^ain^ dmealogtcal ^ocictu,
Portland, Maine
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j Accession ^^ \tw* _vh
tr<'«*c
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COLLECTIONS
OF THE
MAINE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
SECOND SERIES
DOCUMENTARY
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF MAINE
VOL. XIV
CONTAINING
THE BAXTER MANUSCRIPTS
EDITED
By JAMES PHINNEY BAXTER, A. M., Litt. D.
PLULISHEI) BY THE MAINE HISTORICAL SOCIETY, AIPKU BY
APPROPRIATIONS FROM THE STATE
PORTLAND
L E F A \' () R - T O \y K R C OM P A N Y
1910
Copyright 1910
By thk Maine Histokical Society
Press of
Lefavor-Tower Company, Pouti.axd
F15
M28d
V. /^
PREFACE
THIS volume bring us to the period of the Revolutionary
War, a period of much interest to students of our
history. I trust that persons having knowledge of unpub-
lished documents relating to the subject will call my atten-
tion to them, that I may publish them in the next volume
should they prove of interest.
JAMES PHINNEY BAXTER.
61 Deering Street,
January 12, 1910.
495< ^93
CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE OF CONTENTS
1766 June
June
June
lie*;
June
June
Aug.
Aug.
Oct.
Dec.
Jan.
Jan. 28
Jan.
Feb.
May
May
June
June
June
June
June
June
June
FAQS
19 A Council in Boston 1
20 Message, Fra Bernard 2
Report of Committee on I'etitiun of Heury Young
Brown, 4
23 Resolve, on Report on Pet«i of Henry Young
Brown, ........ 5
24 Resolve, 6
27 Supplies to Eastern Indians, .... 7
11 Fras Waldo to the Surveyor General, ... 8
18 A Council in Boston, 10
John Cotton Esqre to Ter Powell, Enoch Free-
man, Alexr Ross & Stephen Longfellow Esqr . 11
2 Letter, Govr Wentworth to Gov Bernard, . 11
8 " Enoch Freeman & Alexr Ross to Hon. A.
Oliver, 14
14 Petition of Inhabts of Broad Bay, ... 14
'' Freetown, .... 16
" " " " Muscongus & Medumcook, 17
" " " " the Town of Andover, . 18
' " S. Downe & M. Thornton, ... 20
" " Nathan Jones & others, . . 21
30 Plan Accepted, 22
5 Resolve, 23
Report on Petition of Capt. H. Y. Brown, . . 24
Petition, 25
" of Josiah Richardson, Agent, . . 26
27 " " B. Mulliken & M. Bridges, . . 28
30 Resolve, 29
6 Message, 34
11 " 30
" Era: Bernard, 80
12 Resolve, 31
Act of Incorporation, 32
13 Order 34
17 Message, 38
18 Letter, .John Jhown to Andrew Oliver, . . 39
Petn of Inhabitants of Machias, ... 39
25 Message, 41
Report of Committee in re Township of Conway, 42
VJll
CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE
1767
17G8
Aug.
Sept.
Sept.
Sept.
Oct.
Oct.
Dec,
Jan.
Jan.
.Jan.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
Mar.
May
May
May
June
June
June
July
July
Aug.
Aug.
Sept.
1770 Jan.
April
April
PAGE
20 Letter, Gov. Wentworth to Gov. Bernard, . 47
10 " " " " . . 48
" Gov. Bernard to Gov. Wentworth, . 49
28 " " " Thos Goldthwait Esqr . 52
29 " " " " .-,4
12 Petition of the Officers and Soldiers of Fort Pow-
nall together with the Inhabitants, . . 5G
21 Letter, from Dennys De Berdt, .... 58
30 Extracts from speech, Fra Bernard, . . o9
Petition of Josiah Richardson, Agent for the
Petitioners, 59
4 Deposition of Simon Ayer, GO
19 Message, Fra Bernard, 01
Petition of Henry Y. Brown, .... 62
" " John Cox, 64
15 Resolve, 65
10 Message, 66
18 Extract from Message to the Governor, . . 66
Bill for incorporating Phillipstown, . . 67
3 Resolve passed on the Petition of Abraham
Anderson, ....... 73
Petition of Selectmen of Sanford, ... 68
23 Deposition of Josiah Richardson, ... 70
Petition of Inhabitants of Town of Windham, 70
25 " " Inhabts of Sebascodegin Island, . 74
1 " " the Selectmen of Gorham, . . 77
Memorial of James Small and others. . . 78
Report of Committee on petition of Ichabod
Jones, 80
7 Vote on same, 80
15 Report of Committee on Petition of H. Y. Brown, 82
Petition of David Bean & others, ... 83
12 Letter, Wm. Tyng, "Sheriff of Cumberland" to
Gov. Bernard, 84
Letter, Dudley Carlton to Col. Goldthwait, . 84
22 Earl of Stirling's Advertisement, ... 85
10 Earl of Stirling to Gov. Bernard, ... 87
30 Reply of Council to Stirling, .... 88
7 Report of Committee appointed to take into con-
sideration the Earl of Stirling's Letter, . 88
Proclamation by Francis Bernard, ... 90
10 Petition of Town of York, .... 91
" to Govr Hutchinson by Inhabitants of
the Fifth Township, 92
Petition of B. MuUiken & Moody Bridges, Agents, 94
4 Vote on petition of Ichabod Jones & others, . 95
7 Resolve in re above petition, .... 97
OF CONTENTS IX
PAGE
1770 April 9 Resolve on petition of Benjamin Mulliken and
Moody Bridges, 98
April 14 Resolve in re petition of Inhabitants of Cape
Elizabeth, 99
April -24 Report on Petition of D. Phips & others, . 99
" " " " J. Fuller & others, . . 100
April 26 Resolve in re Capt. Henry Young Brown, . 101
Report of Committee in re Capt. Henry Young
Brown, 103
Sept. Lt. Govr's Speech, 103
Petition of Joseph Frye, 100
Oct. " ^' H. Eggleston, .... 107
" & Remonstrance of S. Livermore &
others, 108
Oct. 30 Resolve in favor of Joseph Frye, . . . 110
Nov. 2 " on tlie Petition of Hezekiah Egglestone, 110
Nov. 6 " " " " " " 111
Jonathan Longfellow's Memorial to GovJ" Hutch-
inson, 112
Nov. 9 Memorial of Inhabitants of Mass. Bay to Govr
Hutchinson,
Petition of H. Y. Brown,
Nov. 16 Trade with Indians,
Dec. Petition of Pondstown,
1771 April Act relative to York Bridge,
Act of Incorporation,
114
116
117
117
119
122
124
126
129
130
131
132
134
135
136
137
143
Petition in behalf of George Town,
May 30 Extract from Speech,
June 11 Report on Petition of S. Livermore & others,
June 19 Message,
June 21 Committee appointed, .
June 24 Act of Incorporation,
June 27 Resolve,
Sept. 12 Report of Commissioners on Machias,
Memorial of Arthur Savage,
Nov. 27 Proceedings of the Council Regarding the Riot
at Falmouth, 147
Dec. 18 The Petition of the Proprietors of the Kennebec
Purcliase, 149
1772 Jan. 2 Thomas Scammcll to Gov"" Hutchinson, . . 152
Jan. 3 Gov*" Hutchinson to the Earl of Hillsbc)rougli, . 155
Jan. 13 Dr Franklin to Hon. Thos Gushing & Committee, 156
Jan, 31 Govr Hutchinson to the Earl of Hillsborough, . 158
Petition of James Chase & others, . . . 159
April 22 Confirmation to Capt. Joshua Fuller, . . . 161
CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE
1772 April
April
June
June
June
June
June
July
July
Nov.
1773 Jan.
Mar.
May
June
June
Oct.
Oct.
1774 Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
PAGE
22 Confirmation to David Phips & others, . . 162
Resolve, confirming Plan of Township to S. Liv-
ermore & others, 103
23 Resolve Confirming Grant to Hon. James Otis &
others, 104
Petition of the Inhabitants of Boothbay, . . 166
0 Letter, Benjn Foster & others to Rev. James
Lyon, 172
8 Petition of Benjamin Poster and others, . . 173
Answer of Rev. James Lyon, .... 174
10 Memorial of J. Wyman & others, . , . 175
Sam' March's Petition, 177
17 Objection against the Petition, .... 179
7 Act of Incorporation, 181
Memorial of the Associated Ministers of Yorli, 182
9 Answer, 183
An Act to encourage the Preaching of the Gospel, 185
13 Govr Hutchinson to the Earl of Dartmouth, . 180
Petition of members of the Church of England, 188
8 " " Selectmen of Winthrop, . . .190
'• " Members of the Church of England, 191
31 " " Selectmen of North Yarmouth, . 194
Deposition of Stephen Holt, .... 195
Petition of James Miller and others, . . 196
14 Act of Incorporation, 199
15 " " " 200
Petition of Noah Johnson & others, . . . 202
23 Deposition of Benjn Holt, .... 205
20 Govr Hutchinson to Lord Dartmouth. . . 206
8 DepositionofCapt. Joseph Baker and John Knox, 208
18 The Memorial of Samuel Freeman, . . . 208
25 Petition of William Elder, 210
26 " "■ Timothy Walker, .... 212
" " Inhabts of Freetown, . . . .216
" " Joseph Josselyn, .... 217
5 Resolve, 219
Petition of Sam' Whittemore & Amos Lawrence, 220
8 Henry Young Brown, 222
16 Account Allowed, 225
Act of Incorporation, 226
Petition of John Gardner & others, . . . 229
Report on the Petition of Seth Sweetsir & others, 230
May 16 Petition of John Brown & others, . . . 231
June 3 Boothbay Petition, 233
June 11 Resolve, 232
June 15 " that petition in behalf of Town of Booth-
bay be granted, 234
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
OF CONTENTS
XI
1774 June
1775 Mar.
Mar.
April
April
April
20 Resolves passed by the Town of Buxton,
Bond given by Dumr Sewall and Jordan Parker,
0 Damariscotta Resolves, etc., . . . .
29 Letter from J. Brown,
6 " Silvester Gardiner to Dr. John McLeeline,
26 ■' from the Selectmen of Falmouth,
29 " from II. Mowatt,
" of Samuel Thompson, . . . .
May 3 " from Brunswick,
May 5 Extracts from Letter of lion. Enoch Freeman, .
May 0 Order in re Masts &c.,
Letter from Dumnier Sewall, . . . .
May 10 " •' Edwd Parry,
PAGK
235
236
237
238
242
242
243
243
244
245
246
247
247
249
'' Edwd Parry to the President of the Dele-
gates of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay,
May 14 Letter from Falmouth Commie of Correspond-
ence to the Provincial Congress, .
May 15 Letter from Col. Jedidiah Preble to The Commee
of Safety at Cambridge,
Letter to the Eastern Indians, ....
May 20 "of Committee to Gen'l Preble, .
May 22 " from Abiel Wood to the Commie for the
County of Lincoln, .....
May 23 Letter from Mr. Dummer Sewall in behalf of the
County Committee at Georgetown, .
May 27 Letter from Partridgefield to the Provincial
Congress,
May 29 Letter from William Shirreff, D. Q. M. G.,
May 30 Agreement between Maj. William Sherriff
D. Q. M. G. and Ephraim Perkins, .
Letter from William Shirreff, ....
June 3
to the Comm«*^ for the
249
2.50
253
254
256
258
259
261
262
263
264
264
" Winslow
County of Lincoln, 265
Acot. of taking a sloop belonging to Arundel, . 266
Letter from the Committee of Waldoborough to
the Committee at Pownalborough, . . 267
June 7 Letter from Penobscot to the Provincial Congress, 268
Petition of Edw'i Parry, 269
June 9 Letter from John Lane, 270
" " Elihu Hewes, 271
Deposition of Samuel Smith, .... 273
Provincial Congress, 274
Deposition of Ebenr Whilticr, .... 274
Report on Jones & Uicks, 275
June 10 Letter from Elihu Ilewes, .... 277
xu
CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE
1775 June 14 Extract of a letter from Hon. Eonch Freeman, ,
June 14 Account of the Capture of the King's Cutter at
Machias,
Letter from Jedidiah Preble & Enoch Freeman,
June 17 " Letter from the Com tee of Machias relative to
fitting out an Arm'd Vessel — & Report there-
on accepted,"
June 23 Answer to Petition from Belfast, etc..
PAGE
278
280
283
283
284
Receipt, 285
June
June
July
July
July
July
July
July
July
Aug.
Sept.
Sept.
Oct.
Oct.
Oct.
Nov.
Nov.
Dec.
1776 Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Report on John Lane's Account,
Resolve in re John Lane, ....
26 " " Machias petition,
28 Letter from Committee of Biddeford, .
Report on petition of Thos Donnell & others,
8 Letter from Bowdoinham, . • .
19 Stephen Jones' conduct justilied,
22 Letter from Stephen Jones, . . . ,
24 " James Warren Esq., ....
J. A. to Mrs. Abigail Adams, . . . .
25 Report,
28 Address to the Continental Congress,
286
286
286
288
290
290
292
293
293
294
295
296
297
297
298
299
300
300
302
304
305
805
310
315
Representation of Bristol, ...
29 Report on petition of D. Scott & others,
3 Order,
Bond given by John Hobby and Obe Hubbs,
Report on Examination of Edward Parry,
Account,
5 Lord Dartmouth to Major Geni Howe, .
9 Letter from Joseph Simpson,
Accounts of Losses sustained at Falmouth,
Letter from Committee of Safety at Machias,
20 Orders,
Account of Loss & Damage sustained by Elisha
Snow, 315
24 Memorial of Comee of Safety of N. Yarmouth &
New Glocester, 316
Letter from Jerh Powell, 319
Report, 320
14 Letter to Geni Frye, 321
21 Report in re Seaports 321
6 Letter from Haunce Robinson & Wra. Walton, 322
15 " " Stephen Parker to Gen. Washington, 322
10 Copy of Letter from Stephen Parker to Christo-
pher Prince " Enclosed to Gen' Washington," 324
18 Copy of Receipt, 326
19 Letter from James Lyon, 326
OF CONTENTS
Xlll
PAGE
1776 Jan. 19 Letter to the Coiumittee of Safety at Machias, . 327
Feb. 1 Ld George Germain to Majr Geni Howe, . 328
Loss at Majorbagwaduce, 331
Feb. 3 Petition of Nathan Jones, .... 332
Letter from William Cutter, .... 333
Feb. 16 Report m re Petition of Nathan Jones, . . 323
" on the letter of M. Lyon of Machias, . 334
Feb. 20 Deposition of Jeremiah Ward we 11, . . . 335
Letter from Edw** Parry, 33.5
Mar. 11 " " Selectmen for Sturbridge to Capt,
Timothy Parker,
Mar. 19 Letter from Timothy Pickering, .
Mar. 20 " " Major Daniel Ilsley,
Mar. 28 " " the Committee of Brunswick,
May 2 Report in respect to Powder, ....
May 7 Extract from Letter of General Howe to Lord
George Germain, ....
May 11 Petition of Stephen Parker,
May 13 Letter from "
May 24 Complaint against Rev. Jacob Bailey,
May 25 Letter from the Committee at Machias,
May 27 " " Hon. Charles Chauncey,
May 28 Bond of Rev. Jacob Bailey, .
May 29 Representatives at Watertown, York Co.,
June 4 Letter from James Sullivan,
'■'• " Committees of Newbury, Haverhill,
Bath, etc.,
June 8 Report, . ,
June 9 Letter from the Committee of Machias .
June 19 " " Benj. Austin,
June 20 " " William Loud, ....
June 25 " " lion. James Bowdoin,
June 30 " " '' ...
Aug. 3 Subscriptions in re the Canada Expedition,
Aug. 9 Letter from Timothy Langdon,
" " Col. Jon: Mitchell, .
Aug. 16 " " Thomas Fletcher,
Aug. 20 " " Major Dani Ilsley, .
Aug. 22 " " Thos Rice, ...
Aug. 28 " " Francis Shaw, .
Sept. 3 " " James McCobb,
Sept. 7 Report on Taxes, .....
Letter from James Lyon, ....
Oct. 4 Certilicate, in re Major Daniel Ilsley, .
Oct. 11 Petition of Majr Dani Ilsley, .
Oct. 15 Extract of a letter, ....
336
337
338
339
340
342
343
346
349
350
352
352
354
366
356
358
368
359
360
361
362
365
366
366
367
369
373
374
377
378
379
385
386
387
XIV
CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE
1776 Oct.
Oct.
Oct.
Nov.
Nov.
Nov.
1777
Nov.
16
Nov.
27
Dec.
4
Dec.
9
Dec.
23
Jan.
3
Jan.
23
Jan.
27
Feb.
14
Feb.
16
April
25
May
21
May
22
May
27
May
30
June
4
June
5
19 Order, respecting the purchase of cloth for
Troops, 388
23 Report, 388
28 Copy of record, Rev. Jacob Bailey's Case, . 389
Rev. Mr. Bailey's reasons for not reading the
Declaration of Independence, .... 390
Report of Selectmen of Town of Falmouth, . 894
3 Letter, Jon* Eddy to the Committee of the Town-
ship of Machias, .,.,.. 394
Letter, Jon^ Eddy to Capt Stephen Smith, . 395
12 " " " the Honbl Council & Assely
at Boston, 396
13 Petition of the Committee for the County of
Cumberland, ......
16 Letter from Charles Cushing,
June
June
June
June
'• " William Tupper, .
" " Roland Cushing,
" Noah Moton Littlefield,
" Col. Jona Mitchell, .
" " William Lithgow Junr,
" " Joseph Dimuck,
" " Col. Ebenr Francis,
" " the Council to Gov. Nicholas Cook,
" " John Preble,
" " Selectmen & Commee of Safety for
Winslow,
16 Letter from Ezekiel Pattee,
" " Tristram Jordan, ....
" " Jona Lowder,
" " Jonas Mason, ....
" " Col. Josiah Brewer,
" J. Allan,
'■ J. Allen (Allan), . . . .
Report upon Mr. Hancock's letter and the Peti-
tion of the Comtee of Machias,
Report of Committee appointed to consider
papers relative to David Thatcher Esqr .
Report of the Committee appointed to consider
the Accots of John Allen Esq.,
6 Letter from Francis Shaw, .....
7
12
18
June 20
Saml Jordan Esq.,
Charles Chauncey Esq.,
Col. J. Allan,
George Stillman,
Col. Moses Little, .
396
397
399
399
400
400
401
402
403
405
405
407
409
410
411
412
413
414
418
419
422
422
424
425
426
426
436
437
to John Allan Esq., 437
OF CONTENTS
XV
1777
June 25
July 4
July 18
July 14
July 16
July 16
from Jona Warner,
" Francis Shaw, .
" Col. Alexr Campbell,
" Meshech Weare,
" Francis Shaw,
" Meshech Weare,
PAGE
438
. 439
440
. 442
443
. 448
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
STATE OK MAINK
At a Council held at the Council Chamber in Boston, on
Thursday y« 19"' June 1766 —
Present in Council His Excels the Governor
Sam^ Danforth James Russell Isaac Royall
Thomas Flucker Benj* Lincoln Nath^^ Ropes
John Erving Esq"" John Bradbury W'" Brattle
Royall Tyler Esq""^ Gam' Bradford Samuel White
Tho« Hubbard Jer : Powell Harr" Gray
James Pitts
His Excellency acquainted the Board that the EstabUsh-
ment made in the present Session of the General Court, for
Castle William, & Fort Pownall had been laid before him ;
l)y which Establishment the Garrisons of those two Fortresses
are so reduced, that he apprehends them to be unsafe, while
they are thus weakened and therefore cannot give his Con-
sent thereto and desired the Advice of the Board on this
Occasion —
The Board thereupon unanimously declared that llicir con-
curring the House in the said Reduction, was not because
tliey really approved of it, but because tliey tlio't it better to
have siiiallcr Garrisons at those places, than none at all, and
tlicrcupon uiiaiiitiiDUsly —
Advised that his Excellency represent the true State of
the Case in a Message to the House of Representatives and
2 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
move them to reconsider tlie said Establishment, and place
such respectable Garrisons, in those two Fortresses as shall
be a sufficient Protection to them —
A true Copy from the Council Minute Book
Attest : A Oliver Sec"^
Message. June W^ 1766
Gentlemen of the House of Representatives.
Having had laid befor_ me your Resolution for the Estab-
lishment of the Garrisons of his Majesty^ Fortresses, Castle
William and Fort Pownall, for the year ensuing, I have com-
municated to his Majesty's Council my reasons why I cannot
consent to any Reduction of the Garrison of the former, nor
so great a reduction of the Garrison of the latter, which I
perswade my self have been deemed conclusive by them, and
would be so by every one, who is really acquainted with the
State of those Fortresses.
As you did not consult me, the Captain General, on a pro-
posal tending so greatly to render those Fortresses, for the
Security of which I am answerable, weak and insecure, I did
not intend to trouble you with my Sentiments on this Occa-
sion. But the Council having unaminously joined with me
in concern at and disapprobation of this injudicious Measure,
and having given their Advice that I should endeavour to
divert it, by recommending to you a reconsideration of this
Business, I cannot refuse complying with their request, and
tlierefore do earnestly recommend to you, that you would
fully and seriously reconsider this business before it is out of
your Power to alter your late Resolutions.
I always have had, and have continually expressed a Desire
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 6
that the two royal Fortresses, wliich have been committed to
the Government of this Province, should be continued to it ;
I have considered it as a Trust reflecting great honour on the
Province, at no great expence ; and I have always intended
to use my little Influence to obtain the Continuance of this
Trust, whenever any new regulations should require an
interest for that Purpose.
But Gentlemen, this will be impracticable, if you will not
make Provisions for sufficient Garrisons for those Fortresses ;
at least my Mouth must be shut, unless I can give it as my
Opinion that you have made such Provision ; which it will
be impossible for me to do, if you make any reduction at
Castle William, or a reduction greater than six or eight Pri-
vates at Fort Pownall.
If you are desirous of saving the Expence of these Garri-
sons, your best way will be to surrender the Forts directly
rather than to give them up indirectly by withdrawing the
Garrisons by piece-meal. The greatest Inconvenience of this
purpose will be the uneasiness it will create among the Peo-
ple : for which reason I shall do all I can to prevent it ; and
I think so ought you.
If you will enable me to keep these Fortresses by renew-
ing the present Establishment of the Castle, and reducing
that of Fort Pownall no lower than I have before mentioned,
I will use my utmost endeavours that they shall be contin-
ued to this Government. But if you will put it out of my
Power to retain these Fortresses, I desire it may be remem-
bered that neither I nor the Council have spared Pains to
prevent this unadvisable Reduction taking effect, at this time.
I sent you at the same Time a Copy of the Minutes of tlie
Advice of Council given to me upon tliis Occasion, whicli you
will [jcrceive to be unanimous in a full (council
Fra lieinard
Council Chamber, .June 20^'' 17(J()
4 DOCUlStENTART HISTORY
Report of Committee.
The Committee to whom was Reffered the petition of Cap*
Henry Young Brown having attended that Service and find
that he purchased a Township of this Province in the year
1764 and that he Lay*^ out the same according to order and
presented a plan of the Same for acceptance & which was
accepted and the Lands therein was Confirmed to him his
heirs and assigns for Ever on the 7''*^ of June 1764 he com-
plying with the Conditions of the Grant which we find he
hath done the Committee also find that he hath made Con-
siderable Improvements and would have made much Greater
had he not been disturbed by the Government of New hamp-
shire who Clames almoste the whole of s^ ToAvnship by a
Line they have Run from the N E Branch of Salmon falls
River that Persons Claming under New hampshire have Lay'^
out a Considerable part of s*^ Land into Lotts and that the
petitioner and two of his Settlers are now Sued - Actions of
Ejectment which actions are now depending in the province
of New hampshire for Land lying on the Eastwardly part of
their Claim the Com"*^ also find that the Line Run by the
Committee from this province Last March from the head of
the Main Branch of Salmon falls River Takes off Eight
Thousand five hundred and forty four acres of the west Side
of s*^ Brovras To\vnship the Committee also find that the
General Court Last Nov"" Ordered the petitioner to Go for-
ward with his Settlement & Improvement in s** Township
and if any person Should attempt to Lay out any of the
Lands in s*^ Town or make any Settlement there the said
petitioner Should warn them against it and give Information
to this Court who Engag'^ to Rehve him in Such manner as
Should be thought Best begg Leave to Report that the peti-
tioner be and hereby is Directed to defend all actions that
are or Shall be Brought against him for Lands he purchesed
of this province to the Eastward of the afores** Line Run by
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 6
order of this Court Last March at the Expence of this prov-
ince he beiug Directed to do his Endeavour to git all actions
against him or those under him Continued untill a final Set-
tlement of the Line between the province of New hampshire
and the province of Main So called that the petitioner be
directed to prosecute at the Expence of this province such
person or persons that have or Shall enter on S** Land under
the Title of New hampshire to the Eastward of the Line Run
Last March by order of this Court he the petitioner following
the orders of this Court Relitive theretoo that he have Lib-
erty to draw out of the province Tresury Twenty pounds for
that use & purpose he to be accountable for the Same, And
that there also be Granted unto the petitioner Eight thousand
five hundred and forty four acres of Lands adjoyning to the
Eastwardly part of his Township or to either of the two
other Townships Lay'^' out at or near pigwacket So Called
one Lay*^ out To Col° Jos. Frye the other to the propriators
of Rowley Cannedy he to Give Bonds to the province Tres-
urer to Settle the Same with Eighteen familyes in Six years
from the Confirmation of a plan of s'^ Land which he - to
Return for acceptance in one year that s'^ petitioner Give a
full discharge from any farther demands on this Government
for the afores*^ Eight thousand five hundred and forty four
acres taken off of the West Side of his Township by the
above s^ Line Run by order of this Court
al which is humbly Submitted by
Joseph Gerrish p"" order
Resolve.
On the Report of the Committee on the Pet" of Henry
Young Brown
In the House of Representatives June 2-3 17 GO
Resolved that there be granted to the Petitioner Eight
thousand five hundred & forty four Acres of Land adjoyning
6 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
to the Eastwarclly Part of his Township or to either of the
two other Townships laid out at or near Pigwackett so called,
one laid out to Coll° Joseph Fry, the other to the Town of
Rowley Canada he giving Bond to the Province Treasurer to
settle the same with Eighteen familys in six years from the
Confirmation of a Plan of said Town which he is to return
for Acceptance in one year And also giving a full Discharge
from any further Demands on this Government for the Afore-
said Quantity of 8544 Acres taken off from his West Side of
his Town by the Line run by order of this Court
Sent up for Concurrence T. Cushing Spk''
In Council June 25"' 1766 Read & Concur""
Jn° Cotton D Secry
Consented to Fra Bernard
Resolve.
In the House of Representatives June 24 1766
On the further Consideration of the report of the Com**'*'
upon the Pet" of Henry Young Brown
Resolved that the Pef be & hereby is directed to defend
all Actions that are or shall be bro* against him for Lands
purchased of this Province to the Eastward of the Line run
by Order of this Court last March, at the Expence of this
Province ; he being directed to do his Endeavor to get all
Actions against him or those under him continued till the
final Settlement of the Line run between the Province of
New Hampshire & the Province of Main so called, and that
the Pef be directed to prosecute, at the Expence of this
Province, such Person or Persons as have or shall enter on
said Land under the Title of New Hampshire to the East-
ward of the Line run last March by Order of this Court ; he
following the Directions of this Court relative thereto. And
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 7
that he have Liberty to draw out of the Treasury of the
Province Twenty Pounds for that Purpose for whicli he is to
be accountable
Sent up for Concurrence T. Gushing Spk''
In Council June 25'^ 1766, Read & Concurred
Jn*^ Cotton D Secry
Consented to Fra Bernard
Supplies to Eastern Indians. 1766.
Anno Regni Regis Georgii Tertii Sexto
An Act for reviving and Continuing an Act made in Fourth
year of his present Majestys Reign entitled an Act for Allow-
ing Necessary Supplies to the Eastern Indians and for regu-
lating tlie Tread with them ; and preventing Abusses therein
Whereas An Act made in the Fourth Year of his present
Majestys Reign intitled An Act for Continuing & Amending
An Act for Allowing Necessary Supplies to the Eastern
Indians and for Regulating the Tread with them and for
preventing Abusses therein, has been found Usefull & Bene-
ficial and is Now Expired
Be it therefore Enacted by the Govenor, Council & House
of Representatives, that the said Act, in all & every Article
& Clause, Matter and thing, be and is hereby revived, and
shall be in force untill y^ Thirtieth of June which will be in
the Year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred & sixty
seven.
In the House of Representatives.
June 27 1766 Read a first time
June 27, 1766 Read a second Time
Read a third time & passd to be engi-ossd
Sent up for Conciirrcaice
8 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
In Council June 28, 1766
Read a first time
Read a second time and passed a concurrence to be
engrossed
A Oliver Secy
Fra^ Waldo to the Surveyor General
Falmouth W^ August 1766 —
Sir
On the 7^^ Currant about 11 Clo. AM. in consequence of
an Information, we the Collector and Comptroller of this
Port went to the House of Enoch Ilsley Shopkeeper, & after
Searching it, demanded the key of a Store belonging to him,
but that not being granted we proceeded to spring the Lock
of said Store, in presence of Alex"^ Ross Esq"^ a Magistrate,
who attended in obedience to a Writ of Assistance shewn
him by the said Collector, thereupon seven hogsheads, & one
small Tierce of Sugar, & part of a hogshead, & part of a
Tierce ditto, three hogsheads of Rum & 2 Ullages of ditto,
were Seized and marked ( with the T ) by us the Collector
& Compt' and a lock then put on the said Store. Hereupon
it became our endeavour to procure a proper place to remove
the Goods into, as likewise Trucks and Horses for hailing
them, but every person to whom we applied, either refused,
or were so backward that we could not obtain either.
The same Evening about 6, Clo. upon hearing that a res-
cue of the Goods was intended, we acquainted the aforemen-
tioned Magistrate thereof in writing, and requested his
Support & assistance ( he being the only one then in Town )
thereupon he granted us his Warrant directed to the Sheriff
and his Deputys requiring them to assist us. After enquiring
for the Sheriff we fomid he was at a considerable distance
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 9
from the Town- by this time ( 7 Clo ) numbers of people
were assembled round the dwelling House of the said Ilsley
in passing whom when in a quest of a Deputy Sheriff we
Rec'' some small Insult from, and having found the Deputy
Sheriff To' Noyes we committed the said Warrant to him,
and enjoyned him to do the needful to prevent a rescue of
the Goods. Night coming on and people assembling in great
numbers we went to the Dwelling House of the Comptroller
being in the neighbourhood of the said Ilsleys and soon
experienced the violence of the Mob, the House being beset
and pelted with Clubs & Stones by intermissions until 10, or
^ past 10 Clock when they dispersed it being said that in
that time the aforementioned Goods were carried awa^^ by
persons unknown and disguised— the Morning following
about 9 Clock the Collector having visited the said Store
accordingly found all the said Goods missing, and in pres-
ence of Benj* Wait Esq'^ enquired of said Ilsley whether he
knew by whom they were taken away, but his Answer was
that he did not, he being sick and confined to his House —
the aforementioned Deputy Sheriff declares that he was for-
cibly borne away by the Mob, his pockets Rifled and the
Warrant taken away & he prevented from doing his duty.
Upon the best information we can git a considerable part
of the Town were active in the said Rescue, and we con-
ceive it becomes our duty to inform that we think ourselves
unsafe at present, and that it is out of our power to carry
the, Laws of Trade into Execution without some other sup-
port than what we at present have.
We are very respectfully Sir
Your most obed*^ Humble Servants
Fra" Waldo Collec*
Ar. Savage Compt'
Copy
Exam'' p Jn*' Cotton D. Sccry
10 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
At a Council held at the Council Chamber in Boston upon
Monday the 18"' day of August 17G6.
Present
His Excellency Francis Bernard Esq^ Governor —
James Bowdoin Tho* Flucker Tho^ Hubbard Esq''
Royall Tyler Esq'' Harrison Gray Andrew Belcher
James Russell James Pitts
His Excellency laid before the Board a Letter from the
Surveyor General with a representation of some riotous pro-
ceedings in rescuing seven hogsheads & one Tierce and part
of an hogshead & part of a tierce of Sugar, and three hogs-
heads & two Ullages of Rum from the officers of his
Majesty's Customs in Falmouth in the County of Cumber-
land which they had Seized & marked as forfeited to his
Majesty. The Council proceeded to Advise on the business
and thereupon —
Advised that a Proclamation be issued with a Reward of
Fifty pounds for discovering the offenders or any of them,
wherein the Civil officers are called upon to support & main-
tain the officers of the Customs in the recovery of said
Goods, and in all matters relative thereto in the due execu-
tion of their office, and also to use their utmost endeavours
for discovering apprehending and bring to Justice the said
offenders — And further —
Advised, That a Letter be wrote to Tere Powell, Enoch
Freeman, Alex' Ross & Stephen Longfellow Esq' Justices of
the peace for the County of Cumberland directing them to
meet and consult together, and do what is proper as soon as
may be in this business, and make Return of their doings
therein as soon as may be.
Copy Exam"^
p Jn° Cotton D. Secry
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 11
John Cotton Esq''^ to Ter Powell, Enoch Freeman, Alex''
Koss & Steplien Longfellow Esq"^
Boston August 18"' 176G
Gentlemen
By Order of his Excellency the Governor with the Advice
of the Council, I now send you a Proclamation this day
issued which was occasioned by some late Riotous proceed-
ings in the County of Cumberland, with directions that you
do immediately upon Receipt thereof meet together, or as
many of you as can conveniently, and consult upon the most
vigirous measures for carrying the intention of the said
Proclamation into Execution.
You are therefore to take such Measures as you shall think
most requisite for the Recovery of the Goods which have
been unlawfully taken out of the possession of the Custom
House officers, and in supporting them in the due Execu-
tion of their office on this occasion, and also in suppressing
any further Riotous proceedings and in apprehending and
securing all offenders, and make Return of your proceedings
in this enquiry as soon as may be, and of the names of any
of the offenders that may be discovered to you.
Signed Jn° Cotton D Secry
A true Copy
Attest : Jn" Cotton D. Secry
Letter, Gov"" Wentworth to Gov'' Bernard 2 Oct. 1760.
Sir
I liavc had the Honor to receive your Letter of the 10"'
September. The dilliculty in procuring Copies has hitherto
prevented ray acknowledging it. Herewith is inclosed
according to your Excellencys request Copys of the various
plans & Pvccords whicli together with the opinion of the
12 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Council & M' Bryent's Deposition forwarded the 10''''
Instant, have induced me to judge the Lands now in ques-
tion are clearly within the bounds of this Province. I pre-
sume they will procure equal certainty where may be consid-
ered. As many of these papers apply immediately to the
respective positions of your Excellencys Letter, I do not
trouble you with further reasons thereon. Upon enquiry I
arn informed that the late Gov'' Wentworth always declined
appointing any Committee to join in running this Line again
or in any way to consider the propriety of it, supposing it a
matter by no means either disputable after being determined
and markt by Royal Authority and the unexceptionable
practice of both Provinces thereon, for so many years : Or if
any uncertainty cou'd possibly remain, that He cou'd in
faithfulness to the Crown take any such Measure. Indeed
M"" Wentworth did consent that Bryant shou'd attend the
Committee of the Mass*^ Bay to show them and renew the
Marks on the Line he run, merely out of Civility & just
respect to your Letters — but by no means giving or intend-
ing any Authority to him. CoP Wentworth went upon simi-
lar terms : but without any particular official knowledge of
the intent of the Committee, or that his presence or absence
was material to either Province. I therefore beg leave to
observe that Col° Wentworth or M' Bryent cannot be con-
sidered as a Committee for this Province, who have no right
or power to appoint any — The property being Royal ; Or
for his Majesty, as the Governor never did or wou'd admit
it to require or even bear a reconsideration from him, after
the Line was so authentically surveyed, markd, recorded
and acted upon so long and without Exception.
In compliance with your Excellency's desire I have hith-
erto defer'd any executive measures ; but must very soon
proceed to a positive preservation of the Kings property, nor
suffer it to be taken by mere supposition, without his Com-
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 13
mand: This is not practicable against a subject; at least
not acceded to. I find it the more necessary as Cap* Brown
and others have threatned the Grantees under the Crown
with personal Arrests and to hurry them to Boston, for
judicial process; that wou'd be ruinous, even if their prop-
erty in the Land was preserved : Such poor Settlers you are
sensible Sir, cannot bear the time & expence of distant
Suits ; I was very happy that your Excellency's desire con-
firmed my earnest inclination to prevent any violences or
unnecessary interruption of the Borderers, and conclude that
Cap* Brown's precipitation is unknown to your Excellency
whose ready benevolence I am convinced woud powerfully
plead against such severity; especially during an enquiry,
which might be hoped woukl determine the Case, without
Calamity. Since this matter has been considered again, this
Government appear determined to prosecute the Execution
of the judgment in Council, that decrees the Cost to be
equally paid by both Provinces. What the result may be is
uncertain : perhaps the two miles observed / heretofore / to
be by accident lost to this Province may be restored to them,
if it is bro't before his Majesty in Council. I have omitted
sending the paragraph in my Commission as it is verbatim,
the same as in the 85"' Instruction to the late Governor
Wentvvorth, respecting the Line; However I will yet send it
if it is tlio't to any purpose.
I shall be obliged, if your Excellency wou'd inform me,
when this matter is sent home, unless upon perusing the
Copies &c It is intirely dismiss'd, wliich I am inclined to
expect: That I may also transmit such Evidence as n)ay
expedite tlie affair.
I am witli great esteem and respect Sir
Your most obedient Immble Servant
J. Wentworth
14 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Letter^ Enoch Freeman cf* Alex^ Hoss to Hon. A. Oliver
Falmouth Dec'^ 8*" 1766
Sir
Last Night we receiv'd Your Honour's Letter of 2"'^ Inst*
with a Prockmation relative to One Joseph Andrews (alias
Saunders) committing a Murder on One Cap* Dorria &c ;
we have made Enquiry, and find that one David Stickney
arived here above a month ago from S* Eustatia in the West
Indies, that he brought with him three Passengers viz* One
Man and two Boyes, Said Stickney Sail'd again for the West
Indies about a week ago ; it is reported that the man said he
belonged to Boston, and presently after arival here, he &
one of the Boyes, departed hence in a Sloop, but we have no
Information where they went, the other Boy went in a
Schooner, James Witridge Master bound to S* Vincents in
the West Indies -
If we can possibly find out the Murderer, his Excellency
and Your Honour may depend on our Utmost Endeavours
to have him Apprehended and Secured for Tryal —
We are Your Honour's Most huni^ Servants
Enoch Freeman
Alex'' Ross
Petition of Inhab*^ of Broad Bay. 1767.
Province of the Massachusets Bay
To his Excellency Francis Bernard Esq'' Governour &c
The Hon''"' his Majesty* Council & House of Represent-
atives in General Court Assembled Jan^ 14*^ 1767
The Petition of the Inhabitants of a Plantation Called
Broad Bay in the County of Lincoln Humbly Sheweth
That Frankfort in the west side of Pownalborough in said
County the Place where the Courts of General Sessions of
the Peace & Inferiour Court of Common Pleas are now held
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 15
is Very near the Westren side of said County & Quite
Remote from by far the Greatest Part of the Inhabitants of
said County & that there are but a Very few Houses near
said Place in which People who have nesesary business at
said Courts can have Lodging and Entertainment so that a
Great Part of the People during their Nesesary attendance
on said Courts are much distressed for Nesesarys and are
Oblidged to lodge on a floor or in Barns or set all night by
the fire during their whole stay at said Courts — Wherefore
Your Petitioners humbly Pray Your Excellency & Honours
that said Courts may be Removed to the Eastren side of
Pownalborough aforesaid which is much nearer to the Center
of said County both as to land and Inhabitants and where
those who have Business at said Courts may be sufficiently
Provided for there being a sufficient Number of Houses there
in which to Entertain and lodge them and for the Reasons
aforesaid if Pownalborough should be Divided into two Dis-
tinct Towns agreable to a Petition as we understand now
before your Excellency & Honours for that Purpose we hum-
bly Pray that what is now the Eastren side of Pownalborough
may be made the Shire Town of said County it being a Place
well Situated for the Court to be held at and your Peti-
tioners as in Duty Bound Shall ever Pray &c, —
Johannes David John Martin Schoeifer Char^ Leissner
Martin Gottfried Paul Ksihor Johannes
Johannes J M Jacol)
Jacob Johannes Jacob Jacob Ludwig
Gr Jonathan Robbins J Ludwig Frcidrich Winclienboch
J Carll G S
hig his
M David X Kubler John X Johannes
mark mark his
Jolui Jost Oberlach Martin John Henry X P JoIkiiuu's
M Will M "'''''frcidrich
Jacob M G M
Jacoh) Johannes W™ Farnsworth Ezra Pitclicr Jii''
George Storer M Storcr
16 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Petition of the Inha¥^ of Freetown 1767.
Province of the Massachusetts Bay
To His Excellency Francis Bernard Esq"" Governour &c
The hon^'** his Majesty* Council the House of Represent-
atives in General Court Assembled Jan^ 14*'' 1767
The Petition of the Inhabitants of a Plantation Called
Freetown in the County of Lincoln Humbly Sheweth
That Frankfort in the West side of Pownalborough in said
County the Place where the Court of General Sessions of the
Peace and Inferiour Court of Common Pleas are now held is
very near the Westren side of said County and Quite remote
from by far the greatest part of the Inhabitants of said County
and that there are but a very few Houses near said Place in
which People who have Nesesary business at said Courts can
have Lodgino' and Entertainment so that a Great Part of the
People during their Nesesary attendance on said Courts are
oblidged to lodge on a floor or in Barns or sit all Night by
the lire during their whole stay at said Courts — Wherefore
your Petitioners humbly Pray your Excellency & Honours
that said Courts may be removed to the Estren side of Pow-
nalborough aforesaid which is much nearer the Center of said
County both as to land and Inhabitants and where those who
have Business at said Courts may be sufficiently Provided
for there being a sufficient Number of Houses there in which
to Entertain and lodge them and for the Reasons aforesaid if
Pownalborough should be Divided into two Distinct Towns
agreeable to a Petition as we understand now before your
Excellency &b Honours for that Purpose we humbly Pray
that what is now the Eastren side of Pownalborough may be
made the Shire Town of said County it being a Place well
situated for the Courts to be held at and your Petitioners as
in duty bound shall ever Pray &c
William X William CKfford Abner Day
John lot Colby Nicolus Canady
OF THE STATE OF MAINE
IT
John Leeman
Ebenezer Dow
Solomon G
Solomon Trask
Samuel Trask
James Chase
Solomon
Nathaniel Breed
Joshua Cross
James
Jeremiah Dal ton
Joseph
Joseph Trask
Solomon
Asel
John gray
Abel Colby
Samuel Webber
Allen
James Richards
Joseph Richards
Joseph Brown
Patrick Kenney
Webster
D
John Cuningham
William Cuningham
Solomon Laighton
Benjamin Laighton
Simeon Pearl
David
Samuel Trask Ju'^
Benjamin Allbee
Thomas Trask
Daniel Webster
Ed Hatch
Petition of Inha¥^ of Muscongus cf Medumcook 1767.
Province of the Massachusets Bay
To his Excellency Francis Bernard Esq'' Governour &c
The Hon^'^"^ his Majesty^ Council & House of Representatives
in General Court Assembled Jan^ 14'^^ 1767
The Petition of the Inhabitants of the Plantations C'allcd
Muscongus & Madumcook in the County of Lincoln
Humbly Sheweth
That Frankfort in the West side of Pownalborongli in said
County the Place where the Courts of General Sessions of
the Peace & Inferiour Court of Common Pleas are now hold
is very near the Westren side of said County & Quite Remote
from by far tlie (Jreatest Part of tlie Liliubitants of said
County & that there are but a very few Houses near said
Place in which People wlio have nescsary Business at said
Courts can have Lodging & Entertainment so that a Great
Part of Liu; I'cople duiiug tlicir iicsesary attendance on said
Courts arc much distressed for Nesesarys and are Oblidged
to lodge on a floor or in l>arns or sett all niglit l)y the fire
18 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
during their whole Stay at said Courts Wherefore Your
Petitioners humbly Pray Your Excellency & Honours that
said Courts may be Removed to the Estren side of Pownal-
borough aforesaid which is much nearer the Center of said
County both as to land & Inhabitants and where those who
have Business at s^ Courts may be sufficiently Provided for
there being a sufficient Number of Houses their in which to
Entertain & lodge them & for the Reasons aforesaid if Pow-
nalborough should be Divided into two Distinct Towns
agreable to a Petition as we Understand now before Your
Excellency & Honours for that Purpose we humbly Pray
that what is now the Eastren side of Pownalborough may be
made the Shire Town of said County it being a Place well
situated for the Courts to be held at & Your Petitioners as
in Duty Bound shall ever Pray &c
Cornelius Tomson Samuel Joshua
Joshua Paul Jameson Cornelius Bradford
Wadsworth Joshua Bradford Abiah Wadsworth
John Robert Elijah Cook
Richard Asa John Robinson '
John Jacob Grifen Jesse Thomas
George Biggmore Alexander Jameson Jacob Grafon
John Grafton Jolin Bigmore Samuel Condon
Ebenezer Morton J"^ William Elwell Ebenezer Morton
John Brazer William Elwell jun"^ Jacob Davis
Graf en Davis William Davis Ebn"" Davis
Zachariah Davis Samuel Davis
Province of the M Bay
To His Excellency Francis Bernard Esq'' Govern'' and
Commander in Cheif of said Province, To the llon^'^*'
His Majestys Council & House of Representatives in
General Court Assembled Jan" 28'^ 1767 —
OF THE STATE OF RIAINE 19
The Petition of the Subscriber.s hereto, who are Free-
holders and Inhabitants of the Town of Andover
humbly Sheweth —
That Agriculture having been the business your Petitioners
and Their Children have been bred up to, and now stand in
Nead of Land to Settle Their Children upon, and there being
a number of Persons in their Neighbourhood in the same Sit-
uation Your said Petitioners and Neighbours would be glad
of liberty to Exercise their Calling upon some part of the
Wilderness Land in the County of York — And as there are
three Townships already laid out at and near Pigwacket viz
Fryestown, Browns town and another lately laid out to Ben-
jamin Mulliken Es(f & Others, and a Considerable number
of Families Settled in the first, some in the Second, and prep-
arations making for Settling the third, It Occasions a great
deal of Traveling betwen this p^rt of the Province and those
Townships ; and as there is a Space between Phillips-Town
and said Townships of fifty four Miles ; in all which distance
there is not a House for Travelers to Shelter Themselves in,
be the weather ever so severe : Your Petitioners humbly
apprehend That if a Settlement was made between the two
Rivers called great Ossapee and Little Ossapee, (which is
about mid-way between Phillipstown and the aforesaid
Township,) it would Answer a very good Purpose ; as there
would be a place of Entertainment for Travelers to and from
the said Pigwacket Townsliips, And People in the Proposed
Settlement (It's Probable) might be Supply'd with bread
from the aforesaid Townships while Subduing their own
Lands, which would Enable Them to proceed more Expedi-
tiously in the Settlement and the sooner have a place of
Shelter for Travelers to the Pigwacket Townsliips of wliicli
they stand in great need — And as yonr Petitioners do not
Expect to obtain a Township of Wilderness Land any other
way than by purchase, They humbly l^ray Your Excellency
20 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
and Hon''* would please to Grant them a Township, with
liberty to lay it ovit between the said great & little Ossapee
Rivers, for such a Consideration, and under such Injunctions,
as your Excellency & Hon" shall think, Those who Settle
the Wilderness Land ought to be Subjected to, and as in
duty bound will ever Pray
Nathan Chandler Joshua Chandler Isaac Abbot Ju'
John Abbot 5*** David Chandler Thomas Russell
Stephen Abbot Ephraim Abbot Joshua Lovejoy
Jonathan Abbot l**" Nathan Chandler J"" John Dane
John Patten Eliakim Darling Zebadiah Shattuck
John Wardwell John Holt J"^ James Griff en
Joshua holt David Holt Samuel Osgood
Joseph Holt John Willson Isaac Blunt
Neliemiah Abbot J"" Geoi'ge Abbot Jun"" William Dane
Samuel Fiealds Isaac Chandler Asa Abbot
Benjamin Walker Darius Abbot
Indorsed Petition of Nathan Chandler & others — Feb
23 1767
Coll Ward Cap Dix Coll Bugley
referrd to May Sess"
June 18 revived & Com'^ to ]\P Say ward Cap Thayer Coll
Gushing to ascertain the Value of the Land & enquire
whether it belongs to the province to report next Session
May 17 1768 —
Petition of S. Doivm ^ M. Thornton. 1767.
To His Excellency Francis Bernard Esq'' Cap* Generall &
Governor in & over His Majestys Province of the Massachu-
setts Bay — The Hon'^^'^ His Majestys Council & the Hon^'i^
House of Representatives in Generall Court Assembled
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 21
The petition of Samuel Downe & Mathew Thornton in
behalf of the Grantees of the six Townships in the Territorys
of Sagadahoc Granted to David March &c Humbly Shews
That your petitioners presented a Memorial to your Excel-
lency & Honors in June last praying that a further time may
be granted to them for Obtaining His Majestys Approbation
for the reasons Mentioued in said Memorial —
Upon which the Hon^'^^ House Agreed to the further Term
of Eighteen months, which was consented too by the Hon^^®
Board — But by reason of the Six Lower Townships ( who
had never petitioned nor had been at any expence towards
geting his Majesties approbation ) being Joined with them by
the Com^^^ to v/hom it was refered, the said Grant of Eighteen
months was not consented to by His Excellency, they there-
fore pray they may have a further time allowed them, Sep-
erate from the Lower Six Townships.
Sam^ Downe
Mathew Thornton
January 28»i^ 17G7 —
Petition of Nathan Jones ^ others. 1767.
Province of the Massachusetts Bay
To His Excellency Francis Bernard Esq Governor and
Commander in Chief The Hon'^i* His Majestys Council
& Representatives of said Province in General Court
Assembled at Boston January 28*^ 1767 —
Tlie Memorial of Nathan Jones Francis Shaw and Robert
Gould, in behalf of themselves and others Grantees of a
Townsliip N. I'hree, in tlie Territory of Saggadehock, East
of L'liioii River — Humbly Sheweth
That whereas by a Grant of their said Township made in
February 17G8, it was provided that in case his Majesty
should not in eighteen Months next coming approve of said
Grants they should be null and void, and whereas upon
22 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Application made to your Excellency at the expiration of
said Term — Your Excellency and Honors were pleased to
allow a farther Time of Eighteen Months from the third of
November 1764 which Time is now expired without our
having been able as yet to obtain his Majestys Approbation.
Your Memorialists beg leave further to represent to your
Excellency and Honoi's that they have exerted themselves
so greatly in carrying on the Settlement that they have at
one Time been upwards of Six thousand Pounds Str^ in
advance, and the Settlement is now in so flourishing a state
as to contain about Forty Dwelling Houses, Seven Mills and
other Buildings and about three or four hundred Inhabitants.
And having Lately received a Letter from Our Agent in
England, signifying the great encouragement he has received
from the Ministry whereby he assures us of his hopes for
success on our behalf in his further Applications to the Board
of Trade and others concerned in American Affairs — They
therefore humbly pray that they may have a further Time
allowed them for obtaining his Majestys Approbation —
Francis Shaw
Rob^ Gould
Plan Accepted. 1767
In the House of Representatives Jan^^ 30*'' 1767
This Plan of a Township of Land of the Contents of Six
Miles and three Quarters of a Mile Square, granted to Cap-
tain William Raymond and others who served in the Expe-
dition against Canada in 1690, their legal Representatives or
Assigns, and by them laid out in the County of Cumberland
adjoining to great Sebago Pond, and adjoining to New-Boston,
bounded as follows. Viz' Beginning at the Northwesterly
Corner Bounds of the Township of Windham, and extending
by the Needle due Northeast seven and an half Miles, on the
OF THE STATE OF :srAINE 23
Head Line of said Windham, and New Boston ; thence
extending on a due Northwest Course seven and an half
Miles ; thence from the first mentioned Bounds extending
up the Northeast Side of the Great Pond of Sebago, as the
Pond doth run, till a North east Line shall terminate at Head
of Seven Miles and an half on the northeast Side Line, was
presented for acceptance.
Accordingly, Resolved, That it be, and hereby is accepted,
and the Land therein contained be confirmed unto them, their
Heirs and Assigns for ever, they complying with the Condi-
tions of the original Grant ; Saving only that they settle
seventy five Families instead of Thirty Families.
Provided the same doth not exceed the Quantity of seven
and an half Miles square, with a Neck of Land and Island
adjacent, delineated on said Plan, including Allowance for
Ponds therein contained, nor interfere with any former Grant.
Sent up for Concurrence Thomas Cushmg Spk"^
In Council Jan^ 30^'' 1767 Read & Concurred
Jn° Cotton D Secry
Consented to Fra Bernard
Resolve
In the House of Representatives Feb. 5'"' 1767.
Resolved that the prayer of this petition be granted, &
that the petitioner above named, for the reasons mentioned
in s** petition be further allowed the term of Eighteen Months,
from this Day, to obtain his Majesty's approbation of the
witliin mentioned Grant
Sent up for Concurrence Thomas Gushing S[)k''
In Council F*;!)^ ;V" 1767 — Read & Cone"
,]n" ('otton D Secry
Consented to Kra Jiernard
24 docd:mentae,y history
Report on Petition of Capt. H. Y. Brotvn.
The Cora"^^ on the Petition of Cap* Henrj-Young Brown
baveing Considered the Same Report that in the year AD
17G4 y* Petitioner had a Grant of a Township of the Con-
tents of Six mile Square to be laid out on Saco River above
Col° frys Town which was accordingly lay'^ out & a plan
thereof returned & accepted : That in the year ( 1765 ) he y^
Petitioner Informed the General Court, that part of s'^ Town-
ship was Claimed by newhampshire ; That s'^ Court Incour-
aged him to Go forward with his Settlements & Improve-
ments ; and if he met with any Difficultys they would be
ready to Give him releiff ; That in y^ year (1760) he Set
forth his Difficultys ; and the Court appointed y'' Hon^^^® John
Bradbury Esq"^ James Gowing Esq^ & m"" Sayward, a Com"*^®
to run out the line according to y*" Claim of this Province ;
That they run as far as Saco River with a line which took
off 8544 acres of the Petitioners Town ; That y^ Court
thought Best not to be at any Expence in Defending and
agreed with y® Petitioner to Discharge the Government from
any Demands for s'' lands or Expence ; That the Court then
ordered the Petitioner to prossecute all Such persons as
Should Enter on y*^ lands, to y® East of y® s*^ line run as
afforeg^ at y^ Expence of the Province as also to Defend all
actions Brought against him at y® Goverments Expence —
That in march ( 1767 ) a Committee was appointed to pre-
pare y® Papers to send to Dennis Debert Esq"" who was
appointed to Get a Settlement of y*^ province line ; or altera-
tion of s*^ line as run by Bryant and orders to have it run
agreeable to Settlement ; after the Committee had prepared
the papers the whole matter was refferred to y*^ next Setting
of y'' Court and that there hath not been any thing Deter-
mined upon it Sence —
That upon a Tryall at y® Superior Court in New hampshire
last may for thirty five acres of land lying on y* line they
101:9:11
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 25
Call y* Province line it appear** that m^ Bryant nin y® line in
1740/1 ; and after a full hearing the Court & Jury both
Declared the land was in Newhampshire ; and Gave Judg-
ment for y*' lands Sued for & Cost.
That it appears the Petitioner hath already rec** out of the
Publick Treasury by warrant from y*^ Gov'' & Council at
Sundry Times
The sum of one hundred & fifty three ^
pounds Ten shillings pursuant to his Ac°'* ^£153:10 —
of Disbursements & Expences J
That y^ Petitioners Ac^^ now Exhibeted"^
amounts to y® Sum of one hundred & one
pound nine Shillings & Eleven pence more
to BalP«
and further the Committee Beg leave to report
that y^ Petitioner was to Give the Province as
a Valluable Consideration for Said Township
the Sum of Two hundred pounds which said
sum hath not been paid or any part thereof
Jo* Williams g order
Petition. 17G7.
Province of the Massachusetts Bay
To his Excellency Francis Bernard Esq"^ Governor & Com-
mander in Chief in and over said Province &c and the
Honourable his Majestys Council & House of Repre-
sentatives in General Court Assembled May 17<!7
The Petition of the Proprietors of the New Township
lying at the head of the Town of Berwick adjoyning on the
Eastern side of Salmon Fall River in the County of York —
Humbly Shews —
That the Great & General Court of this Province in the
year l7o;5 did (Jrant a Township of Land of Six miles Square
26 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
To Sixty Three Proprietors Bounded Southerly on the head
of the Town of Berwick Westerly by Salmon Falls River
Northerly partly by said River & Ponds and party by Prov-
ince Lands Easterly by Province Lands —
By Reason of the Frequent wars & the Danger of the
Indian Enemie the Settlement of said Township has been
Retarded Till since the Ruduction of Canada to the Crown
of Create Britain Since which your Petitioners have Settled
a Minister in said Township in Gospel order, and have now
more than Forty Families Settled there, and Many more will
Soon Settle there and your Petitioners Humbly apprehend
that the Incorporating said Plantation into a Town that the
Settlers that may have the Priviledge of Others Town in this
Province will Greatly Promote the Settlement & Growth of
said new township
Wherefore your Petitioners Humbly pray your Excellency
& Honours that the said new township or Plantation may be
Incorporated into a Town that the Inhabitants thereof may
Do Duty & Receive the Priviledges of Other Towns in this
Province and your Petitionrs in Duty bound shall pray &c
Benj^ Chadbourn in behalf of said Proprietors
The Committee to whom is Refer** the within Petition
have Considered the same & beg leave to Report the Peti-
tioners have Liberty to bring in a bill for the purposes men-
tiond in this Petition
Jonathan Sayward pr order
Petition of Josiah Richardson^ Agent. 1767.
Province of the Massachusetts Bay
To his Exelencey Frainces Barnard Esq"" Captain Genarail
and Commander in Cheife in and over his Majesty Province
OF THE STATE OP MAINE 27
of the Massachusetts Bay in New England and Vice Admiral
of the same and to the Honorable his majestys Counsill and
to the Honorable The House of Representatives in the Grate
And Generail Court Assembled at Boston on the 27'** day of
may anaqe Domini 1767 —
Josiah Richardson of Sudbury in the County of Middlesex
Esq'' and agent for a Number of Petitioners whose Anches-
tors ware in the Expedition to Canada in tlie year 1690 —
Hunibley Reminds your Exclency and Honours that In
the yeare 1737 a number of Men whose Names Are hereunto
Anexed Prefered a Petition to this Honourable Court for to
have a Grant of Land for a Township to be Layed out m the
unapropriated Lands within the said Province as raaney
oathers for the same Merit before had had town shipp
Granted to them and this Honorable Did tlien Sostain the
s*^ petition and then ordered the s'' petitioners to mak out and
prove their Claims that their Anchesters ware in the b**
Expodition, and Come and they Should be beared with which
order of Court the said Petitioner fully Comployed with and
at a Grat Const proved their Clams Sence which by A Num-
ber of memorials to this honorable Court the said Petition
has ben Revived but the said Petitioners have not as yet had
aney Grant of Land made to them on that Accompt and by
Reason of the wars and of the Townhouse being burnt the
same petition has not of Late ben moved to this Honourabel
Court but sence this Honorable Court in theire Grat Wisdom
and Justice was Pleased on the 24 Day of June A D 1765
to make a Grant of a Township of Land to Cap' William
Raymond and Company for tlie same merit wliich your
Memorlis now plead and now your memorlis in behalfe of
bimselfe and Compney Humbley pray youre Exelcncy and
Honours would take the primises under your Wise and Just
Consideration and mak us A Grant of Land for a Townsliip
As you Was plesed to Do to the s'' William Raymond and
28 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Companey And youre memorilis in the Behalf e of himselfe
and Companey Shall Ever Pray
Josiah Richardson Agent for said Petitioners
Petition of B. Mulliken ^ M. Bridges 1767.
To His Excellency Francis Bernard Esq"" Gov' and Com-
mander in Chief of his Majesty's Province of the Massachu-
setts Bay in New England to the Hon^'« the Council & House
of Representatives in General Court assembled May 27"' 1767
The Petition of Benjamin Mulliken & Moody Bridges
agents for the proprietors of a Township granted to Benjamin
Mulliken Esq' and others June 25 1765. humbly sheweth
Tliat the pond called long Pond contained in the plot of
said Township occupys a much larger space than it describes
by said plot. That the course of said Pond is different from
the Representation thereof dividing the Land in such a Form
as will greatly discomode the settlement of said Township —
That that part thereof that lies East of said pond would serve
the Province to accomodate another Township, and that a
Strip of the Province Land between s'^ Township and Saco
River with the addition of another Strip at the Southend of
s*^ Township would accomodate said proprietors and would
leave the Province Land in a much more regular form than
it is now in.
That a number of the Proprietors of said Township are in
arrears of the Taxes levyed on them in the concerns of a
former Township called Rowley Canada.
That the Council in Law of your petitioners adviseth that
the Laws of the Province respecting the regulation of Town-
ships are not sufficient to enable said proprietors to make Sale
of said delinquent Rights in said Township granted to Ben-
jamin Mulliken and others to defrey the Charges of said
Township called Rowley Canada of which s'' Proprietors are
Owsted.
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 29
Wherefore your Petitioners humbly entreat your Excel-
lency & Honors to Grant to said proprietors an equivalent for
that part of said Township that lies East of said pond in the
una})[)r()priated Lands of the Government on the Westerly
side thereof contiguous to Saco River & adjoining to said
Township as afores*^ — and that it would please your Excel-
lency & Honors to enable said proprietors to make Sale of
said delinquent Rights in said Township granted to Benj*
Mulhken & others to defrey tlieir arrears of said former
Township called Rowley Canada together Avith the Cliarges
that have arisen on their Rights in the other Township afore-
said. And your Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever
pray.—
Benj'^ Mulliken
Moody Bridges
Resolve 1767.
In the House of Representatives May 30 1767
Whereas there was a Plan taken of several Townsliips by
-loliii lirown Esq'' Surveyor, by Order of a Committee of this
Court in 1763 viz of Narragansett No 1 Pearson town N" 7
with the T>ines of Biddeford Scarborough & Falmoutli as run
by said Comittee which Plan is mislaid or lost
Resolved that the Secretary be directed to write to the said
John IJrown Esq"" to take an exact Plan of said Townsliips &
runing said lines of said Biddeford Scarborough & Falmouth
from his field Book or Journal to make Oath to the same that
it is a true i)lan & return said Plan into the Secretarys Ol'lice
as soon as may l)e
Scnl np foi' Coiicnrrence 'I'lio Cnsliing Spk''
In Council 2'' -lunc 17<t7 IJcad and ( 'onciii'icd
A ()liv<T Sc(;y
Consented to Fra Hernaid
30 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Message. ''June 11, 1767.''
Gentlemen
I never understood that the charges contained in the Earl
of Shelburne's Letter were particularly intended against this
Province as there have been no Complaints of this kind made
from hence that I know of. There has been but one instance
of Murther of Indians happened within my time ; and in that
the Government exerted itself to the utmost to discover and
punish the offenders and to give satisfaction to the Indians ;
in the latter of which we had all desired Success.
The Justice and tenderness which this Government has
exercised towards the Indians which have been intermixed
with the People is, I believe, very well known : such
instances as have happened within my time have been faith-
fully represented, and the Province has had full Credit for
them. But still great care remains to be taken of the East-
ern Indians who are not the objects of domestic regulations.
And this cannot be done without restraining the Hunting &
Trading of the English in their Country, which have been &
ever will be the Causes of frequent Offence given to Indians
in those parts. Injuries of this kind are much better pre-
vented than redressd. I therefore depend that you will carry
into present execution the assurances you give me at the close
of your address, by continuing the present Act for restrain-
ing private trading with the Indians and hunting in their
Country which will otherwise expire with the present Session,
or by bringing in another Bill for the same purposes. —
Message. June 11, 1767.
Gentlemen of tlie Council and Gentlemen of the House of
Representatives
Last Winter I received a Letter from the Earl of Sherburne,
signifying his Majesty's commands that Care be taken that a
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 31
due Obedience be paid to his Majesty's royal proclamation for
restraining the Indian trade & preventing incroachments upon
the Indian Country. I have reserved the communication of
this untill the subject matter should come before you in the
course of business ; which it does now by the time for renew-
ing the Indian trade-act coming on, I have more than once
represented to his Majesty's Ministers that it is not in my
power to carry the proclamation into execution, without the
aid of the general Court ; and that so far as It has hitherto
been obeyed, has been effected by means of the aforemen-
tioned Act. I now desire that you will take the whole of
the said Letter into consideration, & provide for what is
required thereby, either by' the same Act or by another, as
3'ou shall see Cause.
Fra: Bernard
Council Chamber June 11, 1767.
Resolve
In the House of Representatives June 12 1707
Resolved that that part of the Township granted to lU'iij-'
Mulliken Esq'" and others June 25"' 1765 lying on the East-
erly side and northerly end of the pond called Long pond
containing Eight thousand, six hundred & forty five Acres,
bounded as followeth ; Begining at a stone set into the gi'ound
at the northeasterly corner of said Township, thence South
25 degrees East nine Miles to a Stone set into the ground,
thence West 25 degrees South seven liundred & forty pole
to said pond ; thence northerly by s'' })()n(l U) a Stake &l, stones
standing by a lirook at tlic licad of said [loiid : tliciicc iioilli
25 degrees West six liun(h-ed & sixty pole to a stake <.\: stones
standing in the northerly line of s'' 'J'ownship tlience East 25
degrees North one hundred & sixty pole to the iirst l)ouiid,
32 DOCUMENTARY HISTOKY
be exchanged for an equivalent of Land lying on the west-
erly side, provided tliere be a sufficiency of Land belonging
to the Province on that side, otherwise that the deficiency be
made up in Lands at the Southerly end of said Township
adjoining thereto, and that a plan thereof taken by Surveyor
& Chainmen on oath be returned to this Court within twelve
Months from this date for Confirmation.
And that tlie petitioners notify the delinquent Proprietors
mentioned in their petition by inserting the substance of that
Clause in one of the Boston News papers three weeks suc-
cessively that they shew cause if any they have on the first
Tuesday of the next Session of this Court Avhy the prayer
thereof should not be granted. —
Sent up for Concurrence T. Cushing Spk'^
In Council June 12"' 1767 Read & Concurred
A Oliver Sec^
Consented to Fra Bernard
A true Copy Exam'^ g Jn" Cotton D : Secry
Act of Incorporation. 1767.
Anno Regni Regis Georgii Tertii Septimo.
An Act for erecting the new Plantation called Lebanon
lying at the Head of the Town of Berwick adjoining on the
Eastern Side of Salmon Falls River in the County of York,
into a Town by the name of
Whereas the erecting the Plantation called Lebanon into a
Town will greatly contribute to the Growth thereof and rem-
edy many Inconveniences to which the Inhabitants and Pro-
prietors may be otherwise subject :
Be it enacted by the Governor, Council and House of Rep-
resentatives That the Plantation aforesaid A bounded as fol-
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 33
lows viz' Southerly on the Head of the said To^^^l of Berwick ;
Westeii}^ by Salmon Falls River ; Northerly partly by said
River, and Ponds, and partly by Province Lands : & Easterly
by Province Lands ; be and hereby is erected into a Town by
the Name of and that the Inhabitants
thereof be and hereby are invested with all the Powers, Priv-
ileges and Immunities, which the Inhabitants of the Towns
within this Province do enjoy.
And be it further enacted, That Benjamin Chadburne Esq""
be and hereby is empowered to issue his Warrant directed to
some prmcipal Inhabitant in said Town, requiring him to
warn the Inhabitants of said Town to meet at such Time and
Place as shall be therein set forth, to chuse all such Officers
as are or shall be required by Law to manage the affairs of
the said Town.
In the House of Representatives
Read a first time June 9 1767
Read a second time June 10, 1767
Read a third time June 11, 1767 »& i)asscd to be Engrossed
Sent up for Concurrence T. Cushing Spk"^
In Council 11 June 1767 Read a lirst time
12 June 1767 Read a second Time & passd a Concur-
rence witli the amendment
Sent down for Concurrence A Oliver Sec^'
In the House of Representatives June 12 1767
Read & Concurred T. Cushing Spk"
Bounded as followeth begining at Salmon fall river in the
North Bounds of the 'J'ownshi}) of Berwick & to Run North-
east & by East witlj tliat Line 6 iiiik' 200 Kods then N W &
by N: Six miles & 86 Rod with the Pro\iiici' Laiul, tlu'ii
S W & by W with the uiiapjjropriatcd I.,ands of y'" (jovern-
ment &■ a Grant made to Joir' l>agly Ks(|'"to tlie liiver afores**
then with the s'' River to the Bounds lirst iiicntioiicd.
34 DOCUMEXTARY HISTORY
Order.
June 13*^ 1767
Ordered that his Excellency the Governour be Desired, to
forward, Duplicates, of his last Letters, to the Olficers, at
Port Royall, by a Shallop, or some other fit vessel, with oars,
that the}^ may not fail of his Commands
And Give Order that the ffrigate Province Galley, do Con-
voy & Cover the vessels that may be Improved to Transport
the great Artillery above the ffort. And also to Lie before
the ffort, & Assist in Taking it, If the Councill of War shall
Determine to Attempt it.
Sent up for Concurrence John Burrill Speak'^
Message.
June 6^^ 176
May it please your Excellency
Your Excellency's Message to both Houses of the 11'**
Instant, together with His Majest3\s Royal Proclamation for
restraining tlie Indian Trade and preventing Incroachments
upon the Indian Country ; as also the Earl of Shelburn's
Letter signifying his INIajesty's Commands, that a due Obedi-
ence be paid to the said Proclamation, we have most atten-
tively considered — And are convinced that neither were
founded upon any Complaints against this province b}'^ his
Majesty's Superintendents for Indian Affairs: Nor will any
one presume to say that the most A provoked Violences and
Murthers which have been lately committed on the Indians
under the Protection of his Majesty, were done by this Gov-
ernment,
or that any one Settlement hath been made by us without
proper Authority, and beyond the Limits prescribed by his
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 35
Majesty's Royal Proclamation of One Thousand seven Hun-
dred and Sixty-three; or that we have made Settlements
beyond the utmost Boundaries of any Province in America,
in Consequence of which the greatest Discontents among the
Indians have arisen, which may endanger the Peace of his
INIajesty's Provinces, and the Safety of his Subjects: We say
iNlay it please your Excellenc}', it is impossible that these
Complaints were made against us, because they are without
even a colour B and therefore that said Letter was a circular
one, and would have been sent to your Excellency had there
not been an Indian, or any Indian Land in the Province. B
It is with Pleasure, that we remind your Excellency, and
inform the World, that greater Care was taken of the Indians
by our pious Ancestors during the old Charter, and by this
Government under the new even to this Day than is ordered
or recommended either by the Proclamation or the Letter
aforesaid — But about three Years after the Arrival of our
Forefathers viz^ Anno Domini l()-So, they made a Law in
these Words that no Person shall henceforth buy Land of
any Indian without License first had and obtained of the
General Court, and if any offended herein such Land so
bought sliall be forfeited — And least the Indians slioidd be
defrauded in their Trade, in the same Year they made a I^aw
that no Person should trade with the Indians for any sort of
Peltry &c, exce})ting only such as are authorized by tlie Gen-
eral Court under the Penalty of One IluiKh'cd Pounds loi-
every offence — And so tender was their Ilegurd for tlicin
upon other accounts tliat there were Indian Instructors pro-
vided ; the Bible which they were pei'fect Strangers to trans-
lated into Iiuhan, as well as other Books the Means of
Insli'uction, P^nghsli and In<rmii Miiiistci's [)r»)\id('d for tlirni,
the (iospel preached to tin in, ('luii(;hes gathered, some of
which cfjntinue even unto this Day : I')y Law severe Pen;dlies
were to be inflicted upitu any that should sell Iheui strong
36 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Drink — By Law the Justices of every Shire were bound to
give it in special Charge to the Grand Jury to inquire and
present the Breaches of said Laws, Provision was therein
made, that when any Damage shouhl be done the Indians in
their Fiekls tho' unfenced should be made good by the Town
where the Land lay — Provision was likewise made for tlieir
being incorporated into Townships, they to be vested with all
the Priviledges of other ToAvns. They were empowered from
among themselves to appoint Indian Justices to hear and
determine small Causes that might arise among the Indians —
This was the Care the Government took of the IncUans under
the old charter ; and this very much indeared the English to
them. The Indians had a perfect Confidence in the Govern-
ment, looked upon them as their civil and spiritual Fathers,
and went to them in all their Difficulties as Cliildren to a
Father.
May it please your Excellency, These are a few of the
many Instances of the Care our Forefathers took of the
Indians — Nor hath the Scene been changed at any Time
since. There is now a standing Law of this Province made
in the Reign of King William and Queen Mary declaring
every Deed of Bargain and Sale, Lease, Release &c, of any
Lands, Tenements, or Hereditaments wdthin this Province as
well for Term of years as for ever procured or obtained from
any Indian b}^ any Person at any Time since the year 1633
the year the above mentioned Law was made, mthout License
first had and obtained, or that shall hereafter be made or pro-
cured without the License and Approbation of the Great and
General Court or Assembly of this Province for the Same
shall be deemed and adjudged in the Law to be null and void
and of none Effect. The same Care hath been and is noAV
taken of them in every other Instance, there are LaAvs now
subsisting, prohibiting the English selling strong Drink, or
tradmg with them, to prevent their being drunk by the one
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 37
and cheated by the other : there are Churches and Congrega-
tions of Indians in this Province to whom the Gospel is
preached, ministers Ordained over them, the Sacraments
administred to them, Sclioohnasters provided for the Instruc-
tion of their Children, decent respectable Houses for publick
Worship erected, and all without the least Expence to them :
There are Districts and Parishes in the Province wherein the
English & Indians unitedly enjoy the same Privileges ; and
in one of our Towns they unite in voting for Representatives.
With Respect to the Eastern Indians — By the Instigation
of the French, perhaps as inhuman as themselves : How much
and how many Cruelties have our People met with from them ;
how much human Blood have they spilt ; how much Treasure
have they obliged us to expend — Yet when they desired
Peace, did the Government ever refuse them : And in the
Year 1726 when a Peace was concluded by the then Lieuten-
ant Governor Dummer, whose Memory is precious to them and
us, there were Truck Houses erected, by a Law of the Gov-
ernment, both in the Eastern and Western Frontiers, and the
Trade in them was put under the wisest and most equitable
Regulations, in Favour of the Indians : At y® Truck house
Things are sold as cheap even at this day to the Indians as
they could purchase them singly at Boston : There is not one
Tract of Land in the eastern Country enjoyed by the English,
but what was purchased of the Indians Sachems y' deeds
acknowledged and recorded — And wlien There has been any
Trespasses by any of the Englisli upon llie Indians there liatli
been the utmost Care taken by the General Assembly of set-
ting, if not, by the Governor and Council to biing tlie
Offenders to condign Punishment.
Nor, may it please your Excellency Iiatli the; (Jovcniincnt
oiiiiltcrl aiiytliiug that can Ix; sugg(!st(;d fi^oui llic I'riiiciplcs
of lliiiiiaiiity and Justice, fj'oiii tlie year !();>;>, to tliis Day
lor lIk; Interest of the Indians in tlieir several Dispersions
38 DOCr]MENTAEY HISTOID Y
throughout the whole Province : The Conduct of the Gov-
ernment towards them we glory in, we make our Boast of as
unrivalled — And we perswade our selves, that your Excel-
lency as the Head of the Province, and its Father hath or
will make these Representations to his Majesty's Ministers —
Upon the Principles of Christianity, upon the Rules of
good Policy, Justice and Equity We have ever acted towards
them, sensible that the Violations of these Principles will be
attended with fatal Consequences ; and that if a due Obedi-
ence had been paid to his Majesty's Royal Proclamation, and
a due Attention given to proper Restraints on the Conduct
of the Indian Traders, those Evils that took Place in some of
the Southern Governments might have effectually been
avoided. —
It is with the highest Satisfaction that we reflect upon the
Government's Conduct relative to the Indians, all free and
spontaneous on our Part, especially as it in Substance
so exactly corresponds with his Majesty's Sentiments — And
we do assure your Excellency, that being animated by the
same Principles, we shall do every thing that Duty to the
King, and the Rules of good PoUcy, of Justice and Equity
to the Indians can require.
Message June 17, 17G7.
Gentlemen &c
Least my Reasons for dissenting to the Resolve for an
Establishment for Fort Pownall should be Mistaken I think
it proper to ascertain them : they are first, because the Pay
appointed for tlie (Officers is insufficient for their Support : —
2. Because the Number of Men appointed is too small for
the Defence of so respectable a Fortress. At the same Time
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 39
I must recommend to You to make Provision for a Garrison,
suitable to the Fort.
Fra Bernard
Council Chamber June 17. 1767
Gentlemen &c
I Consent to the Resolve for the Establishment for Castle
William ; I dissent to the Resolve for the Establishment for
Fort Pownall.
Fra Bernard
Letter^ John Brown to Andrew Oliver. 1767.
Newburv June 18'" 1767
Hon<i S^
Agreeable to a Resolve of the Great & Gen^ Court I here-
with Return a Plan of the Towns & Lines therein mentioned
and am well assured they are truly described as I had the
same Chainmen for the whole Survey, who were on Oath
I was put to some Trouble in Collecting my Minutes &
Reducing my Plan, as I had but One Sheet of Paper Suitable,
Hope it will answer the purpose designed. And am with
Sincere Regards to His Excels & the whole Court Their &
Your most Obedient Hum' Serv*
John Brown
Province of the Massachusetts Bay
To his Excellency Francis Bernard Esq'" Captain General
and Governor in Clieif the Hon'''*' the Council ami House of
Representatives of the Province aforesaid in General Couit
assembled at Boston June 1767
Tlie Subscriljers Iidiabitants of a place called Machias
Humbly Shew
That they with their Fumilics according to the Kings Proc-
himation went upon and took possession of a Tract of Land
called Machias bounding as follows viz' begiiming at a <liy
40 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Rock at a place called tlie Eastern Bay near the House of M""
Samuel Holmes and extending North ten Miles, then West
eight Miles then South to the Sea which Lands after proper
Allowance for Water and Heaths will make only the contents
of a Township six Miles Square ; and they have made con-
siderable Improvements thereon apprehending the same to be
Crown lands But so it is may it please your Excellency and
Honours the said Tract of land falleth within the belongs to
this Province
Now may it please your Excellency and Honours as it was
thr6 the Ignorance of your petitioners they thinking the
Lands belonged to the Crown, and as they have been at great
Cost and pains in clearing and making Improvements on the
Tract of Land aforesaid ; if they should be dispossessed
thereof it would be a means of ruining them and their
Families.
Your petitioners would also represent to this Hon^'^*' Court
that they are about Seventy four in Number, and are without
the common priviledges other People within this Province
enjoy, having no Gospel Minister, School Master or any offi-
cers whatsoever, which is absolutely necessary for the Peace
and good Order of any People ; and as they are willing and
desirous to pay their proportion of the Province expence as
they become able.
Your petitioners therefore humbly pray your Excellency
and Honours would be pleased to take the premisses into
your wise serious and Compassionate consideration and make
them a Grant of the said Tract of land ; which will prevent
the ruin of so many Families ; And also Incorporate them
into a Town or otherwise invest them with Authority sufli-
cient to chuse Town Officers, or otherwise reheve them as
you in your known Wisdom and goodness shall think best
And as in duty bound shall ever pray &c
Ichabod Jones for himself and as Attorney & Agent
for the Under mentioned persons
OF THE STATE OF :MATME
41
Stephen Jones Jonathan Longfellow David Libby
Thomas Buck (xeorge Libby jun'^ Thos Buck jun
Joseph Dubuisont Benj* Foster jun'
her
Sarah X Libby George Libby
mark
Sam^ Kenny Abiel Sprague
Stephen jVIunson John Stone
Sarah Fogg Natli^ Young
Joshua Webster Solomon Meserve
Samuel Rich Ichabod Jones
Joseph Sevey
Timoth- Libby
Elijah Bent
Ebenezer Libby
Will'" X Kelly
Jonath Woodrigh Wesbruk Berre
his
Samuel Holmes Eleazer X Bryant
mark
Amos Boynton (xeorge Sevey
mark
Joseph Holmes
Gideon Obrion
Obathah Hill
Samuel Davis Bryant
Samuel Lebbee
John Manchestere John Underwood
Joseph Munson Daniel Stone
Daniel Stone in behalf of Sol° Stone
John Crocker Stephen Parker
Benjamin Corbet Fannater Obrian
Jacob Foster John Wieland
Abiel Sprague Job Burnum
Moris Obrion
Jeremiah Jenks
Isaac Larrabee
Joseph X Getchell
mark
Nathan Longfellow Jacob l.,ebbee
his
John X Berre
mark
Samuel Burnem
Archelaus Hammond
John Stone
Reuben Libby
James Eliott
Joel Booney
Nath' Davis
Thaddeus Trafton
James Dyer
Daniel Lomrfellow
Message. June 25, 1767.
A Message from the Board to tlie ]K)noi'id)](' House of H(>p-
nisentatives
Gentlemen of the House of Representatives
The Board have concurred the vote of tlie honorable house
relative to the cstuldishiiicDt foi' Castle Williaiii &- I'owiial :
42 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
and tho it has been for some time practised to make estab-
lishments in tliis connected manner, yet as there is no neces-
sary connection between s'^ Castle & fort, it is proper in the
nature of the thing that the establishments for them, and also
that all matters whatever acted upon by the General Court,
that are in their nature seperate & distinct, should be by sep-
erate & distinct Acts, in order that each Branch of the legis-
latui'e might act with the utmost Freedom : otherwise they
might be necessitated to consent to a thing they utterly dis-
approve, for the sake of another that merits their approbation,
and to which the public good demands their assent.
The Board apprehend the establishment aforesaid, with
regard to the form of it was a meer transcript from the estab-
lishment of the last year ; and that the honorable house had
no design by it to infringe on the right of the Board to judge
of every matter, that comes before them, upon its own cir-
cumstances : and they assure themselves the honorable house
will never act upon principles, which they themselves would
undoubtedly and very justly censure in the other Branches
of the legislature.
In Council 25, June 1767 — Ordered That James Bow-
doin, Harrison Gray, James Russell, Samuel White & James
Pitts Esq" be a Committee to wait on the Hon^'® House with
the foregoing Message.
May it please your Excellency
On your Excellency's laying before his Majesty's Council
the Representations of the Inhabitants & proprietors of the
Township of Conway in this Province, that they are pre-
vented from complying with the conditions on which his
Majesty was pleased to grant the said Township to them, by
the Incroachments & vexations of sundry settlers under pre-
tence of a Grant from the Province of the Massachusetts
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 43
Bay, and that they pray your Excellency's protection and
assistance.
We were appointed a Committee to furnish your Excel-
lency with a state of the Controversy in the said Township ;
In pursuance whereof we beg leave to Report that the said
Township of Conway was granted by the late Governor in
the year 1765; that it is bounded on one side upon the
Northerly boundary line between this Province and the old
Province of i\Iain now belonging to the Province of the
Massachusetts Bay ; and that the Justice or injustice of the
Complaint made to your Excell^ depends solely on this :
Whether the said Line was run where it ought to be ?
In order to throw light on this Question we further
Report to your Excellency that a controversy had long sub-
sisted with the Province of the Massachusetts Bay concern-
ing the Boundary lines between the two Provinces. That
in the year 1737 his late Majesty was pleased by a Commis-
sion under the Great Seal to appoint five of the Council
from each of the Colonies & Provinces of New York, New
Jersey, Nova Scotia & Rhode Island to settle the contro-
versey. The Commissioners met at Hampton on the first
day of August 1737 and proceeded to the Business, and
after several Adjournments the parties having been fully
heard & their pleas. Evidences & allegations fully consid-
ered, the Commissioners entered up their Judgment the lat-
ter part of which being all that relates to the present dispute
and runs in the following words viz'
"And as to the Northern Boundary between the said
" Provinces the Court Resolves and determines that the
dividing Line sliall pass up thro' the mouth of Piscata(]ua
Harl)our and up the middle of tlie River into the Ivivci' of
Newichewanock (part of which is now called Salmon falls)
and thro' the middle of tlie same to the fiirllu!st head
thereof, and fiom thence north two degrees westerly until
44 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
One hundred and twenty miles be finished from the Mouth
of Piscataqua Harbour aforesaid or until it meets with his
Majesty's other Governments, and that the dividing Line
shall part the Isles of Shoals & run thro' the middle of the
Harbour between the Islands to the Sea on the Southerly
side, and that the South Westerly part of the s'^ Islands
shall be in and be accounted part of y® Province of New
Hampshire, and that tlie northerly part thereof shall be in
and be accounted part of the Province of the Massachusetts
bay and be held & enjoyed by the said Provinces respect-
ively and in the same manner as they now do and have here-
tofore held and enjoyed the same, and the Court do further
judge that the Cost and Charges arising by taking out the
Commission, as also for the Commissioners and their Officers
viz* the Two Clerks, Surveyor and Waiters for their Travel-
ling Expences & attendance in the Execution of the same
be equally born by the said " Provinces."
Both Parties Appealed from the Judgment of the Com-
missioners to his Majesty in his Privy Council, and the Prov-
ince of the Massachusetts Bay in their Bill of Exceptions
object to the line in Question for this Reason, that it should
run North Westward, and not North two degrees Westerly,
but they offer not any Exceptions to that part of the River
which the Commissioners had considered as the furthermost
Head thereof.
This part of the Determination concerning the Line in
Question after a rehearing of the partys on the Appeal, was
affirmed & a final Judgment given between the two Prov-
inces by the King in Council in the year 1741 & Governor
Belcher then Governor of both Provinces received a Copy of
the Commissioners Plan and the Kings Instructions to cause
the Lines to be run according to the said final Judgment on
pain of his Majesty's higliest displeasure and a Removal
from his Government. Whereupon Governor Belcher came
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 45
into the Province & ordered the Lines to be run according
to the said Instructions, the Northerly line now brought into
Question was run by Walter Rryent Esq'' an experienced
Surveyor of Lands in the Woods who was appointed thereto
and Sworn by Governor Belcher to the due and faithful dis-
charge of the Trust and proper Chainmen were also duly
Sworn to the faithful discharge of their trust in the marking
s*^ Line.
Accordingly M'' Bryent went up with them to Newiehe-
wanock River and ascended that Branch of it described in
the Commissioners Plan until he came to the large ponds at
the furthermost head thereof, from thence he began to mark
the Line in Question, and proceeded therein as far as at that
time he durst on Acco^ of tlie Indians — This Survey Gov-
ernor Belcher returned to the proper Office at home where it
now lays upon Record.
These are all the principal Facts relative to the running
this Line, but the Settlers under the Massachusetts Bay now
say that Bryent did not take the main Branch of the River ;
We have just grounds to assert the very contrary, that he
did take the main Branch of the River, and we shoud now
offer to your Excellency our Reasons for this Assertion, but
that is wholly foreign to the matter under consideration,
which is briefly this, not whether Bryent ascended the main
Branch, but whether he ascended the Branch markt as the
main River in the Connnissioners Plan sent to Governor
Belcher as part of his Instructions, & that he did so, \\ill
appear on compairing his Return and Survey with the said
Plan, and is a fact that is indisputed by either party.
Thus after a formal and final Decision of this Boundary
of the Provinces by a Judgment of the Connuissioni-is
alTirmed by the King in Council and in Acquiescence therein
on both sides for twenty six years the dispute is now revived
the Kings Jurisdiction in this Province is incroached upon,
46 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
and the Line that was fixed by such bigh Authority is set
aside by one party who in contempt of the Kings final Judg-
ment have boldly made Grants on this side of the Line on
no better pretence than that the Commissioners mistook the
main Branch of the River when if there was any Reason to
suppose such a mistake it ought and it undoubtedly woud
have been offered in Argument either before the Commis-
sioners or on tlie Appeal before the King in Council, but
surelj^ it is now too late to offer it, even if it was Fact which
in Truth it is not.
And we must further observe to your Excel I'' that if either
of the partys have Reason to object to Bryent's Line it must
be this Province for there is reason to think that by accident
not having upon the spot the Plan sent Governor Belcher he
begun the Line one mile to the WestAvard of the place which
the Commissioners had called the head of the River, whereby
this Province lost the Breadth of one Mile upon the whole
length of their Line. Yet this mistake tho' soon discovered
the Province had acquiesced under to avoid litigating a mat-
ter anew that had been the subject of so much uneasiness.
We would further remark to your Excell^ that the Judg-
ment of the Commissioners directs that all the charges of
taking out the Commission &c shall be equally born by both
Provinces.
This part of the Judgment was also affirmed by the King
in Council, but the Province of the Massachusetts Bay refus-
ing to do their duty therein, this Province badly able as they
were at that time to bear so great a Charge yet chearfully
paid tlie whole in hopes that with Time and due reflections
their Neighbours woud come to a better mind, and reimburse
it, but this has not as yet happened, and the Province
remains as yet unpaid.
Upon the whole matter it appears to us that the Line in
question was justly run and not ex Parte by New Hampshire,
OF THE STATE OF MAIME 47
but that Biyent was ordered & appointed thereto by the
authority of Governor Belcher in the capacity of Governor of
both Provinces and in obedience to the Instructions he had
received for that purpose & without the Advice or concur-
rence of either the Council or Assembly of this Province,
and it appears to us that Brycnt ascended the River laid out
as the Main River on the Conmiissiojiers plan & that his
Survey was returned by Gov"" Belcher to the proper Office
at home where it now layes upon Record.
Province of New Hampshire August 12*^'^ 1767 — Theo-
dore Atkinson, Peter Livius, Daniel Pierce George Jaffrey
/Coramittee/
Letter, Gov. Wentworth to Gov. Bernard ^6 Auj. 1767
Sir
Tlie Gr;)ntees of sundry Tjacts of Land near the Nortlieast
Limits of this Province have complained to me, that they are
obstrncted in their Settlement, and prevented from comply-
ing with tlie terms of their lespectivi; patents, as gianted by
the late Governoi' of this I^rovince, by Cap* Brown and liis
Associates, also by Claimants in the Right of ('ol" Frye ;
who alledge that they have (i rants of tlie said I^ands from
the Province of the Massachusetts Bay. 1 liave examined
the Plan annexed to the Royal Instruction to Governor
Belcher ( then Governoi' of Ijoth Provinces ) Recorded and
U[)on file in the Secretary's Office ; I have also interrogated
Walter Bryant P^scj'' the Surveyor, who Surveyed nnd
marked this Lino, V)y order of Gov"" T^elcher, not ex ])arte,
but as ('oniiiiandei' in chi(,'f (»f both I'lovinces: froDi llie full-
est consideration of these, and many other in-efiagable i^vi-
dences I am convinced that the said L:inds are clearly within
the Bounds of this l*rovince, in which I am conlirmed by the
48 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
plainest Expressions of my Commission. I therefore beg
leave to represent to your Excellency that I must preserve
his Majesty's Rights committed to my Care, & protect the
Subjects of this Province, in the enjoyment of their Prop-
erty.
It will not avail to trespass on your time l)y discussing
this affair, which at last might be vain, as I can do no other
than adhere to the directions prescribed in tlie Royal Com-
mission.
It is with great reluctance that I am obliged to trouble
you upon this Matter which perhaps may be adjusted by a
consideration of facts.
I am very respectfully Your Excellency's most Obedient
and most devoted humble Servant
J Wentworth
Portsmouth 26'^ Aug* 1767 —
Letter^ Gov. Wentworth to Gov. Bernard
Sir
I liave before me your Letter of 31**^ August ; And here-
with inclose you, the opinion of his Majesty's Council upon
the question of the Province Line ; wherein you'll readily
see, there is not left the least doubt or even the most distant
probability that the s'^ Line was not run by proper and legal
Order. The inclosed Deposition of M"^ Bryant also urges
the Truth & skilf ulness of the Survey — Or at least, that if
there has been any Error it was to the prejudice of his
Majesty's Rights & Revenue in the Provhice of New Hamp-
shire.
New Hampsh. 10 Sep' 1767
I am with great truth & esteem
Sir your most obed' & most devoted Serv'
J Wentworth
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 49
Letter, Gov. Bernard to Gov. Weit/worth
Boston Sept iqu. 17^7
Sir
I communicated your Letter of Aug^ 26*'' to the Council,
us I advised you in my last I should do and the same was
referred to a Committee upon wliose Report the Council
advised me to return your Excellency the following Answer.
Your Excellency mentions you have examined the Plan
annexed to the Royal instruction to Governor Belcher
Recorded & upon file in your Secretary's Office, also interro-
gated M'' Bryant who Surveyed & marked this Line ; and
that from there and many other irrefragable evidences you
are convinced that the Lands you refer to are clearly within
the bounds of the Province of New Hampshire : in which
you are Confirmed by the plainest expression of your Com-
mission."
As I am desirous of an amicable adjustment of the Line
& to prevent all occasions of contention between the border-
ers, I am to request that you would be pleased to furnish me
with a Copy of the plan & instruction afores'' ; M'' Bryants
declaration and the other evidences your Excellency refers
to, together with such part of your Commission as relates to
this matter; and I will lay them before the Assembly who
may thereby be enabled to judge of the facts wliich have
induced your Excellency to adopt the sentiments you pro-
fess, and you shall be furnished with copies of any papers in
the affair you shall want from hence; Extracts from which,
containing the substance of said papers are below conununi-
cated to your Excellency. In this we shall both of us be
possessed of the facts: by a consideration of wliich this mat-
ter (as you observe) may perhaps be adjusted. In the
mean time I would acquaint you that the General Asscml)]y
hei-e b(;ing iiifoi-mcd that INP Bryant bad ma(l(! a mistake in
runnincr the Line between the two Provinces : takingr his
50 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
departure from tbe head of the Northeast branch of Newich-
awanock or Sahiion fall River instead of the main River:
they divers times ajjpointed Committees to be joined by a
Committee on the part of New Hampshire and desired me to
write to the late Governor Wentworth that such Committee
might be appointed, in order to the just Settlement of the
Line. I wrote to him several times accordingly, but no such
Committee was appointed till the last year ; when Col° John
Wentworth with Walter Bryant Esq*" ( the Surveyor who run
the Line ) were appointed by him. This Committee with
ours proceeded last November and viewed the main River
and the Northeast Branch aforesaid. — I will now mention
to you the substance of the several Reports of our Commit-
tees, and of the evidence that has been taken on our part
relative to said River and Branch.
January 1764 Benjamin Lincoln, Samuel Livermore and
Joseph Frye Esq" having in Oct° 1763 viewed said River
and Branch report " That from the view we Jiad on the spot
the quantity of water flowing from said River contains two
parts in three more than what run from said branch."
" We beg leave further to offer it as our opinion that the
place from whence the Surveyor took his departure as the
head of Newichwannock or Salmon fall River, when this
Line was run in the year 1741 is not and we think cannot
be understood to be the place intended by the order of his
late Majesty in Council for settling that line."
1766 Decem'" Jonathan Bagley Esq"^ from another Com-
mittee reports, that he with ten others, of which number
were CoP John Wentworth and Walter Bryant Esq" the
Surveyor ( the Committee appointed by Governor Went-
worth) proceeded in Novem'' 1766 to the forementioned
River and branch, and after viewing both of them several
times the whole party were called together Sunday Nov'' 23''
to judge how large a hole would vent the water that run in
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 51
that branch : and after measuring the weclth and depth the
party judged the whole water that then run in said Branch
would run through a hole as big as a Barrel ; " then they
took their departure the main River or main branch again in
order to view that : which accordingly they did the next day
and " it appeared that it was more than three times as large
as the northeast branch that M' Br3^ant run in 1741, and
yielded more than three times as much water."
1767. January 7^^ James Warren jun'' Gilbert Warren
and James Hasty declare, " that in the month of November
last /1766/ they were employed by Jon*^ Bagiey Esq"^ and
others a Committee appointed by the General Court of Mas-
sachusetts Ba}' and John Wentworth & Walter Bryant Esq"
a Committee appointed by Governor Wentworth, Governor
of the Province of New Hampshire in order to view Salmon
fall River and the Rivulets running into it and the branches
thereof. In pursuance of which the deponents went with
said Committees up said Salmon fall River until they came
to the place where the Northeastly branch or Brook united
with the main River, and they viewed the same " &c and
after several views of both, the result is " that it appeared to
them that the main River is about three times as large and
yielded al)Out three times the quantity of water that the
Northeasterly branch did."
The said Gilbert Warren and James Hasty add " That
they are well acquainted with the Southwesterly Branch of
Salmon fall IJiver which vents into the main River about
three miles and an half above the place where the North-
easterly Branch unites with the said main River, and are of
opinion that the said Soutliwesterly branch is near or quite
as large and issues near or quite as much water as the
Northeasterly Branch."
1767 June 22*^ Walter Bryant Esq' tlie Surveyor who
run the Line in 1741 among other qupstions was asked the
52 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
following viz* Are you fully satisfied that the Westward
Branch [ by w^*" 'tis supposed the main River was intended ] is
much bigger than the Eastward Branch which you went up " ?
his answer is, " I am fully persuaded that the Westw*^ branch
is much the biggest for several miles up said Branch from
where they come together.
This is the Substance of the Report & evidence on our
part relative to Newichwannock or Salmon fall River and the
Norther Branch of it: which has influenced me and the
Assembly to apprehend M'^ Bryant made a mistake in run-
ning the Line in 1741 ; and I have here communicated it to
you that you might consider it in connection with the Evi-
dence already before you ; and that from a view of the whole
you might be able to form a Judgment whether a mistake
has been made or not.
And in order that I may form a Judgment myself from a
view of the whole Evidence & circumstances relative to this
matter, I request the favor you would send me a Copy of
the Plan, instruction & other papers & evidence mentioned
above : the charge of which I shall order to be paid.
I am &c
Era. Bernard
Letter, Giov. Bernard to Tho^ Qoldthwait Esif
Jamaica Earm Sep* 28*'' 17B7
Sir
I communicated j'our Letter to the Council and upon full
deliberation they advised that I should Order you to Aug-
ment the Garrison with 8 men, if you shall still think it nec-
essary. I send 3^ou a Copy of the Minute which must be
your direction. You have two objects in view the repressing
the insolence of the Indians & relieving the fears of the peo-
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 53
pie : iiiid if either of these shall require this inforcement, you
must raise it. For it is expedient to guard not only against
real danger, but against the ill consequences of the apprehen-
sion of it; especially so detrimental as the unsettling that
Country would be. And as these 8 men make but a small
addition, I have thought of a method to double the Service
with the same pay ; inlist IG men at half pay & half duty
and let them relieve one another every week, the whole
being paraded at the time of relieving and let them engage
all to repair to the Castle upon a certain Signal. You will
judge of the practicability of this : but at all Events let the
men enlisted be cloathed as Soldiers ; it is in my Opinion a
very material Circumstance I hope you attend to it.
We have very unpleasing accounts of the frequent expos-
ure of the Fort. It is said that it is allways in the hands of
the Indians when they come to Trade in any number. I am
sensible that so small a Garrison as you have now must occa-
sion a great relaxation of discipline ; as there are not Men
enough to exercise it upon. But you must keep up the
forms of Discipline as well as you can. Let the Drumer
beat all the usual beats, the reveille, the relief of Guard, the
retreat and the tattoo. After the beating the latter, let the
Keyes of the Gates be brought to you, and remain with you
till the Reveille is beat next Morning. As for the danger
arising from the trading, it will not be removed but by set-
ting the Truck house out of the Fort which it seems to me
must be done.
I must desire you would do your best to quiet Peoples
minds, that they mayn't think of deserting their Settle-
ments ; which would be a great disgrace as well as a detri-
ment to the Province. If the People are convinced that it
is the smalness of the Garrison which has encouraged the
Indians to insult and plunder them (as indeed it has been
fully proved before the Council, that it is tlie chief or sole
54 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
cause of it) they should petition the General Court & pray
that they would allow for a larger Garrison. In such case
they will have my Opinion on their side whether it will
weigh more or less : I always expected that this reduction
would have these Effects.
I have sent you six Barrells of PoAvder for the use of the
Fort, understanding that you have none but what belongs to
the Truck Trade. I will write upon the subject of the
Indians in a separate Letter that you may communicate it to
them with more ease
I am Sir &c
Fra Bernard
P. S. In regard to the Bridge, Platform & Outworks of the
Fort, you must do what is necessary for their repair, as you
propose, in the most frugal manner. —
Letter, Gov. Bernard to Tho^ Goldthwait Esq.
Boston Septem' 29"' 1767 —
Sir
I have received your Letter informing me of the Indians
insulting & plundering the English Settlers. I know not
whether my astonishment or resentment at these hostilities
was the greater : and I should have immediately set about
punishing the Authors of them, if you had not in the same
Letter informed me that the Chiefs of the Tribe had apolo-
gized for the Acts of their people and promised to make sat-
isfaction. I am upon that account willing to leave this to a
Treaty ; but expect that they satisfy not only the people for
what they have lost, but the King's Government also for
what his dignity has suffered by this insult upon his subjects.
I had intended upon this occasion to have set out for Fort
Pownall myself : but am obliged to wait here for particular
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 55
Orders which I expect every day to receive from the King.
I must therefore leave this negociation to you : and if the
Chiefs with whom you have talked are sincere, I hope there
will be no great difficulty in it. I must therefore desire that
you will call them together as soon after you receive this as
may be, and endeavour to reduce what we are to expect and
they to undertake to as great a certainty as can be.
Tell them that the Reduction of the Garrison which is
supposed to have encouraged this insolence, was made by
the confidence we had in their professions of friendship, and
they should not have rendered our considering them as our
friends a reason for treating us as Enemies. You have now
an Order to augment the Garrison if you think fit, & tell
them, that if nothing but Soldiers can keep them in order,
they shall have Soldiers enough and higher up the River
than they are at present. There is now at Halifax a Regi-
ment quite unemployed ; and I can have from thence at an
hours warning 2 or 300 Men to send up to Passidoukeag if
it shall be necessary. If Phillip is among them, tell them I
insist upon their delivering him up as a public disturber of
the peace. For whilst they harbour such a Villain their
Enemy as well as ours, they cannot expect that their profes-
sions can gain credit with us. For if they are really our
friends, they should show the same resentment against a
Man who endeavours to make a Breach between us, which
we do. If you can lay hold of that fellow send him to me
in Irons ; and I will take care that he shant disturb Penob-
scot again.
Tell them not to deceive themselves with idle stories about
u War between England & France. There never was a more
cordial intercourse between the two Kings tlian tlicic is at
present: tliere is nothing for tliem to (juarrel about. But if
there should be a variance, N America will not be affected
by it: for the French know well they can never get a foot-
56 DOCUMENTARY HISTOHY
ing in Canada again. So that if the Indians will fight on
the side of France, they must do it by themselves.
As to the satisfaction to be made to the Sufferers by these
plunderers, if it is not made when this Letter arrives, I desire
you will immediately demand it. And if they cannot pay
directly let the damages be liquidated & allowed by the
Indians, and let them give their note for the mony pa3'able
as soon as can be. And dont be put off with a pretence
that they dont know who did the mischief : they must know-
it, and if they wont discover & deliver up particulars, they
must answer for it in the whole. But if they are sincere &
are really poor ( for I understand their pretended priest has
plundered them unmercifully ) I would have them allov/ed
all reasonable time for their payments, they giving Security
as afores'^
As for the satisfaction to be made to the Government, you
will consider what is due to it's honour and dignity, which
has been violated upon this occasion. Tell them in general
that I am really & truly their friend, and I desire that they
would not oblige me to appear as their Enemy. —
I am Sir &c
Fra. Bernard
Petition. Oct. 12, 1767
To His Excellency Francis Bernard Esq"^ Governor &
Commander in Chief of the Province of the Massachusetts
Bay &c &c The Hon**'^ His Majesty's Council, And the
Hon^^*' House of Representatives.
The Petition of the Officers and Soldiers of Fort Pownall
together with the Inhabitants in the new settlements adjacent
thereto, humbly sheweth, That whereas we your Petitioners
sometime past had the great advantage and satisfaction of
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 57
attending upon divine Service at Fort Pownall, while M"^
William Crawford was continued Chaplain to that Garrison,
and also had his assistance as a Physician & surgeon, which
has been a great Benefit to us who are placed at so great a
distance from other help ; we would humbly represent, that
we your humble Petitioners, have endeavour'd to give what
Encouragement we could to cause M'^ Crawford to tarry
amongst us But we are new settlers and most of us have but
little to help ourselves with & as most of us who do not now
belong to the Garrison, have been disbanded from it, & but
very bare handed, so that if he has no assistance but w* we
at present can afford him, he must unavoidably leave us,
which will be ver}' hard as there is no Preaclier, nor Doctor
within fifty Miles of this Place And as he has always done
his Duty faithfully and to acceptance ; If this Hon'ble Court
will see fit to continue him, it will be esteem'd a Great favor
d(jne to your Petitioners, And your Petitioners As in Duty
Bound will ever pray
Penobscot River October 12, 1767.
Tho Goldthwait Jedidiah Preble Ju^ Jeremiah Veasey
William Wescutt Jon"* Lowder Jun"^ Sam" Cousens
Josh** Treat William Pratt Joseph Lowel
Lunchlan jVPLean William Oliver Asa Harriman
Thomas Cooper Sebaen Colwell Moses Crags
his
Lach*"' M'"Donald Joseph Viles Mathew X Toben
mark
Samuel low Robert M'^Ferlend Jonathan Buck Jun"^
William Thomson Willem Berreck Jonathan Harrod
Reuben Petcher William Maycock Jun"^ Kenneth M*^Kenzie
Stephen Littlefield Paul Bouden Daniel X Warren
Joshua M Tim X Pratt Samuel Ci'arge
mark
rJustavus Swan .bjhn Peirce Charls Curtis
his
JaiiH's Martin John X Bouden Joshua Eayr
liii murk
J(j.sliua X (irindle Daniel Lancaster Jac° Clay ford
luurk
58 DOCUISIENTARY HISTORY
his
Isaac Clewly Samuel Wilson John HMS Morton Smith
his mark
Jeremiah Thompson Eph™ X Stimson Donold X Godill
mark
Zethem French Hatr Collson James Clements
his
Josiah Collson Joseph X Page Ichabod Collson
mark
Timothy Clements Pierce Hurley
Letter, from Denny s De Berdt
London 21* of oct^ 1767
Sir
I have the Honour of your Letter from the House, and
with regard to the affair of the Fishery : I had made applica-
tion for removing your grievances before I rec*^ this your
Letter from the House, and as I have heard no complaints
this Season I flatter myself the Effort was not fruitless —
I was well apprised how happily you were releived from
the late difficulties of a paper currency and the contentment
the sensible part of your Province experience in having a
solid Medium to have ever recommended [ a change from a ]
solid Coin to a precarious [ and doubtful paper ] currency
and whenever the matter is under consideration, [ I hope you
may repeat ] the precautions in your Letter —
The Limits of the Colonies whenever any disputes arise
about them are always refer'd to the Board of Trade and the
Lords of Trade according to the evidence produced report
the same to the King & Council : so that I can do nothing
in the Matter as Agent of the Province untill my appoint-
ment under the Seal of the Province is register'd at that
Board : which would also give me additional weight in every
other application.
I am with the highest Esteem yours and the House's
devoted Humble Servant
Dennys De Berdt
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 59
Extracts from Speech Dec. 30, 1767.
" Gentlemen of the Council, and Gentlemen of the House of
Representatives."
" I have also to communicate a Letter which I have received
from his Excellency Gov' Wentworth with several Inclosures
relating to the dispute concerning the Boundary Line between
that part of this Province called the Province of Maine and
the Province of New Hampshire. I must desire that you
will give these due Consideration as soon as you well can ;
as the business is of long standing."
Fra Bernard
Council Chamber Decern^' 30'i> 1767
Province of the Massachusetts Bay
To his Excellency Francis Bernard Esq"" Captain General
& Commander in chief In & over his Majesties Province
of the Massachusetts-Bay To the Hon^'^ his Majesties
Council & To the Hon^^'' House of Representatives in
general Court Assembled January 1768
The Petition of Josiah Richardson Esq"^ Agent to a Num-
ber of Petitioners (whose Names are herewith exhibitted
wliose ancestors were on the Expedition against Canada in
the year 1690 — Humbly shews That your Petitioner as
agent as beforementioned preferred a Petition to this Court
at their Sessions in June last which Petition was read &
committed to a Com^^" of this Hon''^^ House whicli Com"'''^
(as your Pef has been informed ) thouglit The Prayer tliereof
reasonable but as it was so near the Close of that Session the
R'' Com"*® only reported that the Consideration of s'* Petition
should be referred to the then next Session of tliis Hon'''"
Court at which Session your Pef Attended when to his
Great Surprize your Pc-f finds by a Vote of tiiis House of
60 DOCUMENTATIY HISTORY
the 1^^ of January Instant that your Petitioner might have
Liberty to withdraw his s*^ Petition or Memorial Your
Petitioner therefore most humbly prays That this hon''^^ Court
would reassume the Consideration of s*^ Petition or Memorial
& if this Hon^^* Court shall think proper make a Grant of
some of the unappropriated Lands of this Province to your
Petitioner & his Associates or let your Pef be heard by a
Com"*'*^ as The Rest of the Sufferers in the aforesd Expedi-
tion in the Year 1690 have Rec'' Grants from the general
Court Your Petitioner Conceives that your Pet^ & his Asso-
ciates are equallj^ entitle- to the same Grace & Favour we
having proved our Heirship more than twenty years Ago &
were prevented having our Grants compleated by tlie burn-
ing of the Court House —
all which is more fully expressed in the Pet" above
referred to and herewith exhibited or that your Pet'" & his
associates may be otherways relieved as this hon'''*^ Court
shall think proper & your Pef as in Duty bound shall ever
pray
Josiah Richardson agent for the Petitioners
Deposition. 1768.
The Deposition of Simon Ayer of Haverhill of Laful Age
who testifys and Says that he was at Newbury at the hous of
M"" Whitman inholder in July the Twenty ninth 1765 At a
Meeting of the Proprietors of Bakers Town so called when
theer was aBought fifteen or sixteen of the Proprietors Meet
together and that Maj*"^ Sam* Gerish and Cap* Moses Little
Agent to said proprietors then Requested Security for the
pay to them for thier Application for a New Township or
that said proprietors would then Vote that their Agents
should have the over Plush of Six Mile Squar or of a Certain
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 61
measure then propos** in Case they Shold Obtain a Grant —
And that it was then Voted that the agents Shnld have the
over Plush on Certain Conditions and further Testifys that
he is Fuly Perswaded and of oppinion that their was abowet
five or six Proprietors that tlien Voted away the over Plush
Land and that it was then agreed and Voted that the agents
shuld Lay out the township and Lotts for the proprietors on
thier own Cost and Charge and Repay the Proprietors the
money they had then Advansed.
Simon Ayer
Haverhill Jan" 4*MT68 —
N B I Never knew of the meting at m'' Whitmors
inholder in Newbury may ^^ 27*^ 1765 Nor the word Prinsible
Proprietor till after it was all over —
Essex ss January 2P' 1768 Then the within Nanie'^
Simon Ayer apeared and made oath to the truth of tlie
within declarences —
before Nathaniel Peaslee Justice Peace
Tlie above named Simon Ayer being asked whether lie was
a proprietor of backers town and he declared he was
Nathaniel Peaslee Justice Peace
Message Jayi'J 10, 176S.
(icDtlenioi of the House of Representatives
1 hereby send you Copies of Advices I received from Fort
Pownall some time ago with the proceedings of the Council
thereupon and my Ordei's in pursuance thereof. From all
these }()u will jx-rceive that tlic Indiims have been encour-
aged by the late reduction of tlic (iiurison to an insolence,
which had very near broke up all the Setllenients in that
part of the Country ; and you must be convinced that if you
62 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
would maintain your claim to the Lands on the East side of
Penobscot, which is still disputed, and would encourage the
improvement of the Country by population, you must provide
for the security of the Settlers by making the Fort more
respectable than it was when those disorders were committed.
