F16
M28d
V. u
^atne (imralugical Society,
Portland, Maine.
A ccession r
No.
COLLECTIONS
OF THE
MAINE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
SECOND SERIES
DOCUMENTARY
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF MAINE
VOL. XV
CONTAINING
THE BAXTER MANUSCRIPTS
EDITED
By JAMES PHINNEY BAXTER, A. M., Litt. D.
PUBM8HED BY THE MAINE HISTORICAT^ SOCIETY, AIDED BY
APPROPRIATIONS FROM THE STATE
PORTLAND
LEFAVOR-TOWEK COMPANY
1910
,^^!'JPtrt(y Of' THl
HAi^i GENEALOGICAL SQC]
NCORPQP* '.'ID in^i
Copyj-ight 1910
By the Maine Histokical Society
Press of
Lefavok-Toweb Company, Poktland
F15
M28d
PREFACE
THE publication of the documents in this volume gives
an idea of the important part sustained by the people
of Maine in the War of the Revolution, and of the sacrifices
made by them in what must have appeared to the world as
an almost hopeless struggle. It also places in enduring form
the names of men worthy of remembrance. I hope to be
able to complete the publication of documents relating to the
Revolutionary period within the next two years.
JAMES PHINNEY BAXTER.
Mackworth Island,
August 30, 1910.
495t)93
CHRONOLOGICAL INDEX OF CONTENTS
PAGE
1777 Jan. 5 Letter from Jonathan Eddy, ... 35
Resolve on Petition of the Company of Militia,
Fryeburg, 40
Jan. 9 Petition of tlie Proprietors of Pearsontown, . 41
Jan. Resolve on above Petition, .... 42
Jan. 22 Petition of John Murch, 43
Jan. 23 Pay Abstract, 44
Memorial of Francis Shaw Junr , ... 45
Jan. 24 Order on petition of John Murch, ... 45
Deposition of William Murch, .... 46
Order of Court to detain Sloop commanded by
Capt. Benj. Shaw, 4G
Jan. 25 Resolve on above Order, 47
Resolve on Memorial of Francis Shaw Jr , . 48
Account for the Billeting of Men at Brunswick
in Capt. James Curtis Company, ... 48
Order on same, 49
Jan. 31 Resolve on Supplying Two Companies at Fal-
mouth & Cape Elizabeth and other Sea Coast
Men, 49
Charles Cushing Esqr appointed Brigadier of the
Militia, County of Lincoln, .... 60
Letter from F. Shaw Jr , 51
Feb. 7 Order upon the petition of William Dodge, . 51
Feb. 10 Account State of Massachusetts Bay to Sim"
Turner Dr., 52
Feb. 11 Petition of Joseph Sargent, .... 52
" of Nathi Wells & Compy , ... 53
Feb. 13 Committee Appointed to apply to the General
Court to choose a Collector, ... 65
Feb. 17 Letter from Wm Frost, 54
Feb. 19 Order of Council on Petition of Nath' Wells &
Compy, 65
Feb. 20 Letter from David Rice, 55
" from Selectmen of Wells, ... 55
Feb. 26 " from W«" Frost, 60
Mar. 3 Petition of Jonathan Davis, .... 60
Mar. 4 Order of Council on above Petition, . . 57
A Return of the Sixth Regiment in the County
of Lincoln, 110
Vlll CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE
PAGK
1777 Mar. 4 Memorial of Thomas Spry, .... 57
Mar. 5 Order of Council on same, ..... 59
]N[ar. 7 Petition of Joshua Bragdon, .... 59
Mar. 11 Courts for the County of Cumberland adjourned
unto the Second Tuesday of May, ... 59
Mar. 14 Letter from William Frost, .... 61
Mar. 20 " from Saml Phips Savage, ... 62
Mar. 30 Petition of Benj. Wheeler & others, . . 62
Resolve on above petition, ..... 64
Order on same petition, ..... 65
Mar. 31 Petition of the Committee of Safety & Inspec-
tion for the Town of Kittery, .... 66
Account State of the Massachusetts Bay to
Daniel Sullivan Dr , 68
April 3 Petition of Committee of Brunswick & Harps-
well, 68
Petition of the Towns of Cape Elizabeth, Wind-
ham, Gorham and Pearsontown, . . 70
April 4 Report of Committee on Petition of Calvin
Cowen and others, 71
Committee appointed to view mill dams upon
Presumpscott River, ..... 72
April 5 Letter from W^ Frost, 73
Resolve on Petition of Joseph Sargent, . . 74
April 8 Petition of the Coinmittees of Safety of towns
in the County of Cumberland, ... 74
April 9 Letter from Will™ Haynes, .... 76
April 15 List of Letters in a New Townshii^ on the East
Side of Saco River, 76
April 16 Bond of Alpheus Delano and Benjamin Burton
to Henry Gardner Esq., .... 78
Petition of Josei)h .Jewitt, ..... 79
April 19 Resolve on above Petition, .... 79
April 21 Capt. Joseph Noyes appointed Commissary, . 80
Letter from John Stone, 81
Resolve on appointing officers, .... 81
April 28 Order of Council to deliver Col. Josiah Brewer
supplies, 82
Petition of the Inhabitants of the West Precinct
in Pownalborough, 82
Resolve on Petition of held officers of the first
Regiment in County of York, ... 86
Petition of field officers of the first Regiment in
County of York, 88
April 29 Order of Council on above Petition, . . 86
May 10 Declaration of William Gilly 90
May 17 Letter from Edward Thompsoo, ... 91
OF CONTENTS
IX
1777 May 17 Letter from Committee of Safety, etc. for
Machias,
May 18 Memorial of the Committee of Correspondence,
&c of Machias, ......
May 23 Report of Meeting of the Freehohlers & other
Inhabitants of Macliias, .....
Petitions of Ichabod Hanson & als,
Votes passed at Meeting of the Freeholders &
other Inhabitants of Machias,
Report of committee appointed to view mill
dams upon Presumpscott River, .
May 27 Letter from John Gray,
May 28 " from Willm Haynes, ....
" from Wm Frost,
Petition of John Whitcomb & Henry Gardnei",
Esqrs,
Report of Committee on above Petition, .
May 30 Petition of Ebenr Cleaveland,
June 4 Letter from Jno Allan,
June 6 Petition of Committee of Correspondence,
Inspection & Safety of Gorham,
June 7 Letter from Caleb Chase, ....
" from Stephen Smith, ....
June 8 Petition of the Inhabitants on Canebec River,
" of Abiel Wood,
June 10 Letter from S. P. Savage Pres* to the Com^e of
Corresi)ondence, Inspection & Safety, .
Letter from S. P. S.,
" to W"! Frost,
" from Will™ Haynes, ....
June 12 " from Committee of Machias,
Memorial of Pelatiah Webster,
June 13 Letter from John Waite Chairman of Com-
mittee, ........
June 15 Inventory of Sundries delivered to John Allan,
Continental Agent, .....
June 16 Resolve on Doings of a Town Meeting in Wind-
ham, held March 81, 1774, ....
Resolve on Doings of above Meeting,
June 17 Memorial of Nathan Jones, ....
Letter from Timothy Parsons,
Extract from a Commissary's Report,
June 18 Petition of Selectmen of Ilarpswell,
" of a Number of the Inhabitants on Ken-
nebeck River & others in tlie County of
Lincoln, ........
Petition of Jotham Moulton, ....
93
94
90
98
100
100
102
102
103
103
104
105
105
107
108
109
110
111
112
112
113
113
114
116
117
118
118
119
120
121
123
123
124
125
X CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE
PAGE
1777 June 20 Order to deliver Mr. Peter Woodbury powder, 12G
Resolve on Petition of Pelatiah Webster, . 127
" " " " the Committees of Corre-
spondence, Inspection »& Safety, . . 128
Resolve on the Petition of the Committees of
Cape Elizabeth, Windham, Gorham & Pear-
sontown, ........ 129
June 21 Resolve in re Truck lIou.se at Machias, . . 130
Invoice of Sundrys vi^anting in the Truck House
at Machias, 130
Order of Court in re Joseph Noyes Commissary, 131
Resolve on the Memorial of Capt. Stephen
Smith, 131
June 23 Letter from Simeon Mayo, .... 1.33
June 24 Resolve on the Petition of the Selectmen of
Harpswell, 133
June 25 Resolve on the Petition of the Hon'J'e John Whit-
comb & the Ilonble Henry Gardner Esqrs, . 134
Letter from Sami phips Savage Pres* , . . 136
" . . 136
" " " " " . . . 136
June 28 Resolve on Petition of a Number of the Inhabi-
tants of Norridgewalk, .... 137
Letter from Chas. Gushing, .... 138
Deposition of John Savage in re Ichabod
Jones, 188
Appeal James Noble Shannon et als vs. Ichabod
Jones dismissed, 140
Answer of the Inhabitants of the West Precinct
in Pownalboro, 140
July 3 The Memorial of Stephen Smith, . . . 151
July 4 " " u ct "... 152
July 5 Resolve on Petition of Stephen Smith, . . 152
July 6 Letter from Denes Getchell, .... 153
July 7 Resolve in re Stephen Smith, .... 154
July 9 Order of Council in re Stephen Smith, . . 165
Petition of Capt. Saml. Whitmore, . . . 156
July 14 Notice of Meeting signed by Committee of Safety
for the First District in Penobscot, . . 157
July 19 Letter from Joseph Proctor, .... 156
July 22 Return of Vessels Entered, Registered and
Cleared out, ....... 159
Letter from Jona Warner, 1
July 26 Report of Meeting of the Inhabitants of Penob-
scot and Belfast, 158
July 31 Letter from Stephen Smith, .... 1
Aug. 1 " from Stephen Smith, .... 160
OF CONTENTS
XI
PAGE
1777 Aug. 1 Letter from Capt, Jonfi Eddy, .... 4
Aug. 2 " from Tristram Jordan, .... 6
Aug. 4 " from Benja Foster Colo .... 160
Aug. 6 " from James Lyon, 7
Petition of Benja Patch, ICO
Order of Council on above Petition, . . 101
Aug. G Petition of Joanna Moulton & Nicolas Sewall, 162
Aug. 7 Jedh Preble's Deposition, 163
Sam> Curtis' Certificate, .... 166
Aug. 8 Letter from Col. Benja Foster, .... 9
'' from Col. Jona Eddy, .... 10
Aug. 11 Resolve on the Treasurer's Account ( County of
York),
Aug. 13 Letter to the President of Congress,
Aug. 15 Petition of Sylvanus Scott,
Aug. 16 Letter from Jon. Glover,
Aug. 17 " from J. Allan, ....
" from Col. Jona Eddy,
" from John Preble,
Aug. 18 " from Jona Glover,
" from Ebenf Sayer,
" from Jona Eddy, Esq., .
Aug. 19 " from the Council to John Allan, Esq
" to Stephen Smith, ....
Aug. 20 " from John Wait Esqr ,
" from Col. Josiah Brew^er,
" from John Johnson,
Aug. 21 Order of Council, ....
Letter from Wm Frost,
Aug. 22 Letter from Jno Milligen,
Deposition of Thomas Fletcher,
" from John Milligan ( Copy of ),
Aug. 23 " from Jona Eddy,
Aug. 24 " from Ebenr Sayer,
Aug. 24 Certificate of Jedidiah Preble Junr , Benj
Wheeler & Robt Mc Curdy,
Aug. 27 Letter from Col. Benjn Foster,
'^ from George Stillman,
Aug. 28 List of Stores,
Letter from Stephen Smith,
Account State of Massachusetts Bay with
Stephen Smith, ......
Letter from Benja Foster, .
' from Committee at Machias,
Aug. 29
Aug. 29 Letter from Mr. Murray to Col. Waite,
Aug. 31 " from John Waite to Hon. J. Powell,
Sept. 1 Letter from Col<' Jn" Frost,
166
11
167
168
169
12
15
179
17
18
18
19
180
20
20
180
181
181
182
21
22
23
184
26
27
28
29
30
31
82
185
186
187
XU CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE
PAGE
1777 Sept. 1 Petition of the Inhabitants of the County of
Lincoln, 187
Resolve on above Petition, ..... 189
Petition of Simeon Mayo, .... 190
'• of Ebenezer Xewell Lt , . . . 191
Sept. 2 Resolve on above Petition, .... 192
Letter from Paul Hussey, ..... 192
Sept. 3 " from Jedidiah Preble, .... 193
Sept. 8 Petition of Benj. Titcomb, Joshua Freeman &
Joseph ]!foyes, 193
Sept. 8 Letter from Jno Allan, 194
Petition of Jos. Prouty 197
Sept. 10 ''of Abner Lowell & John Wentworth, 197
Letter from David Sewall, .... 198
Sept. 11 "Report of Tim Newell,'^ 199
Petition of the East Precinct in the Town of
Pownalborough, 200
Sept. 12 Resolve on above Petition, 201
Sept. 13 Letter from Francis Shaw & Alexr Campbell, 202
Petition of the Selectmen of Harpswell, . 203
Sept. 1.5 Letter to Ambroise & the other Indians under
Col. Allen, 205
Letter from Timothy Parsons, . . . 200
Memorial of Officers & Men of the Third Regiment
of Militia in the County of Lincoln, . . 208
Sept. IG Resolves in re John Allan, Esq., and Others, 211
Sept. 17 Memorial of Jonathan Eddy, .... 214
Order of Council in re Memorial, . . . 21.5
John Allan, Esq., appointed Colonel of the
Troops at Machias, 215
Sept. 18 Letter from Phineas Nevers, .... 210
Sept. 19 Order of Council to Lt Colonel Nevers,. . 217
Petition of Joseph Noyes, . . , . . 217
Sept. 20 " of the Committee of Boothbay, . 219
Sept. 22 Rev<i James Lyon appointed Chaplain of Troops
at Machias, 218
Letter from J. Allan, 221
Resolve on Petition of the Committee of Booth-
bay, 225
Resolve on Adminra of Jotham Moulton's
Estate, 226
Resolves in re Bountys, 227
Sept. 23 Order of Council in re above Petition, . . 217
Resolve on Petition of Benj. Titcomb, Joshua
Freeman and Joseph Noyes, .... 228
Sept. 25 Letter from J. Allan, 229
OF CONTENTS Xlll
PAGE
1777 Sept. 26 Order for Ammunition sent to Committee of
Boothbay, 232
Resolve on the Memorial of Col. William Jones, 232
Sept. 30 Order to Commissary General, . . . 233
Oct. 2 Resolve in re supplies for Truck House at
Maeliias, " . . 234
Oct, 3 Order of Council in re Supplies for Troops at
Machias, 234
Oct. 7 Resolve on Petition of Saml Mc Cobb, Abiel
Lovejoy & John Taylor, ..... 235
Oct. 10 Narrative of Capn Jolin Long, . . . 236
Resolve on the Petition of Moses Little, Esq., 238
Oct. 11 Petition of Joshua Lamb, 239
Resolve on Petition of Joshua Lamb, . . 240
Oct. 12 Letter from J. Allan, 241
Oct. 15 " from Lew's Fredk De Lesdernier to Justice
of the Peace in re Stephen Jones, . . 244
Summons issued for Stephen Jones, . . . 244
Deposition of Ignace, an Indian, . . . 245
" of Joseph Cook, .... 246
" of Mary Joseph 246
Oct. 16 Resolve on the Petition of Francis Shaw, . . 248
Oct. 17 " " " Charles Perrin, . 248
Oct. 18 Petition of Clark Linniken, .... 250
Letter from Lews Fredk De Lesdernier to Justice
of the Peace in re Stephen Jones, . . 252
Oct. 20 Summons issued for Stephen Jones, . . . 252
Deposition of John Preble, Capt., . . . 253
" of Jones Farnsworth, . . . 253
" of Joseph Averll Serj* , . . 253
Oct. 21 I'etition of the West Precinct in Pownal-
borough, 257
Letter from Pearson Jones, .... 262
Oct. 22 Resolve on Petition of the West Precinct in
Pownalborough, 262
Oct. 23 Resolve in re salt delivered to Charles Phelphs,
Esqr , 263
Resolve in re County Treasurer's Accounts for
the County of Lincoln, 263
254
. ■ 255
255
. 255
256
. 256
264
. 265
Oct. 24 Deposition of Amos Boynton, .
" of David Longfellows,
" of Jonas Farnsworth,
" of Stephen Smith,
" of Samuel Milbury,
'' of Ignace, ....
Petition of William Gardner, .
Resolve on Petition of Clark Linneken,
XIV
CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE
1777 Oct. 24 Invoice of Sundrys supply^l Stephen Smith,
Esqr ,
Oct. 25 Petition of John i>Iartin Schaft'ers,
Order of Council,
Written Recognizance in re Stephen Jones & als,
Oct. 20 Petition of the Selectmen of Pownalborough,
Report of Committee in re Stephen Jones,
Certificate of Robert Mc Curdy,.
Deposition of Nicholas Crosbey,
Letter from Jonathan Buck, ....
Certificate of Moses Wentworth et als,
(( U il 11 1.1
Nov. 5 " " Kenneth Mc Kenzie & Eliphalet
Nichorsou, ....
Petition of a Regiment of Militia,
Nov. 8 Jedidiah Preble's Evidence,
Deposition of Chai'les Blagdon,
Nov. 10 " of Simeon Gorton,
Nov. 12 " of Joshua Ayr,
" of Nathaniel Mayhew,
Nov. IG Gustavus Swan's Evidence,
Nov. 18 Letter from J. Allan, .
Nov. 19 Petition of John Robinson,
Nov. 20 Letter from J. Allan, .
Petition of the Inhabitants of Frenchman's
Bay,
Nov. 27 Letter from J. Allan,
Nov. 29 " from James Gowen, ....
Instructions to Representative Henry Woods,
Esq.,
Dec. 1 Deposition of Jacob Bussell, ....
" of Thomas Howard, ....
Dec. 2 Resolve in re discharging eight men stationed
on Merryconeag Neck & Sebasso Degin
Island,
Petition of Elizabeth Ross,
Dec. 2 Resolve on the Petition of Elizabeth Ross,
Dec. 3 " " " John Robinson,
'^ " " Ichabod Jones, .
Dec. 4 Letter from Stephen Smith, ....
Dec. 6 Complaint of Nathi Thwing in re Callahan
case,
Captain West's Certificate for Bounty Money,
Petition of Benja Foster et als, ....
266
266
267
267
268
269
270
270
271
271
271
272
273
274
277
278
279
280
281
281
282
284
285
289
292
293
294
299
299
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
807
308
309
310
OF CONTENTS XV
PAGE
1777 Dee. 9 Petition of John Frost, 311
Letter from Clark Linneken, .... 312
Dec. 12 Deposition of James Mc Curdy, . . . 314
Account State of Massachusetts Bay to Stephen
Smith, 314
Certificate in re above account, . . . 314
Dec. 13 Petition of Setli Gardner, 315
Dec. 15 Resolve in re Kisliworth Jordan, Esq., . . 316
" on Petition of Capt Samuel Whitmore, 317
Dec. 23 Order of Court in re Complaint of Nathaniel
Thwing, Esqr , 318
Letter to the Committee in re Rations, . 321
1778 Jan. 1 Certificate of Tho. Child, 321
Jan. 2 Reasons assigned in re Callahan case, . . 319
Resolve on Petition of Stephen & Ralph Cross, 322
Jan, 11 Petition of Joseph Noyes, 323
Jan. 12 Order of Council, 328
Resolve on Petition of Nathn Prebble & als, . 823
Petition of Stephen & Ralph Cross, . . 324
An Account of Provisions, 325
Letter from James Budge of the Comtte , . 325
Jan. 13 " from John Johnson, .... 326
Order on said letter, 327
Memorial of Martha Cotton, .... 327
Resolve on Petition of Martha Cotton, . . 329
Jan. 14 Order in re Provisions Supplied Natha Prebble &
als, 330
Order in re Capt. Joseph Noyes, . . . 330
Jan. 16 Petition of Timo Frost, 330
Jan. 20 Resolve on Prohibiting the Exportation of Pro-
visions, &c., 881
Rejwrt of Committee on the Petition of Benja
Wheeler & als, 332
Jan. 22 Resolve on Petition of Benja Wheeler & als, . 334
Jan, 24 Letter from Committee of Machias, . , , 384
•' from Stephen Smith, .... 339
" " " " .... 340
Particulars of Molasses Shipt by Comy Devens, 342
Naval officers appointed, 842
Jan. 26 Order of Court in re Silver Cup & Tankard, . 343
Jan. 27 Letter from Committee of Machias, . . 344
Resolve in re purchasing half of y'J Schooner
"Elizabeth," 344
Mem. of Sundry Articles for Truck House at
Machias, 345
Letter from Tristram Jordan, .... 346
Petition of the Committee of Correspondence, 349
XVI CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE
PAGE
1778 Jan. 27 Resolves in re Articles for Truck House, . 350
Fob. 1 List of Men Inlisted into the Continental Army, 354
Feb. 2 " '^ Capt Jabez West, . . . .371
Certificate of William Tupper, . . . 372
Feb. 4 Resolve in re Collecting the Return of the Num-
ber of Male Inhabitants, 354
Letter from Stephen Smith Chairman of the
Committee, 354
Resolve on Petition of Timothy Frost, . . 365
Feb. 5 Petition of Samuel Waters, .... 372
Feb. 12 Letter from J. Allan, 35G
Mar. 3 Resolve on Petition of Benjamin Furnass, . 37.'J
Mar. 4 Petition of Inhabitants of Raymond, . . 374
Mar. 7 "of Silvanus Scott, .... 377
'■'■ of James Noble Shannon & Jonas Farns-
worth, 377
Petition of William Bell, .... 379
" of Jabez West & Reuben Dyer, . . 380
Mar. 8 " of the Sixth Regiment of Militia, County
of Lincoln, ....... 376
Mar. 9 Order of Council in re Robert Bell, . . . 381
Resolves of Court in re ijrosecution of persons, 381
Mar. 10 Petition of Joseph Chadwick, ... 383
Mar. 11 " of George Stillman, . . . .383
List of Sundries, 384
Act for Incorporating the Plantation called
Coxhall, 384
Petition of Benjamin Jenks, .... 60
Return of Rations, ...... 357
Mar. 12 Resolve on Petition of James Noble Shannon &
Jonas Farnsworth, 386
Petition of Andrew Gilman, .... 387
388
389
390
392
438
358
358
394
The Memorial of George Deake,
Mar. 13 " " of James Avery, .
Petition of Jonas Farnsworth,
Complaint of Nathl Thwing,
Memorial & Petition of Damariscotta, .
Mar. 14 Resolve on the Petition of Clerk Linniken,
Mar. 16 Letter ( unsigned ),
Mar. 20 Order of Council in re Stephen Smith,
Mar. 21 Inlistment & Beating Orders for 100 Men to be
Stationed at Machias, 394
Petition of a Joint Committee of Pownalborough, 395
Mar. 23 Account Moses Davis Esq"" et als with Timothy
Parsons, Dr , 394
Letter from Committee of Correspondence,
Inspection & Safety, 359
OF CONTENTS XVll
PAGE
1778 Mar. 24 Letter from Committee of Correspondence,
Inspection & Safety, ..... 359
Declaration of Jeremiah Thompson, . . 360
" of Robert Kent, . . . .861
" of Jonas Farnsworth, . . . 361
Mar. 25 Deposition of Thomas Rice, . . . .362
Report of Committee upon the Petitit>n of Comtte
of Machias, 363
Certiticate of Moses Davis of the 3^^ Reg* , . 396
Letter from Moses Davis, .... 397
]Mar. 26 Order in re Colo Jonathan Buck, . . . 365
Petition of Daniel Sullivan, .... 366
Mar. 27 Resolve on Petition of Daniel Sullivan, . . 367
I'etition of the Inhabitants of Royalsbourg, . 369
Mar. 30 Letter from John Huse, 400
Petition of the Committee of Inspection, Corre-
spondence & Safety, 401
Letter from the Committee of Correspondence, 403
Order in re inlisting men, ..... 404
Vote taken at regular meeting of the inhabitants
of the town of North Yarmouth, . . . 405
April 1 Return of the War Like Stores at Machias, . 405
April 3 State of the Troops & Indians at Machias, . 405
Letter from Tho. Child, 406
April 4 Petition of Samuel Waterhouse, . . . 406
April 6 Resolve on Petition of Samuel Waterhouse, . 407
April 9 " " " " Jonathan Louder, . 408
April 10 Letter from the Town of Falmouth, . . . 409
Petition of James Avery, .... 411
Order of Council in re Thomas Cushing, Esqr , 411
April 12 Letter from Josiah Brewer, 411
April 13 Account of Rations due to Capt. Rubin Dyer
& Others, 412
Report of Committee of both Houses, . . 413
" in re Schooner Two Brothers, . . 416
April 14 Petition of Rebecca Callahan, .... 416
April 15 Declaration of Jno Allan, .... 418
April 17 Resolve on the Petition of Andrew Oilman, . 418
Resolves in House of Representatives, . . 419
April 20 Resolve on the Petition of George Stillman, . 421
April 21 Petition of Andrew Oilman, .... 422
" of Joseph Noyes, ..... 423
Resolve on Petition of Joseph Chadwick, . 423
April 23 " " " " a Number of Inhabitants
of Raymond, 424
April 27 Resolve on Petition of Ziphion Thayer, . 426
Order of Council to Lt. Andw Oilman, . . 426
XVlll CHKONOLOGIOAL TABLE
PAGE
1778 April 27 Petition of Ivory Hovey, 426
April 28 Resolve on Petition of Capt. Perry Ilowland, . 429
Petition of George Deake, .... 420
Resolve on Petition of Ivory Hovey, . . . 430
April 29 " " " " Rebecca Callahan, . 431
Petition of James Avery, 482
Resolve on Petition of James Avery, . . 434
Report of the Committee on the Petition of
George Deake, 434
April 80 Resolve of Court in re Schooner Two Brothers &
Cargo, 435
Resolve on the Petition of Jonas Farnsworth &
others, 437
Memorial and Petition of Plantation called
Damariscotta, 4-38
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
STAXK OF MAINE
Letter from Jon°' Warner July 22, 1777.
To the Hon"'® Council of the State of the Massachusetts
Bay — Gentlemen
I have this Minute Received an Express from Colo :
Warner which I thought it my Duty to forward to your
Honours Immediately. Accordingly thought it Expedient to
Issue Orders for Every Sixth man in my Brigade to March
to the Assistance of Colo. Warner b}^ the way of Benning-
ton, and Desire your Honours would Give Direction in the
Matter as you Shall think proper, as I have Orders to March
On an Expedition to S* John's River in Nova Scotia, your
Honours will Determine what is most Expedient in the pres-
ent Distressing Circumstances of Affairs
I am your Honours most Obedient Humble Servant
Jon* Warner
Hardwick July 22 1777
at 11 "Clock at Night
Letter from Stephen Smith July 31, 1777
Machias July 31, 1777
May it pleas 3'Our Honors
I have the Satisfaction to inform you, that I arrived safe
at this place on the 17 instant, and the people here making
2 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
all possible preparation, in order to receive or rather repulse
the enemy hourly expected from S* Johns, where they had
defeated our people, which your Honors have Doubtless
learnt before tliis. The particulars of the unhappy affair I
cannot fully inform you. but shall only say, According to the
best accounts, we have, three ships & two sloops arrived in
the mouth of the river, nearly to gether between the 23 & 29
of June Last The Vultur was the first, which arived, & in
a few Hours after she Sent two of her boats on Shoar. which
ware drove off by our people with the Loss of 8 men as we
are informed on the side of the Enemy but without any
Damage on our Sid. 4 or 5 Days after the enemy landed
secretly on a point that could not be defended by our small
party about 250 Strong, who marched up to our incampment.
and obliged our men to Retreat up the river : after exchang-
ing a few shott in which action the}^ lost 9. & we only three
the enemy in this victory have given us an other proof of
theire more than savage disposition, for while one of these
imhappy men that fell was crying for quarters, and only
slightly wounded as we suppose they inhumanly murdered
him. Neither did this satiate their infernal thirst for Blood,
but proceeded to scalp him & his companion, that lay Dead
by his Side and then threw the scalps into the face of the
third miserable sufferer, while he lay groaning under the
anguish of a mortal wound, and the horrors of approaching
Death — Our whole party were obliged, after this surprize to
retreat up the river, with the utmost expedition, as they were
closely pursued by the Enemy: and on their way they met
M'' Allan Coming Down to their assistance, but he returned,
& is now encamped with the Indians in the more hosjiitable
embraces of the wilderness. The rest of our people tairied
upon the river, till the enemy took possession of all the Set-
tlements. And took three Cumberland men prisoners, and
robed the most of our friend- of their substance, when our
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 6
Party ware obliged to come off for want of provisions. I
have just now learnt by some Indians, who left S* Johns 9
Days agoo, that Michall Franklin Esq"" Superintendant of the
Indians in that Province, is still there, exerting himself to
the utmost, in order to bring over all the Indians he can
meet with, to a sense of what he calls their duty, but has
little success. The troops also continue there, but talk of
memoving soon. There is but one Ship at the Mouth of the
river, and only 30 men stationed there as a guard. It Does
not appear that they intend to fortify that post at present.
It is more than probable, therefore, that we can easily recover
the Ground if proper measures are pursued. Dawson in his
Brig has been for some time regulating Passamaquoddy, &
has striped and carried off many of its wretched Inhabitants.
The Ambuscade was in here — & sent her barge with a flag,
but Cap' Wing saw fit to stop them in the mouth of the
river, & thereby prevented their making any discovery of our
weakness, the officer, Lieut, behaved with great Politeness &
pretended that his only Busines was to Exchange some pris-
oners, and offered to trade with us upon very advantageous
termes, but was informed by Colo^ Foster & the Committee,
that we would hold no Correspondence with them, but should
treat them as enemies, if they presumed to enter the River
again, either with or without a flag. Upon which they retired
without effecting any thing. No other Ship has been here
this Summer — The Expedition Seeraes to move slow I beg
there may be no loss of time A number of Boat_ will be
wanting, there is a Number of men here & not So many
as _ wish tliei'e was, but am put to great Diffecult to provid
for what there is here —
I must also inform your Honors, that the goods I bi-ouglit
with rae must go chiefly to M*^ Allan, as the S' Johns Indians
cannot get a Supply on that river. They used to obtain all
the corn they wanted there : but the Inhabitants now either
4 DOCUMENTARY HISTOEY
cannot or dare not Supply them. Neither have the Indians
any Disposition to ask it. M"^ Allen will Stan„ in need of
at least three hundred Bushels of Corn as well as all other
things
The people enlist here as fast as we can Expect, but seem
impatient to Receive their bounty. I Shall Do all in my
power, and pray that every inducement to enter in to the
service may be ready at hand —
This Day Received Inteligence from M' Allan, and am
informed that he will be here in a few Days with all the
Tribes of Indians with him, and what I shall Do with Him
and his Indians & tlie party that is here for provisions unless
some should arive and that Soon.
I am Your Honor* Very Humble Sarvant
Stephen Smith
August 1'^ after the foregoeing was Completed and Seald
up Cap* Gooch hove in Sight & I waited until he came up and
Now aquaint you that he has Safly arived and brought Some
articles that was Needed which was Shipt by the Hon^^ Board
of Warr.
Stephen Smith
Superscribed :
on Public Service To The Hon^'^ The Council Board
of the State of the Massachusetts Bay
Letter from Capt. Jon^'- Eddy. Aug. 1, 1777.
To the Honorable the Council of the State of Massachusetts
Bay
I thought proper to inform your Honors that we arrived safe
in the River Machias last Evening, with Stores, Boats, Arms
&c &c after a Passage of twelve Days; — Our People have
had a small Engagement & are defeated by the Enemy at S*
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 6
John's River though with the loss of but three men, the
Enemy lost Eight or ten — It seems that one Major Studholm
commands there now with about three hundred Men, — M"^
Francklin the former L*^ Governor of Nova Scotia is appointed
Superintendant over the Indians with a salary of X300 Ster :
g Ann : from England, so that M"^ Allan & he must try which
can make the most Proselytes but at present M'' Allan has
the best Luck, although he can't be so open in it. There are
three armed Sloops now up the River S' John's at the Settle-
ment, & the Vulture Man of War of 14 Guns at the Mouth
of it — There have been there a little while ago the Ambus-
cade of 32 Guns & the Mermaid of 28 but are now gone on
a Cruise — These are all that have cruisd this way this
Summer
I am with due Respect Your honor's Most Obed' Humble
Serv*
Jon^ Eddy
Machias Aug^ 1" 1777
Letter from Tristram Jordan. Aug. 2, 1777.
Pepperrellbor" August 2"^ 1777
Sir having the Honor of Holding the Naval Office for the
Port of Pepperrellbor° by the Appointment of the Hon^^
General Assembly of this State I Take the freedom of
Intreating the Commands of the Honorable Board in a mat-
ter Relating to Said Office, and wherein the State is Solely
Interested
Some time in May last the Schooner Endeavour William
Potter then Master Procured a Permit from the Naval Officer
at Newbury Port to depart thence with one Hundred Bushels
of corn and gave Bond in the Sum of four Hundred Pounds
Conditioned for y* Landing the Same at this Port he tlien
6 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Proceeded here and Landed some Rum and Rice and without
further Permit Saild to the Eastward and Returned in July
with Dry Goods and a Certificate from a Person who Called
himself Chairman of Penobscut as Evidence that the hundred
bushels of corn was Landed at Deer Island a Considerable
Distance from Penobscut the Cap' Pretending that there was
no Committee at Deer Island I had many Doubts about the
Authenticity of this Certificate and being well Assured that
they Landed their Dry Goods before they came to Enter I
Did not Chuse to Enter the Vessel and the Clamour of the
People running High upon the Subject Supposing that the
Supercargo of the Vessel had been Trading with our Ene-
mies : a Justice of y^ Peace Caused Benjam" Cole the Super-
cargo to be apprehended and Summoned Potter the Master
to Swear to the Case who Testified that they Landed one
Hundred bushels of corn at Deer Island and Carried Twenty
Bushels to Liverpool in Nova Scotia to Cole's Family who
Resides there and that they brought from thence Two Pieces
of Kersey Some others were Sworn that were supposed to
be Interested in the Voyage and from the Whole Circum-
stances there appeared to be a Complicated peice of Villainy
made up of Perjury and Dishonesty — Cole is Bound over to
the Superiour Court after this the schooner took on Board a
Cargo or Part of a cargo of Boards and as I apprehended was
About Proceeding to Sea again without Entry or Clearance
Whereupon I Seized her and have Libelled her in y® Mari-
time Court of this District and Claim her as forfeited to the
State if She Should be Condemned the Proceeds of her will
be but Small and inconsiderable my onl}^ reason therefore for
Libelling her was that I might not be Guilty of a Breach of
Duty in my Office and to Prevent Contraband Trade for the
future.
having thus given you the facts I shall be governed intirely
by the Directions of the Honorable Board respecting the
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 7
Cause and Shall Esteem myself Highly favoured by receiving
their Commands as soon as they can be Transmitted Consist-
ant with Important business Laying before them —
& I am Sir with Great Veneration your most obedient
Humble Ser —
Tristram Jordan
To the President of the Hono^ Board to be (communicated
Letter from James Lyon. Aug. 5., 1777.
Machias August 5, 1777 —
May it please your Honors
The difficulties this eastern Country & this place in par-
ticular, has labored under, during our unhappy dispute with
Britain, you well know : And my difficulties as a minister of
that blessed Gospel, which has raised us to our present great-
ness and glory, have also been laid before you, in part only,
for I feel more than either my friends, or I myself can express.
I therefore humbly beg leave to observe. That my people
are bo reduced, that they cannot provide for themselves,
otherwise they would never have applied to your Honors for
80 much assistance ; consequently I have been obliged to
strain every nerve, even to the neglect of my proper agree-
able business, in order to procure the bare necessaries of life,
but thro' want of the proper means, I have failed in a great
measure, & have suffered much both in body & mind, my
bread is Indian procured with great difficulty, my drink
water, my meat moose, & my clothing rags, & many of these
the dear partner of my misfortunes, who was tenderly edu-
cated, has been obliged to beg from those who (;oald illy spare
them, but notwithstanding my extreme trials, I iiave exerted
myself to the utmost of my abiliticis, as a member of the com-
mittee & a faithful subject of tlie State of tlie Massachusetts,
8 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
by day & night, & shall continue so to do, when my duty
calls upon me, to assist with my feeble abilities the commu-
nity in which I live. It is also well known, that I have
explored Nova Scotia, in almost every part, & have a personal
acquaintance with many of its inhabitants — But when deliv-
erance appeared just at hand, with becoming indignation if I
mistake not, I view a Rev*^ Gentleman, well settled, & utterly
unacquainted with war & the Country where he is going,
crowding himself, via D T into the place, which
God & man evidently designed for me & a fellow sufferer I
I can despise the person capable of known deliberate injus-
tice, however great or good his name — 1 blame not this
Honb' Board. Let the Hon^^^ Gentleman, whom I never saw,
or injured, to my knowledge, the efficient cause of the con-
tinuation of my extreme distress, answer for his conduct to
his conscience & his God ! — If any thing I have written has
given offence to the judicious, the humane, & the patriotic,
in either Hon^' House, with deep humiliation I ask their
pardon. Such I never meant to instruct in their duty, or to
offend, for such I esteem the honor & glory of our Land —
Your Honors will please to accept of the plans &c. men-
tioned in the enclosed copy of a receipt, & sold to me at
public auction in this place. The plan of Nova Scotia from
Cape Sable to Canso is very accurate & valuable. I likewise
present to your Honors 14 days lodging & boarding of Lieut.
Knight & Doctor M'^Faden, two Gentlemen taken in the
schooner Diligent. A compensation for this I applied for in
person, & by others, but could not obtain it without too much
cost —
Your Honors are now well acquainted with my distressed
circumstances, & have it in your power to raise me above
want, & serve the State, perhaps, at the same time. I ask
not for charity, but for the loan of a sufficient sum, for 12
months, to purchase 6 proper kettles, or pans for salt works,
OF THE STATE OF MAINE B
& to set them up. I have already done something at this
business, but cannot procure proper pans. Should your
Honors see fit, in your great wisdom & goodness, to grant
this request, you will do great service to this place, & still
greater to youi" unfortunate but faithful Servant & Subject
Ja* Lyon
To the Hon'* The Council & House of Representatives of the
State of the Massachusetts Bay
Letter from Col. Benj" Foster. Aug. 8, 1777.
Machias Aug* 8*^ 1777.
May it please your Honors,
The Distresses of this place have been so often laid before
you, that you are doubtless weary of hearing from us, &
nothing but pure Necessity could induce us to trouble you
any further, but our Distress is so great that I cannot
Refrain.
We are not only destitute to a great Degree of the Neces-
saries of Life ( exclusive of what your Honors were pleas'd
to send here for the Troops yet to be raisd ) but we are also
threaten'd with a powerful Armament from Nova Scotia to
destroy us. We have certain Intelligence that a 50 Gun
Ship & some Transports have been fitted out at Halifax &,
were ready to sail for this Place 12 Days ago: These are to
be join'd by 500 Men from S* John's River; We Expect
them every Hour, & (jod only knows what will become of
us ! We have no Strength to resist such a Force, &l yet
Resist we must.
We have no Assistance ( tho' long expected ) from Boston
except a few Officers without Men ! Not Twenty of the
two Regiments are yet arriv'd here ! Nor can we call in the
Militia, for they are so destitute of Provision that they can't
10 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
leave their Families/ about 50 Minute Men only excepted )
to our Assistance from the whole Regiment.
I beg therefore, that your Honors will take some effectual
Method to save us from Ruin, if nothing is done we must
soon fall, for our Enemies imagine ( if they can destroy this
Place ) that they shall entirely defeat our Design of invading
them : I shall not dictate to Your Honors what ought to be
done, but leave the Matter to your superior Wisdom, & shall
only observe, that a Quantity of Provision ought in my
Opinion, to be immediately deposited in every Part of the
Regiment, to be distributed among the Families of those
who are call'd away from home on any Emergency, in
Defence of their Country
I am with due Respect Your Honors most
obed' hble Serv*
Benj* Foster Col°
P. S. For further Particulars Please to Enquire of the
Bearer
To The Hon^'* Council of the State of Massachusetts Bay
g favor of Col : Campbell
Letter from Col. Jon'' Eddy. Aug. 8, 1777.
Machias Aug^ 8'»> 1777
To the Honorable Council of the State of Massachusetts Bay,
Since I wrote to your Honors acquainting you of my safe
Arrival at this Place and the Defeat of Major Shaw at S'
John's We have had very alarming Intelligence from the
Enemy, several Ways that they have form'd a Design against
this Place, and the Information comes so Direct that I
thought proper to call on CoP Foster & acquaint him with
the Affair ; Consulting with him, and Col : Campbell, I
found they were of the same Opinion with myself, that the
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 11
Place was in immediate Danger, therefore I requested Col :
Foster to assist with some of the Militia under his Command,
and also by the Advice of Col : Foster & Col : Campbell I
wrote to Col : Buck, requesting him to send us some assist-
ance as soon as possible, at the same Time writing to Brig''
(xen' Warner & Col : M'^Cobb, in order to bring them for-
ward without Loss of Time.
I am with due Respect Your Honors most Obed' humble
Serv*
Jon'^ Eddy
P. S. For Particulars relating to the Intelligence above
mentioned I beg leave to Refer your Honors to L^ Col'
Campbell
g favour of L^ Col : ('ampbell
Letter to the President of Conc/ress. Any. 13, 1777.
State of Massachusetts Bay
Council Chamber August 13 1777
Sir/
Inclosed are Copies of the doings & Resolutions of this
Court, respecting an expedition to S' John's River in Nova-
Scotia. —
This measure was founded upon two Resolves of Congress,
of the 8^^ of January, & 1 B^*' of May past; & urged by the
Petitions of sundry Inhabitants of Nova Scotia.
The Court were fully convinced upon good Evidence, that
the Enemy intended to possess themselves of that River, in
Older to engage the Indians, in these parts, in their favor, &
to open a communication that way, between Nova-Scotia &
Canada. — To prevent this, & thereby to preserve the East-
ern jniits of this State, tSc relieve our Friends in Cumbei'land
12 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
& Sunbury Counties in that Province, this Court determined
upon the Expedition
The principal Object has been mentioned; but tho' we
had no reason to expect a sufficient strength to take, & hold
the Province ; yet, when the River should be well secured, a
push might be made for Fort Cumberland, or even Hallifax ;
at the latter of which, were immense stores, & the Garrison
not above 8 or 900 Men at most, & their whole Strength, in
that Province not exceeding 2000.
By authentic Accounts, nine tenths of the Inhabitants of
that Province are in our favor; but a great part of them
have, by one means or other, been disarmed.
Our exertions for Men & Stores for this Enterprize, have
been as great, as our circumstances, & the necessary attention
to other public measures, would possibly admit of.
The Copies would have been sent sooner, but it was tho't
prudent to delay it until the enemies operations up Hudson's
River, or elsewhere, should be more fully known to us, &
there should be less hazard of their falling into the enemies
hands.
We having laid aside the expedition for the present, now
lay the whole affair before Congress & desire to be instructed
whether any further Measures shall be pursued.
Letter from Col. Jon'' Eddy. Aug. 17, 1777.
Machias Aug* 17*'' 1777.
To the Hon^'^ Council of the State of Massachusetts Bay
Since my last, acquainting your Honors with the Intelli-
gence I had receiv'd, concerning the Enemy's Design of
invading this Place, we have found the reality of it.
Last Wednesday the IS*'' Ins* appeared in Sight three
Ships, a brig and a small Schooner coming from the West-
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 13
ward, and standing in for the Harbour, & soon after came to
an Anchor at the Mouth of the River ; One of them was a
large Ship, suppos'd to be the Rainbow of 44 Guns, The
Mermaid 28, the Vulture 14, and the arm'd Brig Hope 16
Guns.
Conceiving great Hopes of taking us by Surprize, the
Hope stood immediately up the River attended by a Sloop
and twelve Boats, till they came opposite to a small Battery
we had about 2 miles below the Falls, mann'd with about
Twenty men with small Arms and one 2 pounder.
The Enemy attempted to land there with six Boats and a
Number of Men but were repuls'd by our People with some
Loss.
Early on Thursday Morning, being foggy, thick Weather,
they landed on a Neck of clear'd Land, a little below the
Batter}% m hopes of cutting off the Retreat of our small
Party, but Col: Foster who commanded there, took such
Precautions in that point as render'd their Hopes abortive,
& secur'd his retreat. The Enemy then took Possession of
the Battery & burnt two Houses and barns thereabouts, and
soon after the Brig stood up the River together with the
Sloop and Boats above mentioned, till they came fairly in
Sight, and within good Shot of the Falls, not expecting to
meet with any Resistance, but seeing Continental Colours
flying, and two Breastworks fill'd with Men, one of them
having two 2 pounders, the other one 2 pounder and six
swivels, they began to think of retreating and accordingly
got the Boats a head to Tow the Brig down. This was
about Sunset; I instantly detach'd Major Stillman with
thirty Men to attack the Boats & harrass the Enemy in their
Retreat. The Major proceeded by Land till he got abreast
of the Brig and Boats about a Mile and half below the Falls
and began a heavy Fire, which was warmly return'd for
some Time from the Brig with Cannon and small Arms ;
14 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
The Affair Continued in this Posture till they came opposite
the Battery which they had taken at first when the Brig
came to an Anchor, the Boats not being able to keep an}*
longer ahead, because of the incessant Fire of our People,
wliich, as the River is pretty narrow, must do considerable
Execution among the Boats; Next morning she got under
way again with the Boats ahead, and were again attack'd by
our Men on both Sides of the River, but finally got out of
reach of small Arms & run aground so that she was left dry
at Low Water : Our People got one of the 2 pounders down
& began to play upon her in this Position, and hull'd her
several Times ; It is very unfortunate that we had not one
or two good Peices of Cannon, as by that means the Brig
must have struck to us — However having lighten'd her
with the help of the Sloop, she got off the next high Water
&, drop'd down to the other Ships & this Morning the whole
came to Sail & went out, except the Milford ; Their Destina-
nation is unknown to us as yet but I shall take Care to
inform your Honors as soon as I can procure any Intelligence
thereof.
I must beg Leave to Request an immediate Supply of
Ammunition and Provisions, as what I brought with me will
last but a little while, having been oblig'd to expend a good
deal in this three dajs Siege. In all these attacks our Loss
is only One Man kill'd and Cap* Farnsworth of my Reg*
wounded but hope he will do well.
Great Praise is due to Col : Foster and the Militia under
his Command, who gave me all the Assistance I could desire
and behaved Extremely well, as also to Major Stillman, and
the rest of the Officers and Men belonging to the two Regi-
ments now raising.
It happen'd Extremely well for us that M'' Allan and M"^
Prebble had arriv'd here with about 40 Indians who were of
great Service to us and assisted us greatly —
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 15
The Enemy's Loss in all these Attacks must have been
pretty considerable, though we cannot at present come at any
Certainty of it —
For further Particulars I refer you to Lieu^ Col : Campbell
who has been very alert on this Occasion, & given us all the
Assistance in his Power from the Western Settlements —
I am with due Respect Your Honors most Obed* Humble
Serv'
Jon'^: Eddy
g favour of L*^ Col : Campbell
Letter from John Preble. Aug. 17, 1777.
Machias Aug^ 17"^ 1777
Honour'' Sir
I Rec*^ your agreeable favours Dated June 9"' & July 17^''
by Col" Eddy & thank you for the Honour you intended me )
am desirous of Serving the State in any Respectable Capas-
saty & Should be Glad of a Company if it can be Obtain'^ I
think I may be appointed a Captain in the Novi scotia
Rattallion without Raising the Men I am sensible its agre-
able to their officers by what I have heard those present say.
I live very happy & am treated with Grate friendship &
Politeness by Col** Eddy & Col° Nevers. I have always
been with M'' Allen since he ariv** from the Westward &
have been his interpreter & assistant in any thing he pleas'^
to Command me in Bringing the Indians of from S*^ Johns «Sc
to our assistance which is now Compleately performed.) for
their is numbers of them I have had under my Command in
the late action here with Dessen who has behaved with the
Gratest Bravery eaquel to Vettran Troops, you will have a
Particular account Rote by the Commanding ofticer I sup-
pose so Shall only Mention that dossen & 3 Ships arived
here Wednesday Landed 150 men at M"" Scott Farm 3 miles
16 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
below the town drove a few of our people from a Battery
wherein was a peace of Cannon & one Swivel Burnt 3
Houses & a Barn, then Thursday imbark'^ their men in a
Sloop taken of Cap* Longs & proceeded up to the Town of
Machious with the Brigg & Sloop towed by a Number of
Boats, at their arival finding the place fortifyed by some
Woorks Cannon & Swivels Mounted the men well pleas'* I
with the Indians upon the left Made such an apperance that
dossen immediately Tack** Round & began towing down the
River this was all by CoP Edeys Good Conduct, a detach-
ment was immediately ordered down the Western Side of
the River to fire upon the Boats which was dun with the
Gratest Resolution that Evening & Run the Brigg a Ground
after killing some of their men our loss was but one man
kill** altho they fii'ed verry Sharpl}^ A\dth their Cannon the
Next morning at light I was down with the Indians & pep-
pered the Brigg a spell the tide serveing at about 10 oclock
she Got under way it being Calm was obblig** to make use of
her Boats then we ware Reinfors*', & played upon them from
Both Sides the River which Gaul'd them much & Run tlie
Brigg a Ground a Gain mile & half below, then a peace of
Cannon was provided & played upon her together with
Small arms till the Night tide when She went down. I then
commanded a party of 35 men to Watch their motions.) to
day they have all Saild but one Ship so that we are verry
happy now after the Gratest fateague by Col° Eddeys desire I
shall tarry till I heare from Boston as we dont know what
may happen here. —
The Goods I Rec** of the States is all dispos'^ of Except
what the Enemy took from me when I was drove of the
River the first time, Some to M"^ Allen with Beaver &'' for
the use of the Indians for their Services as paper money
woudent answer.
I shall Render a just account as soon as I come up to Bos-
OF THE STATE OF MAINE IT
ton. I must beg the favour you Gitt me a Captains pay if
posible it may be dun with the Indians I think as Interpreter
to M'^' Allen & assistant &,^.
