HI5T0PICAL RESEAI^ '1 ■!?i?5:''X'','>/(f;.'i>,v.» if'' (lOULDSBQI? Mamt::. PUBLISHED BY •'*'^ "HE DAUGHTERS OF LIBERTY GOULDSBORO. MAINE ;l'' -r;; HISTORICAL RE5EARC or GOULDSBOPO MAINE I 1^ Oouldsboro, naiae Published by the Daughters of Liberty I 904 (y-^^ "Z— UBRaRV of CONCiPtSS Two Copies Received FEB 15: 1904 'v^ Copyright tntry CLASS a- XXc. No. COPY a'- Copyright, 1 904, by the Daughters of Liberty West Gouldsboro, Maine PRESS OF W. H. SHERMAN, PRINTER AND STATIONER BAR HARBOR, MAINE ^i|^*p,m5i#j^-g4ikd^j€-SfS-:4S#H--S=!i^^ P#Siferii'tfS**ff #Ufa!iP=J^|is3Hfl;-T||-* PREFACE. 1 C/? IN COMPILING these researches, the authors have en- deavored to present facts relating to the formation of the tov/n, its history and progress in industrial and educational lines. Exhaustive inquiry has brought to light data supposed to be lost. The older inhabitants of the tov/n have delved deep In memory's store-house and brought forth jev/els precious to those who love the hills, the rugged shore line and wooded landscape of their native town. Friends far and near have added information of statistical and historical interest, that the sturdy and unremitting toil of our pioneers may serve to exemplify a spirit to be perpetuated by rising generations, ever remembering that the public school is the key to the future of the American Republic. The Daughters of Liberty, Grace Wood Clark, Secretary. West Gouldsboro, December 31, 1903. ''<». OOULDSBOBOUGH ^ s 5 u R yt:y£_D I7G3 TOWN OF GOULDSBORO. ON FEBRUARY 16, 1789, the General Court of said Commonwealth of Massachusetts formally organized Township 3, or the plantation of Gouldsboro, as a town, in the County of Lincoln, (the county not bearing General Hancock's name until June 25, 1789) which took effect May 1, 1790, Maine not becoming a state until March 15, 1820. The original grant was given to Nathan Jones, Francis Shaw and Robert Gould, in 1764. The disposition of Francis Shaw's portion is spoken of elsewhere. William Bingham of Philadelphia, purchased over 2,000,000 acres of land in Maine. On July 12, 1796, William Shaw conveyed to William Bingham all the eastern portion of the town not sold with reserves of Harvard College lot, Schoodic peninsula and Public School lot, of 484 acres each, also three settlers' lots of 100 acres each near Mosquito Harbor, (Winter Harbor,) in all 6,789 acres, for £4,415 or $22,075. In the division in 1790, William Shaw had the south- western quarter section and bought his eastern interest of John Lane, a London merchant. It is stated that Mr. Lane furnished money to Robert Gould the surveyor, but the town bears the name of the latter from his earnest HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO efforts to procure the desired number of citizens to establish the town. Even the dogs were named Tobias, etc., to swell the list. Gouldsboro is twenty-one miles east of Ellsworth and is on the Shore stage line. The area is about 30,000 acres. Forbes and Jones ponds are the chief bodies of water. The principal eminence is Mt. Cromer; 600 feet high. This mountain was named for a hermit who lived at the back of the mountain and, when the larder was empty, foraged the farms near by; sometimes a store was broken into, and groceries missed. Then the proprietors, after looking over their loss, accepted the inevitable, only remarking, "I know well enough it was Old Cromer." The surface of the town is much broken, abounding in rocky cliffs of granite penetrated by veins of galena, zinc and copper. There is also greenstone and sienite. At Grindstone Point is an immense deposit of metamorphic or silicous slate which might prove excellent material for grindstones. The soil is clay loam and gravelly loam, one-third of the area being unsuitable for cultivation. Potatoes and oats are staple products. Market gardening is increasing. Fishing is an important industry. The water powers em- ployed in 1903 are Chicken Mill stream, steam mill; West Bay stream, shingle and stave mill; Jones Pond, saw mill and grist mill. The water power from Forbes Pond is not used at present for milling purposes. There were squatters as early as 1700. The first male child born was Robert Ash Jr.; the first female, Mary (called Polly) Libby, daughter of Samuel Libby. In 1861 there were 913 men in Gouldsboro. In 1900 the town's population was 1,259. This decrease is due to 6 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO the exodus of many townsmen to various parts of the United States to engage in business strife. Although the town is a severe loser, yet the^able management of town affairs proves there are yet citizens of New England type within her precincts. The octogenarians have witnessed many changes of which perhaps the greatest are the coming of the mail six times a week bringing the daily papers; steamboat con- nection and railway service but seven miles distant; and the longdistance telephone. The Winter Harbor octogenarians are: Capt. Nathan Hammond, aged 93; Charles Norris, 83; William Rand, 85; Albert Rand, 82; Nathan Bickford, 84; Elisha Bickford, 82; Mrs. Rachel Decker Sargent, 88; Mrs. Rhoda Joy Southard, 82; Jerry Tracy of Corea, 8i; Mrs. Flora Whittaker Soule, 90; and Mrs. Abbie Guptill Hill, 83, of Gouldsboro; John Bunker, 90; William Wood, 89; Mrs, Eliza Spurling Bunker, 90; and Mrs. Mary Shaw Kingsley, 81, of West Gouldsboro. %lir"iiilWIHrHr'itiil-iil'"it«i«riiii4iiriBi«"«ttiiii'-i;iitfrHr^ GOULDSBORO PROPRIETORS. MONO the many noted men of Boston, who early became interested in Maine lands, was Francis Shaw, merchant, who was born March 29, 1721. He married (first) Lydia Dickman of Boston, November 3, 1744, She died December 26, 1746. He married (second) Sarah Burt, September 22, 1747. In 1754 he bought a house on the street leading from Fish street to the old North Meeting House, and bounded by the lands of the New Brick Meet- ing House, and of John Tudor and Paul Revere, This was his homestead, where all his children were born. In 1763 Robert Gould and Francis Shaw had the town- ship now Gouldsboro, explored, and Jan. 27, 1764, they obtained a grant of it from the general court. Tradition says that Mr. Shaw personally explored the township in 1763. This attempt on the part of Gould and Shaw to found a town ended in disaster and in the end the largest part of the town went into the hands of William Bingham. I do not find that Mr, Shaw lived there but he visited the township often. Two of his sons were inhabitants of the town and died there. Mr. Shaw died October 18, 1784. His will February 6, 1766 and codicil, December 5, 1783, proved October HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 26, 1784, names wife Sarah; children; Francis, John. Sarah, Samuel, William, Abigail, Benjamin and Nathaniel. Witnessed by Theodore Jones of Gouldsboro, Benjamin Shaw and Nathaniel Shaw. His children have many descendants in Maine. I. Thomas, born December 11, 1745; died September 14, 1747. II. Francis Jr., born July 28, 1748, of Gouldsborough; died 1785. III. John, born July 6, 1750, of Gouldsborough. IV. Sarah, born February 14, 1752, married Samuel Parkman of Boston, his first wife. She died 1782. V. Samuel, born October 2, 1 754, of Boston, died 1 794. VI. William, born March 30, 1756, Gouldsborough and Quincy, Mass. VII. Abigail, born July 5, 1757; married John Crocker. She died in Washington, D. C., August 12, 1797. VIII. Benjamin, born August 4, 1758, of Boston, merchant. He was at Gouldsborough for some time. He and his wife Charity sold William Shaw lot in Goulds- borough, April 28, 1797, (Hancock Records volume 5, page 529.) He died in New York, 1807, aged 49. IX. Nathaniel, born 1760. Bought land in Goulds- borough, September 6, 1784; the first deed recorded in Hancock County Records, volume 1, page 1. He lived there for some years. Nathaniel Shaw of Boston sold Asa Cole land in Gouldsborough, sixty acres, at Prospect Harbor, February 15, 1790. He died on his pas- sage home from Canton, 1791. X. Susannah. XI. Thomas, died at seven months. An account of Col. James Shaw, Jr., was printed in the Bangor Commercial. June 5, 1897. HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO John Shaw, son of Francis Shaw, Sr., was born in Boston, July 6, 1750. He lived in Gouldsborough and married Sarah, daughter of Nathan Jones of Gouldsborough. He died, 1780, aged 30. Mrs. Shaw married for her second husband Capt. W. R. E. Boyd of Portland. I. Nathan, born January 14, 1780, at Gouldsborough. Town clerk 1808 to 1812; selectman 1816 to 1840; representative 1812. He married Eunice Bradish Smith, daughter of Ebenezer and Betsy (Cobb) Smith and grand- daughter of Gen. David Cobb, July 10, 1810, John Black, Esq., performing the ceremony. Eunice Smith was born July 12, 1791, and died May 2, 1859. Nathan died September 16, 1867. Captain Shaw was the father of six daughters and two sons. One son, John B., and one daughter, Mrs. John Kingsley, are living. His nephew, Robert G. Shaw, and his widow, Judith P., were appointed administrators of his estate. The Quincy estate was sold to Anthony Baxter in 1805. He married Judith Proctor who died prior to 1810, A child I have been able to find, probably born in Gouldsborough, was Judith Proctor, married William Tuckerman between 1803 and 1810. William Shaw, son of Francis Shaw, Sr., was born March 30, 1756. He lived in Gouldsborough many years He was a petitioner there to the General Court July 1 , 1775, and was at Machias, May 20, 1779, at a meeting of Warren lodge, F. & A. M., of which he was a member. Mr. Shaw was a justice of the peace at Gouldsborough for Lincoln county, 1785. William Shaw, Sr., of Gouldsborough sold the farm on which he then lived. August 10, 1792, to William Shaw. Jr., for $300. William Shaw and wife Judith of Goulds- borough. sold land in Frankfort, formerly owned by Paul Kenney, to Isaac Clark, November, 23, 1795. William 10 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO Shaw of Quincy sold David Cobb land in Gouldsborough January 13, 1800, adjoining his own place, (now Raymond Guptill's). Mr. Shaw was a large landholder in Gouldsborough and other towns in Maine. He moved to Quincy, Mass., about 1799. He bought eighty acres of land there, with buildings on the north side of the Plymouth road, now Adams street, of Nathaniel Beale, April 19, 1799. On the Quincy town records is the following: "Died, August 13, 1803, William Shaw, aged 47, at Chandlemouth, on his return from a journey to the Springs." Samuel Shaw, son of Francis Shaw, Sr., was born in Boston, October 2, 1754. He was a merchant, a Revolu- tionary officer, and aide-de-camp to Gen, Knox. His house in Boston was in what is now known as Bulfinch Place where the Hotel Waterson stands. He lived some time at Gouldsborough and sailed in the ship Empress for Canton, China, February 22, 1784, as supercargo. The Empress was the first American ship sent to Canton. Mr. Shaw was appointed Consul to Canton by Washington and held the office until his death. He returned to this country and built at Braintree, now Quincy Point, in 1789, the largest merchant ship afloat, 820 tons. Job Prince was master and Shaw went out in the vessel to Canton, where she was sold. Mr. Shaw died at sea May 30, 1794, on his way home. His nephew, Josiah Quincy, president of Harvard college, wrote a most excellent memoir of him. Mr. Shaw married Hannah, daughter of the Hon. William Phillips of Boston, in 1792. She was born November 29, 1756. After her husband's death she went to Dedham, Mass.. and lived with her sister, Mrs. Sarah Douse. In 1819 the two sisters gave the Unitarian Church of Dedham a clock. 11 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO Nathan Jones, was born at Weston, Mass., September 29, 1734. Married October 12, 1756 to Sarah Severns, who was born at Weston, May 5, A. D. 1734. Their children were: I. Nahum Jones, born at Weston, August 6, 1757; died at the Island of St. Martin's, March. 1793, aged 36 years. II. Sarah Jones, born at Weston, January 15, 1759; married John, son of Francis and Sarah Shaw. Their children: John B., born at Gouldsboro June 28, 1778, lost at sea, 1800; Nathan Shaw, born January 14, 1780. John Sr. died October 25, 1780, at Gouldsboro Point, Sarah coming home with her son, Nathan, to live with her father at West Gouldsboro. While Nathan was still a baby, a detachment of English soldiers m.ade a raid on the settlers of Frenchman's Bay. Word had been received of their coming, for the silver and valuables had been secreted about Col. Jones' lake under hemlock bark which had been peeled to go to the tannery of Thomas Hill. The big clock was hid on an island in the lake. (This was afterwards bought by Barney Hill; in later years purchased by Alpheus Hardy and placed in the hall of his Boston residence.) The coming of the British from the cove to Col. Jones' house on the corner was not seen in time for the proprietor to absent himself, although the door was secured. A heavy knock and loud call for Col. Jones and his possessions was the greeting, The Colonel escaped through the bedroom window. Mrs. Jones making no response, the door was broken open but Mrs. Jones, thinking the fastening of the bedroom door slight, held it; this too was battered and the cords of Mrs. Jones' fingers cut by a bayonet. The intruders gained entrance but Col. Jones was then secreted in the woods on the hill. No threats persuaded 12 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO Mrs. Jones to tell where the Colonel was or the whereabouts of the possessions of value. Seeing the grandson, Nathan, in the cradle, and the brick oven all heated for the day's baking, the capfain commanded that a soldier put the infant in the oven if Mrs. Jones did not tell. The brave woman assured them they could exact no revelation. The child was not roasted and the party departed without prisoner or plunder. In after years Mrs. Shaw married Capt. W. R. E. Boyd of Portland, an Englishman. To them three daugh- ters were born, Maria, marrying Wales Taft of Weston, Mass. Their children were: Fletcher, a wonderful mathe- matician, who died in South Carolina; Maria, who married Henry, son of Ebenezer Wood; and Edward, now residing in New York. Mrs. Boyd died at Salem, July 13, 1848, at the age of eighty-nine years, six months. III. Theodore Jones, born in Weston, March 1, 1760. He married Sally Brimley of Boston. His second marriage was in Sullivan, Maine, November 24, 1793, to Katherine Winthrop Sargent, who was born at Amherst, N. H., April 15, 1775. After this marriage he resided in Ellsworth, Me. He was a lumberman and manufacturer and was the father of twelve children, five sons and seven daughters. He died February 7, 1842, and his wife died May 8, 1848. IV. Louisa Jones, born at Weston, May 23, 1763. Mrs. Louisa Jones Holden died at New York, November 18, 1834, aged seventy-three. V. Pamela Jones, born at Weston, May 23, 1763. Pamela Jones Foster died at Trenton, Me. VI. Abijah Jones, born at Weston, April 23, 1765. With Nathan Shaw he built a store where the balm of Gilead trees now stand on the way to the shore from the "corner" at West Gouldsboro. Captain Jones was captain 13 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO of the militia and during practice, excited by alcoholic beverage, he disputed the manner of sword practice with Rolfe, a soldier of experience and accidentally killed him. This troubled Captain Jones until his death. Captain Jones began the erection of a house a little above the residence of his fathers on the east. The cellar cost $1,500 and other expenses were in proportion, so that the firm failed and the house was sold by creditors at auction, to Ebenezer Wood, then living at Waukeag Neck. A mortgage of $100 was held by an heir in New Portland and this too had to be settled. Mr. Wood took the Mexican coin in saddle bags and on a small, gaunt, homely steed, set forth. He tarried over night at an inn with some officials who were bound to Court. They queried his destination for dinner. Upon receiving the reply a loud laugh passed around, but at noon time, Mr. Wood had passed the other riders and waited to receive his fellow travellers at the tavern. They ex- pressed unlimited surprise at the ability of the steed. But this is only a sample of the stuff in our town at this time. The house has passed through several hands finally coming back to Ebenezer Wood, now being occupied by his young- est son, Samuel and used as an inn for the past thirty years. Capt. Jones afterwards built the house that is occupied by Foster Bunker and Guy Sargent. Capt. Jones married Katy, daughter of Dimond Sargent of West Gouldsboro. They had three sons, William, lost from the O. H. Perry; George, who dropped dead at the lobster factory, Prospect Harbor; and Foster, who died at home. Capt. Abijah died January 7, 1835, aged seventy years. VII. Nathan Jones Jr., born at Gouldsboro, February 7, 1767, died there Nov. 11, 1789. 14 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO VIII. Mary Jones, born at Gouldsboro July 27, 1768. She was commonly known as "Polly." While visiting in the Provinces she obtained a chance to return home with two neighbors from Gouldsboro v/ho were coming in their boat. They were taken as prisoners and kept in the fort at St. Andrews all winter. Miss Jones washed and mended for the soldiers. In the spring they effected an escape and upon arriving home the Jones family first learned of the daughter's whereabouts as they had supposed she was visiting her friends. Miss Mary Jones died at Gouldsboro, August 8, 1825, aged fifty-seven years. IX. Eunice Jones, born at Gouldsboro, January 16, 1770. X. Elisha Jones, born at Gouldsboro, August 31. 1771, He married the widow of Dr. Joseph Taft, formerly of Braintree, Mass., settled at Weston and died there 1824. Mrs. Taft Jones had two sons, Wales, otherwise spoken of, and Francis, Colonel of the militia. He came in declining years to take charge of Elisha Jones' farm. He was in the lumber business at St. John before coming to West Gouldsboro, and married Betsy, a sister to Abner Johnson, of Anodyne Linim.ent fame. Col. Taft was a thorough farmer and woodsman, always keeping a crew of men employed. In winter his team of four oxen was in the woods by starlight and the "boys" got up in the morning in those days. His two daughters, Susan and Elizabeth, died several years ago; his two sons, Francis and George, have but passed from our midst in recent years. The name Taft's Point still remains. Elisha Jones died December 14. 1842. XI. Danieljones.bornat Gouldsboro, January 17,1773, died at sea, November 22, 1790, aged seventeen years, 15 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO XII. Susan Jones, born at Gouldsboro, September 1 1, 1774, died at Addison Point, 1857. Mrs. Sarah Jones died at Gouidsboro, March 27, 1804, aged seventy years. Col. Nathan Jones died at Gouidsboro, May 7, 1806, aged seventy-three years. His life in Massachusetts we are unable to learn but he came here about 1765 with his family. He is recorded in Weston, Massachusetts, tax list 1764 as Capt. Jones. He owned, besides the northwestern quarter section of Gouidsboro, a mill and wharves at Morancy, Sullivan, and other possessions. The saw mill he built here was burned, and one since. The present one was built by F. P. Noyes. The grist m.ill has been moved to its present position and repaired but the frame is the one Col. Jones erected. It is owned by Mrs. Nathan Shaw, Jr., and operated by James Kingsley, a great-great-grandson. The depression "on the corner", by the roadside above S. L. Tracy's store, marks the house of this town proprietor. He and Mrs. Jones were buried on the hillside above their house, now behind the buildings of William Wood. The lake and cove still perpetuate his name. 16 ■■■ 1 H THE ACT OF INCORPORATION. 