It will be also necessary for the Security of the Fort to
remove the Truck house out of it. At present when the
Indians who come in to Trade must be allowed to enter the
Fort. It is impossible with the present small Garrison to
keep a Guard sufficient to prevent its being surprised.
Whereas if the Truck house was removed to a small dis-
tance from the Fort, but under its cannon, It would be safe
itself, and not endanger the Fort. A small expence will,
serve to erect a building for that purpose.
I also lay before you a Petition of the Inhabitants about
Fort Pownall. It is not pretended that a Chaplain is neces-
sary to the Garrison of the Fort reduced as it has been. But
the Chaplain which you established there was the only Min-
ister of the Gospel within a circle of One hundred Miles
diameter now generally peopled tho' but thinly. And as the
Settlers are not able to maintain a Minister of themselves, It
is a Charity of the highest kind to assist them in providing
for their spiritual Wants, by keeping up Religion among
them ; of which they must otherwise be destitute.
I have not as yet received any advice from Fort Pownfill
that the Indians have made any satisfaction for the Mischiefs
they have done, or given any assurance that they will not
repeat the same.
Fra Bernard
Council Chamber January 19*^^ 1768 —
Petition of Henry Y. Brown 1768.
Province of the Mass*^ Bay
To His Excell : Francis Bernard Esq, Cap* Gen' Gov"" &
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 63
Commander in chief Tlie Hon^ liis Majestys Council &
House of Rep'"''* for said Province in General Court
Assembled February 1768
Humbly Shews Henry Young Brown
That on the 23'i of January A: D: 1764 The General Court
made him a Grant of a Township to be laid out on Saco
River above Col° Joseph Frye's Township, The Conditions
thereof will appear by said Grant, he laid it out according to
said Court's directions & returned them a Plan of the same :
On the 7*'' June following the Plan was accepted & the
Lands thus laid out were confirmed to your Petit"^ & his heirs
& assigns forever.
In order to perform the Conditions of the Obligations he
was under to settle said Lands he has been at the expence to
move his Family & introduce a number of others into said
Tbwnship where they have been at great expence in bringing
forward said Settlement.
In Nov'' 1765 He informed the Gen^ Court that the great-
est part of said Township was claimed by the Province of
New Hampshire, who then took the affair under consideration
& directed him to proceed in the settlement thereof.
Ill June 1766. He was directed to Prosecute any persons
who should enter on said Township under tlie New Hamp-
shire Title & defend all actions brought against him or his
Setlers at the expence & under the directions of this (lov-
ernnient. —
Oct° 7^'* 1767. He was advised by His Excelly & the
Hon° Council not to proceed in Law against those claiming
under New Hampshire until the General Court could have
an opportunity to consider the papers received from his
Excell & Governor Wentworth. —
After tlie great expenccs he has been at, and fatigue &
tronhk; he lias endui-cd in tlie affair he is so situated that he
is unable to reap any advantages by disposing of any part of
64 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
said Lands but on the contrary is at continual expence in
pursuing the directions of this Hon' Court
Not only your Petif & his Setlers ; but this Province too
he humbly apprehends will suffer b}' any longer delay in
setling the Line
Wherefore he humbly prays this Hon'' Court will take
some speed}- & effectual measures to settle the Line afore-
said, that he may reap some advantage from his great labors,
and otherwise releivcd as j^our wisdom shall dictate
And as in duty bound shall ever pray,
Henry Young Brown
Petition of John Cox
Province of the Massachusetts Bay To his Excellency
Francis Bernard Esq' Cap^ General & Governour of said
Province, the Hon'''® his jNIajestj-s Council & House of
Representatives in General Court assembled January
1768 —
Humbly shews John Cox of Falmouth in the County of
Cumberland, That Samuel Waldo Esq"" Coll' of the Regiment
in said County, in the Month of August 1758 impressed his
Sloop called the Ranger, himself Master to carry about One
Hundred & Forty Men belonging to said Regiment for
Relief of S' Georges when attack'd by the Indians, that j'our
Petitioner with five of his People together with his said
Sloop were imployed Six Days in s'' Service for which he
has never yet received one Farthing, altho he humbly con-
ceives he is intitled to Forty eight Dollars viz* Eight Dollars
g Day for his, his Peoples & Sloops Service. He has repeat-
edly apply'd to Coll' Waldo for Payment, and has been as
often refused, & told by the ColP to apply to the Province
for Pay who had paid the Men that were sent. Wherefore
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 65
he now resorts to your Excellency & Honours for Redress,
humbly requesting that Such Recompence may be made him
for said Service as to you shall seem meet, and as in Duty
bound will ever pray —
John Cox —
The petitioner rec^^ Pay for the same Sloop in the Kings
Service in the Year 1760 129 Tuns and an half
In the House of Representatives Feb^ 9 1768
Resolvd that the Sum of Twelve Pounds be allowd &
paid out of the publick Treasury to the Petitioner in full of
the Services within mentiond
Sent up for Concurrence
T Cushing Spk''
In Council Feb^ 10. 1768. Read & Concurred
A Oliver Sec^
Consented to Fra. Bernard
Resolve.
In the House of Representa*" Feb" 15, 1768
The House taking under consideration his Excels Message
of the 19*^'' Jan^ with respect to Fort Pownall
Resolved that there be a farther Establishment of Eight
privates for the defence of said Fort at the rate of one pound
four shill*^ g"" month, and also for One Chaplain at the rate of
four pounds g' Month, ending the 20"' of June next
Sent up for Concurrence T Cushing Speaker
In Council 15 Fcb^ 1765 Read & Concurred
A Oliver Sec^
Consented to Fra P>cniard
66 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Message. Feb. 16, 1768.
Gentlemen of the House of Representatives
in answer to your Message of the 13*** inst. I find it nec-
essary to inform you that soon after the Letter of the Earl of
Shellurne was read in your House I ordered a Copy of it to
be given to the Speaker to be used as He should think fit,
upon condition that no other Copy should be taken thereof:
I am very willing that the Copy in the Speakers hands should
be communicated to you in Any Manner which is consistent
with that restriction.
I know of no letters of my own which I think can be of
any use to you upon this occasion.
I quite agree with you in Opinion that all effectual Meth-
ods should be taken to cultivate an Harmony between the
several branches of the Legislature of this Government, as
being necessary to promote the prosperity of the province :
and I shall chearfully join with you in all proper Measures
for so Salutary a purpose.
Fra Bernard
Council Chamber Feb. 16, 1768
Extract from Message to the Governor.
In the House of Representatives Feb'"^ 18^^ 1768
Ordered, That M"" Hancock, Major Fry ColP Richmond
Coll Noyes & Coll° Stoddard be a Committee to wait upon
his Excellency the Governor, and present to him the follow-
ing Answer to his Message of the 16"' Instant.
T Gushing Speaker
" May it please your Excellency,
your Message of the 16'^*' Instant has been read and duly
considered in the House of Representatives, The manner in
OF THE MAINE OF STATE 67
which your Excellency was pleased to introduce into this
House the Letter from the Right Honorable the Earl of Shel-
burne, by giving Orders to the Secretary to read it without
leaving a Copy, appeared to be unprecedented and unparlia-
mentary, but this made but a light Impression on the House,
when the jMembers recollected as far as they could the unfa-
vorable Sentiments his Lordship thought himself necessitated
to entertain of the two Houses of this Assembly, and of some
particular Members in this House, whose Characters in the
Opinion of the House stand unimpeachable — Under this
Apprehension they thought it necessary for their own Vindi-
cation humbly to request your Excellency to favor them with
a Copy of his Lordship's Letter ; and as it appeared to them
that his Lordship had formed his Sentiments of the two
Houses and their Members from your own Letters to which
he referred, the House thought they could not do themselves
and their Members Justice unless they could be favored with
a Sight of them also, and accordingly requested it of your
Excellency."
Bill for incorporating Phillipstoivn. 1768.
Anno Kegni Regis Georgii tertii octavo.
An Act for erecting a Tract of Land of eight Miles Square
call^ Phillips town Joyning upon the North West end of the
Town of Wells in the County of York ; into a Town by the
Name of
Whercius the erecting of that Tract of Land call'' Phillips
Town into a Town will greatly Contribute to tlic (Jrowtli
Thereof, and Remedy many Inconveniences to whicii the
Inhabitants and Proprietors may be Otherwise Subject —
68 DOCUMENT AEY HISTORY
Be it ennacted by the Governor Council and House of
Representatives that the Tract aforesaid Bounded as follow-
eth — viz Lying on the North West end of the Town of
Wells West of Kennebunk River East of the Town of Ber-
wick and North by Province Grants in part & in part by
unappropriated Lands be and hereby is erected into a Town
by the Name of and that the Inhabitants
Thereof be and hereby are invested with all Powers Priv-
illedges and Immunities which the Inhabitants of the Towns
within this Province do enjoye
And be it further ennacted that Benj* Chadburne Esq'' be
and he hereby is Impowered to Issue his Warrant Directed
to some Principal Inhabitant of said Town Requireing him
to Warn the Inhabitants of said Town who have an Estate
of Freehold According to Charter to meet at such Time and
place as shall be therein set fourth to Chuse all such Officers
as are or Shall be Required by Law to mannage the Affairs
of said Town.
In the House of Representatives Feb. 19 1768
Read a first time — P.M. Read a second & third time &
passed to be engrossed
Sent up for Concurrence T Gushing Speaker
In Council Feb'^ 20. 1768 — Read a first Time —
Read a second time and passed a concurrence to be
engrossed.
A Oliver Sec^
Petition of Selectmen of Sanford. 1768.
To his Excellency Francis Bernard Esq" Governor & Com-
mander in Cheif in and over the Provmce of the Massachu-
setts Bay &c : To the Honourable his Majestys Council and
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 69
the Honourable House of Representatives in General Court
assembled may 17G8
The Petition of Benjamin Harmon Naptali Harmon and
John Stanyan Selectmen of the Town of Sanford in the
County of York in behalf of said Town Humbly Shews
That said Town was Incorporated into a Town the present
year, and that the assessors have Taken the valuation as by
Law Directed according to the best of there Understanding,
That there is a Considerable number of Polls Contained in
the list of Valuation of People latly come in said Town from
the Province of N. Hampshire in Very Poor Carcomstances
and as your Petitioners apprehends there stay Avill be very
Short as they have no Lands of there own, And that most of
the Inhabitants of said Town are very Poor and unable to
Support them Selves, That they are Destitute of a minister
and School Master which by Law they are now obliged to be
Provided with nor have they any Meeting House in said
Town, That the Town is now obliged to Clear & Make
new Roads through the Town Leading to other new Towns
beyond them, the Lands in General but very Ordinary they
Never had any help from the Proprietors to Enable them to
support the Gospel or Making Roads in said Town and the
setlers but Smal Tracts of Lands for Settlements, Tho : the
Township is Eight Miles Square Your Petitioners appreliendg
that a Province Tax Even a Poll Tax would Greatly Dis-
tress the Inhabitants of s** Town
Wherefore your Petetioners Humbly prays your Excellency
and Honours that you will not Lay any Province Tax on said
Town the present year on the Polls and Estates — That they
may be Enabled to Settle tlie Gospel wliich they are now
Engageing and in And Your Petitioners as hi Duty Hound
shall Ever pray
Fx'iij'* Harmon
Naptali Ilaiiiion
John Stanyan
70 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Deposition.
I Josiah Richardson of Lawful! age testify e and say that
Ever since the year A D 1737 I have acted as an Agent for
a numb' of Petitioners whose anchestors ware in the Expedi-
tion to Canada in the year 1690 and in the year 1737 I in
behalfe of my selfe and my assoetits prefered a petition to the
Honarable Grate and Genarail Court praying for a Grant of
Land to be Mad to us on account of our s** anchester being
in the s** Expedition ( as many oathers had ) had before for
their Grat Suffering and Services in the s'^ Expedition and
that by a Grat Number of memorials I have Revived the s''
petition from time to time and now I Do Testeyfye and
Declare that to my Sertain Knoledge theire never as yet has
ben auey Grant of Land made to them on account of their
Anchesters being in the said Expedition witteness my hand
this 23<^ Day of may: 1768
Josiah Richardson
Middlesex ss may y'' 23'^^i 1768
the above said Josiah Richardson Parsonaley appeared
befor me the Subcriber one of his majests Justices of the
Peace for the Countey of middle and after being Carfulley
Examined and Duley Cautioned to Testeyfye to the truth
mad oath to the truth of the above Declaration aboves*^ by
him Subscribed
before me Jos : Buckminster
Prov* of the Mass"* Bay
To his Excellency Francis Bernard Esq Governor m chief
in and over his Majestys Province of the Massachusetts
Bay in New England ; The hon^"' his Majesty's Council
and House of Representatives in Gen' Court assembled
the 25"' of May A D 1768 — Humbly shews
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 71
The Freeholders & other Inhabitants of the Town of
Windham in the County of Cumberland legally assembled
for this purpose at said Windham on the twenty eighth day
of March A D 1768
That Your petitioners presented their petition to the Gen^
assembly of this province in May 1767 —
Wherein they set forth that the Inhabitants of said Town
wei'e at " a great charge and expence in settleing and sup-
" porting public Worship amongst them and also that large
"sums were still wanting for clearing Roads and making
" them passable &c And that the proprietors of said Town
" had laid out and appropriated most of tlieir Lands into
" hundred acre Lots which /except the very small part that
"was under actual improvement/ could not be charged with
" any Sort of taxes by the Town or proprietors tho' the clear-
" ing and preparing Roads is principally for the proprietors
" advantage Wherefore your petitioners prayed that the
" Assessors or Selectmen of y® s*^ Town for the Time being
" might be authorized and impower'd to assess on every Acre
" of the several 100 acre Lots in said Town not otherways taxed
" one penny yearly to be paid into the Town Treasury there
" to be applied to the uses aforementioned and that such
" payment might be inforced by such ways and means as to
" your Excellency and the Hon''^^ Court should seem meet "-
In answer to which petition a Memorial was presented to tlie
General Court then sitting by Nathan Bowen Jeremiah Lee
and Isaac Mansfield Esq" a Committee of the proprietors of
the Town of Windham in which they set forth that tliey did
not oppose the Tax prayed for, but prayed that by a public
Act of the Government The Assessors of the said Town of
Windham for three Years then next ensuing migiit be
authorized and impower'd to assess yearly one penny on
every acre of every 100 Acre Lott in the said Town not
otherways taxed, except ministerial & scliool Lands and that
72 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
the Assessors of s** Town by such Act be impower'd to
enforce the payment of such Tax by legal sale of so much of
the delinquent Lands as shall be necessary to pay the said
Tax and charges &c as by the petition and Memorial afore-
mentioned Copies whereof herewith exhibited will more fully
appear —
Upon which petition the third of March last the whole
Court resolved, " That the assessors of the said Town of
" Windham for three years next ensuing be authorized and
" impower'd to assess one penny g acre on every 100 Acre
" Lot in said Town not otherways taxed, except ministerial
" and school Lands, & that y^ s*^ assessors be impower'd to
" enforce the payment of such Tax by Legal Sales of so much
" of the delinquent Lands as shall be necessary to pay the
" said Tax and charges thereupon arising ; & that y" s^ Town
" be impower'd in their March meeting for the said three
" Years next coming to chuse two Collectors, one of them to
" be an inhabitant of Marblehead and that one half of the
" money raised by s'^ Tax be paid into the hands of the Treas-
" urer of said Town of Windham to be by them applied to
" the paying the ministerial & other Town charges, the other
" half to be paid to the proprietors Treasurer to be by them
" apphed to the opening and making passable such ways as
" still remain in a Wilderness state as by said Order on file
" will fully appear "
Now your petitioners humbly shew that many of the
Inhabitants and proprietors of y^ s"^ Town of Windham are
apprehensive that the authority given by the afores"^ recited
Resolve or Order of Court is insufficient for the purposes
therein mentioned and that in Case Sale should be made
agreeable to said Resolve of the delinquent Lands the pay-
ment of s"* Tax /especially as the Method or Manner of Sale
is not therein particularly pointed out or described and they
are at a loss to know what was intended by a legal Sale/
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 73
Differences and Disputes may hereafter arise & that Harmony,
peace and Concord which has hitherto subsisted between the
proprietors and Inhabitants of y" s*^ Town of Windham /&
which they wish still to preserve/ may be disturbed and
broken Wherefore your pef* humbly pray your Excellency
& Honors that the payment of the Taxes afores^ may be
enforced by an Act or Law of tlie province expHcitly deter-
mining the Method and Manner of such Sale of the delin-
quent Lands as may be necessary for raising the Taxes afores*^
and also that your petitioners may be specially impower'd
to chuse at a future Town meet^ two Collectors for the
gathering the Tax afores'^ for the ensuing year which was
neglected at their Town meeting in March last by reason of
the difficulties afores*^ or otherwise relieve your pef^^ as in
your Wisdom shall seem meet & as in duty bound shall ever
pray & —
Signed by Order of Abraham Anderson
the Town
Resolve
The following Order passed on tlie Petition of Abraham
Anderson in behalf of the Town of Windham viz*
In tlie House of Represent^ March 8'' 17G8
Resolved That the assessors of the said Town of Windham
for three years next ensuing be authorized and impowered to
assess yearly one penny g acre on every liundred acre Lot in
said Town of Windham not otherwise taxed, except Minis-
terial and S(-lio()l Lands That the said assessors be impow-
ered to (enforce the payment of such Tax by legal Sale of so
much of the delinquent J^ands as shall be n(!(;(!ssary to pay
said Tax and Charges thereup(jM arising; and that Uu; said
74 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Town be impowered iii their March Meeting for the said
three years next coming to chuse two Collectors, one of whom
to be an Inhabitant of Marblehead and That one half of the
Money raised by said Tax be paid into the hands of the
Treasurer of the said Town of Windham to be by them
applied to the paying the Minister and other Town Charges ;
the other lialf to be paid into the Proprietors Treasury to be
by them applied to the opening & making passable such ways
as still remain in a Wilderness State
Sent up for Concurrence T Cushing Spk"^
In Council Marcli 4*" 1768 Kead & Concurred
Jn° Cotton D Secry
Consented to Fra Bernard
A true Copy Exam*^ g Jn° Cotton D Secry
Petition of Inhab*^ of Sehascodegin Island. 1768.
Province of the Mass"* Bay
To His Excellency Francis Bernard Esq"^ Governour and
Commander in Cheif of said Province The Hon'^^'^ His
Majestys Councill and the Honourable House of Repre-
sentatives of said Province in General Court Assembled
on May 25, 1768.—
The Petition of the Inhabitants of Sebascodegin Island in
the District of Harpswell in the County of Cumberland.
Most humbly Sheweth
That in the Act of Incorporation of said District about 11
Years past, said Island by the Name of Great Sebascodegin
Island ahas Shapleigh's Island, was included in said Act, &
annexed to said District of Harpswell, that when this was
done we were but few in Number, not of our Motion, or
Choice, nor were we so much as advised with, yet we Sub-
mitted to this Act of Government from a Principle of Duty,
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 75
and from the Encouragement then given us, that whenever
we were able to support the Gospell among our Selves, that
the Other Inhabitants Setled on Merryconeag Neck would
readily consent to our being sett off as a distinct Parish :
And in particular when the Rev*^ M' Samuel Eaton was
setled this was publickly mentioned & conceded to, at a
meeting of said Inhabitants, altho' no formal vote was
passed, or any Record made thereof, yet this appeared to be
the Sence of many then present. Your Petitioners beg
leave to represent to your Excellency, & Honours, that there
are now setled on said Island about fifty Families, and at
their own Cost & Charge they have erected, & built a Meet-
ing house on said Island to the Expence of Three hundred
pounds, lawfull Money, and have now a Gentleman preach-
ing to us in whom we are all well united and he v/ould be
encouraged to stay among us ; altho' our Abilities are com-
paratively small, yet if we could obtain the Favour of this
Court so as to be sett off a chstinct Parish, it would greatly
contribute to our Increase, and under the Divine Blessing &
Protection to our future Prosperity, & Welfare by which
our Ability to support the Gospell among us would be
enlarged. For which purpose we have iirst applyed to our
Christian Brethren for their Consent, who have ( not\Adth-
standing their former Encouragement given us, & not
regarding the great Difficulties we are exposed to in Travell
by Land as well as water, which in a tempestuous Season,
which often happens, is impracticable for our Wives & Chil-
dren ) unkindly denyed their Consent to our being Sett off a
distinct Parish, when by estimation many of the Inhabitants
on said Island live at the Distance of 12, 18 & 14 Miles
from the stated place of Worship on said Neck, which in the
Winter Season is attended with great Hazard & Danger to
our Lives to gett tliere, in crossing the River on many
Accounts which might be mentioned. —
76 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
We acknowledge that by Agreement it is provided, that
the Minister shall preach to the Inhabitants living on said
Island One third part of the Year, but by reason of the
above mentioned Difficulties in travelling, and the Infirmity
of Body under which the Rev*^ M"^ Eaton Labours, this is not,
nor cannot be fully performed, & we are thereby deprived of
this Advantage for our Selves & Children. —
We are free to declare to this Honoured Court, that it is
not from any disaffection to our present Pastor, whom we
highly esteem & honour, nor from any want of Affection to
our Christian Brethren that we are seeking this, but we trust
from a Sincere Regard to the Divine Institutions, & that we
may have the enjoyment of those Christian Priviledges, to
wliich we think our Selves Justly entitled.
In a humble dependance on the Favour of this Honoured
Court we hope that the Reasons and Motives offered on our
part, will have that Influence with your Excellency, & Hon-
ours as to take the Prayer of this Petition into your wise
consideration, and direct that the Inhabitants on said Island
may be erected into a Separate Precinct, that so we may
enjoy the Priviledges of the Gospell in common with other
Christians, in a more decent & convenient Manner, or other-
wise grant that Releif to your Petitioners as your Excellency
& Honours shall in your Wisdom Judge meet: And your
Petitioners as in Duty bound shall ever pray, &c
Abiezer Holbrook Joseph Combs Anthony Combs juner
Jonathan Holbrook T Small jun Jolm Ross
Isaac Snow Joseph Lincoln Joseph Ross
John Snow Josiah Wells John Matthews
Ehsha Snow Simon Page Paule Ray mon
Samuel Williams John Rankins Stephen De
William Thompson Isaac Hall Phillip Aubens
Joseph Thompson Isaac Hall jun'' James Stacpole
James Ridley John Hall Willam Stacpole
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 77
James Ridley juner Thomas Ross Small
Simeon Hopkins Joseph Hall Samuel Mores
James Rankins Naty Hall Ezeikel demons
Constant Rankins David Welch Wiliem Hasey
Nathanael Purenton Anthony Combs
Resolve, In the House of Representitives June y® 2*^ 1768
Resolved that y*^ Petitioners Notify the District of Harps-
well by Leaveing An attested Coppy of this Petition with
the Clerk of said District to shew cause if any they have on
the second Wedensday of the next Seting of this Court why
the Prayer there of should not be granted.
Sent up for Concurrence
In Council 2*^ June 1768 Read and Nonconcurred
A Ohver Sec^
Petition of the Selectmen of Grorham ^^ June 1, 1768.^''
To his Excellency Francis Bernard Esq"^ Captain General
and Governour in Chief in and over his Majesties Province
of the Massachusets Bay in New England The Honourable
his Majesties Council and House of Representatives in Gen-
eral Court Assembled
The Petition of the selectmen of the Town of Gorham in
the name of said Toa\ti Humbly sheweth That by reason of
the Many Misfortunes that has happened in said Town
within these few years and the settlement of a minister of
the Gospel among us, brings on us a burthen which we find
exceeding hard to bare and the exceeding scarcity of mony
adds weight to that burthen, and inasnmch as two thirds of
the lands in Gorham is owned by non resident Proprietors
who are Equally benefitted in the raising Price of their Lands
witli those that are Resident proprietoi\s, and that by the
settlers improvements and their iiiuUiplicatioii in said Town
as to Numbers, and the Settlement of tiie (iospel ln-rc, We
78 DOCUMENTAEY HISTORY
are humbly of the opinion that the non Resident proprietors
are hekl in Justice to Contribute something towards the
defraying the Charges of the Gospel Ministry among us for
That who feels the benefit ought to feel the burden was
never a bad maxim, we therefore Humbly pray that your
Excellency and Honours would take the affair under your
wise Consideration and Order so much upon the Acre on all
unimproved Lands already Divided into Lots in said Town
not otherwise paying taxes as Your Excellency and Honours
shall in your Great Wisdom order and for such Time as may
be Convenient which sum so ordered, be for the support of
the Gospel in said Place and your Petitioners as in Duty
bound shall ever pray
Joseph Crates ^ Selectmen
Edmund Phinney > of
Hugh M4alen ) Gorham
Memorial of 'James Small and others to be set from the First
Parish in Falmouth to the District of Cape Elizabeth.
Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England 1768
To his Excellency Francis Barnard, Esq*" Captain General
and Governor in Chief in and over his Majestyes Province
of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, and Vice
Admiral of the Same —
To the Honourable his Majesty's Council. And the Hon-
ourable House of Representatives, in the Create and General
Court assembled
This memorial Humbley Shewetb, that we your Memorial-
ists and our Estates ware Some Years ago Set of fi'om the
( then ) Second Parish in Falmouth to the first Parish in
said Town by an Act of the Honourable Court. But find-
ing it burdensom to cross the Water to attend Publick Wor-
ship, with the other Disadvantages attending the same,
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 79
Influenced your Memorialists some time ago to Petition to
the Honourable Court Praying to be Set back again, tiie
Prayer whereof has not as yet bin Granted. But when Said
Second Parish was Incorporated into a District, we appre-
hended that we no more belonged to the First Parish in Fal-
mouth, but to the District of Cape Elizabeth, and accordingly
we have been Raited in said District to the Minister and
Sundrey of us have Paid Said Raits and have got Receils,
Yet Not With Standing they Continnue to Rait us to the
first Parish in' Said Falmouth.
Therefore as we your Memorialests do Receive Gosple
Priviledges m Said District, we are desirous of Paying our
Raits there. And whereas some of us the Subscribers under
Stand that names have been lately returnd into the Secre-
taryes Office by a Committee of the First Parish in Falmouth
Seting forth our Desires to be continnued to said first Parish,
which Signing was Obtained in an unfair way.
Therefore we your Memorialests humbley Pray that we
whoes Names are hereunto Subscribed Ma}', with our Estates
be Set from the first Parish in said Falmouth to the District
of Cape Elizabeth, as your Memorialests in duty bound shall
Ever Pray.
Saml Skillin .lames Small Loring Cushing
Anthony Strout Jonathan Loveitt humphry Richards
Eben"" 'J'honidike Daniel Strout George Roberds
John Robinson Joseph Sawyer Vallentin Wieman
Nathanell Jordan juu'' Jonathan Mitchell Robert Thorndikc
Robert Thorndick Jn'^ Robert Stanford Joshua Strout
Joseph Stanford Samuel dyer Th(»nias Cushing
Thomas Fickett Isaac Loveitt .losiah Stanford Ju''
Samuel Dunn Samuel Skillin Juiir
" Pet" of James Small & others —
May 30, 17fJ9 Read ord'' to ly June (I 1 7(iH.
Cap. Fuller, D"" Calef, M"" Nye. .lunc Ki, rep' accepted."
80 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Report. 1768.
The Committee appointed to take into consideration the
petition of Icliabod Jones and others, have attended that Ser-
vice, heard the petitioners and fully considered the same beg
leave to report it as our opinion, that the Tract of land
described in their said petition be granted to the petitioners
their heirs and assigns forever Agreeable to the form of a
Vote herewith Exhibited —
All which is humbly submitted
Vote. 1768.
In the House of Representatives June 7 1768
Voted That the Petition of Ichabod Jones and Seventy
nine others his Associates, be so far granted, as that there be
and hereby is granted unto him the said Ichabod Jones, and
his Associates named in the Annexed petition, their heirs and
assigns forever as Tenants in Common, One Township of
Land situate lying and being to the Westward of S* Croix
about Eight or ten leagues, which Tract of land is now
knoAvn by the Name of Machias, and is bounded as follows
viz* beginning at a dry Rock at a place called the Eastern
Bay near the House of M'' Samuel Holmes and extending
North ten degrees West, ten Miles then West ten degrees
South eight Miles, then South ten degrees East ten Miles,
then East ten degrees North eight miles to the first mentioned
bounds ;
That they return a Plan of the same ( taken by a Surveyor
and Chain Men on Oath ) to this Court for further Confirma-
tion, on or before the first day of June next ;
That they within Six years after they shall obtain his maj-
esty's approbation of this Grant ( unless prevented by War )
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 81
Settle the said Township with Eighty good Protestant Fam-
ilies, and build Eighty Houses, none to be less than eighteen
feet Square, and seven feet Stud, and clear and cultivate five
Acres of Land on each Share fit for Tillage or Mowing, and
that they build in said Township a suitable Meeting House
for the Publick Worship of God, and settle a learned Prot-
estant Minister, and make Provision for his Comfortable and
honourable Support: and that in said Township there be
reserved and appropriated, four whole Rights or Shares in
the Division of the same ( accounting to one Eighty fourth
part a Share ) for the following purposes viz*^ One for the first
Settled or Ordained Minister his heirs and assigns forever ;
one for the use of the Ministry, one to and for the use of
Harvard College ; and one for the use of a School forever :
And if any of the Grantees or Proprietors of said Township
shall neglect within the Term of Six Years as before men-
tioned, to do and perform according to the Several Articles
respecting the Settlement of his Right or Share as hereby
enjoined, his Mdiole Right or Share shall be entirely forfeited
and enure to the use of the Province, Provided nevertheless
the Grant of the above Lands is to be void and of none Effect,
unless the Grantees do obtain liis Majesty's Confirmation of
the same in Eighteen Months from this time —
And be it further Ordered as a Condition of the Grant
aforesaid, tliat eacli Grantee give Bond to the Treasurer of
this Province; for the time being, and to his Successors in said
office, for the sum of P"'ifty pounds for the use of tliis Prov-
ince for the faithfull performance of the duties required,
according to the Tenour of the Grant aforesaid: and that a
('nimiiittcc or ( 'oiiimittees be appointc(l by this Court to take
Bonds accordingly. —
And furtlier Ordered Tliat the said Committees be impow-
cred to admit others as Cirantccs in the room of siicli jicisons
i-oiitained in the list aforesaid, who sliall neglect to ;q)[)ciir by
82 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
themselves or others in their behalf to give Bonds at such
time as the Committee shall appoint —
And its further orderd that as this township is remote from
the Centre of the Province and at a great Distance from his
majesties Surveyor of his woods and timber, that the s'^ Peti-
tioner take Especial Care not to Cutt or Destroy any of his
majesties timber on or about s'^ Township.
Sent up for Concurrence T Gushing Spk'
In Council June 9^'' 1768 Read & Concurred
Jn° Cotton D: Secry
Consented to —
Report.
The Committee appointed to consider the Petition of Henry
Young Brown having attended that Service beg Leave to
report, That they have received from him the following Pro-
posals which they humbly submit to the Consideration of this
j^Qj-^bie House viz* That if the Province will discharge him of
& from one half the Debt due from him to the Province on
Account of his Bond & pay half the Expences incurred by
him and sundry other Inhabitants of the Tract of Land he
purchased of this Province, in setling & improving the same
& also the cost & Charges incurred by him in Pursuance of
the Orders of this Court then he will release this Province
from all Claims which he has or may or ought to have upon
them in Justice Equity or Favor on Account of their Grant
to him of the Tract aforesaid and any Votes Orders and
Resolves passed by this Court relative to his Conduct in
Defence of the same —
W" Browne d'' order —
June 15*'^ 1768 —
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 83
Petition of David Bean <f others. 1768.
Province of the Massachusetts Bay
To His Excellency Fra : Bernard Esq"" Captain General and
Comander in Cheife in and over said Province the Hon^^®
his Majestys Council & House of Representatives in
General Court assembled at Boston May — 1768
The memorial of David Bean Nathaniel Harmon and Josiah
Simpson in behalf of themselves and others Grantees of a
certain Township lying in the Territory of Sagadahock granted
by the Gen' Court in the year 1762 humbly Shew-
That in the Grant of said TowTiship a Proviso was therein
contained tliat unless the said Grantees should obtain his
majestys approbation of said Grant in Eighteen Months after
that Time ; that the said Grant should be void. That since
the expiration of said Eighteen months the General Court by
a Resolve lengthed out the Time for obtaining the approba-
tion of his majesty which last Time is also expired —
Tliat altho: the said Grantees have been at great Expence
in bringing Forward said Settlement, there being now already
thirty Families Settled in said To^\■n, have not yet obtained
his majestys Approbation and are in Danger of having said
( J rant become Void unless a further Term be allowed to
them —
They therefore pray your Excellency & Honors will take
the matter under Consideration, and grant unto said Grantees
such further Time for obtaining s'^ approbation as in your
wisdom shall be tho* best. & as in Duty bound Shall ever
pray.
David Bean
Nath" Ihiniion
Josiali Simpson
In tlie House of Representatives Tlic 2s"' ,]\u\v 176S
Resolved, 'I'lml the Piayci' of tliis Petition \)v granted and
that the Gi'iiiitees of the Towiisliij) l^iii^- in the TriTJloi-v of
84 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Sagadahock granted by the general Court in March 1762 to
David Bean & others be allowed the further Time of Eighteen
Months from this Day to ol)tain his Majesties Approbation
Sent up for Concurrence T. Cushing Spk""
In Council June 28*'' 1768 — Read and Concurred
Jn° Cotton D. Secry
Consented to Fra Bernard
Letter, W^"' Tyng, " Sheriff of Cumberland " to Gov. Bernard
Falmouth July 12*1^ 1768
Sir
I think it my duty to acquaint your Excellency, that last
Evening a Number of Men ( thirty or more ) armed with
Axes Clubs & other weapons, surrounded the Goal in this
Town, broke it open, resqued from thence two men named
John Huston and John Sanborn, who were convicted of a
Riot at the last Assizes, held in Falmouth ; - I have offered
a Rewai'd of four pounds for any of tlie resequers, and forty
shillings for each, or either of the two Criminals, which I
hope will meet your Excellencys approbation. —
I am with great respect
your Excellencys humble servant
Will'" Tyng
Letter, Dudley Carlton to Col. Groldthwait
These are humbly to request the Favor of Coin' Goldthrite
to represent to his Excellency y® Governor, the true State
and Circumstances of tliat Part of y® Province, to y* East
and Northward of Penobscut River ; relating to the Timber
OF THE STxlTE OF MAINE 8o
fit for bis Majestys Use for the Navy, with - it is said to
abound. And as it is a very wrong & Misrepresentation, as
to those six Townships granted by the General Court to
David Marsh & others, would humbly pray his Excellency
to write home in Favor of the Proprietors, as there is a
Number of them setled in Consequence of said Grant, in
order to bring forward the Settlement, without suspecting
but that his Majesty's Approbation might be obtained, as it
would be the Enlargement of his Majesty's Dominions with
Respect to his Subjects ; & a Means of rooting out the Sav-
ages, where it has always been a Nursery for them. And if
tliose Families that are Setled, must be removed, it of Con-
sequence = be the Ruin of a great Number of Families, and
break up some Societies, where they have, for several Seasons
had the Gospel preached to them.
And if his Excellency would use his Influence in Favor of
the Case, by setting it in a true & just Light, would greatly
oblige his humble Petitioner, as in Duty bound shall ever
pray
Dudley Carlton
Earl of Stirling's Advertisement.
To Be Sold.
A Tract of Land of one Hundred Thousand Acres, situate
on the East Side of Penobscot River, in the Eastern Part of
New England, on the following Conditions, vis.
The Tract is to be divided and laid out in One Hundred
Lots, of 1000 Acres eacli, bounding VVeslcrly on the said
River.
The Puichaser of each Lot, is to pay One Hundred
Pounds Sterling down, or secure the Payment thereof by
Mortgage of the Laud, or otherwise, and shall be entitled
86 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
also to a Town Lot of Half an Acre, in a Town called,
Alexandria, laid out at the Mouth of the River, and fronting
on Penobscot Bay ; the whole to be held free of Quit Rent
for ever.
The Purchaser is, on each 1000 Acre Lot, within three
Years after the first Day of July, 1769, to settle at least one
Family, or shall then forfeit his Grant; in which Case the
Consideration ]\Ioney shall be returned, with Interest, at Five
per Cent.
A Map of the whole, with a State of the Title, is to be
seen at the Earl of Stirling's Office at Baskinridge in Somer-
set County ; at John Smith's Esq ; at Perth-Amboy ; At
Cornelius Low's, Junior, Esq ; at New Brunswick ; and at
Isaac Ogden's, Esq ; at Newark, alio m New Jersey ; at
Philip J. Livingston's Esq; in Bayard-Street, and at M''
Gerard Buncker's, near the Exchange, in New-York ; at
Jared Ingorsel's, Esq ; at New-Haven, in Connecticut ; and
Messrs. Hazen and Jarvis's, at Newberry, in Massachusetts
Bay.
All Persons inclining to be concerned in this Purchase,
are desired to enter their Names at either of the above
Places, on or before the first Day of November next, in Order
that the respective Deeds may be prepared.
Penobscot Bay is one of the finest on the Coast of New
England ; it abounds with Sea-Fish ; its Navigation is safe
and easy to Ships of any Burden. That Part of the River,
on which this Tract is laid out, begins within two Leagues
of the Bay ; the Lands are as good as any in America, taking
so large a Tract together : The Town Spot and the Islands
in its Neighbourhood, are admirably well situated for the
carrying on the Cod-Fishery ; the Rivers have great Plenty
of Salmon. Those who have their Names first entered, will
have the Advantage of taking the first Choice of their Lots
as to Situation.
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 87
If this Offer to the Pubhc be duly considered, it will be
found the most advantageous one that has appeared, espec-
ially to Farmers who have large Families of Children, and
who have no great Stocks to provide them with ; the Terms
are intended lower than any other that has been offered for
Lands so commodiously situated, purposely to encourage the
Settlement of this Country, the Proprietor having other
Lands in the Neighbourhood.
July 22, 1768.
Earl of Stirling to Gov^ Bernard
Baskenbridge August 10*^'' 1768
Sir
I have the honour to transmit to your Excellency some
Proposals I have lately published for settling and planting a
Tract of Land belonging to me, situate in the Eastern part
of your Government; and which I have good reason to
expect, I shall be able to effect, so far as to the amount of
Two hundred families next Spring, I also send your Excel-
lency a printed State of my Title to that Tract of Country
by which your Excellency will find, tliat it is founded on tlie
same original Patent, under which all the otlier Lands witliin
your Jurisdiction are held.
His Majesty in Council has long since been hiformed of
my Right and Intention herein ; and I cannot but hope that
the Settlers, on their Arrival within your Province will meet
witli every Encouragement from youi- r>xcellency that so
laudable a Design merits. I have the honor to be Your
Excellency's most huml)le Servant
Stirling
88 DOCUMENTARY HISTOltY
Reply of Council to Stirling
At a Council held at the Council Chamber in Boston
Tuesday August 30'" 1768.
Present in Council.
His Excellency Francis Bernard Esq' Governor.
Will™ Brattle Harrison Gray Royall Tyler
James Bowdoin James Russell James Pitts
Tho^ Hubbard Tho* Flucker Samuel Dexter
His Excellency laid before the Board, a Letter from the
Earl of Stirling of the 10'*' August, signifying his Intention
to settle a Tract of land, in the Eastern parts of this Prov-
ince which he pretends a Claim to.
Advised that William Brattle and James Bowdoin Esq"^*
take the said Letter into Consideration and report the next
Council day.
At a Council held at the Council Chamber in Boston
Wednesday Sep' 7'" 1768.
Present in Council
His Excellency Francis Bernard Esq"" Governor.
Samuel Danforth Harrison Gray Samuel White
Will™ Brattle James Russell Jeremy Powell
James Bowdoin Tho® Flucker James Pitts Eieq""®
Thomas Hubbard Royall Tyler Sam^ Dexter
The Committee appointed to take into Consideration the
Earl of Stirling's Letter, made a report, and also reported a
Draft of a Proclamation, relative to the Business therein
mentioned, the said report was accepted, and his Excellency
issued a Proclamation accordingly.
The Report is as follows —
The Committee of Council to whom was refered the Earl
of Stirling's Letter to his Excellency Governor Bernard,
OF THE STATE OF MALKE 89
dated August lO^'^ 1768, with the printed State of his title,
to the Lands between S* Croix and Pemaquid, in the Eastern
parts of this Province, and his printed Advertizement for
the sale of said Lands, having duly considered the same, are
humbly of Opinion —
That in the Answer to said Letter, hib Excellency be
desired to inform the Earl of Stirling, that some Time after
receiving from ]^.P Bollan the Province Agent, a Copy of a
Petition, signed by said Earl and others to his late Majesty
relative to the said lands, a Committee of the General Court
prepared a State of the title of this Province to the Country
between Kennebec & S* Croix : that by said State it appears
that the Persons claiming under Sir William Alexander, first
Earl of Stirling, have no right, or title whatsoever to the
said Country, or any part thereof, and that the Province of
Massachusetts Bay, hath a clear and undoubted right, and
equitable Title to the Soil & Jurisdiction of the said Coun-
try, and every part thereof, under such restrictions and lim-
itations, as are expressed in the Province Charter.
That the General Court relying on the goodness of the
Province Title, have granted twelve Townships on Penob-
scot River, and to the Eastward, on Condition that Sixty
families at least should be settled in each, within a limited
time : That a great part of the Families are already settled,
and in some of the Townships the whole number : that it is
inconsistent with his Majesty's Interest that the said Gran-
tees should be disvested, tliat it would be manifest Injustice
in the Government to suffer it, and that tliis Government
cannot suffer it, unless it be done by his Majesty's Orders
Tlie Committee think it would be proj)er that a Copy of
the said State, should accompany his Excellency's Letter
which they cannot but apprehend will induce the Earl of
Stirling to desist from his Pretensions.
'I'lif CoiuiiiitLee arc fuitlicr of Opinion llial in order to
90 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
prevent any uneasiness in the Grantees aforesaid and their
associates, arising from the Claim aforesaid, and to prevent
any Persons purchasing or taking Leases of the lands adver-
tized aforesaid, his Excellency issue a Proclamation assuring
such Grantees & Associates of the Protection of this Gov-
ernment, and cautioning all Persons against purchasing or
taking Leases of any of the said Lands under the said Earl
of Stirling.
The Committee herewith present the Draft of the Procla-
mation, which with the foregoing Report, is humbly sub-
mitted to your Excellency and Honours.
William Brattle
James Bowdoin
The foregoing are true Copies.
Attest Jno ; Cotton D : Secry
Proclamation. Sept. 7, 1768.
By his Excellency Francis Bernard Esq"^ Captain General
and Governor in Chief in and over his Majestys Province of
the Massachusetts Bay in New England and Vice Admiral of
the same.
A Proclamation
Whereas the Earl of Stirling hath published advertisements
for the Sale of a large Tract of Land situated on the East
side of Penobscot River and for Leasing another large Tract
on Castine River ; said Tracts being part of a Tract in the
Eastern parts of this Province extending from S' Croix to
Pemaquid to which he has laid Claim by virtue of a Grant
made in the year 1635 to William Alexander first Earl of
Stirling by the Council established at Plymouth. And
whereas by a State of the title of this Province to the Coun-
try between the Rivers Kennebec and S*^ Croix prepared by a
Committee of the General Court and Printed in 1763 by
order of the said Court it is alleged that the persons claiming
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 91
under tlie said first Earl of Stirling have no right or title
whatsoever to the said Country or any part thereof and it is
asserted on the behalf of the Province that the Province of
tlie ^Massachusetts Bay hath a clear and undoubted right &
equitable title to the Soil and Jurisdiction of the said Coun-
try & every part thereof under such restrictions and limita-
tions as are expressed in the Province Charter.
And whereas the General Court have granted twelve
Townships within the Tract claimed as aforesaid which
Grants now lie before his iVIajesty for his royal approbation
in consequence of which Grants a great number of Families
have actually settled in the said Townships, in order to fulfill
the Conditions of the said Grants if the same shall be approved,
I have thought fit to issue, and do by and with the Advice
and Consent of his Majesty's Council issue this Proclamation,
hereby declaring the Intention of this Government to protect
& defend the said Lands & the inhabitants thereof against
the said Earl of Sterling & all persons claiming under him
untill his ^Majesty's pleasure shall be known therein and
cautioning all his IMajestys Subjects against purchasing or
taking Leases of any of the said Lands under any person or
persons claiming under the first Earl of Stirling aforesaid.
Given at the Council Chamber in Boston the 7'"' day of
Septem'^ 17G8 In the Eighth year of the Reign of our Sov-
ereign Lord (Jeorge the third by the Grace of God of Great
Britain France and Ireland King defender of the Faith &c —
By liis Excellency's Command
God Save the King
Toivn of York. Petition. 1770.
V\i)\''- of the Mass"« Bay
'I'o His lloii' Tliomas Ilutcliinson Esq' L' Govcni"^ The
il(*n'''" I J is Alajcstys Council and Ilous(! of R(!i)i('s<'nla-
tives in Genera' Court Assemljled Jan" 10, 1770
92 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
The Select Men and Overseers of the Poor of the Town
of York in said Province Humbly Shew
That Josiah Bridges of the said Town by the Providence
of God some Years since fell into Distraction and became non
compos Mentis whereby great Trouble and Expence for some
Years last past and untill about a Month ago when he Died
arose for his Support and Safety. That his Estate consist
only of about Ten acres of Land lying somewhat remote
uncultivated and of no Income.
That His Relations are not of Ability to pay & discharge
the said Expence.
Wherefore Your Petitioners Pray this Court to License
and Authorize them, or such others as the said Court in their
Wisdom shall think lit to make Sale of the said Josiah's
Estate aforesaid the produce whereof to be applied for and
towards satisfying the Charges afores*^
And they as in duty bound shall pray &e
Dan^ Moulton "| SeP Men
Sam^ Sewall & Overseers
Jos Simpson Jr j of the Poor
Joseph Weare Jr j of York
Petition to Crov^ Hutchinson by Inhabitants of the Fifth
Township.
To his Excellency Thomas Hutchinson Esq' Captain Gen-
eral and Governor of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay
in New England.
The Petition of the Inhabitants of the fifth Township
granted by this Province to Eastward of Mount Desart &
commonly called Pleasant River humbly sheweth to your
Excellency
That whereas there is now residing in this Township
upwards of Sixty Families and neither Law nor Gospel
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 93
embraced among us every one doing what's right in his o\yn
eyes and a great spirit of mobbing and Rioting prevails,
Cursing, Swearing, fighting, threatning, Steahng, puUing
dov.'n Houses and the like as we cant sleep a nights without
fear and living to such a distance fi'om any authority that
we labour under a great disadvantage of obtaining relief in
such matters, being twenty miles to the Eastward of Goldsboro'
and upwards of twenty miles Westward of Machias and very
difheult passing any way makes us apply to your Excellency
to interpose in this affair to redress our Grievances, and We
wliose names are hereunto subscribed huml)ly implore your
Excellency that you would appoint a Justice of the Peace at
Pleasant River as it is our sincere and hearty desire to live
under a proper regulation of the Common Laws of the Land,
and there is one Cap* Wilmot Woss a man of a good reputii-
tion who removed from Martha's Vine3'ard about three years
ago and has a good Interest in this Township whom we
recommend to your Excellency to be appointed if you in
your goodness shall think proper with the advice of Council,
& we pray your Excellency to lay this our Petition before
our said Council as we flatter ourselves of your Excellency's
protection of our Civil Rights as far as the due Execution of
the Law will give us, which causes us to appl}' to your
Excellency to cause them to be put in force as we profess
ourselves to be Loyal Subjects and are ready to spend our
lives and fortunes for his Majesty's Crown and dignity and
the Laws and good govenmient as your l*etitioners are in
duty bound to pray for.
N. !>. U your Excellency shall think piojx-r to appoint
any other suitable person w(! have no objection.
Moses Plumer Joseph Diisko Jun' Noaii Mitchell
Samuel Disko Natli' P>uck Saiimcl Nash
William Michell John Drisk his O maik Joseph Michell
Benjamin Look Daniel Look Ebenezer Coal
94 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Chare Stevens Robin Groas James Biyent
Edward Gate Owen Macdonald William Hix
Setb Norton Edmund Stevens Thomas
Samuel Knowls George Tinney Joseph Tebbut
John Hall James Nash Samuel
Isaiah Nash Joseph X his mark Joseph Nash jun"^
SamuU Coffin Isaac Smith
Copy T Hutchinson
Petition of B. Mulliken ^ M. Bridges^ Agents.
To the Honourable Thomas Hutchinson Esq*^ Lieu* Gover-
nour & Commander in Chief of the Province of the Massach*^
Bay in New England
To the Hon^'^'^' the Council & House of Representatives in
General Court Assembled March 15"' 1770
The Petition of Benjamin Mullikin and Moody Bridges
Agents for the Prop''^ of a Township Granted to the said
Benj'^ Mulliken & others June 25*'^ 1765 Humbly Sheweth
That the Great k, General Court of s*^ Province in Answer
to a Memorial of your Petitioners ( on the twelfth Day of
June 1767 —
Resolved that Eight thousand Six hundred & forty five
Acres of Land lying on the Easterly Side & Northerly end
of a pond Called long pond Bounded as Stipulated in s*^
Resolve be Exchanged for an Equivalent of Land on the
AVesterly Side of s'^ Township &c —
That Pursuant to s*^ Resolve the said Proprietors appointed
a Committee to take a plan of the said land lying between
Saco River & s'^ Township in order to Exhibit a plan thereof
to s'^' Court for Confirmation — Who Reported as f olloweth
(viz)
That Saco River which the Proprietors Apprehended to be
within One Mile of said Township they found to be Near five
Miles from the Westerly line thereof —
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 95
That the land is ]\Iouiitaiiious & Broken & that a pond
Judg'd to be Six or Seven Miles in Length Intervening
between said Townsliip & said River prevents the Commnni-
cation intended By Said Proprietors with s*^ River —
That the whole of the said Tract of Land in the Opinion
of the Coni"'^* falls Short of an Equivalent for the Said Land
on the Easterly Side & Northerl}- end of s*^ pond —
That should the Proprietors Make up an Equivalent at the
Southerly end of said Township it would take off so nuich of
that Tract of Land between s'^ Township & Pearson Town
which land is Capacious enough for a Township as would
leave it Insufficient for that Purpose —
Wherefore Your Petitioners Humbly Entreat your Honours
to Quiet the said Proprietors in the Peaceable possession &
Enjoyment of the said 8645 Acres of Land on the Easterly
side & Northerly end of Long pond & Your Petitioners as in
Duty Bound Shall ever Pray —
Moody Bridges
Benjamin Mulliken
Vote on petition of Ichabod Jones ^ others. 1770.
In the House of Representatives April 4, 1770
Voted, That the Petition of Ichabod Jones and Seventy
nine others his Associates, be so far granted, as that there be,
and hereby is granted unto him the said Ichabod Jones, and
liis Associates named in the annexed Petition, their Heirs
and Assigns forever, as Tenants in Connnon, One Township
of Land, Seituate, lying and being to the Westward of S*-
Croix about eight or ten Leagues, which Trad of Land is
now known by the Name of Macliias, and is bounded as tnl-
lows, \'v/} begining at a dry Rock at a Place callrd tlu' lOast-
em Bay, near the House of ^P Samuel Holmes, and extending
96 DocrnsrENTARY history
North ten Degrees West, ten Miles, then West, ten Degrees
South eight Miles, then South ten Degrees East ten Miles,
then East ten Degrees north eight Miles to the first mentioned
Bounds.
That they return a Plan of the same ( taken Ijy a Surveyor
and Chainmen on Oath ) to this Court for further Confirma-
tion, on or before the First Day of Janu^ 1771. That they
within six Years after they shall obtain his Majesty's Appro-
bation of this Grant ( unless prevented by War ) settle the
said To•\^^lship with eighty Good protestant Families, and
build eighty Houses, none to be less than eighteen Feet
Square, and seven Feet Stud, and clear and cultivate five
Acres of Land on each Share fit for Tillage or Movv-ing ; and
that they build in said Township a suitable Meeting house
for the publick Worship of God, and settle a learned Prot-
estant Minister, and make Provision for his comfortable and
honorable Support: And that hi said Township there be
re.served and appropriated four whole Rights or Shares in the
Division of the same ( accounting to one eighty fourth Part
a Share, for the following Purposes Viz* One for the first
settled or ordained Minister his Heirs and Assigns for ever ;
one for the Use of the Ministry, one to and for the Use of
Harvard College; and one for the Use of a School for ever:
And if any of the Grantees or Proprietors of said Township
shall neglect within the Term of six Years as before men-
tioned, to do and perform according to the several Articles
respecting the Settlement of his Right or Share as hereby
enjoined, his whole Right or share shall be entirely forfeited,
and enure to the use of this Province.
Provided nevertheless, the Grant of the above Lands is to
be A^oid and of none Effect unless the Grantees do obtain his
Majesty's Confirmation of the same in Eighteen Months from
this Time.
And be it further Ordered, as a Condition of the Grant
OF THE STATE OF IVIALNE 97
aforesaid, that each Grantee give Bond to the Treasurer of
this Province for the Time being and to his Successors in
said office for the Sum of Fifty Pounds for the Use of this
Province, for the faithful Performance of the Duties required,
according to the Tenor of the Grant aforesaid : And that a
Committee or Committees be appointed by this Court to take
Bonds accordingly.
And further Ordered, That the said Committee be empow-
ered to admit others as Grantees in the Room of such Per-
sons contained in the List aforesaid, who shall neglect to
appear by themselves or others in their behalf to give Bonds
at such Time as the Committee shall appoint.
And it is further Ordered, That as this Township is remote
from the Centre of the Province, and at a great Distance
from his Majesty s Surveyor of his Woods and Timber, that
the said Petitioner take especial Care not to cut or destroy
any of his Majesty's Timber on or about said Township.
Sent up for Concurrence T Gushing Spk'
In Council April 4^" 1770 Read & Concurred
Jn'' Cotton D. Seory
Consented to 26 Ap 1770 T Hutchinson
Resolve.
In the House of Representatives April 7^'' 1770
Resolved that the Prayer of this Petition be Granted and
that the Petitioners be and they are hereby Impowercd to
make Sale of the Real Estate within mentioned for the most
the same will fetch and to make & Execute a Good Deed or
Deeds of (!)onveyance thereof they observing the Directions
of the Law for the Sale of Real Estates by Execo" «& Admin"
& giveing Caution to the Judge of Probate for the County
98 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
of York tliat the Proceeds of said Sale be applied to the pur-
poses mentioned.
Sent up for Concurrence T Gushing Spk"^
In Council Ap^ 11"' 1770 — Read & Concurred
Jn° Cotton D. Secry
Consented to —
Hesolve.
In the House of Representatives April 9^^ 1770
On the Petition of Benjamin Mulliken and Moody Bridges
Agents for the Proprietors of a Township Granted to Benja-
mm Muliken & others June 25"' 1765, Whereas the Peti-
tioners made Application to the Great and General Court
Dated the twenty seventh Day of May Anno Domini 1767
praying that the Court would receive back a Part of said
Township and grant them an Equivalent in other Lands
adjoining, but now finding said Exchange inconvenient, pray
that they may hold the said Township according to original
Grant.
Resolved that the prayer of the said Petition be granted
and that the said Proprietors, have and hold said Township
according to the Extent described in the original Grant any
Petition of said Proprietors or Resolve of this Court thereon
notwithstanding, and according to said Proprietors Petition
and the Intent thereof: the said Lands resolved on their said
Application to be given them for an E(|uivalent is hereby
received back as Lands belonging to the Province — the said
proprietors fulfilling the Condition of the Original Grant
Sent up for Concurrence T Gushing Spk''
In Council April 10"' 1770 Read and Concurred
Jn° Cotton D. Seciy
Consented to Ap 26 1770 T Hutchinson
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 99
Resolve. 1770.
In the House of Representatives Aprill y*" 14 1770
Whereas the Gen''*^ Court m their present Session on the
Petition of Capt. Sam^^ Skillan and others Inhabitants of
Cape Elizabeth Resolved on said Petion that from the time
the Act of Incorporation of Cape Elizabeth into a District
took place all the Inhabitants of said District included within
y*' Lines of said District ware & still are held to Pay Parish
Taxes there & to no other Place — Since which the first par-
ish have by Thomas Smith on their behalf Represented some
Inconveincy that may attend the Carrying s'^ Resolve into
Execution before the %^ first Parish has an oppertunity to be
heard upon the Subject matter of the s^^ Petition —
Therefore Resolved that all Proceedings in Consequence
of said Resolve be stayd as fully as if it had not been, till
the Second Wednesday of the next Sitting of the Gen^ Court
at which Time the first Parish may be heard upon s'^ Petition
of Cape Elizabeth if they see fit to Shew Cause if any they
have why the s** Resolve should not be Reversed
Sent up for Concurrence Thomas Gushing Spk"^
In Council 16 Apr' 1770 Read and Concurred
A Oliver Scc^
Consented to Ap. 25 1770 T Hutchinson
Report on Petition of D. Phips ^ others
Tiie Committee on the Petition of David Phips Es(['' &
others praying for a Townsliip in Consideration of their
ancestors being in the Expedition agahist Canada in the; Year
1690 Have attended that service and find that the Petitioners
are the Descendents and I^egal representatives of sundry
persons hi the Expedition aforesaid and that they nor thcii'
100 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
ancestors liave not as yet received any Grant for the Hard-
ships & Burdens Sustained By their ancestors aforesaid in
said Expedition as all others has Done who have regulerly
applied to the Gen^ Court for the same Therefore are of
opinion that the following Resolve pass —
In the House of Representatives April 24, 1770
Resolved That there be Granted to David Phips Esq"" and
Others mentioned in the Petition a Township of the Contents
of Six miles and three Quarters Square to be Laid out adjoin-
ing to some former Grant in the unappropriated Lands in
this Province to the Eastward of Saco River Proveded the
Grantees within seven years Settle Eighty families in said
Township Build a House for the public Worship of God and
settle a Learned Protestant Minister and Lay out one 84'**
part for the first settled Minister one 84"' part for the Min-
istry one 84*^ part for the use of a School in said Township
and one 84*^ part for the use of Harvard College forever
Provided also that they return a plan thereof Taken by a
Surveyor and Chainmen under Oath into the Secretar^'^s
OiBce within Twelve Months
Sent up for Concurrence T Gushing Spk"^
Report on Petition of J. Fuller ^ others.
The Committee to whome was Refferred the Petition of
Cap* Joshua Fuller and others praying for a Township of
Land in Leiu of a Township Granted to them & their ances-
tors m the year 1736 which Township was Cut off by the
Running of the Line between this province and New Hamp-
shire have attended that Service and find the Facts set forth
in said Petition are True and y* they had entered upon the
settlement of s*^ Township and expended therein six pounds
ten shillings old Ten' for Each Right amounting to X390
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 101
one hundred and Eighty pounds of which was paid to the
Government, Therefore are of opinion that the following
Resolve pass
In the House of Representatives april 24 1770
Resolved That there be Granted to Cap* Joshua Fuller
and others mentioned in the Petition, a ToAvnship of the Con-
tents of Six miles and one Quarter Square to be Laid out
adjoining to some former Grant & in the unappropriated
Land in the province to the Eastward of Saco River Provided
the Grantees within seven Years settle Sixty Families in said
Township Build a House for the public Worsliip of God and
settle a Learned Protestant Minister and Lay out one 64'''
part for the first settled M mister one 64'^ part for the minis-
try one 64''* part for the use of a school in said Township
and one 64"' part for the use of Harvard College forever
Provided also that they Return a Plan thereof Taken by a
Surveyor and Chain men under Oath into the Secretarys
office within Twelve month for Confirmation —
Sent up for Concurrence T Gushing Spk''
Resolve. 1770.
In the House of Representatives April 26'" 1770
Resolved that there l)e Granted to Capt. Henry Young
Brown eleven Thousand Acres of Land to be Laid out in the
Unappropriated Land within this Province to the Eastward
of Sauco River, and Adjoining to a Grant of eight tliousand
five hundred and forty four Acres Granted to the said Cap'
Brown in the Year 1766, to extend on said Sauco River
including the Cirant aforesaid Not exceeding seven Miles and
so to extend back from said River and on the back of tlic
Grant aforesaid so farr as to compleat tlie eleven thousand
acres aforesaid and That tlie aforesaid Cap' lirowii Ritinii a
102 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
plann of this Last Grant Taken by a Surveyor & Chainmen
under Oath in Twelve Months to this Court for Confirmation
And that the said Henry Young Brown Give security for the
settleing" the said Lands Now Granted and for the perform-
ing the Same Conditions required in the first Grant or sale
of a Township to him the said Brown in the year 1764 —
Which Grant of eleven thousand Acres aforesaid is Consid-
ered by this Court in full Consideration of All the demands
that the said Henry Young Brown has against this province
for the Lose of Lands, occationed by the Disputed lines
between this Province and the province of New Hampshire
and that the said Brown give the Govern' a Quit Claim for
all the Lands Licluded in the Township sold him by this
Government in the Year 1764, that are between, Warren,
and Bryants Lines exceepting Twenty Two hundred Acres
Already Sold to sundry persons, and also One hundred Acres
Taken out of his Own Farme and this Last Grant be also
Considered in full consideration of all costs & charges the
said Brown has already been at or may be put too by Reason
of the disputed Lines aforesaid and that the said Brown give
this Government a Discharge in full for the same
Also Resolved that the Treasurer of the Province be
directed to give up to Cap* Henry Young Brown his Bond
for Two hundred pounds dated in 1764 being the purchas_
Consideration of the Township aforesaid, and in Lieu thereof
The said Brown do give a New bond to the Treasurer afore-
said for the use of the Province for Two hundred pounds
with sufficient sureties to bare date the fifth day of May Next
payable In One Year with Lawful Inter' which Bond when
paid shall be in full Consideration for all the Grants aforesaid
Sent up for Concurrence T Gushing Spk"^
In Council Ap^ 26"> 1770 Read & Concurred
Jn° Cotton D. Secry
Consented to 26 Ap 1770 T Hutchinson
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 103
Report.
The Committe appointed to Consider and report upon the
Petition of Cap* Henry Young Brown have attended that
service and beg Leave to Report that in april 1770 the Court
had a State of Facts Laid Before them and upon Mature
Deliberation had thereon they Granted to the Petitioner
11000 acres of Land which Grant was at that time Consid-
ered by the Court to ])e in full satisfaction for all the Demands
the Petitioner had against the province for loss of Lands in
his Petition mentioned That the Court at that time appre-
hended that the 11000 acres of Land Granted as afores'^ was
as good as the same Quantity lost by the Disputed lines
mentioned in his Petition But your Committee are fully Con-
vinced by the Testimony of a Number of Credable Witnesses
who are well Knowing to both Tracts of Land that it falls
Considerably Short in value — Your Committee are There-
fore of Opinion that the Petitioner be allowed the sum of
Fifty pounds more with the Interest thereof from the 5'^ day
of May 1770 the same to be entered upon his Bond of two
hundred pounds given the province Treas' as the purchase
Consideration of his Township in said Petition mentioned
All which is Humbly Submitted
Jonas Dix g' Order
L' Gov^'' ^Speech. Sept. J770.
Gentlemen of the Council, and Gentlemen of the House; of
Representatives —
It is now become in several respects more necessary for
the General Court to proceed upon the Business of the Prov-
ince than it was wlien I met you in your two last Sessions.
Many of our Laws, wliich have Ik'c^ii of great utility, are
104 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
expired, some for the punisliment of criminal offences, others
which affect the course of our Judicial proceedings and the
People call for the revival of them. — There are other affairs
depending of a very interesting nature which had not then
come to our knowledge and which may be determined before
we can have another opportunity of acting upon them. The
Council thought it not advisable for me to Prorogue the
Court to a further time : Their opinion and advice, which
always have weight with me, induced me to call you together
rather sooner than I had before intended.
Pursuant to my Instructions and the established practice
I caused the Acts and Doings of the General Court at the
Session in March last to be transmitted to England by the
first opportunity. Particular notice has been taken of a
Grant made in that Session to a number of Persons who had
settled upon Lands in the Eastern part of the Province and,
it appearing that other Persons had also begun Settlements
Eastward of Sagadehock, some under colour of Grants from
the General Court notwithstanding that by the express terms
of the Charter, such Grants are of no force validity or effect
until approved by the Crown, others without any colour of
Grant or Title whatsoever, these Settlements are deemed of
great Importance in various lights, but in none more so than
in that of the incouragement they have given to the waste
and destruction of the Kings Timber which is a matter of the
most serious consideration in respect to the Naval Strength
of the Kingdom. It is made my Duty to inform you that,
as the remedy for this great mischief ought properly and can
only effectually come from the Province within whose Juris-
diction the Lands lye, it is expedient all Trespassers should
be prosecuted, and, I am further to inform you, that the
neglecting to exert every legal means to remove and prevent
all unwarrantable intrusions will be imputed as a default for
which the Province v/ill stand responsible. From a sense of
OF THE STATE ()F<^ MAINE 105
my Duty to the King and from regard to the Interest of the
Province I must desire you to take this affair into your con-
sideration and do what is necessary on your part. I \\ill
assist and concur with you to the utmost of my power.
Gentlemen of the House of Representatives —
In order to conform to the Laws of the Province and to
maintain the Public Faitli, it was necessary the Treasurer
should issue his Warrants for the assessment of the whole
Province Debt in the current year. If these Warrants have
not been so far executed as to render an alteration impractic-
able and you should be of opinion that the burden will be too
great for the People to bear, I am willing to consent to an
act for affording the necessary relief by easing the present
year of part of this Tax and charging the same Sum upon a
future year.
A State of the Treasury will be laid before you by which
it will appear that a Supply will be necessary Some Appro-
priations are quite exhausted.
His Majesty having thought fit to Order that the Garrison
of Castle William, in the pay of the Province, should be
withdrawn and that this Fortress should be Garrisoned by
his Majesty's Regular forces, I am prevented from desiring
you to make the usual Establishment. The last Establish-
ment expired the 20 day of June last. I know you did not
expect I should then dismiss the Officers and Men. I must
now desire you to continue their Pay & subsistance from the
expiration of the Establishment and, as they are discharged
at a Season of the year when it will be difficult for them to
find Employ I could wish that the continuance might extend,
at least, to tlie 20*'' of November the usual time of making up
the Roll. It is no more than justice to the Garrison to say
they have behaved well and have some Claim to favour.
The Establishment of Fort Pownall being also recommend-
ed to you to provide for tlic revival and continuancio of it.
106 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Gentlemen of the Council and House of Representatives —
As tlie affairs which lye before you are of great moment
and deserve your serious and mature deliberation, so they
must take up much time. It is therefore more necessary
that you should begin without delay and should proceed with
all diligence.
I wish there may be a good harmony in the Legislature,
and that we may unite in such measures as our common
Interest, the Interest of the Province, requires of us.— -
T. Hutchinson
Council Chamber September 1770
Petition of Joseph Frye. 1770.
Province of the Massachusetts Bay
To the Honourable Thomas Hutchinson Esq"^ Lieu* G &
Commander in Chieff, To the Honourable his Majestys
Council & House of Representatives in General Court
Assembled
The Petition of Joseph Frye humbly Sheweth
That under the Patronage of this Government your Petit'
has Settled upwards of Fifty Families in a new Township
( at present called Fryeburg ) in the County of York, which
is at such a distance from any Sea-Port-Town, the Inhabitants
thereof have it not in their power to procure Sundry of the
absolute Necessaries of Life, at those Short periods, which
Nature often calles urgently for, and they being unable to
purchase so many of them at a Time, as to answer Nature's
Just Demand thro' the Year. They often Suffer for want —
That as your said Petitioner is Determined with all possi-
ble Speed to move Himself and Family into s'^ Township,
and for remedy of that inconvenience, open a Store there. He
presumes he may Sa}', It's Necessary he should be Legally
OP THE 8TATE OF MAINE 107
Authorized to Sell Spirituous Licquors, us Such Licquors are
what Labourmg Men stand in Need of. That as said Town-
ship is not Incorporated ; there are no Selectmen to recom-
mend any Person in it, to the Court of general Sessions of
the Peace for the County wherein it lays, ( which is what the
Law requires ) He cannot Obtain Licence from thence —
Wherefore Your Petitioner Prays your Hon"" & Hon"
would please to impower Him to Sell Spirituous Licquors
by Retail at his Dwelling House in s'' Townsliip, by such a
Meathod as you shall Judge Proper. And as in Duty bound
Prays
Joseph Frye
Petition of 11. Egglenton " 0<:t. 1770r
To his Honor the Leiu' Governor, the llono'''" his Majesty's
Council and the Hono''^" House of Representatives. —
The Petition of Hezekiah Egglestone of Bristol in the
County of Lincoln — Humbly sheweth,
That your Petitioner's Great Grandfather Richard Fullford
formerly of a Place called Round Pond in said Bristol, about
the Year of our Lord 1660 purchased a Tract of Land there
whereon he lived, adjohiing to a Plantation commonly called
Muscongus, and belonging to the Family of the Peirces ; that
your Petitioner's said Great Grandfather lived on and quietly
enjoyed the Premisses 'till the Beginning of the present Cen-
tury except the Literruptions given him by the Indians ( in
which Time the Deed of his s"* Land was lost ) leaving Issue
()\\\y one Son who was a Minor, and a Daughter who was
your Petitioner's Grandmother and who married Samuel
Martin, who as soon as the Troubles with the Indians were
over again in 1715 settled said Lands, till lie was beat off by
the Indians in the War connnonly call(;d llie three Yeai' VVai-
108 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
between 1722 & 1725; that your Petitioner's said Grandfa-
ther Martin after he liad thus resettled said Lands, took the
Testimonies of sundry ancient Persons in 1717, who formerly
lived adjoining, to fix the Boundaries and supply the Loss of
his Father in Law's Deed of said Land ; that afterwards Viz*
in 1739 your Petitioner's Great Uncle Viz' Francis Fullford
the only Son of said Richard again settled said Lands, whose
Tenants have been in constant Possession 'till tlie late War ;
and lastly that your Petitioner is now in Possession of Part
of said Tract — But so it happens that your Petitioner's said
Grandfather thro' Ignorance of the Law, had the said Testi-
monies taken before one Justice of the Peace only and put on
Record ad perpetuam Rei Memoriam. And whereas sundry
Persons without any Pretence of Title have trespassed and
settled themselves on said Land cleared and brought too by
your Petitioner's Ancestors at great Peril of their Lives and
Expence of Labour, your Petitioner is unable to recover the
Possession of said Land unless relieved by your Honors;
Wherefore your Petitioner humbly prays that your Honors
would confirm or make valid in Law said Testimonies or
otherwise grant him that Relief which to your Honors shall
seem meet — And your Petitioner as in Duty bound shall
ever pray —
Hezekiah Eggleston
Petition ^ Remonstrance of S. Livermore <f others. 1770.
Province of the Massachusetts Bay
To the Honour'*'^^® Thomas Hutchinson Esq'' Lieu* Gover-
nor and Commander in Cheif in and over said Province ;
To the Honourable his Majestys Council ; and House of
Representives in General Court assembled the 29*'' Day
of Oct^ f770
OF THE 1\LA.INE OF STATE 109
The Petition and Remonstrance of Samnel Livermore,
Leonard Williams, and George Badcock a Committee
appointed by a Society wLo were Proprietors of a Township
of Land granted to Nath^' Harris Esq'' and others by s*^* Gen-
eral Court in the Year 1T3G, (as a Gratuity for their Service
in the Reduction of Port Royal ) humbly sheweth That the
said Proprietors m Observance of the Condition of their
Grant proceeded to lay out said Township and returned a
Plan of the same to the same Court for their Approbation,
which was approved of by them accordhigly. That then the
Grantees proceeded to perform the Conditions of their Grant
by allotting out the House Lotts, and some began to build
thereon and repaired to said Town with Design to dwell
there, cleared Roads, and built a Saw Mill at the charge of
the Proprietors, with many other charges, in the whole
amounting to more than £1000 of the then Currency (as by
the Book of Records of s'^ Proprietors clearly appears ) besides
their Expence of Time & Labour.
But yet it happened that a War broke out, and many of
the Inhabitants were killd, others taken Captive, others sur-
prised, and discouraged : and immediately by the Settlement
of the Bounds between this Province, and the Province of
New : Hampshire to our great Loss & Disappointment the
Town fell within the Bounds of New Hampshire Province,
whereby the Proprietors were wholly deprived of all the
Profit and Advantage, they expected to reap and enjoy for
their Services aforesaid, and suffered great Loss not only in
Time, but in Mony in laying out their Lotts, clearing Roads,
&c. and have no way to obtain Relief but by the Interposition
of your Honors —
Your Petiti(;ners therefore pray your Honors would take
the same into your wise Consideration, and appoint a Com-
mittee to enquire into the E([uity of our Claims, and also the
Claims of several others who were in the same Expedition,
110 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
but have received no Favour therefor, & who desire to be
admitted with us and grant Leave to remove our Pitch to
some otlier Phice, in some of the unappropriated Lands in s*^^
Province And your Petitioners as in Duty bound shall ever
pray
Samuel Livermore \
Leonard Williams > Com*''^
George Badcock )
Resolve in favor of Joseph Frye.
In the House of Representatives Octo^ SO'*^ lYYO
Resolved that the prayer of the foregoing petition be So
far Granted as that the Court of Gen^ Sessions for the peace
for the County of York are hereby Impowered to Grant the
petitioner License to Retail Spirituous Liqueurs In said Town-
ship of Fryeburge at their next Term & until the time for
Granting Licenses in said County by Law shall commence
Sent up for Concurrence T Cushing Spk''
In Council Oct** 30*^ 1770 Read and Concurred
Jn*^ Cotton D. Secry
Consented to T Hutchinson
Resolve.
On the Petition of Hezekiah Egglestoue in the House of
Representatives Nov. 2, 1770 Read and Resolved that the
Prayer be so far Granted that the Justices of the Inferior
Court of Common Pleas or the Justices of the Superior Court
of Judicature before whom any action is or may be depend-
ing Relating to the Lands mentioned in said Petition be
OF THE MAINE OF STATE 111
Inipowered to admit the Testimonies A Refered to in said
Petition to be plead as Evidence in the Case as valid in the
Law the failure of Taking the Testimonies before Two Jus-
tices Quorum unus Notwithstanding.
Sent up for Concurrence T. Cushing Spk""
In Council Nov^ 7**^ 1770 Read & Concurred as taken
into a new draft
Sent down for Concurrence Jn" Cotton D. Secry
In the House of Representatives Nov'' 8 1770 Read &
Nonconcurred & the House adhere to their own Vote with
Amendment at A viz insert of Morrice Champney Richard
Pearce Sen'' & John Pearce
Sent up for Concurrence T. Cushing Spk'^
In Council Nov"" 8 1770 Read and Concurred
Jn° Cotton D. Secry
Consented to
Resolve.
In the House of Representatives Nov. 6 1770 —
Resolved that the prayer of this Petition Granted and that
their be Granted to the Petitioners and their associates a
Township of the Contents of Six miles and three Quarters
Square in Some of the unappropriated Lands in the Province
of Maine to the Eastward of Saco River to Satisfie the Grant
of the Township therein mentioned which they Lost by the
Running of the line between this province and the province
of New Hampshire and that the Petitioners at the Cost of
tli(_'iiiselvcs and their associates Cause the same, to bi; Laid
out by a Skillful Surveyor and Chain men under Oath and
Return a Plan of the Same to this ( ■(Uirt for tlieir acceptaiii'c^
within twelve months and that Cap Heath ik, Coll liuckmin-
112 DOCUMENTARY HISTOllY
ster witli Sucli as the Honourable Board Shall Join be a
Committee to Examine' the Claims which may be made to
any of the former Propriators rights which are either Deceas''
or have Conveyed their rights to Others. And admitt such
as shall make out the most Equitable Claims, and return a
list of their names to this Court at their next Sessions to be
admitted Grantees to s'^ Grant. And that the said Grantees
shall Hold the same to themselves their heirs and assigns
forever upon the following Conditions viz. that the Grantees
shall within seven Years settle Sixty families in s*^ Township
Build a House for the publick Worship of God and settle a
Learned protestant minister and Lay out One Sixty fourth
part for the first Settled Minister One Sixty fourth part for
the Ministry and one sixty fourth part for the use of a School
forever.
Sent up for Concurrence T Cushmg Spk''
In Council Nov' 6"' 1770 — Read, & ordered that this
Pet" be referred to the second Tuesday of the next Session
of the Gen^ Court, —
Sent down for Concurrence Jn" Cotton D. Secry
In the House of Representatives Nov. 6, 1770 Read &
Concurred
T Gushing Speaker
Jonathan Longfellow's Memorial to Crov^ IlutcMnson.
Provence of the Masachusets Bay To the Honourable
Thomas Hutchinson Esq""** Lieu* Governor and Commander
in Chief in and over his Majestys Said provence
Jonathan Longfellow of Machias in the County of Lincoln,
humbly Represents to your honor, that since your Memorialist
was appointed by your honor, as one of his Majestys justices
of the peace for said County, a number of the inhabitants of
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 113
Macliias who are enemies to all law and government, have
Combined together against your Memorialist, for no other
Reason : but, for that of his being a Civil magistrate : they
liave at divers times put your memorialist in great Bodily
fear, by menaces and threatning speaches ; and on Saturday
the third day of November, as your memorialst was in the
publick highway, in the peace of God and the King, four of
the said disaffected persons ; vis Samuel Kenney, Jeremiah
Obrion, James Southerland, and Joshua Webster, did attack
the person of your memorialist, and in a violent manner
threw hun down uppon the ground; and then Beat, and
mawled your memorialist wdth their fists, in a most Barbar-
ous manner, so that your memorialist is wholly disenabled
from going about his common buisness, and what makes his
Situation still more unhappy is, that there is no Magistrate
nigher than Gold^boro', which is about twenty leagues from
this place ; and those that where there, are noM^ gone to
Boston, and the Season of the year approaching, that makes
it dificult passeing either by land or water; So that it is
impossible for your memorialist to Receive any present
Relief, in the disabled circumstances that lie is now in.
Your memorialist would allso Represent to your honor,
tliat, except he can have some other person* appointed as
Justices* of the peace in this place, he must Resign his Com-
mision; it being impossible for liim to do his duty without
being in continual danger of his life from the lawless party,
who are daly giveing out threatning speaclies against any
Civil officer, that shall presume to take any one of their
party ; and that they are determined to Support themselves
by Clubb law. Conscious of the deep wisdom of youi' honor,
lie most humbly Submits his hard case, and the agravaled
treatmoit he Ikih Recieved, in consequence of his being
appointed one of liis majestys Jnsticeses : most liuinbly
imploreing your honor to take the piciiiises into Coiisidi'i-a-
114 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
tion, and grant such Releif, as your honor, in your known
great wisdom and impartiality, shall deem most for the
advancement of Justice, and the preservation of peace, order,
and good government
and as in duty bound Shall ever pray
Jonathan Longfellow
Machias Nov"'^'" 8"^ 1770
Memorial of Inhabitants of Mass : Bay to Gov^ HutcJmison
Provence of the Masachusets Bay To the Honorable Thomas
Hutchinson Esq""® Lieu* Governor and Commander in
Chief, in and over his majestys Said provence.
The Subscribers, inhabitants of machias in the County of
lincoln, humbly Represent to your honor ; that they bare
true and faithfull Allegiance to his majesty King George,
and are willing and desireous of supporting Civil Govern-
ment as far as lies in their power, and very much lament
that they are obliged to Represent to your honor, that a
number of their Neighbours, and fellow inhabitants, seem to
be otherwise inclined, which by their Conduct is but too
evident: they haveing by many Repeated and open acts of
violence, Shewn their disaffection to all order and good Gov-
ernment. They have divers times put his Majesty's quiet
and peaceable Subjects, in this place, in great Bodily fear;
not only by threatning speaches ; but likewise by heavy
Blows. They have at divers times assembled together in a
Riotious manner; pulled down their neighbours buildings;
and have beat or abused all those, who offered to oppose
them and on the third day of Nov"'^'" four of them, vis
Samuel Kenney, Jerimiah Obrion, James Southerland, and
Joshua Webster, did attack, in the publick highway, when
OF THE STATE OF IVIAINE
115
in the peace of God and the King, the person whom youre
honour was pleased to appoint, as a Civil magistrate in this
place ; and in a violent manner threw him down upon the
ground then beat and brused him to such a degree, that he
is now incapable of going about his common buisness. And
what makes his Situation still more deplorable, is, that there
is no magistrate within twenty leagues of this place, that he
can apply to for Relief, and assistance.
Your memorialist^ would likewise Represent to your honor,
the absolute necessity of having another Justice appointed
in this place, and that it will be impossible to suppress the
present disorders; excepting there is one or more persons
appointed to that office.
Conscious of the deep wisdom of your honor, we most
humbly Submit our Case. Most humbly imploreing your
honor to take the premises into consideration, and grant
such Relief, as 3'our honor, in your Known great wisdom,
and impartiality. Shall deem most for the advancement of
Justice, and the preservation of peace, order and good Gov-
ernment
And as hi duty bound Shall Ever pray
Abier Spague
Joseph Libbee
Isaac Larrabee
Ezekiel Lil)bee
Joseph Sevey
James Dilbeney
Wooden Foster
Nath' Tinkler
Samuel Scott
Thomas Knight
Amos Boynton
James Shaw
William Corliss
Daniel Hill
Stephen Young
Samuel Rich
John Sinkler
Jacob Foster
Jolm Warren
Will How
Benf Getechel
.lapeth Shi then
David Longfellow
Nathan Longfellow
Ephraim Andrews
Stephen Jones
Stephen Parker
John Scott
Bunj'' Foster
Reuben Liljby
jhn Wooden Foster
John Revveys
Isaiah foster
Joseph Gctccln'l
William Albec
Machias Nov'""*'' 9^" 1770
116 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Petition of Henry Young Brown 1770
To His Honour Thomas Hutchinson Esq'' Lieu* Governour
Commander in chief in and over his Majestys Province of the
Massachusetts bay the Honourable his Majestys Council &
house of representatives Nov'' 13"' 1770
Humbly Sheweth Henry Young Brown
That your memorialist preferred a Petition to the General
Court which was considered last April praying for an allow-
ence for that part of his Township which he purchased of this
province that lies between Warrens & Bryants Lines and
claim'^ by New hampshire also for his Expencnces in laying
out his first Grant and other necessar}' Expences he has been
at in Consequence of orders from the General Court in Octo-
ber 1765 For which he hath not had an allowance
When the affair was under consideration it was thought
that he could avail himself of one hundred and Fifty pounds
out of what he had Rec* of the Settlers he Sold to. and they
be Quieted in their Lands under New hampshire. Since that,
five of them have Recovered against him Two hundred and
Seventy Eight pounds Exclusive of his own Expences which
is above one hundred Dollars, all which he hath been oblig'^
to pay. So that instead of having 160X he has paid Consid-
erable more than he Rec*^ of his Settlers.
What he Rec'^ out of the Treasury hath been Expended
and accounted for to the acceptance of the Court and hath no
reference to what he asks allowence for, that Expence being
founded on an order of June 1766 which directed him to
prosecute and defend actions with those claiming under New
hampshire —
The land he was ordered to lay out in Lieu of his former
Grant is not half so Good as his first Grant — Which first
Grant the General Court ordered him to keep possession of
and to Go on in his Improvements and Settlements and if he
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 117
should meet with any difficualty he Should be Releiv'^ this
order pased after the matter had been Enquired into by a
Committee Sent to View and Examine the foundation of the
dispute which order prevented him from Secureing his Set-
tlers under New harapshire which he could have done to
great advantage ;
Your memorialist humbly Conceives this court will not
suffer him to be so Great a Looser by the dispute as is now
Evident he must be if he Dont have further Relief
therefore he humbly prays your honour and honours would
Reassume the Consideration of his former petition and grant
him Such further Relief as you in Your Great wisdom Shall
think proper as in duty Bound Shall Ever pray
Henry Young Brown
Trade with Indians. 1770.
In the House of Representatives Nov. 16, 1770.
Resolved that the Commissary General be & hereby is
duected to hire a suitable house at Passamiquaddy for the
purpose of Carrying on A Trade with the Indians there.
Sent up for Concurrence T Gushing Speaker
In Council Nov' 17^'' 1770 — Read & Nonconcurd
Jn° Cotton D. Secry
Petition of Pondstown. 1770.
l'ioviiic(; of the Massachusetts Bay
To his Excellency Thomas Hutcliinsoii Esc^'' (Jovenioi' mid
Commander in Chief the Hon'''" his Majcstys Council
and Honorable TIou8(! of Representatives of the j)rovince
aforesaid in General Court Assembled at —
118 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
The petition of the Inhabitants of a plantation called
Pondstown, Humbly Sheweth, That we the Subscribers
inhabitants of s** pondstown on the west side of Kennebeck
River within the plymouth purchase might enjoy the Bless-
ings of the Gospel and good Government amongst our selves,
and be inabled to settle a Minister & School. We therefore
most Humbly pray your Excels and Honors to incorporate us
into a Town with all the priviledges, & Immunitys, with
other towns within this province have, by the Name of
as your Exc^ & Hon""* shall think
proper by the following butts and bounds Viz* begining on
the west side of Cobbiseconte great pond at the Easterly end
of Lott N° One, from thence to run a West North West
course five miles from thence to run a North North East
course about seven Miles from thence to run an East South
East _ seven miles or untill it Meets the Westerly line of the
township N° One, — being five Miles from Kennebeck river
& from thence to run Southerly untill it meet with the North
Easterly end of Cobbiseconte Great pond, from thence to run
Westerly on the northly end of s'^ pond to the West side
thereof — then to run Southerly on the Westerly side of s''
pond to the first mentioned bounds, as appears by plan
annexd — As this Country is at present but little cultivated
it will oblige us to be at a great Expence in clearing roads &
to build a House for the publick Worship of God, a Minis-
terial house as well as a School & settling & supporting the
Gospel, and many other charges will Naturly arise in a new
Country and being poor in general, therefore we most Hum-
bly Pray your Exc^ and Honours to Exempt us from paying
province taxes for ten years to come and otherwise relive
your petitioners as in Duty Bound shall ever pray
Kennebeck December 1770
John Chandler James Bishup Jonathan Emery
James Pullen Ichabod "How John Blunt
OP THE STATE OF MAINE
119
Amos Stevens Seth Delano
Benjamin Fairbanks Joseph Stevens
Stephen Pullen Joseph Brown
James Craigg
Moses Ayer
Elihu Smith
Joseph Grele
Nathan^' Emiy
Robert Waugh
Joseph Chandler
Moses Grele
Wright Brown
Samuel frost
John Chandler Juner
Samuel Stevens
Richard Humphrey
Gideon Lambert
Joseph Davenport
Arther Dun
Act relative to York Bridge. 1771.
Anno Regni Regis Georgii Tertii undecimo
An Act to Enable the Proprietors of the great Bridge over
York River in the first Parish in said Town to take Toll for
the repair & amendment thereof.
Preamble.
Whereas the great Bridge over York River in the first
Parish in said ToAvn built in the year one thousand seven
hundred Sixty one, appears to be of general use and public
utility, and whereas the proprietors of the said Bridge have
represented that the same is now in great want of repair and
Amendment, and will very soon without it become useless,
and have petitioned this Court for liberty to take a reason-
able Toll of such persons as may have Occasion to pass and
repass the said Bridge for the repair and Amendment thereof.
Be it therefore Enacted by the Governour, Councill and
House of Representatives, That the said Proprietors shall, &
hereby are Authorized and impowered to demand and receive
the several Rates & fees hereafter expressed, which every
passenger is requiied to pay before they have liberty to pass
viz. For every footman who shall pass the said liridge two
thirds of a penny for every I\I;iii und lloise two ])eiic(', for
120 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
every two Wheel chaize, chair or Sleigh & Horse with the
Travellers therewith the sum of Four pence for every four
Wheel carriage including the Passengers six pence for every
Man with Team Cart or Sled the Sum of four Pence, for all
horse kine or neat cattle two Thirds of a Penny, for Sheep or
Swine four Pence a Dozen and so in proportion for a greater
or lesser Number.
And Be it further enacted that the said Proprietors be and
hereby are impowered to appoint some suitable Person to
receive said Toll from Time to Time as there shall be Occa-
sion, who shall be approved of by the Court of General Ses-
sions of the Peace for the County of York, & who shall give
such Security as the said Court shall from Time to Time
order and direct : and the Person so appointed and approved,
as aforesaid, shall faithfully & diligently attend upon his
duty, and at all Times between the Hours of five in the
morning & Nine in the evening be ready to admit any Per-
son to pass the said Bridge upon the penalty of Twenty Shill-
ings for any neglect and in case he shall not be present to
admit passengers to pass the Bridge between the Hours of
Nine in the evening & five in the mornincf he shall leave the
passage free and open. And the person so appointed and
Approved as aforesaid, shall from Time to Time as often as
the said Proprietors shall Order & direct exhibet an Account
of the moneys he shall recieve as aforesaid, on Oath if
required, to the said Proprietors or their Treasurer, duly by
them appointed, and shall pay the said Sum to him or them
Accordingly, to be Applyed by the said Proprietors for the
repair & amendment of said Bridge, as they or the major part
of them shall Order and direct.
And be it further enacted that the passage of said Bridge
shall be kept open and free for all Persons travelling to or
from public worship on Lords Days — for the Inhabitants of
the Town of York going to or from Public meetings of the
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 121
Town or Parish Post riders ministers of the Gospel 1 on all
Occasions, Constables and collectors of Taxes & all other
officers of the said Town and Parish, while doing the Town
or Parish business & members of the general Court going to
or returning from the same.
And be it further enacted that no fee or reward shall be
demanded or taken for drawing up and Opening the Bridge
for the passing and repassing of Vessells, and the same shall
be made and kept as convenient as may be for that purpose,
as hath always been heretofore Accustomed.
And be it further Enacted that if the keeper of said
Bridge shall at any Time demand or receive a greater Toll
that what is allowed by this Act, he shall for every such
offence be subject to the penalty of Twenty Shillings. And
the said Proprietors shall keep, and exhibit to this Court
under Oath when required an account of the Sums taken &
Receiv'd for Toll as well as an Account of the Sums Advanced
for the repair and Amendment of the said Bridge.
And all fines and forfeitures arising by this Act shall be
one moiety to him or them that shall sue for the same, and
the other moiety to his Majesty to and for the use of the
Province
This Act to be in force for the space of Seven years from
the Publication thereof and no longer.
In the House of Representatives
April 10 1771 Read the first time
April 12 1771 Read a Second time
Api- 13 1771 Read the third time & passd to be engross''
Sent up for Concurrence T Cushing Spk'
In Council Ap' 15^" 1771 Read a first time Ki'" Read a
second time & passed a Concurrence to be Engrossed
Tho" Flucker Sec^"
122 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Act of Incorporation 1771
Anno Regni Regis Georgii Tertii Undecimo —
An Act for incorporating a Certain Tract of land in the
County of Lincoln into a Township by the Name of
Whereas the Inhabitants of a certain Tract of Land lying
on the East and West sides of Kennebeck River in the
County of Lincoln are desirous of enjoying the Priviledges
that will arise to them by being incorporated into a Town-
ship
Be it enacted by the Governor, Council and House of Rep-
resentatives, That the Tract of Land aforesaid butted and
bounded as follows viz'' beginning on the East side of Kenne-
beck River on the North line of lott Number Fifty and run-
ning from Kennebeck River on said line an East South East
course five miles ( being bounded thus far by the Town of
from thence to run Northerly about Eight
miles more or less, on such a course as to meet the East end
of a line running five Miles East South East from Kennebeck
River along the Southerly side of lott Number One hundred
and two, fronting on said Kennebeck River, from thence to
run West North West on the last mentioned line to Kenne-
beck River, and to run on the same course across the said
river to the end of five Miles on the West side thereof, from
thence to run Southerly to the North Westerly corner of the
Town of aforesaid, from thence to run East
South East five Miles on the Northerly side of said Town to
Kennebeck River, and over said River to the first mentioned
bounds ; be and hereby is erected into a Town by the Name
of And that the Inhabitants thereof be and
hereby are invested with all the Powers, Privileges and
Immunities which the Inhabitants of any of the Towns within
this Province respectively do, or by Law ought to Enjoy.
And be it further enacted that James Howard Esq"^ be,
and he hereby is impowered to issue his Warrant directed to
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 123
some principal Inhabitant of said Town requiring him to
notify and warn the Inhabitants in said Town qualified by
Law to vote in Town affairs, to meet at such Time and place
as shall be therein set forth, to choose all such Officers as
shall be necessary to manage the Affairs of said Town.
And be it further enacted. That the Freeholders of the
said Town shall be, And hereby are empowered at their first
Meeting to proceed to bring in their Votes for a Register of
Deeds and also for a Treasurer for the s** County of Lincoln
qualified according to Law. And the Votes for such Regis-
ter and Treasurer sliall be at the same time Sealed up by a
Constable of said Town who ma}^ then be chosen and sworn,
and by him returned unto the Court of General Sessions of
the Peace to be liolden in June next at Pownalborougli for
said County, in the same manner as by law in like cases is
provided for other Towns within this Province : which Court
is hereby Authorized and required to receive the said Votes :
which Votes with the Votes of the other Towns of said
County shall be opened, Sorted and Counted as the Law
directs, for the determining the choice of such Register and
Treasurer, And such Choice shall be to all intents and pui-
poses Valid and effectual in Law —
And be it further enacted That if by reason of Sickness or
any other means the said James Howard Esq"" shall be pre-
vented from performing the Business (or any part thereof)
to which lie is appointed by this Act, then in tliat case
William Cushing Esq'' shall be and hereby is impowered to
transact the whole or any part of said Business as fully and
effectually as the said Ja« Howard Esq'' is by tlie several
clauses of this Act empowered to Transact the same.
In Council April 23, 1771 Read a first Time 21 Read a
second Time & passed to be Eiigiossed
S(;nt down for Concurrence TIio" Fliickcr Scc^
124 DOCUMENTARY HISTOliY
In the House of Representatives Ap. 24, 1771
Read a first Second & third time & passed a Concurrence
to be Engrossed
T Gushing Spk''
Act of Incorporation 1771.
Anno, Regni, Regis, Georgii, Tertii, Undecinio
An Act for Incorporating a certain Tract of Land in the
County of Lincoln into a Town by the Name of
Whereas the Inhabitants of a certain Tract of Land lying
on the East and West side of Kennebec River in the County
of Lincoln are desirous of enjoying the privileges that will
arise to them by being Incorporated into a Town.
Be it therefore Enacted by the Governor, Council and
House of Representatives That the Tract of Land aforesaid
butted & bounded as follows viz* begining on the East side
of Kennebec River at the South line of a hundred Acre lot
number one hundred & two, and on the north line of the
Town of and running an East South East
03 course five Miles bounded thus far on said Town, from thence
p to run north-easterly about six miles on such a course as to
meet the East end of the North line of a Tract of Land
granted to John Winslow Esq"^ and others (which end is five
miles distant from Kennebec River on an E S E Course) from
thence to run West northwest on the last mentioned line five
miles to Kennebec River, and to run the same course across
the said River to the end of five miles on the West side of
the said River ; from thence to run Southwesterly about six
miles to the Northwesterly corner of the Town of
aforesaid, from thence to run an East Southeast course on
said Town to Kennebec River and over the said River to the
first mentioned bounds; be and hereby is erected into a
OF THE STATE OF JMAESTE 125
To\sTi by the Name of ; and that the Inhab-
itants thereof be and hereby are invested with all the powers,
privileges and immunities which the Inhabitants of the Towns
within this Province respectively do or by Law ought to
enjoy.
And be it further Enacted That James Howard Esq"^ be
and he hereby is inipowered to issue his Warrant directed to
some principal Inhabitant in said Town requiring hira to
notify and warn the Inhabitants thereof, qualified by Law to
vote in Town affairs, to meet at such time and place as sliall
be therein set forth, to choose all such Officers as shall be
necessary to manage the affairs of said Town —
And be it further Enacted Tliat the Freeholders of the
said Town shall be & hereby are inipowered at their s*^ first
Meeting to bring in their Votes for the choice of a Register
of Deeds for the County of Lincoln, also for a Treasurer for
said County qualified according to Law ; and the Votes for
such Register & Treasurer shall at the same time by a Con-
stable who may be then Chosen & sworn be Sealed up and
by him returned unto the Court of General Sessions of the
peace to be holden in June next at Pownalborough for the
said County in like manner as is provided by law in like
cases for other Towns within this Province which Court is
hereby authorized & required to receive the said Votes, which
with the Votes of the other Towns of said County shall be
opened, sorted & counted as the Law directs, for tlie deteiiiiin-
ing the choice of such Register & Treasurer, such choice shall
be to all intents and purposes valid & effectual in Law.
And 1)0 it further Enacted That if l)y reason of Sickness
or any other means the said James I low aid Esci"" sliall \)v.
picvciitcd Iroiii |iciT(>riiiiiig th(! business, or any part iherooi,
to wliicli he is appointed by this Act, tlieii and in that case
Williuiii (!iisliing Esq"" shall 1k^ vSo hciu'l)}- is inipowered to
transact the whole or any pari of siidi business as fully ant!
126 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
effectually as the said James Howard Esq"" is by the several
clauses of this Act irapowered to transact the same
In the House of Representatives
April 13 1771 read a first time
23 1771 read a second time
24 1771 read a third time & passed to be Engrossed
Sent up for Concurrence T Gushing Spk""
In Council April 24. 1771 Read a first Time & a second
Time & passed a Concurrence To be Engrossed
Tho« Flucker Sec-^^
Begining on the East side of Kennebeck River at an Hem-
lock Tree standing on the Bank of s*^ River, & one rod West
North west of a large Rock & two miles & half a mile on a
north North East Course from Fort Hallifax, & from said
Fort to run East south East five miles to a Beach Tree mark'd
thence to run South south west five miles & one hundred &
seventy eight Poles, thence West North West to the North
East Corner of the Town of thence on the
Northerly Line of said Town West North West five miles to
Kennebeck river, thence to run across s'^ River the same
Course to the end of five miles on the West side of said
River, butting thus far on the same Northerly Line of the s'^
Town of thence Northerly on such a Course
so far as to meet the west end of a Line running from the
Hemlock Tree abovementioned West North West five miles
from Kennebeck River, thence to run East south East on the
last mentioned Line five miles to s'* Kennebeck River thence
across s* River to the Hemlock Tree afores*^ the first men-
tioned Bound.
Act of Incorporation. 1771
Anno Regni Regis Georgii Tertii Undecimo
An Act for Incorporating a Certain Tract of Land called
OF THE MAINE OF STATE 127
Pond Town in the County of Lincoln into a Town by tlie
Name of
Whereas the Inhabitants of a certain Tract of Land called
Pond Town lying on the West side of Kennebeck river in y**
County of Lincoln are desirous of enjoying y** Privileges that
will arise to them by being incorporated into a Town
Be it enacted by y® Gov'' Council & House of Representa-
tives, that y® Tract of land aforesaid, butted & bounded as
follows viz : Beginning on y® West side of Cobbeseconte great
Pond at the easterly End of the Southerly Line of a two
hundred Acre Lot Number One, from thence to run a West
North West Course five Miles ; from thence to run a North
North East Course about nine miles, till it meets a Line run-
ing West North West from the North West Corner of the
Town of , from thence to run East South East
on the last mentioned Line Seven miles more or less, to the
Northwest Corner of the said Town ; and from thence to run
Southerly on the Westerly Line of the said Town ; as far as
the Northerly End of Cobbiseconte great Pond ; from thence
to run Westerly on the northerly End of said Pond to the
West Side thereof, then to run Southerly on the Westerly
Side of said Pond to tlie first mentioned Boundary, including
also the said Pond as far South as the said Boundary ; be
and hereby is erected into a Township by the Name of
and that the Inhabitants thereof be and hereby are invested
with all tlie Powers Privileges and Iinuiunitics which Ihe
Inhabitants of any of the Towns within this Province do or
by J^aw ought to enjoy.
And be it further enacted. That Ja** Howard Ivscj' he, atid
hereby is empowered to issue his Warrant diiccted to soin(!
|»iiuci[)al Inhabitant in said 'l'ownshi]i ii'(| iiii'ing him lo notily
and warn the Iidiabitants in said Township, <iualili('d by Law
to vote in 'IVnvn Affuii's, to meet at such Tiiim and IMace, as
128 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
shall be therein set forth, to chuse all such Officers as shall
be necessary to manage the Affairs of the said Township.
And be it further enacted, That the Freeholders of the said
Town shall be, and are hereb}^ empowered, at their first Meet-
ing to proceed to bring in their Votes for a Register of Deeds,
and also for a Treasurer, for the said County of Lincoln qual-
ified according to Law ; and the Votes for such Register and
Treasurer shall be at the same Time sealed up hy a Consta-
ble of said Town who may then be chosen and sworn, and by
him returned unto the Court of General Sessions of the Peace
holden in June next at Pownallborough for the said County
in the same Manner as is provided by Law in like Cases for
other Towns within this Province ; which Court is hereby
authorized and required to receive the said Votes ; which
Votes with the Votes of the other Towns of said County
shall be opened, sorted and counted, as the Law directs, for
the determining the Choice of such Register and Treasurer
And such Choice shall be to all Intents and Purposes valid
and effectual in Law.
And be it further enacted, That if by Reason of Sickness,
or any other Means the said Ja* Howard Esq"^ shall be pre-
vented from performing the Business (or any Part thereof)
to which he is appointed by this Act, then in that case
William Cushing Esq"" shall be and hereby is empowered to
transact the whole or any Part of said Business as fully and
effectually as the said Ja* HoM^ard Esq'' is by the several
Clauses of this Act empowered to transact the same.
[ The wild lands along the Kennebec began about this time to attrat-t
attention. There was a rapidly growing interest at this time in the
incorporation of towns along the Kennebec river, and several were
incorporated as here shown, four at this session of the General Court,
namely, Winthrop, named for Governor Winthrop ; Vassalboro, for
William Vassal, one of the Assistants of Massachusetts ; Winslow, for
General John Winslow ; and Hallowell, for the well known Ilallowell
family. The names were left by the General Court to be supplied by
the inhabitants.]
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 129
In Council April 23, 1771. Read a first Time y« 24.
Read a second Time & Passed to be Engrossed
Sent down for Concurrence Tho^ Flucker Sec^^^
In the House of Representatives Ap. 2-4. 1771
Read a first a second and a third time & passed a Con-
currence to be Engrossed
T Cushing Spk-"
Petition in behalf of Q-eorge Town. 1771.
To His Excellency Thomas Hutchinson Esq" Captain Gen-
eral & Comander in Chief in & over his Majesties province of
Massachusetts Bay — The Honorable the Council & House
of Representatives in General Court assembled May 29 1771
The Petition of James M'^Cobb in Behalf of the Town of
George Towai humbly shews
That said Town was fined in the Sum of Ten pounds for
not returning a representative to the General Assembly the
last year
Your Petitioner prays this Hon''' Court that said fine may
be remitted, & Ijegs leave to offer the following Reasons
The said Town being at the distance of one hundred «&
Eighty miles from Boston, it has been seldom that the Select-
men could have a Precept in Season : and particularly the
last year tlie precept came so late that a Meeting of the Town
could not be had, till tlie very day before the Election of
Counccllors, whereby it became impossible for the Town to
return a Meml)er timely enough for them to enjoy their full
Share of tlie Riglit & Privilege of Representation
But fnitlicr your Petitioner would liumMy rcincsciit, that
llic Inhabitants of said Town were; in very (Hstrcssiiig Cir-
(•miistances occasioned l)y the Destruction of tlieir Grass &
Corn by Worms, many Persons having thereby lost four fifths
130 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
of their Crops, & in Consequence a great part of their stock
of Cattle in the Spring by which means they were greatly
impoverish'^
Wherefore your Petitioner prays your Excellency & Honors
to take the Case of said To^vn into your compassionate Con-
sideration and afford them Releif And as in duty bound
shall ever pray
James M^Cobb
In the House of Representatives June 11 1771
Resolved that the prayer of this pef* be granted & that
there be allow*^ & paid out of the publick Treasury the sum
of Ten pounds into the Hands of James M'^Cobb Esq"^ for the
Use of the said Town of George Town accordingly
Sent up for Concurrence Tho Cushing Spk''
In Council June 18*^ 1771 Read & Concurred
Tho« Flucker Sec^
Consented to T Hutchinson
Extract from Speech. May 30, 1771.
Gentlemen of the Council and Gentlemen of the House of
Representatives
" It is with pleasure that I now inform you that the account
which I thought my self warranted to transmit to England,
the last Fall of the general disposition in the people of the
Province to promote Order and a due submission to Govern-
ment gave the greatest satisfaction to His Majesty, who has
notliing more at heart than to see his Subjects in a State of
happiness Peace and Prosperity. By making these the great
Objects of my Administration I shall advance the real Inter-
est of the Province and at the same time do that duty to the
King which he requires of me.
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 131
The common inferior business of the Province necessary to
be acted upon at this Session I need not particularly point
out to 3^ou. The state and circumstances of that part of the
Province which lies to the East and North of Penobscot
River, where settlements are every day making by persons
who have no colour of Title, I am required by the King to
recommend to your serious consideration. I think the peo-
ple deceive themselves with a groundless expectation of
acquiring a Title by force of possession. I know that His
Majesty is displeased with such proceedings and I have rea-
son to apprehend that a longer neglect of effectual measures,
on OLir part, to prevent any further Intrusions and to remove
those already made will occasion the interposition of Parlia-
ment to maintain and preserve the possession of this Coimtry
or District for the sake of His Majesty's Timber with which
it is said to abound. I recomended this important business
to the Assembly of the last year at their Session in Septem-
ber. The Council thought it necessary then to be acted upon,
but the House referred it to the next Session and then let it
drop without further notice."
T Hutchinson
Council Chamber Cambridge 30 May 1771.
Report on Petition of S. Livermore ^ others 1771
The Committee to wiiom was referd tlie Petition of Sumiu'l
Livermore Esq'' and others have enquired into tlic Fads
therein set Forth and Judge tliem to be True and thcretoie
of Opinion that the following Resolve pass
In the House of Representatives June: 11 : 1771
Resolved, tliat the prayer of tliis Petition be granted and
that there be (J ran ted to tlie Petitioners and to the Assigns
or Legal Representatives of the Original (Jrantees in the said
132 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Petition mentioned their Heirs and Assigns a Territory of the
Contents of Six Miles and three Quarters Square in some of
the unappropriated Lands in the Province of Main to the
Eastward of Saco-River adjoining to some former Grant to
satisfie the Grant of a Township therein Mentioned Avhich
they Lost by the running of the Line Between this Province
and the Province of New Hampshire and that the Petitioners
at the Cost of themselves and their Associates Cause the
same to be Laid out by a Skilful Surveyor and Chainmen
under Oath and return a Plan of the same to this Court for
their Acceptance within Twelve Months and the said Grantees
shall hold the same to themselves their Heirs and Assigns
forever upon the following Conditions, viz* that the Grantees
within Seven Years Settle Sixty Families in said Township,
Build a House for the Public Worship of God and Settle a
Learned Protestant Minister and lay out one 64'*^ part for
the first Settled Minister, one 64"' part for the Ministry One
64*^'' part for the use of a School and one 64"' part for the use
of Harvard College forever —
Sent up for Concurrence T Gushing Spk"^
Li Council June 11"' 1771 Read & Concurred
Tho^ Flucker Sec^
Consented to T Hutchinson
Message. June 10, 1771.
Gentlemen of the House of Representatives
There is only one part of your Message presented to me
yesterday which I think it necessary, at present, to make any
Observations upon.
In my Speech to the two Houses at opening the Session I
expressed my Opinion of the necessity of effectual measures
to prevent any farther Intrusions upon the Eastern parts of
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 133
the Province and to remove such as have been ah-eady made.
The Council in a very obHging Address or Answer decLare
their ^vilhngness to do every thing they can in conjunction
with the other Branches of the Legislature to convince the
Intruders that they are under a mistake if they expect to
acquire Title by force of their Possession.
You tell me that I am sensible some of these Settlements
are in consequence of Grants made by the General Assembly
of this Province agreeable to the Royal Charter and if any
settlements are made there witliout any colour of Title you
apprehend that the penalty provided by Charter and the
appointment of Surveyors is sufficient to prevent Trespasses
on the King's Woods and that there is no necessity, at pres-
ent of the Interposition of this or any other Legislature for
that purpose.
The words in the Charter are " that no Grant of any Lands
lying &c^ shall be of any force valithty or effect until We our
Heirs and Successors shall have signified our or their Appro-
bation of the same." Now a Grant cannot give a colour of
Title without having some force vahchty or effect. It is
immaterial whether the Settlements are with or without Grants
from the Court. In either case the Settlers are alike Intruders
for none have the Royal approbation. I know what the Pen-
alties are in the Charter and in divers Acts of Parliament for
Trespasses made upon the King's Woods. I have not asked
you to join with me in more effectual measures for punishing
such Trespasses. I desired your assistance in removing such
persons as have already intruded and in preventing all otliers
from intruding upon tlie Lands, for by means of such Intru-
sions Trespasses are easily committed without any great
danger of discovery let the Surveyors be ever so vigihmt &
attentive to their duty.
You have avoided a direct Answer and I have ikj encour-
agement that you will join in removing the IntriMh.'rs with or
134 DOCUMEl^TARY HISTORY
without what you call Grants or in discouraging others from
making further Intrusions. I am bound to explain to you
my Intention in my Speech to repeat my recommendation
and my apprehensions of the consequences of your neglect,
that I may never be charged with having failed giving you
that warning which I ought to have done
T Hutchinson
Boston 19 June 1771
Committee appointed. 1771
In Council June 21* 1771
Ordered that W™ Brattle James Bowdoin & James Otis
Esq^^ with such as the hon^® house shall Join be a Committee
to Consider the Circumstanes of those people who are Settled
on Lands In the County of Lincoln to the Eastward of Penob-
scot River under Grants from this Court, and Report what
they shall Judge propper to be done Respecting them
Sent down for Concurrence Tho^ Flucker Sec^
In the House of Representatives June 21 1771 Read &
Nonconcurred
T Gushing Spk-^
In the House of Representatives June 22 1771
Reconsidered & Concurred & IVP Speaker M"^ Fisk JVP Otis
& Coll Worthinton are joynd
T Gushing Spk""
The Com*^® of both Houses appointed by the Order annexed
having Considered the Affair in the said Order mentioned
beg leave to report y® following draft of a Letter of Instruc-
tions to their respective Agents in London, to be sent to them
in y® name and behalf of the Two Houses respectively : which
is humljly submitted
W" Brattle by order
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 135
In Council July 1^^ 1771 :
Read & accepted as taken into a new Draft
Sent up for Concurrence Jn° Cotton D. Secry
In the House of Representatives July 1. 1771
Read & Concurred T Gushing Spk''
Act of Incorporation 1771.
Anno Regni Regis Georgii Tertii Undecimo.
An Act for Erecting the New Plantation called Narragan-
set N" One in the County of York into a Town by the Name
of
Whereas the Plantition called Narraganset N° One in the
County of York into a Town will greatly Contribute to the
Growth thereof and remedy many inconveniences to wliich
the Inhabitants ik, proprietors thereof may be otherwise
Subjected
Be it enacted by the Gover'' Council and House of Repre-
sentatives that the Plantition Called Narraganset N° One in
the County of York — Bounded as foUoweth ( to wit ) South-
westerly on Saco River Southeasterly on Pepper ellborough
and Scarborough Northeasterly on Gorham Nortliwesterly on
Peircentown So Called, be and hereby is Erected into a Town
by the Name of [ Buxton * ] and that the Inhabitants
thereof be and hereby are invested with all the Powers, priv-
iledges & immunities which the To\\ns within this i)rovince
do injoy.