I hope Sir you will Rite Me all oppertunitys which will
be much Obbligemg
3^our affectionate & Dutifull Son
John Preble
P.S. I hope Sir you will due all in your Power to hassen
this Expedition I long to see Novi Scotia Redus*^
Sir
Since I Wrote my letter a deserter is arived who Swam 2
miles from the Rainbow & informs me they sent 300 men up
the River to land that about 60 was kilF in the hole.) 10
of their people was kilF & 10 wounded, another man left
the SLlp in Company with him but what is become of him
he Cant tell, their was 60 of Cap* manlys men on Board
which ware station'^ between decks the Ships that was here
was the Rainbow Maremaid Vulter & Dossen Brigg they
had been at Mount desert where 2 torys went on Board
them) the Cap* of the Rainbow Swares he will Bring more
men & Destroy machious he thinks there was 600 here —
Superscribed
To Brig** Gen^ Prebble att Boston
Letter from Men'' Smjer. Aug. 18, 1777.
Wells Aug«* 18"^ 1777
Hon-i S"^
I have taken the utmost Pains to obey the last Order of
Council & make Return of the Men drafted & marchd but
find that I cannot have Returns 'till the Day fix'd by Coun-
cil for me to make a Return I expect the Companies
18 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
drafted from this Brigade will march the last of this Week
or the Beginning of Next at farthest.
I am with Respect your Honors Most obed* hum^ Serv*
Eben"' Sayer
Hon'^ Col° Powell
p' Fav' N Wells Esq"^
Letter from Jon'^ Eddy Esq. Aug. 18, 1777.
Machias August 18"^ 1777
Sir,
I wrote yesterday to the Hon^*® Council, acquamting them
with the Particulars of our late Seige here : but could not
give any Certain Account of the Enemy's Loss in their
attempt on this Place, but last Night a Deserter swam ashore
from the Ship still remaining in the Harbour, who gives us
the following Intelligence viz : That the Number of the
Enemy at first was three hundred Men, and that the Loss
they sustained in the several Attacks was upwards of Sev-
enty kill'd and wounded ;
Please to communicate the above to the Council —
I am Sir Your most Obed*^ Humble Serv*
Jonathan Eddy
To Hon^^« Brigad"" Prebble
g favor of L* Col : Campbell
Letter from the Council to John Allan Esq. Aug. 19, 1777.
State of Massachusetts Bay
Council Chamber, August 19"^ 1777
sy
You have been advised that the general Court have laid
aside, for the present, the expedition to S* Johns River,
OF THE STATE OF INIALNE 19
This encloses a Copy of a Resolution of Court of the 16*^
Inst, for retaining one Company, with Provisions, Arms &c
for the Service of the Eastern Parts. — Col" Eddy has instruc-
tions respecting the Company ; & M"^ Stephen Smith is
instructed about the Provisions, Arms, (fe*^ To these persons
yon will apply in the premises as occasion shall require.
We hope you will be directed into the wisest & best meas-
ures, & be preserved from the hands of our enemies, whose
tender mercies are cruelty in the extreme. The Indians may
be furnished, in some degree, from the Stores in M"^ Smith's
hands. Your favor of the 10"* Ult° came to hand a few days
since —
John Allan Esq"^
Machias
Letter to Stepheri Smith. Aug. 19, 1777.
State of Massachusetts-Bay
Council Chamber, August IQ''* 1777.
Sir/
Yours of the 31" ult° came duly to hand — The circum-
stances of our Military affairs, especially in the Northern
Department, has occasioned the laying aside for the present
the intended expedition to S* John's River. Inclosed you
have a Copy of the Resolution of Court of the 16"' Inst for
raising one Company for the Service of the Eastern parts, &
for retaining certain provisions &° Agreeable to which, you
will retain in your hands the said 13 Barrels of Pork, 37
Barrels of Beef, 20 Barrels of Flour, & 52 Barrels of Bread,
for the use of said Company, & Such of the Inhabitants of
the Eastern parts ( our Friends ) who may stand most in
need of Aid. You will also retain Such a part of the Fire-
Arm, Ammunition & Accoutrements, in your hands, as you
20 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
shall judge necessary for said Company And you will also
deliver the same agreeable to the Spirit & intention of said
Resolve. —
M' Stephen Smith Machias
Letter from Col. Jonah Brewer. Aug. 20*^ 1777.
Penobscot August 20^^^ 1777
Honourd Sir
I would beg leave to acquaint your Honour That the Pro-
vission I Received for the Penobscot Guard under the Com-
mand of Leiu* Andrew Gillman Ended the ll*** Instant I
shall be oblig'd to your Trouble in procureing an order for
the remmainder of the Provission ( to be sent me by the first
opportunity ) to the 1®* of Dece' next Agreeable to Order of
Court Dated the 28*'' April last — As I have Borrow'd Pro-
vissions to Supply them untill I cou'd procure it from Bos-
ton — I make no doubt you have heard of the movement of
the Enemy to Machias. The commanding Officer their has
requested my Assistance — I have agreeable to his request
Equip'd one fourth part of my Regiment, with Arms,
Ammunition & Provissions & have sent them under proper
Officers — Also Order' d L' Gillman to send the Major part
of his Guard to their Assistance —
Your Trouble in The Above will be great fully Aeknowl-
edg'd By
Your Most Obedient Humble Serv* to Command
Josiah Brewer
To The Hon^i^ Artemas Ward Esq"^
Letter from John Johnson. Aug. 20, 1777.
May it Please your Honours
The Councel of the Massachusetts Bay in New England
was Pleased to Honour Me with a Commision of the Milli-
OF THE STATE OF IVLAINE 21
tary Command of a Company in the Western Precinct of
Pownalborough And my Affairs is Such that I cant do my
Duty therein acording to the Expectation of the Council, I
therefore most Humbly Begg leave of your Honours To
Resigne the Said Commision —
And whareas my first Leautenant M"^ Carr Barker of said
Compimj^ is a suitable Person to take the Command of said
Compeny and Jonathan Reed J"" the Second Leautenant of
said Company is a sutable Person allso and Agreabl to the
People to be advanced to the first Leautenant if your Hon-
ours Should Think it Proper to Honour them with those
Commands And M"" Thomas Densmore first Sargant would
be a suetabl Person for a Second Leautenant and I beleave
aGreabl to the People If your Honours Should think Proper
to Honor him with that Command — All which is Most
Humbly Submitted By your Honours Most Dutifull Most
Obediant and Vary Humbl Serv*
John Johnson
Pownalborough West
Precinct August 20^^ 1777
Copy of Letter from John Milligan Aug 22^ 1777.
Sir,
I have sent the Bearer to you with a Proposal which I
hope you will think both just and requisite, and that accord-
ingly you will comply with it; as it will be a means of
instantly alleviating the Hardship of Confinement and like-
wise m future serve many of your People that may fall into
our hands ; I have on board His Majesty's Ship under my
Command, four Young Men, Natives of Boston, Marblehead
&c — that want to be at home with their Friends — Now if
you will exchange the Four men belonging to me ( that
22 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
some of your People surprizd, and took Prisoners at Cross
Island, the day before Yesterday, as they were innocently &
without Suspicion of hurt to any one, filling some Water
Casks ) I will send you these four young Men in Lieu —
You may assure yourself I am upon Honour, Send me the
Men either by themselves or with others, you may be assur'd
no one of their Conductors shall be touch'd or offended — I
would observe that when the Blonde was in the River, we
could have burnt all the Dwelling Houses along Shore —
But even that, or pillaging, I despis'd as it was only affect-
ing a few poor People — This is mentioned to say something
in favour of the four Men now in your hands — Their Loss
to the Ship is not much ( as they are all Land men ■) to
them selves poor Fellows great, as missing the Ship now^,
they may never join her again —
Blonde in Machias Bay 22"^ Aug* 1777
T am Sir, Your most hble Serv*
Jn** Milligin
To the Principal Officer or Commandant at Machias Town
Copy.
Letter from Jon'' Eddy Aug. 23'^ 1777
Machias August 23^ 1777
To the Hon''^^ Council of the State of Massachusetts Bay —
Since my last, I am inform'd the Frigate that remain'd in
the Harbour after the Departure of the other Ships, is the
Blonde of 32 Guns, and understanding that Boats went fre-
quently from her to Cross Island at the Mouth of the Har-
bour for the Purpose of wooding and watering, on the
Evening of the 19*** Ins* I detach'd Major Stillman with a
Small Party of our Men & a few Indians to Cross Island,
who next morning having discover'd some of the Enemy
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 23
ashore Watering, attack'd tbem, took three Prisoners, kill'd
one and wounded all the rest, four in Number, one of them
mortally, who nevertheless got on board : Last Night I
receivd a Letter from the Captain of the aforesaid Frigate
proposing to exchange four New England Men he had on
board for those we took the other Day a Copy of which I
herewith enclose your Honors, but the Boy who was sent
with the Letter, was so long coming, that the Ship got under
Sail & went off — so that I am oblig'd to send them West-
ward.
I must Request of your Honors to send me a speedy Sup-
ply of Men and also of Ammunition and Provisions, as it
appears very probable to me, and I am also inform'd by the
Boy who brought me the Letter from the Captain of the
Frigate, that the Enemy's Ships are gone for more Men, And
will make a second Attempt on this Place, if they can get a
sufficient Reinforcement, which, as Matters are now circum-
stancd here a small force will do —
I am with due Respect Your Honors most obed^ Humble
Serv*
Jon* Eddy
Letter from Ehen^ Sayer. Aug. 24-, 1777.
Wells Aug«* 24"> 17Y7
To the Honi Council of the State of Mass** Bay
May it please your Honors
Agreable to Order of Council of the 9*'' Lis' I herewith
send a Return of the Sixth Part of the able bodied effective
Men drafted from the Brigade in the County of York and
have given Orders for them to march tlie 25*'' Lis* I have
24 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
likewise assign'd proper Officers to command the Battalion
as will appear by my Return —
As I doubt not but your Honors are dispos'd to pay the
Strictest Attention to the Interest of every Individual in this
State you will permit me to express my Sentiments relative
to a late Appointment in this County I mean a Brigadier
with that Plainness and Freedom which every Member of
Society is intitled to.
It has ever been consider'd that when an Officer is super-
seded that at least some Part of his Conduct in Office is
blameable and therefore he is degraded but if Facts do not
justify the Step his Character ( which to a Man of the least
Sensibility is dearer than Life ) is injured if this is admitted
I would ask am not I unjustly degraded ? Perhaps it may
be answer'd the Court exercis'd their Judgment & appointed
a Gentleman of the most distinguished Abilities in the
Brigade I am positive Nine Tenths of the Brigade are of
different Sentiments and I could heartily wish M'' Frost's
Abilities and Acquirements might be bro* to a publick
Examen I wish not to be distinguish'd by titular Dignities
but only demand that an Inquiry may _ had into my Con-
duct whilst in Office and if it deserves the Stigma the Court
has been pleas'd to affix to my Character I shall be perfectly
satisfied —
But as the publick Exigencies require a Commander of
the first Regiment in this Brigade I will inform your Honors
I shall not for the future act as I have heretofore officially
by your Honors Command as Col" of the first Rrg* in this
Brigade or Col" Command* of Brigade whilst M'^ Frost holds
a Commission as Brigadier the only Fav" I have to request
of your Honors is that you would permit me to resign my
Commission as a Justice of the Peace which I herewith
inclose I have the Honor to be
Y'' Honors Most obedi* hum^ Serv*
Ebenezer Sayer
OF THE STATE OF MAINE ^5
Letter from Col. Benj"^ Foster. Aug. 27, 1777.
Mechias 27*'' August 1777
May it please your Honors
In compliance with my duty, permit me to inform your
Honors that on the 13'^ Instant came into this Harbour
three Brittish ships & one Brigantine of Sixty, thirty two,
twenty eighty, & fourteen guns. The Brig with one flat
bottom arm'd & the ships boats made all dispatch up the
river till they were within reach of a Breastwork we had
thrown up when a firing began on our part from the breast-
work & on the enemies from the Brig «& Boats, one of the
Frigates follow'd so far up the river till she grounded, the
day following they landed under cover of their Cannon
favor'd by a very thick fog, from the best account, about
three hundred men, paraded themselves, set fire to three
Dwelling houses & two Barns & re'eiiterd their vessels, same
day they attempted to carry the principal part of the settle-
ment but met with so spirited an opposition that the Brig
with the Boats assistance made the best of their way down
river again and on the third day after a smart tiring on them
by the Inhabitants, Indians & people, occasionally with us
they left the river, had we been possest of but six Cannon of
12 or even 9 pounders the Brig & Ship would never have
got out of the Harbour. Our loss was one man killed &
Cap* Farnsworth slightly wounded, but from the best intelli-
gence we are able to get of prisoners and deserters their loss
is very great, at present they have left the Harbour but
how soon they will return with a superior strength we are
unable to determine, our accounts are that the ships are
return'd Nova Scotia for more men and we are in full
expectation of a speedy visit from them again the expedi-
tion forming against Nova Scotia we are fully perswaded has
drawn the enemy on us. the Order your Honors have sent
for Disbanding the Regiments & transporting the military
26 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
stores & provisions from this place back has thrown us into
the utmost consternation we are exposed both to the insult
of our adversaries and apparent want, the Indians among
us appear dejected & apprehend they shall be obliged to join
the enemy for support & unless your Honors will immedi-
ately relieve us with men Provissions & Cannon we must
fall a Sacrifice, the Committee with desire of the inhab-
itants have agreed to detain what supplies are already in the
place till they can hear from your Honors, and take into pay
one hundred of the Militia west of us belonging to this Regi-
ment, for one month, as this was the place of rendevous the
enemy has its destruction much at heart, & in case they
carry their point upwards of one hundred families will be
destroy'd, captivated or must flee into tlie heart of the state
for protection & relief & an extent of more than one hundred
mile seacoast will become an easy prey.
If we are worth preserving may I beseech your Honors, in
behalf of the inhabitants to afford us that immediate assist-
ance of men & Supplies, your Honors shall judge effectual
for our preservation. I have the pleasure to inform your
Honors that the Indian & Inhabitants exerted themselves to
their utmost notwithstanding the superior numbers &
strength of the Enemy forced them to retreat with great
loss, besides the foregoing damage done they consumed one
grist mill & plunderd some Houses —
I am with profound respect Your Honors most obedient
humble servant
Benj° Foster
The Honorable Council & Honorable Representatives for
the Massachusetts State —
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 27
Letter from George. Stillman. Aug. 27, 1777.
Machias Aug* 1V^ 1777 —
May it please your Honors —
Agreeable to my appointment as Major of a Regiment to
be Raised for an expedition to S* Johns I Repaired, by your
directions, with the disatches &c. to this Place, & with the
consent & advice of Lieut Col^ Minott, I appointed the Offi-
cers, of three companies, who proceed to raise their men as
fast as Possible, but they had not all the success that could
be wished, for only twenty nine in one Company have passed
muster, and twenty four in the other, the third Company
has a number Ingaged but none mustered, the officers &
men of the musterd companys, have been on duty for six
weeks Fast, and have received the most of their bounty, and
blanketts, & behaved with the utmost bravery in the late
action in this Place, indeed we w^ere all in high Spirits and
every thing seemed to wear a smiling aspect, till the Brigade
Major M'^ Newell arrived with positive orders to Disband all
the troops in this department except those under my Com-
mand. For the discharge of these there is no order tho I am
fully convinced by what appears, that it was your Honors
pleasure, that they also should be Dismissed. However as I
Can keep them under my Command without breaking orders,
and the exigencies of this Place seems to make it absolutely
necessary so to do, I am determined, thro a Clear conviction
of the necessity of Such a measure, and the importunities of
the Committee and others, to detain them in the Service, till
your honors pleasure is known, the danger this place is in
continually has doubtless been represented to the Hon^^*
Court by the Committee and CoP Allan, & therefore I shall
only add, that I View it as in a Very critical situation, and
that its preservation is an object worthy the attension of the
State, when considered only in itself, but when we view,
machias as a Valuable frontier town, a proper Retreat for
28 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
the Indians, and a barrier to all our eastern Country, its
importance to the state Rises in our esteem a Greater Excite-
ment for Defending it
I have the Honour to be With the Greatest Respect, your
Honors Most Obedient Humble Serv*
George Stillman
Superscribed :
On Publick Service The Hon^^® the Council Board for
the State of the Massachusetts Bay Boston
Machias August 28. 1777 — This may certify that there is
in my hands the following Stores belonging to the State of
Mass^ Bay put into my care at the request of the Committee
of Safety of this place & the officers of the Militia &c —
81 stand of Arms compleat with Accoutrements
8 Arms & Bayonets slings & Belts
2 Arms with slings only
13 Tm Kettles
7 double Blanketts
76 single ditto
500 flints
1512 Cartridges
3 broken Drums
3 Fife
4914^ lb Salt Beef at the rate of 220 lb in each Barrell
2747 lb hard Bread
The above are all that remain in my hands unexpended
p"" Stephen Smith
Copy
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 29
Mechias 28*'^ Aug' 1777 —
May it please your Honours
I have now to acquaint the Hon^*® Board that soon after
my arrival from the westward — Major Stillman, Return'd
in order to pass muster, Fifty Four non Commissioned Offi-
cers & Soldiers — the Attempt of the Enemy with the many
Intellegences daily rec*^ of their movements, Brings Duty
very hard & Close, so that most of the recruits Cou'd not
give that Little Assistance to their familys, as they Expected
when Listed, to do before their being Embodied —
This Occasioned many heavy Complaints, & for fear the
Service should be Detered, & Willing to perform every thing
which in me Lay for the good of it, I collected all the money
Possible, w°^* I paid the Soldiers & Deliverd notes of hand
for the remainder — This being done without Immediate
orders from your Honours, or the Brigadier, it may no
Doubt be Disputed, but as the service so much required it,
& the men still Continuing in the Service ; I must pray your
Honours to order the money to be sent me, the amount of
which I here inclose you —
I also advanced them, Blankets, & other things, which
were to be allowed them. I was some what obliged to do
this sooner than I intended, for there was not those suitable
necessarys to Compleat their Raitions, such as molasses,
beans, Pease, Indian meal, Butter, Candles, Soap &c
The Duty has been very severe, both Militea, as well as
Inlisted Troops, very Little has been done by People in their
Private bushiess, not much Hay as yet been Procured, which
Consequently will bring people to great straits, as well for
their own Support as their stock —
Time not permiting me at the Time Col. Campbell went
of_ to write respecting the Enemys Attempt & other matter
— shall defer mentioning any thing at Present on that sub-
ject, as I Doubt not some others have given the Particulars
30 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
— The Present Exigency, & Distress of these parts is hardly
to be Conceived by a Stranger, the removing our Prortys &
famileys in the woods, for fear of the Enemy — many persons
Property was Embezzeled, & Distroy'd — & Their Familyes
much Exposed — many Laying out in the open woods. —
your Honours may remember that it was resolved, that
any Provisions advanced for the S*^ Johns Expidition, should
be replaced, w*''^ people puting their dependance on, by the
scarcity, daily application is made, there is still remaining
due 3691 >^ "^ Pork, 660 lb Rice, 1493 lb flour, 2 C Sugar, 11
GalP N. E. Rum. This Expedition being of much service
in securing the Interest of the Indians, I Doubt not but your
Honours will order it to be replaced — The Truck House is
at Preasent very Bare, M"^ Allan have Drained it very much
with the Indians, we have great satisfaction in their zealous
Attachment, but a great Expence Ensuing, which M'' Allan
& myself is very uneasy about, pray Let me know Perticu-
larly about it. — I have Impower'd Col" Campbell to act for
me who is an Honest man — I shall as soon as Possible give
a proper state of matters —
I am with Duty & Respect y"^ Honours most obedient very
Hble Serv*
Stephen Smith
Superscribed
On Publick Service To The Hon'^^^ The Councel Board
of the State of the Massachusetts Boston
2)*" The State of the Massichusetts Bay in ace* with
Stephen Smith C^
1777
Aug* 4"' To Cash paid Cap* Gooch for Freight
of Sundrys from Boston Shipt by
The Hon^i^ board of Warr 36 10
1777
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 31
To Bountyes paid to 54 Men Inlisted
and Past Muster in Col. M<=Cobbs
Redg* @ 120y 324
To 1355^^ Fresh Beef Purchased for
the Troops by Directions of Col.
Eddy @ 6^ p '"> 33 17 6
To 22 -)4: Gallons West India Rum
Deliverd the Troops at Sundry
Times by orders from CoP Eddy (w,
127 e Gal 13 13
£408 1 3
To Ballance in my favour g Contra 273 13
Also Deliverd in time of the Enemys
Invasion against this Place 19 }4
GalP New England Rum out of the
Rum in my care belonging to the
Truck House —
By Cash rec^^ of Col Jonathan Eddy
to Pay Soldiers Bounty
X135
By Ballance in my favour
273 1 3
^£408 1 3
Mechias Aug' 28, 1777
Errors Excepted
Stephen Smith
Letter from Benj'' Foster. Aug. 28, 1777.
Machias August 28, 1777
Sir
You are well acquainted with the vigorous attack made
upon this place by our enemies, & their shameful retreat, &
that we were in higli spirits, & had a prospect of standing
our ground, should our enemies return with twice the force.
32 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
But words cannot describe the distress & consternation, tbat
succeeded the discharge of the troops destined against Nova
Scotia. We have, however, come to a resolution, to call in
100 men of the militia & to pay them ourselves, if the Gen-
eral Court do not see fit to pay them. But such are our cir-
cumstances, that I expect we shall be as much distressed for
provisions, as with the apprehension of another attack. I
beg therefore, that you would use all your influence with the
General Court, in order to obtain relief, both in men & pro-
vision. And as almost all the inhabitants of this place
have for some time past been obliged to lay aside their busi-
ness, & attend in the best manner they are able, to the pres-
ervation of the place, & are still obliged to do so, 1 desire
you would lay this matter also before the Court, & pray
them to put us under pay. I shall only add, that, as you
are no stranger to our distresses, I take it for granted, that
you will do every thing in your power for the benefit of this
place, this distressed eastern Country, & the State
I am Sir your very humb^ Servant
Benj* Foster
Col. Alex' Campbell
Favord by Major Nevers
Letter from Committee at Machias. Aug. S9, 1777
To the honorable The Councel for the State of Massachu-
setts bay
May it please your honours The Committee of Mechias
begg Leave one More To aquent you of our most Distressing
Scurcomstances wee Still Labour by the borrows of warr and
blood sheed. wee flattered our selves wheen wee under-
stood that thayr was Two Regments to be Roused for an
Expeadition to S* Johns and the Alford man of warr with
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 33
such other Ships as mite be thought Necessary for the Pro-
taction of the Stores for said Armement, ware to Randevews
at mechias Would aBen a Suffient Protection for this place
for this Seson but ahiss it has a Deferent aft'act, the Intelli-
gence thareof Our Enemys Got no Doubt Verey Early of
this matter which has Turned this place Reather into a
Coind of a Seat of war as Thay heave Indevered to Totieley
Distroy uss firt wee ware alarmed by the Amljerskade of
Thirty Two Guns Who Sent A Lent with a Barge Crewa
shore under a fiagg proteending Thay Wanted to Exchange
Prisners & that the Capt Wanted To see the Comniitte on
bord and Talk with
Declared thay Shukl be used well and be Sot on shore agene
ameaditely but wee thinking them to be Reather Speys them
aproper flagg Ordered them to Depart Ameaditely as we
Shuld hold no Cori-espondence with him nor his Captian to
which thay Complyed Shee Ly her some time which accos-
ened the melitia under Conol Foster to be upon Dutey to
wach thare motions and So it has Continued the most part of
this Summer the Melitia of this place has ben heald to Close
Dutey which has Reduced the Inhabatnents to Great Streats
and Deffcultys as well as Some of our Neabouring Meletia
Who Came to our Assestence notwithstanding all wee Culd
Due the Enemy after passing up the River with three Ship
A Brig and Sloope burnt one Grist mill three Dewling
houses two Learge Barns with Considerabel English Hay in
them plundred many liouses Down River whare no Person
Oposed them, Carred on Ijord thare Ships Cattel Sfieap &
hoogs the Number we Cannot assartion, but it has Distressed
the Poor Inhabatnents greateley whos houses and affacts
ware under the Command of the Ships Guns & all the
women & Childrcen In the place ware Removed back into
the woods whicli Remained almost a Week without any
Shealer but the woods and tlie wather proving Verey Reney
34 DOCUMENTAKY HISTORY
Eveiy night During the Time of the Seage and many of
them Not heaving any of the Common Nacesserys of Life to
Subsist on but throo an Interpossition of Divin providence
wee obliged the Enemy to Retreat with a Considrabel Loss
according to the Best accounts we Can gitt our Loss was
only one Killed & Capt Farnsworth Wounded Who is Like
to Do well &c —
Last Sundey arived heer Bridgade maj"" Newel with orders
for Disbanding the Trups which Struck the Whol Inhabat-
ent Into the utmost Constanation after Just Repaleing the
Enemy and Expecting to Return verey Soon agine with a
Stronger forcee Ameadetely assembleyed a Meeting of the
whole and Chose a Committe to Waite upon Conol Eday to
Diser him not to Disband the Trups under his Command
Tell your honours Culd be notified of our Sitevation and
your Peleusher be further Known to which Requst he
Declined Maj' Stillman with a Detchement of Conol
M'^Cobbs Regemnt under his Command ar not as yett Dis-
meseed the Inhabatnents at said Meeting Voted umamin-
esly and signed to a Cartain Agreement to Boind them
selves and Easteats to pay and Suport one hundred of the
Neabrouing Meletia which the Conol will ameaditeley Draft
for the Defence of this place as we are willing to Lay Down
our all in the Cause wee had Reather Spend what Littel we
heave In Defending so Glorious a Cause then to heave it fall
Into the hands of Brittish Tyrants Who Ever wee are not
out of hopes of your honors Protection wee humbly ask
that the two Corapanys Wes & Dyers under the Command
of Maj"" Stillman may be filled and Keep up for the Defence
of this place as well as the one hundred meleteae men be
payd and suported for a while which number wee hope will
be Suffient With our own Inhabatnents to In Counter what
Enemey are Like to Come to anoy uss. & we must not
forgett to mention the Indians good attachment to our Cause
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 35
Enflueneced by John Allen Esq"" the Super Intendent, which
behaved to great Satisfaction During the Leat Seauge &
your honours ware pleased to send up an Order on Cap*
Stephen Smith to Receve of him and Replace what Pro-
visions in Coind to the severel Persons that advanced
it towards Suporting the Party that went to S' Johns
which he has in part to some Necessetus Persons but as
Conol Edeys Demands has ben so Great for proviseons said
Smith lias it not in his power to Replace all thare is Still
Due to severel Persons 3691i^>^» pork 1493 3^''' flower 666"'
Rice 3 bushels peas & 200''' Shuger Insteed of molasses as
that Culd not be obtaneed All of which is Due to Severel
Persons wliich are in Great want of it and are Dealing Call-
ing upon the Committe for it as thay obleagated them selves
to Replace the Same we pray your honors as Sune as posabel
to Enabel Capt Smith
To the Hon. Council & House of Representatives of the State
of Massachusetts Bay : —
I have Endeavoured to inform your Honors in some part
of my Proceedings since my departure from Boston. I left
the long wharf in Boston together with Mr. Row & Mr. How
and arrived at Mewbury the second Day, where we chartered
a small Vessel to carry us to Machias, at which place we
arrived after many unfortunate Accidents in about three
weeks from the time of setting out. During my stay at
Machias I met with Col. Shaw by whose favor I obtained
Cap* West & several other good Men, to the amount of about
twenty, to join me in the Expedition against Fort Cumber-
land. Then Proceeded to Passainaquoddy where I was
joined by a few more: from thence to the River St Johns I
went up the Same about Sixty Miles to the Inhabitants
wliom I found ahuost universally to be hearty in the cause
36 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
and joined us with 1 Cap* 1 Lieu* & Twenty five Men, as
also 16 Indians : so that our whqle force now amounted to
Twenty two Men, and mth this Party I set off for Cumber-
land in Whale Boats and canoes, and standing up the Bay
arrivd in a few Days at Shepody in the s^ County.
at Shepody we found and took Cap* Walker and a Party
of thirteen Men who had been stationed there by Col. Gore-
ham Commander of the Garrison at Cumberland, for the
Purpose of getting Intelligence &c. Hence we Proceeded to
Memrancook, and there had a conference Avith the French,
who Readily joined us, although they saw the weakness of
our Party We then march'd 12 miles through the woods to
Sackville & there were met by the committee who Expressed
their Uneasiness at seeing so few of us and those unprovided
with artillery. Nevertheless hoping that Col. Shaw would
soon come to our Assistance with a Reinforcement they
unanimously joined us. The same Night, I sent off a small
Detachment who march'd about 12 miles through very bad
roads to Westcock and there took a schooner in Aulack
River, loaden with Apples, Cyder, English Goods &c. to the
Amount of about ,£300 but finding afterwards that she was
the Property of Mr. Hall of Annapohs, Avho is a good friend
to the Cause of Liberty, I discharged her. I afterwards sent
another Boat Load of Men, as a Reinforcement to the first
Party, making together about 30 Men, in order to take a
Sloop which lay on the Flats below the Fort loaden with
Provisions and other necessaries for the Garrison. After a
Difficult March, they arrivd opposite the Sloop, on board of
which was a Guard of 1 Sergt. & 12 Men who had they fired
at our People must have alarmd the Garrison in such a Man-
ner as to have brought them on their Backs. However our
Men rushed Resolutely towards the Sloop up to their Knees
in Mud which made such a Noise as to alarm the Gentry who
hailed them & immediately called the Sergt. of the Guard.
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 37
The Sergt. on coming up Ordered his men to fire, but was
immediately told by Mr. Row that if they fir'd one Gun,
every man of them should be put to Death, which so fright-
ened the poor Devils that they surrendered without firing a
shot although our People Could not board her without the
assistance of the conquered who let down Ropes to our men
to get up by. By this time the Day broke and the Rest of
our Party made to their assistance in the schooner afore-
mentioned & some Boats. In the mean Time Came down
Several Parties of Soldiers from the Fort not knowing the
Sloop was taken ( who ) as fast as they Came were made
Prisoners by our Men & ordered on board. Among the Best
Capt. Barron, Engineer of the Garrison and M. Eagleson,
who may be truly Called the Best of Society and by his
unseasonable Drunkenness the Evening before prevented his
own Escape and occasioned his being taken in Arms.
The Sloop now beginning to float and the Fog breaking
away, we were discovered by the Garrison who observing our
Sails loose thought at first, it was done only with an Interest
to dry them, but soon perceiving that we were under way
fir'd several Cannon shots at us and march'd down a Party
of 60 Men to attack us, but we were at such Distance, that
all their Shot was of no Consequence.
We then saild to Fort Lawrence another part of the Town-
ship and there landed Part of the Stores on board the Sloop
to Enable us to attack the Garrison
Having left a small Guard on board the Sloop to secure
the Prisoners I march'd the Remainder to Cumberland side
of the River and Encamped within about One Mile of the
Fort, and was there joined by a Number of the Inhabitants
so that our whole Force was now about 180 Men, but having
several outposts to guard and many Prisoners to take Care
of, the Number that Remain'd in the Camp did not exceed
80 Men. I now thought Proper to invest the Fort and for
38 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
this Purpose sent a summons to the Commanding Officer to
surrender (^ a copy of which together with his Answer I have
Enclos'*^ )
Upon CoL Gorham's Refusal to surrender We attempted
to storm the Fort on the Night of the 12"' Nov. with our
Scaling Ladders & other Accoutrements but finding the Fort
to be stronger than we imagined ( occasioned by late Repairs )
we thought fit to Relinquish our Design after a heavy firing
from their Great Guns and small arms without Intermission
for 2 Hours which was sustained without any Loss except
one Indian being wounded who behaved very gallantly, and
Retreated in good Order to our Camp.
Our whole Force in this Attack consisted of about 80 Men
while the Enemy was 100 strong in the Fort as I learn'd
since from Some Deserters who came over to us ; a greater
number than we imagined. I must needs acquaint your
Honours that never Men behaved better than ours during
the Engagement, never flinching in the midst of a furious
cannonade from the Enemy.
In this Position we Continued a Number of Days and
totally Cut off their Communication with the country, keep-
ing them closely block'd up within the Fort which we
Expected to take in a little Time by the Assistance of a
Reinforcement from the Westward
In the mean Time on the 27*^ Nov. arrivd in the Bay a
Man of War from Halifax with a Reinforcement for the Gar-
rison consisting of near 400 Men & landed on that and the
day following
Nov' SO**" the Enemy to the Number of 200 came out in
the Night by a roundabout March got partly mthin our
Guards notwithstanding we had Scouts out all Night and
about Sunrise furiously Rushed u})on the Barracks where
our Men were quarter'd, who had but just Time Enough to
Escape out of the Houses and run into the Brush where
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 39
( notwithstanding the surprise in which we were ) our Men
killed & wounded 15 of the Enemy while we lost only one
Man, who was killed in the camp.
In the midst of such a Tumult they at length proceeded
about 2 Miles into the country to the Place where they
imagined our stores &c. to be & in the course of their March
burnt 12 Houses & 12 Barns in some of which the greater
Part of our Stores were deposited. In this Dilemma My
Party being greatly weakened by sending off many for
Guards with the Prisoners &c. and our Stores being con-
sumed it was thought Proper by the Committee that we
should Retreat to St. John's River & there make a Stand, till
we could have some certain Intelhgence from the Westward
which we hope we shall have in a short time by the Favour
of the committee, who are gone forward. And as it appears
to be the Opinion of the Committee of Cumberland & St.
John's River that I should Remain here I am determined to
make a Stand at this Place till I am drove off which I
believe will not be Easily done unless the Enemy should
send a Force from Halifax by Water on Purpose to subdue
this Settlement as I am continually Reinforced by People
from Cumberland and the Neighboring Counties so that I
beheve we shall be able to Repulse any Party that may be
sent from the Garrison of Cumberland though I imagine we
shall not be troubled by any Irruption from them this Win-
ter as the Reinforcement is chiefly gone having left only
about 200 Men in the Fort and they in a bad condition for
want of cloathing ; and if 200 men could be sent us by Land
this winter we could reduce the Garrison by cutting off their
Supplies of Wood which they are obliged to go 8 or 9 miles
for through a Country full of small Spruce, Fir & such like
wood, consequently very convenient for us to lay in
Ambush, as we are perfectly acquainted and the Enemy
strangers thereto, and this your Honours may Easily Con-
40 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
ceive as we Destroyed a Number of Houses the Property of
Friends to each Side which lay adjacent to the Fort and the
commanding Officer having given Orders to pull them down
& carry the Timber into tlie Fort for Firing. The Commit-
tee Ordered me to Prevent it by firing them which I did
accordingly and left them destitute of anything to burn
within some miles. On this River are a Considerable Num-
ber of Indians who are universally hearty in the cause 16 of
whom, together with their Governor Ambrose accompanyd
me in the Expedition and behav'd most gallantly but are a
little Uneasy that No Goods are yet arriv'd for them from
Boston agreeable to the late Treaty with them which was
Ratify'd by Col. Shaw in Behalf of the State, and I should
be very glad if your Honors would Satisfy them in this
Point as soon as possible, as they have been Extremely faith-
ful during this contest; and if this is done I am confident I
can have near 200 of them to join me in any Expedition
against the Enemy
All my Transactions in this Affair have been done by the
Authority of a Committee of Safety, for the County of Cum-
berland and many Difficulties having arisen for want of com-
missions I hope your Honor will send some blank ones for
the raising of a Regiment in this Province if the Hon. Con-
tinental Congress should think fit to carry on the War
further in this Quarter so that Proper Regulations may be
made and many disorderly actions prevented.
I am Your Honor's Most Obed' & Humble Serv*'
Jonathan Eddy
Wangerville on the River St. Johns Jan'y 6'^ 1777.
The Committee on the Petition of the Company of Militia
in the Town of Fryeburg have attended that Service and
OF THE STATE OF MAINE
41
report by way of Resolve Viz : State of Massachusetts Bay
In the House of Representatives, January 5, 1777
Resolved. [ torn ]
chosen by said company [ torn ]
held at said Fryeburg [ torn ]
May last Viz : Joseph Fry Jun [ torn ]
Samuel Osgood first Lieut and Isaac Walker Second Lieut.,
be and hereby are Established in their respective offices to
which they were chosen as aforesaid and all belonging to said
Company within the Limit of said Town are hereby enjoined
to yeild Due Obedience to their Commands as the Law for
Volunteers to Militia of this State Directs. The want of the
Presence of a Field officer of the Regiments to which they
belong to Preside as Moderator of their Meeting [ torn ]
notwithstanding.
In Council Jany 7, 1777
Read & Concurr'd
Jn° Avery Dp^ Sec'y.
Consented to
Sent up for Concurrence
Saml Freeman Speak'' P.
B. Greenleaf
Jer. Powell
John Taylor
A. Ward
Caleb Cushinsf
Jabez Fisher
R. Derby
D. Hopkins
Dan'l Davis
Jos. Cushing
Moses Gill
B. White
E. Thayer Jr.
Benj. Austin
F. M. Dana
State of the Massachusetts Bay To the honorable council
& honorable house of Representatives of said State in general
Court assembled
The Petitions of the Proprietors of Pearson town in the
county of Cumberland humbly sheweth
That they have at great expense, built and given the
inhabitants of said township a house for public Worship Set-
tled and supported a gospel Minister among them, clear'd
42 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
out Roads and made Bridges & amended & repaired them &
done as much as they ought or were able to do to promote
the settlement of the township. That there are now settled
there between fifty and sixty Families most of whom are
Freeholders and many of them have good farms & are fore-
handed farmers and good livers & well able to pay their
minister a competent Sallery, if not so large an one as he
has received from the Generousity of the proprietors, yet
such an one as he ought at present to be content with until
said Inhabitants shall be able to increase it considering he
has already principally by the proprietors assistance acquired
a very good estate in the township. That the last division
of lands there is more than half drawn already & ye draft of
ye whole will soon be completed, so that they will be pro-
prietors of common lands there but a little while longer and
the Business of the propriety as such will soon be finished &
closed
Havmg therefore done as much for said Inhabitants as
they ought or are able to do, the Proprietors humbly pray
that the said Inhabitants may be obliged to support the Gos-
pel there, amend the roads & bear the burdens incident to
towns corporate & that they may also be entitled to the
privileges of such and for these purposes the Proprietors
humbly pray that said Township may be incorporated, and
they as in duty bound will ever pray.
Benj Titcomb Prop"^* clerk
in the House & by Order of the Proprietors
Jany 9, 1777.
State of Massachuseetts Bay
In the House of Representatives Jan 8, 1776
On the Petition of the Proprietors of a Township called
Pearsontown for the County of Cumberland praying that
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 43
said Township may be incorporated for reasons therein
mentioned
Resolved that Benjamin Titcomb, Clerk of said Proprie-
tors, notify the Inhabitants of the township aforesaid ( by
Posting a copy of this Resolve at some Public Place there
and also by inserting the same in the Newbury Port News
Paper three weeks successively ) that they shew cause to
this court if any they have on the 19'^ February next if the
court be then setting and if not on the Second Tuesday of
the then next meeting of tlie General Court why the Prayer
of said Petition should not be granted
Sent up for concurrence
Saml Freeman Speak"^ P. T.
In council Jany 9, 1777
Read & Concurred
Jn° Avery Dpy Sec'y
Consented to
Jer: Powell A. Ward W. Spooner
Caleb Cushing R. Derby Moses Gill
E. Thayer J'' D. Hopkins Jabez Fisher
Benj Austin B. White Jos. Cushing
Dan'l Davis John Taylor F. M. Dana
To the Honourable the Council and House of Representa-
tives of the State of the Massachusetts Bay in General Court
assembled
Humbly shews John Murch of A place called Mount desert
yeoman
That Wyat Moore and James Moore both late of Bidde-
ford in the County of York but now of said place (uilled
Mount desert yeomen Sometime in the year 1760 signed and
executed a Deed to the Petitioners Father, John Murch, of a
tract of land in said Biddeford bounded as follows beginning
44 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
at a White pine Stump on the Bank of Little River : thence
running South East to Henry Pendexter's Land thirty-one
rods and an half and then South west keeping the breadth
of thirty-one Rods and an half untill Twenty acres are com-
pleated and that the same Land was by his said Father in
his last will and Testament Devised to your Petitioners but
the said Deed being in the House of your Petitioners
Brother, William Murch, of said Biddeford in the year 1775
unrecorded was burnt with the his said Brothers House
whereby your petitioners is deprived of his evidence to his
Title to said Land Wherefore he prays your Honours to con-
firm the same to him by act of Government and he as in duty
bound will ever pray Jany 22, 1777
p"" his agent Ja Sullivan
Pay abstract for part of a Company of a Tribe of Indians
from Penobscot in the Eastern parts of the Massachusetts
State & in the Service of y® United States of America, com-
manded by Lieut. Andrew Gillman from IS*'' November
1776 to 7'^ Feby 1777 Included 15 Days for their Travel
from Boston to Penobscot
Arexes — y^ month 42/p' mo X3.3
Wongonet 2 mos & 26 days 6.0.6
Attenanies Ditto 6.0.6
Aussing Neptuno " 6.0.6
Assonser " 6.0.6
Joseph James Hatch " 6.0.6
Cook ( a Mohawk ) » 6.0.6
£39:6:0
Boston Jan'y 23^^* 1777
Errors Excepted
Andrew Gillman
N. B. there must be provision for their passage provided
OF THE STATE OF MAIKE 45
To the Hon^'*^ the Council & Hon''^® House of Representives
for the State of Massachusetts Bay
The Memorial of Francis Shaw Jun"^ Humbly shews, that
He has lately arrived in this Town, with 9 of the St. Johns
*fe 6 of the Penobscutt Tribes of Indians (that have been
Engaged in the Service of the United States of America, and
obtained leave from the Hon*^'® General Heath to Return to
their Familys ) — your Memorialist would Represent to your
Honors that there is an opportunity of sending the Penob-
scutts Immediately home, which he can not be able to do
until your Honors gives orders for their being cloathed
( agree : to Gen'l Heath's promise ) and payed the Ballance
of wages due to them — Your Memorialist therefore Hum-
bly prays tliat your Honors would pay such order as in your
Wisdom, you may think most Expeditious to cloath, pay &
Return them to their Respective Homes & Your Memorialist
as in duty bound will ever pray
F. Shaw.
23 Jany 1777.
In the House of Representatives Jany 24, 1777
On reading the petition of John Murch
Ordered that the said John Murch Serve the said Wyat
Moore and James Moore with a copy of this petition and
Order thereon that they may appear on the third Tuesday of
the first Session of the next General Court to Shew cause if
any they have Why the prayer of said Petition" should not
be Granted.
Sent up for Concurrence
Sam^ Freeman Speak'' P T.
In Council Jan'y 24'^ 1777
Read & Concurred
John Avery Dpy Sec'y-
46 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
William Murch of Lawful age Testify and says that Wyat
More late of Biddeford in the County of York, now of
Aplace, called Mount desert in the County of Lincoln, and
James More of the same place some time in the year 1760
signed a deed to the Deponents Father, John Murch, of a
tract of Land in said Biddeford bounded as follows : begin-
ning at a white pine Stump on the Bank of Little River &
thence running South East to Henry Pendexter's Land 31
Rods & an half, then South west keeping the breadth of
thirty-one rods & and an half untill twenty-one are com-
pleated and that the same Land in the last Will & testament
of his father was given to the Deponents Brother, John
Murch, but the said Deed was never recorded and was
burned in the Deponents House the Eighteenth Day of
April last
William Murch
York ss. June 12, 1776 Then the above named William
Murch made oath to the truth of the above Deposition
before me
Ja Sullivan, Justice of the Peace
In the House of Representatives January 24, 1777.
Whereas there is a number of Indians of the Penobscot
Tribe in this Town, which this State is obligated to Return
Home, and no opportunity offering Except in the Sloop
Benj. Shaw Master is now already to Sail
It is therefore Resolved that the said Sloop be
Detained three days ( unless the Indians can be got Ready
sooner ) and Major Shaw is hereby directed to Informe Cap*
Benj* Shaw thereof, and desire him to prepare said Sloop for
the Reception of said Indians.
Sent up for Concurrence
Sam^ Freeman Speak'' P T.
OF THE STATE OF MAINE
47
In Council Jan'y 26, 1777
Read & Concurr'd
Consented to — Jn° Aveiy Depy Sec'y.
John Taylor Benj. Austin Jos. Cushing
Jer. Powell Caleb Cushing B. White
W. T. Evers John Whitcomb A. Ward
W. Spooner W" Phillips E Thayer J'
D. Hopkins Moses Gill.
In Council Jan'y 25, 1777
Whereas it appears that near one hundred poor soldiers
now returnd from the army have taken Passage for Casco
Bay on board the Sloop commanded by Capt. Benj. vShaw,
who was by Order of the Court detained three days from the
24''* inst., in order to carry down to Penobscot a number of
Indians, now in this Town and it appearing that said Indians
are not ready to go home therefore Resolved that said Shaw
have Liberty to Sail with his passengers to Casco Bay forth-
with, the Orders of yesterday notwithstanding.
Sent down for Concurrence
Jn° Avery Dp^ Sec'y.
In the house of Representatives Jany 25, 1777
Read and Concurred
Sam'l Freeman Speak P. T.
Consented to
Jer: Powell
W. T. Ever
A. Ward
W. Spooner
Caleb Cushing
E Thayer J-^
John Whitcomb
S. Holten
D. Hopkins
Jos. Cushing
B. White
R. Derby
Moses Gill
S. M. Dana
John Taylor
Benj. Austin
48
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
State of Massachusetts Bay
In the House of Representatives Jan'y 25, 1777.
The Committee on the Memorial of Francis Shaw J' have
considered the Same & beg leave to report by way of
Resolve.
Resolved That there be paid out of the Treasury of this
State Seventy-five pounds to Francis Shaw J"" to enable him
to cloath the six Penobscutt Indians agreeable to Gen^
Heaths promise to them & also to pay the balP^ of Wages
Due to them being ^39/6* and Likewise to provide pro-
visions and pay their passage home, he, the said Shaw to be
accounted by to this Court for the expenditure of the Money
he shall receive that the Continent may be charged for the
Same
Sent up for Concurrence
Sara'l Freeman Speak'' P T
In Council Jany 26, 1777
Read & Concurred
Consented to
Jer : Powell
B. Greenleaf
Caleb Cushing
John Whitcomb
Jos. Cushing
B. White
W. T. Ever
W. Spooner
R. Derby
W™ Phillips
Dan'l Davis
Jn° Avery Dpy Secy
A. Ward
T. Cushing
John Taylor
Moses Gill
Benj Austin
Colony of the Massachusetts Bay for the Billeting of Men at
Brunswick in Capt. James Curtis Company when on Duty
as p' Order of the Major of the Regiment . . Drs.
To Billeting 55 Men from the 19^^ of June to
the 24*^ day of July when Ordered to head
Quarters is 5 Weeks each is 275 Weeks (a) 5/ £68 : 15 : 0
OF THE STATE OF MALNE 49
To Billeting 2 Men from the 1'* July to the
24*^^ July is 6 Weeks 6 days @ 6/ 1 : 14 3
Watertown Jan" 25, 1776 £10: 9 : 3
Errors Excepted
p"^ James Curtis
Middlesex S S :
Watertown, Jan^ 26, 1776, Cap* James Curtis of Bruns-
wick in the County of Cumberland personally appeared
before me the Subscriber and made Solemn Oath that the
above Billeting Roll by him Subscribed is just and true in
all its parts & was on Dut}' with said Men by Order of the
Major of the Regiment at the said time & that he himself
advanc'd Two Barrells of pork for the same purpose, the
Remainder the Men found themselves for which he has
Received no Reward
Before, Sam^ Holton Justice of the Peace thro y® Colony
In Council Feb^ 15, 1776
Read & Ordered that a Warrant be drawn on the Treasury
for <£70: 9/3 in fav° of said James Curtis to use of himself
and men under his Command in full of the Within Account
Perez Morton, D. Sec'^
Suffolk Jan^ 25'" 1777 The above and foregoing is a true
copy of what was shown to me by Sam'l Thompson Esq"^ as
the original. Examined before me.
J. Greenleaf, Justice peace.
State of Massachusetts Bay
In the House of Representatives Jany 31, 1777
Resolved: That the Board of War be and hereby are
impower'd & directed to take such measures for Suj^plying
the Two Companies Stationed at Falmouth & Cape Elizabeth
in the County of Cumberland and other Sea Coast men as
they shall judge best.
50
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
And that they settle with Mr. Frost late commissary for
Suj)plying the forces Stationed at Falmouth for the supplies
he has afforded the said two Companies Since the last Day
of December last and pay him what shall appear to be due
him
Sent up for Concurrence
In Council Jany 31, 1777
Read & Concurred
Consented to
Jer : Powell
I. Winthrop
Moses Gill
B. White
F. M. Dana
A. Ward
Rich*^ Derby
S. Holten
W" Phillips
D. Hopkins
I. Warren Spk"^
Jn" Avery Dep^ Secy-
Caleb Cushing
T. Cushing
John Taylor
Jabez Fisher
Benj. Austin
State of Massachusetts Bay
In the House of Representatives Jany 31, 1777
The House made choice by ballot of Charles Cushing Esq'
as Brigadier of the Militia in the County of Lincoln
Sent up for Concurrence
In Council Jany 81, 1777
Read & Concurred
Consented to
Jer: Powell A. Ward
I. Winthrop
Jabez Fisher
Benj. Austin
John Taylor
Caleb Cushing
Moses Gill
B. White
Dan'l Davis
I. Warren Spk*^
John Avery Dp^ Sec^
Rich** Derby
John Whitcomb
S. Holten
W" Phillips
D. Hopkins
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 51
To Tlie Hoii^'® Council & House of Representatives of the
Massachusetts State.
The Memorial of Francis Shaw Jun, Humbly shews That
some Time in June or July last your Honors was pleased to
appoint your Memorialist to the Care or Command of the
Several Tribes of Penobscutt Passamaquodia St, Johns &
Mickmac Indians, with the pay of a Colonel in the Continen-
tal Service, since which your Memorialist has been into the
Government of Nova Scotia & other Govcrments and
Expects soon to Return into Nova Scotia to Compleat the
Business already begun, your Memorialist therefore prays
your Honors would be pleased to Grant to Him a Commis-.
sion in the Continental Service as in your Wisdom you may
tliink proper and your Memorialist as in duty Bound will
Ever Pray.