1789, — Commonwealth of Massachusetts. IN THE year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine an act for incorporating the Plantation of No. 3, Gouldsborough, so called, in the county of Lincoln, into a town by name of Gouldsboro. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled and by the authority of the same that the Plantation of Gouldsborough, included within the bound- aries hereafter described, beginning at Frenchman's Bay at the bound mark between Gouldsborough and Township No. 2, thence running easterly by the south lines of Town- ship No. 2 and No, 7 to Gouldsborough harbor, the easterly, southerly and westerly by the bay to the bounds begun at including Stave Island, Jordan's Island. Iron Bound Island, Porcupine Islands, so called, Hern Island. Preble Island and Schoodick Island, together with the inhabitants thereof, be and hereby are incorporated into a town by the name of Gouldsboro and the said is hereby vested with all the powers, privileges and immunities which other towns in this common- wealth by law do or may enjoy, and, be it further enacted, that Alexander Campbell Esq. be and he is hereby impowered to issue his warrant directed to some principal inhabitant of the said town of Gouldsboro requiring him to 17 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO notify the inhabitants thereof to meet at such time and place as he shall therein appoint, to choose all such officers as towns are by law required to choose at their meetings in the month of March or April annually. In the House of Representatives February 16, 1789. This bill having had three several readings passed to be enacted. William Heath, Speaker P. T. In Senate February 16, 1789. This bill having had two several readings passed to be enacted. Samuel Phillips, President. Approved Jno. Hancock. A true copy. Attest : John Avery, Secretary. 1789 — Lincoln ss. To Mr. Thomas Hill of Gouldsborough in said county, Yeoman, Greeting: In pursuance and agreeable to the foregoing act you are hereby authorized and required in the name of the Com- monwealth of Massachusetts to notify and warn all the freeholders and other inhabitants within said Town of Gouldsborough qualified to vote in town affairs as the law directs that they assemble and meet together at the house of Capt. Samuel Libby in said town on Thursday the 23rd day inst. April at 10 o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to vote and act on the following particulars namely: — 1st. To choose a Moderator to regulate said meeting. 2nd. To choose a Clerk. 3rd, To choose a Treasurer. 18 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO 4th. To choose all other town officers as the law directs. Given under my hand and seal at No. 4, 2nd of April A. Domini 1789. Alex. Campbell. J. Peace. By virtue of the foregoing warrant to me directed the Inhabitants of the Town of Gouldsborough are notified to meet at the time and place for the purpose therein mentioned. Gouldsborough 4th April, 1789. Thos. Hill. Agreeable to the foregoing order the town met at the time and place and made choice of the following officers: Nathan Jones Esq., Moderator; William Shaw, Clerk; Dr. Benj. AUine. Treasurer; Thomas Hill, Samuel Libby, Eli Forbes, Selectmen and Assessors; Thomas Hill, Con- stable and Collector for year ensuing; Nathan Jones, Samuel Libby, Benj. Godfrey, Surveyors of Roads; Thos. Hill, William Shaw, Abijah Cole, Surveyors of Lumber; William Sargent Jones, Clement Furnald, John Gubtail, Jr., Fence Viewers; Benjamin Ash, John Gubtail, Jr., Deer Reever; Dr. Benjamin Alline, sealer of weights and measures; Peter Godfrey, sealer of leather. Voted: That there be fifty pounds raised to be worked out on the highways. Voted: That the selectmen are directed immediately to assess the county tax for Six Pounds Two Shillings, Voted: That Twenty Pounds be granted to defray the necessary expenses of the town for the ensuing year. Voted: That the meeting be dissolved. A true copy. William Shaw, T. Clerk, 19 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO The officers chosen at the foregoing meeting were legally notified and took their oaths for the faithful perform- ance of their several trusts. A county tax for the sum of Six Pounds Two Shillings also a town tax of twenty pounds also a Highway tax for Fifty Pounds were assessed and the bill delivered to Thomas Hill to collect, a copy of which is on file. Valuation 4400 Pounds. Agreeable to warrant the Freeholder and other inhabi- tants met at the house of John Gubtail on Monday the 5th day of March 1790 for the purpose of choosing Governor, Lieut. Gov. and senator. Upon counting the assorted votes it appeared that John Hancock for Gov. had 21 votes. Samuel Adams for Lt. Gov. had 18 votes. Alex. Campbell for Senator had 27 votes. Meeting dissolved. The first town meeting was held May 31st, 1793, of which there is the following record: At a legal meeting on the 31st day of May, 1793. Voted that four school houses should be built within the town, Voted that there should be a committee of four to see that said School Houses be built; Viz.: — Thomas Hill for the western ward; Thomas Gubtail for the center ward; Samuel Joy for the eastern ward; Abijah Cole for the southern ward. Voted that the committee take work or material from the inhabitants which shall be allowed them in their tax to be raised for building the school houses. Voted that the committee shall have power to determine where the houses shall be built if the different wards do not agree. 20 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO Voted that the selectmen are impowered to lay out any necessary road within the town in addition to the one voted in April from Prospect. Meeting dissolved. A true record of the proceedings. Attest : A. W. Kidston. (The road mentioned was from Prospect Harbor to the County Road.) In June 1794, the town extended a vote of thanks to Mr. Thomas Holland, "for his faithful attention to the instruction and moral of the Youth, which have been com- mitted to his care." November 5, 1795, the tax is first recorded in dollars and cents. It is learned that in June 14, 1794, there were 66 polls. Moses Goodwin's tax was five shillings, Benjamin Sargent's was seven shillings and that of Aaron Rolf was six shillings and six pence. 21 GEN. DAVID COBB. FROM 1795 to 1820, for a quarter of a century, Gen. Cobb was the most conspicuous and influential citizen of Eastern Maine, possibly of the state. David Cobb was the son of Thomas and Lydia Cobb of Attleborough, Mass. and was born September 14, 1748. He v/as fitted for college by Joseph Marsh, Jr., of Brain- tree, Mass., who had a classical or Latin private school therefrom 1740 to 1762. Young Cobb studied medicine with Dr. Perkins and was engaged in successful practice when the Revolutionary movement began. In 1766 Mr. Cobb graduated from Harvard college, settled at Taunton and married Eleanor Bradish of Cam- bridge, Mass. He was elected representative to the General Court in 1774, as a colleague with his brother-in- law Robert Treat Paine, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. In 1777. Mr. Cobb entered the army as lieutenant- colonel of the Sixteenth Massachusetts regiment, of which Henry Jackson was colonel. He saw hard service at Springfield, N. J., at Monmouth and at Quaker Hill, R. I. where he led what may be termed "a forlorn hope" to delay the progress of the Hessian cavalry. His activity, talent and high military qualities attracted the attention of 22 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO Washington, who, on June 15th, 1781, appointed him an aide, in which capacity he assisted in the capture of Cornwallis. He remained in this position until 1784. having also been commissioned lieutenant-colonel commanding the 5th regiment (late Rufus Putnam) 7th January, 1783, and a brigade-general by brevet. After the close of the v/ar he went to Mount Vernon as a member of Gen. Washing- ton's military family. Next to the high personal regard for the General, was his great admiration of Lady Washington, whom he was fond of quoting as his beau ideal of womanly grace and loveliness. It is said Gen. Washington usually retired to his library from the dinner table, where he often engaged in social conversation. On one occasion when Col. Cobb was with him there, Gen. Washington broke the silence by saying he felt a great solicitude about the prospects of the people of Massachusetts. "The climate," said he, "is cold and trying, the soil sterile and unproductive. The best crop would be of stones; you can raise a few onions, perhaps but little else. While we in Virginia are favored with a most salubrious climate and with a soil as rich and productive as the sun ever shown upon," Col. Cobb replied: "Sir, we have our heads and our hands." Gen. Washington then smiled, an unusual thing for him to do. What would New England, with its cold and inhospitable climate, and uninviting soil have been to day but for the heads and hands of its inhabitants, in early days. Cobb returned to Taunton in 1784 and resumed the practice of medicine. The state needed his service. In 1784 he was appointed chief justice of the Court of 23 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO Common Pleas for Bristol county, an office which he held for about eight years. In 1785, he was elected major-general of the Fifth Division of Massachusetts militia. In 1786 a local insur- rection took place in Eastern Massachusetts which was particularly aimed at the courts. In June the itiob attempted to prevent the holding of Judge Cobb's court. He ordered the militia out and addressed the mob: "Away with your whining," was his determined and memorable reply, "I will hold this court if I hold it in blood. I will sit as a judge or I will die as a general." In an instant all was quieted. In 1789, Judge Cobb was elected representative to the General Court, and for that year and three more years was Speaker of the House. In 1792 he was appointed as com- missioner to run the boundary line between Massachusetts and Rhode Island, a matter which had been in dispute for more than 150 years. In 1793 he became a member of the Third Congress. In 1795 was appointed agent of the great Bingham estate in Eastern Maine. In July 1796, he removed to Gouldsboro and built a house at Gouldsboro Point which was torn down when the present house of Bingham Whittaker was erected. An English cannon ball was found in its wall, a trophy of a ravage of the coast. Gen. Cobb's home was most hospitable. There Gen. Knox, Gen. Henry Jackson, William Bingham, the principal owner of the Bingham estate and others visited him. The roads of that time were few and bad, and the ocean was the great highway for travellers. Few men of any note passed by without calling upon Gen. Cobb. Upon his arrival at Gouldsborough he at once commenced great enterprises, which he hoped would benefit both proprietors and settlers. He laid out miles of roads in the town and 24 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO northerly of it on lands of the estate. Some of these roads were built. General Cobb built wharves, storehouses, saw mills and ships, and for a time shipped large quantities of lumber to the West Indies. He was passionately fond of agricultural pursuits and spent much time and money in promoting that interest. He fondly hoped to found a city at Gouldsboro, but business and settlers went to other towns, Ellsworth, Steuben, Narraguagus River and further to the eastward. The city of his ambition faded away like a dream, and is now almost as much a myth as Norumbega on the Penob- scot. With all his business cares the interests of the District of Maine made constant demands upon him. He was Senator from Hancock county in 1801-5, acting as President of the Senate. In 1803 he was appointed Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas for Hancock County, and held his court at Castine until 1809. (His son Thomas served at Castine as Register of Deeds.) In 1804, he headed the Federal electoral ticket of Massachusetts, as candidate at large. A Federalist in politics he was distinguished for his love of order and attachment to the Constitution. As the presiding officer of a public body he was unrivaled, grace- ful and dignified in his deportment. He attended court in Revolutionary attire: tri-colored hat, broad backed coat, a single breasted jacket with pocket flaps, breeches with bands and buckles at the knee, and high white top boots. Gen. Cobb despatched the public business with ease and faculty, and won by his impartial performance of the chair the praise even of his adversaries. Hon. Joseph W. Williamson, of Belfast, Me., thus describes the general's appearance and manner: "In stature he was large, and had a full face and over- 25 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO awing eye. He was hasty in temper, expressed himself with much energy, and a most commanding voice. I have heard him order a lawyer to silence, and to his seat, with a power of voice and feeling that was almost overwhelming. On a certain occasion, supposing that an attorney at the bar was guilty of a fraudulent act, he exclaimed with great force while on the bench, "A dishonest lawyer 1 He is worse than the devil for he violates personal confidence and a sacred oath 1" Gen. Cobb was major-general of the Fifth Division of Mass. militia in the District of Maine for several years before 1814, when he was succeeded by John Blake, of Brewer. He was lieutenant-governor of Mass. in 1809 and was defeated as a candidate for re-election. He v/as supreme executive councilor for the district of which Hancock county was a part for 1805, 1808, 1812, 1813, 1814, 1815, 1817. That office seems always to have been kept open for him. In 1820, the management of the Bingham estate passed into the hands of his son-in-law, Col. John Black of Ellsworth. Being in feeble health Gen. Cobb returned to Taunton with his children, January 8, 1808. Mrs. Cobb died while visiting at Taunton. Gen. Cobb's widowed daughter, Mrs. Betsy Smith, came to Gouldsboro, as her father's faithful house- keeper. When he left here he left his books, papers and a diary kept through the Revolution, now in pos- session of his great-grandson. George N. Black, of Boston, and another diary of his life at Gouldsboro, in possession of some eastern descendant. (A portion of the latter is here presented through the kindness of Miss Mary Black, a great grand-daughter of Gen. Cobb, she having saved the copy from a Maine paper.) After his removal to Taunton, Gen. Cobb took much interest in public affairs 26 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO and remembered with peculiar satisfaction his residence in Maine. Gen. Cobb received the honorary degree of Master of Arts from New Jersey College in 1783, and from Brown University in 1790; was a member of the American Acad- emy of Arts and Sciences and of the Mass. Medical Society, also Vice President of the Massachusetts society of the Cincinnati in 1810. Gen. Cobb was founder of Taunton Academy. When- ever any public good was to be effected he was active and efficient. In 1829 he removed to the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, of which he was one of the founders, to spend the remainder of his life there. He died April 17, 1830 and desired to be taken out of the back door of hospital and buried without pomp and ceremony. He was buried at Taunton beside his wife. A monument has been erected. to their memory. His will of February 18, 1829, was proved in Hancock county (a large part of his property being still there) August 18, 1830. The trustees of his will, were his sons, Thomas and D. G. W., of Taunton, his sons-in-law, Judge Samuel S Wilde, of Boston, and Col. John Black, of Ellsworth. As a matter of fact it seems Col. Black settled the estate. General and Mrs. Cobb had eleven children, of whom six died in Maine, two in the Northwest and three in Massachusetts. In religion Gen. Cobb was a Congregationalist. This sketch of this eminent Maine citizen, executive councillor, general, judge, lieutenant-governor, and senator is given in order that the people of Maine may hold him in remem- brance. His poitrait hangs in the Senate chamber at Boston, over which body he presided four years. There is nothing in or about that portrait to remind the beholder that 27 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO when Gen. Cobb presided over that body he was a citizen of Gouldsboro. Let us who hear this sketch (from material collected by Col. Joseph W. Porter and Miss Mary N, Black) perpetuate his memory in Gouldsboro by manifesting that same integrity, patriotism, and indomitable energy exercised by the nobility of the man who saw his hopes blasted but in his civic position performed service of untold value in those early days. 28 EXTRACTS FROM GEN, COBB'S DIARY. "Boston, December 1795. — Mr. Baring (Alexander Baring, afterward Lord Ashburton wlio married a daughter of William Bingham) to whom I delivered the letter from Mr. Bingham, (William Bingham of Philadelphia, United States senator, purchaser of the Bingham Purchase in Maine) wrote a letter to Mrs. Cobb, that went by the stage this evening, informing of my arrival here." (Until Thurs- day 31st, Gen. Cobb's time from 26th was spent with business relative to the Bingham estate.) "Thursday 31st. — Wrote a Letter to Mrs. Cobb, made arrangements for paying carpenters and took an early dinner at John Codman's, at two o'clock in company with Codman and Mr. Baring, I set off in the mail stage for New York, arrived for the night at Flagg's at Weston. "Friday, 1st Jan. 1796, — at six o'clock we were in the stage: breakfasted at Marlborough, dined at Worcester, put up at Brookfield, Hitchcock's for the night. "Saturday 2nd. — Pursued our journey through Spring- field, dined at Sheffield; to Hartford at night. "Sunday 3d. — This day we remained at Hartford and worshipped with Parson Strong ; teaed with Col. Wardsworth. "Monday 4th. — Pursued our journey at five o'clock 29 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO this morning, breakfasted at Middleton, dined at New Haven, and reached Staffords at night, Lovejoy's. "Tuesday, 5th. — At five o'clock on board the stage, pushing through very deep muddy roads and arrived at night at Rye, fifteen miles short of the established Stage House. "Wednesday 6th. — Being thirty-one miles from New York and the mail to be delivered this morning at ten o'clock, made it necessary to commence our journey at two o'clock this morning. Very dark and muddy. In the course of an hour after we sett off, the Stage was upsett. The darkness of the night was such the Driver could not distinguish the road ; no damage was done, excepting a little bruise on my arm, but was a caution to me not to get in the stage again till daybreak and I tediously walked through the mud till then. Arrived at New York at eleven o'clock, took Quarters at Mrs. Loring's with Mr. Baring; the company of this Gent was the reason of my not going to the House of my friend Col. Smith. "Thursday 7th. — Gen. Knox called upon us this morning and in company with him we walked out and called upon sundry persons or rather their houses and left cards. (Until our departure we were royally entertained.) "Wednesday 13th. — This morning at ten o'clock. Mr. Baring, myself and Mr. Lincoln, son of the General, crossed to P — Hook for Philadelphia reached as far as Woodbridge before dark when we put up; as the Roads were so horribly bad we determined not to ride after dark having had enough already by such a mode of travelling. A good house. "Thursday 17th. — Proceeded on our journey as soon as it was light in the morning and through the worst roads I ever passed in my life, we got to Trenton at night. "Friday 15th. — On our journey by daylight, crossed 30 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO the Delav/are, Breakfasted at Bristol and arrived in Phila- delphia at three o'clock afternoon