. Box 199, Salem, Mass.,] sends the following concerning the Chandlers:

Dr. Willis, Editor of Old Eliot: A correspondent in- quires who was Joseph Chandler, born in 1747?

I wish I could answer the query ; and it is because I cannot, that I send the little information I have gathered :

JO OLD KLIOT

William Chandler from Deptford, county Kent, Eng- land, married Lucy , in 1714, at Portsmouth. He

was a mariner. He was, I suppose, the William whose estate was administered upon by son William, 1747. Other children were Thomas, Alexander, Catherine, and John, all minors ; and Benjamin, Mary, Lucy, Joseph and Samuel.

Thomas Chandler administers on his brother William's estate, 1756.

Joseph Chandler, shipwright, had wile Mary ; sold land in Kittery, 1765.

After 1742, most of these Chandlers worshipped at the Episcopal church, Portsmouth. Children of William and Mary were there baptized. So was Alexander.

Samuel Chandler was probably of the South Church ; of him we have but an imperfect record.

The one son of William of whom I have practically noth- ing, is Joseph. I think he is the Joseph who had wife Mary ; and I think he was the father of the Joseph whom your enquirer seeks.

. I have a great deal of information on this point, but cannot well give it here. Yours truly, Eben Putnam.

William Chandler and Mary Pope, published intention cf marriage, May 12, 1739.

1748. Edmund Chandler, indebted to the estate of John White of North Yarmouth, Maine.

1742. Samuel Chandler witnessed the will of John Sayward of York.

1746. Samuel Chandler witnessed the will of Daniel Junk ins.

— —00

Dr. Edmund Coffin.

Dr. Willis. Dear Sir : Dr. Fogg very kindly sent me the following in regard to Dr. Edmund Coffin ; and in answer to your query in the March Old Eliot, I venture to send it to you :

OLD KIJOT 7r

"Dr. Edmund Ccffin was born in Newbury, Mass., March 19, 170S. He was the sixth son of Hon. Nathaniel Coffin. He removed from Newbury to Kittery, [now Eliot,] about 1730, and commenced practice as a Phys- ician. His residence was near the house of Mr. Sylvester Bartlett. He was buried in its close vicinity, and his tombstone may yet be seen. He married Shuah Bartlett, November 15, 1732. She was born January 1, 17 16."

Dr. Edmund Coffin's daughter Mary was my grand- mother's grandmother. My grandmother remembered her grandmother, but not this grandmother's father, — Doctor Coffin.

Mary Coffin, the Doctor's daughter, married Waldron Kennison ; and their son Waldron was my grandmother's father. Augusta H. Nason, Kennebunk, Maine.

Mr. Alfred Bartlett of Eliot, writes concerning Dr.

Coffin :

"In regard to Dr. Willis' inquiry in the March Old Eliot, I would say, it is a matter of record that Dr. Ed- mund Coffin married Shuah Bartlett, daughter of Capt. Nathau and Mrs. Shuah (Heard) Bartlett, November 15, 1732. Both were of Kittery (now Eliot.) Their marriage intentions were announced and entered "September ye nth, 1732."

" My father, [James W. Bartlett,] says that the Dr. lived in the house which stood near the foot of our garden; and that his grave is in the burying ground in Uncle Sylvester Bartlett's field opposite this house."

000-

Capt. Nathan Bartlett, in his will, makes mention of Dr. Coffin's land as South of his own.

Dr. and Mrs. Shuah Coffin wrere recorded members of the earliest church in Eliot, — the Rev. John Rogers minister.

OLD ELIOT, MAINE

QUERIES?

Thomas Chandler of Kittery married Jane Marr. I wish to obtain the date of the marriage. (Probably between 1750 and 1760. )

Was Hannah Chandler who married Elihu Fernald, January iS, 1787, a daughter of said Thomas and Jane?

Henry W. Fernnld, Money Order Division, Post Office, Boston.

In both Hutchinson's and Hubbard's histories, it is stated that Francis Raines, of York, Maine, was a Lieut- enant in 1654 and a Captain in 1659; and as a Captain he swore allegiance to the King in 1680. Any information relating to that Military Company is desired.

Mrs. Israel P. Miller, Portsmouth, X. H.

Would like very much the date of the marriage of Waldron Kennison of Newcastle and Pheby Tucker of Kittery ; and the names of their children ? I think the marriage was about 173S. And they were doubtless the parents of Waldron Kennison who married Mary Coffin.

Augusta II. Xnson, Kenncbunk, Maine.

Any dates, facts, traditions concerning the Rev. Josiah Chase, Kittery.

Mrs. H. B. Scott, Burlington, Iowa.

Old Eliot: Published Monthly. Subscription Rate — Fifty Cents per year.

Entered at the Post Office, Eliot, Maine, — as second class matter.

OLD ELIOl

Dr. J. L. M. Willis, Editor.

Vol. II.

ELIOT, MAINE, MAY, 1898.

Xo. V

NOTABLE CHANGES IN THE NAVIGATION OF THE PISCATAOUA.

Idrabod Cole.

A Paper rend at the Monthly Meeting of the Eliot Historical Society, Monday evening, May 2, 1898-. At the residence ot the President, Dr. J. L. M. Willis.

Personal recollections of the time when the open gondola and the decked packet were features, daily seen, in the rapid and ever changing; tides of the Pise.ataqua, may be of interest. These boats, once most familiar to the dwell- ers on the river banks, have become obsolete. The steam boat and rail-car have entirely superceded them.

Prior to 1835, — at which date anthracite coal was intro- duced into this vicinity as fuel, — the inhabitants of Ports- mouth, N. H., used wood exclusively for all heating pur- poses. Hundreds of cords of firewood were annually transported from the heads of the river, to supply the inhabitants.

This firewood was cut from the forests of New Hamp- shire and Maine ; hauled to the tide- waters, where it was taken in gondolas, and carried to Poitsmouth.

The open gondola used for this purpose, was a large flat-bottomed craft, thirty to forty feet in length, and ten to fifteen feet in width. It was of sufficient capacity to carry fifteen to twenty cords. It was not unusual to see ten and fifteen of these crafts, at the same time, deeply laden with wood, scattered from Boiling Rock to Franksfort, as they passed down with the tide.

People of South Eliot and others living on the borders of the Piscataqua, made it a business in the fall of the year

74 OLD KLIOT, MAINE

to assist in unloading these gondolas at the wharves of Portsmouth ; for which they were liberally paid in wood. Thus a good supply of fuel was obtained for the coming winter.

Lively scenes were witnessed ; for the boys were active, and vigorously rowed as high up as Franksfort, to board a favorite gondola, and secure the patronage of a liberal gondola-man.

Since coal has gradually taken the place of wood, these open gondolas have disappeared from these waters.

Another notable feature which daily enlivened the waters of the Piscataqua, was the Packet, — a full-built boat, specially adapted to navigating our noble river with its rapid and changing currents and tides. It was about ten tons displacement ; and used for carrying freight and passengers to and from Portsmouth, Dover, Exeter, Dur- ham, South Berwick and Newmarket. It was about thirty feet long ; ten to fifteen feet wide ; was rigged with a lateen-sail, and carried a large spread of canvas, on a yard full fifty feet long, slung to an upright mast about eight feet high, — rigged so as to be readily lowered and put in place again when passing under the Portsmouth Bridge.

The rig of the packet enabled the craft to lay close to the wind, when beating up or down the river. Although she was full built for carrying purposes, being sharp under water and finely modelled she was a good sailer.

It was interesting to see her beat up the river against a heavy north west wind, and with a strong flood tide in her favor. She would plow the rough water like a thing of life, throwing the spray far over her entire hull ; but being decked, rarely any wind or weather would stop her. She was very skilfully handled and rarely met with an accident. James Kennard, Jr., in his " Sail on the Piscat- aqua." gives the picture :

O'er the river's broad expanse

Here and there a boat is darting,

■

OLD ELIOT, MAIXE 75

Swelling sails and foaming bows, Life unto the scene imparting.

Humble market wherry there

Lags along with lazy oar ; Here the lordly packet-boat

Dashes by with rushing roar.

The Piseataqua packets have for many years entirely disappeared, — being superceded by the innovations of the steam engine.

And not: alone the gondola and packet — but many and many other change's mark the progressiveness of every new generation.

-000

A KITTERY PETITION OF 1690.

[I send you a Petition I found in the documentary history published by the Maine Historical Society, in 1897. I thought it of sufficient interest to copy for your Society. One of the signers being my ancestor, I was especially interested in it. — Nathan Goolp.]

ffrom Major ffrosts hous at Sturgen creek

May ye 27th, 1690. These are to inform your Honers yt we whose names are under written, are in great want of all sorts of Cloths to suply our iiesesities. we have bin upon ye Contries servis Eight or nine months, & have not hade to the valew of forty shilings. we ware in hops yt we should have a dis- mission, & forbor sending, In Exspectation yt we should have bin sent for home, yt we mite a tacen up what is com- ing to us our selves : but seing yt we must continerr, we spok to Maj'r frost to send and get sora clots for us : but se yt we are not like to have anirelef, & now presume to send to your Honers In exspectation yt our wants will be soe plied : or Else we must be forst to leve ys place, which will be a great damige to ye people here, for ye Indians and frence are abut us now in this town, and have

76 OLD ELIOT, MAINK

don som damage all redi : & we fear quickly will dow more.

weare witling to stay if what we want may be sent us, yt we may with stand ye present Enemy : pray let what you send be servisable, for ye shous which is Comandly sent, and Stocking to. wiluot last a man to travel week, which is a diet to us & a whrong to ye Contry.