F. Shaw J'
In Council J any 31, 1777
Read & Sent Down
John Avery Dpy Secy.
Essex SS. att the Superiour Court of Judicature &c. held at
Salem Feb. 7, 1777-
Upon the petition of William Dodge praying an allowance
of Seven Pounds for his time & Expences in removing Solo-
mon Goodwin from Ipswich to Falmouth
Ordered : — That the above petition be granted & that the
said sum be paid him by the Sheriff of the ('Ounty of Cum-
berland if he lias any fines in his hands, if not to be paid by
the Treasuier of this State.
W" Winthrop Cler.
Cumberland SS. April 15^" 1777
This may Certify that I have not any money in my Hands
belonging to the State of Massachusetts Bay
John Waite Jr
62
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
In Council Dec 13*M77T
Read & alP & Ordered that a Warr* be drawn on the
Treasurer for X7 m full of the within Ace*
Jn° Avery Dpy. Sec'y.
State of Massachusetts Bay to Sim° Turner D"^
For Going Express from Boston to
Yarmouth By Order of Council
To Horse hire 76 miles a/S-^ £2. 10: 8
To my Expences on the Road going
& Coming
To 4 Days time a 6/
dedu over charge and reduc'd to
the Establishment of the Board
which is i^ mile out 19: 10 X5: 1: 4
Rec'd the above in full
Boston Feby 10, 1777
In Council Feb^ 18, 1777 Read & Allowed & Ordered
that a Warrant be drawn on the Treasury for X5 : 1 : 4 in
full Discharge of his acct.
John Avery Dpy Secy.
2:
6: 6
1:
4: 0
X6:
1: 2
To the Honorable Council and House of Representatives of
the State of the Massachusetts Bay —
The Petition of Joseph Sergant now In Pownalborough
Goal, Humbly Sheweth that your Humble Petitioner
almost Three score years of age and Infirm of Body and
under Very Indigent Circumstances, belonging to George-
town, was Draughted to go into the Service and not being
able to pay the Fine and not having Strength of Body to
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 63
perform the Duty of a Soldier was obliged to go to goal
therefore Humbly Pray for your Honours Compassion that
your Humble Petitioner may be Set at I-iiberty that He may
Do something Towards the Support of his now Suffering
Family — and as in Duty bound Shall ever pray.
Joseph Sargent.
Pownalbrough February 11, 1777
To the Hon Council of the Massachusetts State
The Petition of the owners of the Sloop Friendship laying
in the Harbour of Wells in the County of York Humbly
Shews That in the Month of November last at the Expiration
of the last Embargo they Loaded said Sloop Burthen about
Ninety Seven Tons, with Boards Shingles shocks. Hogshead
& Hoops, in order to make a Voyage to Martinces or some
Foreign Port. That said Sloop was ready for Sailing some
Time before the present Embargo took place and would have
proceeded to Sea before that Time, had it not been for a dis-
appointment, they met with in Endeavouring to procure
some Bread & other necessarys from Salem for the Voyage,
by the Captain of the Vessell that went for them Viz. Capt.
Aaron Wheelwright. That it is very Inconvenient for a
Sloop to remain long loaded in Wells Harbour and Expen-
sive either to unlade her, or carry her to any other Harbour,
that they have been at considerable Expense having men in
pay while waiting for the arrival of the Stores from Salem as
afore*^ till News came of the Captain of said Vessell. That
the Inhabitants of said Town are in Want of Molasses, Cot-
ton, WooU & Coffee, the articles they propos'd to procure and
their is no other Vessell belonging to the said Town of Wells
in any condition to send upon such a Voyage except one
that is at or near Albany in the State of New York. There-
fore the Petitioners prays your Honours to take the premises
54 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
into Consideration & grant them a permit to send the said
Vessell on said Voyage
Nathi Wells & Compy.
Feby 16**^ 1777
In Council Feby 17^'^ 1777
Read & Committed to the Committee on Similar Petitions
Jn° Avery, Dpy Secy
In Council Feb. 19^" 1777
Read & Ordered that the Prayer of the above Petition be
granted.
Falm° Feby 17, 1777
Sir :
I Just rec*'^ your Letter by W. Windall & the five hundred
pounds from the Hon"^ board War therein mentioned, for
which I have given him a Rect. on Saturday last I wrote to
your hon^ Geo : Williams Esq., concerning objections the
Sailors here have made, they want to know if tliey can have
1 m° advance pay & their Wages p"* for the Time the Ship is
loading, also stores, ( such as Coffee, Sugar & Rum ) found
them for the voyage. I shall be glad of Directions there-
upon, in the mean Time shall engage all the Sailors I can
immediately. I wrote to the hon^ Board by Capt. Stone who
I hope they have engaged & Who I expect here by Wednes-
day next, with further Directions from them for the N° of
men that shall be wanted.
have engaged the Masts from 20 to 26 Inches, all to be
deliv"^ by 10*^ March next.
I remain y"" Ob* S'
W'" Frost.
P. S. Should be glad if the lion^ Board would Send the
flour down for the Troops here as I have not a bbl. in the
Store. I believe Mr Robt Jenkins can acquaint them of
some Vessel.
OP THE STATE OF MAINE 56
State of Massachusetts Bay
Council Chamber Feb. 19"' 1777
To the Naval Officer of the Port of Falmouth
Permit the Sloop Friendship of about Ninety-Seven tons
Burthen own'd by Nath^ Wells and Company, loaded with
Boards, Shingles Shooks, Hogsheads and Hoops, to proceed
on her Voyage to Martinuo, the Master of s^ Vessel giving
bond that he will import in s*^ Vessel into the State as soon
as may be. Molasses, Cotton, Wool, Coffee, Salt, and Military
Stores, the Dangers of the Seas and Enemy excepted.
february 20»M777
Loving Uncle I imbrace this opportunity of Sending you
a line or two and not so much as to let you no that we are
wel as to let you no that Falmouth is to be taken this Spring
and I am concerned for you and your family there is fore
Ships with some Troops to come from Halifax early in the
Spring and I belive Some from the Sothard their intent is to
get posesion of Casco Bay and join it to this Government. I
hope you will take care of your Self.
If you write me it must be by the way of Machias.
So no more. I remain your friend
David Rice.
To the Hon^^® Henry Gardner Esq'' State Treasurer.
These certify that pursuant to your Warrant We have
Assessed the Inhabitants of the Town of Wells Seven Hun-
dred & Twelve pounds & Ten pence & have Committed
Lists thereof to the Several Constables of said Town Viz :
To Nehemiah Littlefield Jun"" Two Hundred Seventy Nine
pounds, Eighteen Shillings, To Samuel Stewart Jun'^ Two
56
DOCUMENTAKY HISTORY
Hundred & Fifty pounds and To Adam Ross One Hundred
& Eighty Two pounds Two Shillings & Ten pence
Wells Feby 20^'^ 1777
Joseph Storer
Nathi Wells
Jonathan Hatch
Benjamin Littlefield
Barak Maxell
Select Men
of Wells.
Littlefield X279
18
Stewart 250
0
Koss 182
2:
10
£712
0:
10
Falm» Feby 25, 1777
May it please y' Honors
Since Cap"^ Stone returned ( last Fryday ) all the Sailors I
engaged decline going the Voyage (am therefore Sorry I
engaged to load the Ship ) on Acct. of the Ships not return-
ing & I see no prospect of getting either Master or Hands,
chiefly on that Acct. I have been indefatigable in trying to
get both, have talked with several old Masters among whom
is the Bearer but to no purpose. I could in ten Days deliver
the Lumber as fast as it could be Stowed. Should be more
likely to get Sailors, was the Ship here and was She to
return to America — When I left This before I agreed to
load the Ships, Sailors were more plenty than now for most
of them are engaged in the Continental Army.
I have the honor to be y"^ Honours Most ob* hi. S*
W'^ Frost.
To the Hon^'® Council of the State of Massachusetts Bay
The Petition of Jonathan Davis of Pownalbrough in the
County of Lincoln, and State of Massachusetts Bay, humbly
Sheweth
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 57
That your Petitiouer has a Sloop named Dolly of about
Seventy Tons burthen, now laying in the Town of Boston ;
your Petitioner Prays this Honorable Board to Permit him
to depart witli said Sloop for Kennebeck River, and there to
Load said Sloop with the Produce of that Country, such as
Boards Staves, Hoops, Shingles, for the West Indies, and to
return with Salt, Molasses or Rum — for the true Perform-
ance of which your Petitioner is ready to give Bond.
And as in Duty bound will ever Pray.
Boston March 3*^ 1777 Jonathan Davis
N. B the above Master is Isaac Stevens.
In Council, March 4, 1777
Read & Ordered that the prayer of the above petitioner be
granted
State of Massachusetts Bay
Council chamber 4*" of March, 1777.
To the Naval Officer for the Port of Boston.
Permit the Sloop Dolly, whereof Isaac Stevens is Master
to proceed on her Voyage to Kennebunk there to take on
Board a Load of Lumber, and proceed to the Dutch, or
French West Indies, the Said Master giving Bond that he
will import in s*^ Dolly, into this State, as soon as may be,
West India Produce, or Military Stores, the Dangers of the
Seas, and Enemy excepted.
By Order of Council.
Honorable Gentlemen/
The Memorial of Thomas Spry humble sheweth, on the
16"' day of July 1775 T was taken Prisoner at Machias, in
his Majesty's Surveying Schooner Diligent, by Capt. OBrien
the Captors & Committee ( finding I was not in a Ilosital
way) Voted I shoukl liave all my Cloths and Baggage, but
being carry VI round by watei- to (.asco Bay in a small
58 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Shallop from thence to travel by Land to Head-Quarters
( Cambridge ) then to No. Hampton, could not possibly carry
any more baggage, than Just suficent to keep me decent. I
was obliged to leave the remainder of my things in the
Hands of the Committee at Machias, who faithfully promised
they would Deliver them to any Person I should order to
Demand them, and tliat they should be taken care of till I
could get them.
You must be Sensible gentlemen I suffer'd much for want
of those things, as I remain'd a Prisoner seventeen Months,
till I was exchanged Dec. the 5"' 76, from Marblehead by
Cartell, at which time I Memorial'd you, to give Directions
to the Committee to Deliver my things, in case, an opportu-
nity should offer that I could Send for them.
I am extreamly sorry to inform e the Hon^''** Council, that
about Two Months past ( one Farnsworth with Some assist-
ance, and against the Committees consent ) ( as I am
informed by a man that was present ) broke open the store
whare my thhigs was lodged in, took them out, and Pub-
lickly sold them at Vandue, I am informed a few of them
still remain unsold.
I hope the Hon^^^ Board will take it into consideration and
give such Directions to the Committee at Machias, so, as I
may be able to recover those things, Particularly my Books
and Papers, which if lost, it will be almost my Ruin.
Your Compliance with this request, will be for ever, great-
fuUy acknowlidged
I Humble beg you will grant me an order on the Commit-
tee at Machias, to deliver my Baggage to me, or my order —
The Commodore of Halifax has Promised, if I can get your
order, he will order Some of the Ships that Cruise in the Bay
of Funday, to send a Flagg up to Machias — I hope they
will have your orders to Deliver them.
T. Spry
To The Honorable Council
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 59
Council Chamber March 5, 1777
Gentlemen
Inclosed is a Copy of a Memorial from Mr. Spry complain-
ing of the Conduct of Mr Farnsworth & others belonging to
Machias — Therefore the Council direct that you make
careful enquiry relative to the Facts mentioned in said
Memorial and report the true State thereof to Council as
soon as may be. Also Ordered that in case there is any of
M" Spry effects in the care of the Committee which have
been allowed to him by the Captors that they be delivered to
said Spry or his order.
In the name and by order of Council
To the Committee of Correspondence &c at Machias.
Wells March 7*M777
To the Hon. Counsell and House of Representatives now
setting at Boston your Petitioner Prays that you will grant
him Liberty to send a vessell that he has loaded in Wells to
any French Ports in the Westingies that your Houers shall
think proper, westingies goods is very much wanting with
us for we Cant get any to the Westward where we always
got our supplies So your Petitioner prays your Honers to
give him a permite and your Petitioner will ever Pray.
Joshua Bragdon
State of Massachusetts Bay
In the House of Representatives March 11^'' 1777
Whereas it appears to this Court expedient that the Infe-
rior Court of Common Pleas and Court of Geneial Sessions
of the Peace for tlie County of Cumberland, which by Law
are to be holden at Falmouth within and for said County on
the last Tuesday of March current should be adjourned.
60
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Resolved — That the said Courts be & hereby are
adjourned unto the Second Tuesday of May next And that
all Writs Processes and Recoginances returnable thereto and
all Matters and Things that might by Law have Day in Said
Courts on the Said last Tuesday of March current if said
Courts were not adjourned ( shall be returnable to and have
Day in said Courts on the said Second Tuesday of May next
of which all Persons concern'd are to take notice- — This
Resolve to be published in one of the Boston & in the New-
bury Port News Paper.
Sent up for Concurrence
Sam' Freeman Speak'' P T.
In Council March 10, 1777
Read & Concurred
Jn° Avery Dpy Se'^y
Consented to
Jer. Powell
J. Winthrop
B. White
S Holten
E. Thayer Jr
A. Ward
R. Derby
PI. Gardner
W" PhiUips
D. Hopkins
W. T. Ever
Jabez Fisher
John Whitcomb
Benj Austin
David Sewall
To the Hon'''® the Council and Hon'''® House of Representa-
tives of the State of Massachusetts Bay in General Court
Assembled.
The Petition of Benjamin Jenks of Falmouth in Casco Bay.
Humbly Sheweth
That in the year 1775 one Capt Thomas Colson belonging
to Bristol in Great Britain sett up and built a new Ship in
Falmouth, the Iron Works for which your pet' did, and
there now remains a ballance of Two hundred & twenty
pounds Lawful money due to hiua
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 61
That there is Goods belonging to said Colson in the hands
of the Com'^* of Gorliam to the value of about One hundred
& eighty pounds Lawful money, which Goods said Commit-
tee refuse to give him admittance to, so that he may attach
them for his debt aforesaid.
He therefore humbly prays this Hon^^'' Court would be
pleased to order the Said Committee to let your petitioner
have access to the said Goods, so that they may be attached
for his debt aforesaid
And as in duty bound shall ever pray &c.
Boston March 11»" 1778 Benf Jenks.
Falm° March 14 1777
May it please y'' Honors,
I have rec'd the Ships Content of Cap* Langdon & given
a Rec* — have not been able to get either Master or Hands
Yet. tho' Capt. Starch ( by whom I sent my last Letter ) says
he will take Command, if his Wages are paid during the
Time of the Voyage, taken or not taken & upon no other
Conditions — he now has the Care of the Ship & further
says the mizzeu Sail is useless it is so old & Several other
Sails want repair for which is wanting 6 or 8 sewing Twine,
40 or 60 y*"* Ravens Duck or Ticklenburg — about ^ a
Piece Stout Canvass for Tarpolins for Hatchways, Coats for
the Masts & to cany for Spare Canvas as there is none at
present but One Spare Topsail. The Person who graved
her, has left 6 or 8 Streaks from the kiel on either side,
ungraved. The Barnacles are now on her Bottom. I shall
therefore want 5 or 6 bb'^ Tar ( or less Tar & some Pitch )
I sliall endeavor to load the Ship with all Expedition, for
which is wanting Bread & Rum — I can supply the People
witli Potatoes. Both her Quarter Rails are made of worm
eaten Spars, which may be a Detriment in the Sale of the
62 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Ship — Shall begin to load next Week. I have the honour
to be Your Honours Most Ob* h. S*
William Frost.
The hon^ Board War.
War Office Boston, March 20, 1777
Mr. William Frost
Sir
This will be delivered to you by Cap* William Haynes,
who is appointed by the Board to the Command of the Ship
Union now with you : — Such Articles as the Board think
are farther necessary for fitting said Ship for the Sea will be
sent you by the first opportunity in the meantime you will
exert yourself to provide the Cargo & assist Capt. Haynes in
procuring his men as it is of the greatest importance that the
Ship should be dispatched without loss of time
By Order of the Board
Saml Phips Savage, Pres*"
Petition of Benj. Wheeler ^ others of a Settlement called
Wheelersborough.
To the Hon'ble the Council and House of Representatives of
the State of the Massachusetts Bay —
The Petition of Benjamin Wheeler Ephraim Grant and
Thomas Campbell Committee of a Settlement Called Wheel-
ersborough on Penobscot River in behalf of said Settlers —
Humbly Sheweth —
That the Petitioners being persuaded that many false Rep-
resentations respecting this Settlement and the Inhabitants
thereof have been made to your Honors which probably may
be attended with Evil Consequences if not timely Reminded :
your Petitioners therefore begs leave to Lay before your
Honors certain facts & Submit them to your Wisdom —
1** That your Petitioners in Carrying this New Settle-
ment have gone through great hardships and the late obstruc-
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 63
tions of their Business : occasioned by the Public Calamity
has driven them to great Difficulties —
2°*^ That your Honors have been Inclined to give them
some Relief by some Articles sent down but it unluckily was
put into such peoples hands belonging to the upper District
who made use of a Considerable part of them for their own
Emolument-
s''^ That the Company of Soldiers that are Established
upon this River no way answers your honors designs, which
undoubtedly was for the good of the People here as well as
of the State in General but those affairs had been Conducted
as to be no service to the State and greatly Injurious to the
Settlers ; this Company is attended with considerable
Expense to the public and Answers no one purpose for the
Protection of the River: for the people cannot have any
Dependence upon protection from this Company and Rely
wholly upon their own Strength to defend in case of an
Invasion, and as this Company is wholly inlisted among the
Settlers here, they lessen the Labors and at the same time
are not to be depended upon for defence.
4'" That the Regiment under Colonel Josiah Brewer may
amount to 150 men including (Officers — The Indians on
penobscot River may come up to the Number of 45 able
bodied men which facts we think it proper your honors
should be acquainted with —
5"' That the Truck trade as it is Carried on is no Emol-
ument to the State Injureous to the Settlers upon the River
which we are Ready to make appear —
These and many other particulars, your Petitioners would
Say before your Honors if they had Opportunity which
rightly understood may be of Public Utility —
Penobscot March 30"* 1777 —
James Philbrock John Colwell David Bowell
John Toms Jonathan Pierce Jacob Dennet
64
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
John Ciilar Joshua Cvilar
Benjamin Wheeler Ephraim Grant
Robert Treatt Keneth Mc Kinzie
John Smart James Mc Curdey
Abram Preble James Dunning
Eliphalet Nichorson Abner Crosby
James Grant jun Ephraim Grant jun
Michael McMahon Tliomas Harding
Simeon Smith Samuel Killam
Peter Sangster Freeman Knowles
Gustavus Swan
Nicholas Crosby
Moses Wentworth
Andrew Grant
Stephen Littlefield
John Crosby
John Mansell jun
Zethem French
Silas Heathern
Joseph Pomroy
John Mansell
John Sally
Simon Crosby
Jacob Busell
Caleb Goodwin
Haf Colson
Reuben Goodwin Joshua Ares
Joseph Avy
Thomas Campbell
Coinelas Cooke
Ephraim Downes
John Emery
Moses Crague
Robert Man
Edward Smith
Elisha Grant
Benjamin Higgins
Nathaniel Mayhew
Andrew Webster
Andrew Patterson
Joshua Walker
Henry Kinney
Jonathan Pendleton
John Sweetser
Simeon Johnston
Simeon Gorton
State of Massachusetts Bay
In the House of Representatives Sep-^ IV^ 1777 On the
Petition of Benj« Wheeler Eph' Grant & Tho^ Campbell a
Committee of a Settlement called Wheelersborough —
Resolved that the above named Petitioners or either of
them serve Colonel Josiah Brewer Jon. Lowder & Andrew
Gilman or either of them with a Copy of said Petition and
Depositions accompanying said Petition and this order thirty
days before the second Wednesday of the next Siting of this
Court & that the said Josiah Brewer Jonathan Lowder and
Andrew Gilman be and they hereby are directed to attend
this Court on the aforesaid second Wednesday of the next
Siting thereof, to make answer to the Petition aforesaid —
Sent up for Concurrence
J. Warren Spk"^
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 66
111 Council September 18"' 1777 Read & Concurred
Jn" Avery D*' Secy
Consented to by the Major part of the Council
A true Copy Attest
Jn° Avery D^ Secy
In Council Dec 12 1777 Read & Reviv'd Ordered that
David Sewall Esq"^ with such as the Hon'ble House shall
appoint be a Committee to consider the above and to hear the
Parties who are now attending & report what is proper to be
done thereon
Sent down for Concurrence Samuel Adams Secr^
In the House of Representatives Dec. 13 1777
Read & concurred & Mr Sewall & Mr. Parker are joined
J Warren Spk''
In Council Jan^ 9, 1778 Read & revived & Ordered that
Nathan Cashing Esq with such as the Hon' House shall
appoint be a Committee to consider the Petition of Benjamin
Wheeler to hear the Parties & report what is proper to be
done thereon
Sent down for Concurrence
Jn° Avery D^ Secy
In the House of Representatives Jan 9 1778 Read &
Concurred & Mr Crane & Mr Brown of Framingham are
joined
John Pitts Speak'' g Tim°
Feby 13"' 1777 Att a Precinct meeting in the East Parish
of Pownalborough being Legally warned the following Votes
was Passed —
Viz To Chouse a Committee to Apply to the General Court
for leive to Chouse a Collector in the room of Rogers Smith
who Refuses to Serve —
66 DOCUMENTARY HISTOKY
Voted That Tho" Rice Esq' Michal Sevey & John Huse be
the Committee —
a true coppy from the Record Atts*
Jon"" Williamson Precinct clerk
State of the Massachusetts Bay
To The Hon''^^ Assembly of the 8*^ State
now sitting at Boston Humbly shews the Petition
of the Committee of safety & inspection for the Town of
Kittery. —
That in pursuance of the duty enjoined us as a Com'«'%
and at the earnest request of this & some of the neighbour-
ing Towns for application to y'^ Hon" for Assistance to
enable us to oppose the landing of our Enemies in this part
of the State ( which from our exposed Situation & the late
advice sent by his Excellency General Washington recom-
mending it to all the Sea posts to be well prepared ) it is
highly probable we shall be attacked this Summer, and the
necessity of our request will appear the more just & reason-
able by pointing out some particulars which possibly may be
worthy of notice.
as 1'* This Harbour is undoubtedly inferior to none on
the Continent & this Town directly opposite the entrance in
which ships of whatever size may anchor within one quarter
of a mile from the Shore.
2ndiy jf ^]^Q Enemy should make a lodgment here there
are many advantageous posts for them, which being the case,
This Town, with Berwick, Lebanon & other Towns must be
greatly distressed if not ruined we being as it were a Barrier
to them.
S'^'y If our communication with the Sea is cut off & not
able to procure fish, upon which we greatly depend for sup-
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 67
port, we shall undoubtedly be a great burthen to the Com-
munity and would be very disagreeable to us.
^tbiy ^g y^Q have more than our proportion of men
engaged in the present war it is highly needful that we be
well fortified as our trade by sea is at an end, and no ships
built here ( tho perhaps the most convenient Harbour on the
Continent upon every account except our defenceless State)
Our Carpenters are obliged to go into the army & navy for a
living thereby reducing us to a still weaker State, and as our
exertions as to men is so great it would be very liard indeed
for us left behind to fall a prey to those whose tender mer-
cies are cruelty.
5tiiiy -pj^g advantage of this River to the Community are
more than at first view may be imagined as the chief part of
the masts for our navy have been procured here at a cheap
rate, considerable stocks of. cattle of all kinds here & lumber
of every kind, and provided we are not blocked up will
always afford a Supply. —
This being our situation ( without mentioning many other
circumstances of consequence ) We humbly hope we shall
meet }our Hon" approbation in applying for one Company of
Artillery-Men, three or four pieces of Cannon not less than
twelve pounders with a sufficiency of Ball for one good
Brush — The Cannon we should not have asked for but it
has been our great misfortune to find that four we were at y®
Cost of weighing out of the water & transporting from the
Isle Shoals to be unfit for use, being growii too thin and
honey comb''' — This favour granted will give us fresh Hfe &
vigour & raise our drooping Spirits, as it is the only hope
left for the protection of ourselves & family's from the Rav-
ages of unreasonable men.
And as in duty bound will pray y'' Hon" dutiful Petitioners
By order of the Com*®® )
T 1 Ti n ^1 4.*- ? Chairman
John H Bartlett (
Kittery March 1777
68 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
In the Hou.se of Representatives March 31, 1777
Read & Committed to y*" Comm*®*' on the State of the Sea
Coast
Sent up for Concurrence
In Council March 31, 1777
Read & Concurred
Jn° Avery Dpy Secy.
1777 State of the Massachusetts Bay to Daniel Sullivan
To Billeting 66 Men in my Company at three different
times in their March to Machias 322 days —
Errors Excepted
Dan^ Sullivan Capt
To the Honourable Council and Honourable House of Repre-
sentatives of the Colony of the Massachusetts Bay in New
England; The Humble Petition of Thomas Berry, Calvin
Cowin, Thomas Ferrin James Fitsgerrell, John Henderson
and Benjamin Thompson and John Coombs, Humbly Show-
ing to your Honours that your Petitioners Inlisted under
one Cap* James Curtis of Brunswick on the fifteenth Day of
may Last; for the good of the Contrys Cause to Guard the
Sea Coasts: and after your Petitioners had bin Inlisted
Two months under the aforesaid Cap* Curtis he Left his
Station and went to the Head Quarters at Cambridge to get
further Orders and Insisted upon your Petitioners going
with him, which was Contrary to our Inlistment : for he
might have stayed at Brunswick : However after the Depart-
ure of Cap* Curtis your Petitioners to fulfill their Inlistments
for the Contrys Cause, Inlisted under Cap* Nathaniel Larra-
bee of Brunswick : and have Continued in the Service ever
since the said 15*^ Day of May and have always been Ready
and willing to do our Duty by Night or Day for the Contrys
OP THE STATE OP MAINE 69
Cause. Now your Petitioners will Inform your Honours the
State of the Case, which is as followeth : the said Capt. after
his return from the Head Quarters was ordered to go Down
East under the Direction of Cornel Cagill ; and wholly
Kefuseth to allow your Petitioners any Wages or biliting
for the two months Servitude that we Served under him :
Now your Petitioners Humbly Prayeth that your Honours
will Take the affair under your wise Consideration and
Releave your Petitioners by allowing us the Pay for two
months wages and biliting under Cap* James Curtis, and
your Petitioners as in Duty bound shall ever Pray, etc —
Brunswick November 27, 1775
Thomas Berry John Henderson Benjamin Thompson
Thomas Ferrin Calvin Cowen James Fitsgerrell
John Coombs
Brunswick December 11, 1775
We the Subscribers Committee of Brunswick & Harpswell
Would Inform whom it may concern, that the within named
Thomas Berry, John Henderson, Benjamin Thompson,
Thomas Ferrin, Calvin Cowen and James Fitchgerrell and
John Coombs did Inlist under Captain James Curtis for the
Defence of the Country and did Duty of Soldiers under liim
till he went to Cambridge, then they Inlisted under Capt.
Nathaniel Larrabee to guard the Sea Coasts at our Desire.
We therefore think they are Deserving of their Wages for
the time they were under Captain Curtis as any of his other
men though we understand he is determined not to make
them up in his Roll.
Nathaniel Larrabee Thos Thompson Isaac Snow
Nath^ Purington John Snow Thos. Cotton
Consented to
Jer : Powell W. Spooner Caleb Cushing
J. Winthrop R. Derby John Whitcomb
Moses Gill Benj. Austin S. Holten
70 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
B. White W"> Phillips F. Gardner
E. Thayer J' Jos. Gushing D. Hopkins
Apl. 3, 1777.
To the Honourable Gouncil and House of Representatives of
the Colony of the Massachusetts Bay in New England in
General Court Assembled
The Petition of the Towns of Cape Elizabeth, Windham,
Gorham and Pearsontown in the County of Cumberland
Humbly Shew
That the said Towns lay bordering on Presumscutt River,
so called, and for many years after the Settlement of this
Eastern Country were plentifully supply'd with Salmon, Ale-
wives, Shad & other Sorts of Fish that frequented the s'^
River in great abundance it being peculiarly commodious for
the Spawn & increase of Fish by reason of a large pond
called Sebago or Sebacook which extends upwards of thirty
miles from the mouth of the s^ River as far as Pondicherry
as also the many branches of s** River that used to bring a
plenty of the aforesaid Fish near to many of our doors, your
Petitioners further shew that by reason of several Mill Dams
being built quite across the s*^ River, without leaving a sluice
way for Fish to pass up, as by Law is directed, and since
the s*^ Mill Dams have been erected on the said River the
passage of all kinds of Fish as afores*^ has been totally
obstructed & stopt in their course up said River to the great
prejudice of many back Towns which depended (in their
Inland state ) on the said River for a part of their support,
as Also to the prejudice of all the Inhabitants of the Sea
Coast near the mouth of s'^ River by causing a scarcity of
Codfish, Haddock, and many kinds of Fish that frequent the
mouths of such extensive Rivers after a Quantity of small
OF THE STATE OF MAINE
71
Bait that abound in such places. And our fishing on the
Banks as well as on our Coast off Shore being in a great
measure impracticable by reason of the Enemy's cruisers that
infest our Coast, reduces us to the necessity of Adopting
some method whereby the Fish may come to us. And the
Laws of this Colony have been found ineffectual hitherto for
the removal of your Petitioners cause of Complaint, Where-
fore your Petitioners pray Your Honours to take the matter
of our Complaint into your consideration and Grant to your
petitioners such relief as in Your great Wisdom & Clemency
You may Judge meet & Your Petitioners as in Duty bound
shall ever pray. —
Gorham August 22*^ 1776
George Strout
Harry Dyer
William Elder
Zerubebell Hunewell
Thomas Trott
William Gorham
Prince Davis
Caleb Chase
Daniel Cram
Jn° Deane
Ephraim Rowe
) Committee of
( Cape Elizabeth
1
[
J
1
Windham
Committee
Committee of
Gorham
Committee of
Pearsontown
The Committee apointed to Take into Consideration the
Petition of Calvin Cowen and others mentioned in said Peti-
tion beg leave to Report facts as apeared by Inquiry to us
Viz : we find that Calvin Cowen, Thomas Ferrin, James
Fithsgerrell John Henderson, Ben* Thompson, John Coombs,
Thomas Berry was Inlisted in to the Sarvis under Capt.
Curtis to Defend the Sea Coast on tlie IS^^ Day of May last
72 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
and faithfully Performed the Sarvis under him Til the IS***
Day of July at which Time Cap* Curtis marched to head
quarters at Cambridge to joine the Contanentel Army and
took into his Company Seven other men, Namely : — Jona-
than Thomson Alexander Gray Uriah Gray, Thomas foote,
Sam' Patten, John Dunlap, Simon Walker, and made them
up in his Roll for Payment and left out those Seven which
were first inlisted under him and was by order of Court
ordered to Strike them out of his Roll and it further apeared
that the Petitioners Inlisted under Capt Leatherby and
Sarved under him The tearme they first listed for, and was
not made up in any Roll for Pay the first two months the
Committee beg leave to Report by way of Resolve — Viz :
In the House of Representatives March 24, 1777
Resolved that there be paid out of the publick Treasury
of this State the sum of Sixteen pounds five Shillings to
ggj.gt Xhomas Berry or Order for himself & six others men-
tioned in the within Petition in full for their Wages while
on Duty under Cap* James Curtis ; further Resolv'd that
Cap* Js. Curtis be directed to pay to the within named Per-
sons their Billeting which he has received taking their
Receipts for the same.
Sent up for Concurrence
In Council April 4, 1777
Read & Concurred J Warren Spk'
Jn" Avery Dp^^ Secy
State of the Massachusetts Bay
In the House of Representatives April 4, 1777.
Resolved that John Lewis Esq' Joshua Fabyan Esq., Saml
Thompson Esq. be a Committee to view the mill dams upon
Presumscott River in the Town of Falmouth & County of
OF THE STATE OF MAINE
73
Cumberland, which have been represented to this Court
totally to obstruct the Salmon, Alewives, Shad &c in their
passage to Sebago pond to lay their Spawn & that said Com-
mittee be directed to Confer with the owners of said dams &
view & Examine where proper sluice ways may be made for
the passage of said fish & report a State of facts to the next
General Court on the Second Tuesday of their first Session.
Sent up for Concurrence
In Council April 4, 1777 J. Warren — Sp'^"
Read & Concurred
Jn° Avery Dpy Secy.
Consented to
Jer. Powell
J. Winthrop
H. Gardner
B. White
Benj. Austin
W. Spooner
R. Derby
W" Phillips
E. Thayer J'
Jabez Fisher
Caleb Gushing
John Whitcomb
Moses Gill
D. Hopkins
Dan^ Davis
Falm° April 6*" 1777
may it please y*' Honours
I just saw an Order of the Gen'l Court for continuing the
two Compy^ here, for One Month from the first Cur' and
your Honours probably expect I must Supply them with
Flour, Pork, Beef, Wood, C'andles & Sauce Money — I have
now on hand about 20 t Flour & 4^ lbs. Pork — and there
is due to me besides as Comis^ near £200 Lmy (Lawful
money) for those Articles Supply'd S'^ Comp^^ Since Dec''
last. Shall therefore want more Provissions etc to last 'till
this month is Expired — I remain your Honours most ob*^ S*
W'» Frost.
P. S. I have deliv'd the Ship Union agreeable to y'' Hon-
ours desire to Capt. Haynes. Shall endeavour to get her
74 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Loaded as soon as possible — have also rec*^ the Articles sent
by Capt. Jo: Greenleaf.
The hon^ Board War.
State of Massachusetts Bay.
In the House of Representatives April 5, 1777.
Whereas it is Represented to this Court, that the Petitioner
Joseph Sargent of Georgetown, now a Prisoner in Pownal-
borough Goal, near Sixty years of age and low Circumstances
in life, also said Prisoner has two Sons Inlisted into the
Continental army for the term of three years, and one of
those sons a minor — It is therefore Resolved that the Militia
Officers, Selectmen, and Committee of Correspondence,
Inspection & Safety in Georgetown, be and hereby are
directed and ordered immediately to liberate the above men-
tioned Petitioner from his Confinement any act or Law to
the contrary notwithstanding.
Sent up for Concurrence
In Council Apl 7, 1777
Read &> Concurred Sam^ Freeman Speak'
Jn" Avery Dpy. Secy.
Consented to
Jer. Powell A. Ward W. Spooner
Caleb Gushing John Whitcomb Moses Gill
S. Holten Benj. Austin W"^ Phillips
I. Winthrop R. Derby B White
E. Thayer J"^ D. Hopkins H. Gardner.
To the Honorable Council and House of Representatives
of the State of Massachusetts Bay in General Court
Assembled
OF THE STATE OF MAIKE 75
The petition of the Committees of safety of the several
towns in the County of Cumberland Humbly shew that there
has been a vast deal of Work done in making Forts and
Batteryes in the Town of Falmouth and Cape Elizabeth in
the County aforesaid for the defence of the same and four
hundred and fifty Men will in our opinion be Absolutely
necessary to be station'd in Falmouth and one hundred and
fifty at Cape Elizabeth to keep the Forts and Batterys
aforesaid until they are reinforced by the Militia of the sev-
eral Towns in the County and as there will be a necessity of
Calling in the Militia untill the aforesaid number of men are
Stationed we hope your honours will provide a sufficient
^Magazine to supply them when they are on Duty which Avill
not only answer at present but will likewise be necessary in
Case of an Alarm as the several towns in this County are
scarcely able to provide for there o^vn Families, your petition-
ers beg leave to mention that the situation of the people of
this County was such formerly that each Family was obliged
to keep a Gun for there Defence and that when the people
of this State were called out to Defend there Liberties
almost every person from this County that went into the
Army carried with him a gun many of which were stop'd
and kept for the use of the Continent and they have since
been unable to replace them, and as we are informed there is a
number of Small Arms in Boston for the Use of this State
we think it would Contribute much to the Safety of said
State if your Honors would order at least four hundred and
fifty Fire Arms for the Use of this County to be stored at
Falmouth and Cape Elizabeth that the people of said County
may be able to Equip themselves therewith and also four
Eighteen pounders for Cape Elizabeth with a sufficient quan-
tity of Amunition. We hope your honours will readily
Cirant us the aforesaid Articles as they are more immediately
for the protection of those Towns who have manifested their
76 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Zeal in the American Cause by furnishing many more Men
than their Quota in the Continental Army and your petition-
ers as in Duty bound shall ever pray etc.
By order of the Committee
John Waite Chairman
Falmouth S''^ April 1777.
Falmouth 9 Aprill 1777.
Gentelmen this is to acquaint you I got Doun hear Last
Wensday. the Weather has Been So Blowing ever since
We have been able to do But little towards loding. I have
got the Ship up the River at the Place for loding, have got
in a quantity of Oak planks & Staves & Expect to begin to
take in masts tomorrow. Shall do all in my power to make
dispatch Mr Frost says he will assist me all that lays in his
power. I think the Ship is Verry Badly found for riging as
well as for many other necessarys. I shall send you a mem-
orandom of some things which I should be glad you would
send down as they cant be got hear. I have shipt a mate &
two men Which is all I have got I engag'd Several More in
Cape Ann but after I came away they got more wages to go
sum other way ; the Sailors Expect to be found in Small
stores. Your humbl Servant
Will™ Haynes
Elisha Maynard, Elisha Maynards heirs, John Whitcomb,
Ephraim Bobbins, Robert Barnard, Joseph Haild, William
Keyes, John Forbush, John Gardner, Robert Barnard, Joel,
&. Solomon Barnard his heirs, John Sampson, Jonathan &
David Sampson his heirs, Philip Brookens, John Gardner,
Hilkiah Boynton, The heirs of said Boynton, John Hapgood,
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 77
The heirs of s*^ Hapgood, Josepli Whitney, Same Blood
Benj'' Wood EsqS The heirs of s*^ Wood, John Maynard,
Stephen Maynard, WilHam Holloway, Tlie heirs of John
Oaks, John Whitcomb, Public Lots, Public Lots, Benj Woods
Esq^ The heirs of Said Woods, Thomas Gates, Charles
White, Josiah Stone, The heirs of said Stone, William Keyes,
Amos Brown, Charles Brown, Isaac Burr, Burr heirs,
Saml Hale, Joseph Beaman, Ben" Rolfe Esq^ The heirs of
said Rolfe, John Hapgood, The heirs of said Hapgood, Benj*"
Woods Esq% The heirs of said Woods, John Whitman Esq.,
Chas. Whitman, Benj* Whitcomb, Timothy Walker, Jona-
than Eager, Noah Church, Amos Brown, diaries Brown,
Joseph Stone, The heirs of Benj" Rolfe, EsqS Jeremiah Hol-
man, Jeremiah Priest, Joseph Brown, Benj'^ Brown, Benj*
Woods Esq% The heirs of said Woods, Joseph Stone, The
heirs of said Stone, Peter How, Abner Cranson by Hows
order, Benj* Woods Esq., The heirs of s** Woods, Jonathan
Bush, The heirs of s'^ Brush, Benj* Hale, Noah Church, Jon-
athan Houghton, The heirs of s*^ Houghton, William Keyes,
David Smith, John Hapgood heirs, W*" Whitney, John Saw-
yer, Jonas Warrin a sufferer in Rockingham No 2 W. of
Con' River, Richard Whitney, Daniel Whitney & Richard
Whitney Jun'' by verbal order, Benj* Woods Esq', The heirs
of s*^ Woods, Nath^ Smith, Jonathan Green a Sufferer in Rock-
ingham No. 2. W. of Con* River, Benj* Rolfe Esq', The heirs
of said Rolfe, Nath^ Hapgood, Daniel PLipgood, Abraham
Gibson, Hilkiah Boynton, The heirs of s*^ Boynton, Public
Lott, Charles Brigham, Noah Church, Jabez Richardson, The
heirs of said Richardson, Seth Rice.
Boston April 15**^ 1777
The foregoing is a list of letters admitted by a Committee
of the General Con it, appointed for that purpose. In a New
Township granted on the East side of Saco River, to those
that wave Sufferers by the Runing of the line between this
78 DOCUMENTARY HISTOKY
State and that of New Hampshire. In the Township No.
Six in the line of Towns on Contoocook River.
And I hereby Certify that the foregoing list appears to me
to be In my hand writing and I apprehend it to be a true
Copy from the Original
Attest
Artemas Ward Chairman of the Com*"®
Know all Men by these presents That we Alpheus Delano
of Waldoborough yeoman, and Benjamin Burton of St.
Georges Gentleman, both of the County of Lincoln and State
of the Massachusetts Bay, are held stand firmly bound and
obliged unto Henry Gardner Esq : Treasurer and Receiver
General of the State aforesaid and his Successors' in said
office in the full and ju«t Sum of Twenty pounds Lawful
money to be paid unto the said Henry Gardner Treasurer as
aforesaid or his Successors in said office : to the Avhich pay-
ment well and truly to be made we bmd ourselves our heirs
Executors and Administrators Joyntly and Severally firmly
by these presents Sealed with our Seals dated the Sixteenth
day of April In the year of our Lord one Thousand Seven
hundred and Seventy-Seven.
The Condition of this obligation is such That Whereas the
said Alpheus Delano hath declared that he being in Lieuten-
ant Nutts Company did furnish himself with a Gun and all
other Accoutrements, but omitted to get a Certificate from
the Selectmen & I. of Waldoborough, but hath agreed to
procure a Certificate or return the money he received for his
Wages being Eleven pounds, Sixteen shillings & a penny, in
two months from this date.
If Therefore the said Alpheus Delano his heirs, Executors
or Admin'ors or either of them shall and do produce a Cer-
tificate from said Selectmen of his furnishins^ himself with a
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 79
Gun & etc. within two months of the date hereof, then this
obligation to be void, otherwise to remain in full force.
Signed Sealed & Deliv*^ Alpheus Delano
in the presence of
Dan'l Scott Benj* Burton.
Henry Allinejurd
Apl 16»»> 1777.
To the Honourable Council & House of Representatives
of the State of the Massachusetts Bay. The petition of
Joseph Jcwitt of the Town of Scarborough in the County of
Cumberland Humbly Sheweth — that whereas the Town of
Scarborough are in Great want of West India Goods such as
Salt, Molasses, Cotton etc. & have a large Quantity of Lum-
ber Lying upon their Hands, which they want to turne into
such commodities for their Family, Also, whereas the said
Town of Scarborough have found their full Coto of men for
the Continentall Army therefore your humble petitioner prays
that you would give him Liberty to send a Vessell to the
West Indies for the purposes above said
And as in Duty bound shall ever pray etc.
Joseph Jewitt
State of Massachusetts Bay
In the House of Representatives April 19, 1777
Resolved that Joseph Jewett, Scarboro', be & he is hereby
permitted to send a Vessel Loaded with Lumber to the West
Indies for the purpose of procuring salt and other West
Indies Goods he causing his 8** Vessel to be clear'd out at
the Naval Offices at Falmouth agreable to the Laws of this
State, the present Embargo notwithstanding provided that
the said Jewett gives Bonds to the Said Naval Officer in the
80 DOCUMBNTAEY HISTORY
Sum of One Thousand Pounds to the use of this State that
there shall not be taken on board the said Vessel any man or
men that belongs to any town that have not procured their
Coto in the Continantal Army.
Sent up for Concurrence
Sam'l Freeman Speak'^ P. T.
In Council April 21. 1777 Read & Concurred
Jn° Avery Dpy. Secy.
State of Massachusetts Bay
In the House of Representatives Apl. 21. 1777
Resolved that Cap* Joseph Noyes be and he hereby is
appointed a Commissary to supply the Men to be raised &
Stationed at Falmouth & Cape Elizabeth in the County of
Cumberland and the Commissary General is hereby directed
to deliver to him or his Order one hundred & Eight barrels
Pork one hundred & Eight barrels of Flour, twenty barrels
of Rice for that use. And in Case of an Alarm the said
Noyes is directed to Supply such of the Militia as shall be
called in by the commanding officer out of the said Stores
and if he shall stand in need of a further supply he is hereby
directed to apply immediately to this Court or in the Recess
thereof to the Council therefor and the Commissary General
is also directed to deliver the said Noyes two Hundred Fire
arms. Ten barrels of Powder & one Thousand weight of
Leaden Balls to be deposited in some safe place for the use
of the Militia on an alarm as aforesaid said Noyes to be
accountable to this Court for the disposal of the same
Sent up for Concurrence
Sam^^ Freeman - Speak P.T
In Council Apl 21-1777 Read & Concurred
Jn° Avery
Consented to
Jer : Powell S. Holten Benj. Austin John Whitcomb
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 81
A. Ward Jabez Fisher E. Thayer J' D. Sewall
Caleb Gushing B. White John Taylor Moses Gill
T. Gushing W"' Phillips D.Hopkins
York April 27. 1777
Geutnien
I have heard that the Gongres have sent to our State for
some Ships to be Purchased for the Gontinent and mention
was made of my Ship and answer was made that she was sold
which was not so. Should be glad to Serve the State with
as good a Ship as can be built. Enquire of Mr. Glark the
Ship builder in Boston who has seen her. She can be
Lanched in one month.
From you"^ Humb. Serv*
John Stone
State of Massachusetts Bay
In the House of Representatives April 28, 1777
Resolved That the Gommittee of Correspondence &c of
the Town of Falmouth in the County of Cumberland be and
they hereby are impowered to appoint some suitable Person
for a first Lieutenent for the Company of matrosses to be
stationed at Falmouth under the Command of Gap* Abner
Lowell — and also two Suitable Persons for second Lieuten-
ants of said company — Also Resolved That the Committee
of Correspondence &c. of the Town of Cape Elizabeth in said
County, be and hereby are impowered to appoint some suit-
able Person for a first Lieutenant of the Company to be sta-
tioned there under the Command of Cap* John Wentworth.
Also Resolved That the Gommittee of Correspondence
&c of the Town of Kittery in the County of York be &
licreby are inip(jwer'd to appoint some suitable person for a
second Lieutenant of the Company to be stationed at Kit-
82
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
tery. Said Committee giving the Preference to such as have
had Of now hold Military commissions.
And the Council are desired to furnish the said Committee
with Blank Commissions for this purpose
Sent up for Concurrence
Saml Freeman Spk"" P. T
In Council Apl 28, 1777. Read & Concurred
Jn° Avery Dpy Scy.
Consented to
Jer : Powell A. Ward Caleb Cushing
T. Cushing John Whitcomb S. Holten
Moses Gill I. Bowdoin B. White
E. Thayer Jr W"* Phillips Benj Austin
John Taylor I M Dana Jabez Fisher
State of Massachusetts Council Chamber Apl 28. 1777
Ordered — That the Comissary General be and he hereby
is Directed to send to Penobscot and to deliver Col. Josiah
Brewer a supply of Provissions necessary for the Subsistance
of Thirty Men & two Officers stationed at Penobscot River
three months.
A true Copy
Attest Jn° Avery Dpy Secy.
To the Honourable the Great and General Court of the
State of Massachusetts Bay the Petition of the Subscribers
bemg inhabitants of the West Preceint in Pownalborough
and adjacent
Humbly Sheweth
That your petitioners are members of the Episcopal Church
that Great part of tliem are French and Dutch Germans prot-
estants who came into America in the years 1750 & 1751 &c.
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 83
upon the encouragement Given by the Massachusetts Gov-
ernment, that they shoukl enjoy their religious priviledges.
Tliey begg further to represent tliat for twenty years last
passed they have injoyed those priviledges, Excepting one
the year passed. That they have Constantly maintained a
minister of the Episcopal church, with the assistance of the
Society, and have Constantly attended Publick Worship,
according to the rights of the church of England. That they
have built themselves a church & have a church Gleab in the
West Precient of pownalbo rough. They further Represent
That in the year 1773 the Town of Pownalborough was
divided into two precincts by the names of the East & West
Precinct in the same year 1773 the West Precinct Called a
precinct meeting at which meeting the Votes of some of your
Petitioners and all who were at said meeting, above 20 in
number, were Refused to be accepted for this reason because
they were Episcopalians, Your petitioners immediately with-
drew and Never attended their meetings afterwards : on the
28^^ of March 1776, the Congregationists in the West Pre-
cinct ( being not more than Eight or Nine in Number that
met ) and Voted to raise the sum of £ 30 to bier Preaching
in the year 1776, which they never did Except a Transient
Parson Now & then a day : that the assessors assessed your
Petitioners by Virtue of an Act of the 16'^ of George the
Second : — They further represent That the Collectors Viz"
Samuel Emerson & John Eldridge have Taken every advan-
tage ( and of Some of those persons who were Germans, and
Did not understand the Law in the English Language ) to
Distress them as well as others by Giving them Notice to
pay the Ministers Tax and then distraining. They further
declare that by their being thus assessed by the minority of
the Parish are drove to Great Straits and must soon be
ruined as the minority under Couler of Law, Seem deter-
mined to Drive them to the Last Extremities — will further
84 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
begg leave to represent that when the Act of 16^^ of George
the Second was made it was not supposed that such a Case
could happen where 7 : 8 or 9 Congregationlists Should Vote
away not only their owne money but also the money of about
thirty Episcopalians — and that too without & against their
consent — We further declare that tho' the money Taken
from us is by Law to be paid to our Pastor whome we sup-
port & who will we make no doubt return it to us again, yet
it subjects us to be Distrained upon, which is Now our case
and also make us pay for the Taking our own money out of
our Pockets against our Consent to be put in again after the
collectors & Treasurer have improved it for a long time
before it Can be Gott from them which must be and is a
great trouble & Cost to us as we may be obliged to go
through a law sute to get it again : we further think that the
Law Aforementioned was Designed to prevent persons from
pretending to be of a Religion, they were not of mearly to
Get read of paying taxes. We further declare that it is the
unalable right of mankind to Worship the Supreme being
according to the dictates of a Well informed Conscience, that
no man can dispose of his religion and much less can any
Person take it from him — That every Speces of taxing that
Takes away a man's Interest, and at the same time Debars
him from assenting or desenting because of his Religious
principles is Persecution and tends to force him to give up
what the God of Nature never gave him a right to dispose
of — the right of private judgment, in matters of religion —
At a time when the continant is contending for Civil and
Religious Liberty. We are sorrj- to have the Occasion of
petitioning the Honorable Court upon so Disagreeable a Sub-
ject as persecuting persons who come from Germany, upon
the faith of the Government of the Massachusetts Bay, that
they should Injoy their religious principles. But the matters
of such Consequence to us that our all is Depending as the
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 85
Collectors Distrain and Sell our Goods at halfe price & make
us pay the Cost. We therefore humbly Pray that tlie Hon-
ourable Court would take the Matter into Consideration and
pass an Act that all Episcopalians who pay a minister may
be freed from being assessed or Taxed in any Parish for
ministerial rates and that the collectors be ordered to return
all the money so distrained & Received from us the respect-
ive persons from whom he Took them with the charges and
Damages or otherwise give us such Relief as the Court in
their Wisdom Shall think proper and as in Duty bound we
Shall Ever Pray
Pownalborough West Precinct
NB The Congregationals in the West Precinct of pow-
nalborough Never hath been imbodied into a church etc to
this day
Samuel Goodwin Edmund Doherty Michel Stilphen
his
Martin X Healey John Cotton Gookin Lones houdlette
marke
David Bailey Samuel Goodwin Jr John Johnson
John Parkes Peter Pochard William Bourke
George Mayer Philip Mayer George Goud
hia
Daniel Malbone John X Pochard Charles E Houdlette
marke
George Stilphen Cornelius Stilphen Jean George Goud
Rebecca Callihan Christopher Jakins Robert Tycross
Josanna J. pro goss Luda Cassimir Main
In Council April 28, 1111
Read & Ordered That David Sewall Esq' be a Committee
with such as the Hon*"'® House shall appoint to consider the
within Petition & report what is best to be done thereon.