and conducted Mr. Baring to his quarters. I wrote a letter to Mr. Bingham, inform- ing of my arrival ; at the close of the evening at his request, I called upon him. He appeared to be happy in seeing me and was much satisfied with my conduct. "Saturday 16th. — Called upon Bingham at twelve o'clock where I found Mr. Baring. They were conversing on the subject of the Maine Lands; called upon some of my old acquaintance particularly Mr. Brick's family. (17th and 18th dined with Bingham.) '•Tuesday 19th. — Mr. Bingham called upon me this morning. We had a little chat. Went to the President's levee; he asked me to dine with him and Mrs. Washington which 1 did. I never knew him more amiable in my life. It is evident to me he feels the Grubb street villanous treat- ment that • has lately poured fourth from some hireling presses ; this however, must be borne with, as the usual gratitude of a people, however disgraceful it is to human nature for the best and greater services. (The time was spent in business and socially too.) "Wednesday 27th. — Dined with the President in a large company of ladies and gents ; went with Mr. Morris to the theatre in ye evening." (The following week Gen. Cobb was waiting for the contract between Messrs. Baring and Bingham to close.) "Wednesday 3rd. — All this day at my quarters. In the evening visited Bingham ; he informed me of the conversation between him and Baring, by which it appeared my conjectures of him were justly founded ; i. e. he came into this country for the purpose of purchasing of Bingham a part of his lands in Maine ; that the purchase price was determined upon before he left England, as well as the spot 31 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO of land he intended to be concerned with, but if he could, he was to obtain it a little cheaper. He cannot, however, the terms of the purchase are in general agreed to, but some little difficulties arise from respecting the price of the subsequent purchases adjoining the lower million. They will soon disperse and the contract be completed. "Friday 12th. — At eight o'clock this morning I took leave of my little Quarters in 8th St. and at ten from the Stage house 1 sett off to New York ; only reached Bristol by night ; the roads were so intolerably bad. "Friday 19th. — In a slay at 5 o'clock this morning, dined at Springfield and lodged at Palmer. "Monday 22d. — Arrived at Boston through a snow storm at four o'clock afternoon, and put up at Mr. Archi- bald's. (Occupied with business till) "Friday 26th. — At nine o'clock this morning set off for Taunton where I arrived at four. Happy in finding my family in health. "Monday 29th. — Hunt returned to Boston this morn- ing with Mr. Oliver Leonard (afterward of Brewer, Me.) and a Mr. Parsons ; the two last came to see me on the subject of Leonards Township. "Saturday 5th. — This day evening Col. Jones of Gouldsboro arrived here and gave me information of the situation of my little Family and concerns there that were pleasing ; that my plan for regulating the taking of Lumber had gone into complete operation, etc; he stayed with me till Thursday the tenth and then returned to Boston. "Sunday 6th to Wednesday 9th. — These days were chiefly occupied in company with Col. Jones visiting differ- ent parts of the town. "Tuesday 15th to Sunday 20. — During these days I was mostly employed in consulting with the Attorney 32 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO General, procuring papers from the Secretary's office, etc., for his use in the prosecution of the Grantees of Trenton. "Monday 21st to Tues. 29th. — During these days I had frequent consultations with the Attorney General on the subject of the prosecution he was directed to commence and with Francis Shaw about the reservations in Gouldsboro, his dispute with Jones and the Mill at Musquito Harbor; wrote a letter to Mr. Bingham and to Mr. Swan in London. The Attorney General has got all his paper with a fee fifty dollars, and he commences ye suit at April Term. Shaw is too hard to make a bargain with, perhaps 1 may find him better disposed when 1 see him again. "Friday April 1st. — Received a letter from Mr. Bingham with a power of attorney or agency enclosed." (Breaking up the home at Taunton, selling estate of his fathers' and making preparations for the voyage occupied the time with the illness of Gen. Cobb for four weeks in April and May. June, plans effected.) "Saturday 18th. — This morning at eight o'clock we sett sail, with very little wind at W., went down harbour of Boston, passed Cape Ann at sun setting. "Sunday 19th. — Gentle wind all last night but a rolling sea; the ladies and a little son sick. Make no land to-day but supposed at night to be off Sequin." (Leaves missing until July 5, 1796.) "Sunday July 5th, — A day of rest, no news, no arrivals. (Gouldsboro.) "Monday 6th. — The Laborers with fresh spirits went to work on the fences, a tedious job. On my return from visiting them I caught two or three dozen trout, which I bro't home for my late dinner. Was happy in having the company of Mr. O. Leonard from Taunton to dine with me, who had arrived in a Schooner in the midst of the Fogg 33 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO just as I got home. Very foggy with rain and severe thunder at night. "Thursday 9th, — As it is necessary to have either business or pleasure in operation to prevent the mind being unemployed, Leonard and myself went fishing in the harbour. We caught Tomcods and flounders for our dinners and enjoyed them with a dish of large clams at four o'clock. "Thursday 16th. — Sett off at six o'clock for Machias with Bruce (Thomas Bruce of Machias) and Mr. Leonard, lodged at Pleasant River. Left orders with my men to persue Haying with activity in my absence. Some of the roads very bad. "Friday 17th. — Persued our Journey thro' the most infernal roads the whole distance and arrived at Machias at two o'clock. Judge Stephen Jones and others called upon me. Put up at Bowles's. My niece was happy to see me. "Saturday 18th. — Conversed with some men who want a settlement on one of the interior Eastern Townships. Viewed the mills on this branch which are the finest in the country; four saws at the dam, and go all the season thro'. The quantity of boards they cut is immense. Conversed with Judge Jones on the subject of the logs that are cut off the lands of the rivers by him and others. I find it will be difficult if not impossible to prevent the depredation at present, but they may be bro't to pay the same for them as is customary on the Kennebec River. Judge Jones, who is a large owner of the mills and a man of great Influence has promised me to use his endeavors to have the business adjusted to my satisfaction. My plan is for the Mills to pay so much on every thousand of Boards they cutt for the Logs. 1 foresee some difficulty in carrying out this plan as the Township on these Branches immedi- ately adjoining Machias are not within our purchase." 34 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO (The Bingham estate in Maine comprised more than 2,000,000 acres of land.) "I am determined this immense destruction of Lumber shall not continue without some returns for it, if I am obliged to resort, perhaps to the worst remedy, a legal process. Lodged with Col. Stillman. "Tuesday 19th. — Came up with Col. Stillman in a Canoe from his House to Machias Town. This is the only mode of conveyance in this Country as they have no roads. It is a matter of great surprise that People of property and Influence, whose wealth must be so greatly increased by good Roads, pay so little attention to the subject. Roads westward from Machias for eighteen miles are infamous. Teaed with Bruce and called upon friends. "Monday 20th. — After Breakfasting with Judge Jones, Mr. Leonard and myself sett off on our return to Gouldsboro ; dined late at Pleasant River and by dark reached Gen. Campbell's at Narraguagus where we lodged. Obtained on my way the number of inhabitants in No. 12. "Tuesday 21st. — Passed our Journey leisurely, dined with Mr. Townsley at the head of the Eastern Bay, fifteen miles from Gouldsboro and reached home at three o'clock, where 1 found my men still busy at work on the Hay. "Wednesday 22d. — Rode up to Gubtail's Farm to view the feed; called at Ash's for the girl to be my House Keeper, went with old Mr. Thomas Gubtail up the West River, Trouting ; caught a dozen of the finest 1 ever see and returned with them at night." (This stream is now visited by sportsmen.) The next day Robert Ash's daughter Abigail, went as housekeeper to Gen. Cobb's. "Sunday 26th. — Walked with Mr. O. Leonard around the Point, called upon neighbor Moore (Peltiah) and family, viewed the Timber trees that are fallen down. etc. 35 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO "Monday 27th. — Gen. Cobb and Mr. Leonard came to W. Gouldsboro, procured a boat of Col. Jones and sett sail for Gen Knox's, to see the map, so that Mr. Leonard should be better able to choose his Township," Thursday 30th — At twelve o'clock they embarked. "At night we arrived at Cranberry Islands. The next morn at sunrise we left the Islands, passed Bass Harbor, with a light wind, arrived at Naskeag Point (Sedgwick) ten o'clock. Rain ; lodged on shore, "Aug. 1st. — Tide in favor, liftle wind, passed Egger- moggin Reach and anchored alongside Pond Island, in Penobscot Bay. "Aug. 2nd. — With oars and tide we arrived at south end of Long Island, at Mr. Wm. Pendleton's. "Monday 3rd.— At two o'clock we arrived at Camden, , with assistance of our oars, where we procured Horses, and by night arrived at Gen. Knox's at St. George's, very happy in being under the roof of a Hospitable Friend after five day's vexation in fog and calm." (Mr. Leonard decided the prospect of a claim on the Penobscot was better for him than the Machias one he intended to take. Five days were needed to make the return trip.) "Thursday 13th — The men were at work on burnt land preparing for Rye. The surveyor and two of his chainmen were unwell ; the fatigue they suffered in the woods, by the heat of the last week had not only made them unfit for service, but sickened them against pressing their business any further ; they are pidgeon-hearted fellows and they shall go home. "Friday 14th, — The Workmen are clearing the burnt fields of the black Logs, for the purpose of sowing Rye and Wheat and Grass seed. This land at present lies in such situation that unless it is soon cleared and put to grass, it 36 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO will be in a measure ruined, but the chief operating reason for my undertal^ing, is the example it will be to this part of the Country, in which to their disgrace, not a single Farmer resides; added to this, by seeing the mode of raising their bread and other beneficial branches of culture, they will gradually forsake the Lumber (stealing) business and thereby add a value to their soil, which at present they conceive of no consequence ; they even would not accept of the best soil of the World, as a present ; if the Timber was off it, thence the burnt grounds which are large in quantity and most of them very good for culture are looked upon as ruined and mere wastes, by these fellows, and their informa- tion has a baneful influence upon all those who visit here for purchasing or residing. It is of the first consequence that this opinion should be changed and nothing will do it but producing the most damning conviction from the soil itself, which I will do. "Saturday 15th. — Still at work on the burnt fields. "Sunday 16th. — All is rest. Messrs. Townsley and Holland of Stuben dined with me. "Monday 17th. — Again on the burnt field. Five acres are cleared for the plow and if I succeed in a Crop I shall be as happy as a Farmer ought to be. "Tuesday 18th. — The Surveyors and Chainmen being unwell from fatigue of late exertions, they obtained discharge and sail tomorrow in Brown's Schooner. Wrote to Mrs. Cobb, Mr. Bingham and General Jackson. "Wednesday 19th. — Yesterday Mr. Sparhawkof Penob- scot came here from Col, Jones where he had left Mr. and Mrs. Hunnewell and Miss Hall, who had come from Penobscot on a party of pleasure, to invite me to a trouting party up the West River, but my engagements would not permit. This day having finished my correspondence, etc., 37 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO I went with Hunnewell, who came here for me to Col. Jones'. My Surveyor expected to sail this morning. Laborers on the black logs. "Thursday 20th. — Embarked with the Ladies at Jones' in Hunnewell's barge for Union River ; he was returning to Penobscot ; the pleasure of his and the Ladies' company induced me to take this opportunity to visit the Lands on Union River; reached Oak Point at night; thto' rain dis- agreeable in boat, Col. Jones with us. My Surveyor and men sailed this afternoon from Gouldsboro and took unto them ye first Cucumbers of our Garden. "Friday 21st. — Went up Union River as far as the first Falls, (at Ellsworth) Stopped on the Trenton side of the Bay as we went up ; very valuable Lands, most of which belong to us and Jones ; these lands are certainly worth two dollars per acre, from their Lumber and situation ; put up at Jones' Sons near the lower mills ; near this in No. 8, is said to be a large quantity of Iron Ore. Our departure on account of Tide prevented my seeing it at present. "Saturday 22nd. — As we returned from Jones's called upon Mr. Ross on that side of the River, a gentlemanly Scotchman, then proceeded down with intention of calling on Mr. Peters (John Peters) of Blue Hill, but wind and Tide prevented. Got to Oak Point, our company anxious to return to Penobscot and Col. Jones and myself equally so to go to Gouldsboro. "Sunday 23rd. — Left our friends at Oak Point and walked on to the narrows to obtain a conveyance to Goulds- boro. Procured a boat at the Narrows and arrived with Col. Jones at his House at night. "Monday 24th. — Came from Col. Jones early in the morning and found my two laborers still at work on the 38 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO burnt logs ; they have almost finished the Lots I designed to clear. First peas from our planting. "Tuesday 25th. — Sent a letter to Judge Jones of Machias informing him of the arrival of my map, that those persons at that place who wish to settle on some back Lands might now come to view the place where. Still clearing Lands. Clearing the intervale, ploughing lands for Rye with Col. Jones' plow and oxen from Gubtail's that got out of the pasture at night. In vain the next day the search was made, another pair procured but unfortunately they were not used to the plow. (A failing nowadays with young people.) "Monday September 7th. — Still searching for oxen. 1 went up the Eastern Bay to get my Horse Shod, where I dined with Townsley and in returning was overtaken by Gen'l Alexander Campbell and Major Wallis, of Narra- guagus with whom 1 went to Col. Jones's and stayed ye night. "Tuesday 8th. — Foggy and rain returned home and bro't Gen. Campbell and Major Wallis with me. My men had found a yoke of oxen this morning and had them chained to the Fence when 1 came home but the rain prevented their using them this day. Campbell, Wallis and Col. Jones dined with me. Jones returned home, the others stayed the night with me. Preparing the Fall work. "Saturday 12th. — Agreeable to invitation to some of my neighbors, I attended them in mending, a piece of very bad road where it passes thro' No. 7 ; finished the business and returned at night much fatigued. (Gen. Cobb was on the alert for repair of roads.) "Sunday 13th.-^Sett off this morning for Col. Jones's, who had engaged to go to Penobscot Court ; went from his House at one o'clock and arrived at Oak Point in the 39 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO evening. My intention in visiting Penobscot, separate from sliowing myself as an Inhabitant of the County of Hancock, and seeing the People of the County, was to see Gen'l Knox and Mr. Park Holland the surveyor, both of whom I expected to meet there. "Monday 14th. — Landed at Blue Hill Bay opposite Mr. Peters', walked to the narrows or Bagaduce River and embarked in a canoe, in which we went down the River, passing three rapids, but the tide meeting us we put ashore at Avery's, three miles from Penobscot and lodged the night. Moody Brown came to Labor. "Tuesday 15th. — After Breakfast we walked to town. (Castine) I called upon Mr. Hunnewell, the Sheriff ; Col. Jones upon Mr. Lee ; the Gent'n of the Law of my acquaintance arrived the last evening from the Westward. Gen'l Knox told them he could not attend this week at Penobscot, which I was sorry to hear. Dined with the Court this day, very decent and respectable. "Saturday 19th. — Took leave of our Friends at Penobscot to return to Gouldsboro. Walked from the Ferry to Mr. Peters at Blue Hill, where we lodged much fatigued. "Sunday 20th. — Pursued our rout and arrived at Col. Jones' in the evening, where I was informed of the arrival of Col. Hall, Mr. Tillinghast and a number of men as laborers, who came in Brown's Schooner last Tuesday to my House; pleasant day. "Monday 21st.— Got to my Nest on the Point at ten o'clock where I found this addition to my family as men- tioned together with my son Thomas, some of the men at work clearing Land, others in hewing Timber, at which they had been employed since their arrival. If I had known of the arrival of these people when at Blue Hill, I should 40 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO have bro't Mr. Peters the Surveyor with me. I had engaged him to be here this week, as I want his services in laying out a road north from this, and these laborers are now come to work upon it. "Tuesday 22d. — Heavy blast from the North without much rain. Col, Hall, who bro't with him a Capt. Smith from Middleboro sett off to view the Falls, Narraguagus, where they propose commencing a settlement at No. 17. The laborers at their daily toil. "Wed. 23rd. — The gentlemen Col. Jones, Mr. Hall, Sheriff Hunnewell guests went Trouting and returned to Col. Jones'. The next morn they embarked in a boat for Penobscot. Two carpenters arrived, Messrs. Presbuy and Coward. An early frost killed Beans, Potatoes and Cucumbers. "Saturday 26th. — This week I took all the men out upon the Road leading from the Point, on which we worked the whole day. We made it a little better, but such is the state of it that vast labor is necessary to make it good ; Mr. (John) Peters, arrived at dinner in Company with Col. Jones. I am happy to see him. "Sunday 27th. — All at rest except Mr. Peters and myself, we rode to view where to begin the Road I intended to cut out. "Monday 18th. — This morning tho' cloudy and unfair, I sett off with the Surveyor and Labourers to begin the new road. We commenced it just above Mr. Furnald's (Clement) about one mile West of the line of the town of Steuben, in No. 7, and pursued a direction North as the land would admit ; Showery all day but we continued to work till night having completed almost half a mile : returned to the Point at night. "Tuesday 29th. — Again on the Road; the weather still 41 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO showery ; the Carpenters preparing the stuff for repairing the House, in the barn, and the Mason getting ready to pull down the Chimney of the house for to erect it new ; they intended to have begun this day, but the weather was unfavorable. They are making Mortar. Altho' the weather was bad the Road Cutters got forward almost as far as yesterday. They returned to the Point at night. Wrote letters to General Jackson by Brown's Schooner in which is to return Capt. Smith who came with Col. Hall to view the Country of the Narraguagus. They returned from that Tour last Saturday much pleased with the land. Smith will remove his family next Spring if he can obtain some cultivated place for their residence, near where he intends to commence his improvements. "Wednesday 30th. — Mr Peters and the Road Cutters went off to their business with an intention to continue in the woods for a week. The Mason began pulling down this morning. The Family removed to neighbor Godfrey's where we cook our food, but we still lodge in our rooms. However disagreeble it must be submitted to, till the Chimney is finished. Brown sailed for Boston, Capt. Smith on board. "Thursday Oct. ist. — This morning the Mason began laying the foundation of the Chimney. The Carpenters in the Barn are getting everything ready for finishing my little box in a jerk. (In 1812 an English cannon ball was lodged in the wall of this "little box.") The Road Cutters are encamped in the Woods where I carried them their dinner and found them very alert and merry, pleased with their new mode of life. My family is at present large enough : seven Road Cutters and Col. Hall their Commander with Mr. Peters the Surveyor, all of whom encamp in the Woods, two Masons, two Carpenters and ten Labourers at 42 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO the House, besides Mr. Tillinghast, myself, two sons and two Maids. Pleasant day. "Friday 2d. — My business going on with great activity; every person has his proper business assigned him and all appears to be in order. 