So having no more to inform you, we remain yours to command Nicholas Smith

John Lord Charles Penny John Swain These For Honered Govenor & Concell at Boostowu, with : C : P :

Nicholas Smith was Nicholas Gowen of Eliot. lie was a nephew of Major Charles Frost ; and at this time was about twenty-two years of age. His father was a part of the time called Smith, because the name Gowan was Scotch lor Smith ; but when this generation had families of their own, they seem always to have been recorded in the family name, — Gowen, as now called.

This is an interesting item in the history of the old Kittery ; and is evidence that the signers of the above Petition saw service ag-ainst the French and Indians, in the troublesome years of 16S9 and 1690.

FIFTY YEARS AGO.

1S4S, January 25. South Eliot M. E. Church well filled at a:i early hour with people who wished to Sign the Pledge. Meeting called to order by the Rev. Mr. Sweet.

Benjamin Brown, Chairman.

William Hanscom, Secretary.

Prayer by Rev. Mr. Morrill, Minister at Earge in Ports- mouth,— followed by several temperance addresses, and the signing of the pledge by the people.

OLD ELIOT, MAINE 77

THE FOGG FAMILY.

William Fogg, 1850. — O —

The name of Fogg is of great antiquity in England and Wales. Some of the name from Lancastershire,. near the border of North Wales, settled in the county of Kent, in the reign of Henry I, — about the years 1112-15, fifty years after the Norman conquest.

The Foggs settled in Ash ford, county oi Kent. (54 miles from London,) in the reign of Henry IV, about 1400.

Sir John Fogg founded a College in Ashford, and died there in 1490.

His son, Sir John Fogg, resided in Ashford ; his will is dated November 4, 1533, by which he appoints Edward Lee. Archbishop of York, overseer of his estate.

Sir Francis Fogg, of Ashford, acquired the manor Rep- ton, by his marriage with a co-heiress of the Valoigns.

These families were of high standing and much conse- quence ; but the name is now extiuct in Ashford.

Calamy gives an account of the Rev. Robert Fogg, an ejected minister, in 1662, in North Wales,

The progenitor of the families in this country was Sam- uel Fogg, of Hampton, N. H. Mr. Felt in his " Annals of Salem," speaks of Ralph Fogg among the first settlers of that town ; but says he returned to England.

Samuel Fogg and his Descendants.

Samuel Fogg was evidently among the very early, if not the first settlers of Hampton, 1638. There is a family tradition that he emigrated from Wales.

He married Anne Shaw, of Hampton, the 12th day 10 month, 1652. She died about 1661.

He marred (2) Mary Page, of Hampton, about 1662. She survived him, and died March 8, 1699, aged 56 years.

He died April 16, 1672.

He owned the farm in Hampton on which he lived and died. He was early a member of the church, as was prob-

7» OLD ELIOT, MAINE

ablv Anne, his first wife His widow, Mary, joined May 29, 1698. The children of Samuel Fogg were :

SECOND GENERATION.

i. Samuel, born about 1653, m Hannah Marston, 19th of 10th month, 1676, settled in Hampton, died in 1760, aged 107 years. ii. Joseph, born about 1655. died young, iii. John, born about 1656, died young, iv. Mary, born about 1658. v. Daniel, b 1 6th- day 4th month, 1660, died 1755, aged 95.

Children by Mary Page Fogg the second wife.

vir Seth, born about 1665, died 1754, aged 89. vii. James, born about 166S, died in 1760, aged 92. viii. Hannah, born about 1670.

THIRD GENERATION.

Seth Fogg 2, son of Samuel 1, settled in Hampton, was admitted to the church, January 17, 1697. He mar- ried Hannah Shaw. She died April 10, 1755, aged 88. He died in 1754, aged 89. Their children were : i. Benoni, baptized March 17, 1697, settled at Searboro'. ii. Hannah, bap. March, 1697, married Elkins. iii. Seth, bap. March, 1697, ra- Meribah Smith," June 18,

1714. Lived at Hampton. Died May, 1745. iv. Sarah, baptized May, 1697. v. Esther, baptized May, 1697, m. (1) Dearborn; (2) Wadleigh. vi. Samuel, baptized March 7, 1700, m Abigail Fowl,

Nov. 29, 1744. Settled in Hamoton. vii. Simon, bap. Dec. 13, 1702. Died 1749 at Hampton. viii. Abner, bap. Feb. 19, 1705, m. Bertha Robie, Dec. 10, 1730, died at Hampton, Aug. 27, 1788, aged 82. ix. Abigail, baptized Sept. 17, 17.07, died young, x. Daniel, baptized March 19, 1710, m Esther Elkins, Dec. 5, 1734- died at Rye, August 7, 1757. He was the father of the Rev. Daniel Fogg, Brooklyn, Ct. xi. Jeremiah, born May 24, 17 12, graduated at Flarvard College, 1730, m Elizabeth, daughter of the Rev. Joseph Parsons, of Salisbury, Mass , July 17, 1739,

OLD ELIOT, MAINE 79

was settled as the first minister of Kensington, N.H. Nov. 30, 1737, died Dee. 1, 1789, aged 77 years. His widow died in 1S00. Their children were :

FOURTH GENERATION.

i. Elizabeth, baptized May i, 1740, m the Hon. William Parker, of Exeter, N. H. and died Nov. 7, 1S16. ii. Sarah, bap. June 24, 1742, died Dee. 29, 1799. iii. Mary, baptized Jan. 17, 1744, died Nov. 2S, 1S23. iv. A son born and died August 3, 1746. v. Jeremiah, bap. Oct 22, 1749, died May 26, 180S. vi. Joseph, bap. April 22, 1753, died April 17, 1822. vii. William, baptized May 4, 1755, died Aug. 17, 1817. viii. Daniel, born April 6, 1759, a physician at Braintree,

Mass., died April 23, 1S30. ix. John, bap. Feb. 26, 1764, died March 5, 18 16.

Daniel Fogg 2, son of Samuel 1, was about twelve years of age, at the time of the death of his father in Hampton. He learned the trade of a blacksmith, and settled at Black Point, Scarborough, Maine. He received several grants of land of the town. He m Hannah Libbey, about 16S4.

He left Scarborough at the breaking up of that settlement by the Indians, about 1690, and settled in Portsmouth, — as tradition says, on one of the islands of the Piscataqua. Here he lived until about 1700, when he removed to Kit- tery (now Eliot.) and purchased a farm 011 the bank of the river, between Frank's and Watt's Forts. It is still in possession of his descendants. He died in 1755, aged 95. He was one of the seven original members of the Congre- gational Church in Eliot, — organized June 22, 1721, the Rev. John Rogers, pastor. Hannah (Libbey) Fogg, his wife, died between 1730 and 1735. His children were :

THIRD GENERATION

i. Hannah, born in Scarborough, about 1685, married John Rogers of Eliot, May 21, 1704. ii. Daniel, born at Scarborough about 1688, married Anne Hanscom of Eliot, July 30, 1715, had four children

8o OLD KLIOT, MAINK

in Eliot, viz., Samuel, born June i, 1716, Anne, born Feb. 17] 1718, Hannah, born Nov. 12, 1719, Reuben, born June r, 1722. Settled in Searboro'. iii. Mary, born at Portsmouth about 1699, m William Brooks ot Eliot, August 1 1, 1709, died prior to 1747.

iv. Rebecca, born in Portsmouth about 1692, m Joseph Pillsbury in 1726. Died at her brother James' house about 17S0.

v. Sarah, born at Portsmouth about 1694, m Thomas Hanscom of Eliot, Jan. 1, 1715.

vi. John, born in Portsmouth about 1696, m Mary Plans- corn Sept. 30, 1725, settled at Scarborough.

vii. Joseph, born at Portsmouth about 1698, m Sarah Hill, Jan. 13, 1725. No children.

viii. Seth, born in P^liot Dec. 1701, m Mary Pickernale Nov. 28, 1727, lived at Scarborough.

ix. James, b. March 17, 1704, m Elizabeth Fernald, eldest daughter of Dea. James and Mary Fernald of Kittery October 23, 1728. She was born Sept. S, 1706. They lived in Eliot, on his father's farm, in a house built by his brother Daniel ; he died Dec. 24, 17S7, aged 83. Elizabeth, his wife, died about 1766., She pos- sessed a remarkably mild and benevolent disposition. His c hi Id 1 em were :

FOURTH GFNFRATION.

i. James, born June 23, 1731. ii. Mary, born Feb. 21, 1734, m James Emery of Eliot,

July 4, 1752. She died about 1759. iii. Elizabeth, born Sept. 2, 1737, m Nathaniel Libbey of

Berwick in 1763. iv. Anne, born March 2, 1739, m John Tobey of Eliot,

1767 ; died 1788, aged 48. v. Hannah, born July 24, 1741, unm. lived with her brother John ; died Dec. 10, 1819, aged 78. vi. Eunice, born Nov. 12, 1743, m Capt. Josiah Staples,

of Berwick, vii. Joseph, born Feb. 12, 1745. viii. Abigail, born 1737. Died early.

OLD KI.IOT, MAINE 8 1

ix. John, born Sept. 17, 1750. x. Darnel, born Sept. 24, 1752, died early.