Sent Down for Concurrence
Jn** Avery Dpy Secy.
In the House of Representatives Apl. 28, 1777
Read & Concurred and Mr Mayhew and Mr. Cooper are
joined Saml Freeman Spk'^ P. T.
86 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Ordered that the Petitioners Notify the Inhabitants of the
West Precinct in PownaP" having a Copy of this Petition &
Order hereon with the Precinct clerke of said West Parish
30 days at least before the second Tuesday in July next, that
they may shew cause ( if any they have ) Before the General
Court of this State, if then setting, and in case the said Court
shall not be then setting, on the second Tuesday of their
meeting after that Time Wherefore the Prayer of the said
Petitioners should not be granted.
In Council April 29"^ 1777 Read & Accepted.
Sent down for concurrence.
Jn° Avery Dpy. Secy.
In the House of Representatives April 29, 1777
Read and Concurred
Consented to
names S. Holten W"" Phillips
torn Moses Gill John Taylor
B. White Jabez Fisher Benj Austin
D. Sewall E. Thayer J' F. M. Dana
The Committee of both Houses to whom was Committed
the Petitions of Several Inhabitants of the West precinct in
Pownalboro have attended that Service and report as entered
on s'* Petitions
D. Sewall p'' order
and that in the mean Time they do not make any further
assessment for Precinct Rates upon the Petitioners.
The Committee of both Houses to whom was referred the
Petition of several militia officers in the first Regiment in
the County of York, have attended that Service and find the
Facts therein related to be true and report the following Res-
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 87
solution, as Remedy for the grievance complained of, wliicli
is Submitted D. Sewall p. order
Resolved that the field officers of the first Regiment in
the County of York, or the major part of them, Be and
hereby are ordered and impowred to new rank the sevei-al
Companies in that Regiment agreeable to Military i-ule &
order, any former arrangement by them made notwitlis land-
ing and to the end no doubt may arise in the minds of the
Field officers, what military rule and order is, That the ijuik
of each Company shall be reconed and determined from the
age or antiquity of such Company respectively, tliat is the
most ancient the first, the next most ancient the second and
so on thro' the remainder And in all cases where a com-
pany is formed part of two or more ancient Companys such
Company is to be esteemed a New Company & not to bear
the rank of any of the Companys from which it is taken.
And when an ancient Company is divided into two or more,
unless it can otherways be satisfactorily determined. That
part which shall retain the rank of the Original Company
shall be determined by Lott
That the Brigadier of Said County be and hereby is
ordered and directed to Alter the Several Military Commis-
sions, so far as respects the rank agreeable to the new
arrangement that may be made by the said Field officers in
Consequence of this Resolution And all such Militia-officers
in said Regiment as shall neglect or Refuse to bring their
Commissions — after — reasonable Notice to the Brigadier to
be altered or to rank as aforesaid, shall be considered as
displaced of which the Brigadier shall give Notice to the field
officers of Said Regiment to the end the Company to which
they belong may be called upon to choose others in their
Room agreeable to the Militia Law And the Brigadier of
said County is also directed to make returne of tlie officers
and the Rank of the Companys in said liegiment as soon as
88 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
the Said new arrangement and Ranking shall be accomplished
to the Secretaiy's office of this State.
In Council Apl 28, 1777
Read & Accepted
Sent down for Concurrence
Jn° Avery Dpy. Sec'y
In the House of Representatives April 29, 1777.
Read & Concurred
Consented to — J. Warren Sp'^'
.J. Bowdoin Jer: Powell A. Ward
Caleb Cashing T. Cushing John Taylor
S. Holten W'" Phillips Benj. Austin
E. Thayer J^ Moses Gill B. White
J Fisher D. Sewall F. M. Dana
To the Hon^'*' the Council and House of Representatives in
General Assembly convened, humbly Shew
The Subscribers, Militia Officers in three of the Companies
in the Town of York in the Regiment of Foote whereof
Ebenezer Sayer Esq'' is Colonel : —
That the Field Officers for said Regiment in pursuance of
the Militia Law divided the Town of York into Six Com-
panies which till lately consisted of but four — that in this
division, part of what was formerly the first company and
part of Second Company, were joined together and made one
new Company, which Company so joined were by the Field
Officers ranked and stiled the first Company, and what
remained of the first Company and Second Company were
still left in two separate Companies, and are now Stiled the
third and sixth Companies in the Regiments : whereas
according to all Military rule and order your Petitioners
apprehend their respective Companies ought to have been
ranked the first and third in the Regiments, and that Com-
pany aforesaid made up from the first and second, as it was
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 89
younger in its formation ought to have been stiled and
ranked in the Regiment, below all Companies that were prior
to it in formation in the Regiment: — that this arbitary
determination of the Field Officers, as your Petitioners con-
ceive it to be, has likewise justled another of the Companies
in said Town out of their proper rank : whereby the men in
three of the Companies in said Town are so uneasy respect-
ing the matter that the Regiment is not in that state your
Memorialists could wish for the public Peace and Safety :
that your Petitioners being the Officers duly elected by the
three Companies agrieved, have remonstrated to the Field
Officers and prayed their interposition that these matters
might be spedily Redresed, but they have not as yet tho't fit
to rectify the ranks aforesaid : —
Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your Honours would
grant us such relief in the premises as to you shall seem
most expedient: and your Petitioners in duty bound shall
ever pray etc
Abt Moulton Jun Samuel Young John Bennet
Moses Sewall Henry Talpey Ebenezer Grant
Jos. Bragdon J'' Charles Trafton
In Council Nov. 20, 1776 Read & thereupon
Resolved that David Sewall Esq' with such as the Hon'ble
House may join be a Comittee to take the above Petition
into Consideration & Report what is necessary to be done
thereon.
Sent down for Concurrence
John Avery Dpy Secy.
In the House of Representatives Nov. 23, 17 76
Read & Concurred and Mr. Simpson & Judge Gushing are
joined.
J. Warren, Spk''
90 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
The Declaration of William Gilly of Crambery Island in
the Massachusetts State, Fisherman, That sometime in the
month of April past The Ship of War Called the Scarborough
Belonging to the British King Commanded by Captain
Mowat Came into the Harbor of said Island and anchored
there — That the said William was on board the said ship
& had considerable conversation with said Mowat, some
particulars he remembers as follows — The said Mowat
asked if the Inhabitants on said Island had taken up arms.
It was answered, No. The said Mowat then said that he
was not come to molest but to Protect them, and if they
would not disturb his boats in procuring wood & Water
that he would not hurt them, but if otherwise that he was
Determined to Level every house on the Island. Mowat
then asked if the Inhabitants up Frenchman's Bay had not
chiefly taken up arms. Said William answered that he
know'd nothing about it. Mowat then said that he know'd
several that had, and asked said William if he was not a
Pilot up Frenchman's Bay & whether he would not under-
take to carry up the ship. Said William answered that he
was not a Pilot nor could he undertake it — Said Mowat
then asked if said William was acquainted with Colonel
Jones who Lived up there. It was answered in the afhrm-
ative. Mowat saidihat he wanted to see him very much, as
he had rec''^ an Invitation from Col° Jones when at Halifax
to pay a visit, and that the said Colonel Jones had promised
to procure for him seventy head of cattle, which were to be
drove down to some certain point ( which the Declarant for-
gets the name of ) where Boats were to be sent By the man of
War to receive them.
That the Said Mowat through out many threats against
many of the Settlements particularly Machias, asking if those
Rebels did not think hanging was too good for them, that if
he went there he would utterly destroy them — Said
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 91
Mowat appeared to be very well acquainted with the Situa-
tion & Circumstances of the diff* settlements, mentioning the
different quantity of Lumber which was in several Harbours
& told of many matters which happened in different parts.
He further said that news had come of Philadelphia Being
in Possession of the Britains, that the Inhabitants to the
Southward were laying down their Arms — That Boston
would soon be in possession of the Kings troops, and that
the Frigates which were there he wanted to see, would
rejoice of having an Opp° of attacking Ihem both together —
He further said that the Greyhound & Diamond which were
seen sometime ago before Newbury were cruising for Captain
Manley & McNiel — several other matters were spoken of
which the subscriber Does not remember.
Cramberry Island May 10, 1777
his
Witnesses W"' X Gilly
Mark
f Jn° Long
■^ William Maxwell
i^L Allan
On Saturday the 9"' of this Ins* Mr. Prebble, M' How
myself and some others, set off in a whaleboat from here for
St. Johns River in Nova Scotia & on Tuesday the 12'^'' being
arriv'd within about two miles of Simonds & C° heard Gun
fir'd out of a Cove on our Larboard Hand & standing for
said Cove, found Mess. Hall & Rogers who had just Escap'd
in a wherry from a small schooner which had inadvertently
run down upon a Man of War who lay near the said
Simond's & tir'd those Guns as Signals for our Safety. We
landed & haul'd up our boat & Mess"" Prebble & How went
to a neighboring Village for Intelligence & during their
absence we were attacked })y the Man of War Barge but
92 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
oblig'd them to Retreat. About the Middle of the same
Night, Messrs. How & Prebble Return'd safe to us with the
following Intelligence which they had Rec'^' from the People
on Shore Viz : — That the aforesaid Man of War was lately
arriv'd from Annapolis Her Name the Vulture of 14 Guns
Cap* Cola & was stationed there at the Entreaty of the afore-
said Simonds & C° who had sent three Men to Halifax for
that Purpose — That the Oath of Allegiance was tender'd
to the People at the Mouth of the River, several of whom
had taken it & that the arm'd Sloop Gage of 8 Guns was
sent to Cumberland to bring away the Troops from thence &
to take them up St. John's River to subdue the Inhabitants
& that the Fort at said River was to be Rebuilt & a Ganison
kept at Annapolis for the Purpose of better Commanding
the Baj^ of Fundy — On Rec* of the above Intelligence Mess.
How & Prebble dispatch'd me with the Boat Express to
Machias to acquaint the Committee of Safety etc., with the
same & to procure ( if possible ) a Party of Men to be sent
there While themselves and Some others went up the River
to the Inhabitants to Encourage them to hold out & to mus-
ter the Indians etc. who continue as yet faithful to our Cause
for the above Ship brought a Variety of Presents &c for
them but have not been able to withdraw them from our
Interest at least those whom they tried.
Edward Thompson
Machias May 17"' 1777.
We the subscribers being in company with the within
mentioned Edward Thompson & others, do declare that the
Ace* within written is just & true to the best of our knowl-
edge.
Machias May 17, 1777. Stephen Hall
his
John X Ackleay
marke
John X White.
marke
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 93
To the Hono''^^ The Council & House of Representatives
of the Massachusetts Bay.
May it Please your Honours : —
Our Enemies takeing possession of the River
St. Johns as Perticularly mentioned in John Allan's Esq.,
letter to your Honors & in our Memorial is a matter so
deeply interesting to this Place, to all this Eastern Country
& to the United States of America in General that we verily
Thought & still Think that the most vigorous opposition in
our Power in Order to divert them if Possible, from their
Purpose woud be Justifiable, and merit the approbation of
not only our Own State, but of all the Continent. We have
Therefore Concured in Sentiments with John Allan. Esq' &
with the Utmost chearfulness have Strain'd every nerve to
Raise two Companies of about 30 men each, one of which
we Expect will sett off Tomorrow
We have on this Pressing Emergency spar'd out of our
own Scanty Stores, Procured at Great Expences & risque
12c/w Pork, 20c/w Flower, 100 c/w Powder & 400 c/w
Balls wdiich we Pray your Honours to Replace as soon as
may be, we take it for granted that these men who Go on
this Expedition & Inlist for two months will be put into
Continental Pay, from the time of their Enlistment and that
a Sufficient armament will be Immediately sent to their
support —
Captain Stephen Smith, one of our members appears before
y(mr Honour, in our belialf, on tliis & other Purposes — We
pray tliat no time may be lost but that the Business he lays
before the Hon''^" Cort may be immediately Dispatch'd ( for
he leaves us in a very defenceless state ) that he may Return
& Inform us of Our fate w^h ether it is worth our While to
Risque our Lives farther, in Defence of our Property in this
Remote part of the State, & in the Conmion Glorious Cause:
or lly before our Enemies & leave a most valuable Country
94 DOCUMENTAKY HISTORY
our own little Property, & the Property of the State a Prey.
We are with due Respect Your Honors Most Obedient
Humb^* Sarvents
James Flinn. Joseph Libbee.
George Libby. Wooden Foster.
The Committee of Safety etc for Machias.
Machias, May 17"' 177Y.
In Council June 3*^, 1777. Read & Ordered that Joseph
Palmer and Jaljez Fisher, Esq'' be a Comittee with such as
the Honorable House shall join to consider the within Peti-
tion and the Papers accompanying the same «& Report what
is best to be done thereon.
Sent down for Concurrence
John Avery Dpy Secy.
In the House of Representatives June 4, 1777.
Read & Concurred and M'^ Greenleaf, Co'' Coffin &
Maj' Goodman are joined —
R. T. Paine, Spk"^ pro tern.
To the Honor''''* The Council & House of Representatives
of the State of Massachusetts Bay
The Memorial of the Committee of Correspondence &c of
Machias
Humbly Sheweth :
That agreeably to Their expectations this Committee
reciev'd certain Intelligence, that our Enemies have taken
possession of the River St. John in Nova Scotia, with an
expressed design to Fortify it, and Open a Communication
by that River to Canada That they have sent to Cumberland
for part or all the Troops in that Garrison, to be Stationed
at St. John & that the ship already arriv'd has brought large
Presents for the Indians, which they decline Accepting for
the Present.
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 95
This Committee, therefore, beg leave to Observe that St.
Johns as it Opens an easy Communication with Quebec &
with the back Settlements on this Eastern Shore, is a Grand
Object in our Enemies View, for they will have it in their
Power, either to Distress or cut us off at Pleasure, Unless a
Miraculous interposition of divine Providence Prevents
which we niether Deserve or expect. Our Enemies are
Crewel & Blood Thirsty & if they can destroy us they will
surely accomplish it. The Infamous Mowat has sworn by all
that is Sacred that he will destroy this Place.
Your Honors are not Ignorant of the Disposition of the
Indians they Expect to be Courted to Receive Large Pres-
ents, and like all other Nations Consult their Own Interest.
Can we then expect that they will Purchais goods of Our
Truckmaster, at an Extravagant Price, when our Enemies
have possession of their Control and Present them with
everything they want If our Enemies therefore are suffre'd
to hold St. Johns the Indians will Infalliably turn against us
& we must Desert this Place & Leave this Important Coun-
try a Prey to those that Hate us. The State of Massachu-
setts Bay have done much for us for which we trust we are
duly Tliankfull & large Piles of Boards are now waiting the
Order of the State, in this Place, our Enemies know this
and they may easily take them, together with all we have, if
they Pleas, for our numbers daily diminishes, our Spirits
flag, & our Strength is Gone, as nothing is done for our
Protection, or the Expulsion of our Eastern Enemies from
the Continent : but on the Contrary we are left with out a
Guard & british Murderers advance & Incroach upon us &
oblige all our Friends to to take the Oaths of Alegiance to
the worst of Tyrants or Submit to beggery, chains & Im-
prisonment & none dare oppose, or even say why do you so.
Wherefore we your Faithful! & distressed Subjects humbly
and Importunately Pray your Honors to send an Army
96 DOCXJMENTABY HISTORY
Immediately to Disposess our Enemies at St. John's, or to
fortify & Guard This Place, or this Place & all this Valuable
country, as far as Penobscot at least, must fall a Prey to
those whose tenderest mercys are Crueltys or which is our
dernier resort Under God, perhaps on immediate application
to the Supreme authority of the Continent may save us.
And your Memora^'"' as in duty bound shall ever pray
We Remain with due Respect Your Hon"" Most Obe*^*
Hum^'® Servants
Stephen Smith James Flinn
Joseph Libbee George Libby
Wooden Foster
The Committee of Safty &c. of Machias
Machias May 18, 1777.
Att a meeting being Leagually Wornd the Freeholders and
other Inhabitants Met togather on Thursday the 31** day of
March 1774 at time and place and when met acted on the
Following articles, Viz*
Article
1 Chose Caleb Graffam Moderator for s** meeting.
2 Voted Richard Mayberry Town Clerk for s** day
3 Voted Richard Dole Town Clerk for the present year
4 Voted Ichabod Hanson, Hugh Crague, Thomas Trott,
Selectmen and Assessors for this present year
5 Voted M"^ Zorobable Hunnewell, Town Treasurer this
present year
6 Voted William Campbel Cunstable and Collector for
this year.
7 Voted Caleb Graffam Collector for the penney and half
penney Tax for this year.
8 Voted to Adjourn the meeting To Thursday the 7*^^ day
of April at ten Clock in the forenoon And then the freehold-
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 97
ers and other Inliabitants met at time and place and opened
the meeting and acted on the following 6 articles in the
morning and Voted that IVP Zorobable Hunnewell and Mr.
William Knight and Mr Robert Martin be wardens This
present year —
10. Voted That M' Thos. ]\Iay berry be a Ty thing man this
present year.
11. Voted That the Roads be mended by a Rate this pres-
ent year.
12 Voted That sixty pounds be Raised for clearing and
mending Roads this y""
13 Voted Syi'* p'' Day for men and oxen to work on the
Roads this present y'
14 Voted lyi'* p'' day for a plow to work on the Roads
this present year
15 Voted Edward Anderson Surveyor of High ways this
present year
16 Voted Daniel Pattingall Surveyor of High ways this
present year
17 Voted Richard Dole Surveyor of High ways this pres-
ent year
18 Voted Joseph Chesley Surveyor of High ways this pres-
ent year
19 Voted Tho. Meay berry, Enoch Wait and Edw** Ander-
son Surveyors of Lumber this present year.
20 Voted Caleb Graffam be fence viewer, Field Driver, and
hog rief this year
21 Voted James Pray be fence viewer field Driver and hog
rief this year
22 Voted John younge be fence viewer, field Driver and
hog rief this year
23 Voted David Barker be fence viewer, field Driver and
hog rief this year
21 Voted Hatievil Hall be fence viewer, field Driver and
hog rief this year
98 DOCUMENTAKY HISTORY
25 Voted William Meayberry be fence viewer, field Driver
and hog rief this year
26 Voted James Hawks be Deer Rief this year
27 Voted Thirty pounds for the use of a school this present
year
28 Voted Eighty pounds for the Rev'^ M"" Peter Thacher
Smith's Salery this y"^
29 Voted ten pounds for the Town charges this present
year
30 Voted That the Collectors shall have one shilling p''
pound for gathering The Taxes this present year.
31 Voted that the selectmen be a Committe to Let out the
School Lott to the highest bider this present year
32 Voted Richard Meayberry be Pound keeper this year
33 Voted That the swine go at Large beeing Well yoaked
and Ring*^ this present year.
Richard Dole Town Clerk
A True Coppey Attest Edw'^ Anderson Town Clerk
Cumberland SS. Falmouth May 23*^ 1777. the above
named Edward Anderson made Oath that the foregoing is a
true copy taken from the Town Book of Windham of the
said Town's Transactions at their March Meeting in 1774 as
Recorded by Richard Dole, then Town Clerk, who is now in
the Army.
Coram Enoch Freeman Justice of the Peace
State of the Massachusetts Bay
To the hon' the council and house of Representatives of
said State in General Court Assembled.
The Petitions of Ichabod Hanson, Thomas Trot and Hugh
Crague all of Windham in the County of Cumberland hum-
bly Sheweth
That the inhabitants of said Windham at an annual meet-
ing in said town held on the 31 day of March A. D. 1774
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 99
legally warned, chose Richard Dole Town Clerk for the year
there ensumg & your Petitioners assessors for that year but,
the said being absent the Town chose Richard Mayberry
clerk for that day who accordingly entered all the votes &
proceedings of that meeting on papers, and the said Richard
Dole afterwards recorded the doings of said Meeting in the
towns book of Records from that paper but it so happened
that the said Richard Mayberry was not sworn so that the
validity of the proceedings of that meeting may be called in
question.
Your Petitioners further shew that there never has been
any dispute in the town or doubt, that they know of but that
the said INIayberry enter'd all votes & chosies truly & faith-
fully. They further shew that, as assessors, it was their
duty that year, besides assessing the other common taxes laid
on the Inhabitants, more especially to assess and apportion a
penny half penny tax upon unimproved lands there — and
that they have by virtue of a special Law of the then prov-
ince sold sundry lots, for non-payment of that tax, And that
there is danger that the titles of the purchasers may be ques-
tioned, and the doings of the Assessors adjudged invalid
purely on account of the neglect or omission of swearing the
said Richard JSIayberry as aforesaid, and other inconviences
ensuing
Wherefore Your Petitioners humbly pray that the doings
of said Meeting may be confirmed and established as they
stand recorded in the town Book by the Standing Clerk the
said Richard Dole who was duly sworn to the discharge of
his trust, the omission of Swearing the said Richard May-
berry or of his signing Said Minutes, or the present loss of
them, notwithstanding: and your Petitioners as in duty
bound shall ever pray &c.
Thomas Trott
Ichabod Hanson Assessors.
Hugh Crague
100 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
March 31, 17 74.
Met at and
1^' Voted in Captain Grafam moderator for said meeting
2"'^ Richard Mayberry town clerke for said meeting S'"^ to
chose Richard Dole town clerke for tLe present year, Ichabod
Hanson for Selectman & assessor, Hugh Crague to be Select-
man & assessor and Thomas Trott, Selectman & Assessor,
JM"" Hunnewell to be town treasurer, William Camell Col-
lector & Constable. Voted Capt. Grafam Collector for the
penny tax.
Adjourned said meeting for said meeting to April the
seventh day
I, Edward Anderson of Windham being well acquainted
with the hand writing of Capt. Richard Mayberry, do hereby
declare that the within minutes are his writing, according to
my best judgment & belief
Edward Anderson
Cumberland SS. Fahnouth May 23*^ 1777, the above named
Edward Anderson made oath to the truth of the above
Declaration by him signed.
Coram Enoch Freeman
Justice of the Peace
The Committee Appointed by a Resolve of the Great &
General Court of this State, April 4, 1777 to View the mill
dams Upon Presumpscot River in the Town of Falmouth &
County of Cumberland, which had been represented to the
Court totally to obstruct the Salmon &c in their passage Up
said River to confer with the owners of, said dams, view &
examine where proper sluice ways may be made & reports A
State of facts — Reports the manner in which they conducted
the Affair & the Appearance of facts upon view of the
obstructions & conference with the owners of the dams —
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 101
the Committee Agreed to meet at Presurascot falls on the
third Monday of May, previous to which meeting publick
notice was given & the purposes of meeting: two of the
Committee met at the time & place ( Brigadier Thompson not
appearing ) the other two proceeded Upon the affair & Upon
Examination were of opinion that there might be a good
passage for the fish without great difficulty or inconveniency
on the South Westerly Side of the River between the Mills
& the Shore, which Major Benjamin Waite ( who Appeared
an owner of the Dam & Mills) was willing should be done,
the Committee then proceeded to Ammoncongen falls & as
the Aforesaid Major Waite owned half that dam lie was
willing there should be a fish passage in that part of the dam
called the Slip near the Northerly Shore of the River, which
the Committee viewed, & are of opinion will well answer the
end, if made about double the Wedth it now is, the other
owners of the dam ( the Committee were informed ) are minors
& no person Appeared for them, from thence the Committee
proceeded to Saccarappa & viewed the dams & found no
obstruction but on the upper dam, thro' which near the
northerly side of the River, M'" Conant who appeared as an
owner, was willing there should be a fish passage, which the
committee were of opinion would answer the end, the Com-
mittee then proceeded to Horse beef falls where ]\P Osgood
appeared as an owner & was willing there should be a fish
passage thro' the dam near the Northerly side of the Stream
which the Committee were of opinion would answer the end,
the River is large & was said formerly to abound with a
variety of fish that frequents Such Streams, but the several
dams appeared to the Committee almost or Quite a total
obstruction to their passage especially the dam on Pre-
sumpscot falls, which the Committee were informed was
built about forty-four years ago.
Mr Hale M Greenough Coll' Spaulding.
102 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Casco Bay 27"^ May 1777
Gentlemen/
I have the Honor & pleasure of informing you of
my safe arrival here in tlie Brig Penelope a Prize taken by
Cap* John Clouston in the Brigantine of War Called the
Freedom belonging to this State according to his orders to
me I wait your Honour Further Instructions, her Cargo
Consisting as per the Inclosed Invoice, ray main top mast
being sprung I Can't carry any After Sail having had a Gale
of Wind in the Gulph which obliged me to Lay to for thir-
teen days under a ballance Mainsail. Nothing more from
Gentlemen Your Humble Servant
John Gray
P. S. the Brig has on board four tliree pounders & five
Swivells
Falmouth 28, May 1777
Gentlemen
This is to acquaint you that I have not been able
to get Men for the Ship Union though I have tryed every
Town between Boston & falmouth & have offer'^ 25 Dollars
per month & 6 Barrels previlege I see no prospect of geting
men In this place. If you think it advisable to Come to the
Westward with the Ship I should be glad to have your
Orders. I think Cape Ann is as likely a place as any I
know of. If the Ship was their. I should be glad to have
your Orders as soon as may be Convenient, in the meantime
I shall do my Indeavor to get what men I can hear. I have
four Men Besides My Self & Mate.
your Humb^ Serv*
Will'" Haynes
To the Hon^' Bord War
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 103
Falm" May 28*'» 1777.
May it please y"" honors.
I have rec*^ the five hundred pounds sent by Cap*^ Haynes
& mdorsed it on the back of his Rec* inclosed to me
He promised each Sailor ( previous to their engaging on
board the Ship Union ) a priviledge equal to five or six bar-
rels & desires me to grant the same, the Mate also wants a
priviledge of a 20 Inch Mast — Should be glad of particular
directions respecting both —
I remain your Honors
Obt. S^ W" Frost.
The hon' board Warr.
State of Massachusetts Bay
To the Hon'^i^ the Council and the Hon^'« the House of
Representatives in general Court Assembled
May 28, 1777.
The Petition of John Whitcomb & Henry Gardner Esq"
humbly shews
That the General Court of this State on the 3'''' day of
February A. D. 1774, granted a Township of the Contents of
Seven Miles square to be laid out in some of the unappro-
priated Lands belonging to This State to the eastward of
Saco River to the Rev'* John Gardner & others in Lieu of
Township No. 6 on Contoocook River lost by the late Settle-
ment of New Hampshire Line.
That the Grantees afors'* laid out said Township by Josepli
Frye, Jun'' Surveyor & Daniel Farrington and Wyley chain-
men under Oath and Returned a Plan therof into the Secre-
tary's office In j\Iay following, which Plan was laid before
The then General Court for their Acceptance & was com-
mitted to a Com*^® to examine which Com*** Reported that
the 8'' Grant should be confirmed to the afore** Grantees but
104 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
by reason of the Sudden Dissolution of the General Assem-
bly by General Gage the s*^ Report was not passed on and
Trouble that followed have prevented any Application till
this Time in which Interval the Plan Return Certificates &c
respecting s** affair Are lost.
Your Petitioners having a Copy of the Plan above referred
to have herewith presented The same for Confirmation being
able to make the above Relation of Tracts to appear By Tes-
timonies of several Persons some of whom belong to the
present General Assembly
Therefore your Pet" humbly Request that the Plan a-fores''
may be confirmed to the Grantees A List whereof is herewith
exhibited or that the said Grantees may otherwise be relieved
touching the Premises as your Honours shall think Reason-
able and as in Duty bound shall Ever pray
John Whitcombe
Henry Gardner.
The Committee Upon the Within Petition having exam-
ined the plan therein refered to ask leave to Report, that
they are of opinion that the land thereby represented may
with Safety be confirmed to the Grantees named in the list
exhibited with the petition According to the courses and
Measures Set down on said plan And also a strip of land on
the Northerly Side of the Township of equal Quantity with
that they run in upon Bridgton as is set forth by the red
lines in said plan, on the condition & in full satisfaction of
the grant made to them Feb. 23 A. D. 1774 provided the
grant does not interfere with any former grant or grants and
that the contents of the ponds in Said Township Amounts to
Two thousand six Hundred Acres.
June 19
Mr. Lewis
Mr. Niles
Cap. Rice
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 105
To the Hon^^^ Board of Counsellors & the House of
Representatives of the State of the Massachusetts Bay now
sitting
The Petition of Ebenezer Cleaveland of Gloucester in the
County of Essex humbly Sheweth : that some time in June
1776 the following Persons viz* John Torrey, Thomas Robins
and John Tarr of Gloucester, & one Flint of Casco Bay &
James ^Slecomb of Beverly were taken by the Milford Frigate
on board of the Yankee Hero, that these said Persons were
put on board the Renown Ship of Warr and by Threatning &
Starving Necessities were Compelled to Enter who are very
Anxious to be Redeemed as can be made to appear from such
as were Prisoners who have been Redeemed and Cap*' Mark
Pool Commanding a Company at Bristol who had been a
prisoner with them being desired to Apply to the Governor
& Council of Rhode Island State for their Freedom writes
that the Renown lays in open sight of his Incampment that
the Governor & Council ordered him to desire your Peti-
tioner to apply to the Commissary for Prisoners to Exchange
for them. The Commissary your Petitioner here are five
Prisoners lately taken who belong to the Greyhound which
he will by your leave Exchange for these Men if Practicable
therefore in behalf of the Distressed Your Petitioner feeling
for them & their distressed Friends Humbly prays your
Honours to Indulge the Commissary with leave to us his
uttermost for their Redemption and as in duty bound shall
ever pray.
Eben'' Cleaveland.
Boston May 30, 1777.
Boston Town June 4, 1777
Gentlemen
This will be del** you by Mr. Jolm Preble Truckmaster for
the Indians of St. Johns River. By the late Movement here
lOG DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
be was forced to Leave that Iraployment which was Occa-
tioned By the part the Inhabitants had taken in the Cause
Now Contend'd for in America & not withstanding the
Obbgations 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 & Vol-
untarily Submit to the Mandates of those who is Endeavour-
ing to bring Great Brittain 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 permitted 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 whom 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 have any Connection
with the Inhabitants nor Transact any business with them
that may Expose them to the Resentement of there new
friends who wou'd have had no mercy on them was it not for
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 procuring some necessary refreshments for my Men for
which ample Satisfaction sliall be made.
I shall take every precaution to prevent any damages to
any Person dureing my stay.
I am yours etc.
a true Coppy Jn° Allan.
To the Inhabitants of Mangerville
OF THE STATE OF MALNE 107
To the Honorable the Council & House of Representatives
of the State of Massachusetts Bay.
The Committee of Correspondence, Inspection & Safety of
the Town of Gorliam in the County of Cumberhmd doth
Humbly Petition & Remonstrate as follows Viz : — That
whereas the Committee of this Town for last year on the 7"^
of September 1776 did Petition to the Hon. Gen' Court of
this State concerning Sundry Goods & Merchandise bro't
from Falm° and lodg'd at Col** Phinneys in this Town
formerly the property of Cap* Thomas Coulson as by the s**
Petition in the Sec^'* Office May appear Whereupon the s'*
Hon^'« Court was pleas to Ord"" Oct. 29. 1776. Viz :- That
the Committee of Safety etc. of the " Town of Gorham in
the County of Cumberland Be & hereby are directed &
Impowered to keep & preserve till the further Order of the
General Court, a certain parcel of Goods now in their
Custody, taken from & out of the House of Thomas Coulson
in the County afore** in the month of May 1775, by a Party
of the Militia under the Command of Col° Phinney amount-
ing as per Inv. here and annexed to 141. 1. 1. and all
Persons are hereby strictly forbidden to use or dispose of the
same till the further Order of this Court." Which Order
hath hitherto been strictly comply'd with so far as the
utmost exertion of the Committee would effect, till lately the
captors of the s'* Goods in the s'* Petition mention growing
almost desperate, being kept out of what they call'd their
just claim : Your Hon" Petitioners had drafted a second
Petition praying your Honours to order them some Allow-
ance, that their minds might be quieted but immediately
after, viz : the S** of June inst., a number of persons
encouraged by others did enter the Dwelling House of One
of the Committee & with force & arms broke the same, took
and carry'd away the said Goods out of your Petitioners
Possession. As by the s** special Order of Court the s**
108 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Goods were vested with us, We think it Our bounden Duty
to take the EarHest opportunity of Remonstrating to Your
Honour's against the s*^ Illegal proceedings of some of the
Captors of the s*^ Goods Humbley praying Your Honours to
take this matter into your wise consideration & be assured of
the Loyalty & best endeavours of your Petitioners to pre-
serve inviolate the Authority of the State, and give some
Special Orders relating to the Premises as You in your great
Wisdom shall see fit & your Petitioners as in Duty bound
shall pray.
Gorham June 5, 1777
Edw*^ Phinney per Order
In behalf of Committee
Sir/
I hope you will excuse my freedom in troubling your
Honour with the inclos'd : as the Selectmen and Committee
of Safety, etc. of this Town were strangers to the Members
that compose the Hon^^^ House the present year: & being
anxious for a speedy answer injoin'd it on me to do as I have
done the first opportunity : I therefore in the Name & behalf
of the Selectmen & Committee of this Town pray your Hon-
our to lay our matter of complaint before the House as soon
as may be : that we may have a speedy answer.
From your very humble Servant
Caleb Chase
Gorham June 7, 1777.
To the Speaker of the Hon^^® House of Representatives of
the State of Massachusetts Bay.
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 109
To the Honor*''® the Council and Assembly of the State of
Massachusetts Bay in General Court Assembled
The Memorial of Stephen Smith of INIachias
Most Humbly Sheweth
That a pernitious practice prevails among persons of no.
Principle but that of Avarice — of Selling Rum and Spirits
to the Indians, and by getting them Intoxicated defraud
them of their furrs and other articles of trade — by which
the State is deprived of the chief profitt of their valuable
Merchandise — and frustrate in their good Intentions of
preventing of and deceipt in Trafficking with those people —
The State in General acquires a bad Name and those who
are Employed by the publick to traid with them are obliged
to trust them with cloaths Bread and other Necessarys
because evil disposed persons have got them drunk and
cheated them of what they have to purchase with besides
the Honest ti'aider often Suffers ill language and other abuse
from them because others got them drunk. He therefore
prays Your Hon'^* to pass some act or resolve — or by such
other Means as in Wisdom you shall see fit to prevent such
Iniquity for the future.
And as there has been some Extraordinary Demands for
Stores of late for special occasions, He begs your Hon" to
take into Your wise Consideration the State of the Stores
now at Machias and the Many advantages derived from the
traid with the Indians there, Espeacially as it is the only
place in their troubles from times from which we can with
Safety get any furrs.
and give Such Orders thereon as Your Honours in Wis-
dom shall think proper —
and Your Memorialist as in duty bound Shall Ever Pray.
Stephen Smith.
Boston June 7, 1777.
110 DOCUMENTAllY HISTORY
A Return of the Sixth Regiment in the Count}' of Lincohi.
Com-i Officers 28 ; Clerks 8 ; Serjents 33 ; Corporals 31 ;
Drummers 6 ; Fifers 2; Rank & file 325; Alarm List 109 ;
guns 355; Bayonets 63; worms 375; Priming pins 357;
Hatchets 88 ; Catrage Boxes 29 ; Buck shot 100 ; Jack knives
443; T 315; Flints 1390; Powder lb. 167; Ball lb.
799 ; Knapsacks 427 ; Blankets 444 ; Canteens 396.
Officers mentioned:
Capt. Joseph Sevj, Cap* Henry Dyer, Cap* George Haslcm,
Cap* Samuel Libby, Cap* Daniel Sullaven, Cap* Ruben
Dyer, Ezra Young Cap*, Cap* John Hall, Cap* David Long-
fellow, Lew*^ Joel Whitney
Benj* Foster Coll
Machias March 1777. P"^ Jonas Farns worth Adj*
Norrigwalk, June 8, 1777. We the Lihabitents & upermost
Settlers on Canebec River once more Implore the assistance
of The Hon'' Court of the States off this Collony to Look
Crittically into our most Fearfull Situation in Regarde to the
Enemy with an Eye of Pittj'^ & Compation For We live
intierly Exposed to the Rage of A Merciless Enemy who
have Hier*^ Sum of the Indians Belonging to the Norrigawalk
tribe to Asist them in there Helhsh Design & to keep the
Same in Practice a Party of them consisting of English &
French Piletted by the Indians Come to the Great Carrying
Place & on the First of march sent in There Spie & took
two of our Hunters in about Half a Days travil of the Upper
Inhabitent & on the account off a great thaw at that time we
Conclude thay ware oblidged to Return without doing any
more Damage Therefore we your Humble Petitioners
Liveing in such a Dangers Situation And Loth to move inn
Humble Pleed our Necessity of Being Gearded & Regearded
OF THE STATE OF MAIJSJE 111
Being Great Sufferers in the cause of Liberty Having No
chance to Defend the same
Our Friend Indians this Day Have raov*^ inn & gon down
the Reaver & Two Families Have moov*^ in order to go to
Groton from Norrigawalk and others are upon a mooving
order & Except we have Help Directly we shall be Oblige'*
to Leve our farms & seek for shelter we Know not where —
these our Imperfect Writings we send to Be Laid Before A
Coart of Justice Where the Prayers of the Distressed are
Heard and Ansered tho Ever so Emperfect.
James Waugh George Gray Thomas Waugh
Robert Whitcomb Lowell Fairbrother. Sylvanus Sawyer
Oliver Willson Jn° Clarke W"» Fletcher
P. S./ the information we have of this Party of the Enemy
coming Threw is from Two Hunters that Came in on the
first of May & inform** us that They Saw where these two
men were taken and Sence confirm** by our Hunting Indians
who Saw two Long Camps and Great Signs of a large Party
— and told us we had better take our families and move
down tlie River for thay said the English would hire a tribe
of Very Bad Indians that Lived Beyond Canada Reaver for
wliich Cause & Causes of the Like Nature the Indians have
mooved & moving into By Places intierly out of the way of
the Enemy.
State of Massachusetts Bay
To the Hon**'^ the Council of said State the Petition of
Abiel Wood humbly shews — that 3'our Petitioner, sometime
in the year A.D. 1775, thro' the malevolent suggestions of
some of his assiduous Enemies, that he was an Enemy to
& had deserted the American States, had a sum of money
to the amount of two thousand Dollars by virtue of an order
112 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
of the Congress detained in M"^ Pelatiah Webster's Hand not
to bo paid to your Petitioner without an Order or permit
from the Council of this State for that purpose — Your Peti-
tioner therefore humbly prays your Honors to take the
Premises into your wise Consideration & Grant him an order
or permit to receive his said money from said Webster &
your Petitioner as in duty bound shall ever pray
Abiel Wood.
June 10**^ 1777
Gent"
Govern* thinks fit to advise you thro this Board that on
Sunday last 11 o'clock A. M. a sloop was chased off the
Gurnet as far as the Heights of Marshfield by 2 Frigates &
one other very large Ship which from the Distance between
her Masts where she put about appear'd to be at least a 50
Gun Ship — Our Informant had a full view of these three.
Ships & judged them to be British though they showed no
Colours. We make no doubt they are still in the Bay & are
very apprehensive that the ship with Hessians as well as
other vessels bound in may fall into their Hands unless they
receive timely notice of their danger. We therefore entreat
You will publish as expedily as possible this News to the
Eastward to the end that all concerned may be upon their
Guard.
S. P. Savage Pres*
To the Com*® of Correspondence Inspection & Safety for
the Town of Falmouth
War Office Boston 10 June, 1777, 12 o'clock
Sir
As the Board of War hath positive Intelligence from
undoubted Authority that there is now in our Bay three
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 113
British men of war one of which is judged to be a fifty Gun
Ship, & that they are likely to cruise there or off the Capes
for some time, it is desired that you will detain the Ships
you are now loading, should they be ready to sail until you
shall receive further Advice or Intelligence from this Board.
S. P. S.
You or the Com®" of Falm° will forward this Intelligence
of British Ships cruising in our Bay as far East as you think
fit immediately and at the charge of Government.
Falmouth 11»> June 1777
Gent
I am sorry to acquaint you that i have Not been Able to
get Men for the Ship though I have Dun all that lay in my
power since my last I have Shipt one man at 25 Dollars pr
month Sailors are very Scarse & what few thare is hear are
not fond of such a Voige I have now five Men Besides My-
self & Mate the Ship has been loaded, wooded and watered
this 10 Days only Waits for men Should you think proper to
offer eney more Incouragment Or to have the Ship brought
to the Westward I should be glad to have your orders. If
the Ship is to lay hear till Man'd as it May be Sum time
Should be glad if you would send Down Sum more Rum
Coffe or chocolate & Sugar as I am oblig*^ to find the Sailors
& have not got a SufPeshency on bord Neither is it to be had
hear I Rec'd your letters for Messrs. Jacques Gruel & C.
Shall take perticuler Care of them We hear ther is four or
five saile of Crusers on the Coast one of them was cruising
of this harbor last Sunday I shall still Exerte myself as much
as possible about getting men though I have but poor
Incouragment as men are very Scarse. I am Gen*^ your
humble Servant Will'" Haynes.
To the Uon'>'' Board War
114 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Machias June J** 12^'^ 1777
To Capt Stephen Smith
Take this opportunity to lett you know that Last Saturday
morning Embarked Maj' Shaw with foi'ty-five men for S*
Johns to joyn with M"^ Allen it was attended with Great
Difficulty to Repare boat for them to go in and attended
with much Expence to gett Nails, Pitch & so forth, to
Repare the Boat which hindred Maj'' Shaw from setting out
so sune as we Expected. How Ever we are in hopes he will
arrive seasonable to Meet the Enemy according to the last
account the Enemy nor Mr Simonds had not arriv'd thare
but was hourly Expected. Will™ Albey arrived hear Last
Sunday with a prize schooner, the Industery, Richard Velpay,
Lieu* master which schooner was taken last week by Cap*
West & Company & sent in hear M"^ Albey Seems to attend
to the Business of the prize more than the safety of the
States that Layd those matter before the Committee but
thayr being no letter from Mr. Allen and but a very Blind
acount from Cap* West Did not verily well no how to prosed
but Recommended to M^ Albey from him and his party to
Secure the Prize in the Best maner thay Could and Return
to thar Duty agin which M^ Albey Declined but M'' Hall
one of the Gauerd with him Expressed his Desire to Return
to Cap* West agin and he with the Rest Setts off this Day
for St. Johns, Mr. Albey seems Intent upon Libeling and
getting the vessel Condemened amiadiately the Committee
Recommended it to Mr. Albey not to prosced any further
upon the Business until he Notifies Mr. Allen of the matter
and send to him a Coppy of the Vessels papers and an
account of the Whole proceedings so that he may be con-
sulted in the matter as Mr Allen was upon the River with
the Indians when they took & Brought of said prize away
And the Committee told Mr. Albey it his present designs
seems to carry an appearance of thare Trying to Get the
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 115
Vessel Condemned to a few Individuals and give up thare
Pretentions of being in the State's Service we told him that
if so, the Committee would Insist upon the Expences of thare
Provisions, Boats & Amunition to be paid out of the prize.
How ever that was a matter he Give himself no trouble
about, and without the advice of the Committee on his owne
account Landed the Cargo in Esq"^ Jones' store and we
supose either by himself or attorney will soon have her
Libeled at Pownalborough and if the Captors are in the
States Service you will acquaint the States Agent of
the matter also you can get the Tryal putt off till Mr Allen
Can have an opertunity to putt in his clame if he has any as
it may be asserted that he is among the Meckmack Indians
& we think those Persons that Seeks thare owne Interest so
much more then thay Do the safety of a Bleeding Country
Disarves no preferment in it Captain West was considerate
Enough to write to the Committee To Suport his family
while in the Sarvis but not anything how to have the Prize
Proceeded with, by Inquirey we understand her Cargo is
2 H'^* W. I. Rum 2 H^^ Molasses 5 Tearces Rice 2 Bar-
rels Pork 1 Bowl Tobaco about 300 lbs Cotton 20 thousand
Nails a good schooner about fifty guns, som English goods
She apears by the Papers to be from Halifax about fifteen
Days ago but brings no Material advises, the Lieut Capt.
seems to have great Pretenchens to Liberty and has a permit
from the honorabal Council Dated Last October to Remove
his family and Effects from Yarmouth in November Into
this State but it seems was upon a Very Different Business
it is plain to be seen how the Honorable Council are Imposed
upon by such Villins, that under a cloak of Liberty are
Daily Selling thare Country. We have no account from
you Since your arival at Casco Bay and are Impatient to
hear, hope you will Lett us Know as sune as Possibel. our
Expences in litting out this Expedition has been much
116 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Greater then we first Expected. We Look for an Express
from jM"" Allen through the woods in a Day or two, and are
In hopes that the News will be favorable about the Indians
god only Knows what is Designed for Us etc.
as to John Anderson Goods
upon Examination thare are two Terces Rum which are near
one half Spiled we supose in Long's Schooner about half
way up the casks had been wast and sune as we Discovered
it we shifted it and the wast part w^as almost Rotten which
is very near one half which had it not been shifted would
sune ben all spiled etc. We were obliged to borrow four
Barels pork and two Barels flower. Since you went away to
fitt out Maj. Shaw & party also was obliged to Borrow a
hundi-ed weight of Balls or the Truck house would be Left
to Bare as we Look upon it our Duty, as far as in us Lys to
see the Truck house is well suplyed at this Critikel Day as
the Indians are Dayly making Very unreasonable Demands
so must Conclude your Sencear friend and well Wishers the
Committee of Machias
James Flinn clerk
In Council July 1, 17Y7 Read & Comitted to the Comittee
to whom was referred the Representation of the Comittee of
Correspondence etc of Salem relative to M"^ Valpey.
Sent Down for Concurrence
Jn" Avery Dpy. Secy
In the House of Representatives July 1, 1777.
Concurr'd
R. T. Paine Spk"^ pro. tem
To the hon*^® The Assembly of the State of the Massachu-
setts Bay.
The Memorial of Pelatiah Webster of Philadelphia, hum-
bly Sheweth
OF THE STATE OF MAI]SE 117
That about Two years ago Abiel Wood of Pownalboro' in
your State sent his Sloop Betsey of about Eighty tons
Burthen to Philadelphia to be there Loaded with flour &
iron — That he Addiess*^ said Vessel to your Memorialist
That the Committee of Inspection of said Philadelphia
Refused to Suffer said Sloop to be Loaded or Sold for Acc°
of said Wood by Reason of Exceptions taken to y*' Political
character of said Wood — That ab* Nine months ago the
General Congress gave permission to your Memorialist to
sell said Vessel Requiring him to Vest the Real proceeds of
said sale in Your Assembly or their order.
Your Memorialist therefore prays the" order of your
Assembly to pay said Nett proceeds to said Wood or Order.
Pelatiah Webster
Boston 12''" June 1777.
FalmM3, June 1777
Sir
Mr. William Newman has just arriv** here from George
Town & informs that he Arrivd at Booth Bay in a Brigan-
tien from Nants in France Nicholas Bartlet jun"^ Master. He
apply*^ to Us for assistance in forwarding him to Boston —
We have Supplyd him with three pounds Twelve shillings &
have procur'd him a horse to prosecute his journey — he has
a letter for the Board of War. As we choose to be properly
informed We took the liberty to open the letter — we think
it at present Dangerous in Going from either this or George-
town to Boston by water As A frigate is Cruising between
tliis & Small point. Mr. Newman Likewise informs that
Capt. Bartlet has a pacquet for the Continental Congress we
are sorry we have not the pleasure to forward it — but Capt.
Bartlett No Doubt has reasons for Detaining it — we make
118 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
no doubt you will see that we are reimburs'd for the charges
we have & may be at.
We are with due respect Y^ friends & Serv**
John Waite Chairman
per Order of the Committee
An Inventory of Sundrys Delivered John Allan Esq'' Conti-
nental Agent for Eastern Department on the River St. Johns
June 15, 1777. Viz'
3 Bails Blanket^ Cont^ 43: 131. 21 1^ yd* Oznabriggs 15
yd* Linnen. 33 yd* fine Linnen check 29 ^ yd* coarse Linnen
check 5 Hatts 3]^ Doz" Knives 10 P* Gartering 4 P* Yal-
low Quality 5 P* Silk ferret 30 yd* wide ferret 75 yds Rib-
band % Cask Raisins 27 y^^s blue Duffle 60 lbs Bread 2
bbls Molasses 68 Gallons 1}4 Ct. Balls 1 Bble Rice cont^
ic 2<ir 12'^ 24 lb* Chocolate 10 lb* Tobacco 2}4 Doz"
Needles 10 y*^* in three pieces Calico 61 y*** in three pieces
Calico 124 bbs Beaver 87 Musquash Skins 8 Minks Skins
4 Martins Skins 2 Peequands Skins 4 Otters Skins
From the precariousness of matter on the River St. John's &
the critical situation of the place : it was thought Expediant
to take out of the hand of M'^ John Preble such things as he
had belonging to the State. I acknowledge therefore to
have rec** the above articles for which I will be accountable.