And be it further Enacted that Rushwoilli Jordan Esc]"
Be and hereby is iiiipowered & Directed to Issue his wiuiant
directed to some principal Inhabitant in s'" Town, re(iuiriiig
him to warn the Inhabitants of the s'' Town who are Free-
holders to meet at such time & place as shall bo thcircin set
♦ So named for Buxton on lUver Wye, England.
136 DOCUMENTARY HISTOKY
forth who at said first meeting sliall be empowered to Chuse
all such ofiicers as are or shall be required by Law to manage
the affairs of s*^ Town and they are further impowered when
so assembled to chuse a moderator to regulate s'' Meeting.
In the House of Representatives June 24, 1771
Read a first time
June 27 Read a second time
June 27 177_ Read a Third time & passed to be Engrossed
Sent up for Concurrence T Cushing Spk''
Resolve.
In the House of Representatives June 27^'' 1771
One plan of the Township of Land Taken by Nath" Dwight
Sarveyer in the favour of William Bullock Esq"" & others
Containing within s*^ Plan Twenty three thousand & forty
acers of Land which is agreable to the order of the Gene^
Court : Resolved that the Tract of Land afores*^ be & Remain
to said proprietors & there Heires & assigns uppon there ful-
filing the Condit^ hereafter mentioned viz Said Proprietors to
Settle the Tract of Land afores*^, with fifty famihes & Errect
& build fifty Dwelling houses thereon none Less than Eigh-
teen feet Squair & Seven feet Stud & Clear & Cultivate
Seven acres of Land on Eaich Right or Share fit for Tillage
& Mowing within Seven yeares from the Date hereof & within
s'* Time builde a Sutable Meeting House for the pubhck wor-
ship of God : & Settle a Lerned protestant Minister & make
Suteable provision for his Comfortable Support : & allso Avithin
s** Township there be reserved & appropriated one Sixty third
part thereof to the first Settled or ordained minister his heires
& assigns for Ever & one Sixty third part thereof for the use
of the ministry & one Sixty third part for the use & Benefit
of a School for Ever & furthermore Said proprietors are to
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 137
agree with Such person or persons Now in tlie possession of
aney of the Lands within the bounds of the Townsliip afore-
said as shall be Estemated Just & Eaqutable : not Less than
one hundred acres to Each person thereon so as to Quiet
them in there possession thay allowing s'* Proprietors the
Value of the same as tho no Improvement had ben made
thereon ; & in Case the Grantees and Settlers shall not agree
upon the Value of s'' Lands it shall be Determined by a Com-
mittee of this Court & if the Grantees or proprietors of s*^
Tract of Land should faile or neglect within s'' Seven yeares
of Complying with the Conditions afores** thay shall forfeit
there Right to said Tract of Land, which in that Case shall
revert to the province
Sent up for Concurrence T Cushing Spk'
In Council June 28^'' 1771 Read and Concurred
Jn° Cotton D. Secry
Consented to T Hutchinson
Report of Commissioners on Machias Sept^ 12"'- 1771.
Pursuant to your Excellency's Instructions, you will per-
mit us to make the following Remarks —
1^* The quality of the Land at Machias is very good,
capable of making extraordinary Farms, from the prixhice
whereof the Grantees may live very comfoitably and have a
surplusage for market, and considering tlie great improve-
ments in so short a time which they have made We believe
that will soon be the case, provided tliey meet witli no
obstructions.
2ndiy ^Yq eannot by our view whi(;h was very consider-
able or by the best information we could get, fmd that tho
Pine 'J'rees growing there are capabh; of making masts for
138 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
his Majesty's Royal Navy, they being what is called Saplings.
There is an extraordinary Harbour with several ways of
entrance into it and a number of Navigable Rivers within
the bounds of Machias. About four miles up the River
called Eastern River on one branch of it there is a very large
Pond which they call a Lake, about twelve miles in length
and three or four miles in wedth with a variety of Fish in it
as well as in the River aforesaid : the Rivers abounding with
Salmon and Salmon Trouts &c. of large dimensions. The
Rivers there all communicate with the main River which
empties itself into the Ocean. There are a considerable
number of Mills in said place, the people very notable, sober,
peaceable, and industrious, a few excepted, who tho' not so
peaceable are very industrious.
grdiy That there might be as much peace and good order
at Machias as in the other twelve granted Towns, we would
humbly offer it as our opinion that the authority which is
now there should be strengthned. This we believe would
be greatly for his Majesty's service and the honor of Govern-
ment. It was with great pleasure that we had an opportu-
nity of Swearing M"^ Sinkler an Inhabitant there into the
office of a Deputy Sheriff. That there should be such an
Officer there was absolutely necessary, especially as there
neither was nor could be a Constable in that place, it not
being Incorporated: but there being but one Goal in the
County wherein it lies & that Goal near 70 leagues distant
by water and for several months in the year inaccessible,
involves in it a thousand legal difficulties which might be
removed if there was a Goal at and in Fort Pownall,
where there is a convenient Room which would extremely
well answer that purpose and in no wise hurt the Garrison.
But this cannot be done with your Excellency's permission
which we doubt not will be granted, as it will be so much
for his Majesty's real service. And if we should be so
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 139
happy as to have your Excell^' view it in the same point of
light We persuade ourselves for the reason aforesaid that
you will be pleased to express your sentiments, — with your
permission to the Court of General Sessions of the peace at
Pownalborough that the same by them may be made a Goal
during the Governor's pleasure. — Machias is about 36
leagues from Fort Pownall and about 90 from Boston.
4tiiiy It was with pleasure and at the same time with
grief, we heard the good people at Machias express their
ardent desires that they might be in a legal capacity to main-
tain the preaching of the Gospel among them and that they
and their Children might be taught to fear God and honor
the King. That they are sincere in it we have abundant
reason to believe when we consider that whilst we were there
the Reverend Gentleman that went down with us preached
twice a day the two Sabbaths we were at Machias and one
Lecture to an audience consisting of about 150 or rather two
hundred persons and Baptized 13 Children. We are sure
your Excell^ feels for these people and for those in the
Towns abovementioned and will do every thing for them
touching the premises that possibly can be done, consistent
with your duty to his Majesty.
gthiy 'pj^g number of Males at Machias from sixteen &
upwards are about 150 and of Families upwards of Sixty.
gtuiy ^g to the quality of the Land at Gouldsboro' what
bounds upon the Harbour we thought not very extraordinary,
but we were informed that that was the worst of the Land ;
at Frenchmans Bay, part of Gouldsboro' where M"^ Justice
Nathan Jones lives, the Land is very good, but no Pines lit
for Masts grow there, being chiefly Saplings. Whilst we
were at Gouldsboro' Cap' Smith in a Ship from and belong-
ing to Bristol in England and bound there, was in the Har-
bour which is a mighty good one ( tho' dangerous to enter
witliout a good pilot, having some ledges of Rocks near the
140 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
entrance ) informed us that he had either lost a mast or
wanted a spare one, and that he could not get one in the
whole Township. The people in general we are informed
are honest, sober and peaceable. The Lands in the other
granted Townships bj what we saw of them and by what we
heard are good, very much improved for the time and very
much in the same situation with respect to Pine Trees fit for
his Majesty's Royal Navy as at Machias and Gouldsboro'.
The people in general are sober industrious, peaceable and
well affected to Government and make great Improvements
of the Lands granted them. This we had ocular demonstra-
tion of, when we came between the Islands and the main
from Mount Desart to Fort Pownall, which is about 20
leagues. We anchored on a Saturday (24 August) near
Naskeeg point within the Reach called Egamogging Reach
18 miles in length very strait and about a mile wide
extremely pleasant; good improvements in many places on
each side thereof; an Inhabitant having about 100 Cocks of
fine English Hay upon about five acres of Land as we
judged. This is in the Township N° four: We were
detained here by reason of a calm and the Tide against us
till Lords day noon ; the people ashore upon their knowing
there was an Ordained Minister on board, entreated that we
would go ashore and that the minister would perform Divine
Service amongst them and Baptise their Children, there not
having been a Sermon ever preached there. It gave us
great satisfaction to see such a disposition in them and that
providence had given us such an opportunity to oblige them.
We went ashore, divine Service was carried on and nine
Children baptised and one adult, tho' these people had only
one hours notice. We apprehend there are 500 Families at
least in the thirteen granted Townships. Notwithstanding
the Pine Trees afores*^ are generally of the Sapling kind, yet
as we are informed in the rear of said Townships there are
OF THE STATE OF INIAINE 141
some very fine Trees fit to Mast the Royal Navy, the Land
there being stronger and better, but without the clearing of
the Land in said granted Townships they cannot be trans-
ported to the Water side without very great expence. We
were at Mount Desart, the Land there is extremely good,
saving the mountains which are a Desart and from whence
IMonsieur Champlain gave it that name — We suppose
there was or might have been mowed there a thousand Tuns
of fine Salt hay this year, and a vast quantit}'^ of fresh and
English Grass. There are on it man}' stately Trees fit for
Royal Masts.
7"'^^' It is most certain that the people who have settled
and are settling in the 13 Townships have this intention to
make further Improvements and to spend their days there :
But that they went there only for the sake of the Timber
and when they have cut that off intend to quit the Lands is
without the least color of truth : for can it be conceived that
persons who have laid out their Money and strength upon
these Lands by clearing and making such profitable Improve-
ments thereon, so that in fact they now support themselves
and Families, should ever voluntarily quit the same, espec-
ially when a great number, perhaps far the greatest never Avas
concerned in logging, Masting, or a Saw Mill. This your
Excellency may depend upon as a fact ; and it is the opinion
of the most thinking amongst them and their practice is
accordingly that upon the whole and in the conclusion tliose
who aie least concerned in logging will be the Richest.
They gave us numbers of instances to support their senti-
ments by way of comparison and we nuist confess that we
were intirely of their mind.
yii'iy \\ry j(j ^^^Jl jjn,] that there haili been mucli if any spoil
or waste made on the Lands aforesaid by cutting Tiees fit for
Masts for llie Royal Navy and we are so far from apprehend-
ing that the settUng these Townships with Inhabitants can.
142 DOCUJrENTARY HISTORY
supposing there was a number of Trees fit for the Royal
Navy therein, have any tendency to destroy said Trees, that
we believe quite the contrary and for this plain reason, that
there is less hazard of detection in committing Trespasses
where there are no settled fixed Inhabitants than in a place
where there are numbers of such Inhabitants, many of whom
from a sense of duty or for a Reward would turn Informers
and we are from our own observations certain that there is
no Trading Maritime Town destitute of Informers, and the
reason of the thing holds equally good with respect to
Informers in the above case.
Lastly When we consider the description given by Mon-
sieur Champlain who we apprehend was the first European
that reconnoitred the Eastern shore and gave the River S'
Croix its name, we are convinced that the River S' Croix
mentioned in the Royal Charter can by no means be the
River Passamaquoda, but that the River Passamaquoda
being an Indian name was known thereby : When we con-
sider also that there is a living Witness ( whose Deposition
we '\Aash might be taken in perpetuam rei memoriam) who
will Swear that about Sixty years ago he used to trade at S'
Croix, that by the Indians he Traded with ( who were born
there & always lived there and by the oldest of them who
had it from their Fathers ) the River S' Croix aforesaid was
known by that name, and that S* Croix River was East of
Passamaquoda. When we consider these things and many
more we could mention it is plain to us that the River S*
Croix which we call by that name and which is East of Pas-
samaquoda is the true River S* Croix and the Eastern
boundary of this Province as mentioned in the Charter.
Notwithstanding which we are well informed that there are
Grants made by the Governor or Government of Nova Scotia
of Grand Manan, some of the Islands of Passamaquoda Bay
and of Land upon the main and settlements tliereon, all
OF THE MAINE OF STATE 143
West of St. Croix. And we are also informed that the same
Lands are very good.
The above Remarks are humbly submitted to your Excel-
lency by
William Brattle
James Bowdoin
Tho« Hubbard
Boston Septem^ 12'M7Yl
A true Copy
att'» Tho. Flucker Sec^
Memorial of Arthur Savage 1771.
To His Excellency Thomas Hutchinson Esq"" Governor of
The Province of The Massachusetts Bay.' &c t&c
Arthur Savage Comptroller of His Majestys Customs for
the Port of Falmouth, begs leave Humbly to represent to
Your Excellency
That on the Evening of the 12"^ Currant setting in my
House at Falmouth in company with my Nephew M'" William
Savage just before nine of the Clock, some person gave a
violent stroke at the door of the House of your Memorialist
upon which my Nepliew abovemention'' took a Candle, and
went to the door, and unbolted the same, Immediately on
which I heard a rushing in the Entry, and turning me head
towards tlie door of the Room, I see a number of disguised
persons cnti'ing the same. Upon which your Memorialist rose
and Spoke to them, and asked them their Business with Him,
and was answered by the peisons in disguise, that they had
come to know wlio was tlie lufoiiiier, and immediately seazed
me, I answered the persons in disguise That I could not lett
tliom know who the person was, They replyed with an Oath
Tliat I should tell, and forceably hauled me out of my
144 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
House, Upon which I told them they need not treat me 111,
as if I must go with them I would walk without hauling
me — being forced immediately into tlie Street, I desired my
Nephew beforementioned to call M'^ Benjamin Titcomb ( who
lives opposite to me ) Said Titcomb came into the Street,
and I lett him know " That I was forced out of my House
" by a number of persons armed with Clubs, and in disguise,
" and what they Intended against me I did not know, and
" desired the assistance of the said Titcomb "; Upon which
one of the disguised persons replyed, " We come to know
" who was the Informer and by God you must and shall tell,
upon which said Benj* Titcomb said, applying himself to
your Memorialist. — We want to know who the Informer is,
which we shall be glad to know — and left me, Immediately
on which I asked M'' William Savage beforement^ to keep by
me, The disguised Persons then violently pushing me, and
hauling me by my Arms down a lane leading towards the
River, M'' W"" Savage soon disapeared, and I was left in
their custody, without any person to assist me. Said disguised
persons hurreing me along the side of the River where no
House is, but at a considerable distance, and frequently stopt
and surrounded me, and with horrid Oathg and threatnings
demanded whether I would let them know the name of the
Informer. I still refused to satisfy them, and continued in
telling them it was contrary to my duty so to do, and
demanded of them wether I had in any way or manner
Injured any of them they the disguised persons replyed I
had not, but by the Almighty God I should tell them who
the Informer was, I repeatedly answered them to these
demands, that I would not lett them know who he was, lett
the Consequences be what they would. Upon which they
continued forcing me along to the extream parts of this
Town, and soon after a loud Yell was given and they sur-
rounded me, ( being upwards of twenty five persons ) and
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 145
with verry tlireatning expressions told me they where
armed, I answered I could not help it, upon which the per-
son who appeared their leader presented a Pistle towards
me, and told me " That by the living God I now must lett
them know, or take the consequence, and at the same Time
three or four others by me shew their Pistles — upon which
I lett them know what I was acquainted with respecting the
matter, which they obliged me twice at the place to Swear
to, and immediately turned, and brought me up the lane
w'' they had carried me down, and stopped at the door of the
House of Benj* Titcomb beforemention'\ where they the
disguised persons asked for Liquor, and obliged me there to
swear to what I had before done — Upon which upon men-
tioning my Swearing That if I knew any of them I would
not make a discovery — They the disguised persons in the
most Solemn manner, called God to wittness " That if I knew
" any of them and should discover them, they would destroy
"me, or words conveying that meaning — they then fired
two or three Pistles in the Air, and left me in the Street
opposite to my House, after being in their custody near One
Hour.
Your memorialist would further Acquaint Your Excellency
tliat the next day being the 13*^ in Company with the Col-
lector, and deputy collector he waited on tlie Justices of the
Inferior Court, then sitting at Falmouth, and made known to
them perticularly the circumstances before related. Who
remarked that it was a high handed Riott — bore Testimony
against it, and told me all they could do was to Issue
Warrants in case any of the persons where known. Your
memorialist answered that he could not say who tlie persons
where.
On Thursday 14^'' INP William Savage beforemenf* having
committed to writing wliat he knew respecting the Riott
Afoieiiient'', was desirous ( at the request of your memorial-
10
146 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
ist ) to make Oath to the same — I attended him to the
House where the Justices of the Inferior Court where Set-
ting, and taking Enock Freeman Esq one of said Justices
into another Room the said writing was offered to said Free-
man with the desire of the said W"" that he might be
admitted to make Oath to the same which the said Enock
refused to administer — I then called out another of the said
Justices, and after sending for the beforemenf^ Benjamin
Titcomb, and reading the said writing to him (the words
aledged to be spoken by him he having admitted to be True )
the said Justice declined administering an Oath, and was of
Opinion It was proper to lay it before the Court — Soon
after which on the same day Your Memorialist with Francis
Waldo Esq"" Collector of said Port, William Tyng Esq''
Sherrif of the County of Cumberland, and M"^ W™ Savage
beforement**, applied to The Justices of the Inferior Court
then setting, and presented the said writing, and prayed that
the said William might be admitted to make Oath to the
Same, which said Justices after a debate on the matter for
an Hour or more Voted that he should not be admitted to
make Oath to the same three of which Justices voting
directly agamst an Admission, and two of them where of
Opinion that if it could be admitted it must be with M*^
Benjamin Titcomb beforement*^ Oath to his deposition on the
Same paper, and to be used together. And as Your mem-
orialist had the greatest Reason to think his life in danger,
and as he could not receive the desired support from the
Justices of the County, he tho* it his duty ( after deputiseiug
a Sutable person to act for him in the Custom House) to
repair to Boston and pray the protection of Your Excellency.
He therefore Humbly prays That Your Excellency would
be pleased to consider the distressed situation of Your
Memorialist, his Wife, and familj-, who he has been obliged
to leave at Falmouth, and that your Excellency will be
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 147
pleased to grant him such Relief as in your Wisdom you may
judge the nature of his case calls for, And as in duty bound
shall ever pray &c.
A Savage
Boston November 27'^: 1771.
M'' Savage attending the Governor & Council further
saith that he Certainly knew Jonathan Armstrong &
Stone Masters of Vessels Living in Falmouth to be of the
Company Mentioned In this Memorial, and that he verily
Believes Thomas Sanford a Master of a Vessell was the per-
son who presented the Pistol to his Breast — and that the
reason Assigned by One of the Justices of the Sessions for
not Admitting his Nephew William Savage to his Oath was,
because the deposition Might possably be sent To the Com-
missioners at Boston and by them be sent to England the
Consequence whereof Might be fatal to the Town — he
further said that Collonel Powell & M"" Bradbury two of the
Justices said that If M'' W" Savage was Admitted to his
Oath, that M'' Benj^ Titcomb should Likewise that they
might appear Together
A Savage
November 27^'' 1771. Sworn to before the Governor &
(Council
Attest Tho« Flueker Sec/
Proceedings of the Cou7icil Regarding the Riot at Falmouth.
At a Coun(dl held at the Council C/liamber, in l>oston,
Wednesday November 27'" 1771. Present His Excellency
Governor Hutchinson Jolm Erving Will'" IJrattle James
Howdoin Esq" Tho" Hubbard Haiiisoii dray James Otis
James Pitts Esq"" Stephen Hall
148 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
His Excellency communicated to the Board, a Letter from
William Tyng Esq' Sheriff of the County of Cumberland, to
him, dated the 4*** Instant, together with a Copy of a Letter
from Arthur Savage Esq"^ Comptroller of his Majesty's Cus-
toms, at the Port of Falmouth, to the Commissioners at
Boston with their Letter to his Excellency the Governor
thereupon, and said Savages Memorial to him ; all relating
to a violent Assault upon the Person of the said Savage, by
sundry of the Inhabitants of the Town of Falmouth, on the
Evening of the 12*'' Current, as particularly set forth in the
several Papers aforementioned; when a Motion was made
for M' Savage's Attendance who was accordingly sent for,
and being asked whether he knew any of the Persons, con-
cerned in the Riot? answered that he certainly knew Jona-
than Armstrong and Stone, both Masters of Vessells,
living in Falmouth, to be very active therein, and that he
believed Thomas Sanford of Falmouth aforesaid Mariner,
was the Person who presented the Pistol to his Breast, as
mentioned in his Memorial. He was further asked whether
he knew the Reason why the Justices of the Sessions then
sitting refused to admit his Nephew William Savage to his
Oath ; to which he answered that one of them said, the
Deposition might possibly be sent to the Commissioners at
Boston, and by them to England, the Consequence whereof,
might be fatal to the Town, he added that Col° Powell and
M' Bradbury, two of said Justices, said, that if M"" Savage
was admitted to his Oath, M"" Benjamin Titcomb, ought like-
wise to be admitted that they might appear together.
Whereupon it was advised that his Majesty's Justices of
the Superior Court, now sitting in Boston, be desired to
attend the Governor and Council, of which they were made
acquainted by the Secretary ; they attended accordingly
when his Excellency informed them of the whole of this
matter ; They expressed their to do all that was incumbent
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 149
on them to bring the Rioters to Punishment, & desired the
Complaint might be laid before them, which was advised to,
and laid before them accordingly.
Ordered that the further Consideration of tliis aft'air, be
referred to the next sitting of the Council.
A true Copy from the Council Minutes
Att^ Jn° Cotton D. Seory
To the Right Honourable the Lords Commissioners of His
Majesty's Treasury
The petition of the Proprietors of the Kennebeck Pur-
chase lying in the County of Lincoln in the Province of
Massachusets Bay. Humbly Sheweth,
That your Petitioners are Proprietors of a large Tract of
Land lying on each side of the Kennebeck River: their Title
to which appears by the paper annexed N" 1, which they
humbly submit to Your Lordships Consideration, together
with a State of Facts relative to the said Tract, N° 2.
That in the Patent & Deeds from which your petitioner's
Title is derived, there is no Reserve of White pines suitable
for Masts for the Royal Navy, nor any other Reservation
whatever, except a certain part of the Ore of the Mines of
Gold & silver which shall be had & obtained within the
Premises, & which shall be for, or in lieu of all services &
Demands whatsoever.
That as they have the Property of the White pine Trees
growing on the said Tract, so they are not disturbed in that
property l)y any of the Acts of Parliament made for the
preservation of white pines in America suitable for Masts
for the Royal Navy. And this it is humbly apprehended
will appear by the Extracts from tlie said Acts hereunto
annexed, N° 3.
150 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
That knowing of what Importance it is, that there should
be a supply of Masts for the Royal Navy, they have to the
utmost of their power endeavoured to preserve the White
pines growing on the said Tract and they have been influenced
thereto by their own Interest also : it being much more bene-
ficial to reserve such Trees for the use of the Navy, than for
any other use whatever.
That the Means necessary for procuring such Masts there,
could not be had before the said Tract was in a considerable
degree settled.
That the settling it, besides the granting away many
thousands of Acres of Land on no other Condition than of
Settlement, has already occasioned to the said proprietors an
Expence of above Eight Thousand pounds Sterling since
1749 besides a large sum that has been expended by Individ-
uals of them.
That from this Expence & their great Exertions they have
hitherto reaped no Benefit: and it will be many Years before
they can expect any, unless the Mast Trees can be made to
procure it for them.
That the Benefit of those Trees they are deprived of by
the Agents of the Mast Contractors, who under the pretence
that they grow in the King's Woods take them away at
pleasure.
That the said Agents could not have procured those Trees
without the means furnished them by the Petitioners by the
Exertion & Expence abovementioned : And now it has
become practicable by those means to procure Masts on the
said Tract they are unjustly endeavouring to engross the
Advantage of it to themselves. One of the said Agents, M''
Perry, lately had an Interview with one of your petitioners
and was informed that your petitioners would allow his get-
ting Masts provided a reasonable Compensation was made
for them : and it was proposed to him that the Masts should
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 151
be procured for liim at the same rate the late Contractor M*^
Heiiaker allowed for them, but he said they would turn out
too dear to the present Contractor : whereupon he was told
it was unreasonable to make an extra profit for the Con-
tractor at the Expence & to the great Damage of Your
Petitioners.
That the persons employed by the said Agents having no
Interest in the Soil & its Growth, are wholly regardless of
the Damage they do to either : and through ignorance or to
make Advantage by it cut down many Trees unfit for Masts
for the Navy which they afterward convert into Lumber
thereby making great Destruction of the Timber to the great
Detriment of your Petitioners.
That for the redress of these Grievances they have applied
to Governor Wentworth Surveyor General of the Woods,
but His Excellency has informed them his OiUce being only
executive he could grant no redress ; & proposed ( in a man-
ner that does Honor to his politeness) that the Matter
should be settled by a Judgement of Court in a Suit to be
brought for that purpose.
That the entering into a Law Suit having the appearance
of refusing the Masts for His Majesty's Services ( I would
probably be so represented by the said Agents ) & being
ready to accept a reasonable Compensation for them, Your
Petitionei-s choose rather to lay their Case before your Lord-
ships, humbly praying your Lordships to take the same into
Consideiiition, & grant or procure them such relief as in your
great Wisdom you should think fit.
James Bowdoin James Pitts "] Committee
Silv. Gardiner lieiij" Hallovell [>of the said
William liowdoin j I'ropriotors.
P.oston New Enoland 18"' December 1771
152 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Thomas Scammell to Grov^ Hutchinson
Portsmouth January 2"'^ 1772—
Sir
I take the liberty to inform your Excellency that I had
the honour of receiving yours of the 21 instant, and that I
am extremely sorry ( as you expected it ) that I did not wait
on you; I will therefore, as near as I can, give you an
account of my proceedings since I had the pleasure of seeing
you.
Immediately after, I set out for Portsmouth and at my
arrival waited on his Excellency Governor Wentworth in
consequence of my 6^^ and last Instruction, which enjoins
me to obey such other Instructions as I shall from time to
time receive from the Surveyor General. I soon found after
I left Boston that the Summer was the most improper time
for inspecting the Woods. The Surveyor General pointed
out to me the impropriety of such an attempt ; that the Flies
&c would be very troublesome, and that the Country people
born on the skirts of the Woods durst scarce ever make such
attempts. However that no reflexion might be cast on my
Conduct, I took the liberty to inform him, if he thought
proper, I would try whether they would have the same effect
on me — this his Excellency willingly assented to, and pre-
vailed on Colonel Bagley ( who is personally known to you
Sir ) to accompany me. We accordingly set out for Kenne-
bec and soon arrived at Doctor Gardiners at Cobbiseconta
( from a Report I received that the Banks of that Stream
abounded with good Oak Timber ) The Doctors Son made
one of the party, we landed and found some Oak Tunber —
had not long been on shore before I was too sensible of the
Surveyor General's kind caution ; the flies had such an
effect on me, that after my arrival at the Doctors, I found
myself somewhat indisposed, and therefore was obliged to
return. That no time might be lost, and from experience
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 163
finding that tis much easier to prevent tlian remedy, I deter-
mined to send the Colonel to the Eastward to remove any
prejudices that the people might entertain from my appoint-
ment. He set out accordingly and 1 have the pleasure to
inform your Excellency that it fully answered our expecta-
tion. The people in general were prepossessed with very
strange notions one of which was that I was coming down
with an arra'd force to dispossess them, and burn their Mills.
As soon as the nature of my Commission was explaind to
them their prejudices vanished and they wished to see me.
Immediately after the Colonel's return I hired a Vessel and
engaged him to go with me; Before we sailed I received
from the Surveyor General Instructions to confine myself, in
this Expedition, to the Sea Coast and Rivers ; This appeared
to me to be a well concerted scheme tending much to prove
his great knowledge in whatever is necessary for the preser-
vation of his Majesty's Woods. We sailed for Goulds-
borough, arrived and went on shore but could not make any
important discovery. We sailed from thence for Eastern
River, Blue hill Bay and Penobscot; At the latter place,
the commanding officer ( CoP Goldthwait being at Boston )
afforded us every assistance in his power. We sailed up the
River and anchor'd off the mouth of Condeskeeg Stream.
Captain Fletcher accompanied us and informed me that the
Indians was very desirous of seeing me — we saw one and
had a conference. I desired the Captain to acquaint him
that I should have occasion frequently to employ them as
guides in exploring the Country. That his Majesty required
all the large Trees for Masts &c for the Royal Navy and
nothing would recommend tliem more to liis Majesty's notice
and protection than their affording me every assistance &
information in their power ; went on shore and walked some
miles about the Woods, 'i'he best Pines, tlio' not extraordi-
nary, we found near this stream. I fully intended paying
the Indians a visit iiiid pidpiircd accordingly, but was pre-
154 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
vented by the heavy rains which fell the day before. We
sailed and Anchor'd in Kennebec River and observed with
the greatest circumspection the appearance of the Woods,
and are of opinion that very few pines near the Sea shore,
are fit for Masts &c «&c for the Royal Navy. I cannot pre-
tend to assert at what distance from the Sea they are good,
this must be left to a future inspection. I shall consult the
Surveyor General respecting my report, and your Excellency
may depend on having an exact Copy. In my report I shall
be careful not to mention anything but what myself or
Deputy have seen, little dependance is to be placed on the
peoples account of the state of the Country. The internal
part now claims my attention ; I have therefore ordered a
party for that purpose, from whose diligence and activity I
form the greatest expectations. As my District has an
extensive Sea Coast, and a very great part not inhabited, I
therefore wrote to their Lordships for a Vessel of thirty
Tons and a flat bottom Boat, and am in daily expectation of
their Lordships Order : In which I took the liberty to
inform them of your Excellency to the following effect, " As
" part of my District is the Eastern part of Mass* Bay I
" therefore conceived it consistent with my duty to wait on
" his Excellency Governor Hutchinson to apprize him of my
" arrival and to procure the best information of the state
" and limits of the unclaimed Lands ; His Excelly received
" me with the greatest civility, enjoyned the Civil and Mili-
" tary power to be aiding and assisting — that I might
" depend on his protection and consult him in all matters
"relating to my office within his Government."
I entreat your Excellency's pardon for the liberty I have
taken and assure you that I shall on every occasion be
happy in convincing you how much I am with the greatest
respect Your Excellency's much obliged and obedient
humble Servant —
Copy Tho* Scammell
OF THE STATE OF INIAINE 155
Gov^ Hutchinson to the Earl of Hilhhorough
Boston 3 January 1772
My Lord
The Proprietors of what is called the Plimouth Patent,
being a Tract on each side the River Kennebec, have applied
to me to transmit to the Lords of the Treasury a Petition
and Proposal relative to the Masts within the Patent. I
acc{uainted them that it was most regular for me to transmit
it to your Lordship and to submit to you the presenting it,
that I should say nothing concerning their Title — which is
a Subject of Controversy in the Courts of Law here and
which was revived about the year 1750. I am bound to
observe to your Lordship that the whole of the Western side
of Kennebec River is included in the Patent to Sir Ferdi-
nand© Gorges and although this Patent was dated after that
under which the Kennebec Proprietors claim from the Coun-
cil of Plimouth yet it is founded upon a patent or patents
from the same Council of a prior date to that of the Kenne-
beck Proprietors.
The history of the Country East of Kennebec your Lord-
ship is well acquainted with. This Tract as well as the
Country East of it, settles with great rapidity and one of the
Proprietors acquaints me that 150 new families are going out
upon it the next Spring.
M'' Scammell is returned from his survey of the Eastern
Country and liad what assistance he desired from Fort Pow-
nall. lie is now at Portsmouth in New Hampshire. 1 have
wrote to him to remind him of making some return to your
Lordship Vjut have received no Answer.
In consequence of a Warrant from the Chief Justice two
of the persons concerned in the Assault upon tlu; Comp-
troller at Fuhiioulli have been appreliended & by a Justice
of Peace there recognized in a sulhcicnit Sum vvitli Sureties
for their appearance to answer at the next Assizes and upon
156 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
information brought to me of the names of five or six others
concerned I have directed the same Justice to proceed with
them in Hke manner and I hope they will all be brought to
exemplary punishment.
Being still without Letters from your Lordship I have
thought it for his Majesty's Service further to prorogue the
General Court to the IQ'** of February
1 am with very great respect My Lord Your Lordship's
most humble & most obed* Servant
Tho' Hutchinson
Letter, Dr. Franklin to Hon. Tho^ Cushing ^ Committee
London Jan^ 13, 1772
Gentlemen,
On my Return from a late Tour thro Ireland and Scotland
for the Establishment of my Health, I found your respected
Letter of June 25, with the Papers therein referred to relat-
ing to the Townships settled eastward of Penobscot River.
I immediately waited on M"" Agent Bollan, to consult with
him Agreable to your Instructions ; who inform'd me, that
in my Absence he had by himself thoroughly considered the
same, having formerly had Occasion to be well-acquainted
with the whole Affair ; and had suggested to his Constitu-
ents the Council a Plan of Accommodation, to be propos'd
to Government here if they should approve of it, and that
he hoped by the Meeting of Parliament ( before which little
Publick Business is done here, so many of the Lords of the
Council being out of Town ) he might have their Answer ;
and it would otherwise be to little Purpose to attempt any
thing sooner. I make no doubt but the Proposal has been
communicated to the House of Representatives if they have
since had a Meeting, and that we may soon receive their
farther Instructions thereupon.
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 167
The Town now begins to fill, the Members of Parliament
& great Officers of State coming in daily to celebrate the
Queen's Birthday, & be present at the Opening of the Ses-
sion, which is fixed for next Tuesday. It is given out that
nothing relating to America is likely to be agitated this Ses-
sion ; 1. e. there is no Purpose either to abrogate the old
Duties or lay new ones. For the first I am sorry, believing
as I do that no Harmony can be restored between the two
Countries while those Duties are continu'd.
This with the other Aggrievances mentioned in your Let-
ters of June 29 & July 13, your Agents will constantly
attend to, and take every Step possible in their present Situ-
ation (unacknowledgil as they are here ) to obtain the
Redress that is so justly your Due, and which it would be
so prudent in Government here to grant.
In yours of July 9, it is mentioned that the House desire
I would annually send an Account of the Expence I am at
in carrying on the Affaiis of the Province. — Having Busi-
ness to do for several Colonies almost every time I go to the
Publick Offices and to the Ministers, I have found it
troublesome to keep an Account of small Expenses, such as
Coach & Chair Hire, Stationary, &c. and difficult to divide
them justly. Therefore I have some time since omitted
keeping any Account or making any Charge of them, but
content myself with sucli Salaries, Grants or Allowances as
have been made me. Where considerable Sums have been
disl)urs'd, as in Fees to Council, Payment of Sollicitors Bills,
& the like, those I charge : But as yet I have made no such
Disbursements on the Account of your Province.
Please to present my Duty to the House of Representa-
tives, and believe me to be with great Esteem & Respect
Gentlemen, Your most obedient hum' Serv'
P> Franklin
158 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Gov'^ HutcJiinson to the Earl of Hillsborough
N° 21 Boston 31«* Jaii^ 1Y72
My Lord
It is my duty to acquaint your Lordship with every
material occurrence relative to the Country East of Kene-
beck.
I have been informed, within a few days past, that a per-
son has taken possession of a small Island a few leagues
from Fort Pownall and not claimed by private persons where
he found great quantities of Limestone and soon after sold
one half of the Island, the whole not exceeding 17 acres, for
One hundred and fifty pounds sterling and the partners have
burnt the last year four or five hundred hogsheads of Lime
for a Market. The people have at all times been capricious
in the choice of new settlements ; the present caprice is to
this part of the Country, and I expect a very great increase
of Inhabitants there in the course of the next summer unless
I am enabled to check it by some other aid than that of the
General Court.
Except in this town, there is now a general appearance of
contentment throughout the Province and, even here, the
persons who have made the most disturbance are become of
less importance. A Gentleman who has assisted them much
by his money and by the reputation which his fortune gives
him among the people seems weary of them and I have rea-
son to think is determined to leave them. The plain dispas-
sionate pieces hi favour of Government which are now
published with freedom in our News papers and dispersed
through the Province have done great Service
I have the honour to be most respectfully
My Lord Your Lordship's most humble
& most obedient Servant
Tho' Hutchinson
OF THE MAINE OF STATE 159
Petition of James Chase ^ others 1772.
Province of the Massachusett Bay To his Excellency
Thomas Hutchinson Esq"^ Captain General and Com-
mander in Chief in and over his Majesties Province of the
Massachusetts Bay To the Honorable his Majesties
Council And House of Representatives in General Court
convened in May 1771 —
The Memorial of the Subscribers hereto, Inhabitants of or
Proprietors of Lands in a Plantation in the County of York
on the East side of Saco River called Narracfanset N° One —
Humbly Shewetli —
That the Bounds of said Plantation are as follows, viz.
South Easterly at the Heads of Biddcford & Scarborough,
South Westerly by Saco River, North Westerly by Pearson
Town ( so called ) and North Easterly by Gorham.
That there is settled within the bounds of said Plantation
upwards of Sixty Familys that a Meeting House is there
built, and that for a Number of years past they have had a
Minister of the Gospel regularly settled there — That tlie
said Plantation was never Incorporated and that the Inhabi-
tants by Reason thereof lay under Great Difficulties and
Discouragements which would be removed if the said Plan-
tation was Erected into a Townsliip — and the luliabilaiits
had the Benefit & Priviledges of Town order —
Wherefore The Memorialists pray your Excellency and
Honours by an Act of the Great & General Assembly to
Erect the said Plantiitioii into a 'I'own ac(;ording to the
l)(>uii(ls (fc limits afoi'cs'' And to (iraiit to the Inhabitants
thereof all tlie Powers, Priviledges, and Iimnunities that the
respective 'J'owns in this Province Do by Law Exercise ^
I'jijo}' — or otherwise Releive Your Memorialists as in your
(Jicat VVisdniii }oiir Excellency & Honours sliiill think lit —
And your Mcmoiialists as in Duly bound shall ever pray —
James Pike Amos Chase .hjs(!ph Adams
160 DOCUMENT AEY HISTORY
Joshua Wyman Rich'^ Greenleaf Tristram Gordon
Joseph Woodbrige John Lane James Jewett
Robert McDonald Sam" Greenleaf Josiah Groffaim
Ambrose Berey Simeon Fitts Cutting Bartlet
Martha Milliken wid Abraham Somerby Richard Elvins
Cutting Moodey Snell Wingate Samuel Noyes
Philip Fowler John Thurston Henry Adams
Benjamin Thurston Tomas Berry Benjamin Elwell
Ebenezer Greenleaf Cornelius Fellows Nathaniel Low
Gustavus fellows Nathanel fellows William Cuningham
Samuel Fellows
In the House of Representatives
April IV^ 1772 —
Ordered that the within named Petitioners notifie the
Inhabitants & Proprietors of the Plantation mentioned in
said Petition by Posting up On the meeting House in said
Plantation a Copy of this Petition with this Order thereon
twenty days before the third Wednesday of the General
Court that they shew cause if any they have why the prayer
thereof should not be granted, and that the proprietors make
no further Grants or Assessments
Sent up for Concurrence
John Hancock Spk'' pro Temp^
In Council. April 13. 1772 Read & Concurr'd
Jn° Cotton D. Secry
In Council June 6^^ 1772 — Read again, & revived &
ordered that the within named Petitioners, notifie the Inhab-
itants, or Proprietors, of the Plantation ment'^ in said Peti-
tion, by posting up on the Meeting House in said Plantation,
a Copy of this Petition, with this Order thereon, twenty
days before the second Wednesday of the next sitting of the
General Court, that they may shew cause if any they have,
on the said second Wednesday, why the Prayer thereof
OF THE STATE OF HIAINE 161
should not be granted, & that the proprietors in the mean
time, make no further Grants, or Assessments
Sent down for Concurrence
Jn° Cotton D. Seciy
Confirmation, to Capt. Joshua Fuller 1772
In the House of Representatives April 22 1772
Resolved that the Plan of the Township hereunto
Annexed, Containing the Contents of Six Miles and One
Quarter Square ( Exclusive of the Allowance of One thou-
sand nine hundred Acres for the River & Ponds in said
Township, and Eight hundred & forty Acres for Swag of
Chain, being one thirtieth part thereof) bounded as foUow-
eth, beginning at a heap of Stones at the South west Corner,
running North 73 Deg* East fifty one Chains and thirty
to little Amarascoggin River, thence by said, One hundred
and fourteen Chains to a White Pine Tree on the Easterl}^
Side of said River, thence North 43 Deg* East, three hun-
dred and forty Chains to a Spruce Tree on Sylvester Canada
line, thence North 4 Deg* West five hundred & forty two
Chains to Stake and Stones, thence South 68 Deg 30
minutes West five hundred twenty seven Chains thence
South 14 Deg* East Six hundred Eighty Eight Chains to
the heap of Stones first mentioned Granted in June A.D.
1771 to Cap^ Joshua Fuller and others mentioned in their
petition be Accepted and hereby is Confirmed to the said
petitioners their heirs and Assigns forever they Complying
with tlio follcjwing Conditions, Vi// tlie Grantees within
Seven years Settle Sixty families in said Township, build a
house for the Public Worship of God and Settle a learned
Protestant Minister, and lay out one Sixty fourth part for
the first Settled Minister, one Sixty forth part for the use of
11
162 DCUMENTARY HISTORY
the Ministry, one Sixty fourth part for the use of a School,
and one Sixty fourth part for the use of Harvard College
forever, Provided it doth not exceed the Quantity afore-
mentioned nor interfere with any former grant —
Sent up for Concurrence
T Cushing Spk^
In Council April 22. 1772 Read & Concurred
The" Flucker Sec^
Consented to T Hutchinson
Confirmation to David Phips and others, 1772.
In the House of Representatives April 22*^ 1772
Resolved that the Plan of the Township hereunto
Annexed, containing the Contents of Six Miles and Three
Quarters Square ( Exclusive of the Allowance of One Thou-
sand Acres for Swag of Chain and Two Thousand Acres for
Ponds & Rivers) Bounded as Followeth Beginning at a
Pine Tree on the Westerly side of Amarascoggin River,
Thence across said River on The Head Line of a Township
Granted to Samuel Livermore and others Due East Two
Hundred and Thirty Two Chains Twenty Five Links to a
Stake and Stones, thence North on Province Land Five
Hundred and Twelve Chains to a a heap of Stones, thence
West on Province Land Three Hundred and Eighty Eight
Chains to a heap of Stones, thence South Forty Three Deg*
West Five Hundred and Thirty two Chains on Province
Land to a Pine Tree, thence south Nineteen Deg* East on
Province Land Two Hundred and Sixty Chains to a stake
and stones, thence on Province Land in part, and in part on
the Township aforementioned to the Pine Tree first men-
tioned Granted in June A. D. 1771 to David Phips Esq'
and others mentioned in their Petition, be Accepted and
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 163
hereby is confirmed to the said Petitioners their Heirs and
Assigns forever, they Complymg with the Following Condi-
tions, Viz* The Grantees within seven years Settle Eighty
Families in said Township, build a house for the Publick
Worship of God, and Settle a Learned Protestant Minister,
and Lay out one Eighty Fourth Part for the First settled
Minister, one Eighty Fourth Part for the use of the Minis-
try, one Eighty Fourth Part for the use of a School, and
one Eighty Fourth Part for the use of Harvard College
forever. Provided it doth not exceed the Quantity afore-
mentioned nor Interfere with any Former Grant.
Sent up for Concurrence
T Cushmg Spk'
In Council April 22*^ 1772 Read & Concurred
Tho' Flucker Sec^
Consented to
T Hutchinson
Resolve^ confirming Plan of Tounnhip to S. Livermore ^
others. 1772.
In the House of Representatives April 22'^ 1772
Resolved that the Plan of the Township hereunto
Annexed containing The Contents of Six Miles and Three
Quarters Square ( Exclusive of the Allowance of one Thou-
sand Acres for swag of Chain being one 30''^ part Three
Thousands and Forty Two Acres for Ponds and Rivers )
P>ounded as Followeth Viz' Beginning at a heap of Stones
on the Westerly Side Araarascoggin River at the North
Easterly Corner of a Township called Sylvester Canada,
Thence North Sixty Four Deg" West one Thousand and
Forty One Poles to tlie Corner, thence North Two Thousand
one Hundred Ninety and Four Poles to the Corner, Thence
164 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
North Sixty Five Deg" East One Thousand One Hundred
and Four Poles to Amarascoggin River, Thence East Seven
Hundreds and Seventy Nine Poles, across the aforesaid
River to the Corner Thence south Three Thousands one
Hundred and sixty Eight Poles to a Pile of Stones to the
Corner, thence Eight Hundreds and Eighty Two Poles to
the Corner First Mentioned. Granted in June A D 1771 to
Samuel Livermore Esq"^ and his Associates, mentioned in
their Petition be Accepted and hereby is confirmed to the
said Petitioners Their Heirs and Assigns Forever, They
Complymg with the Following Conditions Viz* The Gran-
tees within seven Years settle Sixty Families, in said Town-
ship, Build a House for the Publick Worship of God, and
settle a Learned Protestant Minister, and Lay out one Sixty
Fourth Part for the First settled Minister, one Sixty Fourth
Part for the Use of the Ministry, one Sixty Fourth Part for
the Use of a School, one Sixty Fourth Part for the Use of
Harvard College Forever Provided it doth not exceed the
Quantity aforementioned nor Interfere with any former
Grant —
Sent up for Concurrence
T Gushing Spk'^
In Council April 22*^ 1772. Read and Concurred
Tho« Flucker Sec^
Consented To
T Hutchinson
Resolve Co7ifirming Grrant to Hon. James Otis ^ others. 1772.
In the House of Representatives April 23 1772.
Resolved that the Plan of the Township hereunto
Annexed Containing the Contents of Seven miles Square,
(Exclusive of the Allowance of One thousand & Eighty
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 165
Acres for Swag of Chain being one thirtieth part, also an
Allowance of three thousand & Sixty Acres, for Ponds in
said Township) bounded as followeth beginning at the
Northwest Corner of Raymond's Town, and the line running
Northeast partly on Raymond's Town & partly on Province
land, two thousand nine hundred & thirteen rods to a Cor-
ner, thence running North 25 Deg^ West, two thousand five
hundred & twenty rods to a Corner, thence South 65 Deg*
West One hundred & Ninety five rods, thence North 25
Deg. west five hundred & forty rods thence South 65 Deg*
West One thousand two hundred & Ninty Six rods to
Bridge's Town line, thence South 25 Degrees East, three
thousand One hundred & Sixty nine rods, thence South 65
Deg. West One thousand four hundred & Eighty rods,
thence South 40 Deg* East nine hundred & thirty rods to
the bound mark first mentioned. Granted in June A. D.
1771 to the Hon' James Otis Esq"^ and M' Nathaniel Gor-
ham in behalf of themselves & others mentioned in their
Petition, be Accepted and hereby is Confirmed to them their
heirs and assigns for ever, in lieu of and in full Satisfaction
for the loss of lands mentioned in their petition, by running
the line between this Province & the Province of New
Hampshire ; they Complying with the following Conditions
Viz the Grantees within Six years Settle thirty Families in
the said Town, build a meeting house and Settle a learned
Protestant Minister and lay out one Sixty fourth part of
said Township for the first Settled Minister, one Sixty
fourth part for the use of the Ministry, and one Sixty fourth
part for a Gi-anmiar School, and one other Sixty fourth
part lor tli(3 use; of Ilai-Viird (Jollege forciver provided it doth
not exceed tin; Quantity aforementioned nor iiitinfcro with
any former (iiant.
Sent up for (Joncurrence
T Gushing Spk"^
166 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
In Council Ap^ 23'* 1772 — Read & Concurr**
Jn° Cotton D. Secry
Consented to
T Hutchinson
Petition of the Inhabitants of Boothhay.
To His Most Excellent Majesty, George the third, by the
Grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland King,
Defender of the Faith &c. &c.
The Petition of the Subscribers, inhabitants of Boothbay
in the County of Lincoln and Province of the Massachusetts
Bay, Most Humbly sheweth,
That many of us the Subscribers and the Ancestors of
others of us, in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven
hundred and thirty one, were settled on the lands in said
Boothbay ( then called Townsend ) by Colonel Dunbar, who
acted by Commission from the King, whose encouragmg pro-
posals, published in his Majesty's name, induced us to leave
our habitations in the Western parts, and venture into this
then howling wilderness, on what we thought the Royal
word.
That, the said Dunbar settled us as tenants holding said
lands immediately under the Crown, promising in his Maj-
esty's name, upon demand, to give us deeds, under the King's
Seal, of any quantity of Land, less than a thousand acres
each, as might be desired by each settler, (next adjoining to
the two acres he then laid out for each, in fee simple for ever.
That, having thus, as we thought, the promise of our Kmg,
we proceeded to build us little hutts and to clear and culti-
vate, as we were able, an inhospitable desert, in the midst of
Savage beasts, and yet more savage men : and altho' the said
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 167
Dunbar's power, was, some years thereafter, superceded, yet
judging that all his publick Acts of office must necessarily
have had the Sanction of the Crown as long as his said Com-
mission was not revoked ; and nothing doubting but his Maj-
esty's Royal justice would ever defend, to his dutiful Subjects,
the rights and possessions which his Royal Authority had
conferred, we still continued in possession of said lands : tlio
always oppressed with every kind of hardsliip horrible to
humanity on earth; at the distance of near two hundred
miles from any market; without any of the conveniences of
trade or navigation ; often without any other sustenanc than
a little Shell-fish called Clams, which, dug out of the mud at
low water, was our only food, and water from the brooks our
only drink for many weeks together ; without any convenient
houses, and often without any convenient clothing to defend
ourselves and families from the inclemency of our severe
winters; kept in continual alarms by the savage enemy, who
ranged the wilderness all around, and who, in the year 1745,
broke forth in such numbers, and carried on their murders,
burnings, and depredations with such violence, as totally
routed our whole settlement, and forced us to seek shelter
for ourselves and families at near two hundred miles dis-
tance ; where all our little substance was soon spent in the
maintenance of our families so far from home.
That, four years after, when the rigor of the war was
abated, we again ventured back and resumed our old posses-
sions, tho' in circumstances rendered still more distressing
by the losses and damages sustained by our so long banish-
ment; whist the murders frequently committed on our neigli-
bours kept us in continual tenors; ever under arms; and,
on eveiy new alarm, oblig(;d to pen up our families in a little
Garrison of our own buihling and our own defending, no
assistance having ever been given us by the Government,
either for sustenance or protection ; tho' numbers of our men
168 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
were called into the Piovincial Army, and sent to the defence
of other places ; whist scalping or captivity was frequently
the fate of some, and ever the expectation of us all.
That, matters continuing thus with us 'till the late peace
with France, our settlement was then in most forlorn circum-
stances ; but that happy event encouraged us to resume the
cultivation of our lands, and soon changed the face of our
affairs ; for, tho' utterly neglected and disowned till then, no
sooner was the peace of these parts secured by the cession of
Canada, than we began to be harrassed with enemies of a
new sort, swarms of persons pretending themselves proprie-
tors of our lands, infested us from divers parts of the Coun-
try, demanding the possession of said lands and threatning
us with prosecutions and utter ruin if we refused.
That, said Proprietors ( so called ) were opposite to one
another as well as adverse to us, claiming by pretended
Indian deeds, ancient occupations, and other pretences never
before heard of, none of which deeds have ever been approved
by the General Court, nor any of the said claims justified by
a course of law :
That, tho' our lands are naturally poor, much broken with
rocks, and fitted chiefly for grass, and hence, to this day,
scarce any of us can raise the necessary provisions for more
than a few months in the year, yet as we know not where to
seek a place of residence for ourselves or families, on this
side the grave, if we should be driven from these our Ancient
possessions, therefore the said Proprietors, by threats pre-
vailed on some, and by promises cajoled others of us so far
that several have bought their lands three times over, from
three opposite setts of competing claimers ; none of whom
have ever done anything to defend us from the others, and
all of them still leave us open to the cliallenges of we know
not how many more ; by one or other of whom we are daily
threatned and disturbed.
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 109
That, your Petitioners have applied to the General Court
to be quieted in our possessions, but hitherto without effect;
and it being now publickly rumored that various persons,
around your Majesty's throne, are applying for grants of the
Eastern lands in this Province, with design of reducing the
Settlers to rack rents on leases of years, or turning them off
entirely, we are thereby put into great fears lest, our true
case being unknown to your Majesty, the said lands should
be granted to some others, and so your Petitioners be reduced
to utter ruin.
That, notwithstanding all our distresses, by the blessing of
God, we are still preserved, and our numbers encreased ; in
the year 1764 we were incorporated into a Town, by the name
of Boothbay ; in the year 1766 at our own sole charge, we
erected and finished a convenient Church, settled a Gospel
Minister, and still endeavour to support the cause of Chris-
tianity amongst us ; and to contribute, from time to time, as
rec|uired, our full proportion towards defraying the Expences
of Government, tho' we still live very poor, many of us, some
part of every year, being almost quite destitute of the neces-
sarys of life, and few, if any, having any other subsistance
for ourselves or families than by cutting down fire-wood and
carrying it to Boston.
That, your Petiti<mers beg leave to assure your Majesty,
that the above is a relation of facts strictly agreeable to
tiiith, and tlial, witliont any exaggeration, much more might
be added, as by the depositions accompanying this Petition
may more fully appear ; and we hope it may not be deemed
unseemly arrogance to add, that we arc as truly loyal, duti-
ful, an<l affectionate Subjects, as any others in your Majesty's
Dominions, that we have never taken part in any of the sedi-
tious proceedings, for which many in the Provinces liave
rendered themselves justly obnoxious to your Iloyal dis-
pleasure, having never had a representative in the General
170 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Court, and having positively refused to send one to the con-
vention of deputy's that met in Boston whilst the Court was
under sentence of disolution; and having ever signified, in
our little sphere, our abhorrence of all steps, by whomsoever
taken, in opposition to lawful Authority.
Therefore, as loyal and affectionate Subjects to the best of
Kings, who have ( many of us ) for more than forty years,
without aid from any but Almighty God, possessed and
defended a remote part of your Majesty's Dominions, which
we first entered and have ever since held in dependence on
what we thought the promise of your Majesty's Royal Grand-
father by his representative, and which promise we still
esteem equal to any Sealed Charter ; as Protestants, decended
from Ancestors many of whose lives and fortunes have been
sacrificed in the cause of religion and the Royal House of
Hanover, and who are still prompt to prove themselves not
unworthy to be called their Sons, by standing ever ready to
devote our lives to the defence of your Majesty's Royal per-
son, family, and Government ; Permit us Great Sire, to cast
ourselves, our Wives and helpless little ones, at your Maj-
esty's royal feet, humbly to implore a share in that Princely
tenderness, that so strongly bespeaks a father's heart to all
that have the honour to meet the notice of your Royal mind ;
and earnestly to beseech your Majesty to take our case into
your most gracious Consideration, and to grant to us, our
heirs and Assigns a Quietus in our several possessions, in
said Boothbay, in such way and manner as, to your Majesty,
in your royal wisdom and goodness, may seem meet; And
your Petitioners, and their Posterity, to the latest generation,
in gratitude for a favour, to which We and they must be
indebted for their very beings in the world.
As in duty bound, shall ever pray
Robert Murray Sam^ Adams Daniel Knights
Soloman Burnum Samuel Brier Joseph Perkins
OF THE STATE OF MAINE
171
Thomas Kennay Sam^ Ketley
Giles Tebbets Samuel Kenney
abigh Kenney Ebenez"^ Hanasdon
Joseph Hervendon Henry Kenney
James Dey John Leishman
Sam^ Barter Tert^ Israel Davis
John Dawse Sam^ Alley
Joshua Alley And'^ M'^Farland
And^ M'^Farland Jun'' John Lerote Jun'' Ephraim M"farland
John fullerton John Murray """^farland Joseph Craven
David Reed Ebenezer Fulerton Joseph Reed
Thomas Kenney
Eleaz"" Sheerman
John Kenney
James Tebbets
Moses Dey
Nich' Barter
Joseph Cunhill
Joseph Floyd
James Fullerton John Holton
Samuel M'^Cobb James M'^Cobb
Andrew Reed Jun'' John Barter
John Tebbets Tho* Kelley
Andrew Reed 3*^ Aaron Kelley
Samuel M. Cobb Jun'" John Reed
William Wiley William Kennedy
William M^Cobb John Wiley
Robert Wiley Sam' Barter
Benj* Barter Thomas Kennedy
James Kennedy Nath^ Tebbets J''
James Auld Jacob Booker
Paul Wombly Samwill Harris
John Murray J"° Murray
John Alley John M"Cobb
William Fullerton Edw*^ Emerson
William Reed Jonathan Daws
Samuel Cortew Jun' Joseph Barter
]*atri(,k M^Kown William Lewis
William Moon Nath' Lampson
Nathanael Tebbets Charls Davis
Bicoiiiian Rent Josepli Faruam
Solomon pinkliam Daniel Heriss
Neil Wylie
George Lewis
Benj. Kelley
Samuel Wylie
Samuel Montgomery
Ichabod Tebbets
Alex Wiley
John Call
Robert Wiley Jun'
Jn° Alley Jun'
John Booker Jun
John Ingraham
Jn" Dresser Davis
David Decker
John Beath
John Lerote
John Matthews
Patrick Kiiicaid
Jeremiah Beath
Israel Davis
JoHoph Giles
Nehemiah Hervenden
172 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Letter, Benj'^ Foster ^ others to Rev. James Lyon
Mechias June G''^ 1772
Reverend Sir
It having pleased God in his Holy Providence to bring
you to this place, and by you to afford us an opportunity of
hearing his Word preached in a manner we apprehend agree-
able to the Purity Simplicity and Evangelical Nature of the
Gospel of our Lord and Savior, wherefore, imploring the
most humbling sense of our unworthiness and the Divine
Goodness in thus regarding our destitute condition by direct-
ing you to this Place, and beseeching his continual Blessing,
we a Committee Chosen and appointed by the Proprietors
and Inhabitants of Mechias in legal Meeting assembled, do
in their behalf and Stead tender you our grateful acknowl-
edgements for your faithful Labors hitherto among us, and
intreat you to accept of this our invitation and Call to Settle
with and become our Pastor and Teacher, and knowing it to
be our duty as far as God shall be pleased to enable us to
provide for the decent and honorable support of the Gospel,
That we may make your Ministerial Labors among us as
easy, and your Life as agreeable as our poor Circumstances
will allow, we do on your acceptance to Settle with, and
become our Pastor & Teacher, during your Natural Life, or
your abilities to perform the duties of a Minister of the Gos-
pel, as the will of the Lord and the Necessities of this Peo-
ple may require, agree to give or grant you Eighty Six
pounds Lawful Money of the Massachusetts Yearly for your
Support, which sum we hereby agree to pay you in the Com-
mon pay of this place, now Merchantable Pine Lumber at
the annual market price among us, and we engage you shall
or may recieve the same between the first day of May and
the first day of October yearly, & we do further vote and
agree to give you Eighty pounds Lawful Money, one half to
be paid you this year in the Specie & time above mentioned
OF THE MAINE OF STATE 173
the other half the year ensueing in like manner to enable
you to Build or provide yourself a dwelling Plouse or Settle-
ment; earnestly commending ourselves & ours to your Pas-
toral Care we are — Reverend Sir,
Your faithful friends & Servants,
Benj*^ Foster
Samuel Scott
Stephen Parker
Petition of Benjamin Foster and others.
To his Excellency the Governor, the Honorable his Maj-
estys Council and the Honorable the Representatives of the
Massachusets Province
May it please your Excellency »& Honors
Emboldned by a Sense of our Duty, the Indispensible
obligations we are under to Settle a Minister of the Gospel
among us and provide for his Comfortable Support, that
temporal Cares may not perplex and divide his Time ; and
encouraged by the Merciful dispensation of Divine Provi-
dence in bringing a Gentleman of a truely Christian Charac-
ter to this place, in a manner to us altogether unexpected ;
we your Excellency's & Honors humble Petitioners behig a
Committee chosen by the Proprietors & Inhabitants of
Mechias, to agree with and devise means for the support of
said Gentleman viz* the Reverend M"^ James Lyon — Assess
the Inhabitants for said purpose and make provission for his
regular Settlement as our Pastor, and knowing tlie deficiency
from authority to Assess or lay any Tax for the support of
the Gospel and oblige the Assessed, however reasonable &
Just, to pay tlie same. Pray that your Excellency & Honors
in great goodness from your distinguishing regard to our
Holy Religion, agreeable to the Vote of this place, passed for
174 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
said purpose, and the Call to said Reverend Gentleman
founded on that Vote, Copy's of which we beg leave to lay
before your Excellency & Honors, would be pleased to
enable or authorize us Your humble Petitioners and future
Committee's to Assess, Levy & Collect such Rates or Taxes
from the Inhabitants for the above Purpose as shall be neces-
sary proportionate & Just, and as in duty bound shall ever
pray.
Benj* Foster
Samuel Scott
Stephen Jones
Stephen Parker
Mechias June 8'^ 1112
In the House of Representatives June 26, 1772.
Read & Ordered that Cap. Herrick M' Chadwick & Cap.
Searl with such as the Hon^ Board shall joyn be a Committee
to take this Petition into consideration & report.
Sent up for Concurrence.
T. Cushing Spk'
In Council June 26'^' 1772 Read & Concurred and W"
Brattle & Thomas Hubbard Esq" are joined
Jn** Cotton D. Secry
The Committee have attended the within service assigned
beg leave to report the Bill accompanyin the same
W Brattle by order
Answer of Rev. James Lyon
To the Committee of the Church & Congregation of Mechias
Gentlemen
Having duely I trust considered your destitute circum-
stances in this Place and your kind and unanimous invitation
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 175
to me to settle with you in the important work of the Minis-
try, it appears to be my duty as far as I can judge to comply
with your request. And I do hereby declare my acceptation
of your Call in the fullest manner I am capable & do chear-
fully tho' with fear & trembling take upon me the pastoral
charge and care of your Society during my natural life or
while God, in his Holy Providence shall enable me to per-
form the duties incumbent on a Minister of the Gospel, Pro-
vided the General Court of this Province shall see fit to
empower you and your Successors in Office to collect what
you here voted for my Support, If otherways I shall think
myself free from the above obligation.
Ja* Lyon
Mechias June 8"^ 1772
Memorial of J. Wyman ^ others 1772
Province of the Massachusetts Bay To his Excellency
Thomas Hutchinson Esq'' Governor The Honourable his
Majesties Council and House of Representatives of said
Province in Gen' Court Assembled June 1772
The Memorial of Joshua Wyman and others Inhabitants
or Proprietors of a Plantation in the County of York in said
Province Called Narraganset N** One Bounded on Scar-
borough and liiddeford South Easterly on Saco River South
Westerly on Pearson 'J\jwn ( So called ) North Westerly
And on Gorham North Easteily — Humbly Sheweth — 'I'liat
the said Joshua with Amos Chase and above thirty ouc other
pei'sons of ,s'' Iiiliiibitaiits or pioprictors in May 1771 Miidt;
their petition oi- Mcmoiial to the Gov'' Council and Rcpici-
sentatives of said Province — Praying that for the bcnclit of
said Inhabitants And said Proprietors, his Excellency And
176 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
their Honors would by An Act of the General Court Incor-
porate said Plantation According to the bounds and Limits
thereof as a Town with all the powers And priviledges that
other Towns in this Province enjoy b}^ Law — That in con-
sequence thereof it was ( )rdered in the House of Representa-
tives on the 11'** day of April last that the petitioners Should
Notify the Inhabitants and Proprietors of the said Planta-
tion Twenty days before the third Wednesday of the then
next Session of the General Court to shew cause why the
prayer of said Petition Should not be granted : That the
same Order was read and Concurred in Council on the 13'''^ of
the Same Month — That it was Never Assented to by his
Excellency the Governor and is of None Effect and That
the Inhabitants and proprietors are under Many and great
difficulties and discouragements by reason that said Planta-
tion was never Incorporated — Wherefore we humbly pray
that your Excellency and Honours will take the matter into
Your wise consideration And by an Act of the Great and
General Court incorporate said plantation According to the
bounds and limits thereof into a Town ( by some proper
Name) with all Necessary powers and priviledges — And
we shall as in duty bound ever Pray
Joshua Wyman
Enoch Bartlet
Jere^' Hill
In the House of Representatives June 10"* 1772
Resolved that the petitioners give Notice to the Inhabitants
and proprietors of s** Plantation by Posting an attested Copy
of this Memorial and Order at the Meeting House Door in
said Plantation fourteen days before the first Wednesday in
July Next to Shew cause ( if the Gen^ Court is then Sitting)
why the prayer of said petition shall not be Granted — And
in case the General Court shall not then be Sitting then the
said Inhabitants and proprietors are directed on said Notice
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 177
to Appear and make their Objections on the Second Wednes-
day of the Next Session of the General Court
Sent up for Concurrence T Cusliing Spk^
In Council June 10**^ 1772 Read & Concurred
Jn" Cotton D. Secry
In Council July 1^* 1772 Read again together with the
Answer, & Ordered that this Petition be dismissed
Sent down for Concurrence Jn° Cotton D. Secry
In the House of Representatives July 1, 1772
Read & non concurred & ordered that the petitioners have
leave to bring in a Bill for the purpose of their Petition
Sent up for Concurrence T Cushing Spk''
In Council July 1^' 1772 Read & Concurred —
Jn^ Cotton D Secry
Sam^ MarcJis Petition. 1772.
To His Exelency Thomas Hutchinson Esq"" Cap* General
and Commander In Cheiff In and Over His Majestys Prov-
ince of the Massachusetts Bay — To the Hon''''' His Majestys
Councill and House of Rcprestitives. In Generall Court
assembled
Humbly Shews: Samuel March of Scarborougli in the
County of Cuml)erland in said province — That the said
Town of Scarborough have Ever Shewn their willingness to
I')cav tliciir full Share of the Expences of Govcrhment in all
Respects according to their abilitys and have not failed to
Send Some person to Represent them in the Create & Gen-
eral Court more tliuii one or two years in Twenty years Last
past — Excepting the years 1770 and 1771 ( whicli Defect if
any) your petitioner is Verry Sure was not owing To any
12
178 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Slight of privelidge or unwillingness in his Constitutents to
pay their full Share toward the Support of Government —
but So it was that as their was no one present that Could
Represent the Distrest Circumstances of said Town to your
Exelency & Honors in its True Light, when those matters
were Considered by the General Court the Said Town was
fined for their aforesaid neglect the Sum of ten pounds for
the year 1770 — which hath been allready assessed on the
Inhabitants of said Town and allso the further sum of fifteen
pounds for such neglect in the year 1771 which has not yet
been paid — and as said Town of Scarborough has of Late
been not only at Create Expence In Setling a minister and
allso at the Expence of pay for two ministers for a Long
time together the setled minister being unable to attend on
the work of the ministry — but the said Town has been also
and Stands Obliged to pay allmost five hundred pounds
LawfuU money within a few years Last past a Second time
by means of Defective Collectors near three hundred pounds
thereof being Not yet paid — Besides the said Town of Scar-
borough have Verry Lately Expended the Sum of One hun-
dred pounds more for Repairing the meeting Houses in said
Town : adding allso the Verry Create Loss the Said To^vn
has Sustained by the Late terrible fire which Raged in Said
Town To Such a Degree that many of the Inhabitants
thereof Suffered Create Loss thereby which they have not
yet nor is it Likely they will for a Long time Recover altho
the General Court in their Create Goodness and Compassion
was pleased to make them a Verry Considerable Grant for
the then present Releif of Some of the unhappy Sufferers
thereby
Wherefore your petitioner Most Humbly prays your Exel-
ency and Honors To take the Several matters in the above
representation of facts Into your wise Consideration and
Remitt to the Said Town the Several fines above mentioned
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 179
or other ways Releive them In Such way and manner as to
your Exelency and Honors May Seem meet —
and as in Duty Bound shall Ever pray
Sam^^ March
In the House of Representatives June 11 1772
Resolved that the Prayer of this Petition be granted : that
there be allowed & paid out of the publick Treasury into the
Hands of Samuel March for the Use of the Town of Scar-
borough the Sum of ten pounds, being the sum assessed on
said Town for neglecting to return a Representative to the
General Assembly in the year 1770 — and also that the fine
laid on said Town for omitting to return a representative in
the year 1771 be remitted.
Sent up for Concurrence T Gushing Spk""
In Council June 17^*' 1772
Read & Concurred Tho* Flucker Sec^
Consented To T Hutchinson
Objection against the Petitio7i.
'i'o his Exellency the Governor, The honorable (council
And Representatives of the Province of the Massachsetts
Bay in New England in general Court assembled
The Petition of the Inhabitants of Narragansett No 1 in
the County of York is most humbly presented
In Objection against the Petition of a Number of the Pro-
priet(jrs of this Place for the Incorporation of it into a Town,
we beg leave Uj offer to youi- Wisdom & Lenity the following
Considerations
We perceive ourselves unable to bear any further Taxes
(except a far Minor Part of Us) l)y Means of our Debts,
180 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
And the unavoidable Difficulties of feeding & Clothing our
Families in this infant-Settlement : Furthermore,
We pray your Excellency & Honors to Consider the
Township Consists of 120 Rights & That the Petitioners for
an Incorporation are only three or four, & they not Owners
of more than six or seven Rights.
The Bounds between this Place & Gorham & Scarboro are
not Settled. These Towns regard not the Line run by a
Committee of a former general Court 8 or ten years past.
We Sued them at law for Trespass within said Line, & also for
the Title to the Land & lost about 5 or =£600 old Tenor, &
recovered Nothing. Should We be incorporated in this
unsettled & quarrelling Condition, We know not what Loss
& Sufferings we may meet with. Some of the largest Pro-
prietors of the Township are by no means desirous of an
Licorporation m this state, & one of them was a Signer to
the Petition for the Corporation before He had weighed this
matter, & therefore repents what he then so immaturely
acted. Some Famihes from Scarborough are now on the
Gore, so called, a Strip of valuable Land Containing twelve
Lots which are within the Line aforesaid run by the general
Court, these Lots, if lost, must be a great Loss to the Pro-
prietors, as well as to Us the Inhabitants of the Place. And
Gorham Claims 40 Rods within said Line upon the Seven
miles long. And besides this, that is, granting tlie said Line
to stand good, Gorham will have about 70 Acres more to a
Right than we have, whereas they ought by the Grant of
these Townships to have been No longer than We. Consider-
ing these great Disadvantages, & that there are not as we
know of four Men In the Place who desire an Incorporation,
We humbly hope It will not take Place. We therefore most
earnestly beseech your Excellency & Honors that we may
not be incorporated till our Limits are finally adjusted, & we
more able To bear the Expences & Charges of a Town by
OF THE STATE OF MALNE
181
granting This Petition, you will lay
Obligations, as now in Duty bound,
Narragansett June 17. 1772
Sam^ Sands Daniel Leavit
John Owen Isaiah Brooks
Thomas Bradbury Matthias R
Benj'^ Donnel John Boynton Ju"^
John Hopkinson Jun Richard Clay
humphry adkinson Sam^^ Hovey
Benj'^ Bradbury Joseph Bradbury
Samuel Merrill Jaob Bradbury
John Kimball Nathan Elden
Abel herdy John Hopkin
Timothy Hasaltine Daniel X Clay
mark
Samuel heseltine Asa Stevens
Ephraim Sands John Eaton
Abel Merrill Samuel Leavit
Matthias R Jr.
Us under new & great
ever to pray &c
Jacob Bradbury
bis
John X Garland
mark
John Nason
Eben'' Wentworth
Jabez Lane
Job Roberts
Joseph Laint
William Bradbury
Joseph Woodman
Joseph Woodman Jun"^
Joseph Donnell
Caleb Hopkinson
Joshuay Kimball
Joshua
Act of Incorporation. 1772.
Anno, Regni, Regis, Georgii, Tertii, Duodecimo
An Act for Incorporating the Plantation called Narragan-
set Number one in the County of York into a Town by
the name of
Whereas it has been represented to this Court that the
plantation called Narraganset number one lying on tlie East
side of Saco River in tlie County of York is competently
filled witli Inlial)itants wlio ]al)our imder great dirilculties
and discouragements by means of their not being Incorporated
into a Town.
Be it therefore enacted by the Governor, Council and
House of Representatives That the said Nan-aganset N" one
bounded Southeasterly at tlie heads of Bideford and Scar-
182 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
borough Southwesterly by Saco River, Northwesterly by
Pearson Town so called and Northeasterly by Gorhani, be
and hereby is Incorporated into a Town by the Name of
and that the Inhabitants thereof be and hereby are invested
with all the powers, privileges & immunities which the
Inhabitants of other Towns in this Province by Law enjoy.
And Be it further Efiacted That Jeremiah Hill Esq' be
and hereby is directed to issue his Warrant to some principal
Inhabitant of said Town, requiring him to warn the Inhab-
itants thereof to meet at such time and place as shall be
therein set forth, to chuse all such officers as Towns are by
Law impowered to chuse in the month of March annually:
at which said Meeting all the then present Inhabitants shall
be admitted to vote
In the House of Representatives
July 7 1772 Read the first time
8 1772 Read the second & third time & passd to be
engrossd
Sent up for Concurrence T Gushing Spk"
In Council July 8"' 1772 Read a first Time
8"^'' Read a second time, & Passed a Con-
currence to be Engrossed
Jn° Cotton D. Secry
Consented to
Memoi'ial of the Associated Mmisters of York.
To his Excellency Thomas Hutchinson Esq"^ Governor The
honourable his Majesties Council; and The honourable
House of Representatives of The Province of the Massa-
chusetts Bay.
The Memorial of the associated Ministers of the County
of York humbly sheweth :
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 183
That many of the new Settlements in the Eastern Parts of
this Province are without the Preaching of the Gospel ; and
by Reason of their Poverty, and other Difficulties they labour
under, are unable at present to settle and maintain a learned
and Orthodox Ministry, as by the Law of this Province is
required,
That unless some Provision be made for their Instruction,
they must remain for a considerable Time in a great Measure
destitute of the Means of Religion ; and in danger of loosing
the Knowledge and Sense of their Duty to God, and their
King, and one another ; and sinking into Ignorance, Ir-
religion, and all Manner of Disorder.
That it appears to your Memorialists that it must be in
many Respects for the public Emolument, as well as the
temporal and religious Interest of these new Settlements,
that some speedy and effectual Measures be taken for the
Preservation of Christian Knowledge and Virtue, among
those scattered Inhabitants of the Wilderness.
Your Memorialists therefore beg Leave, to lay the Premises
before Your Excellency and Honours, in Confidence of your
paternal Care for the Advancement of Religion, and the
Welfare of this Province ; and humbly to propose to the
Consideration of your Excellency and Honours, whether
the providing of one or more Missionaries for the Instruction
of those destitute People, be not a Matter of public Concern-
ment, that the Knowledge and Sense of our holy Religion
may not be lost among them
And your Memorialists shall ever pray &"
J^enj" Stevens / In th(! Name of the
Isaac Lyman i associated Ministers
Answer
In tlie ITous(! of R(![)rosentatives July I), 1772.
Whereas application has been made to this (Jourt by the
184 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Associated Ministers in the County of York, by their Memo-
rial setting forth that many of the New Settlements in the
Eastern Parts of this Province are without the Preaching
of the Gospel ; and that they are unable to support the
same ; and praying that one or more Missionaries may be
provided, at the expence of the Province, for the Instruc-
tion of those Destitute People And it appearing that good
& valuable Purposes may be answered by making Provision
for the same. Therefore Resolved that there be allowed and
paid out of the Publiek Treasury in the month of October
Annually for three years next ensuing the first Day of Sep-
tember next a sum not exceeding the sura of Eighty pounds
to the Trustees hereinafter named, to be by them applied for
supporting One Missionary of sober life & conveisation for
promoting Christian Knowledge in the Eastern Parts of this
Provmce in such Places as are destitute of the Preaching of
the Gospel, and are unable to support the same among them-
selves, such missionary to officiate at such Places as he shall
from time to time be directed by said Trustees. Provided
said Trustees shall annually at the end of each year account
to this Court for the Sum or Sums by them expended in sup-
port of said Mission.
Resolved also that the Rev*^ Benjamin Stevens of Kittery
& the Rev*^ Isaac Lyman and the rev*^ Samuel Lanctou of
York be the Trustees for the purposes abovementioned and
that they or either Two of them be empowered to receive
the above Grants & to appoint the missionary as above &
him dismiss and another appoint in his Room as to them
shall seem fit
Sent up for Concurrence T. Gushing Spk''
In Council July 10'' 1772
Read & Concurred Tho* Flucker Sec^
Consented to T. Hutchinson
OF THE STATE OF IVIAINE 185
An Act to encourage the Preaching of the Grospel.
Anno Regni Regis Georgii Tertii Duodecimo.
An Act to encourage the Preaching of the Gospel to the
Inhabitants of a certam place known by the name of Machias
in the County of Lincoln.
Whereas there are a great number of Persons residing at
a place known by the name of Machias in the County of
Lincoln within this Province who profess to be of the prin-
ciples or Persuasion of the Churches of this Province known
by the name of Congregational Churches and to be desirous
for their spiritual benefit that the Gospel should be Preached
among them, which may likewise tend to the maintenance or
support of Civil order; And whereas the persons residing as
aforesaid have not been incorporated into a Town, District,
Precinct or Parish and cannot provide for the support of the
Gospel in such way and manner as Towns, Districts, Pre-
cincts and Parishes by the Laws of this Province are enabled
to provide.
Be it therefore Enacted by the Governor Council & House
of Representatives That Jonathan Longfellow and Stephen
Jones Esq" Mess" Ichabod Jones, Stephen Parker, Benja-
min F(jster and James Eliot or the major part of them be &
hereby are authorized & impowered upon Oath to Tax all the
Inhabitants of Machias annually, excepting those that are
professed Chuichmen, Baptists or Quakers, not exceeding
the Sum of one hundred and twenty pounds annually for the
support and maintenance of the Gospel amongst thein as the
major part of said Inhabitants shall at their meeting vote
and determine ; upon notice being given to them eight days
at least by notification in writing being posted up at the
several places where said Inhabitants attend Divine Wor-
slii|) (Ml tilt! Lords diiy.
And be it further Enacted that the said Jonathan Long-
fellow, Stephen Jones, Ichabod Jones, Stephen Parker, Ben-
186 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
jamin Foster and James Eliot or the major part of them shall
have and hereby is given them the same power and authority
to Tax said Inhabitants for the purpose aforesaid and the
same power to appoint a Collector or Collectors for collect-
ing the said Taxes as the Inhabitants would have had where
they incorporated into a Town or District, and the Collector
or Collectors thus appointed and sworn to the faithful dis-
charge of their office, shall have the same power and author-
ity to Collect the said Taxes committed to them as if they
were legally chosen by said Inhabitants for that purpose.
And s'' Committee shall have & hereby is granted unto
them or any three of them the Power of a Town District or
Precinct Treasurer unto whom the money collected as afores*^
shall by the Collectors be paid.
This Act to continue & be in force for the space of three
years from the first day of April 1772.
In Council July 14*'' 1772 Read a first & a second Time &
passed to be Engrossed
Tho« Flucker Sec^
In the House of Representatives July 14, 1772.
Read & ordered that the further Consideration of this Bill
be referd to the next Session.
Sent up for Concurrence T. Cushing Spk'
In Council July 14"' 1772
Read and Cone** — Jn° Cotton D. Secry ,
Gov'^ Hutchinson to the Earl of Dartmouth
No. 6 Boston 13"' November 1772.
My Lord
Having received a letter from M"" Goldthwait Command-
ing officer of Fort Pownall and of a Regiment of Militia in
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 187
the Eastern part of the Province I take the liberty to cover a
copy as an addition to the state of that Country which I
have already sent. Upon a review of your Lordship's
directions I find that I have not fully complied with them,
having made no mention of my opinion upon the steps proper
to remove the difiiculties which have hitherto obstructed the
resfulation of the settlements there. «
The inducement to people to flock from the settled parts
of this Province and New Hampshire and to prefer the Sea
coast and Islands and Rivere there to the inland parts of
either Province is the profit which arises from the pine and
Oak Timber which, being near the Sea, is purchased of the
Settlers for transportation to Europe or for the supply of the
Inhabitants of Boston Portsmouth &c. A very great quan-
tity has been carried to England and the King has paid no
inconsiderable sum as a bounty for bringing away his own Tim-
l)er without his licence. As the settlers increase this mischief
increases. A restraint therefore from further settling seems
to be the first steps necessary, and this would effectually be
made if all Timber cut there wheresoever carried, was made
liable to a forfeiture; but this would take away the present
means of support from a thousand or fifteen hundred families
and make most of them, for some time, miserable, and would
also be sensibly felt by the Seaport Towns of both Provinces
which have their principal supply of fewal from this Coun-
try. The Assembly I think without any good reason have
repeatedly refused their aid in order to restrain these unjusti-
fiable settlements and there is no prospect of their agreeing
to such measures us may answer Ills Majesty's pur[)ose. It
seems therefore necessary for the preservation of His
Majesty's interest the Country should be subject to His sole
direction. To effecit tliis an offer may be made of the Lands
West of Merrimack River which were taken from this
Province by the new boundary with New Hampshire in 1737
188 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
as an equivalent for the Country East of Kennebeck.
Or the absolute property of the Country West of Penobscot
may be vested in the Province provided all claim be re-
linquished to the Country East of Penobscot and if the line
of the Province of Main might be allowed to run from the
head of Newichewanock River, North West instead of North
two degrees West, as I conceived it ought to run until His
late Majesty in Council otherwise determined, this would
not, being added to the Lands, West of Penobscot, make
more than an equivalent for the Lands East and would make
the proposal more likely to be accepted. In the Grant to Sir
Ferdinando Gorges the line upon the Sea Coast is said to be
Northeastward when the course of the Seacoast, which was
then well known, is Northeast, and the plain intent of the
patent seems to be a Tract of 120 miles square & that being
the length upon the Sea, upon this constructipn the other
three sides would be equal.
I cannot answer for a compliance with any proposals what-
soever but one advantage will arise from them. A refusal
will facilitate and render unexceptionable a Parliamentary
consideration the only remaining step, which will be abso-
lutely necessary and which the repeated refusal to take
proper care of this Country may, alone, be sufficient to
justify.
Tho Hutchinson
Provmce of the Massachusetts Bay To his Excellency
Thomas Hutchinson Esq'' Captain General and Com-
mander in Chief in and over said Province
To the Honorable his Majesties Council and House of
Representatives in General Court assembled, January Anno
Domini 1773 —
OF THE ]tfAINE OF STATE 189
The Petition of the Proprietors of a certain Tract of Land
situate in the County of Lincoln in said Province at or near
a Place called Pemaquid in the Eastward Parts of said Prov-
ince granted by the Council of Plymouth in great Britain in
the Year One Thousand Six hvmdred and thirty one, To
Robert Aldsword and Giles Elbridge, known by the Name of
Pemaquid Lands humbly sheweth —
That your Petitioners and their Ancestors, and Others
whose Estate in the Lands aforesaid they now hold have
been at great Pains and Expenees in making Surveys Plans
and Divisions of the Tract of Land aforesaid, and in bringing
forward Settlements and making improvements there, and in
many other Ways, in managing, ordering, and disposing tlie
Affairs of said Pemaquid Propriety or Company, for a
Course of Thirty Years past —
That in the Course of these Transactions, they have fre-
quently voted to raise Monies for necessary Purposes relating
to said Propriety, and have ordered such sums to be laid and
Apportioned on the several Pi-oprietors, according to each
Proprietors Interest in the Land and to strict Equity — And
they have stated Accounts, paid and received Monies and
done other Things as appears in the Companys Book of
Records and in the Company's Book of Accounts —
But in some Instances, through Error and want of Infor-
mation in the Law, m Voting sums of monies to be raised,
and in forming Assessments of those sums upon the Propri(>-
lors they liave not a.s tliey ai'e now advised confonncd in ;dl
things to the strict regulations of the Law, tho' they have in
all Respects conformed to the Principles of Equity and good
Conscience, as they sliall be able fully to prove to the Satis-
faction ()\ this Honoi-abli' ('ourt oi' any Connnittct^ llu'rcol,
n|i(in Inspection of their sai<l I>ooks of Kecords, Proeecidings
iuid Ac(;ouiits —
That some of said Pioprietors Iiunc not [)aid tiieii' res[)ect-
190 DOCUMENTAllY HISTORY
ive Quotes, and Proportions of the Expences and intended
Assessments aforesaid but are considerably in Arrear — But
on Account of the Irregularities aforesaid your Petitioners
and the said Company are informed that tliey cannot proceed
to collect and lay said Quotas or to make sale of the Lands
of said delinquent Proprietors, for the Payment of their just
Proportions aforesaid, which are still in Arrear, and unpaid,
without great Hazzard of Lawsuits and Perplexities both to
your Petitioners, and the delinquent Proprietors aforesaid.
Wherefore your Petitioners liumbly pray the Interposition
of tliis Honorable (Jourt, for the Ratification of their past
Proceedings, and that the said Company or Propriety may
be impowered to proceed to collect and levy, the said Sums
that are still in Arrear by sale of the delinquent Proprietors
Lands, or otherwise According to Law ; any want of Con-
formity to the strict Regulation of the Law, relating to the
Votes, Assessments, Proceedings of Proprietors of common
and undivided Lands, notwithstanding : and your Petitioners
as in Duty bound shall Pray —
Seth Sweetser John Savage Habijah Savage
Bart^ Kneeland Stephen Minot Rachel Noble
Stephen Miller
Petition of Selectmen of Winthrop, 1773
To His Excellency Thomas Hutchinson Esi^"^ Governor in
Chief of His Majestys Province of the Massachusetts Bay
The Honorable His Majestys Council and the Honorable
House of Representatives in General Court Assembled The
Petition of the Selectmen of the Town of Winthrop in the
County of Lincoln in said Province
Humbly Sheweth
That the Inhabitants of said Town are all New Settlers So
new that Six years ago thair was but two familys in the
OF THE STATE OF IVIAINE 191
Compass of the said Town as it is Incorporated that the near-
est place of the said Town to Kennebeck River is the chstance
of five miles and the Koads all New and all most impasal)le
with Teams dureing the Sumer Season So the said Inhab-
itants cannot have the advantage of Lumbering as People
that live on Kennebeck River thair whole dependance being
upon what they Raise from the land the said Inhabitants are
poor in (jeneral and of Consequence money very Scarce
among them and hard to be procuered Your Petitioners
Therefore Humbly Pray that Your Excellency and Honours
would take our Case under your Wise Consideration and for
the Reasons aforesaid and the Consideration of the Expence
we must be at in Building a meeting House for the Publick
Worship of God would Exempt the said Inhabitants from
paying any Tax to the Province for the Tarni of five years
next to Come or otherways Grant Relief as Your Exelency
and Honours in your Wisdom Shall See meet and your
Petitioners Shall ever pray &c
Dated March y« 8»" A D. 1773 at Winthrop
Jonathan Whiting I Selectmen
Gideon Lambart Y for
Ichabod How
Winthrop
Petition of Members of the Church of Englajid.
T<» his Excellency the Governor the Honble his Majestys
Council & the Hoiible House of Representatives in Gen-
eral Court Assembled
The Petition of a Number of Persons Members of the
Church of England usually attending Public Worship at S'
Paul's Church in Falmouth — Humbly Sheweth —
That in the Year of our Lord 1765 your Petitioners at
great Expence erected a Church »& obtaind a Missionary
192 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
from the Venerable Society for Propogating the Gospel in
Foreign Parts which Missionary they laid themselves nnder
an obligation to support & hitherto have supported the said
Missionary by laying a Tax upon the Pews in the said
Church together with a small Tax upon Persons who were
not owners of Pews yet usually & frequently attending Pub-
lic Worship in the said Church —
And wliereas your Petitioners being assessed heretofore by
the first Parish in said Town agreeable to the Law of this
Province now in force has been found to be attended with
many inconveniences they humbly pray your Excellency &
Honors would be pleased to enable & permit the Assessors
of said first Parish to omit rating the members of the s*^
Church for the future the Minister & Wardens giving in a
List of said Members to said Assessors on or l)efore the first
day of September next & on or before the first day of
September annually afterwards & certifying thereon that the
Persons therein named are members of the Church of Eng-
land and usually & frequently attend the Public Worship of
God with them on the Lords Days —
And your Petitioners further pray that said members of
said Church of England may have the further priviledge
granted them of raising assessing & levying all ministerial
Cliarges independent of any other denomination of Christians
in said Falmouth in such ways & means as they hitherto
have done or otherwise as your Excellenc^y & Honors shall
judge most expedient.
And your Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever Pray.
Jon* Webb J Joluison Edward Watts
Zebulun Noyes Moses Shattuck Jos : Domett
Abra™ Osgood David Wyer Samuel Mountfort
Jedidiah Preble Fra^ Waldo Edward Oxnard
Tho" Oxnard Tho : Child David Wyer Ju^
G. Lyde W. Simmons John Waite
Step" Waite
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 193
At a legal Meeting of the first Parish in Falmouth by-
Adjournment May 17'*^ 1773. The said Petition was laid
before the Parish, whereupon,
Voted that the parish join in the first prayer of said Peti-
tion that the Assessors may be permitted to omit rating said
Members of the church of England for the future upon the
]\Iinister & Wardens giving in a List and certifying thereon
as mentioned in said Petition ;
The Second prayer of said Petition for the Grant of
further priviledges they submit to the Wisdom of the Legisla-
ture.
Attest Theo Bradbury Clerk of said Parish.
In Council June 8'^ 1773 Read & Ordered That William
Brattle & James Bowdoin Esq" with such as the hon^^
house shall join be a Committee To Consider this petition &
report
Sent down for Concurrence Tlio* Flucker Sec^
In the House of Representatives June 11, 1773.
Read & Concurrd and M' Stickney Coll Warren and Coll
Murray are joynd.
T. Cushing Spk''
The Committee above named have attended the service
assigned them Report that the prayer of tlie Petitioners be
granted, & that they have liberty to bring in a bill accord-
ingly.
W. Brattle by order
In Coun(;il Juno LS"' 1773. Read & accepted, & ordered
that the Petitioners have Liberty to bring in a Bill for the
purposes in their Petition mentioned —
Sent down for (Joncui-rence
Jn" ('ottcm I). Secry
In the House of llel)^esentHtivc^s June 18, 1773.
I {end & Concurrd
T. (hishing Spkr
13
194 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Petition of Selectmen of North Yarmouth. 1773.
To his Excellency the Governor and the hon'''*^ the Coun-
cil of his Majestys Province of the Massachusetts Bay in
New England at their Session in May 1773
The Petition of the Selectmen of the Town of North Yar-
mouth, on behalf of said Town Humbly Sheweth
That one Edward Doring, a transient Person, formerly a
native of Ireland, Some time in July last came to said Town,
and on or about the last of the same Month was taken sick
at the House of Capt" Solomon Loring, Inholder in said
Town ; whereupon said Loring finding him to be a person of
no property, made application to the Selectmen of the Town,
to provide for his Nursing and doctoring, and the Selectmen
gave Orders to said Loring to provide accordingly —
That on the 20"' of August the said Doring died there,
and said Loring has debted the Town for Nursing doctoring
and funeral Expence, as by the Attested Accounts accom-
panying this Petition may appear X4 : 19: 4. Lawful money
That the Selectmen, on behalf of the Town, have taken pains
to inform themselves of the circumstances of the said Doring,
& can't find by all their enquiries that he had obtained a legal
Settlement in any Town within this Government; nor can
they find that he has left any Estate, real or personal towards
defraying the Charges of his Sickness and burial —
Wherefore your Petitioners pray, that said Sum of <£4 :
19 : 4. may be refunded to the Town of North Yarmouth out
of the Province Treasury, and Orders given for that Pur-
pose, agreeable to the Law of this Province in such Cases
made and provided —
And your Petitioners, as in Duty bound shall ever pray —
North Yarmouth Solomon Loring
May 31. 1773 Jonathan INIitchell
Silvanus Prince
Selectmen
of
North Yarmouth
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 195
Deposition.
Stephen Holt of Lawful Age Testifietli & Saitli That he
was one of the first Settlers in a ToAATiship Granted to Capf*
John Lovewell & others known by the Name of Suncook. —
That the Grantees with great Labour & Expence brought
forward their Settlements Soon after the grant of s** Town-
ship was made Notwithstanding the opposition made by the
Proprietors of Bow who Claimed a Tract of Land by Virtue
of a Grant made by the Goverment of New Hampshire of
the Contents of Twelve miles Square which Included Sun-
cook & was made near the Time of the Massachusetts grant
— That they were Encouraged by the People of the Massa-
chusetts Government to Perfect their Settlements Notwith-
standing the opposition made by Bow & Accordingly
Persevered in their undertaking & Endeavoured to Defend
their Rights in the Common Law of New Hampshire when
many of them were held to Answer there by Process or be
Defaulted —
That many Actions were Continued from Term to Term
till the Defendants were almost Ruin'd — That tlie Proprie-
tors of Pennicook being under like Circumstances ( saving
only that Pennicook was purchased with money & Suncook
was the Price of Blood ) Apply'd to the great & General
Couit of the Massachusetts Province for Relief & ()l)tained a
grant of One hundred pounds Sterling to Defend their Cause
in England and the Suncook Proprietors Embark \1 in the
Same Cause According to their AbiUty Contributed to tlie
Pennicook Agent for his Aid to them in the Common Cause.
But so it is thougli tlie Actions at home were Determined in
some soit in favour of the Massacluisetts Grantees yet the
l)oint of Property most Essential to be Dckn'mined was Care-
fully Avoided, and after tliis New Actions were (^unnieiK^ed
So t!i;it the Pr<ipi-i('tors of Suncook as well as tliosc of Pen-
nicook liav(! been Coiitiiiu;ill\ liai'iiisscd ^V' W'oii'icfl in the
196 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Law from their Infant State 'till within these two or three
years last past they have almost all of them, Purchased their
Improvements & them only at an Extravagant Lay, and all
the unimprov'd Lands Revert to the Proprietors of Bow.
The Deponant further Saitli that he was an Inhabitant of
Suncook for the Term of Ten Years & Since his Removal he
has been Conversant with the Proprietors, been Concerned in
Defending Sundry Rights & that he has no Knowledge of
any one of the Inhabitants having Received any Considera-
tion from the Province of the Massachusetts Bay, nor from
New Hampshire, on Account of their Loss in Suncook ; but
on the Contary is well assured that there is not one Individ-
ual of s*^ Prop" of Suncook but what has Sustain'd more
Loss than Double the Value of his Right when Granted, and
that many Others have been Entirely Ruined And were
Obliged to part with their Farms Valued at more than XlOO
Sterling to Defrey the Chargs of their Vexatious Law suits.
Andover May 31, 1773 ~ Stephen Holt
Essex ss. Andover May 31, 1773
Then M'' Stephen Holt appear"^ personally & made Oath
to the forewritten Deposition, by him Subscrib*^
Before me Samuel Phillips Just^ Pacis
Petition of James Miller and others 1773
To His Excellency Thomas Hutchinson Esq"^ Captain
General Governor & Commander in Chief in & Over his
majestys Province of the massachusetts Bay &c —
The Honourable His majestys Councele & House of Rep-
resentatives in General Assembly Convened —
The subscribers humbly Shew —
that your Petitioners Purchased from the Heirs of Brigadeer
"Waldo a tract of Land Near Six miles Square Situate on tha
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 197
Western Side of Penobscot Bay Bounded Begining at the
Westerly Bounds of tlie township of Frankfort from thence
Westerly Round tlie Harbour Called Passageesewokey to
Little River from thence up Said River as far as Salt Water
flows then Crossing Said River to a Black Burch tree Com-
puted to be thirty Seven Chains from thence South Sixty
Eight Degrees west two Hundred & seventy three Chains to
A Burch tree from thence North twenty two Degrees West
three Hundred & Twenty two Chains to a rock maple tree
one rod Westerly from a quarry of stones from thence North
Sixty Eight Degrees East six hundred & two Chains to the
Westerly Line of said Frankfort from thence South thirty
Seven Chains to the Largest of Halfway Creek Ponds from
thence Down said Creek to the Bounds first mentioned and
Whereas the Vendors Could not Convey jurisdicktion the
Vendees have no Legal Power to Vote assess or Levy taxes
for any Publick use & many of the Vendees being Now Set-
tled on the Premises & Scarcely able in Point of Circum-
stances to Perform their own Settlements Suffer Greatly
Being Destitute of the Gospell Schools mills Bridges &c and
Whereas the Vendors Did not Oblige the Vendees to Settle
the Premises Sundry of them are non Residents and Should
the Premisses be Incorporated in Common form the Poor
Residents must Suffer all the inconveniences of Being the
first Settlers & pay all the taxes for the publick uses afore-
said : and the non Residents have the advantage of Lumber
from their Lands increasing Everey Day at the Expence &
By the Labour of the Residents —
Therefore your Petitioners Humbly Pray your Excellency
& Honours to Incorporate the Premisses into a township by
the Name of Belfast & Grant them all the Privileges &
Invest them with all the Legal Authority Necessary to
Enable the Said Purchassers to Hold Legal meetings & to
Chuse all Necessary Officers the Vote to be Numbred
198 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
According to the Interest of Each Purchasser Present at
Said meetings to Vote & Levey taxes from time to time to
Expedite Said Settlement from all the Purchassers of said
Premisses, Whether Resident or non Resident According to
their Intrast in said Premisses Numbring as afores*^ and in
Case any Purchasser Neglects or Refuse- to Pay any tax
Voted as afores^ for the Space of Sixty Days Next after the
Day Said Vote was Recorded A Commttee Chosen as afores*^
be Impowered to Sell at Publick Vendue giving thirty Days
Notice Before Said Sale as much of Purchassers Land as will
Pay Said tax or taxes & all Incidental Charges Returning
the Overplush if any to the Purchasser Every meeting to be
Notified by the Clark of said town in the most Publick Place
in said Belfast fifteen Days before said meeting, giving an
Explict account in writing under his hand of time & Place &
of what to be acted at Said meeting & that what sover tax
the Residents are obliged to Pay be assessed & Levied in
manner as afores*^ for teen years Next after the Date of Said
Incorporation & after that Period to be assessed Levied and
Paid as other towns assess & Pay their taxes —
and your Petitioners as in Duty Bound Will Ever Pray &c
James Miller John Tuffts Ephraim Stimson
William John Durham William Patterson ^""
Nathaniel Patterson John Davidson William Glechlan
John Gilman Richard Stimson Rob' Patterson
James Patterson John Stel John Mitchel
Samul Morrison Mo^ Barnett John Brown
John Moor Sam'' Houston Sam" Houston Ju'
James Macgregore Jun'' David Hemphill John Barnet
John Durham Juner Joseph Morrison Alex"" Wilson
Samuel Marsh Joseph Gragg John Tuffts
Alexander Little John Cochran James Gilmore
David Gilmore
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 199
Act of Incorporation, 1773.
In the thirteenth Year of the Reign of King George the
third
An Act for Incorporating a Certain Tract of Land on the
Westerly side of Penobscot Bay into a Town by the name of
Whereas the Inhabitants of a Certain Tract of Land on the
Westerly side of Penobscot Bay in the County of Lincoln
are desirous of being incorporated into and invested with the
Powers and Priviledges of a Town, — therefore,
Be it Enacted by the Governor Council and House of
Representatives that the Tract of Land aforesaid Bounded
as follows Viz' Beginning at the Westerly Bounds of the
township of Frankfort from thence Westerly Round the
Harbour called Passagusnoskey to little River from thence
up said River as far as Salt Water flows then Crossing said
River to a Black Burch tree Computed to be thirty seven
Chains from thence South Sixty eight Degrees West Two
Hundred & twenty three Chains to a Burch tree from thence
North twenty two Degrees West three hundred & seventy
two Chains to a rock maple Tree one rod Westerly from a
quarrey of Stones from thence North Sixty Eight Degrees
East Six hundred & two Chains to the Westerly Line of
said Frankfort from thence South thirty Seven Chains to the
largest of halfway Creek Ponds from thence down said Creek
to the Bounds first mentioned ; be and hereby is erected into
a Town by the Name of
And that the Inhabitants thereof be and hereby are
invested with all the Powers, Priviledges and Immunities
which the Inhabitants of the Towns within this Province
respectively do, or by Law ought to enjoy.
And be it further enacted That Thomas Goldthwait Escj''
be, and he hereby is impowered to issue his Warrant directed
to some principal InhaV)itant in said Town to notify and
Warn the Inhabitants in said Town qualified by J^aw to vote
200 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
in Town Affairs, to meet at such Time and Place as shall be
therein set forth, to choose all officers as shall be necessary
to manage the Affairs of said Town. At which said First
meeting all the then Present Male Inhabitants that shall be
arrived to y^ age of Twenty one years Shall be admitted to
vote
In the House of Representatives
Read the first time June 14 1773
June 15 Read a second time
June 21, Read a third time & passed to be Engrossed
Sent up for Concurrence T Gushing Spk'
In Council June 21* 1773 Read a first & a Second Time
& passed a Concurrence to be Engrossed
Tho« Flucker Sec^
Act of Incorporation. 1773.
Anno Regni Regis Geo. Tertii Decimo Tertio
An Act for Incorporating a Plantation called Broad Bay
into a Town by the Name of
Whereas the Inhabitants of the Plantation called Broad
Bay in the County of Lincoln have Represented to this
Court that they labour under many great difficulties and
Inconveniences by reason of their not being Incorporated
into a Town Therefore
Be it Enacted by the Governor Council and House of
Representatives that the said Plantation commonly called
and known by the name of Broad Bay Bounded as follows
Viz* To begin at the Northwest Corner Bound of the Town
of Bristol in said County at a Stake standing on the Bank of
the Duck-Puddle-Brook so called, thence runnmg Northerly
by said Brook and pond, to the Northerly end of said pond
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 201
to a pine Tree marked on four sides,, thence to run North
five hundred and Sixty Rods to a pine Tree marked on four
sides thence to run North twenty two Degrees & thirty
Minutes East seventeen hundred Rods to a spruce Tree
marked on four sides, thence to run East southeast eleven
hundred and twenty Rods to a Birch Tree marked on four
sides thence to run South seven Degrees East sixteen hun-
dred Rods to a Maple Tree marked on four sides, thence to
run south Nineteen Degrees West nine liundred and sixty
Rods to a spruce Tree marked on four sides, thence to run
Southeast one hundred & sixty Rods to a Firr Tree marked
on four sides, thence to run South fifteen Degrees East three
hmidred and twenty Rods to a stake standing on the Bank
of little Pond so called thence Easterly by the Shore of said
Pond to the Easterly part thereof, thence South fifteen
Degrees East to a stake standing on the Bank of the South-
erly Pond so called thence Easterly by the Shore of the said
Pond to the easterly part thereof, thence South fifteen
Degrees East one hundred Rods to a spruce Tree marked on
four sides, thence running South twelve Degrees West three
hundred and twenty Rods to a spruce Tree marked on four
sides, thence running Northwest four hundred Rods to
Goose River, so called, from thence southerly down said
River in the middle thereof to its Entrance into tlie Bay,
thence Northerly & westerly by the Shore of the Bay round
the Back-Cove, so called, thence to continue by the Shore
Southerly & westerly to the southerly Part of Passage Point
otherwise called Jones's Neck, thence Westerly across the
Narrow of Broad Bay River untill it strikes the southerly
part of Havenars point, so called, thence Westerly round the
Shore of said point and Northerly by the Shore of the eastern
Branch Broad Cove, thence round the Head of said Cove
Westerly & Southerly untill it comes to a red Oak Tree
standing on the Land of Jacob Eaton being the Easterly
202 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Corner Bound of the Town of Bristol aforesaid thence to
run Northwesterly on said Line of Bristol to the first men-
tioned Bounds be and hereby is erected into a Township by
the Name of
And that the Inhabitants thereof be and hereby are
invested with all the Powers Privileges and Immunities
which the Inhabitants of the Towns within this Province
respective!}' do, or by Law ought to enjoy. And be it
further enacted That Alexander Nichols Esq' be and hereby
is impowered to issue his Warrant directed to some principal
Inhabitant in said Township, to notify and warn the Inhab-
itants in said Township to meet at such Time and place as
shall be therein set forth, to choose all such Officers as shall
be necessary to manage the Affairs of said Town, at which
said First meeting all the then Present male Inhabitants
arrived to Twenty one years of age shall be admitted to vote
In the House of Representatives June 12, 1773.
Read a first time
June 15, 1773 Read a second time
June 26 1773 Read a third time & passed to be
Engrossed
Sent up for Concurrence
T Cushing Spk'
In Council June 26* 1773 Read a first time & 29 a Sec-
ond time & passed a Concurrence to be Engrossed
Jn° Cotton D Sec^
Petition of Noah Johnson <f others
Province of the Massachusetts Bay To His Excellency the
Governor, To the Honourable His Majesty's Council &
House of Representatives in general Court Assembled
The Petition of the Subscribers hereto Humbly Shews —
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 203
That in the Time of the War with the Indians called the
three year War, Cap* John Lovewell and a number of Men
under his Command Voluntarily Engaged in the Service of
Their King and Country, and bravely Exerted Themselves
therein, by Pursuing the Indians in the Wilderness, where
They repeatedly met with & Destroy'd some of Them. And
finally, viz on the 8"> Day of May A D 1725. He with
thirty four Men, met with a Large Body of Them at Pig-
wacket, and had a Long & very warm Engagement with
Them in which He, and a Considerable part of His Men
Lost Their Lives. But the Indians were so severely handled
in tliis Engagement, It Struck Them with so much Terror,
That the Government looked upon Lovewell & His Men so
Eminently Serviceable by This & Their former Bravery, as
That They were Worthy of Some particular Regard from the
Publick — In Consideration whereof. The Government
granted a Township of Wilderness Land at Suncook, To the
Heirs of the said Cap* John Lovewell, To the Heirs of those
of His Men that fell with Him in the Engagement, To those
who Liv'd thro it, and to a Number of such Other Men as
the Government then thought were the most Proper to be
admitted with Those who had been in said Engagement, and
to make a Suitable Society for the Settlement of a New
Township —
That in Consequence of said Grant, and in Compliance
with the Conditions thereof. The Grantees Settled said
Township, Some by Their own Persons and Others by Their
Assigns; And as no Body at that Time, had any Suspicion
of Danger in the Title of the Land the People who Settled
thereon, carried all the Interest They had in the World with
Them, and Laid it out on Their Respective Rights, and
therewith bestow'd a great deal of Labour with Tlieir own
hands to bring Their Lands to be Pj-ofitable to Them, Trust-
ing tliat They and Their Posterity Should Enjoy the Fruit
204 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
of Their Labour without Interruption — But by the running
the Line for a Divisional Line between this Province and
the Province of New Hampshire, said Township was taken
into the Latter — Soon after This, there came a number of
Men and laid Claime to the same Land, Alledging it was a
Township granted by the Province of New Hampshire to
Them by the Name of Bow. — And fi-om thence forward
Sues for the Land, and so worried the Massachusetts
Grantees and Their Assigns from Time to Time in Law,
That they found Themselves obliged, either to leave Their
Possessions or buy Them — And being in such an unhappy
Situation, They knew not well what to do. Some bought
the Lands They had Subdu'd & lived upon, but Others, who
would not buy, were Intirely ousted of Theirs. So that
upon the whole, the Massachusetts Grant has been Obliged
( by the Laws in Hampshire ) to give way to the Hampshire
Grant, and the Township (by that means) wholly Lost to
Those of the original Grantees who never Sold Their Rights,
and in a great Measure to Those who Settled therein by Pur-
chase. Some of the Latter having had some Considerations
from those of the Original Grantees of whom They Purchas'd
Their Lands, They did not wholly Loose Theirs, but as the
Considerations They Rec"^ were much Short of the Damages
They Sustain'd, They were greater Loosers than Those were
that they Purchas'd of — But in Fact both are Loosers, so
there is become more than one Sufferer on one & the Same
of many of the Rights in said lost Township — wherefore
your Petitioners, who are some of the immediate Sufferers
by said Loss take Leave to Pray, That in Lieu of said Town-
ship, your Excellency & Honours would be Pleas'd to grant
a Tract of Wilderness Land belonging to the Province
Sufficient for a Township, to Such of the original Grantees
of said Township as are Living, To the Heirs of such of
Them as are Dead and to Those who Settled therein by Pur-
OF THE STATE OF MAINE
205
chase, So that the same may be Shar'd among all the Loosers,
in Proportion to the Damages They have Respectively Sus-
tain'd ; with Liberty to lay it out to the Eastward of Saco
River, adjoining to the Northwardly part of the Township,
granted to Benjamin Mullikin Esq"" and others.
And as in Duty bound Prays
Noah Johnson Thomas Ilarwood
James Whitney John Lovewell
Francies Doyne John Knox
Joseph Baker David Abbot
John Whittemore Andrew Bunten
Benjamin Hall David Lovejoy
Patrick Gait
Andrew Gait
Ephriam Blunt
Moses Foster
Benjamin Holt
Abiel Austin
Thomas Barnard
Edward Barnard
John Chamberlin
Richard Eastman
Joseph Brown
Samuel Abbot
Moses Tyler
Robert White
Caleb Lovejoy
Sam" M'^Connell
Robert Moore
David Chandler
James Cuningham
Ephraim foster
John Man
Nathanael Holt
Benj'^ Stevens Jun'' William Ayer
Zebediah Austin
) Heirs of Rev** M"^ Barnard late
{ Andover
of
Deposition of Benj^'' Holt 1773.
I the Deponant aged Sixty four Years Testify & Say That
I was the Lawful owner of the Substance of three Rights in
the Township at Suncook which was granted to Cap* John
Lovewell & others — That I Settled upon a Tract of my
said Land, and have lived in said Township about thirty nine
years, and have been knowing to and have been a large Suf-
ferer in the I^osH of said 'J'ownship, which has been recovered
& Uiken from the Inhabitants who Settled therein under the
Government of tlie MasHaeliusetts-Bay, by a number of Per-
sons, who Claim'd the greatest Part of it by virtue of a grant
206 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
( as They said ) from the Government of New-Hampshire for
a Township by the name of Bow — By the Proprietors of the
Mason Patent and by the Proprietors of the Township of
Chester. That I know of no Compensation being ever made
to the Sufferers for that Loss, by the Government of Massa-
chusetts-Bay or New-Hampshire, Except Ross Wyman, who
( as I have heard ) has had a Grant of some land from the
Government of the Massachusetts-Bay in lieu of his Loss —
Also That the Bow-Proprietors gave ( as I have been told )
the Late Rev'' M^ Whittemore fifty acres of the Land He
was Settled upon, and to one Francis Doyne twenty acres
He was Settled on in s*^ lost Township — And as for my
Self besides the loss of my Lands I have been put to greater
Expence than I can readly tell having been Ejected out of
two Tracts of Land by two Actions which were continued in
the Law for about fifteen years.
Benjamin Holt
York ss. Fryeburg Octo'^ 23'' AD 1Y73 the above named
Benj'^ Holt Personally appeared and made Solemn Oath
to the Truth of the foregoing Deposition by Him Sub-
scribed
Before me J Frye Jus* Peace
Gov'' Hutchinson to Lord Dartmouth.
Boston 26"' October 1773 My Lord,
I could not obtain the Report of the Attorney and Solicitor
General in 1731 until I had finished my Letter of the 16"' to
your Lordship ; I have since met with it & perceive that it
makes a distinction between a Country possessed merely by
Conquest and a Country yielded by Treaty, & Supposes the
Country between Kennebeck & Nova Scotia to fall under the
first part of the distinction. I observed to your Lordship
that I had no right from my Knowledge of the Civil Law,
which has never been my profession to be positive upon any
OF THE MAINE OF STATE 207
point. I had always received it that whenever Lands which
had been lost by Conquest though ceded upon a Treaty were
recovered by the CrowTi or State which had lost them, the
subject also recovered his private property. I have heard
that the French many years after the Cession of St. Christo-
pher's, & the Spaniards also after the Cession of Jamaica,
made it their practice to devise the Estates they had formerly
possessed in those Islands respectively. This must have
been upon the principle of Jus Post Hminii after the Country
had been given up by Treaty. I recollect, on the other Hand,
that the Duke of York had a Grant of what is now New
York in 1664 & kept possession until 1673 when it was
recovered by the Dutch. It was soon after restored or ceded
to England by Treaty. The Duke thereupon took a new
Grant which looks as if there was then some doubt of this
doctrine of Postliminii in general, for in that Case there was
no more than a Suspension of property only & not what the
Report of the Attorney & Solicitor General caUs an Extin-
guishment the Country never having been ceded to the
Dutch by Treaty. I have supposed the Duke might take
this new Grant Ex Abundanti & to remove all Exception or
Cavil.