John Fogg 4, (James 3, Daniel 2, Samuel i.) married Abigail Leightos, daughter of Dea. William Leighton, October 17, 1776. She was born Friday, April 8, 1757. He lived at his father's house in Eliot ; and died April 8, 1827, aged nearly 77 years. Abigail, his widow, died Sept. 27, 1S40, aged 83 years. Their children were:

FIFTH GENERATION

i. Abigail, born Dee. 22, 1777, unm. d March 22, 1825.

ii. Elizabeth, born Feb. 27, 1780, m Nath'l Hammond, Xov. 28, 1799. He was born Jan. 17, 1775. and died Sept. 6. 1S42. Five children, James, Abigail, Eliz- abeth, John and Susan.

iii. John, born Feb. 8, 1783.

iv. Mary, born Aug. 23, 1^885, m Samuel Kennard, of Eliot, March 17, 1S14. He was born Sept. 16, 1786. Live in Litchfield, X. H. Five sons, two daughters.

v. James, born July 21. 178S, died Oc}. 25, 1798. -

vi. William, born Nov. 3, 1790.

vii. Joseph, born March 3, 1793, unm. viii. Xancy, born March 29, 1795, unm.

ix. Miriam, born Oct. 5, 1797, m. Nathaniel Kennard, Dec. 26, 1825. He was born May 3, 1798, died Sept. 10, 184S, aged 50. Two sons, one daughter.

John Fogg 5, (John 4, James 3, Daniel 2, Samuel 1,) married Mary Staples March 28, 1805. She was born July 30, .1786. He occupied a part of his father's farm. He died August 6, 1835. His children are :

SIXTH GENERATION.

i. Nathaniel, born Dec. 19, 1805, died at Cambridge,

Sept. 29, 1S30, unmarried, ii. Elizabeth, born April 28, 1808. iii. Mary, born April 22, 1810, m Jay W. Upham, Rye,

N. H.. Sept. 29, 1S32. One son and one daughter. iv. Abigail, born August 16, 18 14.

82 OED ELIOT, MAINE

v. Ann Maria, born March 3, 1817, m Hammond Libbey,

1838. Two .children., vi. James, born Jan. 3, 1820, died May, 1847, unm. vii. Caroline, born Sept. 17, 1822, died August 1, 1842. viii. Paulina, born May, 1826, m Dr. Lindley M. Willis, July 15, 1849. ix. Augusta, born Dec. 7, 1828, died Nov. 10, 1S49.

William Fogg 5, (John 4, James 3, Daniel 2, Sam'l 1,) married Betsey Deed Hill, only child of Samuel and Re- bekah Hill, June 16, 1821. She was born August 9, 1790, and died Jan. 24, 1846. He married (2) Mehitable Plum- met Moody, daughter of Bradstreet Moody, of Sanbornton N. H., Aug. 30, 1846, She was born April 29, 1798. He resides on his father's farm in Eliot. His children are :

SIXTH GENERATION.

i. A son born and died May 16, 1822.

ii. Ann Rebekah, born Jan. 12, 1824, died Aug. 10, 1S43.

iii. John Samuel Hill, born May 21, 1S26, Bowdoin Col- lege, 1846, Boston Medical College, 1850, m Sarah Gordon, South Berwick, July 11, 1S50.

IV. Joseph William, born Feb. 18, died March 2, 1829.

v. William Ansyl, boru May 31, 1832.

Joseph Fogg 4, (James 3, Daniel 2, Samuel 1,) married Mary Littlefield of Wells, 1771. Lived at Berwick. Died Sept. 30, 1S07. aged 62. His wife survived him. His children were :

EIETH GENERATION.

i. Joseph, born Feb. 9, 1772. ii. Daniel, born Aug. 29, 1778, m Peggy Hodgdon, July 4, 1799. He settled in Berwick ; died April 22, 1823. Children, — Eliza, Joseph, Mary, Abigail, Eben'r. iii. Jane, born May 10, 1776, m David Hodgdon of Ber- wick, Feb. 16, 1804, died April 10, 1847. iv. James, born Aug. 10, 178 1, m Olive Hodgdon, Nov. 20, 1806. Lived at Berwick. Died April 18, 18 17. One child — Betsey.

OLD ELIOT, MAINE 83

v. Isaac, born Nov. 13, 1783, m Susannah Hayes of Ber- wick, Sept. 17, 1807. Lived at Limerick, Me. ' Children, Joseph, Isaac, Edmond, Hiram, Eliza,

Marv.

Joseph Fogg 5, (Joseph 4, James 3, Daniel 2, Samuel 1,) married Phoebe Hayes, Berwick, Dec. 1, 1791, settled in Berwick near his father's house ; a farmer and house car- penter ; died March 4, 1827. His children : SIXTH GENERATION.

i. Sarah., born February 28, 1705, m Pelatiah Shorey,

Feb. 24, 18 18. Lived at Industry, Maine, ii. Phoebe, born May 11, 1798, m Moses M. Twombly, March 20, 18 17. Lived at Berwick, iii. Rebekah, born May 31, 1800, m Joshua Conant of

Alfred, Maine, iv. John, born Sept. 25, 1802, died while a student of

medicine, April 15, 1826. v. Jane, born March 24, 1705, died October 3, 1825. vi. Mercy, born June 16, 1807, died June 19, 1824. vii. Joseph, born December 10, 1809. viii. Hiram, born 1812, resides in China. ix. James, born Oct. 2S, 18 14. Bowdoin College, 1840.

Attorney at Law, Boston. Married Mary Fales. x. William, born 1817; m Elizabeth Perkins. Mer- chant, Boston.

Joseph Fogg 6, (Joseph 5, Joseph 4, James 3, Daniel 2, Samuel 1,) married Sarah Rogers, daughter of Dea. George Rogers, of Alfred, Maine, Jan. 2., 1838; resides in Berwick. Children :

SEVENTH GENERATION.

i. Catherine Rogers, born Sept. 1, 1S39. ii. George Hiram, born Aug. 1, 1843. iii. Sarah Jane, born Nov. 24, 1848, died May 5, 1850.

*4

OLD KI.IOT, MAINE

James Fogg 4, (Tames 3, Daniel 2, Samuel 1,) married Anne Remick in 1756. The incident which led to their acquaintance was somewhat romantic. She resided at Kliot Neck; near the margin of the Piscataqua. As he was passing tip the river in a boat one moonlight summer eve- ning, his attention was arrested by a group on the shore, — serenading the boatmen as they passed. One voice im- pressed him. On subsequent inquiry he was told that it was Anne Remick; and the acquaintance commenced which ultimately led to their mariiage. She was remark- able in her youth for her personal attractions ; and in her later years lor discretion, economy and benevolence ; and for readiness and adaptibility in the varied duties of wife and mother. They settled in Berwick in 17S1 ; united with the church. She died April, 17S3. He married (2) widow Mary Tuombly. He died in Wolfsborough, N. H. while on a visit to his daughter, in 1S05, aged 73. Children :

i. Mark, born in Kliot July 15, 1757; m Eunice Fernald March 23, [785 ; in (2) Mary Keay ; settled in Wolf- borough. He had by his first wife three children, Anne, John and Mary ; and five by his second.

ii. Anne, born January 28, 1761, m Stephen Randall of Berwick, Dec. 19, 1781, died June 1, 1792.

iii. James, born Sept. 12, 1763, m Sarah Keay, settled in Lebanon, Maine, died Jan. 9, 1799, aged 26. Three children. Sally, Peter and James.

IV. Elizabeth, born April 26, 1765, died in 177S.

v. Joseph, born Feb. 8, 1707, m Mary-Hammond of Eliot March 10. 179! ; m (2) Lydia Keay of Berwick. He fixed at Wotfsborough and later in eastern Maine. Seven children, two by his first wife, — Sarah and Mary: and five by his second. Sarah married Wm. Weymouth. Ksq.. No. Berwick.

v'i. John, born March 7, 1769, drowned, 1781.

vii. Susannah, born April 29, 177 1, ni Aaron Chick, Ber- wick. July 25, 1793. Died Dec. 28, 1797, aged 26.

OLD ELTOT, MAINE 85

viii. Mary, born October 12, 1773, m Love Keay, Berwick, settled in Wolfsboro'; died Sept. 14, iSir, aged 38. ix. Simon, born Feb. 8, 1777, m Lydia Felch, lived at

Limerick, Maine. Ten children. x. Elizabeth, born May 27, 1779, m James Brackett. xi. Levi, born March 2, 1783, m Mary Perkins ; Bruns- wick, Maine. Five children.