Machias Sept. 2"<^ 1777 J. Allan
State of Massachusetts Bay
In the House of Representatives, June 16, 1777.
Resolved that the doings of a Town Meeting of the Town
of Windham in the County of Cumberland held in said Town
March 31** A. D. 1774, be & hereby is established and con-
OF THE STATE OF MAINE
119
firmed as they stand recorded in the To^ni Book by Richard
Dole the standing clerk notwithstanding the commission of
Richard May berry the clerk for the Day aforesaid being
sworn any Law usuage or custom to the contrary Notwith-
standing.
Sent up for Concurrence
J. Warren Spk""
In Council June 7, 1777
Read & Concurred as taken into a New Draught.
Sent do^^Ti for Concurrence.
Jn° Aveiy, Dpy. Secy.
In the House of Representatives June 21, 1777
Read & concurr''
Consented to
Jer. Powell
A. Ward
W. Spooner
Jedidiah Preble
N. Cushing
Dan^ Davis
S. Holten
Jabez Fisher
F. M. Dana
Oliver Prescott
John Taylor
J. Warren Spk'
B. White
H. Gardner
Benj. Austin.
I. Palmer
Tim° Danielson
State of Massachusetts Bay.
In the House of Representatives, June 16, 1777.
Whereas tis represented to this Court, that at the annual
meeting of the Town of Windham in Cumberland County on
the 31 day of March 1774 one Richard Mayberry a tem-
porary clerk of the meeting, was not Sworn to the faithfull
discharge of that Trust : That the Votes and transactions of
the said meeting have since that Time been Recorded in the
Town Book of Windham by Richard Dole the standing
120 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Town (^lerk for that year, from minutes made on Paper at
said meeting by the said Richard May berry, and as doubts
may arise whether the Votes and proceedings of the said
Town meeting can be in law considered legaL
It is tlierefore Resolved that the Votes, and proceedings
of the Town of Windham aforesaid at their March meeting
in 1774, as Recorded in their Town Book by Richard Dole,
shall be as Valid and effectual to every intent and purpose,
as tho' the said Richard May berry had been duly Sworn :
any Law usage or custom to the contrary notwithstanding.
To the Honorable the Council of the State of the Massa-
chusetts Bay New England
The Memorial of Nathan Jones of Goldsborough in said
State
Humbly Sheweth
That at the Superiour Court of Judicature next to be
Holden at York, will come on the Tryall of a Certain Vessell
the property of your Memorialist, and that the personal
attendance of your Memorialist is absolutely necessary in
order that the same cause may be Justly litigated, and that
your Memorialist is necessitated to make application to your
Honours for Liberty to attend said Court by reason of Your
Memorialist having given his parol of Honor that he would
not goe at a greater distance from the town of Boston than
Twenty Miles, without Liberty first had & obtained of the
Hon^'^® the Council or General Assembly of this State.
Wherefore your Memorialist prays your Honours would
grant Liberty for to goe not only as far as York to attend
the Tryall aforementioned but also to visit his family at
Goldsborough haveing been absent from the same for a very
considerable time, at the same time subject to such restric-
OP THE STATE OP MAINE 121
tions as your Honours in your Wisdom shall Judge fit «fe
proper & as in Duty bound shall ever pray.
Nathan Jones
Boston June 17 - 1777
Council Chamber June 10, 1777
Nathan Jones of Goldsborough is hereby permitted to go
to York in the County of York in this State to attend a
cause, pending in the Sup. Court there respecting the capture
of his Vessell and in case the Said Cause should be continued
to Falmouth Court which ( will be the first Tuesday of July
next. The said Jones is permitted to attend the said Court
at Falmouth But not otherwise. He the said Nathan Jones
giving his Parol of honour for his Returning to the limita-
tions and restrictions he is now under as soon as his said
Cause shall be determined or ( in case it is tried at either of
the Courts aforesaid ) or as soon as the same shall be con-
tinued over to a future day.
Falmouth June 17, 1777.
Sir/
I receivd Yours of the 5 of this ins' by the 14 by which
I was informd that Your Ship Gruel had been sail from
Marblehead then about 10 days but she had not arived at
Sheepsgut which Gave me Reason to feare She was taken on
the 15. I was inform'd there was a Ship at Falmouth which
came from Marblehead and that the men had Left her which
gave me hopes that Your Ship was not taken, on Monday
the 10"' inst. I came for Falmouth to Sea if it was Your
Ship if it was to assist the Capt. to remove her to Sheepsgut
on arrival I found Your Ship Gruel here Joseph Proctor
Master, he had onbent his Sails and on-ballasted the Ship.
Capt. Proctor then deliver'd your Letter of the 16"' of May.
I then asked him the reason of his stoping at Falmouth and
122 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
conducting in the manner he had. He replied that Col°
Glover Gave him Verbal Orders to Come to falmouth with
the Ship and there discharge his men, and that Mr William
Frost had ordered him to haul the Ship to the Wharfe &
unbend the Sails and on ballaste the Ship. I then showed
him Your Letter and Desired him to Ballast the Ship again
and get her in Order to prosed to Sheepsgott as quickly as
possible and offered him all assistance necessary, he replied
that he should not for he was employed by Col. Glover. As
to the great Expense you have been informed would attend
the moveing your Mast from Kennebeck to Sheepsgott Sir I
imagine that information is from Several persons in Kenne-
bec by what I had heard from that Quarter but I can with
pleasure inform the Hon'^^^ Board that there information is
Ficticious for the whole Expence of removeing the mast and
plank from Kennebeck to Wiscasset point did not Amount
to more than twenty Dollars. You wrote me in your Letter
of the 5 of June that the money is sent me to pay for the
Cargo and fixing out the Ship but have not received it.
Capt Procter Informs me that Your Ship is no ways first to
take in Mast having no spare Cordage for that use and that
he wants Considerable to fix the ship for the Sea and that
he shall want Provisions and almost Every thing Else that
is necessary to fit a Ship for Such a Voyage. All there is
on Bord Consists in 1 bb of flower 2 bb of Porke, 9 bb of
Beef & a Quantity of Bread which is damag'd. There is a
Prize Brig at Damariscotta River thats taken by Capt. Fisk
with Hessians on Bord that has also a quantity of Cordage
and provisions on Bord which would answer to furnish your
Ship Gruel if s*^ Brig is Stop* there. The Rum Molasses &
other things Mentioned in my Memorandum will be much
wanted for the Ships use while Loading and one hundred
waits of Coffee or Chocolate for I Cant Geat a man to work
on Bord without finding him some rum. One cask of Rice
■ OF THE STATE OP MAINE 123
t& one Barrel of Shugar Will be necessary which tilings I
must Beg You to forward to me as quick as possible also
orders for your Ship to proseed to Sheepsgut and forward to
me the money necessary, the Mast are all hewed and
receive damage Every day till Ship* I expected by Your
Letter of 5 June that the money was sent to me in the Ship
but Capt. Proctor informs me that it was not. Your letter
of the 16 iVIay was not SeaP therefore Col. Glover & Capt.
Proctor must know that your Ship was Ordered to Sheeps-
gut and am surprised that Col° Glover should ( after having
the Ship Under his care three months to fix for the Voyage )
Send her down in want of Allmost Everything necessary
therefor, not having sufficient Riging to Set the Ships Sails
— I am in hast with all respect Your Most Humble Servant
Timothy Parsons
Hon^'« Board of War.
Number of Men Number
to Draw of Days
Provisions Drawn
for
From a Commissary's Report, 1777.
June 17, Lieut. Joel Whitney's Company — 8 Men 4
June 18, Capt. Halls Company 12 Men 6
June 24, Conal Campbel himself Excluded 17 Men 5
June 28 Capt. Sulleving's Comp 14 Men 5
Then follows a list of provisions.
To the Honourable Council & Honourable House of Rep-
resentatives att Boston in general court Assembled We your
Humble Petitioners
Humbly Sheweth : that whereas Harpswell Lying on the sea
& being a Neck of Land &, an Island which Island is Navigable
124 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
for Vessells of a considerable Burthen all round and the
Neck for Eight miles on both sides, and the British Ships of
War are cruising on our Coast Daily and some Times are
seen Very Near in with the Land and we understand by
Very Correct Information that they have on board of one of
their Ships for their Pilate one Will™ Haffey who was Taken
in a Coasting Sloop from this Town in the Year 1776 so
that we look upon our selves in the greatest Danger of
being Plundered & our Stocks being Taken of before we can
be alarm*^ to make any resistance : therefore, Gentlemen, We
pray your Honours would Take into your wise Consideration
the Danger we are in & grant us a small gard of about
Twelve men who may keep a centre on the Two Lower
Points of Neck & Island so that upon any Discovery of any
Vessells of War we may be alarmed. Likewise we Pray
they may be under the care of the Militia officer as to their
faithfulness and appoint such an officer over them as your
Honours shall think Proper : as we in duty bound shall ever
Pray.
Harpswell June y* 18*J> 1777
William Sylvester^
John Rodick I Selectmen
Anthony Coombs J
To the Hon'"^" the Council for the State of Massachusetts
Bay
and the Hon'''® House of Representatives in General
Court Assembled —
May it Please your Honors. —
The Petition of a Number of the Inhabitants on Kenne-
beck River & others in the County of Lincoln . . . Humbly
Sheweth :
That by an Act passed by the Great & General Court
or Assembly for the State aforesaid in the year of our Lord,
OF THE STATE OF MAINE
125
One thousand seven hundred & seventy -six, Establisliing
Naval Officer in this State, a Port is established at Boothbay
in said County of Lincoln, which is vastly incommodious to
the Trading Part of this County, that are Settled upon &
Contiguous to the said River Kennebeck as the Distance is
very great, either to Boothbay, or Falmouth, and as we have
no doubt but this Hon^'^ Court are ready at all Times to
attend to the reasonable request of the Subjects of this State
and to grant them all that relief which this Hon^^^ Court in
their Wisdom shall think they are Intitled to. Your Peti-
tioner therefore humbly Pray that a Port may be Establish'd
upon said River Kennebeck & a Naval Office Erected
therein, which will be a Vast Ease & Benefit to y'' Petitioner
& to the Publick in General & as in Duty bound shall Ever
Pray &c
Jon* Bowman Nath^ Thwing
Jon^ Davis RoP Cushing
Prince Barker Davis Hatch
John Johnson Jonathan Reed
John Hathorn Joel Reed
William Wyman James Derry
Phillip White Robert White
Rich"* Harnden
Jordan Parker
Joseph Bowker
Solomon Walker
Obadiah Call Jun'
Samuel Goodwin Jun"^
Lones houdlette
William Hathorn
Francis Ford
Robert Reed
Eben"^ Preble
John Langdon Jun Timothy Parsons
Tim* Langdon
James Purinton
Israel Smith
Stephen Whitraore Joseph Foster
Jn° Wood Joseph Lambard
Sam'l W. Cobb
James Cargill
Jonathan Fuller
Ebenezer Whittier
Tho* Rice
To the Hon'''* the Council & House of Representatives for
the State of Massachusetts Bay Humbly Shews Jotham
Moulton of York in the County of York Esq'
That some time in the last May Sessions of this Court
126
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
The Hon. House granted unto your Petitioner the Sum of
Fifty-Three Pounds Eleven Shillings & nine Pence for sun-
dry necessary Supplys to the armed Schooner Diligent under
the command of Lieu* Lambert, in the Service of this State.
That your Petitioner has the greatest Reason to believe that
the said Grant was concurred by the Hon. Council. But so
it happens that among the multiplicity of Business that took
place about That Time Your Petitioner has not been able to
obtain a Warrant from the Treasurer for said Sum. By rea-
son that the said Grant nor the record thereof is not to be
found in the Secretary's office
Wherefore your Petitioner prays That your Honours
would review the said Grant, and that he may have a Warn*
on the Treasury for the same.
By David Sewall
State of Massachusetts Bay
Li the House of Representatives June 20*^ 1777
Resolved the Commissary General be & he hereby is
Directed to Deliver to M"^ Peter Woodbury or Order one
Hundred Weight of Gun Powder for the use of the Cannon
at the fort in Cape Elizabeth he to be accountable for the
same
Sent up for Concurrence
J Warren Spk''
In Council June 20, 1777
Read & Concurred
Consented to
Jer. Powell A. Ward
Jedidiah Preble Rich** Derby
S. Holten I. Palmer
Jabez Fisher Dan'l Davis
Oliver Prescott N. Gushing
Benj Austin
Jn** Avery Dpy Secy
W. Spooner
B. White
John Taylor
F. M. Dana
Tim° Danielson
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 127
State of Massachusetts Bay in the House of Representa-
tives June 20, 1777
On the Petition of Pelatiah Webster for Liberty to pay
the Nett Proceeds of the Sloop Belfry to Abiel Wood of
Pownalborough or his Order
Resolved, that the said Webster B have Liberty to pay
the Nett Proceeds of the said Sloop A to the said Wood or
Order, if he sees fit.
Sent up for concurrence
kr
J. Warren, Sp
In Council July 2^ 1777.
Read & Concurred with the Amendment at A Viz* dele
the words, to the said Wood or Order if he sees fit, and
insert, unto the Treasury of this State, then to remain until
the further Order of the General Court, and that the
Receiver General upon receiving the said Proceeds from said
Webster shall give him a Discharge for the same.
Sent Down for Concurrence
Jn° Avery Dpy. Secy.
In the House of Representatives July 2, 1777.
Read & Concurrd with the further amendment at B viz.
at B dele the words " have liberty " and insert " be and
hereby is directed " Sent up for Concurrence.
R. T. Pame Spk"^ pro. temp.
In Council July 2'U777
Read & Concurred
Jn° Avery Dpy Secy.
Consented to
Jer. Powell Jabez Fisher Tim° Danielson
A. Ward I. Palmer R. Derby
W. Spooner John Taylor B. White
Jedidiah Preble H. Gardner Tim° Edwards
S. Holten T. Gushing N. Gushing
128 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY ^
State of Massachusetts Bay.
In the House of Representatives June 20''^ 1777
On the Remonstrance & Petition of the Committee of Cor-
respondence, Inspection & Safety for the town of Gorham
seting forth that a number of Persons, encouraged by others
did enter the Dwelling House of One of the said Comm*^® by
Force and Arms & carried off a quantity of goods that were
the property of Thomas Coulson of Falmouth an Absentee
w*^^ goods were ordered by the General Court to remain in
their possession until the further orders thereof.
Therefore resolved that the Committee aforesaid be and
hereby are directed to make strict enquiry for the discovery
of the Persons who have been guilty of the crimes aforesaid
and cause them to be apprehended & brought to justice and
also that the Goods may be recovered into the hands of the
committee & when recovered the s*^ Committee are directed
to conform to the Acts & Resolves of the General Court of
this State for Absentees Estates made & provided.
And whereas it is suggested that sundry persons had been
at the trouble of procuring the goods abovementioned, it is
further resolved that they be allowed to lay their Accounts
before this Court for allowance provided they were not the
Perpetrators or Abettors of the riotous & Illegal proceedings
aforesaid
Sent up for Concurrence
J. Warren Spk'
In Council June 20, 1777
Read & Concurred Jn° Avery Dpy Secy.
Consented to
Jer: Powell A. Ward W. Spooner
Jedidiah Preble John Taylor Jabez Fisher
F. M. Dana I. Palmer S. Holten
R. Derby H. Gardner B. White
Tim" Danielson Dan^ Davis Oliver Prescott
N. Gushing Benj. Austin
OF THE STATE OF MALNE 129
State of Massachusetts Bay
In the House of Representatives June 20 1777.
On the Petition of the Committees of Cape Elizabeth,
Windham, Gorham and Pearsontown in tlie Count}^ of
Cumberland, complaining that several Mill Dams have been
erected across the River Presumpscott which have totally
obstructed the Passages of Fish up said River and praying
for Relief.
Resolved That the Petitioners notify Master Benjniiu
Wait Builder of the Dam at Presumpscot Falls A on said
River B by serving liim C with a Copy of this Resolve ) to
appear on the third Tuesday of the next setting of the
General Court, and Shew Cause, if any he have why D he
should not make and keep open a sufficient Sluice or Passage
Way through and round said Dam for the Passage of Fish
up said River and pay the charge arising thereon.
And it is further Resolved that there be paid out of the
Publick Treasury of this State to John l.,e\vis Esq'' and
James Fabyan each the sum of sixteen shillings in full for
their Time and Expences for serving on a Committee to view
the Dams upon Presumscott River etc. agreeable to a
Resolve of the General Court of the 20*'' of April last —
Sent up for Concurrence
J. Warren Sp**^'
In Council June 24, 1777.
Read & Concurr'd with the Amendment at A. B. & C.
Sent down for Concurrence.
Jn° Avery Dpy. Secy,
at B insert together with Enoch Freeman Esq' Daniel
Dole, Enoch Ilsley and Abraham Osgood, Proprietors of
several Mills on said River which obstruct the Passage of the
Fisli
at A insert & Amancoggin Falls
at C dele him and insert them.
130 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
In the House of Representatives June 24, 1777.
Read & Concurr'd and the House propose a further
amendment viz. at D. dele he and insert they.
Sent up for Concurrence
J. Warren Spk"^
In Council June 25, 1777.
Read & Concurr'd
John Avery T)py. Secy.
Consented to
Jer : Powell A. Ward Jedidiah Preble
W. Spooner Richard Derby John Whitcomb
S. Holten H. Gardner Dan'l Davis
B. White F. M. Dana Tim^ Danielson
N. Cushing Oliver Prescott Tim^ Edwards
In the House of Representatives June 21^*^ 1777.
Resolved that the Board of War be & hereby are directed to
furnish the Truck house at Machais, as soon as may be, with
the Articles in the Schedule herewith presented, as those
Articles that are most Vendable among the Indians are
chiefly disposed of by Orders of this Court, the Truck master
being Accountable for such of said Articles as may be deliv-
ered him.
A True Extract from the Resolves
Attest Jn° Avery D. Secy.
Invoice of Sundrys wanting in the Truck House at Machias
200 Bushels Corn 60 Bushels Salt 200 Gallons Rum 200
Gallons Molasses 6 Barrels Pork 200'^ hogs fatt 1000^^ of
bread 100 Blankets 200 yards Staves 200 yards duffells 400
yards Linnen 200^'' Sugar 1 Cask Wine lOO'** Powder 400^^
Balls 100 yards broad cloth 200 yds different Calicoes 1
Cask Raisins Hatts, Hatchets, Knives, Ribbands, Binding
12000 Wampum lOOO'^^ Tobacco Pipes, Tin Kittles, Steels
Beeds, Coarse Lace Thread.
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 131
The above Articles are most wanting — tliere is a Trunk
of Goods that was stopt at Macliias, tliat l)elonged to M''
Anderson, Containing an assortment for the Indians at St.
Johns, which are Snperioi' to any that can be now purchased.
A True Copy
Attest Jn° Avery D. Secy.
State of Massachusetts Bay
Resolved that the Commassary General be & he hereby is
Directed to Deliver to Joseph Noyes Commasary of the
Forces Stationed at Falmouth & Cape Elizabeth three Boxes
of Candles of about forty pounds each One thousand Flints,
One Ream Cartridge paper and twelve fathoms of match
Rope for the use of said Forces he to be accountable for the
same.
Sent up for Concurrence
J. Warren Spk"^
In Council June 21, 1777.
Read & Concurred
Jn° Avery Dpy Secy.
Consented to
Jer. Powell A. Ward Jedidiah Preble
Rich^ Derby I. Palmer Benj. Austin
John Taylor Jabez Fisher Danl Davis
F. M. Dana Oliver Prescott N. Gushing
Tim« Danielson S. Holten B White
State of Massachusetts Bay.
In the House of Representatives, June the 21*^ 1777.
On the Memoiial of Capt. Stephen Smith, Shewing that
one or more of the Inhabitants of Machias, by selling Strong
liquors to the Indians, in such quantities as to intoxicate
them, have defrauded them of their Furs, and other valuable
Aiticles thereby depriveing this State in a great measure of
132 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
tlie benefit of their Trafick, and in a great measure frustra-
ting tlie laudable design of this State, of attaching said
Indians to its Interest, Together with the necessity the
Truckmaster is under to trust them, all which would be pre-
vented, if the evil practice of sellhig Strong drink to said
Indians was duly attended to. Resolved That no person or
persons (the Truckmaster excepted) be allowed to give,
sell. Truck, Barter or Exchange, with any Indian or Indians
any strong beer, cyder, wine, rum, brandy, or any othei-
strong liquor for cloathing or any other thing whatsoever the
Indians, may have in possession whether intoxicated or not.
On the penalty of Forty Shillings to be paid one moiety to
him or them who shall inform or sue for the same & y® others
moiety to Treasurer of this State for the use of the State for
each and every offence above mentioned to be recovered att
any Court proper to try the same, or two months imprison-
ment. It is further Resolved that the Board of War be &
hereby are directed to furnish the Truckhouse att Machias,
as soon as may be, with the Articles in the Schedule here-
Avitli presented, as those articles which are most vendable
among the Indians are chiefly disposed of, by Orders of this
Court the Truckmaster being accountable for such of said
articles as may be delivered him
Sent up for concurrence
J. Warren, Spk""
In Council June 21, 1777.
Read & Concurred.
John Avery Dpy Secy
Consented to
Jer: Powell Jabez Fisher B. White
A. Ward S. Holten H. Gardner
W. Spooner John Taylor Tim° Danielson
Jedidiah Preble Dan Davis Oliver Prescott
I. Palmer N. Cushing F. M. Dana
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 133
Falmouth June 23, 1777.
Sir
A Prize Brig*^ urriv'd beare this day sent in by Capt.
Clouston, the Prize Master tells me his orders are to send an
Express Imediately to Boston, be is in want of provisions
&c & also Cash to hire a man to go. I have hired the Post
to Carry tlie letters to Boston & shall Furnish him with what
he wants. He heard I was agent at this Porte made him
apply to me it is true I was appointed D^ Agent by Thii^
Parsons of Pownalboro' last Fall before I went to Virginia
but whether he is Continued to this time I dont know. If
he is I woud not have anything to do with any Vessell under
Parsons ( Fiom what I liave bear*^ respect^ Parsons I wou'*
not at any rate ) as I have the Care of the Continental Prizes
which arive beare, it may be of service to me to be Agent
for the State Prizes & also to the Place to have some of them
sold beare.
Should there be an agent appointed for this Place shall
take it a favor youl mention my name, it may be as much in
my Power to Serve the State as any one Else. Wou*^ tliank
you for an answer whether I shall Supply the Prize master
etc. by the Bearer who will Come out of Town Imediately
I am in Haste" Y"" most Hum''^^ Serv'
Simeon Mayo
Mr. Ellis Gray
P. S. Tho^ Oxnard has bin missing abt Ten Days I
Believe gone intend^ for Europe. Shall write you soon hope
to see you in July — has marstou yet sent for the money If
not I shall order it otherways. S. M.
State of Massachusetts Bay In the House of Representa-
tives June 24'»' 1777 on the Petition of the Selectmen of
Harpswell, praying that they may have two Penal guards
134 DOOUME^TARY HISTORY
one on the lower point of meryconeag neck & the other on
the lower end of Sebascodegiu Island.
Resolved that there be inlisted Eight men of the Militia
of the County of Cumberland to keep two guards, four of
them to be stationed on the Lower point of merryconeag
neck & four of them on the lower end of Sebascodegan
Island to be under the direction of the militia Captains of
Harpswell to do duty for the term of six months from this
time unless sooner discharged by order of Court & to have
the same wages as the Soldiers stationed at Falmouth & be
allowed Six Shillings g week to find themselves subsistance
& that they furnish themselves with fire arms & other
accoutrements.
Sent up for Concurrence
J. Warren Spk"^
In Council June 24, 1777
Read & Concurred
Jn° Avery Dpy Secy.
Consented to
A. Ward W. Spooner Jedidiah Preble
I. Palmer John Taylor Jabez Fisher
S. Holten B. White F. M. Dana
Tim° Danielson Dan^ Davis A. Gardner
Benj. Austin Oliver Prescott Tim" Edwards
State of the Massachusetts Bay
In the House of Representatives June 25, 1777
On the Petition of the Hon^^« John Whitcomb & the
Hon^^^ Henry Gardner Esq" respecting the acceptance of a
plan & Confirmation of the land within represented to them
& their Associates as named in a Schedule exhibited with
said plan in Satisfaction for a grant made to them, on the 23
day of February A. D. 1774, of a Township of land, of the
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 135
contents of Seven miles Square which grant was made in
consequence of their loosing the Township No. 6 in the line
of Towns on Contoocook River by runing the Hnes between
this State & the State of New Hampshire.
Resolved that the Township of land described by the fol-
lowing lines & Courses be confirmed to the aforesaid John
Whitcomb & Henry Gardner Esq""* & their Associates on the
Conditions hereafter mentioned, viz : Beginning at a White
pine tree in the westerly corner of a Township Called Otis-
burg, thence N. 25^"^'^'"' W : one Hundred rods to a Stake,
m the Northerly corner of a Township Called Bridgeton,
thence W. S. 65"^««^ two miles to a stake, thence N. 25'^'^e Six
Miles & half & thirty rods to a hemlock, thence N. 65'^^^^ E. one
mile to a stake, thence N. 25^'*^* W. one Hundred & ninety rods
to a stake, thence N. 65'^*^* E : three quarters of a mile to a
stake : thence N. 25'^*^^* W : one hundred rods to a Stake,
thence N. 65 '^^^\ E. two miles, thence S. 25'^*^^. E. one hun-
dred rods to a Stake, thence N. 65^^^. E. three miles & three
quarters : thence S. 25'^^^ E. Seven Miles & Sixty rods to a
heap of stones, thence S. 65*^*^. W. by land belonging to this
State &, the aforesaid Otisburg to the White pine first
mentioned on one condition that this grant does not interfere
with any former grant or grants & that the Grantees perform
the terms mentioned in the said Grant of Feb. 23, A. D.
1777, & Also that the Contents of the ponds in said Town-
ship amounts to Two thousand Six Hundred Acres, and
provided the same does not Contain more than seven miles
square exclusive of Pond.
Sent up for Concurrence
In Council June 25, 1777.
Read & Concurred
J. Warren Spk"^
John Avery Dpy Secy
136 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
War Office Boston, June 25, 1777.
M^ William Frost
Sir We are greatly Surprised you have not got Men for
Capt. Haynes Ship as you promis'd to get the Men &c. for
lier, please to get the Men if possible & dispatch Capt.
Haj^ies immediately & take the first good Wind if the Coast
is clear & proceed on his Voyage & if she wants any stores
get them & we will replace them to you by the first opportu-
nity— deliver out of Capt. Haynes Ship all the Dogs & all
his falls for to Load Capt. Proctors Ship- — ^We are sorry
you did not acquaint Capt. Proctor you was not to load his
Ship as you know M"^ Parsons was to load her & he had the
Cargo ready for her, please to give him all assistance to get
down to the place of Loading — We are. Sir
Y-^ Most H^i« Serts.
By order of the Board
Sam^ Phips Savage Pres*
War Office June 25"' 1777
M' Timy Parsons
Sir We rec'd your Letter p'' post of the 17'''' Inst. We
have order'd the Ship Gruel Capt. Proctor to leave Falmouth
& proceed for Wiscasset as soon as a favourable Opportunity
presents such things as we can procure that you have wrote
for shall be sent you — in the mean time as soon as the Ship
arrives you will get her loaded as quick as possible. We are
Y" &c By order of the Board
Sam^ Phips Savage Pres*
War Office June 25, 1777
Cap* Procter
Sir We are a good deal Surpris*^ you should go to Fal-
mouth as the loading is contracted for at Wiscasset by Mr.
Parsons — Our Orders now are that you apply immediately
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 137
to M' W"* P\'ost for such articles as you may need as Tackles
&c to get in your Masts which Capt Haynes had to load his
Ship with & proceed to Wiscasset with all dispatch — Call
on Mr. Frost & Mr. Parson's to assist you to get down with
dispatch where the Load is & follow Mr. Parson's directions.
By order of the Board
Sam' Phips Savage Pres*
State of Massachusetts Bay
In the House of Representatives June 28, 1777
On the Petition of a Number of the Inhabitants of Nor-
ridgewalk on Kenebec River praying that a Guard may be
Stationed on said River.
Resolved That Coll William Howard be and he is hereby
impowered to raise by Inlistment a party to consist of one
Sergeant and five Private Men. Said Party to remain in
Service of this State untill the first Day of December next
unless sooner discharged by said Howard to be employed as
a Scouting Party on the Frontiers of the Inhabitants on
Kennebec River at such convenient place or places as the
said Howard shall order — Said Sergeant to be allowed and
paid out of the Public Treasury of this State the Sum
of forty-eight shillings and each of the said Privates the sum
of forty shillings p"" Calendar Month Also Six Shillings p''
Week each for their subsistence — And it is further
Resolved That the Commissary General be and he is
hereby directed to deliver to Capt. Abie Love joy six good
Fire arms, six pounds of Powder and Ball answerable —
Also one dozen Flints to be })y him conveyed to the afore-
said Howard for the use of said Party while in said Service —
to be accounted for by those who shall receive the same
Sent up for Concurrence
R. T. Paine Speaker pro. tem.
138
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
In Council June 28, 1777
Read & Concurred.
Jn° Avery Dpy Secy
Consented to
Jer. Powell Moses Gill
A. Ward B. White
W. Spooner H. Gardner
Jedidiah Preble Benj. Austin
R. Derby, Danl Davis
Jabez Fisher John Taylor
Tim° Danielson
Tim° Edwards
N. Gushing.
I. Palmer
S. Holten.
Pownal borough June 28'*^ 1777
Sir/
When the Petition of the Church People of this Town
comes under Consideration of the hon. Court I should esteem
it as a favor if the Enclosed answer could be laid before the
Court at the same time. Your Hon"" upon reading it will see
how this poor People have been imposed upon. Your favor
in the matter will greatly oblige
Your Most H^i« Serv^
Chas. Gushing
To The Hon'^'^ James Warren Esq"^
The deposition of John Savage of lawful age who testifieth
and saith that some time in the month of May 177G Ichabod
Jones arived in Boston with two sloops loaded with boards
which boards were landed in Boston & were delivered to
Joseph Goldthwait barrack master to the troops then in Bos-
ton one of s"* Sloops was commanded by Nathaniel Horton
& both owned by s'* Jones in part or in whole : S'* Jones
received provisions of s** Goldthwait
John Savage
State of Mass^ Bay Suffolk Co. Aug* 1776 then John
Savage appeared before me & after being duly caution'd to
OF THJE STATE OF IVIAINE 139
testify the whole truth made oath to the truth of tlie afore-
going deposition by him subscribed taken at the request of
James Noble Shannon to be used at the tryal of the Sloop
Polly which is to be had at a court maritime to be held at
Pownalborough on Monday the ninth day of Septem"^ next
on the libel of James Tupper wherein the said Ja* Noble
Shannon is claimant. The s*^ John Savage living more than
thirty miles from the place of tryal is the reason of this cap-
tion & there not appearing any adverse party at the time of
caption, none was notified — ■ Taken before me —
Justice peace
Endr*«<^
They say the design of Jones in going into Boston was only
to bring out his son & family — Now Quere if he had'no
design to supply the Enemy, why did he not unload his Ves-
sell at Salem & then go in with his Vessell light Horton
was at Salem & yet did not unload there but cary'd his
boards with him to Boston.
Actions are the only way of knowing a mans design
No Provisions were much plentier & cheaper at Salem
than they were at Boston
They were in great want of provisions in Boston, or why
did they prohibit any from being carried out.
They who did not say as Jones would have them, he
would not let them have any provisions They justify
Jones's conduct, because he was suffered to go on so long as
he did.
it is notorious to all, that no Vessell could be allowed to
go into the harbour of Boston ( or even within a certain dis-
tance of it), by tlie Port Bill (so called) except those who
carried supplies for the Army & Navy. Jones had gone in
& carried boards divers times, & he could not have gone in
without a permit from the Admiral ; if he had, he would
have been taken as a prize by them & they made use of every
opportunity, to take prizes they could.
140 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Quere How does Haynes know, he borrowed £ 200
Ask Haines if he never heard Cap* Jones express his fears
of being taken by the people should he go on shore any-
where between Boston & Machias.
To Timothy Langdon Esq'"
The deposition of John Savage taken at the request of
J Noble Shannon to be used at a court maritime — whereof
Tira° Langdon Esq"" is Judged to be — held at Pownalborough
in the ninth day of Sep"" A. D. 1776 in the tryal of the Sloop
Polly on the libel of Wm. Tupper wherein the s"* Ja. Noble
Shannon is claimant ; Taken sealed up & delivered to the s**
James Noble Slinnnon by me —
Joseph Greenleaf Justice peace
York ss At the superior Court held at York for the County
of York on the fourth Tuesday of June A D 1777
James Noble Shannon et alap** v Ichabod Jones aplee
This appeal is dismist, it appearing upon the Record that the
Capture was made in July A D 1775 and that no appeal
lyeth —
Jonas Earns worth et al ap** v Same aplee This appeal is
also dismist for the Reason above mentioned —
Att Sam Winthrop Cler
State of the Massachusetts Bay
To the Hon'''® the Council and House of Representatives
in the Gen' Court Assembled 2"*^ Tuesday of July A. D.
1777 If then Setting
May Please Your Honors
The following is an answer of the Inhabitants of the West
Precinct in Pownalboro to a Petition of certain persons call-
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 141
ing themselves members of the Episcopal Church & Inhab-
itants of said West Precinct & Adjacent —
In order to give the Hon^'® Court a full understanding of
the matter said West Precinct beg leave to represent in the
following manner viz : The Petitioners have not Served said
Precinct with an Attested Copy of their Petition & the order
of Court thereon, agreeable to the orders of the Gen^ Court :
so that the Precinct are under great disadvantage in making
answer, as it is doubtful whether the Paper delivered be a
true Copy & of Course might have been indulged with a
Continuance until Such a Copy should be obtain"^: If the
case was of that importance to require it. However accord-
ing to the Copy we have, Said Petitioners say, they are
members of the Episcopal Church: that great part of them
are French & Dutch Germans Protestants & came into
America upon the Incouragement given by the Massachusetts
Government, that they should enjoy their religious Priv-
iledges." they further say, " that for twenty years last Past
they have enjoyed these priviledges " In answer thereto we
say, that we agree with them that great part of them are
French & Dutch German Protestants, whose Principles of
Kehgion, as they, say, when in Germany were either accord-
ing to Calvin or Luther some of one & some of the other.
The Calvinists ever since they have resided in this Town
have Universally protested against the Church of England &
in opposition thereto have been zealous in promoting the
Cause of the Congregation alists. It is not long since
they, as well as several of the Lutherans, Subscribed towards
the Building a Meeting House to the Utmost of their
abilities and appeared very desirous of having a gosple
Minister Settled among us — These are undeniable Facts.
And there is no doul)t but tliat they would now join witli the
Congregationalists, if they had not been grossly imposed
upon & deceived l)y the Craft & Cunning by the Falsehoods
142 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
& Misrepresentations of Major Goodwin & the pious Mr.
Bailey, who have taken great pains to perswade the good
People of this Precinct to renounce the pure & undefiled
Religion & instead therof to embrace Episcopacy & they
further say in their Petition that they had the faith of the
Government that they should enjoy the same unmolested &
they further say they have enjoy'' the same for this twenty
years last past ( excepting the year past ) If so, the plain
Inference is that they are no Churchmen, at least of very
late date — The others were mostly persons who removed
from the Western Parts down here & were brought up in
the Congregational Way ( excepting a few some of whom
were Roman Catholicks ) & never have made any renuncia-
tion of their Principles, but only attended church occasionally
as that was the only Public worship here at that time &
without any expence as the Itenerant Missionary thought it
not expedient to demand anything of them — so that it may
be Justly said, that there was a church here without Scarcely
a professed member of the Church of England. It is well
known how this has been brought about so far. Doctor
Silvester Gardiner, a person Zealous for Episcopacy had the
Principal hand in forming this Settlement, he with his
Agents & Tools encouraged the People that they should
have a minister Supported without any expence to them,
provided they would Petition for a Minister ( Several under-
standing it to be a Congregational Minister ) Accordingly a
Petition was drawn up directed to the Society & great
promises were made them if they would sign. That they
should have Lands for SettUng should have a Parsonage Lot
given them & a House for Public Worship built by Sub-
scription ( & persons when they came to the Doctor for
Settlements here, he used to insist on their subscribing some-
thing for that purpose ) In such a way & manner a Petition
was obtained — There was a Clause in the Petition which
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 143
some of the Signers say was inserted after they sign'd it, at
least whicli never was read to tliem : which was Binding
themselves to Pay the Missionary at least Twenty Pounds
Sterling per Annum — The same Petitioners, several years
afterwards, found it out & a great number of them were in
great rage about the matter — went in a Body to the
Missionary about it & insisted upon his giving them dis-
charges wliich he accordingly did & piomised so to do other-
wise it was thought he would have been obliged to leave this
place. The People also expected this Parsonage Land &
house of Publick worship would have been given to the
Parish to be at their disposal, as in other Parishes — how-
ever, the grant of the Land was a long time delay*' for
reasons unknown to the People — all which time the Doctor
was Planing & Contriving how to fix the grant in the
Church — a great discord happened on this occasion amongst
the Principal Gentlemen of the Plymouth Company & finally
the Doctor took the advantage of the other gentlemen of the
Company, attended one of their meetings exactly at the hour
the meeting was adjourn'^ to with a design to make this
grant — he had all ready Cut & dried & only he & M''
Hallowell dec*' Voted the land away as they did & a Record
was made of it in an Instant — Immediately upon it one of
the principal Gentlemen of tlie Company came in & finding
what had been done he reproved the Doctor Severely for his
Conduct — This grant of the Parsonage Lott was made upon
the Petition of Parson Bailey, his Warden & Vestry, seting
forth the want both of a Church & Parsonage House & that
they had already provided materials for both of those build-
ings: but finding no grant of the Parsoniield lot, they
Pray'd the Com[)any that the lot might be granted for those
purposes in such a manner as to be unreliable — adding
further for there are too many instances in this Country
where the Piety of our Forefathers has l)een greatly abused
144 DOCUMENTARY HIBTORY
by converting the lands which had been given them for
Pious Uses to other occasions " When the Parson &c signed
this Petition there was not one article provided for either of
these buildings, by this artifice the Doctor intended to get
the land unalianably fixed in the Church, but it did not
altogether answer his purpose, without the other measures
used as aforementioned — we mention this because they tried
to carry this Point by deceiving the Plymouth Company with
tliis False Petition. So this same Church, not forgeting
their old Tricks are now imposing Falsehoods upon tliis
hon''^'' Court — by such artifice it is that this Church is
upheld & what may be relied on as the grand difficulty —
they are afraid that if they are obliged to Pay Taxes, as well
as the Congregationalists, there will be no special advantage
in being Churchmen, & of Course will leave the Church —
more especially, as they entertain a Very Contemptable
opinion of the Missionery & finally this whore of Babilon
must Fall to the ground. Tljis Church being founded here
by such arbritary conduct & upheld by such Falshood &
some of the pretended members have been Roman Catholicks
& never have renounced that leligion, we think fully
authorised our morde of expression — We further observe,
that their Petition Contains so many falshoods & Contra-
dictions, that upon a due attention to the Contents thereof
It must be adjudged to Carry its own Confutation with it.
They say the Law upon which church People are Taxed
" was designed to prevent person from pretending to be of a
religion, they were not of, merely to get rid of paying
Taxes " Let the design of the Law be what it will. It is
very evident that the design of the Petitioners is to be freed
from every obligation of paying their minister one farthing
& we apprehend they are the very persons on whom this
Law was especially intended to be binding according to their
own sense of it. They say, tho' the money by Law is to be
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 145
paid to our Pastor " whom we support " & who will we make
no doubt return it to us again " by which they say that
they support their Pastor — If so where is the need of bis
returning it to them again — wliy don't it go towards his
support ? Is it because the money is raised agreeable to the
Laws of this State? It is difficult to conceive of any other
reason. Sure it can't be more than their Pastor stands in
absolute need of — for about the time of tlieir Petition, the
said Pastor was obhged, or somebody for him, to beg the
assistance of Friends in Boston towards his support & cer-
tainly their Taxes don't amount to half what was promised
the Society should be paid him — from which it is Very
evident, that it is not against their Consciences to Pay Taxes
for his support. If so, what becomes of their Cry about
persecution — their mighty harangue about the Right of
Private Judgement, Cloak'** under a Show of Serious Words
& Sanctified by the glorious Liberty now contended for —
must not this Argue their grand Stupidity & wickedness in
trying thus to impose upon the Hon**^® Court. Nothing can
appear more plain than that it is no infringement of any
religious Principle which they pretend to hold — neither can
it be an infringement of the Civil Rights of Episcopalians,
any more than of the Congregationalists. This Tax being
agreeable to a Law which was made by the representatives of
both. It may be remarked here of these Episcopalians that
their arguments for Liberty do not proceed from real princi-
ple, for Mr. Bailey, their minister, has, during the present
contest with Great Britain, discoverd himself, in his
})ul)lick Preaching, as well as in his private Conversation, to
be a person evilly disposed to the States of America and
dangerous to the publick Peace & Safety — he has been
declared by the Committee of Corespondence &c to be an
inveterate & dangerous Enemy: and yet his hearers have
openly & pnblickly endeavoured to Justify and support liim
10
146 DOCUMENTAEY HISTORY
in his wicked Conduct — and besides, they have generally
appear'd backward in doing any Thing to Support the war —
Two of them wlio were appointed agreeable to an Act of
this State to reinforce the Continental Army, refused to go :
or to pay a fine, & indeed refused to t;tke up Arms against
Great Britain. They have constantly made it their practice
to propagate such news ( however false ) as appear'd to be
unfavorable to the American Cause, thereby discouraging
people from inlisting into the Army, and from supporting
our Independence. The proclamations from the Continental
Congress & from this State for days of Fasting & Prayer,
have been, by Minister & People treated with the greatest
Contempt. They have been Called Dirty Papers, & have
been Neglected to be read in Churches according to order-
The General Court of this State have been called Knaves &
Fools. Their authority has been denied & trampled upon —
Their Commissions to Civil officers have been called no bet-
ter than pieces of Blank paper — and the officers themselves
threatned for doing their Duty by Virtue of their Commis-
sions — and yet these very Persons absurdly petition the
authority which they deny, for favors which they, by their
Conduct have rendered themselves undeserving of — And if
their Petition is granted it must be supposed That Converts
will be made to this Church, and consequently That the
Enemies of the United States w411 be increased —
It seems the Petitioners have the Face not only to charge
this Precinct with taking every advantage under Colour of
Law to drive them to the last extremitys — but also to
charge the Government with breach of faith towards these
Germans — The only reason they assign for this high
charge is their being Taxed agreeable to Law & that for the
Support of that Religion which they pretend to possess &
which they seem willing to support — The most of them
understood but little about their Petition, we have the
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 147
charity to think but some others who are designing & have
but little regard to honor or honesty think it no crime thus
liberally to deal out their charges. We the better bear up
under it as we have the honor of sharing with the Govern-
ment in the charge.
They represent that the Collectors have taken ever^^
advantage &c. This is so far from the Truth that it is
astonishing beyond expression, while peisons are pretending
to aim at tlie rights of Conscience, that they can so far give
up every pretence to Truth, as to sign so glaring a Falshood.
The Truth of the matter is, In March 1776, This Precinct,
at a Legal Meeting, Voted the sura of <£30 to hire preaching
about nine pounds of which would be the Proportion of
those who cloak themselves under the church. In July
afterwards, the assessors made the Tax & gave the same to
the Collectors with Warrants to Collect the same & Pay it
into the Treasury by the 5'^ of October the next. The Col-
lectors gave warning to the People soon afterwards to Pay
their Taxes. The Church People, some of them, desired
time to Consider of the Matter, pretending the Precinct had
no right by Law to Tax them. The Matter rested in this
manner, imtil the last of February then following, in the
meantime. The Collectors were earnest with them, that
they should pay their taxes witliout any difficulty, after all
this patience & forbearance of the Collcctois, they said they
would not Pay without being distrained upon. The Collect-
ors just as their year was expiring, thought it expedient to
distrain. Accordingly the first distress, was taken the last
of the same February being a small Bull, about one year &
nine months old which was sold at a Publick Vendue duly
notified to the highest bidder for 36/ being the full Value of
the Creature. The next Distress was sold on the 10"' of
March at a Vendue duly notified viz : a sheep for 23/6
being a tliird more than the common price, at the same
148 DOCTJMENTARY HISTORY
Vendue another distress viz : a Sow was sold for 17/6 being
the full Value, She was poor weight about 68^^". these
were all the distresses that were sold & two of these were
taken from persons that pretend to Understand all Law &
were principally advising & directing all the rest & If any
advantage was taken of the Ignorance of the Germans who
did not understand the English Language, It was those of
their own party — and that they did encourage them to
stand out & make the opposition they did, they cannot with
truth deny. They said every thing almost to make these
Germans believe that we tax'd them without Law. Nay it
was said there was a letter from a church Minister here, in
April last, somewhat in these words viz. " It is agreed on
all Sides that they have not the least Colour of Law to
Countenance their proceedings." This was spoken with
regard to our taxing the Church People. In consequence of
this it was said here that this was the opinion of all the Law-
yers in Boston This Shews what pains have been taken to
deceive these Germans by their own party.
They further represent that this money was Voted by the
minority of the Parish. It is Plain from this that their
intent was to deceive the Hon^^^^ Court. They don't pretend
but what it was done at a legal meeting. They intend to
represent us but Very few in Comparison with them — as
their part of the Whole Tax is but about £9 it is evident
they bear no proportion. Compared with us as to Numbers —
We have taken notice of many things which may appear to
be of little consequence. We have done it the rather to
Vindicate ourselves from the Wicked & false Aspersions,
which they have endeavoured to throw upon us & might
opperate to our prejudice where the persons & the characters
of those that have thus endeavoured to Slander us, were not
known.
We would Observe further, that the Petitioners say they
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 149
have Constantly attended Publick Worship according to the
"right of the Church of England" (so it stands in the paper
delivered us viz. right) what they mean by that we can't
telL If they intend by it, staying at Home, their Petition is
so far true — we are very sure that some of them very
rarely, if ever, attend Church.
Some of the Petitioners have not all along pretended to be
Churchmen as they set fortli — one of them in particular
attended our Precinct meeting the second year & was chosen
Collector & accepted the office & did not even pretend to be
a Churchman & almost all these (xermans declared they were
not Churchmen until they were afraid of paying Taxes —
Their sole Aim is to endeavour to prevent our enjoying tlie
Congregational Worship here, Imagining if they can get
their Petition answered they can gain more proselites ( as
there are many that care but little about religion ) by being
exempted from Taxes, than we can by arguments deduced
from Religion & Virtue — Another of these Petitioners
said last spring tbat he was no Churchman & that Parson
Bailey should not have his rates & agreed to pay the Col-
lector for the use of the Congregational Minister & after-
wards was induced to sign with them upon being promised
to have his rates return'd to him again — and three of those
Germans who signed the Petition very lately declared, that
they, as well as the other Germans, only went to church to
have their Taxes, and one of them said, if they were obliged
to pay Taxes none of them would go to church & when we
hir'd a preacher in 1775, by subscription it is well known
that several pretended Churchmen attended Worship with
us pretty constantly & seldom attended at church, & it can-
not be doubted but that if under the cloak of the church
they could be excused from paying taxes, they would now
generally attend with us.
From their own Shewing they ought to pay Taxes & for a
150 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
further confirmation if they will produce a copy of their
Petition to the Society, it will appear that the Missionary
has a right to Twenty pounds Sterlmg p. an. at least from
them as before mentioned.
Wherefore for the reasons aforesaid viz : Because this
Petition is founded upon Falsehood. & Misrepresentation
Because five of the Petitioners are not Inhabitants of this
Precinct & never were taxed, and the greater Part of the
People of this Precinct who signed that Petition are not con-
scienciously churchmen, but only profess themselves such, to
avoid paying Taxes towards the support of the gospel.
Because they are taxed for their own Benefit by force of a
Law made at the Request of the professed Members of the
church of England.
Because the granting their Petition will have a tendency
to encourage People to go over to the Church to Save their
Taxes, or at least to procure a Certificate from the pious M*"
Bailey & his Wardens to Screen them therefore ( which we
think, any man might procure even tho' he never Saw the
Inside of a church ) and because the granting their Petition
will infallibly prevent the Settlement of a Gospel Minister in
this Precinct, and involve us in many & Very great Difficul-
ties, and for many other Weighty Reasons we might assign,
We humbly intreat Your Honors, That the Petition of those
pretended Churchmen may not be granted
By order of the said Precinct
Chas Cushing Precinct Clerk
At a Legal Meeting of the Freeholders & other Inhabitants
of the West Precinct in Pownalborough in the County of
Lincoln held at the Court House in said Precinct on Friday
the 27'^^ day of June A. D. 1777
Voted that an answer like unto the foregoing Sign'd by
the Clerk of said Precinct be presented to the General Court
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 151
as the answer of this Prechict to a Petition of the Church
People aforementioned.
Chas. Cutjhing Precinct Cler.
To the Honorable the Council and Assembly of the State
of the Massachusetts Bay
The Memoi-ial of Stephen Smith of Machias Sheweth
That a Number of the Inhabitants of Machias being gone
to St. Johns to Secure that Important Post ( for the Benefit
of the United States and as -a Barrier to the Eastern Settle-
ments ) have left their families almost destitute of the
article of Bread which is not to be had there at present at
any rate — And Your Memorialist minded to promote the
common Cause and Oblige his Neighbors has Endeavoured
to procure a Quantity of Corn for them in the Country,
which he cannot do at any reasonable Price without hard
money.
He Therefore Prays That Your Honors would Please to
take the Suffering Condition of those distressed familys into
Your Wise Consideration and Send two or three Hundred
bushels of Corn down which may be obtained by those who
May Incline to tarry in the Present Expedition and for those
who are not yet Engaged but may be willing to go if their
families can have bread the while — Or Give Liberty to
Your Memorialist to Purchase out of the Stores and pay for
a Quantity for that purpose — Or otherwise Provide for
their relief as Your Honors, in wisdom shall See fit.