If 1 have been mistaken in my Notions of Postliminii &
the yielding up a Country by Treaty extinguishes the Right
wliicli the Suljject had in it, the Massachusets can have no
just chiim to the Country East of Penobscot, for tliougli tlic.
Charter is of a later date than the Treaty of Breda yet it is
of an earlier date than tlie Treaty of Ryswick when all that
had been before ceded l)y the Treaty of lireda was again
ceded or restored. This however will not effect the Country
West of Penobscot because it was never ceded by Treaty,
nor lias ever been in possession of any Europeans except the
English.
I am &c. 'Iho" llulchinson.
208 DOCUMENTAKY HISTORY
Deposition. 1774-
the Deposition of Cap* Joseph Baker and John Knox all
of Lawful Age Testifyeth and Saith that they have Lived
upwards of thirty years in a place formerly Called Suncook
which was Granted to Cap* Lowells men by the Grate and
Genereal Court of the Massetuchetts Bay — and further
Saith that the township So Granted has fell into the Prov-
ince of New Hampshire and is Intirely taken away from the
Settlers and Grantees aforesaid, by the title of New Hamp-
shire and that they have Been obliged to Purtches of them
at their own Price in order to Secure their Emprovements,
and further Saith that they have not Rec'^ any Satisfaction
from the Court of Either of the Said Provinces for the Loss
of said Township Exept the Court has made some Retaleya-
tion to Ross Wyman one of the Grantees —
and further adds that they have Expended Severeal thou-
sands of Pounds in the Law in order to Defend said town-
ship.
Joseph Baker
David Lovejoy
John Knox
Province of Newhamp'" Rockingham ss Penicooke January
8"' 1774 the Subscribers Joseph Baker David Lovejoy
& John Knox all appeared & INIade a solemn oath to the
truth of the above Deposition
Coram Jn" Bryent Jus* Peace
Province of the Massachusetts Bay — Cumberland ss — Fal-
mouth Jan. 18"^ 1774 —
To his Excellency Thomas Hutchinson Esq^ Cap* General
& Governor in Chief in and over his Majestys Province of
the Massachusetts-Bay The Honourable his Majestys Council,
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 209
and House of Representatives in General Court assembled
The Memorial of Samuel Freeman of Falmouth aforesaid
Merchant, humbly sets forth That in the Year 1764 this
Court granted a Township of Land near Mount Desert, to
one Ebenezer Thorndike and others, That the Grantees of
said Township have been impower'd to hold Meetings as
Proprietors, and have employed Persons to run out the same
&c — and thereby incurr'd some considerable Charge, to pay
which they have assess'd the several Rights in said Town-
ship, chose proper Officers to collect the same, but the Pro-
prietors not having obtained the Kings Approbation of said
Grant, they have not been able to collect the Monies so
assess'd and the Persons to whom the Proprietors are in debt
want their Money and one of them lately brought an Action
against, and recovered Judgment and Execution, which
Execution was put into the hands of an Officer, who there-
with arrested your Memorialist, and though your Memorialist
has a considerable Sum himself due from the said Propri-
etors, he was obliged to settle the same or go to Goal, which
your Memorialist looks upon to be extreme hard and unequal
— and their can never be an End of Lawsuits in this Way,
for your Memorialist may also sue the Proprietors and upon
recovering Judgment, may levy Execution on the former
Plaintiff, being a Proprietor or any other, and they again
may do the same, and so continue to the End of Time —
Wherefore, your Memorialist, humbly prays, that this
Honourable Court would take the Premises into their mature
Consideration, and j)rovide some remedy for your Memorial-
ist, that he as well as the other Creditors of the said Propri-
ety may recover of the several Grantees tlieir proportion of
the several demands due from the said Propi-ietors in such a
manner as shall i)ut an end to said Demands, either to dis-
train or sue the several Proprietors aforesaid for their pro-
portion as aforesaid, or by any other way or means relieve
U
210 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
your Memorialist as Your Excellency and Honours shall, in
your great Wisdom think proper — And your Memorialist as
in Duty bound shall ever pray
Sam^ Freeman
Indorsed
Saml Freemans petition
Jany 18*" 1Y74
Feb. 14, 1774 read & com^ Coll Leonard
M"^ Freeman of Eastham
Cap. Herrick
May 2 1774
refer** till next Session
Petition of Tf"^ Elder 177 If
To his Excellency Thomas Hutchinson Esq"^ Cap* General
& Governour in Chief in and over his majesties Province of
the Massachusetts Bay in New England the Hon''''' his
Majesties Council and House of Representatives in General
Court Assembled
The Petition of William Elder of Windham in the County
of Cumberland Humbly sheweth that he was in the year one
thousand seven hundred and seventy one chosen Assessor,
with William Coft'erin and William Knights for said Wind-
ham, the Papers Relative to the taking a Valuation of the
Estates in said Town, Came very late to hand and one of the
Assessors viz : W" Knights having contracted for procuring
a Number of large mast for his Majesties Navy was detained
in pursuit thereof for a long time in the Woods, in all which
time he never knew of the said Papers being Come to hand
both which Cases Occationed a delay of taking said Valua-
tion, and when they the Assessors entred upon the affair of
valuation, and the Town Clerk living Remote and no Justice
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 211
in the Town and they strangers to the Duty of their Office
(as might well be expected from a New Plantation but
lately incorporated ) and they observing that they were sub-
ject to a fine of fifty pounds if they did not return the Valu-
ation att or before a Certain Day Rashly took the Valuation
of said Windham before they the Assessors had taken the
Oath prescribed by Law, which two of them soon after did
viz Your Petitioner and W" Cofferin.
That altho there never has been any objection or exception
taken against the Valuation, as Partial, unjust or unequall
either by any one individual. Town, or Province, since it was
taken, notwithstanding one Caleb Grashom of said Windham
either from malice, ill nature, or Averice, or some other
motive brot his Action for the forty pounds Penaty and at
the Superiour Court recovered Judgment, for said forty
pounds Anno 1773 and your Petitioner Moved that the exe-
cution might not be issued for the whole, but for the Moiety,
belonging to the Proprietor, that your Petitioner might lay
his case before the General Court, as to the other Moiety for
their Consideration, Your Petitioners Circumstances are but
low, his interest in the world but small and has found that
the paying the prosecutor his half of the Penalty has very
much distressed him, and if he is finally oblidged to pay the
other half to the Province, it will just Compleat his ruin and
absorb all his interest. Your Petitioner therefore. Humbly
prays that your Excellency and lion* would take your Peti-
tioners Case ( which ^ truly Pitiable ) under your wise Con-
sideration, and remit, release and discharge your Petitioner-
tlie payment of the Moiety Due to the Province, and your
Petitioner as in Duty bound shall ever pray
Windham January 25, 1774 William Elder
In the House of Representatives Feb'' 10*^^ 1774 —
On the Petition of William Elder Shewing that he w«a8
Chosen one of the Assessors for the year 1771 for the town
212 DOCUlSrENTARY HISTORY
of Windham in the County of Cumberland, and that there
was an act made & Passed the same year by the Grate &
General Court of this Province Intitled an act for Inquiring
Into the ratable Estate of this Province and among other
things it was Enacted that the assessors of Each town should
take a list of the poles & Estates & before they Entred upon
said bisness they should be first sworn to the faithfull Dis-
charge of their Trust under the penalty of forty Pounds fine
one moiety for the Informer or he or them that should sue
for the same & the other moiety for the use of the Province
and it appearing to the Court tlmt the Petitioner Did
( Simplely & not with a wicked Intent & Desire to Cheat or
Defraud ) assist in taking the list of Valuation for said town
before he was Sworn & thereb}'^ Incured the Penalty in said
act, and that one Caleb Grasham of said Windham has since
brought his action against the Petitioner for the fine afores**
& at the Superiour Court at Falmouth in the year 1773
recovered a Judgment against the Petitioner for the recovery
of forty Pounds the Penalty afores*^. But the Petitioner
has not yet paid the moiety or half part of said fine belong-
ing to the province
Therefore Resolved That the moiety or half part of said
fine or forfeiture accruing to the Province thereby, be &
hereby is remitted to the said W^illiam Elder &, that he be
wholly Discharged therefrom.
Sent up for Concurrence T Gushing Spk"^
In Council Feb^ 10"> 1774 — Read & Concurred
Jn** Cotton D. Secry
Consented to T Hutchinson
Petition of Timothy Walker JanV 26 177 Jf
To His Excellency Thomas Hutchinson Esq"" Captain
General & Governor of the Province of the Massachusetts
Bay —
To the Honorable His Majesty's Council and House of
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 213
Representatives of said Province in General Court assembled
Boston Jany 26, 1774
The Petition of Timothy Walker Jun"" on behalf of himself
and Associates humbly sheweth
That They and their Ancestors in the Year 1725 for a
valuable Consideration purchased a Township of a little
more than Seven Miles Square of this Goverment at a Place
then called Pennicook afterwards Rumford on Merrimack
River. That not at all doubting the Authority of this Gov-
erment to make the said Grant, the Grantees, notwithstand-
ing the extream difficulty & Cost of effecting a settlement so
far up in the Indian Country at that Time, yet so vigorously
applied themselves thereto, that in the year 1733, — conse-
quent upon y* Report of a Committee sent by them to view
the same, the then General Court of this Province declared
that the Grantees had to full satisfaction fulfilled the Terms
of their Grant & incorporated them by the Name of Rum-
ford, That by the determination of the Boundary Line
between this Province and that of New Hampshire by his
late Majesty in the Year 1740 the said Townships fell near
Forty Miles to the Northward of the dividing Line, That
about the _ 1749 a Society under a Grant from the Province
of New Hampshire began to molest us in our Possssions and
sued us in several Actions of Ejectment and always recov-
ered against us in the Courts of New Hampshire. In this
distressed State of our Affairs we applied to this Goverment
to enable us to lay our Case before his Majesty by Way of
Appeal, Tliat by virtue of several Grants from this Gover-
ment amounting in the whole to about the original purchase
Consideration together with simple Interest for the same
and also by much larger Sums raised amongst Ourselves we
have been enabled to prosecute two Api)eal3 to liis Majesty,
and altho' in each we obtained a reversal of the Judgment
that stood against us here, yet the Royal Order extending in
214 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
express Terms no farther than the Land sued for, the
advantage fell far short of the Expence, And our Adversa-
ries went on troubling us with new suits. Thus exhausted
and seeing no end of our Troubles, we have been reduced to
the necessity of repurchasing our Township of our Adversa-
ries at a Rate far exceeding its Value in its rude State, That
we have been at considerable expence in taking a View of a
Tract of Land on Ammoroscoggin River on the Easterly side
of Fullers Town ( so called ) which we apprehend would
answer for a Township. We therefore Humljly Pray That
your Excellency & Honours would be pleased so far to pity
our hard Case as to make us a Grant of a Township at the
said Place to be on each side of Ammoroscoggin River of
equal extent with that formerly granted us by this Province
on such reasonable Terms as you shall think proper. And
your Petitioners shall as in Duty bound ever pray
Timothy Walker Jun''
in behalf of himself & Associates
In the House of Representatives Feb'' 3, 1774
Whereas it hath been represented to this Court by Timo-
thy Walker Jun"" in behalf of himself and Associates that in
the Year 1725 they purchased of this Province a Township
of Land of Seven Miles square, which by the runing of the
Line between this Goverment & New Hampshire in the Year
1740 was cut off to that Goverment, by which means the
Original Purchasers have been vexed with many expensive
Lawsuits, and at last were oblidged to purchase the same
Lands of Claimers under New Hampshire, Having enquired
into the Matter, this Court find that the Facts set forth in
said Petition are true ; and that the Cost of defending their
Title at the Court of Great Brittain have exceeded the
Grants made to them by this Government to enable them to
carry on the prosecution there.
Therefore
OF THE STATE OF MAIXE 215
Resolved that there be granted to the Original Proprietors
of the Township granted by this Province by the Name of
Pennicook their Heirs or Assigns, who were Sufferers by
said Township falling into New Hampshire a Township of
Seven Miles Square to be laid out in regular Form on both
sides of Amoscoggin River and easterly of and Adjoining to
Fullers Town ( so called )
otherwise Sudbury Canada laid out to Josiah Richardson
Esq'' & others Provided the Grantees within Six Years Settle
Thirty Families in said Township and lay out one full Share
to the first settled Minister, one full Share for the Ministry
and one full Share for the School and one full Share for
Harvard CoUedge and provided the Petitioner within one
Year return a Plan thereof taken by a Surveyor & Cliainmen
under Oath unto the Secretary's Office to be accepted and
confirmed by the General Court.
And in Order that Justice may be done to the Sufferers it
is further resolved That M"^ Webster and CoP Gerrish with
such as the Honourable Board shall join be a Committee to
repair to the said Township of Pennicook, who shall there
enquire into and make out a List of the Sufferers, and that
they return a List for Confirmation to the General Assembly,
and that said Committee give suitable notice of the Time of
their Meeting by Publishing an advertisement in the Essex
Gazette and in one of the Portsmouth News Papers tliree
Weeks successively. Two Months before the Time of their
Meeting, That any Person claiming Right to the Grant afore-
said may appear and lay in tlieir Claim.
Sent up for Concurrence T Cushiug Spk""
Li Council V(i\}^ 3'', 1774. Read & Concurred & Samuel
Phillips lOsfj"^ is joined in IIk; vMliiir
Jn" Cotton 1). Secry
Consented to 'J' Jlutchinsou
216 DUOCMENTAEY HISTORY
Petition of Inha¥^ of Freetown^ 177 Jf.
To Lis Excelency Thomas Hutchinson Esq"" Captain Gen-
eral and commander in Cheif in and over his Majestys Prov-
ince of the Massachusetts Bay in New England To the
Honourable his Majestys council and the Honourable House
of Representatives of said Province in Generall Court
Assembled January 26*^ A: D: 1774.
The Inhabitants of a New plantation in the County of Lin-
coln in said Province Called Freetown and Jeremi Squora
Island Humbly Sheweth that your Petitioners consist of
more Than one Hundred Familays have long Laboured
under the Disadvantage of being unincorporated by which
we are deprived of many Blessings of civil Society, being
destitute of the Power of Settleing a Gospel Minister of
Jesus Christ and Of chusing a school Master and of Raising
Taxes for their Support and Likewise the Assesing the Prov-
ince & County Rates And of Laying out Roads for the Benifit
of said Plantation all which is to the great Disadvantage of
the Inhabitants of said Plantation and Whereas your Humble
Petitioners have Raizd a Frame for a Meeting house for the
further Promoting of the Gospel and are very desirous to
Settle a Minister of the Gospel among us Your Petitioners
humbly Pray your Excellency and Honours to take this our
Petition into your wise consideration and that The Said Dis-
trest Plantation Bounding Northerly on new Castle Easterly
on the Town of Boothbay Southerly on the Cross river So
called and Westerly on Sheepscott River mount Sweeg bay
So as to include Jeremi Squom Island the said New Planta-
tion Being about Seven miles in Length and five in Breadth
May be Incorporated into a Town, and be invested with all
The rights and priviledges Belonging or appertaining to an
Incorporated Town agreable to the Royall charter and the
Severall Acts of the Province Relative to Towns Incorpor-
OF THE STATE OF IVLA.INE
21T
ated And your Humble Petitioners as in Duty Bound will
ever Pray &c
Petitioners
Moses Davis
Solomon Baker
John Chase
Isac Clifford
John Leeman
Nathan Gove
Joseph Richards
Zachariah Dodge
Willam Cliford
Jonatlian Allbee
Solomon Trask
Nathaniel Leeman
William CUftord
Nathnael Winslow
James Allen
John Cuningham
David Trask
Ebenezer Gove
Henery Leeman
Solomon Gove
Joshua Cross
Thomas Hinge
Stephen jNIerrill
James Moore
James Chase
Asa Gove
Jonathan Moore
Willam Cuningham Thomes Ross
John Patrick Noar Colby
Simon Morrill Sam^^ Hiron
Jonathan Hutchings George Canfield Huff Samuel Wilber
Regies Colby John Johnson Joseph Mery
Nathan Webster Daniel Webster Joseph BroA^ai
Daniel Gardner Simon Pearl Daniel Glover
Hubbard Stevens Bengimand Laythan Caleb Cross
Wilham Cross Noah Cross Samuel Trask Jun""
Joseph Trask Samuel Trask Benjamin Allbee
Petition of Joseph Joaselyn. 1774-
Province of the Massachusetts Bay To His Excellency
Tho* Hutchinson Esq"" Cap*^ General & Governor in
Chiefe over said Province to the Hon''''' his Majestys
Council & House of Representatives in (ieneral Court
Assembled January the 20^'' 1774 —
The Petition of Joseph Josselyn of Hanover in the County
of Plymouth Es(|'' Ihinibly Sheweth that there was a Grant
of a Township made by the Great & General Court in June
A D. 17o2 To Benjamin Smith and Others for Services Done
in the Naraganset Indian War, — whicli 'J'ownship was laid
218 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
out on Merrimack River in the year 1733, and Commonly
called N° 5. Your Petitioner having Purchased of the Heirs
of Benjamin Bates one of the Soldiers in that War his Right
which was afterwards laid out . in said Township to your
Petitioner who has been at Considerable trouble and Cost
from Time t6 Time in Bringing on the Settlement agreable
to the terms of said Grant —
But after Some Years, upon Runing the Line Between
this Province and that of New Hampshire, the whole of said
Township was taken into that Province, and Your Petitioner
was thereby deprived & Excluded from all Property and
Benefit of his said Lands. —
Wherefore He Prays your Excellency and Honours to take
this his Case into your Wise and Compassionate Consideration
and in your Wisdom and Goodness make him Such a Grant
of Some unappropriated Lands of this Province as shall
appear to you Just & Reasonable or Otherwise Reheve him
in this Case as to you Seems meet. —
And as in Duty bound Shall Ever Pray
Joseph Josselyn
In the House of Representatives March 3, 1774
Resolved that there be granted to the Petitioner Joseph
Josselyn his heirs & Assigns forever a Tract of Land of four
hundred Acres to the Eastward of Saco River adjoining to
some former Grant in lieu of and in full Satisfaction for the
land taken from him as Mentioned in this Petition, Provided
it does not Interfere with any former Grant & that the
Petitioner return a Plan thereof to this Court taken by a
Surveyor & chainmen under Oath within Twelve Months for
their Confirmation
Sent up for Concurrence T Gushing Spk'
In Council Mar. 3*^ 1774 Read & Concurred
Jn° Cotton D. Secry
Consented to T Hutchinson
OF THE STATE OF IVIAINE 219
Resolve.
In the House of Representatives February 5*'^ 1774
On the Petition of Noah Johnson & others Representing
that the Government formerly Granted to the Heirs of Cap*
John Lovewell & to the Heirs of those men that fell with
him in the Engagement at Pigwacket & to those that were
with him in s'^ Engagement & others, a Tract of Land at
Suncook, who lield the Same & made Large Improvements
thereon, But by the Running the Line between this Govern-
ment & New Hapshire the s*^ Township fell within the
Latter, and tlie Proprietors thereby have lost the Benefit of
s^ Grant, and praying that they may have a Grant of Land
in Compensation for their Loss Therefore Resolved that in
Lieu of s*^ Township there be Granted a Township of Land
of tlie Contents of Seven Miles Square on the Easterly side
of Saco River & Adjoyning to a Township Granted to Benja-
min MuUiken Esq'' & others To such of the Original Grantees
of s'^ Township as are Living to the Heirs of them that are
Dead & to such of the Settlers in s'^ Township as have been
Sufferers by the s'^ Townships falling into New Hampshire
who have not had their Loss made up to them. — Provided
that the Grantees within Six years Settle thirty families
thereon, Build a meeting House and Settle a Learned
Protestant Minister, and lay out one Sixty fourtli part
thereof for the first Settled Minister, One Sixty fourth part
for the Ministry, One Sixty fourth part for the School and
one Sixty fourtli part for Llarvard Colledge & Return a Plan
of s'' Township into the Secretaries olhce witliin twelve
months for Confirmation —
And that Justice may be Done among tlie Claimers for a
Compensation for their Loss in s'' Township Resolved That
Coll (ierrish and M' Websl<;r with such as the lion'''" Board
Shall Joyn be a ('oiii"''' at the ('hargc; of tin; (iiantces to
Repair to the s'' Sunco(jk and hear the Claimers it Determine
220 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
who shall be Admitted Grantees in s'^ Township, make out a
List of their Names and their respective Shares & Lodge the
Same in the Secretaries office within Ten Months for Confir-
mation of the General Court, and the s*^ Com*®^ shall Give
notice of the Time of their meeting by Advertiseing the same
in the Boston Gazette, in the Essex Gazette & New Hamp-
shire News paper three weeks Successively two months
before the Time of their meeting that all Persons may have
opportunity to bring in their Claims —
Sent up for Concurrence T. Gushing Spk''
In Council Feb^ 5"^ 1774— Read & Concurred, and
Samuel Phillips Esq"" is joined —
Jn° Cotton D. Secry
Consented to T Hutchinson
Petition of Sam^ Whittemore ^ Amos Lawrence. 177 J^.
To his Excelency Thomas Hutchinson Esq' Cap General
and Commander in Cheif in & over his majesties province of
the Massachusetts Bay and to the Hon^^ his majesties Coun-
cel & House of Representitives in Gen^ Court assembled at
Boston Feby 1774 — The memorial of Sam^^ Whitemore
and Amos Lawrence in behalf of themselves & others Hum^^^
Sheweth That they Petitioned the Grate & General Court
praying for a Grant of land in Lieu of a TowTiship Granted
to Cap John Flint & Company which Township fell into
New Hamsheir by the late runing of the Province line which
Petition was Committed to a Commetee who Duly Examined
into the reason of the same and reported ( on the last Day of
the Courts Setting in June last) that in Lieu of said lost
Township there be Granted to the Prop''^ the original
Grantees of said lost Township their heirs and assigns a
township of the Contents of Seven miles Square on the East
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 221
Side of the Soco river Provided they Settle thirty families in
said To\vnship within Six years & lay out one Sixty fourth
part for the use of the first settled minister one sixty fourth
part for the ministry one sixty fourth part for the Gramer
School & one Sixty fourth part for the use of Harvard Col-
lege & take a plan thereof by a Surveyor & Chainmen under
oath & return the same into tlie Secreta^ office in one year —
which report was Excepted by the House and sent up to the
Hon'"' Board for their Coneurance. But the Hon^'^ Board
Did not Cuncur- the Vote of the House — and your memo-
rialed have Been Informed the reason Given was because the
Court was Just ariseing & that there was not then time, and
by Some means or other the Petition & report is lost —
Wherefore your memori'* in behalf of themselves & the other
Prop""^ pi'ay your Excelency & Hon""^ would be pleased to
take their Case into your wise Consideration & make them a
Grant Simeler to the above mentioned report and your
memori^^ in Duty Bound shall Ever pray
Sam^ Whittemore
Amos Lawrence
In the House of Representitives Feb^ 8 : 1774
on the Petition of Sam'' Whitemore & Amos Lawrence in
behalf of themselves & others prop''' of a Township Granted
to Cap John Flint & Company of the Contents of Six miles
Square, praying for a Grant of land in Lieu of said Town-
ship which fell within the Province of New Hamsheir u[)()ii
the late runing of the Province line, and it appearing to this
Court that the Petitioners have Expended nuich Labour &
money in Clearing roads bringing forward the Settlement of
said township & have been tliereby Grate Sufferers for which
the (Jrantecs liav(! liad no (consideration from this Province
or the Provijicc of N(;w Hamsheir —
1'herefore resolved that in Lieu tliereof there l)e Granted
to the oridginal Prop"^" & Grantees their legal representitives
222 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
heirs or assigns a township of the Contents of Seven miles
Square Provided the Grantees Settle thirty famihes in said
township within Six years & lay out one Sixty fourth part
for the use of the ministry one Sixty fourth part for the first
settled minister one sixty fourth part for the use of the
Gramer School & one Sixty fourth part for the use of Har-
vard College Provided also that said Township be layd out
in that part of the unappropriated lands belonging to this
Province on the Eastward of Saco river adjoyning to some
former Grant ( Except the Tract of land Petition- for by
Suncook prop"^® & return a plan taken by a Surveyor and
Chainmen under oath into the Secretarys office within one
year for Confermation —
Sent up for Concurrence T Cushing Spk"^
In Council Feb^ 8"^ 1774 Read & Concurred
Jn° Cotton D. Secry
Consented to T Hutchinson
Henry Young Brown 1774
To the Hon''^" House of Representatives
A State of Facts respecting the Petition of Henry Young
Brown February 8, 1774, — as follows Vi// —
In January 1764 the General Court made him a Grant of
a Township to be laid out on Saco River above Coll" Fryes
Township, to lay it out according to order. —
In June 1764 he returned a plan that was accepted and
the land confirmed to him his heirs and Assigns forever he
then Gave bond for Two Hundred pounds as a consideration
for said Township, as also a Bond to perform the Settlement
of the Town, he immediately proceeded to lott out the Town,
made Roads & settled Twelve Families in one year. —
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 223
In October 1765 he informed the Court tliat New Hamp-
shire Claimed the Greatest part of the Town, they then
looked into a report of the Hon''"' Benj'"" Lincoln Esq"^ and
others who were sent by the Court to view tlie foundation of
the dispute between the two Governments, and on the first
day of November they Ordered him to keep his possession
and go on with his Improvements and Settlement and prom-
ised him relief if he met with any difficulty in consequence
of this Order : He was prevented from making advantageous
terms with the Grantees under New Hampshire, as also with
his own Settlers
In June 1766, the Court further Ordered him to prosecute
any that Entered under the Grant of New Hampshire, and
defend himself and Settlers against New Hampshire Claim,
at the Expence of the Government
He attended Strictly to their orders, lay his Accoinits before
the Court from time to time and received his pay.
On the Twelfth of June 1769 He received Ninety five
pounds in full Satisfaction for the Ballance of his Account
for the Expences of Law Suits agreeable to the order of
June 1766, as will appear by said Resolve of Court of 12"^
of June 1769: Tlicre was then a Committee appointed to
proceed to Pigwackett, and Take a View of what had been
done by him and Settlers, the Conmiittee Reported in April
1770; Their Report was rejected. Another Committee was
appointed to take the matter into consideration, they reported
for said Brown to have Eleven Thousand Acres of land
whicli was tlie same Quantity he lost, and that to be consid-
ered in fidl Satisfaction for all Damages lie had or might sus-
tain, the licport was (tl)jc('tcd to by him as insuflicicnt to
make liiiii whole for the following reasons. l***^ For (hat lie
was pitjventcd by the order of tiit; (Jc-neral Court of Novem-
1)61' l*"^ 1765 from making advantageous Terms with the
Grantees under New Hampshire, and thereby have saved his
224 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Expences of lapng out his Town and Lotting out the same,
and for making Roads and geting his Settlers.
2"^^y by said order he was prevented from setthng with his
own Settlers, who offered him advantageous Terms, he being
subject to Damages by the Deeds he had Given,
And o'^^y That the Land proposed for him was not half so
good as his first Grant. The Major part of the Committee
supposed that he would not be subject to Damages by his
Deeds to his Settlers, but rather make a great Saving, and
that the Land proposed for him w^as as good as his first
Grant, by that means he humbly conceives they were led to
make such report as Induced the House to pass the Resolve
of April 1770. Since that his Settlers have recovered sun-
cUy large sums against him which he has been obhged to pay.
He has now settled the whole dispute and is able to make
it appear that the former order of Court was founded on
some mistakes that he never received one penny out of the
Treasury but what he accounted for to the Court, agreable
to the Order of June 1766, and had no reference to what he
now asks allowance for, which is founded on an order of
Court of first of November 1765.
He has not only, in a great measure lost the laying out his
first Town, loting the same. Clearing Roads, getting on his
settlers which every Gentleman acquainted with New Towns
must know is attended with great Expence, as also the Dam-
ages recovered against him by his Settlers. But he has also
been prevented from making proper Advantages of his Land
that did not fall within New Hampshire Claim, by a Claim
under Major Phillips
All which he humbly submits to the consideration of your
Honors.
Henry Young Brown
The evidence to support the Facts, that do not depend on
the Records of the Court, and within the knowledge of some
of the Members, are ready to be offer'd when called for.
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 225
I pray it may be kept in View that all the money I Rec*^
out of the Treasury was for Service performed in consiquence
of an order of the General Court June 1766 and has been
accounted for.
Court of Appeals Octo"^ Term 1770
Henry Young Brown Appellant
Sam' Osgood & al. Appellees
Judgment for the Appellees to recover dam^ 180 —
Costs 24.10 —
Att^ Geo : King D Sec^
Entry of the Action 4.10 —
Copy of the Case 2. 9. 6
This may certify whom it may concern. That I the sub-
scriber with others being in search of a Township of Land to
the Eastward of Saco River — View*^ a Tract of Land
between Bridgeton & the River aforesaid, but found it to be
Generally so Broken a Tract, as rendered it of but Little
Value for a Township therefore rejected it ; and made a
Different Pitch —
Boston Feby 10"> 1774— Alex^ Shepard Jun-"
Newton
Account Allowed.
In the H<juse of Representatives Feb^ 16, 1774
'J'he Account of Rev'' Benjamhi Stevens, Isaac Lyman and
Simiucl Liiiigdon a Committee appointed by the Gen' Court
to Employ iMissionaries for the Eastern parts of the Province
being presented for Allowance it Appt-ai-ing that the said
Account is Just and Reasonable and that they had expended
15
226 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
the Sum of Seventy pounds four sliillings and seven pence
half penny part of the sum of Eighty pounds Granted for
that purpose,
Resolved that the Same be allowed And that the said
Committee be further accountable for the Sum of Nine
pounds fifteen shillings and four pence half penny yet
Remaining in theh- hands.
Sent up for Concurrence T. Cushing Spk''
In Council Feb^ 16^^ 1774. Read & Concurred —
Jn° Cotton D. Secry
Consented to T. Hutchinson
Act of Incorporation 177 If.
Anno Regni Regis Georgii Tertii Decimo Quarto
An Act for incorporating a Plantation called Freetown &
Jeremy Squam Island, into a Town by the name of
Whereas the Inhabitants of a new Plantation commonly
called Freetown and Jeremy Squam Island in the County of
Lincoln, have represented to this Court the great difficulties
they labour under in their present situation, and have ear-
nestly requested that they may be incorporated into a Town-
ship ; —
Be it enacted by the Governor, Council and House of
Representatives, that the Tract of Land including Jeremy
Squam Island, bounding Northerly on New Castle, Easterly
on the Town of Boothbay, Southerly on the cross River, so
called. And Westerly on Sheepscott River, and Mount Sweeg
Bay, so as to include said Island, be and hereby is Erected
into a Town by the name of And that the Inhabi-
tants thereof be, and hereby are invested with all the powers,
priviledges and immunities, which the Inhabitants of the
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 227
Towns within this Province respectively do, or by Law
ought to enjoy.
And be it further enacted, That Thomas Rice of Pownal-
borough in the said County of Lincohi Esquire, be and
hereby is empowered to issue his Warrant directed to some
principal Inhabitant in said Township, to warn the Inhab-
itants of said Township to meet at such time and place as he
shall therein set forth, to choose all such Officers as shall be
necessary to manage the affairs of said Town, at which said
first meeting all the then present Male Inhabitants arrived to
twenty one years of age shall be admitted to Vote —
In the House Representatives Feb^ 14, 1774
Read a first time
Feb^ 15 Read Second Time
Feb^ 16 Read a Third time & passed to be Engrossed
Sent up for Concurrence T Cushing Spk"^
In Council Feb^ 16^ 1774 Read a fust Time
I7th Read a second time & passed to be Engrossed,
with the Amendments at A. & B Y'v/} dele Glynborough —
Sent down for Concurrence
Jn° Cotton D. Secry
In the House of Representatives Feb. 26 1774
Read & Concurred T Cushing Spk"^
III the House of Representatives Fel/ 24, 1774
On the Petition of John Gardner & others in Behalf of
themselves & others Proprietors of a Township of the Con-
tents of six Miles square granted to John Whitman Esq
And ollici's called Number Six in the Line of Towns ])t,'l\veen
Merrimack & Connecticutt Rivers Wliereas it appears that
the Proprietors of said Township Expended much Labour &
Money in making Roads & otherways bringing forward the
228 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Settlement of said Township and that the whole of the said
Township fell within the Limits of New-Hampshire on the
Tuning the Line between this Government & the said Gov-
ernment of New-Hampshire for which the Grantees have
received no Consideration from this Province or the said
Province of New-Hampshire
Therefore Resolved that in Lieu thereof there be granted
to the Proprietors & legal Representatives or Assigns of the
Original Grantees who were Sufferers by losing tlieir Lands
A Township of seven miles square in the unappropriated
Lands belonging to this Province provided the Grantees
Settle thirty Families on said Township within Six years
And lay out one Sixty fourth Part for tlie Use of the Minis-
try one sixty fourth Part for the first Settled Minister & one
sixty fourth Part for the grammar school And one Sixty
fourth Part for the use of Harvard Colledge provided also
that said Township be laid out adjoining to some former
Grant in that Part of the unappropriated Lands belonging to
this Province lying Eastward of Saco River and Coll Whit-
comb & Cap* Gardner of Cambridge with such as the Hon^^
Board may Join be A Comittee to determine who are to be
admitted as Proprietors in said Township & if any of the
Grantees of said Township Number Six shall appear to have
been hertofore compensated that said Committee shall admit
other sufferers in their stead the Expence of the said Com-
mittee to be paid by the Grantees provided also that the said
Proprietors Return a Plan taken by a Surveyor and Chain-
men under Oath into the Secretarys Office within one year
for Confirmation
Sent up for Concurrence T Gushing Spk'
In Council Feb^ 24*»' 1774 Read & Concurred & Arte-
mas Ward Esq'' is joined —
Jn° Cotton D Secry
Consented to T Hutchinson
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 229
Petition of John G-ardner ^ others 177 Ij.
Province of the Massachusetts Bay To His Excellency
Thomas Hutchinson Esq"" Captain General & Com-
mander in chief in & over s*^ Province
To the Honourable His majesties Council & To the Hon-
ourable House of Representatives in general Court assembled
February 26"^ 1774
The Petition of the Subscriber- in behalf of ourselves and
others Grantees of the Township Number Six in the Line of
Towns humbly Sheweth
That the Great & General Court of this Province at their
Session A D 1735 Granted a Township of the Contents of
Six Miles square being Number six In the Line of Towns
between Connecticut & Merrimack Rivers that the Grantees
were at very considerable Expence in clearing Roads Build-
ings Mills &c on said Township, that by the late runing of
the Line Between this Government tfe the Government of
New-Hampshire the said Township was taken into the said
Government of New-Hampshire, & your Pet" and their
Associates have lost their whole Interest therin together with
the Money Expended in bringing forward the Settlement of
said Township
Your Petitioners theifore most humbly request that your
Excellency & Honours would in your known wisdom &
Justis Grant to your Petitioner- & the other (irantees and
Proprietors of s"* Townsliip Number Six in Lieu thereof a
Township in some of the unappropriated Land in the East-
ward Part of this Province or otherwise Relive your Petition-
ers as your Excellency & Hon" In your Wisdom sliall tliink
propel- ikj yoiii' TVttitioncrK us in Duty bound shall ever pray
John (iardner
Stephen Maynard
Seth Rice
230 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Report.
The Committee of both Houses on the Petition of Seth
Sweetser & others, belonging to the Company or Propriety
owning Lands known by the Name of Pemaquid Lands, And
the Answer of Thomas Drowne, Agent for Several of the
Proprietors, In Answer thereto, have attended the service ;
And the said Agent having been fully satisfied by the
Petitioners, and having declared, that he has now no remain-
ing Objections — the Committee report — That the Payer of
said Petition be granted, and that the Proceedings of the
said Company or Propriety relative to, and at their Several
Meetings be ratified and Confirmed & declared to be valid,
to all Intents & Purposes in the Law ; any Informality in
their Proceedings, relative to, Or at said Meetings Notwith-
standing
which is submitted
James Pitts
g order
In Council Mar. 1^' 1774 — Kead & accepted, & ordered
that the Prayer of the Pet" be granted, & that the Proceed-
ings of the Pemaquid Company so called relative to & at
their several Meetings, be & hereby are ratified & confirmed,
to all Intents & purposes in the Law ; any Informality in
their Proceedings relative to, or at said Meetings notwith-
standing —
Sent down for Concurrence Jn'^ Cotton D. Secry
In the House of Representatives March 1, 1774
Kead & Concurred T Cushing Spk'
Consented to T Hutchinson
Boston March 3-^ 1774
I the Subcriber Certify that upon condition I may have the
advantage of the fifty pounds Propos'd in your report and a
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 231
confirmation of the Eleven thousand acres of land therein
mentioned I promis and Engage to Give the Goverment a
full Discharge from any further demands respecting the laud
. •»> in dispute between Warrins & Bryents lines : Also from all
• demands Respecting all Law suits which has or may arise in
Consequence of said disputed line.
Test Henry Young Brown
Petition of John Brown cf others 1774-
To his Excellency Thomas Gage Esq'^ Cap' genneral Gov-
ernor & Commander in chief in and over his Majesties Prov-
ince of The Massachusetts Bay in New England and To the
Honnourable y® Council and house of Representatives Con-
veen*^ at Boston
Whereas a Certain Number of People Purchased a Certain
Tract of Land of the Hiers of Brigadier Waldow Said Land
Lying on the Westerly Side of Penobscut Bay and is Incor-
porated into a Town By the Name of Belfast and Whereas
s** Purchasers Entered into an Obligatory Bond To make an
Immediate Settlement Upon the said Land and s** Bond Not
Being Authentick, the one half of said Purchasers Declines
Settlement Which renders us the Inhabitants unable To
Carry on In the Form of a Town Being Neither in a Capac-
ity To maintain a gospel Minister To Build a Meeting house
To have the Priveledge of Schools Neither to Repair roads
and to Build Bridges &c — And Tlierefore we think Our
Circumstances in a Worse Condition than they were Before
our Incorporation — and Whereas a Party of The Nonresi-
denters Insisted Upon the Incorporation of said Town and
wanted us the Inliabitunts to Sign with Them which we
Itefused to Do until] they Came to an Aggreement to have
the Land Taxed which they Assented too and then We the
232 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Inhabitants Signed with Them — And Now we are Incor-
porated in the Common Form Which Renders it Disaggree-
able to the Inhabitants and Contrary to the Prayer of our
former petition Which gives us Reason to Think that Our
Circumstances and Abbilities Relateing to the Settlement of
the phice Was Not Rightly Represented —
Therefore We your Humble Petitioners Begs that your
Excellency & Honnours Would Be pleased to Considder the
Difficulties of our Case at present — and Further Begs if it
might please your Excellency & Honnours for to pass an
Act For to Tax all the unsettled Lands in said Town and
To Invest Us Who are the Inhabitants of said Town with
Full Power and Authoritie To Sell as much of the Delin-
quents Land at Publick Vendue as shall Pay their Taxes In
equal proportion to Defray all Necessary Charges from Time
to time. And if your Excellency & Honnours Would Think
it Proper to Lay a Tax upon the Land By the Acre we have
thought that Two pence p'^ Acre Lawfull is as Little as we
Think will Do yearly For some Term of years Or as Long as
your Honnours Think Proper —
And we Who are your Humble Petitioners who are in
Duty Bound Will Ever Pray
Belfast May y« 16"^ 1774 John Brown
James Gilmore John Tuffts David Hemphill
John Tufft John Barnet William Nickles
James Patterson Benj" Nesmith James Murray
James Miller Tolforcl Durham John Durham
Nathaniel Patterson William Patterson David Glimor
John Davidson Sam" Houston Alex'^'' Clark
William Petterson
Mesolve.
In the House of Representatives June 11, 1774
Resolved that the Petitioners Notify the Propriators of
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 233
the Lands in the Town of Belfast with a Copy of this Peti-
tion By Inserting the Substance thereof in Two of the Bos-
ton News papers Three Weeks Successively and also by
Serveing the Clerk of said Propriaty with a Copy of s*^ Peti-
tion & this order forty Days before the Next Siting of the
General Court, that they shew Cause ( if any they have ) on
the Second Wednesday of the next Sitting thereof why the
Prayer thereof should not be granted.
Sent up for Concurrence T Cashing Spk''
In Council June 14"' 1774 — Piead and Concurred —
Jn° Cotton D. Secry
Booihhay Petition. 177 If
To His Excellency Thomas Gage Esquire Captain General
and Governor in Chief in and over his Majesty's Province of
Massachusetts Bay in New England
^Fo the Honorable his Majestys Council, and To the Hon-
orable the House of Representatives of said Province, in
General Court assembled.
""I'he Petition of the subscribers chosen selectmen of the
town of Boothbay in the County of Lincoln in said Province
for the year of our Lord one thousand seven liundred and
seventy four.
Most humbly sheweth
That agreeable to the directions of the Royal Charter, the
town of Boothbay held their anniversary meeting for tlie
choice of town officers for the current year, at tlie Meeting
house in said town, on the seventh day of Marcli last, and
then and there did publicly elect sucli officers as the law
directs, and pass such otlicr votes for \\w. internal iiffjiiis of
the town as were authorized b}' the; Warrant by virtue of
which said meeting had l)cen called ; ;nid adjoiiinod to the
tliirtetii day of
234 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
But before the said appointed meeting by Adjournment, it
was discovered that, by an inadvertency of the constable, th e
certificate required by law to be returned by him on the back
of the March warrant was omitted ; and this omission hav-
ing, thro' hurry of business, escaped the notice of the Mod-
erator & Clerk at said Meeting, the whole transactions of the
town at said Meeting were finished under this circumstance
of illegality ; and so are apprehended to be null & void, and
it being then impossible legally to call another Meeting in
the Month of March for remedying that mistake, the town is
thereby deprived of the powers & privileges of a corporation,
and all the public business of the year remains at a stand,
therefore
Your Petitioners, having been chosen Select-men of said
town for the present year, judge it incumbent on them to
take necessary steps to have this inconvenience removed as
speedily as possible ; and therefore pray your Excellency &
Honors, that, as early in your present session as may be, An
act of the Great & General Court may pass, restoring us to
the forfeited privileges of a town, and empowering some
such person as you shall think proper to issue a warrant for
calling a town meeting for the choice of the necessary
officers of the present year, and for transacting anew the
whole business contamed in the said March warrant: and
your Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray.
Dated at Boothbay WilHam McCobb
June S'^ 1774 Patrick M^Kown
John Beath
Resolve.
In the House of Representatives June 15 1774
Resolved that the prayer of the Petition (of William
M'^Cobb and others in behalf of the Town of Boothbay in the
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 235
County of Lincon ) be granted and that the Select Men for
the year 1773 or the Major part of them, be and hereby are
authorized and required to issue out their Warrant Directed
to one of the Constables of said Town for the year 1773
Requiring him to warn the Freeholders and other Inhabitants
Qualified according to law to vote in Town affairs to meet
together at such time and place ( in said Town ) as shall be
expressed in said warrant to chuse such officers as Towns by
law are Authorised to Chuse in the Month of March
Anually —
Sent up for Concurrence T Cushing Spk''
In Council June 15*^^ 1774 Read & Concurred
Jn° (Cotton D. Secry
Consented to Tho* Gage
At a Meeting held in Buxton June 20, 1774.
The Inhabitants being duly assembled & Tho* Bradbury
J'' being Chosen Moderator to regulate said meeting, the
Town chose Capt Jn° Elder & Capt. Jn'^ Lane & Mess" Sam-
uel Hovey, Jn° Nason & Sam' Merrill to be a Committee to
draw up some Resolves in Behalf of the Town, & in Concur-
rence with the Committees of Correspondence in Boston, &
with all the Friends of american Liberty in the Several
Enlish american Colonies .... In order to Shew that
we heartily join with them in abiding by the Constitutional
Rights of America. The Town passed the following
Resolves
Resolved 1*' That Self Preservation is the lirst Law of
Nature And y* Taxation whout Repreeentiition is subversful
of our Liberties
2. Whereas An Act has been passed in the britisli Parlia-
ment for blocking up the Harbour of Boston till such Time
as an unreasonable Demand is C/omplled with —
236 DOCUMENTABY HISTORY
resolved y' we Deem this as an Attack upon Us which tends
utterly to destroy our civil Liberties — For the same Power
may at Pleasure destroy the Trade And Shut up the Harbors
of any other Colonies in Their Turne And thus bring on a
total End to our Liberties & Privileges
3. resolved y* this Town approoves of the Constitutional
Exertions & Struggles made by the Several Colonies of
Enlish America for the Prevention of so dread a Catastrophe
as will follow Taxation whout Representation — And y* we
are, & always will be ready in eV'ery Constitutional way to
give all Assistance in our Power to prevent So dire a
Calamity.
4. resolved y* a Dread of being enslaved ourselves, & tans-
mitting the Chains to our Posterity is the principal Induce-
ment to these measures.
6. resolved y* this Town return their Sincere Thanks to all
The Friends of America, And to the Town of Boston in Par-
ticular who have always nobly exerted themselves in the
Cause of Liberty.
Voted that the Town Clerk transmit a true Copy of these
Resolves to the Committee of Correspondence in Boston
The above is a true Copy attestatur
John Nason [»Town Clerk
Bond.
Know all men by these presents that We Dummer Sewall
of Georgetown in the County of Lincoln Gentleman and Jor-
dan Parker of said Georgetown Yeoman are holden & stand
firmly bound unto the Provincial Congress now setting for
the Province of Massachusetts Bay or to their Successors or
any person that shall be appointed by the People for the head
of the Province aforesaid, in the sum of two thousand pounds
OF THE STATE OF MAENE 237
to be paid to the said Congress or their successors as afore-
said to which payment v(e\l & truly to be made we bind our
selves our heirs Executors &, Administrators firmly hy these
presents Sealed with our seals Dated the fourth day of May
Anno Domini seventeen hundred & seventy five.
The Condition of the above obligation is such that Whereas
Edward Parry Esq'' has been taken by, & now is in Custody
of, Coll*"^ Samuel Thompson as a suspected Enemy to the
rights of America Now if the above bounden Dummer &
Jordan shall keep the said Edward in safe Custody till he
shall be released by order of the Provincial Congress & that
the said Edward shall not either by himself or any for or
under him, remove the masts spars booms boards & now lay-
ing in the mast dock in said Georgetown & shall not write
to any of the officers of the Army or Navy for protection or
against the Country then the above obligation to be void
otherwise to be in force —
Test Dum"" Sewall Seal.
Jn° Wood Jordan Parker Seal.
Jn° Hobby
Damariscotta Resolves, (j-e. March 6, 1775.
March the G^" in the year 1775
Then tlic Inhabitance of a place Cauled Damiscota being
witlioute llic Ijounds of Eany Townsliip in the County of
]jncf)ln mett to (iather to Consider of the Distresed state
and Condishon of North americk under the present Reign
which are so notorous to ous that we should be glad never
to liear of them again.
we liave pased these Resouls
1 that wee will abide l)y the Douings of the grate and
genereal Congres of North Americk from iii-st to last
238 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
2 Resouled to obey all orders that shall be given oute
from our provinchal Congres
3'y Resouled to Stand with our brearthen the Suns of
Liberty in the Defence of Rights and Libertys against
all tiranical doings let it Com from what quarter it will
at tlie hazzard of our Estats and Lives.
4^y Chose a Committee to Lispect Import and Export
according to the order of the Congres
5^y Chose three officers and Inlisted a Company the same
Day
a trew Coppy attested by the Committee
this to be communicated to
the Provincial Congress
Anthony Chapman
Thomas Flint
Nathan Chapman
Letter from J. Brown March 29, 1775.
Montreal March 29"^ 1775
Gentlemen
Lnmediately after the Reception of your Letters & Pam-
phlets, I went to Albany to find the State of the Lakes and
established a Correspondence with Docf^ Joseph Young. I
found the lakes impassable at that time —
About a Fortnight after I set out for Canada and arived
at S' Johns in 14 days having undergone most inconceivable
hardships the Lake Champlain being very high, the small
streems Rivers, and a great Part of the Country for Twenty
Miles each Side the Lake especially toward Canada under
Water; the Lake Champlain was partly open & partly cov-
ered with Dangerous Ice, which breaking loose for Miles in
length eaugh [off] our Coast drove us ag* an Island and frose
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 239
US in for 2 Days after which we were glad to foot it on Land —
I deliverd your Letters to Mess. Tho^ Walker & Blake
and was very Kindly rece'd by the Committee of Correspond-
ence at Montreal, from whom I received the following State
of Affairs in the Province of Quebec. Gov' Carleton is no
g' Pollition, a Man of a Souer morose Temper, a Strong
Friend to Administration, and the late Acts of the British
Parliament, which respect America, perticularly the Quebec
Bill, has restrained the Liberty of the Press that nothing can
be printed with* examination & Licence Applycation has
been made to him for printing the Address from the Conti-
nential Congress and a refusal obtain'd. All the Troops in
this Province are ordered to hold themselves in readiness for
Boston on the Shortest Notice, 4 or 5 hundred Snowshoes
are prepared for what use they know not — M"" Walker has
wrote you about three Weeks Since, and has been very
explicit, he informs you that two Regular Oflficers Lciut*
have gone of in disguise, supposed to be gone to Boston, &
to make wliat discovery they can through the Country —
I have the pleasure and satisfaction to inform you that
through the industor}' and exertions of our Friends in Can-
ada our Enemies are not at present able to raise Ten Men
for Administration. The Weapons that have been used by
our Friends to thwart the constant endeavours of the Friends
of Government ( so called ) have been chiefly in Terrorem.
The Frencli People are (as a Body extremely ignorant, and
Bigotted The CurS or Priests having almost the intire gov-
ernment of their Temporals as well as Spirituals — in Lap-
crare a Small Village al)out 9 Miles from Montreal, I gave
my Landldid (a Rfjiiian Paddc ) a Letter of address, and
llicic being Four Curas in the Villanc pi'a3'ing over (he Dead
liody of an old Frier, tlu^ l*ain[)hl('t was soon handed then),
who sent a Messengei to purchase Scveial - I made them a
Present of each of them one, and was desired to wait on
240 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
them in the Nunnery with the holy Sisters, they appeared to
have no Disposition unfriendly toward the Colinies but chose
rather to stand nuter —
Two Men from the N. Hampshire Grants accompanied me
over the Lakes the one was an old Indian hunter acquainted
with the S* Franceway Indians and their Language, the other
was a captive many years among the Caughnawaga Indians
which is the Principal of all the Canadian Six Nation and
western Tribes of Indians, whom I sent to inquire and Search
out any intreigues carrying on among them, these Men have
this Minute returned and Report that they were very kindly
received by the Caughnawaga Indians, with whom they tar-
ried several Days : the Indians say they have been repeetedly
applyed to and requested to Join with the Kings Troops to
fight Boston, but have peremptorily refused, and still intend
to refuse, they are a very Sinsible Polliticke People and say
that if they are obliged for their own safety to take up arms
on either side that they shall take part on the Side of their
Brethern the English in N. England ; all the Chiefs of the
Caughnawaga Tribe being of English extraction Captivated
in their infancy— They have wrote a Friendly Letter to
Col° Israel Putnam of Pompfret in Connecticutt in Conse-
quence of a Letter which CoP Putnam sent them, in which
Letter they give their Brother Putnam assurance of their
Peaceable Desposition — Several French Gentlemen from
Montreal have paid the Governer a Visit and offered him
their Service as officers to raise a Canadian Army and join
the King's Troops, the Gov"" told them he could get Officers
in plenty but the difficulty consisted in raising Soldiers.
There is no prospect of Canada sending Delegates to the
Continental Congress ; the Difficulty consists in this, Should
the English Join in the non importation agreem* the French
would immediately monopolize the Indian Trade — the French
in Canada are a set of People that know no other way of
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 241
Procuring Wealth and honor but by becoming Court Syco-
phants, and as the introduction of the French Laws will
make room for the French Gentr}^ they are very thick about
the Governer — You may depend that should any movement
be made among the French to Join ag' the Colonies your
Friends here will give the Shortest Notice possible and the
Indians od their part have ingaged to do the same, so that
you have no reason to expect to be surprised with* Notice,
should the worst Event take place —
I have established a Channel of Corrispondence through
the N. Hampshire Grants which may be depended on. IVf
Walker's Letter comes by the hands of M"" Jeffries once of
Boston, now on his Way thither which together with this is
a full Account of Affairs here — I shall tarry here some
time — but shall not go to Quebec as there are a Number of
their Committee here —
One thing I must mention to be kept as a profound Secret,
the Fort at Tyconderogo must be seised as soon as possible
should hostilities be committed by the Kings Troops. The
People on N. Hampshire Grants have ingaged to do this
Business and in my opinion they are the most proper Persons
for this Jobb. this will effectually curb this Province, and
all the Troops that may be sent here —
As the Messenger to carry' this Letter has been waiting
some time with impatience must conclude by Subscribing
myself Gentlemen your most Obed*^ humble Serv'
J Brown
To Mess
Sam' Adams ) Cofnittee of Correspondence
Doct' Jo" Warren &"" / in Boston
I am lliis Minute informed that M"" (-arleton lins ordered
tliat IK) wheat go out of the liivcr uiitill furllicr Order, the
I)csi'ni is 0])vious —
16
242 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Boston april the 6*'^ 1775
I have let Fort Hallifax with all the land adjoining to it
to m'' Ephraim Ballard the Bearer of this I ask your Coun-
tenance, favour and advice to him and that you will Intro-
duce him into the premissis and give him all other assistance
in your power which will oblige your very humble Servant
Signed Silvester Gardiner
To Docf^ John M'^Leeline
at Fort Hallifax
per M^ Ballard
Letter from the Selectmen of Falmouth. April 26, 1775.
Falmouth April 26"' 1775
Genf^
At this Alarming and Dangerous Time, we find our Stock
of Powder, greatly deficient, therefore have sent some Money
by the Bearers to purchase where they can find it, and if they
cant find any this Side Cambridge, have desired them to wait
upon You for Advice, presuming that you can direct them
where it may be had.
We rely on Your Conduct, under God, in our Righteous
Cause, for Deliverance from our present Calamities, and are.
Gentlemen
Your Most Obed' hum^ Serv**
Enoch Freeman"^
Benf Mussey ! Selectmen
John Brackett [ of
William Owen j Falmouth
Post* the Bearers are Capt''^ Joseph M'Lellan & Cap* Joseph
Noyes ,
Superscribed
To the Committee of Safety near Boston
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 243
Letter from H. Moivatt. 1775.
[ To Edward Parry ? ]
Canceaux Falmouth April 29 1775
Sir
I am just this moment informed that you are interrupted
in your occupation by the misled people of the place where
you are, I therefore think it incumbent on me as a Servant
under the Crown, to warn those Infatuated people of the
Consequences that will insue from the detaining or interfer-
ing with you, or any other of his Majesties Loyal subjects in
their lawful avocations. & I do by the same Authority
authorize you to make known to me without loss of time
your present Situation, & the Names of those that have pre-
sumed to molest you. Should a reply to this Letter not
appear by the time that I have a Right to expect it, I Shall
Naturally Suppose that it has been interrupted, & you may
depend, as soon as I know that to be the case, that assistance
shall soon release you, or any other Subject whose treatment
may furnish me with a just cause of Complaint. My best
Compliments to M' Barnard I hope he is not in the same
predicament with yourself please to acquaint him that I
Received his Letter, & that I have been in hourly expecta-
tions of seeing him for some days past I also hope to have
the pleasure of Seeing you very soon. I am Sir
Your most Obedient Humble Servant
H: Mowat
Letter of Samuel Thompson.
I this niiiiLit have an opertunity to Iiifoniie you of the
State of our aH'airs at the Eastward that w(! aio all Stantch
for Count ys Iv\cej)t thr(!0 men and oni; of (hem is Deserted
ihc other two is in loins — as for tlie vessels wliich iitteintd
to Carrey Stuff to our enemies are Stop^ and I am about to
244 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
move about two hundred of white pine masts and other Stuff
got for our Enemies use Si'' having heard of the Cruiel
murders they have dun in our Province makes tis more Rese-
lute than ever and finding that the Sword is drawn first on
their side that we shall be annimated with that noble Spirit
that wise men ought to be untill our Just Rights and Libertys
are Secured to us Si'' my heart is with everey tru Son of
America tho my Person Can be in but one place at once,
tho verey Soone I hope to be with you on the spot if aney of
my Frinds enquier after me Informe them that I make it my
whole business to persue those measurs Recomended by the
Congresses, we being uppon the sea coast and in danger of
Being invaded by Pirats as on the 27^^ of ins* there was a
boat or barge Came in to our harbour and Rver and sound-
ing as they went up the River Si'' as powder and guns is
much wanted in this Eastern Parts and allso Provisions Pray
Sir have your thoughts Somthing on this matter against I
arive which will be as Soone as busness will admit Si'' I am
with the greatest Regard to the Countrey at heart your
Ready frind and Hum'^ Serv'
Samuel Thompson
Brunswick April y« 29*'^ 1775
Letter from Brunswick. May 3*^ 1775.
Brunswick May 3'' 1775
Gentlemen
We, whose Names are hereunto Subscribed Beg Liberty to
Inform You of our Situation, as we are Chosen by this Town
to Examine into the Circumstance of it, which we have done,
and find the Town very Deficient as to Arms «& Amunition,
and have Sent By Water to Salem, But have Just had Our
Money Return'd Back Without Arms or Ammunition : at
present we Have not More than one quarter of a pound of
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 245
powder to a man tlirougboiit the Town, nor more than one
firelock To two Men ; and in this Defenceless State we are
Obliged to Apply to You to Assist Our Trusty friend whom
We have Sent Cap^ Nathaniel Larrybee : and as we think it
Would Be Unsafe to Transport Powder by Water we have
Ordered Him to Take Only one hundred weight and for him
to Consult With you how and in What way it Would be
Safest to Get Arms and more Powder Down To us. We
Should Esteem it as A favour, to be informed from You, by
way of Letter, Every Conveniant Oppertunity of Our Publick
Affairs. We are. Gentlemen, Yours, Ever to Be Commanded
Aaron Hinkley
Benj* Stone
Sam" Stand wood
James Curtis
Extracts from Letter of Hon. Enoch Freeman. May 5, 1775.
Extract of a Letter from The lion''' Enoch Freeman dated
Falmouth May 5, 1775 —
"We have lately heard that the Penobscott Indians are
highly exasparated at Cap' Goldthwaite for suffering the
Tender to dismantle the Fort there, and carrying off' the
Powder ; and Truck Trade stoped, as we are inform'd ; and
that there was a Number of Men round about there, going to
take Goldthwaite for delivering up tlie Fort, into tlieir Cus-
tody, but what they intend to do with him 1 don't hear.
Perliaps it would be prudent for tlie Congress to send down
there, and secure the Indians in our Interest, by keeping the
'i'liuk Tnuhi open, su^jplying tlieiii Powder, or any other
Method in their Wisdom, upon mature (/onsideration they
may think ])cst — A hint on this Head is cMiough"
246 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
" The Selectmen of this Town have this moment agreed
with one M"^ Jabez Matthews and one David Dinsmore of
New Glocester to go over to Quebec to make Discovery,
whether any Canadians are in motion to come on our back
Settlements, or to excite the Indians to do it ; And I have
wrote to M'' Remington Holby of Vassalborough, to procure
one or two to go with them as Hunters ; And they are
charged to be cautious not to let the Canadians have Reason
so much as to suspect their Business, and they will depend
on your endeavouring to get the Congress to order them
adequate Satisfaction out of the Public Fund. If they dis-
cover any evil Designs, we shall be glad to know it, that We
may prepare accordingly for our Defence : If they find there
is no Design upon us, it will be a great satisfaction to this
Eastern Country —
" I could write a good deal in favour of sending such an
Embassy, but as my Time is almost wholly taken up on Pub-
lic Matters, I have little Time to spare."
Attest Sam^ Freeman
In Provincial Congress — Watertown May 5"^ 1775
On a motion made by Cap'^ M'^Cobb, That some measures
might be taken to preserve a Number of large Masts, Plank
&c now lying in Kennebeck River, and to prevent their being
carried to Hallifax where they must be appropriated to the
Injury of this Country —
Order'd — That the Consideration thereof be refer'd to the
Committee of Safety, and that Cap M'"Cobb be desired to
attend the said Committee, and give them all the information
He can relative thereto —
A true extract from the minutes
Sam> Freeman Secr^ P. T.
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 247
Letter from Bummer Sewall 1775.
Georgetown May G"' 1775
To the Honnorable Congress of the Province of the Mace-
chusetts Bay, Gen^ — The Committees of Inspection of
Georgetown Woolwich have Mett & Resolved that it was
not Expediaut to moove the Masts lying in the Dock in
Georgetown that Edward Perry Esq"^ had Contracted for,
inasmuch as he Declared he would not Ship said Masts nor
hew them — The Committee of Safety from two Towns in
the County of Lincoln Met & Resolved that it was not Expe-
diaut to Moove said Masts or Injury Edward Perry Esq'' —
Notwithstanding CoP Thomson of Brunswick thought other-
wise, and hath taken said Perry Prisoner, & Declared he
would Moove tlie Masts or Destroy them, so that the said
Perry was Obliged to get Bondsmen of two Thousand
Pounds that he would not Depart Georgetown or Ship s*^
Masts by himself or any other or write to any officer in the
Navy or Army till the Will & Pleasure of the Congress
should be made known to Mess" Dum' Sewall & Jordan
Parker who a_ Bound for s*^ Perry ; he the s** Col° Obliged
the said Perry to pay 42/ Cost — I therefore Humbly Pray
that your Will may be made knowTi to the said Dummer &
Jorden, as soon as may be that the said Perry may be
releieded & the Bondsmen Liberated their large Bonds —
I am your llonnours Harty Freind & Humble Servent
Dum"" Sewall
Superscribed
To the Ilonnourable President of Provintial Congress.
Letter from Fdiv^ Parry. 1775.
George 'I'own May 10'" 1775
Sir
I am very mucli obliged to you for your kind Letter ol' tlu;
248 DOCUMENTARY HLSTOIIY
29'^'' ult. g Lambert, which was interupted and demanded
with my other Letters &c at Brunswick by Samuel Tliomp-
son of that place and broke open, Copies of which have been
industriously circulated thro' the Country by the cUfferent
Committee men &c, several parts thereof being misconstrued
or misunderstood by the illiterate — I should have answered
your Letter sooner but did not know how to procure any
safe conveyance — On the 4"' inst Thompson attended by a
number of Armed Men to the Amount of Forty or upwards
insisted on my being his Prisoner, and to go with him ; or
give Bail Bond with two Securities in Penal Sum of ,£2000
payable to the Provincial Congress, the condition of the Bond
compelled to be given, is tliat I should be kept in safe Cus-
tody by my Sureties, until released by the Congress — that I
should not nor no one for or under me remove my Masts,
Plank &c now here, nor write to any Officer of the Army or
Navy for Protection, or against the Country — I prefer'd
giving the Bond rather than to risk myself with them — A
State of my Case has been sent to the Congress, who I hope
will think it reasonable to release me ; but such is the unfor-
tunate Temper of the Times, that I am Apprehensive I shall
be unable to proceed with my Business and fulfill my Engage-
ments for Halifax Yard for the present and I think it will be
extremely hazardous for some time to attempt it unless affairs
take a Sudden Turn
I am with great Respect Sir your obhg^' & most obed* Hie
Servant
Edw*^ Parry
M'' Bernard is also under Bond, and in the same Situation.
There are some Reports spread here of an attempt to Sur-
prize the Can^eaux
To Henry Mowatt Esq' Commander of His Majesty's Ship
the Can9eaux
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 249
Letter from Udiv'' Parry. 1775
George Town Kennebec May 10"' 1775
William Tyng Esq' Dear Sir
I reced your favor of the 29'^ April by Lambert which was
intercepted by Thompson and broke open with my other Let-
ters — I should have answered Cap* Mowats kind Letter, but
did not know how to convey it sooner, I beg you will deliver
him the inclosed — I suppose you have heard of my being in
Thompson's Clutches The Letter to Cap* Mowat mentions
the particulars — my best Complim** to M" Tyng & M""^
Ross &c — May God Send us peace and Good order again —
I am with great Respect Dear Sir your oblig*^ & assured
friend & humble serv*
Edw^ Parry
fav** by M'' Ayers of Portsm°
George Town Kennebec River May 10*" 1775
Sir
I beg leave to lay before you that M'' Samuel Thompson of
Brunswick one of the Delegates of your Congress has
attended by about Forty or upwards of His Minute Men &c
Armed, restrained me from following my lawful Occupation,
and has detained me here, and compelled a Bond to be given
the 4*" instant with two securities for me in the penal Sum
of X 2,000 lawful money payable to you or the Heads of the
Province for the time being that may be appointed by the
People — The Condition of the Bond prevents me or any
Person for or under me from removing certain Masts, Spars,
Oak Plank &c that are now under my care in this River and
procured for the Service of His Majesty's Navy — and tliat I
should be kept in safe Custody here until I may be released
250 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
by your Orders — he has also required that I shall not write
to any Officer of the Army or Navy for Protection — He
Grounds his pretences for these Violences to me by a Resolve
of your Body (as he says) passed the beginning of April —
The Subject matter of which as near as I can recollect is —
" That Col° Samuel Thompson be appointed to notify certain
" Towns in the Eastward, that one Perry was gone down
" thither to Ship Masts, Plank &c for the Dock Yard at Nova
" Scotia, and that he and they should use all possible and
" effectual means to prevent the same being done." —
And likewise the People &c I employ'd have been intimi-
dated and influenced from carrying on their work to my great
detriment by Persons who appear by their Conduct to place
Reliance on your Approbation — I imagine you will not jus-
tify but disavow these injurious proceedings — and I expect
you will order without delay the Bond to be cancelled and
myself released from my present confinement
I am Sir your very humble Servant
Edw"^ Parry
To The President of the Delegates of the Province of the
Massachusets Bay assembled in Congress at Concord
Letter from Falmouth Comm^^ of Correspondence to The
Provincial Congress May 14^ 1775.
Falm'' 14^'^ May 1775
Hon<^ Sir
the Committee of Correspond'^^ in this Town beg leave to
inform you that Some Time past we received Advice from
George Town, that Col : Thompson was fitting Vessels there,
with Design to attempt the taking the Kings Ship Canceaux
stationed in this Harbour commanded by Cap* Mowatt, a
Gentleman, whose Conduct since he has been here, has given
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 251
no Grounds of Suspicion, he had any Design to distress or
injure us ; but on the other hand, he has afforded his Assist-
ance to sundry Vessels in Distress. As we thought such an
Attempt had the Appearance of laying a Foundation for the
Destruction of this Town, the Coniittee of Correspondence
met & wrote to the Comittee of Correspondence of George
Town desiring they would prevent their Coming ; we also
wrote to Col : Thompson, desiring him to desist from such an
attempt, as it would through the Town into the greatest Con-
fusion imaginable : we sent an Express, & received his
Answer, that he had dropt the Design of Coming —
But, on Monday night [ May 10 ] he landed upwards of
Sixty Men, on the Back side of a Neck of Land joyning to
the Town, who came there in a Number of Boats, & lay
undiscovered till about the middle of the Next Day ; at
which Time, Cap* Mowatt, the Doctor of the Ship, & Parson
Wiswall, were taking a Walk on said Neck, when a Detach-
ment from Col : Thompson's Party rushed from their Con-
cealment, surrounded the Gentlemen, & made them Prisoners,
& conducted them to the Colonel, who was with the main
Body, on the back Side of the Neck. Capt. Hog, who now
commanded the Ship, immediately clapped Springs on his
Cables. She laying within Musket Shott of the Towti, &
swore if the Gentlemen were not Releas'd by Six o Clock, he
would fire on the Town. He fired two Canon, & although
there were no Shott in them, it frightened the Women &
Children to such a Degree, that some crawled under wharfs ;
some ran down Cellar, & some out of Town, Sucli a Shocking
Scene was never presented to View here — llie (yentlemen
who were in Custody, were conducted to a publick House
Where Cap* Mowatt declared, if he was not released it would
be the Destruction of the Town. Every Gentleman present
used their Utmost Endeavours to accomodate the Matter.
Col : Thompson consented that a Coinittee should be chose,
252 DOCUMENTAEY HISTORY
consisting of Officers from his Party and Gentlemen from tlie
Town, to consult in what manner the affair could be accoiTi-
odated ; but, as it was late, the Coiuittee chose to defer the
Consideration of it till next Morning. Cap* Mowatt then
requested, he might go on Board his Ship that night & he
would pawn his Word & Honour, he would return next
Morning, at what Time, and at what place should be
appointed. Coll. Thompson consented, provided Coll Free-
man & Brigadier Preble, would pass their Words, that the
several Gentlemen should return according to their Promise,
& also pawn their Word & Honour, if the Gentlemen fail'd
coming, that they would deliver themselves up, & stand by
the Consequences, which was consented to. Cap*^ Mowatt
not coming according to Promise, which w^as to have been at
Nine o Clock the next Morning, the Sponsors appeared
according to Promise, & were confined. Cap* Mowatt wrote
to them, & let them know he had fully determined to have
comply'd with his promise, but he had sent his man on Shoar
to carry some dirty Linen to his washing Woman & to bring
of some clean : that said man made Oath, that two of the
Body under Arms, one of which, swore by all that was sacred,
the moment he came on Shore he should have what was in
his Piece, and the other, that he should never return on
Board again wdth his Life : that two more of his men made
Oath, they heard several of the Men under Arms say, the
moment he came on Shore they would have his Life ; this
was what he AATote to plead an Excuse for not complying
with his promise. Coll. Thompson told the two Gentlemen
under Confinement, that he must have some Provision &
Refreshment for his Men, which they procured, to the
Amount of thirteen or fourteen Pounds L Money ; on which
they were dismised. — about ten o Clock, he sent an Account
to them for Time & Expence, amounting to 158..18 L M.
and gave them till next morning, nine o Clock, to return an
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 253
Answer; which they did, in the Negative, he said he would
have Satisfaction before he left Town. He then seized all
the Goods he could find belonging to Cap* Coulson & W'"
Tyng Esq. They also carried oft' one Boat belonging to
Coulson, & one other to Cap* Mowatt; they also obliged
Cap* Pote to furnish them with some Provision & a small
Matter of Cash: they also brought one Man on his Knees,
for speaking disrespectfully of the Coll. & his Men. Coll.
Thompson, we doubt not, is a true Friend to his Country, &
a Man of Courage & Resolution, but, as our Town lays so
much exposed to the Navy, that, had he succeeded in his
Attempt, ( which there was not the least Probability of ) it
must have proved the Destruction of this Town & the Coun-
try back, who are in the greatest Distress for want of Provi-
sions. We have only related plain Facts, that the Honour-
able Members of the Provincial Congress may not be imposed
on with false Accounts, to whom Please to comunicate this
Letter
We are with Great Esteem Gent" Your Most Obed' Ilumb^
Serv*^
Jedidiah Preble Chairman
Letter from Col. Jedidiah J*reMe to The Coynvf^ of Safety
at Cambridge. May 16., 177i').
Falm" y*^ 15'" May 1775
Honourable gentlemen
These wait on you by Colont^l Phiniicy wlio l)rouglit all
tlic Pajxis necessary for Inlisting a liegimciit in the County
of ( 'iinibciliiiid, 1 advised with tlie Coiiimittce of ( 'oiicsjxiiid-
ence, xslio are of opinion it would be diriicuU for our County
Tf) spaie a Regiment to 1)(! moved out of tlic l*n»vin(c, of
Maine, as we Lay nuich Exposed to the Navy l)y sea & the
254 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Indians and frencli on our Back Settlements if they should
be Employed against us, but Should be glad to do Every
thing in our Power for the defence of our Just Rights and
Dearer hberties, our men are Zealous in the cause of their
Country, and ready to venture Every thing for the defence
of it, Colonel March informs me your Honours had appointed
him a Colonel and gave him orders to Raise a Regiment
in this County, and to Appoint all his officers, this he
Acquainted me with after I had Delivered Colonel Phinney
the papers back again, which he brought to me, it is impossi-
ble we can spare two Regiments out of this County, & they
have both made Considerable Progress, am much afraid there
will be some Difficulty in setthng the affair, I am persuaded
the men in general would prefer Col" Phinney and so should
I for that Reason, as I look on Colonel Phinney to be Equal
To Colonel March in Every Respect —
Should have done my self the Honour to have waited on
you in person, but am still in a poor state of health, and so
Exercised with the gout, that I Cannot ware my Shoes I
purpose to visit the Camp When Ever I am able to undergo
the fatigue of so long a Journey, I wish Courage and Con-
duct in our officers. Resolution and a spirit of obedience in
our soldiery, and a Speedy End of all our Troubles — I am
your Honours most obedient Humble serv'
Jedidiah Preble
Letter to the Eastern Indians. May 15., 1775.
In Provincial Congress Watertown May 15, 1775
Friends & good Brothers
We the Delegates of the Colony of the Massachusetts Bay,
being come togeather in Congress to consider what may be
best for you & ourselves, to get rid of the Slavery designed
OF THE STATE OF RIAINE 255
to be brought upon us have thought it our duty to write you
the folowing Letter —
Brothers, the great wickedness of such as shoukl be our
friends but are our enemies, we mean the ministry of great
Britain, have laid deep plots to take away our liberty & your
hberty, they want to get all our money, make us pay it to
them when they never earnt it, to make you & us their ser-
vants & let us have nothing to eat, drink or ware but what
they say we shall, and prevent us from having guns & pow-
der to use and kill our Dear and wolves & other game, or to
send to you for you to kill your game with and to get skins
& fur to trade with us for what you want But we hope soon
to be able to supply you with both guns & Powder of our
own making.
We have petitioned England for you & us and told them
plainly, we want nothing but our own & dont want to hurt
them, but they wont hear us and have sent over great Ships
& their men with guns to make us give up and kill us, and
have killed some of our men, but we have drove them back
& beat them, & killed a great many of their men — The
Englishmen of all the Colonies from Nova scotia to georgia
have firmly resolved to stand togeather and oppose them : —
our liberty & your liberty is the same, we are Brothers and
what is for our good is for your good. And we by standing
togeather shall make them wicked men afraid & overcome
them and all be free men — Cap' Golthwait has given up
Fort Pownall into the hands of our enemies. We are angry
at it & we hear you are angry with him & we dont wonder
at it — we want to know what you our good Brothers want
from us of Cloathing or warlike stores & we will Supply you
as fast as we can. we will do all for you we can & liglit to
save you any time & hope none of your men or the huHans
in Canada will join with our eneniicH. you may liav(! a great
deal of good influence on them. — our good brothers tiic
256 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Indians at Stockbriclge all join with us & some of their men
have listed as Soldiers & we have given them that listed each
one a Blankit & a Ribbond & they will be paid when they
are from home in the Service and if any of you are willing to
list we will do the same for you. —
We have Sent Captain John Lane to you for that purpose
and he will show you his orders for raising one Company of
your men to join with us in the war with your & our Enemies.
Brothers we humbly beseach that God who lives above,
and that does what is right here below to be your friend &
bless you to prevent the designs of those wicked men from
hurting you or us.
Brothers If you will let M"" John Prebble know what
Things you Want He will take Care to inform us and we
will do the best for you that we can.
Passed
Ord. to be authenticated & sent forward.
Cambridge May 20"' 1775
Hon^'" Gen> Prebble Sir
This Committee received your favour of the 15"^ Instant,
touching this Colony & note your Just Observations on the
Subject —
The Committee, after the Resolutions of the Congress for
Establishing an Army of 13600 Men, thought the exigencies
of the Times & the exposed Situation of the several Towns
near Boston, made it absolutely necessary that the Army
should be immediately raised, & that for the facilitating of
this important Business it was Expedient that orders should
be issued to such Men as are Recommended as proper per-
sons for such important trusts. Accordingly, orders were
issued to as many Col* as were sufficient to Complete said
Army : but from the Delay which appeared in the Army's
OF THE STATE OF MALNE 257
being formed, by the slow progress made in the inlisting Men,
& the Exposed Situation of the Colony Camp by the going
off of numbers from time to time, it was rendered necessary,
that further orders should be issued for completing the Army
with all possible speed, & in consequence of that determena-
tion, among others. Col. March received orders for the inlist-
ing of a Regiment for the Service of this Colony, &, we
understand, has made some considerable Progress in enlisting
Men for said Service : We are also informed by your Honour
that Col. Phinney has received enlisting Orders from j'ou, &
has engaged in the Business of enlisting Men to complete a
Regiment, and we are further Informed by your Honour that
it is impracticable that two Regiments should be raised in the
County of Cumberland, & being told by Col. Phinney, that
many of the Men that would be raised in your County could
not be supphed by the Town from which they are enlisted
with fire Arms & Blankets, this Committee taking into Con-
sideration the exposed Situation of your County & the prob-
abihty of the Armys being Completed without drawing Men
from those parts of the Colony whi(!li are more immediately
exposed, would Recommend, Sir that you would use your
influence that a stop be put to the raising any Men in your
County until it may be known by the returns from the Sev-
eral colonels authorized for the raising Regiments wether it
may be necessary to take any Men from your County, and
should this necessaty take place this Committee will endeavour
to give your such early Intelligence as may be necessary.
The Request of this Connnittee to your Honour, we Hatter
ourselves will not be conceived by you as carrying in it the
least disrespect to Col: March or Col: Pliiniiey, but solely
from tlie probability of the Armys being Coni})lcat without
taking Men from tliose parts of the Colony which arc more
irimiediiitely exposed. We should be glad to see your Hon-
our at Head Quarters, which we hope your limllli will soon
17
258 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
admit, & with you we Join in the hope of soon seeing a
speedy end to the great Difficulties this distressed Colony
now Labours under — We are, Sir with the great _ Respect,
your Honors Humble Servants
P, S. please to Inform the within mentioned Colonels of
this determination y"^^ &c
Letter from Ahiel Wood to the Comm'^^ for the County of
Li7icoln. May 22^^ 1775.
Pownalboro. May 22'^ 1775
Gentlemen
I am Informed you are to meet Tusday or wednsday and
that there is Sum matters to be alledged against me I should
- Don my Self the honour as to wated On you but am
Obleaged to proceed to the Southward in my Sloop In order
to Git In Sum Corn and Porke Before the first of July and
One Days Delay may be attended with the Loss of my Vessell
and Cargoe —
You may be asured that I Ever have ben Determin'^ to
Abide by the Result of the Continental! Congress and have
Sufferd more then Three Hundred pounds Starling by Coun-
termanding my order for Goods and Ships, it is true I Ever
Disaproved of the Destruction of the Tea and maney Resolves
of the provential Congress But I never had aney thing In
harte but the Good of my Country and I am now Convinced
that the Salvation of my Country Depends On Our Fermly
Uniting and I am Determind to Stand by my Country so
Long as I have Life and one Farthing of Interest In it. if it
appears that I have Dun or Said aney thing unfrindly To the
Country You Will I hope Impute it to Error In Judgment
and not Designed and Over Look it and I shall make amends
by my future Conduct —
I am Very Respectfully Your Humble Se"
Abiel Wood
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 259
Boothbaj May 23-1 1775
Sir
Pursuant to the order of Congress, & in compliance with
the request of the Committee of the County of Lincoln, we
have the honor to inform you that the town of Boothbay has
not beheld with indifference the important contest between
tyranny & patriotism at this Memorable Era : firmly attached
to the cause of this injured countr}^ which they cannot but
consider as the cause of virtue — of religion — & of God,
their heart & hand has been ever ready — devoted to its
defence :
Conscious of their obscurity & insignificance they have
forborne taking any public part in the wise & laudable meas-
ures so generally adopted for redress of grievances, which
the soul of slavery alone could endure : — they have not
however been negligent of the means in their power, of
co-operating with their brethren, in conducting their internal
police at home : —
When the tea act took place they recorded some rational
& spirited resolves, unanimously passed in town-meeting —
suspended the use of tliat baneful herb — & all commerce
with such as withdrew from the useful non-importation
agreement.
In July 1774 tliey generally adopted a non-consunnHion
covenant, but little different from the printed formula &
chearf'^' Ixnind tlieraselves to abide the results of the Conti-
nental & provincial Congresses — in Marcli 1775 they drew
up a number of resolves, in wliich a steady & persevering
exertion of all their powers, in support of the measures
directed by both tliose august bodies, was unanimously
engaged : (Jommittees of Corresj)r)ndence & Inspection were
api)ointed, & the town stipulated to support tlicm in the dis-
charge of their trust at all hazards — & these (committees
have sat f»n l)usines8 once every week since tlicii' appoinlincnt. ;
& no infringement of the orders of (Jongress is sulTcicd within
260 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
their bounds. — the officers of the Militia by request of the
town, resigned their Commissions in March last — two Com-
panies were erected, under officers then elected by the people :
out of which, two Companies of minute-men have been since
drawn : — our little force is under arras once a week — the
Minute Companies often"" — & have made no inconsiderable
improvements in the military exercises: — a guard of ten
men is established in the several parts of the town — besides
four appointed for centries at a public store resolved on : a
plan for provision & defence has been concluded on, & voted :
a Committee of Safety appointed : — & the delegate newly
chosen to attend Congress, directed immediately to pay into
the hands of Henry Gardner Esq'' receiver general 14X-6^-7'*
lawf : being the total of their Province-tax for the year 1774
They reflect with pain on their having paid the whole of
the Province rates of the two foregoing years, to the public
traitor formerly at the head of the treasury — but the recol-
lection that it was done in April 1774 is some alleviation of
this grief : —
They have Voted to indemnify their Constables for col-
lecting & paying whatever — town — county — or Province
rates it may be necessary to raise during the unsettled state
of this Colony — they are cordially disposed to lend their
best aid to their distressed Countiy in all respects — & firmly
determined to part with their liberties only at the price of
their possessions & lives.
We have the honor to be, with the greatest respect Sir,
your most obedient & verj^ humble Servants
the Committee of Correspond''*'
Signed in bebalf, & p' order : John Beath S'ecr^
To m"" Dummer Sewal
in behalf of the County Com^®
Superscribed :
On public Service To M'" Dummer Sewall In behalf of the
County Committee at Georgetown
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 2G1
Letter from Partridgefield to the Provincial Congress.
May 27, 177o.
To the Honourable the Provincial Congress held at Water-
town
Gentlemen : The Select Men of the Town of Partridge-
field having Received a Message from the Provincial Con-
gress Dated at Concord March y" 31** 1775 Requiring tlie
Speedy Pa3-ment of Some Money to Henry Gardiner Esq' of
Stow: They Immediately warned a Town Meeting : And the
Inhabitants being Assembled and taking into Consideration
the Present Circumstances of the Town : they Unanimously
Voted : that Considering the Present Circumstances of the
Town they were not Able to Pay the tax Required of them
by the Provincial Congress : And Also Voted that the Town
Clerk Should write to the Congress and give them Some
Information Concerning the Present Circumstances of the
Town. A Specimen of which is as follows Viz
This Town is but New and but few People in it And the
Generality of them Are People of Low Fortunes And it is
not Long since we were at Great Expense ( for us ) in Setling
A Minister in the Town. And as our farms are mostly New
And our Land not Quick to Produce A Crop ; we are Obliged
Every year to buy A Great Part of our Provision: And this
Year Especially As the Blast and Vermin Destroyed A Great
Part of our Grain the Last Year ; We have no Town Stock
of Ammunition Nor Do we know how to Procure it. As all
the money we Can Get nmst do to Purchase the Necessaries
of Life. I Am Apt to think there is As many men (ione
And going horn this town in Defence of tlui Liberties And
Previliges of America As from Any Town in this Province
if not more; According to the Number of People in this and
the other Towns. And we would be As free with our money
iis with our Men if we had it And Could Possibly Sparc it.
2G2 DOCUMEJSTAKY HISTORY
The taxes which the Great And General Court of this Prov-
ince Was Pleased to Lay Upon this Town We Petitioned to
be Releived of And not Altogether without Success And we
hope the Congress will be Graciously Pleased to Excuse Us
for not Complying witli their Requirments when it was not
in our Power to do it
Signed in the Name And in Behalf of the Town
Partridgeheld May y^ 27^'' 1775
Nathaniel Stowell Town Clerk
Letter from W" Shirriff D. Q. M. G. 1776.
Boston 29*" May 1775
Dear Sir
I have received your obliging favor, and return you many
thankes for the trouble you have taken, and readiness you
have shewn in giving your Assistance so Necessary at pres-
ent for the good of the service. The Hay will be most
Acceptable and I am in hopes Captain Princes Vessel has
taken a part on Board As he promised me he should return
immediately, and I will send you another one, as soon as pos-
sible I shall want three or four Thousand Tons of Hay and
I wish with all my heart poor Annapolis could furnish it —
but all it can furnish I will take, and if they are Industrious
they may get a great deal of Money for their Vegetables
Poultry Butter Eggs &c. — And may come directly into
this Port, without any expence whatever and will be sure to
find every encouragement and Assistance that can be given
them. On the Other hand if they give themselves Airs, and
follow the Cursed example of these Mad Men they will Con-
sider how easily Governm* can Chastise them, and they may
rely upon it they will, and that immediately too — but I hope
They will Consider Their Interests better and make all the
Money they can. They never will have a fairer opportunity.
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 263
I have wrote to Mess" Day & Scott at Halifax respecting
Forage, and have desired them to Consult with you about
the Quantity that may be procured at Annapolis, as they are
to furnish the Remainder from Windsor, & that Neighbour-
hood.
Procure Hay screws at any rate, and the whole should be
carryed to a particular place most convenient for that pur-
pose as Also for Shiping of it — You have not Advised me
in what manner I am to make you remittances, for Expenses
to be incurred in the above Service, therefore shall expect it
p"" Next. We are in the same Situation As when wrote you
last — except the addition of twelve hundred Troops lately
arrived from England, The Regiment of Horse and Eight
Other Reg'* are hourly expected — when I hope you will
hear better Accounts from us. I am hurried to Death there-
fore have only time to add my Comp'* to all friends & to
wish you every happiness being truely Dear Sir Your faith-
full and Obedient Servant
Will"' Shirreff
P. S If you can possibly add to the Quantity of Old
Hay pray do and don't mind the Expence — W. S
Boston May 30"' 1775
This Charter Party or Agreement made this Day between
Maj"" William Sherriff D^ Q"" M"" (General, on the one part &
Ephraim Perkins of the County of York in Cape porpus, on
the other part.
Witnessetli that the said Perkins being ()wn<;r of the Sloop
Molly himself Master, burthen about Eighty Eight 'I'liiis
Doth hereby Covenant and Agree, that the said Sloop shall
proceed from this Ilarboui- to Nova Scotia, and thcu-e take on
Board such Laden, as shall In; (liie<;t(!d by the said M:i'f W'"
264 DOCUMEKTAllY HISTOJiY
Sherriff & proceed Iinediately back to this Port. Said Per-
kins Mailing Victualing & paying all Charges of the Voyage.
In Consideration of which the Above said Maj' W"" Sher-
riff, Doth promise to pay to the said Perkins for the Run or
Voyage of said Vessell, One Hundred and Eighty Dollars,
and Six Dollars g Day Demurrage if Detained longer then
Ten Working Days at the Port where she Loads, and Six
Days where She Delivers her Cargo —
For the true and faithfull performance of the above Agree-
ment we each of us Bind our selves in the penal sum of five
hundred pounds Sterling money of Great Brittian
In Witness hereunto we have sett our hands and Seals this
Thiityeth day of May in the Year of our Lord. 1775 —
Witness Will'" ShirrefP
Jos. Goldthwait D Q M G (Seal)
Letter from W'^ Shirreff
M' Epharim Perkins S"
You will emediately proceed with the Sloop Molly under
y' Command to Windsor in the Bay of Funda & Receeve
Such orders As M"^ Jones will give You Respecting your
Cargo. Making every dispatch that* Possible, taking Care
to touch at No Other Harbour unless it be absolutely
Necessary —
Jos : Goldthwait
for William Sherriff
Boston May 30. 1775 D Q-^ M G*
Letter from Tf^ Shirreff. 1775.
Boston 30«i» May 1775
Gentlemen/
The bearer M' Josiah Jones with the Sloop Polly Ephraim
Perkins Master is Charterd for Windsor in Nova Scotia in
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 265
order to Receive from you Ilay, and Oats — Am therefore to
desire you will use every endeavor to Dispatch him as soon
as possible agreeable to my Letter wrote you via Halifax the
29*^^ Ins*
Please to forward the Inclosed by Express to Annapolis.
I am Gentlemen Your most Obedient humble Serviint
Will™ Shirreff
To Mess" Day & Scott at Windsor Nova Scotia
Letter from Winslow to the (Joynm^^ for the County of Lincoln.
June 3, 1775.
The Committee of Correspondence for the Town of Wins-
low hereby represent to the Committee for the County of
Lincoln, the following State of said Town, vi/>
There are Forty-four Families in the Town ; One Half of
whom have neither Bread nor Meat, but are entirely sup-
ported by Fish —
Twenty Guns are wanted; and there is no Ammunition in
Town, except in the Hands of Ezekiel Pattee Esq''
On Thursday the twenty fifth Day of May last, at a full
Meeting, the Town unanimously voted to adhere to all the
Resolves of the Continental and Provincial Congresses the
I*resorvati()n of their Lives, Liberties and Privileges.
Winslow June 3, 1776.
Ezekiel Pattee
Jonah Crosby
Coniitt(;e of
^ , ,, , Cornispondcnce
Joseph Carter > ,• ,,!• ,
Joim Tozer
Zhnri Ileywood ^
266 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Aecou7it of taking a sloop belongmg to Arundel. 177S.
To the honourable Congress of the Province of the Massa-
chusetts Bay in New-England now sitting, — the Committee
of the Town of Arundel in said Province Sendeth Greeting
Whereas, a Sloop belonging to the Town of Arundel about
three Weeks ago, saild out of this Harbour, and disposed of
her Cargo at Plymouth, and having receiv'^ her Effects, upon
her Return, was seiz*^ and carried into Boston, and there
detained by general Gage for sometime, and her Effects taken
into his Custody for which he pay*^ near the prime Cost : —
After which a Proposal was made to the Master of said Sloop,
by the Officers of the Troops to inlist into the Governours
Service with a Promise of a large Reward for his Service
therein :
The Master being now under Confinement and knowing
no Means of obtaining his Liberty now tho't this Proposal
the only way to make his Escape, and obtain his Liberty, and
therefore comply*^ with the same, and accordingly receiv*^
Orders to sail immediately for Anapolis, to bring a Quantity
of Hay, and other Stores for the Use of the Troops in Boston.
A Number of the kings Arms with Cartridges, were put on
Board and two Young Men one named Josiah Jones, and the
* other Jon* Hicks were put on board, one or both of which as
SuperCargo in the Above Imployment, with a Packet of
Letters, Orders & other Papers.
The Master then being prepard to go out sailed directly
for this Port and arrived in this Harbour the second instant,
with the Persons Letters &c. as above mentioned ; who were
immediately carried before the Committee of this Town and
after Examination of both it was agreed by the Committee
and they have accordingly sent the Persons and Papers under
Guard to this hon^^ Provincial Congress now sitting for
Examination and to be dealt with as they in their United
Wisdom shall think just, The Master and Mate of said Sloop
OF THE STATE OF MAI^iE 267
we have hereby sent by whom an account of the wliole Affair
will be given.
Arundel 3'^ June 1775
Benj'^ Durrell "|
James Burnham I Commit''^
Tho* Wiswall }■ of Town
Jona*^ Stone l of Arundl
John Hovey J
Letter from the Committee for Waldohorougli to the Committee
at Pownalhorovgh. June o, 177o.
Waldoborough June the 5"' 1775
To James Howard Esq' and to the Rest of the Honnorable
Committe appointed by the Honnorable Congress
Gentlemen We Rec^'^ a Letter from you to Know how
affairs Stand in our town upon the Recpt of your Leter we
Called a town meating and we Chose a Commitie to Corre-
spond with you Gentlemen and we Voted unanymusly to
abide by the Continentinel and Provencel Congress and you
Desireed to Know how affairs Stand Relating _ our Provence
tax Gentlemen We Voted to Colect the mony as sone as Pos-
sable and Convey the same when Collected to ]\P Henry
Garner treasurer for the Congress —
(ientlemen We Shall Endeavour to Meat on the days
appointed and We Sliall Let you Know from time to time
all that is Worthy of Notice — We with all Submission
We Remain your servents &c
P S We the Commite are Chose to Colect the above
mony
Jabesh Cole
Andrew Schemle
David Vniall
Jacob Wenigeburla
William farnsworth
a Comittec for Walhloboi'outrh
268 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Letter from Penobscot to the Provincial Congress.
June 7, 1775.
Penobscot June 7, 1775 —
Gent"
We, the Subscribers, being appointed a Committee by the
Inhabitants settled on Penobscot River ; the Inhabitants of
Belfast; Majabigwaduce, & Benjamins River, to make a
Representation to you of the difficulties & distress the said
Inhabitants are under, in respect to the scarcity of Corn &
Ammunition occasioned by the interruption of vessells, which
they depended upon for their supplies & also the impediments
in exportation from the Seaport Towns by inefficient com-
mittees after the said Articles have been purchased We
accordingly herewith send you the votes of said Inhabitants
pass'd by them at a general meeting on Tuesday the G"' day
of June instant which we are to pray your consideration of,
being encourag'd thereto from the many instances of fav' &
assistance which the province have heretofore afforded to
this infant settlem* and without some, at this time we have
real cause to apprehend that these promising settlements may
be broke up. We are further to assure you that the said
Inhabitants are ready with their lives & all y*- they have, to
support the cause which this country is engaged in, in
defence of their liberties & priviledges ; and will hold them-
selves in readiness for that purpose. The said Committee
are also to inform you that it was represented at the said
Meeting that the establishment of Fort pownall is nearly
expired : That the Commander of the s*^ Fort in obedience to
the commands of the Gov"^ deliverd to his order the Artillery
& some Arms belonging to the s*^ Fort : That he also deliv-
ered to our own inhabitants in the different parts of this
vicinity upon their application some Arms & Ammunition ;
reserving only a small quantity of each for the use of the
soldiers belongmg to said Garrison, which occasions the said
OP THE STATE OF MAINE 269
Fort at this time to be very bare in those respects. We are
also to represent to you that the Town of Belfast is in want
of about a dozen stand of Arms which is not practicable to
be got here. All which we are enjoined to lay before you,
Gentlemen, who represent the provmce in this unhappy time ;
& to pray you to take the same into your consideration &
give them such relief as upon mature deliberation you judge
expedient. We are in behalf of the said Inhabitants Gent"
Your most hum^^*^ Serv'^
Tho. Goldthwait
John
Jonathan Buck
Edm<^ Mooers
Benj'* Shute
Oliver Crary
Petition of Edw^ Parry 177 o.
To The Hon'ble Provincial Congress of the Massachuscts
Bay convened and Asseml)led at Watertovvn
Tlic Petition of Edward Parry Agent to the Contractor for
Masts, Humbly Sheweth
That your Petitioner has been detained in his Occupation
of shipping a small quantity of Masts and Lumber he was
providing for his Majesty's Dock yard in Nova Scotia on the
Ix'ginniiig ol' May last at CJeoige Town in Kcniuibcck Iliver
by JJcu'' (Jol^ Samuel 'I'lionipson of Bi-unswick, and two
Bonded Securities leijuircd in the [)enal Sum of X2,000
Lawful money, payable to tlie Provincial Congress or the
Heads of the Proviuce for tlu; time beiug that may be
appointed by the People. I'iie (condition of tlic^ Bond pre-
vents me or any Person for or under me from icmoving cer-
tain Masts, Spais, Oak plank &c that are now under my
270 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Care in said River, and procured for the Service of his Maj-
esty's Nav}', and that I should be kept here in safe Custodj^
until I may be released by the Hon'ble the Provincial Con-
gress's orders — the particulars of which are fully explain'd
in the said Bond, which I suppose Col° Tliompson has before
this deliver*^ unto your Honors.
Your Petitioner humbly begs leave to represent to your
Honors that his being detain*^ here so long, at such a great
distance from New Hamphshire, the Place he has used to
reside at, is of great detriment and damage to him, and that
he daily suffers considerable loss in his private Concerns —
Wherefore he humbly prays your Honors would take his Case
into your wise Consideration, and that your Honors would
compassionately be pleased to order him to be released and
the Bond cancelled, or order such relief as you in your great
Wisdom may think proper, and your Petitioner will ever
pray &c
Edw'^ Parry
George Town Kennebec River June 8^'' 1775 —
Letter from John Lane June 9, 1775
Fort Pownall June 9, 1775
Sir
I have proceeded agreeable to my orders as you'l see by
the inclosed journal, and have got one of the Chiefs to go as
an Ambassador attended by three young men as far as Fal-
mouth and I am in hopes to be able to get them as far as
Watertown. I couldn't have tho't that, that they'd been so
hearty in the Cause, and are very ready to assist us if occa-
sion requires, the Cannada Indians are all of the same mind.
The Indians are now here and we shall go to Casco Bay to
morrow when I shall write more fully.
I am Sir with Respect Your much oblig'd Serv*
Jn° Lane
The Honble Jos. Warren Esq
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 271
Letter from Elilm Hewes. June 9, 1775.
Sir
as I have liad the Pleasure of beiDg well acquainted with
your Wisdom and unalterable Principles from the first
Instant of your Publickly Ingaging in the Glorious Cause
which you now so nobly lead on in the Defence off — Should
your High Appointment and the Complicated situation of
affairs under your Inspection & Direction make my Scrawl
too minute for your Notice I shall not wonder. — As I now
live on Penobscott-River, about 23 Miles above Fort Pownall;
the Settlem* very New, the first Man that Pitch 'd in my
Neighbourhood has not been there more tlian 5 Years, Tis
True Cap* Jona" Buck began near 10 years ago, but he Lives
not more than 8 Miles above the Fort. The Inhabitants
being Setled for above 20 Miles above Him. I find this a
Country very good for both Tillage «& Grass tho at present
Cloath'd with a fine Growth of Pine, Spruce, Cedar, Hemlock
&c Intersperc'd with lai-ge Spots of Rock & white Maple,
Birch, Beach &c and some Oak ; The River excells for Fish
of various kinds, and easie Navigation for the Largest of
Vessells. — The People firmly Attach'd to the Constitution
you Precide in tlie Defence off. And I am confident will
Support it to tlie Last Moment of their Lives, being willing
in general to encounter any Difficulty rather than yeald to
that Band of Tyranny, whose Plodding Pates have long been
Projecting Methods to Enslave us: I am confirm'd in this
Opinion ])y an Anecdote or Two that has come to my knowl-
edge since my residence on tliis River: for I Live in the
Neiglibourliood of Col' Thomas Goldthwait wlio was a Mem-
])er of our Assembly ( as you may Remember ) for many Years
;\\\i\ p;uti<Mil;irly in the; Year 17r)2. From whom I had the
following Story. Richard Jackson Esq"" was then Agent for
our Province; The Col' says that then, in some of His Pri-
vate Letters which he Wrote after liis Appointment, He
272 DOCUMENTARY HISTOPwY
intimated his Fears, that it would not be in his Power to do
the Province much Service as there was a Principle prevail-
ing in England at that Time to render the Colony Assemblys
useless. The Colo^ also says M"^ Bollin ( who was Agent
before M'' Jackson ) was continually warning the Gen" Court
of this Principle then prevailing in England, and yet no
doubt you remember, both those Gentlemen were turn'd out
of the Agency upon a Suspicion that they were not in the
Interest of the Province. Certainly they were faithful as
touching the most important Matter whatever part of their
Conduct might give Umbrage to their Constituants. And
there seems to be some Degree of Semelarety in the Case of
the Above Gentlemen & Colo' Goldthwait. For one of your
Members viz Cap* John Lane who is now here says the Con-
gress had rec'd very unfavourable Acco** of the Colo'*
Conduct : Whereas on a fair and impartial Examination it
will appear that Colo' Goldthwait has been a Steady Uniform
Friend to our Constitution. Should the Almighty Prosper
us so as to bring on an Accommodation. Among other
Grievances I look on the Greenwich Hospital-Money exacted
from our American Seamen, to be a very Capital one. I
hope the Congress will Compassionate the Case of this Infant
Settlement as we are not got to the years of Tillage and
raesing our own Bread and Cloathing, & like to be Shut
from the Previledge of Importing.
We could now Manufactor our own Cloathing, but are
destitute of WoU & Flax which is a very Material Grievance.
Pray excuse the want of Order in these Hints
From Hon*"' Sir your Hum' Ser* in Haste
Elihu Hewes
Penobscott River 9 June 1775
PS I have wrote by this Oppertunity to Joseph Hewes
Esq' on the Continental Congress we are Brothers Children
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 273
and were bro't up together in the same Family your Favour
in forwarding is Pray'd by Sir &c
Here is an Island in the Mouth of this River, Own'd by
Isaac Winslow Esq" as he Saith, which contains 6 or 7000
Acres, I first setled on it, there is 10 or 12 Families of Good
Connecticiit Men w^ho are Hearty in our Cause and Should
Hold what they have Taken in their Own Right, The Reste
Should be Deemd Forfit this my Privat Opinion made known
to none but you.
Superscribed
To Joseph Warren Esq'' Precident of the Provincial Congress
for the Massachusetts-Bay
g Fav' Cap' Buck
private Letf
Deposition of Samuel Smith. 1775.
I the Subscriber Being of Lawful age Do Testify That
Being in a Coasting Sloop belonging to Arundel and on my
Return from Plimouth was taken by a Cutter Belonging to
Admiral Graves Squadron in Boston & carried in to that
Port & their Detain*^ Several Day^ & Being Solliscited By
Admiral Graves^ Secretary to Enter into His majestys Ser-
vice and knowing no other way wherein I Could Possibly
make my Escape I Enter*^ into s*^ service to Go to Winsor in
Nova Scotia for Hay & other things, and Haveing one Josiah
Jones Put on Board as factor and Being Ready to Sail I
Desir'* of y® Cap* of our Convoy Leave to Sail But He told
me I must not Sail til to morrow att ten o : Clock as their
was a Number other vesels in y" same Employ & Should all
Sail together I then Desir'' Leave _ M*^ Jones to Hall off into
the Road & obtain'' Leav it being Dark & I Got Consent of
our factor m"" Jones to Sail I therefore Embrac'' the oppertu-
nity & Emmediatly Sail** for Arundel where I arriv** in about
18
274 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
twenty four Ours and Deliver*^ up m'' Jones & one Jon* Hicks
who was Intraduc*^ on Board my Sloop By m"" Jones But for
what Purpos I cannot tell, and further Saith that M"" Jones
Desird Me to oil and Clean the fire arms that was Put on
Board to Defend our selves as He said the Rebels might
attak us on our Passage
Watertown June 9'*" 1775 Samuel Smith
Provincial Congress. 1775.
A List of Persons met at Concord in Provincial Congress.
p. 85.
Kittery Charles Chancy Esq""
Edward Cutt
Wells M"' Ebenezer Sayer
Barwick Cap* W™ Gerish
p. 86.
Falmouth & Cape Elizabeth Enoch Freeman Esq'^
Scarborough M"^ Sam^^ March
North Yamiouth M'' John Lewis
Gorham Solomon Lombard Esq""
Brunswick Cap* Sam^^ Thomson
Deposition of JEJben^ Whittier. 1775.
Ebenezer Whittier of lawful age testifies and declares that
some time in april Last Abiel Wood merchant Recommended
the Coasters for Carrying up Boards and timber to the troops
that the said Wood Being asked why he Didnt carry timber
to the troops Hee the said Wood said Becaus He was affraid
of the People and aded it was time Now to throw of fear He
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 276
had Lost thousands by fearing to Supply the troops and on
being informed by the Deponant the provential Congress had
forbid the Supplying the Regular troops He the said Wood
Said the most of the Congrees ware Damn'd Villams Saying
their was Handcock adams & others acteid out of Selfish
Views in destroying the tea and being told by the Deponant
m"^ Handcock did Not destroy the tea the said Wood offered
to Give His oath before any Justice of Peace that M'' Hand-
cock was the first Man that went on Board the Vessell to
destroy the tea and that the Devil had made them Beleive
that one of them Should be king another a Govenor and that
they Should Be in Some Great Places of Honor & profit &
their Veiws was to Stir up the People to Sedition in order
to accomplis their designs this was Spoke Concerning mr
Handcock & the Provential Congress April 1775 that the
said Wood Spake Disrespectfully of the method Recom-
mended by the Provential Congress for Chusing officers and
that the s*^ Wood Reported for truth that the Govinour of
New york & twelve towns in this & Connecticut province
Had Voted Not to abid by the Result of the Continental
Congress and their By Eudevered to Discourage the People
of this parish from approveing the Same.
Ebenezer Whittier
Lincoln ss June 9, 1775 Then the said Eben"" Whittier
made Oath to the above Writing by him subscribed
Before me Tho* Rice Just. Peace
Report on Jones ^ Hicks
The ('(tmmittee appointed to examine the persons and
papers sent this Congress l)y tlie Coiniiiittc of th(j Town of
Anui(l(;l liave attended that service and after due perusal of
said papers Josiah Jones & Jonathan Hicks tlierein refered
276 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
to were brought before them and said Jones in his defence
says he had no concern with the sloop Polly otherways than
as a passenger in her to Nova Scotia. — notwithstanding
which it appears clearly to this Committee, by s'^ Papers as
also by the evidence of Cap* Smith Master herewith trans-
mitted, that s*^ Jones went on board s** Sloop as supercargo
in tlie service of Gen. Gage to bring hay & other articles to
Boston to supply our enemies. — We find by s*^ Jones's
account of himself that he went to Boston soon after the
memoriable I.exington Battle of the 19 of April last in com-
pany with John Buggies of Hardwick who was ordred by a
Committee to the said Town of Hardwick and that said Jones
was knowing to the proceedings of s** Committee against s*^
Buggies before they set out together from Weston to take
refuge in Boston, that they left the comon road & went in
the woods & dificult places to pass the Town of Boxbury. —
This Committee upon the whole have not the least reason to
doubt of s'' Jones's being a Notorious enemy to his Country
& of his having been employed in the actual imployment of
our enemies against the Just liberties of the people therefore
beg leave to report the folowing Order. —
In Provincial Congress 10 June 1775
Ordered that Josiah Jones, taken from the sloop Polly be
sent with a sufficent guard to the Town of Concord in the
County of Midsx and committed to the comon Goal there to
remain untill the further Order of Congress or house of Bep-
resentatives of this Colony. —
Said Jonathan Hicks in his defence says that since the
public disputes respecting the liberties of the Country he has
not liked the part that has been acted, in many respects, on
either side therefore could not see his way clear to join with
any —
Upon examination the Committe find by evidence that at
Gardnerstown, while he lived there, he expressed himself
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 277
highly against Committees of correspondence &c calling them
rebels &, useing other oprobrious language against the people
who appeared for liberty and endeavoured to hinder their unity
That also while he the said Hicks lived at Plymouth he was
esteemed by the good people there inimical to the liberties
of his Country by his general conduct and that at certain
times he appeared very high and once drew his sword or
spear upon certain persons.
Said Hicks upon the wliole owns his general conduct has
been such as the people for liberty call a Tory, but still he
says he is against the oppressive Acts, s"^ Hicks confesses
that the evening after the Battle of Lexington aforesaid he
left Plymouth & took shelter with the troops at Marsh field
not thinking himself safe in the Country, that he went with
them to Boston & there remained untill he went on board
the Sloop Polly with Jones & says he designed for Hallifax
there to tarry if he could find business in order to be out of
the noise. —
Cap* Smith Master, of s*^ Sloop can give no Account of
Hick's business on board, all he can say is, he in general
appeared inimical calling the liberty People rebels &c — The
Committee therefore beg leave to report the following order
In Provincial Congress Watertown June 10, 1775
Ordred that Jonathan Hicks taken from the sloop Polly be
sent with a suificient Guard to the Town of Concord in the
County of Middlesex & committed to the comon Goal there
to remain untill the further orders of Congress or house of
Representatives of this Colony. —
Letter from Elihu Hewes. June 10^ 1775.
Hon'"^ Sir
I expect my Letters sent by Cap' Buck will reach you
before Cap' Lane, wlio will be Imj)cded with his Charge. I
278 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
hope none will Rob liini of the Honour he alone deserves
( under the Smiles of Heaven ) for the Success he has met
with in his Tour up the River — I hope we shall have more
of his Company if our Trouble continue, you cannot Send a
Man that can Act more for the Service and Interest of His
Country.
I dare not Ask a written Answers to this or mine by Buck
but a few words will be Highly Acceptable to
Sir your very Hum^ Ser*
Elihu Hewes
Extract of a Letter from Hon. Enoch Freeman.
Extract of a Letter from the Hon^^ Enoch Freeman Esq
" You informed me that the last Provincial Congress, did
me the Honour to choose me one of the Committee of Safety
for the Province. You may acquaint that Committee, that,
was my Health and Capacity equal to my Inclination to
serve the Public, I should cheerfully attend that Service
without delay, but at present I cant possibly go up — Yet if
I can be of any Service to the common cause, in the mean
time, in these exposed parts of the Country, ray utmost
endeavours shall not be wanting, and as soon as I can find
myself able, purpose to come up —
It wou'd perhaps be convenient for the Public that some
Person or Persons here, shou'd be appointed, whose business
shou'd be to execute the Orders of the Congress and Com-
mittee of Safety, and to communicate back to them from
Time to Time, Intelligences and Occurrences that may affect
the Public, without the trouble of getting a Quorum of Com-
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 279
mittee, and Selectmen togetlier, who live at a Distance, which
often causes great delay, and my Time is so often taken up,
on one public Affair and another, that I am obliged to neg-
lect my own business to my great Damage —
If the Congress shou'd allow the Regiment raised here in
this County to be stationed among us for our Defence, it will
be necessary that some body shou'd have the Care of them,
besides their own Officers, to employ them in such a manner
as shall be most for the Safety of the whole —
In this Service, I think I might be of as much or more
Service to the Public than if I was to go up to the Commit-
tee, as the Gentleiuen there, are more acquainted with the
Circumstances of that part of the Province than I am, I
shou'd be of the less advantage to them, and I presume I
am more acquainted with this part of the Province, and with
tlieir concurrence, may be of more service to the Public here
than there ; for here, new Emergencies may and do often
arise, which require immediate attention —
I heard to Day, that lately there were a number of Indians
of Androscoggin River consulting what Side to take, but
could not agree among themselves. 'Tis Pity but some body
here shou'd be employed to negotiate with them or any other
Indians as opportunity shou'd offer —
A Man from Deer Island, near Penobscott, was here this
afternoon, and gives a melancholy Account of the Distress
the People are in that way for want of Bread owing to the
stoppage of Trade — lie heard that several Children had died
of Hunger — What will become of them God only knows, we
are not able to help them or our selves — I Doiit know what
can 1)6 done for them or us without some Vessel of Superior
Force to the Tenders shou'd be provided to bring Bread kind
among us — I just now heard that Cap John Cox was taken
on his Passage to New York, with Spars, and carried into
Boston —
280 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Account of the Capture of the King's Cutter at Machias.
June 14-) 1775.
" To the Honorable Congress of the Massachusetts' Bay." —
"Gentlemen We, the faithful & distressed inhabitants of
Machias, beg leave, once more, in the most respectful manner,
to approach your presence, & spread before you a just and
full representation of our very critical situation.