000

THOMAS SPINNEY TO HIS DAUGHTERS— 1769

To all People to whom these Presents shall come, I Thomas Spinney of Kittery, in the County of York and Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, Yeoman, sends Greetings. Know ye that I the said Thom- as Spinney, for and in consideration of the Parental love, good will, and affection which I have for and bear unto my well beloved daughters, Mercy Spinney, Elenor Spinney, & Dorothy Spinney, all of Kittery aforesaid, single women, Spinsters, have given, granted, aliened, conveyed, and confirmed, and by these presents do freely, clearly & absolutely give, grant, aliene, convey, and con-firm unto them the said Mercy Spinney, Elenor Spinney, and Doro- thy Spinney, their heirs and assigns, in equal shares to be equally divided between them. —

All that tract or parcel land in Kittery, aforesaid, whereon I now dwell and possess, that I have not before disposed of, containing by estimation twenty acres, be the sum more or less, the lands are to begin at a certain Plum tree standing a small distance irom the westerly corner of my dwelling House, in the corner of the orchard wall, next the land I have conveyed to my son John Spinney, and running southwardly, Eastwardly, and Northwardly, as the bounds of the said John Spinneys lands runs, untill it comes to the lands of Joseph Fields, and bounded Nor- therly by the said Joseph Fields, and westerly by the lands of Benjamin Fernald, late of Kittery, deceased, and south- erly by the land of William Spinney in Part, and partly by

86 OT.D ELIOT, MAINE

the land of the arore.sa.id John Spinney, to the beginning, it being that land I purchased of John Staple and Solomon Staple, both of Kittery, deceased, with a small part of what was conveyed to me by my Father, Thomas Spinney, of Kittery, deceased, together with the dwelling house and all buildings standing or being within said bounds,, that now belong to me.

And further I do by these presents give, grant, and confirm unto my said three daughters, their heirs and as- signs in equal shares, all the residue or remainder of the estate now belonging to me, before the delivery hereof, both real and personal of every kind and nature whatso- ever and wheresoever the same is or may be found :

To have and to hold said given and granted Land and premises with all the privileges to the same, belonging to them the said Mercy, Elenor & Dorothy, their heirs and assigns, freely and clearly without any mannerof Condition.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seai. the twenty eighth dayof January, Anno Domine one thousand seven hundred & sixty nine. Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of us

John Godsoe Thomas Spinney.

Daniel Wilson his mark.

York, ss. Kittery, February 23, 1769.

Then the within named Thomas Spinney personally ap- peared and acknowled the within Instrument to be his free act and deed. Before me, E'dward Cutts, Justice of the Peace.

Recorded according to the original.

Received May 18, 1769.

Attest : Daniel Moulton, Register. True copy of record, attest, Benjamin J. Herrick, Register.

OLD ELIOT, MAINE 87

COLO: JOHN FROST'S ORDKRLY BOOK. —1776-7.

Head Quarters, Daxrtry, Dec'r 31, 1776. Sir, Whereas as the Committee of this Place have ap- plied to me for a Guaid to guard a number of Tories, these are to require you forthwith to order a Guard from your Regiment, consisting of one Lieut, two • Sergeants, two Corporals, & twenty Privates to Parade at the Meeting house as soon as may be, and there recieve Orders from said Committee.

P'r order General Warner

Timo : Newell, Maj'r Brigade. To Colo : Frost.

Head Quarters, Danbury, Jan'y 1st, 1777, General Orders. Where as there is a number of the Militia from the State of the Massachusetts Bay quartered, rendezvoused in this Town, these are to caution said Troops against any abuses or misconduct towards the Inhabitants, and to treat all with Civility and good manners, and by all means to treat the Inhabitants & theirs in such a decent and Christian like manner, as that Honor may redound to themselves, their Officers & the State to which they be- long ; and as their Character hitherto stands fair and un- impeached, the General rests assured that their future conduct will be such thro the ensuing Campaign, as to gain the further applause from all lovers of Liberty, good order and decency.

And it is further expected and strictly ordered that the Soldiers be very careful not to waste their Ammunitions, as they must expect to be accountable for what they re- ceived ; and that no Guns be fired on any pretence what- ever, without leave from the Commanding Officer.

Jona. Warner, Brig. Gen'L

To Colo : Frost.

An Account of Provisions delivered to the several Com- panies in Colo. John Frosts Reg't, pr order of Jonathan Warner, Brig. General. Dec. 28, 1776.

SS OI.D KI.IOT, MAINE

( The Captains of "the several Companies'.' were: )

Capt. Moulton, Capt. Perkins, Capt. Littlefield,

Capt. Hamilton, Capt. Holbrook, Capt. Pike.

Peeks Kill, Jaii'y 7, 1777. General Lincoln's Orders. The Commanding Officer of each Regiment will immedi- ately make a Return of it —

The State of the Arms;

What number of Cartridges necessary to complete 25 Rounds to each men ;

What number of Spare Flints;

What number of Cartridge Boxes ;

What number of Arm? ;

What number of Pails ;

What number of Mess pots ;

What number of Bowls, —

And they will hold themselves in readiness to march on the Shortest notice, with three days Provision Cook'd.

You will also make similar Return of all such as may join you hereafter.

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OUERY : The names of any of the Early Physicians oiKittery? Facts or traditions concerning them; the lo- cation of their houses and estates. &c? — Dr. Willis.

The responses in our last issue to the call for facts con- cerning Dr. Coffin, and other names, have beeu helpful in identifying old-time homes and people.

Old Eliot: Published Monthly.

Subscription Rate Fifty Cents per Year.

Entered at the Post Office, Eliot, Maine, as Second Class matter.

OLD ELIOT.

Dr. f. L. M. Willis, Editor.

Vol. II.

ELIOT, MAINE, JUNE, 1898.

No. VI.

THE " THREE BROTHERS" FERNALD.

Henry \V. Fernald.

Our ancestors evidently had a kind of go-as-you-please style of spelling, in which no two of them agreed. The name Fernald was no exception. They seem not to have limited it orthographically. I have seen it spelled one hundred and twenty-five ways, and the end is not yet.

Brewster in his. Rambles about Portsmouth, speaks of three brothers by the name of Fernald, who came to this coun- try about the same time. No mention, to my knowledge, has ever been made by other historians of these brothers. I have recently discovered evidence which leads me to believe that Brewster was correct in his statement :

In the year 16 19, — twelve years before the arrival of Dr. Renald Fernald in this country, — Robert Furnell of Eng- land, came over in the Loudon Merchant, and landed at James City, in Virginia. Whether this Robert was an elder brother of Dr. Renald or not, I am unable to state. In the year 1653, there were descendants of Robert still living in Virginia.

Between the years 1630-50, there were admitted into the Massachusetts Bay Colony, John, Strong, and William Furnell, who, from the evidence which I have collected, I am satisfied wrere brothers of Dr. Renald.

John settled in Cambridge, where he was at first called "Goodman Furnell;" later, "Mister;" and by some his- torians, " Captain." The title of Mr. in Colonial days meant something ; and the authorities were very careful not to bestow it where it did not belong. John was a mil-

90 OLD EI.IOT, MAINE

ler by trade ; and after residing a number of years at Cambridge, he with his family removed to Charlestown, where he had purchased land adjoining the farm of Gov. Win thro p.

He was admitted, with Mary his wife, to the church in Charlestown, August 9, 166S.

He was born in 160S ; and died March 19, 1673.

Mar}-, his wife, was born 161 1 ; died January 25, 1696. After the death of her husband she married Mr. Hudson.

Two children were born to John and Mary, viz :

i. John, born 1636, died April 8, 1654. At the head of his grave stands the oldest upright stone in Charles- town burial ground.

ii. Sarah, born August, 163S ; married Nov. 13, 1656, Henry Kemble ; died August 10, 1657

The following is a copy of a deed given by Edward and Katherine Johnson to John ffownall :

"I Edw. Johnson of Charlestown, do fully, clearly, &c, Discharge the sayd John ffownell, his heirs, executors, administrators an assigns, for ever, One Cowe Common, lying, and being in the first stinted Common of Charles- town, and is bounded N. by the farme of John Winthrop, and S. & S. \V. by Cambridg town lands, To have and to hold," &c.

Strong Furnell came from England between the years 1630-35, and settled at the old North end of Boston. He was a soap-boiler by trade, but upon admission to the First Church, May 10, 1643, his trade was given as ship carpenter.

He with Hugh Gunnison joined the Ancient and Hon- orable Artillery Company,- in 1651. Gunnison was the ancestor of the Kittery Gunnisons ; his great-great-grand- daughter, Sarah Weeks, married Jonathan Fernald.

Strong Furnell died between the years 1655-9; bis widow in 1659, married Michael Lambert of Lynn.

Children of Strong and Elinor Furnell :

i. Elizabeth, born 7th day 3d Mo. 1643 ;

ii. Mary, born 5th Mo. 1645; died early;

T~

OLD ELIOT, MAINE

91

iii. Joana, born 26th day 12th Mo. 1646; married James Johnson in 1667 ; three children were recorded at Boston as the result of this marriage. iv. John, born 15th day 6th Mo. 1648 ; died early, v. Samuel, born 9th day 2d Mo. 1650; vi. Mary, born 26th day 3dMo. 1651 ; vii. Susanna, born 14th day, 7th Mo. 1652 ; viii. John, born 28th day January 1653-4 '> married Olive and had daughter Olive, born 24th March, 1677 ; she married John Smallpiece, 7th April, 1699 '■> and nine children were the result of this marriage. ix. William, born 1655.

The first record of William, in Boston, appears in 1652; when the names of three children born to William and Elline Furnell were registered as follows :

i. Jcana, born Dec. 9, 1652 ; married August 15, 1670, John Alley, of Lynn ; ii. William, born July 29, 1654 ; iii. Joseph, born January 19, 1656.

Shortly after the birth of Joseph, the family removed to Lynn, where another son, — Benjamin, — was born. Ben- jamin was one of the victims of the massacre at Muddy Brook, afterwards called Blood}7 Brook, South Deerfield, Mass. A graphic account of this battle can be found in White's Early History of New England.