And Your Memorialist as in duty bound shall Ever Pray
Boston July Z"^ 1777 Stephen Smith.
152 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
To the Honorable Council & Assembly of the State of
Massacliusetts Bay.
The Memorial of Stephen Smith Sheweth
That there is Great need of Sundry articles to Supply the
Publick Store at Machias for the Indian traid, which are not
to be had in the Publick Stores in this place, and if Pur-
chased from Private Stores at this time it might be done
under Great disadvantage as the Necessaries wanted are held
at a Much Higher price here than they were Sold at there,
and it will be next to Impossible to Convince the Savages of
the Justice or Propriety of such sudden alteration of Prices
nor may it be Politick perhaps to let them know the true
reason — So that there might be a loss in those articles or a
loss of the traid in some measure for want of them — and as
Your Memorialist is desirous of promoting the Publick
credit of the State which has seen fit to Employ him in that
Branch of Business and at the same time to support his
character among those people he Judges it Incumbent on
him to give Your Honors every Intelhgence of this Nature.
And Prays that you will please to take this Matter under
your wise Consideration and either grant a Supply of those
articles under the apparent disadvantages or Order Your
Memorialist to Supply them in such manner as not to Suffer
private loss or Give such other orders in the affair as in
Wisdom you shall see Meet.
And Your Memorialist as in Duty bound shall Ever Pray
Boston July 4*'' 1777 Stephen Smith
State of Massachusetts Bay
In the House of Representatives July 5, 1777 on the
petition of Stephen Smith praying for a quantity of corn for
the use of the people of Machias.
Resolved That the Board of War be and they hereby are
order'd to deliver to the said Stephen Smith two hundred
OF THE STATE OF MAINE
153
bushels of Corn. A he giving his Receipt to be accountable
for the payment of the same B and Engaging to deliver it to
the Families of such Persons as have gone or shall go to St.
Johns as Soldiers in the Service of this State whom he shall
judge is most in need of the same at the cost & necessary
charge of it.
Sent up for Concurrence
R. T. Paine Spk"^ pro tern.
In Council July 5, 1777
Read & Concurred with an amendment at A. B. Viz*
dele from A to B & insert he paying for the same.
Sent down for Concurrence
Jn° Avery Dpy Secy
In the House of Representatives July 5, 1777.
Read & Concurr'd
R. T. Paine Spk-^ p. t.
Consented to
Jer. Powell
Jechdiah Preble
H. Gardner
D. Hopkins
N. Cushinff
A. Ward
T. Cushing
Benj. Austin
Tim** Danielson
Oliver Prescott
W. Spooner
John Taylor
Moses Gill
Tim" Edwards
I. Palmer
Vassalborough July 6'*> 1777
To The Honorable the Councill of the State of Massachusetts
Bay,
Gent" I beg leave to assure you that I siiall ever remem-
ber with the Greatest Gratitude the Honor of my Appoint-
ment to the Command of the Fourth Company in the Fifth
Regiment of Militia in the County of Lincoln. Stimulated
with an Ardent Love to the Cause of my Country, from the
principles of Duty, Justice, and Affection, I have, with a
154 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Cheerfull Obedience, executed all Orders from ray Superiors,
and Endeavor'd to keep the People of the Town United, &
from going into any rash Measures, but my design has been
Frustrated I conceive, by the Influence of a Certain Man
who has made Strong Opposition against me, & as I have
been Informed, declared that he would Accept of the Office,
were it for no other Reason than to keep me out, but failing
of his Intentions, not being the Choice of the Town, there
then followed a Petition against me, which failed for want of
a Sufficient number of Signers, after which a Combination
was agreed upon, not to Obey any Orders that should come
from me, as I have been informed. Under these peculiar
Embarrassments, Where Strife and Party prevails, no Man
can with pleasure or Satisfaction execute the Dutys of his
Office. For the above Reasons, I beg leave to make a Res-
ignation of my Commission, at the same Time assurring your
Honors that I Possess the Warmest Attachments to the
Cause of my Country.
I am with due Defference your Honors most Obliged
Humble Servant
Denes Getchell
State of Massachusetts Bay
In the House of Representatives July 7, 1777.
Whereas it appears to this Court that the Board of War
have not in their Possession all the necessary Articles with
which they are order'd to supply Stephen Smith, Truck-
master, at Machias for the Indians in our Interest — & is
being probable that the s^ Smith might supply himself with
the deficient articles if he was furnished with money therefor.
Resolved that the Board of War be & they hereby are
impowered & directed to furnish the s** Smith with what
OF THE STATE OF MAINE
155
money they judge necessary for the purposes afores^ taking
his Rec' to be accountable for the same.
Sent up for Concurrence
R, T. Paine Spk"^ pro tem.
In Council July 7, 1777
Read & Concurr'd
Jn° Avery Dpy. Secy.
Consented to
Jer: Powell
N. Cusbing
H. Gardner
Moses Gill
D. Hopkins
T. Cushing
A. Ward
Benj. Austin
Jabez Fisher
Tim° Danielson
John Whitcomb
I. Palmer
Jedidiah Preble
F. M. Dana
Tim° Edwards.
State of Massachusetts Bay
Council chamber July 9, 1777
Ordered, That Mr Stephen Smith of Machais, deliver the
Public Stores (put into his hands for the expedition to St.
John's River ) to such persons & in such proportions as the
Commanding Officer in that Department may Order except-
ing the following Order for the supply of private persons
Also Ordered, that said Smith supply those persons who
have advanced of their private Stores, to the forces gone &
going upon said Expedition, like quantitys of Stores of the
same kinds, so that they may not be Sufferers by their zeal
for the public good
And also Ordered, That he, said Smith, render very exact
accounts of the disposal of all the public Stores put into his
hands, so as to prevent that confusion which must arise from
a want of regularity in Accounts
Read & Accepted
Jn° Avery Dpy Secy.
156 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Petition of Cap'- Saml. Whitmore, 1777.
To the Hon Council and House of Representatives in General
Court assembled the pertion of Samuel Whitmore of Gorham
in the County of Cumberland Humbly Sheweth, That soon
after the Conflagration at falmouth, viz on the Sixth day of
Nov'' 1775, that a Detachment belonging to the town of Gor-
ham Drafted from a Regiment of Militia, of Which the Hon^
Enoch freeman Esq was Colonel, by order of Mayor Noys,
workt on the Eateries at falmouth afores*^ under the Com-
mand of the Hon' James Sulivin Esq. who was then
appointed by the County Commitee to oversee said work, to
whom your petitioner made a return of the above Said
Militia. The above Said Militia Did with the greatest zeal
and Readiness assist Towards Building the Eateries afores'^
for the Defense of the Countery Expecting that after Mat-
ters were a Little Settled that they Should be rewarded for
there Service, but it being Deferd they Grow Impatient,
Therefore your petitioner Doth pray your Hon* to take this
matter into your wise consideration, and in your great Wis-
dom Direct to such Measuers as May give a Reasonable Sat-
isfaction to the above said Militia and promote the peace and
happiness of this Town your pertioner Doth further Shew,
That here with is Enclosed The Lists of the Names of the
Men their Ranks and time of Service who work' on the
above s'^ Eateries and that the above Said Militia Did find
themselves in provision while in Said Service. —
your pertioner as Bound in Duty Will Ever pray —
Samuel Whitmore Cap*
Dated at Gorham July the 9 day 1777
Falmouth July y« 19 — 1777
Honored Gentlemen these few Lines Comes to inform your
honnours that I am Very Sorry that you Did not inform me
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 157
upon What tearms those People Came on Which Shipt With
Mr. Gray Which has Deprived me of Getting other Good
men as they ware by your orders to Go on board of Capt
Hayanes if they Pleased and as they being offered more
Wages by him Went on board five of them but two is
Returned back again. I am Ready to Sail for Wiscasset l)ut
the Second Mate is Very uneasy About his Wages Which
Was do to him and Was Piomised to be sent Down by Mr
frost as he Sayes and he is Determened Not Go No further
unles Promis that they Will be Paid to him as fur as your
Honnours told him Which I Must Do if not the most of the
People Will Leave & Detain the Ship. I Should be Glad
that those Articles Which I roat for ( When I was up Would
be Sent Down as Soon as Possable Nothing More at Present
but I Remain Your H"' S^*
Joseph Proctor.
This is to notify the Inhabitants of Penobscot River that
they are desired to meet at the Dwelling House of CoP Jon-
athan Buck on Tuesday the 22'^ day of July in order to con-
sult on several Important affairs that may attend the Peace
and Well being of the Inhabitants of said River; also the
Inhabitants of Belfast & Maj'^ Biguaduce are desired to meet
at said House In order to Joyn said Inhabitants of Penobscut
River —
Penobscut July y*' 14'" 1777
Sam' Kidder
James Budge
Thomas Cam[)bcll
Rob' M<=Curdy
Ephriam Grant
John Brewer
Committee
of Safety for
the First District in
Penobscot
168 DOCFMENTARY HISTORY
The Principle Inhabitants of Penobscot and Belfast accord-
ingly meet at Col" Jonathan Buck the 2 2d day of July by
Virtue of the above Notification and first Voted Col° Jona-
than Buck Moderator and 2'''=' John Patridge Clerk and S^^^
after Several debates upon the Legality of the Notification
Voted Unanimously to proceed on the articles as follows
4tiiiy Voted Dissatisfied as to the Conduct of the proceedings
of Col. Josiah Brewer and Lieu* Col : Jonathan Lowder and
Lieu* Andrew Gilman and Ensign Jeremiah Coburn as to the
Troublesome affair concerning the false Indian alarm &c —
5**^ Voted that the facts relating the Indian affairs as above
that can be proved be sent to the Hon. the Court by a man
chose for that purpose — 6*''^^ Voted to chuse one man for
each district out of each Committee of Safety to be a Com-
mittee to serch & enquire into all affairs that might tend to
the Hurt of the State & Common Wealth in these parts —
1'^^^ Voted Capt John Mitchel for the Town of Belfast —
gthiy Voted Cap* Benj=^ Shute for the Town of Frankfort —
gthiy Voted M"" Benj* Wheeler for Wheelersboro Township
lOthiy Voted Capt Robert McCurdy for the upper Town-
ship on the east Side of Penobscot River
llthiy Voted Colonel Jonathan Buck for the 2"^ district and
Township N° 1 —
12*^iy Voted M' John Partridge for the second District &
Township N'' 2
jgthiy Voted M^ James McCurdy to represent all causes
that might appear before the Committee to the General Court.
And lastly the Committee appointed to meet on the 5*^
day of August 20 miles up Penobscot River at a place called
Condeskeg and at the Dwelling House of Capt Jedidiah
Preble and accordingly said Committee met this 5*^ of
August and tlie Clerk opened the Meeting and first chose
Col° Jonathan Buck Chairman of the Committee and then
the chairman Summoned a number of Evidences concerning
OF THE STATE OF MAINE
159
the false Alarms &c for which we do refer Your Honor's to
tlie Papers we Send by iM'' James McCurdy
Penobscot July 26'*^ Jna Buck Chairman
1777 John Partridge Clerk
To the Hon''ble Council and House of Representatives
In the State of Massachusetts Bay
A true Copy Attest Jn° Avery D^ Secy.
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160 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Machias August 1, 1777.
These
May Inform Your Hon" That Capt. Gooch is Now arrived
here and has Deliver'd Your Letters &c the articles he
bought was much Needed.
In Great Hast as the Bearer is waiting
your Humble Servant
Stephen Smith
Machias 4'^ August 1777
May it please your Honor's
agreeable to your Honor's orders, I Called the 9'*^ Com-
pany in this Regiment togeather to choose their officers, after
proceeding with the greatest Harmony they made choice of
the following Gentlemen viz*
Stephen Smith — Captain Amos Boyington first Lieut
Daniel Stone 2** Lieut
This will be delivered you by Major Shaw who was pres-
ent by him you will be pleased to send the Commissions —
I hope we shall have no further occasion to trouble your
Honors with any uneasiness arising in this Company, and
Remain with much Esteem —
Your Honor's Most Hum" Ser'*
Benj* Foster CoP
Com" made out
In Council Sept 22°'^ 1777 Read & Ordered that Said
Officers be commissioned agreeable to their respective Ranks
Jn" Avery Dpy Secy.
To The Hon''!^ the Council of Massachusetts State.
The Hon"'^ The Council of the State of Massachusetts Bay
Setting at Boston August the 4*^ 1777.
The Petition of Benj* Patch of a new Township lying in
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 161
the Eastern part of this State known by the name of
Otisfield Humbly Sheweth
That your Petitioner lived in the town of Groton about
eight years — that in August 1775 went from Groton to
Harvard & lived there the Greatest part of the time til may
1776: then removed to Otisfield afores*^ & there have lived
ever since — That he there belongs to the military Company
under the Command of Josiah Dingley Cap' in Col. Pike's
Regm' & is called upon & liable to Do Duty there —
Your Petitioner Begs leave further to represent to your
Hon"^* that he left Otisfield the latter end of June last &
Came to Groton afores'^ and from Groton went to Harvard
to see his sister & there went to work with his Brother-in-
law to procure some cloath for Shirting as the only Remedy
he had to Git the same — that on the 27'*" Day of July last
the militia officer of Harvard Draughted him & ordered him
to march agreeable to the late order of Council — upon his
refusing to March ordered a Sergeant & file officer to take
him & thereby compelled him to March — Your Petitioner
thinks himself very nuich injured by their Conduct &
thereby prevented returning home & he therefore Earnestly
prays your Hon" Interposition & that you would Give him a
Discharge that he may immediately return home & be ready
to join his own Company for the Defence of that part of this
State,
& in Duty Bound Shall Ever pray Benj* Patch
In Council Aug* 5, 1777. Read & Committed to Oliver
Prescott and Abr*" Fuller Esq" to consider the Same &
report what is best to be done there
Jn° Avery Dpy Secy
In Council Aug 5, 1777
The Com'*® having fully heard the parties & reported the
Facts & the Council thereupon Ordered that the Prayer of
11
162 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
the said Petition be granted & that the Petitioner be and he
hereby is Discharged from the late Draught by order of
Council (& he be permitted to return to Otisfield the Place of
his Residence immediately.
To the Hon^'« the Council and the Hon^^^ the House of
Representatives of the State of Massachusetts in the general
Assembly convened.
Humbly Shew Joanna Moulton, and Nicholas Sewall
Administrators of the Estate of Brigadier Jotham Moulton
late of York in the County of York Esq'' deceased Intestate,
That some time since their said Intestate for a Valuable
Consideration Bargained & Sold to Cap' Esayas Prebble of
York aforesaid, a Tract of Land in said York and the skid
Intestate by a memorandum in Writing by him Subscribed
promised to Execute a deed of the said Land, and In con-
sequence of the said agreement the said Prebble entered into
and improved the said Land, But so it is that the Intestate
died — suddenly before a Deed Avas made and Executed —
The said Admin""* further Represent that another agreement
some thing similar with the former was made between the s*^
Intestate and one Joseph Shaw of s** York for about Ten
Acres of Salt Marsh, and said Shaw paid the full Sum agreed
upon near three years past and has ever since improved the
Marsh a mem'* in Writing was made and Subscribed by the
Intestate and delv'' the said Shaw but the said Intestate did
not Execute a Deed to said Shaw, altho one was Wrote by
his Desh'e. And as it is not in the power of the Petitioner
to Comply with all the Intestates agreements by making a
Conveyance of tlie said Lands, without the aid of this Hon"
Court. Wherefore they pray that they may be Enabled in
their said Capacity to make and Execute Deeds of said
Lands as fully as the Intestate could were he now in full
OF THE STATE OF RIAINE 163
Life and the Petitioners as in duty Bound shall ever pray &c
Auo-. 6, 1777 Joanna Moulton
Nicolas Sewall
Jed'^ Preble s Deposition.
The Deposition of Jedidiah Preble of Penobscott in the
County of Lincoln, Testilieth & saith that he was at Water-
town last fall, where he saw one Jeremiah Coburn of this
place, who told the Deponent, that he had talked with some
of the Representatives of the State Massachusetts Bay & said
he made no doubt, but that in Case I would Join him in a
petition to them, he could get a guard of thirty men, which
would be stationed on this River & I reply'd, I was willing
to do any thing that was for the benefit of the inhabitants of
this place & I desired to know his Plan, & where the advan-
tage would lay. He told me ( as near as I can remember )
that he made no doubt, that in case a Guard was granted by
the General Court he should have orders to inlist the men at
the westward, «& bring them into this River. I replied, I
thought, that might answer, as we should be thirty Men
stronger, & those men would be always in readiness, «fe well
equipped to march to our assistance on any alarm. He then
went & consulted my Hon""*^^ Father & told him the plan &c.
( Upon which as he told me ) my Father said the plan as he
thought was very good, & added, He would use his interest
to have the Men granted, as he thought, he had as good a
right to a guard being a frontier settlement, equal to other
towns to the westward. Upon which I signed a Petition h
returned to Penobscot. The next News I heard was. The
Guard was granted, & connnitted to the care of Col" Josiah
Brewer, who declared to me, He gave Ens" Coburn strict
order to Inlist the Men out of the River if possible, to which
164 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
M"" Coburn answered, He intended to call at Kenebeek &
inlist what men he could there & from thence Home. But
as I have been informed since, he never offered to inlist a
man until he came up this River. He made the best of his
Way to the head of the Tide of this River, & there notified
the inhabitants That He had listing orders, & a number of
the inhabitants came to be informed of the conditions, & He
told them in my hearing, they were to be stationed on this
River, to guard the inhabitants, & to go in scouting parties
to reconoiture the Woods & streams for some distance back,
to prevent the approach of an enemy, & They ask'd him how
long a time they were to Inlist for, He told them for no cer-
tain time, but there was no manner of doubt, but they might
be discharged, whenever they pleased, & gave them encour-
agement he would discharge any one that might want to be
discharged in Two or three months, or in the Spring at fur-
thest, on which they readily inlisted ; he then set a guard of
one or two men to guard the stores, & the remainder went
about their own business, & never did any other duty for
Three or Four months, except building a house for Col°
Lowder on his land, for a Truck house No scouting parties
were sent out, as was expected by the Inhabitants.
The next thing we hear L'^ Gillman goes to Old town &
comes back, & informs Col° Lowder, that there were two or
three Indians come in from the borders of Canada, & that
they brought news. There was a Number of Regulars,
French «& Indians, commanded by one Lonier, which were
designed to come on the Heads of these eastern rivers: on
which news Col° Lowder consulted Col^ Brewer, & they
immediately sent expresses to the officers of the Regiments
which was communicated to the Eastern settlements, which
gave them a General alarm, & Had it not been for the Inde-
fatigable industry of M"^ James McCurdy It is my opinion
that a great part of the Inhabitants on the lower part of this
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 165
River would have fled. The Deponent further saith, That
he was sometime in July last at the Guard House about sun-
set, & there came two Indians of Penobscot Tribe in a great
hurry, which told CoP Lowder they had Great News viz —
That the night before, the Canady Indians had like to have
taken their Town, & they could but Just keep it, & that
They were obliged to keep out three sentry s at different
ports, & that they saw about fifty Indians that night, & fired
at them three times & that they now came in to acquaint the
Guard & get a supply of Powder & balls to fight them : and
one of them added, He must return that night to Old Town
(it being then after sunset) or he should expect to find his
Family knocked on the Head. He was immediately dis-
patched with Six pound of Powder, & half the Balls in the
Guard House, ( as I was told ) & went off. The Guard was
all ordered to repair to the Guard House, & I heard Col°
Jon*^ Lowder say, the Fort must be finished with all dispatch,
& oxen must be had, if he was obliged to press them. The
next day one Jos^® Airs & his oxen was engaged to haul pig-
netts, as he informed me, & the next day morning J. Airs
appeared with his Oxen, as he had promised : but instead of
employing him in hauling Pignetts, he was loaded with the
State or Province Stores, & sent up to Ens" Coburn's House,
which is Five Miles above y^ Truck House or Fort, & within
six miles of the Indian Penobscot Old Town without any
Guard whatsoever, & Col° Lowder who then commanded the
Guard followed the Stores
The Deponant further saith, that he was Credibly informed
Col° Lowder said, That if this alarm respecting the Indians,
did not answer any other Good purpose. It would be the
means of stopping Dam - d Petition of Wheelers.
Penobscot Aug"' 7"> 1777 Jed. Preble
A true Copy
Attest Jn° Avery D^ Secy
166 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Sarn} Curtis' Certificate.
Samuel Curtis Testifies & Says that he was about a quar-
ter of a mile from the Gentry about Six miles above Condes-
neg Falls near or about where Ensign Coburn's residence is,
& about three Hours by Sun 'on Sunday Morning, I went
toward the Gentry & met Him & asked the Gentry what was
the matter the Gentry answered he was fired upon by the
Indians & appeared to be much affrighted then we both
returned back to the House & that some Indians came there
the Evening of that day & Lieutenant Gilman agreed with
them to carry Him & his party over the River the next
morning to go in Quest of those Indians that fired upon his
Gentry Wliereupon the said Indians got their Breakfast &
it was about three Hours by Sun in the morning & the
Indians sent for Lieu* Gilman & he did not come & they
waited about a quarter of an Hour & He did not come yet &
the Indians went of & left said Gilman & his party & the s"^
Goburn the next night after the Gentry was fired on ordered
me to go with Him to Set the Gentry & ordered me to play
upon my Fife as we went to sett the Watch & He the said
C/oburn Carrying a Firebrand in his Hand to Light me along
to where the Gentry was to be sett & it being about nine
o'clock at night when the watch was sett. — The above given
before the Committee —
A true Copy Exam : John Partridge Clerk
August the 7*^ 1777
A true Copy
Attest Jn° Avery D^ Secy
State of Massachusetts Bay
In the House of Representatives August 11, 1777
Whereas it appears upon Examination of the Accounts of
the Treasurer of the County of York that all the monies
OF THE STATE OF MAINE
167
granted and allowed by the Court of General Sessions of the
Peace for said County for the year 1777 were for such pur-
poses and appropriations as the Law impowered said Court
to Grant —
Therefore Resolved that Said Account be allowed —
Sent up for Concurrence
J. Warren Spk''
In Council Aug 12, 1777
Read & Concurred
Consented to
Jer: Powell
Caleb Gushing
S. Holten
D. Hopkins
I. Palmer
A. Ward
T. Gushing
Benj Austin
Moses Gill
Josiah Stone
Jn" Avery Dy Secy.
W. Spooner
John Whitcomb
D. Sewall
Jabez Fisher
B. White.
To the Hon^ Committee of Inspection & C/orrespondence and
Safety for y® District of Machias &
Sylvanas Scott of said Machias begs leave to lay before
your Honours his Distressing Circumstances Namely tlie loss
of your Petitionei's house Barn &c — being situated at a
Place called Indian River where a Fortification was Erected
for y® Defence of y® River against y^ attacks of y® Enemy
who came up to y" said place last Sumer & there not being a
Sufficient Numl)er of Troops to Oppose y'' Enemys Landing
they Landed with great Fury Burnt & Destroyed your Peti-
tioners Dwelling house Barn, English Hay & Household Fur-
niture &c Agreeable to an Inventory hereunto Annexed —
not having one Hours Notice could not save any thing but
part of his Waring Apparell and some Beding with his Fam-
illy who gladly made his Escape all of which Losses reduces
your Petitioner to y® greatest Distress Immaginable as having
168 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
a large Family to Support obliges him to seek charity of y®
Publick leaving it to your Wise Consideration to point out
some way wherein he can be Releaved and as in Duty
Bound shall Ever Pray
Silvanus Scott
Machias Aug"' 15'^ 17*77
An Acct of Articles lost at Machias by Sylvanes Scott
from date above viz
1 Dwelling House 42 feet & 28, 1 Barn 41 feet 27, 6 Tun
English Hay, 4 Calfs 4 months old, 2 fatt Hogs, 20 Dunghill
Fowles, 1 Sett Joynors Tools, 1 Sett House Carpenters D°,
1 D° Shoe Makers D°, 1 Large Grind Stone & Iron Crank,
1 Sled Yoke & Chain, 2 Hay Forks & 1 Dung Fork, 1 Shod
Shovel & Iron Shovel, 1 Spade & Hoe, 1 Iron frow & 2
Drawg. Knives, 1 Weavers Loom & Implements, 1 Sickel &
Mose Skin dress'd, 1 P"" Snow Shoes 1 Grain Sieve, A Quan-
tity of Iron Bound & other Casks, 1500 feet Square Timber,
2750 Shingles in Bundles, 1 Feather Bed, 4 Bed steads with
Cords, 3 New Beds steads for sale, 2 Tabels 6 Bow back
chairs, 12 Common Chairs, 1 Bottle Case, 1 20 Bottle Case,
Large Quantity of dary Implements, 1 P'' And Irons 1 Iron
Mortar, 1 Brass Kettle, a Quantity of Household Utensils,
2 Spinning Weels, a Quantity of Pewter & Crockery Ware,
Yi Barrel Soap, 1 Barr^ Pickel fish, 1 Horn Lanthorn, 1 Flax
Coomb, 1 Flock Bed, 4'** Cotton Wool, 10 Skains Cotton
Yarn, Sole and Uper Leath"^ Sufficient to make 5 P""* Shoes
&c —
Falmouth, Aug 16, 1777.
Gentlemen :
Inclos'' you have Cap*^ Will"* Harpers Receipt for forty
pipes of wine shipt on Board the Sloop Swan, Harper
Master, which he is to deliver the Hon^'^'^ Board they paying
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 169
him for freight Twenty-five pounds L. Money, he delivering
Said wine in good order. I have agreed for a Sch'' that will
take in fifty or Sixty pipes more, which will be all that I
purpose to take of the Brigg" She had on Board about one
Hundred & Ninety five & five Quart Casks, so that when
this Schn' has her Load there will Remain on hand the
Brigg about Seventy or Seventy-five pipes which will not
much more than Ballast her up. I Intend to hall the Brigg
in alongside the Wharf & Clean her Bottom, Before I let
her off when that is don, hope tlieir will Not be any grate
danger, I shall see that her sails and Riging is in good order
& that she has on Board a good Pilot Before I Leave her
I should have take out thirty or thirty-five pipes more. But
hear is Not a Vessel to be had. Should their Be any Small
Vessell arrive By the time I have got Ready Belive shall
take out a few more, as I Suppose Less will Ballist the
Brigg ( then what I have at present Conclude'^ to Leave on
Board ) we have had no Late arrival here
I am Gentlemen with grate Esteem Your Most Obedient
Hum"^« Ser^*
Jon. Glover
N. B. tlieir is a Quantity of Corke on Board Each Vessell
that I have Shipt tlie wine in, for dunage which you^ order
out —
To The Hon"^« Board of
War in Boston.
Machias August 17, 1777.
Sir
I wrote you some days Ago Informing the Hon'''® Board
of my arrival at this place with a num))er of Indians, Intend-
ing immediately after to have Given their Honors a detail of
the St. Johns Expedition. But a matter somewhat more
170 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
interesting Turning up, will prevent it for the present, shall
therefore refer the particulars of that Expedition to another
opportunity.
I have therefore to acquaint the Hon'^'® Board that on
Wednesday the IS**^ Instant about 3 o'clock A. M. Intelligence
was Received at the falls, of the arrival of three Large Ships,
one Brig, and one Small Schooner at the mouth of the Har-
bor. Various were the conjectures who it could be, as it
appeared they Came from the Westward. Major Stillman
and Captain Smith with a few men set of immediately in
Boats to make Discovery, and to take such steps as were
necessary : if found to be the Enemy.
About 5 o'clock the Brig Appeared : near the Battery for-
merly on a point of Land Called the Rim ( opposite which
was a Boom ) having 8 Boats in Tow full of Soldiers, with a
great number on Board. Mess'^'' Stillman and Smith joined
Col° Foster having in the whole only Thirty-five men. The
Brig soon Came to where the Boats made towards the shore
with the appearance of a Determination to Land. Our men
immediately forming in a posture for opposing, and By their
Vigilence & Activity keeping a Constant & sure fire, pre-
vented the Enemys Landing, who in much Confusion,
Retreated to the Brig — in the night Captain Smith Came
up & immediately return'd with one of the Cannon and a
Swivel belonging to the Marisheete, with a Cable and
Anchor to Secure the Boom, all which By his Indefatigable
pains, he Effected By day Light when our people Began to
fire with the Cannon and hull'd the Brig several times. I
Erabody'd the Indians between Forty & Fifty after I had
spoke to them upon tlie matter they very chearfully went on
Service down the River.
About day Light of the 14^'' The Enemy receiv'd a rein-
forcement, the morning was Extremely foggy and it being
Easy for them to Land at Several places. Our people being
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 171
SO few not able to Guard the several posts to prevent their
Landing it was thought most prudent for them to Retreat,
and get altogether at the falls to make as Vigorous Defence
as possible. Accordingly a small redoubt was raised near
where it was supposed the enemy woud Land, in which was
placed Twenty men under the Command of Major Stillman
with two small Guns from the Marisheete. A Breastwork
was allso raised on a Rising Ground near the mills on which
was fixed the Swivils of the Schooner some of the Guns,
having a number of men under the Command of Lieu*^ Col°
Nevers which was Intended for the Last Retreat, in the
afternoon people seemed to Gete togather after Securing
their Familys & property and made every preparation possi-
ble, which time and circumstances woud admit. The Enemy
Burned Several Buildings about the River & one mill down
the River.
About 5 o'clock P. M. The Brig appeared in sight Beating
up, with a number of Boats ahead towing, also a Sloop which
the Enemy took in the River, having strongly Fortify '^ her
against small arms. There being but a Light Breeze & Tide
of flood they Came up pretty fast and Between Six and
Seven, Came to an anchor near the Buildings appeared in a
most formidable & warlike position.
In this time Our men took their Different stations Capt.
Smith with a Body havuig a number of Indians with him
Lay upon an Extreme point near the Brig about 30 Indians
within a few rods of him on a hill in order to Support the
former. The next Major Stillman his Battery, Col. Nevers
in the Breastwork and a small scouting party on the West
Side of the River, the whole amounting to about 180 Men.
In tliis position we continued about half an hour Expect-
ing every minute to Receive lier Broadsides. The Enemy
appeared in great Commotion, Rowing and Driving about
tlie Brig and as we thouglit fixing a Spring on their Cables.
172 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Our Determination was not to begin the fire in the present
situation further than firing some shot to see what effect it
would have on the Brig which Appeared to Answer Our
most Sanguine Expectation.
The Indians in tliis time appeared very Eager for fighting,
Set up the Indian Yell which was follow'd By many at the
Different places, which no Doubt Occasioned the Enemy to
suppose there were some Hundreds It appeared almost
impossible to prevent some of the Indians from firing, one of
them it was generely supposed Killed a man in a Boat at a
great distance, who we Imagined was Going to Burn some
Houses on the Opposite Shore.
But notwithstanding all this parade of these Invaders, the
Haughty & warlike position, to the Great surprise and
Astonishment of every one in Less than half an Hour after
Coming to an Anchor, The Brig & Sloop Both Gote under-
way without firing a Gun towards the Houses & with the
greatest precipitation possible having Eleven Boats towing,
made down the River against the Tide of flood, giving
Three Cheers as they went of, however, I thought this was
only a finnesse of theirs and it was strongly recommended to
keep to the post only a scouting party to watch their motions
till we know'd their real design after this Major Stillman
was Detach'd with about Thirty men proceeding along the
River side By Land and about Ten o'clock Came up with
them, Here Major Stillman & party Display''' the Soldiers.
Being on a plain spot of Ground, Exposed to the whole fire
of the Enemy & not more than 100 yards from their Cannon.
But with Undoubted Courage Vigorously attacked the
Enemy which evidently proved to Be effectual By the Con-
sternation it put the Enemy in, for many in the Boats Called
out they were not able to Gete on Board ( when Ordered )
By reason that some crews were all Killed or Wounded,
several officers were named which suffered, one Lieu* Garden
in perticular.
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 173
The Brig keep'd up all this time a Constant & heavy Fire
of Langrage & Grape Shot, But notwithstanding our people
were so exposed, By the Interposition of Divine providence,
only one man was killed. She soon got aground But our
people being much fatigued & ammunition spent they re-
turned back, and at Day Light of the 15*** Col" Foster with a
Body of Men went Down and about Seven o'clock attacked
them. The Boats Employed in Geteing out the Anchors &
making preparation to Gate her of were forced to take
shelter behind the Brig and only one Boat which was Barri-
caded coud Give her any assistance
At 10 o'clock Captain Smith with a number of white men
and all tlie Indians got off in order to attack them on the
other side of the River By which movements the Boats were
forced to quit together. She having them gote of, so difficult
was their situation that the Boats Crews Declared they could
not row, in Answer, the officers swore they would blow the
first man's Brains out who dared to Come on Board. The
Brig then struck Ground again. But our people keeping up
such an Incessant fire they could not take the necessary pre-
caution to Gate her of. By which she continued during that
Tide. In this Action Capt. Farnsworth rec'd a wound on
the liead, but is in a fair way of recovery.
By the time the Mihtia were coming in very fast so as to
enable us to Distribute further down the River to prevent
Assistance from the Ships below, a small Cannon, was taken
down and fixed opposite the stern of the Brig, and the
Greatest part of the day a pretty Constant fire was keep'*^
up on Both sides. Several Balls went into the Stern of the
Brig, which with the firing from the Quarter deck while
aground must have Wrecked her very much.
Several Boats attempted to Gate up the River which were
always drove back with a very Considerable Loss on their
side — on the Tide of flood the Sloop stood up the River (as
174 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
was supposed) to Succor the Brig & Gate her of, a party of
our Men suddenly attacked them, many of the Enemy were
seen to fall, with the greatest difficulty they Gote her Clear,
a heavy rain Coming on, prevented our people from pursu-
ing their Designs in stoping the Brig from Geting down the
River. She soon floated and with the assistance of the Sloop
& a small breeze of wmd she made the Best of her way
down, and on the morning of the 16*^ Came to altogather at
Round Island — The past night they were seen getting
Ballast on Board in the Greatest Haste and this morning on
the Tide of Ebb all but one ship sets sail & Departed the
Harbor.
I must Observe to the Hon''^® Board that this Expedition
of the Enemy & our situation at the time might occasion
some reflection. It appears this matter was a plan of Daw-
son of the Brig Hope that he had rec'd Intelligence from
time to time of the situation of this place and that the
General Court would not allow anything for its Defence, till
the Expedition now forming was Granted, which it appears
by Certain Information, that he has rec'*^ Intelligence of the
Backwardness of it, he has been seen cruising backwards and
forwards for this some time past. He no doubt supposed
from this that there was some Property Deposited here and
not Strength to defend it, and his coming up in such a
daring manner, would so intimedate the Inhabitants that
they would immediately give up.
As to the situation of the place it Cut a gloomy aspect the
morning the Brig Came up, matters appeared Desperate on
our side & a feint hope of saving the place from Destruction.
The Enemy seemed Encouraged By our men Leaving the
Battery below, which indeed was done from necessity. But
all this turned out for our Great advantage for on the Brigs
coming up & seeing such fortifications, which were never
known of before, and our men posted in such a manner,
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 175
niigbt very reasonably, Conjecture that our retreating, was to
bring them in that Difficult Situation & Destroy them &
supposing we had some Hundreds, By their returning in such
an unprecedented manner — had we but two six pounders
the Brig must have struck, which I think should have been
sent when the Stores came down for things of this nature is
always the means of an Enemy making desperate attempts,
upon the whole we may be very thankful to Kind Provi-
dence that the place is so far preserved.
I cannot but highly applaud the Bravery of the whole of
the Militia & the few troops Inlisted, have not heard the
Least Complaint of any Backwardness after matters Came to
Crisis.
And I have the pleasure to Inform the Hon^^® Board that
none Deserves Greater Applause than our Indian Friends,
For the Diff* Officers at the Several attacks assured me that
no persons Beheaved more Gallantly, Exposing themselves
openly to the fire of the Cannon & small arms, very Diff*
then what has been Generely Practised by Indians. The
same morning the Enemy arrived, I had a Conference with
Six Deputys from Penobscot, we Exchanged pledges of
friendship, Received the greatest satisfaction, and agreed
with them to be at Penobscot in six weeks where I am to
meet the S' Francis Indians & others from Canada. I Deliv'^
these six Guns, who immediately joined the others & Con-
tinued till the departure of the Ships when I Dismissed them
with some presents.
My coming to Machias was a matter more of Necessity
then Inclination as I was conlident it would create a greater
Expence, and the Indians continually Drunk & Quarreling
But they being Destitute of every thing, I was forced to
yield to the Intreaties of them & indeed it has proved to
Great advantage. I am obliged to supply & find them very
largely with Provisions & other things, and Em[)loying them
176 DOCTTMBNTAHY HISTORY
in Going with Expresses etc., otherwise they would Certainly
Go of & am afraid to Lett them out of my hands for the
present for fear of joining or having some Correspondence
with the Enemy. Still the Hon'''^ Board may fully rely &
depend I shall use every Economy possible — indeed things
are so Dear & Exhorbitant & the Indians Demands & Neces-
sities so large that I am often at a stand what to do.
The Great Consumption of Provisions during this Siege
obliges me to Press you the Hon**^® Board to Consider the
Situation of this Country in General as people have been so
harrassed being forced from their harvest — perticularly I
must press assistance to the Truck house, which I beg may
be furnished with a quantity more of Corn & other pro-
visions. Molasses, small wines, Cydei-, also some more blan-
kets, shouds, some pieces of fine Cloaths, Wampum & a
Quantity of Ammunition & Some Good Guns.
The Indians have left some fine corn fields on St. Johns,
which it is Probable is destroyed, if so the Indians will resent
it greatly if not a certain supply Laid in for them. I have
impowered Messrs Cross's of Newbury to procure those
articles, to whom I send a schooner & Expect her back with all
Expedition, those that Came with me bro* Considerable furs
etc. which I presume Capt. Smith will send as soon as possible
I find our Nova Scotia Expedition goes on very slowly
from the appearance of things. I shall not press that Matter
at present but there is the Greatest Necessitj' of a speedy
succour if it is Intended to keep these parts, there is every
reason to suppose that the Enemy is Bent upon the Destruc-
tion of this place, and that they are now gone for a Rein-
forcement, which if the Case, I am very sure they must
Carry the point. I hardly know what apoligy to make to
the Indians if the Troops do not soon arrive, for by the Diff*
News told them they are sanguine that St. John will be
secured By the States.
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 177
Brigidier Warner not arriving has given nie nmch trouble,
I intended before now, Let the Consequence turned out as it
would, to Endeavou'd to have been among the Micmacs who
I find the British Government is tampering with, with all
their might, and it is not Improbable but they may be
seduced, for every shop in Halifax is open for them to
Demand what they please, with pains & Difficulty did I Gain
these of St. Johns & others A\ith nothing, tho' Mi-. Franchline
the British Superentendent had every advantage of Power,
force, money &c and indeed he may Gain the others were no
body to oppose him.
My reason of detaining is for fear of my thawting the
Intention of Government by going and also to be ready
to Give my feeble advice in the Expedition. I perceive it is
daily growing more precarious m Carrying on these things,
and must be managed with much Delicacy and prudence
It gives me much pain to hear of the trouble the Hou^^*^
Board has had with the affairs of Nova Scotia occasioned by
the fluctuating minds of people — much party Spirit seems to
reign. I have Endeavored all along to act upon that Rule
wliich I Conscientiously thought would tend to the interest
and Honour of the United States. The Happiness, welfare
& Establishing Freedom in that Community whereof I was a
member. But by Common fame it appears I am concerned
in one of the partys which I have been an utter stranger to
hitherto. My Intention being to pursue Every measure to
defeat the diabohcal plans of Britain, and to Endeavor with my
weak ability to aid in Defending & Supporting the Independ-
ency of America, and as I would not have it suspected to do
the Least action that might be thought to hurt any Intention
of Government. I have come to a Determination not to act
in any matter whatever as an inhabitant of Nova Scotia, but
shall lay aside every Dispute & animosity which has been
occasioned by any mal proceedings in that province, and
12
178 DOCUMENTAKY HISTORY
shall wholly devote my time & Talants to the Service of the
States, and shall use eveiy method & use every means to
Execute such Orders & Intention of the States Consistent
with such office I may hold.
The Small Vessell which I have with me Cannot Gate out,
but hope the Ship below will soon retire when I will hurry
her away with all Expedition. This Schooner w"^ another
one I have should be glad may be Employ*^ in the Service if
thought necessary, as they are well Calculated for such busi-
ness, and are now Lying on great Expence.
I have applyed to Col" Eddy to Call a Court Martial to
Inquire into the Conduct of officers and others in the
Expedition to St. Johns but thinks he Cannot Legally Do it.
It is absolutely necessary such things should be to keep
matters in Order and to Give Satisfaction perticularly when
there is suspicion of misconduct, there has been some affida-
vit taken Concerning Major Shaw which I presume will be
Laid before the Hon^^" Board, But as these Steps seem not
to be through a proper Channell, Cannot Give any Judg-
ment on the matter. I must therefore request of the Hon^'^**
Board to Order a Court of Inquiry to Examine into that
Expedition, these things being done at once will be a check
to Designing & Dangerous men and if publick utillity in
Gen®^ which I have often Experienced when with the Army.
The Truck House at St. Johns has been done with for
some time. The furs and what was Left on hand I have
received & hid them on the river St. Johns. Consequently
Mr John Preble is not of any service in that Department.
Mr. Preble often turns out as a Volunteer & seems of an
Enterprising turn in n_iilitary affairs, very forward upon every
occasion, and from the knowledge I have of his hardships
during the sunmier I must pray the Liberty & recommend
him to the Hon*^^® Board for some Military Employment &
Consistent with the publick Service.
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 179
I must pray then Intelligence Expecting my Proceedings
may be Convey'* to the Hon*^*® Congress. I have the Honour
to be with the most Profound respect.
I Sir Your most ob** & Devoted hbl. Ser^' J. Allan.
P. S. I have taken the Liberty to draw an order in favor
of Messrs. Stephen & Ralph Cross of Newbury port on the
Hon'^*'^ the President of the Council of this State for such
monies as is Granted me for the use of the Indians in the
Eastern Department. I am at a Loss to do it in such a
manner as may appear Legal — my necessity I trust will
apologise for any Defect in the Order
Aug 19'^
Some deserters coming in which belonged to the Hancock
brought intelligence that the fleet &c. was composed of the
Reinbow, Mairmaid, Vulture & Hope, which with the
Marines were sent Back. The Enemy Lost in the Attack
with Major Stillman, 30 men Killed — their whole Loss
amounts which is spoken of among themselves publickly 100
Killed & wounded. I suppose not an action during the War
Except Bunker Hill there was such a slaughter.
This goes by Colonel Campbell, a gentleman who has
Exerted himself in Collecting the Militia
To The Hon^*^ Jeremiah Powell.
In Council Sept. 10, 1777. Read & Sent down with a
Number of other Letters from Machias accompanying the
same.
Jn° Avery Dp. Secy.
Scarboro, Aug. 18, 1777.
Gentlemen
Inclosed you have a Receipt for Sixty-two pipes of wine
Shipt on Board the Sch^ Molly, W" Brown Master which
hope you" Rec** in good order as they were put on Board. I
have agreed to pay a freight of twelve Shillings p"^ pipe
180 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
which you^ please to pay. in my Last, I mentioned that I
should proceed to this place, in order to get one Small Ves-
sel more, as I could not come at any at Falmouth. Neither
is their any to be had here, upon a further Consideration, am
fully satisfied that what is now on Board is not more than
she will Require to Ballist her, their Being only Sixty seven
pipes now on Board. I have now ordered her on Shore a
longside the Wharf to clean her Bottom, which is very fowle
Wlien that is don, which will take only one Tide, they will
make all the dispatch possible for Boston, her Sails & Riging
Being in good order. No prizes has arrived Since my Last.
I am Gentlemen with grate esteem Your Moste Hum^^® Serv*
Jon* Glover
To The Hon''^* Board of War in Boston.
State of Massachusetts Bay
Council Chamber Aug^* 20^*' 1777
Sir
The Letter to Jonathan Eddy & John Allen Esq" and
INIr. Stephen Smith on public Service are Inclosed to your
care that you may Forward them to Machias by a Special
Messenger unless a good opportunity offers to convey them
by Water
The Expense that will necessarily attend sending them
will be paid to you or your order as soon as the same can be
ascertained —
By Warrant upon the Treasury —
John Wait Esq"^ Sheriff of Cumberland County.
Council Chamber Aug^' 21", 1777.
Ordered that the Board of War be & they hereby are
dii-ected to deliver Cap* John Wentworth Comanding Officer
of the Guard Stationed at Cape Elizabeth so much Bunting
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 181
as will be sufficient to make two Flags each of one yard &
half Wide & tliree yards long also forty Fathom of small
Rope suitable for Halyards for the said Flagg for the pur-
pose of hoisting Signalls on Poles to be Erected at or near
that place, agreeable to a Resolution of the General Court of
8 July 1777.
Falm° August 21^* 1777.
May it please your Honors
Accordmg to your Directions of the 25"' Ulto, the Stores,
Sails &c. belonging to y'' Ship Union are Safely stored & she
moored at the Pool wliere she was loaded. I have paid Cap*
Haynes One hundred & forty pounds, two shillings g his
Receipt of which the inclosed is a Copy. Shall do my
endeavour to secure your Interest now under my Care,
there is a balance due to me of upwards of two hundred
pounds on Ace* of the Ship Union. Should be glad of two
hundred pounds by the Bearer Docf Norwood — I hope to
be able to settle my ace* in Sep* I have the Express from
the hon' Congress which your Honors gave me to go in the
Union, wait your Directions either to transmit it to you or
keep it 'till the Union sails
I remain your Honors most ob* h^ S*
W^n Frost.
The hon^ Board of War.
Sir
I have sent the Bearer to you with a Proposal which I
hope you will think botli just and requisite, and that accord-
ingly you will Comply with it: as it will be a means of
instantly alleviating the Hardships of Confinement and like-
wise in future serve many of your J*eople that may fall into
182 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
our hands. I have on board His Majesty's Ship under my
command four young men, Natives of Boston, Marblehead
&c. that want to be at home with their friends. Now if you
will exchange the Four men belonging to me ( that some of
your People surpriz'd, and took Prisoners at Cross Island,
the day before yesterday, as they were innocently & without
Suspicion of hurt to any one, filling some Water Casks ) I
will send you these four young men in Lieu. You may
assure yourself I am upon Honour. Send me the Men
either by themselves or with others, you may be assured no
one of their Conductors shall be touch'd or offended. I
would observe that when the Blonde was in the River, we
could have burnt all the Dwelling Houses along Shore.
But even that, or pillaging I dispis'd as it was only affecting
a few poor people. This is mentioned to say something in
favour of the four Men now in your hands. Their Loss to
the Ship is not much ( as they are all Land men ) to them-
selves poor Fellows great, as missing the Ship now, they may
never join her again.
I am Sir Your Most hW® Serv*
Jn'' Milligen
Blonde in Machias Bay 22^^ Aug' 1777
To the Principal officer or commandant at Machias Town
Copy
The Deposition of Thomas Fletcher
This may Certifie That whereas it hath been Reported by
Lieu* Andrew Gilman that the Indians told Him thare was
a Number of Indians & Regulars Commanded by one Lonear
and were on their March from Quebec to Penobscot or some
of the Eastward Rivers which Report being made known to
the Officers of the Guard on Penobscot River and the Officers
of the upper Regiment of the Militia there they imediately
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 183
gave orders to their Respective Officers to raise the Militia
which alarmed the Eastern Country & as I the Subscriber
have for near twenty years past been Imployed as an Inter-
preter to the Penobscot Indians was desired by the people to
proceed up the River to know the Foundation for this, which
I readily complied with & went up the River to M"^ Coburns
which is within Seven Miles of the Indian Town accompanied
by Lieu* Oilman & Col" Brewer tlie Indian Chiefs were
sent for there & we had a Conferrence with them there the
Indians declared they never informed Lieu* Oilman or any
other person more then this viz — That there was a Num-
ber of Regulars, Canadians, & Indians at Loik kekonouch
Ales Shudear so called by the English & they likewise Says
They never Knew that the said Party Had any Intention to
come on the Eastern Settlements For the place where they
Saw this party there has been a guard kept this two years
past By the Regulars — And further Saith that from
Penobscot falls Truck House I dispatched two Men to the
Indian Chiefs to let them know I wanted to see them about
an Hour after came an Express from M"^ Coburns where the
Ouard was kept Saying the guard was fired upon by Indians :
Says CoP Brewer what shall we do we cannot notifie the
People by Sending to them we must Fire an Alarm I said
would it not be better to suspend till we have heard further
Then said Brewer to Col' Lowder what do you think of it.
Lowder Replied, I think as Fletcher thinks I would suspend
till I have heard further CoP Brewer said Would you Sus-
pend now the Centry is fired upon — Fletcher said I would
Suspend & proceed up here and know further about it,
whereupon CoP Brewer Maj' Buck & a number of others
went up in order to enquire concerning the alarm accord-
ingly in the afternoon I arrived there accompanied with
Eight English men on our way we met a man upon an
Express & I asked liim what News he said he was on an
184 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Express & should give us no account. He said We had
better go Each and get our Guns I answered I would pro-
ceed forward we came to M'' Coburns where CoP Brewer &
Capt Brewer was laying on the Bed I asked CoP Brewer
what was the matter his Express would not give an account
of himself CoP Brewer smiled and said He did Right !