1 carried my Road Cutters their Dinner and dined with them as I have done every day since they have been on the business ; they go on with rapidity ; two miles are now cleared with cause ways layed and no better road in the County. •'Saturday 3d. — The Road Cutters, Masons and Car- penters regularly pursuing their business. Col. Jones with Mr. Parker of Penobscot and Mr. Wilde (Chief Justice Samuel S. Wilde) went off this morning for Machias. I attended them as far as Tunk Mills ; on an eminence near which Mr. Peters and myself took a view of the ground over which we supposed it probable the Road now cutting will pass. (The road and farm work progressed well.) Col. Hall had to leave for a time, business taking him Westward. Mr. Townley took his place. Messrs. Wild and Parker returned from Machias. After dinner we went to Col. Jones, where we lodged. Parker and Wild sailed for Penobscot in the morning. "Saturday 17th. — Brown's schooner arrived this morn- ing from Boston which she left Monday ; to my great disappointment bro't nothing for me. Col. Jones and Mr. Pagan (Robert Pagan of St Andrews) arrived at Dinner; Pagan stayed the night, Jones returned. "Sunday 18th. — This morning 1 rode with Mr. Pagan, who is on his way to St. Andrews ; as far as Townley's in Stuben, where I stopped and then returned to the Point with Townley who dined with men. The Road Cutters came in this morning to see us and will return at evening to their Hutt. 43 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO "Monday i9th. — I went to view the Road now seven miles distant ; they penetrate the Forest very well, Townley their leader, went home sick on Saturday ; Macomber a good fellow, I have appointed in his place. They have a very good Hutt, which being covered with boards, now shelters them from all weather ; they wait the return of Townley to lay the cover of their new bridge ; At present we pass on string pieces. "Tuesday 20th, — The Labourers this day finished the Potatoes that they have put into the Hole for the winter. This cellar is closed up and secured against the cold ; it contains about two hundred bushels. The rest of the Potatoes are put in the Barn for the use of the Cattle for the present, and into the cellar for the use of the Family. "Wednesday 21st. — Went over with Townley whom I have requested to Superintend the business, to view the Great Marshes. (This was the property of Gen. Cobb, afterward a part bought by one of his laborers, Jerry Tracy.) People are at work on them cutting and stacking their hay. It is not so well mowed as it ought to be ; care must be taken with this marsh and .^.ome expense laid out on it, for ditching etc. When 1 returned home I found Mr. Holland, the surveyor, who had come from Penobscot to see me ; his friend Capt. Mandeville arrived this morning ; he is a farming Gentleman from the County of Hampshire and has come here to purchase two or more Townships in the northern part of this million acre and Holland is concerned with him. 1 gave them my terms for two Townships which were 3-6 per acre and seventy settlers in seven years on each. Mandeville said it was much dearer than he expected and the number of settlers were too great ; they could agree to the terms ; they said they wanted the Town- ships for a number of young men of their Country to settle 44 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO upon and pretended that Hundreds were engaged in the purchase ; then why startle at seventy settlers upon a Township, their object is speculation, more than settling and Holland is deeply concerned in the business. I advised Capt. Mandeville to go up the River and view the Lands ; perhaps his opinion would change on seeing them or perhaps mine would by the time I should see him in Boston next winter. From the conversation I had with Holland at Penobscot Court I supposed he Intended on his return from Boston to come here and join me as a surveyor, I find his object is quite different ; he intends to continue in the Surveying Line, occasionally to speculate wherever he has opportunity, which his profession always affords ; he is a good fellow, but a little too cunning. They returned to Frenchman's Bay this evening. The potatoes were finished this day and are secured. Work progresses as well as usual. "Sunday 25th. — The Road Cutters from the Woods returned this mornnig ; they came in on this day to get themselves clean clothes and return at night. I dined at Col. Jones's this day and stayed the night. "Monday 27th. — Before I came from Jones's this morning I wrote a letter to Gen. Knox by the post; my particular object in going to Jones's was to get his opinion of the value of the old Saw Mill for the ensuing year as I had been offered a sum for the use of her, that I thought too low ; he engaged to give me 20 M. of boards which was four fimes as much as I had been offered ; and likewise to make enquiries about some mills that cut their Logs from the West side of No. 7 and also to make some arrange- ments v/ith him to prevent Trespasses being committed on the Trenton Lands, of which he owns a part ; returned to the point in the forenoon. Two of my labourers were 45 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO preparing to take passage for returning Westward the other was ennployed assisting Carpenters. "Tuesday 27th. — Last eve one of my Road Cutters came home under pretence of sickness ; this morning two more came in, same excuse ; they wanted to go home in the vessel that sailed for Boston. In the course of the day I had heard that these fellows, with one or more had stop'd at a House on Sunday eve, on their way to their Hutt and having with them Rum and provisions for three days. They drank up the Rum in company with the owner of the House and lay drunk Ihere all night. The Commander of the Party did not unfortunately go from the Point 'till Monday morning. Being acquainted with these circumstances. I told them when they applied to go home, that they might go and welcome, for I wished to have no dealings with a set of deceiving, drunken, mischief making Rascals ; that 1 would pay them nothing for what they had done and I would prosecute them for damages in not complying with the terms of their engagements when they came into my service. To those who complained of being unwell, I told them they were deceiving villians, their sickness was fained, that it was no unusual trick for Yankees to make such excuses and that I would not be imposed upon by such scoundrels ; they would depart from this place. The Gun- dalo's went to the Marsh to bring my Hay. Mr. Peters the Surveyor arrived this evening. "Wednesday 28th. — The Malcontents of yesterday, came to me this morning and promised that if I would for- give them they would go to work with faithfulness and never be guilty of the like bad conduct in future. They would behave peaceably and remain the term for which they were engaged, if I would permit it. To one of them who had been constantly a mutineer, I observed he was so great a 46 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO villain I much doubted the sincerity of his repentance, but I would make a farther trial, on his present promises and if he now deceived me he should have no mercy. They returned to their work in the Woods. Mr. Peters surveyed the shore of the Point ; The Gundalo returned with a load of Hay from the Marshes. "Thursday 29th. — Mr. Peters and my son went to the Road Cutters. Peters will stay with them. The Gundalo went to the Marshes and returned at night with another Load of Hay. Col. Jones with his Sister and Daughter, and Mr. Townley and wife came and dined with the Road Cutters, Mr. Peters and my son. "Friday 30th. — Last Wednesday another of my Fatt Oxen was killed ; one of Shaws ; he weighed : 125 140 116 122 Quarters 66 Hide 34 Tallow 603 No particular occurrence ; the Carpenters to finish their labor. "Saturday 31st. — I am clearing away the rubbish about the House and graveling it. The Workmen at their several employments. "Sunday, Nov. 1st. — Two of my Workmen who had been with me thro' the season embarked this evening for their return to the Westward ; wrote to Gen'l Jackson and Mrs. Cobb. My Road Cutters from the Woods came in this morning and returned in the evening to their Hutt. 47 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO "Monday 2d. — The Surveyors, Mr. Peters and Mr. Townley, had met with difficulty in passing the Road in the direction I wished it, and from their reconnoitering they supposed it must go a circuitous route that I very much disliked. As I felt myself engaged in this business I was determined to examine for myself and accordingly this morning I sett off with these Reconnoiters for the Woods and lodged this night with the Road Cutters. Much fatigued with this march. "Tuesday 3d. — At sunrise this morning we proceeded on our Tour into the Forest, having a Brandy bottle, a small piece of pork and some biskitts in my pocket. We traversed the rout where they supposed the Road must go into circuitous direction and found in No. 10, that if ulti- mately, it must go that course, it will carry us much farther out of our way, than they before had any conception of and even then it must pass with difficulty. We passed between the Round and Long Ponds, so called, which empty by different passages into Tunk River. The Long Pond lies in No. 10; the other pond lies in three Townships, No. 4 7 and 10. On the N. E. side of it, in No. 10, from a mountain of Rock, we had a delightful view to the North and East. It appears to be a very level Country and most of the wood is hard, which at this Season is very distinguish- able ; we descended the East side of this mountain to Tunk River and passed down it to the Great Falls, charming mill sites. The N. E. corner of No. 10, is only fifteen or twenty rods above them upon the western bank of the River and they are almost one mile east of the bounds of No. 7. They are in No. 4 now Stuben, and ought to belong to the purchase of the Townships above. We camped just below these Falls for the night. Our Hutt was built of bushes, with a large fire at our feet, where after eating pork and 48 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO biskett and drinking our Brandy, we slept comfortably in eur Great Coats during the night. "Wednesday 4th. — With the dawn we pursued our rout to examine between the Round Pond and Tunk River, which was supposed to be impassible for the Road by reason of Heath and Meadows; and after running down the Brook that comes out of the Pond, thro' the Heath we came to a small neck of hard land that separates the Heath from the Meadow. Both sides of the Brook here as good land for the Road as can be and in the very direction I wished for. After making the discovery, I laughed at my Surveyor and his attendant for trusting too much to hearsay and report without examining for themselves and then returned to the Road Cutters' Hutt where we arrived at twelve o'clock and where, with an appetite that foregoes all choice, I feasted on minced fish and potatoes, then marched off for the point which I reached by sunset fatigued enough. The letters from Gen'l Knox and Mr. Bingham, which came by express last Monday, were waiting for me; Those letters contained directions for me to wind up my affairs and proceedings here as soon as possible and to repair to Philadelphia, with all speed. This I shall do, but some little time will be taken up in returning the Road Cutters to the Westward. It will not do for me to depart 'till they are gone, and I shair improve the first conveyance for this purpose. "Thursday 5th. — Making arrangements in my mind how with the least expense to the Proprietor I can leave this place. The surveyor marked the road to the Brook and came in. My House not sufficiently secured for the Winter; the Carpenters must remain for awhile. "Friday 6th. — One of the Masons came this morning and began preparing the mortar for plastering, I walked 49 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO over to Col. Jones to make inquiry after a vessel said to be bound from Mount Desert to Boston. The vessel from the Mount will not sail 'till after next week. "Saturday 8th.- — Wrote a letter to Mr. Bingham per post in which I informed him, I should be off from here in a week and that I would be in Philadelphia in a month. Wednesday 11th. — The Workmen are finishing the little House very rapidly; three little rooms, one laythed and two of them will be plastered to-morrow ; the Road Cutters went on to their Hutt this Day to bring off their axes, blankets and cooking utensils. I hear of no better conveyance for the Road Cutters than the fishing schooner ; I am fearful I shall not arrange the Log cutting business in so good a manner as I wished, as it is so difficult to get Trusty characters here to attend to it ; they are all con- cerned in the plunder ; I wrote to Jackson to send me an account of what had been purchased of Shaw of Gouldsboro, for the plunder is eqully great here as elsewhere and ought particularly to be preserved, but 1 can get no returns. Severe blast at S. W. with rain. "Saturday 14th. — Settled this morning the accounts of the road cutters and others. Col. Jones and Mr. Towns- ley came at my request and dined with me. These gentlemen 1 have engaged to superintend the lumber of the lands and 1 have assigned to each the limits of their juris- diction. They have assured me of their determinations to persue their business with the utmost fidelity and alertness. If they do they will serve me much better than many other characters, for, having been long concerned in their business themselves, they are better able to detect the roguery of those who now persue it. The provisions etc., are on board the schooner for the use of the men in their voyage up. "Sunday 15th. — This morning I gave to Townsley his 50 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO Instructions and Letters to sundry characters on whom he can call for advice and assistance in the prosecution of the business entrusted to him. I delivered to my Son all the Keys and Papers that he will want, with an invoice of my Furniture and Stores and then with my traveling Trunk on a Horse, 1 bid adieu to my little Family and my Friends on the Point and sett off for Col. Jones'. Townsley attended me. The Road Cutters will embark this after- noon, if the wind should come fair ; the two carpenters from the Westward will remain for a fortnight longer to finish as much as they can of the inside of the House ; they will then return with Mr. Tillinghast, a young Trader there, into whose care 1 have put them. The other Carpenters and the two Plasterers will finish their work by Thursday next ; arrived at Jones's to a late Dinner. "Monday 16th. — This morning I went with Jones to view Mosquito Harbour Mill. This mill is built by Jones on (Francis) Shaw's part of Gouldsboro and 1 suppose belongs to the purchase from Shaw. Jones has been ejected by Shaw from the possession of the mill but they have referred whether Jones shall receive anything for the Mill more than the value of the Logs he has already taken from Shaw's land ; this Harbour (Winter) is beautiful and better adapted to the fisheries than any in the Country ; the Land good and the Mill well situated. 1 imagine that Jones' intention in bringing me here was to interest me in the settlement of this business with Shaw which he very much wishes to have done, so as to save five or six hundred dollars to himself for the Mill. If this business is to be settled in an amicable manner, I should think he ought to receive something. The Mill is new and in fine order; returned to Jones's House at three o'clock. "Tuesday 17th. — This morning early, Col. Jones, Mr. 51 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO Forbes, of Penobscot, and myself embarked in a small boat to Blue Hill with an intention to discover some Coaster bound to the Westward, on board of which I might embark for Boston. We arrived at Blue Hill at night where a schooner would be ready to sail in two or three days. I engaged this conveyance as it would be a certainty. Had I gone to Penobscot as I intended 1 should probably have been there detained a week and that an uncertainty ; now 1 am sure. Lodged this night at old Capt. Woods ; Jones and Forbes went to Robert Parker's. "Wednesday 18th. — Walked to Mrs. Robert Parker's with Jones and Forbes, who came to see me this morning, where we dined ; from thence we walked to the head of the Bay, where I left my company and went on to Mr. Peters with whom 1 lodged the night. This town of Blue Hill has the best Farms of any East of Penobscot and they will shortly supply ten times their number with the necessaries of life ; large quantities of Beef, Grain, Butter and Cheese are now exported from this little settlement ; 650 bus. of Rye was raised this year from their Ministerial and School Lots, from sowing twenty-one and one-half bushels. This they have just sold for a dollar per bushel. A number of the Farmers have cut from twenty to fifty Tons of English Hay and Robert Parker has cut this year 100 Tons; he has the best Grass and Grazing Farm I ever saw ; indeed almost the whole of this Eastern Country admits of the same kind of improvement and Farmers are only wanted to effect it. "Thursday 19th. — Walked with Mr. Peters over different parts of his Farm and to a neighbouring Farm among the Rocks, where their neighbors from three and one-half acres cuts twelve tons of English Hay annually ; his old wife, (the mother of John A. Peters) looks very neat 52 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO and I bo't a tub of Butter of her. I took my Thanksgiving Dinner with Peters and with Parker and Forbes, who came to see me. I returned to Parker's House and from there to my old quarters at Capt. (Joseph) Woods at night, v/here I shall be at hand for the Schooner whenever she is ready. Col. Jones returned this morning to Gouldsboro. By Mr. Forbes, who goes to-morrow, I have sent a letter to Mr. Wilde at Warren, my Deed of Land on the Andros- coggin River, for him to get recorded, and to settle with the settlers for the same. Forbes was requested to deliver it to Mr. Parker for him to forward it. "Saturday 21st. — Still at Capt. Wood's and reflect- ing upon the state in which I had left my Gouldsboro con- cerns. 