000-

The list of captives received on board the Province Gal- ley, dated at Casco Bay, January 17, 1699, contains the following Kittery names :

Samuel Hutchings of Spruce Creek, taken in March, 1698 ; Mary Katter.

On another list, dated January 24, 1699: Benjamin. Hutchings, of Spruce Creek ; Jona. Hutchings, of Spruce Creek, 14 years old, carried to Canada in October, 169S.

Nicholas Frost, drowned.

Nathan Goold.

OLD ELIOT, MAINE

AN ANCIENT " PETICIONER."

Nathan Goold. — O —

To the Right Honorable' His Exeleney Sr William Phips, Knight & governor of their magesties teretories in New England, ye honoured Councell and Representatives in General Court Assembled :

The humble petition of William Sereven in behalf of ye towne of Kittry : sheweth : yt whereas our towne as well as others in our County, hath ben forsed to Close garrezon to build our fortefications, watch, ward, scout & sumtimes March after ye Enemy upon Allarom or sudden sur- prisals ; & this att our one Cost : as sum of ours wounded others killed, others greatly straightened & brought low : besides ye care of several pore, which wee are Obliged in duty to take care of : sum are beginning ye world again : & att present are pore & low: wherfore I humbly pray this honred Court : to pas by ye pore town of Kittry in ye Next tax : I hope we shall bee more Able an other yeare, & hope willing also to doe what wee Can to help to ye suport of government : ye which if your honors pleas to grant, you will oblidg your petitioner & town by double bonds alwais to pray : William Scriven.

June iS : [1694 :] Octobr 16 : much more may be sd p thee peticioner.

Voted yt when the sd Towne have made theire returne of what it is, If ye house se cause when yey know what ye sum is, yey slidl be willing to Consdr his request in behalf of sd Towne.

Upon a Representation made of the impoverishment of the County of Yorke by reason of the great desolations made upon them lying Frontier to ye Enemy, and the Inhabitants there being taken off from their business and constantly upon duty for their defence :

Voted and Granted, That the severel . Towns of York, Kittery & Wells, be abated their respective proportion to

OLD ELIOT, MAINE 93

ye late Tax or Assessment.

23 Oetobr 1694 past in ye affirmative by ye House of Representatives, & sent up to his Excl. & Council for Consent : Nehemiah Jewet, Speaker.

Votd a Concurrauce in Council

Octo. 23d, 1694. Is'a Addington, Sec'ry.

•000

OLD DOCUMENTS.

George \V. Frosst. — O —

Many facts, some being of a traditional character, have been given by me to different parties in Eliot, by request. I notice that these have been published in Old Eliot. But little remains in my possession to offer you but. the follow- ing old documents, which will serve to place names of the long ago before your readers, — names which have, per- haps, no other remembrance :

Division of York and Wells by Eliot men :

Be it Known : — That We, whose Names are under- written, being appoynted by the General Courte, to pitch, and to lay out, the divideing line, between the Townes of York, and Wells, from a marked tree, formaly marked by mutual consent of both Townes, and according to our Power given us, have determined as followeth ; To Say, The divideing line shall run between the two aforesaid Townes, from the above named marked tree, up into the Country on a straight line unto the south west side of certain marshes called Tatnick marshes, directly against a certain Rock on the north east side of said marshes, di- videing the Townes of Kittery and Wells. Dated Kittery, ye 27th of May, 1658.

Nicholas Shapleigh, Bryan Pendleton, Nicholas ffrost.

94 OLD ELIOT, MAINE

Captain Charles Frost:

York. County Courte. May Term. 1680. Be it known ; That the said Towne of Kittery shall have One man ap- proved by the County Courte from Year to Year to end smale cawses, as other Towne-ships in the Jurisdieeon hath, where no Magistrate is, according to lawe ; and for this present Yeare, Charles Frost, Captain, is appoynted, and authorised to end smale cawses under fortie shillings according to Lawe.

And f further, — He shall be impowered. and invested with full power and authoritie as Magistrate to keep the Peace, and in all civill cawses, to grant Attachments and Executions if need require.

And the said Captain Charles Frost to have power to examine offenders, to commit to prison, unless bayle be given according to Lawe, or when he shall Judge needfull. He shall have Power to binde offenders to the Peace, or good behaviour ;

Also have Power to Administer Oaths according to lawe.

Also, Marriages shall be Solemnised by him, According to Lawe. P order of the Courts,

Stoughton.

Sergt. Major Charles Frost:

The President of the Province of Mayne in New-England. To Major Charles Ffrost : —

Whereas you are appointed Sergt. Major of the military fforces in the Province: These are in their Majesties names to authorise and require you to take into your care and conduct the said military fforces, and diligently to intend that service as Sergt. Major, by Governing, and exercising the military fforces of said Province as the Law directeth.

Commanding the Militia of said Province, that they observe and obey all such orders and directions as from time to time you shall receive from the President or other superior authority.

In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto put my Hand and Seal the twenty third day of August, in the Year

OLD ELIOT, MAINE 95

16S9. Annoque R. R. et Regina Willielmi et Mariae Anglica prirao. Thomas Danforth,

P. Lt. Andross, Q. D. C. President.

Coramission of Major Charles Frost 2d:

William Tailer, Esqr, Lieutenant Governour

and Commander in Chief

in and over His Majesty's Province of the

Massachusetts-Bay, in New-England, America.

To Charles Frost, Esq. BY Virtue of the Power, and Authority, unto me granted by His Majesty, I do hereby Constitute and Appoint you the said Charles Frost, to be Major of the Regiment of Militia whereof John Wheelwright Esqr, is Colonel, and to be Captain of a company in the same. You are therefore to take the said Regiment as Major, and the sd Company as Captain into your Care and Charge and duly to Exercise both the Inferior Officers and Sold- iers thereof in Arms, and to Use your best Endeavours to keep them in good Order, who are hereby Instructed to Acknowledge and Obey You.

And you to observe and follow such Orders and Direc- tions as you shall from time to time receive from My-Self, or any other of your Superior Officers, according to the Rules and Discipline of War, Pursuant to the Trust here- by reposed in You.

Given under my Hand and Seal at Arms, this Thir- tieth day of Jan. in the Second year of His Majesty's reign.

Anno: Dom. 1715. Wm. Tailer.

By the Honorable Lieutenant Gov's Command. Sam Woodward, Sec'y.

James Toby and Stephen Toby, killed by the Indians neare Franks ffort, in 1705.

96 OLD ELIOT, MAINE

York, ss : To John Iordeu, Iacob Read, & Sarah Ienks. You & each of you. are hereby required to make yor per- sonal appearance before me at iny dwelling house in Kit- tery, this day, by 10 of ye clock in ye forenoon, there to give in yo'r evidence, what you know relateing to an Action depending, where John Nortton is Plaintiff & Sd Jenks Dependent.

fail not at yo'r peril. Dated in Kittery, this nth da}r of Sept. in ye first year of his Maj'ty reign. Anno Domini, 1727.

Wm. Pepperrell,

J. peace. Psuant to ye within summons I have summoned the within

P Rich'd Mitchel, Consta.

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Colo : John Frost's Orderly Book. — 1776-7. No. II.

o

Head Quarter's, Peekskill, Jan'y 6, 1777. Parole, Beverly. Countersign, Cambridge.

The Militia are not to hire others to take their place without the Consent of Major General Lincoln.

John Popkins and Benjamin Lincoln, Esq., are ap- pointed Aid de Camps to Major General Lincoln. They are to be respected and obeyed as such.

The recruiting officers at their Post belonging to the State of Massachusetts Bay, are to make Return as soon as possible of the Number of Recruits they have Inlisted.

A Guard of 1 Subaltern, 1 Serg't, 1 Corp'l, and 20 men at Head Quarters, 9 o' Clock, to-morrowT morning, writh two Days provision.

000

. Sept. 26, 1849. Rev. John Baker, late of Eliot, installed Pastor of the First Church, Kennebunk-port.

OLD ELIOT, MAINE 97

JOHN TOWARD'S DISCHARGE. 1783. — o — By His Excellency, George Washington, Esq.; General and Commander in Chief of the Forces of the United Stctes of America :

John Toward, Soldier, in the Third Massachusetts Regiment, having faithfully served the United States four years & one month, and being inlisted for the War only, is hereby Discharged from the American Army. Given at Head-Quarters the — Day of June, 1783.

G. WASHINGTON. By His Excellency's command, J. Trumbull, Jnr, Sp Registered in the Books of the Regiment. Th : Savage, Adjutant.

Head-Quarters, June, 1783. The within Certificate shall not avail the Bearer as a Discharge, until the Ratification of the definitive Treaty of Peace, previous to which Time, and until proclama- tion shall be made, He is to be considered as being on Furlough. GEORGE WASHINGTON.

John Toward, Light Company, York County.

apply to Paym'r, 9th Regt, for pay for 1781, 1782, if not

rec'd. Mr. Williams of Boston, near

Oliver's Dock.

Pay & Clothing 1783, 51 80-90.