CoP Brewer & James McCurdy were disputing & James
McCurdy Said He believed it was Not the Indians fired on
the Centry CoP Brewer said if you talk in this manner to
persuaid the People it is a falst Allarm I will confine you
imediately CoP Brewer desired me & a number of others to
go & see the place where the Centry was fired upon CoP
Brewer Says to me do not you see it is Evident this Ball is
fired by the Indians — Says I I do not believe it was.
well said Brewer if you & other People do not believe it If
you and all the People on the River were to be Destroyed, I
would not make an Alarm again
Tho« Fletcher
Penobscot August 22^^ 1777
A true Copy Examined
John Partridge Clerk
A true Copy attest
Jn° Avery D^ Sec^
We the vSubscribers Jointly & Severally hereby Certify &
Declare that Elihu Hewes resident at Penobscot Having been
appointed, employed, & betrusted, to Convey and Transfer, A
Petition sent by a Committee chosen by the Inhabitants of this
River, to the General Court of the State of the Massachusetts
Bay, in behalf of the Inhabitants to represent their Grievances,
& to obtain Redress from, & to give a Just & faithfull informa-
tion to the State aforesaid of the Conduct & Behavior of Col°
Josiah Brewer & his confederates, relative to certain Facts,
& representations, which in our apprehension & knowledge
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 185
is Truth, and necessary to be laid before the General Court
at Boston But the said Elihu Hewes, was prevented by
Col** Brewer aforesaid in presenting the said Remonstrance
to the Hon. the Court aforesaid ; to which the said Elihu
Hewes was repeatedly solicited & urged by the s** Josiah
Brewer, by whose means that Petition was detained. —
The abovesaid Elihu Hewes, declared before us the Sub-
scribers on the 19*^** of August 1777 — That the said Josiah
Brewer would endeavor to procure six months stores for the
Soldiers, if he would not present that Petition, which would
be a great help to the river Given under our hands at
Penobscot August 2-1"^ 1777
Jedidiah Preble Jun"^
Benj*^ Wheeler
Robert M'-Curdy
N. B. The original Petition is to this Day detained by
the said Elihu Hewes, but the Copy of the same is transfered
to Court by the Hand of M'' James M 'Curdy, to transact the
same with the business committed to his betrustment —
A true Copy Attest Jn° Avery D^ Secy
Letter from Mr. Murray to Col. Waite.
Sir
My confidence in your zeal & fidelity to your Country
prompts me in great haste to inform you that after receiving
a pretty little dressing at Machias — Sir George Collier in
the Rainl)0w w* Dawson as an attendant arrived in this
harbour last tuesday ; they took one sloop & attempted
another — immediately on their coming in — but our people
attacked them, killed ( as they say ) two & wounded
seveiiil more — since which the Conunodore lias come to give
promises — & the Militia have gone home — he still lyes
186 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
here ^- & it seems probable be has no tho'ts of going off
soon — he still acts as if he intends another quarrell with us.
we hear that threq continental frigates are at Portsmouth
ready for sea — if they would come here immediately this
ship would be an easy prey — she has but 334 men a fever &
flux rages among them ; if you would send an express to
Portsm" — the Country would thank you — & if the ships
come they might more then repair Marly's loss. I communi-
cate this intelligence by M'^ Muzzy who will tell you the fate
of your Express to Machias
with great respect I am Sir your most obed*
N° Murray
Col. Waite Boothbay Aug* 29''' 1777.
Letter from John Waite to the Hon. J. Powell.
Falmouth 31«* August 1777
Sir
I received from Council a packet of Letters on Public
service with directions from the Honb^^ M'' Sewall to forward
them to Mechias by a special Messenger. I consulted with
Several Gentlemen of this Town who were of opinion that
the Cheapest & greatest dispatch would be to send them by
Water, upon which I immediately Hired two Men and a two
mast Boat who set out last Wensday with said Packet for
Mechias but were unhapily taken off Monahegan by the
Rainbow Barge and Kept a few Hours and then released as
being thot by the Enemy to be only on a Fishing Voyage —
they having sunk the Letters before they were taken I have
also sent you a Letter I Just received from the Rev*^ M"
Murray of Booth Bay in which you will see a particular
Acco* of the Enemy's motions since they have been at
Anchor off the Harbour of Townsend a Midshipman on
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 187
Board the Rainbow informed one of the Persons that was
taken in the fisliing Boat, that they had Burnt twelve
Houses at Machias and that the Enemy had three men Killed
& several wounded, the Commodore then Asked him whether
there was a Mast Ship in Falm" and also whether he knew
where Gen^^ Hows Army was and How many men we had
station'd in Falm° and whether they Avare not all Old men
&c Cap* M'^lelen can inform you of further perticulars
relative to the above affair
I am sir your very Humble serv*
John Waite
The Hon^'*' Jeremiah Powell President at the Hon^^
Council Board Boston
Letter from Col'^ Frost.
Kittery Sep* 1«' 1777
Honour'* Sir
Agreable to yours of the lO'*^ of Aug* Last I gave orders
to all the Col" Belonging to my Brigade that they mack a
Return to me agreable to the Resolve of Court of the IS*'^
Augs* Last Have had no Return as yet onely one from
Lebunon which I send Inclosed I Expect Returns this weak
from Each Regiment and shall mack a Return to you next
weak in the mean time I Remain
Sir your most obd* Humb* Servant
M"" Secretary Avery Jn° Frost
To the Honoral)le Council, and Honourable House of Repre-
sentatives of the State of the Massachusetts Bay :—
Humbly shews the Inhabitants of the County of Lincoln. —
That in the year 1775, the Provincial Congress of tliis State,
established a Post for the said State, whose bounds were as
188 DOCUMENTARY HISTOBY
far east, as Georgetown, in the County aforesaid, which
proved of great advantage to the said County : but after a
while the Honorable Continental Congress, ( having settled a
Post Office in the United States,) or the Post master general
would not allow the rider for the Eastern parts, to proceed
further than Falmouth in the County of Cumberland.
Your Petitioners would furtlier humbly represent, that before
the commencement of the controversy with Great Britain,
Your Petitioners ( carrying on a considerable business coast-
wise,) readily got their Letters, &c. conveyed to them by
water, when the inconveniency of not having a Post further
East than Falmouth was not felt. — but since the unnatural
war begun by Great Britain, their trade, &c. by Water, has
been almost wholly cut off ; whereby your Petitioners have
laboured under great disadvantages, and all most all orders,
resolves, Proclamations, &c. of the Gouvernment, have not
arrived 'till a considerable time after they were Promul-
gated, and which might have been productive of very bad
consequences.
Your Petitioners would further humbly represent, that the
Eastern parts of this State are now become an Object of
importance to our Unnatural enemies, as appears by the fre-
quent hostilities attempted on them of late.
Your Petitioners would humbly submit it to your Wise Con-
sideration, whether All parts of the United States, ought
not in this very critical time to have Posts for conveying
intelligence to them, as the well being ( perhaps,) of some of
them, or parts of them, might depend on having the earliest
intelligence conveyed to them. —
Your Petitioners would further represent to your Honors,
that the County aforesaid, have always furnished their full
quota of Men for the War, and have now a great proportion
of their inhabitants in actual service : but from not having a
Post as aforesaid, the conveyance of letters to their Families,
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 189
&c. — or from their Friends to them, is very precarious, and
they often miscarry.
Your Petitioners would therefore pray your Honors, to grant
them a Post, whose bounds shall extend at least as far as the
East part of the Town of Thomastown in the County afore-
said, or otherwise relieve them, as to your Wisdom shall
seem meet: — and Your petitioners as in duty bound will
ever pray.
Sam» M Cobb
Abiel Lovejoy
John Taylor
Sept. 1777
State of Massachusetts Bay
Septem-- 1777
The Committee of both Houses on the foregoing Petition
have attended that Service & beg Leave to report by Way
of Resolve
Resolved that the Board of War be & they hereby are
directed to send to the Committee of Boothbay they to be
accountable for the same two nine & two six Pound Iron
Cannon with Carriages & Implements compleat & fifty round
of Powder & Ball for each piece
And it is further resolved that a Company of Fifty Men
to be commanded by one Captain & two Lieutenants be
raised in any Part of the Eastern Parts of this State &
stationed at Booth Bay & to continue in Service untill the
last Day of Decem'' next unless sooner discharged by Order
of this Court to receive the same Pay & Subsistance as are
allowed the other Sea Coast Companies in the Pay & Service
of this State —
And it is further resolved that a Commissary be appointed
190
DOCUMENTAKY HISTORY
by this Court to purchase & issue Provisions to the s^ Com-
pany
In Council Sep* 20, 1777
Read & sent down
Jn° Avery D^ Secy
In the House of Representatives Sept 22'^ 1777
Read & accepted Sent up for Concurrence
John Pitts Speak' pro Tern
Read & Concurred
Consented to —
Jer Powell W Sever
W Spooner
Benj Austin
Fra Dana
Dan^ Davis
T Cushing
John Taylor
S Holten
A FuUer
Jn° Avery D^ Sec^
A Ward
Moses Gill
John Whitcomb
R Derby
Josiah Stone
State of the Massachusetts Bay
To the Honb^ the Council & the Honb^ House of the Rep-
resentatives in General Court assembled at Boston Sept"^
1777 —
The Petition of Simeon Maj^o of Falmouth humbly Shews
that your Petitioner in the year 1775 had 2500 feet of 2
Inch pine plank j^ bb^ of Tar & 5 Barrs Iron about 200"'
being his Property lying on his wharf in Falmouth. That
soon after the Burning of that Town by the Enemy, a Com-
mittee of the County of Cumberland by Order of the County
proceeded to Fortify the Town, the doings of this Committee
were afterwards adopted by this HonW Court, & their
Charges & Expenditures about that work have since bin
Defrayed by your Honors, the Committee found it necessary
in the Course of their aforesaid operations to make use of the
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 191
above mentioned Articles Property of your Petitioner. — He
therefore prays your Honors, as these articles were used in
the Service of the state, that he may have a reasonable allow-
ance granted him for the same — And as in duty bound
shall Ever Pray
Simeon Mayo
Dr. State of the Massachusetts Bay To Simeon Mayo
1775 Oct 16.
2500 feet 2 Inch pine plank at 72/ g'" taken
by Capt Abner Lowell 9 " 0
% Bb^ Tar " 4 " 6
2*^^^* Barr Iron at 36/ taken by Col. Knight 3 " 12 "
Errors Excepted
12 " 16 » 6
Simeon Mayo
State of the Massachusetts Bay
To the Honourable the Council and the Honourable House
of Representatives of Said State Now Setting in Boston
Sept^ 1777
The Petition of tlie Subscriber Humbly Sheweth that in the
Year 1775 the Company Under the Command of Cap*^ Samuel
Dumi late of Cape Elizabeth in Colonel Phinneys Regiment
was Billited in this Town a Considerable Time and as there
was One of the King of Britians Ships then in Our Harbour
they were Obliged to keep the Necessary Guartls and as the
Said Colonel Phiney was ordered to Ticondaroga and Said
Cap' Dunn Died Soon after His Return from Cambridge the
Necessary Steps were Not Taken in order to Receive the
Billiting Money for Said Company and there is a Consider-
able Sum Due as will appear By the Roll Sent by M"^ Peter
Woodbery and as the Select men for Cape Elizabeth pro-
vided for them to a Considerable part of the Same Pray the
192 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Honourable Court if in their wisdom think fit will pay the
same to M'' Peter Woodbery and your Petitioner as in Duty
Bound will Ever Pray
E Newell L»
State of Massachusetts Bay In the House of Rej5resenta-
tives Sept^ 27"^ 1777 on the Petition of Ebenezer Newell
Lieu* of the Compan}' formerly Commanded by Cap*- Samuel
Dunn in CoP Ednuind Phiney's Regem* Resolved that the
prayer of the Petition be granted, and that the Treasurer of
this State be & he is hereby Directed to pay the Said Eben-
ezer Newell or his order for the use of Said Company the
Sum of one Hundred and Twenty Six Pounds Eighteen
Shillings & Seven pence
Falmouth Sep"" y« 2, 1777
Honoured Sirs
I am to acquaint your Honours that after a passage of
Eight Days we arrived at Sandy hook, there was ordered
under the Stern of the Raven Man of War the Prisoners all
Taken abord. Myself Examened and Sent on bord the Flag
again. But Not alowed to write or Speek to any Person
Except the Ships Company. So that it was impossable For
me to Comply with your Instructions as Cap* Godfrey Can
inform your Honnours More Particular : Cap* Coffin wa«
Permited to Go in a flag From york to Nantucket Which
was granted M' Frederick William Gyes : to Fetch His
Children From there. Cap* Timothy Coffin I Could here
nothing of So that they were out of my Power But when
the Prisoners That Came were onbord Cap* Godfrey had
orders to Sail With out any Seremony and at our arival
here Cap* Godfrey went to y® Committe we were ordered on
shore and Examined to there Satisfaction So that I hoap
your honnours Will Rest asured that I have used My Best
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 193
indevvers to Comply with your Instructions in all nuitters as
a faithfull Friend to his Country ought to Do. & So I
Remain your Humble Servant
Paul Hussey
P. S. Cap' Godfr'y Deliverd the thirty Seven Prisoners
five of which Ware Black men they haveing But two on
hand, the Commissary writes me that they will not Give
White men But will Give Blacks when they have them.
Letter from Jedediah Preble enclosing Letter's frorn Col'* Eddy
^c, Machias.
Falm** 3 Sep' 1777
Hon'i Sir
Inclosed is two Letters from Mechias, which will Inform
you of the alarming situation of the Poor inhabitants of that
place. I hope some proper steps will be speedily taken for
their Relief, for further particulars than is Contain'd in the
S** Letters, I refer your Hon" to the Rev'» M"' Noble & ColP
Campbell by whom this waits on your Hon" I sliould now
have been on my Journey to Boston but was last Week
violently siezed with the Gout & have intirely lost the use of
one of my hands at present, but hope in a short time to be
able to attend my Duty at the Hon'^ Board. I am S"" with
sentiments of Respect your Hon"^ Obedient Hum^'^ Serv'
Jedidiah Preble
State of Massachusetts Bay
To the hon" the Council & the hon** house of Representa-
tives of said state in general Court assembled.
The Petition of Benjamin Titcomb, Joshua Freeman and
Joseph Noyes all of Falmouth in the County of Cumberland
humbly sheweth
18
194 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
That your Petitioners were assessors of parish taxes in &
for the first parish in said Fahnouth in the year 17Y6, and
assessed a tax upon the inhabitants of said Parish for that
year agreeable to a vote of said Parish for the purpose of
raising money for payment of the Ministers Salleries & other
contingent charges the same years, but it so happened
through mere hiattention & forgetfulness that your Peti-
tioners were not sworn according to law previous to their
making the said assessment; That they have however since
made oath before a proper Magistrate that in assessing &
apportioning said tax they proceeded equally & indifferently
according to their best skill & Judgment & the rules pre-
scribed by law as by a proper certificate thereof they are
ready to make appear ; Wherefore they humbly pray your
honors to establish said tax or assessment & declare the same
to be legal & valid, the ommission of your Petitioners prev-
ious to their making the same notwithstanding — and your
Petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray. t&c.
Benj Titcomb
Joshua Freeman
Joseph Noyes
Cumberland Ss Sept. 8**^ 1777 Then Benjamin Titcomb
Joshua Freeman & Joseph Noyes personally appeared and
made solemn oath that in assessing & apportioning a parish
Rate or tax upon the inhabitants of the first Parish in Fal-
mouth in said County in & for the year 1776 they proceeded
equally & indifferently according to their best skill & Judg-
ment & the rules prescribed by law.
atest Peter Noyes Justis a peace
Mechias Septem"- 8*^ 1777 —
Whereas notwithstanding the Repeated Requests of the
Subscribers to the In"holders & other Inhabitants of this
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 195
place the former in perticular, not to Admit of Trading
with the Indians in their Several Houses or Otherwise, Per-
ticularly the Furnishing Spiritious Liquors as it had a Ten-
dency to the most pernicious Consequences to the United
States. Still Several people persists in the Diabolical prac-
tice, & not Only furnishes Liquors, but Embezzles the
Indians property * —
The United States have been at a very Great Expence in
furnishing tlie Several Truck Houses perticularly, that at
this place, in Order that the Indians may have Such Neces-
sarys as they May Want —
This is done to prevent their Going to the Enemy for
assistance which if the Case the Consequence will be very
fatal to this Eastern Country —
But Notwithstanding the Generous & Humane Disposition
of Congress & the General Court towards this part in regard
to Keeping the Intriests of the Indians ; Still some person
( whome the " publick Cannot Look upon in any other Light
then Enemys to tlieir Country who are dayly Involving this
Bleeding Continent Deeper into all the horrors of Warr to
Satisfy their Insatiable & Voratious appetites ) are takeing
from Missarible Saveges — ( who Fled from their own
Homes to help the Slates ) their Necessarys for a Quarter of
their Value, Which the publick has been at so Great
Expence in procuring, by Which amoung Many Other Evils
they must again becom Naked, which will be difficult for the
States to Replenish in the present Critical Situation of
Affairs in these parts —
Many persons may suppose that the Indians Takes no
Notice of Such proceedings, but Immediately when Known
abroad, the Whole Body resent it, & Sildom ( with Diffi-
culty ) Satisfaction is Given, for Fighting and other Evils
Arrises Amoung themselves which the English may be
Strangers to —
19G DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Tho Subscriber has Taken every Legal Step Consistant
with his authority from Congress to Secure their Interiests,
but the Task Appears to Grow Harder every day, perticu-
larly Occationed by the Reason before mentioned, which if
practiz'd In, he will be Under the Necessity of Removhig
from this place Immediately, which is Detirmind, in Order
to Keep the Indians fiom Returning Into the Enemys Coun-
try, as the Sober Sett Cannot Stay if Such proceeding are
Tolerated —
As the Subscriber doe not Chuse to Enter Into Broils and
Quarels with perticular persons in this Critical Time, He
woud once More Request the favour of those persons Who
presists in this practice, as well as Others, Not to have any
Dealings what Ever with the Indians and In perticular Not
to furnish them With Strong Liquor —
And he Also Expects that the Good people of this District
will take perticular Notice of Such Offenders, which may
Come to their Knowledge & every person who will prosicute
to Conviction, or Inform so that the Offender or Offenders
may be Convicted, shall Recieve three pounds, above what is
Allowed by the Hono^^« the Gene^ Court of This State —
It is Earnestly requested that the Gentlemen of the Army
Militia as well as Continental, will take perticular Notice of
Those Incendarys and Misscrents & Order the Diffrient
Cores, to see the Resolves of the Gene' Court put duly Into
Execution
NB an Indian yesterday ( Lordsday ) had a Mooseskin
taken from him for a Case Bottle Clove Water ( two thirds
of it Real Water ) Several Skins of Peltry & Other things
missing —
Jn° Allan Continental agent for Indian Eastern Depart-
ment—
A True Coppy
Attest Lew^ Fred'^ De Lesdernier J P
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 197
To the Honorable Council & Hon^ House of Representa-
tives for the State of Massachusetts Bay in General Court
Assembled at Boston the 10*'' day of Sep"" Anno Domini
1777 —
The Petition of Joseph Prouty of Scarborough in the
County of Cumberland Humbly Sheweth that your Peti-
tioner has for some years past been Possess*^ of Two Negro
Men as his Own Property & Estate wlio have lived with him
quietly & Peacab^ untill they ware Informed by M' William
Vaughan who came from your Hon*^ Court who told them
that all Negros ware made Free by an Act of s*^ Court since
which 8*^ Negros on y® fourteenth day of July Inst' have left
me & one of them hired himself out to s*^ M'' William
Vaughan who with holds him from your Peti"^ at this Busy
Season & your Petition"^ being in such a State of Health
that he is Unable to do much for himself & that he must
with his family Suffer Verry Greatly for want of them
the difficulties of prosecuting him Otherways at this time
Your Petitioner prays Your Hon" would hear his Petition &
Grant him Relief as in your Great Wisdom Shall see meat &
your Petitioner as in Duty bound shall ever Pray
Jos Prouty
State of the Massachusetts Bay in Newengland
To the hon° the Council & hon*^ house of Representatives
of Said State in General court assembled Septem. 10"' 1777.
The Petition of Abner Lowell of Falmouth in the County
of Cumberland Captain of a Company stationed at said Fal-
mouth for the defence of the Sea Coast and John Wintworth
of Cape Elizabeth in Said County Captain of another Com-
pany stationed at Cape Elizabeth afores'' for the Same
purpose for themselves and in behalf of the other Commis-
sioned officers in said Companies humbly Sheweth
198 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
That the monthly Pay established for your Petitioners is
but Six pounds Each & of the other officers in proportion &
that they draw only the Same allowance witli tlie privates,
that both the phices where their Companies are stationed are
Very much Exposed to the Enemy So that your Petitioners
are Obliged to devote their hole time to the public Service
& their duty and that of tlie other commissioned officers is
Equal to that of officers in the Continental Service & pay
& Considering the increasing price of all the necessaries of
life their present provisions is inadequate to their Services
and insufficient for a bare Support for their families
Wherefore they humbly pray that your honours would be
pleased to take the premises into your wise Consideration
and grant and order that the Same rations may be allowed
your Petitioners and the other Commissioned officers of said
Companies as is allowed in the Continental Service from the
time of their entering into pay viz from the first day of May
last and during the Continuance of the Establishment of Said
Cyompanies
and your petitioners as in duty bound Shall ever pray
Abner Lowell
John Wentworth
Sir
The Inclosed Petition of Brigadier Moultons Admin" was
given me to present at the last meeting of the Gen^ Court,
but as they then determined to do no private Business it was
not presented.
The facts set forth in it I am perswaded are true, I have
seen the Writing M" Moulton gave Shaw — and it is more
compleat than that of Prebble — I conceive there will be no
difficulty in gran^ the Prayer of it should that be determined
by the Committee that may be appointed thereon. I have
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 199
drawd a Resolution that may answer the purpose — being
about to returne Home I have therefore left it to your care —
I am Sir your Hum^ Ser'
Sep. 11 1777 David Sewall
In the House of Representatives Sept"^ 11"' 1777
A number of Letters from Machias were read — and there-
upon —
Ordered that Brigadier Lovell, Cap* Bacheldor and Major
Cross with such as the Hon. Board shall join, be a Committee
to take the same into consideration and report —
Sent up for Concurrence
J Warren Spkr
In Council Sep' 11, 1777 Read and Concurred and Arte-
mas Ward and Benj. Greenleaf Esq" are joined
Jn° Avery Dy Sec^
« Report of Tim NewelV 1777
Boston Sepfll''' 1777 —
To the Honourable the Council for the State of the Massa-
chusetts Bay
In Obedience of orders to me Directed from Brigadier
General Jonathan Warner, I have bin to Mechias with orders
to Co^' Edy to Disband the men in his Regi', rais*^ for an
Expedition to S' Johns River, which order I delivered and
apply'^ to s** Co" Edy & Cap' Stephen Smith for all the pro-
visions, Arms, Stores and Accoutrements of all kinds which
have bin delivered them for s** Expedition ; upon which the
Inhabitants of Mechias Met and ordered their Committee to
withhold & Detain all s*^ Stores, Arms and accoutrements for
200 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
the Support and Defence of that jjlace, they are accordingly
Detained — I also apply'^ to Coll" Eddy and Cap* Nathan
Smith for all the money which they had Receiv*^ of s*^ Brig'
Warner for Bounties to the men raised for said Expedition ;
which remains unexpended for that use. Rec*^ as Follows
viz of Coll Ejjy 21 14 0
D° By the hand of Col" John Wait of Falmouth 117 18
of Cap* Nathan Smith 565 10
^705 2~
Which Sums I have paid into the Treashurey of this State
agreable to order
Tim^ Newell
In Council Sep^ 11' 1777
Read & Sent down with a Letter from Brig'' Gen' Warner
accompanying the same
Jn*' Avery D^ Sec^
In the House of Representatives Sepf 11 1777
Read and committed to the Committee on the Letters
from Machias —
Sent up for Concurrence
J Warren Spk"^
In Council Sep' 11' 1777
Read & Concurred Jn** Avery D^ Sec^
To the Honi'i^ the Council & the Hon^^i" House of Repre-
sentatives for the State of Massachusetts Bay
Humbly shew your Petitioners in behalf of the East
Precinct in the Town of Pownalborough, That in March
A D 1775 said Precinct (according to their Usage since
said Precinct was Incorporated ) made Choice of two Col-
lectors to collect the Precinct Tax for that year, one of whom
is one Roger Smith who refused to serve, & by Reason of
the Common Calamities of the Times and the suspension of
Law was not proceeded against as the law directs or a Fine
OF THE STATE OE MAINE 201
recoverd of liiin, and that that part of the Tax which he was
to collect, has not as yet been collected, and your Petitioners
humbly conceive cannot without the Aid of the General
Court, Wherefore your Petitioners humbly pray your Honors
that said Precinct may be impowered to call a Meeting & to
choose a Collector in the Stead of the said Smith, & that he
may be impowered to collect that part of the Precinct Tax
said Smith was to have collected, and the Money inure to the
Use for which it was granted. Your Petitioners would
further inform your Honors that said East Precinct has lately
been divided into two Precincts by the name of the East &
North Precincts, and that the Act that incorporates said
North Precinct expressly enjoins them to pay all Moneys
assessed upon them to the Time of Incorporation, and that
the uncollected Tax aforesaid is due from said North Pre-
cinct to the Minister of the East Parish aforesaid, wherefore
your Petitioners pray the Advisement of your Honors in this
Matter, and that said East Precinct may be Meeting & choose
a Collector for the purpose aforesaid or otherwise relieve us
as your Honors in your Wisdom shall see fit and in duty
bound shall ever pray &c
Tho. Rice ^
Michael Sevey |^ Committee
John Huse J
N. B. Since the meeting for the within Purpose we hear
that s'' East Precinct is divided into two by the name of
North and South, and as the Money is due to the south from
tlie North, therefore it is that we pray your honors, to
impower the south Precinct &c.
State of Massachusetts Bay
In the House of Representatives Sepf 12, 1777
Resolved that the South Precinct in the Town of Pownal-
borough be and hereby is impowered to call a meeting of the
202
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Freeholders & other Inhabitants of said Precinct ( Qualified
by Law to Vote in Town affairs ) to Choose a Collector in
the Stead of Roger Smith who was chosen by s* Precinct in
March A. D. 1776 one of the Collectors of said Precinct &
who afterwards refused to serve, hereby fully impowering
such Collector who shall be Chosen at said Meeting in stead
of said Smith, to Collect all such Taxes as remain uncollected
by reason of the said Smiths refusing to Serve & to do all
other Matters which a Collector chosen at the annual Meet-
ing in the Month of March ought legally do
Sent up for Concurrence
John Pitts Speaker pro Tern
In Council Sep. 12*^ 1777
Read & Concurred
Consented to
Jer Powell
B Greenleaf
T Gushing
John Taylor
Tim° Danielson
W Sever
Benj Austin
Jabez Fisher
Dan' Davis
I Palmer
Jn° Avery Dy Sec^
A Ward
H Gardner
S Holten
N Gushing
B White
Letter from Francis Shaw. Sept. 13, 1777.
To the Hon'''® Committee of both Houses, on the Memorial
of Alex'' Campbell & Fra* Shaw J' — your Memorialists would
propose for your Honors Consideration the Followmg for
stationing a number of Soldiers within the bounds of the
Sixth Regiment in the County of Lincoln —
suppose that your Honors should order two hundred & fifty
Men Exclusive of said Regiment to be station'd at Machias, as
that appears to be tlie main Object of the Enemy at present,
OP THE STATE OP MAINE 203
with 3 or 5 p* of Cannon as your Honors may think proper —
then, as the other parts are equally Exposed, (tho' not so
much Noticed at present by the Enemy ) should your
Honors think fit to order one Fourth of said Regiment
to be Drafted & put under pay they would not only serve as
Guards for the Sea coast, which is equally necessary but be
ready to march to the Assistance of any place, and the
Remainder of Militia may be ready to take their Guards
while absent, We beg leave to Informe your Honors that the
Circumstances of the Regiment is Such that unless some are
put in pay and provissions Deposited in proper places it will
be Imposible for them to March Immediatly on Alarm — We
would not presume to prescribe Rules to your Honors, but
as we are particularly acquainted with the Situation of both
the Country & Inhabitants, we Conclude that your Honors
will not be offended at our taking the Liberty to propose the
foregoing — We are with all due Respect & Esteem —
Your Honors Most Hum'* Serv"
Alex"" Campbell
Era : Shaw J'
To His Excelly Gen» Ward
Boston 13"' Sept' 1777
Petition of the Selectmen of Harpswell: Read Oct. 13 [ '77 ]
Ordered to lie. [ on the table ]
To the Honourable Council & Honourable House of Repre-
sentatives at Boston in General Court Assembled We your
Humble Petitioners Humbly Sheweth
'I'hat Supposing there is a heavie Tax Approaching we Look
upon it our Duty to the Town for which we act, to Make
our Humble address to the Honourable Court for Some Con-
sideration or Abatment thereof and the Reasons we Give are
204 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Viz First that since the Last Valluation there has been
Mov'd from Harpswell Forty Two Men chiefly men of Con-
siderable Estates who have Cary*^ all their Personal Estates
with Them and their Real Estates but Very Little Income
by Reasons of so many men in the Continental Service which
is more than our Proportion for some of them have Left
their Places not Sold and the Towns to which they have
gone are ( Viz ) —
Thirteen to Thomaston in the County of Lincoln Twelve
to the 1^ order of Board winham who are Tax*^ there & Eight
to Royalsborrough who we believe have been heretofore
Tax** at Brunswick & Six to Brunswick —
Secondly that at the Destruction of Falmouth we Laying on
the Sea and Harpswell being a Neck of I^and and an Island
Very Much Expos'^ the Melissia Came in from Several
Towns to our Relief if we shou*^ be Attack*^ and have
Billited by order of the Selectmen of this Town to the Valine
of a Considerable Some and we have beg'^ the Patience of
Those who Billited Said Melissia from Time to Time but
must Pay it the Ensuing Year
Thirdly as the Lumber is almost all gone & fishery & foreign
Commerce Ceasmg many of us have not on Quarter the
Chance of geting Paper money that they had formerly of
giting Silver
Fourthly we are Ver}^ Much Oppres"^ with Poor who have
been for years Past half or more as Much charge as the
Maintainance of our Minister, We Pray your Honours wou'^
Take into your Wise consideration the Above Reasons &
make us Some abatment of our Tax and make us some Con-
sideration for our Taxes for Years Past, for which we Your
Humble Petitioners as in Duty Bound Shall ever Pray
Harpswell Sep* y« 13*^ 1777
William Sylvester / c. i ^
•^ > Selectmen
Anthony Coombs i
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 205
Letter to Ambroise if the other Indians under Col. Allen.
Council Chamber Boston Sep' 15, 1777.
Friends & Brethren —
We have been infornid of your Valor & good Conduct in
opposing the Enemy in the Attack they lately made on the
settlement at Machias, and the Intelligence has afforded us
much satisfaction — If our Enemies woud return home &
leave us to enjoy our own habitations in peace, it woud be
best for us and for them too — We have no desire to injure
or molest them, and if they had the same disposition toward
us all woud be well — They have begun & carried on a
cruel & unjust War against us, without any provocation on
our part, and so long as they continue it We are determined
to oppose them, humbly trusting that the Great God whose
Kingdom ruleth over all, and who will finally brmg down
every proud Oppressor will defeat all their wicked purposes
against us —
We have the pleasure to inform you that our Troops under
General Stark have gained a very signal Victory over the
Enemy and another Division of their Army at Fort Stanwix
has been made to fly before our people after suffering a very
great loss The State of our Affairs both at the southward
northw*^ is at this Time mo)-e agreeable and promising than it
has been since the beginning of the War — We have sent
sundry Stores to Col Allen so that he may be the better able
to supply You with such things as you need and we shall
endeavor for the future to afford you tlie best supplys in our
power, hoping that the friendship wliich subsists between us
will alway continue to our mutual comfort & Advantage —
To Ambroise & the other Indians acting under Col Allen
Machias
206 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
To the Hon'''* Board of War, Boston.
Pownalboro. 15 Sep"^ 1777
Sir,
About one of the clock in the morning on the tentli of this
ins' Sir George Coller Came up this River with the Ship
Rainbo as far as A place Cauld the Cross river About five
miles below this point, it being Very fogey and darke he
Sent of two Boats up the River After Your Ship Gruel with
40 men which Lay About 9 miles further up the Boats
Came up undiscoverd and got on bord Your Ship About Son
Rise. About A week before this Impend I had Sent Up to
Your Ship a 3 pounder which was Landed and Mov*^ 40 Rods
from the Shore and deliverd Capt Proctor 8 Small Armes for
him to defend Your Ship but the Enemy, getting on board
Undiscoverd prevented his Making Use of them they Sent
a Shore and took of the 3 pounder. Capt. Proctor & his 2
Mats & Boteswan being on Board were maid prisoners the
Cook being on Shore Over night was going on Board About
half an hower After the Enemi disco verd them and Maid his
Escape to the first House where they fired an Alarme and
Sent of to the point to informe Me of it I Emeadeately on
Notice went to Major Hewes and desiard him to muster the
militia to defend Your Ship but he Refusd I took my horse
wride Up to Your Ship and found that the Enemy had Spike
deal planck Man hight on that Side of Your Ship next the
Shore and that the people were geeting togeather to prevent
them Removing her. I Returned to the point as Quick as
possible and sent up the Other 3 pounder with 15 Round for
it I Stopt at the point to take Care of the Sails which was
in My Store but with much difficulty I got them Removd —
About 12 O Clock the Ship Rainbo Came up the River an
Ankord in Wiscaset Bay before the point Sir Georg Sent
A Flag on Shore and demanded Your Ship Gruel her Riging
Sails all the Mast in the River and the two 3 pounders.
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 207
Thomas Rice Esq"^ being one of the Committee Receivd the
flag and was for Complying with Sir George's demand and
did what in him lay to discourag the people from defending
Your Ship teling the people that if they deliverd her Up it
wood not be three Copers A Man his and woock party
adheard to his Advise which ware the bigest part of the peo-
ple then at the point Said Rice answerd Sir Georg him Self
and beg'^ to have till the Next Morning to Give him a final
answer but was on board twice that day Confering with him
Rice went Up the River in the Evening to indeavour with
his jisuitical Smoothness to perSwaid the people thens to
deliver Up Your Ship or at least not to defend her but
he Rec*^ an Answer that was proper for honist and brave
men to give —
the Enemy left Your Ship in the Evening ( it being very
dark) in there Boats, the Militia Keep a Continual fire on
them with there Small amies but did them but little damage
Except Wounding one man there Boat was fixet with
hamocks Musket proof which was the reason of there Escap-
ing with So Little damag there was More than 200 Musket
Balls Shot into there hamocks which the Enemy pick'^ out
the next day What the Enemy took out of Your Ship as
also what ower people took out of her after the Enemy Left
her is Menchend in the inclosd Ace' the Enemy went in So
much feare that they Left the 3 pounder Loaded on the
Deck. Sir Georg the Next Morning Lowerd his haughty
demand and Offerd to Leave the River without Committing
any further hostillities if the people would Not fire on him.
Col" Jones who had got to the point took the Conmiand and
demanded a Schooner that Sir Georg had taken and was then
under his Stern and Capt. proctor and the other prisoners
taken in the River which Sir Geoi'g Complied with and Left
the Riter on them Conditions. Your Ship Gruel is Some-
thing damag*^ by the 3 pounders which were fired at her
208 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
while the Enemy was on Board, the Main Mast is Spoilt by
A Shot going throu it two of the Sails Menchand in the
inclosd ware Stole from a house I removd them to for feare
of the Enemy. I have Surplied the Militia with as Much or
More powder & Bawls than they fired Away Avhicli I Bot
that day the Enemy was on Board Your Ship to defend her
I also Surplied them with provitions Col" Jones will inform
You of Every Other perticular the Militia Expect a Salvag
for driving the Enemy from Your Ship. You will determin
Respecting that as You think proper The Ship was not on
Mannd and when the Enemy Left her they Left the Secon*
Mate on Board and Brought the people on Bord in the
Boats. I have Rec*^ the things Sent by Capt. Brown in Your
Spry Schooner, the Rice is something damagd being wet
I shall want Sum more Money. My Ace* for the Cargo and
Expences Amount to more than Eight hundred and forty
Pound Allready I have Surpld Cap* Proctor with More
than an hundred Pounds I Should be glad You Could Send
me by Col" Jons the Bearer of this One hundred and fifty
pounds Your Ship will be Loaded this week Sir Georg
Carried off 4 Mast that Sum of the Enimical party turud
Adrift to them from My wharfe. My Letter is Sumthing
Confusd being wrote in A hurry Col" Jones being waiting
I Close with Menchening that had all the Enimical Persons
we are trobl with been on Board Your Gard Ship in Boston
the 40 men that Boarded Your Ship Must Unavoidably fell
into Ower hand.
I am with Respct Your Most Humble Servant
Timothy Parsons
To the Honourable the Great & General Court of the Massa-
chusetts Bay
The Memorial of a party of Officers & Men of the third
OF THE STATE OP MAINE 209
Regiment of Militia in the county of Lincoln : Humbly
sheweth
That the Militia in said Regiment being Situated in one of
those Stations that are most especially expos'd to the violence
of our unnatural enemies have been Subjected to peculiar
hardships ever since the commencement of the present war ;
The frequent appearance of the enemies Ships at Townsend
and elsewhere have call'd them out on alarm at the distance
of Short intervals of time ; The general Scarcity of bread &
other stores has disabled many from carrying to the field
with them the provisions necessary for their Subsistance
while on the service & thereby others have been greatly
oppressd both in labour & expence ; and so long as the
Legislators thinks proper to allow neither rations nor pay to
the Melitia in such service this circumstance will necessarily
fall as a heavier burthen on a country so exposed to danger
& at the same time so far remote & so effectually excluded
from its w^onted resources of the necessaries of life.
That these hardships however have grown into intolerable
grievances in the present year; the removal of the Seacoast
guards ( whose very name proved a terror to the enemy & a
leal defence to the country ) having effectually invited the
descents of every wanton invader ; their Frigates conse-
quently made visits to expos'd places within the bounds of
this regiment in the course of this summer, more frequently
than they had thro' all the war besides ; Townsend harbour
having been visited twice by the Milford — once by the Am-
buscade, & lately by the Rainbow & Hope which lay Eight
days close up to the Town, Permaquid has also been visited
by tlie Hope ; & Sheepscut river by the Milford & the Rain-
bow : — all this having taken place in the season, added to
the continual terror tliat obliges the people in the most
expos'd paits to keep watch by night even when no enemy is
to be seen, have greatly harris'd the Melitia of said regiment
14
210 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
& if continued Much longer, threatens to reduce them to
extremity that must cut of tlie possibiUty of their serving
their country, or providing Sustinance for themselves & their
families ; unless some means are speedily devis'd by our
Government for their support or defence your memorialists
see no alternative but to desert the country fall an easy prey
into the hands of men whoes tenderest Mercies are cruelty
therefore notvi^ithstanding some repulses which their petions
have receivd from this Honourable court already when
offer'd by connnittees and delegates chosen by them and the
rest of the western parts of the country for that purpose :
your Memorialists are of necessity obliged to Lay them selves
at the feet of your Honours & earnestly in treat you no
longer to be deaf to their Just complaints nor abandon this
part of the State helpless unprotected orphan to the will of
men that threaten ere-long either to make it all their own, or
leave it in ruins ; but take their case into your wise consider-
ation & make some equal provision for the support and
defence of this part of the State, as for the rest in Just pro-
portion to danger that & importance that ( if not soon ) will
surely be felt if it is lost — your Memorialists would further
beg leave to subjoin that on the morning of Wednesday the
tenth of this instant at sunrise two armed boats belonging to
the Rainbow man of war took possession of the mast ship
Grual Comand by Joseph Procter with himself his mates
Boates & two others with one piece of Cannon the said ship
having part of her cargo on board — that the said Regiment
being soon alarmed — Part thereof that lived most convenient
were emediately muster'd and under the Command of their
colonal attack'd the said ship, and about ten at Night of the
same day after a hot fire of some considerable duration beat
the enemy from their possessions, & took the vessel & cannon
& the next day with the assistance of others who were flock-
ing to their relief, obliged Sir George Collier to resign the
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 211
said prisoueis with the Vessel he had seas'd — your Mem-
orialists are not ignorant that part of said prize by the order
of congress & the Laws of this state falls to the share of the
recapters — nor what measures they might pursue to realize
the same; but from the sincerest disposition to promote the
publick interest — they were not willing to delay the load-
ing of said Ship untill the several steps in such a proces
could be finishd and, therefore resolve not to Libel her in the
Alarritime Court untill they had first laid tlie matter before
your Honors ; & that this might be done in the most respect-
ful manner possible — your Memorialist have prevailed on
their commanding officer to wait on the Honorable Court
with this mformation ; nothing doubting but that your
Honours wdll be found readily disposd to make such satis-
faction to them as to Justice shall appertain & liumbly
assuring you that any proposial befitting the Wisdom &
Honour of the Honorable Court shall be chearfully complied
with on the part of your Memorialists who, as in duty bound
shall ever pray
Signed by order & in l^ehalf of the officers & men, of a
party of the third Regiment of Melitia in the County of
Lincoln — William Jones Colonal & Commander of said party
Newcastle Sepf" IS*^' 1777
State of Massachusetts Bay September 16, 1777. The Com-
mittee of both houses to whom was referrd tlie Considera-
tion of the letters from John Allan Esq. and Others from
Machias, have attended that Service and Beg leave to
report the following Resolves
Artemas Ward p order: —
Resolved that Tliree hundred men including officers be
immediately Raised By inlistment in the Eastern parts of
this State ; To the Eastward of the County of Cumberland,
212 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
and formed into three Companies consisting of 100 men Eacli
Including officers Each Company to be commanded by one
Captain one first Lie* one Second Lie* and one Ensign, the
whole to be commanded by Lie* Colonel Phineas Nevers &
Major George Stilhnan and that they be commissioned
accordingly and the whole to be Stationed at Machias and to
Continue in Service to the last day of December next unless
sooner discharged.
It is also Resolved that one hundred Stand of fire Amies
be lodged in the hands of Lie* Colonel Nevers to be taken
out of those now there belonging to this State to be by liLm
( in case of necessity ) delivered to such of the Militia m that
part of this State as shall assemble at Machias on an alarm
and shall be destitute of Firearms, the said Nevers to be
accountable for the same.
Resolved that two Nine pounders and one six pounder with
fifty pounds of Powder and Ball for Each be sent to Machias
and delivered to Lie* Colonel Nevers commanding officer
there, with Five hundred weight of Powder and fifteen hun-
dred weight of Musquet Balls and one thousand flints for the
use of the Garrison in that place.
Resolved that John Allan Esq. be and hereby is appointed
Colonel to Command the Indians in the Eastern parts of this
State and the Council is hereby directed to Commissionate
him accordingly. And it is further Resolved that John Allan
Esq be & he is herebj'' authorized to take into the service
and pay of this State Such and so many of the Eastern
Indians as he shall be able to procure & think proper
Resolved that the men that shall Enter the service afore-
said under Lie* Colonel Nevers and such Indians as shall
enter the Service aforesaid under said Allan, shall have the
same pay and subsistence that the Continental Army
have, and that Cap* D3^er & Cap* West companys who
went to S* Johns with John Allan Esq. have the same
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 213
Pay and Subsistance And that the Militia who marched to
Machias to the late attack there be allowed the same pay that
the Militia have had in Similar Cases.
Resolved that a Truck house be furnished at Machias with
the following Articles for the Supply of the Indians ( viz )
[ here follows a list of provisions, cloathing, ammunition &c]
and that they be all delt out to the Indians at the most rea-
sonable terms possible by the Truckmaster. And also that
a letter be addressed to the Indian Chief thanking him and
them for their gallant Behavour and friendly aid at Machias
in the late attack there and to Congratulate them on account
of the Success of their and our armes in that Quarter.
Resolved that John Allan Esq. be and he hereby is per-
mitted to write a letter to his father & such other persons in
Nova Scotia as he shall think proper to secure his family &
others to be conveyed from thence to some part of this State.
Resolved that the Board of War be and hereby is directed
to convey Such quantity of Provision to Machias as \vill be
Sufficient with what is already there belonging to this State
to Supply the men Ordered there by these Resolves to the
last day of December next, and to replace the Provision bor-
rowed of the Inhabitants for the S* Johns Expedition and not
yet paid, and also furnish the Truckhouse and Lie* Colonel
Nevers agreeable to the foregoing Resolves.
Resolved that the Council of this State be and hereby are
desired to appoint and Commissionate the Officers and give
out Inlisting orders accordingly for the 300 men aforesaid &
send Nine Blank Commissions to John Allan Esq. for three
Indian Captains and Six Indian Lieutenants to be by him
filled up and given to such Indians as he shall think proper,
that shall enter into the Service of this State
Resolved that L* Coll. Nevers appoint to the Troops to be
raised & Stationed at Machias as afores*^ one good Surgeon
upon tlie pay & subsistence of Surgeons in the Continental
214
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Army &; that the Board of War be directed to supply him
with Medicines
In Comicil Sep-- 16, 1777
Jn° Avery D^ Sec^
In tlie House of Representatives Sept. 16, 1777
Read and accepted as amended with tlie following
addition viz — " And whereas there are at Machias two Com-
panies under the command of Captains West and Dyer, who
have done duty and behaved well in the late Action at
Machias — Therefore Resolved — That the said Companies
be compleated to the number first directed for them, and
remain for the same Term of Time, and on the same Estab-
lishment as are provided for the three hundred Men men-
tioned above, and be under the command of Lieut. Coll.
Nevers."
Sent up for Concurrence
In Council Sep' 16' 1777
Read & Concurred
Consented to
Jer Powell
A Fuller
Dan' Davis
D Hopkins
John Taylor
W Sever
B Greenleaf
S Holten
H Gardner
N Cushing
J. Warren Spkr
Jn*^ Avery D^ Sec^
A Ward
Tim° Danielson
B White
Benj Austin
I Palmer
To the Hon*"'^ the Council and Assembly of the State of the
Massachusetts Bay
The Memorial of Jonathan Eddy Most Humbly Sheweth
That having made out the Regimental abstract from the Pay
Roles of Several of the Captains here present belonging to
the Reg* lately ordered to the River S* Johns under the
Command of your Memorialist, agreeable to Orders received
OF THE STATE OP MAINE 215
from Brig*^ General Warner, and the Officers and men now
waiting on Expence to receive their Money; Which by
Instructions to General Heath Should be Delivered to the
Pay Master of the Reg' But as the Pay Master of this Reg'
is at Machias the General lias Recommended it to Solisit
Your Honours to Signify to him what method he Shall pro-
ceed in to releave your Memorialist his Officers and men in
their present Exigence
He therefore Prays Your Hon" to take the Matter into
Your wise Consideration and act as in Wisdom you Shall
See Meet and for Yo' &c
Boston Sept' 17"^ 1777 ' Jon'' Eddy
In Council Sep' 17, 1777
Read & Ordered — That it be & hereby is recommended
to the Honble Major Gen^ Heath to pay the Reg' Abstracts
belonging to the Reg' lately Ordered to the River S' Jn°^ to
Col° Jonathan Eddy for the Use of the Rg' Pay Master to
said Reg'* who is now at Machias —
Jn° Avery D^ Secy
State of Massachusetts Bay
In Council Sept' 17, 1777
Whereas Colonel John Allan is Appointed to the Chief Com-
mand of the Eastern Indians that now are or that may soon
be taken into the Service and pay of this State, And it
appearing to this Court that it will greatly promote the
Service of the United American States ; to have the same
person Commander of the Troops ordered to be Raised by
the Resolve of yesterday and Stationed at Machias, that is
appointed over the Indians Therefore
Resolved that John Allan Esq' be and he hereby is appointed
Colonel of the Troops Ordered to be raised and Statioiied at
216
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Machias by the Resolve of yesterday and he is hereby
directed and Inipowered to Receive all the Stores directed to
be delivered to Lie* Colonel Phineas Nevers by the afores**
Resolve and the Board of War are hereby directed to Govern
themselves accordingly. And the Council are desired to
Commissionate the said Allan agreeably to this Resolve
Sent down for Concurrence
Jn° Avery D^ Sec^
In the House of Representatives Sept. 17, 1777
Read & Concurred
Consented to
Jer Powell
T Cushing
S Holten
Benj Austin
N Cushing
W Sever
I Palmer
H Gardner
D Hopkins
Oliver Prescott
J Warren Spk''
A Ward
John Taylor
Tim*' Danielson
Moses Gill
A Fuller
Boston 18th Sept 1777
Hon^^^ Gentlemen
I take this Earliest oppertunity to return you
my hearty thanks for the Honor you did me in appointing
me L* Col° of the Battalion Intended to be Rais'^ under the
Command of ColP Eddy, & more especially for your late
appointment as L* Col° over the Troops ordered to be Rais"^
for the defence of Machiaus I hope I shall be able to Con-
duct ray Self in Such a manner as will give Satisfaction to
your Honors & the Publick
being oblig*^ by the tools of Tyranny either to acknowledge
George the third of Grate Briton my Rightfull Lord &
Sovereign & bare Arms against my Brethren of the united
States when they pleas'* or leave my Family & Interest
at their tender mercies ( which is Cruelty ) I chose the
Latter — & have been Several months Expending the little
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 217
Cash I Brought of with me I am now Rather short of that
article & am to beg that your Honors would be pleas'^ to lend
me such Small Sum as may be Necessary in accomplishing
the Business your honors have been or may be pleas'* to
appoint me to do & you will again Much Oblige Your
Honors Most Humble Serv'
To the Hon^^« the Council & Hon'^^'^ House of Representa-
tives of the State of Massachusetts Bay
Phineas Nevers
In Council Sep"" 22M7Y7
Read & sent down
Jn« Avery D^ Sec^
To tlie Honorable the Council of the State of Massachusetts
Bay —
Joseph Noyes Commasary for the Forces Stationed at Fal-
mouth & Cape Elisabeth in the County of Cumberland —
Humbly sheweth that he has Expended all the money he
recvd out of the Treasury for the use of said Forces & now
Stands need of a further sum to furnish them with Beef &c
therefore pray your Honours to give him a warrant on the
Treasurer for such a sum as your Honors shall Judge
necessary —
Joseph Noyes
Boston September 19*^ 1777
In Council Sept. 23'* 1777 Read & Ordered that a War-
rant be drawn on the Treasury for <£400 in favor of Joseph
Noyes Esq"" for tlie Purpose above mentioned —
Jn'' Avery D^ Secy
State of Massachusetts Bay
Council Chamber Sepf^ 19, 1777.