1 am rather pleased with the review. The subject about which I was most anxious I have left in a tolerably good train, though not so well as I intended. I mean the log stealing business, but if it is executed as well as it is planned there will be a large saving out of his plunder. Mr. Townsley one of my agents in this business I make depend- ent upon the others ; I have no further dependence upon than his interest being so immediately connected with mine in the business. Capt. Hall on Mount Desert, and Major (Meletiah) Jordan on Union River, will be some check upon Jones, as he will be upon them. My other affairs are left with miy son who is the Master of the Family, and 1 have no doubt he will do well, having a Servant Man and Maid for the service of his Family. "Sunday 22d. — This morning very early with a brisk wind at N. E. the Schooner came in from Union River, 1 embarked on board of her and sailed from this place at ten o'clock; the gale kept increasing with rain and snow and the wind howling to the northward prevented our going up the Reach which we attempted two or three times and obliged 53 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO US to come too off Naskeag Point just within the Reach where in the midst of a severe gale with snow and rain, we rowed out the rest of the day and the night following. "Monday 23d. — Still at our mooring, the wind blowing a gale at N. W. "Tuesday 24th. — The wind the same as yesterday, but toward night coming more gentle we got under way at young flood and beat up the Reach as long as the flood lasted ; came too about four miles from our last mooring, "Wednesday 25th. — At day dawn this morning with a gentle wind at N. W. we got under way again ; beating and having passed the Reach the wind freshened upon us. We ran across Penobscot Bay, through Owl's Head Harbor, the Muscle Ledges, White Head and beat into Tenant's Harbor by ten o'clock at night, where we anchored ; fresh gale. "Thursday 26th.— At Tenant's Harbor ; the wind blow- ing fresh and at N. W. ; at seven o'clock in the evening it came to the N,; we got under way, a fine clear sky and moonshine ; in the course of the night it blew very heavy, which obliged the taking in our light sails. "Friday 27th. — At daylight this morning we were off Cape Elizabeth, having run thirty leagues in the course of the night ; the day mostly calm, at night we were off Portsmouth. "Saturday 28th. — Having continued under sail the night with gentle wind and fine moon, by sun rising this morning we were up with Cape Ann Light House ; between which and the half way Rock, by reason of calm, we con- tinued thro' the day. At seven o'clock the wind sprung up from the northward and at one o'clock in the morning we anchored off Long Wharf in Boston. "Sunday 29th. — At the Dawn 1 was put on shore at Foster's wharf and walked to my old quarters at Mrs. 54 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO Archibald's where to my great disappointment I found that my friend General Jackson in company with General Knox was gone to Philadelphia. After breakfast I called upon Mrs. J. C. Jones and Mrs. M. M. Hayes and intended to have called upon my old friend Mr. Russell but his sudden death the last night deprived me of that pleasure and ex- cited such painful feelings as prevent my ever calling upon the family. I dined at M. M. Hayes' and at ten o'clock retired to my quarters. (One of Gen. Cobb's daughters was ill and he went from home not to return until after the funeral. Her name was not mentioned in his presence.) "Monday 30th. — This morning before sun rising I set off in a Hack for Taunton where I arrived at three o'clock, happy in seeing my family in health, after an absence of more than six months. "Tuesday, December 1st. — A fine pleasant day; visited old friends around me ; went to see the new building de- signed for Academy and much pleased in seeing this child of mine in such forwardness for commencing useful instruction." 55 * r* Wm iiPiSSF'SimSf ilW*BHfi'=H;iFf it'EH ;:l--i„i i^m a.-'Si-l ;«- *! Kr^srtFi;fH=£f-'*» -X W THE COBB MARSH. ELEAZER ROSEBROOK, of Guildhall, Vermont, was one of Gen. Cobb's farnn hands, aiding the General to turn stones into bread. He nnarried Harriet, a daughter of Nahum Guptill and bought a portion of the " Marsh " of Gen. Cobb, Some years later his daughter Eliza, one of eleven children, served the Gen. as housemaid, receiving fifty cents in Winter and four shillings in Summer. Jeremiah Tracy, son of Asa, worked seven years as the General's farm laborer. He bought the homestead and ten acres of Salt Marsh of Gen. Cobb. A two-story house had been built but had blown down in a severe gale. The new owner built a house of one story. On January 20, 1833, Jeremiah Tracy and Eliza Rosebrook were united in marriage and settled at the " Marsh." ever known as " the half-way house." The life of this family is recorded as a sample of the duties of a wife and mother in early days. Eliza Rosebrook in her two years service earned her wearing apparel and saved from the wages stated, enough money to buy the material for her table linen, bed clothes and spreads ; also her dishes aud the trosseau. The dress was what would be called crepon at this day ; a nice light 56 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO colored silk, made yoke and belt (the buckle being ivory,) and skirt three straight breadths. Besides the usual housework in Gen. Cobb's home, Eliza, the maid, milked six cows, did the spinning and weaving. Eliza, the mother, had her own looms in the ell chamber and for the seven children that in due time com- posed the family, she wove cloth from cotton warp colored blue and yarn filling red. The summer suits were drilling for the boys and the three girls each season had one new calico dress, also a pair of fifty-cent slippers. In the Fall Mr. Foster Hill of West Gouldsboro (a well known shoe- maker) went to repair boots, make a new pair of cowhides for the girls and long legged boots for the boys. On Sunday the family with many others attended Divine service at the old Town House, Gouldsboro, starting in the morning with their lunch (there were two services) and slippers and stockings in their hands in Summer, until the "Old Pound" was reached (where now stands FuUington Whittaker's house.) Here they sat down, dressed their feet and entered the place of worship on the opposite side of the road. After service the rear of the Pound was again utilized as a dressing room, whence the girls proceeded homeward on nature's sandals. The Cobb-Tracy house is about half way from Prospect Harbor to Gouldsboro and has always afforded kind hos- pitality to many a wayfarer even to the present day. 57 GOULDSBORO POINT. JONATHAN Tracy came to old Falmouth, now Portland, in 1742-3, from Preston, Conn. The first of August, 1762, he moved to Gouldsboro, Maine, induced by the proprietors by offers of free grants of three lots of land for himself and one for each of his sons. Jonathan Tracy's place was at Gouldsboro Point where now is held the annual August picnic of the multi-numerous family. Jonathan Tracy was a well educated man. He died at Steuben, Maine, 1796, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Lydia Leighton. His son, Asa, settled on the adjacent Eastern lot where Isaac, his son, lived for 92 years on the place, seldom going away and content to work industriously on his farm. Isaac Tracy proved the falseness of the assertion "farm- ing does not pay," as not only did he make a living from our rocky Gouldsboro soil but left money besides. If the young men of to-day would work as industriously as our forefathers the desolate places in town would miraculously turn the stony soil into bread. In Capt. Dan'l Sullivan's Co. of volunteers against Major Bagaduce, July 28, 1779, were Jonathan Tracy, Lieut., wages 24£ per mo., mileage 7£ ; Asa Tracy, Privt., wages 21£ per mo., mileage 7£ ; also Peter Godfrey, Wm. 58 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO Shaw, David and Sam'l Joy, but these men lived at the village. In Capt. Sullivan's 6th Reg. Militia, Oct. 1780. for pro- tection of Frenchman's Bay were Francis Shaw, Priv't. 16s wages and Benj. Ash, Corp'l. 4£ 8s, Gouldsboro. The first schoolhouse was built about 1766, so near as the estimate can be made, and the present at the Eastern side in 1870. About one hundred inhabitants constituted this community twenty-five years ago, but now only thirty comprise its number. On the shore of Jonathan Tracy's homestead was built the T. R. Hammond, 1857. A piece was taken by Mr. William Workman the father of our masons, by trade. Afterwards Mr. Workman sold his interest for a horse and carriage, exhibiting his keen sense of humor by saying, "I have the reins in my own hands." The two modern schoolhouses unused now for lack of pupils, have each a destiny, the Western being the home of the men at Chicken Mill while the Eastern is to form the Bunker's Harbor seat of learning. 59 ifc#fi'%W*SiSiii##ff THE HAUNTED HOUSE. FRANCIS SHAW'S son William in 1795 obtained from John Lane, a London merchant, of the firm of Lane & Frazier, all the land in Gouldsboro village not sold, and Gouldsboro Point. We understand John Shaw, son of Francis, and Col. Jones' son-in-law lived at the Point as did also Francis Shaw Jr. and several younger Shaws. (The land here was bought by William Bingham and others for the proposed city about 1780.) But three large houses were erected in 1776 so near as dates can be obtained, and in the one remaining, lived Francis Jr. After his decease, the home was occupied at intervals by several families. This part of the Point was a veritable Garden of Eden, the Shaws taking great pride in gardening, especially Richard Shaw, a bachelor brother, well remembered by our older inhabitants as a typical French gentleman, and an expert gardener. Mr. Shaw forbore riding in a carriage for fear of an accident but, starting out in later life for his annual visit to relatives and friends at West Gouldsboro, was persuaded to ride by his brother Charles who was on the way with a staid old nag. The steed became frightened, threw Monsieur out, causing brain injuries from which he soon died. Summer tourists call the deserted old mansion haunted, 60 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO but this tragedy of a member of its owner's family is the only one related, so we think the shadows of pleasure seekers are the visions in the deserted home now owned by parties in Cherryfield. THE FIRST GOULDSBORO TOWN HOUSE. THE DATE of erection of the first town house is unknown. For years this square, weather-stained building was the scene of all public gatherings. The pews on either side were closed with a high door as entrance, and fortunate the child whose father's pew had a window, one of the nine 7x9 avenues of light. The centre of the house contained a double row of the clear pine pews, nature's tint. In front was the pulpit, six feet from the floor, at the base the choir's seat, where for years Amos Guptill with his tuning fork began the hymns of praise. The house was high posted and in the upper part was a room where the records were kept. Not only was this place for town business and divine service but for the use of the singing master and as a theatre. It was burned September 23, 1883. The first church in Gouldsboro was built 1872, burned in 1883. In 1884 the present Methodist church was built on the site of the old town house. In 1886 a few rods distant the Union Church was erected. The date of erec- tion of the old school house is unknown. Location in front of Mrs. A. W. Hill's house. A singing school was held there for several winters. One teacher was A. K. P. Moore of Steuben. Thither came boys and girls from the "Pond" and "Cove" on nature's conveyances. 61 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO A few members of "Uncle Amos' " choir were pupils of the singing schools, including Mrs. George Whittaker and daughter Elvira, Ransom Rolfe and wife, Hiram Rolfe, Josephine and Mary Jane Guptill. The first orchestra in town was composed of Messrs. J. D. Wood and G. C. Gouldsboro, violins ; William Eaton, cornet and S. G. Wood, bass viol. Teams were scarce and when the service of the orchestra was engaged at Steuben for a Fourth of July ball, the veteran fish peddler, Wyman Bunker, conveyed it thither in his cart, and came to the "Point" for the night. He not appearing at 5 A. M. the "orchestra" walked to the "Point" and found Wyman just arising. EARLY PASTORS. 'INISTERS who preached in the Old Town House at Gouldsboro were: John Richards (the first settled minister) ; Jaques, (married H. M. Sowle in 1829) ; A. F. Barnard ; Seth Beal ; Benjamin Hilton ; Moses Palmer; Bruce; Asahel Moore; Hiram Chase, (married H. M. Sowle the second time in 1846); Mace Clough ; Elliot B. Fletcher ; Roundy ; Jesse Harriman ; Robert Gross ; Edwin A. Helmershansen ; Otis Jenkins ; Harry W. Latham ; C. C. Long. These are a few of the very oldest. 62 ■PL AN^ ■#TOWl\I HOUSED -^GOULDSBCDRO^— J}e5TRov£0 By Firt S»fT. 23,1683. OATt OF CRECTtON UNKNOWN. !.•■ WHITTk«EI J ciwrriL I 5f^^Ru«OMPiaUO. ^bu IV TY- r-^ C3MO. GOULDSBORO VILLAGE. A RECORD of a good land deal here has come to our notice : William Shaw of Quincy, County of Norfolk, Mass., deeded, in consideration of $5 paid by David Cobb of Gouldsborough, west side of Bay one hundred acres, taken up and improved by John Walker, late of Gouldsborough deceased, as a settler in town. Said David Cobb bought of John Walker son of said John W. deceased. In witness whereof, I, the said William Shaw have hereunto set my hand and seal this 30th day of January A. D. 1800. William Shaw. Signed, Sealed and delivered ,— a-«, in presence of us : f 1 Thomas Cobb, | * > John Black. ^-y-^ This land is now known as Haydn Guptill's place. Ship building was quite an industry and even now vessels are repaired extensively at the landing and a number of scows have been built lately. The first vessel built at the yard was the schooner H. D. Leighton, in 1847. Henry Leighton was the builder. The Gulnare was built by Luther Stevens, and John Moore was captain. The Oddfellow was built about 1850, 63 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO Clement Young was the first captain, but Capt. Nahuna Rosebrook soon after took command. The brig Zoarra, was built in 1852, Luther Stevens, builder. The brig Whittaker, Capt. Joseph Handy, in 1854, and the Orozimbo, brig Handy and Alruccabar. The latter was partly owned by Mr. Wm. Guptill of Gouldsboro. Capt. David Cole went with her to Baltimore with a load of lumber and from there was chartered to go for a load of guano. The guano country being in rebellion, the vessel obtained but thirty tons. Six stevedores' names were on the ship's paper so that upon the failure of the charter party, it took 3-4 of what the vessel sold for, to pay the cost of the voyage. The Orozimbo is owned in Eastport. In 1859, the J. C. Haraden brigs, Ruby and Chastelain were built. The Condor was built for Capt. Horatio Allen and the Ponvert in 1863; Sherman Smith was the master builder and Rufus Allen, captain. The brig Sullivan, was built in 1866, Jesse Perry, captain, and the Altoona, in 1869. Thos. Fitzgerald was the captain. In 1884, the Willard and Wilson and Lizzie May, schooners; in 1885, the Lizzie and Annie ; in 1890, the Seth Wyman ; in 1892, the Lida F. ; in 1895, the Hattie Loring. About seventy-five years ago two vessels were built at Truxton, Fernald's shore, by Joseph Stevens: the Joseph and Shibboleth. From 1878 to 1880 there was a big mining boom. A number of buildings still stand as sentinels to untold wealth. T. S. Dunifer's stave miill and Wm. Guptill's shingle mill are veteran sawyers on the stream. The nucleus of lumbering now is at Chicken Mill where there is material for two million staves and a quantity of long lumber, owned and operated under the direction of Messrs. Harvey and 64 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO Emery Dunbar of Sullivan. The kiln wood and some paving swell the industries. The pupils in Dist. 7, number eleven, in No. 8, sixty- seven. A good schoolhouse was erected about twenty-five years ago in each district. The date of the old ones not known. More than half a century ago at the fall of a certain eve's dew, one of the young men in the northern section near the stream, set forth to call home the cattle. Not having his predecessor's rod (Aaron) he believed his old musket a good stay in time of doubt and uncertainty. Thus armed he strode along when Hark ! ! What's that sound ! ! What means those tracks ! I A moment later, he espied close at hand. Bruin himself ; a huge bear indeed ! The weapon was aimed at the beast's heart and fired. Not killed but wounded Bruin rushed toward his assailant and struck Ash's arm a heavy blow. Then occurred the worst personal combat between man and beast in Gouldsboro, In the death grip of that monster Aaron Ash grasped the bear's tongue and with Herculean strength strove to choke him. He did not succeed, but managed to escape from his clutches, and badly lacerated he returned home. The next morning his brother-in-law went to the scene of action, found Bruin much exhausted and shot him. Thus Samuel Joy brought home the trophy of that awful struggle. Three pioneer settlers at "The Bay" were Samuel Libby, Hilliard Sowle and Thomas Gubtail. The first post office in Gouldsboro was established April 22, 1796, Thomas Hill postmaster. But we are informed the residents went to West Gouldsboro for the mail. The local lodge of our prominent state order, the Grange, 65 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO was organized April 24, 1901, with nineteen members. It now has more than one hundred members. The captains of the sea from the "Point" were Nahum Rosebrook, David Rosebrook, John Shaw, Nathan Tracy, Edwin Tracy, deep sea men ; Joseph Haraden, John iVIoore, David Walls, Nathaniel Shaw, Jesse Perry, coasters ; from Gouldsboro, Jesse Perry 2nd, Simeon L. Tracy, Freeman G. Tracy, deep sea men; Sherman Spurling, William Fernald, Stillman Coffin, coasters. 66 iite %t#-i+iiir't lif i i r l ii irHiiitifr'ilii-Hi-'Mti D i l 'M I t ir 'Bi r i -i THE LIBBY FAMILY. JOHN LIBBY came from England and settled in Scar- boro, Me. From there, Samuel, one of his four sons, came to Gouldsboro and settled, attracted by the large amount of salt hay and fine lumber. Here, his first wife having died, he married again, his second wife's family name being Leighton. Her christian name is not known. Four children were born to them, the eldest, Polly, being the first white girl born within the present limits of the town. Mr. Libby's only son, Joseph, born in 1765, married in 1799, Bathsheaba Gibbs of Rochester, Mass. Joseph then built a house on the present site of the Libby homestead. Of their six children, Daniel the eldest remained in the old home. He married, in 1826, Mary Ann Whitaker. To them were born six children, three of whom still live at the old homestead. H. M. SOWLE. MILLIARD M. SOWLE came to Gouldsboro from New Bedford, Mass., in the year 1825, at the age of 22, for the purpose of running a store for his Uncle, Thomas 67 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO Mayhew, a wealthy New Bedford sea-captain. The store was situated just above where W. L. Guptill's carding and shingle mill now stands. In 1829 Mr. Sowle married Abagail Wilson and afterwards he bought the house and farm belonging to her father, Gowen Wilson, who then moved to Cherryfield. The house was the same in which he lived for more than fifty years and which stood, one of the land marks of the town, until a few years ago, A few years after his marriage Mr. Sowle bought out his uncle's interest in the store and started in business for himself in a new store which he built where Ira Shaw's store now stands. In 1844 Mrs. Sowle died, leaving four children, and in 1846 Mr. Sowle married Flora Whitaker, who still lives at the old homestead. Of their four children three are still living. Mr. Sowle was appointed town clerk in 1837. The first two entries in his record are as follows : — Gouldsborough February 27th 1837. Then appeared Ephriam W. Taft and took the oath prescribed by law to serve as Post Master. Before me, H. M. Sowle, Justice of the peace. March 6th 1837. Then personally appeared Nahum Jones and made oath that he killed or caused to be killed one Bear within this State. H. M. Sowle, Justice of the peace. In the same record is a list of 253 marriages which Mr. Sowle performed. That is not a complete list as there are a great many marriages which are recorded in the town books and not in his. Mr. Sowle was postmaster for twenty years and was steadily engaged in trade from the time he came here until his death in 1882. 