Gratuity 80

Paid Feb'y 9, 17S5 131 So

AN ELIOT CHURCH RECORD. 1746-7-

The following records have a certain value and interest from the fact that the Rev'd John Cleveland referred to, was an ancestor of Ex-Pres't Grover Cleveland They were written by the Rev'd John Rogers, first Pastor of the Eliot church, and its preacher for more than fifty years :

Feb. 15, 1746-7. I stayed the Brothers of the Chh, and communicated a Second Letter I Received from the New

98 OLD ELIOT, MAINE

Gathered Chh at Chebaeco. [Now Essex, Mass.] The ehh having been acquainted with Desires of the said New Gathered Chh heretofore, after some Debate upon things, I put it to vote —

i. Whither they would send : It past in ye affirmative.

2. The Delegates chosen were Deacon Tetherly, Dr. Edmund Coffin & Mr. Tobias Leighton.

Jno : Rogers, Past'r.

At a chh meeting upon Thursday, March 12, 1746-7. — The first thing proposed was for the chh to Receive the Report of the Delegates who went to Chebaeco. Dr. Cof- fin having related how we found things, & declared the way was Clear for proceeding to the Ordination of Mr. Jno. Cleveland to the Pastoral office over the New Gath- ered Congregational Chh.

It being Suggested by one of the members present that I went without a vote of the chh : The chh voted, viz —

1. That it was agreeable to a vote of the chh that we should go to Chebaeco & assist in the ordination of the Rev'd mr. Cleaveland. If the way should appear clear to us.

2. Acceptance of our Report : That is thus : five or six of the members signified their satisfaction with it. & it being put that such as were dissatisfied should signify by holding up ye Hand, no one held up his Hand.

Then was Read a Letter from the Rev'd Mr. Pickering, & the Brethren adhering to him.

Read a Second Time, and after some Debate had upon it, The question was put—

1. Whether we would make some answer to it, which passed in the affirmative.

2. Whether Mr. Leighton & Dr.. Coffin Should be joined wth me, in Draughting a Letter in Answer, which pass'd in the affirmative.

March 15, Stay'd the Chh. Voted, That the Letter which was Read, being in Answer to the Rev'd Mr. Pick- ering be sent to him ; which Letter is as Follows — viz —

OLD ELIOT, MAINE 99

Rev'd & Beloved : we have Received yr Letter, & had it Under our Consideration. In which we Perceive by your maimer of Expression, that you Look upon ye ordination of Mr. John Cleveland to be only in skew — And if you esteem it as not a Real But an Imaginary thing, you have no cause to Desire that we sh'd acknowledge ye In- validity of it, <Sc openly to Renounce ye same :

However it may stand in Your Eyes, we Leave : and now Inform you, That in Comply ance with ye Request of ye New .Gathered Congregational Chh within your Limits, we sent our Rev'd Elder & Delegate to join in Council with other Churches, with a Discretionary Power, who have made Report to us, that they found the way clear, & inconsequence there of, proceeded as they apprehended in Duty Bound to assist in the Ordination of ye said mr. John Cleveland.

And in case ye Report made us by our Rev'd Past'r & Delegate be Just, we are so far from a Disposition to ac- knowledge the Ordination Invalid and openly to Renounce it, that we vindicate the same.

As to your Invitation to join with you in calling of a Council, we don't apprehend any foundations for it, either in ye Scripture or the Platform of Chh Govermt.

As to your Publication of ye Contents of your Letter Sent us, we must Leave it witli you to do, or not do, as you shall think best.

This being all we have to offer at pres't, wishing you Peace consistant wth Truth and Holyness,

we Subscribe yo'r Brethren in Possession of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ : March 14, 1746-7.

Read in ye Second Chh of Kittery, [first of Eliot,] and signed in ye Name & at ye Desire of the said Chh

By Jno : Rogers, Past'r.

IOO OLD ELIOT, MAINE

AN ELIOT CENTENARIAN. 1827.

Died at the Alms House In Eliot, on the 9th inst., [March 9, 1827,] Molly Miles, aged One Hundred and Seven Years and Ten Months.

She was born at Kittery Point, in May, 17 19.

She dates her age from the fact that a Meeting House at the Point was burnt by lightning the year she was born.

She retained the faculties of her mind to the last; walked perfectly erect, with a firm step ; had not a wrinkle on her face ; and could distinctly see to read her Bible without glasses. — N. H. Gazette.

000

Dr. Joseph Todd, of Kittery, 1736.

- 1740. Reuben Mase, of Kittery, christened his daugh- ter, — Pit ila delp h ia .

QUERY.— Where is Wind Mill Hill.

Old Eliot. Entered at the Post Office, Eliot, Me. as Second Class matter.

Subscription Rate — Fifty Cents per year.

Printed Monthlv.

OLD

ELIOT.

Vol. II.

ELIOT, MAINE, JULY, 1898.

No. VII.

5 r-Hr-r--^ &

•fiC*6

J.: ^- •".■••.-■■

■ * ■*

■ ■ ■; " ^

Jii

•

THE OLD FIELDS MEETING HOUSE. 1653.

From a drawing by George \V. Frosst, 1843.

O

The Old Newiehewannock Meetinge-house ; built under the supervision of Charles ffrost, James Neal, James Emery, Wm. Chadbourne, Ich'd Plaisted and John Heard, in the Year of 1653.

This sketch of the First Meeting-house built by early set- tlers was made by me in 1843, when about sixteen years of age, from a description given to me by my grandmother Frost, who had it described to her by her grandmother, — she being among the little band of worshippers who attended the services at the little Meeting-house on the fatal Sabbath day— July 4, 1697, — that Major Charles Frost, Dennis Down- ing, and Mrs. John Heard were slain. George W. Frosst.

102 OLD ELIOT, MAINE -

THE OLD FIELDS' MEETING HOUSE. 1652.

Where Early Eliot People -.Worshipped. —OOO

Fourth Daye of Maye, 1652.

Fforasmuch, As itt hathe pleased the Almightie God bye ye wise disposition of His Devine Will soe to order & dispose of things concerning ye Buildeing of His Howse, wee now looke to ye preachinge of ye Worde bye those whome God doeth send, which is ye Chief means ordained bye God for ye Convertinge, Edefying, and saving Souls through ye Presence & Power of ye Holie Ghost thereunto Promised.

Alsoe, — Bee itt Known, yt Most Persons com into these partes of New-England thatt they mighte Enjoye Christe in his Ordinance which have beene & aire Dispensed amonge us with much Puritie and Power.

Whereoff, — This Courte hathe tooke itt into theire serious Consideration thatt a due Meintenance accordinge to God, — mighte bee Provided and settled for ye time present. — ffor ye Encouragement of ye Ministrie Worke theirin.— & doe Order — thatt those wTho aire taught the Worde in this Jurissdiction bee caled together & Everie Man sett downe what hee is willinge to allowre to that Ende & Use.

Itt is therefore, Likewise Ordered, — bye this Courte, Thatt if anie Man refuse to Paie a meete Proportion thatt Hee bee Rated bye those in Authoritie in a juste waie.— Thatt if hee wythholds Paiements due — Power shall bee Exercised as in Other Just Debts.

Prepaired & Presented to ye Courte bye.

Charles ffrost.

By this Courte & Authoritee Theroff : Holdeu ye ffourth daye of Maye, 1652, Att ye place called Franks Forte, For ye ch using off ye fittest men for ye selection a Lott, & Building thereon a Meeting House.

Itt is orderd — that Charles Frost, James Neal, James Emery, Wm. Chadbourne, Icho : Plaisted, John Heard,

OLD ELIOT, • MAINE- , IO3

Have ye athoritee to selecte a Lott yett undisposed & Build thereon a Meeting House as they shalle judge meete for ye goode of ye Inhabitants.

It is ordered — That ye Meeting House shall be builded forthwith, Thirtie bye fourtie foote & ye Timbers shalle be cutt, if yt can be found sutible, from ye Lott.

Itt is ordered — That when ye Courte have agreed uppon ye summ of Monye to bee Levyed uppon ye sevrall people within this Jurissdietion ytt a Comittee be chusen to sett & apoynt W'ch shall be ye propotion of every Man to Paye of ye sd tevye. John Wincoll, Sec'y.

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From the Berwick Independent, Sept. 26, 1895. By permission.

THE OLD FIELDS MEETING HOUSES,

George W. Frowst. — O —

The Old Fields Church, that very beautiful edifice of religious worship in it's day, abounding with many now unknown scenes and charcters, left but a limited number of records to remind us of their former existence. Nearly all have been claimed by Father Time, and are now buried in oblivion. But such as I have been able to glean from notes prepared years ago, I wish to place on record.

It is really surprising that in the numerous articles writ- ten concerning the early settlements at Newichewannoc, so little mention is made of the first. Meeting-house that stood in the Old Fields' burying ground, near the present entrance. It had been used quite a number of years for burials, before the Meeting-house wras built ; and many of the first settlers of Newichewannoc were buried near it. The oldest portion, I have been told, is just beyond the lot of the Haymeu family. Mr. Samuel Pierce, the old grave digger, told me that he rarely opened a grave, with- out finding some evidence that it had been occupied before. I think the oldest lettered stone, now extant, is that of Elizabeth Butler, who died in 1728.

104

OLD ELIOT, MAINE

;*R

^^uL

3eorge W. Frosst, From a photograph at the age of sixty-five years.

It is to be regretted that so little is known of the First Meeting-house, and that the records have not been pre- served. Much of the knowledge I have of this primitive structure, was given to me by my grandmother, — Mrs. Sarah Ferguson Frost, of Eliot, — who died October 13, 1845, in her eighty-first year. She often related to me the thrilling stories of the early settlers, which were told to her by her grandmother who had attended meetings at the first little church by the wayside.