On the 2*^ instant Cap' Ichabod Jones arrived in this River
with two sloops, accompanied with one of the Kings Tenders :
On the S"^* instant a paper was handed about for the people
to sign, as a prerequisite to their obtaining any provision, of
which we were in great want. The contents of this paper,
required the signers to indulge Cap' Jones in carrying Lum-
ber to Boston, & to protect him and his property, at all
events : But, unhappily, for him, if not for us, it soon expired
after producing effects directly contrary in their nature to
those intended. The next effort, in order to carry those
favourite pouits, was to call a meeting, which was accordingly
done. On the 6"' the people generally assembled at the
place appointed, and seemed so averse to the measures pro-
posed, that Capt. Jones privately went to the Tender, &
caused her to move up so near the Town that her Guns
would reach the Houses, & put springs upon her Cables, —
The people, however, not knowing what was done, and con-
sidering themselves nearly as prisoners of war, in the hands
of the common enemy, ( which is our only plea for suffering
Cap' Jones to carry any Lumber to Boston, since your Honors
conceived it improper ) passed a Vote, that Cap' Jones might
proceed in his Business as usual without molestation, that
they would purchase the provision he brought into the place,
and pay him according to Contract. —
After obtaining this Vote, Cap' Jones immediately ordered
his Vessells to the Wharf & distributed his provisions among
those only, who voted in favour of his carrying Lumber to
OF THE STATE OE MAINE 281
Boston. This gave such offence to the aggrieved party, that
they determined to take Cap' Jones, if possible, & put a final
stop to his supplying the Kings troops with any thing :
Accordingly, they secretly invited the people of Mispecka &
Pleasant River to join them ; accordingly a number of them
came & having joined our people, in the woods near the set-
tlement; on the 11"' They all agreed to take Cap* Jones &
Stephen Jones Esq"" in the place of Worship, which tliey
attempted, but Cap* Jones made his escape into the woods,
and does not yet appear, Stephen Jones Esq'' only, was taken,
& remains, as yet, under guard. The Cap* & Lieutenant of
the Tender, were also in the Meeting House, & fled to their
Vessell, hoisted their flag, & sent a Message on shore to this
effect: "That he had express orders to protect Cap* Jones;
that he was determined to do his duty whilst he had life ; &
that, if the people presumed to stop Cap* Jones's vessells, he
would ])urn the Town." Upon this, a party of our men
went directly to stripping the sloop that lay at the wharf,
and another party went off to take possession of the other
sloop which lay below & brought her up nigh a Wharf, and
anchored her in the stream. The tender did not fire, but
weighed her anchors as privately as possible, and in the dusk
of the evening fell down & came to, within Musket shott of
the sloop, which obliged our people to slip their Cable & run
the sloop aground. In the mean time, a considerable number
of our people went down in boats and canoes, lined the shore
directly opposite to the Tender, and having demanded her to
surrender to America, received for answer, "fire and be
damn'd:" they immediately fired in upon her, which she
returned, and a smart engagement ensued. The Tender, at
last, s]i[)cd lier (.'able and fell down to a small sloop, com-
manded by ('ap: Toby, and lashed herself to lier for
tiic remainder of the night. In the morning of the 12*'' They
took Cap* Toby out of his vessell, for a pilot, & made all the
282 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
sail they could to get off, as the wind & tide favoured ; but
having carried away her main boom, and meetmg with a sloop
from the Bay of Fundy, they came to, robbed the sloop of
her boom & gaff, took almost all her provision, together with
M' Robert Avery of Norwich in Connecticut, and proceeded
on her voyage. Our people, seeing her go off in the morumg
determined to follow her. About forty men, armed with
guns, swords, axes, & pitch forks, went in Cap^ Jones's sloop,
under the command of Cap* Jeremiah OBrian : about Twenty,
armed in the same manner, & under the command of Cap*^
Benjamin Foster, went in a small Schooner. During the
Chase, our people built them breast works of pine boards, and
any thing they could find in the Vessells, that would screen
them from the enemy's fire. The Tender, upon the first
appearance of our people, cut her boats from the stern, &
made all the sail she could — but being a very dull sailor,
they soon came up with her, and a most obstinate engagement
ensued, both sides being determined to conquer or die : but
the Tender was obliged to yield, her Captain was wounded
in the breast with two balls, of which wounds he died next
morning : poor M"^ Avery was killed, and one of the marines,
and five wounded. Only one of our men was killed and six
wounded, one of which is since dead of his wounds.
The Battle was fought at the entrance of our harbour, &
lasted for over the space of one hour. We have in our pos-
session, four double fortifyed three pounders, & fourteen
swivels, and a number of small arms, which we took with the
Tender, besides a very small quantity of ammunition &c.
Thus we have given your honors, as particular an account of
this affair as possible. We now apply to you for advice, and
for a supply of Ammunition & provisions ( the latter of which
we have petitioned your honors for already) which if we
could be fully supply'd with we doubt not but with the
blessing of Heaven we should be prepared to defend our
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 283
selves. — We propose to convey the prisoners to Pownal-
borough Goal, as soon as possible, there to await your orders.
We are, with deference, your Honors most Obedient Humble
Servants —
By order of the Committee Ja^ Lyon Chairman
Machias June 14^" 1775 George Stillman Cler
Letter from Jedidiali Preble c|' Enoch Freeman.
June 14, 1776.
Falmouth June 14, 1775
Hon*^ Sir
These wait on you by Collonel Phiney, who informs Us,
he has order'd the Men lately inlisted in this County, to
Guard the Sea Coasts, and Islands within said County, to
secure the Cattle and Sheep from the Ravages of Cruisers
from the Navy; But, as no provision is made for their sub-
sistance, it cant be expected, they can continue to do duty
without. We refer you to Collonel Phiney for particulars
Four Indian Chiefs ariv'd here this day, with Captain
Lane, from the Penobscut Tribe. We hope their expecta-
tions will be answer'd, which will lay a foundation for the
securing to Our interest the whole Tribe. —
We are, Honour'd Sir, Your most obedient humble Servants
Jedidiah Preble
Enoch Freeman
Hon^' Joseph Warren, Esq'^ to be communicated
" Letter from the Com^^^ of Machias relative to fitting out an
Arwbd Vessel — ^ Report thereon accepted.''''
June 17, 1775.
To the Honorable Congress of the Massachusetts Bay
Gentlemen, Since the express left this, by whom we trans-
mitted an account of the taking of the Margeritta, one of
284 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
the Kings Tenders, we have discovered, upon examining the
Papers, that both Capt. Jones* Sloops, of about 70 Tuns
each, were, in the Kings service. And as the People are
now obliged to provide for their own safety, in the best
manner possible, the Committee of Safety have resolved, with
the utmost expedition, to arm one of s*^ Sloops, & to act only
on the defensive.
We are deeply sensible of our own weakness & danger; &
with becoming deference, we once more apply to your Honors
for advice & support, if we are judged worthy of your
Notice.
We are Gentlemen very respectfully &c
Machias June 17, 1775 Ja« Lyon Ch. M.
AP Fox , Mr Lothrop
Mr Woodbridge M"" Johnson of Lynn
In Provincial Congress Watertown July 7, 1775.
The Committee appointed to take into consideration a
Letter from the Committee of Safety for the Town of Machias
Relative to fitting an armed Sloop to act on the Defensive
and to Report thereon Do Report in manner following ( viz)
Resolved, that when and so soon as the Committee of
Safety for said Town of Machias Shall have fitted and armed
a Sloop for their Defence and Security and have procured a
proper Person to Command Said Sloop and a Sufficient Num-
ber of hands to Man her and Shall Send the Name of such
person to this Congress ; then this Congress will Commission
such a person to Take the Command of Said Sloop and to
act on the Defensive for the Security and Defence of said
Town of Machias.
Anmver to Petition from Belfast, ^e. 1775,
In Provincial Congress Watertown June 23 1775
On the Petition of a number of the Inhabitants settled on
Penobscot River; the Inhabitants of Belfast, Majabigwaduce,
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 285
& Benjamin's River representing the difficulties & Distress
said Inhabitants are under in respect of the scarcity of Corn
& Ammunition, and praying for some Relief —
Resolved, That it be recommended by this Congress, to tlie
Committees of safety, of the Towns of Glocester or Newbury-
Port or to the like Committees of Safet^^ or Correspondence
of any other Towns within this Colony, to supply Capt Jon-
athan Buck one of the Petitioners, for the Use of s'' Inhabi-
tants for their present Relief, with two Hundred Bushels of
Indian Corn, or to that amount in Corn & Rye, and take in
Return for the same Cordwood or sucli other payment as the
said Buck may be able to make or His Security thear for and
in Case the said Buck shall not make satisfaction for the
same in a reasonable Time, it shall be allowed & paid out of
the publick Treasury of this Colony and the said Buck shall
refund the same as soon as may be and that Coll Goldthwait
deliver up all the publick Arms & Ammunition in his posses-
sion to the petitioners or a Committee Appointed by them for
tliat purpose —
And as to Powder they shall be Reasonably Supplyed
therewith as Soon as tlie State of our magesen will admitt
thereof
Receipt. 1775.
Dear Island .luiu; 2!) 1775
Received of Nathaniel Low Fourteen pounds I'^leven Shill-
ings and Two peiice Lawful Money in P(U'tatas Solt Lead
iind hooks and Lines. Which We the Subscribers promise
to p;iy t]i(^ Above to the Provenehel Congress in Lumber As
Soon as the Ports an; Opned And We Can Sell Our Lmnber
Francis Haskell Sanicll Knyiiels
Josiah Crockett Nathan Dow
Robert Nason Courtney Babbidg
Thomas Thompson
286 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Report on John Lane's Account. 1775.
In provincial Congress June 23 1775
The Committee for examining the Account of M"" John
Lane having attended that service found the said Lane's
account well supported excepting a few inaccuracies in cast-
ing They therefore beg leave to report by way of Resolve
viz.
Resolved that there be paid out of the publick Treasury of
this Colony to M"" John Lane, the sum of forty four pounds
eighteen shillings & eleven pence ^ for his expences in
bringing to the Congress four of the Chiefs of the penobscott
tribe of Indians, with an Interpreter & the Receiver General
of this Colony is hereby directed to pay the said John Lane
or order the afores*^ sum of Forty seven pounds Eighteen
shillings & ll^y^
Accepted June 23
Resolve. 1775.
In provincial Congress June 23** 1775
Resolved that there be paid out of the publick Treasury of
this Colony to M"" John Lane or order the sum of nineteen
pounds ten shillings & eight pence to pay the expenses of
himself four Indian Chiefs & an interpreter from Watertown
to Penobscott. And the Receiver General is hereby directed
to pay the same sum accordingly.
Accepted
Resolve. 1775.
The Committee appointed to take into Consideration the
petition from Mechias beg leave to report by way of resolve
as follows
In provincial Congress Watertown June 26"' 1775
Resolved, that the thanks of this Congress be and it is
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 287
hereby given to Capt Jeremiah Obrian and Cap* Benjamin
Foster and the other brave men under their command for
their Courage & good conduct in taking one of the tenders
belonging to our enemies, and two sloops belonging to Icha-
bod Jones ; and for preventing the minesterial troops being
supplied with lumber — And that the said tender, Sloops,
their appurtenances & Cargoes remain in the hands of the
said Captains Obrian & Foster & the men under their Com-
mand for them to use & improve as they shall think most for
their & the publicks advantage untill the further order of
this or some future Congress or house of Representatives —
And that the Committee of Safety for the Western parish in
Pownalboro' be ordered to convey the prisoners taken by the
said Obrian & Foster from Pownalboro Goal to the Commit-
tee of Safety or Corospondance for the town of Brunswick,
& the Committee for Brunswick to convey them to some
Committee in the County of York and so to be conveyed
from County to County till they arrive at this Congress —
pass'^
The Com*^® appointed to Consider the petition of Edward
Parry (Agent to the Contractor for Masts &c ) taking said
j)ctition with several other papers accompaning the same into
Consideration Beg leave to report by way of resolve ( viz )
In Provincial Congress Watertown June 26, 1775 —
Resolved That Coll Thomson be directed to repair to
Ccorge Town and get assistance and remove said Masts and
other Tini])er to a place of Safty The Costs not Exceeding
forty pounds and as it appears Said Edward Parry is not
Fiif^iidly to tliis Country tliat CoW Touison send him as soon
;is iii;iy be tf) tliis Congress and that the Bond Given by
Duiimier Scwal and Jordan Parker in; void wlicn s** masts
are secured
June 26. 1775 pass"
288 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Letter from Committee of Biddeford. June 28^ 1775.
To the Honorable, the Provmcial Congress
May it please your Honors As we have tho't proper to
forward to your Honors, under Convoy of the Bearers, Mess"
Noah Hoopei and Edgecomb Nason ; a Person who Calls
Himself Tho^ Neat, we apprehend it to be our Duty as a
Committee of Inspection, to transmit you an exact detail of
our proceedings relative to him, that he may be dispos'd of
as your Honors may judge expedient — therefore beg leave
to represent,* that on Saturday last, the Person in question
arriv'd in this Town and being a Stranger — some of the
Inhabitants were prepossess'd with a Suspicion of his being a
Spy— The Committee in Consequence were immediately
applied to — We attended — when he submitted to an Exam-
ination, and gave the following Account of himself- — to wit,
that he was a native of Britain — had liv'd several Years in
America — had frequently travelled, and was well acquainted
in most of the Southern Colonies, and had, previous to the
present unhappy Crisis of the unnatural Contest between
Great Britain and her Colonies, acquired the Birth of a
Steward on Board his Majesty's Ship Senegal Capt Doddings-
ton, Commander — that he left England in said Ship about
10 Weeks since — fully persuaded from the representations
he had there receiv'd that the Disturbance in America was
kindled by the Breath of a faction — by no means formidable
that it might be easily quelled, and was universally disap-
proved by the Cool and dispassionate of all Denominations
in the Colonies — that the first american Port they touch'd
at was Boston — where they soon had Orders to repair to
Falmouth, in Casco Bay, at which place he had been two
Weeks — that on his arrival in America, he found, not a fac-
tion, but the whole Continent joined in Opposition to parlia-
mentary Measures — that therefore he Could not in Conscience
continue in a Service in which he must be Obliged to draw
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 289
the Sword against America — for that Reason he had left the
Ship and propos'd going to Philadelphia — where he had
several friends and Acquaintance — and that he should have
applied for a Pass prior to his leaving Falmouth, but that he
imagined such application would be attended with Danger,
as the Ship lay in the Harbor —
In Order if possible to be more fully ascertained of the
truth of the above Declaration — we next day dispatch'd a
Person to Falmouth to wait on the Committee there — who
informed him that the Steward had departed the Ship — and
that the Cap* supposing he had been detained by the People,
sent a Message to Col° Preble to demand a Restoration of
him — The Col° returned for Answer that he knew nothing
of him, but that he was seen a little before going out of
Town, Col° Preble likewise informed the Messenger sent by
us that he had had some Conversation with this person, and
beared him say he intended to leave the Ship for the reason
abovemention'd — He hired a Horse a little without the Town
of Falm° and came publicly to this place —
The above may it please your Honours is a true Account
of what we have been able to Collect relative to the person
in Custody — And as the People here are uneasy, and still
apprehensive that he may be inimical to the Interests of
America — we have judged it most clligible that he should
be sent to the Congress that your Honors may give further
Orders concerning him, as your Wisdom may direct
Rishw'^ Jordan \ (Committee of Inspec-
Benj'"^ Hooper \ tion for the Town of
Thos (iillPatrick ) liiddeford
liiddcfonl 28tli, June 1775
Coll Richmond
Cap Stone
M"" Langdon
la I'Kjviiicial Congress July y" l" 1775
The Com"^* appointed to Examine the witliin jiientioned
19
290 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Tho* Neat have attended that servics & are humbly of
Oppinion that he Ought to be discharged & Set at liberty. &
Do recomend him for a pass to be signed by the Sec'^^ to go
to New York there to Apply for a further pass as he pro-
poses to go to Virginia.
Submitted — g Ezra Richmond
g"" order
Accepted
Report on petition of Tho^ Donnell ^ others. 1775.
The committee appointed to Consider to petition of Thomas
Donell and others of Frenchmans bay have attended that Ser-
vice & beg leave to report by way of Resolve
In provintial Congress Watertown July 8"' 1775
Whereas M'' Phihp Hodgkins has applied to this Congress
for a Supply of Provision for Inhabitants of Frenchmen Bay
& being at a good Distance from the Committees of Corre-
spondence of that Place Therefore
Resolved That it be recommended & it is by this Congress
accordingly recommended to the Governor & Company of
the Colony of Conaticut that they suffer the Inhabitants of
Frenchmen bay to purchess such Provisions in the said Col-
ony as they stand in need of.
Accepted.
Letter from Bowdoinham. July 8, 1775.
Bowdoinham July y" 8 : 1775
Gentlemen We have Lately Receiv^ from you Yo"^ Resolvs
or Rather a precept desireing us to Send a man to Represent
us in a General Assembly at Watertown the Nineteenth
Instant in Order to Chuse a Counsel & Assembly Which
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 291
Counsel you mention are to govern y® Colony till Some Other
Alteration. — In wbicli projection we Heartily Join : But in
publick to"v\Timeeting : After Debating y" Matter It was
Resolv'^ that it would Not be prudence for us in our Present
Circumstances to Send a man As we are at Great Distance It
would be Attended with a Considerable Cost, But further
Resolv'' that y*^ Select Men be a Conniiittee To Write to Yo""
Hon''* to let you know our present Situation & minds of y**
Inhabitants in General —
It is Not Because of any dislike to Yo"^ preposals that we
do not Send a man, for we heartily Concur with y^ Measures
you have propos*^ And heartily Beg the Almighty Will not
only Bless them but Direct you further; — As to our Circum-
staces our town is but A new Settlement & but a few Inhab-
itants ; and we have Lately Suffered Very much by fire ; Our
INIeeting-house Being Burnt & Several Dwelling houses Barns
& other Buildings — With A Vast deal of fence & sevral
feilds & Mowing land Burnt over ; —
This Gentlemen with our former poverty is y® true Cause
of our Not Acting more Generous than we do ; But we are
heartily Willing to Exert our Selves with lioth life and for-
tune as far As is Needful & Joine With You in defence of
y® priveledgs Which we are Contending for; — Gentlemen
we desire Liberty Not only to Metion to You that we are
Very Destitute Of Aminition But that You would Acquaint
us Where we may purchase Some ; As we have made Some
Attempts to git But have fail*^ hether-to This from Yo''
Humble Ser"*«
Abr"" Preble \
Robert Fultr)ii ( A Comm"'''
Abr™ Whittemore )
Superscribed
To y" Provincel C^ongniss of The Massaciliusctts Bay
Now Setting At Wattertown
292
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Stephen Jones' conduct justified. 1775
We the Subscribers Inhabitants of Machias, do testify and
declare, that we have been frequently in Company with
Stephen Jones Esq'' since the Unhappy Contest arose between
Great Britain and the Colonies : and he allways justified the
measures taken by the Colonies : highly approved of the Res-
olutions of the Provincial & Continental Congress* & con-
demn'd in the severest terms those Measures pursued by
Administration, and the British ParHament against America.
And we do realy believe, that he is, as sincere a Friend to
the American Cause, as any man Whatever
Machias July 19*M775
Japeth Hill
Benj'* Gooch
Jabez West
Theodore Hill
Joseph Gilichet
Henry Griffiths
Stephen Smith
Henry Watts
Dennis Obrian
Samuel Shaw
Benj'^ gooch Ju
Stephen Young
Daniel B
William Albee
James Dillany
Daniel Stone
Ladwick Holway
Jona* Pineo
John Chaloner
John Gooch
Morres OBrian
James Elliot
Obediah Hill
William Obrian
Gideon Obrian
Joseph Getchell Jur Samuel Reed
W™ Tupper Daniel Meserve
James Wheeler
Jabez Huntley
Samuel Milbery
Jonathan Knight
John Morrson
Joseph Munson
William Chaloner
James Cole
James Gooch
Job Burnum
WiUm
Solomon
Joseph Hill
Abraham Clark
Isaac Taft
Ebn^ Beal
We are Gentlemen Your mo. obed* Serv**
Tho* Brackett Thomas Thompson
Sam" Oates Cornelius Turner
Briggs Turner
Dated at Bristol y*' 16*»> of July 1775
Tho' Boyd Cler of y^ Committee
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 293
Letter from Stephen Jones. July 22'^ 1775.
Machias July 22*^ 1775
Hono^'"" Sir
As I have been represented as a person Counter Acting
the Resolutions of the Hono*'^'' Congress. Justice to my
Character requires me to Send you the inclosed, which, with
what the Committee of Safety have done in my favour, hope
will be sufficient evidence of my Attachment to my Native
Country.
As I have heretofore Served my Country both in Millatary,
and Civil Capacity. Shall most Gratefully acknowledge Any
favours of that kind. And endeavour faithfully to discharge
any trust reposed in me.
Sincerely wishing Success to the American Arms I am
Hono^'* Sir most Respectfully, your obedient Humble Servant
Stephen Jones
The Hono^^* President of the Provincial
Congress, or Hono'''® Speaker of the
Massachusetts House of Commons
to James Warren Es<f
Philadelphia July 24, 1775
Sir
In Confidence, I am determined to write freely to you this
Time — A Certain great Fortune and Riddling Genius whose
Fame has been Trumpeted so loudly, has given a silly cast
to (jur whole doings — We are between Ifawk and Buzzard
— We ought to have had in our liands a Month ago, the
wliole Legislative, Executive and Judicial of the whole Con-
tinent, and have complcatly Modelled a Constitution, to liave
raised a Naval Power and opened all our Ports wide, to have
arrested every Friend to (iovcnniicnl on the Continent, and
held therji as Hostages for the l^oor vii'tims in Boston —
And then opened the Door as wide as possible for Peace and
294 IXXJUiMENTAliY HISTOKY
Reconciliation, after this tliey might have Petitioned and
Negotiated and Addressed &ca if the^ would — Is all this
Extravagant ? — Is it wild ? — Is it not the soundest Policy ?
One Piece of News — seven Thousand Weight of Powder
Arrived here last night — We shall send along some as soon
as we can — But you must be patient and Frugal.
We are lost in the extensiveness of our Field of Business
— We have a Continental Treasury to Establish, a Paymaster
to choose, and a Committee of Correspondence, or safety, or
accounts or something I know not what that has confounded
us all Day.
Shall I hail you Speaker of the House or Counsellor or
what? What kind of an election had you? what sort of
Magistrates do you intend to make?
Will your new Legislative and Executive feel bold or
irresolute ? Will your Judicial Hang and Whip, and Fine
and Imprison without Scruples ? I want to see our distress-
ful Country once more — yet I dread the sight of Devastation.
You observe in your Letter the Oddity of a great Man, He
is a queer Creature — But you must Love his Dogs if you
Love him, and forgive a Thousand whims for the sake of the
Soldier and the Scholar.
Yours
N. B.
This Letter was Anonymous, but wrote in the same
hand with that Addressed to Abigail Adams. —
J. A, to M''^ Abigail Adams.
Philadelphia July 24"^ 1775
My Dear
It is now almost Three Months since I left you, in every
part of which my Anxiety about you and the Children as
well as our Country has been Extreme.
OP THE STATE OF MAINE 295
The Business, I have had upon my jNlind has been as great
and important as can be intrusted to One Man, and the diffi-
culty and intricacy of it Prodigious, when 50 or 60 Men
have a Constitution to form for a great Empire, at the same
Time that they have a Country of Fifteen hundi-ed Miles
extent to Fortify, Millions to Arm and Train, a Naval Power
to begin, an extensive Commerce to regulate. Numerous
Tribes of Indians to Negotiate with, a standing Army of
Twenty Seven Thousand Men to raise, Pay, Victual and
officer, I really shall pity those 50 or 60 Men.
I must see you er'e Long — Rice has wrote me a very
good Letter and so has Thaiter, for which I thank them both.
Love to the Children
J: A.
I wish I had given you a Compleat History from the
Beginning to the end of the Journey of the behaviour of my
Compatriots — No Mortal Tale could equal it — I will tell
you in future, but you shall keep it secret — The Fidgetts,
the Whims, the Caprice, the vanity, the Superstition, the
Irritability of some of us is enought to —
Report.
In the House of Representatives, Watertown July 25, 1775
Motion of Major Dumer Sewall : for being Discharged from
the Bond he is under on account of Edward Parry Esq^ Rel-
ative to his Conduct Respecting a quantity of Masts &c
Beg Leave to Report that Said Sewall is Willing to
Remain Still Bound so far as Respects the safe keeping of
said Masts &c: but Desires to be Discharged from the Resi-
due of said I)ond wliicli your (^ommitte are of opinion may
be granted —
and your Connuitte are further of opinion that it will be
296 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Unnecessary for Col° Thompson to Remove said Masts to any
other Place : all wliich is humbly submitted
Abra"* Watson Jun P'' order
Address to the Continental Congress. 1775.
House of Representatives Watertown July 28 1775
To the Honorable the Continental Congress now Seting at
Philadelphia Whereas it hath been Made Appear to this
Court by a Representation from y'' Committee of Correspond-
ence of the Town of Bristol, in the County of Lincoln, in the
Colony of the Massachusetts Bay, that the s'' Town of Bris-
tol, and most of the Towns & Plantations in s** County, Are
in the utmost distress for want of provisions, and that it is
extreame difficult to convay them any releaf by land, in there
distressed Circumstances they most Earnestly beg of this
Court to use our Influence with your Honors, that you would
be pleased to permitt M'' Wilham Savage to purchaise & Ship
to them one or more Cargoes of provision. Therefore this
Court Refer the matter to your Honors. Requesting that
you would take it into your consideration and do thereon, as
your Honors in your Great Wisdom Sliall think Meete.
pass*^
In the House of Representatives July 28*'' 1775
Read & accepted & orderd to be sent to the Hon''' Conti-
nental Congress
Sent up for Concurrence Ja* Warren Speak''
July 28 1775
In Council read & concurred as taken into a new Draught
Atf P Morton Sec^ pro tern.
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 297
Adch'e8S to the Continental Congress. 1775.
Colony of the Massachusetts Bay
To the Honorable American Congress at Philadelphia.
May it Please your Honors The distress'd Situation of
the Eastern Parts of this Colony exhibited in the Petition
( accompanying this Address ) from the Committee of the
To\vn of Bristol, and the impracticability of conveying pro-
visions to them by Land will excuse this Court for troubling
the Congress with an Address in their behalf — The two
Houses of Assembly humbly request your Honors to take
their Prayer under your wise consideration, and act thereon
as in your Wisdom you shall think proper —
In the House of Representatives July 28*'' 1775. Read
and ordered that the foregoing Address be sent to the Amer-
ican Congress
Ja* Warren Speaker
Representation of Bristol. 1775.
The Committee of the Township of Bristol in the County
of Lincoln in the Province of the Massachusets beg leave to
represent to the Honourable the Provincial Assembly now
Assembled at Watertown the very Distress'' Situation that
all degrees of the People are in for want of Provisions of
every kind and in short of every necessary in Life, their Sit-
uation is still made more bitter & alarming from the reflec-
tion that the same want is General from the River of Kenne-
beck to the most Easternmost part of this Province And We
are made Acquainted that there is a Standing Resolve of the
1 Iiiiiourablc Contenental ('(jngress that No Provisions Shoud
be Sent frmii IIk; Southern Colonies to tins Province for fear
of such Suj)plics falling into the liands of the; King's Troops
or Men of Warr —
298 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
It is our Study and desire that every Resolve of the Con-
tinental Congress sliou'd be held sacred by us ; We are Sensi-
ble that it may happen somtimes that Individuals or particular
places may be Injured by Resolves which may notwithstand-
ing be of great Utility to the Whole Continent in producing
a repeal of the Many Obnoxious Acts & forwarding a recon-
ciliation between the Colonies & Mother Country — Yet We
must Petition & Beg that you will take our Peculiarly dis-
tressd Situation under Your Wise Considerations and Grant
Yourselves and also procure a Liberty from the Honourable
the Contenental Congress to permit the Bearer of this M''
W™ Savage to Ship Us one or More Loads of Provisions from
such places to the Southward and Wesf^ as May best Suit
him ; And as the above named M'' William Savage has been
amongst Us And Made himself fully Acquainted with our
distressd Situations We beg leave to refer You to him for
such further Information as You may require from him ;
Having no doubt that you will Complye with this our most
Earnest desire —
July 29^'' 1775
In Council read & ordered that the foregoing address be
signed by the Secretary & forwarded to the Hon^^® American
Congress
P Morton Sec'^y pro tem.
Report^ on petition of D. Scott ^ others 1775
Waterto^vn July 29"^ 1775
The Committee appointed to consider the Petition of Daniel
Scott and others from Pownalborough praying that Thomas
Rice Esq' of that place may be discharged from a Seat in this
Honourable House and that a precept may be issued for a
new choice &c, having attended that Service beg leave to
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 299
report the true state of facts that appeared upon examining
the evidences & hearing both parties, so far as seems to con-
cern his election or right to a Seat in this House, which are
as follows viz : —
One Savage who voted at the meeting, was objected to as
not being qualified according to Law, & was called upon to
make oath — this was after y*^ vote was declar'd & entered —
Docf Rice Objected that it was too late to dispute the vote
after it was entered and desired the meeting should be dis-
solved — the vote was calld and it pass for dissolving by a
majority of two and s*^ Savage did not make oath That 12
men appeared at the meeting and declared y' M'' Rice was
not Legally Chose as many were not voters & desir'd to have
it reconsidered but the meeting was immediatly dissolved
without scrutinizing y^ vote — all which facts are Humbly
submitted
Nath*'^ Freeman Chairman
pr Order
Order.
In the House of Representatives August 3*^ 1775
Ordered That M"" Bryant, Cap*^ Goodman and Coll' Cutt
with such as the Hon^'® Board shall join be a Committee to
examine M"" Edward Parry who has been brought from
Georgetown to this Court in consequence of a Resolve of the
late Provincial Congress of the 26 June last — & report what
is best to be done with him
Sent up for Concurrence Ja* Warren Speak''
Aug^ 3" 1775
In Council read & concurred, & M' Lincohi and M'' Cliauii-
cey are joiiicil
Attest P Morton Seer* jiio Icm.
300 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Bond. 1775.
Know all men by these presents that We John Hobby and
Obe Hubbs of George Town in the County of Lincoln, Mer-
chants, are holden and stand firmly bound unto the Provin-
cial Congress now setting for the Province of Massachusets
Bay, or to their Successors, or any person that shall be
appointed by the People for the Head of the Province afores''
in the Sum of Two thousand pounds to be paid to the said
Congress or their Successors as afores*^ to which payment well
and truly to be made, we bind ourselves, our heirs, Executors
and Administrators firmly by these presents, sealed with our
Seals, dated the fourth day of May, Anno Domini, seventeen
hundred and seventy five.
The Condition of the above Obligation is such that Whereas
John Bernard Esq'' has been taken by, and now is in Custody
of ColP" Samuel Thompson as a suspected Enemy to the
rights of America, Now if the above bounden John Hobby &
Obe Hubbs shall keep the said John in safe Custody till he
shall be released by order of the Provincial Congress, and
that the said John shall not either by himself or any for or
under him, remove his Vessel from Long reach in Kennebec
River & shall not write to any of the Officers of the Army or
Navy for Protection or against the Country, then the above
obhgation to be void, otherwise to be in force.
Signed sealed & dehvered Jn° Hobby Seal
in presence of Obe Hubbs Seal
Tim° Langdon
Henry Sewall
Report on Examination of Edward Parry, Mast Agent. 1775.
The Committee appointed to examine M'' Edward Parry
have attended that service and considering his close connec-
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 301
tion and dependance on persons employed by the Crown — his
disposition to supply our enemies with Masts, Plank &c con-
trary to the knowTi suntiments of this people, and that his
being restrained from doing it he considers as Acts of
violence
appear under his o^Aai hand beg leave to report as their opin-
ion that the said Edward Parry be immediately sent to A some
inland Town which shall be more than seventy miles distant
from all the seaports in this Colony, there to be detained &
provided for by the select men of such Town untill the far-
ther Order of tliis Court — And if on any pretence whatever
he shall presume to leave the B Town to which he shall be
sent unless by order as aforesaid, he shall be taken & put
under close confinement untill y'' farther order of this Court
g order Benj Lincoln
August 9*" 1775
In Council read & accepted Sent down for Concurrence
Perez Morton Secr^ pro temp.
In the House of Representatives August 12, 1775
liead & concurred with the followhig amendments dele
the Words " some inland Town which shall be more than
seventy miles distant from all the Sea Ports " and insert
the Town (if II
Sent up for Concurrence
Sam' Freeman Speaker Pr Temp
August 1 2, 1775
In Council read & concurred
Perez Morton Secr^ pro temp
Consented to
James Otis Jabez Fislier B Greenleaf
Moses Gill Caleb Cushing John Taylor
Henj'^ Cliadbourn Henja" White Enoch Freeman
James Prescott Eldad Taylor S. Ilolten
Cha' Chauncy J Palmer M. Farley
£
S
D
1
1
0
3
8
0
2
3
6
4
302 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Account. 1775.
Y)^ Colony Massachusetts Bay for Sundry Expences on
Wounded ]\Ien & Prisoners taken in the Margueretta arm**
Schooner ( Viz )
To Nath^' Sinclair for 3>^ m° Shop Rent & fuel
for wounded Men
Ralph Hacock for a schooner & Self to go to
Annapolis for Surgeon for D°
Bartholomew Bryant for washing for D°
Nathan Longfellow for taking Ichabod Jones
Bradbury Merill Making Cabbins for wounded
Men & his keeping 5 8
Job Burnhara for Boarding 3 wounded Men from
y^ 19^^ of Aug^ 1775 to the 7'^ October 7 weeks
@ 36/
D° Washing Milk & Rum for D°
Love Kenney 3 days guarding prisoners & keeping
John Thomas for Making 2 p"^ breeches for wounded
Amos Boynton for house Rent Nursing Veal Sal-
mon fowls Rice washing & firing for John Berry
8 week @ 16/4 >^
Jabez West 3 Days guarding Prisoners & expences
Joseph averell 13 Days attending 3 wounded men
Night «Sc Day (^y 4/8 2 18 8
John Obrien for 35 Days on Express to the Con-
gress to git information what Should be Done
with the Margueretta Tender & the Prisoners 7 0 0
Abial Sprague for D° D° 7 0 0
W™ Tupper for Trouble in taking Ichabod Jones 6
James Dyer 3 days guarding prisoners & expenses 17
Obadiah Hill 15 gallons Milk for Hospitall 15
John Watt & W"" Brown for Making Cradles
Cruches & Coffins for wounded & Killed 3 12 0
Sam^^ Milberry for attending James Coolbroth 2
Days Capt for D° 1/6 Diging Grave for D° 6/ 18 10
X55 16 2
12 12
0
2 2
0
17
5
8
6 11
0
17
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 303
Brought over X55 16 2
James Farns worth 10 Days Time in going to
Annapolis after a Surgeon @, 3/ 1 10
To Horse hire after D" to Cornwallis 72 Miles 18
To Man & Expence Going after D" 17
To my Board 10 Days in going 16 8
house Rent for wounded Prisoners 9
Nathan Longfellow for attending wounded Men 4 8
To 2 Day Board & washing for Cole & Taft 2
wounded men 9 6
To iNIaking Cabbins Boards & Joice & Nails for
D° 15 10
To 8 Q'« Milk & 25 times assisting the Doct^
Dress the wounded 15
To Baking 13 Times for D° 13'
To Rye Meal & Bear 3
John Chaloner 19 Days attendance on surgeon
as p' a/c 4 8 8
Mess Smith & Stillman sending Supplies for
wounded Men as per accomp* 9 9 6
George Walker 3 days guarding Prisoners to
Pleasant River & Expences * 17
Timothy Young Diging 6
James Dillaway for Attending wounded from 27"*
of June _ Id'"" of Aug* 53 Day (w, 4/ 10 12 0
Committee for Sundrys advanced as per acct
Rendered 9 11 5
Committee for Sundrys supl'd the Widow
M-Neel 18 9
Committee for sundry supplies as p^ ac' 13 15 6
X124 6 8
304 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Lord Dartmouth to Major G-en^ Howe
Secret Whitehall 5 Sept' 1775.
Sir
After having in my Separate Letter of this day's date
said so much upon the ideas which have been adopted of the
great risque «& little advantage that are to be expected from
the Army's continuing at Boston during the Winter season,
unless a more favourable Prospect opens, & having also
repeatedly suggested the advantages of recovering possession
of New York, I have nothing to add upon those material
Objects of your consideration, but as it is of very great
Importance that you should know upon what ground we
entertain confident hope of having a large Army in North
America in the Spring, I should be unpardonable if I did not
acquaint you that His Majesty's Minister at Petersburgh
having been well instructed to sound the Empress, how far
she would be disposed, in case of necessity, to assist His
Majesty with such Force as the state & security of the
Empire would admit ; Her Imperial Majesty has, in the full-
ness of her affection for the British Nation, & of gratitude
for the benefits she received under her late (hfficulties, made
the most explicit declaration, & given the most ample
Assurances, of letting us have any number of Infantry that
may be wanted.
In consequence of this generous and magnanimous Offer, a
Requisition has been made for Twenty Thousand Men, & it
is proposed to send the greatest part of these Auxiliaries, as
early as possible in the Spring to Quebec ; And I trust we
shall have at least an equal number of British Troops in
North America to act with them, if Occasion requires.
I am &c.
Dartmouth
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 305
Letter from Joseph Simpson. 1775.
Watertown Sep-^ 9^" 1775
Gentlemen The Town of York the Last Valuation put in
a Considerable Trading Stock and Tons of Vessells, which
are now Useless within a Year past One half of our Vessells
which followed the Foreign Trade are Lost or Taken by our
Unnatural Enemies Whereby the Usial means of Subsistance
of a Number of families are lost to the greate Damage of the
Town I hope you will take this into your Consideration
and abate the Town what you in you_ Wisdom think Rea-
sonable and you^ Oblige your Hum^*" Serv*
Joseph Simpson
To the Committe for taking into Consideration the State of
the Towns &c —
Accounts of Losses sustained at Falmouth,, in October 1775.
Mens Names
Loss in
Buildings
Personal
Estate
Cartage
Sum Total
Enoch Freeman EsqJ"
790 0 0
304
0 0
10 0 0
1104 0 0
Stephen Lonjifellow
1085
74
10
1110
Jeddediah Preble P:sqr
1715
645
10
2370
John Cf)x
523
142
5
670
Sinit'on Mayo
1810
334
10
2154
Paul Little
510
167
6
(583
I5enjamin Titcomb
316
10 0
316 10
IJenja Titcomb for
Phillip Kelley
120
120
Jonathn Morso Ju""
225
46
10 0
3
274
Josiah Tucker
200
10
3
213
James Purrinton
506
40
3
549
Jane Swoetsir
309
6
10 0
315
.Joseph Bayley
300
300
Mflatiah Yminfr
76
6
2
84
Col man Watson
153
153
Stephen Morse
40
3
43
.loliii Stevenson
50
165
10 0
10
225 10
Moses Ilasktd
413
80
0 0
8
501
20
306
DOCIJIVIENTARY HISTORY
Mens Names
Loss in
Buildings
Person
Estate
il
Cartage
Sum Total
Benja Pettingill
365
25
10
0
s
393
10
Benja Jenks
80
129
0
0
4
213
Esther Stickney
13
0
0
18
Jabez Bradbury
80 0 0
6
0
0
2
88
0 0
Nathl Hale
8
20
2
30
Peter Woodbury
70
70
Thos Newman
220
33
2
225
Simon Gookin
15
2
17
Pearson Jones
110
3
118
Paul Cammet
26
30
2
58
Joseph Hatch
7
7
Jemima Harrison
20
2
22
Margret Due
8
8
Tucker & Newman ^
Administrators of >■
230
230
Jonathn Thrasher j
Robert Dryburg
14
4
18
Josiah Bayley
20
20
Abijah Parker
10
10
John Thurlo
400
8
6
4
3
411
5 4
James Swain
20
0
0
2
22
John Archer
48
2 4 0
50
4 0
John Hans
9
1 0 0
10
Thos Cobb
100
100
James Frost
11
11
Josiah Shaw
8
8
John Butler
1066
451
6 0 0
1523
0 0
Enoch Freeman Jun^
11
12
0
11
12 0
Will: Brown
7
7
Joshua Lawrence
340 0 0
26
3
369
Daniel Riggs
120
120
Wheeler Riggs
13
6
2
21
Joseph Ingraham
200
100
10 0
301
Caleb Carter
39
16
1
56
Abigail Crosby
120
10
2
132
Willra Hoole
15
1
16
Paul Prince & Co
500
500
Philip Fowler
2
8
0
2
8 0
Saml Bradbury
154
12
2
168
Danl Pettingill
269
81
3
353
Mary Kelley
102
102
Joseph Blancher
460
4G0
Willm Hustin
250
13
2
265
Saml Freeman Esqr
540
330
3
873
Saml Freeman for
Willm Horton
300
300
OF THE STATE OF MAINE
307
Mens Names
Loss in
Buildings
Personal
Estate
Cartage
Sum Total
Geo: Burns
7
63
2
102
Will: Harper
389
116
4
509
Ebenzr Snow
125
20
10
3
148 10 0
Thos Bradbury
294
12
0 0
3
309 0 0
John Baker
228 0 0
23
0 0
3
234 0 0
Mary Coverly
120
30
2
152
Jonathn Lambert
100
50
2
152
Walton Stover
400
22
2
424
Edmund Mountfort
320
29
3
852
Noah Noyes
370
30
2
402
Peter Merrell
10
5
1
16
Mary Corsair
5
5
Jonathn Bryant
5
47
52
Ezekiel Hatch
114
2
116
Joshua Brown
170
170
John Burnam
450
100
3
553
Ebenzr Mayo
538
94
8
630
Moses Lunt
66
9
3
78
Jereh Veazy
70
14
1
85
Jeremh Berry
173
36
3
212
John Bradbury
36
6
2
38
Josiah Baker
200
6
2
208
Chipman Cobb
60
60
Ebenzr Gustin
100
4
2
106
Lucy Condon
4
10 0
4 10 0
Nathi Deering
320 0 0
95
0 0
1
416 0 0
Christr Kelly
369
38
4
406
Joseph Riggs Junr
240
5
2
247
Summers Shattuck
8
10 0
8 10 0
Jonatlin Morse
140
24
2
166
John Nichols
150
1
161
Sam' Mountfort
400
36
2
438
John Greenwood
60
106
2
168
John Veazy
56
7
8
66
Abrahm Stevens
9
2
11
Margeret Mabery
500
500
Mary Cunningham
13
1
14
John Wood
6
1
7
Pelatial) Fernald
36
1
37
Abrahm C)sgood
26
44
2
72
Joseph I'lmery
100
59
10 0
159 10 0
George Warren
230
48
2
280
Tho« Wyer
222
101
2 0 0
325
David Wyer
67
67
Isaac Randell
18
6
24
Jolm Dole
4
4
8
308
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Mens Names
Loss in
Buildings
Persona]
Estate
Cartage
Sum Total
4
8 0
1
4 0
5 12 0
39
2
0 0
41
80
0 0
108
6
4
0 0
192
6
402
5
407
4
4
0 0
8
4
4
150
28
6
0 0
184
75
2
0 0
77
45
45
Peter Warren
Jacob Adams
Edward Watts
Else Greely
Cornelius Brimhall
Enoch Moody
Cornelius Briggs
Thomas Sanford
Mary Horn
John Johnston
Thomas Sanford Ad-
ministrator to Estate
of Authur Howell
Zebulon Noyes
Moses Bagley
John Martin
Joseph Thomes
James Gooding Junr
Nathl U. Moody
James Flood
Enoch Ilsley
Isaac Ilsley Junr
Estate of
Sarah Mosely Deed
John Thrasher
Amy Hilton
Joseph Sylvester
Silvanus Brown
Joseph Quinby Jur
Benjamin Rand
Moses Shattuck
Isaiah & Jos. Noyes
Joseph Quinby
Abijah Pool
Joseph Harding
Thos Motley
Jesse Harding
Josiah Riggs
Timothy Pike
Benja Waite
Henry Y. Brown
Henry Wheeler
James Gooding
John Waite
Heirs of
John Waite Deceasd
34
34
281
40
323
80
80
199
3
0
0
202
40
6
12
0
2
0
0
48 12 0
6
18
2
0
0
26
170
30
3
0
0
203
36
36
1623 0
978
0
0
6
2607 0 0
200 0 0
10
2
0
0
212
466
40
506
75
44
2
0
0
121
253
11
3
0
0
267
203
5
2
0
0
210
10
13 0
10 13 0
310
310
462
94
3
0
0
559
180
268
3
0
0
451
346
107
1
0
0
454
470
40
3
413
204
8
6
212
6
70
8
11
2
0
0
90
11
720
33
3
756
500
96
5
601
730 0 0
29
15
0
0
3
762 0 0
15
40
25
1
66
404
10
3
0
0
417
640
59
26
0
0
625
605
605
OF THE STATE OF MAINE
309
Mens Names
Loss in
Buildings
Personal
Estate
Cartage
Sum Total
80
2
0
0
82
320
11
3
0
0
334
100
2
102
70
12
2
0
0
84
10
2
0
0
12
200
33
3
230
270
19
1
290
60
60
450
47
2
499
133
8
18
2
1
143
19
14
0 0
1
0
0
15 0 0
94 0 0
12
2
0
0
108
288
288
800
800
Ephrm Broad
Stephen Woodman
Moses Xoyes
Will: Pearson
Timothy Noyes
Mary Bradbury
Mary Stickney
James Cobb
John Tukey Juuf
Dudley Cammet
Sami Lowell
John Minot
Jonathu Elwell
Town of Falmouth
County of Cumberland
Proprrs of St Pauls
Church
Committee for
Joshua Moody
John Tyng Esq""
Nathl Coffin
Mrs Lowther
Revti Thos Smith
Anne Oulton & Comp
Harrison Brazier
David Woodman
Thomas Child
Abigail Cobham
Kent & Oxnard
Ephm Jones
Moses Pearson Esqr
Ebenzr Owen
Roland Bradbury
John Ingersoll
Stejihen Waite
Lemuel Cox
W™ Waterhouse
Moses Plummer
Joseph McLallen
Elizth Freeman
Zach'" Nowell
David Noyes
Jcremli Potc
Mary Shearman
Jacob Bradbury
Thomas Cumniiug
1200
1200
200
30
230
120
120
673 6 8
48
150
6
0
721 12 8
150
400
20
4
0 0
424
437
191
2
0 0
630
122
24
2
0
0
148
107
25
29
56
392
2
2
3
3
134
31
59
895
370
22
0
0
2
0
0
394
592
96
0
0
3
0
0
691
330 0 0
110
0
0
2
0
0
445 0 0
70
2
72
120
2
122
935
216
8
1159
20
1
10
0
21 10 0
406
73
1
480
644
2
5
561
30
87
4
121
5
13
0
5 13 0
336
13
8
330 13 8
419
48
4
471 0 0
G60
198
4
•t
858
4
185
11
2
198
IIUO
0
10
4
1106 10 4
310
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Mens Names
Loss iu
Buildings
Personal
Estate
Cartage
Sum Total
John Bayley
1
0 0
12 6 0
David Stodart
133
64
3
0 0
200 0 0
James Johnson
6 0 0
6 0 0
Lucy Smith
60 0 0
60
John Fox
150 0 0
150 0 0
Brackett Marston
6 10
6
0 0
12 1 0
54741 19 0
Note. To this list was later added several names and the amount slightly
changed. It was at the session of Congress in 1776 submitted to Congress by a
committee of citizens consisting of Peter Noyes, John Waite, Enoch Moody, Daniel
Ilsley, Nathaniel Wilson, Richard Codman, John Johnson, Jr., and Joseph Noyes.
As finally corrected see Willis' History of Portland, page 900.
Letter from Committee of Safety at Machias. 1776.
To the Honorable Council and House of Representatives
of the Colony of the Massachusetts Bay now setting at
Watertown. —
Gentlemen, During the absence of Capt" Obrien, the
Committee of this place commissioned Capt" Stephen Smith
to take Charge of the Private-teer, & bring in here the Brigg
Loyal Briton owned by Mess" Archibald Wilson, James
Anderson, John Greenlaw, David Black and John Semple
who had sent her to S* John's River in Nova Scotia to load
with Cattle &c. for the Army at Boston ; & upon Capt"
Smiths Arrival there, he found the said Brigg loaded &
weighing Anchor. He thereupon took Immediate possession
of her, without opposition and after taking the provision
found in the Fort, burning the Fort, and taking a Corporal
& two Privates, with two women & five Children he pro-
ceeded with his Prize & Prisoners, ( M'' John Semple of Bos-
ton and David Ross the mate excepted, who found means to
Escape ), directly to this Place. An exact Inventory of the
Goods taken in the Brigg and in the Fort we send enclosed.
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 311
The Cattle, sheep, Hogs, smoked Salmon & Butter, we have
divided among the people, who took them, except one third
part reserved in the Hands of the Committee for publick use :
The other things are all Stored, & await the orders of the
General Court. The two private Soldiers, with their wives
& Children, at their earnest request, we have sent back to
S' Johns, taking it for granted that they would be not only
useless, but expensive lumber in the western parts of this
Colony. William Miller the Pilot of the Brigg and three
seamen are permitted to ship on board the Private-teer, and
Capt" Frederick Sterling only, the Master of the Brigg, and
the Corporal above-mentioned are sent to Court. Capt"
Sterling has much to say for himself, but his conduct is not
altogether unexceptionable : All we can say is, that he is a
North Briton. We have given him part of his private ven-
ture, & reserve the rest till the pleasure of the General Court
is known. John Anderson Esq'' was also on board the Brigg,
as a passenger who was dismissed & suffered to return to his
own Home, not because he appeared to be a cordial friend to
the Cause in which we have embarked, but because he
belonged to another Province.
Nothing material has since happened, for we can do but
little
We now beg leave to return your honors our Humble &
hearty thanks for the many favors already confered upon us,
of which we shall ever retain the most grateful remembrance.
It would give us the highest satisfaction to find ourselves
able, thro' the aid you have graciously given us, both in the
Land & sea Service, to protect & support ourselves without
giving your Honors any further trouble: l>ut such are our
Necessitous circumstances, thro' the almost total failure of
our commerce, upon which we have hitlicrto subsisted & by
which we have rose to sucli magnitude, as to be in some
measure worthy of your Honors attention, the Admii-ation of
312 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
this Vast Continent and the dread of Halifax, and the brittish
Navy, that we have no other alternative, but Either to
" sink " or to make a most humble and dutiful application to
our avowed, beloved, & beneficent Guardians. We are
therefore under the disagreeable necessity of adding, That we
have drawn a bill upon your Honors in favor of M'^ W™
Shey of Philadelphia for a Cargo of provisions, a Copy of
which, together with the Letter of advice given with it; we
send enclosed. We could not but View the arrival of this
cargo of provision as a very remarkable interposition of
Divine Providence, in our behalf, & thought ourselves indis-
pensably bound to treat the benevolent Instrument by which
it came, with honor. But purchase we could not ; Lumber
would not answer, and all the Cash we could collect in the
whole place was but barely sufficient to pay the freight. To
suffer this provision to depart from us, & go elsewhere, would
have been the heighth of distraction, as we were then in
want, and armed Plunderers infested all our coasts, and
picked up all the provision they could find ; and especially
when we add, we had no prospect of either Quails or Manna.
The sacred laws of self preservation, therefore, deserved
respect to M"" Shey, the tender obligations, that subsist
between the Guardian & his beneficiary, & the Mutual affec-
tion of Indulgent parents & dutiful Children, all conspired to
Justify; & even recommend a draught upon the General
Court of the Colony. The bill is drawn, & a copy of it now
lies before you. If it is duly honored, our Mills, our boards,
our shingles &c our houses and not to mention the sloop
Mechias Liberty, sloop Unity, the Margeretta, Diligent, Tat-
amagouch, or the Infidel reclaimed ( once Loyal Briton ) our
all is yours, till the whole is repaid. This may soon be done,
for we are both able & willing to pay the whole amount of
said Bill in lumber on Demand. If this bill is not Honored,
we tremble at the consequence !
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 313
On this occasion we send M'' George Stillman as our Rep-
resentative who was chosen by the Town for that purpose.
And witli him we send the Accounts of our expence in bring-
ing the Dead, who fell in the day of battle, or died by the
wounds thej' then received, in taking care of the wounded,
& in supportmg the prisoners & conveying them to Head
Quarters, except the Doct" Bill, & the persons who attended
him, which we choose they should present themselves. The
charges of those persons who were lately at the General
Court, & M' Stephen Jones's we have sent as they brought
them in to us. But all the rest we have examined, and
Approved. We are heartily grieved to see our expences run
so high, but we see no way to reduce them any lower without
doing apparent injustice. We have other enormous expences
among ourselves which we never mean to mention in the ears
of Government, for the greatest part of us have spent almost
our whole time in public service since the taking of the first
Tender. We are but an handful & every publick exertion
required the most of our strength. And were your Honors
graciously to add, to your parental bounty in the land «& Sea
Service of this place, which we esteem a rich & signal favor,
all the Prizes we have taken, we should still be sufferers.
We ask not a farthing more than we have merited ; we expect,
we are willing to suffer with our brethren, for it is honorable
& Glorious to suffer in this Cause. Your Honors are well
Acquainted with our infant state, with our critical situation,
& with all we have done in support of the invaluable privi-
ledges of America, & Great Britain, and we rest assured that
you will not pennit us to suffer beyond measure. We must
now ac(|uaint your Honoi's, that the Company of Militia at
our western Falls have chosen JVl"^ Jonathan Knight their
Captain M"" Daniel Miservey their first Lieutenant, & M''
David Longfellow tlieir second Lieutenant. The Company
at Eastern River have chosen M"^ Joseph Sevey Captain M'
314 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
John Scott first Lieu* & M"^ Ephraim Chase second Lieu' we
pray therefore with submission that their commissions may
be made out & sent down — The Town approves of M"^ Ben-
jamin Foster as a Magistrate, but prefers M' Joseph Libbee
to M' Nathaniel Sinkler & humbly request that both these
Gentlemen may be made Justices of the peace.
We also beg leave to recommend to your Honors Notice
the Widow M'^Niel & her orphan children who are left under
very poor circumstances. M"^ John Berry who has a family
Ebenezer Beal of Old York, a very old Man & Isaac Taft &
James Cole, Young men, may not be, perhaps, unworthy of
Notice. These were all badly wounded, and it is doubtful
whether they will ever be capable of business as they were
before, or not. The last mentioned is still confined. Before
we conclude, we must observe that on the 8*** Instant Eleven
Deserters from the Somerset at Halifax arrived here, who
informed us that the Tartar & two ships of war are now up
the Bay of Funday, & that a Schooner of 14 Carriage Guns
& 50 men, was fitting out at Halifax in order to Join two
other Tenders, and proceed directly against this place. Eight
of the said deserters are inlested on board tlie Sloop Machias
Liberty. Should Armed Vessels come against us we should
be in danger of falling a sacrifice, for we are very Scant of
Powder ; as almost all that was taken in the Diligent was
destroy'd, some body poured water into it privately. We
earnestly beg therefore, that your Honors would please to
send us More.
We are Gentlemen most respectfully your most Dutiful &
Humble Servants.
By order of the Committee of Safety
Ja" Lyon Ch. M.
Machias Oct' 14*^^ 1775
P. S. M"" Stillman is accompanied by D" Will"' Chaloner
In Council Nov"^ ll'"^ 1775
Read & sent down Perez Morton D^ Secr^
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 315
Orders. 1775
Captain Isaac Danks, 3'ou are to proceed Immediately with
y^ Schooner Fahnouth Packet now under your Command, to
Boston, taking Care to keep Under the protection of the Man
of War, who Convoys you ; When at Boston you are to wait
on William Sherriff Esq'' the Deputy Quarter Master Gen-
eral, Whose Orders you are afterwards Implicitly to follow.
Respecting the Cargo, on Board of you, plase to Observe the
following Instructions —
1" Eight Bundles of Hay Stowed in the Hold and two
Barrels of Potatoes, are to be Delivered to Daniel Chamier
Esq"^ Conmiissary General.
2*^^y the Fifteen Oxen together with the Remainder of the
Hay are to be Delivered to the Order of Major Sherriff.
3diy Two Barrels of Potatoes are to be Delivered to
Major Martin of the Royal Artillery.
4thiy 'pj^g Potatoes and Turnips which are lose In the
Hold you are to Acquaint Major Sherreff thereof and Deliver
them to his Order ; provided he wants them, either for him-
self, Friends or Hospital ; If he Does not want them you must
dispose of them, and pay the proceeds Into the Hands of M"^
Archibald Cunningham
I sincerely wish you _ prosperous Voyage and _ your Real
friend_
Day & Scott
October 20'" 1775 Cumberland
Account of Loss ^ Damage sustained hy Elinha SnouK 1775.
An Account and Estimate of the Loss & Damage which
Elisha Snow of a Place called St Georges in the County of
Lincoln and Colony of Massachusetts Bay has sustained by
means of the Hostilities committed by the Ministerial Forces
316 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
in America, is as follows, viz. On the eighteenth Day of
August 1775, David Silvester of Pownalborough in said
County hired the Sloop Three Brothers from Robert Hodge
& Co. of said PowTialborough, Same Day said Snow hired
three Quarters of said Sloop from said Silvester ; on the 6'**
of September she sailed for St. Christophers there discharged
her Cargo, and took in 18 Hogsheads of Rum (some Sugar?
& other articles, the particulars uncertain ) three Quarters of
which (Rum) i. e. 1485 Gallons at 4/ g Gallon comes to
£291. On the 6'^ of December said Sloop with her Cargo
on her Return, on this side the shoals of Georges was taken
by a 50 Gun Ship; the Master Benjamin Friswell, said David
Silvester Super Cargo, and one Hand were taken on Board
the Ship ; the Sloop with the other Hands has not since been
heard of
Elisha Snow
To the Hon. Joseph Palmer Esq. Chairman of the Com-
mittee for collecting the Accounts of Hostilities committed
by the Ministerial Troops and Navy &c. —
At Watertown
The above contains an Estimate of the Loss ( by means of
the Hostilities &c. aforesaid ) sustained by the Inhabitants of
tlie Plantation called the Eastern Township on St Georges
River, so far as has come to our Knowledge
Patrick Porterfield
Chairman of the Committee per Order
Memorial of Com^^ of Safety/ of iV. Yarmouth ^ New
Glocester. 1775.
North Yarmouth October 24, 1776.
To the Honourable his Majesty's Council and the Hon-
ourable the House of Representatives of the Colony of the
Massachusetts Bay.
OF THE STATE OF RLAIKE 317
May it please your Honours The Destruction of the Town
of Fahnouth on the 18**^ current by a Fleet under the com-
mand of Capt'' Mowit ( the particulars of which your Honours
have doubtless been informed of) has greatly alarmed this
part of the Country, which we fear is destin'd to Devastation
and Ruin, by our cruel & unnatural Enemies — but our
greatest fears at present are, that our Enemies design to take
possession of Falmouth Neck, & fortifie an Eminence that
overlooks the Town & Harbour there, as it has been reported
that Captain Mowit has hinted that he expected to winter at
Falmouth with as many of the Kings Ships, as the Country
round wou'd afford subsistance for — Those of your Honours
who are best acquainted with this part of the Country must
be sensible that Falmouth affords a Harbour the most com-
modious for the Kings Ships to winter in of any perhaps
between Boston and Hallifax — that the Hill on the Neck
may be easily so fortified, as with a small garrison of men,
and a Fleet below to defend it, they may defie all the Force
of this part of the Country, if not the united Forces of the
whole Continent to rout them — And shou'd such an Event
take place, not only this County, but all the Eastern Shore
with the whole Province of Maine, may be lost to the Country
for ever — The Consequences of which wou'd doubtless be
most severely felt by the whole Continent, not only in the
heavy loss, of so great a part of the Country, to the Commu-
nity, but by the great Advantage such an Acquisition wou'd
l)e to our Enemy in furnishing them with plenty of Lumber
of all sorts Masts for their Navy, with Provision &c —
We therefore beg that your Honours wou'd take tlie dis-
tressed state of this part of the Country into your immediate
Consideration, and afford us sucli assistance as in your great
wisdom you shall judge best, either by seconding our Petition
to his Excellency General Washington praying Him to take
this part of the Country under his immediate Protection &
318 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
send forces to fortifie & garrison the said Eminence on Fal-
mouth Neck, or shou'd he decline it, by affording us such
Assistance yourselves, in men and Military Stores ( in both
which we are greatly deficient for such an undertaking ) as
may secure us from becoming the inevitable Prey of our mer-
ciless Enemies, for shou'd they once get footing in Falmouth,
we shall to all human appearance, be soon reduced to the
wretched alternative of yielding ourselves up into the hands
of those whose Tender Mercies are cruelty, or of flying with
our families naked & forlorn of all earthly subsistance to
some other part of the Country, dependent upon Charity for
our daily bread ! We hope your Honors wont consider &
treat our Fears as chimerical & groundless —
P'or further particulars we beg leave to refer you to D''
Russel the Bearer, a Gentleman who will be capable to give
any further light and Information respecting the dangerous
state of this part of the Country that your Honours may
think proper to require — We are with great Respect and
Deference your Honours most obedient and very Humble
Servants
Jer : Powell g Order of the Committee of Safety for North
Yarmouth
Isaac Parsons p'^ order of the Committee of Safty for New
Glocester
In Council Ocf 28th 1775 Read & sent down
Perez Morton Dp^ Secr^
In the House of Representatives Ocf 30 1775 —
Read and Order'd that M"" Story CoP Thompson M^ Cross
& M"^ Pitts with such as the Hon"^^ Board shall appoint, be a
Committee to take into Consideration the within Memorial
together with a Letter from Jeremiah Powell Esq"^ accom-
panying and report
Sent up for Concurrence
William Cooper Speak"^ Pro Tern.
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 319
In Council Octo' 30*^ 1775
Read & concurred & Benj* Chadbourn, Jn° Whetcomb &
Cha Chauncey Esq" are joined
Perez Morton Dp'' Ser^
Letter from Jer'^ Powell. 1775.
North Yarmouth Octo' 24. 1775.
To the Honourable Coucil, and to the Honourable House
of Representatives of the Colony of the Massachusetts Bay —
May it please your Honours — Last Evening came up to
this Town from the Halifax armed Schooner, belonging to a
Fleet, viz the Canceaux the Semitry & the Spitfire, lying
in Hog Island Road under the Command of Capt Movvit
Three men Deserters from said Schooner, who ran away with
the Yawl belonging to said Schooner, from a watering Place
on Hog Island where they witli one man more under the
Command of a Midshipman were sent on Shore to take in
Water — They came & delivered themselves up to some of
our Militia who were at work erecting a Battery on the
Shore — And give us the following Inteligence That on
Monday the IG^'* Current the s'^ Fleet arrived in Casco Bay.
That the same Day their Orders were read to them which
were to burn, sink & Destroy every Thing to the Eastward
of Boston that they cou'd not conveniently carry off with
them.
That Tuesday the Fleet went up to Falmouth & came too
in a Line before the Town — That Wednesday Morning
about 9, o'clock they began to fire upon the Town, and
about 2 Hours after the Fire began Boats were sent on Shore
to fire the Houses Vjy liand — that the men went on Shore
unarmed, and to their apprehension not more than 20 were
on Shore at any one Time. Further they say, that the
320 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
greater part of the Buildings that were burnt were fired by
Hand — The mens names are Charles Stuart Quarter Master,
John Elliot and Daniel Streetland Foremastmen, the two
first taken out of Vessels which they took, & are now detained
in Boston Harbour, & the last impressed out of a Schooner
at Halifax —
The men give a fair and honest Ace* of themselves and
agree very well in their Relation of the fore mentioned Facts —
We have sent them to the Committee of Scarborough to be
forwarded to the General Court at Watertowu, where when
they arrive your Honors will have Opportunity for further
Examination as may be tho't proper — The Yawl in which
they made their Escape is now in our keeping. And should
be glad to receive Orders what shall be done with her.
I am your Honours most obedient and most humble Servant
Jer : Powell Chairman
of the Committee of Safety
In Council Octo' 28*^' 1775 Read & sent down
Perez Morton Dp^ Secr^
Report. 1775.
The Committee appointed to Consider of Vessels taken
into Custody between Penobscut & Machias beg Leave to
Report, that the Schooner Falmouth Packet bound from
Nova Scotia to Boston Isaac Danks Master brought into
Gouldsborough & deliverd up to the Committee of Safety of
said Place having Receiv'd & Examined the papers belonging
to said Vessel have Detain'd her & her Cargo by Virtue of
the Trust Reposed in us. Copy of his orders from his owners
you have herewith — in the Name & by order of the Committee
Sam^ Jordan
Gouldsborough Novem' 1775
To Whole General Court
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 321
" Letter to Gen^ Fryer Nov. U, 1775.
Watertown Nov' 14'^ 1775 —
Sir You are directed upon the receipt of the Commission
inclosed, immediately to repair to Falmouth to take the Com-
mand of all the men in the County of Cumberland raised for
the defence of the Sea Coasts and if you find it necessary for
the Safety of said Town and County you are directed to call
together their Militia or part thereof and take the Command
of them also, and discharge them as soon as the service will
admit, you are also directed to do all in your Power to pre-
vent the Enemy from making any further depredations in
that County, & to that end you are Ordered to fortify such
Advantageous Parts as in your Opinion will most Conduce
to so Salutary a Purpose
In the name & by Order of y^ Council
James Otis Presd*
Report. 1775.
The Committee appointed by both Houses to take under
consideration the circumstances of the Seaports of this colony
and where it will be Necessary to keep forces during the
Winter season and to make Report —
beg leave to make the following Report that they have
attended that Service and are of opinion that it is Necessary
that there should be stationed at Glocester Two hundred and
fifty men at Marblehead one hundred men at Tarpaulin Cove
one hundred & fifty men and at Falmouth in the County of
Cumberland Three hundred men which may serve under a
proper officer as a guard for all the Sea Coast in the Counties
of York & Cumberland Excepting Kittery where Your Com-
mittee are of opinion there ought to be stationed not less
21
322 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
than fifty men and at Hingham Braintree and Weymouth
Two hundred men.
James Prescott p"" order
In Council Dec" 21 1775 Read & sent down
Perez Morton Dp^ Secr^
Letter from Haunce Bobinson ^ W^ Walton. Jan. 6, 1776.
St Georges Janu'^ y^ 6/1776
Hon"-^ Sir.
Having Received the Money Sent for Billitting of Capt
Samuel Gragg Company Two Months We do Not Find that
the Said Company Contained More Then Fifty Eaight Men
Including offesers That Past Musster and Upon Taking
Corn" James Cargill Advise We Have Not Payd any More
& There Remains two Pound Eight Shillings Laful Money
in our Hands, and we Bedg the feavour of Your Hon' Direc-
tions, as We Desire Nothing But What is Honerabel
From Your Friends and Most obedient Humbel Servents
Haunce Robinson
Will'" Watson
Superscribed
To The Hon"^ John Tayler Esq'' in Watertown
Letter from Stephen Parker to Gen. Washington.
Jan. IS, 1776.
Yarmouth Nova Scotia 15^^ Jan^ 1776
May it please your Excellency
Impelled by the triple tyes of affection for my Country,
Attachment to Liberty, and concern for my family Interest
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 323
and place of residence, I am embolden'd to break thro' the
rules of formality, and inform your Excellency, that at
Annapolis in this Government, a schooner with hands
impressed, which had two Cask of Powder, and an equivalent
in ball, ship'd by some officers in the Governments service,
was sent to S*^ Johns river, with orders to put the Powder,
Ball, &c into the hands of the savages there, and stir them
up to cut off the inhabitants of Mechias, having an Officer
on board to whose care the matter was committed. Thrice
they put out of the harbour & by violent winds, were drove
back, the last time the vessel narrowly escaped being lost,
which adverse Providence has induced them to lay by their
design at present. At the same place a Ship of Six hundred
tons, collecting stores for Boston, was lately cast away with
entire loss of Vessel & Cargo — This intelligence may be
relyed on.
Altho I am from circumstances, disagreably here at Pres-
ent, my most fervent wishes are, that the Noble struggles for
American Liberty may be succeeded. That your Excellency
may receive all Wisdom, Valour, and Protection, in your
exalted station, from the Supreme Parent of those Blessings,
and be the happy Instrument of bringing our distresses to an
honorable, speedy, and effectual close, is the unfeigned
prayer of Your Excellencys most obedient devoted humble
servant
Stephen Parker
This letter was wrote with a view of embracing the first
oportunity to send it the General. John Frevoy of Yar-
iiioulli in M'' Stanleys schooner promis'd to call at my lodg-
ings before he sailed for Marblehead last winter, but failing
of calling I had not oportunity to send it, fearing to give it
him long before he saild, lest it might be known in Nova
Scotia —
324 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Copy of Letter from Stephen Parker to Christopher Prince
" Enclosed to Gren^ Washington^ Jan. 16, 1776.
Yarmouth N Scotia 16*'^ Jan^ 1776
Dear Sir
Neither for toryism or any other offence against Church or
State am I here, a place not long since to me the least
expected & at present the least desired. My scituation is
from a similar to the peasant who secure in his cottage
observes the rising storm with tranquil mind but more truely
comparable to the trembling merchant that from a barren
Cliff beholds the rushing tempest lash the furious waves
which threaten each moment to devour his expectations &
wealth. Dont ask me why. I draw aside the curtain of
reserve & answer thus, my lot is providentially cast & the
small property I own fixd in a place whose inhabitants have
not been the least active in annoying & destroying what they
deem'd inimical to this Countrys welfare. Their vigorous
exertions have made it absolutely necessary to keep a con-
tinual guard for the defence of their humble possessions the
price of their past labour & presage of their future livelihood
which being wholly incompatible with those vocations that a
daily support calls for have by consequence not only stag-
nated but almost annihilated trade their whole dependance &
introduced want, distress & every concometant evil.
You may remember I intimated to you a design of visiting
the Southward in a letter —
The first of July last I took passage for Philadelphia in
hopes of meeting with some open door to remove my family
there, but finding Lumber the only article I could export in
lieu of my property if I Disposed of it, would bear no price
or scarcely more than pay freight I was obliged to abandon
the thought & return where in my way back happening at
Nantucket I met some business that with succeeding circum-
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 325
stances brought me to this place, at which I arrived the first
of November —
The conceptions M""^ Parker my friend & the inhabitants
have of my long absence I am a stranger to but tis not
improbable they deem me a prisoner in Boston as I have rea-
son to think they have had no oportunity of hearing where I
am, should a conveyance from Anapolis offer of sending my
family word a line from you to M""* Parker informing my
design is to see her soon as possible, and if not disagreable
your enclosing her this letter would lay me under very great
obligations.
My dear Sir, is not this a dismal day, when our late peace-
able habitations are invaded by hostile arms. Our safety, our
lives held by the most precarious tenure. Famine threatning
our once flourishing quarters, plunderers prowling from port
to port, preying on the property of the distressd honest &
industrious, and every evil with accumulated force sweeping,
till now this happy land — In what direction or to what
place shall we flee for safety. To Nova Scotia say you, 1
answer not, discord & disorder prevail here jealousy & dis-
trust have seized the humane breast & expected dangers
appall every countenance. Tis true the Royal word is past
& government encourages with promises fair & doubtless
faithful the loyal sufferer that shall shelter himself under
this wing, but inefl'ectual scheme — will fanning breezes
quench a rapid flame or smooth expressions tame the fiery
courser O my Country — ray Country — believe me Sir
there is an unalienable tye, & the tenderest sensations forbid
a diverse. In whom, or where, in every feeling heart. Can
a woman dash the fruit of her womb against tlae poignards
point, or call forth the savage of the desart to destroy her
smiling sons & daughters ? can she turn her once fostering
hand on which her tender offspring proud of their parentage
so fondly lean'd, against their breasts her own & every vital
pore, forbid it Heaven —
326 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
But while I thus rove o'er the landskip of disorder I forget
I may obtrude on your serene mind gloomy ideas & dismal
presages Let the Sons of ambition inebriate at the fountain
of Honour till they quench their insatiable thirst, The vota-
ries of mammon drive thro golden mines till they cry enough
of shining dust Rapine & violence bleed upon its own point
and the authors of publick calamitys gasp out their contagious
breath in a halter return but peace with humble fare and the
gay like Indians fond for me may share all featherd fopperies.
I have only to add, my fervent prayers to the Almighty,
that he would be pleased to bestow on you & yours every
blessing with the full enjoyment of internal & external peace
and tranquility assuring you I am
Dear Sir most sincerely your obedient humble Servant
Stephen Parker
Go'py of Receipt. Jan. 18., 1776.
Machias January 18, 1776 —
Then received of M"^ James Lyon Chairman of the Com-
mittee of Safety three Rolls of paper, whereon are several
plans, that were taken out from among M'' Thomas Sprys bag-
gage, & two small paper books, containing directions for sail-
ing into divers harbors. And a piece of parchment or paper
in a frame, containing signals &c. all which I have received
for the use of the United Colonies, as I am in their service —
Aaron Willard
A true Copy Ja* Lyon
Letter from James Lyon. Jan. 19, 1776.
Machias Jan. 19, 1776.
Sir I think it my Duty to remind you, as you have doubtly
been informed of what we have done that we generously too gen-
erously returned to the officers taken in the Schooner Diligent
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 327
all their private property, & among their things all the plans
of this Continent, in their possession, which oversight we
greatly regret, & for which we can make no apology but our
distress & confusion at that time, which would not admit of
our attending to this matter as its vast importance required.
Lieut. Knights goods are all sent away Lieut. Spry's only
remain in our possession. These goods by Capt. Willards
advice we have examined & have found the scetches now in
our hands, together with a valuable compass some slop cloath-
ing &c which is recorded. I now, in behalf of the Committee,
humbly ask, if Lieut. Thomas Spry has not forfeited all his
right to said goods ? I therefore beg advice & direction of
the Honorable General Court, which we should be glad to
receive as soon as may be —
By order of the Committee of Safety
I am your Honors most humble & obechent servant
Ja« Lyon Ch M
The Honorable Ja" Otis Esquire
Sir Capt. Willard can give you farther information, to
whom I refer you. —
In Council Feb^ 15^^ 1776
Read & committed to Benj* Lincoln Esq'' with such as the
Hon' House shall join
Sent down for Concurrence Perez Morton D Seer''
In the House of Representatives Feb. 15, 1776
Read and concurred and ColP Lovel & Coll Bhss are
joined
William Cooper Speak"" Pro Tem.
Letter to the Committee of l^afety at Macliias.
Gentlemen.
Yours of the 29"' of January last by Cap^" Willard to the
President of the Council is now before us. The subject
328 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
matter thereof hath been duly consider'd. Altho' we could
wish that the plans in possession of Lieutenant Knight had
been detained, yet we are far from censuring the Inhabitants
of Machias for not doing it. We are inform'd they are now
in his hands. Some steps will be taken to secure them. We
approve the measures you have taken with regard to Lieu-
tenant Spry's goods. You will safely retain the whole.
L^ George Germain to Maj^ Gen^ Howe
Whitehall February 1^* 1776
Sir,
Since my letter to you of the 5**^ of January every effort
has been exerted in the different Departments, to bring for-
ward the Preparations for the ensuing Campaign in North
America, and though the Severity of the Weather, almost
beyond what has ever been known in this Country, very
much obstructs the Service in the Naval Department, yet I
am encouraged to hope that the Reinforcement for the Army
under your Command will be embarked before the end of
March, and that the Armament intended for Quebec may be
ready much sooner.
The unfortunate Events, which have happened in Canada,
make it necessary that we should not only exert every
Endeavour for the relief of Quebec as early as possible, but
also for having a Force there, ready to commence its Opera-
tions, as soon as the Season will admit.
The great Attention, which the King shews upon all occa-
sions to the rank & Merit of His Officers, would have led
His Majesty to have appointed Major General Clinton to
command upon this Service, under Major General Carleton,
but as His Majesty's Pleasure has been already signified that
he should command the Body of Forces to be employed
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 329
upon an Expedition to the Southward, & he is, by this time
probably sailed for Cape Fear, in order to wait their Arrival,
His Majesty has thought fit that Major General Burgoyne
should act as Second in Command to General Carleton in
Canada, and that he should proceed thither with the Eight
Regiments from Ireland, which I hope will be ready to sail
by the 20'*^ of next Month.
If Quebec should faU before any Relief can be got thither
and Major General Carleton should unhappily not survive the
Loss of it, the King's Intentions are that, in such an Event,
the Command of the whole of His Majesty's Forces in North
America should devolve upon you. It is also His Majesty's
Intentions immediately to appoint Majors General Clinton,
Burgoyne, Lord Percy & Lord Cornwaliis, Lieutenant Gen-
erals in America ; The old Colonels, who now act as Briga-
diers, are to have Commissions as Majors General ; and the
other Colonels will be appointed Brigadiers.
In case of Major General Carleton's death it will remain
with you to dispose of the different Commands, as you, in
your discretion, shall think fit. It will consequently be in
your power to leave the Command of the Troops on the Side
of Canada to Major General Burgoyne, or, if you think it
more advisable you may appoint General Clinton to that Ser-
vice ; And it being His Majesty's Pleasure that Major Gen-
eral Lord Cornwaliis should be employed in Canada, he &
his Regiment are to be sent thither as soon as he joins the
Army under your Command.
In the present state of Affairs in North America the Secu-
rity of Nova Scotia & Newfoundland are Objects of Atten-
tion ; and I am commanded by the King to signify to you
His Majesty's Pleasure that the two Battalions of Marines,
now serving under your Command, or any part of them you
shall judge necessary, should be posted at Halifax, and that
a Detachment of Major (xorham's Corps be posted at St.
330 DOCUMENT AEY HISTORY
John's in Newfoundland, as a Garrison will be wanted there.
It is also his Majesty's Pleasure that as many of the private
Men of the 65'^ Regiment as are fit for Service should be
turned over to the 27*'^ Regiment, and if there are more than
will complete it, you will incorporate them in any other
Corps ; That the 21^^ Regiment, when so completed, be
joined to the Army under your Command, and that the Com-
missioned & Noncommissioned Officers & Invalids of the
65*^ be sent home to England.
I must not omit to acquaint you, before I leave the Sub-
ject of Military Arrangement, that the Officers of the Guards
have expressed such Spirit & Zeal for His Majesty's Service,
that His Majesty has ordered a Detachment of a Thousand
Men rank & File, with Officers in proportion, to serve under
you in America, and I have only further to add, that the
King is so desirous of expressing upon every occasion His
Royal approbation of the General Officers serving in the
principal Ranks in America, that He has declared His Inten-
tions that he will not employ any General Officer from hence
who may be superior in rank to Majors General Clinton,
Burgoyne, Lord Percy or Lord Cornwallis.
This letter will be entrusted to the Care of the Commander
of His Matys Ship Greyhound, who will also deliver up to
you the Officers of the Privateer fitted out by the Rebels
under a Commission from the Congress, & taken by one of
Admiral Graves's Squadron. The private Men have all vol-
untarily entered themselves on board His Majesty's Ships,
but the Officers having refused so to do, it has been judged
fit to send them back to America, for the same obvious rea-
sons that induced the sending back the Rebel Prisoners
taken in Arms upon the Attack of Montreal in September
last.
It is hoped that the Possession of these Prisoners will
enable you to procure the Release of such of His Majesty's
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 331
OflBcers and loyal Subjects as are in the disgraceful Situation
of being Prisoners to the Rebels, for although it cannot be
that you should enter into any Treaty or Agreement with
Rebels for a regular Cartel for the Exchange of Prisoners,
yet I doubt not but your own Discretion will suggest to you
the means of effecting such Exchange without the King's
Dignity & Honor being committed, or His Majesty's Name
used in any Negociation for that purpose ; And I am the
more, strongly urged to point out to you the Expediency of
such a Measure, on account of the possible Difficulties which
may otherwise occur in the case of foreign Troops serving
in North America
I am &c
Geo : Germain.
LoHS at Majorhagivaduce. 1776
We the Committee of Safty for Majorbigwaduce Being
Supplicated by M'' Daniel Wordwell of this District for our
assistance to inable him to Make Known unto M"^ Deane M'
John Adames M'' Wythe Committee appointed By the Hon-
orable Continental Congress to Receive accounts of Losses
Sustained by the Ministerial troops this is therefore to Cartify
their Honors the Committee and all others to whome it may
Concerne that the above said Wordwel Did on the twelveth
Day of September 1775 Saile from tliis place in a Sloop
( being his own proppety laden with Cord wood ) for piscatta-
qua with other articals as hides and Cash in order to procure
provision for him selfe and Nighbours being on his Returne
whome was taken by a man of war belonging to the King
and finily Lost vessel and Effects, the Said Vessel was taken
by our Enemy September the 30"' 1775 and we the Said
Committee having Maid Strict In(|uire into the premeses fmd
332 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Said Vessel to be Burden'^ Sixty three tuns Saven years old
two good Cabels and anchors Second Sute of Sals about halfe
worne Verey good Standing Rigin Sixty Dollars in Stors
being the property of Said Wordwel and the whole depend-
ence the Said Wordwel had for the Suport of himselfe and
family the whole of the above we Judge to be worth the Sum
of two Hundred and fifty Eight pounds Lawfull money on
board s*^ Sloop ( belonging to the Distrest Inhabetants ) when
taken Leather Cash & Nails to the Value of thirty Dollars.
Joseph Young \
Mark Hatch > Committee
Joseph Perkins )
Majerbigwaduce february the 1** 1776
then Jeremiah Wordwel and Peter Mugrige Came before us
the Committee of Safty for s*^ Majerbigwaduce they being the
two hands belonging to daniel Wordwels Sloop when taken
by a man of wor and after being Examaned and duly Cosh-
oned to declare the whole truth Seresly and Solomly declard
it was in Every Surcomstance as Related by us
Joseph Young \
Mark Hatch S Com
Joseph Perkins )
Petition of Nathan Jones 1776
To the Hon^'® the Council and House of Representatives
of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay —
The petition of Nathan Jones of Gouldsborough, Humbly
Sheweth,
That whereas sundry people of a place called Dear-Island,
did in the Month of August last forcibly take and carry away
a Vessell, Gundalo and Bull belonging to your petitioner,
much to the damage of the Inhabitants in general, and of
OF THE STATE OF ISIAINE 333
your petitioner in particular. And whereas your honors did
in the Month of December last, pass an order that said Ves-
sell should be detained untill further orders, Wherefore your
petitioner humbly prays your honors would grant him a hear-
ing upon said matter, and your petitioner as in duty bound,
will ever pray &c
Nathan Jones
Watertown Feb^ 3M776
Letter from W"^ Cutter. Feb. 16, 1776.
To the Whole Court —
I would inform Your Honr' As Joshua Fabyan Esq"^ and
My Self was Appointed to Raise two Companys in the County
of Cumberland We have Attended that Service and by Agree-
ment with Esq' Fabyan I Eng*''^ to Raise a Company in the
Easterly part of the County — I would Acquaint your Hone's
that I have Enlisted a Company in North Yar**^ Brunswick
Harpswell New Glocester New Boston and Windham Con-
sisting of Ninety Men Encluding officers — the above S'**
Company Mete thiss day & Chose for their Cap* M" Win-
throp Boston Mess' Nathan Merril & Robert Duning Lef-*
M' Thomas Addams Ensi" — then immediately Marched for
Cambridge — where I hope they will soon Arive — I am with
Great Respect Your Hum^*' Sr*
William Cutter
Report. 1776.
In the House of Representatives Feb' 16 1776
The Committe appointed to take into Consideration the
Petition of Nathan Jones of Gouldsborough seting forth that
334 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
he had a Vessel Gundelow & Bull taken forcably from him
& praying that he may have a hearing thereon — Beg Leave
to Report by way of Resolve — Viz* Resolvd that the Person
or persons who have in Custody the Vesel Gundelow & bull
of the said Nathan Jones be & hereby _ Directed to apply to
the Committe appointed by this Court to Examine into the
Reason & Justness of the Capture of any Vessel or Vessels
that have or may be taken in Custody by any Committe of
Inspection Safety of Correspondence of any Town place or
District or other person between penobscott & Mechias on or
before the Twentieth Day of March next in Order to deter-
min the Justness of taking said Vessel Gundelow &c, and in
case they Neglect so to do the Captor or Captors are hereby
Ordered and Directed to Deliver said Vessel with all they
took with her to Nathan Jones or his Order imediately after
the Expiration of said time.
N" 5
In the House of Representatives Feb'"^ 16***, 1776.
Joseph Palmer Esq"^ brought down a Report of the Com-
mittee on the Letter of M. Lyon of Machias received yester-
day.
Pass'd in Council viz*
In Council Feb^^ 16**^ 1776. Read and accepted and
Order'd that the first Letter herein mention'd be sign'd by
the Secretary by order of the General Court, and be sent to
the Committee of Safety at Machias, and that the last recited
Letter be sign'd by the Secry by order aforesaid, and be sent
to the Committee of Correspondence of Northampton
Sent down for Concurrence
Read & Concurrd
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 335
Deposition.
The Deposition of Jeremiah Wardwel of majerbigwaduce
being of Lawfull age testifies and Says that I the deponant
did on or about the 12*'^ day of September in the year 1775
Sale from Said majerbigwaduce in the Sloop Trythena Laden
with Cordwood for piscataqua in order to procure Stoores and
upon our Returne on the 30"^ day of the same month was
taken by a man of war ( viz ) the Livele and finely Lost Ves-
sel and Effects the Vessel was when taken about 7 years old
had 2 Cable and anchers Secont Sute of Sales about halfe
worne Verey good standing Rigin had on bord that belonged
to my fathe_ daniel wordwel about Sixty DoUers worth of
Stors there was Leather Cash and Nails on bord said vessel
when taken about thirty three doUers worth tliat belonged to
the Inhabetants of said majerbigwaduce Said Vessel is bur-
dened 63 tuns
Jeremiah Wardwell
Colony Massachusetts Bay Feb^ 20"' 1776
Jeremiah Wardwell made solemn Oath to the truth of the
above
Before John Taylor
Justice Peace thr6 y" Colony.
Letter from Edwd Parry. 1776.
Gentlemen I take the Liberty of addressing myself to you,
and acquaint you, that having many unsettled and domestic
Affairs in New Hampshire, where 1 used to reside, I petitioned
the Hon'''® the General Court of this Colony to release me,
that J miglit return thither, previous to their ordering me
into this Town, and putting me under your Care: my Affairs
tliere still continue in the same unsettled precarious state,
and am also in want of cloathing and other necessaries, I sup-
336 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
posed their intention was to confine me here only for a short
time, as I enjoyed no Office or commission under the Crown,
nor ( as I thought ) had done any Injury to the Colonies, the
duration of time they intended to confine me may possibly be
elapsed ; and if not, I apply to you Gentlemen to grant me
liberty to return to my Home some time this Spring, and will
return here whenever I am required; If you do not think
that you can consistently grant me permission, be pleased to
request your Representative to communicate my desire to the
General Court, and you will greatly oblige
Gentlemen your most obedient humble Servant
Edw*^ Parry
Sturbridge Feb. 27*'' 1776
To the Selectmen of the Town of Sturbridge
In Council April S*'^ 1776
Read & Ordered that the Petitioner have leave to proceed
to Portsmouth on the Parole of his Honor to collect his
Cloathing & settle his Business there so that he exceeds not
the term of three months
Sent down for Concurrence Perez Morton D Sec''^
In the House of Representatives April 8"^ 1776
Read & nonconcurr'd J Warren Spkr
Sturbridge March y'' 11*'' 1776
Sir We have received the inclosed application from M""
Edward Parry for leave to return to his home in New
Hampshire ; We should imagine that his desire is reasonable
and may be Complied with, and have no reason to think his
requisition would be any detriment to the Public Affairs of
the Colonies ; but as we Cannot see that we can Consistently
grant him permission of our selves — we request of you to
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 337
Communicate his application to the Honorable the General
Court, and signify the result to
Sir your Humble Servants
Daniel Fisk "^
_^ . - -^, Selectmen
Daniel rlympton I
Moses Weld f ^
XI TT 11 1 I Sturbndge
John Holbrook j °
To Capt Timothy Parker
Letter from Thnothy Pickering. March 19, 1776.
Salem March 19, 1776
Sir The Selectmen of Salem this day delivered to John
Obrien two hundred pounds of powder for the use of the
privateers Dihgent & Machias Liberty in the service of this
colony, as will appear by the inclosed receipt. The said
Obrien shewed us a letter from Francis Abbot written for
you as Commisary General, to Rich"* Derby f Esq"" requesting
him to furnish Obrien with that quantity of powder ; but as
the town had purchased the whole his vessel brought home,
Obrien applied to us ; and as the necessity appeared to be
urgent we supplied him upon certain expectation of receiving
the same quantity of you when requested, to be delivered at
Salem without any expence to the town, or paid for at the
price mentioned in the receipt, as the selectmen sh*^ chuse.
Of all which they give you this early notice, & pray that
provision may be made for replacing the powder on the
shortest notice, if they should judge it necessary for the
town's safety.
I am. Sir, your most h'ble Servant
Tim. Pickering j"^
By order of tiic Select men
Superscribed
'J'o Richard Devens Escj"" At Wateitown
22
338 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Letter from Major Daniel llsley. March 20, 1776.
Falmouth March 20*'> 1776
To the Honourable Counsel for the Provence of the Mas-
sachusetts Bay —
May' Pleas Your Honours — the Commission I hold under
Your Honours Gives me the Command of the Sea Cost men
Stationed at Fahnouth — at Present — which is my Apology
for troubeling Your Honours at this time — I Expected when
General Fry left falmouth there w** be a Co" appointed and
Sent to take the Command in a Short time — as I Cant hear
of aney appointment Neither have I Rec^ aney Instructions
how to fortify or where — General Fry has a New Plan
which no Doup* Your honours has Seen — this Plan will
Command the Ground with Equil Strength on Every Side
Avhich is not Nesecary two Sides of this fort will have So
grate advanteg of the ground that it may be Defended by
Small Arms against a Verey Powerfull Enemy and Shuld the
general Vew this ground when the weather was more mod-
erate he might Change his mind — I think there is too much
work Dun on the foorts at falmouth to be Laid aside — the
Judgment of the County was taken Before the work was
begun — and I Cant think that the first Plan will be matee-
rially objected to by any that will View the ground — we
have Now 300 men in falmouth and Capt Morten at Cape
Elizabeth with 80 men the guards on the Sea Cost are not
yet Stationed — the Reports of the Enemy Leaving Boston
and others ariveing at Hallifax is the Reason for Keeping the
Sea Cost men Near togather we might have Dun Sumthing
in Prepareing Pickets &c But General Fry advised me Not
til I Received orders — the Cariges for Cannon wheel &
handbarows are makeing the Soldiers Came without Powder
the greater Part of them and Many of them without Ball
I have Supplid without medling with the Provence Powder
we Shall Indeavour to Collect what Shovels and Pick axes
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 339
we Can til we no how we are to be Provided the frost is
Kear a foot thick in the ground at this time But the weather
is Now Very warm and Snow is Chefly gon — - our men are
Sickly and they must Suffer if they Continu — we have Lost
But one — there is no Phisician Nearer then three miles — I
hope Your [ honours ] will Consider our Sick and make Such
Provision as your honours in your Wisdom shall think Proper
From your Obedient Servant at Com'^
Daniel Ilsley
In Council March W" 1776
Read & Sent down Perez Morton D Sec^
Committed to y® Committee on y® Cumberland Petition —
Letter from the Committee of Brunsivick. March 28, 1776
To the Honourable the Great and General Court Holden
at Watertown In and for the Province of the Massachusetts
Bay — the Committe of Brunswick in y** County of Cumber-
land Humbly beg Leave to Report That Last Summer there
was a Cargo of molases Landed here belonging to Isaac Smith
Esq'' and Left in Care of Aaron Hinkly Esq*" with orders to
Sell a Considerable part of said Cargo When it wast first
Landed it was Sold for 13/6 or 13/9 old tenor Soon after it
Riss to 14/ then to 15/ tlien towards the Spring to 20/
The people Here were Very much Dissatisfied at its being
Sold at Such an Exorbitant price and Look** upon it, Consid-
ering the Distress of the present day to be Extortionous and
Grinding the face of the poor and Directly Repugnant to the
Salutary Resolves of the Worthy and Honourable Congress
of the United Colonies and Distructive to the Glorious Cause
of Aiiieri(;a.
about ten or twelve Days ago there was a Vessell Come to
Carry away what was Left of s'" Cargo y" Inhabitants Desired
340 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
the Committee to stop so much molases as was absolutely
Necessary for this place the Committe accordingly met and
thought proper to Stop ten Hog*^^ and Set it at 15/ which we
thought would be Sufficient to pay what • it was first set at
with Intrest of the money and cost of Storeing So that we
apprehend the owner will be fully made whole
Brunswick March 28, 1776
Nath" Larrabee
James Curtis Committe
Sam" Standwood > of
Tho® Thompson i Brunswick
And"^ Duning J
Report. 1776.
The Committee appointed to make inquiry with respect to
the Powder & oth%r war-like Stores latly arived at Kenebeck
have attended that Service and beg leave to report by way of
resolve ( viz )
In House of Representatives May 2*^ 1776
Resolved That out of said Ammunition there be replaced
in such Towns in this Colony the Powder flints and lead by
them delivered for the use of this colony or the contenental
army ( which have not received Compensation for the Same
and chuse to have s*^ Powder &c ) as sone as may be and if
any of s*^ powder and other warlike Stores are lost to be dis-
posed of as the General Court shall order.
Mr Hobart
Coll Woodbridge
Coll Davis
to make inquiry with respect to the Powder & other Warlike
Stores lately arriv'd at Kennebec & report how it shall be
dispos'd of —
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 341
N° 6
In the House of Representatives May 3'' 1776.
Order'd that the following Letter be sign'cl by the Presi-
dent of the Council and forwarded to the Indian Chiefs of
the Penobscot Tribes
Sent up for Concurrence.
Friends & Good Brothers.
This Letter is to acquaint You that we receiv'd your
favor by Lieutenant Gilman dated at Penobscot River the
22*^ November 1775, by which you have acquainted us, that
you made choice of M"^ Jonathan Lowder for your Truck-
master, and finding that M'' Preble was appointed you were
not contented, and that You want to know how the altera-
tion came to be made, you say you have heard that it was
alterd by means of two young Indians that came here; in
Answer to this We tell you that we are sorry that you are
not contented with M' Prebble, and have so many complaints
against him.
this alterations in the Truckmasters happened by a very
great mistake, as both these Men were to keep at Penobscot,
but we trust you will excuse it, as we were then very much
troubled with the white people of old England, which we
have since drove out of our Colony, you tell us that when
you agree to a thing you mean to stand to it, we mean to
stand to all the promises we have made to You, You may
depend on it, that all we have promis'd You will be done by
us. Cap* Lane is oblig'd to go to New York, he can't come to
You this Summer, but we have order'd Lieutenant Gilman to
keep at Penobscot &c with You. You desire us to mind
nobody l)ut the Heads of your Tribe. We desire You for
tlie time to come to sign all tlie Letters you send us with
your marks, that we may not be deceived.
Dear Hrothers, We have tlie pleasure to toll you, that by the
help of (jiod we have drove them wicked people of old I^ng-
342 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
land out of our Colony, and we trust and believe we shall be
able to keep them out, we have built forts in almost all our
Towns that are near the water, we are also a building a
great many ships of war, with which we intend to drive
away their Ships, we have heard that our enemies intend to
go to Canada this Summer, if they do we trust you will help
us drive them away, if we should want You. Your letter
came so late that a great many of our Court were gone home
before we received it, therefore we shall order the farther
consideration of it to the next General Court which will be
in June, they will send You a Truckmaster that You will be
contented with, who will trade with You, and supply You
with such things as You will want, if they can be bought.
We wish You a blessing, health and prosperity and are
Your Friends & Brothers
Extract from Letter of General Howe to Lord George Germain.
Halifax May 7"> 1776
In obedience to your Lordships Commands for a more
explicit Account of the Expedition to Falmouth, which was
entrusted to Lieut* Mowat of the Navy, assisted by a Detach-
ment of Marines & Artillery, I have reexamined the Officer
who commanded this Detachment, & find that his Orders
from General Gage were, to embark on board several armed
Vessels the 6^^ October 1775, & to aid & assist Lieut* Mowat
in annoying and destroying all Ships & Vessels belonging to
the Rebels on the Coast, & in the Harbours to the Eastward
of Boston : That they first examined the Harbour of Cape
Ann, & finding the Attack upon it inexpedient they pro-
ceeded to Falmouth, & laid the armed Vessels before the
Town on the Evening of their Arrival, after which Lieut*
Mowat sent an officer on Shore with a Summons to the
OF THE STATE OE MAINE 343
Inhabitants to deliver up their Arms & Amunition,
acquainting them at the same Time, that his Orders directed
him to destroy the To^vn, if they did not comply with his
Demand, of which they should be allowed two hours to con-
sider & to remove their Women & Children ; shortly after
three Persons, deputed by the Inhabitants, came on board
requesting a longer Time, & it was agreed to wait their
Answer until eight Clock next Morning, about which Hour
the same Persons returned, & reported that the Inhabitants
were determined to wait their Fate : Within half an Hour a
Signal was made by Lieut'' Mowat, the Vessels began a Can-
nonade, and several Carcasses were thrown into the Town,
which set Fire to the Houses, & in a few Hours consumed
the greatest part of them : a Detachment was then landed
who compleated the Destruction, & embarked without Loss.
The small Vessels in the Harbour were burnt, sunk, or
brought away the 18"' October, and the Armament returned
to Boston the 5^'' Nov" without attempting any further.
Petition of Stephen Parker. May 11, 1776.
To the Honourable Council and the Honourable Repre-
sentatives of tlie Colony of Massachusetts Bay.
May it please your Honours — With the profoundest
respect and submission I beg leave to acquaint your Honors
that the fifth of July last I took passage from this place for
Philadelphia in hope of obtaining a supply of provision for
the Inhal)itants here, as I had not cash to purchase the Rev-
erend M"^ James Lyon furnished me with a letter of recom-
mendation to liis (Vicnd Jonutlian Smith Esq of Philadelphia,
but after tlie most earnest application to that gentleman &
others during a months stay in the City with offers of uiort-
344 DOCUMENTAKY HISTORY
gaging a considerable interest till Payment for one hundred
barrels of flour, finding no probability of success & having
nearly expended the trifle of money I carried with me I took
passage with Captain Edward Bacon of Barnstable in a sloop
loaded with flour, belonging to Colonel Doane of Welfleet
bound for said place, arriving at Barnstable, I made pressing
suit to Colonel Doane offering him the same but was here
unsuccessful, I then try'd Captain Solomon Davis, Melatiah
Bourn Esq, and Colonel Joseph Otis of Barnstable for assist-
ance but these gentlemen not being disposed to risque or
Credit their interest and my money being gone I was obliged
to sell two of three barrels of flour which I brought from
Philadelphia for my family. I then met M"^ Shubael Lovel
of Barnstable who gave me encouragement of sending a small
schooner with some provisions to Mechias, but failing of
obtaining the provisions, or fearing to risque his vessel this
also fell thro', my solicitude was now turn'd to get home with
all speed and going from Highannas to Nantucket with M'
Lovell he mentioned my case to M'' Timothy Fitch there,
who told me if I could obtain permission for exporting Lum-
ber to the West Indies he would supply me with provisions,
m consequence of which I prosecuted a journey to Water-
town, waiting on Colonel Joseph Otis and the Honourable
James Bowdoin, who furnished me with recommendatory
letters to the Honourable James Warren, but CoUonel War-
ren presuming the matter would not be acceptable to the
Honourable House, I returned full of anxiety & distress to
Nantucket being reduced so low as to fear I should either
suffer or be obliged to solicit the hand of Charity. On
arrival at Nantucket I let M"^ Fitch know my Circumstances
with the scituation of Mechias and inform'd him that I
thought I could serve that place effectually if I could go to
Nova Scotia & send or carry hay from thence which we
always supplyd ourselves with from said government for the
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 345
support of our Cattle. M' Fitch coincided in sentiment with
me & we purchased of Captain Dunham of the Vineyard
Three hundred thirteen bushels of Indian & fifteen bushels
of rye Corn which w^as increased by a trifle of said articles &
some rye flour & bread M"^ Fitch had by him & we were pre-
paring to sail when five or six people at Nantucket appeared
dissatisfied on which I was advised by the Inhabitants to
make application to the Committee at Falmouth, This I did
& informing them what pains I had taken and at what expense
I had been to serve Mechias with my earnest desire of getting
home with what I could procure I obtained their consent to
sail, on which we left Nantucket in a Brigantine commanded
by Captain Thomas Fossey and meeting with one vessel only
which appeard to chase us, arrived at East passage, from
which Place we immediately proceeded to Cape Forschue in
the bay of Fundy & directly oposite Mechias, here I disposed
of what was on board save a small matter sold M"" William
Pitts at East passage (exclusive of what I was intitled to
from a Commission allowd me & which I strictly reserved
in provision to Carry to Mechias ) to New engiand people
only, who appeard real friends to the welfare of America.
On arrival I engaged a Schooner of one M"" Tinkham & seven
Load of Salt hay ( no english being to be had ) intending
immediately on the Brig's sailing to proceed therewith for
Mechias but tlie Hay proving very bad & none else to be got,
I faild in tliis Ijut embrac'd the first oportunity I could meet
of getting to Mechias with my Provisions, at the expense of
ten dollars.
May it please your Honors — Ignorance, inadvertence &
absolute necessity were the sole cause of my setting foot in
the government of Nova Scotia & during my continuance
there which was at Cape ForKchue, I neither corresponded
countenanced or associated with any of the enemies of
America but most warmly espoused the cause of Liberty &
346 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
bore unfeigned testimony against the iniquitous tyranical
ministerial measures & acts of Brittish parliament, nor was
this confined to my tongue alone but my hand witnessed the
same as leisure & oportunity gave me leave, Copies of which
I humbly crave leave to lay at the feet of your Honours most
solemnly declaring them to be authentic —
May it please Honours, from the first of my leaving
Mechias last July to my arrival a few days since I have not
ceased endeavours to serve the place to the utmost of my
ability and I do most solemnly declare that nothing has, is,
or can be remoter from my heart than an inclination to aid
or abet the enemies of America, Liberty & Freedom, and in
this necessary contest am willing to risque my interest in
Life and for this purpose did strictly recommend to Captain
Fossay to bring a quantity of powder for the use of the Col-
ony Therefore throwing myself at the feet of your Honours
I most humbly crave for myself and distressed family your
Honours Pardon and protection, and as in duty bound shall
ever pray for your Honours consummate Happiness &
prosperity —
Stephen Parker
Mechias ll^'^ May 1776 —
Letter from Stephen Parker. May 13^^ 1776.
May it please your Honour
You may remember I waited on you some time last Sep-
tember with a letter from M'' Timothy Fitch craving your
interest for permission to send a vessel to the West Inches,
in consequence of which you were pleased to write Colonel
Warren on the subject and recommend the same, on my
arrival at Watertown, presenting your letter and informing
the Colonel of my business, he advised me not to mention
the matter to General Court, as thinking it would not be
granted, I submitted, and returned, and having expended
OF THE STATE OF JIAINE 347
what money I was possessed in seeking after relief for the
inhabitants of Mechias, I mentioned to M"^ Fitch my real
opinion was, if I could proceed to the Bay in Nova Scotia &
procure a quantity of hay it would be of eminent service to
our people, as a large stock of cattle must die if no hay could
be obtain'd but what was cut in the place, we being supplied
with hundreds of Tons from Nova Scotia yearly. M"^ Fitch
joined in sentiment with me and accordingly agreed to allow
me a commission for transacting some business, procured
three or four hundred bushels of Corn & advised me as soon
as the Brig he sent was dispatched, to get a Schooner & pro-
ceed to Mechias the command of the Brig was given Captain
Thomas Fossey who arriving at East passage, we immedi-
ately proceeded to Cape Forschue ( alias Yarmouth ) here I
agreed for a Schooner of one M' Tinkham, & seven Tons of
salt hay, no english being to be had, reserved what my com-
missions came to in provisions, & expected to proceed
directly to Mechias on the Brig's sailing, but finding the hay
so damaged, as to be unfit for any thing, and my being
obhged to give fifty dollars for the run, freight, or no freight,
it being now first of January, I concluded from the difficul-
ties of weather & disappointment in hay to seek passage
another and cheaper way, & the very first that presented I
embraced at the expense of ten dollars tho' only twenty five
leagues distant, bringing with me in provision which M'
Fitch ship'd, what my Commissions intitled me to.
May it please your Honour, my ignorance of the resolves
of the Grand Congress, my necessitous circumstances & real
concern for my family, with my ardent desire of serving tlie
inhabitants of Mechias, and not lucrative motives or the
remotest thought of joining myself witli the enemies of
America, were the cause of my putting foot in tlie (iovern-
ment of Nova Scotia, and I here solenmly declare to your
IIonoTir that I went to a place (viz'' Yarmouth) wliicli is
inliabited almost entirely by New England people and who
348 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
appear to be as true friends to the welfare of America &
grand cause of Liberty as any persons whatever nor have I
corresponded with, or sokl any articles to any other, having
strictly avoided furnishing any inhabitant of Halifax, officer,
soldier, seaman belonging to the Crown, or any transport
engaged in the service thereof with one article great or small.
On my arrival here, as I had been to Nova Scotia the inhab-
itants seem dissatisfied and to what length it may grow I
know not, I therefore presume most earnestly to crave your
Honours candor and interest with the Honourable Court in
my behalf, for if I have offended 'tis not with any design or
the least ahenation from the great and glorious cause in
which America is engaged, but the effect of Ignorance &
pure necessity for from the first of my leaving Mechias for
Philadelphia, which was early last July, my principles & dec-
larations, publick & private have been immoveably fixt in the
most steadfast attachment to the Libertys & prosperity of
this suffering Land America. I beseech for the sake of my
poor distressed ailing wife, and helpless children that I may
not be deem'd an enemy to the welfare of my native Coun-
try, the Cause of America or the least cool thereto or be
made to suffer by censure or otherways, for as I ever have
been, I now am, and trust ever shall be ready to give the
most solemn assurances of my fervent regard to the Laws,
Dignity and Interest of this virtuous, oppress'd & most justly
strugling Land.
I beg leave to lay these my earnest requests at your Hon-
ours feet, and subscribe myself with profound respect Your
Honours most obedient humble servant
Stephen Parker
I presume to enclose a copy of my petition to the Honour-
able Court
Superscribed :
To The Honorable James Bowdoin Esq'"
at Middleborough or Boston. —
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 349
Go'py of Record. Complaint against Rev. Jacoh Bayley.
May 24, 1776.
At a Meeting of the Committee of Correspondence Inspec-
tion and Safety for the Town of Pownalborough May 24^^^
1776
Upon the Complaint against the Rev*^ Jacob Bailey for
being unfriendly to the Cause of Liberty, Resolv'd
1 That the said Jacob Bailey has in adverse Instances since
the Year 1774; discover d an undue Attachment to the
Authority claimed by Great Britain over the united
Colonies, and thereby has given great Reason to beheve
That he does not wish Success to our Struggles for
Freedom.
2 That he has been Guilty of a criminal Neglect in not
reading Proclamations issued by the Continental and
Provincial Congresses, for days of pubhc fasting &
Prayer, and thereby throwing Contempt upon said Con-
gresses and virtually denying their Authority.
3 Therefore Resolv'd That the said Jacob Bailey give Bond
to the Treasurer of this Colony, in the penal Sum of
Forty Pounds, with one or more Sureties, conditioned
That the said j\P Bailey appear before the General
Court of this Colony when called thereto by said Court
to answer for said Conduct, and in the mean Time Tliat
he shall not aid the despotic ]\Ieasures of our unnatural
Enemies, or by any Ways or Means directly or indirectly
assist them in their Designs of enslaving the said Colo-
nies, or in any Measure what ever counteract the good
Designs of the said Colonies in obtaining their Liberty
& Freedom from the tyrannic Measures of Great Britain ;
and lliat the suid M"" Bailey sliall observe & olx'y all the
(Jrders, Resolves & Laws of the said Court & of the
Continental Congress and in all Things Ix'liave liimself
350 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
peaceably towards the People and Government of this
Colony,
A True Copy Att : Cha* Cushing Chabman
Letter from the Committee at Machias. May 25^ 1776.
To the Honorable Council & the Great and General Court
of the Coloney of the Massachusetts Bay In New England —
These may inform your Honors: that whereas Stephen
Parker went from Machias with Letters of Recommendation
from the Chaireman of the Committee to procure if possible
for Machias aforesaid being then in great want & he pro-
seeded to Philadelphia as he informes and proves by Letters
brought and with out any suckses and on his Return back
being at Nantucket he met with one M"^ Timothy Fitch with
whoom he says he agreed to send provisions to Machias and
take Lumber there for in Case that Liberty Culd be obtained
for the said Fitch to send the Lumber from Machias to the
West Indies —
On Account of Which he the said Parker Says that he
went from Nantucket to Water Town in order to obtain Lib-
erty of Your Hono''* for to trade to the West Indies but was
advised not to Mention it and then he the said Parker
Returned back to Nantucket and Ingaged to take a Brig
belonging to the said Fitch and proceed with her to Capeper-
sue In the Province of Nova Scotia and there to sell of the
Provisions and by a load of fish for the s*^ Brig and procure a
Nova Scotia Register Which he Says he Went to Halifax
and obtained and then ordered the said Brig to proseed to
Jamaca —
But as there was some Dispute about provisions being Car-
rayed out of Nantucket with out a permit from some of the
Committee on the Continen Said Parker applyed as we have
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 351
ben informed to the Committee of Falmouth for a permit
which was Granted accordingly for the said Parker to bring
Provisions to JNIachias aforesaid and then he proseeded to
Capepersue as aforesaid and Delt as afore said with out as he
sayeth any intent of Bring the said provisions to Machias
Exsept his Commissions on the Cargoe which he has actualy
Brought in the Whole or in part —
And for the afore said Reasons we have thought proper to
take the said Parkers Notes of hand which he had by him in
to our possession and them safe to keep for Securcty that
he shuld Not Depart this plase until your Honer^ pleasure is
Known and there fore we take this oppertuneyty to In form
your Honers of our proseedings and hoop your Honers will
Give us further Directions as you in Your Wisdom shall
tliink Best for the peace and Wellfare of the United Coloneys
— The Sccuretys taken amounts to XI 87: 5-9. we thought
best to Inform Your Honors and Not to send the person with-
out it is Required and we shall be always Readey & Will
Clieerfuly Obey your Honers Commands and any advice
your Hone" may thiidc fit to Give us will be greatfully
Acknowledged by your Humbel Sarvents
By order of the Committee
W" Tupper Clerk
May 25 1776
In Council June 10'" 1776
Read & sent down
John Lowell Dp^ Sec^ P T
In ilic House of Representatives June 21^*^ 177(3
Read & connnitted to the Conunittee on the Petition of
Stephen Parker
Sent uj) for (Concurrence
I'im" Daniclsoji S[)' g Tem :
In ( 'ninnil .Iimk; 21"' 1 776
Read & concuncfl
John Lowell Dp^ Sec^ P T
352 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Letter from Hon. Charles Chauncey. May ^7, 1776.
Sir/ Being conscious of acting with integrity, and of
having done my duty (so far as the narrow limits of my
capacity would allow ), while a member of the Hon^^*^ Board ;
and it being possible, that I may be chosen again this Year.
I have to ask the favor of you, to mform, the Hon^^® Assem-
bly ; That notwithstanding the great reluctance I have, in
declining so Honorable an appointment. Yet, when I realize
my inability, to perform the duty attending it ; my want of
health, and the unhappy situation of my Family together
with my being so much affected with a sense of my own
insufficiency ; should such an appointment take place, for
these reasons, I shall be obliged, to resign the important
trust, and have come to a determination so to do. At the
same time I must assure, that no other Motives induce me
hereto, but those herein expressed.
As the unfeigned love I bear towards my Country, has not
in the least abated, the same principles, ardor & Zeal, by
which I was at first actuated, still remain fixed, & determin-
ate, and I am ready whenever it appears necessary, to hazard
every thing in the Publick service. —
Hoping that Heaven will smile on all your deliberations, I
am with sincere respect, and the greatest regard, to the
Hon^'® Assembly, Sir, your most obedient & humble Servant
Cha. Chauncy
The Hon''^^ President of the
Council of the Colony of Massach"^ Bay
Bond of Rev. Jacob Bailey. May £8, 1776.
Know all Men by these presents That we Jacob Bailey of
Pownalborougli in the County of Lincoln Clerk and David
Bailey of Pownalborougli aforesaid yeoman are holden and
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 353
stand firmly bound & obliged unto the Honorable Henry
Garnder of Stow in the County of Middlesex Esq^ Treasurer
of the Colony of the Massachusetts Bay in the Sum of Forty
Pounds to be paid unto the said Henry Treasurer as afore-
said or his Successors in said office To the true Payment
whereof we bind our Selves our heirs Exec" & Adm" Jointly
& Severally firmly by these presents. Sealed with our Seals.