68 fSW S¥ Hi4lr4ift ^f^ THOMAS GUBTAIL, THOMAS GUBTAIL (as recorded in the town records, Vol. 1.) was an active townsman. Many times his house was opened for town meetings prior to the erection of the first town house. He came from Berwick in the earliest days of the township and married Sarah Wilson in 1768. Gen. Cobb was a frequent caller at the Gubtail farm. The children were : Thomas, Marshall, Lucy, Amos, George, Millard, Curtis, Wilson, Nelson, Mary Ann. The farm is now occupied by William, Everett and Emerson. The latter's house is over Thomas Gubtail's cellar. John Gubtail was born in Berwick, 1730, and married Abigail Goodwin in 1752. Their issue was: Abijah, married Mary Urann ; William, married Jane Downs ; Susan, married William Whittaker, in 1770. (The great grandfather of the present townsman bearing his name.) John, married Mary Woodman ; Thomas, married Sarah Wilson, 1790, otherwise mentioned ; Amos, married Abigail Urann ; Nahum, married Sarah Rolfe in 1796 ; (grand and great grandparents of the Winter Harbor Guptills.) 69 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO Mary, married Jesse Perry in 1798; (great grand- parents of many Stevens descendants, Steuben. Jesse fought at Bunker Hill.) Fannie, married Benjamin Spurling, 1799 ; (great grandparents of many Spurlings, some moved to Cranberry Isle.) When the Civil feud broke forth, the town of Goulds- boro called a meeting and elected William Guptill lieutenant. He had charge of the town's affairs in this department and conducted the 26th regiment to Bangor. In the Spring of 1889 the authorities of some Southern states made requests of the North for the battle flags captured during the war. This suggested to Lieutenant Guptill the following : TAKE BACK THE FLAGS. Take them, ye Southerns, those symbols of treason, We know that you worship and love them to-day. The black clouds that darken the bright sun of reason. The school and the engine will soon clear away. Take them, the emblems of bondage and darkness, We've no place to hide them from "Liberty's" sight. When the "torchlight of Liberty" illumes the Southland, You'll spurn them and burn them as brush in the night. Take them, those symbols of perfidy, take them. We execrate, hate them, and you will some day, Their cost ! Oh, 'twas fearful and boys in blue paid it, And wish you the blessings of Freedom for aye. Yes, Freedom, the patron of light and of learning. We've sworn to protect 'neath the bright starry flag. Then huzzah for the flag of the free and fearless, And annihilation to slavery's rag. Take them, cremate them, in hottest fire burn them. And bury their dust in Oblivion's tomb; Then the high tide of progress will come to the Southland And the blest "Tree of Liberty" shower its bloom. 70 ip|i^!it||# gpj!i^g;^ WEST GOULDSBORO. MONG the early prominent nnen of West Gouldsboro was Thomas Hill, a native of Weston. Mass., who followed Col. Jones to his part of the township. His wife was Rebecca Train, a daughter of Samuel Train, whose ancestor, John, was an early settler in Weston, 1635. So near as recalled they landed at Skillings river a short time after their marriage and soon after came to West Goulds- boro, but the revolts of war turned their tide to Massachusetts. Marshall, the first child, was born Nov. 2d, 1773, in Massachusetts. The Hill house was about half way from the present, owned by Mr. J. M. Sears of Boston, to the shore. They had twelve children, ten of whom lived to manhood and the two daughters to womanhood. Two sons, George and Daniel, died when young men. Esquire Hill built the first tannery which was run by horse power, and later Barney's son, Peter, introduced water power. The tannery remains, but the proprietors have passed away and the business ceased. Marshall, the eldest son, also had a tannery on his homestead, now the property of his grandson, James A. Hill. The building was torn down several years ago. Esquire Hill was Justice of the Peace, the first post- master in Gouldsboro, a deacon of the Baptist church, had 71 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO family worship and was a regular attendant at the Sunday service in the old town house. He was a man of ability and most exemplary. Under his direction quite a farm was tilled and cultivated. He employed a number of men, especially in haying. One hot summer morn the men had mown from an early hour that would astound the present generation, and were shirk- ing somewhat. The Squire walked down the field and asked "Who mowed this swath ?" "Fitzgerald," was the reply. The same for several swaths until he came to the condemned man. "Fitzgerald, you may go to the house and hang up your scythe; you have done enough." A rebuke not forgotten by his men. In later years Barney, the ninth son, became proprietor. He was appointed first postmaster in West Gouldsboro October, 19, 1841. He was the pioneer summer tourists' host. Among the names of guests, appear in 1862 Nathaniel Hawthorn and son Julian; in 1866. James Freeman Clark. Jamaica Plain, Mass. ; in 1869. Henry W. Foote and family, also Mrs. S. A. Eliot, Boston ; in 1871, Arthur Foote, Lewis S. Osborn ; in 1873, Mrs. Edna D. Cheney and daughter, Boston. Esquire Thomas built a vessel at his shore called "The Ten Brothers." Later a vessel was built by Rufus, Thos. Jr. and Barney, three of the ten brothers, Thomas being captain of the "Dawn," Esquire Barney's daughter Charlotte was a violinist and teacher of dancing as was her brother, Peter L. Both won the esteem and patronage of eastern communities. Miss Hill owned the first piano in town which was the admired of . all admirers. This heir-loom descended to her niece and 72 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO namesake, Charlotte Hill Cowing. Miss Hill died of diphtheria. After her mother's death (Clarissa Lyon of Needham, Mass.,) Esq. Hill married Mrs. Abbie Dunbar of Gouldsboro, who after his death, sold the place to Mr. Alpheus Hardy of Boston ; thence at the death of Mr. Hardy passing into possession of the present owner. Records do not show nor tradition relate the culture and refinement that has existed in this house in former days. Mr. Barney Hill the last family owner, during a severe storm, entertained the stage driver and passengers. A lady was taken very ill during the evening and nothing would relieve her but a certain doctor's pills. The distance was too great and storm too severe to go but the discretion of Mr. Hill won the day. He knew the medicine, but had none, so he told her he would send to the house of Capt. John Hammond his neighbor, for the pills. He went into the pantry and taking some white also brownbread, rolled up the pills and in due time returned with a glass of water added. They were hastily taken, washed down with the water, and quickly relief came and the patient slept. There ignorance was bliss. The ship building was quite an industry in former days, several of the vessels receiving the name of the principal owner. Among the vessels may be mentioned : The Java, built for Capt. Isaac Clewly of Prospect, Waldo Co. The Eliza Ann, rebuilt for the owners, Holway and O'Brien, of Machias. The E. Wood, built for Capt. Allen Moore. The Martha Wood, for Capt. Simon Sargent. The schooner met with a mishap and the insurance company re- fused to settle as her cargo was bound to a port beyond their 73 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO limits, but the accident occurred within those limits and the captain and builder, Ebenezer Wood, appealed to Mr. Rufus Choate. Upon the presentation of this fact, Mr. Choate assured them the victory was theirs, as it proved. Capt. Sargent after he became blind was fond of relating his adventures on the ocean. This transaction with Mr. Choate was prominent for he proved a good pilot. The Northerner, was a brig built by Jerry Stevens who was captain. The material was furnished by E. Wood. The Forest, a topsail schooner, was the last of Ebenezer Wood's ship building. The brig Tugwassa, was built by Asa Dyer. The D. C. Brooks, by Thomas Leighton. The Connaught, by Luther Stevens. The latter was launched on Buchanan's election day, 1856. The schooners H. Jones and F. Taft, and brigs Saginaw and Macosta, were built by Mr. William Stevens as was the schooner, Monadnock. The latter was built on the site of Mrs. N. Shaw's smoke house. In 1866, the Clarabelle, built by Edmund Young for Capt. S. L. Tracy. In 1874, the Vineyard, v/as built by John Salisbury. The Lygonia, a fore and aft schooner, about 100 tons, was sunk off Long Island. The Dawn, was another of the early vessels. Until his death, Mr. William Stevens built boats. The last schooner was the Alcyon, built by Messrs. Will Johnson and Jones. Among the men in Capt. Sullivan's Co., organized in Oct. 1780, for the protection of Frenchman's Bay, is the name of Benjamin Sargent, entered Nov. 1, time, 15 d'ys, wages, 1£. To show there was another soldier in his family the following anecdote is recalled : 74 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO The old cellar, at the south of Sunnyside Farm, guarded by an apple tree and a lilac bush, was the site of his home, shared by his wife, a Massachusetts woman, and nine children, Capt. Simon Sargent being one. Mr. Sargent's occupation was that of cook on board ships and sometimes he took a long cruise. One late fall he was on his return home when the vessel was blown off by the gales and landed in the West Indies. The supplies for his family could do them no good and no word was received of the father's whereabouts. With the unflagging energy that characterized the New England mother, Betsy proved the Queen over circum- stances by walking the shore path to the home of her brother-in-law, Andrew Sargent, (the only trace of the home of Mr. Sargent is the last cellar on the Jordan Road before entering Winter Harbor) and bringing home a salt fish and some potatoes. During the winter the childrens' diet consisted largely of potato bread upon which they subsisted. Spring smiled on the brave mother's efforts by returning her husband and his supplies. The first schoolhouse was built about 1800, 'oack of E. K. Merritt's store. Afterwards the schoolhouse was moved to the present location of E. M. Stevens' pump. Two seats of learning were erected, the northern near the town house and the southern near where J. B. Wright's dwelling now stands. A half term was kept in each house, and pupils from the Pond, Goodwin district and South Gouldsboro came here. The district was divided ; the Pond school house built and also the present one here. Number of pupils 57. The northern house was used by Wm. Eaton for a cabinet maker's shop. 75 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO The southern house is used for a dweUing by Hiram Bunker. The hall over the present school room was built by the residents, a ladies' society aiding greatly. Perhaps the greatest event in this small village was the campmeeting for two seasons, in the falls of '47 and '48. The session was for one week in the birch grove at Col. Taft's Point. Day and night the roads were full of all sorts of vehicles including even a four horse coach from Ellsworth and another from Cherryfield, the latter conveying young men. While waiting for their horses to be harnessed at Col. Taft's in the evening after the meeting, they sang hymns. The people wending their way home in the bright moonlight, not only recall the novelty of the coach, at that time, but the rare harmony of those young voices. The village still has summer tourists and Taft's Point is a favorite resort. One of the modern conveniences was the telephone placed in S. L. Tracy's store in August, 1892. Six residents agreed to pay ten dollars apiece or the deficit at the end of the year for three years. The first year's receipts exceeded sixty dollars. Ice cutting was quite an industry in former years. The last cut was in 1890, Rodick Brothers of Bar Harbor being the operators. Five years ago through the agency of E. K. Merritt clams were shipped, several thousand bushels were dug each winter for export. Last winter. 1902, Mr. Thos. F. Martin canned in a small factory, expending $1,134.00 for clams and labor in the village. Is this industry worth protecting ? The ladies sewing society built, with aid from those interested, a Union church, dedicated in 1892. There are two patriotic orders here ; the Junior O. U. A. M. organized in April, 1902, has 44 members, and the D. of L., organized in June, 1902, 54 members. 76 . : ' ,. 1 . ,.. 1 .r- ;.;. , ,; •:; . :. i ^_ »W^mlTir4ii-(-iiii- #1 sir iiii-l ,„h¥ft*;**l-:a ,1 M ,1,:, a+i-*fS*' '■'****•* THE GOODWIN DISTRICT. ON THE 4th day of November, 1801, Nathan Jones deeded to Moses Goodwin of Berwick, (Maine) the western lot 650 acres, of his quarter section, for $2,600. The bounds, southerly. Frenchman's Bay ; southeast, land conveyed to Thomas Hill ; northwest, to Township number seven ; west, to township of Sullivan, to a bay called Flanders, being the northwest corner of Gouldsboro. Moses Goodwin also contracted for a wife, marrying Susan Jones, the twelfth child of Nathan Jones's issue. The Goodwin house was where that of G. H. Robertson now stands. The children of Moses and Sarah Goodwin were : I. Nathan Jones Goodwin, married Hannah Bunker ; children, Nathan Jr., deceased, Louise, (deceased,) married John U. Small, Sullivan, and Miss Mary Goodwin the last living of this branch, II. Louise, married Harrison Dyer of Addison Point, died there. One child, Ann, deceased. III. Sarah, married Elbridge Holt of Belfast. Three boys, Charles and George deceased, Fred living in West Gouldsboro. 77 ASH'S POINT. AT ASH'S POINT are ruins of an old French fortification and also Indian relics have been found of much interest. The first settler quoted is a man by the name of Bickford but Thomas Ash is the first recalled ; the date of his location here is unknown. His son, Nathaniel, married Lucy Johnson and settled here too. The children of Nathaniel Ash were : I. Nathaniel Jr., married Ruth Hall. Their Issue was, Elisha C. Ash, died in military service, March 9, 1862, Ellen M., married John H. Tracy, Gouldsboro. They cared for the parents of Mrs. Tracy and her bachelor uncle. Mr. Tracy has lived here 46 years. II. William, unmarried, died Dec. 22, 1888, aged 91 yrs. 5 mo. III. Miriam, married Wiley Hall. At the shore of the Hall homestead is ballast said to have been thrown out from English ships that loaded here with lumber. IV. Susan, married Isaiah Hall of Sullivan. V. Hannah, married Marshall Guptill of Gouldsboro. VI. Lucy, married a German, — Hoffsis of Rockland. VII. Betsy, married Abial Pettee of Sullivan. 1jiii*1iHini'-aflflflWifKr*»"«fi:F^Hra PROPOSALS FOR CARRYING U. S. MAIL. THE FOLLOWING proposals for carrying the mails of the United States were advertised In the Philadelphia Gazette, June 15, 1799 : Will be received at the General Post Office in Phila- delphia, until the 1 2th day of August next, inclusive. In Maine: Scoodlc by Machlas, Chandler's River, Colunnbia and Narraguagus to Gouldsboro once a week, estimated eighty- eight miles. From April 15th to October 15th, Leave Scoodlc every Saturday at two P. M, and arrive at Gouldsboro the next Tuesday by six P. M. Returning leave Gouldsboro every Wednesday at five A. M. and arrive at Scoodlc on Saturday by ten A. M. From October 15, to April 15, leave Scoodlc every Sunday at two P. M. and arrive at Gouldsboro on Wednesday by six P. M. Returning leave Gouldsboro every Thursday at six A. M. and arrive at Scoodlc on Sunday at ten A. M. 2. From Gouldsboro by Sullivan, Trenton, Blue Hill, Castine, Buckston, Prospect and Belfast to Ducktrap, once a week ; estimated eighty-five miles. From April 15 to October 15, Leave Gouldsboro every Wednesday, at five A. M. and arrive at Ducktrap on Saturday by ten A. M. 79 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO Returning leave Ducktrap every Saturday at two P. M. and arrive at Gouldsboro the next Tuesday by six P. M. From October 15 to April 15, Leave Gouldsboro every Thursday, at six A. M. and arrive at Ducktrap on Sunday by ten A. M. Returning, Leave Ducktrap every Sunday at two P. M. and arrive at Gouldsboro on Wednesday by six P. M. Note 2. Half an hour shall be allowed for opening and closing the Mail at all offices where no particular time is specified. Note 7. The contracts for the routes numbered 1 to 9 are to be in operation on the 1st day of October next, and are to continue in force until the 1st Oct. 1801. Joseph Habersham, Postmaster General. General Post Office ") Phila., June 10, 1799. j POND DISTRICT. THE FIRST settler was John Leeson. about 1820. He built a log house and barn on the west side of the road where Mr. Fred Holt's apple trees are now located. The next settler was Samuel Tracy who built his log house in 1826 where Mr. Frank Rolf's house now is. Mr. Tracy was a noted ox teamster. He possessed an extra pair of oxen. Often when the road was bare of snow instead of skidding entirely, he would make some marks with his goad and such was their agility that his pair moved the load as rapidly as though the skids were there. Isaac Bunker's house was near F. R. Rosebrook's location. Caleb Joy lived in a log house at the left hand 80 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO of road, after passing the mountain. Simeon Hall and Mollis Joy were old settlers. Nearly opposite Mr. Joseph Sargent's house was a field of wheat in 1835 belonging to John Leeson. He was going away and wished to sell his grain. Patrick Mulhern, who had been taken as a farm hand, through the kindness of Mr. Nahum Jones, who trained a number of "boys," placed his first wages in Mr. Leeson's hand for the field of wheat. The receipts from the grain were double the sum paid. Thus the nucleus of the stolen gold came from the "Pond" wheat field. Patrick Mulhern's education consisted of two words, "Patrick Mulhern." The writing lessons were exchanged for milking instruction to Mary and Clarissa Jones. An old almanac was the tablet and no blank space was uncovered. The first school house was in 1836 on the crest and right side of "school house hill," just below Mr. Hiram Rolf's blacksmith shop. The present house was built under the mountain. The number of pupils were eleven. In Capt. Daniel Sullivan's Sixth Militia Regiment Oct. 1780, for the protection of Frenchman's Bay, is the name of Caleb Joy. He was a private in service 14 days. The time of his discharge was Dec. 23 and his wages 5s, 4d or the whole amount with mileage 1£. SOUTH GOULDSBORO. 