From her description, it wras a small wooden building* with a lookout, and loopholes on its four sides for the use of firearms, should there be attacks by the Indians during services, — which had occurred several times. Meetings were seldom held in the house during the extreme wintry months, but at the neighboring garrisons, which were more comfortable.

I was never weary in listening to my grandmother's oft told tales of the struggles of our ancestors, the wonderful

* See illustration first page of this number.

OLD ELIOT, MAINE 105

energies which sustained them in their battles for "life, liberty and happiness."

It was at this o1d Meeting-house that Major Charles Frost had attended services on the day he was killed by the Indians, — Sunday, July 4, 1697. It is written of him :

" He was always attentive to his duties as a Christian professor, as well as those of the Soldier and Statesman ; and was constant in his attendance at public worship, when other duties permitted.

On that Sabbath morning he expressed an unusually strong desire to go with his family to his accustomed place of worship at Newichewannoc, a distance of four or five miles. His wile and two sons, — Charles and John, — with some friends accompanied him.

On their return, and within a mile of his garrison, a vol- ley of musketry was suddenly discharged at them, which brought several of them to the ground. Major Charles Frost, John Heard's wife, and Dennis Downing were killed. His sons, — Charles and John Frost, — with their mother, had passed ahead and escaped."

Old records say that the little Meeting-house was built in the year that Major Charles Frost was twenty-one years of age, and he was appointed as one of the "fittest men" to select a "lott" and assist in building the Meeting-house, which places the date in the year 1653.

At first the church had no regula1" Pastor ; and Sabbath worship was conducted by the elders and deacons, who had been chosen at the time of dedication. Ministers from York, Wells, Saco and Portsmouth, frequently ministered to the spiritual wants of this little band of settlers. Among them were the Rev. Shubael Dummer of York; who was killed by the Indians, January 25, 1692 ; also Rev. Samuel Moody, and Rev. Richard Gibson are known to have preached there. The Rev. John Wade, preached there several times before he was ordained.

Near the close of the century, this little temple of wor- ship was destroyed by fire. Soon after its destruction, the

106 OLD ELIOT, MAINE

"Parish of Unity," [a name kept in remembrance to this day,] which had been incorporated since the yec r 1673, decided to build a larger house of God. It was com- menced in 1700, and not finished for many years. It had long wooden benches with high backs. It was dedicated June 4, 1702, by Rev'd John Pike, assisted by the Rev. John Wade, who aiterwards became its pastor. Mr. Wade was ordained Nov. 18. 1702. His pastorate was short. He died on the 13th of November, 1703, in the 28th year of his age, much lamented by the people.

Rev. Jeremiah Wise was called as Pastor, Nov. 26, 1707. He remained until his death, — forty-nine years. He closed his many and arduous duties and his life,— January 20, 1756. By his virtue, talents and energy, he impressed his character on the people and the day in which he lived.

After the death of Rev. Jeremiah Wise, the Rev. John Morse, of Blackberry Hill, occasionally preached, until Jacob Foster, a graduate from Harvard, was called Sept. i, 1756. During Jacob Foster's ministry of twenty years, the Rev. Samuel Chandler of York, [who was ordained Jan. 20, 1742,] and Parson Lyman often held the services.

Next came Matthew Merriam, who was ordained September 25, 1765.

The Rev. Jacob Foster entered the army as Chaplain in 1777, and died at Nelson, N. H., Dec. 3. 1798, aged 66.

Of those who by sympathy and help were interested in this ancient Parish : —

The Rev. Shubael Dummer of Yoik, began his ministry in 1662. He preached his own ordination sermon, Dec. 13, 1675. Text: ''Return, O Lord, and visit this vine." The first prayer of the occasion was by Rev. Samuel Moody of Portsmouth ;

The Rev. Joseph Hilliard, who occasionally preached at the Old FieldsMeeting-house,was ordained Sept. 25, 1797, and died at Berwick, August 20, 1843, aged 70 years.

The Rev. John Rogers began his ministry in Eliot, in 1715. He was ordained October 25, 1721. His people had been worshippers in the old Unity house. He was the

OLD ELIOT, MAINE I07

Eliot preacher more than half a century. He died June 28, 176S.

Sfefelral y^^r* during the Revolutionary War the church was without a pastor. Then followed Parson John Thomp- son, who was installed May 7, 1783, having previously been in the ministry thirteen years. He died at South Berwick, Dec. 21, 1828.

George W. Campbell, the last to hold congregational services at the old Meeting-house as pastor, was- ordained Nov. 17, 1324. During his ministry the Society built a new church at South Berwick village in the year 1825.

In 1S29, the M. E. Society was given possession of the old house, — the Rev. Paul C. Richmond as pastor. It was used by this society till 1836, when the pastor, Rev. Geo. D. Strout, removed his labors to Masonic Hall, in the village. Afterwards Sunday evening meetings were oc- casionally held by the different societies, until 1840.

This old Meeting-house of 1700, remained unfinished for many years. The belfry and spire with the old Franklin lightning rod, were not completed till 1750. About that date the pews in the body of the house and galleries were added, and the ceiling and walls were plastered. Later the work was completed under the supervision of Col. Jonathan Hamilton, Judge Benjamin Green and others ; and it was known as one of the finest wood-churches in New England.

Major Andrew Goodwin pointed out to me, when I was a boy, the pews of Hamilton Green, Dr. Hovey, General Goodwin, and the Chadbourns. He also told me much of the early history of the parish.

From my earliest recollection I held the Old Fields Meeting-house in deepest veneration. And for its sacred character, as well as its age, in 1843, I preserved, by a pen drawing, the outlines of the beaut}' of its ancient archi- tecture,— its belfry and tall, beautiful spire, penetrating far into the sky, and presenting one of the most conspicu-

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ous objects in the many beautiful landscapes of the old Parish of Unity.

In the summer of 1S45, I looked upon the venerable building for the last time. The beautiful belfry and spire had been torn from the tower ; the windows were broken ; the pews, pclpit and sounding board, — much of them had been carried away as relics and memorials.

Time, surely, had flown over the old Parish of Unity r and left its impress on all that was cherished by its people.

000

WIND MILL HILL?

In the June number of Old Eliot. I notice the ques- tion: Where is Wind Mill Hill f Surely there are many in Eliot who can answer. In my young days, on the road leading to Portsmouth, a few miles below the home of Jimmy and Ivory Go aid, was a grist mill, that received its power from the tide-water. The mill was then known as " Miller Nasou's." I have been told, that near by, long before the tide-mill was buiit, stood a Wind Mill.

A great-uncle told me of a sad occurrence at this old Mill : one day while the Miller was adjusting the sails or floats, he was caught in the sails, and whirled around, striking some portion of the mill at each revolution, and before help or rescue came, life was extinct.

How and when did the name of BOLT HILL originate ?

George W. Frosst.

OLD ELIOT: Eliot, Maine.

Published Monthly.

Dr. J. L. M. Wh.lis, Editor.

Subscription Rate : Fifty Cents per year.

OLD ELIOT.

Dr. J. L. M. Willis, Editor.

Vol. II. ELIOT, MAINE, AUGUST, 1S9S. No. VIII.

TOWN MEETINGS AND CURRENT EVENTS. EUOT, 1S10-1SS0.

Joseph H. Dixon.

The legislation and events in Eliot are of a character so varied, we propose to classify them, rather than to note them yearly. We will first notice briefly the features of the early Town Meetings, and places in which they were held :

The form of Call was, " To the male inhabitants of twenty-one years of age, having a freehold estate of the annual income of three pounds, or any estate of the value of sixty pounds," until 1818, when a freehold was "an annual income of ten dollars, or any estate of the value of two hundred dollars." When assembled a Moderator was chosen. The meeting was then opene'd by prayer, by the Rev'd Mr. Chandler; and the Acts to prevent profane cursing and swearing, and to prevent riots * * and tumul- tuous assemblies were read.

Then followed the drawing of Jurors, after which the meeting adjourned for an hour or two, probably to nomin- ate officers, as no caucuses were then held for that purpose. They then chose by ballot all the town officers, — many of which are unknown at present. The meeting was then adjourned to some future date, to hear the report of a com- mittee of three, chosen to settle with the Treasurer. There were often several adjournments of the Annual Meeting.

The Representative to the Legislature was chosen at the March meeting, and it seems to have been optional to choose one or two. In iSiS and 1823, they voted "to .send no Representative." In 18 12, the election of two Repre-

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sentatives was contested ; but they were allowed their seats.

The meetings were held in the Congregational Meeting lipusi^ until xC^7 , aud thai year they were held at Benja- min Ke:mard's Tavern. The next year, 1838, in the Town House, built on the land of William Fogg. This was burned October 7, 1846. The March meeting, 1S47,. held at the Academy, adjourned to Jeremiah Libbey's barn. The September election held at School House N o. VIII. The meetings were held in Academy Hall until it was destroyed by fire December 21, 1875. The March meeting. 1876, was held in the barn of John F. Kennarcl, now George C. Ireland's. A meeting held April 17, 1876, in the highway in front of William Shapleigh's blacksmith shop. The September election was held in the blacksmith shop of Melville Dixon, as were all the Town Meetings until the present Town Hall was built in 1S80.

ROADS AND BRIDGES.