Dated the Twenty Eighth day of May A. D. 1776 —
The Condition of this present Obligation is such That
whereas on the Twenty Fourth day of May A. D. 1776 the
Committee of Correspondence, Safety and Inspection of the
Town of Pownalborough aforesaid did pass three Resolves in
the Words following viz.
" 1 That the said Jacob Bailey has in diverse Instances
since the Year 1774, discovered an undue attachment to the
Authority Claimed by great Britain over the United Colonies
and thereby has given great Reason to believe that he does
not wish Success to our Struggles for Freedom.
2 That he has been Guilty of a Criminal Neglect in not
leading Proclamations issued by the Continental and provin-
cial Congresses for days of publick Fasting & Prayer, &
thereby throwing Contempt upon said Congresses, & Vir-
tually denying their Authority.
3. Therefore resolved that the said M' Jacob Bailey give
Bond to the Treasurer of this Colony in the penal Sum of
forty pounds with one or more sureties Conditioned that the
said M'^ Bailey appear before the General Court of this Colony
when called thereto by said Court to Answer for said Con-
duct, and in the Mean Time that he shall not Aid the des-
potick Measures of our Unnatural Enemies, or by any ways
or means directly or indirectly Assist lliem in tlieir designs
of enslaving the said Colonies, or in any Measure whatever
counteract tlie good designs of the said Colonies in Obtaining
their Liberty & Freedom from the tiranni(; Measures of (Jreat
23
354 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Britain and that the said M'^ Bailey shall observe & obey all
the Orders Resolves & Laws of the said Court and of the
Continental Congress, and in all things behave himself peace-
ably towards the People & Government of this Colony."
Now if the said Jacob Bailey shall appear before the said
General Court of this Colony when called thereto by said
Court to answer for said Conduct, and in the Mean Time
shall not Aid the despotic Measures of our Unnatural Ene-
mies, or by any ways or means directly or indirectly Assist
them in their designs of enslaving the said Colonies, or in
any Measure whatever Counteract the good designs of the
said Colonies in obtaining their Liberty & Freedom from the
tirannic Measures of Great Britain & further if he the said
Jacob Bailey shall observe & obey all the orders Resolves &
Laws of the said Court and of the Continental Congress and
in all things behave himself peaceably towards the People &
Government of this Colony then this Obligation to be Void,
otherwise to remain in full force & Virtue
Jacob Bailey Seal
Signed Sealed & Deliv"^ David Bailey Seal
in Presence of
Obadiah Call Jun'
Caleb Barker
Representatives.
Representatives at Watertown, May 29, 1Y76
York County.
York, Joseph Simpson Esq.
Kittery, Edward Cutt Esq.
Wells, Joseph Storer Esq.
Berwick, Col. Ichabod Goodwin
Arundell, Benjamin Durrill
Biddeford, James Sullivan Esq.
OF THE STATE OF IMAIKE 365
Cumberland
Falmouth Hon. Jedidiah Preble Esq.
Samuel Freeman Esq.
John Wall Esq.
Mr. Joseph Noyes
North Yarmouth, John Lewis Esq.
Scarborough, Joshua Fabyan Esq.
Cape Elizabeth, Mr. James Leach
Gorham, Mr. Caleb Chace
Harpswell, Snow
Letter from James Sullivan. June ^, 1776.
Biddeford 4'*> of June 1776
Sir Since I left the court I have recollected that there is
no Truckmaster at Penobscot to supply the Indians on the
Bay of Funday and the Saint Johns Tribe — When their
Chiefs were up in the last Suumier, they informed the Court
that they had Six hundred fighting men — Brigadier Preble
was appointed truckmaster for them but believe that he
never Accepted the odice one Lowder was Nominated by the
Indians but Nothing has been done — as the Country of these
Indians are within Nova Scotia & Contiguous to Halifax
there is great danger of their being inticed to take part with
the more Savage British Troops in which Case our Settle-
ments in Machias &c will be broken up & a very great Num-
ber of persons will become a public Charge — as the Indians
are ready to pay for all their Supplies in furs and as the
present is the Time for their bringg the same in I think that
this matter deserves immediate attention you will therefore
be kind enough to mention it to the House
I am Sir with the greatest Respect your Most H^^^ Serv'
Ja Sullivan
Hon James Warren Esq'
356 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Letter from Committees of Newbury, Haverhill, Bath^ ^c.
June, 1776.
To the Honourable the Council, and general Assembly of
the Province of the Massachusetts Bay,
From the Committees of the Towns of Newbury, Haverhill,
Bath and Mooretown met at Newbury June 25, 17T6. On
Account of some very alarming News from S* Johns, received
the Evening before by two Men, from Onion River, of public
Veracity.
That they saw a Letter from General Sullivan to Lieu*
Allen, to have all the Inhabitants of the Towns on Onion
River to Remove with all possible Dispatch, not knowmg but
the Enemy would be upon them soon, this they received last
Thursday Evening, and they removed the next Day. That it
was feared the Enemy would get the upper hand, the sick of
our Army were all sent to Crown Point. In the Generals
Letter it was said the Regular Army consisted of about thirty
thousand, and fifteen hundred Canadians and five hundred
Indians
The Continental Army was retreated to S* John's, And
last Fryday a very heav}^ fire of Canon was heard all the day.
The Committee voted to send Major Jonathan Hale and
Capt. Robert Johnston with the Above said Information to
Head Quarters at Massachusetts Bay and New Hampshire,
and to inform them of the dangerous situation these Parts
were in, and that except we are immediately supported we
shall be obliged to quit these Parts. In our extreem Danger,
as exposed every day to the Enemy, the Committees beg the
Favor of two hundred fire Arms and Ammunition equal. As
so much is necessary for our selves. And if the above Infor-
mation be true, which we do not dispute, this fertile part of
the Country must be soon abandoned to the Enemy except
timely Aid can be had of a sufficient Number of Men as well
OF THE STATE OP MAIKE 357
as Arms and Ammunition, the Damage of which to the Conti-
nental Cause is needless for us to represent. We would only-
further add, that if it be judged best to make a stand here a
few Small Cannon will be necessary. We are Gentlemen
your humble Servants
James Bayly ) Chairmen for
T K T^ 1 M Newb^ &
Jacob Bayley j Haverhill
In the House of Representatives June 28, 1776
Read and committed to Coll Orne Coll. Bagley M' Wright
with such as the Hon^* Board shall join
Sent up for Concurrence
Tim" Danielson Sp"^ pro Tem
Council June 28*^ 1776
Read & concurred & Jerem^ Powel & Jos. Cushing Esq'
are joined
John Lowell Dp^ Sec^ P T
The Committee of both Houses appointed to take into
Consideration the Letter from Newbury & Haverhill, request-
ing a Supply of Arms and Ammunition, in theu' exposed sit-
uation have attended that service, and beg leave to report
that considering the Arms and Ammunition Supplyed the
Men in the Continental Army, and the destitute Circum-
stances of the Colony upon the Eastern frontiers, & upon the
Sea Costs, are of opinion that it is not at present in the Power
of this Court to Comply with the Request made in said
Letter —
Jer Powell g Order
In Council June 29''' 1776 Read & Accepted
Sent down for Concurrence Jolin Lowell Dp'' Sec^ P T
In the IlfjMse oi" Representatives June 29"' 1776
Read & concurrd Tim" Danielson Sp"^ p Tem
358 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Report. 1776.
The Committee of both Houses appointed to confer together
Upon the Subject of the last requisition from the Continental
Congress beg leave to report —
that two Regiments on the Continental Establishment be
forthwith raised within the Several Counties in this Province
Excepting the Counties of Cumberland & Lincol_ Dukes
County & Nantucket and the Towns of Cape Ann, Marble-
head, & Boston by a draft Imeadiatly to be Made of Every
twentieth man in the Alarm, & training band Lists exclusive
of those already raised or ordered to be raised — And that
some effective Measures be taken to Inforce the raising the
five thousand men Already granted by this Court for Canada
& New York.
Jer : Powell g Order
In Council July 8**^ 1776 Read & sent down
Jn° Avery Dp^ Secrt
Letter from the Committee of Machias. July 9, 1776.
To the Hon^i« Council & The Hon^^^ The House of Repre-
sentatives of the Colony of the Massachusetts Bay
We the Committee of Safety for Machias, beg Leave to
Acquaint your Honours that on Satturday Last came into
our Harbour the Viper Sloop of War, & She has taken five
fishing Vessels, Two of which had about one hundred Quin-
tals of fish Each, all which Vessels were taken as they were
passing by our Harbour bound home. & said Man of War
after Tarrying here Two days sailed for Annapolis Royal with
her prizes where the Ship Marlin of Eighteen Guns Lyes.
there to fix out one or two of the schooners for Tenders to
Cruize upon the Shore for three Months to pick up Every
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 359
Vessel that passes, her station is as we are Informed by M^
Ralph Hacock from Mount Desert to Granmenan. M"" Hacock
was Master of one of the Vessels Taken, owned in this place
and the Cap' of the Viper gave him Leave to Come on shore
by his pleading the great necessity of his family, and M"^
Hacock gives further Information that the Viper mounts Ten
guns six pounders, and Twenty swivels. & has one hundred
& Thirty Men. but have been at Two thirds allowance all
their Cruize. We would Inform your Honours that had the
Machias privateers been here we should have Tryed to have
taken the Viper but being destitute of any such assistance we
Lye Almost at the Mercy of our Enemies, if we cannot pass
with our Vessels we cannot maintain our families but a short
time in this place. Therefore we beg that your Honours
would take our Difficult Circumstances into your Considera-
tion and (jrant us such Relief as you in your Wisdom shall
think proper and we the Committee as in duty bound will
Ever pray
By order of the Committee Benj^ Foster Char^
Letter from Benj. Austin. July 19, 1776.
Boston 19 July 177G
S'^ I have lookt over the Court & Council Files for Ocf^
last & can find nothing of the order of Court for presents to
the Penobscot Indians, am therefore at a loss what to do in
procuring the Presents for the S' Johns & Mickmacs, I beg
the fav'' you would desire the Secret'' to Examine the Files
preceeding OaV & tliose that follow, I was told they were all
in Boston, but its not so — if these Articles are not to be
found, I beg the favor the Hon'''*' Board would let me know
what Articles I am to procure as J shall wait in Town this
360 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
day for the Same — The Gorget & Heart I have two Men at
Work upon, & hope to have them by Tuesday.
I am S'' your Most Obed* Serv*
B Austin
The Hon^'^ Thomas Gushing Esq''
Letter from Tf^ Loud. July 20, 1776.
Muscongus Island near Bristol July 20^^^ 1776
S' I saw a Letter from Golo^^ W™ Jones of Bristol to
Gap^ Jam^ Hilton of s*^ place Informing him of the Capture
of Generall Thompson & many officers, as also the Retreat of
Generall Sulivan to S* Johns and the Doubt of his ability to
Support that post as also that 1500 Ganadians and 500
Indians were Employ'd by Gen" Burgoine to Attack our
back Settlements also orders for s*^ Hilton to have his Com-
pany of Militia in order of Defence — Cap* Hilton sent Intel-
igence Eastward to the Settlements — But S' in my oppinion
Inteligence without Amunition will be of little service, and
I do not think that one tenth part of the Inhabitants have
any, Neither do I think it possible for them to be Supply'd
Except by the Congress and therefore at present in a Woof ul
condition if attack'd I Doubt not S"" but that you Remem-
ber M'' Waterman Thomas of Waldoborough who was up to
the Congress the Year past on Ace* of Supply for many Set-
tlements but could not obtain it, now if no Speedy Supply,
and the Enemy approach you may Expect Dismall news from
this quarter —
As the Inhabitants have been Drove to great Straits on
Ace* of not having market for their Lumber the Year past
and the Supports of life having been so dear to them I cannot
see how it is possible at present for them to Raise cash for
Amunition and if Some way cannot be propos'd as to furnish
for a hereafter pay then farewell to Defence — I Imagine it
OF THE STATE OF IVIAINE 361
will be some time before the many Settlements will be noti-
fy'd of the Danger and be Abe to Meet & Consult measures
for Safety, and as there are jNIany Settlements and Islands
that have no Representatives or acquaintances in the Con-
gress I Desire y' you would be so good as to use y'' Endeav-
ours to have a .Supply for them on Such Terms as You may
think propper Which will be ever Esteem'd as a favour done
to y^ Hum^^ Serv'
W" Loud
N. B. I beleive Islands & non Incorporated places are not
omitted in the province tax and as for my part I am and
have been ever Ready & willing to pay such &, have done it
many Years.
S"^ the favour of a line from You to Inform me w* Depend-
ance may be had on Acc*^ of Amunition Directed to my Self
or Waterman Thomas Esq"^ of Waldoborough will greatly
oblidge Y" «&° W. L
N. B. I have four that bear Arms
Superscribed :
To John Taylor Esq' one of the Provincial Congress to be
left at the Most propper place in Watertown as you may
think
g favour of Capt Martindale
Letter from Hon. James Bowdoin. July 2o, 1770.
Boston July 25. 1776
llonblc Gent"
The enclosed Petition from Winslow came to hand y" last
Evening. The most effectual means of Securing the Eastern
Parts of the Colony from an inland-Attack, and quieting the
mindK of the people setled there, I liuiiibly a[)prehcnd is to
362 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
engage the S' Johns, Mickmac Penobscot and other Eastern
Indians to engage heartily in the war, agreable to Gen^
Washington's Request.
For this Purpose I beg to suggest to your Honours,
whether it would not be proper, that three or four or more
Suitable Persons be engaged to go imediately into the Indian
Country, along with the Indians that are now here, and inlist
them into the Service without delay. I cannot but appre-
hend such a measure would be attended with Success, and
that General Washington in that Case would in a short time
have a considerable body of them : which would answer the
double purpose of assisting him, and securing our Eastern
Frontiers, which otherwise may be in great danger of being
broken up by these same Indians. —
I am most respectfully Yr Hon" most obed* hble Serv*
James Bowdoin
To y® hon^^® Council of Massach** Bay
In Council July 25 1776
Read & Order'd that John Winthrop Sam^ Holten & John
Taylor Esq"^ be a Coiuittee to take this Letter with y® Peti-
tion accompanying the same under Consideration & Report —
Jn° Avery Dp^ Sec^
Letter from Hon. James Bowdoin. July 30., 1776.
Boston July 30, 1776
To his Exc^ Gen^ Washington
Sir
At y® time your Excy's Letter was rec** requesting the
aid of this Governm* in procuring a body of y^ Eastern
Indians for the Service of the United States, it happend
very fortunately, that a number of them were here as dele-
gates from y" S'' John's and Mickmac Tribes m Nova Scotia.
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 363
They came on a visit to you in consequence of y' Letter to
tliem, which they produced : And soon after a couple of
Chiefs arrived here from the Penobscot Tribe. At the Con-
ference held with the former there appeared in them a very
good disposition in favour of the united States, and the Gen^
Court having resolved that a Regiment should be raised for
the Service of y® States to consist of 500 Indians & 250
English, it was strongly urged upon them to join with us in
the war : And accordingly they have engaged to do it, and
have signed a Treaty for that purpose. By what they said
at y^ Conference it appeared the six villages they represented
could furnish about 120 men: but as those villages are at a
great distance from each other, their Men dispersed in hunt-
ing, and they proposed to call the whole to consult together,
they said they should not be able, and they could not engage
to come till the next Spring. The S' John's Delegates how-
ever, on being told they lived near, and could be soon here
again, promised to return early in y® Fall with about 30 of
their Tribe.
There are six other villages of Mickmacs, who had not
been informed of your letter, and had not therefore sent
Delegates, but are equally well disposed, and have about y^
same number of men belonging to them. These therefore
can probably furnish for the Service a like number with y"
other.
With regard to the Penobscots, They appeared well dis-
posed. They said that when G^ Washington sent his Army
to Canada, five of their People went with them, & were at y®
Siege of Quebec : two of whom were wounded, and three
taken Prisoners who had Since returned ; that they had been
promised, an allowance sh*^ be made to those who went with
Col" Arnold ; the Support of whose families in their absence
had been a great burthen to them : and that they had no
recompence for these services. They were told this matter
364 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
would be represented to Gen^ Washington, and that what is
right & just he would order to be done. They said further
they looked on themselves to be one people with us, and
that whatever Governm* we were under, they were willing to
subject themselves to; that they had no doubt that their
tribe would be willing to join Gen^ Washington and that
when they got home they w*^ call y^ tribe together and con-
sult them for that purpose
This good dispositions appearing in all y^ Indians, the
Council thought it best, in consequence of your letter, to
send with the Indians into their own Country, the most suit-
able persons that could be had in order to procure w*^** y^
utmost expedition the number of Indians you desire may be
engaged in y® Service of the States, or as many as can be
procured. An armed Vessel is accordingly engaged to carry
these Indians to Penobscot and S' Johns where those tribes
will be respectively assembled, and all that can be persuaded,
inlisted into the Service imediately. M"^ Fletcher, who came
with the Penobscots, is employed in this Business with
regard to that Tribe, and Major Shaw employed with regard
to y® S* John's and their neighbours at Passamaq noddy. It
being expected a considerable number might be had from
these tribes in a short time, the said Vessel was engaged in
order to bring them up hither as soon as may be. One jVP
Gilman is also employed, to go to the S* Francois Indians,
and engage as many as he can of them.
On the Conference with S' John & Mickmacs ( a copy of
which is enclosed, together with a Copy of the Treaty ) three
of them offered themselves to join y^ army at New York
immediately, and their offer was accepted : as it might not
only Secure y® fidelity of the Tribes they belonged to but
induce many others of them to engage in y® Service.
Another has since joined them. Accordingly these four, one
of whom can speak French, will immediately set off for New
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 365
York, under y® conduct of M'' W™ Shaw : who is ordered to
wait upon you with them.
The Council hope these measures will be effectual for the
Purpose they were ordered. In their name & behalf I have
the honour to be with every Sentiment of respect
Yr Excy"* most obed^ hble ser*^
James Bowdoin
The names of the four Indians above-men- 1
tioned viz Joseph Denaquara of Winsor who ^ Mickmacs
Speaks English & French J
Peter Andr^ of La Heve
Sabattis Hetoscobuit of Gaspee
Francis of S* John's
Georgetown August 3*^ 1776
Whereas, Application has been made to the several Towns
in this Coloney, to procure a Sum of hard Money to carry on
the Canada Expedition with Success, to be exchanged for
continental Bills ; we the Subscribers, do hereby promise
that we will pay to the Committee of Georgetown aforesaid,
the Sum set to our Names, on the Conditions above in hard
Money :
Witness our Hands.
Ja' M'^Cobb two hundred Dolors
Hannah M-'Cobb fifty Dolors
Jordan Parker 20 Dollars
Thomas Capron 20 Dollars
Sam' MCobb 50 Doll«
Will'" Rogers 30 Dolars
John Parker one hundred Dollars
Nath" Wyman Nine Dolors
David Mors Aight Dolers
William Walles fore Dollers
MO
00
00
15
00
00
6
0
0
6
0
0
15
0
0
9
0
0
30
0
0
2
14
2
8
1
4
2
14
3
0
0
6
0
0
4
16
0
4:
16
0
18
00
0
4
16
0
12
0
0
6
0
0
6
0
0
3
18
0
4
10
6
0
0
^w^. S>, 1776.
366 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Sarah M^Kentier Nine Dolers
William Spragiie Ten Dolors
George Rogers 20 Dolors
Daniel King 16 Dolors
James Butler 16 Dollars
John Hinson Sixtey Dollers
William Butler 16 Dollors
James Juett 40 Dollars
Benj* Lemont 20 Doluers
James Lemont 20 Doluers
David King 13 Dollers
Jn° Wood Fifteen Dollars
Hony Sewall Twenty Dolers
Letter from Timothy Langdon.
Pownalboro' 9^"^ August 1776
Sir
I should take it as a favour if you wou'd look over the
records of Council for August & September 1775 & inform
me if Lieu* Nathan Smith deliverd any papers relating to the
Schooner Gammon or Phillips Master if there are any such
papers if you will send me a pass from Admiral Graves that
is amongst them, or copy of it you shall be satisfied for your
trouble
I am Sir Your humble Servant
Tim° Langdon
Mr John Avery
Letter from Col. Jon : Mitchell. Aug. 9, 1776.
To the Honorable, the Council of the State of the Massachu-
setts Bay
May it Please your Honors
As I have some particular Business, of a private Nature
which renders my being personally at Boston about the mid-
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 367
die of September, of very great importance to me ; I there-
fore take the Liberty to ask your Honors Permission for
Leave of Absence to go thither at that Time, which, ( should
3'ou think proper to grant ) I shall esteem a particular favour :
I can with the greater freedom sollicit your Indulgence
herein, as we shall soon be in a tolerable state of defence at
this Place, and I hope as well prepared for the Reception of
the Enemy as our Number of Men and Cannon will permit
— I wish to tarry no longer Time, than what is absolutely
necessary for the Accomplishing my Business
I am with profound Respect your Honours HW Serv*^
Jona* Mitchell
Falm° 9'^ Aug* 1776
In Comittee of Council Aug' l-I'^ 1776
Ordered that the Prayer of the within Petition be granted
and that he the said Col** Mitchell have a Parole of Absence
to go to Boston and attend his own private Business about
the Middle Sep'' next agreeable to his Request and to return
to his Duty as soon as he can
Jn° Avery Dp^ Sec^
Letter from Thomas Fletcher. Aug. 16, 1776.
To the Hon*''*' the Councill of the State of Massachusetts
Bay —
May it please your Honours Agreeble to your Instruc-
tions Deliverd me in Councill Dated 27*'' July 1776 To pro-
ceed to y* residence of the Penobscot Indians to Endeavour
to Enlist as many of them as I could to serve in the War
under his Excellency General Washington — Agreeable to
my Instructions Immediatly on my Arrival at Penobscot, I
Proceeded up the river accompany 'd with Col' Lowdcr to
368 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
M'' Jere : Colburns near Penobscot Village where I meet with
some Indians, & sent to the Tribe to acquaint them of my
Business and in Answere to it they appointed Tuesday Id^^
August to meet me at Col° Lowders at y^ Falls Accordingly
they meet with Eighteen Cannoes amounting to about thirty
besides Woemen & Children. 1 read to them my Instruc-
tions & also his Excellency Gen^ Washingtons request to
Inlist Indians, & the Establishment for y® Pay of the Army.
Their Answer is as follows. That they don't think that any
of their young men can be spar'd, for that they don't know
how soon they may be wanted to Defend themselves against
the English Army.
They hear b}' the Eastern Indians that their is a great
many English Ships gone up Cannada River with Troops —
and that their is a Large Fort Built on Point Levy Oppisite
Quebeck & by whom they don't know and their is now a
strong guard of English kept at Soceconick a french settle-
ment on Shodier River, which is the reason that their young
men don't Choose to Engage at Present for fear that the
English party may induce French & bad Indians to come
amongst them & Destroy them and us — otherwise they
would Emediately join General Washington in his Army at
the Southward — They say they shall keep men to make
Discoveries & from time to time will Inform us of their pro-
ceedings, for their safty and ours, as we are all of one familly
— They were ask'd If the Colony should raize a Number
of men as Rangers to reconnotoier the Country, to watch the
Motion of the Enemy — wether any of their young men
would join the Party they reply'd they would willingly —
They desired me to inform you that all the Settlers on
their, were present at this Interview, and that they agreed
that the English shall remain as far up the River as y® Tide
flows & no farther, & those that were settled above should be
remov'd, and the Boundary Line should be at the head of the
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 369
Tide, & Gave the settlers leave to Tarry on their Lands untill
they got in their Harvest —
There was a Number of their young men that was desire-
ous to go up to the Court I told them unless they Inlisted
for one or two years that it would not Answere the Intention
of the Colony & therefore I would not Consent to their
going — I beg leave to Subscribe my self
Your Honors most Obedient Humble Serv' to Command
Tho» Fletcher
Penobscot River Aug* 16*'^ 1776
In the House of Representatives Sept. 2^ 1776
Read and committed to Coll Coffin Cap* Batchelder & M''
Sergeant with such as the Hon^^® Board may join — Sent
up for Concurrence
J Warren Spk"^
In Council Sep' 3. 1776
Read & Concurr'd Jabez Fisher and John Tay
John Av—
Letter from Major Dan^ Ilsley. Aug. W^ 1776.
Falmouth August 20'" 1776
Gentlemen
I am Sorrey to troubel you with an Ace* of the Deseegre-
able Situation of our Troops under the Command of Coll
Mitchell — the Coll has all along Shown Himself More
unUke a Soldier or a Gentleman then any thing Els- the
task is Deseegreable to Shew to the Publick tlie Defects of a
Superior — I am Censable of the Desadvanteg I am under
when Specking of such was it only the Personal ill treatment
Rcf;'' my Self (Knowing my obligation to my Superior) I
might have Boarn With Such Usage When the Coll took the
Command it was my Gratest Ambition ( Knowing liow
24
370 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
intierly unacquainted with the Buisness he had engaged in )
to Inform him as far as my Small Abillityes w*^ admit of —
it was by the Coll* Desier I keept the orderly Book in the
Same manner as whilst I Commanded — tho Never in the
Least Controul*^ me all he had to Do with the matter was to
Sign his name to the orders — yet I was often abused in
other matters — as to his Giveing aney Instructions Con-
searning the Loins Foorts Batteries or Prepareing tools tim-
ber Plank wood or Iron for Gun Carreges he Did not Chues
to Consarn himself with — the Reason I Suppose is their was
a Posability of markmg the Caller — Provided the General
Court Shuld Disaprove Such Proceedings — By tliis time the
New arrangment Coms to falmouth for Ranking the Captn*
at which time I Request the Coll to give General orders to
the Regiment in his own name that they might no their
alarm Post and their Duty in case of an alarm — and the
Duty of Guards and to Establish the Rank of Captains —
the Coll Refused Giveing any orders of the kind to any
Body Except Capt Morten and Lowell — which the Coll
asked me to Rate — I Declind telling him I Culd not think
it Proper to give orders to two Captn* only when the whol
Regiment was neglected — I then Desiered the Coll to Call
the Regiment together and Let them no their Ranks — the
Coll Ripled he Shuld not meddel with the matter — I told
him I was Inf orm*^ the Counsel had Ranked the Regement —
He Said it was the first he Ever [heard] of — I told him I was
well inform*^ their was an order Counsel in falmouth for Rank-
ing Capttains he Replid it was the first he Ever heard of it
the matter was Intierly New to him — I Replid the third time
in Near those words Coll I am well Inform^ that an order of
Counsell has bin Dehverd into your hand for that Purpes
and I am Surpriesd to hear You Say You Never heard of it
— the Coll in a pasion Said if the Counsell had Dun any
Such thing it was the most astonishing Proceeding he Ever
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 371
heard of — the Counsell had taken that upon them that Did
not Belong to them that he Did not Beleve the Counsel Con-
sarnd with it — for he had no Letter with it and talked with
Coll Powell and Coll Powell Said he Never heard a word of
it and Did not Beleve the Counsell Ever Consarnd with
Ranking the Captn* — and if he Coll Mitchel Executed that
order Captn^ Hooper and Lithgow wd Leav the Service —
that the Rank was only By the falmouth Representetives
without his Desier that he only asked them to get Cap* Mor-
ton Rank*^ — I told the Coll that was not the Case for I was
Present that he wd be glad to have them Rank' and made
no Destention who Shuld be first or last in Rank and the
Coll well New that the Regiment was at that time without
Rank from the Day that he first mustered them which was
on the 19th of May — as to the two Compy* Leaving the Ser-
vice I am Sorrey Such thing Shuld be mentioned — We have
Six Companies five of them is agreed to a man if I am not
Deceived — I am Sorrey it Shuld be Said by the Coll that
Cap' Lithgow w** Leav the Service for Such Reasons — it is
far from it — he is a gentleman well attached to the Cans of
his Countrey Studies for the Peace of the Regiment and is
willing to Continue in falmouth or march into any Part of
Amarica if Cald upon — Coll Mitchel has not Reviewed the
Regiment Since the 19'^ of May or ordered them togather
Since the 29"^ — I have often Pled with the Coll and Urged
the Necesity of the Reg' Being well Disceplnd I have
attempted to Call the Regiment togather for Exercise and
Review and the ('ol° lias forbid any Such thing more than
once or twice to my Self — and he has forbid Captn** Crocker
Lithgow Lord and Lowell of meeting togather at the Parrade
or Exerciseing togather and told them it was Contrary to his
orders for luiy Regimental I'cinadc! whatever and lie w'' allow
of no Sucli tiling the Capt" farther Urged that they Vallew**
Nothing about the Rank if he w'' Permit as many Companies
372 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
as have a Desire of Exerciseing togather they Should take it
as a favour But the Col° Refused them as they Inform*^ me
— Saying it might be Considered as a Regimental Perrade
which he Did not allow of — the 4 Captn* have been Repre-
manded for marching to the meeting hous with 4 Compy*
togather on the Sabath tho agreable to his own orders
of Ag' 11*^ & 18*^ yet so Contrary to his mind that he Sent
a New order for all the Captains to march Seperate Dated at
12 oClock the Inclosed is a Coppey is it Posable for officers
and Soldiers who are well attached to the Cans of their
Countrey to Baer this from a man who has not the Least
Idea of a Soldier or his Dutey — Neither will he be advised
by his officers — But Compels his Regiment to Live in the
Neglect of their Dutey — I Se no Part of his Conduct as a
Soldier But what is arbitrary and Depending Intirely upon
his own will that want the name of a Soldier — You will
find by the Coll* orders of Ag* 11"' and 18'*^ that I was ordred
to Se them Complid with — that the Reg' go to meeting in
order — the Drums Give the time of Day as they Marchd I
no of no order but the Drums and Companys Going togather
the Coll was so Displeased to Se 4 Companies March agrea-
ble to his own orders tho not to his mind that he Sent out
the New order Dated ag* 18th 12 o Clock which you have
Inclosed— the officers ware Supprised Sum of which appli*^
to me to no my mind Consarning the orders I told them it
was the Sabath I was Loth to advise. But as I had the
Colls order for the Dutey of the Day. I Shuld Be on the
Perrade at the Usual time & if the Companies ware their I
Shuld Lead them to the Meeting hous which was accordingly
Dun — the Coll it Sems was Very angry to Se that the Regi-
ment ware Like to be united the officers ware Repremanded
for Disobeying orders — the Colonel mil not talk with me
on the Subject. But agreat Deal about me —
it is true they the Soldiers have Dun agrate Deal of work in
OP THE STATE OF MAINE 373
fortifj-ing and with ChearfuUness which is not Common
amongst Soldiers and Culd we be Permitted to QualHfy our
Selves for their Defence : it might be the means under God
of Saveing Part of the Countrey from the Raveges of our
Enemies — I w*^ not be understod that I am Clear of all
Blame Neither Do I Contend on my own account it Cost me
maney a weresom hour when I might be at Rest Culd I be
Content to Lie in the Night of my Dutey —
the Post we hold is of the gratest importence to this State
and Shu"^ the Enemy attack us whilst Coll Mitchel will Not
Suffer the Regiment to be Reviewed Regulated or Examined
or give aney order for that Purpus, the Consequence must be
Shocking — the Millitia that w*^ Probably Com to our assist-
ence Might Expect to Se us in Sum order I wish it might
Prove So —
I Shall take it as Doing me a favour if You will Lay my
Letter Before the Honourabel Court or Before the Honour-
able Counsell for this State as Soon as it Can Conveniently
be Dun I think it a Duty which has to Long ben Neglected —
I am Gentlemen with Respect Your Deutful Serv* at Com*^
Daniel Ilsley
To the Gentlemen Representetives for the town of Fal-
mouth —
Letter from Iho'^ Rice. Aug. 22, 1776.
We whose Names are hereunto subscribed not only in
Obedience to the Recommendation of the General Court, but
from an earnest & sincere Desire to promote tlie Liberty &
IIap[)iness of America, do voluntarily oifer to excliange hard
Money for ( Continental Bills when called upon therefor ; to
the amount of the Number of Dollars aflixed to our respective
Names to be applied in carrying (ni the War in Canada —
374 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Mens Name* No
Dols
Mens Names No
Dols
Ebenezer Whittier 40
Jn° Langdon jun 35
John Barber 30
Tho" Rice 4
Sir
In Obedience to the Recommendation of the General
Court I have obtained what Subscription I could in the East
Precinct in said Town, for the exchanging hard Money for
Continental Bills & herewith transmit the same, 1 found in
general a ready mind amongst the People, but they had not
ability ; Our means of getting money not only in this Town
but County is at an End and what little the People had they
are now oblidged to part with for the Necessaries of Life.
Ever}" thing the People have in their Power to do for the
publick Weal they in general are ready to perform, and hope
impossibilities are not expected. —
I am in behalf of the Committee of Correspondence your
Honors most Obedient humble Serv*
Tho« Rice
Hon^'® James Warren Esq'
Letter from Francis Shaw. Aug. £8, 1776.
Machias 28»'> August 1776
Hon^^* Gentlemen,
( Copy by M'^ Gardner )
After Removeing many Difficultys started by the Crew of
the Diligent, and laying wind bound several Days We sail'd
from Piscataqua the 14*^'' Instant and arrived here the 25'''
after being Confined in Gouldsborough six Days by the
Viper Man of War, who took two Sloops from this place
within about six Miles of us, as we run into Gouldsborough
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 375
and lay off and on that Harbour most of the Time, as We
had not more than half our Compliment of Men, and them
but very Indifferent. Cap* Lambert tho* proper to let the
Ship Remove before We should proceed, by Persons that
have been taken and Released, We find she has but ten Car-
riage Guns, Eighteen Swivels and about 100 Men, one half
of them Diseffected and only want an oppertunity of being
properly Eugaged to rise on their officers. Her present
Station is between Grand Manan and Seguin, should she Fall
in with two of your Honors Sloops of War, I dare say they
would Clear this Coast of the greatest Scourge they have
had since the Commencement of the present War,—
Should I succeed in gitting a Number of Indians it would
be Imposible to git them to the Westward, unless the Viper
is removed from her Station, add to that the Distress this
Country must be in as they can get no provissions from the
Westward past Her, and the advantage our Enemy has, by
supplying the English W. Islands with Lumber and P'ish
they take
I would further add, one or more Ships are loading at
Annopalass that the Inhabitants of Nova Scotia come to Pas-
samaquodia for Lumber for them, and as several have been
taken and afterwards Clear'd by your Honors our Armed
vessels are Intirely Discouraged from taking them, and
unless some Stop is put to that Trade, and the Viper
removed, the acts of the Hon'''® Continental Congress against
the English Islands being supplyed will be Frustrated, and
this Country ruined —
Cap* Smith infonns me that the Indians that have been
in lately are very desierous of going to Cumberland, that
some have offer'd to bring the Field Officers of that Regi-
ment away, and from Letters lately Receiv'd from there, the
Gentlemen agree in oppinion that the Omquest of that Fort
may be easily Effected, by our Friends there and a few
376 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Indians, however as your Honours would not give me Lib-
erty to go there I shall not presume to do it, unless the pros-
pect be so Clear that I should think it a Neglect of Duty not
to attempt it.
Aug* 30'^'^ Since I wrote the foregoing M"^ Gardner and
several others taken in the Sloops from this place have
arrived here as M"^ Gardner takes passage in the Diligent, he
can Informe you that they have Ree*^ ace** of Coming down,
and both Ships being Sent to St Johns after us Concluding
it would not be prudent for the Diligent to proceed to S*
John's. We have tho't best for her to Return to your
Honors —
I shall just Mention that the Schooners people Complained
of not being paid for past services I am affraid it might be
the same for this Trip therefore I was oblig'd to promise
them that this Muster Roll would be paid Immediatly on
their Return, and they now expect your Honors will make
my promise good — several Bales of Goods by accident
broak open on board the Schooner & 1 p* Linn en & several
small articles are missing — no doubt the Cap* must be
accountable as I Often caution'd him against leaving the
Cabbin Door open when absent. —
if the Diligent should be sold Cap* Lambert has Express'd a
Desire to serve your Honors in any other Vessel that may be
Sent this way, as I cant pretend to be a Sutable judge of the
Qualifications necessary for a Commander I shant pretend to
say any more than he has bro't us thus far safe and I suppose
would have gone further if I had tho't it prudent —
I meet M"^ Preble at Piscataqua and Engaged him as Inter-
preter which was very Luckey as the Person I expected to
git here is absent — The Reason I did not let the Diligent
lay here it was so uncertain when I should Return, & the
Expence would have been much greater than proceeding in
two Boats with our provisions — I have two Days waiting a
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 377
fair Wind I shall Embrace the first, and Make all possible
Dispatch Informing you of ray proceedings by every favour-
able oppertunity —
I Remain with much Esteem Gent" Your most Hum' Serv*
Fra: Shaw
P. S. If I dont meet any Vessel to take the Indians, I
shall be moveing Westward in Boats & Canneaus as far as
Gouldsborough there and at this place they may hear from
Me —
To the Hon^'« the Council & Hou^^^ Hon- of the State of
Massachuse-
Letter from James M^Cohh. Sejjt. 3, 1776.
Georgetown Sept. 3, 1776
Honoured Sir
I Send Inclosed the Subscription of a few of the Inhabitants
of this Poor Town. I Believe we are all to a man hearty in
the Common Cause, but our Poverty Restrains us. the Resolve
of the Honourable Court Never Came to hand, untill the first
of August, which was the Reason of our being so far behind
liand. our not having a Post Established any farther than
Falmouth which is fifty miles from here is a very great dam-
age to us. we han* an opertunity to know our Dutey. the
money will be Ready as soon as the Bills is sent Down, and
I suppose mostly in Dolors the Honourable C>ourt will be
Pleased to order how it will be transported.
I uin Honour*^ Sir with the Greatest Respect Your most
Humble Servant
in Ijcliali of y* Connnittee James M'Cobb Cljairman
Henry Gardner Esq"^
378 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
N«>16.
In the House of Representatives Septem' 7***, 1776.
John Taylor Esq"^ brought down the following form of a
Letter reported by the Committee of both Houses to whom
was committed a Letter from M'' Thomas Fletcher as an
answer to the same.
Watertown Sepf^ 7"\ 1776.
Sir
The Council have receivd your favor of the 27'^ of July
informing us that the Indians of the Penobscot tribe, for
Good reasons by them suggested, conclude not to engage in
the Continental Army at present.
Therefore the Thirty Pounds put into your hands to
enable You to enlist and bring up a number of the said Tribe
can not be improv'd for that purpose, therefore the General
Court direct that You return said Thirty Pounds to Henry
Gardner Esq"^ Receiver General for this State, and take his
receipt therefor the first safe Opportunity.
In Council Sept. V"^ 1776
Read & Accepted Sent down for Concurrence
Read & Concurr'd.
Report. 1776.
The Committee appointed to Consider what Towns Shall
be abated, of their Proportion of the Taxes that might be
laid on them, agreeable to the last Valuation, and what part
of Such Tax Shall be Abated them, have considerd the mat-
ter, and beg leave to Report, the foiling abatement to the
Towns hereafter named ( Viz )
Boston 1/3 Sep» V^ 1776
Roxbury
1/5
Charlstown
8/9
Marblehead
1/2
Glocester
1/3
Falmouth
1/2
Plymouth
1/8
the County
of Lincoln 1/3
Welllleet
1/10
Manchester
1/8
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 379
Tho* Crane p' order
9/10
Letter from James Lyon. Sept. 1776.
Honorable Gentlemen
I have often troubled the Court with my scribling, & once
with my presence, but was neither known nor regarded,
because I did not approach in a parliamentary way, tho' sup-
ported, or rather sent, by the most respectable men in this
place — Do your Honors expect all the formalities of a Court
from loggers & millmen?
I once more beg leave to approach, with due respect, & to
speak with freedom, without offence. My subject is the
Country, which lies between Penobscot & Nova Scotia ; &
should I appear to express myself with too much energy &
pathos, I hope it will be imputed solely to my exquisite sen-
sibility of my subject. I feel what I say, & mean, if possible,
that your Honors shall feel it likewise.
It has often been asserted, if we may credit liuman testi-
mony, by members of this Hon^'® Court, tliat the Eastern
Country is a moth, that it has cost more tlian it is w oitli, «Sc
that it would be wisdom in the Government to neglect it
utterly, & suffer it to sink — I suppose that part of the
Country East of Penobscot is meant, for the other part is in
380 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
some measure represented, better known, & surely worth sav-
ing. I shall, therefore, take it for granted that the part only,
in which I live is the moth to Government.
I readily grant that your Honors are competent Judges of
the qualifications of your own members, but since you never
yet pretended to infallibility, it is possible, that in some
instances, ignorant & illiterate have by some means or other,
crept in among you. And whenever this happens, I blame
not this Hon^^® Court, but those, who sent them. Were I
permitted even to name what I tliiuk the necessary qualifica-
tions in a good Statesman, I should say. He ought to be a
gentleman of an enlarged mind, well furnished with historical
facts & an extensive acquaintance with men & things, & with
the constitution of his own Country, in particular, & with
every part of his dominions ; he ought also to be a gentleman
of established integrity & extensive benevolence, who esteems '
the happiness of every part of the State his own highest hap-
piness & glory. Such a person will do honor to a public sta-
tion & diffuse peace & joy thro' the State ; while the person
destitute of these qualifications is really a nuisance & a curse
to the public in any exalted sphere. Have these gentlemen,
therefore, who think & speak so lightly of this Eastern Coun-
try, all these necessary qualifications? Have they any of
them? Not to mention their profound acquaintance with
history, ancient & modern, &; the grand & interesting occa-
sions of the rise & fall of states, kingdoms & empires, do they
know any more of a valuable part of their own dominions,
than they know of the extent of Country, & the nature of
the soil, in the moon ? And are not their integrity & benevo-
lence strongly to be respected, when they openly oppose every
thing that is motioned for the benefit of this infant Country,
if attended with a trifling expense ? & publickly declare their
willingness, that thousands of wholesome inhabitants, & as
brave a people, as any on the face of the earth, should perish
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 881
in all the horrors of famine & war? But they are my
superiors —
Our situation is far more deplorable, than the situation of
the Boston people ever was, till the town was shut up. And
perhaps we are as useful members of the State. Yet donations
were generously heaped upon them from almost every quar-
ter. But did we ever ask for charity? Some of the princi-
pal inhabitants of this place, petitioned for a scanty pittance
for their minister, & the ostensible reason assigned for not
granting it was, " The petition does not come before us in a
parliamentary way. The sums asked for, with this single
exception, have always been requested as a loan, which, we
think, we shall be able to pay, with interest, when the times
are settled — I suspect, however, that this Hon'''^ Court, in
general, have too contemptible an opinion of this part of the
Eastern Country. I beg leave, therefore, to speak a few
words in its commendation. I have travelled over a great
part of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut,
Rhode Island, Boston Government, & Nova Scotia, & been
an inhabitant of all these States, except Connecticut & Rhode
Island : & call myself something of a judge of lands. And
I must say. That the Eastern Country, in my opinion, is
e(|ual to any I ever saw. The climate, if not so pleasant as
some others, is more healthy, & the natural increase of inhab-
itants is greater. Tlie soil is exceedingly natural to grass, &
when properly subdued, will produce immense quantities of
beef, butter, cheese &c —
It produces excellent wheat, rye, barle}', oats, peas, beans,
hemp, (fc some indian corn in the internal paiis, & almost all
kinds of i-oots. The proportion of barren land is probably
less than in most other Countries. — To these things I must
;i<M tlic fishery on tlie (yoasts, wliicli will in time su})i)ort an
incredible number of people & fuinisli our navy with able
seamen. —
382 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
However meanly, therefore, some persons may think of
this Eastern & extensive part of the Continent, I assert,
without claiming the spirit of prophecy, that it will one day
vie with the other States of America in greatness & glory, if
not give them law. Your Settlements here are promising
children, in their minority who must be tenderly nursed, &
when grown to manhood, will become the support and conso-
lation of their aged parents.
Should your Honors, notwithstanding, think them a moth,
& not worth keeping, I beg of you to dispose of the country,
together with the right of dominion, & give us, the inhabi-
tants the offer. We will engage to procure purchasers, who
will give you 15 times as much as it will cost you. We
shall then soon become a free and independant State our-
selves. And I assure you, we shall think Nova Scotia worth
annexing to our dominions.
And if your Honors think us worth keeping, I beseech
you, by all the tender emotions of the human heart, & by
every thing sacred — to take some care of us. The coast
would be worthy of a guard, were there not an inhabitant
upou it, but the inhabitants amount to thousands, who are a
hardy brave people, & acquainted with the climate & the
nature of the soil, & therefore are better than twice the num-
ber, that could be sent here, for such would have every thing
to learn. But — Pardon my freedom! Instead of encour-
aging & supporting us hitherto, as we ought to have been,
this Hon''^® Court has neglected us, & taken our privateers,
our principal strength, which cost us our blood, from us.
And in consequence of this, a number of industrious fisher-
men, & all the vessels, on which we depended for present
subsistence, have been taken by brittish robbers, & a number
of our respectable people, men, women, & children, carried
into captivity. If any of our people have represented these
two privateers as useless, while here, they certainly mistook
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 383
our true interest. They were a terror to our enemies, &
under God, if I mistake not, our salvation last summer. Now
they are gone, our enemies barges infest our harbours & take
our vessels —
Should your Honors now ask, what I mean by all this? I
reply. I earnestly request you to send one of your frigates,
or two or three of your ablest privateers to take the ship that
infests our coasts, & clear the way for fishermen & coasters ;
& then perhaps some generous persons may be disposed to
send us bread & take some of our lumber. I ask for a small
army to subdue Nova Scotia, or at least that some person or
persons, may have leave to raise men, & go against that
Province, at their own risque. 1 V)elieve men enough might
be found in this county, who would chearfuUy undertake it,
without any assistance from Government. The people this
way are so very anxious about this matter, that they would
go in whale boats rather than not go. Provided they might
call what they took their own in common with the good peo-
ple of that Province. I confess, I am so avaricious, that I
would go with the utmost chearfulness. I hope, however, I
should have some nobler view, for I think it our duty to
relieve our distressed brethren, & bestow upon them the same
glorious pi-iviledges, which we enjoy, if possible, & to deprive
our enemies, especially those on this Continent, of their power
to Imrt us. With these views the Committee of this place
were petitioned for leave to go against that Province. And
had our re(|uest been granted, in all probability, that Country
had now been intirely ours, & vast quantities of provision
wouhl have been cut off from our enemies. Mess" Shaw,
Foster & Smith would now do the business. But were our
General Court, at their own expense to take Nova Scotia, the
other States of America wouhl liavc no pretentions to any
part of it. And the acquisition would be unspeakably great.
That Province is invaluable, & would make ample amends
384 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
for the expense, & we must have it, or our fishery is lost.
Now it is ahnost defenceless, & nearly nine tenths of its
inhabitants would bid us a hearty welcome, & now it may be
taken without much loss of blood, if any, but hereafter it may
cost us very dear. —
I highly approve of the noble spirit & resolution of Capt.
Eddy, & heartily wish him success, & all the honor of reduc-
ing Nova Scotia, provided our General Court do see fit, that
any of their own subjects should share it with him. The
reduction of that Province is a matter of the utmost conse-
quence to this place, & would relieve us of many of our
distresses. —
Should it be thought that I meddle with matters which do
not belong to me, & that the Committee of Mechias ought to
have written. I acknowledge, that their writing would have
been the parliamentary way, but at present, this is almost
impracticable, for they are much dispersed & broken to
pieces, two of them are taken by the enemy, & one at the
westward. Indeed we are all in a poor broken situation. If,
therefore, the Committee cannot write, why may not I?
especially when I write nearly the sense of all the members
of the Com*®® whom I have seen, & the sense of almost every
inhabitant ? The meanest Subject of a free State may com-
plain, when agrieved, to the highest Court, & draw near to
the supreme authority, with filial confidence & freedom. I
mean to do no more. This is my birthright : & should I
neglect to improve it, when conscience, & the distresses of
all around me command, your Honors yourselves would blame
me. But [ forget myself & intrude too far.
I am, with great deference & respect. Your Honors most
faithful but distressed servant & subject
Ja^ Lyon
The Hon^*® The Council & House of Commons of the State
of the Massachusetts Bay —
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 385
P. S. I am heartily sorry that the officer I recommended
to the Hon^''« Court, has not acted with all that dignity &
honor, that could be wished. When I wrote in his favor, I
had no knowledge of his inclinations to impose on the public
The vessels lately taken going out of this place were a brig
from S' Croix, John Coulson Master, the Sloop Unity formerly
belonging to Capt. Ichabod Jones, & a sloop belonging to M'^
Jonathan Pierson of Newbury —
In Council Sep-" lO'i^ 1776
Read & comitted to Richard Derby Ju" Esq with the Let-
ters from Major Francis Shaw and M' Stephen Smith accom-
paning the same with such as the Hon''^* House shall join to
take the same under Consideration & Report —
Sent down for Concurrence Samuel Adams Secr^
In the House of Representatives Sept. 10"' 1776
Read and concurred & Brigadr Preble & M*" Palfry are
joined —
J Warren Spk'
In Council Sep"" 12*1^ 1776 Ordered that Eldad Taylor
Esq'' be a Coinittee to take s** Letters under Consideration in
the Room of Rich'' Derby Ju"" Esq excused
John Avery Dp^ Sec"
Certificate. Oct. If. 177 G.
We the Subscribers Commission'd Officers of five Com-
panies station'd at Falm°, do hereby certify to all wliom it
may concern. That Major Daniel Ilsley, second in Connnand
at this place, has invariably discovered a disposition to sup-
port the order and promote lh(! (lis(i[>liii(! of the Corps in this
Regiment, u laudiihlc '/a-a\ in jihiniiing and forwarding the
Fortifications (.-ariying on iierc, and we bidievc always aimed
386
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
at preserving Union and establishing Harmony among the
Troops, and in our Opinion deserves the Approbation of the
Officers, as a Gentleman & a Soldier
Falm° 4^^^ October 1776
Nath^ Cousens Rich*^ Harnden
Josiah Davis Ebenezer Most
John Skillin George White
Amos Andrews John Goodwin
Abner Lowell Isaac Battle.
William Crocker
William Lithgow Ju*^
Tobias Lord
Briant Morren
Petition of Maj"- Dan} Ilsley. Oct. 11, 1776.
Watertown Octob^ 11th 1776
To the Honourable Counsel for the State of the Massachu-
setts Bay the Petition of Daniel Ilsley Humbly Sheweth that
your Petitioner Being appointed By your honours Commis-
sion — Second in Com^^ at falmouth — which office he has
Indeavoured to honour by a faithfull Discharge of the obli-
gation I was under for the honour Dun me in my appoint —
But Being Prevented by Colonel Mitchel my Superior in
Com*^ — whos Conduct as an officer has Bin Laid Before
Your honours by a Letter or Petition from the Committees
of the Several towns for the County of Cumberland — who
must be Better acquainted with the Col* Carrector as a Privet
gentleman — the princaple officers in the Reg* Being Present
at the time the Colonel was with the County Committee —
their Proceedings must be Impartial and their ace* of the
Colonels Neglect is undouptedly true — But the Colonel on
his Return from watertown — Shew to my Self and the
Cap"* an order from your Honours Laying aside all Regimen-
tal Perrads — and Rank of the Reg* unknown — which has
alarmd the officers of five Companies with a Suspicion that
we have been Represented to your Honours as being Disloyal
OF THE STATE OF MAQiTB 387
— that our meeting togather for Exercise was attended with
Evils Such as Indangered the State — Your Petitioner is of
opinion that Shuld the Enemy attack the Seacost men whilst
in Such an unsetled State Many good Soldiers must fall a
Sacrifice or abandon their Post with Shame therefore Pray
Your Honours w** appoint a Committee from the Honourable
Bord to Examin papers which have Com to your honours
Knowledg — Conserning the Neglect of Colonel Jonathan
Mitchel —
And your Petitioner as in Duty Bound Shall Ever Pray
Daniel Ilsley
In Council Ocf 11*^ 1776
Read & CoiTiitted to John Whetcomb Esq to take the said
Petition into Consideration & Report —
John Avery Dp^ Sec'^
Extract of a Letter. Oct. lo, 1776.
Extract of a Letter from a Gentleman at Falmouth Casco
Bay-
dated Oct. 15, 1776.
It is surprising Sugar continues so dear, when such
immense Quantities are brought in ; but I am informd that
the Rich Merchants are bringing it all up to ship to Spain :
Surely they cant be Friends to the Country to suffer the
Common People, the Support of the Country to give such
exorbitant Prices for necessaries, that they may make them-
selves exorbibmtly rich — They may pretend what they
will, but it is plain they have little or no regard to the good
of tli(; People — tlierefore no Friends to tlie Countiy — and
I hope the Government \\\\\ interpose to prevent oppression
from our own Grandees as well as those of England —
388 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Order 1776.
In Council Oct^ 19, 1776
Ordered That William Phillips Esq'' with such as may be
join'd by the Hon^ House be a Committee to treat with the
Owners, of a Prize Ship lately arrivd at Falmouth laden with
Woolen & other dry Goods — respecting the purchase of such
part of the s*^ Goods as may be wanted to cloath the Troops
raisd by this State to serve in the Continental Army.
Sent down for Concurrence
John Avery Dp^ Sec^
In the House of Representatives Ocf^ 19, 1776
Read & concurrd & M"" Otis & M'^ Appleton are join'd
J Warren Spk
Report.
The Committee of both Houses have attended the within
service & find upon enquiry that there is a considerable
quantity of Woolens Lead &c on board the within mentioned
Prize Ship and also on board another Prize in Salem Har-
bour, which the Owners are of opinion that they cannot dis-
pose of at private Sale, nor any other than Public Vendue,
to give satisfaction to the Captors.
Therefore beg leave to report as their opinion that it is
necessary to take some effectual measures for the purchasing
those articles immediately
W"' Phillips e Order
In Council Oct. 28^^ 1776.
read and sent down
John Avery Dp^ Sec^
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 389
Co'py of record. Rev. Jacob Bailey's Case. Oct. 28, 1776.
At a Meeting of the Committee of Correspondence &c for
the Town of Pownalborough Oct' 28" 1776 —
The Committee having received Information That the
Rev*^ Jacob Bailey had refused to read the Declaration of
the Right Hon*"^^ the Continental Congress for Independ-
ency ; and also that he the said Jacob still continues upon
every Lord's Day to pray in Publick for George the Third
King of Great Britain, as our King and Governor, according
to the Liturgy of the Church of England. They accordingly
summoned the said M'' Bailey to appear before them, and
after a full hearing & Consideration of the Evidence, as also
of the Defence of the said Bailey They resolv'd
1 That the said Jacob Bailey did refuse to read the said
Declaration in Contempt of an Order of Council for this
State requiring him to read the same —
2 Resolv'd That the Reasons assigned by the said Jacob
Bailey for not reading the said Declaration, and which
he has fil'd with the Committee, have a direct Tendency
to undermine the Foundation of the United States of
America —
3 Resolv'd, That it appears to this Committee That the
said Jacob Bailey still persists in praying for the King
of Great Britain, on every Lords day in publick, as the
King and Governor of these united States ; thereby
approving of his Tyrannical Measures, against these
States and of the Bloodshed in which they are involved
4 Resolv'd That the said Jacob Bailey is in Principle and
Practice, a most inveterate and dangerous Enemy to the
Rights and Liberties of these United States —
5 Resolv'd That the said Jacob Bailey appear before the
General (Jourt of this State, on or before the second
Tuesday of the next Session of the said Court, to
390 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
answer for his Conduct relating to tlie Crimes afore-
mentioned, & to any other Matters that may then and
there appear against him
Cha* Cushing Chairman
A True Copy Att. Cha* Cushing Chairman
Rev. Mr. Bailey'' s Reasons for not reading the Declaration of
Independence.
Gent"
I was very unwilling to give any Offence by refusing to
read the Declaration for Independency, neither was I desirous
of bringing myself into any further Trouble — But when I
came seriously to examine the solemn Oaths I had taken and
the Nature of my Subscriptions, I found I could not comply
without offering great Violence to my Conscience and incur-
ring, as I apprehend, the Guilt of Perjury —
I concluded that nothing more could be expected in the
Affair than passive Obedience and Non-Resistance ; and if
an Active Compliance was required, I must persist in my
Neglect, and patiently submit to the Penalty, resolving with
the Apostle, That it is my Duty to obey God rather than
Man. —
I would further observe, That my Conduct has been agre-
able to that of my Brother Clergy Men of the Church, who
have all ( except M'' Parker ) neglected to read the Paper for
Independency and I may add if rightly informed, several
Congregational Ministers have done the same, notwithstand-
ing they were not under the like Obligations —
I have consulted the most eminent Writers, & find that
both Divines and Civilians agree with the Psalmist, That an
Oath ought to be observed as sacred ( except the Matter of
it is unlawful ) tho a Man swear to his Hurt, and that rather
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 391
than break it lie should be ready to abide by any Consequen-
ces which may attend his stedfast Adherence to it. —
I had the Oaths admmistred to me in the Time of Divine
Service on a Sunday, at the Church of S* James, in the pres-
ence of a Multitude of Spectators, where I was required to
repeat every Word, laying my Hand at the same Time on
the Holy Gospels ; after which I signed a declaration to the
same Purpose ex Animo, and then was order'd to S*^ Martins
the King's Parish Church, where I took the Sacrament as a
Confirmation of my Oath —
Gent, A Church or Place of Religious Worship ought to
be Bacred to Truth, and no Minister ought to publish any
Thing but what he really believes agreable to the Truth.
And if he declares any Thing against the Conviction of his
own Mind, let who will be the Author or Director, he must,
I think be highly dishonest, and disregard every Dictate of
Honor, Conscience and Integrity — Now if I firmly believe
as I have solemnly sworn. That no Authority has Power to
absolve me from my Oath, and I find the Declaration contains
such an Absolution, I cannot read it without the grossest dis-
simulation. I both act directly against my Oath, and deal
deceitfully with the present Government — If after swearing
expressly as I have done, that the Pope, for Instance, has no
Authority to absolve me from my Oaths, I should in a place
of sacred Worship, against my Belief, in Obedience to any
other Authority declare that the Pope has absolved me from
my Oath of Allegiance, would not every body conclude That
I had broken my Oath. Again, supposing I had taken an Oath
of Fidelity to the Congress and had solemnly renounced all
other Power that should attempt to subvert their Authority,
and afterwards, the Army, for Instance, was to set up in Oppo-
sition to the Congress and to proclaim their General King of
Ameiiea, and should order mu to puljlish such a proclama-
tion in a place of publick Worship, could I honestly comply ?
392 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
[ Gent.
I have lived a considerable Time in the World, and have
passed thro' a Variety of Scenes, without being consider'd
heretofore as a Seditious, injurious, revengeful or malicious
Person —
There are several People in this Neighbourhood, and in
this very Town who knew my Life and Conversation when
very young, and I presume if called to give Testimony would
declare that my general Conduct was sober, peaceable and
inoffensive —
At College I was known to two of the Gent" present, and
defy them to charge me with a,nj Crime and I appeal to the
College Records, from which it will appear that I was never
punished during my Residence there in the space of 4
years. I afterwards kept a publick school in several places
from each of which I carried ample Testimonials of my good
Behaviour to England, when I went there for Ordination —
and besides was fully recommended by a large Number of
principal Gentlemen and near 30 Clergymen of different
Denominations — And since my Residence in the Eastern
Country, I think none can justly charge me with being
treacherous, turbulent, designing or factious — Who have I
knowingly defrauded? have I studied to injure any one in
his lawful Business? have I endeavoured to foment or
encourage private Quarrels, or officiously intermeddled with
the religious, civil or domestic Concerns of my Neighbours
— have I labour'd to create Discord in Families, or con-
tended with any one in the Law, even to recover a just debt,
have I taken any thing from the poor and necessitous, or
sought to enrich myself at the Expence of others. — I can
lay my hand upon my heart and declare I never attempted
to render a human Being miserable, or took Pleasure in
afflicting an unfortunate fellow Creature —
OP THE STATE OF MAINE 393
And pray, Gentlemen, what have I done to injure the
American Cause? have I taken up Arms in favor of
Britain? have I gone into any pubhck Meetings to defend
or establish the Pretensions of either the King or Parlia-
ment? have I prevented any one from enlisting into the
Service ? have I by Word or Writing conveyed any Intelli-
gence to the Enemy? have I ever attempted to escape out
of the Country, even when I had an Opportunity, or have I
aided abetted or assisted the Invaders of America? why
then am I charged with being an Enemy to my Country :
what is my Crime. Is it these Connections I cannot dis-
solve ! I am criminal only for acting as every honest Man
ought to act in same Circumstances in rather choosing to
suffer the Penalty ( if any such is annexed ) to an Order of
Council, than to feel the Eternal Reproaches of a Guilty
Conscience. — I would observe further, that supposing I was
really in my heart unfriendly to the Country ( which I abso-
lutely deny) it is not in my Power to injure it. Can any
Person without Money, without Influence, without Author-
ity, without opportunity, in such a remote Corner, do any
thing to obstruct the wheels of Government, or to determine
the Operations of the War ? — Is it not therefore ungener-
ous & a little inhuman to render any uneasy, who has neither
power nor Inclination to hurt you —
Gent° I sincerely wish to see the Prosperity of my Coun-
try and am willing to submit to the Authority of the present
Government in all lawful and indifferent Matters ; but to
declare my self absolved from my former Oath of Allegiance
I am convinced is neither lawful nor indifferent —
I acknowledge that I have not complied with the Order of
Council, and have neglected to read the Paper for Independ-
ency ; but I assure you that Refusal proceeded not fiom any
Contempt of Authority, but from a Principle of Conscience,
and I am willing to throw myself upon the Mercy of those
394 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Hon^ Gentlemen, and to submit to whatever Punishment
they shall be pleased to inflict.
Octob' 28^'' 1776. The foregoing are submitted to the
Committee of Correspondence for the Town of Pownal-
borough as my Reasons why I did not read the Declaration
for Independency —
Jacob Bailey
A True Copy Att. Ca* Cushing Chairman
Report of Selectmen of Town of Falmouth concerning claims for
losses caused hy destruction of town hy Capt. Mowat.
Persuant to an Order of the great and General Court, we
the Select Men of the Town of Falmouth do hereby Certify
that the foregoing Ace* of the Losses sustained by the Inhab-
itants of s'* Town by the Enemys burning the same in Octo-
ber 1775 is a Just & true Acco\ which account was by the
several sufferers rendered in ( generally upon Oath ) to a
respectable Committee chosen by the Town in Nov' 1776,
who did then Examine & Liquidate the same ; which Com-
mittee did consist of the following Persons, viz'
Peter Noyes Esq' Nathaniel Wilson
John Waite Esq' Richard Codman Esq'
Enoch Moody John Johnson Jun'
Daniel Ilsley Joseph Noyes Esq'
Shepperday
County of Cumberland Nov 3^ 1776
To the Committee of the Township of Machias. —
Gentlemen !
We have sent to your care Cap* Lieu* John Walker and
twelve other persons taken by us at Shepperday which please
to send to the Westward as soon as possible we would have
you take particular care of cap* Walker as he is a Country-
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 395
man of yours and wou'd be very glad of an opportunity of
Joining the Regulars again. —
We are all in Ligh spirits and our party encreases daily,
we are in hopes of bemg strengthned further by CoP Shaw
if Possible — beg that you would inform the Honorable
Council of our proceedings — if you have any News from
the Westward beg that you wou'd send it to us by the
Bearers.
we are Gentlemen y Humble Serv"
Jon* Eddy
Shepperday Nov"" Z"^ 1776 —
Cap" Stephen Smith,
Sir/
You being in the service of the United States must beg
your assistance in conveying the prisoners taken by us to
Head Quarters as soon as possible
I am Sir y"" Hb Serv'*
Jon^ Eddy
Cumberland Nov^ 12'*" 1776
Pursuant to Instructions We proceeded from Boston raised
a few Men and arived at Cumberland in High Spirits where
Some of the Inhabitants Joyned us and we Seized a Vessel
in the Harbour with a Great Quantity of Stores &c for the
Garrison and besides an Officer and twelve Men that we
Sent back from Shepody we have taken above Thirty Pris-
soners and have attempted the Garrison but Cannot take it
without Some Canon and Mortars nor Can we git off what
we have taken witliout Some help as there is a Man of War
in the Bay we have Therefore to Intreat of the Province of
the Massachusetts for our Selves and for the Inhabitants of
Nova Scotia to send some Privatiers into tlie Tiay and Some
Troops and Mihtary Stores Tliat we May be able to Promote
the General Cause and add another Provence to the United
Colonies.
396 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
I Must refer you for further Intiligence to M"^ Throop the
Bearer and Subscribe in the Utmost hast
Your Most Obliged Obed* Humbl Serv*
Jonathan Eddy
To the Hon^' Council & Assel^ at Boston
Petition of the Committee for the County of Cumberland.
Nov. 13, 1776.
To the Hon<* Court of the Massachusetts Bay
Whereas Cap* Eddy with a Small Party Has Invaded Cum-
berland and Taken a Guard of 12 Men Also a Provision
Vessel with her Guard and a Vessel from Anopolis with
Produce for this Place and has Attempted to Storm tlie Gar-
rison but finds it Impractible with all the Assistance he can
Raise here and as Inteligence is Already Gone to Hallifax
We are in the utmost Distress Therefore beg for the Preser-
vation of our Lives and the Lives of our FamiHes For Imme-
diate Help of 500 or a Regiment of men if it may be with 2
Mortars Ammunition and Provision and we your Humble
Petitioners as in Duty Bound Shall Every Pray
Cumberland November 13*^ 1776
Simeon Chester
Elijah Ayer
W" How
Ebenezer Gardner
Robert Foster
Petter Campbell
John Bent
William Maxwall
Mich ell Burk
Obadiah Ayers
For particulars we must refer you to M'' Throop on whom
you may depend.
Committee
of Safety
for the County
of Cumberland
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 397
Letter from Charles Cushing. Nov. 16, 1776.
Pownalborough Nov-- 16**' 1776
Sir/
I here enclose you Copys of the Records of the Committee
of Correspondence of this Town relating to the Rev*^ Jacob
Bailey the Episcopal Itinerant Missionary here, who is
declared an enemy to the rights of America by said Commit-
tee, in order that the Gen' Court may take the matter into
Consideration & take such effectual Measures thereon as the
Court in their Wisdom shall think proper for discountenanc-
ing such dangerous principles & practices as he has been
Adjudged guilty of by said Committee — The reason he
gave why he would not read the Declaration was because
that he had taken the oath of Allegiance in the year 1760 to
King George the Second — & he said that the same Oath
was still binding upon him to Pay the same Allegiance to
George the Third — And he further said that if the King
should break his oath by which he was bound to Govern his
subjects agreeable to Law, yet his Subjects who were under
the oath of allegiance were still bound by the same to pay
him the same allegiance as though the King had governed
his Subjects strictly agreeable to Law & his oath & nothing
could Absolve the Subject from their Allegiance let the
King Conduct as bad as possible — If tliis Doctrine be
Just what becomes of all the old officers in the LTnited States
that have taken the Oaths of Allegiance I Have they all
incurcd the guilt of Perjury ! If they have : It would have
been better to have worn fetters & Chain & endured the
greatest Tiraiiy that George the Third his Ministry & the
Devil could impose — but those Sentiments are erroneous &
False tS: liave no foundation in truth A: righteousness and I
dare Say the Gen' Couit will take cai'C! that such Doctrines
slmiild not prevail — If they are ('oiiiiivcd ;it the Stales will
be Saped in their Foundation — Amongst the enclosed aie a
398 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Copy of his reasons, which he sign'd for not reading the Dec-
laration — but he was not so particular as to say that the
oath he was Under was made to King George the 2*^ for
which reason, I thought proper to Observe the same to You
as aforesaid ( the oath of Allegiance is not to the King &
his successor) together with what he said upon his examina-
tion — You will se_ by the resolves that he was charged with
Praying for the King — the evidence in support of that was
his own Confession — further he did not duly observe the
Days of Fasting — he had a Proclamation last May two Sab-
baths before the Fast — but never read it to his People —
He met with his People on the Day — but what they Fasted
for they could not tell & he did not inform them & it is Cer-
tain he did not Observe the Contents of the Proclamation —
he never Prayed for the Success of our Arms as therein
directed — It was on Ace* of those Clauses in the Proclama-
tion in favor of our Land that he did not read it I conclude —
He never failed of reading Proclamations from the Governor
when they came in Season, and Proclamations before that
from the Congress he treated with contempt — he would not
even Observe the day — He gave Bond agreeable to the 3*^
resolve which Bond I here enclose you Should be glad you
would deliver it to the Treasurer & in case he should not
appear agreeable to the last resolve that then he may be cited
to appear agreeable to the Condition of the Bond if the Court
should think proper to Send for him — Also you have enclosed
an Ace' of the Committe's leasing out an Estate — The mast
that Col Lithgow & you & I were to take care of Some of
them want to be piled up anew Should be glad you would
consult Col. Lithgow & write down orders to Luke Lambard
who lives near to them to do it —
I am Sir Your most H'''*' Serv*
Cha^ Gushing
To Samuel Freeman Esq"^
OF THE STATE OF MABSTE 399
Letter from Tf^ Tupper. Nov. 27, 1776.
Machias Novem^ 27. 1776
Hon'"* Gent™""
The Committee of Safety for the County of Cumberland
In Nova Scotia have Represented to us the extreem difficul-
ties they labour under by means of their Joining with Cap*
Edd3's party and have very importunately requested all pos-
sible aid from us «& every body able to afford them the least
Assistance. And tho we do not altogether approve of Cap'
Eddys going there in so loose a manner. & with so small a
party, yet we are Disposed to help them as far as we are able
and shall encourage all the men we can Spare, to go. the
inhabitants of that unhappy County, upon the appearance of
Cap* Eddy ware reduced to the Shocking dilemay of Being
Either plundred and butchered by their friends, or of incur-
ing the highest displeasure of their own Government the
latter alternative they preferred and now lie Exposed to the
rage of an abandoned administration and their wicked
instruments —
They also in form us that they have high Expectations
from our Court & that Colo^ ShaAV will soon arive to their
assistance, with a sufficient armement. We earnestly request
your Honors therefore in your great compassion to send them
Speedey Relief.
We are your Honers Very Humble Servants
By order of the Committee W'" Tupper Clerk
To the Hono' Council and House of Assembly of the State
of the Massachusetts-Bay
Letter from Roland Cushhtg. Dec. ^, 177 G.
To the Honourable the Couiicill of the State of tlio Massa-
chusetts Bay
400 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Having received the honour of an appointment, to the
Second Majorit}^ in the second Regiment of Milhtia in the
County of Lincoln ; the duties of which office, from the weak-
ness of a declining State of health ; I am unable to execute ;
and which a due regard to the welfare of my Country forbids
me longer to retain — Your Honours therefore, will please to
accept my resignation of said office with my most respectful
acknowledgments for the same — Any service which may be
in my power to render my Country will be done with the
greatest chearfulness —
I have the Honour to be with the profoundest Respect
your Honours most obedient & very Humble Serv''
Roland Cushing
Pownalborough December 4'^^ 1776
Letter from Noah Mo*'''' Littlefield. Dec. 4, 1776
Wells Dec- 4"' 1776
To the Hon^i^ Board
I have Received a Letter from the Secr^ by your honours
Direction which Shoes the Honour Confered On Me In the
Apointment of Lieut* Colon' In A batalion Now Raising
Whareof Ebenezer francis Esq' Is Colon' —
I thank your Honours for the LTndeserved favour Confired
On Me and Am Ready & Chearful to Serve In the American
Army for the Defence of the united Estates of America and
Hope My Conduct Will Do honour to the Apointment
from your Humble Serv*
Noah Mo*°" Littlefield
Letter from Col. Jon^'' Mitchell.
To the Honorable the Council and House of Representa-
tives of the Colony of the Massachusetts Bay
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 401
Maj- it Please your Honors In Obedience to the Estab-
lishment I have ordered a Serjeants Guard consisting of a
Serjeant & Nine Men to Saco River— A Serjeant and 10
Men to Kennebec River, and the like Number to Harpswell,
who proceeded for their several Stations Eight days since —
I should have sent out Guards before, but apprehended the
necessity of the Works carrying on here, -which are now con-
siderably forward, demanded the presence of all the Troops
stationed at this Place — larger Numbers I thought could not
be spared, consistent with the Public Service, but if I have
erred herein your Honors Orders will determine my future
Conduct — I take the Liberty to represent to your Honors
that Cannon are much wanting, without which our Fortifica-
tions must be rendered useless, except to the Enem}^ — I
need urge no further to your Honours the necessity of hav-
ing a supply of Cannon, as you are not unacquainted with
tlie Importance of this Post not only to the Province of Main
but to the preservation of all the United Collonies
I am with profound Respect your Honors very
Humble Servant
Jonathan Micliell
Letter from W'^ Lithgow Jun^
To the Secretary of the Honorable Council of the State of
Massachusetts Bay —
Sir, Being informed that y(m wrote me some time since,
on the Subject of my appointment to a Majority, in one of
tlie new Regiments now raising in tliis State; on the (Conti-
nental EstaVjlisliment, under the command of Col" Ebenezer
Francis, wliicli I liad not tlic honor to receive!; and as it is
20
402 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
my Opinion that no private or interested views are a suffi-
cient Apology, at this critical and important day to decline
the service of our oppressed, insulted Country, I take this
Method to express my Gratitude for the honor done me, and
also to signify to the Honorable Board ( tho' not without the
most humiliating Sense of my own inexperience & want of
military knowledge ) my chearful Acceptance of the Appoint-
ment; however repugnant to my private Advantage or
Emolument.
I have the honor to be with the most Profound Respect
Your Honor's very humb^® Servant
W" Lithgow Jun''
Boston Q'"" Dec' 1776
Letter from Jompli Dimuck. Dec. 23., 1776
To the Honorabel the Counsel of the State of the Massa-
chetts Bay Gentelmen —
you may Remembr that you gave ordors for Raising Two
Companys To Be Stashond on Nashone the Cap*"' have
Borth Ben With me Sence & Returnd and Say thay Cannot
Inlist any men By Reson of the Wages Being So Loo I
have Ben Indavoring to foraw'^ the mater But find that To
Be the younavarcel Compaint — if your Honers Are pleas'*
To Give any farther ordors About the Mater I Shall Indaver
To Conduct Agreabel thair to
I am yours To Sarve
Dated att falmouth Joseph Dimuck
Desembr y« 23 1776
lu Council Dec"" 27' 1776
Read and thereupon Resolved, That Walter Spooner Esq""
with such as the Hon'ble House shall appoint be a Comittee
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 403
to consider the above & Report what is necessary to be done
thereon —
Sent down for Concurrence Jn° Avery Dp^ Sec^
In the House of Represent* Dec"" 27, 1776
Read and Concurred and M'' Holten & M'' Ellis are joined
Sam^^ Freeman Speak"" P T
Letter from Col. Eben^ Francis Jan. 3'^ 1777.
Ticonderoga June y^ 3'' 1777
Hon'^ Sir
Presuming you belong to the Gen"^ Assembly this year
Shall just Mention a few Among the many dificulties we
labour under I Have now in my Reg*^ More than 100 good
men that have not had a blanket to Cover them, the Greater
part of them have been here Upwards of two montlis I need
not Represent to you the hardships they must have under-
gone & still do on that account not more than one half of
their Arms are fit for Service, many of them no Shoes nor
Hose to their feet Some few of them would be glad to have
drawed their money for their Cloathing but it Cannot be
oVjtained What can we Expect from Soldiers uncloathed by
day & no Blankets to Sheild them from this Cold Clay Soil
by night & Miserable Arms at a time when we Hourly Expect
to be Attacked I leave you to Answer. Miserable poor Rum
from 30/ to 42/ Xm"* & other things in proportion no Sort
of Cloathing to l)e had at any Rate their duty very Iiard.
Notwithstanding all tliose dificulties bcfoic nicntioucd. to
adiiiinitioii tlie soldiers are in good spirits in Iiojics of being
* Sterling money.
404 DOCUMENTAEY HISTORY
Supplied by & b}'. is it possible to be as we are informed
that Cloathing & arms for two full Reg*s are deposited at
Boston while we in this Northern department are Suffering
for want I have 490 men Arrived. I Expect Some more
on the Road & they are very fine men it is a pity to let
them suffer & die it will Cost a Great Sum of money to get
more, we have on the Ground Militia & Artificers Included
between 4 & 6000 I should be glad if it is possible we might
have a Uniform & pay for what Cloathing the Soldiers have
had. if there is any Scarlet Cloth in the State Store you will
very much Oblige me if you would procure 60 yards for my
Officers & triming for the Same & I will see you paid, you
may depend on it that there is not any of our States Cloath-
ing arrived Here yet Should any Come it will go in the
Continental Store & be promiscuously dealt out to all & what
prise they please to Set on it Could it be directed to major
Smith y'' Commissary here it would be much better for he is
a worthy man although he has no Stores to deal out Sir I
trust you will Enquire into this affair & Remedy the dificul-
ties we now labour under if in your power & let our men
suffer no longer for what is their right as for News I Have
but very Little the Enemy the last we heard from them was
about 20 miles below Crown point.
Several Officers have Lately been taken up for Innoculat-
ing in Camp & are now on trial
my Regards to all friends
1 am with Respect y"" Humble Sr* in Health
Eben"^ Francis
Superscribed
Beverly A member of the House of the State of the
Massachusetts Bay
In Council June 21 : 1777
Read & Sent down Jn*' Avery Dp^ Secr^
OF THE STATE OF MALNE 405
Letter from the Council to Gov. NicJioIas Cook. Jan. 23, 1777.
Council Chamber Jan^ 23'* 1777. —
S'' We have Receiv'd yours of the IS"^'' Instant and have
Observ'd the Contents General Spencer has Informed us he
soon expected the Arrival of One to Act in the Character of
Continental (Commissary when Arrived will provide for Vict-
ualling the Troops finding it difficult Calling on y^ Militia
at this time in order to furnish our Proportion of the Men to
be station'd at Rhode Island as it would be Detrimental &
Impede Raising men for the Continenal Service the General
Court In lieu thereof have Ordered One Quarter part of the
Militia from the County of Lincoln Consisting of
now on their March for New-York Col
Joseph North Commander immediately to March to Provi-
dence in the State of Rhode Island there to be Subject to &
Under the Command of General Spencer —
Measures have also been taken to Prevent M' Mumford
the Post Rider from Detentions by the Ferrymen in this
State.
In the Name & in Behalf of the Council I am your
Most Humble Serv*
Letter from John Preble. Jan. 27, 1777.
MajorVeel Jan^ 27"' 1777
Hon'* Gentlemen
I sail'd from Boston the 18"' of December and did not
Reach the mouth of this River till the 13"' Jaii^ & then have
to transport my Goods on tlie Ice HO miles wlii(;h will Cost
me at least 70 Dollars, this makes the (ioods with the Bos-
ton price come deare to the Indians, tlicy Complain much
406 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
of the prises & say if they cant have Goods cheaper they
must Trade with the Enemy, then they want to be trusted
in the Winter, which I shant do without orders from your
Honours no further than take plate at What it Weighs —
Sixteen Indians has been with Capt Eddy Serving as Sol-
diers at Cumberland they have behav'^ Brave & acquitted
their selves well their familys are Redus*^ by it, must Recom-
mend them to your Honours Consideration as Cap* Eddy
perswaded them to go with him.
they have prise money due which I hope Cap* Eddy will
see them paid Am Brose is come up in Consequence of it, &
to see your Honours, I must beg the favour your Honours
will send me directions what prises to give for furs &
Wheather I may trust them at your Honours Risque of Bad
depts made —
I have Convers*^ with the Chiefs of this Tribe and they to
a man are harty in our Cause — have likewise seen one of the
Micmack Chiefs who told me their Tribe is determin^ to Rest
easey & Remain Nutrals during the Contest between the Old
England people & Boston men —
I must Observe to your Honours with Submission, that as
Am Brose Bear is a Sober Sensible man & has behav*^ so Well
at Cumberland think him deserving a Commission among the
Indians he is much fitter to take Care of the Tribe than
Peer Tomer
I Shall Gitt a list of the Indians Names As Soon as possi-
ble & Send your Honours. I think their may be a Company
of Smart Indians imbodyed one half English & the other half
Indian officers for the protection of the Eastern department )
Am Brose has desired me to Recommend to your Honours
Consideration a french priest for them the Committy here
has Supply*^ those Indian familys that went to Cumberland
with provitions while their husbands was Absent which they
want me to Refund saying it was Major Shaws promise to
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 407
pay the men monthly Wages as Soldiers. I shall do nothing
without your Honours Orders.
I am may it please your Honours Your Honours Most
Obedient Humble Ser*
John Preble
Superscribed :
On the Service of the State of the Massachusetts To The
Hona'^''® the Council & House of Representatives of the
States of the Massachusetts Bay —
In Council March 18 1777 Read & Coinitted to the
Comittee on the Petition of John Allen Esq & the Memorial
from the Counties of Cumberland & Sunbury in Nova Scotia
Sent down for Concurrence
John Avery Dp^ Sec^
In the House of Representatives March 18' 1777 —
Read & concurred
J Warren Spkr
Letter from Selectmen Sj- Comm^^ of Safety for Winslow.
Feb. 14, 1777.
Winslow February 14, 1777
Sir,
Sollicitude for the Publick Welfare, and a Desire of dis-
charging the several Trusts reposed in us with faithfulness
to our Constituents, is the only Apology we can make for
thus addressing you, and we trust that a (jentleman of your
known Patriotism will require no other. —
In the Spring of the Year 1775 one Ephraim Ballard from
Oxford in this Colony took Possession of a Fortress in this
Town known by the name of Fort Halifax, with about four
Hundred Acres of land adjoining the same, claimed by Doc-
tor Sylvester Gardner late of Boston.
Our Committee of Safety having received the Resolve of
the General Court of tlie twenty third of April last, and
408 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
being credibly informed that the Doctor, fearing the just
Resentment of his injured Country-men had fled from Boston
with the Kings Troops in March last, and that the said Bal-
lard was of Principles inimicpJ to the glorious Cause in
which we are engaged, apprehended themselves warranted to
take the said Fort and Land into Possession and lease them
out. Accordingly they waited on M'' Ballard and requested
him to deliver them up — He told them that he had hired
them of the Doctor, ( For Proof of which he produced the
Original of which we have taken the Liberty to inclose you
a Copy ) and could not deliver them up to them or any Per-
sons whomsoever ; but desired that if they took Possession
he might have the Refusal of a Lease.
The Committee, being dissatisfied with this Answer,
advised with the Committees of three of the neighouring
Towns and several private Gentlemen, who informed them
that the Fort and ten Acres of the Land were the Property
of the State, and therefore, that they thought the Committee
had no Right by said Resolve to dispossess the Occupier.
Under these Circumstances the Matter rested till about three
Weeks ago, when a Number of the Inhabitants complained
to the Committee that M'' Ballard with a Number of People
( supposed to be unfriendly to the grand American Cause )
from the next Town were cutting and haling Mill Logs on
the Premisses, upon which one of the Committee waited on
him and remonstrated against this Conduct, to which he
replied, That he had lawfully purchased the Trees and that
the Committee had no Right to interfere in the Business ;
And the People above-mentioned, being examined, answered
that they were no otherwise concerned in the Business than
as they were hired by M'' Ballard. —
This Affair's being so peculiarly circumstanced makes it
very difficult for us to act so as to quiet the Minds of the
good People of this and the neighouring Towns, who are
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 409
very uneasy — We therefore most earnestly request, that
you would employ your Influence in the General Court to
obtain particular Instructions to the Selectmen and Commit-
tee of this Town for their Conduct in this intricate piece of
Business, and that they may be sent as soon as may be ; and
that you will afford us all the other Assistance in your
Power.
We have the Honor to be, with the greatest Respect, Sir
Your most obedient humble Servants
Ezekiel Pattee ) Select Men of
Jonah Crosby I Win slow
Zimri Heywood ) Committee of
John Tozer I Safety for Winslow
llon^'® James Bowdoin Esq"^
Letter from Ezekiel Pattee. Feb. 16, 1777.
Winslow February 16, 1777
Sir
The Anxiety of Mind which I am under for the publick
Safety will I hope plead my Excuse for addressing a gentle-
man in your exalted Station without having the Honor of a
personal Acquaintance with you. —
The Spring before Last one Ephraim Ballard from the
Western parts of this Colony came into this Town and took
Possession of Fort Halifax and four Hundred Acres of Land
adjoining there, having hired them as he said of Doctor Gar-
diner late of Boston.
Our Committee after receiving the Resolve of the General
Court of the 23'* of April last, and being informed that the
Doct"^ had fled from Boston with the Kings Troops, and that
Ballard was of Tory Principles, applied to him and requested
that he would deliver the I'remisses into their Possession -
410 DOCUMKNTARY HISTORY
He replied that he had hired them of the Doctor and could
not deliver them up.
The Committee desirous of pi'oceeding with all possible
Caution, advised with the Committees of the neighbouring
Towns, who informed them that the Fort and ten Acres of
Land were the Property of the Colony, for which Reason it
was their Opinion they had no Right to dispossess Ballard.
They therefore let the Matter rest till a few Weeks ago when
some of the Inhabitants complained that Ballard with a Num-
ber of Persons from the next Town, who were unfriendly to
the Cause of Liberty, were logging on the Fort Farm — This
induced one of the Committee to go to Ballard and remon-
strate against his Conduct, who answered that he had law-
fully purchased the Trees, and no person had a Right to
forbid him the Use of them. And the People at Work with
him as abovementioned, upon being interrogated, replied that
they had no other Business w""*^ the Logs than to cut and hale
them for M"^ Ballard, they being hired by him for that Pur-
pose.— The peculiar Circumstances of this Affair seeming to
require special Instructions from Authority, the Select Men
& Committee have, by my Advice, wrote you by this Oppor-
tunity requesting you to exert your Powers in the General
Court in order to obtain them, to which I beg leave to subjoin
my earnest SoUicitation, as the People here are very much
exasperated and may possibly proceed to Extremities if the
Matter is not soon settled, —
I am with great Respect Sir, Your most obed* hble Serv'
TT 1,1. T Ti J • T-. Ezekiel Pattee
Hon.'''® James Bowdom Lsq
Letter from Tristram Jordan. April 25., 1777.
_ „. Pepperrellbor" April 2b'^ 1777
Dear Sir
By Order of Council 136 men is to be Draughted out of
y** Militia in y^ County of York: out of that number Briga-
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 411
dier Moulton has assign"^ 43 out of my Regiment now Sir,
you are Sensible how freely the men has inlisted out of my
Regiment for y® American Army as I gave you an Account
of them Some Time Since : Nine men besides the Ace* you
had have gone from Cap* Frj^es Company : and what men
has inlisted Since y^ Returns Made by y® Several Militia offi-
cers to me : I cannot tell but I Believe there has been Sev-
eral : Which has Thimi'* our men much and I Really Think
it is not prudent to Take any more men from this Quarter
for you are Sensible we are Expos'^ to y^ Enemy and if any
Naval or Land forces Shou*^ come to make an Attack on fal-
mouth were is their Succour to come from and I verily Think
that the Enemy® Ships will go to Falmouth: for we have
Such Good Friends as I make not y® Least Doubt will Inform
them that no Soldiers are Station*^ at Falmouth Sufficient to
Defend the Place and I think the men from the Regiment
Ought not to march to the Southward, from y® Circumstances
I have Mention*^ and many more that might be Offer*' — the
men are Principally Draughted and I Suppose will be Ready
to March Soon : and I shall order them to March As Soon as
they are Ready unless they are Prevented by an order from
Council : which Sir I hope you will Try to obtain : I have
Inform^ y^ Brigadier that my Regiment have furnish'' their
Quota of Troops to y® Continental army : but have had no
answer from him, therefore I Tho* it Expedient to Write you
on y® Subject —
I am Sir with Esteem & Respect your Sincere Friend
& Humb' Serv* rr. • . t i
Instram Jordan
To James Sullivan Esq''
Letter from Jon^ Lowder. May 21, 1777.
Penobscutt 21«* May 1777
Sir yesterday Lieut* Gillman was at Penobscutt Old
'i'owM with the Indians on Business that they sent to Ijim
412 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
for — before his arrival, he was met by Esq'' Ausing an
Indian, who told him they had Certain Intelligence of a great
Number of Indians & Regulars coming across the Country in
order to Distress & Destroy the several Rivers of Penobscutt,
Kennebeck & S* Johns, they are Commanded by Lonear a
French Colonel in the Regular service, and I belive it may
be Depended upon as a P'act, and I desire you would Com-
municate this to the several Committees below, that the peo-
ple may be warned to be in readiness when called for.
N B The Indians here will keep a good look out, and
promise to Infoi'm us with any thing that Effects us.
I am — your Hum^ Serv*
Jon^ Lowder
To CoP Jon'^ Buck —
a true Copy Signed Jon'*^ Buck
Letter from Jonas Mason. May 22, 1777.
To the Honourable the Council of the State of Massachu-
setts Bay —
May it please Your Honors. With thankfullness I acknowl-
edge the Honor confer'd on me by a late Council of this
State in Appointing me a Justice of the Peace for the County
of Cumberland & also a Justice of the Infer'' Court of Com-
mon Pleas for said County. Conscious not only of my inca-
pacity for the proper discharge of the Duties of Said Offices,
but now fully Sensible of my decays by reason of old Age
and that I Stand in the way of Gentlemen of Superiour Abil-
ities for the discharge of said Trusts, humbly beg leave to
resign my Commission for the said respective Offices.
That Your Honors & the Great Council of the United
States of America may be under the Divine direction &
Blessing in all their & Your Councils & Determinations, in
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 413
this day of difficulty & Distress, is the earnest desire of Your
Honors much oblidged, humble Servant
Jonas Mason
North Yarmouth May 22, 1770.
Letter from Col. Josiah Breiver. May 27, 1777.
Penobscott May 27^'^ — 1777
Sir I thought it Necessary to acquaint Y"^ Honour, That
Lieu* Andrew Gillman who comands the Guard stationed
here, was on a scout at the Frontier Settlements : was met
with by one of the Indian Chiefs of the Penobscotts, who
was coming down the River to acquaint the Inhabitants ;
That Three Indians arriv'd from Canada y® 25 Ins', ( who
were sent by y^ Tribe to get intelligence ) : they bring y* fol-
lowing intelligence viz : That there was a Large party of
Canada Indians, amounting to about 80ty in Number :
togetlier with a number of Regulars & Canadians, Com-
manded by one Lonier a Frenchman, now a CoP in the Brit-
ish service : and by y" information they could gather they
were Designed to come across the Country to y® Heads of y®
several Rivers, to use their Influence with all the Tribes of
Indians they meet with in their journey, to engage them in
y* Britisli Service, in order to Destroy y® Inhabitants on y^
several rivers Viz S' Johns, Penobscot & Kenebeck. — I shall
take necessary methods to Secure y® Inhabitants with y® Reg*
of Militia under my Command ; w*''' is very small ; occasional
by a Number being Inlisted in y° Continental Service —
Lieu' Gillman will keep Scouting parties but to Waylay
their Carrying Places.
The Britains give y* Indians great Presents of Money, to
gain tliem to, & secure them in their service.
414 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
In Case of any special Emergency from the Enemy : I shall
apply to Cor Jonathan Buck for Necessary Remforcements
to assist us : who I have served w*^ a Coppy of this in order
to obtain it.
I am, Honoured, Sir, With Great respect, Your most
obedient, and, Most Humble Servant,
Josiah Brewer
To the Hon^'i^ Artemas Ward Esq'
In Council June 18, 1777 Read & sent down
Jn" Avery Dp^ Sec^
In the House of Representatives June 19, 1777
Read & committed to Coll Prescott & Mr Dix with such
as the Hon Board shall join
Sent up for Concurrence J Warren Spkr
In Council June 19, 1777
Read & Concurred and Timothy Danielson Esq is joined
,h\° Avery Dp^ Sec^
Letter from J. Allaii. May 30^" 1777.
Mechias May 30^^^ 1777
May it Please Your Honours — I write you in great haste
the 26'^ Ins*^ giving an Ace* that the British Armed Sloop
Gage had gone up the River S' John, & of the Arrival of
Cap* Jn° Preble with Cap* West, whom I had sent to the
mouth of the River, and brought the melancholy Ace* that
the Inhabitants were forced to submit. This Step has given
me great Uneasiness ; I could not fall upon any Plan wherein
I could be assur'd of the least Success ; Nothing appear'd so
Eligible as my taking a birch Canoe, but Pierre Jommo the
Chief with some others having been on board, & M'' Gould
hearing of my Commissions & Business, had offer'd a Con-
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 415
siderable Premium for me. This detain'd me. I collected
the Indians to whom I could get Intelligence, & have had
some Conference, to outward appearance satisfactory, & have
been oblig'd to deviate from my original Plan of Economy,
& be very lavish : Necessity Commands it if we keep them in
our Interest.
On the 28"^ the Rev'^ ]\P Noble & Doct^ Nevers arriv'd
here, after going through a series of Difficulty & Troubles
during their Journey through the Woods, who Confirm the
above Ace' & that M' Israel Perley was taken Prisoner to
Halifax.
Yesterday about three "Clock, Cap' Howes ( the Bearer of
this ) arriv'd, by whom I Rec*^ the agreeable News, of the
Britons having Evacuated the River, but with an Intent to
Return with all Expedition to Erect two Fortifications ; On
hearing this I concluded it absolutely necessary to Endeavour
to secure that Part with what Strength I could raise till your
Honors' Determination.
For fear of a second Eddy's Affair, I thought it expedient
to act upon this Plan tliat the Inhabitants might not suffer,
sliould your Honors not think proper to pursue any Measures
that Way.
As tlie Indians at their own Option went to Head Quarters
& made a solemn Treaty with the Massachusetts State & the
hitter being under a strong Obligation to fulfill certain Prom-
ises, it was highly requisite for the Honor & Dignity of the
State, to have it fulfilld and Executed ; and as some of the
Enemy had been upon the said River to persuade the Indians
to turn against the States, & force the English & Fi-ench
Inlialnlants to swear allegiance; some of whom had been
overcome, it must appear highly reasonable that a force
sliould go to act upon the Defensive, to prevent the Enemy
from getting fuitlier Possession till tlic Husinoss is done with
the Indians. 1 mean bv this to secure the different Passes as
416 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
well as possible with what goes & not to have any thing to
do with Inhabitants, nor Even to go amongst them, other-
wise than what may be necessary for our Defence. I con-
sulted with the Machias Committee, M'' Lyon, & the Gent"
from S' John's, who much approv'd of it. I accordingly set
off this Morning with about 40 Men including Indians & two
of the small Guns belonging to the Minsheat, where I shall
Endeavour to take such Precautions in acting on the Defen-
sive till I know your Honors Determination.
I Rely & trust that your Honors will consider the deplor-
able State of this Country & should not be so pressing, was
I not Convinc'd of the great Importance of this Part, & the
Advantage the Enemy will reap therefrom
I have Rec'' several Informations, That Col. Gould has
sent into Canada for one Bailey a French Priest who was
formerly in Nova Scotia & a great Jacobite. Gould also
gives Information that a Number of Gentlemen in Boston
had frequently solicited for a number of Troops to be sent
there which would certainly be done in a short Time — That
he had a Letter from Jn° Anderson giving a State of
Matters, particularly the diff' Speculations about the River
S* Johns.
News from Halifax that the Hessians were order'd home —
That 16000 Men was the Number coming abroad. That a
Number of Transports which came some time ago to Halifax
from New York were sent up the Bay of Fundy for Provi-
sions ; I fear this is intended for some secret Expedition near
your Honors plann'd by these Villains who lurk within the
Bowels of your Country & who I fear ( if not speedily done
something with,) will bring things to an unhappy Crisis: I
hope that Justice which is so requisite & what I think a
Commanded Duty in time of War will tal.e Place.
The Bearer Cap* Howes, can inform you of many Particu-
lars, which may prove satisfactory.
OF THE STATE OF MATNE 417
I shall leave Orders for my little Schooner on her Return
to proceed hnmediately up S* Johns River : I must earnestly
Request of your Honors that you will as Expeditiously as
possible inform me what is your Determination, for at present
I am at a great Expence, which as it is a thing Contrary to
what was expected when at Boston, & which may be call'd
an Usurpation in me, that I shall be liable to pay it myself
which I am not at present altogether so Capable of ; & indeed
if admitted to the publick Expense, I shall be as much Con-
ceru'd if it is not appro v'd of.
I must Recommend that John Anderson of Newburn may
be secur'd, as also his Wife, she is an Intriguing Person &
has been always remarkable for Intelligence, & I am thor-
oughly Convinc'd he has given as much information as any
Person. I trust sour Speeches & friendly Gestures will not
overcome or prevent Justice.
Time not permitting to wait I must pray your Honors to
indulge me so far as to Communicate to the Hon''^® the Con-
tinental Congress my Proceedings with such other Matters as
you please, respecting me,
I am with the utmost Respect Your Honors most
Obed' Most devoted humble Serv*
J Allan
P. S. Should any thing be done this Way I Recommend
the Bearer Cap* Howes, who appears to be a Man of an Uni-
versal good Character ; a good Pilot & well acquainted with
the Affairs of that Country.
He has lost a Vessel there. I must beg /if Consistent witli
the Service/ he may be Employ 'd.
Just Intercepted a Letter from John Long to Jolni Ander-
son which is D'* the Committee who will Inform you therewith.
Li Council June 6*" 1777
Read & Comitted to tlie Comittee appointed to consider
Hon''*^ Jolin Hancocks Esq Letter of tlie 1.3*'' \'\i\" inclosing
27
418 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
a Resolve of Congress of the same Date and the Petition of
the Coinittee of Machias and the Papers accompanying the
same.
Sent down for Concurrence Jn" Avery Dp^ Sec^
Letter from J. Allan. June 4, 1777.
Boston Town June 4''" 1777
Gentlemen
This will be del^^ You by M' John Preble Truckmaster for
the Indians of S* Johns river By the late Movements here
he was forced to Leave that Imployment which was Occa-
tion'd By the part the Inhabitants had taken in the Cause
now Contend'd for in America, & Notwithstanding the Obli-
gations Enter'd into, they have thought proper to Return
back & Seek Shelter under that Government, which is now
become the most Contemptable of Any upon Earth & Volun-
tarily Submit to the Mandates of those who is Endeavouring
to bring Great Britain as well as America into the Most
abject Slavery —
There being at present some Property belonging to the
Massachusetts State and M"" Preble having Some business to
Settle I expect he will be Permited to Persue those Necessary
Measures to Secure his Effects & Settle Such Matters as he
has Contracted —
The Indians is still Acting the Vertious part to whome the
United States are Under some Obligations to fulfill Certain
promises, I have now Come for that End & fully Rely that
me nor any of my people be Molested my business being
solely with the Indians. I shall Not bave Any Connection
watever with the Inhabitants nor TransAct Any business
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 419
with them that may Expose them to the Resentment of thiere
New friends who wou'd have had no Mercy on them was it
not fear but this I Leave to Your Own reflection You are
possessed of Moral Agency & know best for your Own
Safety —
I further Expect there will be no Obstruction on your part
in procureing some Necessary refreshments for my Men for
which ample Satisfaction shall be Made —
I shall take every Precaution to Prevent Any damages to
Any Person dureing my Stay
I am yours &c —
a true Coppy J Allan
To the Inhabitants of Manciville
Eeport. 1777.
State of Massachusetts-Bay
In Council June S''^ 1777
The Com'*^ of both Houses upon M'' Hancock's Letter of
the \2>^^ ult° inclosing a resolve of Congress of the same date ;
& the Petition of the Com*^* of Mechias & the papers accom-
panying it report as their opinion —
That an expedition to the River S* Johns in Nova Scotia,
is not only necessary in order to secure the Inhabitants of the
Counties of Cumberland & Sunbury ( who have applied to
Congress for protection ) in that State, from the cruel oppres-
sion & violence of our common enemy ; but also, for the
preservation of all our Settlements lying to the I{)astward of
Casco-Bay ; & for preventing that Short & easy communica-
tion between our enemies in Canada witli those in Nova
Scotia, through said River, which tiiey are now foitifying for
that purpose.
420 DOCUMENT AH Y HISTORY
That in order to carry this expedition into effect, there be
one Regiment raised, as soon as possible in the Counties of
Lincobi & Cumberland within this State, to consist of 728
men Officers included, & to be upon the continental estab-
lishment, be raised by enlistment for a term not exceeding
Six Months.
That there be a sufficient naval force provided, to Convey
all the necessary stores to said River, or such other place as
may be ordered ; not only sufficient for said Regiment, but
also for such volunteers & Indians as may join them in this
expedition for Securing that part of the Country against the
depredations of the Independency of the united States of
America.
That a general Officer be appointed by the whole Court,
to command & direct this whole affair, under such orders as
may from time to time be given him by the Council, to whom
he frequently make return of the State & circumstances of
the forces, & all proceedings in this expedition
That the whole force, by Land & Water, shall rendezvous
at Mechias as soon as possible & there receive the orders of
said general Officer, to which, there shall be paid the Strictest
obedience, by all inferior Officers, & others, who may be
employed in this affair.
That four Field-pieces, with two 12 pounders & two Small
Mortars be Sent with the Stores, to be used for the defence
of the same, when at Mechias, or for such other purposes as
the Commander may order.
That the Court appoint the Warrant & Field- Officers, &
the Commissary, with such other Officers as they may see fit,
exclusive of Captains & Subalterns, & non-commission-Officers:
Blank Commissions for Cap'^ & Subalterns to be delivered to
the Commander who, with the Field Officers, shall appoint
them, & deliver their Commissions, when they have raised
their Companies: And the Captains & Subalterns shall
OF THE STATE OP MAINE 421
appoint the noncommission Officers for their respective Com-
panies, to be approved or disapproved of by the Field-Officers.
That the Com*^®^ of Mechius be repaid in kind, all the Stores
which they have supplied, agreeable to their Petition.
That there be delivered to said general Officer, a compleat
set of blank Commissions & Warrants for a whole Regiment
Consisting of eight Companies to be raised from the Inhab-
itants of the State of Nova-Scotia or the Eastern parts of this
State or the observing a Similar rule of conduct in all the
appointm*% with that held up in the above paragraph. A.
Said Regim' to be continued in Service One Year, unless
sooner discharged.
That the Commander be vested with power to dismiss the
first Regiment if he may judge it necessary, when the Second
is compleated ; or, to employ both in any service for the
united States which he may judge prudent to put them upon,
in this or the State of Nova-Scotia. —
That a Com**^® be appointed to make application to the
Commander of the Alfred Man of War, &; to the Owners of
such private Ships of War as are likely to be obtained, &
which may be needed for this, & to agree as the Court may
order. And, that they also be Cloathed with Ample power
to furnish every necessary Article for this expedition.
That, if the measure is adopted, not a moment is to be
lost ; for the enemy ought to be disrested before they have
planted themselves strong ; & their present naval Strength
being small, may probal^ly be taken.
The Com*^® are further of opinion, That tho' the expence
of this expedition will vastly exceed what the Congress had
in contemplation when they passed said Resolve ; yet as the
object is much greater than is therein pointed out ; & as the
Congress had, some Months since, directed our views to still
greater Objects, which tliis State did not then think proper
to attempt; they judge it higldy probable, that the whole
expence will be continental.
422 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
All which is humbly submitted by the Com*®^ who ask
leave to Sit again as soon as the Papers are returned into
their hands
J. Palmer g ord'
In Council June 5, 1777
Read & sent down Jn*> Avery Dp^ Sec"
In the House of Representatives June 6*** 1777
Read & accepted — as amended & thereupon — Order'd —
That it be recommitted to be drawn into a Resolve —
Sent up for Concurrence J Warren Spk'
In Council June 6 1777
Read & Concurred Jn° Avery Dp^ Sec^
Report.
The Committe appointed to consider the papers relative to
David Thatcher Esq'' of Yarmoth and report what is proper
to be done, have attended that Service, and are of oppinion
that s'' Thatcher ought to be esteemed a friend to these
States and that that matter Subside.
Report
The Committee appointed to consider the Acco** of John
Allen Esq'' and his Letter of the 10*^ March have attended
that Service and beg leave to Report — a State of Facts as
f olloweth —
That on Examining said Acco** they find due to Col° John
Allen a.s Commanding Officer of the Troops rais'd by this
State for the Defence of Mechias— the Sum of <£237..7..9>^
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 423
which sum ought to be paid him out of the Publick Treasury
of this State —
That Col° Allen hath drawn out of the Truck House and
Coramisary's Store at Mechias Provisions and other Articles
for the Suply of the Indians there to a considerable amount
which he hath pass'd to the C of the United States —
That on Inspection of his Acco** as Agent of the Indians
as he hath adjusted them, there is a BalP® due to him of the
Sam of £622.7.11^ to be paid by the United States —
Your Committee beg leave to report as their Opinion —
that it is necessary that CoP Allen be supply 'd from the
Publick Treasury of this State with the sum of XI 200 — to
enable him to discharge the Debts already conti-acted ; and to
carry on the Business of Agency with the Indians —
That Col° Allen be supply'd with 4 Whale Boats — and an
Oyl Cloth Marque —
That Lieu* Albee with thirty Men now under his Com-
mand & whose time of service expires in June, next, be con-
tinued in Service untill the 1** of Dec"^ next — and that
Provisions be sent for the same —
That a Surgeon be appointed for the Troops —
That a Letter be wrote to Congress by the President of
the Council inclosing all CoP Allen's Letter which he hath
wrote to this Court — with his Acco** as Agent for the
Indians — acquainting them with what they have Advanced
Col° Allen — and desiring that they would take some proper
Order respecting his further supply.
That it is unprofitable and cannot tend to the Benifit of
this State to continue a Truck House at Machias. And that
the same ought to be continued only by the United States
under the Direction of Col. Allen as Continental Agent for
the Indians and that Congress be inform'd thereof —
That a Bill be bro't in — to prevent Person's trading with
the Indians at Mechias or any way sui)[)lyiiig tliein with
strong Drink — under severe Penalties
424 DOCUMKNTARY HISTORY
Letter from Francis Shaw. June 6, 1777.
Machias 6*^ 1777 —
May it Please your Honors
Undoubtedly before this you have been Informed by Cap*
Smith of the Movements of the Enemy at S* John's River, by
advice of the Different Committees I have Inlisted into the
Continental Service during the Terme of two Months, a Cap-
tain a Lieut* & forty two Men, and hope this day to sett off
to the Assistance John Allan Escf who left this Eight days
since — Relying on your know„ Candor and Generosity, I
have obligated myself to the Party for their wages, the Com-
mittee of this place have done the same with Regard to this
Provissions.
1 have not the least doubt of keeping the Indians Freindly
to the American cause, they must be dearly bought, and the
Truck-houses well Supplyed. I doubt not you will give us
every Assistance, as the preservation of so Valuable part of
this state Intirely Depends thereon, —
Inclos'd you have Copy of a Letter from Co^ Lowder to
CoP Buck which I Receiv'd a few hours before I left Home,
to which I Refer your Honors —
and am with all Respect, your Honor's
Most Hum^® Serv*
Era. Shaw
To the Hon^^^ Council & Hon^^* House of Representatives
of the State of Massachusetts Bay
In Council June 28, 1777 Read & Comitted to the Com-
ittee to whom was referred the Letter from Benj° Foster
Sent down for Concurrence
Jn** Avery Dp^ Sec^
In the House of Representatives June 28, 1777
Read and concurrd
R T Paine Spkr pr. temp
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 425
Letter from Samf- Jordan Esq. June 7, 1777.
Union River June T*** 1777
Gentlemen
I think it Incumbent on me to acquaint you of the pro-
ceedings of some of the Inhabitants of this place.
Last week we had an account sent us from Penobscot that
their was an army of Indians with Regulars a Coming Down
upon the Rivers Kennebeck Penobscot and S*^ Johns which
made us very uneasy, and a number of the Inhabitants of
this Place met, and as I am Informed some of which pro-
posed to send some Person or Persons to meet the army up
Penobscot River in order to Capitulate and come under their
protection and give up their arms I think such proceedings
is contrary to the Liberties of this and the other States and I
make no Doubt in my own mind from many things I have
observed in maney Persons that if such an army should come
they would gladly embrace the opportunity and I think my
self and some here is in danger of our Lives if such a thing
should happen one of these set of People said a few Days
ago that he was told the Regulars had sent to Machias to
submit and if they came it was the determination of the
Inhabitants to submit. I write the above that your Honours
may act as you think Best I should be glad for maney Rea-
sons not to have my Name made Publick in this matter
unless you should think it Best. M'' Tho^ Milliken the
Bearer of this Letter can Inform your Honours as to the
above.
I am your Honours most obedient and most Humble serv''
Samuel Jordan
To tlie Hon*"'® the Councel of the Massachusetts State
426 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Letter from Charles Chauncy Esq. June 12, 1777.
Kittery 12'-'' June 1777
Sir
I had the Honour a few days ago to receive a Letter from
the Hon^^* Board acquainting me, of my Election as a Mem-
ber of the Council. The receipt of which gave me much
concern, when I reflected upon the State of my Health, &
the undeserved favour done me. —
I am heartily desirous of doing eveiything within the Lim-
its of my capacity, for the Publick service, in this difficult
day ; but the Indisposition, I am now labouring under, and
have for six months past been confuied. with. Obliges me to
resign the Hon^^^ appointment; which at this Juncture I
would not have done, notwithstanding my unfitness for the
station, was there any possibility of my acting therein, and
giving that attendance which would be incumbent upon
me. —
I am with great respect to the Hon''^^ Assembly your most
obedient & humble Servant,
Cha Chauncy
In Council June 18, 1777
Read & Sent down
Jn° Avery Dp^ Sec^
Hon''^^ the President of the Council of the State of Massa-
chusetts Bay
Letter from Col. J. Allan. June 18, 1777.