'DWARD HAMMOND was born in 1798 in what is now known as the town of Sorrento, on the old Hammond place. He moved to So. Gouldsboro with his parents in 1806 and died at the same place in 1883, 81 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO Ivory Sargent was born in So. Gouldsboro on the old Sargent place in 1799. He died on the same estate in 1883. Jacob Bunker was born about 1781, at Pretty Marsh. He came to So. Gouldsboro about 1801 and died at the same place about 1861. The exact figures cannot be obtained. Isaac Bunker, the father of Jacob, came to So. Gouldsboro about 1801 and died at the same place about 1825 or 1828. The first school at So. Gouldsboro was in Jotham Sargent's dwelling house. The first schoolhouse was built in 1839. It was sold to Alfred Rich in 1874, and remodelled for a dwelling house. It is now owned by J. Harvey Hammond and is occupied as a dwelling house. Arthur B. Holt's house is on the old schoolhouse site. The present schoolhouse was built in 1874, the Ladies' Sewing Circle doing quite a little toward the building, buying the bell, blinds etc. A Christian Endeavor society was organized in May 1883 with thirteen active and thirty-one associate members. The old lobster factory was built in 1870 and was taken down about 1886. It was moved to Prospect Harbor, and is now the present sardine factory at that place. The new clam factory now building (1903) stands on the old lobster factory site. The sardine factory was built in 1901, at a cost of about $10,000. The pay roll for 1901 was about $18,000, and the pay roll for 1902 about $15,000. The first postmaster was James C. Hammond who received his appointment in May 7, 1878. The district contains fifty pupils. Some names familiar to sea-faring men are Captains 82 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO Reuben Hammond, Leonard Bunker, John and David Sargent and Harry and Charles Bunker. Two years ago a fish stand was established by David Crowell of Boston. Another is owned at Winter Harbor by F. R, Bunker. The following statement was obtained through the courtesy of the fish warden, S. P. Cousins : Report of Fishing Industry, Town of Gouldsboro, one 1903. year ending March 31, Cases Sardines, Lobsters, Fresh and Salt Fish, Bbls. Clams in Shell, Cases Clams, Bushels Herring, Lbs. Smelts, Bbls. Clam Bait, Smoked Alewives, Bbls. Salt Herring, Value of Fish Products, Boats, Steamers, Sardine Factories, Fish Stands, Weirs, Lobster Pots, NO. 42,000 277.250 241,131 748 455 1 1 ,000 8090 100 22,000 50 VALUE $120,000 38,485 3,975 1,066 1,365 3,300 809 525 175 150 $169,850 NO. VALUE 130 $12,000 4 12,000 2 13,000 3 5,000 8 1,800 000 6,000 $49,800 130 Amount invested in Fishing Industry, No. Men Employed in Fishing Industry, S. P. Cousins, Warden 83 STAVE ISLAND. THIS ISLE is two and one-half miles long and one mile wide and the eastern side is about one-half mile from the mainland. It contains 528 acres. The first settler is said to have been Reuben Salisbury, about 1800, who there lived for two years. His daughter, Lois, was the first white child born on the Island. A weir at the southern end of the Island and fishing have furnished the principal occupations ; although the soil is very fertile. About 1856 Mr. William Wood of West Gouldsboro became a settler of the southern part. Then porgying was a good industry and Mr. Wood cleared land and established a home for himself. Hither came Capt. Jerry Stevens and brother to build a brig, the "Pilgrim." She was built where now stands Joseph and Albert Wood's fish house. Capt. Jerry Stevens sailed the brig. Mr. Richard Henry Dana's "Two Years Before The Mast," began in this ship in which he rounded the "Horn." In winter quite a quantity of timber and wood have been cut. A number of families have lived there for a brief period but the island is now in the possession of J. D., HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO Albert, C. H. and F. T. Wood. It has always been a favorite picnic ground ; the fish chowders and clam bakes served there being unexcelled by any elsewhere. While Nathaniel Hawthorne was at West Gouldsboro, the village folks had a picnic to Stave Isle which was attended by Mr. Hawthorn and son Julian. After dinner Miss Charlotte Hill tuned her violin and the young folks began dancing on the green in front of Mr. William Wood's house. Coming up the harbor were Messrs. Fountain and Serenus Rodick of Bar Harbor who were sailing two New York guests. They landed at the beach, went up to the scene of merry making and tripped the light fantastic. It is stated by one of the West Gouldsboro girls that the New Yorkers danced as if they were of the party. This Harbor is an excellent one and has been surveyed for a government anchorage but money swayed the location to Portsmouth. On the eastern side of the bar is the Wood Brothers' weir which was one of the best locations on the coast, but the oil from canning factory has decreased its merit. IRONBOUND ISLAND. GEORGE CHILCOTT, an English soldier, landed in the state of Connecticut. At the close of the war he procured his discharge, wandered east to Cromwell's Harbor, Mt. Desert, obtained employment with a Mr. Wasgatt and remained on his farm for some time. Several years previous Elizabeth Allen of Kittery, Me., came to Gouldsboro where she became the wife of a Mr. Bunker. They had six children, Isaac, Mark, Philip, Polly, 85 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO Hannah and one who married a Mr. Everett, Mr. Bunker died, his widow married a Mr. Clemens and they had one son named James. When George Chilcott came to Cromwell's Harbor, Mrs. Clemens was in her second widowhood. They formed an acquaintance and about 1786 or 7 it resulted in their marriage. George Jr., was born in 1788 and John 1790. Mr, Chilcott visited Ironbound Island, then State's land, to seek a home for himself. He concluded that land covered with old growth wood so heavily, was strong land and would make a good farm. Full of resolution and pluck and liking hard work, he was the man for the situation. At the west end of the island Mr. Chilcott cleared a spot, built a log house and moved his family about 1790, becoming the first settler of Ironbound Island. (Since obtaining this information we have learned that the grandsire of Mr. Barney Havey, of West Sullivan, Andrew Havey, lived there previous to Mr. Chilcott's permanent residence) Mr. Chilcott commenced burning and clearing, the soil produced abundantly. He raised cattle and enough to feed them. By industry, honesty, economy and the aid of an excellent wife, he reaped New England thrift. In the summer of 1806, the author of my authority, Mr. Samuel W. Cleaves of Steuben, then two and a half years old, went to Ironbound, in charge of his foster-mother, Elizabeth Chilcott. They had a new house, a barn thirty-five by forty-five feet, had cleared twenty-five or thirty acres of land, cut twenty tons of hay, had a yoke of oxen, two or three cows, a lot of young stock and quite a flock of sheep. A year or two previous to 1806, they lost their younger son John, the first white man buried on the Island. In 1803 or 1804, Philip Bunker, above mentioned, 86 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO cleared two or three acres on the east end of Ironbound, built a log house and lived there a few years. When Barnabas Young of Eden, Me., bought Philip's claim in 1808 Philip got a site elsewhere and soon moved his family. Also came George Anderson from Eden, but stayed only a few years. James Beverly moved here too and in 1811 or 1812, William Leland wife and six children came from Kennebec and occupied George Anderson's lot as a permanent resident. There were several transient settlers. In 1812, Richard Meagher of Baston, lost his property by fire and v/as granted five hundred acres of land from the Massachusetts Commonwealth. He came to Maine, visited Ironbound, was suited with the outlook and gained consent of all but Grandsir Chilcott to take up his claim. A surveyor found the Island to contain about seven hundred and fifty acres. He set off the Chilcott claim and then run the lots to suit the settlers. About a year after Mr. Meagher had fixed up his business on the island, a Mr. Benjamin Palmer of Scituate, Mass., came and attached Meagher's interest, but the difficulty was settled and both left the Island forever. The first school was in the summer of 1817, eight or ten weeks, taught by Nancy Cole of Prospect Harbor. The next was a winter's school of the same length taught by Almira Allen of Prospect Harbor. In 1820 there were two months winter school, taught by Cyrus Brown of the same village and in 1822, two more months by Brown. These were in a private room but a schoolhouse was built in 1824. A two months school was taught by Michael Knight, There have been about twenty- five pupils in attendance at one term in this building. There has occasionally been preaching in the schoolhouse 87 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO by Elder Job Chadwick of Lincoln, Me., a Baptist minister, who lived in Prospect Harbor for several years. During the summer the young folks in favorable weather went to Hull's Cove, Eden, to attend the two services on Sunday at the unfinished church. John Leeson living in the Pond District, West Goulds- boro, preached occasionally in 1824-5-6. During 1 840-42 a hermaphrodite brig was built at west end of Chilcott beach, where now is the boat house of Mr. Dwight Blaney, the summer guest who holds western lots, owned by George Chilcott, Lewis Young and John Smith. Barnabas Young's brother Abner, sold his part to Alden Young of Eden in 1834. In 1862 Warren Young sold to Alden making the latter quite a land holder. His property is now owned by his daughters, Mrs. Galen H. Smith, West Gouldsboro, and Mrs. Eugene Sargent, South Gouldsboro. Capt. Galen H. Smith ov/ns nearly all of the southern claim known as "barren rock." The only winter residents are Mr. Charles Jacobs, wife and son's family who live on the place of his father, Abraham Jacobs, owned by Mr. Blaney, and known as the Lewis Young lot. JORDAN ISLAND. A MAN by the name of Brewer from Kittery, Maine, bought this island and one of his laborers, named Jordan, settled there thus giving the name to the island. After passing through several hands as Gouldsboro owners, the Island was purchased by Mr. Horace Jordan of Brookline, Mass., who built a summer residence which has not been occupied for several years. 88 WINTER HARBOR. THIS SEAPORT of Winter Harbor derived its name from the fact that it has never been closed by ice. The water is deep to its shore and the formation is such that many vessels have found safe anchorage. Winter Harbor was a part of the town of Gouldsboro until 1895 when, by an act of the Legislature, it became a town. At Lower Harbor one of the first settlers was a man named Frazier. (colored) The Creek bears his name. Mr. Frazier owned the salt works there. Another, John Frisbee, came from Portsmouth. He owned a large fish stand and some vessels, a part of, the fleet engaged in the West India trade. His son George was a sea captain. Charles Norris and Leonard Holmes of Cranberry Isles, bought this place about 1845. About the same time three brothers, Ephraim, John and Lot Rider, settled there. Some years later they moved away. Charles Norris, with his sons. Frank and Edwin, Mrs. Clara Crane his daughter, and Mrs. Rhoda Crane Smith and their families have moved to Winter Harbor. The present residents are Mr. Obed Bickford and three sons with their families and Bradley Keith. The seven school children attend the village school at Winter Harbor. In 1820 Mr, Stephen Rand of Boothbay came to 89 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO Winter Harbor. His wife was Nancy Adams of Rockport, Mass. Six families were then living at Winter Harbor. Mr. Rand built a house at the head of the sand beach where he lived until his death about thirty-five years ago. The place is now owned by Capt. F. R. Bunker. Gen. Cobb, then physician in Gouldsboro, when attending to the needs of the residents here, made his home at the house of Mr. Rand. Doctor Cobb rode from Gouldsboro Point on horseback carrying his powders and pills in saddle bags. Mr. Joseph Bickford was then living on or near the Newman place, in a two-inch plank house at the east side of the village. His sons were Jacob, John and Benjamin. Jacob married Clarissa Carlow of Portland ; John married Abigail Keith of Mt. Desert, and Benjamin married Lydia Sargent sister of Mrs. Katie Jones of West Gouldsboro. Most of the Bickford families now living here are descendants of Benjamin. Another of the older settlers at Winter Harbor was Andrew Gerrish, father of Frederic Gerrish and grand- father of the members of the Gerrish families how living here. He lived in a house built of six-inch hewn timber, the partition being of timber. The other family in the house was that of Francis Coombs from Fox Island. Mr. Gerrish was supposed to have been murdered. He and a man by name of Cole from Portsmouth, took a boat load of fish to Franklin. When the boat returned only Mr. Cole was in it. The Gerrish house was near that of Capt. A. J. Gerrish and commanded a view of the Harbor. Mrs. Gerrish saw the boat coming without her husband and she went to the shore and inquired. Cole said he supposed that he was at home as he got out of the boat at the back shore. (The west side of Grindstone Point.) 90 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO Searching parties looked for him but he was never seen. Cole was tried before Capt. Nathan Shaw at West Gouldsboro and afterward at Castine. but for lack of positive proof he was not convicted. It was said he afterwards killed a man at Portsmouth bridge and was hung. Mr. Coombs had several children, one daughter married Nathaniel Stover, who lived in the Pond district. Mr. Stover bought Calf Island (in town of Sullivan) of Messrs. Nahum Jones and John Pherson Sr., and set up house- keeping there. So far as learned they were its only inhabitants except that for several summers, Professor Eliot ' (now President; and a class of Harvard students tented there. A grandson. V/illiam Coombs, was drowned from the Claribel, commanded by Capt. S. L. Tracy. Another of the old settlers was Abijah Sargent. He was twice married. The wives were sisters by the name of Condol, of Sullivan. He lived at the east side of the village where now live his sons and grandsons. Dr. Jonathan Rolf lived at the west side of the village, which is now the Gerrish settlement. He and his wife were from Rhode Island. The occupation of the people at that time, and until within a few years, were the coasting trade and fishing. One old gentleman says that when there was a bounty on fishing, there were about thirty-five sail of vessels then owned here. Among the captains of the mackerel fleet were Capt. Solomon Pendleton, son of Dr. Pendleton, who was lost overboard on his return trip from Bay Cheleur in 1855; Capt. Nathaniel Grover, Leonard and Peleg Tracy and several others. The captains who later sailed to foreign ports, either the West Indies or across the Atlantic, were : Capt. Nathan Hammond's sons, Montgomery, Thomas and Wilson ; 91 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO Capt. A. J. Gerrish, and Capt. J. B. Foss who made several voyages to Africa. Time has wrought great changes; a few are still engaged in fishing, but the Point Grindstone (so called from a ship being cast away which contained a cargo of grindstones) having been purchased by a company of summer tourists, has undergone the greatest transformation. Among the purchasers was the late John G. Moore who truly proved a New Englander's love for his home is most sincere by the improvements he furthered not only at Grindstone but elsewhere. One of the best tributes to his memory is the beautiful drive to Schoodic mountain from which he could see his native town, Steuben. Mr. Moore not only opened and beautified the unused Schoodic Peninsula but also furnished employment to many in and out of town. These changes have given bread to the laborer, an aid to our townsmen fully appreciated. Perhaps it will be of interest to review the history of Schoodic, or Skut-Auke (in Passamaquoddy) meaning fire place or land that has been burned. In 1764, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, by a resolve of its Great and General Court in the Grant to the early proprietors of the township of Gouldsboro, allotted and reserved the Harvard College lot of 484 acres. The resolve of said court confirming the grant of said township in 1786 to Sarah Shaw, executrix of the last will and testament of Francis Shaw late of Boston, deceased, and John Rowe administrator of the estate of Robert Gould late of said Boston, deceased, was upon the provision "that the Grantee appropriate four whole shares or a sixty-fourth part within one mile of the center of ^aid town, equal in 92 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO quality with the land in general in said town, for the following purposes : "One for the first Settled Minister. (His name first in the list of town preachers,) his heirs and assigns forever ; "One for the use of the Minister ; "One for the future disposition of the Government and one for the use of the school forever." It appears that in the division of the township the lot in question was laid out and assigned, being the third to said college and confirmed by a resolve of said Court June 23, 1790. August 5, 1835, the President and Fellows of Harvard College, of Cambridge, Mass., conveyed by quitclaim deed, with limiited covenants, consideration $160.00, to Nathaniel Hobart of Boston, Mass., all the right, title and interest of said President and Fellows in the land in Gouldsboro, in the State of Maine, allotted and reserved to the college by a resolve of the General Court of Massachusetts of January 27, 1764, and confirmed to said college by the resolve of 23d of June, 1790. Dec. 27. 