These have ever received their share of attention from the Town. In the earlier years the price to be paid on the highways was set at every Annual Meeting. Sometimes a Surveyor General was chosen to oversee the work through- out the town, superintending the District Surveyors, — a work later performed by the Selectmen.

A road laid out over Marsh Hill in 1816, called forth a strong remonstrance from the town.

The road now known as the Cross Road was, in 1826, called the New Road. A private road from this to the land of Samuel Fernald, was laid out in September, 1826.

The Hanscom Road as it was then called, extending from the New Road to Knight's Lane, was built in 1827.

A road from the Hanscom Road to the house of Joseph Cutts, was approved May 7,- 1S27.

In 1819, a petition of Gen. Samuel Leighton, Andrew P. Fernald, Esq., and others, for an Act of Incorporation to build a Bridge from Eliot to Portsmouth, was endorsed by the town.

In 1S23, James Paul and others, petitioned for a Toll Bridge over Spinr.ey s Creek.

OLD ELIOT, MAINE III

In 1824, the Legislature was memorialized for liberty to build a bridge over a branch of the Piscataqua river, from Eliot to Dover or Somersworth.

Trie load u\ci ohapiclgli's Hill was opened in 1S43.

In 1S67, a petition for a road over the Neck was refused by the town ; as were also two petitions, one in 1870, and another in 1S78, for a bridge over Mill Creek.

In 1870, voted to open the Town Landing near William Raitt.

In 1S72, voted to build the road past the depot.

In 1S73, voted to widen and straighten the road in front of George (A.) Shapleigh's. — now George H. Ireland's.

SCHOOLS.

At the division of the towns, there were six School Dis- tricts, with school houses in locations familiar to us all, — except the sixth, a brick building, which stood on the lower side of the road, at the corner near George A. Fernald,

The Seventh District was divided from the Sixth, in 1823, and a house built on the opposite side of the road from the present one.

None of these houses remain except Number Four.

District Number Eight was divided from Numbers Five and Six in 1S41.

The District boundaries were long a matter of conten- tion. Many attenpts were made to divide them anew. By- a complication of votes at several meetings, in 18-19, a part of the inhabitants of District Number Three, claimed to be the Seventh District ; and later brought an action in the Circuit Court against the Selectmen, for a share -of the school money.

In 1843, it was voted to divide the Third district, and create a new one, to be called the Ninth. The following year it was voted to unite the Third and the Ninth dis- tricts as formerly.

In 1S16, we find the School Committee first mentioned ; when it was voted : ■" To have a School Committee." And " Voted that each district have a Committee of 3." The

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next year a Committee of one in each district was chosen. These were probably no more than the District Agents of after years.

The first recorded report of the Superintending School Committee is dated April 5, 1S24. Committee : Rev. Sam- uel Chandler, Dr. Caleb Emery, Alpheus Hanscom, Esq. Whole number of scholars in town, 700 ; attending school, 340. This report is very brief. The Committee served without compensation. This year it was voted to give them three dollars each ; and from three to five dollars each was all the S. S. Committee received for more than twenty years.

The Teachers were paid from fifteen to eighteen dollars a mouth. The length of term about four months. The amount voted for District Schools, annually, for more than twenty years, was $250 00, with, usually, $174 00 for a Grammar School of about six months. No female teach- ers were employed in the town schools until some time in the 'forties. Prominent among the teachers were " Parson Chandler," William Hammond, William Randall, Alphe- us Hanscom and George C. Bartlett.

The Academy, established in 1839, and continued for thirty-five years under various eminent teachers, exerted a great and favorable influence upon the schools of that period.

Two school houses have been burned in District Number Three, the old house in 1S73; and a new one, built on the site of the first, five years later, November 11, 187S. Also a house nearly new, in District Number One, burned December 20, 1883.

THE POOR.

At the time of the division of the towns, there were in Kittery about twenty people supported wholly or in part by the town. These were divided between Kittery and Eliot, by an agreement made by the Selectmen of both towns, — the annual expense of their maintenance being about four hundred dollars.

In 1823, a lot was purchased near Abner Witham's, and

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an almshouse built upon it. A committee was chosen to "superintend the building" of the house, "and to report rules and orders for the government thereof." The follow- ing is an abstract of their report :

A Superintendent to be chosen to visit the house twice a week ; procure provisions, wood, and raw materials for manufacture ; [for those were the days of the loom and spinning wheel, when each household manufactured its own clothing and bedding.] He was also to procure a Matron.

"All persons placed in said house by the Overseers of the Poor, shall be under the following regulations :

1. All that are able to labor shall immediately be set to work.

2. Those who refuse to perform such labor as they are directed, shall be kept on water porridge, without any sweetening until they comply !

3. All clothing and bedding to be made by said paupers.

4. All quarrelling, profane language, and indecent

behavior are strictly forbidden.

5. All that are well are to rise by sunrise, wash, and be ready for breakfast by eight o'clock in the winter, and seven in the summer.

6. The use of ardent spirits and cider is forbidden,

except in cases of sickness ; and then only by order of the attending physician.

7. The orders and directions of the superintendant, and woman overseer, are at all times to be obeyed promptly and without delay.

8. The Sabbath to be observed with a solemnity due to the observance of that day.

9. All breakers of these orders to be punished by fasting for one day at least.

10. Diet : In the morning, domestic coffee and such light food as may be furnished the house, except on Sabbath mornings, when they are to have tea. For dinner, soup three times a week when they have suitable provision therefor ; meat and beans twice a week ; fish and potatoes once a week ; pork and beef once a week. It is also

114 OLD ELIOT, MAINE

recommended that tbey have a boiled or baked indian pud- ding as often as convenient. The superintendent to direct the days on which such food shall be used. For sup- per, hasty pudding and molasses, or water porridge sweet- ened with molasses.

ii. All to retire before nine o'clock in the evening at all times.

In 1828 the superintendent was "allowed to alter the food so as to comport with the use of a cow." Great pru- dence and economy was advised in the use of the provisions and the wood ; — of which, as we learn at a later date, [1829,] they burned seventeen cords in one year. The average annual expense of the Alms-house for a period of six years, was $346 62.

This Almshouse was sold in 1861 to James Shapleigh, and the present Town Farm purchased of Oliver Athorne, then sold to George- W. Fernald of whom it was repurchasd in a few weeks.

THE MILITIA AND MILITARY AFFAIRS

The Town Militia was at first divided into three com- panies, each having its territorial limits. In 1840 the Middle company was disbanded and divided between the other two. The May Training and the autumn General Muster days, were among the events of the year. The military titles received in those militia times have been coupled with names familiar to us all. Of these only one field officer survives: — Col. Alexander Junkins, now of Greenland, N. H. The last of the line officers, Capt. Alpheus H. Brooks, died in 1896.

On the 17th of September, 1S14, a meeting was called by request, and a Committee of Defense and Safety chosen, consisting of six members, as follows: Samuel Leighton, John Hammond, Capt. Klisha Goodwin, Andrew P. Fer- nald, Elisha Shapleigh, Maj. Samuel Kemick, — t4 To cor- respond with the committee of other towns, and do ail oth- er matters and things that they in their wisdom may think necessary and expedient." They were also directed to

OLD ELIOT, MAINE 1 15

authorize and encourage a company of exempts to collect and organize ; the Selectmen to assist them with arms and" provision. The Selectmen were likewise directed, M After three days from the time the troops of the town march to defend the seacoast against the enemy, to furnish the troops with rations, until the State or General Government may make provision for them."

We are unable to state the number or names of the men furnished by the Town during the war of 1812-15.

In 1S41, for the famous Madawaska war, several men were drafted,, but not called for.

The Militia was disbanded in 1845, by act of Legislature.

In the summer of 1861, the Militia of the Town was en- rolled, and organized by the two companies meeting in their respective sections and choosing their officers, — a Captain and four Lieutenants to each company. No fur- ther use was made of this organization, and the officers were never commissioned.

On the 24th of July, 1862, the town "Voted, to raise $200, as a bounty for each man who may enlist in the United States service, until the quota of Eliot is raised." This was the first call for three years' men. The quota of Eliot was nineteen.

August 20. Voted, that a recruiting officer be appointed and that the credit of the town be pledged to him in the sum of $150 00, for each volunteer which he may obtain to fill the quota of the town, for the 300,000 drafted men now called for.

Voted, To raise $20 bounty for each volunteer ; said money to be paid to the volunteer when mustered into the United States service.

Voted, That Edmund A. Dixon be appointed a recruit- ing officer.

The foregoing sums of one hundred and fifty dollars a man to the recruiting officer, and twenty dollars a man to the volunteers themselves, were voted by reason of a com- munication from the Adjutant General of Maine, stating that no volunteers would be received in place of drafted

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men, who had received more than twenty dollars bounty. This caused a reconsideration of a vote already passed for giving each volunteer two hundred dollars ; and. the above was substituted.

It is due co Capt. Edmund A. Dixon to say that the one nundred and fifty dollars voted to him, was, in every in- stance, paid to the volunteer, although he might legally have kept it. This bounty of one hundred and seventy dollars, was increased by private subscription to two hun- dred dollars each.

We are unable to ascertain the exact number of Eliot's quota under this call for nine months' men.

The amount paid by the town for Soldier's Bounty for the year 1863, was §24,005.

The whole number of men furnished by the town during the war, was 106, — being about one in seventeen of its population.

INTOXICATING LIQUOR.

In the year 1 821, we find