Autpaque River S* Johns, June 18, 1777
May it Please Your Honors
I Wrote to you of the 18t»' 26*'' & 30"' Ulto'" Giveing
Your honours an Account of the Various movements of the
Enemy at S' Johns & thiere Leaveing it. According to
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 427
What I Mentioned in my Last the same day ( 30*^'' ) I pro-
ceeded with 4 Whale Boats & 4 Birch Cannos Leaving Cap"
West & Twenty Men Under his Command, which with the
Indians & my own Men Amountd to forty three I arived
at Passamaquody By 6 O clock next Morning & that Eve-
ning reach'd the Chief of Passamaquody's Wigwam were I
found three Birch Cannoes from S* Johns who had Come
thro the Lakes for me, on my Landing I was Saluted By all
the Indians who ranged themselves in a Single file ( about
thirty and fired several Rounds in thiere fashion. I had a
Conference the same Evening with much satisfaction —
After Refreshing the Men I dispatch'd Cap" West with his
Boats for S' Johns to Prevent Inteligence of Our Move-
ments, the Next Morning ( Sunday ) I set off with Thirteen
Canoes, overtook Cap" West Same Evening Arriv'd at
Musquash Cove about 9 Miles from S* Johns, there I formed
our Position to Go, on, after geting Some Refreshment I
sent off ( about 10 O clock at Night ) Cap" John Preble with
Two Indians in a Birch Canoe to the Hearbour for discovery,
in aboute an hour after I sat off With Two Boats & 6 Birch
Canoes Leaving the Other Two Boats. Provisions &c with
Other Canoes which had familys. to Come Next day, but
Notwithstanding our dispatch'd it was Clear day light before
we Arriv'd. finding the Coast Clear & being determind to
Seize Hazen & White who where the promoters of bringing
the Man of War there, I immediately sent of- Cap" West
witli IG Men to Cross above the falls, distant three Miles, &
an Indian witli a l>irch Canoe, all which was Executed so
well ; that about G Oclock both these Gentlemen were
Secured — About 9 O Clock I Arrived at the old Fort
( Frederick ) when Cap" West Came accross with his Prisoners,
on Confereing witli tliem. they Uterly denied liaveing any
tiling to do in the matter, but said it was Promediated design
of the Government scnce Eddys alfair that Col' Gould told
428 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
them it was determind to Erect a fort at the Mouth of the
River, & one About 40 Miles up, that Gould returnd with
the Utmost dispach with a di'aft of Matters in Order to
Return with all Expedition after Conversing some time
with These Men I thought it Expedient from My Own Setu-
ation & Circumstances of thing on the River, which by this
time I became More Acquaintd with, to Leave these Gentle-
men on their Parole with thiere Famehes.till the determina-
tion of Cort was Known ; or more Strength. I Accordingly
sent them Home, and that Afternoon Pass'd the Falls with
all the Boats & Canoes the Whole haveing Arrivd by 4 O
Clock P M. I Encampd About one Mile above the Falls:
were I receivd a more Certain Account of the diffrient move-
ments. And I am sorry to say that the People has not Acted
with that Spirit as becoms the Subjects of Liberty, Much
Division has been Among them, those Who were Sperietd in
the Cause foUow'd too Much the Method of the Continent
by letting the disaffected go aboute & Insenuate Diffrient
Tales, & haveing no Encouragment of Succour from the
Westward and being Surprizd so Suddenly the Whole Gave
up & are now become the Subjects of Britain, the Greatest
Part is I Beheve as Zealous as ever & it is there Earnest
request that a Sufficient Force May be sent from the Conti-
nent, are also Conscious of What will be the Consequence
shoud the Bitians Get a Hold here, as it will Command the
Eastern Country and Open a Communicati" mto Canada, all
that I can say for the Inhabitants is this, that they Might
have very Easyly deffended the Mouth of the River by
Secureing the Falls Against 1000 men, but they Neglected
this from Various Obstructions in their Consultations, they
Admitted the Britiners about 100. Men to surprize them
suddently and Passively Submited &, took the Oath of AUe-
gience, Many of them were Robd of thier all Many were
those who had taken the Oath, they Appeard by What I can
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 429
learn dejected & forlorn & Sorry for what is done, but how-
to Manage the affair they Appear at a Loss. Stupid &
fluctuating from this Your Honours may form a Jugment of
the Setuation of this River —
theres Some that are Great Zealots for Britain among
them is one Lewis Mitchel, who is well Acquaintd with the
diffrient parts of the Country and Often Goes to Halifax, is
of an Insinuateing Turn Perticularly Among the French and
Indians, he was one of the two who went last March to Git
Troops. I was ditermind to Secure him if Posible —
On the 3'^ Instant I Gave Cap" West his Instructions
which was to Range the Woods from Hazen Across the
River above the falls Round to the Old Fort, to Keep him-
self Secriet not to be any where but in the Woods &
Endeavour to Annoy & disturb the Enemy in thier Lodg-
ment ( shoud they Come ) till further Orders —
I Proceedd my self with Two Boats & 6 Birch Cannoes
up the River on the 4'*^ about 10 OClock M"" Preble and me
with three Indians went to Mitchels house & took him. Hes
now a Prisoner with me, in the Afternoon I Got up to Man-
gerville & went a Shore Opposite the Town & Wrote a Let-
ter to the Inhabitants (a Copy of Wich is here for your
Honors Peruseal ) I woud Observe to Your Honours that
upon liearing of the Inhabitants submiting to Brittain I was
determind not to Go in Any of the Houses, nor go to Any
Settlement nor liave Any Conection or Intercourse with
them Otherwise then Procureing some Refreshments & every
Night I Encamp in the Woods distant from Any House —
On the 5^'' at day light Proceeded on, & wlieu Witliin one
Mile of tlie Indian Settlements, a Centery Haild & desired
us to Stop till he Acquainted the Rest of Our Coming —
after a Signal was Ciivcn We Proceeded. When in Siglit
the Indians fornid in a Single I^ine between Fourty & fifty in
there Shirts Painted fired a fieu dcjoy wliich we Answerd,
430 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
upon m}^ Going ashore one Piere Toma. Ambroise & the
Other Chiefs Reciev'^ me in form — I walk'd towards the
Wigwams When Pasing the Line of Indians before men-
tiond, they began a fireing & Continued some Minutes —
after them all the Squas ranged along Curtsying as I pass'd,
Went to Ambroises Wigwam where all the Captains attended
& the Young Men Came in one by one & seluted me & then
went of. we Pas'd the Evening in telling News, I Lodg'd
in the Wigwaum. I am Reather More Perticular in Men-
tioning these Triffeling Matters, It is only to Give Your
Honours an Idea of Thiere ways. & the Friendship which
some of them Retains for America who were the Occation of
this Method of Comphmenting.
I shall very Likely, be very Perticular in Communicateing
our Diffrient Proceedings & Conferences, till Your Honours
desire me to Desist from Troubling you — The next day I
Conversed with several Indians privately & found that I had
a very hard task to Go Through with Little hopes of Suc-
cess. I found that several were Vastly fond Colo^ Gould
and Seemd Undetermind what to do. when some of the
Chiefs were on Board the Bible was Presented for them to
Swear AUegience which they Comply'd with. Piere Toma
in Perticular appear'd Enraged at his Treatment when in
Boston. Said he was not Treated as he Ought to be & what
was Promised him therefore he was determine! to Go to Hah-
fax — I used every Argument I was Master of to Dissuad
him from his Design & to Convince him of the Good Dispo-
sition & Intention of the States towards the Tribes & that I
had Come to do them Justice : with the Same Authority as
Monsieur Besuebair in the French time, this Pleased them
Much & upon tlie Whole I Gaind such an Assendency over
the other Indians that they Interpos'd. for the Present
Appeared somwat Satisfyd till another Conference among
themselves — On the 7*^ about 11 O Clock I was sent for
OF TECB STATE OF MAINE 431
to Piere Tomas Wigwams where I found all the Chiefs &
Young Men. after I was Seated. Anibroise Rose and in a
Solome Attitude Address'd the Chiefs Giving An Accou* of
his Embasy and dil** him a String of Wampum Then
Addressd the Young iVIen in the Same Manner delivering
them Another String of Wampum, they all Answerd him
Agreeing with what he had done, & that they were still
United in friendship one with Another they then dispersed
— About an hour after I was Again sent for to Ambroises
Wigwams were I found the Whole Present. One of the
Chiefs then Rose & Addressd me in the Same Manner as
INIonsieur Beauebear was in the French time, as thiere Con-
tryman in behalf of the Congress & Gene' Washinton after
taulking Much upon Matters Concerning themselves & Wel-
coming me. I was present'' With a String of Wampum from
the Chief, then Another String was Given from the Chiefs
& Young men. Piere Tomma then Rose & takeing the two
Strings from rae, Addressing me in behalf of the Whole
Jointly & then Returnd them to me. we then Parted after
I had Invited them to My House on Monday to Give them
an Answer, on Which day they all Attended. When I
deliverd them three Strings of Wampum — after Introduce-
ing the Conversation I stated to them As Clearly as Posible
the Nature of the dispute & what Occationd the War
between America & Brittain all which Appearently Gave
Much satisfaction, we Parted Great friends. I have ever
Since attended the Visiting the diffrient Wegwams & Con-
versing privately with them — Giveing them a Minute Detail
of Matters wliich they Gave Great Attention to. On the 8"'
I Rec'* a Ix^tter from Cap" West Giveing me an Account of
liis takeing a Schooner from Halifax with Snndrys On board
Amoung VVliicli was Kome Kiiglisli (Joods which I slioud
have V)een Extioemly (Jlad of had tliey Been sent up here
but for Fear of Being P>l(jck'd up he sent to Mechias 2 days
432 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
after Colo^ Shaw Arriv'd at the Mouth of the River with 45
Men.
On the 9^^ I Recievd Intelligence in 9 days from Quebeck
that Gener^ Burgoyn Arrived there About the 16"' of May,
with About three Hundred men he Stay'd there but Eight &
forty hours & Sett off for the Lakes, the Canadians were
very much distress'd that every 6*^ Man was Drafted, &
were daily deserting that they were very much discouragd
and Appeard Certain that they Cou'd not Penetrate farr, As
they heard of the Great Strength of Ticonderogo that those
that were Advocates for America suffer'd much, Gov'' Carleton
is to Continue at Quebec.
on the 11*'' Mess" Hazen & White haveing been Made
Prisoners on Seeing the Brittish Ship Coming into the
River ; which prov'd to be the Vulture Sloop of Warr. mth
her Came a Sloop with Supplys Cap" West Board"^ the
Sloop, but such Numbers Coming from the Ship, & no Pros-
pect of Success he thought best to Quit her. the Brittinors
being somewat Intemidated Thought proper to Set Sail the
Next day, but I fear their Return with Superior Force —
I have sent a Canoe for Other Indians on the Head of the
River whome I Expect this Week — I have sent Another to
Merameekee wdth a String of Wampum, to Let them Know
of my Business and Intention of Being Amoung them, which
I Intend doing when I Can Get the St Johns Indians a little
more Secure & Settled, a Number of them I Expect will Go
with me I have also sent off after an English Officer who is
Amoung them up the River who Calls himself a Deserter
but I presume is a spy —
Since my Arrival I have Imploy'd several of the Indians
in Sending them about with Express to the Other Tribes By
wich I Keep up their Spieriets I am Compeld at Present to
Stay here for I Fear on my Leaving this Place the Indians
woud be Immediatly down the River the Impression Colo
OF THE STATE OF RLA.INE 433
Gould has Made on their Minds seems to Occation an
Unsteady Conduct so much ( that Notwithstanding ) thier
Fair Speeches & friendly behaviour at Times I after all think
they Will Leave us — I Can hardly Write Any thing Cer-
tain about them And I doubt Not but my Own Letters may
Conterdict one Another for thiere Beheavour is so Change-
able, And When Any thing is on the Carpet on Either Side
they Appear So Assiduas & Sanguine, that I am often Led
to Suppose they are Come to A final Determination which
brings on an Unsteadyness in my own Conduct wdth them &
my Letters often Dictated as the Situation of my mind is,
After a Conference —
But upon the Whole I must say there is none acted more
Vertuous Even Those that are more Refind. they Are naked
& in Great want of Provisions Notwithstanding they Perse-
vear, and only in Distress will Purchais from the Adhearents
of Great Brittain. Many of them sence the Treaty &> Prom-
ises Made them have Quitted Hunting their familys I find
in Great Distress, with Many Complaints on the Arrival of
ColP Shaw I call'd a Meeting of Chiefs Sachems & Young
Men to Lay in their Complaints and upon the whole was
that they had not the Treatment they Expected. this
Expectation was found'd on the French Custom, which was
when they went to War their Famelys were Supplyd and
Whatever was Lost in War or drunkeness was made up to
them, for they say the Evil which arrises to them is in Con-
sequence of thier being in the Service there is no Convince-
ing them to the Contrary they say they were also Promised
hard Money & Many Other things —
Their Councels have often Met sence my Arrival here :
And have always been Called to Consalt; thier Maner of
Beheaviour is V)oth Solemn & Orderly — I liave somewat
Elated their Spiriet & Ambition P>y Convinceing them of
thier Cosequence Among Other Matters Agreed upon was
434 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
the Prices of Furrs with Some Staple Commodities Your
Honours may think the furrs are Placed high But this I Pre-
sum'd a Piece of Policy from this Reason that it was no
Likely hood Any American wou'd purchais'd furrs with hard
Money, that Furrs sent to the Continent bears a Great
Advance Equevilant to the Goods purchais'd that this
Method woud Naturly Occation a Jealousy & Dispute
between the Indians and the Adhearents of Brittain, as the
Latter woud Refuse to pay the Price, & very Likely Supplys
might not arrive time enough from the Continent all which I
thought wou'd Tend to the Service of the States, this
Arrangement is to the 1^* of January —
I have Only to add in Respect to the Indians, that there
must be timely Supplys, it will now take 16 or 20 pieces of
Strouds for this Tribe, besides Other Matters in proportion
& a Considerable Quantity of Corn & other Provisions, it
Cannot be Supposed that these Persons will Keep Always so
Quiet without Assisting them ( I mean for their furrs in pay-
ment) if they are Forced to Deal with the Brittains the
Consequence is Obvious & Sure & it must soon take place if
not Speedly prevented I woud Try at Meramechee for some
Cut Money is Wanting —
M"" John Preble, has been very Assiduous and Active he
was Forced to flee & Secure his Effects in the Woods, Quan-
titys of which were found & Embezzell'd by Tories & Sol-
diers, some things has been got. I have Orderd them to be
Remov'd from Masigerville to this Place, the Indians have
taken most of them — I have sent M'^ Preble to Mechias
for what Things I brought to Procure what Else he Can,
Before the Brittains Get to the River, But after all this
Preparation if a Force Does not Come ; it will be Imposible
to Keep their Interest • — I am at Present at a very Great
Expence haveing been forced to be very Lavish & Likely to
be far more then I Expected. I must therefore Earnestly
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 435
request Your Honours to Give me Speedy Information what
is your Intention that I may Order things Accordingly —
I have Recieved no Perticular News from Cumberland Nor
do we Know Any thing of the State of the Famelys Sence
Deeem"" Any more then In General. The Property of per-
sons absconding. & those who Refuse the Oath is mostly
Sized and Sold Several Famelys turnd out of their Homes —
I am reather afraid to send to Know for fear of Exasperate-
ing to more Cruelty. & Little Expect to see my family this
Year if Ever —
The River is Now Quiet, 60 Men at the mouth of the
river & my Keeping the Indians at Home & now & then
Raising a Small Allarm, to put the Indians in a httle Motion
Staggers the whole Inhabitants & Keeps any Inclination
from Attempt any thing — Many has been Here Makeing
the Greatest profession of Friendship — I desire them to
Keep away. I was determind to have no Connection wat-
ever with any Others but the Indians & declind Any of thier
Company this way. as I shoud not Trouble Aney of thier
Houses. And as Yet I have not been in Any House sence I
am on the River —
The bearrer Docf Nevers who is a Person who has Suf-
ferd the Greatest hardships, the most part of his Interest
Carried off by M'' Gould & himself Lyable every day to be
made a Pris(juer, liis Charector in Private Life as well as his
Zeal for his Country — Being a Great Instrument in Keeping
the Indians Quiet in Furnishing them with Provisions &c
Merrits the friendship of every person Concernd. Must
therefore recommend him to your Honours favour —
The Schooner which West took & Sent to Mechias belongs
to the States. Except so Much as the State pleases to allow
to tlie Captui-es your Honours will please to Authorize Cap"
Smith or some Other trusty Person to Secure the Property.
I am with much duty & Respect Your Ilonouis
Most Ob^ very hbl S^ J Allan
436 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
P. S. I must pray a parcel of Wampum may be spared
from the States, As I am much in want.
June 20*'^ 1777
This afternoon 3 Birch Canoes Arrived from the head of
the River with seven very respectable men Chiefs, they sent
for me, & precented me with a string of Wampum, Declaring
the utmost friendship, signifying their Acknowledgment &
Obligation in sending to them in such a friendly Manner, I
Expect a Conference to-morrow — about an hour After the
Canoe returned from Marimishe from the Micmacs, sending
me a Long string of Wampum Declaring the most fervent
Zeal for America — with there Good wishes & Love towards
me — that an Express was immediately sent of to Collect the
whole Chiefs at Marimishe where I shall meet them — By
this Last Canoe, I heard of a Boat from Cumberland with
16 Unhappy persons being Down the river on there way to
me — I woud mention that the paper Money will not pass at
present. Let me beseech your Honours to Consider the
Distress Country —
Letter from Creorge Stillman. June 18^ 1777.
Boston June 18*^ 1777
To the Honorable the Council of the State of Massachu-
setts Bay
May it Please your Honors Being acquainted by the
Depy Sec^ in /consequence of your Honors direction/ of my
Appointment as Major of a Regiment to be Raised in ye
Counties of Cumberland & Lincoln for an Expedition to y**
River S* John in Nova Scotia &c with due acknowledgement
of the Honor done me by y'^ General Court in this Appoint-
ment, tho I wish a person more competent to y® Business had
been appointed Yet from A desire of Serving my Country at
her call, especially in a Struggle which is at once y* cause of
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 437
Liberty & y® rights of Human nature relying on y® Candor
of the General Court and my Countrymen I do accept of s*^
appointment and Shall endeavour to Serve them to the
extant of the poor abilities of y'^ Honors most
Obedient Humble Be*
George Stillman
Letter from Col. Moses Little June 1777.
Boston June 1777
Sir I this Morning rec"^ your fav" acquainting me with
the Honor done me by the General Assembly of this State in
appointing me to the Command of the Forces destined for
Nova Scotia — I feel myself very sensibly affected by this
Mark of their Esteem & am extremely sorry that the broken
State of my own Health occasioned by the severe Services of
the last Campaign & the peculiar Situation of my Family at
this Time oblige me to decline this honorable Appointment —
With my best Wishes for the Success of this Expedition
& my warmes* acknoledgm" to the honorable Court I am
Sir Yr mo. Hum S*
Moses Little
To M' J Avery
In Council June 19, 1777 Read «Si sent down
Jn° Avery Dp^ Sec^
Letter to John Allan Esq June 20, 1777
Council Chamber June 20'" 1777
Sir/ We have received yours of the 18"" & 26'" ult°, &
attended to their Contents ;
Agreeable to the last Recommendation of Congress, this
State have taken into consideration the circumstances of the
438 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Inhabitants of S* John's River & other Eastern parts, & have
ordered one Regim' to be raised in this State, & 1 Company
of Matrosses, to serve 6 Months ; & also that another Regim*^
be raised in the Province of Nova Scotia to serve 12 months ;
& the Field officers for the 1^* Regim*are already appointed —
We tho't it prudent to give you this early notice of our
designs, in order to enable you to form your measures with
the Indians & other Inhabitants of those parts : And you
may depend upon our pushing this expedition into effect
with all possible dispatch — Your prudence will direct you
to keep this matter as secret as circumstances will permit,
lest the Enemy should endeavor to intercept us.
In the Name, & by Order of Council
John Allen Esq'
Letter from Jon'^ Warner. June 25^ 1777.
May it please your Honors
By the Direction of your Honors the Secretary has
Acquainted me of my appointment as Brigadier General to
Command the Forces Destined to S' Johns in Nova Scotia
and requires my immediate answer —
I could wish a Person of more Experience had been made
choice of as your Honors Must be Sensible that Military
knowledge and Experience is highly necessary in an under-
taking of this importance and the little opportunity I have
had to Qualify myself for so important an affair, but since it
has pleas^ your Honors to appoint me to Command in this
Expedition I will exert my poor Abilities and endeavour to
Deserve the Honor Confer'^ on your Honors most obedient
Humble Serv^
Jon* Warner
Boston June 25^^ 1777
To the Honourable Board
OF THE STATE OF IMALNE 439
Letter from Francis Shaw. July 4-> 1777.
Machias 4*'^ July 1777 —
May it Please your Honors
The following is a short Narrative of our proceedings since
I ^vrote your Honors from this Place —
After a passage of three days we reach'd Musquash Cove
ab* three Leagues West of St John River, during the Night
We heard several Cannon, on which We Concluded Immead-
iatly to send off a Boat of observation, which Returned in
the Morning ; and Inform'd that a Ship & Sloop were under
sail coming out of the Harbour — as soon as they were well
Clear of the Land, we push'd into the River & joined Cap*
Wests party — after taking such steps as we thought Neces-
sary to secure our Boats & provisions &'' &*= I proceeded up
the River to Aukepague, after settleing my Bussiness with
M"" Allan & the Indians, I sett off for the Mouth of the river,
intending immeadiatly for this place, leaving the Command
( with the advice of M"^ Allan ) with Cap' Dyar, on my arrival
I found the Ship Vulture had been in the Harbour 2 Days,
that on Monday the 23*^ June upwards of 40 Men Attempted
to Land in two Boats, near where we had a party of 21 Men
Stationed, who gave them so warm a Reception that after 20
Minuits they were glad to drift off to the Ship, the side of
one of the Boats that was next to our fire was so shattered,
they were obliged to heel her Gunnel too, to prevent her
sinking — it is uncertain how many Men they lost, but it was
generally supposed by the Spectators they had 16 or 18
Killed & Wounded, one through a Glass saw 8 hoisted on
board the Ship — our party did not suffer the least Damage —
I tarried there several days uutill two Ships more and one
Sloop had arrived, and Concluding they did not Incline to
attempt landing again, I left them on the Evening of y" 29***
June in high spirets, the Boats & provisions well secured,
and they posted in such a possition as to Defey the Enemy
440 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
to defeat them, unless assisted by the Inhabitants, who I
think will generally join our party as soon as they are
Inform'd of your Honors Determination to defend the River,
notwithstanding the oath lately Extorted from them — here
with you have two Letters from John Allan Esq"^ which were
intended to be delivered by Doc'' Nevers, as his Vessel could
not pass the ships, he is prevented proceeding for the present
I am with much Respect & Esteem Your Honor's
Most Humble Serv*'
Era : Shaw
To the Hon^'^ Council & Hon^^ House of Representitives at
Boston.
Letter from Col. Alex'' Campbell. July 13, 1777.
Number Four July IS^^- 1777
yesterday Received Letters from the Committee & Major
George Stillman of Machias, wherein I have the Following
Ace* Viz* that the Captains Dyer & West, had made an Hon-
orable Retreet from S* Johns, /they Commanding a Recruite-
ing Partey : to Watch the Enemys motions/ there was at
that time, in S* John three men of War two Tenders And a
Sloop belonging to the British King, the number of men on
bord these Vessels is unCertain, but we are Certain they
Landed 120 men, at one Peabodys, at Mahogany Bay So
Called. They March*^ through the woods two miles & a
half, our Troops having timely Notice, thought Best to call
in their Cards and Secure a Retreet — they Accordingly
Detach*^ their main Body, to a place Called great Bay Above
the Falls to Secure their Boats. Leaving Cap" Dyer With
twelve men to Observe the Enemys Motions — Captain Dyer
let the Main Body Come within good muskett Shot, then
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 441
fired and Retreeted. on his Retreat fell in with the Enemys
Flanque Gaurd, who fired on them at ten or twelve yards
Distance killed three and two Slightly Wounded, who got off
with Captain Dyer, our Party imedeatly Retreated up River,
at one oClock was Seen 25 miles up, Next Day the Enemy
follow*^ up River. — this intilegence Comes Straight from S'
Johns, By one M'' Bromlield, a Gentleman of undoubted
Credit and Veracity, who Supposes our troops intirely Safe,
as the Enemy proceeded but only 20 or 30 miles up River,
he was also Eye Wittness to the scurmish: by the same
Authority, we find the Enemy well inform*^ of the Eastren
Campaign, two Ships from New york was Despacth'^ Ime-
diatly who was into S' Johns. The Maremaid of 36 guns the
Ambuscaid of 32 D° with another Ship, With Orders to
Cruise Between Machias Harbour and Mount Desert to inter-
cept our fleets on their way Eastward — this from Machias
at the Same Time Desireing me to Communicate the Same
Westward — and as it is become the Duty and intrest of
Every Well Efected Person to Exert and Streech Every
Nearve in Oposition to Ministerial Tirany and Oppission —
precaution and Prevention being the Best of Action ; I
would Earnestly Recommend to all Officers of the Continen-
tal or States Troops, Commanders of forts, or Millitia, Com-
manders of Privatteers, Committees, and others who may
have it in their Power, that they use Every Means that the
Commanders of Troops or Ships Engag** on the Present
Expedition Eastward: may have Timely Notice of this mat-
ter So as to Govern them-selves Accordingly — A mistake of
this Kind, may Prove Extreemly Fattal, to the Eastren
Countrey and a Damage to the Publick Cause in Generall —
the Contrary of which is the Sincere Desire of a friend to his
Countrey
Alex : Campbell Lieu*^ Coll
Eastren Rege*^ County Lincoln
442 DOCUMENTABY HISTORY
NB its carefully to be observ** that M'' Bramfield informs
that the Ships have left S* Johns and now on their Cruise :
and often Seen on the Coasts between Mount Desert and
Machias how many more may be Collected is uncertain.
Superscribed :
On the Publick Service Express
To Aney Officer Commanding in State or Continental
Service, Committees and others friends to America
g'^ Cap* Davis
Letter from Meshech Weare. July llf^ 1777.
In Committee of Safety Exeter July 14'*' 1777
Sir/ By a Currier Just Come in from N° 4 we have
receiv'd a Confirmation of the unhappy affair at Ticonderoga
and that the party under Col° Warner ( mentioned in Gen'
S* Clair's Letter Suffered very much, no particulars are Come
to Hand but by reports of the Soldiers who have Stragled in
to N° 4 many of them wounded — that Several Field officers
are among the Slain — the Army we hear are gone to Ben-
nington, tho many of the Soldiers, are on their way home
some officers from this State, who were on theii' way to Join
the Army have Stop't at N° 4 and are Collecting all the Con-
tinental Soldiers, who Come in there, to march them back to
Join their Regiments — all our Melitia who marched on the
alarm have returned Home and we have had no opportunity
to give any new orders on this occasion —
As the Enemy without Doubt will Endeavour to make all
the Advantage the_ Can by their late Success, we think of
the highest Importance, that Some Spirited measures Should
be Immediatly Taken — and Desire you will Communicate to
OP THE STATE OF MAINE 443
US as Soon as possible your Sentiments on the Occasion, and
what method your State may adopt.
By order of the Committee —
I am with Due regard your most Obed* Hum^ Serv*
Meshech Weare Chairman
I^Qjjbie Presiden_ of Council of the State
of Massachusetts Bay —
Letter from Francis Shaw
Gouldsborough 15*^ July 1777
May it please your Honor's,
on my arrival at Machias the 14*'' Instant I wrote your
Honor's, and gave you the particular situation of our party
on the River S' John's.
By M"^ Broomfield of Newbury just arrived, I have the dis-
agreeable News that the Enemy had Landed 120 Men against
our party and after a Short Engagement obliged Cap** Dyer
& West to retreat up the River, leaving two killed & one
Mortally wounded, since dead, he further Informs our people
were seen 20 Miles up the River with their boats the same
day, I doubt not they will be able to Join M' Allan & his
party, & hope soon to have more favourable Accounts from
them — I am with much Respect & Esteem
Your Honor's Most Hum^ Serv*
Fra : Shaw
To The Hon^'® the Council & House of Representatives of
the Massachusetts State
Letter from Meshech Weare. July 16, 1777.
State of New Hampshire
In Committee of Safety July 16*'^ 1777
Sir, The Accounts we are continually receiving make it
more than probable that our Noithern Army have suffered
444 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
very mucli on their retreat — and that these who escaped are
much scattered — We have sent Officers to N° 4. to stop all
the Soldiers on their way home, as well those of the other
States as our own — and we understand a considerable num-
ber are collected there. —
We have received no Letters from the Army, and know
not the Rout they have taken, & are greatly at a loss what
Measures are necessary to be adopted at this important
Crisis — We therefore desire a Communication of your Sen-
timents on this Subject — Our General Court will meet
Tomorrow, and we are sure will readily coincide with our
Sister States in using the most spirited means to retrieve the
Losses and save our Country from threatened destruction —
By order of the Com**®
I am Sir Your Obed' Hum^^* Serv*^
Meshech Weare Chairman
j^Qjjbie President of the Council of
Massachusetts Bay
P. S. The Inhabitants of our Frontier Towns on Con-
necticut River are sending their Committees in the most
pathetic manner, begging to be supplied with fire Arms as
half of them ( they say ) are destitute, and other parts of the
State not much better stocked — We must again repeat our
solicitation in the most urgent manner to our Sister State to
sell us some of the large Quantity of Gmis they have lately
imported, or a considerable part of our Militia must remain
unwilling spectators of the War in which they would gladly
assist their Country. — We are also in the greatest want of
Lead, and pray to be supplied with what you can spare of
that Article —
M Weare
INDEX.
A, J., letter of, 294.
Abbot, Asa, signed Andover peti-
tion, 20.
Darius, ditto, 20.
David, signed Suncook petition,
205.
Ephraim, signed Andover peti-
tion, 20.
Francis, asked to furnish pow-
der. 387.
George Jr., signed Andover pe-
tition, 20.
Isaac Jr., ditto, 20.
John 5th, ditto, 20,
Jonatlian, ditto, 20.
Nehemiah Jr., ditto, 20.
Samuel, signed Suncook peti-
tion, 205.
Stephen, signed Andover peti-
tion, 20.
Acts of Incorporation, of Belfast,
199; Broad Bay, 200; Freetown,
226; Lebanon, 32, 33; Narra-
gansett No. One, 135; Ponds-
town, 122, 124, 126.
Acts relating to Preaching, 185;
York Bridge, 119.
Adams, Abigail, 294.
Henry, signed Narragansett pe-
tition, 160.
Jacob, ins losses at Falmouth,
301.
John, 294, 331.
Joseph, signed Narragansett pe-
tition, 1.59.
Samuel, signed Boothbay peti-
tic)n, 170; one of the Commit-
tee of Correspondence, 241;
defamed, 275; as secretary, 385.
Tliomas, ensign, ."IS."..
Address to Continental Congress,
296, 297.
Adkinson, Humjiliry, signed Nar-
ragansett petition, 181.
Advertisement of the Earl of Stir-
ling, 85.
Albany, 238.
Aldswood, Robert, grant to, 189.
Alexander, Sir William, first Earl
of Stirling, 85, 89, 90, 91.
Alexandria, name of a proposed
town, 86.
Allbee, Benjamin, signed Free-
town petition, 17, 217.
Jonathan, ditto, 217.
William, signed Machias memo-
rial, 115; justified the conduct
of Stephen Jones, 292.
Allen, , signed Freetown peti-
tion, 17.
Lieut. , 356.
James, signed Freetown peti-
tion, 217.
John, member of the General
Court, 407.
Col. John, reported the success
of the enemy, 414; his plan,
414; a premium offered for,
414, 415; deviated from his
plan, 415; started on an expe-
dition, 416; intercepted An-
derson's letter, 417; amount
due him, 422; drew from
truckhouse, 422; should be
supplied from the treasury,
423; to be continued in the
service, 423; an Indian agent,
423; Shaw to go to, 424; went
to Passamaquoddy Bay, 427;
at Musquash and Fort Freder-
ick, 427; arrested Mitchell,
429; at Mangerville, 429; wrote
a letter to the people, 429; met
iDdians, 429, 430, 431, 433, 434,
436; sent for other Indians,
432; keeps up the Indians'
spirits, 432; seized jiroperty,
435; keeps the Indians at
home, 435; letter to, 438; met
Col. Shaw, 439; .sent letter by
Col. Shaw, 440; troops to join,
443; letters of, 414, 417, 418,
426; report on his accounts,
422,
446
DOOUM ENTARY HISTORY
Alley, John, signed Boothbay peti-
tion, 171.
Jonathan Jr., ditto, 171.
Joshua, ditto, 171.
Samuel, ditto, 171.
Amaroscoggin, see Androscoggin.
Ambroise, an Indian, 406, 430, 431.
Ammunition, sent to forts, 54;
needed at Falmouth, 242, 338;
needed in the Eastern parts,
244, 356, 357, 360, .301; needed
at Brunswick, 244, 245; taken
from fort, 245; Congress
should supply Indians with
powder, 245; the colonists
expect to manufacture their
own powder, 255; more needed
at Winslow, 265; sent to An-
napolis but carried to Arun-
del, 266, 274; needed at Bel-
fast and Penobscot, 268, 269;
captured at Machias; but
more needed, 282, 314; Gold-
thwait to deliver arms to the
committee, 285; powder ar-
rived at Philadelphia, 294; the
enemy sent powder and balls
to the Indians for the latter
to attack the provincials, 323;
armament at Quebec, 328;
powder for the privateers,
337; Salem purchased a supply
of Abbot, 337; the amount at
Kennebec, 340; powder for
the colony, 346; can not be
supplied, 357; needed to be
used with intelligence, 360;
needed in Cumberland, 395,
396; expected at Machias,
399; needed by Col. Mitchell,
401; armament for St. Johns
River expedition, 420; needed
in the Connecticut Valley, 444.
Anderson, Abraham, signed Wind-
ham petition, 73.
James, part owner of the Loyal
Legion, 310.
John, of Newburn, taken pris-
oner and released, 311; he and
his wife intriguing, 416, 417;
letter of intercepted, 417.
Andover, 19, 20, 196.
Andre, Peter, a Micmac of La
Heve, joined the provincial
army, 365.
Andrews, Amos, signed the certifi-
cate for Ilsley, 386.
Ephraim, signed the Machias
memorial, 115.
Joseph, alias Saunders, sup-
Andrews, continued.
posed to have committed
murder, 14.
Androscoggin, Indians, 279.
River, 161, 162, 163, 214, 215,
279.
Annapolis, 262, 263, 266, 302, 303,
323, 325, 358, 375, 396.
Answer to Lyon, the Rev. James,
174; Memorial of Ministers of
York, 183; petition of Machias,
284.
Appleton, Mr. , member of the
General Court, 388.
Archer, John, his losses at the
destruction of Falmouth, 806.
Armament,. see under Ammunition.
Armstrong, Jonathan, a rioter at
Falmouth, 147, 148.
Army, Congress to establish an,
256; see also under soldiers.
Continental, 356, 357, 378, 411.
Royal, 356, 360.
Arnold, Gen. Benedict, Indians
with him in Quebec expedi-
tion, 363.
Arundel, a vessel seized which
belonged at, 266, 273; mate
obliged to enter the king's
service, 266, 273; vessel
brought to the home port,
266, 273; Committee of Cor-
respondence of, 267; repre-
sentatives in Congress, 247;
examination of papers of Jones
and Hicks at, 275, 276.
Assembly, the, Goldthwait a mem-
ber of, 271; the home govern-
ment desired to hinder the
usefulness of, 271, 272; at
Watertown, 291; see Congress
Proviricial.
Atkinson, Theodore, 47.
Aubens, Phillip, signed Sebasco-
degin petition, 76.
Aukepague, 426, 439.
Auld, James, signed Boothbay pe-
tition, 171.
Austin, Abiel, signed Suncook pe-
tition, 205.
Benjamin, desired information
about presents for Indians,
359; gorget and heart being
made for, 360; letter of, 359.
Zebediah, signed Suncook peti-
tion, 205.
Autpaque River, 426, 439.
Averell, Joseph, 302.
Avery, John, deputy-secretary,
358, 362, 366, 367,;385, 887, 388,
INDEX
447
Avery, continued.
403, 404, 407, 414, 418, 422, 424,
426, 437.
Robert, of Norwich, captured,
282; killed. 282.
Ayer, Elijah, signed Cumberland
petition, 396.
Moses, signed Pondstown peti-
tion, 119.
Simon, deposition of, 60; oath,
61; a proprietor, 61.
William, signed Suncook peti-
tion, 20.5.
Avers, Mr. , of Portsmouth,
249.
Obadiah, signed Cumberland pe-
tition, 390.
B
Babbidg, Couktney, signed re-
ceipt for Deer Island, 285.
Babcock, George, his land claimed
by New Hampshire, 109, 110;
desired another grant, 109, 110;
land granted to. 111, 112.
Backet, Thomas, signed Machias
letter, 292.
Bacon, Capt. Edward, of Barnsta-
ble. 344.
Bagley, Col. Jonathan, member of
the General Court, 20, 60, .51,
357; grant to, 33.
Moses, his losses at the destruc-
tion of Falmouth, 308.
ivX'i, i ^^'- — • '"'■
David, home in Pownalborough,
352; signed a bond, 354.
Jacob, selectman of Haverhill,
8.57.
Rev. Jacob, comi)laint against,
349; unduly attached to Great
Britain, 349, 353; did not read
pnblicly the proclamations of
Congress, 349, 353, 389, 393,
397; to give bond and appear
at court, 349, 353, 354; his
home in Pownalborough, 352;
prayed for (ieorge III, 389,
397, 398; result of his reasons,
389; an enemy to the country,
389; summoned to court, 389,
390, .'J98; his reasons for not
reading the Declaration of In-
dt-pendence, 390, 391, 397,3!»8;
his previous life, 892; not an
enemy to the country, 393;
will suffer for his princijilcs,
393, 394; the records concern-
ing to be sent to the general
Bailey, continued.
court, 397; why he prayed for
the king, 397; his sentiments
erroneous and false, .397, 398;
did not observe fast-days, 398;
did not pray for the success of
our army, 398; read only the
proclamations of the royal
governors, 398; his contempt
for Congress, 398; gave a bond,
398; bond of, 352.
James, selectman of Haverhill,
357.
John, his losses at the destruc-
tion of Falmouth, 310.
Joseph, ditto, 305.
Josiah, ditto, 306.
Baker, Caleb, as a witness, 354.
John, his losses at the destruc-
tion of Falmouth, 307.
Joseph, signed Suncook peti-
tion, 205; deposition of, 208.
Josiah, his losses at the destruc-
tion of Falmouth, 307.
Solomon, signed Falmouth peti-
tion, 217.
Bakerstown, meeting of the pro-
prietors of, 60; agent to be
paid, 60, 61; to be laid out. 61.
Ballard, Ephraim, of Oxford, took
possession of fort and land
belonging to Dr. Gardiner, 242,
407, 408,^409; inimical to the
cause, 408, 409; would not de-
liver the property, 408, 409,
410; illegal proceedings of,
408, 410.
Baptists, exempt from ecclesiasti-
cal tax, 185.
Barber, John, will exchange coin
for paper money, 374.
Barley, 381.
Barnard, Mr. — , 243, 248.
Ilev. , of Andover, 205.
Edward, signed the Suncook pe-
tition, 205.
Thomas, ditto, 205.
Barnet, John, .signed Belfast peti-
tion, 198, 232.
Mos., ditto, 198.
Barnstable, 344.
Barnum, Job, justified the conduct
of Stephen Jones, 295,
Barry, Jeremiah, liis losses at the
destruction of Kalmoutli, 307.
Barter, Benjri., signed Boothbay
l)etiti<in, 171.
.loliii, ditto, 171.
Jos(!ph, ditto, 171.
Nichs., ditto, 171.
448
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Barter, continued.
Saml., ditto, 171.
Sam!., Terts, ditto, 171.
Bartlett, Cutting, signed Narra-
gansett petition, 160.
Enoch, signed Narragansett me-
morial, 176.
Baskinridge, Somerset County,
England, 86, 87.
Batchelder, Capt. , member of
the General Court, 369.
Bates, Benjamin, 218.
Bath, letter from, 356.
Batteries being erected near North
Yarmouth, 319; see also Forts.
Battle, Isaac, signed certificate for
Ilslev, 386.
Bay of Fundy, 264, 282, 314, 345,
347, 355.
Bayley, see Bailey.
Beach, 271.
Beal, Ebenezer, justified the con-
duct of Stephen Jones, 292; in
needy circumstances, 314;
Bean, David and others, desired
more time, 83; more time
granted to, 84.
Beans, 881.
Beath, Jeremiah, signed Boothbay
petition, 171.
John, ditto, 171, 234; a select-
man, 234; one of the Commit-
tee of Correspondence, 260.
Beauebear, J ,, ^orv ^oi
Besuebair, } ^^^«°^- ' ^^^^ ^^l.
Beef, 381.
Belcher, Andrew, councilman, 10.
Gov. Jonathan. 44, 45, 46, 47, 49.
Belfast, bounds of, 197, 199; no
school at, 137; the people of
desired to be incorporated,
197; right to levy taxes and
sell lands, 198; incorporated,
199, 231; town meeting to be
called in, 199, 200; Waldo's
heirs sold land in, 231; incor-
poration proved to be a hin-
derance, 231, 232; desired
permission to tax or sell un-
settled lands, 232; proprietors
to be notified, 232, 233; the
people poor, 268; ammunition
needed at, 268, 269; the peo-
ple will support the cause of
liberty, 269; corn to be sent
to, 283; arms for, 283; powder
for, 283.
Benjamin's River, 268, 285.
Bennington, Vermont, 442.
Bent, Elijah, signed Machias peti-
tion, 41.
John, signed Cumberland peti-
tion, 396.
Bernard, Gov. Francis, letters of,
49, 52, 54; messages of, 2, 30,
31, 38, 61, 66; speeches of, 59;
mentioned, 6, 7, 10, 11, 14, 16,
17, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, 29,
32, 39, 47, 48, 66, 59, 62, 64, 65,
68, 70, 74, 77, 78, 88, 84, 87, 88.
John, in custody of Col. Thomp
son, 300; his bondsmen, 300;
not to remove his vessel, 300;
nor correspond with the ene-
my, 300.
Barre, John, signed Machias peti-
tion, 41.
Wesbruk, ditto, 41.
Berreck, William, signed Fort
Pownall petition, 57.
Berry, Ambrose, signed Narragan-
sett petition, 160.
John, in need, 802, 314.
Tomas, signed Narragansett
petition, 160.
Berwick, a boundary, 25, 26, 32, 33,
68; home of Capt. Gerrish,
274; the representative in
Congress, 274, 374.
Beverly, , member of the Gen-
eral Court, 404.
Bevveys, John, signed Machias
memorial, 115
Bible, the, translated, 35.
Biddeford, a boundary, 29, 159,
175, 181; Committee of Inspec-
tion, 289; Sullivan's letter
dated at, 355; representative
in Congress, 374; letter of , 288.
Bigmore, George, signed Muscon-
gus petition, 18.
John, ditto, 18.
Bills, Continental, see under Cur-
rency.
Birch, 271,
Bishop, James, signed Pondstown
petition. 118.
Black, David, part owner of the
Loyal Legion, 310.
Blake, Mr. , of Montreal, 239.
Blancher, Joseph, his loss at the
destruction of Falmouth, 306.
Bliss, Col. , member of the
Provincial Congress, 327.
Blue Hill Bay, 153.
Blunt, Ephraim, signed Suncook
petition, 205.
Isaac, signed Andover petition,
20.
INDEX
449
Blunt, continued.
John, signed Pondstown peti-
tion, 118.
Boards, 239.
Boats, 164.
Bollan, William, agent for Prov-
ince of Massachusetts Bay, 89,
156, 272.
Booker, Jacob, signed the Booth-
bay petition, 171.
John Jr., ditto, 171.
Booms, 237.
Booney, Joel, signed Machias pe-
tition, 41.
Boothbay, formerly called Towns-
end, 166; Dunbar induced
people to settle at, 160; pov-
erty of the settlers, 167, 168;
depredations of Indians at,
167, 168; furnished men for
the army, 167, 168; harrassed
by pretended proprietors, 168,
169; some settlers paid three
times for their lands, 169, 170;
incorporated, 169; has a meet-
ing house, 169; people of car-
ried firewood to Boston, 169;
ever loyal to the king, 169,
170; a boundary. 216, 226;
town meeting held in, 23o;
proceedings of the same, 233;
the same illegal, 234; new
town meeting to be called, 234,
235; obscure and insignificant,
259; passed patriotic resolu-
tions, 259; people would not
use tea, and adopted the nou-
imjxirtation covenant, 269;
appointed a Committee of
Correspondence, 259, 260; offi-
cers of the militia resigned,
260; people elected officers,
260; company of minute men
formed, 260; chose delegates
to Congress, 260; paid tax
directly to Congress, 260; will
indemnify the constable, 260;
will part with liberty only
with life, 260; petitions of,
16t;, 233.
Meeting House, 169, 238.
Boston, 11, 13, 14, 21, 27, 37, 40, 54,
83, 134, 143, 146, 147, 148, 151,
152, 1.53, 1.58, 169, 170, 186, 21:;,
220, 225, 233, 235. 236, 2.39, 240,
241, 242, 256, 262, 263, 264, 26(i,
273, 276. 277, 279, 280, 281, 288,
293, 304, 310, 315, 317, 319, 320,
323, 325, 33!^, 342, 343, 348, 358,
359, 361, 362, 366, 367, 381, 305,
Boston, continued.
396, 402, 404, 406, 407, 408, 409,
416, 417, 418, 430, 436, 437, 438,
440.
Committee of Correspondence,
2.35, 241, 242.
Council Chamber, 1, 3, 10, 39,
59, 62, 66, 88, 91, 106, 131, 147,
403, 437.
Gazette, 220.
Harbor, 235, 320.
Hospital, Military, 315.
Men, a name for the Provincial
soldiers, 406.
Newspapers, 32.
Capt. Winthrop, 833.
Bouden, John, signed Fort Pow-
nall petition, 57.
Paul, ditto, 57.
Boundaries, dispute with New
Hampshire, 4, 5, 6, 12, 13, 25,
43, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 61, 52,
59, 64, 100, 102, 109, 132, 165,
187, 188, 204, 214, 215, 218, 219,
221, 228, 229; fixed, 108; the
true eastern, 142; not settled
for Narragansett, 180; the line
between the English and In-
dians, at tide water, 368, 369.
Bourn, Melatiah, 342.
Bow, the proprietors of claimed
land in Suncook, 199, 204, 206.
Bowdoin, James, 10, 42, 81, 90,
134, 143, 151, 344. 348, 409, 410;
letters of, 361, 362, 365.
William, 151.
Bowdoinham, to send a represent-
ative to the Assembly, 290;
resolution not to do so, as
town is too distant, 291; has
been visited by fire, 291; in
sympathy with the cause, 291;
letter of, 290.
Meeting House, 291.
Howen, N^athan, presented the pe-
tition for Windham, 71.
Boyd, Thomas, signed letter for
Machias, 292.
Boynton, Amos, signed Machias
■ petitions, 41, 115; bill of, 302.
John .Jr., signed Narragansett
petition, 181.
Brackett, .John, signed letter for
Falmouth, 242.
Hradburv, Mr. , justice of the
peace, 147, 148.
Benjamin, signed Narragansett
petition, 181.
Jabcz, his loss at the destruc-
tion of Falmouth, 306.
450
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Bradbury, continued.
Jacob, signed the Narragansett
petition, 181; his losses at the
destruction of Falmouth, 309.
John, councilor, 1, 24; his losses
at the destruction of Fal-
mouth, 307.
Joseph, signed the Narragansett
petition, 181.
Mary, her losses at the destruc-
tion of Falmouth, 309.
Merrill, bill for cabins, 302.
Roland, his losses at the de-
struction of Falmouth, 309.
Samuel, ditto, 306.
Thomas, signed the Narragan-
sett petition, 181; his losses
at the destruction of Fal-
mouth, 307.
William, signed the Narragan-
sett petition, 181.
Bradford, Cornelius, signed Mus-
congus petition, 18.
Gamaliel, 1.
Joshua, 18.
Braintree, 322.
Brattle, William, 1, 88, 90, 134,
143, 147, 174, 193.
Brazer, John, signed Muscongus
petition, 18.
Brazier, Harrison, his losses at the
destruction of Falmouth, 309.
Breda, Treaty of, 207.
Breed, Nathaniel, signed the Free-
town petition, 17.
Brewer, Col. Josiah, letter of, 413,
414.
Bridge over York River, built, 19
passengers to pay toll, 119
rates, 119, 120; rules, 120, 121
those who can pass free, 120,
121.
Bridges, Josiah, died, 92.
Moody, agent, desired change of
land in township, 28, 29, 98;
people can't sell land, *28; peo-
ple in arrears of taxes, 28;
land grants changed, 94; the
new not equivalent for old
lands, 95, 98; desired to be
quieted in peaceable posses-
sion, 95; desired to hold town-
ship as originally granted, 98;
petitions of, 28, 29, 94, 98.
Bridge's Town, a boundary, 165.
Brier, Samuel, signed Boothbay
petition, 170.
Brigantine, a, 345.
Briggs, see under Vessels.
Briggs, continued.
Cornelius, his losses at tha
destruction of Falmouth, 308.
Brimhall, Cornelius, ditto, 308.
Bristol, England, 139.
Maine, home of Eggleston, 107;
Richard Fullford settled in,
107, 108; a boundary, 200, 202;
letters from, 292, 360; in dis-
tress, 226, 297; Congress asked
to send supplies to, 296, 297;
why Congress can't comply
with the request, 297, 298.
Round Pond, 107.
Broad Bay, situation of, 14; de-
sired the removal of the shire
town, 15; desired to be set off,
15; incorporated, 200; bounds
of, 200, 201, 202; town meeting
to be called in, 202; petition
of, 14, 15.
Back Cove, 201.
Havanna Point, 201.
Jones Neck, 201.
Passage Point, 201.
River, 201.
Broad, Ephraim, his losses at Fal-
mouth, 309.
Bromfield, Mr. , of Newbury,
441, 442, 443.
Brooks, Isaiah, signed Narragan-
sett petition, 181.
Brown, Capt. Henry Young, pur-
chased land and laid out a
town, 4, 222; the same claimed
by New Hampshire, 4, 24, 63,
223; sued, 4; to be sustained
by Massachusetts, 4, 5, 6, 7,
24, 63, 228; more land granted
to, 5, 6, 24, 63, 101; conditions
of the new grant, 5; threat-
ened the grantees of New
Hampshire, 13; his precipita-
tion presumed to be unknown
by Massachusetts, 13; sum
advanced to, 25; sum due
from, 25; not to prosecute, 63;
at great expense and trouble
to reap advantages from his
land, 63, 64; desired boundary
should be settled, 64; condi-
tions of further grants, 102; to
settle his claims upon the gov-
ernment, 102; further allow-
ance in money from the gov-
ernment, 103; has been sued
by those to whom he sold
land, 116; desired further re-
lief, 116, 117; complied with
the conditions, 222; to keep
INDEX
451
Brown, continued.
possession of the land, 223; to
prosecute claimants, 223; paid,
223, 224; new grant to, 222;
subject to damages, 224; paid
damages, 224; not reimbursed
by the government, 224; Maj.
Phillips claimed the land, 224;
can produce evidence to sup-
port facts, 224; money which
he received was paid out by
the order of the General Court,
225; conditions on which he
will settle, 230, 231; his losses
at the destruction of Fal-
mouth, 308; petitions of, 62,
64. 116, 222, 224.
J., letter of, 238.
John, surveyor, 29, 39; letter of,
39.
John, of Belfast, 198, 231, 232.
Joseph, signed Freetown peti-
tions, 17, 217; signed Ponds-
town petition, 119; signed Sun-
cook petition, 205.
Joshua, his losses at the destruc-
tion of Falmouth, 307.
Silvanus, ditto, 308.
William, member of the General
Court, 82; bill of, 302; his
losses at the destruction of
Falmouth, 306.
Wright, signed the Pondstown
petition, 119.
Brownstown. 19.
Brunswick, people of staunch for
the country, 243, 244; Parry's
papers signed at, 248; home
of Samuel Thompson, 249, 269,
274; prisoners to be sent to,
287; men enlisted in, 333; rep-
resentative in Congress. 274;
molasses sold at high prices
at, 339; exportation of the
same stopped, 840; Committee
of Safety, 340; letters from,
244, 339.
Bryant, 1 Mr. , his land a
Bryent, / boundary, 102, 116; one
of the committee to examine
Parry, 299.
Bartholomew, bill of, 302.
Eleazer, signed Machias peti-
tion, 41.
James, signed Pleasant River
petition, 94.
Capt. Jonathan, justice of the
jieace, 208; his losses at the
destruction of Falmouth, 307.
Bryant, continued.
Samuel Davis, signed the Ma-
chias petition, 41.
Walter, his deposition referred
to, 12, 48, 49; lines run by
him, 24, 25, 45, 47, 50, 51; his
survey doubted, 45, 46, 49, 50,
52; objections to his line, 46;
interrogated, 47, 49, 51, 52.
Buck, Capt. and Col. Jonathan,
signed the Penobscot letter,
269; settled eight miles from
Fort Pownall, 271; letters
by, 273, 277; corn to be sent
to, 285; Lowder's letters to,
412, 424; to be asked for re-
enforcements, 414.
Jonathan Jr., signed Fort Pow-
nall petition, 57.
Nathaniel, signed Pleasant River
pelition, 93.
Thomas, signed Machias peti-
tion, 41.
Thomas Jr., ditto, 41.
Buckminster, Col. , 111.
Joseph, 70.
Bullock, William, and others to
remain possessors of the land,
136; conditions of the grant,
136, 137.
Buncker, Gerard, 86.
Bunten, Andrew, signed Suncook
petition, 205.
Burgoyne, Gen. John, 329, 330,
360, 432.
Burk, Michell, signed Cumberland
petition, 396.
BnrnemiV^J'.;. ^'^^f ^^^^-^^'^^
Burnum,jP«t'^>""--^l-
John, his losses at the destruc-
tion of Falmouth, 307.
Samuel, signed the Machias pe-
tition, 41.
Sok>mon, signed Boothbay peti-
tion, 170.
Burnham, James, of Arundel, 267.
Job, his bill, 302.
Hums, Geo., iiis loss at the de-
struction of Falmouth, 307.
Burrill, John, speaker, 34.
Butler, James, his subscription for
the St. Jolin's expedition, 366.
John, his losses at the destruc-
tion of Falmouth, 306.
William, his subscription to the
St. John's expeditiou, 366.
Butter, 311, 381.
Buxton, England, 135.
452
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Buxton, continued.
Maine, Narragansett No. One,
135; incorporated, 135; bounds
of, 135; named, 135; origin of
name, 135n; town meeting in,
135, 136, 235; to concur with
Committee of Correspondence,
285; resolutions relating to
American liberty, 235, 236.
B , Daniel, justitied the con-
duct of Stephen .Jones, 292.
C
Calef, Dr. , member of the
General Court, 79.
Call, John, signed Boothbay peti-
tion, 171.
Obediah Jr., as a witness, 354.
Cambridge, Mass., 131, 228, 256,
.333.
Cammet, Dudley, his losses at the
destruction of Falmouth, 309.
Campbell, Lieut. Col. Alex., gave
report of British vessels, 441;
letter of, 440.
Fetter, signed Cumberland peti-
tion, 396.
Canada, 26, 56, 168, 238, 240, 255,
328, 329, 342, 358, 363, 413, 416,
419, 428.
Expeditions to, 22, 27, 59, 77, 99,
100, 365.
River, 368.
Rowley, 5, 6, 28, 29.
Canadians, 246, 356, 360, 432; also
called the French.
Canady, Nicolus, signed Freetown
petition, 16.
Cannon, see under Ammunition.
Cape Ann, Mowat found it expe-
dient to attack, 342; exempt
from the draft, 358.
Cape Elizabeth, Second Parish of
Falmouth, 71, 79, 99; repre-
sentative from in Congress,
274, 355; number of soldiers
at, 338.
Fear, .329.
Forschue, alias Yarmouth, 345,
347, 351.
Porpois, 263.
Capepersue, same as Cape For-
schue.
Capron, Thomas, subscribed for
Canada expedition, 365.
Cargill, Col. Thomas, 322.
Carlton, Dudley, letter, 84.
Maj. Gen. Sir Guy, 239, 241,328,
829, 482.
Carrying Place, 413.
Cartel, for exchanging prisoners,
331.
Carter, Caleb, his loss at the de-
struction of Falmouth, 306.
Joseph, one of the Committee
of Correspondence, 266.
Casco Bay, 270, 288, 319, 387, 419.
Castine River, 90.
Cate, Edward, signed Pleasant
River petition, 94.
Cates, Joseph, selectman of Gor-
ham, 78.
Catharine II, to send infantry to
assist the British, 304.
Cattle, 310, 311, 345, 347.
Caughnawaga Indians, 240.
Cedar, 271.
Chace, Caleb, represented Gorham
in Congress, 355.
Chadbourn, \ Benjamin, petitioned
Chadburne, j inbehalf of Lebanon,
25, 26; to issue warrants for
town meetings, 33, 68; mem-
ber of the Provincial Congress,
301, 319.
Chadwick, Mr. , member of
the General Court, 174.
Chaloner, John, justified the con-
duct of Stephen Jones, 292;
his bill as a surgeon, 303.
Dr. William, justified the con-
duct of Stephen Jones, 292;
accompanied Stillman, 314.
Chamberlain, John, signed Sun-
cook petition, 205.
Champlain, Samuel de, named
Mount Desert, 141; the first
European on the eastern
shores, 142.
Champney, Morrlce, member of
the General Court, 111.
Chandler, David, signed Andover
petition, 20; signed Suncook
petition, 205.
Isaac, signed Andover petition,
20.
John, signed Pondstown peti-
tion, 118.
John Jr., ditto, 119.
Joshua, signed Andover peti-
tion, 20.
Nathan, ditto, 20.
Nathaniel Jr., ditto, 20.
Chaplain, see under Ministers.
Chapman, Anthony, signed Dam-
ariscotta resolutions, 238.
Nathan, ditto, 238.
Charlestown, Mass., 379.
INDBX
453
Chase, Amos, signed Narragansett
petitions, 159, 175.
Ephraim, second lieutenant East-
ern River Company. 314.
James, signed Freetown peti-
tions, 17, 217; signed Narra-
gansett petition, 159.
John, signed Freetown petition,
217.
Chaudiere (Shodier) River, settle-
ments guarded by the English
on, 368.
Chauncey, Charles, of the Provin-
cial Congress, 274, 299, 301,
319; declined reelection, 352;
letters of, 352, 426.
Cheese, 381.
Chester, proprietors claimed land
in Suncook, 206.
Simeon, signed Cumberland pe-
tion, 396.
Child, Thomas, signed St. Paul's
parish petition, 192; his losses
at the destruction of Fal-
mouth, 309.
Churchmen, exempt from ecclesi-
astical tax, 185.
Clams, sometimes the only food
for people at Boothbay, 167.
Clark, Abraham, justified the con-
duct of Stephen Jones, 292.
Alexander, signed Belfast peti-
tion, 232.
Clay, Daniel, signed Narragansett
petition, 181.
Richard, ditto, 181.
Clay ford, Jaco., signed Fort Pow-
nall petition, 57.
Clements, James, ditto, 58.
Timothy, ditto, 58.
demons, Ezekiel, signed Sebasco-
degin petition, 77.
Clewly, Isaac, signed Fort Pownall
petition, 58.
Clifford, Isaac, signed Freetown
petition, 217.
William, ditto. 16, 217.
William 2iid, ditto, 217.
Clinton, Maj. (ien. Sir Henry, 328,
329, 330.
Club Law in Machias, 118; also
called Mob Law, which see.
Coal. Kbenezer, signed Pleasant
I'liver petition, 93.
»e(: also Cole.
Cobb, Cliipman, his loss at Fal-
mouth, 307.
James, ditto, 309.
Samuel M. Jr., signed Hoothljay
petition, 171.
Cobb, continued.
Thomas, his loss at Falmouth,
306.
see also McCobb and MttCobb.
Cobbiseconta, timber at, inspected,
152.
Great Pond, 118, 127.
Cobham, Abigail, her losses at the
destruction of Falmonth, 309.
Cochran, John, signed petition of
Belfast, 198.
Codman, Richard, submitted list
of Falmouth losses, 310, 394.
Cofferin, William, assessor at
Windham, 210; to oath to the
valuation illegally, 211.
Coffin, Col. . member of the
General Court, 369.
Nath'l, his losses at the destruc-
tion of Falmouth, 309.
Samuel, signed Pleasant River
petition. 94.
Coin, see under Currency.
Colburn, J ere, 368.
Colby, Abel, signed Freetown pe-
tition. 17.
Lot. ditto, 16.
Noar, ditto, 217.
Colby, Rogles, ditto, 217.
Cole, Jabesh, one of Waldo-
borough Committee of Corre-
spondence, 267.
James, justified the conduct of
Stephen Jones, 292; in needy
circumstances, 314.
Joseph, wounded at Machias,
303.
see also Coal.
Collson, Hatr., signed Fort Pow-
nall petition, 58.
Ichabod, ditto, 58.
Josiah, ditto, 58.
Colwell, Sebaen, ditto, 57.
Combs. Anthony, signed Sebasco-
degin petition, 77.
Anthony .Jr., ditto, 76.
Joseph, ditto, 76.
Committees of Correspondence
and Safety, 235, 239, 241, 246,
247, 250, 251, 253, 259, 260, 265,
267, 278, 270, 283, 285, 287, 288,
293, 294, 314, 316, 318, 820, 326,
328, 331, 384, 340, 349, 353, 357,
358, 384, 389, 394, 306, 397, 399,
407, 409, 410, 412, 416, 418, 421,
442, 443.
Conaticut, people ol Frenchman's
Hay to purchase provisions at,
ii90.
454
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Concord, Mass., 250, 261, 274.
Goal, 276, 277.
Condeskeeg Stream, 153.
Condon, Lucy, her losses at the
destruction of Falmouth, 307.
Samuel, signed Muscongus peti-
tion, 18.
Confirmations to, Fuller, Capt.
Joshua, 161; Otis, James, 164;
Phips, David, 162.
Congregational Churches, 185.
Congress, Continental, 239, 240,
244, 258, 259, 265, 267, 272, 275,
296, 297, 298, 331, 339, 349, 354,
358, 360, 375, 389, 391, 417, 423,
431.
General, 237.
Provincial, 236, 237, 238, 244,
245, 246, 247, 248, 250. 254, 266,
269, 260, 261, 266, 266, 267, 26-<,
269, 270, 272, 273, 275, 276, 277,
278, 279, 280, 283, 284, 285, 286,
287, 288, 291. 293, 302, 310, 316,
330, 347, 349, 361, 374, 398, 418,
419, 421, 437; representatives
from the District of Maine,
274, 354.
Connecticut, 86, 240, 273, 276, 282,
381.
River, 227, 229, 444.
Conway, 42, 43.
Cook, Elijah, signed the Muscon-
gus petition, 18.
Gov. Nicholas, 405.
Coolbroth, James, bill of, 302.
Cooper, Thomas, signed the Fort
Pownall petition, 57.
William, member of the Provin-
cial Congress, 318, 327.
Corbet, Benjamin, signed the Ma-
chias petition, 41.
Cord wood, see Fire wood.
Corliss, William, signed the Ma-
chias memorial, 115.
Corn, Indian, 345, 347, 381.
Oornwallis, Maine, 803.
Gen. Charles, Earl, 329, 330.
Corsair, Mary, her loss at the de-
struction of Falmouth, 307.
Cortew, Samuel Jr., signed the
Boothbay petition, 171.
Cotton, John, deputy-secretary, 6,
7, 9, 23, 32, 74, 82, 84, 97, 98,
102, 110, 111, 112, 117, 136, 137,
149, 160, 161, 166, 174, 177, 182,
186, 193, 202, 212, 216, 218, 220,
226, 227, 228, 230, 233, 236; let-
ter of, 11.
Coulson, Capt. John, master of
the Unity, 386.
Coulson, continued.
Capt. Samuel, his goods seized
by Thompson, 253.
Courts, the place for holding not
easily attended, 14, 15, 16, 17;
people of Boothbay desired
the removal of, 15; people of
Freetown desired the removal
of 16; people of Muscongus
and Medumcook desired the
removal of, 17, 18.
Cousens, Nathaniel, of Falmouth,
signed certificate for Ilsley,
380.
Samuel, signed the Fort Pow-
nall petition, 57.
Coverly, Mary, her losses at the
destruction of Falmouth, 307.
Cox, John, of Falmouth, his sloop
impressed, 64; attacked, 64;
desired remuneration, 64, 65;
to be paid, 65; captured by
the enemy, 269; his loss at the
destruction of Falmouth, 305;
petition of, 63.
Lemuel, his losses at the de-
struction of Falmouth, 309.
Crags, Moses, signed the Fort
Pownall petition, 57.
Craigg, James, signed the Ponds-
town petition, 119.
Crane, Thomas, member of the
General Court, 379.
Crarge, Samuel, signed Fort Pow-
nall petition, 57.
Crary, Oliver, signed Penobscot
letter, 269.
Craven, Joseph, signed Boothbay
petition, 171.
Crawford, Rev. William, chaplain
and sui-geon at Fort Pownall,
68.
Crocker, Capt. , of Falmouth,
371.
John, signed petition for Ma-
chias, 41.
William, signed certificate for
Ilsley, 386.
Crockett, Josiah, signed receipt
for Deer Island, 286.
Crosby, Abigail, her loss at the
destruction of Falmouth, 306,
Jonah, one of the Committee of
Correspondence of Winslow,
265, 409.
Cross, Mr. , member of the
Provincial Congress, 318.
Caleb, signed Freetown petition,
217.
Joshua, ditto, 17, 217.
INDEX
455
Cross, continued.
Xoah, ditto, 217.
River, 216.
William, signed Freetown peti-
tion. 217.
Crown Point, 356, 404.
Cumberland County, 10, 11, 22, G4.
71, 74, 84, 14(j, 148, 177, 208,
210, 212, 253, 2.57, 300, 315, 321,
333, 330, .355, .358, 379, 386, 304,
395, 396, 309, 406. 407, 412, 419,
420, 435, 436; petitions of, 339,
396.
Cumming, Thomas, his losses at
the destruction of Falmouth,
309.
Cunhill, Joseph, signed Boothbay
petition, 171.
Cunningham, Archibald, of Bos-
ton, 315.
James, signed Suncook petition,
205.
John, signed Freetown petition,
17, 217.
Mary, her loss at the destruc-
tion of Falmouth, 307.
William, signed Freetown peti-
tion, 17, 217; signed Narragan-
sett iietition, IGO.
Currency, continental bills, 58,
.373,* 374, 436; coin, 58, .365,
373, 374; cut money, 434; hard
monev, 4.34; sterling money,
403.
Curtis, Charles, signed Fort Pow-
nall petition, .57.
James, signed Brunswick letter,
245; member of the Committee
of Correspondence, 340.
Cushing, Caleb, member of the
General Court, 20, 301.
Charles, one of the Committee
of Correspondence, 350; mem-
ber of the General Court, .390,
394; sent r<-port concerning
Rev. Jacob Bailey, 397, 398;
report concerning masts, 398;
member of the Council, 426;
Jiis health, 426; letters of,
.397, 426.
Joseph, member of tlie (ieneral
Court, 357.
Loring, signed Falmouth peti-
tion, 79.
Fioland. declined an appoint-
ment, -100.
Thomas, member of the General
Court, 0, 7, 23, 29, .32, .33, 65,
66. 6H, 74, 82, 84, 97, 98, 99,
100, 101, 102, 110, 111, 112, 117,
Cushing, continued.
121, 124, 126, 129, 1.30, 132, 134,
135, 136, 137, 156, 162, 163, 164,
165, 174, 177, 179, 182, 184, 186,
193, 200, 202, 212, 215, 218, 220,
222, 226, 227, 228, 230, 233, 235,
360; signed Falmouth petition,
79.
William, to issue warrants for
town meetings, 123, 125, 128.
Customs, officers of the, made
seizures, 8, 10; obstructed, 9;
see also under Trade.
Cutt, Edward, member of the
Provincial Congress, 274, .374;
to examine Parry, 299.
Cutter, William, to raise a regi-
ment, 333; where he enlisted
his men, 333; letter of, 333.
D
Dalton, Jeremiah, signed Free-
town petition, 17.
Damariscotta, not a township,
23(); considered the distressed
condition of the country, 2.37;
revolutions of, 237, 2.38.
Danforth, Samuel, member of the
Council, 1, 88.
Dane, John, signed Andover peti-
tion, 20.
William, ditto, 20.
Danielson, Timothy, member of
the General Court, 351, 357,
414.
Danks, Capt. Isaac, master of the
Falmouth packet, 315, 320.
to carry a cargo to Boston and
there receive orders, 315; his
vessel captured and brought
to Gouldsborough, .320.
Darling, Eliakim, signed Andover
petition, 20.
Dartmouth, Karl of, letter of 304;
mentioned, 186, 206.
Davenport, Joseph, signed Ponds-
town petition, 119.
Davidson, John, signed Belfast
petitions, 198, 232.
Davis, Capt. , 442.
Col. — — , member of the Gen-
eral Court, 340.
Charles, signed Boothbay peti-
tion, 171.
?^bene/.er, signed Muscongus
petition, 18.
Grafen, ditto, 18.
Israel, signed Boothbay petition,
171.
456
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Davis, continued.
Israel Jr., ditto, 171.
Jacob, signed Muscongus peti-
tion, 18.
Jno. Dresser, signed Boothbay
petition, 171.
Josiah, signed Ilsley petition,
386.
Moses, signed Freetown petition,
217.
Nathaniel, signed Machias peti-
tion, 41.
Samuel, signed Muscongus peti-
tion, 18.
Capt. Solomon, of Barnstable,
344.
William, signed Muscongus peti-
tion, 18.
Zachariah, ditto, 18.
Daws, Jonathan, signed Boothbay
petition, 171.
Dawse, John, ditto, 171.
Day, Abner, signed Freetown peti-
tion, 16.
Day & Scott, consignees, 263,
265, 315.
De , Stephen, signed Sebas-
codegin petition, 76.
DeBerdt, Dennis, to get a settle-
ment of a boundary, 24; letter
of, 58.
Decker, David, signed Boothbay
petition, 171.
Declaration of Independence, 389,
390, 393, 397.
Deering, Nathaniel, his loss at the
destruction of Falmouth, 307.
Deer Island, people of, in distress,
279; wants supplied, 285; peo-
ple of, seize a vessel, 332.
Delano, Seth, signed Pondstown
petition, 119.
Denaquara, Joseph, a Micmac of
Winsor, spoke three lan-
guages, 365; joined the army,
365.
Depositions of Ayer, Simeon, 60,
61; Baker, Lovejoy and King,
208; Holt, Benjamin, 205;
Holt, Stephen, 195; Richard-
son, Josiah, 70; Smith, Sam-
uel, 273; Wardwell, Jeremiah,
335; Whittier, Ebenezer, 274.
Derby, Richard, to purchase pow-
der, 337; a member of the
General Court, 385.
Deserters from the British vessels,
314, 319, 320.
Dexter, Samuel, 88.
Devens, Richard, commissary-gen-
eral, 837.
Dey, James, signed Boothbay pe-
tition, 171.
Moses, ditto, 171.
Dilbeney, James, signed Machias
memorial, 115.
Dillany, James, justified the con-
duct of Stephen Jones, 292.
Dillaway, James, his bill for at-
tending the wounded, 303.
Dimuck, Joseph, letter of, 402.
Dinsmore, David, of New Glouces-
ter, sent on a tour of discov-
ery, 246.
Disko, Samuel, signed Pleasant
River petition, 93.
Dix, Jonas, member of the Gen-
eral Court, 20, 103, 414.
Doane, Col. , of Wellfleet, 344.
Doddings, Capt. — — , master of
Senegal, 288.
Dodge, Zachariah, signed Free-
town petition, 217.
Dole, John, his loss at the destruc-
tion of Falmouth, 307.
Domett, Jos., signed petition of
St. Paul's Parish, 192.
Donnel, Benjamin, signed Narra-
gansett petition, 181.
Joseph, ditto, 181.
Thomas, 290.
Doring, Edward, 194.
Dorria, Capt. , 14.
Dow, Ebenezer, signed Falmouth
petition, 17.
Nathan, signed receipt for Deer
Island, 285.
Downe, Samuel, desired more
time, 20, 21.
Doyne, Francis, signed Suncook
petition, 205; compensated for
his loss, 206.
Drisko, John, signed Pleasant
River petition, 93.
Joseph Jr., ditto, 93.
Dryburg. Robert, his loss at the
destruction of Falmouth, 306.
Dubuisont, Joseph, signed Ma-
chias petition, 41.
Duck Puddle Brook, 200.
Puddle Pond, 200.
Due, Margaret, her losses at the
destruction of Falmouth, 306.
Duke's County, 358.
Dummer, Gov. William, 37.
Dun, Arthur, signed Pondstown
petition, 119.
Dunbar, Col. David, led settlers to
Townsend, 166; failed to give
INDEX
457
Dunbar, continued.
the promised deeds, 166; his
authority superceded, 167.
Dunham, Capt. , of the Vine-
yard, 346.
Dunn, Samuel, signed the Fal-
mouth petition, 79.
Dunning, Andrew, 340.
Lieutenant, Robert, 333.
Durham, John, signed Belfast pe-
tition, 198.
John Jr., ditto, 198.
Tolford, ditto, 232.
Durrell, Benjamin, one of the
Arundel Committee of Corre-
spondence, 267; represented
Arundel in Congress, 374.
Dutch, 207.
Duties prevent harmony, 1.57.
Dwight, Nathaniel, surveyor, his
plan of Bullock's land ac-
cepted, 136.
Dyer, Capt. , 439, 440, 441, 443.
James, signed Machias petition,
41; his bill for guarding pris-
oners, 802.
Samuel, signed Falmouth peti-
tion, 79.
E
East River, 345.
Eastern, Bay, 80.
Country, a moth, 379, 380, 382;
not worth protecting, 379, 381;
equal to the other provinces,
381, 382; Rev. James Lyon's
prophecy concerning, 382.
River, 188, 153.
River Company, officers of, 313,
314.
Eastman, Richard, signed Suncook
petition, 205.
Eaton, Jacob, his land a boundary,
201.
John, signed Narragansett peti-
tion, 181.
Rev. Samuel, settled at Sebasco-
dcgin Island, l'>; infirm, 76.
P3ayr, .Joshua, signed Fort Pownall
petition, 57.
Eddy, Capt. Jonatlian, sent pris-
bufrs to Macliias, 394, 395
raised recruits, 395, 396, .399
captured a vessel, 395, .'596
not successful in taking a
garrison, 395. 396, 427; his
expedition not altogether ap-
j)roved, 399; Indians served
under, 406; has money for In-
Eddy, continued.
dians, 406; letters of , 394, 395,
398.
Eddy's affair, 427.
Egamogging Reach, 140.
Eggleston, Hezekiah, his home at
Bristol, 107; descended from
Richard Fullford, 107; his land
title lost, 108; desired con-
firmation of land title, 108;
testimonies to be taken to set-
tle title, 110, 111; petition of,
107.
Elbridge, Giles, grant to, 189.
Elden, Nathan, signed Narragan-
sett petition,, 181.
Elder, William, assessor of Wind-
ham, 210, 211, 212; took an
oath on valuation of the town,
211; Grasham brought an ac-
tion against, 211; desired the
General Court to release him,
211; forfeiture remitted, 212;
petition of, 210.
Eliott, \ James, signed Machias
Elliot, /petition, 41; to levy taxes
at Machias, 185, 186; justified
the conduct of Stejihen Jones,
292.
John, deserted the British fleet,
820.
Ellis, Mr. , member of the
General Court, 403.
Elvins, Richard, signed Narragan-
sett petition, 160.
Elwell, Benjamin, ditto, 160.
Jonathan, his losses at the de-
struction of Falmouth, 309.
William, signed Muscongus pe-
tition, 18.
William Jr., ditto, 18.
Emerson, Edward, signed Booth-
bay petition, 171.
f]mery, 1 Jonathan, signed Ponds-
Eniry, ) town petition, 118.
Joseph, his loss at the destruc-
tion of Falmoutl), 307.
Nathaniel, signed Pondstown
petition, 119.
England, 55, 104, 130, 189, 147, 148,
187, 195, 207, 255, 263, 272, 288,
341, 387, 392.
Church of, members of exempt
from tax to support the Con-
gregational churches, 185; pe-
tition St. rauTs (Church, 191;
Bailey adlieicd to the liturgy,
389; all the clergy of, except
one, refused to read publicly
80
458
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
England, continiied.
the Declaration of Independ-
ence, 890.
English, the, trade with Indians
restricted, 30; purchased land
settled on, 37; always held
the country west of Penobscot,
207; the Indians will join with
those in New England, 240;
the French will gain by non-
importation acts, 240; the
home government sent vessel
against, 255; the colonists in
favor of opposition, 255; ships
gone up Canada River, 368;
guard at Soceconick, 368; not
to settle above tide-water, 368;
regiment to be raised to in-
clude Indians, 363; blockaded
the provincials, 376; gave great
presents to the Indians. 413;
to erect forts on St. Johns
River, 415; must be forced
back, 415; had a spy among
the Indians, 432.
Erving, John, councilor, 1, 147.
Essex County, 61, 196.
Gazette, see under Salem.
Exeter, N. H., 442.
F
Fa BY AN, Joshua, to raise a com-
pany, 333; represented Scar-
borough in Congress, 365.
Fairbanks, Benjamin, signed
Pondstown petition, 119.
Falmouth, a larger part interested
in preventing the seizure of
Ilsley's goods, 8, 9, 10; home
of John Cox, 64; part of the
First Parish desired to be set
back to the Second Parish, 78,
79, 99; rioters released men
from the goal, 84; reward of-
fered, 84; proceedings stayed
in setting back the Second
Parish, 99; Arthur Savage,
comptroller of customs at,
143, 148; mob law in, 143, 144,
145, 147, 148; Savage's family
left, 146, 147; Savage gave the
names of the rioters, 147; why
the oath was not adminis-
tered, 147; proceedings of the
Council in regard to the riot,
147; two of the rioters appre-
hended, 155; other names re-
ported, 166; taken members
of the Church of England,
FalmoHth, continued.
191, 192; to omit taxing the
same, 193; home of Samuel
Freeman, 209; in need of am-
munition, 242, 335; Capt.
Mowat at, 243, 250, 252, 253,
317; sent Matthews and Dins-
more on a tour of discovery,
246; an Indian ambassador at,
270; representatives of in Con-
gress, 274, 355; home of Enoch
Freeman, 274; Lane arrived at
with Indian chiefs, 288; Neat
and the Senegal at, 288; Neat
left without a pass, 289; peo-
ple of uneasy, 289; losses sus-
tained by the people by the
destruction of, .305, 306, 307,
308, 309, 310; list of losses
altered and submitted to Con-
gress, 310, 394; the destruc-
tion of alarmed the adjacent
country, 317; Mowat to win-
ter at, 317; British ileet re-
ported at, 319; report of the
burning of, 319, 320; fires
were set by hand, 320; Gen.
Frye to take command of
troops at, 321; Ilsley in com-
mand of sea coast at, 338, 386;
Frye's plan of defense of, 838;
number of soldiers at, 388;
soldiers ill at, 339; Mowat fol-
lowed the orders of Gage at,
342; Howe's account of the
destruction of, 342, 343; will
soon be in a tolerable state of
defense, 367; Mitchell's letter
dated at, 367; Ilsley's letter
dated at, 369; new orders for
the military at, 370; limits of
the post, 877; abatement of
taxes in, 379; Col. Mitchell in
command at, 386; high price
of sugar at, 387; order relating
to a prize ship at, 388; forts
underway at, 401; Dumick's
letter dated at, 402; defense
weakened, 411; letter of the
selectmen, 242; mentioned 6,
14, 29, 208, 212, 245, 250, 263,
288, 318, 370, 373, 386.
Falmouth, Committee of Corre-
spondence, 250, 846, 350, 351.
Goal, 84.
Harbor, 317.
Meeting House, 372.
Neck, 251, 317, 318.
St. Paul's Church, 191, 309.
ESTDEX
459
Farley, M., member of the Gen-
eral Court, 301.
Farnam, Joseph, signed Boothbay
petition, 171.
Farns-svorth, James, his bill for
going to Annapolis, 303.
William, signed Boothbay
petitition, 15; one of the
Waldoborough Committee of
Correspondence, 267.
Fast Days, 398.
Fellows, Cornelius, signed Narra-
gansett petition, 160.
Gustavus, ditto, 160.
Nathaniel, ditto, 160.
Samuel, ditto, 160.
Fernald, Pelatiah, his losses at the
destruction of Falmouth, 307.
Fickett, Thomas, signed Falmouth
petition, 79.
Fields, Samuel, signed Andover
petition, 20.
Fire wood and cord wood carried
to Boston, 109; to Portsmouth,
187; to Piscataqua, 331, 335.
Fisher, Jabez, member of the Gen-
eral Court, 301, 369.
Fisheries, the, 58, 86, 265, 271, 375,
381, 384.
Fisk, Mr. , member of the
General Court, 134.
Daniel, selectman of Sturbridge,
337.
Fitch, Timothy, of Nantucket,
344, 345, 346, 350.
Fitts, Simeon, signed Narragan-
sett petition, 160.
Flax, 272.
Fletcher, Capt. , interpreter,
153, 304.
Tliomas, to return money given
him to enlist men, 378; letter
of, 367.
Flies cause illness, 152.
Flint, Capt. John, the land granted
to, was in New Ilampsliire,
220, 221.
Thomas, signed resolutions of
Damariscotta, 238.
Flood, James, his losses at the
destruction of Falmouth, 308.
Floyd, Josejih, signed Bofithbay
petition, 171.
Flucker, Thomas, as councilor, 1,
10, 88; as secretary, 121, 123,
126, 129, 130, 132, 134, 143,
147, 162, 163, 1()4, 179, 184,
186, 193, 200.
Fogg, Sarah, signed Machias peti-
tion, 41.
Forage, 263.
Formalities not with loggers and
millmen, 379, 381.
Forts and garrisons, those reduced
should be replaced, 1, 2, 39;
message concerning the re-
duction of, 2, 3; the pay of
the officers insufficient at, 38;
not enough men at, 38; suit-
able provisions should be
made for, 39; message of the
board concerning, 41, 42;
Goldthwait to augment the
garrison at Fort Pownall, 62,
53, 55; at times in the hands
of the Indians, 53, 62; small
garrisons encourage the in-
sults of Indians, 63, 61, 62;
petitions should be sent for
larger garrisons, 54; ammuni-
tion sent to, 64; to be repaired,
54; settlements encouraged by
respectable, 62; the Castle to
be garrisoned by the regular
forces, 105; the retiring men
should be paid, 106; Fort
Pownall to be continued, 105;
Fort Pownall dismantled, 245,
268; at St. Johns captured
and destroyed, 310, 311; the
enemy may build on Fal-
mouth Neck, 317; petition to
fortify the same, 317, 318;
batteries erected near North
Yarmouth, 319; Frye's new
plan for those at Falmouth,
338; built by Congress, 842;
built at Point Levi, 368; im-
proved at Falmouth, 872, 373;
Ilsley's zeal in planning and
forwarding, 385; Eddy's un-
successful attempt to capture,
395, 396, 427; underway at
Falmouth, 401; to be erected
on St. Johns River, 416; to be
erected by Allen, 428.
Fort, at Boothbay, 167.
at Cumberland, 375, 395.
at Point Levi, 868.
at Port Royal, 34.
at St. Jolins, 310.
Castle William, 1, 2, 3, 89, 41,
42, 63, 105.
Frederick, 427, 429.
Halifax, 126, 242, 407, 408, 409,
410.
Pownall, 1, 2, 3, 38, 89, 41, 42,
04, 66, 61, 65, 105, i.38, 180, 140,
155, 168, 18t), 256, 268. 270, 271.
Ticonderoga, 241, 433, 442.
460
DOCUMENTARY HISTOBY
Fossey, Oapt. Thomas, 845, 346,
347.
Foster, Benjamin, signed Machias
petitions, 41, 115, 174; to levy
taxes at Machias, 185, 186; led
the people in the capture of
Jones' tender, 282; a magis-
trate at Machias, 314; one of
the Committee of Safety, 359;
could have helped the county
had he had permission, 383;
his letter referred to a com-
mittee, 424; letter of, 172, 173.
Ephraim, signed Suncook peti-
tion, 205.
Jacob, signed Machias petition,
41.
Capt. Jeremiah, thanked by
Congress, 287; to have charge
of captured vessels, 287.
Isaiah, signed Machias memo-
rial, 115.
John Wooden, ditto, 115.
Moses, signed Suncook petition,
205.
Robert, signed Cumberland peti-
tion, 396.
Wooden, signed Machias memo-
rial, 115.
Fowler, Philip, signed Narragan-
sett petition, 160; his loss at
the destruction of Falmouth,
306.
Fox, Mr. , 284.
John, his losses at the destruc-
tion of Falmouth, 310.
France, 55, 66, 168.
Francis, a Micmac of St. Johns,
joined the army, 365.
Col. Ebenezer, "letter of, 403;
mentioned, 400, 401.
Frankfort, an inconvenient place
for tlie courts to meet, 14, 15,
16, 17, 18; a boundary of Bel-
fast, 197, 199.
Franklin, Benjamin, travelled for
his health, 156; on business
for the province, 156, 157; too
troublesome to keep small
accounts, 167; letter of, 156.
Freeman, Mr. , of Eastham,
member of the General Court,
210.
Elizabeth, her losses at the de-
struction of Falmouth, 309.
Enoch, justice of the peace, 10,
11; refused to administer an
oath, 146, 148; his reason for
the same, 147, 148; signed the
Falmouth letter, 242; member
Freeman, continued.
of the Provincial Congress, 274,
301 ; appointed one of the Com-
mittee of Safety, but declined,
278; desired to be appointed
to care for a regiment, 279; his
losses at the destruction of
Falmouth, 805; letters of, 14,
245, 277, 883.
Enoch Jr., his loss at the de-
struction of Falmouth, 306.
Nathaniel, member of the Gen-
eral Court, 299.
Samuel, merchant, resided at
Falmouth, 209; desired the
General Court to provide a
remedy whereby he could ob-
tain his dues, 209; as secre-
tary of the Provincial Con-
gress, 246; an assurity for
Mowat, 252; as speaker, 301;
his loss at the destruction of
Falmouth, 306; as agent for
Horton, 306; represented Fal-
mouth in Congress, 355, 398,
403; memorial of, 209, 210.
Freetown, desired the removal of
the courts, 16; desired the
division of Pownalborough,
16; number of families at, 216,
226; under difficulties because
not incorporated, 216; meeting
house at, 216; bounds of, 216,
226; asked to be incorporated,
216; area, 216; incorporated,
226; town meeting to be called
in, 227; petition of, 216; act
of incorporation of, 226.
French, the, can obtain no foot-
hold in Canada, 55, 56; igno-
rant and governed by priests,
239; to be neutral, '240; the
officers are, but privates are
not, willing to tight, 240;
would monopolize the Indian
trade, 240; are court syco-
phants and why, 241; Dins-
more and Matthews sent to the
Canadians, 246; the English
will be satisfied if the Canadi-
ans have no designs, 246; may
attack the back settlements,
254; officers in command of
English regulars and Indians,
412, 413; they must be forced
back, 415; a priest for In-
dians, 410; Mitchell insinuat-
ing among, 429.
French, Zethem, signed Fort Pow-
nall petition, .58.
INDEX
461
Frenchman's Bay, part of Goulds-
borough, 139; land at is good,
but has no pines fit for masts,
139; in need of provisions,
290; to purchase at Conaticut,
290,
Frevoy, John, of Yarmouth, 323.
Friswell, Capt. Benjamin, master
of British gun ship, captured
tlie Three Brothers, 310.
Frost, James, his losses at the de-
struction of Falmouth, 306.
Samuel, signed Pondstown peti-
tion, 119.
Frye, Capt. , men taken from
his regiment, 411.
Maj. , member of the Gen-
eral Court, 66.
Col. and Gen. Joseph, settled
Fryeburg, 5, 6, 24, 63, 106; to
open a store, 106; desired a
liquor license, 107; license
granted to, 110; his land a
boundary, 222; to take com-
mand at Falmouth, 321, 338;
his new plan, 338; petition of,
106; mentioned, 47,' 60.
Freystown, \ settled by Joseph
Fryeburg, j Frye, 106; number of
families at, 106; situation of,
106; Frye to move to, 106; not
incorporated, 107; liquor li-
cense in, 107, 110; mentioned,
19, 24, 206.
Fryse, J., justice of the peace, 206.
Fuller, Capt. , member of the
General Court, 79.
Capt. Joshua, townships granted
to, luO, 161; the same claimed
by New Hampshire, lUO; ex-
pense of settling, 100, 101; an-
other grant to, 101; confirma-
tion of grant, 161.
Fuller's Town, otherwise Sudbury,
Canada, 214, 215.
Fullerton, Ebenezer, signed Booth-
bay petition, 171.
James, ditto, 171.
John, ditto, 171.
William, ditto, 171.
FuUford, Francis, heir of Richard,
settled in Bristol, 108.
Iticliard, ditto, 107; ancestor of
II. Kggleston, 107, 108.
Fulton, Itobert, selectman, signed
Bowdoinhani letter, 291.
Furs, 406, 434.
G
Gage, Gen. Thomas, 231, 283,
235, 266, 276, 342.
Gait, Andrew, signed Suncook
petition, 205.
Patrick, ditto, 205.
Gardiner, ) Daniel, signed Free-
Gardner, ) town petition, 217.
Ebenezer, signed Cumberland
petition, 396.
Henry, Receiver-General, 260,
267, 353, 374, 376, 378; chosen
a representative, 260; resided,
at Stow, 261; to receive taxes
from Partridgefield, 201.
Capt. John, owned the tract
granted to John Whitman,
227, 228; the same fell within
boundary of New Hampshire,
228, 229; received no consider-
ation, 228; new grant to. 228,
229; position and area of the
same, 228; his home at Cam-
bridge, 228; petition of, 227,
229.
Dr. Sylvester, signed Kennebec
petition, 151; visited by the
inspector of woods, 152; his
son joined the inspector's
party, 152; leased land to
Ballard, 242, 407, 408, 409; fled
from Boston, 408, 409; letter
of, 242.
Gardnerstown, home of Jonathan
Hicks, 276.
Garland, John, signed Narragan-
sett petition, 181.
Garrisons, see under Forts,
Gaspee, 305.
George II, 398.
George III, 32, 07, 91, 114, 119,
122, 123, 126, 135, 166, 181,
185, 200, 226, 389, 397.
Georges Shoales, 310.
Georgetown, fined for not return-
ing a rei^resentative, 129;
begged that the fine be re-
mitted, 129; the reason why
there was no representative re-
turned, 129, 130; fine remitted,
130; assistance sent to, 130;
homes of Sowall and Parker,
236; Edward Perry agreed not
to ship masts from, 247; Perry
erroneously lield in custody
at, 247; Perry's letters dated
at, 247, 249; Perry to be de-
tained tliere, 269, 270; Parry
brought from, 299; Hobby and
462
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Georgetown, continued.
Hubbs resided at, 300; raised
a subscription for the Canada
expedition, 365, 377; the peo-
ple patriotic but poor, 877; no
post to, 377; petition of, 129.
Georgetown Committee of Cor-
respondence, 251, 2G0.
Mast Dock, 237, 247.
Georgia, 256.
Gerrisb, Col. Joseph, member of
the General Court, 5, 215, 219.
Maj. Samuel, agent of Bakers-
town, 60; desired pay, 60.
Capt. William, member of the
General Court, 274.
Germaine, Lord George, letters of,
328, 331; letter to, 342.
Getchel, Benjamin, signed Ma-
chias memorial, 115.
Joseph, ditto, 41, 115.
Joseph Jr., justified the conduct
of Stephen Jones, 292.
Giles, Joseph, signed Boothbay
petition, 171.
Gilichet, Joseph, justified the con-
duct of Stephen Jones, 292.
Gill, Moses, member of the Gen-
eral Court, 801.
Patrick, Thomas, of Biddeford,
289.
Gillman, Lieut. Andrew, to remain
at Penobscot, 341; a deputy to
the Indians, 364; on a scout,
411,413; met Indians, 411,413;
received intelligence of the ap-
proach of the enemy, 412, 413;
will keep scouts on the look-
out, 414.
John, signed Belfast petition,
198.
Gilmore, David, ditto, 198.
James, ditto, 198, 232.
Glechlan, William, ditto, 198.
Glimor, David, ditto, 232.
Gloucester, 285, 321, 879.
Glover, Daniel, signed Freetown
petition, 217.
Goals, only one in Lincoln County,
138; there could be one at
Fort Pownall, 138.
Godhill, Donald, signed Fort Pow-
nall petition, 58.
Gold, 149.
Goldthwait, Capt. Thomas, com-
mander at Fort Pownall, to
augment the garrison, 52, 53,
54, 55; to call the Indians to-
gether, 56; signed Fort Pow-
nall petition, 68; his services
Goldthwait, continued.
solicited, 84; gone to Boston,
153; letter received from, 186;
to call a town meeting at Bel-
fast, 199; the Indians exasper-
ated with, 245; Indians will
take him captive, 245; as a
witness, 264; wrote a letter
for Sherriff, 264; surrendered
Fort Pownall, 268; signed the
letter for Penobscot, 269;
member of the Assembly, 271;
a friend of the constitution,
272; to deliver arms to the
committee, 285.
Gooch, Benjamin, justified the
conduct of Stephen Jones, 292.
Benjamin Jr., ditto, 292.
James, ditto, 292.
John, ditto, 292.
Gooding, James, his losses at the
destruction of Falmouth, 308.
James Jr., ditto, 308.
Goodman, Capt. Noah, to examine
Parry, 299.
Goodwin, Capt. Ichabod, repre-
sented Berwick in Congress,
374.
John, signed certificate for
Ilsley, 386.
Gookin, Simon, his losses at the
destruction of Falmouth, 306.
Goose River, 201.
Gordon. Tristram, signed Narra-
gansett petition, 160.
Gore, the, dispute concerning, 180.
Gorges, Sir Ferdinando, 155, 188.
Gorget for Indian, 360.
Gorham, two-thirds of the land is
owned by non-resident propri-
etors, 77; the expense of sup-
porting the minister is un-
equally divided, 77, 78; land
of non-residents should share
the burden. 78; a boundary of
Narragansett No. One, 135,
159, 176, 180, 182; claimed
land in the same, 180; home
of Solomon Lombard, 274;
representatives in Congress,
274, 356; petition of, 77.
Maj. , of the British army.
329.
Nathaniel, grant to, 165.
Gould, Col. , sent for a French
priest for the Indians, 416;
heard of the different specula-
tions about the St. Johns
River, 416; reported the pro-
posed erection of forts, 427,
INDEX
463
Gould, continued.
428; the Indians fond of, 430;
made the minds of the Indians
unsteady, 433; carried off Dr.
Xevers' interests, 436.
Mr. , offered a premium for
J. Allen, 414.
Robert, desired further time, 21,
22; time granted, 23.
Gouldsborough, distance from
Pleasant Kiver, 93; the nearest
magistrate is at Machias, 113;
land poor in some sections, in
others better, 139; pines in-
ferior, 139, 140; harbor good,
139; no man from would ship
with Capt. Smith, 139, 140;
timber inspector at, 153; the
Falmouth packet brought to,
320; home of Nathan Jones,
332, 333; Shaw at, 374, 443;
the Viper captured vessels
near, 374; Shaw will return
to, 377; Shaw's letter dated
at, 443.
Harbor, 139.
Gove. Asa, signed Freetown peti-
tion, 217.
Ebenezer, ditto, 217.
Nathan, ditto, 217.
Solomon, ditto, 217,
(iowing, James, member of the
General Court, 24.
Grafon, Jacob, signed Muscongus
petition, 18.
Grafton, John, ditto, 18.
Gragg, Joseph, signed Belfast pe-
tition, 198.
Capt. Samuel, his company at
St. Georges, 322.
Grand Manan, 142, 359, 375.
Grashom, Caleb, of Windham,
brought action against tlie
town, 211, 212.
Grass, 271.
Graves, Admiral Samuel, 273, 330,
360.
Gray, Harrison, 1, 10, 42, 88, 147.
John, signed Freetown petition,
17.
Great Bay, 440.
Greely, Else, his loss at the de-
struction of Falmoutli, 308.
Greenlaw, John, part owner of the
Loyal Legion, 310.
Greenleaf, H., member of tlu' Gen-
eral Court, 301.
Kbenezer, signed Narragansett
petition, 100.
Richard, ditto, 160.
Greenleaf, continued.
Samuel, ditto, 160.
Greenwich hospital money, 272.
Greenwood, John, his loss at the
destruction of Falmouth, 307.
Grele, Joseph, signed Pondstown
petition, 119.
Moses, ditto, 119.
Grifen, Jacob, signed Muscongus
petition, 18.
James, signed Andover petition,
20.
Griffiths, Henry, justified the con-
duct of Stephen Jones, 292.
Grindle, Joshua, signed Fort Pow-
nall petition, 57.
Groas, Robin, signed Pleasant
River petition, 94.
Groffaim, Josiah, signed Narra-
gansett petition, 160.
Gustin, Ebenezer, his loss at the
destruction of Falmouth, 307.
G , Solomon, signed Freetown
petition, 17.
H
Hacock, Capt. Ralph, his bill
for bringing a surgeon, 302;
reported depredations of the
British cruiser, 359; his vessel
seized, 359.
Hale, Maj. Jonathan, 356.
Nathaniel, his loss at the de-
struction of Falmouth, 306.
Halfway Creek Ponds, 197, 199.
Halifax, 55, 246, 263, 265, 277, 312,
314, 317, 319, 320, 329, 338, 342,
348, 350, 355, 415, 416, 429, 430,
431.
Duck Yard, 248, 250, 269.
Hall, Benjamin, signed Suncook
petition, 205.
Isaac, signed Sebascodegin pe-
tition, 76.
Isaac Jr., ditto, 76.
John, ditto, 76; signed Pleasant
River petition, 94.
Joseph, signed Sebascodegin i)e-
tition, 77.
Nathaniel, ditto, 77.
Stephen, 147.
Hallowell, incorporated, 128n;
named for tlie Hallowell fam-
ily, 128»i.
Benjamin, signed Kennebec pe-
tition, 151.
Family, 128?t.
Hammond, Archelaus, signed Ma-
chias petition, 41.
464
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Hampton, 4.3.
Hanasdon, Ebenezer, signed Booth-
bay petition, 171.
Hancock, John, of the Provincial
Congress, 66, 160, 275, 417, 419.
Hanover, House of, 171.
Hans, John, his losses at the de-
struction of Falmouth, 306.
Harding, Jesse, ditto, 308.
Joseph, ditto, 308.
Hardwick, 276.
Harmon, Benjamin, signed Sanford
petition, 69.
ISTaptali, ditto, 69.
Nathaniel, desired more time,
83; more time granted, 84.
Harnden, Eichard, signed certifi-
cate for Ilsley, 386.
Harper, William, his losses at Fal-
mouth, 307.
Harpswell, included Sebascodegin
Island, 74, 75; to be notified
that Sebascodegin desired sep-
aration from, 77; men enlisted
in, 333; represented in Con-
gress, 355; guard sent to, 401.
Harriman, Asa, signed Fort Pow-
nall petition, 57.
Harris, Nathaniel, land granted
to, 109; the same claimed by
New Hampshire, 109.
Samwill, signed Boothbay peti-
tion, 171.
Harrison, Jemima, her losses at
the destruction of Falmouth,
306.
Harrod, Jonathan, signed Fort
Pownall petition, 57.
Harvard College, 81, 96, 101, 132,
162, 163, 164, 165, 215, 219, 221,
222, 228.
Harwood, Thomas, signed Sun-
cook petition, 205.
Haseltine, Samuel, signed Narra-
gansett petition, 181.
Timothy, ditto, 181.
Hasey, William, signed Sebasco-
degin petition, 77.
Haskell, Francis, signed receipt
for Deer Island, 285.
Hasket, Moses, his losses at the
destruction of Falmouth, 305.
Hasty, James, 51.
Hatch, Ed., signed Freetown peti-
tion, 17.
Joseph, his losses at the de-
struction of Falmouth, 306.
Hatch, continued.
Mark, member of the Commit-
tee of Safety, 332.
Haverhill, letter of, 356; men-
tioned, 60, 61, 3.57.
Hay, 140, 141, 262, 263, 206, 276,
315, 344, 345, 347.
Hazen. Mr. , a prisoner, 432.
and Jarvis of Newberry, 86.
Heart, making for Indian, 360.
Heath, William, 111.
Hemlock, 271.
Hemp, 381.
Hemphill, David, signed Belfast
petition, 198, 232.
Henaker, Mr. , contractor, 151.
Herdy, Abel, signed Narragau-
sett petition, 181.
Heriss, Daniel, signed Boothbay
petition, 171.
Herrick, Capt. Henry, member of
the General Court, 174, 210.
IlervendoD, Joseph, signed Booth-
bay petition, 171.
Nehemiah, ditto, 171.
Hessians, 416.
Hetoscobuit, Sabattis, a Micmac
of Gaspee, joined the army,
365.
Hewes, Elihu, letters of, 271, 277.
Joseph, member of Congress,
272.
Heywood, Zimri, one of the Com-
mittee of Correspondence, 265.
409.
Hicks, Jonathan, in the service of
the king, 266; as a prisoner,
266; on Smith's sloop, 266,
274; sent to Congress, 266, 274;
his papers examined, 275; un-
certain which side to take,
276; at Gardnerstown, 276; in-
imical to the liberties of the
country, 276, 277; at Ply-
mouth, 277; admitted himself
to be a tory, 277; desired to
be out of the noise, 277; his
reason for being on Smith's
sloop unknown to Smith, 277;
sent to the Concord goal, 277.
see also Hix.
Hides, 331.
Hlghannas, 344.
Hill, Daniel, signed Machias mem-
orial, 115.
Japeth, justified the conduct of
Stephen Jones, 292.
Jeremiah, signed Narragansett
INDEX
465
Hill, continued.
petition, 176; to call a town
meeting iu Narragansett, 182.
Joseph, justified the conduct of
Stephen Jones, 292.
(^bediah, signed Machias peti-
tion, 41; justified the conduct
of Stephen Jones, 292; bill of,
for milk, 802.
Theodore, justified the conduct
of Stephen Jones, 292,
Hillsborough, Earl of, 158,
Hilton, Amy, her losses at the
destruction of Falmouth, .308.
Capt. James, of Muscongus, 360.
Hingham, troops to be stationed
at, 322.
Hinkley, Aaron, signed letter of
Brunswick, 245; sold molasses
at a high price, 339,
Hinson, John, subscribed for the
expedition to Canada, 36G,
Hiron, Samuel, signed Freetown
petition, 217.
Hix, William, signed Pleasant
River petition, 94.
see also Hicks.
Hobby, John, as a witness, 237;
bondsman for John Bernard,
300.
Hobert, Israel, member of the Gen-
eral Court, 340.
Hodge, Robert & Co., 316.
Hodgkins, Philip, 390.
Hog, Capt. , fired cannon at
Falmouth, 251.
Hog Island Road, 319.
Hogs, 311.
Ilolbrook, Abiezer, signed Sebas-
codegin petition, 76.
John, selectman of Sturbridge,
387-
Jonathan, signed Sebascodegin
petition, 76.
Holby, Remington, to procure
hunters, 246.
Holmes, Joseph, signed Machias
petition, 41.
Samuel, his house a landmark,
40, «0, 95; signed Machias
petition, 41.
Holt, IJenjamin, signed Suncook
petition, 205; an early settler
at Suncook, 205; ejected from
part of the land, 206; made
oath, 206; deposition of, 205.
D;i\ id, signed y\ndover pfititiou,
20,
John Jr., ditto, 20.
Holt, continued.
Joseph, ditto, 20.
Joshua, ditto, 20.
Nathaniel, signed Suncook peti-
tion, 205,
Stephen, early settler at Sun-
cook, 195, 196; impoverished
by law suits, 196; made oath,
196; deposition of, 195.
Holton, John, signed Boothbay
petition, 171.
Samuel, member of the General
Court, 301, 362, 403.
Holway, Ladwick, justified the
conduct of Stephen Jones, 292,
Hooks and lines, needed at Deer
Island, 285.
Hoole, William, his losses at the
destruction of Falmouth, 306.
Hooper, Capt. , of Falmouth,
871.
Benjamin, of Biddeford, mem-
ber of tiie Committee of Cor-
respondence, 289,
Noah, a convoy, 288.
Hopkins, John, signed Narragan-
sett petition, 181,
Simeon, signed Sebascodegin
petition, 77.
Hopkinson, Caleb, signed Narra-
gansett petition, 181,
John Jr., ditto, 181,
Horn, Mary, her losses at the de-
struction of Falmouth, 308,
Horton, William, ditto, 308.
House of Commons of Massachu-
setts, 293, 384.
Houses, size of, to be erected in
new townships, 81, 96, 100, 136.
Houston, Samuel, signed Belfast
petitions, 198, 232.
Samuel Jr., ditto, 198,
Hovey, John, one of the Commit-
tee of Correspondence, 267.
Samuel, signed Narragansett pe-
tition, 181.
Howard, James, to issue warrants
for town meetings, 122, 123,
125, 126, 127, 128.
llow, I Iciiabod, signed Ponds-
Howe, j town petition, 118; a se-
lectman of Winthroj), 191.
Elijah, signed Cumberland peti-
tion, 396.
William, signed Machias memo-
rial, 115.
Maj. Gen. Sir William, 304, 328,
342.
466
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Hewell, Arthur, his losses at the
destruction of Fahiiouth, 308.
Howes, Capt. , as bearer of
letters, 415, 41G, 417; a pilot
and man of good character,
417.
Hubbard, Thomas, 1, 10, 88, 143,
147, 174.
Hubbs, (Jbe., bondsman of John
Bernard, 300.
Huff, George Canfield, signed
Freetown petition, 217.
Humphrey, Richard, signed Ponds-
town petition, 119.
Huntley, Jabez, justified the con-
duct of Steplien .Jones, 292.
Hurley, Pierce, signed Fort Pow-
nall petition, 58.
Hustin. William, his loss at the
destruction of Falmouth, 306.
Huston, John, released from the
goal, 84.
Hutchins, Jonathan, signed Free-
town petition, 217.
Hutchinson, Gov. Thomas, letters
of, 155, 158, 180, 206; message
of, 132; speeches of, 103, 106,
130,131; mentioned, 91, 92, 94,
99, 102, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114,
116, 117, 126. 1.30, 1.32, 137, 143,
147, 152, 154, 159, 162, 163, 164,
166, 175, 177, 179, 182, 184, 188,
190, 208, 210, 212, 215, 216, 217,
218, 220, 222, 226, 227, 228, 229,
230.
Ilsley, Maj. Daniel, in com-
mand of sea-coast at Falmouth,
838, 386; submitted list of Fal-
mouth losses to Congress, 310,
394; complained of Col. Mitch-
ell, 369, 373; became an order-
ly, 369, 370; certificate in favor
of, 385; prevented from doing
his duty, 386; letters of, 338,
369; petition of, 386.
Enoch, his store examined, 8;
his goods seized, 8, 10; mob
caiTied away his goods, 0, 11;
a considerable part of the
town interested in his defense,
9; his losses at the destruction
of Falmouth, 308.
Isaac Jr., his losses at the de-
struction of Falmouth, 306.
Indians, the, acts concerning the
supplies of, 7, 30, 31, 37, 38;
act concerning the trade with.
Indians, continued.
7; retarded the settlements,
26, 107; the government to
punish murderers of, 30, 34;
tenderness of the government
toward, 30, 35, 36, 38; those of
the east not objects of domes-
tic regulations, 30, 37; hunt-
ing and trading the cause of
trouble, 30; private trade pro-
hibited with, 30, 31, 34, 35;
none murdered by the govern-
ment, 34; without license, no
land to be bought of, 35, 36;
provisions made for the relig-
ious instruction of, 35, 37, 416;
drink not to be sold to, 35, 36,
423; some laws still enforced,
36, 37; a truck-house erected
for trade with, 37, 117; the
English purchased their lands,
37; prevented svirveys, 45; the
insolent to be repressed, 52;
the forts are at times in their
hands, 53, 62; small garrisons
encourage insults, 53, 61, 62;
the leaders to be punished,
54, 55; not to be deceived by
stories of war, 55; if they de-
sire to fight, they will fight
alone, 56; to pay damages, 56;
plundered by priests, 56; have
not made satisfaction for dam-
ages, 62; at St. Georges, 64;
rooted out by settlements, 85;
desired to see Thomas Scam-
mall, 153; to be employed as
guides, 163; depredations at
Boothbay, 167, 168; pretended
deeds used at Boothbay, 168;
won the battle at Pigwacket
but were terrorized, 208;
urged to join the king's troops
against the people of Boston,
240, 241;;:refused to join, 240;
exasperated because a fort was
dismantled, 245, 255; Congress
should secure the interests of,
245, 438; to be examined in
regard to their joining the
the English, 246; may attack
the back settlements, 264; to
be supplied with powder, 255;
the colonists ask what they
want, 255; those of Stock-
bridge join the colonists, 256;
Lane sent to raise a company
among, 25G ; a chief as an am-
bassador, 270; hearty in the
cause, 270; consulting which
INDEX
467
Indians, continued.
side to take, 279; some one
should negotiate with, 279,
362; arrived at Falmouth, 283;
with Lane, 286; at Water-
town, 280; the British sent
ammunition to, 323; to be
stirred up to cut off the peo-
ple of Machias, 323; letter to,
341; chose Lowder for truck-
master, 341; not contented
with Preble, 341; no truck-
master to trade with, 355;
ready to pay for supplies, 355;
in the regular army, 356, 360;
no order found for presents to,
359; those at the east to be
engaged by the provincials,
361, 362; delegates at Boston,
362, 363; came to meet Wash-
ington, 363; a regiment to be
raised with part English sol-
diers, 363; a delegation which
represents six villages, 363; to
consider, 363, 364; St. John's
promised to return, 363; some
tribes not represented, 363;
some joined Canadians and
some the provincials, 368;
those who went with Arnold
not paid, 363; considered
themselves as one people with
the colonists, 364; an armed
vessel to take them home,
364; four will join the army
at once, 364; names of the
same, 365; Fletcher sent to,
367; Washington's address
read to, 368; can not spare
their young men, 368, 378;
young men fear an attack of
the Englisli, 368; will keep
men to watch and report, 368;
will join the rangers, 368; the
tide-water tlie boundary of
English settlers, 368, 369;
some young men desired to go
to the court, 369; cannot go
unless they enlist, 369; if en-
listed tliey cannot be conveyed
westward, 375, 377; desire to
go to Cumberland, 375; of-
fered to capture Held otlicers,
375; cost of transportation
makes goods dear, 405, 406;
either clieaper goods or trade
with the enemy, 406; desire
credit, 406; serving as soldiers
with JMldy, 406; nmney raised
to pay, 406; eillier hearty or
Indians, continued.
neutral, 400; one deserved a
commission, 406; desired a
French priest, 400, 416; Shaw
promised pay to those who
served as soldiers, 406, 407;
gave notice of the approach of
the enemy, 411, 412; approach-
ing the rivers with the regu-
lars, 412, 413; commanded by
French officers, 412, 413; re-
ceived great presents from
the British, 413; we must be
lavish to keep them, 415;
made a treaty at their own
option, 415; with Allen, 410;
the United States under obli-
gation to, 418; to be conveyed
to St. John's river, 420; Allen
as agent, 423; trade in strong
drink prohibited, 423; Shaw
expects to keep them friendly,
424; peopl^ of Union River
heard of the approach of, 425;
under command of Allen, 427;
sent with Preble, 427: Mitch-
ell at work among, 429; met
Allen, 429; held conference
with Allen, 430, 431, 433, 434,
430; their friendship for
America, 430, 430; enraged
with their treatment in Bos-
ton, 430; somewhat satisfied,
430; Allen sent for more to
meet him, 432; an English spy
among, 432; Allen keeps up
their spirits, 4.32; cannot be
trusted, 433; in want, 433;
price of furs settled with, 434;
must have timely supplies,
434; kept quietly at home, 435.
Indians, Canadian, 270, 413.
Eastern, 7, 30, 37, 2.54, 802, 368.
St. Jolins, 318, 355, 359, 362, 363,
364, 432.
Infantry to be sent by Russia to
assist England, 304.
.sec also under Soldiers.
IngersoU, ) John, liis losses at the
Ingorsel, ) destruction of Fal-
mouth, 309.
Jared, of New Haven, 80.
Ingrahani, .John, signed Boollil):iy
petition, 171.
Josoi)h, his loss at the destruc-
tion of Falmouth, .306.
Innoculating in camp, officers ar-
rested for, 404.
Intelligence should be used witli
ammunition, 360.
468
DOCUMENT All Y HISTORY
Ireland, 156, 194, 329,
Isle of Shoales, 44.
Jackson, Richard, provincial
agent, 271, 272; reported that
the home government desired
to make the Assembly useless,
271, 272; faithful, yet turned
out of his position, 272.
Jacobites, 416.
Jamaica, 207, 350.
Farm, 52.
Jameson, Alexander, signed Mus-
congus petition, 18.
Paul, ditto, 18.
Jeffery, George, 47.
Jeffries, Mr. , 241.
Jenks, Benjamin, his loss at the
destruction of Falmouth, 306.
Jeremiah, signed Machias peti-
tion, 41.
Jeremi Squom Island, 216, 226.
Jewett, James, signed Narragan-
sett petition, 160.
Johnson, Mr. , of Lynn, 284.
J., signed St. Paul's parish peti-
tion, 192.
James, his losses at the destruc-
tion of Falmouth, 310.