1849, Lydia Hobart, widow of Nathaniel Hobart, conveyed the college lot to Edward Hammond of Gouldsboro. It changed owners several times until it became the property of the late John G. Moore. On the eastern side of Schoodic Peninsula is a little creek locally known as "One Squeak," but the real Indian name is, "Waunnsquaque." We are unable to find its origin. Tradition says an Indian brave, became jealous of his squaw, took her in his canoe and threw her overboard (she gave one screech) and he held her head under water until she drowned. Formerly the creek was termed " One Screech. " The summer guests are not dormant in charity. A 93 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO reading room has been established in Winter Harbor. At Grindstone an Episcopal church has been erected and in 1902, a Catholic church. There are about thirty cottages owned by residents fronn New York, Philadelphia, Provi- dence and St. Louis, and a modern hotel, the " Inn, " accommodating 200 or more guests, are occupied each season. A club house about 160 feet long and a casino, also a bath house containing forty-tv/o rooms for the guests and another of twelve rooms for the help, and a swimming pool, have been built for the comfort and pleasure of the summer guests. The roads at Grindstone, built in 1889-90 are wide avenues underlaid with broken stone. The Jordan road is in the control of the company completing the Winter Harbor drive. To return to the intellectual, spiritual and social life of the village: During the early years school was held at the houses of Mr. Stephen Rand and Stillman Guptill. In 1838 the first schoolhouse was built. In 1855 another which was burned in 1876. After this the present one was built. It contains three rooms. The one in which the Primary school is held is much too small. A new house is needed. The first church (Baptist) was built in 1878. Previous to that time services were held in the schoolhouse, afterward in the hall. It has about eighty members. The stone church or Channing Chapel, (Unitarian) built in 1889, was the gift of D. B. Flint of Boston, as was the fine library which it contains. The local lodge of the Masonic order was organized in 1887 with twenty charter members. It now has 104 members. The Eastern Star lodge was organized in 1895 and has a membership of ninety-four. 94 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO A Good Templars' lodge was organized in 1866, called "Ironbound." For twenty-six years it convened weekly and was then suspended. In May 1902 it was reorganized, retaining its old name and number. It has a membership of sixty-five. There is also an order of Juvenile Templars. The Woman's Christian Temperance Union was organized in 1898. It has a membership of about thirty. There is also a Young Woman's Christian Temperance Union, (usually called the Y) with a small membership. The American Ship Masters and Pilots, No. 56, was established Apr. 21, 1902. It has twenty-five members. A Grange was organized Apr. 10, with thirty members. The Winter Harbor light house at Mark Island was built in 1856. Mr. Frederic Gerrish was its first keeper. Mr. James Wright was keeper for some years and while he was there a new house v/as built. There are six scholars now at Mark Isle and a teacher is sent there every year. There are 160 scholars in the town of Winter Harbor, 180 voters and 600 inhabitants. The Winter Harbor post- office was established June 18, 1851, with Thomas Stewart as postmaster. BIRCH HARBOR. TRADITION says the village of Birch Harbor derived its name from the beautiful birch growth that flourished there. Among the early settlers recalled is Elisha Clark, a brother of Stephen, who settled at Prospect Harbor. They came from Sippican, Mass., which is nov/ divided and their section is known as Marion, made famous by Pres. Cleveland's summer residence, " Gray Gables. " 95 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO Thither also came Jonas Rice from Rochester, Joseph Bickford from Portsmouth and OHver Pettee. The former residence of the latter is unknown, but Mr. Pettee served in the Revolutionary war. Of Elisha Clark's family now living is his granddaughter, Mrs. Phoebe Temple, who lives in her father's (John Clark) home at Birch Harbor, with her two sons Lewis and Ralph. The other two sons Frank and Fred have homes near by; of the two daughters Celia Noonan is at Prospect Harbor and Mrs. Frank Miller in Massachusetts. Elisha Clark's daughter Elizabeth, wife of Joseph Bickford, had a son Justice, who used to live in Birch Harbor, a veteran whaler. Fred Crane, the great-granason of Elisha Clark, after passing several years in California has returned to the old Pine Tree State and taken his abode with his family on the Gilbert Simpson farm in East Sullivan. Thankful, the wife of Henry Hamilton, has living at Prospect Harbor, Alfred, who now resides in the old Clarke house near the factory, Mrs. Coombs and Mrs. Johns, and the children of John Henry Hamilton. The other daughter, Dordana, wife of Robert Perry, had six children, Thankful Gay, Mary (unmarried), Celia Bickford, Samuel, Thomas, and Robert, who went away and was not heard from. As near as can be recalled by the oldest residents the first schoolhouse was built about one hundred years ago on the northern side of the brook and western side of the road about sixty yards to the north of Mrs. Temple's. It was burned about thirty years ago. The present building was built twenty-nine years ago. The pupils numbered fifty-five. The post office was established in 1880, March 26. The first postmistress was Flora W. Coombs. 96 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO Oct. 1st, 1901, a Christian Endeavor was organized. The present number of members is eighteen. April 2d, 1902, a church was completed. The sea captains of the village are Nahum Fitzgerald, David Rice, Joseph Rice, Nahum Stevens, James Higgins, James Rice. Freeman Davis. BUNKER'S HARBOR. THIS PLACE derived its name from a man who sought shelter from a severe storm at the harbor before residents were there. Among its early settlers were Messrs. Joseph and Joshua Bickford and Captains Hamilton and Arey. The " Annie McKnabb " was ashore at One Squeak and Ebenezer Wood with his crew went thither in " Pod Auger" days to repair her and boarded at the Harbor with Capt. Thomas Arey. In 1859 a schoolhouse was built by Alfred Tracy and Gowen Wilson Bunker and a new one is being built at the present time. Dr. Averill, Bar Harbor's well known surgeon, has a summer home here. The location for preserving that delicate crustacean, the lobster, for market use, being excellent, two pounds were built a few years ago ; Capt. Ezra Over's has a capacity of 50,000, and Mr. Frank Huckins' a capacity of 20,000. PROSPECT HARBOR. ASA COLE, mentioned as buying land of Nathaniel Shaw, did not reside here but came because of business interests in the mill, his step-father building the 97 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO first mill here. On Oct. 23d, 1800, he deeded the mill privilege, west side, to Sarah Garfield, wife of James Garfield, Harvard, Worcester Co., Mass. Abijah Cole, a brother, came from Westmoreland, Vermont, about 1790, married here, bought 200 acres of land on the east side of the stream and settled there. He had two sons, Asa and Abijah. The former was the first postmaster and held the office until his death 1861. Tobias Allen. Sr,, came from Kittery to Gouldsboro Point, lumbering and fishing, and thence to Prospect Harbor, locating near the light house site. His son Tobias, settled on the western side of the Harbor. Tobias Sr. and son were sailing to Lubec in a small sloop, on one occasion, and when near Jonesport were attacked by two canoes filled with hostile Indians. Having no ammunition, hot water was their weapon of defence. One Indian swam under the boat to scuttle her with his hunting knife but the old captain adroitly caught him under the jaw with a boat hook and the tables were turned. However the red man managed to free himself and the boat was permitted to sail on. Another early settler was Josiah Moore, and also his two brothers Joseph and Peltiah, three of the thirteen children of Joel and Rebecca Weeks Moore, who were among the pioneers at Gouldsboro Point in 1786, coming there from Kittery, Me. From this family the Moores in Gouldsboro and Steuben are descendants. Josiah Moore's home is more familiar as ■' Squire Benjamin's " place. This village is the home of sea captains, the majority of whom sailed and are sailing the high seas. The native captains, mostly deep sea mariners, are : ALLEN, Tobias, Nathaniel, Horatio, David, Rufus, 98 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO Horatio Jr., George W., Rufus H., Nathaniel 2d, Estwick, George W. Jr., Fred H., John M. BROWN, Enoch, Amos, Samuel. COLE, Edwin, Daniel, Samuel B., David G. CLARK, Stephen, Obed, Stephen D. EVERETT, Timothy, Henry. HANDY, William, Eli, Joseph, Corydon, Herbert, Eugene, Marcus, H., William Jr. MOORE, John, David, David M., Wilson, George. Joshua, Allen, Allen Jr,, Samuel O., Welsh. MILLER, Frank. NOONAN, Daniel, Daniel 2d, Daniel 3rd, Timothy, James, Henry, Frank, John. SARGENT, Walter, Jason. SEAVEY, Fred. Other residents but not native captains are : Daniel Deasy, W. F. Peters. Dennis Mahoney, George Colwell, John M. Stinson. Charles Johns, John Coombs, William Seavey and Ezra Ober. Tobias Allen was a naval officer in 1812, was taken by the British and held prisoner for some time at Castine. Allen Moore 2nd, was captain of one of the first Atlantic side wheel steamers. Walter Sargent was a lieutenant in the U. S. Navy, and with many others was lost on the coast of Japan by the sinking of the ship. In Capt. Daniel Sullivan's company of volunteers against Bagaduce, (Castine) July 28, 1779, is registered, "Stephen Clark, Priv't.. wages, 21£ per mo., Amt. of wages 42£. Mileage, 7£. " Also James Noonan and Josiah Moore. On a chart of 1728 found on board the bark Caroline, Prospect Harbor was called " Watering Cove, " and Birch HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO Harbor. Lobster Cove. The lighthouse was built in 1847, rebuilt in 1867 and again built in 1891. The first keeper was P, Stevens ; second, John Royal ; third, Horatio Allen and the present is A. M. Wasgatt. The first school house was built in 1793 probably. The last in 1889. The church was dedicated in 1876 or 1877. A chapel is being erected in 1 903. The lobster factory was built in 1865, removed East, rebuilt and burned the following year. It was again built several years after and burned the second time. In 1881 it was again erected this time as a sardine factory. The post office was established March 8, 1828, Asa Cole postmaster. In 1845 Simeon Tracy, ten years of age, carried the mail from the Gouldsboro post office, (H. M. Sowle, then postmaster) to Prospect Harbor. The mail came weekly and the U. S. mail bag, holding about one peck in bulk was transported to Mr. Cole for 50 cents per trip. The sum total from 1881 to 1898 for fish labor and stock at the sardine factory averaged $50,000 yearly and since that date $75,000 annually. Of this sum $20,000 has been paid for labor. The number of scholars in the district is sixty-eight. Schoodic lodge No. 129 K. P. was organized Sept. 18, 1900. The number of members is 104. Halcyon Assembly No. 46, P. S., was organized Jan. 29, 1901, and the present membership is sixty-eight. In winter some years ago, ice cutting by Campbell & Co. of Cherryfield, was quite an industry. Ship building had its location here also. The "Argus," built by Capt, Wilson Godfrey, is well remembered. 100 INDIAN HARBOR. THIS PICTURESQUE seaport was settled in 1812 by Joseph Young and wife, nee Sally Tracy of Gouldsboro. Later six families by the name of Young increased the settlement. Their life was that of the hardy men of the sea, returning from the fishing ground with the catch to a simple log hut where was a meal of fish, potatoes (the one grown vegetable) and a bannock baked before glowing coals in the big fire place, the sweetest bread ever eaten. The soda of our town at this time was home prepared by cleaning the brick oven carefully and burning the corn cobs, the ashes collected and kept safely for the housewife's use. But the greatest delicacy in cookery had not yet reached our far away settlers ; the pumpkin pie with its crust of wheat flour made from wheat sifted through a piece of muslin in a teacup, the coarser used for bread. Three miles by a foot path these people walked to the nearest village. Prospect Harbor, for Indian meal. The greater transport, their boats, were used for a goodly quantity. In 1862 the incoming of Messrs. A. C. Lufkin, Jerry Tracy, Nathaniel Crowley, Levi Decker and E. D. Robinson, also toilers of the sea, with new ideas, changed 101 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO the original mode of living. The average catch of lobsters was from seven hundred to one thousand ; these sold from forty to fifty cents per hundred, the price later increasing to sixty cents. Economy prevailed. The long legged boots of the men, in the Fall were made over by the shoemaker for the children, who through the greater part of the year were clad in nature's sandals. When going to Prospect Harbor to shop or elsewhere visiting, these shoes made out of old boots were carried with the stockings in the hand until near the destination. The first school was taught in a private house about seventy-five years ago. The first schoolhouse 14x16 was built in 1863. This had the old time fireplace and long benches. In 1888 this was vacated for a new one, 20 x 30. The pupils having increased by birth and immigration to the number of sixty, a larger house has been needed for several years. In 1902 an article in the town warrant presented the need of a new house. It was greeted with indifference and even derision, although one voter made an earnest appeal in its behalf. The school committee knew nothing of this building's condition, but during the year they ascertained the need was just. The parents realized their forty-four votes were of consequence, and the annual March meeting saw the sum of fifteen hundred dollars voted for a graded schoolhouse. This is but one result of the awakening to educational needs. Indifference, regarding school is prevalent. Many retain the false assertion, " A little schooling is enough. " Parents, an education, if but that of the common school, is the best legacy you can bequeath your children ; more than 102 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO this the public school is the safeguard of the American Republic. To return to the business life. The first lobster trap was used, it is stated, about 1862, by a man named Hilton. The scarcity of lobsters has increased the price to fourteen cents at least and often twenty cents a piece. Jefferson Young's large boat of 1887 has now a dozen companions of an average value of two hundred and fifty dollars. A coasting schooner swells the list. In 1863, one yoke of oxen was owned, and the path, widened to a road, was used for transporting the supplies from Prospect Harbor. In 1870 a horse was purchased by Jerry Tracy and now a number of others are owned here. In 1895 a Christian Endeavor Society was organized and met at the schoolhouse with a membership of thirteen. In 1896 a post office was establtshed, with V. W. Talbut as postmaster and the original name changed to Corea. In 1889 a Sewing Circle began its labors for a church and in 1890 the building was erected. This year 1903 will see the interior finished. John Stinson placed dry goods and groceries in his house for sale in 1896. Then came a store under the management of Lewis Young. In 1898 S. E. Doyle built a store and fish stand. The store he transferred to Lewis Young in 1902. Mr. Young also has the stage route about the town. The large fishing business demanded the telephone over which the first message was sent in 1900. The six houses of 1863 are supplanted by thirty seven cottages furnished with the comforts and even luxuries of life. The captains are Emery Young and A. C. Lufkin. The total valuation of the place is $14,917 or about one nineteenth of the town valuation, $289,513 ; polls 44. Through the courtesy of Mr. Bryant E. Moore of 103 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO Gouldsboro, our "first selectman," the valuation book of Gouldsboro, 1796, has been loaned for extracts. It is of unruled writing paper 3 1-2x8 inches, and contains twenty- two pages. There were seventy-five tax payers, seven of whom paid but polls. The highest value of houses was from $100 to $150, save one valued at $300. (The three most highly valued in 1903 are rated at $2,000, $2,500 and $2,800.) General David Cobb's private estate had a valuation of $270; agents for Bingham & Co., cultivated land, $2,100 ; 1 4,000 acres wild land, $ 1 , 1 66 ; total $3,266. The valuation of the estate of Nathan Jones Esq., was as follows ; 1 House, $300 2 Barns, 200 2 Stores, 100 1 Grist Mill, 200 1 Saw Mill at home. 800 1-2 Saw Mill at Musk Harbor, 300 2-3 Saw Mill, New Mill, 200 1 Weaving House, 50 38 Acres mowing land, 380 30 Acres pasturing, 100 6000 Acres wild land, 500 16 Oxen, 400 10 Cows, 180 10 two year olds, 120 10 Yearlings, 80 2 Horses, 100 4 Swine, 20 1 Schooner, 95 tons, 2,000 2 Polls, New Schooner. 1500 Total, $7,530 Other valuations were : Thomas Bacon, $222 ; Thomas Hill, $1,147; Abijah Cole, $286; Mark Bunker, $40; 104 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO Joseph Newman, $76 ; George Whitaker, I yoke of oxen, $50; Going Wilson, 1-8 of new mill. $37 ; Job Gibbs, 1 cow, $18; 1 Poll; Joel Moore, $313; Daniel Wright, $315; Phineas Whitten, $508 ; Joseph Tillinghast, 1 store, $50 ; Stock in trade $666 ; 1 Poll. Andrew Kidston, 1 store, $25 ; 1-2 Chicken Mill, $100 ; Stock in trade, $333 ; Total, $458. 1 Poll. Thomas Gubtail, $467; Aaron Rolfe, 2 yoke oxen, $100; 1 Poll; Benjamin Ash 2nd, 1 Cow, $18; 1 Poll; Peter Godfrey; $323. Clement Fernald, 1 House. $150 ;1 Barn. $100; 1 Shop, $30 ; 3 Acres plow land, $30 ; 12 Acres mowing, $36 ; 1 Yoke oxen, $50 ; 1 Yoke 3 year old, $40 ; 1 yoke 2 year old, $24 ; 5 Cows. $90 ; 2 Heifers 2 year old, $24 ; 1 Yearling. $8 ; 1 Colt 2 year old. $30; 2 Swine, $12; Total, $624. 1 Poll. At this time there were 131 cows, 105 oxen and steers, 103 swine, 8 horses and colts. Total valuation of town 1796, $24,879 ; 1903, highest land value. Porcupine Island, $5,000 ; highest property value, one tax, $4,023. 105 GOULDSBORO VOLUNTEERS— CIVIL WAR. The Gouldsboro Volunteers who served in the Civil War were ; Co. I. 2nd Regiment Infantry: Harris Whitten, Goulds- boro; Eli H. Young, West Gouldsboro. Co. G. 6th Regiment : David L. Weare, West Goulds- boro, died Oct. 31, 1861. Co. G. 8th Regiment : William P. Whitten, Gouldsboro ; Willard R. Young, Gouldsboro, killed in action ; *Augustus A. Hoyt, Gouldsboro, Captain ; Emerson G. Guptill, Goulds- boro, Sergeant ; Richard F. Taft, West Gouldsboro, Ser- geant, died in South Carolina ; *George F. Taft, West Gouldsboro, Corporal. Co. C. 1 1th Regiment : Melville Cole, Prospect Harbor ; James W. Cole, Prospect Harbor; *Allen M. Cole, Prospect Harbor, wounded, arm amputated ; *Adolphus L. Cole, Prospect Harbor, discharged at Yorktown ; John A. Hammond, West Gouldsboro, wounded, leg amputated; Alfred Tracy, West Gouldsboro ; *Edward Noyes, West Gouldsboro, arm amputated ; *Reuben C. Bunker, West Gouldsboro ; Edward S. Bunker, West Gouldsboro ; Charles E. Urann, West Gouldsboro, killed in action ; *Alexander M. Young, Corea ; *David N. Young, Corea, * Deceased. 106 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO Co. G. 11th Regiment: *John F. Moore, Prospect Harbor, killed in action ; *Daniel Hurd, West Gouldsboro, killed in action ; *David Weare, West Gouldsboro ; Asa B. Young, West Gouldsboro ; Weldena F. Peters, Prospect. Co. A. I3th Regiment : *Preston L. Guptill, Gouldsboro ; *Abijah C. Moore, Gouldsboro, killed in action ; *Daniel C. Moore, Gouldsboro, died in service ; Brewer Spurling, Gouldsboro ; Phineas Tracy, Gouldsboro, died in service. Co. A., 13th Regiment; Leonard P. Guptill, Goulds- boro, corporal, died in service ; Wesley A. Howe, Gouldsboro. Co. I., 13th, Regiment: Joel S. Pray, Bunker's Harbor. 14th Regiment : *Timothy Dunton, Winter Harbor. 15th Me. Battalion : Horace Weston, Winter Harbor. Co. E., 26th Regiment : *Mahlon C. Witham. West Gouldsboro, discharged, Jan. 2 ; *Nathan Shaw, Jr.. West Gouldsboro, promoted 2nd lieutenant ; *George W. Wood, West Gouldsboro, Sergeant ; Elisha C. Ash, West Goulds- boro, died of disease, March 9 ; Amos E. Guptill, Goulds- boro, musician, wounded, Apr. 14, '62; Charles E. Bunker, Gouldsboro ; James H. Handy, Gouldsboro, died of disease Jan. 19, '63 ; *Freeland R. Rosebrook, West Gouldsboro ; Henry C. Rosebrook, Gouldsboro, died of disease April 2d, '63 ; Epps H. Sargent, Gouldsboro ; Sherman T. Spurling, Gouldsboro ; Christopher Tracy, Gouldsboro, died of ' disease March 18, '63; James B. Wright, Gouldsboro; *Everett H. Young, Gouldsboro, promoted Sergeant ; *Bethuel S. Young, Winter Harbor ; *Bedford Young, Winter Harbor ; Alfred Young, Gouldsboro : Roscoe G. Young, Gouldsboro. 31st Regiment : J. J. Roberts, Winter Harbor. Navy: S. 0. Moore, Prospect Harbor; *Reuben Hammond, South Gouldsboro : *G. E. Brown ; Prospect ♦Deceased. 107 FEB 15 1904 HISTORICAL RESEARCHES OF GOULDSBORO Harbor; B. Bickford, Winter Harbor; *G. Jones, Birch Harbor ; *Z. Joy, Winter Harbor ; *Montgomery Ham- mond, Winter Harbor. Volunteers whose regiment was not learned : *C. E. Cole, Prospect Harbor; Byron Moore, Prospect Harbor, died in service ; Alfred Hamilton, Prospect Harbor ; Ezra Over, Prospect Harbor ; William Over, Prospect Harbor ; Jonas Crane, Birch Harbor ; James Stevens, Winter Harbor; George Matthews, Winter Harbor; *Edward Sargent, South Gouldsboro ; Martin Myrick, South Goulds- boro ; *Roderick Rolfe, West Gouldsboro ; *Judson Young, West Gouldsboro; *Eli H. Bunker, West Gouldsboro; Handy Bunker, West Gouldsboro ; *Samuel Spurling, Gouldsboro ; *Eben M. Sowle, Gouldsboro ; *Hermon Parrott, Gouldsboro ; Leonard Wakefield, Alfred Moore, Gouldsboro ; *Charles Moore, Gouldsboro ; *Alexander Chipman, Corea. *Deceased. 108 3^ ; ' >^ .>;.?. u r>' ^ 'i LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 013 983 736 8 % ■•^-C "ill