John, signed Freetown petition,
217.
John Jr., submitted Falmouth
losses to Congress, 310, 394.
Noah, signed Suncook petition,
205; grant to, 219.
Capt. Robert, 356.
Johnston, John, his losses at the
destruction of Falmouth, 308.
Jommo, Pierre, an Indian, 414; see
also Toma.
Jones, Mr. , of Windsor, 264.
Ephraim, his losses at the de-
struction of Falmouth, 309.
Ichabod, attorney for Machias,
40; signed Machias petition,
41; report on the petition of,
80, 95; vote on the petition of,
80, 95; land granted to him
and associates, 80; to levy
taxes at Machias, 185.
Capt. Ichabod, arrived at Ma-
chias with two sloops and a
tender, 280; sent out a paper
asking for protection, 280;
moved his tender nearer, 280;
people in town meeting passed
a vote in his favor, 280;
brought vessels to the wharf
Jones, continued.
and gave out provisions, 280;
part of the people determined
to capture him and stop his
business, 281; an attempt to
capture him in church failed,
281; sloops captured but ten-
der tied, and lashed to Capt.
Toby's vessel, 281, 385; tender
got off, seized and robbed a
vessel, 281, 282; people gave
chase, 282; tender captured,
282, 283, 284, 287; prisoners
carried to Pownalborough,
28-3, 287; tonnage of his sloops,
284; Longfellow paid for cap-
turing, 302.
Josiah, as super-cargo, 264, 266,
273, 274, 276; his papers ex-
amined, 275; claimed to be
only a passenger, 276; in ser-
vice of Gage, 276; a refugee,
276; an enemy, 276; committed
to the goal, 276.
Nathan, desired further time, 21,
22; time granted, 23; his home
at Gouldsborough, 139, 332,
333; petitioned for the return
of his vessel, 333, 335; his peti-
tion considered, 333; the rea-
son for the capture to be
inquired into, 834; petition of,
332.
Nathaniel Jr., signed Falmouth
petition, 79.
Pearson, his loss at the destruc-
tion of Falmouth, 306.
Stephen, signed Machias peti-
tions, 41, 174; signed Machias
memorial, 115; to levy taxes
in Machias, 185; concerned
with Ichabod Jones, 281, 313;
his conduct justified, 202; his
home at Machias, 293; faith-
fully served his country, 293;
wished success to the Ameri-
can arms, 293; letter of, 293.
Col. William, of Bristol, 860.
Jordan, Rushworth, to issue a
warrant for town meeting,
135; one of the Committee of
Safety, 289.
Samuel, member of the Provin-
cial Congress, .320; letter of,
425.
Tristram, men taken from his
regiment, 410, 411; his regi-
ment had furnished its quota,
411; letter of, 410.
INDEX
469
Josselyn, Joseph, of Hanover Co.,
216; purchased land rights of
the heirs of Bates, 218; his
land claimed by New Hamp-
shire, 218; desired another
grant, 218; another grant to,
218; petition of, 217.
Jost, John, signed Boothbay peti-
tion, lb.
Juett, James, subscribed for the
Canada expedition, 366.
K
Kelley, Aaron, signed Boothbay
petition, 171.
Benjamin, ditto, 171.
Christopher, his loss at the de-
struction of Falmouth, 307.
Marv, ditto, 306.
Philip, ditto, 306.
Thomas, signed Boothbay peti-
tion, 171.
William, signed Machias peti-
tion, 41.
Kennay, see Kenney.
Kennebec, 81, 118, 152, 340.
Proprietors, 1.55.
Purchase, 149.
River, 90, 118, 122, 124, 126, 127,
128, 149, 1.54, 155, 158, 188, 191,
206, 246, 249, 269, 270, 297, 401,
412, 418, 425.
Long Reach, 300.
Kennebunk River, 68.
Kennedy, James, signed Boothbay
petition, 171.
Thonias, ditto, 171.
William, ditto, 171,
Kenney, \ Abijali, signed Booth-
Kennay, / bay petition, 171.
Henry, ditto, 171.
John, ditto, 171.
Joshua, assaulted a justice of
the peace, 113, 114.
Love, bill for guarding and
boarding prisoners, 802.
Patrick, signed Freetovi^n peti-
tion, 17.
Samuel, signed Machias petition,
41; signed lioothbay petition,
171.
Thomas, signed Boothbay peti-
tion, 171.
Thomas second, ditto, 171.
Kent iV Oxnard, their loss at the
destruction of Falmoutli, 309.
Ketley, Samuel, signed Boothbay
l)etition, 171.
Kimball, John, signed Narragan-
sett petition, 181.
Joshuay, ditto, 181.
Kincaid, Patrick, signed Boothbay
petition, 171.
King, Daniel, subscribed for the
Canada expedition, 366.
George, 226.
King's woods, 133; see under
Timber.
Kittery, home of Rev. Benj.
Stevens, 184; home of Charles
Chauncy, 274, 426; troops to
be stationed at, 321; repre-
sentatives in Congress, 274,
374.
Kneeland, Bartholomew, signed
Pemaquid petition, 190.
Knight, Lieut. , .327, 328.
Capt. Jonathan, justilied the
conduct of Stephen Jones, 292.
Tliomas, signed Machias mem-
orial, 115.
Knights, Daniel, signed Boothbay
petition, 170.
Capt. Jonathan, 313.
V/illiam, assessor at Windham,
210, 211, 212; contracted for
masts, 210.
Knowls, Samuel, signed Pleasant
River petition, 94.
Knox, John, signed Suncook peti-
tion, 205; deposition and oath
of, 208.
Ksihor, Paul, signed Boothbay
petition, 15.
Kubler, David, ditto, 15.
La Hive, 865.
Laighton, Benjamin, signed Free-
town petition, 17.
Solomon, ditto, 17.
Laint, Joseph, signed Narragan-
sett petition, 181.
Lake Champlain, 238.
Lambart, ) , bearer of Parry's
Lambert, j letter, 248, 249.
Gideon, selectman, signed Win-
tlirop petition, 191; signed
Pondstowii petition, 119.
Jonathan, his loss at the de-
struction of Falmouth, 307.
Capt. Luke, master of the Dili-
gent, 375, 876.
Lampson, Nathaniel, signed Booth-
bay petition, 171.
Lancaster, Daniel, signed Fort
I'ovvnal petition, 57.
470
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Laneton, the Rev. Samuel, 184.
Lane, Jabez, signed Narragansett
petition, 181.
John, ditto, 160.
Cajit. John, sent to raise a com-
pany of Indians, 256; brought
Indians to Falmouth, 270, 283;
gave a favorable report, 272;
thoroughly in the service of
his country, 277, 278; with
four chiefs at Congress, 286;
his accounts nearly correct,
286; amount paid to, 286; re-
muneration, 286; cannot go to
the Indians, 341; letter of, 270.
Langdon, Mr. , 289.
Jonathan, will exchange hard
money for bills, 374.
Samuel, his account allowed,
225.
Timothy, as a witness, 300; let-
ter of, 366.
Laperare, 239.
Larrabee, Isaac, signed Machias
petition, 41; signed Machias
memorial, 115.
Capt. Nathaniel, to bring pow-
der to Brunswick, 245; a
member of the Committee of
Safety, 340.
Lawrence, Amos, his grant in New
Hampshire, 220; settled the
grant, 221; desired a new
grant, 221; new grant to, 221,
222; letter of, 220.
Joshua, his loss at the destruc-
tion of Falmouth, 306.
Laythan, Bengimand, signed Free-
town petition, 217.
Leach, James, represented Cape
Elizabeth in Congress, 355.
Lead, 285, 444.
Leather, 332, 336.
Leavit, Daniel, signed Narragan-
sett petition, 181.
Samuel, ditto, 181.
Lebanon, granted (1783) 25; area
of, 25; settlement of retarded,
26; minister settled at, 26;
number of families at, 26; the
people of, desired to be in-
corporated, 33; incorporated,
33; people to meet in town
meeting at, 33.
Lebbee, see under Libbey.
Lee, Jeremiah, presented the peti-
tion of Windham, 71.
Leeman, signed Freetown peti-
tion, 217.
John ditto, 17, 217.
Leeman, continued.
Nathaniel, ditto, 217.
Leisham, John, signed Boothbay
petition, 171.
Leissner, Charles, signed Broad
Bay petition, 15.
Lemont, Benjamin, subscribed for
the Canada expedition, 366.
James, ditto, 366.
Leonard, Col. , member of the
General Court, 210.
Lerote, John, signed Boothbay pe-
tition, 171.
John Jr., ditto, 171.
Letters of,
A. J., 293, 294.
Allen, Col. John, 414, 417, 418,
426.
Arundel Committee of Corre-
spondence, 267.
Austin, Benj., 359.
Bernard, Gov. Francis, 49, .52, 54.
Biddeford Committee of Inspec-
tion, 288.
Bowdoin, James, 361, 362, 365.
Bowdoinham Committee, 296.
Brewer, Col. Josiah, 413.
Brown, John, 39, 238.
Brunswick Committee, 244, 339.
Campbell, Col. Alex. 440.
Carlton Dudley, 84.
Chauncey, Charles, 352, 426.
Cotton, John, 11.
Council, the, 405.
Gushing, Charles, 397, 426.
Gushing, Roland, 399.
Cutter, William, 333.
Dartmouth, Lord, 304.
De Berdt, Dennys, 58.
Dimuck, Joseph, 402.
Eddy, Jonathan, .395, 396.
Falmouth selectmen, 242.
Fletcher, Thomas, 367.
Foster, Benj., and others, 172.
Francis, Col. Ebenezer, 403.
Franklin, Benjamin, 156.
Freeman, Enoch, 14, 245,278,283.
Gardiner, Dr. Sylvester, 242.
Gentleman of Falmouth, a, 387.
Germain, Lord George, 328.
Hewes, Elihu, 271, 277.
Howe, Maj. Gen. William, 342.
Hutchinson, Gov. Thomas, 155,
158, 186, 206.
Ilsley, Maj. Daniel, 838, 369.
Jones, Stephen, 293.
Jordan, Samuel, 425.
.Jordan, Tristram, 410.
Lane, John, 270.
Langdon, Timothy, 366.
INDEX
471
Letters of, continued.
Lithgow, William Jr., 401.
Little, Col. Moses, 437.
Littleriekl, Xoah M., 400.
Lord. William, 8G0.
Lowdcr, Jonathan, 411.
Lyon, Rev. James, 174, 326, 370.
Machias Committee of Safety,
•283, 310, 350, 358.
McCobb, James, 377.
Mason, Jonas, 412.
Mitchel, Col. Jonathan, 366, 400.
Mowatt, Capt. H., 243.
Newbury, Ilaverliill and Bath,
356.
Otis, James, 821.
Parker, Stephen, 322, 324, 346.
Parry, Edward, 247, 249, 335.
Partridgefield, 261.
Pattee, Kzekiel, 409.
Penobscot, 268.
Pickering, Timothy Jr., 337.
Powell, Jeremiah, 319.
Preble, Col. Jedediali, 253.
Preble, Capt. John, 405.
Provincial Congress, 254.
Rice, Thomas, 373.
Robinson & Walton, 322.
Ross, Alexander, 14.
Scammell, Thomas, 152.
Sewall, Dummer, 247.
Shaw, Francis, 374, 424, 439,
443.
SherrifT, Maj. William, 262, 264,
265.
Simpson, Joseph, 805.
Stillman, George, 436.
Stirling, the Earl of, 87.
Sturbridge, 336.
Sullivan, Gen. James, 356.
Thompson, Samuel, 243.
Tapper. William, 399.
Tyng, William, 84.
Waldo, Francis, 8.
Waldoborough Committee of
Corresponchince, 367.
Warner, Jr)lin, 438.
Warren, Joseph, 293.
Weare, Meshech, 442, 443.
Wentworth, Gov. J., 11, 47, 48.
Winslow Committee of Corre-
s])ond(ince, 265 407.
Wood, Abiel, 2.58.
Lewis, (ieorgc, signed Boothbay
{Xititioii, 171.
John, represented North Yar-
niouth in Congress, 274, 355.
William, signed Uoothbay peti-
tion, 171.
Lexington, battle of, 276, 277.
Libbee, 1 David, signed Machias
Libby, j petition, 41.
Ebenezer, ditto, 41.
Ezekiel, signed Machias memo-
rial, 115.
George, signed Machias peti-
tion, 41.
George Jr., ditto, 41.
Jacob, ditto, 41.
Josepli, signed Machias memo-
rial, 115; a justice of the
peace, 314.
Reuben, signed Machias peti-
tion, 41; signed Machias me-
morial, 115.
Samuel, signed Machias peti-
tion, 41.
Sarah, ditto, 41.
Timothy, ditto, 41,
License to sell liquor at Fryeburg,
107, 110.
Lime, 158.
Limestone, 158.
Lincoln, Mr. , one of the com-
mittee to examine Parry, 299.
Benjamin, 1, 50, 223, 299, 301,
327.
County, 14, 16, 17. 107, 112, 114,
122, 123, 124, 125, 127, 134, 149,
199, 200, 216, 226, 227, 233, 236,
237, 247, 258, 259, 265, 276, 295,
296, 300, 315, 362, 368, 379, 406,
420, 436, 441.
County Goal, 188.
Joseph, signed Sebascodegin pe-
tition, 76.
Lithgow, Capt. and Col. William
Jr., at Falmouth, to leave the
service, 371; signed the cer-
tificate for Ilsley, 386; had
the care of the masts, 398; liis
commission not received, 401;
accepted the honor, 402; letter
of, 401.
Little, Col. Moses, desired pay for
his services, 60; to command
the forces sent to Nova Scotia,
437; declined the appointment,
437; letter of. 4.37.
Moses, letter of, 437.
Paul, his losses at tlio destruc-
tion of Falmouth, 306.
Pond, 201.
River, 197, 199.
Samuel, signed Belfast peti-
tion, 198.
Littleliekl, Noah Morton, a|)poinl-
ed lieutenant-colonel, 400; let-
ter of, 400.
472
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Littlefield, continued.
Samuel, signed Fort Pownall
petition, 57.
Livermore, Samuel, on the bound-
ary commission, 50; his land
claimed by New Hampshire,
109, 110; desired another grant,
109, 110; grant to, 111, 112,
131, 132, 163, 164; conditions
of the grant, 132; his grant a
boundary, 162; plan of his
township, 163.
Livingston, Philip J., of New
York, 86.
Livius, Peter, 47.
Logs, see Lumber.
Loggers not given to formalities,
379.
Lombard, Solomon, represented
Gorham in Congress, 274.
London, 58, 134, 156.
St. .James' Church, 391.
St. Martin's Church, 391.
Whitehall, 304, 328.
Lonear, Col. , a French officer
in command of Indians and
regulars, 412, 413.
Longfellow, Daniel, signed Ma-
chias petition, 41.
David, signed Machias memorial,
115; as a second-lieutenant,
313.
Jonathan, signed Machias peti-
tion, 41; justice of the peace,
112, 114; assaulted, 118, 115;
must have assistants to per-
form his duty, 113, 115; to
levy taxes in Machias, 185;
memorial of, 112.
Nathan, signed Machias petition,
41; signed Machias memorial,
115; bills of, 302, 303.
Stephen, justice of the peace,
10, 11; his loss at the destruc-
tion of Falmouth, 305.
Long Pond, 28, 31, 94.
Look, Benjamin, signed Pleasant
River petition, 93.
Daniel, ditto, 93.
Capt. Tobias, at Falmouth, 371;
signed certificate for Ilsley,
386.
William, letter of, 360.
Lothrop, Mr. , member of Ma-
chias Committee of Safety,
284.
Loveitt, Isaac, signed Falmouth
petition, 79.
Jonathan, ditto, 79.
Lovejoy, Caleb, signed Suncook
petition, 205.
David, ditto, 205; deposition
and oath of, 208.
Joshua, signed Andover peti-
tion, 20.
Lovel, Col. , member of the
Provincial Congress, 327.
Shubael, of Barnstable, .344.
Lovewell, John, signed Suncook
petition, 205.
Col. John, his heirs were
grantees of Suncook, 195, 203,
205, 208, 219; killed at Pig-
wacket, 203.
Solomon, inn-holder and select-
man, bill of, for caring for
Edward Doring, 194; signed
North Yarmouth petition, 194.
Low, Cornelius, of New Bruns-
wick, 86.
Nathaniel, signed Narragansett
petition, 160; agent for the
Provincial Congress, 285.
Samuel, signed Fort Pownall pe-
tition, 57.
Lowder, Col. Jonathan, preferred
by the Indians as truckmaster,
841, 355; accompanied Fletcher
on an embassy, 367, 368; letter
of, 411; his letter forwarded,
424.
Jonathan Jr., signed Fort Pow-
nall petition, 57.
Lowell, Capt. Abner, in the army
at Falmouth, 370, 371; signed
the certificate for Ilsley, 386.
John, deputy-secretary, 351, 357.
Joseph, signed Fort Pownall pe-
tition, 57.
Samuel, his losses at the de-
struction of Falmouth, 309.
Lowther, Mrs. , ditto, 309.
Ludwig, J., signed Broad Bay pe-
tition, 15.
Jacob, ditto, 15.
Lumber, 191, 280, 285, 312, 317,
324, 344, 350, 360, 376, 408, 410.
Lunt, Moses, his loss at the de-
struction of Falmoutli, 307.
Lyde, G., signed St. Paul's parish
petition, 192.
Lyman, Rev. Isaac, 183, 184, 225.
Lyon, the Rev. James, invited to
settle at Machias, 172, 173;
will settle at same, 174, 175;
one of the Committee of Cor-
respondence, 288, 284, 314;
what he found in Sprey's lug-
gage, 326; his letter reached
INDEX
473
Lyon, continued.
the House of Representatives.
334; furnished Parker with
the means to purchase provi-
sions, 343; not regarded at
court, 379; sharp words to the
court, 379, 383, 384; had trav-
elled in other provinces which
he compared to the eastern
parts, 380; his prophecy of the
greatness of the eastern parts,
382; consulted with John
Allen, 41G; letters of, 326, 379.
M
Mabery, Margaret, her losses
at the destruction of Fal-
mouth., 307.
McCobb, Capt. , motioned that
measures be taken to preserve
masts, 246; on a committee for
the same, 246.
Hannah, subscribed for the Can-
ada expedition, 365.
•James, petitioned for George-
town, 129, 130; signed Booth-
bay petition, 171; subscribed
for the Canada expedition,
365; letter of, 377.
Samuel, signed Boothbay peti-
tion, 171; subscribed for the
Canada expedition, 366.
William, signed Boothbay peti-
tions, 171, 234.
.see also Cobb and Mtt Cobb.
McConnell, Samuel, signed Sun-
cook petition, 205.
McDonald, La('hor, signed Fort
Pownall petition, -57
Owen, signed Pleasant River pe-
tition, 94.
Robert, .signed Narragansett
petition, 160.
McFarland, Andrew, signed Booth-
bay f)etition, 171.
Andrew Jr., ditto, 171.
John Murray, ditto, 171.
Robert, signed Fort Pownall pe-
tition, 57.
nee also Mtt Farland.
Macgregf)r, .James Jr., signed Bel-
fast petition, 108.
McKentier, Sarah, subscribed for
the Canada expedition, 366.
McKen/.ie, Kenneth, signed Fort
Pownall petition, 57.
McKown, Patrick, signed Booth-
bay petitions, 171, 234.
Mclalen. Hugh, signed Gorham
petition, 78.
McLean, Lunchlan, signed Fort
Pownall petition, 57.
McLeeline, Dr. John, at Fort Hal-
ifax, 242.
McLellan, Capt. Joseph, bearer of
a letter, 242; his losses at the
destruction of Falmouth, 309.
McNiel, , widow, her bill for
sundries, 303; with her chil-
dren in poor circumstances,
314.
Machias, taken possession of, 39;
bounds of, 40, 41, 80, 96, 96;
area of, 40; number of people
at, 40; have no minister, 40,
139; have no schoolmaster, 40;
desired a grant of land, 40;
desired to be incorporated, 40;
granted to Ichabod Jones and
associates, 80, 95; plaii to be
returned, 80, 96; conditions of
the grant, 80, 81, 82, 96, 97 j
the distance from Gouldsboro,
93, 113; home of J. Longfel-
low, 112, 114; people of, en-
emies to law and government,
113 and 114; distance of, from
a magistrate, 113, 115; club
law in, 113, 114; the law abid-
ing desired assistance, 114,
116; the land is of good qual-
ity, 137; trees in, not suitable
for masts, 137, 140; has a good
harbor and river, 1.38; salmon
abundant at, 138; authority
should be strengthened at,
138; deputy sheriff sworn in,
138; not incorporated, there-
fore has no constable, 138; dis-
tance from Fort Pownall, 189;
desired to maintain preaching,
139; number of residents at,
139; the Rev. James Lyon in-
vited to settle at, 172, 173;
desired permission to levy
taxes to support the gospel,
173, 174; committee appointed
to consider the same, 174;
Lyon will settle at, 174, 175;
the people cannot supi)ort the
gosj)el at, 185; a committee
ajjiiointed to levy a tax to sup-
port the gospel, 185, 186; Capt.
.loncs with two sloops and a
tender arrive at, 28U; papers
asking for protection fif Jones
handed about, 280; tender
moved nearer the town, 280;
31
4T4
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Machias, continued.
town meeting held, 280; the
people through fear i>assed a
vote favorahle to the business
of Jones, 280; the vessel
brought to the wharf and part
of the people given provisions,
281; a part of the people de-
termined to stop the business
of Jones, 281; first attempt
failed, 281; threat to burn the
town, 281; sloop captured but
tender moved and lashed to
Toby's vessel, 281; tender
made off and seized a sloop,
281, 282; the people gave chase,
282; tender surrendered, 282,
283, 284, 287; where battle
was fought and how long it
lasted, 282; ammunition ob-
tained but more needed, 282;
prisoners to be taken to Pow-
nalborough, 283, 287; tonnage
of the sloops, 284; one sloop
to be armed for defense, 284;
Congress to send of&cers for
the sloop, 284; prisoners to
be taken to Congress, 287; the
people justified the conduct
of Stephen Jones, 292; home
of Stephen Jones, 293; cap-
tured vessels brought to, 310;
people in need and fear the
enemy, 811, 312, 313, 314; ves-
sels at, 312; sent a list of those
who fell in battle to Congress,
313; the people spent their
time in the public service, 313;
officers in command at East-
ern River, 313; men wounded
and in need, 314; British de-
serters at, 314; vessels prepar-
ing to attack, 314; powder
needed at, 314; attempts to
stir the Indians to attack, 323;
powder sent privateers of, 337;
Parker went to, to obtain pro-
visions, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347,
348, 350; opposite the Bay of
Fundy, 346; Parker's petition
dated at, 346; Parker's notes
held at, 351; an exposed posi-
tion, 355; the Viper seized
vessels at, 358; privateers be-
ing absent there is no coast
defense, 359; petitioned for
relief, 359; Shaw at, 374, 424,
443; the Committee of Safety
dispersed, 384; Capt. Walker
sent to, 894; Tupper's letter
Machias, continued.
from, 399; help expected from
Col. Shaw, 395, 399; the peo-
ple of, reduced to being
butchered or plundered, 399;
Allen's letter from, 414; Allen
held a council at, 416; the
petition of, to be considered,
418; the St. Johns River ex-
pedition to rendezvous at, 420;
the people to be paid for fit-
ting out the same, 421; Allen's
dues for defending, 422; Allen
drew from the truckhouse at,
423; truckhouse to be con-
tinued, 424; strong drink not
to be sold to the Indians, 423;
report that the enemy had
been sent against, 425; cap-
tured goods sent to, 431, 435;
Preble sent to, for supplies,
434; Shaw's letter dated from,
439; Stillman at, 440; vessels
to cruise off, 441, 442; Com-
mittee of Safety, 326, 327, 359;
letters of, 293, 310, 350, 358;
memorial of, 114; petition of,
173; report of commissioners,
187; mentioned, 115, 320, 326,
334, 419.
Account of the capture of the
king's cutter, 280.
Eastern River, 313.
Harbor, 441.
Western Falls, 313.
Mahogany Bay, 440.
Maine, representatives of in Con-
gress, 274, 354; mentioned, 6,
48, 59, 111, 132, 188, 253, 381,
382, 383, 384.
Majabigwaduce, 268, 284, 331;
Committee of Correspondence,
832.
Major Veel, 405.
Manchester, 379,
John, signed Machias petition,
41.
Manciville, )
Mangeville, Ul9, 429, 434.
Mansigerville, J
Mansfield, Isaac, presented Wind-
ham petition, 71.
Manufactures, home, 272.
Maples, 271.
Marblehead, 72, 74, 821, 823, 358,
379.
March, see Marsh.
Marimishe, 436.
Marines to be posted at Hajlifax,
329.
INDEX
475
Marks of, Berre, John, 41; Bou-
den, John, 54; Bryant, Eleaz-
er, 41; Clay, Daniel, 181;
Drisk, John, 93; Garland,
John, 181; Getchell. Joseph,
41; Godhill, Donald. 58;
Grindle, Joshua, 57; Kellev,
William, 41; Kubler, David,
15; Libby, Sarah, 41; P ,
John Henry, 15; Page, Joseph,
58; Pratt, Tim., 57; Smith,
John Morton, 58; Toben,
Mathew, 57; Warren, Daniel,
57; , John, 15; , Jo-
seph, 94.
Marque of Oil Cloth, 423.
Marsh, ") Col. , to raise a regi-
March, j meut in Maine, 254, 257;
no disrespect meant for, 257.
David, township granted to, 21.
Samuel, petitioned for Scar-
borough, 177, 179; remitted
fines to be paid to, 179; signed
Belfast petition, 198; repre-
sented Scarborough in Con-
gress, 274.
Marshfield, 277.
Marston, Brackett, his losses at
Falmouth, 310.
Martha's Vineyard, 93.
Martin, James, signed Fort Pow-
nail petition, 57.
John, his losses at the destruc-
tion of Falmouth, 308.
Maj. — -, 315.
Oberlach, signed Broad Bay pe-
tition, 15.
Samuel, married the daughter of
Richard Fullford, 107.
Martindale, Capt. , 361.
Mary II, 36.
Mason, Jonas, declined to be a
justice of the peace, 412; let-
ter of, 412.
Man. John, signed Suncoolc peti-
tion, 205.
Massachusetts Bay, Province of,
12, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28, 39, 42, 43,
44, 45, 46, 47, 51, 56, 59, 64, 70,
74, 77, 78, 83, 86, 89, 91, 92, 94,
lOG, 112. 114, 116, 128, 129, 143,
149, 159, 160, 172, 173, 175, 177,
179, 182, 188, 190, 194, 195, 190,
204, 205, 200, 207,208, 210, 212,
216, 217, 220, 229, 231, 233, 230,
247, 260, 254, 260, 209, 273, 280,
283, 291, 293, 296, 302, 310, 315,
316, 332, 335, 339, 343, 850, 350,
358, 362, 306, 307, 377, 884, .'',95,
390, .389, 400, 401, 402, 407, 412,
Massachusetts, continued.
415, 418, 424, 425, 426. 436, 443,
444.
House of Commons, 293, 384.
Masts, 137, 139, 141, 149, 150, 151,
153, 154, 155, 210, 237, 242, 246,
247. 248, 249, 2.50, 269, 287, 295,
296, 317, 398.
Matthews, Jabez, sent on a tour
of discovery, 246.
John, signed Sebascodegin peti-
tion, 76; signed Boothbay pe-
tition, 171.
Maxwell, William, signed Cumber-
land petition, 396.
Maycock, William Jr., signed Fort
Pownall petition. 57.
Maynard, Stephen, signed No. Six
petition, 229.
Mayo, Ebenezer, his loss at the
destruction of Falmouth, 307.
Simeon, ditto, 305,
Medumcook, people of desired the
removal of the shire town, 17,
18.
Meeting Houses, must be erected
in every township, 81, 96, 100,
101. 112, 132, 136, 161, 163, 164,
165, 219, 220, 222, 228; none at
Belfast, 231; none at Ponds-
town, 118; none at Sanford, 69;
none at Winthrop, 191; at
Boothbay, 169; at Bowdoin-
ham, 291; at Freetown, 216; at
Narragansett, 159, 160; at
Scarborough, 179; at Sebasco-
degin Island, 75.
Memorials of. Freeman, Samuel,
209; Longfellow, Stephen, 112;
ministers of York, 182; North
Yarmouth and New Glouces-
ter, 316; people of Machias,
114; Savage, Arthur, 143;
Small, Samuel, 78; Wyman,
Joshua, 175.
Merameekee, 432, 433.
Merrill, Abel, signed Narragansett
petition, 181.
Lieut Nathan, 338.
Peter, his loss at the destruction
of Falmouth, 307.
Samuel, signed Narragansett pe-
tition, 181.
Stephen, signed Freetown peti-
tion, 217.
Merriraac River, 187, 213, 217, 227,
229.
Merryconeag Neck, 75.
Mery, Josejjh, signed Freetown
petition, 217.
476
DOCUMENTARY HISTOEY
Meserve, Daniel, justified the con-
duct of Stephen Jones 292.
Solomon, signed Machias peti-
tion, 41.
Messages, of Bernard, Gov. Fran-
cis, 2, 30, 31, 38, 61, 66; Coun-
cil, the, 41, 42; General Court,
the, 34; House of Representa-
tives, 66; Hutchinson, Gov.
Thomas, 132.
Michell, see Mitchell.
Micmacs, the, 359, 362, 364, 366,
406, 436.
Middleboro, 348.
Middlesex Countv, 2", 70, 276, 277,
353.
Milberry, Samuel, 292, 302.
Militia, see Soldiers.
Miller, James, signed Belfast peti-
tions, 196, 198, 232.
Stephen, signed Pemaquid peti-
tion, 190.
William, pilot of the Loyal
Legion, 311.
Milliken, Martha, widow, signed
Narragansett petition, 160.
Thomas, bearer of a letter, 425.
Millmen not formal, 379.
Mills, 22, 109, 138, 141, 153.
Mines, 149.
Ministers, \ settled and supported
Ministry, J in every township, 26
81, 96, 100, 101, 112, 132, 136
161, 215; provided for Indians
35; none at Machias, 40, 139
at Fort Pownall, 57, 62; pay
for one at Fort Pownall, 65
none at Sanford, 69; taxes to
support, 71, 72, 73, 74, 77, 78
Sebascodegin desired a new
one, 76; none at Pondstown,
118; had free passage over
York bridge, 121; none at Ma-
chias, 139; an itinerary at
Machias, 139; No. Four,"^140;
remuneration of, 172; desired
information in regard to set-
tling in new places, 183; to be
paid out of the provincial
treasury, 184; petition not
granted for the support of, 381 ;
reason why, 381; should keep
their oaths, 390, 391, 397;
should publish no untruths,
391.
Minot, John, his losses at the de-
struction of Falmouth, 309.
Stephen, signed Pemaquid peti-
tion, 190.
Minute men, 249, 260.
Miservey, Daniel, first lieutenant
at Western Falls, 313.
Mispecka, or Moosepeck, 281.
Missionaries for the Eastern parts,
225.
Mitchell, \ John, signed Belfast
Michell, / petition, 198.
Capt. Jonathan, signed Fal-
mouth petition, 79; signed
North Yarmouth petition, 194;
desired leave of absence, 367;
the same granted, 367; com-
plaints against, 369; ignorant
of his business, 369, 370, 371,
372, 373; had no reviews, 371;
as the commander at Fal
mouth, he prevented Ilsley
from doing his duty, 386;
neglectful. 387; sent guards to
Saco, Kennebec and Harps-
well, 401; why he sent no
more, 401; needed cannon,
401; letters of, 366, 400.
Joseph, signed Pleasant River
petition, 93.
Lewis, a zealous tory, arrested
429.
Noah, signed Pleasant River
petition, 93.
William, ditto, 93.
Mob law, 9, 10, 11, 84, 113, 143,
144, 145, 147, 148, 149, 155, 156;
called also Club Law; and see
Riots.
Molasses sold at high prices, 339;
the exportation of prohibited,
340.
Money, see Currency.
Montgomery, Samuel, signed
Boothbay petition, 171.
Montreal, 238, 239, 330.
Moody, Cutting, signed Narragan-
sett petition, 160.
Enoch, his losses at the destruc-
tion of Falmouth, 308; sub-
mitted list of losses to Con-
gress, 310, 394.
Joshua, his losses at the de-
struction of Falmouth, 309.
Nathaniel G., ditto, 308.
Moon, AVilliam, signed Boothbay
petition, 171.
Moore, James, signed Freetown
petition, 217.
John, signed Belfast petition,
198.
Jonathan, signed Freetown pe-
tition, 217.
Robert, signed Suncook petition,
205.
INDEX
477
Morretown, letter of, 356.
Moosepeek, or Mispecka, 281.
Mores, Edward, signed Penobscot
letter, 269.
Samuel, signed Sebascodegin
petition, 77.
Morren, Eriaut, signed certificate
for Ilsley, 380.
Morrill, Simeon, signed Freetown
petition, 217.
Morrison, Joseph, signed Belfast
petition, 19S.
Samuel, ditto, 198.
Morrson, John, justified the con-
duct of Stephen Jones, 292.
Morse, David, subscribed for the
Canada expedition, 365.
Jonathan, his losses at the de-
struction of Falmouth, 307.
Jonathan Jr., ditto, 30.5.
Stephen, ditto, 305.
Morton, Capt. Bryant, in com-
mand at Falmouth, 338, 370.
Ebenezer, signed Muscongus pe-
tition, 18.
Ebenezer Jr., ditto, 18.
Perez, deputy-secretary, 206, 298,
299, 301, 314, 318, 320, 322, 327,
336, 339.
Mosely, Sarah, her losses at the
burning of Falmouth, 308.
Most, Ebenezer, signed certificate
for Ilsley, 386.
Motley, Thomas, his losses at the
burning of Falmouth, 308.
Moulton, Brigadier , took men
from Jordan's regiment, 410,
411.
Daniel, selectman of York, 92.
Mount Desert, 92, 140, 141, 209,
359, 441, 442.
Mount Sweag, 226.
Bay, 216.
Mountfort, Edmund, his losses at
the burning of P'almoutli, 307.
Samuel, signed petition of St.
I'auTs parish, 192; his loss at
the destruction of Falmouth,
307.
Mowatt, Cajit. Henry, Parry's let-
ter to, 248; Tyng to convey liis
letter, 2-19; commander of the
Canceau, 250; good conduct oi',
250,251; taken prisoner, 251;
liis threat, 261; paroled, 252;
his excuse for i>r('aking liis
parole, 252; his boat seized,
253; destroyed Falmouth, 317;
to winter at Falmouth, 317; at
Nortli Yarmou til, 319; followed
Mowatt, continued.
the orders of Gage in burning
Falmouth, 342; Howe's ac-
count of, 342, 343; letter of,
243.
Mtt Cobb, John, signed Boothbay
petition, 171; see also Cobb
and McCobb.
Mtt Farland, Ephraim, signed
Boothbay petition, 171; see
also McFarland.
Mugrige, Peter, oath of, 332.
^MuUiken, Benjamin, laid out a
township, 19; his township
granted to others, 28, 94;
ousted from Rowley, Canada,
28; desired permission to sell
delinquent rights, 28, 29; new
lands granted to, 31, 32; the
land not equivalent, 95, 98; de-
sired the proprietors to be
quieted, 95; to receive back
his land, 98; and liold the
same, 98; his land a boundary,
205, 219; petition of, 28.
Mumford, Mr. , a post rider,
405.
Munson, Joseph, signed Machias
petition, 41; justified the con-
duct of Stephen Jones, 292.
Stephen, signed Machias peti-
tion, 41.
Murray, Col. , member of the
General Court, 193.
James, signed Belfast petition,
232.
John, signed Boothbay petition,
171.
Jonathan, ditto, 171.
Robert, ditto, 170.
Muscongus, the people of desired
the removal of the sliire town,
17, 18; Ricliard Fullford lived
near, 107; Loud's letter dated
at, 360.
Musquash Cove, 427, 439.
Mussey, Benjamin, selectman,
signed letter for Falmouth,
242.
Muster roll, 376.
M , .loscjih, signed Fort Pow-
nall i)etition, 57.
N
Naii.s, 332, 335.
Nantucket, 324, 344, 345, 3.50.
County, 358.
Narragansett No. One, plan of
taken, 29; incorporated, 135;
bounds of, l.")9, 175, 180, 181,
478
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Narragansett, continued.
182; number of families in,
159; meeting house and min-
ister, 159; desired to be in-
corporated, 159, 175, 176;
proprietors to be given notice
of petition, 160, 176, 177; the
act of incorporation not as-
sented to, 176; new resolution
passed, 176; petition dis-
missed, 177; new petition pre-
sented, 177; petition against
incorporation, 179: reasons of
the objectors, 179, 180; num-
ber of rights in, 180; propor-
tions of the two parties, 180;
boundaries notentirely settled,
180; the larger proprietors ob-
ject to, 180; Scarborough peo-
ple at the Gore. 180; claims of
Gorham, 180; act of incorpo-
ration, 181; town meeting to
be called, 182; see Buxton.
Gore, the, 180.
Meeting House, 159, 160, 176.
Narragansetts, the, 217.
Nash, Isaiah, signed Pleasant Riv-
er petition, 94
James, ditto, 94.
Joseph Jr., ditto, 94.
Samuel, ditto, 93.
Nashome, 402.
Naskeeg Point, 140.
Nason, Edgecomb, as convoy, 288.
John, signed Narragansett peti-
tion, 181; town clerk of Bux-
ton, 236.
Robert, signed receipt for Deer
Island, 285.
Nathan, Webster, signed Free-
town petition, 217.
Neat, Thomas, sent to Congress
for examination, 288; sup-
posed to be a spy, 288; born
in Britain, 288; lived and
travelled in America, 288; a
steward, 288; at Boston and
Falmouth, 288; left the ship
to go to Philadelphia, 289; the
captain of the sloop demanded
his return, 289; hired a horse
to enter Falmouth, 289; ex-
amined and discharged, 290;
to go south, 290.
Nesmith, Benjamin, signed Belfast
petition, 232.
Nevers, Dr. , a suffering
patriot, 415, 435, 440.
New Boston, a boundary, 22, 23;
men enlisted in, 833.
New Brunswick, 86.
New Castle, a boundary, 210, 226.
New England, 27, 28, 70, 77, 78,
85, 92, 94, 151, 179, 194, 196,
210, 216, 231. 233, 240, 266,
347, 350, 352, 353.
New Gloucester, home of David
Dinsmore, 246; alarmed by the
destruction of Falmouth, 317;
desired assistance for defense,
318; men enlisted iu, 333;
memorial, 316.
New Hampshire, 4, 5, 6, 24, 25,
44, 46, 47, 48, 50, 51, 155, 165,
187, 195, 196, 204, 206, 208,
213, 214, 215, 218, 220, 223,
224, 228, 229, 336, 836, 443.
Grants, 240, 241.
New Haven, 86.
New Jersey, 43, 86, 381.
New York City, 279, 290, 304, 416,
441.
Bayard Street, 86.
Exchange, the, 86.
New York, Province of, 43, 207.
276, 358, 381, 405, 464, 465.
Newark, 86.
Newbury, letter of, 356; men-
tioned, 39, 60, 86, 357, 385,
443.
Newburyport, 285.
Newfoundland, 329, 330.
Newichwannock River, 43, 45, 50,
51, 52.
Head, 50.
Newman, Thomas, his loss at the
destruction of Falmouth, 306.
Newton, 225.
Nichols, Alexander, to call a town-
meeting, 202.
John, his loss at the burning of
Falmouth, 307.
William, signed Belfast peti-
tion, 232.
Noble, Rev. , 415.
Rachel, signed Pemaquid, peti-
tion, 190.
North, Col. Joseph, 405.
North Yarmouth, desired pay for
caring for Edward Doring,
194; home of John Lewis, 274;
alaimed by the burning of
Falmouth, 317; desired as-
sistance, 318; British vessels
arrived at, 319; deserters came
to, 319; battery erected near,
819; men enlisted in, 333;
representative from, in Con-
gress, 274, 355; home of Jonas
INDEX
479
North Yarmouth, continued.
Mason, 41,3; memorial of, 316;
petition of, 194.
Northampton, 334.
Norton, Seth. signed Pleasant
River petition, 94.
Norwich, 262.
Nova Scotia, 43, 142, 206, 250, 255,
263, 264, 269, 273, 310, 320,
322, 323, 324, 325, 329, 344,
347, 348, 350, 354, 362,
379, 381, 382, 383, 395,
416, 419, 421, 436, 437,
345,
375,
407,
438.
Nowell,
Zachariah, his losses at
the burning of Falmouth, 309.
Xoyes, Col. , member of the
General Court, 66.
David, his loss at the burning of
Falmouth, 309.
Isaiah, ditto, 308.
Capt. .Joseph, beai-er of the Fal-
mouth letter, 242; his loss at
the burning of Falmouth, 308;
submitted the list of losses to
Congress, 310, 394; repre-
sented Falmouth in Congress,
355.
Moses, his loss at the burning of
Falmouth, 309.
Noah, ditto, 307.
Peter, submitted the list of losses
to Congress, 310, 394.
Samuel, signed Narragansett pe-
tition, 160.
Timothy, his losses at the de-
struction of Falmouth, 309.
Zebiilun, signed petition of St.
Paul's parish, 192; his loss at
the destruction of Falmouth,
308.
Nye, Mr. , member of the Gen-
eral Court, 79.
O
Oaks, 162, 187,271.
Oates, Samuel, signed Machias
letter, 292.
Oath, Freeman would not admin-
ister one, 146; his reason for
refusing, 147, 148.
Oats, 381.
O'Brian, "1 Dennis, justified the
O'iJrion, J conduct of Stephen
.Jones, 292.
Fannater, signed Machias peti-
tion, 41.
Gideon, ditto, 41; justified the
conduct of Stephen Jones, 292.
O'Brian. continued.
Capt. Jeremiah, assaulted a jus-
tice of the peace, 113, 114; led
the people to ca^iture Jones's
tender, 282; thanked by Con-
gress, 287; with Foster, to
have charge of the captured
vessels, 287; one of the Com-
mittee of Safety, 310.
John, his bill as messenger, 302;
powder delivered to, 337.
Morris, signed Machias petition,
41; justified the conduct of
Stephen Jones. 292.
William, justified the conduct of
Stephen Jones, 292.
Ogden, Isaac, of Newark, 86.
Old Town, Penobscot, 411.
Oliver, A., secretary, 2, 8, 29, 32,
33, 39, 65, 68, 74, 77, 99.
William, signed Fort Pownall
petition, 57.
Onion River, 356.
Orders to Danks, Capt. Isaac, 315;
regarding a prize ship, 388.
Orne, Col. Azor, member of the
General Court, 357.
Osgood, Abram, signed petition of
St. Paul's parish, 192; his loss
at the burning of Falmouth,
307.
Samuel, appeller, 225; signed
Andover petition, 20.
Ossipee, Great, River, 19, 20.
Little, River, 19, 20.
Otis, Mr. , member of the
General Court, 134, 388.
James, lettersof,321; mentioned,
134, 147, 164, 165, 301, 327.
Col. Joseph, of Barnstable, 344.
Oulton, Anne & Comp., losses of,
at Falmouth, 309.
Owen, Ebenezer, his losses at the
destruction of Falmouth, 309.
John, signed Narragansett peti-
tion, 181.
William, selectman, signed letter
of Falmouth, 242.
Oxen, 315.
Oxnard, P^lward, signed petition
of St. Paul's i)arish, 192.
Thomas, ditto, 192.
Page, Joskph, signed Fort Pow-
nall petition, 58.
Simon, signed Sebascodegin pe-
tition, 76.
Paine, R. T., speaker, 424.
480
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Palfry, Mr. , member of the
General Court, 385.
Palmer, .Joseph, ditto, 301, 316,
334, 422.
Paper money, 430; see also Cur-
rency.
Parker, Rev. , the only Episco-
palian who read the Declara-
tion of Independence in pub-
lic, 390.
Abijah, his loss at the burning
of Falmouth, 306.
John, subscribed for the Canada
expedition, 365.
Jordan, of Georgetown, gave
bond for keeping Parry, 237,
247; should be released, 247;
bond void, 287; subscribed for
the Canada expedition, 365.
Stephen, signed Machias peti-
tion, 41, 174; signed Machias
memorial, 115; signed Machias
letter, 173; to levy taxes at
Machias, 185; reported the
operations of the British at
Annapolis, 323; a patriot de-
tained in another province,
323, 324, 325; delay in send-
ing letter, 323; took passage
for Philadelphia, 324, 343, .345,
346, 347, 348, 350; at Yar-
mouth, 325; furnished with a
letter by Lyon, 343; unable to
purchase supplies at Philadel-
phia, 344; arrived at Barn-
stable, 344; still unsuccessful,
344; encouraged by Lovell,
344; not successful with Con-
gress, .344, 346, 347, 3.50; to
embark in trade, 344, 345, 347;
hindered in Nantucket, 345,
350; applied to Falmouth, 345,
3.50, 351; arrived at Nova
Scotia, 345, 347, 350; trade in
the same, 345; arrived at Ma-
chias, 345, 346, 347, 351; es-
poused the cause of liberty,
345, .346, 347, 348; his notes
held at Machias, 351 ; his letter
referred to a committee, 351;
letters of, 322, 324, .346; peti-
tion of, 343.
Mrs. Stephen, .325.
Parry, ) Edward, interviewed in
Perry, (regard to masts, 1.50; an
enemy to American rights,
237, 287; in custody, 237, 247,
249, 269, 336; interrupted by
the people, 243; will not ship
masts, 247, 248; the Commit-
Parry, continued.
tee of Safety agreed not to
disturb him, 247; erroneously
arrested and obliged to give
bond, 247, 248; should be re-
leased, 247; his papers seized,
248, 249; his papers copied,
changed and circulated, 248;
cannot supply masts for Hali-
fax, 248; how arrested and
compelled to give bond, 249;
only to be released by an act
of Congress, 249, 250; why ar-
rested, 250; expects Congress
to order the bond cancelled,
250; a contractor for masts,
269, 287, 300; hindered from
performing his contract, 269,
270; his home in New Hamp-
shire, 270; desired to be re-
leased, 270, 336; to be brought
to Congress, 287; Sewall and
Parker his bondsmen and the
bond is void, 287, 295; com-
mittee appointed to examine,
299; to be sent to some inland
town, 301; his affairs at home
need his attention, 335; held
no office and injured no one,
336; paroled for three
months, 336; selectmen can't
grant his release, 336; letters
of, 247. 249. 335; petition of,
269, 287.
Parsons, Isaac, member of the
Committee of Safety, 318.
Partridge field, Congress demanded
speedy payment of money
from, 261; not able to pay the
required tax, 261; wliy poor,
261; has sent required quota,
261; begged to be excused,
262; letter of, 261.
Passageesewokev Harbor, a bound-
ary, 197, 199";
Passamaquoddy, 117, 364, 375.
Bay, 427.
Bay Islands, 142.
Indians, 427.
River, 142.
Passidoukeag, the, .55.
Patrick, John, signed Freetown
petition, 217.
Pattee, Ezekiel, selectman, and
one of the Windham Com-
mittee of Safety, 265, 409; let-
ter of, 409.
Patten, John, signed Andover pe-
tition, 20.
INDEX
481
Patterson, James, signed Belfast
petition, 19S, 232.
Nathaniel, ditto, 198, 232.
Robert, ditto, 198.
William, ditto, 232.
William Jr.. ditto, 198.
Peabody"s, 440.
Pearce. John, member of the Gen-
eral Court, 111.
Richard, ditto. 111.
see also Peirce and Pierce.
Pearl, Simeon, signed Freetown
petitions, 17, 217.
Pearson, Moses, his loss at the
burning of Falmimth, 309.
Will., ditto, 309.
Pearsontown, plan made of, 29; a
boundary, 159, 175, 182.
Peas, 381.
Peaslee, Nathaniel, a justice of
the peace, 61.
Peirce family, 107, 108.
John, signed Fort Pownall peti-
tion, .57.
see also Pearce and Pierce.
Peircentown, 135.
Pemaquid, 89, 90, 2.30.
Company, 189, 190, 230.
Pennicook, 195, 208, 213, 215; later
Rumford, 213.
Pennsylvania, 381.
Penobscot, 57, 153, 207, 268, 269,
279, 286, 320, 334, 341, 355,
367, 368, 379, 411, 413.
Bay, 86, 197, 199, 231.
Indians, 245, 283, 286, 341, 359,
362, 363, 364, 367, 378, 411, 413,
River, 57, 62, 84, 85, 86, 90, 131,
134, 156, 188, 268, 271, 272, 273,
284, 341, 367, 369, 412, 413, 425.
Pepperellborough, 135.
^Swacket, }''"'''' 2''^' 'l''^''-
Battle of, Lovewell killed at,
203; the Indians terrorized at,
203.
Percy, Lord Hugh, ;!29, 330.
Perkins, Epbraim, his sloop hired
as a transport, 263; ftrice to
be i)aid him, 264; directions
to, 264.
Joseph, signed P.of)tlibay peti-
tion, 170; member of tlie
Committee of Safety, 332.
I'crley, Israel, a prisoner, 415.
Perth, Amboy, 8(i.
Petcher, Bcuheii, signed i'ort
Pownail jictition, 57.
Petersburg, 304.
Petitions of, Anderson, Abraham,
71, 73; Andover, 18, 19; Bean,
David, 83; Boothbay, 166, 233,
Broad Bay, 14; Brown, Henry
Y., 02, 64,' 116, 222, 224; Brown
John, 231; Bridges, Moody,
28, 29, 94, 95; Church of Eng-
land, 191; Cox, John, 64;
Cumberland, 396; Downe,
Samuel, 20; Eggleston, Heze-
kiah, 107; Elder, William, 210;
Fort Pownall, 56; Freetown,
16, 216; Frye, Joseph, 106;
Gardner, John, 227, 229;
Georgetown, 129; Gorham,
77; Ilsley, Daniel, 386; John-
son, Noah, 202; Jones, Nathan,
21, .332; Josselyn, Joseph, 217,
218; Lawrence, Amos, 220;
Livermore, Samuel, 108; Ma-
chias, 173; March, Samuel,
177; Medumcook, 17; Miller,
James, 196; Mulliken and
Bridges, 28, 29, 94, 95; Mus-
congus, 17; Narragansett, 159;
North Yarmouth, 194; Parker,
Stephen, 343; Parry, Edward,
269; Pondstown, 117; Richard-
son, Joseph, 26; Sanford, 68;
Sebascodegin, 74; Thornton,
Matthew, 20; Township No.
Five, 92; Walker, Timothy,
212, 214; Whittemore, Samuel,
229; Winthrop, 190; York, 91.
Petterson, William, signed Belfast
petition, 232.
Pettingall, Benjamin, liis loss at
the burning of Falmouth, 306.
Daniel, ditto, 306.
Philadelphia, 293, 294, 312, 343,
344, 348, 350.
Pliillil)s, Capt. , of the Gam-
mon, 36().
Maj., claimed tlie land granted
to Henry Y. Brown, 224.
Samuel, justice of the peace,
196; member of the General
(k)urt, 215, 220.
William, member of the General
Court, 388.
Phillipstown, a boundary, 19; in-
corporated, 67, 68; bounds of,
68; warrant to be issued for a
town meeting in, (i8.
PJiinney, Col. Edmund, a select-
man, signed Gorham petition,
78; to enlist a regiment, 253,
257, 283; pajxTs retuined to,
254; no disrespect meant for,
257.
82
482
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Phips, David, petitioned for
land, 99, 100; township granted
to, 100, 162; title confirmed,
162; petition of, 99.
Physician, see Surgeon.
Pickering, Timothy Jr., 337.
Pierce, Daniel, 47.
see also Pearce and Peirce.
Pierre Jommo, an Indian, 414.
see also Toma.
Pierson, Jonathan, of Newbury,
his sloop captured, 385.
Pike, James, signed Narragansett
petition, 159.
Timothy, his losses at the burn-
ing of Falmouth, 308.
Pine Trees, 137, 139, 140, 141, 149,
150, 153, 154, 271.
Pineo, Jonathan, justified the con-
duct of Stephen Jones, 292.
Pinkham, Solomon, signed Booth-
bay petition, 171.
Pirates, 244.
Piscataqua, 331, 335, 374, 376.
Harbor, 43, 41.
Eiver, 43.
Pitcher, Ezra Jr., signed Broad
Bay petition, 15.
Pitts, Mr. , of the Provincial
Congress, 318.
James, councilor, 1, 10, 42, 88,
147; signed Kennebec petition,
151; signed report concerning
Pemaquid, 230.
William, traded with Parker,
345.
Planks, 246, 248, 249, 250, 269, 301.
Pleasant River, same as Township
No. Five, 92; situation of, 92;
number of families at, 92; not
orderly, 92, 93; people desired
that Wilmot Woss be ap-
pointed a justice of the peace,
93; united to Machias, 281;
prisoners at, 303; petition of,
92.
Plumer, | j^oses, 93, 309.
Plummer, I ' '
Plymouth Council, 90, 189.
ISIass., 266, 273, 277, 379,
Patent, 155.
Purchase, 118.
Plympton, Daniel, selectman of
Sturbridge, 337.
Point Levi, 368.
Pondstown, situation of, 118, 122,
124; desired to be incorpo-
rated, 118; no minister or
school at, 118; proposed
bounds of, 118, 126, 127; de-
Pondstown, continued.
sired exemption from taxes,
118; roads to be built at, 118;
incorporated, 126, 127; war-
rant to be issued for town
meeting at, 127; named, 127;
officers to be voted for, 128;
petition of, 117.
Pool, Abijah, his losses at the
burning of Falmouth, 308.
Porterfield, Patrick, member of
the Provincial Congress, 316.
Portland, Willis' History of, cited,
310; see Falmouth.
Portsmouth, 48, 152, 155, 187, 215,
336.
Pomfret, 240.
Port Bill, the, 235, 236.
Royal, 34.
Royal Expedition, 109.
Post, none further than Falmouth,
377.
Rider, a, 405.
Potatoes, 285, 315.
Pote, Capt. , obliged to fur-
nish Thompson with cash and
provisions, 253.
Jeremiah, his losses at the burn-
ing of Falmouth, 309.
Powder, 245, 255, 283, 285, 294,
314, 323, 337, 346; see also Am-
munition.
Powell, Jeremiah, councilor, 1, 88;
a member of the Committee
of Safety, 318, 320; his letter
to be considered, 318; his let-
ter, 319.
Col. Jeremiah, justice of the
peace, 10, 11, 147, 148, 371;
member of the General Court,
357, 358.
Pownalborough, a boundary, 14,
15, 16, 17, 18; should be sep-
arated from Frankfort, 15, 16,
18; the returns of the town
meeting to be sent to the Gen-
eral Court, 123, 125, 128; home
of Thomas Rice, 227; Wood's
letter dated from, 258; ques-
tion about Dr. Rice being a
representative for, 298, 299
home of David Silvester, 316
Committee of Safety, 349, 353
homes of David and the Rev.
Jacob Bailey, 352; Langdon's
letter dated at, .366; care of
the Rev. Jacob Bailey, 389;
Bailey's reply submitted to,
392, 394; Charles Cushing's
letter dated at, 397; Roland
INDEX
483
Pownalborougb, continued.
Cushing's letter dated at, 400;
Jordan's letter dated at, 410;
exposed situation of, 411.
Goal. 283, 287.
Pratt, Tim., signed Fort Pownall
petition, 57.
William, ditto, 57.
Preble, Mr. , interpreter, 376.
Abrabam, selectman, signed let-
ter of Bowdoinham, 291.
Col. and Brigadier, signed peti-
tion of St. Paul's parisb, 192;
an assurity for Mowatt, 252;
cbairman of tbe Committee of
Correspondence, 2.53, 254, 250;
knew nothing about tbe de-
serter, 289; bis loss at tbe
burning of Falmouth, 305;
represented Falmouth in Con-
gress, 355, 385; letters of, 253,
283.
Jedediah Jr., signed petition of
Fort Pownall, ,57.
Capt. John, Indians to tell their
wants, 256; not a satisfactory
truckmaster, 341; did not ac-
cept the office, 855; arrived at
Machias, 414; bearer of a let-
ter, 418; obliged to leave bis
position, 418, 434; on a voyage
of discovery, 427; arrested
Mitchell, 429; active, 434; sent
to Machias for supplies, 434;
letters of, 405, 407.
Prescott, Col. James, member of
tbe Provincial Congress, 301,
322, 414.
Press, tbe liberty of tbe, sup-
pressed, 2.39.
Priests, 56, 239, 406, 416.
Prince, Capt. , 262.
Christopher, 324.
Paul & Co., .306.
Silvanus, 194.
Prisoners, military, returned, 330;
to be exchanged, 3.30, 331.
Privateers, :'.10, 311, 320, .359; nee
also under Vessels.
Providence, 405.
PuUen, James, signed I'ondstovvn
j)etition, 118.
Stephen, ditto, 119.
Purenton, Nathaniel, .signed Se-
Ijascodegin petition, 77.
Purriiitou, .James, bis loss at tb«>
burning of F\'»lm<tutb, 305.
Putnam, (ien. Israel, 240.
P , John Henry, 15.
Q
QrAKKRS, 185.
Quebec, 239, 241, 246, 304, 328. 329,
308, 4.32.
Bill, tbe, 2.39.
Siege of, 363.
Queen's Birthday, the, 157.
Quinby, Joseph, his loss at tbe
burning of Falmouth, 808.
Joseph Jr., ditto, 308.
R
Rand, Benjamin, bis loss at the
destruction of Falmouth, 308.
Randell, Isaac, ditto, 307.
Rangers, see Soldiers.
Rankins, Constant, signed Sebas-
codegin petition, 77.
James, ditto, 77.
John, ditto, 76.
Raymon, Paul, ditto, 76.
Raymond, Capt. William, town-
ship granted to, 22, 27; bounds
of same, 22, 23.
Raymond's Town, 165.
Recruits, see under Soldiers, 395.
Reed, Andrew Jr., signed Booth-
bay petition, 171.
Audrey 3d, ditto, 171.
David, ditto, 171.
John, ditto, 171.
Joseph, ditto, 171.
Samuel, justified the conduct of
Stephen Jones, 292.
William, signed Boothbay peti-
tion, 171.
Regiments to be raised in Maine,
253, 254; impracticable to
raise one in Cumberland, 257;
more to come from England,
263; reinforced, 340; to be
raised by a draft, 358; one to
include botli English and
Indians, 363; needed in Cum-
berland, 396; to be raised in
Cumberland and Lincoln coun-
ties, 420, 438; see also under
Soldiers.
Regulars, tbe, see under Soldiers.
Remuneration of ministers, 172.
Rent, Hicomian, signed Boothbay
petition, 171.
Reply of the Council to Stirling,
88.
liepoi-ts of, ab:ile7nent of taxes,
.378; Allen's, .Jolin, ac<'ounts,
422; Brown's, Henry Y., i)eti-
tion, 4, 5, 24, 82, 103"; Damaris-
484
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Reports, continued.
cotta petition, 237; Sewell's,
Dummer, petition, 395; exam-
ination of Parry, Edward, 300;
Fuller's, Joshua, petition, 100;
Hancock's letter, 419; John-
son's, Noah, petition, 219;
Jones and Hicks, 275; Jones,
Ichabod, 80; Jones', Nathan,
petition, 383; powder, 340;
Lane's, John, accounts, 286;
Livermore's, Samuel, peti-
tion, 131; Machias commis-
sion, 137; Phips', David, peti-
tion, 99; Scott's, D., petition,
298; seaport defenses, 321;
Sweetser's, Seth, petition, 230;
Thatcher's, David, papers,
422.
Resolves on and of, Anderson's,
Abraham, petition, 73; Bel-
fast's petitions, 232, 235, 236;
Brown, Henry Y., 5, 6; Bul-
lock's, William, land, 136;
Eggleston's, H., petition, 110;
Falmouth, First Parish's peti-
tion, 99; Frye, Joseph, 110;
Machias, 286; Mulliken's, B.,
petition, 98.
Rhode Island, 43, 381, 405.
Rice, , a name in Adams'
intercepted letter, 295.
Seth, signed Township No. Six
petition, 229.
Dr. Thomas, of Pownalborough,
to call a town meeting, 227;
justice of the peace, 275; his
seat in the Assembly ques-
tioned, 298, 299; will exchange
coin for bills, 374; letter of,
373.
Rich, Samuel, signed Machias pe-
tition, 41; signed Machias
memorial, 115.
Richards, Humphrey, signed Fal-
mouth petition, 79.
James, signed Freetown peti-
tion, 17.
Joseph, ditto, 17, 217.
Richardson, Josiah, an agent, 26,
28, 59, 60; land granted to, 215;
deposition and oath of, 70.
Richmond, Col. , member of
the General Court, 66, 289.
Ezra, ditto, 290.
Ridley, James, signed Sebasco-
degin petition, 76.
James Jr., ditto, 77.
Riggs, Daniel, his loss at the burn-
ing of Falmouth, 306.
Riggs, continued.
Joseph Jr., ditto, 307,
Josiah, ditto, 308.
Wheeler, ditto, 306,
Ringe, Thomas, signed Fi-eetown
petition, 217.
Riots, 10, 11, 84, 113, 114, 145; see
also Mob Law.
River of Canada, 368.
Roads in Sanford, 69; in Wind-
ham, 71; needed at Ponds-
town, 118.
Robbins, Jonathan, signed Broad
Bay petition, 15.
Roberds, George, signed Falmouth
petition, 79.
Roberts, Job, signed Narragansett
petition, 181.
Robinson, Haunce, overpaid, 322;
letter of, 322.
John, signed Muscongus peti-
tion, 18; signed Falmouth
petition, 79.
Rockingham County, 208.
Rogers, George, subscribed for the
Canada expedition, 366.
William, ditto, 365.
Ropes, Nathaniel, councilor, 1.
Ross, Alex,, justice of the peace,
10, 11; as a witness, 8; letter
of, 14,
David, mate of the Loyal Legion,
taken a prisoner, 310,
Elizabeth, widow of Capt, Alex-
ander, 249,
John, signed Sebascodegin peti-
tion, 76.
Joseph, ditto, 76.
Thomas, ditto, 77; signed Free-
town petition, 217.
Round Pond, Bristol, 107.
Rowley, Canada, 5, 6, 28, 29.
Roxbury, 276, 379.
Royal Artillery, the, 315.
Isaac, councik)r, 1.
Ruggles, John, of Ilardwich, 276.
Rum, 316, 403.
Rumford, formerly Pennicook, 213;
Timothy Walker purchased
land at, 213, 214; incorporated,
213; in New Hampshire, 213,
214.
Russell, Dr. , bearer of memo-
rial, 318.
James, councilor, 1, 10, 42, 88.
Thomas, signed Andover peti-
tion, 20.
Ruynels, Samuel, signed receipt
for Deer Island, 285.
Rye, 381.
INDEX
485
Ryswick, 207.
R , Matthias, signed Narragan-
sett petition, 181.
Matthias Jr., ditto, 181.
S
Saco Rivek, 24, 28, 29, 63, 94, 100,
101, 111, 132, 135, 159, 175, 181,
182, 205, 218, 219, 221, 222, 228,
401.
Sagadahoc, grantees of a township
in, desired further time, 21,
22, S3, 84; illegal settlers at
the east of, 104.
St. Christopher's, 207, 316.
St. Clair, Gen. Arthur, 442.
St. Croix. 80, 89, 90, 142, 385.
River, 95, 142, 143.
St. Eustatia, 14.
St. Francjois Indians, 240, 304.
St. Georges, 64. 322.
River, 316.
Shoals, 316.
St. Johns, 238, 340, 356. 360, 365,
376, 416, 427, 440, 441, 442.
River, 310, 412, 413, 414, 416,
417, 418, 419, 424, 425, 426, 438,
443.
River expedition, 419, 420, 421,
436.
St. Vincents, 14.
Salem, 244, 337.
Essex Gazette, 215, 220.
Harbor, 388.
Salmon, 86, 138, 311.
Falls River, 4, 25, 26, 32, 33, 43,
60, 51, 52.
Falls River, head, 50.
Falls River, north-easterly
branch, 61.
Falls River, south-westerly
branch, 51, 52.
Trouts, 139.
Sanborn, John, released, 84.
Sands, Ephraim, signed Narragan-
sett petition, 181.
Samuel, ditto, 181.
Sanford, incorporated, 69; people
from New Flanipshire settled
in, 69; no minister at, 69; no
meeting-house orschoolinaster
at, 09; area of, 69; desired
exemption from taxes, 69;
petition of, 68.
Capt. Thomas, a rioter, 147, 14H;
his loss at the burning of Fal-
mouth, 308; as administrator,
308.
Saunders, alias Andrew, Joseph,
14.
Savage, , of Pownalborough,
voted illegally, 299.
Arthur, comptroller of customs,
9, 143, 145; assaulted, 143, 144,
145, 148; his life in danger,
146; will go to Boston, 146;
gave names of the rioters, 147;
memorial of, 143.
Habijah, signed Pemaquid peti-
tion. 190.
John, ditto, 190.
Capt. William, of Falmouth,
143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148,
296, 298.
Savages, see Indians.
Saw mills, see Mills.
Sawyer, Joseph, signed Falmouth
petition, 79.
Sayer, Ebenezer, represented Wells
in Congress, 274.
Say ward, Jonathan, member of the
General Court, 20, 24, 26.
Scammell, Thomas, returned from
his survey, 155; letter of, 152.
Scarborough, plan of, taken, 29;
a boundary, 135, 159, 175, 180,
181, 182; always willing to
support the government, 177,
178; fined for not sending a
representative to Congress,
178; extra expense of settling
a minister, 178; errors of tax
collector, 178; expense of re-
pairing the meeting house,
178; destructive fire in, 178;
petitioned for remission of
fines, 178, 170; fines remitted,
179; families at the Gore, 180;
home of Samuel March, 274;
representatives in Congress,
274, 355; deserters sent to, 320.
Gore, the, 180.
Schemle, Andrew, one of the Com-
mittee of Safety, 267.
Schoeffer, John Martin, signed
Hroad Hay petition, 15.
Schools, "I none at Machias,
Schoolmasters, j 40; none at San-
ford, 69; must be in every
township, 81, 96, 100, 132, 136,
162, 103, 104, 165, 215, 219,
220, 222, 228; none at Ponds-
town, 118; none at Helfast, 197.
Schooner, see Vessels.
Scotland, 156.
Scott, Mr. , of Halifax, 263,
265.
486
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Scott, continued.
Daniel, report on the petition of,
298.
James, first-lieutenant at East-
ern River, 314.
John, signed Machias memorial,
115.
Samuel, ditto, 115; signed Ma-
chias letter, 173; signed Ma-
chias petition, 174.
Scouts, see Soldiers.
Sea coast men, in the army at
Falmouth, 338.
Seamen impressed, 320.
Seaports, report on the defense of
the, 321.
Searl, Capt. Isaac, member of the
General Court, 174.
Sebago Pond, the Great, 22, 23.
Sebascodegin Island, called Shap-
leigh's Island, 74; in Harps-
well, 74; number of families
at, 74; had meeting house and
minister, 75; desired to be a
seperate parish, 75, 76; had a
minister only part of the time,
75, 76; Harpswell to be noti-
fied of the petition, 77; peti-
tion of, 74.
Semple, John, part owner of the
Loyal Legion, 310; taken pris-
oner, 310.
Seguin, 875.
Sergeant, Mr. , member of the
General Court, 369.
Settlements, encouraged by re-
spectable forts, 62; land
granted and not granted, 104;
land on the Kennebec began
to attract attention, 128; made
without authority, 131, 133,
155, 158, 168, 187; the charter
concerning, 1.33; trespasses to
be removed, 133, 134; com-
mittee appointed to attend to
134; prosperous, 155, 158, 382
report of the committee, 134
see Townships.
Sevey, George, signed Machias pe-
tition, 41.
Capt. Joseph, ditto, 41; signed
Machias memorial, 115; in
command at Eastern River,
813.
Sewall, Dummer, of Georgetown,
bondsman for Parry, 236, 237,
247; should be released, 247;
bond void, 287; willing to re-
main on part of the bond, 296;
Sewall, continued.
in public service, 260; letter
of, 247.
Henry, as a witness, 300.
Hony, subscribed for the Canada
expedition, 366.
Samuel, selectman of York, 92.
Shapleigh's Island, 74.
Shattuck, Moses, his losses at the
burning of Falmouth, 308.
Summers, ditto, 307.
Zebadiah, signed Andover peti-
tion, 20.
Shaw, Col. Francis, desired further
time, 21, 22; time granted, 22;
a deputy to the Indians, 364;
blockaded, 373, 874; arrived
at Machias, 374, 424, 443; re-
ported the condition of affairs
in Maine, ,375; promised pay
to the sailors, 876; spoke well
of Capt. Lambert, 376; en-
gaged an interpreter, 876; why
he did not retain the Delight,
876; to go to Gouldsborough,
377; can give information, 383;
Machias expects help from,
395, 399; promised wages to
Indian soldiers, 406, 407; en-
listed men, 424; to go to the
assistance of Col. Allen, 424;
expects to keep the Indians
friendly, 424; arrived with
men, 4-32, 483, 443; at Mus-
quash Cove, 489; met Col.
Allen, 489; sent letter for Col.
Allen, 440; his letter before
Congress, 385; letters of, 874,
424, 439, 443.
James, signed Machias memo-
rial, 116.
Josiah, his loss at the destruc-
tion of Falmouth, 806.
Samuel, justified the conduct of
Stephen Jones, 292.
William, to accompany an In-
dian to Washington, 365.
Shearman, Eleazer, signed Booth-
bay petition, 171.
Mary, her loss at the destruction
of Falmouth, 809.
Sheepscot River, 216, 226.
Shelburn, Earl of, 30, 34, 66, 67.
Shepard, Alexander, a rejected
township granted to, 226.
Shepperday, 894, 895.
Shey, William, a bill drawn on,
312.
Shirriff, Maj. William, deputy-
quartermaster-general, 262
INDEX
487
Shirriff, continued.
315; contract with Ephraim
Perkins, 202, 264; supplies
consigned to, 315; letters of,
202, 264, 265.
Shithen, Japeth, signed Machias
memorial, 115.
Shodier, 30S; see C'haudier.
Shute, Benjamin, signed Penob-
scot letter, 269.
Shuttuck, Moses, signed St. Paul's
parish petition, 192.
Silver. 149.
Silvester, see Sylvester.
Simmons, W., signed St. Paul's
parish petition, 192.
Simpson, Joseph, represented
York in Congi-ess, 374; letter
of, 305.
Josiah, desired more time, 83;
more time granted, 84.
Jos. Jr., selectman of York, 92.
Sinclare, \ , sworn in deputy
Sinkler, / sheriff, 138.
John, signed Machias memorial,
115.
Nathaniel, rent for his sloop,
302; justice of the i^eace, 314.
Six Nations, the, 240,
Skillin, John, signed certificate for
Ilsley, 386.
Capt. Samuel, signed Falmouth
petitions, 79, 99.
Sloops, see Vessels.
Small, , signed Sebascodegin
petition, 77.
James, signed Falmouth peti-
tion, 78, 79.
T. Jr., signed Sebascodegin pe-
tition, 76.
Smith, , furnished supplies
for Machias, 303.
Capt. , of Bristol, Eug., 139.
Maj. , commissary at Ticon-
deroga, 404.
Benjamin, township granted to,
217.
Elihu, signed Pondstown peti-
tion, 119.
Capt. George, 375, 388.
Isaac, signed Pleasant River pe-
tition, 94; owned molasses at
Brunswick, 339.
John, of Perth Amboy, 80.
John Morton, signed Fort Pow-
nall petition, 68.
Jonatiian, of Pliiladelphia, 343.
Lucy, lu-r loss at tiie burning of
Falmouth, 310.
Lieut. Nathan, 366.
Smith, continued.
Samuel, of Arundel, his sloop
seized by Graves, 266, 273; in-
duced to join the king's ser-
vice, 266, 273; sailed with
arms to Nova Scotia, 266, 274;
had Jones and Hicks on board,
266, 273, 274, 276, 277; took
the vessel to Arundel, 266,
274; knew not why Hicks was
on board, 277; deposition of,
273.
Capt. Stephen, justified the
conduct of Stephen Jones,
292; in charge of privateer,
310; seized the Loyal Briton,
and destroyed fort at St.
Johns, 310, 311; his letter be-
fore the General Court, 385;
asked to assist in conveying
prisoners, 395.
Rev. Thomas, represented the
First parish, 99; his loss at
the burning of Falmouth, 309.
Snow, , represented Harpswell
in Congress, 355.
Ebenezer, his loss at the de-
struction of Falmouth, 307.
Elisha, of St. Georges, his
losses, 315, 316; signed Sebas-
codegin petition, 76.
Isaac, signed Sebascodegin pe-
tition, 76.
John, ditto, 76.
Snow shoes for the troops, 239.
Socenomick or Chaudier River,
368.
Soldiers, enlisted men to be
clothed as, 53; more can be
sent higher up the river, 55;
desired that Crawford be re-
tained as minister at Fort
Pownall, 57; sent to relieve
St. Georges, 64; eight to be
sent to Fort Pownall, 65;
wages for the same, 65; fur-
nisiied by Bt)otlibay, 167, 168;
commanded by (ioldthwait,
180; the British, to be ready
to go to Boston, 239; snow
shoes for, 239; in disguise to
explore, 239; only French
otticers willing to liglit, 240;
Phinney to enlist a regiment,
253; Maine cannot spare, 253;
Marcii to raise a regiment,
254; St(n:kbri(lgc Indians en-
list, 25(); Lane sent to raise a
regiment among Indians, 256;
Congress to establish an army,
488
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Soldiers, continued.
256; enlisting progresses slow-
ly, 257; impracticable to raise
two regiments in Cumberland,
257; Boothbay officers resign,
260; people elected officers,
260; more regiments arrive
from England, 263; coasters
to carry timber to, 274, 275;
at Marsbfield, 277; officers of
regiments raised in Maine, 279;
no provision made for those
Phinney is to enlist, 283; an
army to be raised and equip-
ped, 295; army to continue at
Boston, 304; hopes of having a
large army in America, 304;
Russia to send infantry to
assist England, 304; captured
at St. Johns, 310, 311; ex-
pensive lumher, 311; officers
at Eastern River, 313; Frye to
assume command, 321; where
troops should be stationed on
the sea coast, 321; billeted in
St. Georges, 322; re-enforce-
ments to be sent to Howe,
328, 340; to sail from Ireland,
329; marines at Halifax, 329;
regiments reincorporated, 330;
Cutter and Fabyan to raise
companies, 332; where men
were enlisted, 333; marched
from Cambridge, 333; Ilsley
in command, 338; number at
Falmouth and Cape Elizabeth,
338; lack ammunition, 338;
sickly, 339; regiments to be
raised by a draft, 358; Hil-
ton's to be placed in order of
defense, 360; a regiment of
English and Indians to be
raised, 363; four Indians join
the army, 364, 365; the Eng-
lish sailed up the Canada
River, 368; Indians will join
the rangers, 368; trouble with
Col. Mitchell at Falmouth,
369, 370, 371, 372; regiments
not reviewed, 371, 373; trouble
about the service on Sunday,
372; would, if permitted, qual-
ify themselves, 373; parades
discontinued, 386; suspicion
of disloyalty, 386, 387; poor
discipline will cause disorder,
887; a countryman who joined
the regulars, 395; recruited in
Cumberland, 395; with the
aid of the inhabitants seized a
Soldiers, continued.
vessel from Annapolis, 395,
396; unsuccessful in an at-
tempt to take a garrison, 395,
396; needed in Cumberland,
396; cannot be recruited at
Nashone, 402; in need at
Ticonderoga, 403, 404; for
Rhode Island, 405; Indians
under Eddy, 406; Boston men,
406; pay promised to Indians
who served, 406, 407; drafted
in York county, 410; taken
from Jordan's regiment, 410,
411; regulars and Indians ap-
proaching, 412, 413; com-
manded by French officers,
413; Hessians ordered home,
416; regiments to be raised in
Cumberland and Lincoln coun-
ties, 420, 438; armament of the
St. Johns expedition, 420;
officers, 420, 421; to be con-
tinued by Allen, 423; surgeon
for, 423; Canadians drafted,
432; for Ticonderoga, 442, 444;
to join Col. Allen, 443.
Somerby, Abraham, signed Narra-
gansett petition, 160.
Somerset county, England, 86.
Southerland, James, assaulted a
justice of the peace, 113, 114.
Spain, 387.
Spaniards, the, 207.
Spars, 249, 269, 279.
Speeches of, Bernard, Gov. Fran-
cis, 59; Hutchinson, Gov.
Thomas, 103, 106, 130.
Spencer, Gen. Joseph, 405.
Spooner, Walter, member of the
General Court, 402.
Sprague, Abiel, signed Machias
petition, 41; bill as messenger,
302.
Abiel, 2d, ditto, 41.
Abier, signed Machias memorial,
115.
William, subscribed for the
Canada expedition, 366.
Spruce, 271.
Spry, Lieut, Thomas, papers found
in his baggage, 326, 327, 328.
Stackpole, James, signed Sebasco-
degin petition, 76.
William, ditto, 76.
Standwood, Samuel, 245, 340,
Stanford, Joseph, signed Fal-
mouth petition, 79.
Josiah, ditto, 79.
Robert, ditto, 79.
INDEX
489
Stanley, Mr. , bis schooner
had Frevoy on board, 323.
Stanyan, Jobn, signed Sanford
petition, 69.
States, the, 435, 436; see also
United States.
Statesman, what constitutes a,
380.
Stel, John, signed Belfast petition,
198.
Stevens, Abraham, his loss at the
destruction of Falmouth, 307.
Amos, signed Pondstown peti-
tion, 118.
Asa, signed Narragansett peti-
tion, 181.
Rev. Benjamin, as trustee, 183,
184; his account allowed, 225.
Benjamin Jr., signed Suncook
petition, 205.
Chare, signed Pleasant River
petition, 94.
Edmund, ditto, 94.
Hubbard, signed Freetown peti-
tion, 217.
Joseph, signed Pondstown peti-
tion, 119.
Stevenson, John, his loss at the
burning of Falmouth, 305.
Stick ney, Mr. , member of the
General Court, 193.
Capt. David, 14.
Esther, ber loss at the burning
of Falmouth, 306.
Mary, ditto, 309.
Stillman, , his bill for sup-
plies, 303.
Maj. George, member of the
Committee of Safety, 283; sent
to Congress with an account
of Machias, 313; accomi)anied
by Dr. Chalnor, 314; to have
command of a regiment, 430,
487; at JNIachias, 440; letter of,
430.
Stimson, Ephraim, signed Fort
Pownall petition, 58; signed
Belfast petition, 198.
Richard, signed Belfast peti-
tion, 198.
Stirling, Capt. Frederick, master
of the Loyal Legion, 311; sent
to the General Court, 311.
William Alexander, Earl of, to
sell his land, 85, 86, 87, 89, 90;
office of, 86; agents of, 86;
sent title of the land to Ber-
nard, 87; his Ictler before the
Council, 88; his right to the
land denied, 89, 01; founda-
Stirling, continued.
tion of his claim, 90, 91; a
proclamation issued, 90, 91;
advertisement of, 85; letter of,
87.
Stockbridge Indians, 250.
Stoddard, Col. , 66.
David, his loss at the burning of
Falmouth, 310.
Stone, Capt. , a rioter, 147,
148; member of the General
Court, 289.
Benjamin, signed Brunswick let-
ter, 245.
Daniel, signed Machias petition,
41; as attorney, 41; justified
the conduct of Stephen Jones,
292.
John, signed Machias petition,
41.
John 2d, ditto, 41.
Jonathan, one of the Committee
of Correspondence, 267.
Solomon, signed Machias peti-
tion, 41.
Storer, George, signed Broad Bay
petition, 15.
Joseph, represented Wells in
Congress, 374.
M., signed Broad Bay petition,
15.
Storey, William, member of the
Provincial Congress, 318.
Stover, Walton, his loss at the
burning of Falmouth, 307.
Stowe, 353.
Stowell. Nathaniel, town clerk of
Partridgelield, 262.
Streetland, Daniel, deserter from
the British fleet, 320.
Strout, Anthony, signed Falmouth
petition, 70.
Daniel, ditto, 79.
Joshua, ditto, 79.
Stuart, Charles, quartermaster, de-
serted the British lleot, 320.
Sturbri.lge, 336.
Sudbury, 27.
Canada, otherwise Fuller's
Town, 215.
Sugar, 310, 387.
Sullivan, Gen. James, reiiresented
Hiddeford in Congiess, 374,
411; ordered removal of peo-
ple, 356; retreat of, 360; letter
of, 355.
Sunbury county, 407, 419.
Suncook, Stephen Holt settled at,
195; granted to Capt. Love-
well and others, 195, 203, 205,
490
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Suncook, continued.
208, 219; claimed by New
Hampshire, 196, 204, 206; pur-
chased by blood, 195; proprie-
tors worried, 195, 204; people
of received no consideration,
196, 206, 208; people of im-
poverished by law suits, 196,
204, 208; granted to those
who were in the Pigwacket
fight, 203; the people of de-
sired a grant of land on the
Saco River, 204, 205; Benj.
Holt settled at, 205; claimed
under the Mason grant, 206;
claimed by Chester, 206; sev-
eral of the proprietors were
reimbursed, 206, 208.
Proprietors, 195.
Surgeon, at Fort Pownall, 57; at
Machias, 302.
Swain, James, his loss at the de-
struction of Falmouth, 306.
Swan, Gustavus, signed Fort Pow-
nall petition, 57.
Sweetser, Jane, her loss at the
burning of Falmouth, 305.
Seth, signed Pemaquid petition,
190, 230.
Sylvester, David, of Pownal-
borough, hired a sloop, 31G;
sailed for St. Christopher,
316; vessel seized on his re-
turn voyage and he made
prisoner, 316.
Joseph, his loss at the burning
of Falmouth, 308.
Sylvester Canada, 161, 163.
T
Taft, , a prisoner at Machias,
303.
Isaac, justified the conduct of
Stephen Jones, 292; in needy
circumstances, 314.
Tarpaulin Cove, troops stationed
at, 321.
Taxes and Taxation, in arrears, 28,
29; Sanford desired exemption
from, 69; for roads, 71, 72; to
be raised in Windham, 71, 72,
73; for ministerial charges, 71,
72, 73, 74; delinquent lands to
be sold for, 72, 73, 74; unequal
at Gorham, 78 ; to be deferred,
105; Pondstown desired ex-
emption from, 118; to be levied
to support ministers, 173, 174,
185, 186; levied on members
Taxes and Taxation, continued.
of the Church of England, 192;
the church desired power to
tax its members, 192; Fal-
mouth to omit taxing members
of St. Paul's church, 193; Bel-
fast desired power to levy, 198,
232; illegal valuation oath in
Windham, 211; rate to be
levied, 232; Boothbay paid to
the Provincial Congress, 260;
Partridgefield not able to pay,
261; Waldoborough will send
to Gardner, 267; York desired
abatement of, 305; without
representation, 235, 236; non-
incorporated places to pay,
361; report on the abatement
of, 378.
Taylor, Eldred, member of the
General Court, 301, 385.
John, member of the Provincial
Congress, 301, 322, 361, 362,
369, 378; a justice of the
peace, 335.
Tea, the destruction of. 258.
Act, the, 259.
Tea vessels, the, 275.
Tebbets, Giles, signed Boothbay
petition, 171.
Ichabod, ditto, 171.
James, ditto, 171.
John, ditto, 171.
Nathaniel, ditto, 171.
Nathaniel Jr., ditto, 171.
Tebbut, Joseph, signed Pleasant
River petition, 94.
Tenders, see Vessels.
Thaiter, , a name in Adams'
letter, 295.
Thatcher, David, of Yarmouth, a
friend of the States, 422.
Thomas, Jesse, signed Muscongns
petition, 18.
John, his bill for breeches, .302.
Joseph, his losses at the destruc-
tion of Falmouth, 308.
Waterman, of Waldoborough,
360, 361.
Thompson, \ Jeremiah, signed
Thomson, / Fort Pownall peti-
tion, 58.
Joseph, signed Sebascodegin
petition, 76.
Col. Samuel, had the custody of
Parry, 287, 247, 249, 269, 270;
the arrest was contrary to the
will of the Committee of
Safety, 247; seized Parry's
papers, 248, 249; aided by the
INDEX
491
Thompson, continued.
minute men, 249; why he ar-
rested Parry, 250; fitted out a
vessel to surprise the Canceau,
260; asked to desist, 251; said
he had dropped the design,
251; captured a prisoner, 251;
paroled one prisoner: released
the other under conditions,
252; would have satisfaction,
252, 263; his high-handed op-
erations, 253; a true friend of
liberty, 253; might have
cavised the destruction of Fal-
mouth, 253; his home at
Brunswick, 269, 274; repi-e-
sented Brunswick in Congress,
274, 318; to remove the masts
collected by Parry, 287; un-
necessary that he remove the
same, 296; had John Bernard
in custody, 300; letter of, 243.
Thompson, Thomas, signed receipt
for Deer Island, 285; signed
Machias letter, 292; a member
of the Committee 'jf Safety,
340.
William, signed Fort Pownall
petition, 57; signed Sebasco-
degin petition, 76.
Gen. William, captured, 360.
Thorndike, Ebenezer, signed Fal-
mouth petition, 79; township
granted to, 209.
Robert, signed Falmouth peti-
tion, 79.
Robert Jr., ditto, 79.
Thornton, Mathew, desired fur-
ther time, 20, 21.
Thrasher, John, his losses at the
destruction of Falmouth, 308.
Jonathan, ditto, 306.
Throop, Mr. , bearer of a let-
ter, 396.
Thurlo, John, his loss at the de-
struction of Falmouth, 306.
Thurston, Benjamin, signed Nar-
ragansett Petition, 160.
John, ditto, 160.
Ticonderoga, 403.
Timber, etc., 82, 84, 104, 131, 133,
137, 139, 141, 142, 187, 274, 287.
Tiukham, Mr. , of Yarmoutli,
345, 347.
Tinkler, Nathaniel, signed Ma-
chias petition, 115.
Tinney, CJeorge, signed Pleasant
Ilivcr petition, 94.
Titcouib, Benjamin, neighbor of
Arthur Savage, 144, 146, 146,
Titcomb, continued,
147, 148; his loss at the de-
struction of Falmouth, 305; as
agent for Kelley, 305.
Toben, Mathew, signed Fort Pow-
nall petition, 57.
Tobey, Capt. , Jones' tender
lashed to his vessel, 281; com-
pelled to act as pilot, 281, 282.
Tollman at York bridge, 150.
Toma, It,. t j- .r,r-
ToTiiflr IPiere, an Indian, 406,
Jommo, J '
Tomsou, Cornelius, signed Mu.s-
congus petition, 18.
Towns, the maritime, are not
destitute of informers, 142.
Townsend, former name of Booth-
bay, 166.
Townships, purchased and laid
out by H. Y. Brown, 4; the
confliction with New Ilamj)-
shire, 5, 13; more land granted
to n. Y. Brown, 5, 6, 222;
conditions of the grants of, 5,
6, 23, 80, 81, 82, 86, 100, 101,
112, 132, 136, 137, 150, 161,
163, 164, 165, 215, 219, 220, 222,
228; three laid out near Pe-
quakett, 19; people of Andover
desired a grant, 19, 20; in
Sagadahoc desired further
time, 21, 83, 84; flourishing,
22; tiie plan of Raymond ac-
cepted, 22; one of 1733 de-
sired to be incorporated, 25,
26; people of Sudbury peti-
tioned for one, 27; proprietors
can not sell delinquent rights,
28; permission to sell the
same desired, 29; plans lost,
29; John Brown to make new
plans, 29; Mulliken to change
his site, 31, 32; delinquents to
be notified, 32; no settlement
made without proper author-
ity, 34, 35; security desired of
applicants, 00, 61; to be laid
out, 61; Macliias granted to
Ichabod Jones and others, 80;
a means of rtjoting out the
savages, K5; laid out in a
territory later claimed by the
Earl of "Stirling, 89, 91; proc-
lamation, 90, 91; granted to
David Pliips and otliers, 100,
162; Fuller's claimed by New
Ilampsliin', 100; another grant
to Fuller, 101, 161; Fryeburg
granted to Joseph Frye, 106;
492
DOCUMENTAEY HISTORY
Townships, continued.
Harris' grant claimed by New
Hampshire, 109; another grant
to Harris, 111, 112; four in-
corporated in 1771, 128; grant-
ed to Livermore and others,
132, 162, 103, 164; Bullock and
others to retain possession,
136, 137; people well spoken of,
140; prosperous and perma-
nent, 140, 141; number of
families in thirteen, 140;
granted to James Otis and
others, 104, 165; Boothbay in-
corporated, 1764, 169; part of
Narraganset opposed incor-
poration, 179, 180; Narragan-
set incorporated, 181; granted
to Ebenezer Thorndike and
others, 209; sold to Timothy
Walker and others, 213, 214:
the same claimed by New
Hampshire, 213; new grant to
Walker, 214, 215; grant to
Benjamin Smith, 217; grant
to Noah Johnson and others,
219, 220; granted to Capt.
John Flint, 220, 221; granted
to Whittemore and Laurence,
221, 222; Alexander Shepard
Jr., rejected his grant, 225;
granted to John Whitman,
227; see also under Narragan-
set.
Township No. Five, 218; petition
of, 92; see also Pleasant River.
No. Four, 140, 440, 442, 444.
No. One, 29, 118, 185, 149; see
also Buxton.
No. Seven, 29.
No. Six, 227, 228, 229.
No. Three, 21, 22, 149.
No. Two, 149.
Tozer, John, member of the Wins-
low Committee of Correspond-
ence, 265, 409.
Trade, acts to regulate Indian
trade. 7, 30, 31, 34, 35, 37, 38
Ilsley's lock seized, 8; col
lector of customs attacked, 9
goods spirited away, 9, 11; re
ward offered for offenders, 10
justices to meet, 10, 11; in the
Indian country a cause of
trouble, 30; a Ijuilding to be
hired at Passamaquoddy, 117;
the French may monopolize
the trade with Indians, 240;
Indians exasperated because
of the stoppage of trade, 245;
Trade, continued.
the lack of powder a hinder-
ence, 255; the stoppage causes
distress at Deer Island, 279;
the losses of York in, 305; in-
terrupted by the Viper, 375;
sugar bought to be shipped
abroad, 387; cheaper goods
necessary, 406; the prices of
furs desired, 406; prices of
furs agreed upon, 434.
the Lords Commissioners of, 58,
149.
Trafton, Thaddeus, signed Ma-
chias petition, 41.
Trask, David, signed Freetown
petition, 217.
Joseph, ditto, 17, 217.
Samuel, ditto, 17, 217.
Samuel Jr., ditto, 17, 217.
Solomon, ditto, 17, 217.
Thomas, ditto, 17.
Treat, Joseph, signed Fort Pow-
nall petition, 57.
Treaties and land rights, 207; to
exchange prisoners. 331.
of Breda, 207.
of Ryswick, 207.
of 1726, 37.
with Indians, 363.
Troops, see Soldiers.
Truckhouses, 37, 53, 62, 423, 424.
Truckmasters, 341, 342, 355, 418,
423.
Tucker and Newman, 306.
Tucker, Josiah, his loss at the
burning of Falmouth, 305.
Tuffts, John, signed Belfast peti-
tions, 198, 232.
John Jr., ditto, 198, 232.
Tukey, John Jr., his loss at the
burning of Falmouth, 309.
Tupper, William, justified the
conduct of Stephen Jones,
292; bill of, 302; clerk of Ma-
chias, 351, 399; letter of, 399.
Turner, Briggs, signed Machias
letter, 292.
Cornelius, ditto, 292.
Turnips, 315.
Tyler, Moses, signed Suncook pe-
tition, 205.
Rnyal, councilor, 1, 10, 88.
Tyng, Mrs. Elizabeth, wife of Col.
William, 249.
John, his loss at the burning of
Falmouth, 309.
Col. William, sheriff, 146, 148;
to convey Parry's letter, 249;
INDEX
493
Tyng, continued.
his goods seized by Col.
Thompson, 253; letter of, 84.
u
Undekwood, John, signed Ma-
chias petition, 41.
Union River, township east of, 21;
Samuel Jordan's letter dated
from, 425; people of, alarmed
by the approach of the regu-
lars, 425; tlie people would
surrender to the enemy, 425.
United States, so named in James
Bowdoin's letter of July 30,
17TG, 303; mentioned, 3(53, 389,
395, 397, 412, 418, 422, 435, 444.
Vassal, William, 128.
Vassalborough, incorporated, 128;
named for William Vassel,
128; home of Remington Hol-
by, 240.
Veazy, Jeremiah, signed Fort
Pownall petition, 57; his loss
atthe destruction of Falmouth,
307.
John, his loss at the destruction
of Falmouth, 407.
Vessels, arrived at and sailed from
Falmouth, 14; to transport ar-
tillery, 34; sloop impressed to
transport Waldo's regiment,
04; men of Machias will not
ship on those belonging to the
enemy, 139, 140; masters of,
concerned in the Falmouth
riot, 147, 148; hired to convey
the lumber inspector, 153;
needed by the inspector, 154;
prevented supplying the na-
tives, 243, 244; a tender sent
to dismantle a fort, 245; re-
ports that an attempt will be
made to capture the Canceaux,
248, 250; sent against the col-
onics, 255; Perkins' sloophired
as a transport, 203, 204; one
belonging to Arundel seized,
200, 273; master obliged to
enter the service of the king,
200, 273; sailed for Annapolis,
200, 273; but jiut in at Arun-
del, 200, 273; tiio interrui)tion
of causes a scarcity, 208; the
largest can navigate the I'enob-
scot, 271 ; Jones' sloop and
Vessels, continued.
tender at Machias, 280, 281
fight off Machias, 281, 282
tonnage of Jones' sloop, 284
one sloop to be armed, 284
Congress to commission a com-
mander, 284; in charge of Fos-
ter and O' Brian, 287; the
Senegal at Falmouth, 288, 289;
should be bought to bring sup-
plies to Bristol, 290, 298; ex-
penses for caring for the pris-
oners and wounded, 302; hired
to bring a surgeon, 302; the
capture of, a loss to York, 305;
Smith in charge of a privateer,
310; the Loyal Britain, seized
by Smith, 310, 312; inventory
of goods captured, 310, 311;
names of those at Machias,
312; deserters from, 314, 319,
320; in the Bay of Fundy, 314;
to attack Machias, 314; the
Three Brothers hired and
seized, 310; the British may
winter at Falmouth, 317; the
enemy at No. Yarmouth, 319;
same at Casco Bay, 319; cap-
tured by the British in Boston
harbor, 320; report of com-
mittee in Congress with regard
to those captured, 320; carried
ammunition to Nova Scotia for
Indians, 323; at Annapolis,
collecting stores for Boston,
323; Wordwell's sloop cap-
tured, 331, 335; Jones' vessel
seized, 332, 334; reasons for
the capture to be enquired
into, 334; powder for priva-
teers, 337; the enemy's to bo
driven away, 342; Mowatt to
destroy, 342, 343; Perkin's
sloop chased by a brigantine,
345; seized by the Viper, 358;
others seized, 358, 359; equip-
ment of the Viper, 359, 375;
the Macliias privateers absent,
359; Indians to be sent home
on, 3()4; said to be in the Can-
ada river, 308; captunMl near
Gouldsborough, 374, 370; the
Viper blockaded the (ioast,
375; none to convey Indian
recruits, 375, 377; crews not
paid, 37(); Shaw's promise,
370; privateers taken from tlie
eastern parts, 382; should be
sent to protect the coast, 383;
those captured going from
494
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Vessels, continued.
Machias, 385; prize at Fal-
mouth, 388; prize at Salem,
388; seized by the recruits and
people of Cumberland, 395,
396; man-of-war off Cumber-
land, 395; privateers can be
sent from Nova Scotia, 395;
success of the British sloop
Gage, 414; sailed up the St.
Johns river, 414; sent to the
Bay of Fundy, 416; to proceed
to St. Johns river, 417; to
carry forces, 420, 421; taken
from Halifax, 431,435; attempt
to capture a sloop, 432; Vul-
ture attacked, 439; at St.
Johns, 440; despatched from
New York to cruise off the
coast of Maine, 441, 442: the
armament of the same, 441.
Alfred, the, 421.
Ambuscaid, the, 421.
Cauceaux, the, 243, 248, 2.50, 319.
Diligent, the, 312, 326, 337, 374,
376.
Falmouth Packet, the, 315, 320,
324.
Gage, the, 414.
Gammon, the, 366.
Gray hound, the, 340.
Halifax, the, 319.
Infidel, 312.
Liberty, the, 337.
Loyal Briton, the, 310, 312.
Machias Liberty, the, 312, 814,
3.S7.
Mainsheat, the, 416.
Margaritta, the, 283, 302, 312.
Marlin, the, 358.
Mermaid,*the, 441.
Molly, the, 263, 264.
Polly, the, 264, 270, 277.
Province Galley, the, 34.
Ranger, the, 64.
Semitry, the, 319.
Senegal, the, 288, 289.
Somerset, the, 314.
Spitfire, the, 319.
Stanley's, 323.
Tartar, the, 314.
Tatamanouch. the, 312.
Three Brothers, the, 316.
Tythena, 331, 335.
Unity, the, 312, 385.
Viper, the, 358, 359, ,374, 876.
Vulture, the, 432, 439.
Viles, Joseph, signed Fort Powall
petition, 57.
Vinall, David, one of the Arundel
Vinall, continued.
Committee of Correspondence,
267.
Virginia, 290.
Vote on petition of Ichabod Jones,
80.
w
signed Mus-
18.
Wadsworth, ,
congus petition,
Abiel, ditto, 18.
Waite, Benjamin, as a witness, 9;
his losses at the burning of
Falmouth, .308.
John, his losses at the burning of
Falmouth, 308.
John 2nd., signed St. Paul's
parish petition, 192; his losses
at the burning of Falmouth,
808; submitted tlie list of Fal-
mouth losses to Congress, 310,
394.
Stephen, signed St. Paul's par-
ish petition, 192; his losses at
the burning of Falmouth, .309.
Waldo, Francis, collector, 146;
signed St. Paul's parish peti-
tion, 192; letter of, 8.
Brigadier Samuel, his heirs sold
land, 196, 231.
Colonel Samuel, his regiment
sent to St. Georges, 64.
Waldoborough, town meeting
called in, 267; Committee of
Correspondence in, 267; to aid
and abide by Congress, 267;
to send tax to Gorham, 267;
home of Thomas Waterman,
360, 361.
Walker, Benjamin, signed Andover
petition, 20.
George, his bill for guarding
prisoners, 303.
Oapt. & Lieut. John, captured
at Shei^perday, 294, 295; a
prisoner sent to Machias, 394;
a countryman who joined the
regulars, 395.
Thomas, 239, 241.
Timothy Jr., purchased a town-
ship, 213, 214; the same proved
to be in New Hampshire, 213;
threatened with ejectment,
213; obliged to repurchase the
land, 214; petitioned for a new
grant, 214; new grant to, 215;
petition of, 212, 214.
Wall, John, represented Falmouth
in Congress, 365.
INDEX
495
Walles, William, subscribed for
the Canada expedition, 86ii.
Walton, William, letter of, 822.
Wampum, 431, 432, 436.
Ward, Col. , member of the
General Court, 20.
Artemus, 228, 414.
Wardwell, Jeremiah, sailed from
Majorbagwaduce, 335; cap-
tured, 335; deposition and
oaths of, 332, 335.
John, signed Andover petition,
20.
Warner, Col. , with Gates, 442.
Gen. Jonathan, appoined a brig-
adier general, 438; letter of,
438.
Warren, , his land a boundary,
102, 106.
Daniel, signed Fort Pownall pe-
tition, 57.
George, his losses at the burn-
ing of Falmouth, 307.
Gilbert, evidence of, 51.
James, speaker of the General
Court. 193, 293, 296, 297, 299,
336, 344, 346, 355, 369, 374, 388,
407, 414, 422.
James Jr., declaration of, 51.
John, signed Machias memorial,
115.
Dr. Joseph, 241, 270, 273, 283.
Peter, his losses at the burning
of Falmouth, 308.
Washington, George, 317, 322, 324,
362, 363, 364, 367, 368, 431.
Waterhouse, William, his losses at
the destruction of Falmouth,
309,
Watertown, 246, 254, 261, 269, 270,
274, 277, 284, 287, 291, 295, 296,
297, 298, 305, 310, 316, 320, 321,
322, 333, 337, 339, 344, 346, 350,
354, 378, 386.
Watson, Abraham, 296.
Colman, his loss at the destruc-
tion of Falmouth, 305.
William, overpaid, 322.
Watt, John, 302.
Watts, Edward, signed petition of
St. Paul's i)arish, 192; Iiis loss
at tin; destructi(jn of Fal-
mouth, 308.
Henry, justified the conduct of
Stephen Jf)nes, 292.
^^augh. Robert, signed Pondstown
petiti<m, 119.
Weare, Joseph, selectman of Vurk,
92.
Mesliech, letters of, 442, 443, 444.
Webb, Jonathan, signed petition
of St. Paul's parish, 192.
Samuel, signed Freetown peti-
tion, 17.
Webster, , ditto, 17.
Mr. , member of the General
Court, 215, 219.
Daniel, signed Freetown peti-
tion, 17, 217.
Joslma, signed Machias petition,
41; assaulted a justice of the
peace, 113, 114.
Welch, David, signed Sebascodegin
petition, 77.
Weld, Moses, selectman of Stur-
bridge, 337.
Wellfleet, 344, 379.
Wells, a boundary, 67, 68; home of
Ebenezer Sawyer, 274; repre-
sentative of, in Congress, 274;
Littlefield's letter dated at,
400.
Josiah, signed Sebascodegin pe-
tition, 76.
Wenigeburla, Jacob, a member of
the Committee of Correspond-
ence, 267.
Wentworth, Gov. Penning, 12, 13.
Ebenezer, 181.
Gov. John, 49, 50, 61, 59, 63,
151, 152; letters of, 11, 47, 48.
Wescutt, William, signed Fort
Pownall petition, 57.
West, Capt. , 414, 427, 429,
431, 432, 435, 439, 440.
West Indies, the, 14, 344, 346.
West, Jabez, justified the conduct
of Stephen Jones, 292; his bill
for guard duty, 302.
Weston, 276.
Weymouth, 322.
Whale boats, 427, 433.
Wheat, 241, 381.
Wheeler, Henry, his loss at the de-
struction of Falmouth, 308.
James, justified the conduct of
Stephen Jones, 292.
Whitcomb, John, member of the
T'rovincial Congress, 319, 887.
White, Mr. , a prisoner, 432.
Benjamin, a member of the Gen-
eral Court, 301.
George, signed the certificate of
Hsley, 386.
Kobort, signed Suncook petition,
205.
Samuel, councilor, 1, 42, 88.
Whiting, Jonathan, selectman,
signed Winthrop petition, 191.
496
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Whitman, ) , an innholder at
Whitmore, | Newbury, 60, 61.
Col. , 228.
John, a township granted to, 227.
Whitney, James, signed Suncook
petition, 205.
Whitridge, Capt. James, 14.
Whittemore, Rev. , 206.
Abraham, signed Bowdoinham
letter, 291.
John, signed Suncook petition,
205.
Samuel, his land claimed by
New Hampshire, 220; he had
begun a settlement, 221; de-
sired a new grant, 221; re-
ceived a new grant, 221, 222;
petition of, 220.
Whittier, Ebenezer, deposition of,
274; oath of, 275; will change
coin for bills, 374.
Wieland, John, signed Machias
l^etition, 41.
Wieman, Yallentino, signed Fal-
mouth i^etition, 79.
Wilber, Samuel, signed Freetown
petition, 217.
Wiley, 1 Alexander, signed Booth-
Wylie, /bay petition, 171.
John, ditto, 171.
Neil, ditto, 171.
Robert, ditto, 171.
Robert Jr., ditto, 171.
Samuel, ditto, 171.
William, ditto, 171.
Willard, Capt. Aaron, reported on
the examination of Spry's bag-
gage, 326; advised examina-
tion, 327; letter received from,
327; letter of, 326.
William III, 36.
Williams, Leonard, land of claimed
by New Hampshire, 109, 110;
desired another grant, 109,
110; land granted to, 111, 112.
Samuel, signed Sebasoodegin pe-
tition, 76.
Willis, , his history of Port-
land, cited, 310.
Wilson, Alexander, signed Belfast
petition, 198.
Archibald, part owner of the
Loyal Briton, 310.
John, signed Andover petition,
20.
Nathaniel, submitted list of Fal-
mouth losses, 310, 394.
Samuel, signed Fort Pownall
petition, 58.
Winchenboch, Freidrich, signed
Broad Bay petition, 15.
Windham, a boundary, 22, 23;
taxes to be levied for roads,
71; taxes for other expenses,
71, 72, 73, 74; sale of delin-
quent's lands in, 73; William
Elder (1771) assessor in, 210;
valuation oath of assessor, not
legal, 211; Grashom brought
action against the assessors,
211, 212; the forfeiture of
assessors remitted, 212; men
enlisted in, 333.
Windsor, 263, 264, 265, 273, 365.
Wingate, Snell, signed Narragan-
set petition, 160.
Winslow, incorporated, 128; named
for Gen. John Winslow, 128;
land and fort in, leased to
Ballard, 242, 407, 409; number
of families in, 265; people of,
largely subsisted on fish, 265;
in need of ammunition, 265;
town voted to adhere to the
resolutions of Congress, 265;
members of Committee of
Correspondence, 265; Ballard
took possession of Fort Hali-
fax, 407, 409; Ballard refused
to deliver the property to the
civil authorities, 408, 409, 410;
illegal proceedings, 408; au-
thorities desired instructions,
408, 409, 410; Bowdoin received
letters from, 361; letters of,
265, 407.
Isaac, owned an island at the
mouth of the Penobscot, 273.
Gen. John, his land a boundary,
124; a town named for, 128.
Nathaniel, signed Freetown pe-
tition, 217.
Winthrop, only two families at,
1767, 190; farming a depend-
ency in, 190; desired an
exemption of taxes, that a
meeting house could be built,
191; named for Gov. John
Winthrop, 128; incorporated,
128; petition, 190.
Capt , of Boston, 333.
Gov. John, a town named for,
128.
John, member of the General
Court, 362.
Wiswell, Rev. John, of Falmouth,
taken a prisoner, 251.
Thomas, one of the Committee
of Correspondence, 267.
INDEX
497
Wombly, Paul, signed Boothbay
petition, 171.
Wood, see Fire wood.
Abiel, can not wait on Congress,
258; his losses, 258; disap-
proved of the destruction of
the tea, and some of the re-
solves of Congress, 258; a true
patriot, 2.58; recommended
coasters for carrying boards,
274; did not carry timber to
the troops, 274; vilified Con-
gress, 275; gave false reports,
275; letter of, 258.
John, his loss at the burning of
Falmouth, 307.
Jonathan, as a witness, 237; his
subscription for the Canada,
expedition, 366.
Woodbridge, Col. , member of
the General Court, 284, 340.
Joseph, signed Narragansett pe-
tition, 160.
Woodbury, Peter, his loss at the
burning of Falmouth, 306.
Woodman, David, ditto, 309.
Joseph, signed Narragansett pe-
tition, 181.
Joseph Jr., ditto, 131.
Stephen, his loss at the burning
of Falmouth, .309.
Woodrigh, Jonath., signed
cliias petition, 41.
Wool, 272.
Woolens, 388.
Woodwich, 247.
Wordwell, Daniel, sailed
Majorbagwaduce, 831;
sloop captured, 331, 332; age,
tonnage and value of the sloop,
332, 335.
Wortlilngton, Col. member of
the (ieneral Court, 134.
Woss, Capt. Wilmot, formerly
of Martha's Vineyard, desired
as a justice of the peace, 93.
Wright, Mr. , member of the
General Court, 857.
Wye River, 1.35.
Wyer, David, signed St. Paul's
parish j)etiti<)U, 192; his loss
at the burning of Falmouth,
307.
David Jr., signed St. Paul's par-
ish petition, 192.
Tlic)mas, his loss at the burning
of P'ahnoiith, 307.
Wylie Hen Wiley.
Wyman, Joshua, signed Narragan-
sett petition, 100, 176, 176.
Ma-
from
his
Wyman, continued.
Nathaniel, subscribed for the
Canada expedition, 365.
Ross, land granted to, 206, 208.
Wyth, , member of the Pro-
vincial Congress, 332.
X , William, signed Freetown
petition, 16.
Yarmouth, 322, 323, 324, 345, 347,
357 ; also called Cape Forschue.
Yawl, one captured, 320.
York, desired power to administer
the estate of Josiah Bridges,
92; the people of to cross the
bridge free at times, 120; home
of the Rev. Samuel Lancton,
184; lost much by vessels be-
longing to, 305; desired abate-
ment of taxes, 305; home of
Ebenezer Beal, 314; represent-
ative from in Congress, 874;
petition of, 91.
Bridge, 119.
County, 19, 25, 32, 67, 69, 98, 106,
110, 120, 135, 159, 176, 179, 181,
182, 184, 206, 263, 287, 321, 374,
410.
Duke of, 207.
Memorial of associated ministers
of, 182.
River, 119.
Young, Dr. Joseph, member of the
Committee of Safety, 238, 332.
Melatiah, his loss at the burning
of Falmouth, 305.
Nathaniel, signed Machias peti-
tion, 41.
Stephen, signed Machias memo-
rial, 115; justified the conduct
of Stephen Jones, 292.
Timothy, his bill for digging,
303.
, Asa, signed Muscongus pe-
tition, 18.
, Asel, signed Freetown peti-
tion, 17.
, Carll, signed Broad Bay pe-
tition, 15.
, I)., signed Freetown petition,
17.
, David, signed Broad Bay pe-
tition, 15; signed Freetown
jietition, 15.
498
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
-, Freidrich, signed Broad Bay
petition, 15.
-, G., ditto, 15.
-, G. 2nd, ditto, 15.
-, Gottfried, ditto, 15.
-, Gr., ditto, 15.
-, J., ditto, 15.
-, J. 2d, ditto, 15.
-, Jacob ditto, 15.
-, Jacob 2d, ditto, 15.
- , Jacob 3d, ditto, 15.
-, Jacob 4th, ditto, 15.
-, Jacob 5th, ditto, 15.
-, James, signed Freetown pe-
tition, 17.
-, Johannes, signed Broad Bay
petition, 15.
-, Johannes 2d, ditto, 15.
-, Johannes 3d, ditto, 15.
-, Johannes 4th, ditto, 15.
-, Johannes 5th, ditto, 15.
-, Johannes 6th, ditto, 15.
-, John, ditto, 15; signed Free-
town petition, 16; signed Mus-
congus petition, 18; signed
Penobscot letter, 269.
-, John 2d, signed Muscongus
petition, 18.
-, Joseph, signed Freetown pe-
tition, 17; signed Pleasant
River petition, 94.
, Joshua, signed Muscongus
petition, 18; signed Narragan-
sett petition, 181.
, Joshua 2d, signed Muscongus
petition, 18.
, M., signed Broad Bay peti-
tion, 15.
, M. 2d, ditto, 15.
, M. 3d, ditto, 15.
, M. 4th, ditto, 15.
, M. 5th, ditto, 15.
, M. 6th, ditto, 15.
, Martin, ditto, 15.
, Richard, signed Muscongus
petition, 18.
, Robert, ditto, 18.
, S., signed Broad Bay peti-
tion, 15.
, Samuel, signed Muscongus
petition, 18; signed Pleasant
River petition, 94.
, Solomon, signed Freetown
petition, 17; justified the con-
duct of Stephen Jones, 295.
, Solomon 2d, signed Freetown
petition, 17.
, Thomas, signed Pleasant
River petition, 94.
, Will, signed Broad Bay peti-
tion, 15.
, William, signed Belfast peti-
tion, 198; justified the conduct
of Stephen Jones. 292.
This Index was made by Mr. Edward Denham, of New Bedford, Mass. — J. P. B.
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