You Ijeing appointed Lie* Colonel under Colonel Allan
who is appointed to the Command f)f Such men as shall be
218 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
raised in consequence of the Resolves of the General Court
of the 16 Instant and said Allan being at such distance that
its not practicable for him to be acquainted with the matter
seasonably, Therefore you are hereby directed to deliver
beating orders to the following Persons viz Benj* Lemont of
Georgetown, Capt. Car Barker of Pownalboro 1 Liet John
Mathews Thomastown Tho^ Buller Georgetown Ensign
You will Commission for a Capt 1** Liets 2 Liet & En-
sign such persons in Waldoboro as Justice Thomas Calef
Favers and shall recommend you will appoint & Commission
as first Liet in a Company Joseph Coplisly (?) Warren and you
will Commissionate such persons for Cap*, 1 Liet. 2 Liet and
Ensign for the Eastward of Thomaston as Colonel Minot
shall advise to enlist
& direct them to Raise three Companies for the Service
mentioned in the Resolves herewith delivered unto you, and
to march them under proper officers to Machias as fast as
raised there to receive and follow such orders as they shall
from time to time Receive from Col. Allan — You will take
care that this Business is performed without loss of time, as
a delay may be attended with disagreeable consequences.
Lie* Colonel Nevers
State of Massachusetts Bay
In Council Sept^ 19, 1777
Whereas it is highly Expedient that all bodies of men
Assembled in Arms and Stationed at any place for length of
time, should be supplied with a Chaplain Therefore
Resolved, that the ReV James Lyon Minister of the
Gospel at Machias Be and he hereby is appointed Chaplain
to the Troops Ordered to be Raised and Stationed at Machias
under the Command of Colonel John Allan, during the time
the said Troops shall Continue m the Service, aforesaid ; The
OF THE STATE OF MAINE
219
said Qhaplain to be allowed & paid Nine Pounds per Kalen-
der niontli and three Rations per day during his Continuance
in said Service.
Sent down for Concurrence
Jn-^ Avery D^ Sec^
In the House of Representatives Sepf 22'^ 1777
Read & Concurred
John Pitts Speaker pro Tem
Consented to
Jer Powell
W Spooner
B Greenleaf
P> White
John Whitcomb
W Sever
T Cushing
S Holten
John Taylor
Josiah Stone
A Ward
R Derby
Moses Gill
Benj Austin
A Fuller
Petition of a number of Towns in y* County of Lincoln —
with Resolve of the House thereon Sep'' 20' 1777
To the Hon^'® the Council & the Hon'''*' House of Represent-
atives, for the State of Massachusetts Bay in New England
in General Court Assembled —
May it Please your Honours — The Petition of the Com-
mittees of Safety, Correspondence and Inspection, for the
severall Towns of Georgetown, Pownalborough, Edgecomb,
Bristol, Boothbay, & Woolwich, in the County of Lincoln, in
Behalf of the Town of Boothbay, and the Places adjacent,
Humbly Shews —
Tliat the Rainbow man of war, commanded by S'' George
Collier, together with seveiall other Arm'd Vessells lately
Came into the Harbour of Boothbay, & took possession
thereof, and while there Shipt and Carried off from severall
of the Inhabitants of these parts, a Considerable Number of
their Cattle, Sheep, swine & poultry, & other Necessarys,
220 DOCITMENTARY HISTORY
and water'd their vessells and while they lay there, made
prizes of & carried away a Number of Vessells belonging to
these states, to the Number of Fifteen or twenty, they also
while they lay there threatned the Inhabitants to return with
Sufficient Force, & Conquer or Destroy all before them,
thereby putting the Inhabitants in great Terror, we have also
the Deposition of a Person on Oath, who was Captivated by
them, that their intention was to return in about a Fortnight
or three weeks, and sweep all before them, and as we doubt
not their intention is to make the harbour of Boothbay a
Place of Rendezvous for their Ships, not only the Town of
Boothbay, but the whole Eastern County, & this State must
suffer exceedingly, it is needless to mention every Particular
as your Honours must be sensible of the Consequences,
should they be suffered to obtain their Ends.
Your Petitioners therefore humbly Pray that your Honors
would grant us some immediate relief in the Premises, by
granting us six pieces of Cannon, Viz* two twelve pounders,
two Nine pounders, and two six pounders, with a Sufficient
Quantity of Ammunition &c for the same and that a Com-
pany of fifty men exclusive of Officers with one good
engineer to manage the same may be Stationed at Boothbay
for the Defence thereof, and the places adjacent, and that
none of the Inhabitants of Boothbay may be included in said
Company, and that said Company be paid and Victual'd by
the State, Your Petitioners also pray, that if any of tlie
Neighboring places should be invaded the Commanding
Officer may have Liberty to remove such of the Cannon as
may be thought proper heither for their Relief — and Your
Petitioners as in Duty bound shall ever Pray, &c —
Signed by order & in Behalf of s*^ Committees
Ja« M'^Cobb Chairman
In the House of Representatives Sept. 19, 1777
Read & thereupon Ordered That Coll Orne & M"" Gray
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 221
with such as the Hon. Board shall join, be a Committee to
consider the same & report
Sent up for Concurrence
R T Paine Spkr pro temp
In Council Sep* 19' 1777
Read & Concurred and Artemas Ward Esq. is joined
Jn° Avery D^ Sec^
Mechias Sepf" 22°"^^ 1777
Sir
I wrote you of the 17*^ & 27"^ Ult"° the former By CoP
Campbell the Latter by Maj'^ Newell, I hope the Hono''^®
Board has Seen the Contents since which I have had the
Honour of Receiving Your Obliging & Kind favor of the
19*^ Ult" Advizing me of the Generous Resolve of
the Hono^'^® Court in Ordering a Company of the Troops
Lately Intended for Nova Scotia to be Stationed in this Dis-
trict & that in Consequence of Some Letters receiv'd from
me, I Cannot but Acknowledge with Dutifull respect &
Gratitude the Attention which the Hono'-^** Court is pleased
to pay to the Indian Department & in perticular my Safety,
was there no Other Motive to prompt me to a Vigilent
Exertion in Discharging my duty to the States, their Acts of
Kindness & Condesention must Impress Such a sense of
Gratitude on my Mind as to stimulate, ( if possible ) a more
Close attention to the business of my Department as well as
Such Other Matters as fall in ni}' way as the Interest of the
United States may Require —
Since my Last Letter we have been Continually upon the
Wing & harres'd by Diffrient Inteligence Respecting the
Enemy — But upon the Whole we have receiv'd Authentic
Ace'* of their Intentions, the Last Came by Docter Rice who
222 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
arrived yesterday from Cumberland with two young men
Whome I sent, when at the River S* JoIuih — that Express
Orders had Come from Lord & General How to Distroy the
Settlements of Mechias, as its Lying so Adjacent to Nova
Scotia which now was the Only Asylem for the Royalest,
wag Lyable to be distressd, as also it woud be of Service in
Making an Inrode into the Eastern Country, Accordingly 5
Ships of War with 800 Regular Troops besides what Millitia
Coud be Rais** was Collected to Gether for the Expedition,
But — Sir George Collier of the Rainbow thinking the Place
Weak made the Attempt before the Whole force Came, with
what INIarines he had on Board Since their Defeat here, they
gote all Colected together at S* Jolms with flatt Bottom
Boats to Attack at Diff' parts, so that we are in Daily
Expectation of them, a Large Ship has Laid there some days
at the mouth of the River, but so that Vessels pass in the
night
the Militia has come in from diff* parts so that I imagine
there is now about 350 Men including Indians, who have
erected a number of Breast Works & Batterys, & every one
seems Ditermind to Defend to the Last. But things Goes
on very Irregular & Uncertain, Militia men very Discontented
& the Troops which we have Latly Inlisted Being Under no
Regular Command will not Obey, things Cannot be done
with that presision regularity & Econemy as is Required for
the Interist of the States — for my own part I have taken
upon me to Encourage the Defending this place, & promis
many things that may be Disapprovd of. two hundred of
our men under proper Order & Decepline, woud be of more
service than 600 as they now are — I am sometimes afraid
the Britons will Carry their point in Distroying the place if
they do not take a stand — the Hon" Board will be the best
Judges of the Consequence of this —
Expenses at present is Great & more so Because of not
or THE STATE OF MAINE 223
Laving things upon a permanent footing — I auj anxious still
to Gete among the Micmacks. Yet I Cannot think of Leaving
this Distress'd place till 1 see the Event or Oideied Other
ways
the Letter which Came to Colo' Eddy it being on Public
service I recommended to Major Still man to Open, where we
found some Blank Commissions; had our Situation been
more peacble, I woud have advised them to be Lnmediately
lilld up. But the Appointing Such Officers as might be
thought Necessary woud give Umbrage to others who might
So Influence the men as to Occation disturbence which at
present appears Our business to prevent. Besides it is
thought requisite to delay filling them up at present, as the
Orders Comes so Immediately to Colo' Eddy who had the
Offer of the Command —
The Indians I still keep, & have Reason to believe no peo-
ple will Defend the Libertys of America better — I have
recie'' a Second Intiligence from the Mickmacks with tokens
of Friendship. They are also Assembled together waiting
for a (Conference witli me Ditermining not to Give any Satis-
faction till they See me should I be Ordered otherwise, I
Expect a Body of them here —
The Penobscut Indians are Constantly here making heavy
Complaint of Imposition & Extorsions, & Insists upon being
Connected with the Other Tribes. Shoud the Honb'« Court
Authorise me I will give my attendence, as I have not a
Commission immediatl}'- from Congress Supposing at that
time they wei'e Under some other regulation with This State
I find there is a french merchant setled at the Head of
Penobscut with a British Connnission to Treat with the
Indians he uses every Art & Mean to Turn them — they
have had Many suplys, from him & I fear given nuich
Inteligence from time to time —
We hiive recievd Inteligence from Cumberland that Certain
224 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Accts had Arrivd, boath publick as well as private from
England that the Parliament of Brittain by the Clamor out
of Doors where almost Eaqual in opposition. Threats hove
out publiekly, thro' the kingdom tliat a Revolt will take
place — Gene' How sent positive Demands for 50,000 men
with every thing Conformable or he must Give up the point
In answer to which he was told he must do what he Coud with
those he had, for men was not to be had & the Interposition
of the French woud prevent any foreign Troops, that war
was declard between the Turks & Russians, a French Ship
of Sixteen guns was taken & Carried into Halifax they
Treated the Cap° Very Harsh & Cruel, threatening to put
him in Irons for Supplying the Rebels, he told them they
might do as they pleas'd but that the French were ditermind
to suply, and in a short time it was probable they woud See
White Coulars off the Harbour no news papers permited to
go abroad but to perticular people Consequently none is
brought, — the garrison at Cumberland is very weak. Gorham
is to be brought to a Court Martial for being so favourable
to the Famleys, he has Indeed acted the part of a Humane
Good man 30 of the Militia every Week is Drove into the
Garrison then does all the drugery of the Soldiers Petitions
have been presented by the Yorckshire men & several officers
to take all the Famelys into the Fort as Hostiges — but
Goreham Treated it with that Contempt it Deserved the
whole provience is in Confusion Trouble & Anguish no one
dare speak the Name of their Dearest Relation —
my Own familey has by the assistance of Divine providence
made out to Gete so farr. but her Treatment is Cruel &
Severe foresaken By those who I Expected woud have helped
her, for fear of being Ruined themselves, my proceedings in
these parts has Brought on the Most Keenest resentment &
Ditermind Vengence Against me Consiquently those Con-
cernd with me is Treated with rigor & severity. I coud very
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 225
Easely have removed my family this siimer but the Necessity
of my Close attention to the Business of tlie Indians [)re-
vented it — my mind at present has become burthend with
Trouble about them, & I Cannot think of Leaveing them
there Another winter as they must perish I must pray the
Hono^^ Board will give me Liberty to allow me to Employ
& send some persons to gete them away —
I must Once more pray the Hono'''® Board to Give some
attention to my two Last Letters & woud recommend ( as a
sincear Friend to the United States) that those parts be
secured with the Utmost Expedition, & Defended from the
Encroachment of our Bloody Enemy, who has Declar'd their
determination to Destroy man Woman & Child — I have
the Honor to be with the most profound Respect
Your most Obedient much Obliged & Devoted servent
J Allan
Major Stillman has Just Acquainted me that there will be
a necessity of Giving out the Commissions and of Holding
Court Martial which is much wanting, shall advise him to
Do it with the persons to be appointed
The Committee of both Houses on the foregoing Petition
have attended that Service & beg Leave to report by Way
of Resolve
Resolved that the Board of War be & tliey hereby are
directed to send to the Committee of Boothbay they to be
accountable for the same two nine & two six Pound Iron
Cannon with Carriages & Implements compleat & fifty round
of Powder &; Ball for each piece
And it is further resolved that a Company of Fifty Men
to be commanded by one Captain & two Lieutenants be
raised in any Part of the Eastern Parts of this State &
16
226
DOCUMENTARY HISTOBY
stationed at Booth Bay & to continue in Service untill the
last Day of Decern'' next unless sooner discharged by Order
of this Court to receive the same Pay & Subsistance as are
allowed the other Sea Coast Companies in the Pay & Service
of this State —
And it is further resolved that a Commissary be appointed
by this Court to purchase and issue Provisions to the s''
Company
In Council Sep* 20U 7 77
Read & sent down
Jn° Avery D^ Sec^
In the House of Representatives Sept 22'^ 1777
Read & accepted Sent up for Concurrence
John Pitts Speak' pro Tem
In Council Sept 22** 1777
Read & Concurred
Consented to
Jer Powell
W Spooner
Benj Austin
Fra Dana
Dan' Davis
W Sever
T Cushing
John Taylor
S Hoi ten
A Fuller
Jn° Avery D^ Sec^
A Ward
Moses Gill
John Whitcomb
R Derby
Josiah Stone
In the House of Representatives Sept. 22, 1777
Whereas Brigadier Jothain Moulton bargained & sold a
Tract of Land to Esias Prebble, and a piece of salt marsh to
one Joseph Shaw, but did not execute Deeds thereof in his
Life Time. It is tlierefore resolved that Joanna Moulton
and Nicholas Sewall admin" of said Jotham's Estate be and
hereby are Authorized and impowered to Execute Deeds of
the said Lands & Marsh to the said Prebble and Shaw
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 227
respectively their Heirs & assigns pursuant to the memo-
randums Subscribed by the said Jotham in his life Time, and
the conveyances that may be executed by the said Adm'' in
pursuance of this Resolution shall be deemed and taken as
good and Valid in the Law to convey the said Jotham's right
therein, as tho' the said Jotham had made and executed
Deeds thereof in his life Time any Law usage or Custom to
the Contrary notwithstanding —
Sent up for Concurrence
John Pitts Speaker pro Tem
In Council Sep^ 22'' 1777
Read & Concurred
Jn° Avery D^ Sec"
Consented to
Jer Powell W Sever A Ward
B Greenleaf W Spooner T Cushing
Jabez Fisher John Taylor Benj Austin
Moses Gill S Holten John Whitcomb
Dan' Davis Josiah Stone A Fuller
State of Massachusetts Bay
In the House of Representatives Sept 22'' 1777
Resolved That there be a Bounty of three pounds paid to
each non Commission'd Officer & Soldier who shall before
the 15"' of Ocf next inlist into those Companies to be raised
for the Defense of Machias & places adjacent exclusive of
those Men already retaind & inlisted in the Service under
the Command of Captains West & Dyer they having already
received a Bounty And it is further Resolved, that there
be paid out of the Treasury of this State [to] Col" Pliineas
Nevers said Nevers to be accountable to this Court for y^
expenditure of the same to be by him apply'd to the Payment
228 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
of the aforesaid Bountys & it is further Resolved that ColP
Allan is hereby Directed to Station those Men (raised & put
under his Command ) in such Places at & near Machias as he
shall think most for the Safety & Defense of those Parts
Sent up for Concurrence
John Pitts Speaker pro Tem
In Council Sept. 22, 1777 Read & Concurred
Jn° Avery D^ Sec^
Consented to
Jer Powell W Sever A Ward
W Spooner T Cushing Jabez Fisher
John Taylor H Gardner Fra Dana
John Whitcomb S Holten R Derby
Moses Gill Josiah Stone A Fuller
State of Massachusetts Bay
In the House of Representatives Sep"^ 23, 1777.
On the petition of Benj. Titcomb, Joshua Freeman and
Joseph Noyes, assessors of the parish tax in and for the first
parish in Falmouth, in the County of Cumberland in the year
1776, setting forth, that they had omitted through forgetful-
ness to take the oath prescribed by law previous to assessing
said tax ; but have since made oath, that in their doings
therein they had conducted in every respect as the law
directs, & therefore praying an establishment of said tax or
assessment —
Resolved, that the said tax or assessment be, & it hereby
is declared as valid to all intents & purposes, as if the said
assessors had taken the oath prescribed by law previous to
their making the same, any law, custom or usage to the con-
trary notwithstanding
Sent up for Concurrence
R T Paine Spkr pr temp
OP THE STATE OF MAINE 229
In Council Sep* 23^ 1777 Read & Concurred
Jn° Avery D^ Sec^
Consented to
Jer Powell A Ward B Greenleaf
W Spoouer John Wbitcomb R Derby
A Fuller T Cushing John Taylor
S Holten Moses Gill I Palmer
Dan^ Davis Josiah Stone
B. White Jabez Fisher
Mechias September 23^^ 1777
Sir
In Consequence of a Letter I received from Colonel
Jonathen Lowther at Penobscut Last night, I am under the
necessity to Trouble the Hon'''^ Board once more.
The Hon^'' Board may remember that in my Letter of the
1 8"' of June from S* Johns, I acquainted them of my having
Entered into an agreement of Trade, with the Marisheete,
Madawasqua, Medoctic & Passamaquady Tribes, with several
Reasons for doing it in such a manner.
The Penobscut Tribe was not mentioned in my Commis-
sion, as I utterly refused it at Congress, supposing at that
time, as it was so in the heart of the Country, that it was
under the immediate Jurisdiction of the Geu^^ Court of this
State, and they having such an Intercourse with the Inliub-
itants, I presumed that things were Carry "d on Reciprocaly,
for the Interest of the States, as well as the Indians, there-
fore did not for sometime make any perticular Inquiry about
them
Since my return from S* Johns I have had several Confer-
ences with the Penobscut Indians, one in perticular where
we Exchanged several strings of Wampum, where I perceived
230 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
from what they said and other Authentic Accounts, that some
of the most Diabolical proceedings had been Carry'd on, on
that River, Great Embezzlements of Public Moneys, as well
as Imposing on the Indians; which with the Close attention
Mou"^ Lunnci the British agent on the head of the River gave
to his business, I saw the Body must be soon drawn of —
I used every Encourgement possible, and presum'd to
Agree with them on the same futing, as I did with the other
Tribes, which they immediately published on their Return to
Penobscut, which seems to Occation some stirr, M"" Lowther
writes the difficulty he is under by purchasing goods so dear
When I undertook the business, I supposed every Truck-
house was properly furnished, & where there Coud be none
& Indians settled, I Endeavour'd To Encourage the Indians
to go where there was —
The Ad and Insinuations used by the Britains, requires
us to use every mean possible to keep them, and am Con-
scious that notwithstanding the great outsets — that if
Ecconemy & Care is used, and persons not too much bent
upon Private profite, that the prises stated, with the high
prises of Furrs on the Continent, will fully answer, or very
Little short, Excepting where the Indians Gives their Close
attendance to the service, which is the Case at present
here — 35 familys are Encamped about 12 Miles of — the
men keep Continually on duty for the Defence of this place,
the familys no way to Subsist as the English — Consequently
they must be at a far greater Expence, then when keep'd
only a hunting —
I have wrote M'' Lowther on the matter & Recommended
to procure necessarys upon such a futing as to do them
Justice & procure & keep their friendship, and if not
Countermanded before, I shoud be at Penobscut to have a
Conference & settle the Diff* matters
By the Latter End of October, I doubt not but he will
OF THE STATE OP MAINE 231
Lay a satesfactoiy Acct of things before the Hon''^'^ Board,
to Enable him to procure what will be necessary— Permit
me again to Renew my solicitations, Earnestly requesting the
Candid Oppinion & Advice of the Hon''^*' Board how they
woud have the Indians fixed & settled & wether it is Agree-
able to keep them in the service, or take them up in the
Lakes, for the great Expence arising is a peipetual Trouble
to me — tho I know the fatal Consequences if they are let
Go —
I Gratefully acknowledge the Hon''^* Courts Kindness in
Passing a Resolve with respect of Debarring people from
selling Liquor to the Indians, it has Answer'd the End in
some degree, tho' not sulficiantly —
I must further Request that an Act may pass to prevent
any person whatever ( Truck Houses Excepted ) from Trad-
ing any way whatever, under a greater penalty than what is
fixed, pointing out the methods of prosecution, for I find the
Indians daily selling property, which they have got from
the Truck house, which keeps them daily demanding —
The detaining people from Trading with them will be of
further service to the Inhabitants of this Eastern Country —
for the Little petty Traders which Come along shore ( I may
say with propriety Pilfering ) will not Dispose of the Necces-
sarys of Life, which is much wanted by the Inhabitants for
paper Money. Because they Expect hard Money & furrs
from the Indians By which, I have perceiv'd many in the
greatest Distress.
The Enemy has not been with us yet. Are in hourly
Expectations, and indeed if Coming this fall, I heartily wish
it speedily, for in a few days our whole militia I Expect will
leave us, to which time I fear Our Enerays are posponing
their Bloody Intentions, to take us at a Disadvantage.
I wrote the 22*^ Ins' and sent it a few days ago, which I
Expect will be Dcliv'^ with this —
232
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
I am in Truth & sincerity with the greatest duty &
Respect Your Honours most Ob'' & very hbl serv*^
J Allan
The Hon'^^* Jeremiah Powell
State of Massachusetts Bay
In the House of Representatives Sept"^ 2G, 1777
Resolved that the Board of War be & they hereby are
directed to send to the Committee of Boothbay they to be
accountable for the same One Iron Cannon a twelve pounder
with a Carriage & Implements compleat — And One hundred
rounds of Powder 100 rounds & 40 bar-shot & 26 rounds of
Grape shot for the same — The above Cannon & Amunition
&c to be in lieu of the two nine pounders with Ammunition
&c therefor ordered to that place by the Resolve of this
Court of the 22^' Instant
Sent up for Concurrence
R T Paine Spkr pr. temp.
In Council Sep* 26, 1777 Read & Concurred
Jn° Avery D^ Secy
Consented to
Jer Powell A Ward W Spooner
T Cushing John Whitcomb Moses Gill
John Taylor S Holten Dan' Davis
Josiah Stone Fra Dana H Gardner
A Fuller B White N Cushing
R Derby -
State of Massachusetts Bay
In the House of Representatives Sep. 26 1777
On the Memorial of William Jones, Col. of the third Reg-
iment of Militia in the County of Lincoln in behalf of him-
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 233
self & a party of said Regiment, setting forth, among other
things, that on the 10^'' Instant they Mustered and Retook
tlie State Mast Ship Gruel, Joseph Porter Commander which
had heen taken into possession from the Enemys Man of War,
the Rain Bow.
Resolved that the said Col : Jones, the officers and privates
of the party under his command in said Engagement, be
allowed & paid by this State out of their Treasury for their
Spirited Exertions and important Services done the State in
that affair, as follows viz* — one Col : Twenty Pounds —
Four Captains four Pounds Each — Ten Lieutenants three
pounds Each and one Hundred & fifty five privates at Two
Pounds Each, the whole sum amounting to three Hundred
and TAventy Six Pounds.
And it is further Resolved that the Twenty men who were
not in the action but guarded said Mast-ship for Two Days
after she was Retaken be allowed & Paid the sum of Twelve
shillings for Each Man for the said Two Days
Sent up for Concurrence
R T Paine Spkr pr temp
In Council Sept 26, 1777 Read & Concurred
Jn° Avery D^ Secy
Consented to
Jer Powell A Ward W Spooner
T Cushing Moses Gill John Taylor
Jabez Fisher B White Benj Austin
S Holten Dan^ Davis Josiah Stone
A Fuller N Cushing R Derby
State of Massacliusetts Bay
In the House of Representatives September 30" 1777
Resolved that the Commasary general be & lie hereby is
Directed to deliver to Joseph Noyes Commasary to the
234
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Forces Stationed at Falmouth and Cape Elisabeth forty bar-
rels of Flour for the use of said Forces he to be Accountable
for the Same
Sent up for Concurrence
R. T Paine Spkr pr temp
In Council Sept* 30' 1777 Read & Concurred
Jn° Avery D^ Sec^
Consented to
Jer Powell
R Derby
Moses Gill
Dan^ Davis
Josiah Stone
A Ward
J Cushing
Benj Austin
A Fuller
Oliver Prescott
John Taylor
Jabez Fisher
H Gardner
N Cushing
S Holten
State of Massachusetts Bay In Council Oct"^ 2 1777
Resolved that the Committee of Sequestration be and
hereby are directed, to deliver to the Board of War, Three
Pipes of Wine, Seven hundred and half of Duck or Goose
Shott, Two Boxes of Short Pipes & one hundred weight of
Thread for the Supply of y** Truck House at Machias, they
paying for the same such a price as they shall be appraised
at.
Read & Accepted Jn° Avery D^ Sec^
State of Massachusetts Bay
Council Chamber Ocf 3, 1777.
Whereas this State is in great want of Provisions to Sup-
ply the troops Stationed at Machias & for the furnishing the
Indians in the Eastern parts of the State under the Care of
Colonel John Allan Continental Superintendent of Indian
affairs in the Eastern department. Therefore
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 285
Ordered that Major General Heath be and he hereby is
desired to Supply the Board of War with one hundred bar-
rels of Beef & pork to enable them to furnish the troops at
Machias and the Indians under Colonel John Allan, Conti-
nental Superintendent.
Read & Accepted Jn° Avery D^ Sec^
State of Massachusetts Bay
In the House of Representatives Oct"^ 7*" 1777
on the Petition of Sam^ M'^Cobb Abiel Lovejoy & John
Taylor praying that a post may be Established in the Eastern
part of this state to ride from Falmouth to Thomaston
Resolved that a post be and hereby is Established whose
Business shall be to Ride from the Continental post office in
Falmouth to Mason Wheaton Esq'' at the Lime works in
Thomaston and to Return back to Falmouth to Meet the Con-
tinental Post there, and to Continue dureing the pleasure of
this Court Also Resolved that Capt Lovejoy Capt Snow &
Coll M'^Cobb be a Committee to agree with Some Seutable
person to preform the Same — and it is further Resolved that
the Post Master at Falmouth be and he is hereby desired to
order the Times for the Setting out & returning Said post
from his office & to receive such Letters as may be brought
to tlie Same by s'* post and to deliver out the Same Accord-
ing to Rules and Postage of the Continental post office also to
Make up mails of Such Letters as may be put into his office
to be Sent to the Eastern parts of the State & Account with
this Court for the money he shall receive, and it is also
Resolved that M"" Ellis Gray be & hereby is appointed to
write to Congress inclosing a Copy of this Resolve & desir-
ing them as this Estaljlishment is made to promote the Pub-
lic advantage, to [)ut the s'' post under the Continental pay
236
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
& Establishment and subject bim to the Rules and Directions
of tlie General Post Office
Also Resolved that Major Wheaton Esq be & hereby is
appointed to receive & make up Mails at j* said Town of
Thomaston & M"" John Wood is likewise appointed to receive
& make up Mails at the Town of Georgetown — who are
hereby allowed to receive for their Service one fifth part of
the Postage of Letters which shall be y* same as is allowed
to the General Post Office
Sent up for Concurrence J Warren Spkr
In Council Octo. 7, 1777 Read & Concurred
Jn° Avery D? Sec^
Consented to
Jer: Powell
Moses Gill
Jabez Fisher
Dan^ Davis
B White
A. Ward
John Taylor
Benj Austin
Tim° Edwards
D Hopkins
T Gushing
S Holten
H Gardner
Oliver Prescott
A. Fuller
Narrative of Cap'^ John Long
Mechias 10^'' October 1777
He was taken at Quoddy Sep' lO*'^ 1777, By the Vulture
( Man of War ) Boat & Carried at S' Johns, he was Exam-
ined by the Enemy's officer on Being Asked how Many Men
was then at Mechias. he told them about 500. that they had
aplenty of Provision sent them from the westward that they
Cou'd in a short time Call in their Millitia which might Con-
sist of 700 men on being asked where he was dureing Daw-
sons Attack he told them that he was in the Wood. & that
he was not of the parties that attacked —
they proferd him his Vessell if he woud Undertake to pro-
cure them certain Intiligence, which he did. M'' Hazen
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 237
becoming Surity for his Fedelity. he lleturnd to them with
Speed, before he went Cap" Fettus Dam'd him for a Rebell
never Expecting to see him again, but seeing he was true to
his Promis, they promisd him all his Money they had taken
from liim if he would
Conveying the Incerted Information to Annapolis by Express,
going There he was taken by a Little priviteer —
A Copy of the Information Cap" Long was Conveying to
the Enemy — That he arrivd at Passamaquody Tuesday 30'''
Septem'' where he was inform'd by M'^ Bell, that David Gard-
ner a Quaquer from Mechias was there two days before his
Arrival who told M'' Bell that the Mechias people had Got
Six Nine pounders & Seven Hundred men under pay. Besides
the Mihtia from the Neighbouring Settlements that the Gene*
Court since last Attack had sent 200 Barrils of Beef & porck
& other Provisions Answerable & that the Rainbow Lay at
the mouth of the Hearbour. that the Cap" had Sent up a
flag with his proclamation, to which was paid but Little or
no Regard, that it was say'd the Americans Intention was
not to Invade Novascotia but to Maintain their own Defence
in their District & the people wherein high Spirits since
Dawson's Defeat —
M"" Long further Adds that When he was first Carried to
S* Johns that the following Ships Lay there Vid. the Milford,
Blonde, & Vulture & Several Boom Vessells & Transports.
Detachments from Letearn Maisnes & from the Emegrants
from Halifax. & Some of Gorhams from Cumberland & Frank-
hn Volunteer Millitia that on the first of October the Expe-
dition was broke up. & the Enemy Dispersed M' Long Also
Informed that M'' Franklin ( Superintend' from the King of
Briton for the Indians ) that the Absent Inhabitants of Cum-
berland Might have their famelys by Sending for them in a
Flag of Trueece.
Confession of M'' Ring who was with Long when Taken
238 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
lie Belong'd to Salisbury & went to S' Johns Last Winter
where he follow'd Fishing he taken on Board the Vulture
Prisoner from where he made his Escape Shortly after was
retaken & pres'd to Go with Long
the Prize Master Account of there takeing Cap" Long at
Annapolis Gut Cap" Lawrence of a Priviteer bound up
Annapolis River beyond the town, Got within ^ Mile of the
Same the fogg being very Thick, wliich Suddenly Clearing
up he found himself pretty Close to a Tender mounting Eight
Gun. they put about Instantly and out Bars, where fired
upon boath from the Schooner & the Shoar by Small Arms
they soon Got out of Reach & Contmuing down the River
met Long going in they fired a Swevel to bring him too. they
sent three men Aboard of him. one told to Go down below
directly. When Long Answered Who are you Sir I have
Got the King Pacquet on board Soon after he went on
board the priviteer he presentd the Letters of Intiligence to
the Master supposing he was Commander of the Tender,
which he thought he was on board of not think^ it a priviteer
from the States
A true Coppy Attest J Avery
State of Massachusetts Bay
In the House of Representatives Octo 10*''
On the Petition of Moses Little Esq praying that in behalf
of his Brother Paul Little of Falmouth who lost his House
Shop & Goldsmith's Tools in the Burning of that Town he
may be permitted to purchase of the Committee of Sequestra-
tion such a Quantity of Tools as are necessary for his
Brother to set up his Business again
Resolved that the Committee of Sequestration be & they
hereby are directed to dehver to Moses Little Esq. for the
use of his Brother Paul Little a Set of Goldsmith's Tools if
OF THE STATE OF MAINE
239
in their Possession taking a reasonable Price for the same
Sent up for Concurrence
In Council Ocf^ 10' 1777
Read & Concurred
Consented to
Jer Powell
T Cushing
S Holten
D Hopkins
Tim° Edwards
A Ward
Moses Gill
B White
N Cushing
Benj Austin
J Warren Spkr
Jn° Avery D" Sec^
John Whitcomb
Jabez Fisher
John Taylor
A Fuller
Josiah Stone
To the Hon^' House of Assembly and Council for the Massa-
chusetts State
The Petition of Joshua Lamb late of Onslow in the County
of Halifax and Province of Nova Scotia Humbly Sheweth
That whereas your Petitioner hath observed in Said Prov-
ince many of the American Prisoners Cruelly Used and hve-
ing in that part of the Province where Many of them of
Course would come who made their Escape : and neglecting
to apprehend them and send them back to confinement : ( as
Required being a Magistrate ) which he would not do out
of Humanity to his Countrymen: & consistant with his
private Opinion of the Dispute Between Britain and Amer-
ica : & by assisting some to make their Escape : and Write-
ing to some of his Friends for those above and some other
things too Tedious to mention : he gave offence to the
King's government and was Obliged to leave his Family &
Escape into this State for the Safety of his Person : & to a
great loss in his Prosperity
Therefore your Petition"^ Humbly prayeth that your Hon"
would be pleased to grant liini a piece of Vacant Land to the
240 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Quantity of two Hundred Acres near the Township of Cam-
den between Penobscot Hills : where he might make a place
of Retreat for himself & Family & be able to Support them
& not be Burdensome to the State of which he would be a
Member —
and whereas he hath Engaged a Vessel to bring his Family
out of that Province ; therefore in behalf of himself & Noah
Miller & Family in like circumstances he would humbly pray
youi- Hon" would grant a pass to the said Vessel
which is the Request of your Humble Petitioner
Joshua Lamb
In the House of Representatives Oct. ll^'' 1777
Read & thereupon Ordered that M"" Scott and M"^ Hastings
with such as y® Hon Board shall join be a Committee to con-
sider the same
Sent up for Concurrence —
J Warren Spkr
In Council Oct' 11, 1777
Read & concurred & Jn° Taylor Esq. is joined —
Jn° Avery D^ Sec^
On the Petition of Joshua Lamb Esq Praying that this Court
would Grant Him a piece of Vacant Land of Two Hundred
Acres Near the Township of Camden between Penobscot
Hills.
Also Praying that a pass be Granted for a Vessell to go to
Nova Scotia to bring His family, and Noah Miller with His
family to Settle in this State.
Resolved that the Prayer of the Petition be so far granted,
That In Case He the Said Joshua Lamb Esq can find any
unapropriated Land In the County of Lincoln, The Property
of this State: That He Shall Have Liberty to Lay out a
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 241
Tract thereof Not Exceeding Two Hundred acres, adjoining
to some former grant The Surveyor and chainman being
under oath In the following form, viz Two Hundred Rods
In Length, and one Hundred and Sixty Rods In Wedth, and
Return to this Court a plan thereof within Twelve months
That Said Lands may be granted to Him
And that a Pass be granted for the Purpose Mentioned in
His Petition.
Mechias Octo"- 12^" 1777
Sir,
Being Necessiated to send an Express Westward
suddenly. Gives me Just time to inform the Honble Board,
that I, had the Honour of receiving their Esteemed &
respectable favours of the 18"^ & 19**" Ult° the former of
which coverinaf a Resolve of the General Court & a Number
of blank Commissions, —
To Vessels has arrived with a Number of Articles, having
Two Nine Pounders & one four with appertinances Conform-
ing Agreeable to the Resolve, —
We have at present but very few men, which gives me
much Concern when I Consider the large Property Deposited
here, for fear the Enemy shoud suddenly pop in and Distroy
it, I should have thought it absolutly Necessary, that fifty
men at least, shoud have been sent to Escort, however every
Precaution shall be used to prevent a surprise, tho' from the
Intilligence I gete I am in some hopes the Enemy are
Frightened for the present from persuing their intended
plan, I Believe they have left S' John's, —
Lieut. Col. Nevers has not yet arrived, noi have I received
any Intilligence from him, I doubt whether he will raise his
men before the time is out Indeed shoud I receive favourable
ace'* by some persons I Expect soon, I think it will be As well
16
242 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
to lessen the Number, as such great Expence will be Need-
less, if the Enemy have thrown up the Matter, but will Be
thoroughly Convinced before I even hint such a thing this
way,—
It will be Necessary to have a small fortress, for the
security of the Cannon, if no other service now, — for they
being so heavy & the Country so uneven & no roads, that an
open Breastwork or Battery, people being liable to retreat,
in such places, must Consiquently Loose the guns, —
I have summonsed the principle Officers of the Melitia, &
the Committe to meete to morrow, to lay before them my
Intention, of Errecting a small Fortress, on an Eminance
above the former Battery, which Commands both Rivers, —
for their approbation, at the same time I shall Demand a
Number of the Inhabitants, to assist at the Business, —
I Cannot but think it is requeset, that some few shoud be
Continued in the service as Artillery men, for the care of &
Manageing the Guns, I have Inlisted Twelve, for that End,
woud chuse to have it made up to Twenty, Indeed a Com-
pany must be kept if Possible, for the Care of such matters
as may be Done Now, I am fully Convinced that if the visit
is laid aside this fall, we shall have them very early in the
spring, —
The Indians I keep but a few here, have sent them up the
River a hunting, shoud we have no alteration soon I shall
not Embody many as they will be very Expensive soldiers,
they are much elated at the News, &> the Notice taken of
them, and perticularly are much rejoiced at my appointment
having told them it was Occationed By my Continuation with
them, —
The Indigent state of this Country Occationed somewhat
by the movements this summer, opens to View, Missery to a
great Degree, Perticularly that of Cloathing, many in the
service are in such a Situation as Gives me Pain to Com-
OF THE STATE OP MAINE 243
inand them to Duty, — I have taken upon me to Draw from
the Truck House a few pieces of strauds &c to Distrebute
among some whose Lives are in Danger to stand Gentry at
Night,—
Coud there be a possibiHty of procuring a few pieces of
Cloth for this service towards their wages, — it woud be a
great Comfort to the Unhappy people & advantage to the
service. —
Cap* A. Green Crabtree ( whome I have now Discharged )
During bis Cruise of this & Passamaquody, took one John
Long, who lives here, lutd been taken by the Enemy at
Passama(|uody, some time ago. He was going with an
Express to Anapolis, from Gap' Tetters of the Vulture, when
he was taken, the Perticulars of which, with his Examina-
tion, I here Inclose for the Honble boards Perusal, —
Since my Command I have forbid any Connection with
Passamequody, — the Inhabitants I have Charged not to
come, without they move their family s & become residents
here, otherwise I shall make them prisoners A Great Deal of
Mischief is Carryed on this way, & perticular Intilligence are
Generally sent to the Enemy, of tlie situation of these parts,
and such a property as is here woud be a Greatlnduce-
iiieiit to many Villians, to attempt the Destruction of it, —
I Cannot neglect this opportunity to acquaint the Honble
Board of my supprise, on finding myself so highly Honourd,
by being appointed to the Command in this District, — my
Unexperiance in the practicle part, of the Service, with other
foibles & Lnpediments, often Occations fears, that I shall
Loose that friendship, which I have been so favored witli
sience my Being in the United states, —
It may reasonably be thouglit vain & flattery in me to Excuse
myself from tliis Promotion, But I Except it from no other
motive & principle But Gratitude, & Duty, I owe to per-
foiiii, wh;it is in my Power for this Bleeding Country, —
244 DOCUMENT AEY HISTORY
The Honour Conferd, with the Generous Assistance, sent
to Enable to Discharge the great Trust & Confidence reposed
in me, is far Beyound what I merited for past Conduct, or
any thing I am able to Do, —
I have the Honour to be with Profound Duty & Respect,
Your Honours most obedient and Devoted Hble Serv*
J. Allan
Coppy
The Honble Jeremiah Powel Esq""
Mechias Octf^ 15, 1777 —
To Benjamin Foster Esq'^
Whereas Notwithstanding the Resolves of the Honble. the
General Court, & the several severe Injunctions put out in
Advertisements by John Allan Esq"^ To the Contrary,— yet
several Evil minded persons persists in the practice of selling
Liquors to the Indians to Intoxecate them & Defrauding
them by Mixing Water with it & Taking the full Value of
Good Rum. —
These are therefore to beg you will Grant a Summons to
Cite M' Stephen Jones personally to appear Before you, to
answer to a Complaint against him for his furnishing Liquor
to Indians Contrary to the Injunction afore mentioned & in
Contempt of the Laws of this State, of which I shall produce
sufficient Proof —
For & in behalf of John Allan Esq'
Lew* Fred*" De Lesdernier
A True Coppy Attest J Avery
Lincoln Ss.
You are hereby Required to Summon Stephen Jones Esq'
of Mechias in the State of Massachusetts Bay to appear
before me Immediately at the House of David Longfellows,
OF THE STATE OP MAINE 245
To Answer to a Complaint Entered Against him by Lew^ F.
De Lesdernier, For & In behalf of John Allan Esq"" Super-
intendent of Indians Eastern Department, To Answer to a
Breech of a Resolve of the General Court Respecting the
Supplying Indians with spirituous Liquors, making a Return
of this summons & your Doings thereon. Whereof Fail Not
on your Peril —
To M' William Tupper Leagally appointed to serve this
Summons
Given under my hand & Seal at Mechias this fifteenth
Day of Oct. the year of our Lord 1777 —
Benj* Foster Jus. Pea ( L S )
A True Coppy Ja* Avery
Lincoln Ss. Mechias Oct. 15*^ 1777 —
then I served the within summons by Del^ The within
Named Stephen Jones Esq'' a True & an Attested Coppy
e W" Tupper
Lincoln Ss: Mechias Octo 15'" 1777
In Consequence of a Complaint made by Lew* Fred'^ De
Lesdernier for and in behalf of John Allan Esq'' Superintend-
ent of Indians, Against Stephen Jones Esq"" for Supplying
the Indians, with Rum, — a Summons was Issued for said
Jones to appear at the House of David Longfellows. —
William Tupper, Counstable Returned the Writ as being
duly served on said Jones. —
At four O Clock the Court open'd. Continued some Time
said Jones Did not appear, the following Depositions were
Taken, — Cap' Prebble appeared and was Sworn as Inter-
preter,—
The Deposition of Ignace a Canadian Indian lately Resi-
dent at Penobscut, Testifieth & Sayth/Being Duly Sworn
246 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
on the Crucifix Profess^ Roman Catholicism/that for some
time past he hed Received from Stephen Jones of Mechias in
the County of Lincoln Esq. thro' the hands of his, the
Deponents wife, Rum to the Am* of one Gallon in Diff' par-
cels, for which he deP his Wife Eight Dollers which his s*^
wife Declared & she fully Believes she paid to Said Jones,
for Said Rum, and the Deponent further Declares that the
last bottle of Rum, here produced, was the last Bought
which was yesterday morning, & further sayth not. —
Before me
Benj'* Foster Jus'' Peace
The Deposition of Joseph Cook an Iroquise Indian Lately
Resedent at Penobscut, Testifieth & Sayeth/being duly
Sworn on a Crucifix Professing Roman Catholicism/that at
four Diff* times this Deponent & Wife purchased from
Stephen Jones of Mechias in the County of Lincoln Esq''
Four Quarts of Rum paying Said Jones two Dollars p"^
Quart, and further Deposeth that Last Night in Conjunction
with his Wife, he purchased the Rum here produced, from
said Jones with four Dollars, which Joseph Tomma Gave
him for that purpose and further Sayeth Not, —
Lincohi : Ss : Examined and Sworn at Mechias this 15*'^ Day
of Octo. 1777
Before me
Benj^ Foster Jus : Peace
The Deposition of Mary Joseph, Wife of Ignace the Cana-
dian Indian Before mentioned. Being Duly Sworn on a
Crucifix/Professing Roman Catholicism/Testifieth & Sayth,
that at the request of her husband she four Several times
had purchased Rum from Stephen Jones of Mechias County
of Lincoln Esq'^ paying Two Dollars for Each Quart, — &
further Sayeth that she was Concerned in purchasing two
Quarts of Rum the Last Night for Joseph Tomma for which
four Dollars was paid to Said Jones. — & further Sayth Not
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 247
Lincoln Ss : Examined and Sworn at Mechias this 15"'
Day of Oct. 1777
Before me Benj* Foster Jus. P. —
John Allan Esq' appeared & requested that a further
time might be allowed M'' Jones, in order that he might have
an Opport^' to Defend the Charge alleged against him, in
Consequence of which request the Court was adjourned Till
Monday the 20"' Ins* at Ten o Clock in the forenoone —
James Avery Appointed to Act as Clerk, —
Benj*^ Foster Jus. Pea :
Lincoln : Ss : Mechias Octo 20"' 1777 — A Copy of the fore-
going Depositions & the Proceedings thereon, was Legally
served on said Jones by W'" Tupper who Depositieth to the
Truth of the Same. —
At 10 OClock S*^ Jones Not appearing, John Allan Esq"'
Came in and Desired that Judgment might be Given Against
said Jones in four Actions, According to the foregoing Depo-
sitions, for Breech of the Resolve of the General Court of
the 21^' June 1777 — Therefore it is Adjudged that the
Said Stephen Jones pay the sum of forty Shillings for Each
of the four actions & all Charges. —
Benj'^ Foster Jus : Pea: —
Stephen Jones having reported abroad that the Indians
had brocken open his House & taken some Rum out of the
same ; — a Number of Indians appeared by M"^ Allans Desire
& Declared they woud pay all Damages M'" Jones had Sus-
tained by any Indians upon his making it appear — they
confessed that they had Taken some Rum from said Jones,
which they Did when Drunk with the Liquor which they
Bought of said Jones —
Benj"^ Foster Jus : Pea :
A True Coppy Attest Ja' Avery
248 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
State of Massachusetts Bay
In the House of Representatives Ocf 16, 1777
On the Petition of Francis Shaw praying that his Accounts
may be allowed for Rum and other Articles he supplied the
State while in their Service and that milage may be allowed
to the Sixty men who travelled from S* Johns to Machias &
for allowance for his disbursments on the Schooner Hannah
& Molley.
Resolved that milage be allowed the Sixty men who
travelled from S* Johns to Machias and that Francis Shaw
deliver in his Account therefor and all his Accounts set
forth in said Petition to the Committee of Accounts who
hereby are directed to settle the same as shall appear to
them just and reasonable
Sent up for Concurrence
J Warren Spk'
In Council Ocf 17, 1777
Read & Concurred
Jn° Avery D^ Sec^
True Copy Attest Jn° Avery D^ Sec^
The Committee of both Houses on the Petition of Charles
Perrin beg leave to report the following Resolve
John Taylor pr order
Resolved, that all such Persons as are now Confined in
the several Goals in this State by General Warrants from the
Honble Council be sent to the several Counties to which
they belong & by the Sheriff of the County where they are
respectfully Confined and be brought to Tryal at the next
Superior Court which may Set in said Counties, and that the
Honble Judges of the Superior Court be directed by the
Council to the Tryal of the said Prisoners all others Appre-
hended in like manner & since admitted to Bail for the
several offences they may be charged with — -
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 249
And that some proper person or persons in each County
be chosen by Joint ballot of both Houses whose Business it
shall be to make strict Enquiry for & Collect such Evidence
as may be necessary before the Tryal of such persons so
Committed as aforesaid all others apprehended in like man-
ner & since admitted to Bail & lay the same before the
Attorney and lay their acc^' for their Service before this
Court for Allowance
A And whereas it appears to this Committee of great
Consequence that one Samuel Hall who is now Confined in
the Goal at Falmouth in the County of Cumberland, should
be removed from said Goal to the Goal in Boston &c —
Therefore ordered that the Sheriff of the County of Cum-
berland be and he hereby is directed forthwith to convey the
said Samuel Hall from the said Goal in Falmouth and Com-
mit him to the Common Goal in Boston and that this order
be forwarded to said Sheriff by Express or otherwise as soon
as possible. —
Also that the keeper of the Prisoners in the Several
Counties in this State be and hereby are Directed forthwith
to make a return to the Honble the Council of the names of
all the prisoners Committed by them to their Custody with
the names of the Towns to which they belong
And that the Treasurer of this State be directed to lay
before the Honble Council a List of the above persons who
have been admitted to Bail and the Town they belong to. —
In Council October 17' 1777
Read & Accepted
Sent down for Concurrence
Jn° Avery D^ Secy
In the House of Representatives Oct 18, 1777
Read & concurred with the following amendment, viz
At A dele Committee & insert Court
Sent up for Concurrence
J Warren Spkr
250
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
In Council Oc* 18' 1777
Read & Concurred
Consented to
Jer Powell
John Wliitcomb
John Taylor
Josiah Stone
Moses Gill
A. Ward
S Hoi ten
D Hopkins
A. Fuller
B White
Jn° Avery D^ Sec?
R Derby
H Gardner
Tim° Edwards
N Gushing
D Sewall
To the Great and General Court of the Massachusetts Bay
in New England Humbly Sheweth,
That your Distressed Humble Petitioner, Clark Linniken,
lived upon Townsend Neck within the Town of Boothbay
which Runs about three miles into the Sea, and a little with-
out Boothbay or Townsend Harbor wliere the men of War
went into and lay about the beginning of September 1777 —
and where is an Island about three Quarters of a mile from
said Neck called Fishermans Island, where another Man of
War came and where I was afishing a little therefrom in my
Cannoo and the Man of War's Boat came & took me and
Carried me aboard and threatened to Keep me &c — at
length, they offered to let me go, if I would fetch them some
Turnips & other Vegitables &c, upon which I promised to do,
they asked me what Cattle I had, I told them that I had a
pair of three Years Old Steers, but I could not part with
them for it was all I had to do my work with, and that I was
a poor man &c, they asked me what they was worth, I told
them that they was worth Fifty Dollars. I went a Shore
and they followed me with two Boats and part of them,
came to my House and Said they must have my Cattle, &
that they would give me Forty dollars and I should have the
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 251
Hides and Ruff Tallow and that would purchase another
pair ; I being in their Power & no body to asist me, and
being taken by them, I was afraid to Contradict or oppose
them in any Degree for fear they would Carry me away &
Strip my Family of every thing. I went with them to the
Shore and they Killed my Steers and picked the Ruff Tal-
low, which they gave me and the Hides — & they carried
the meat away and said they would send me the pay as tliey
proposed but never paid me one farthing for the Meat, and
all I had was the Hides — & a few pounds of Ruff Tallow.
They, the man of Warr's Men — went on Fisherman's
Island & took the Sheep from thence and Some Hay and I
heard that they paid the man that lived on said Island Viz
M"" Roberson for part, & then took the rest without pay
which was hard on him as well as me, but both of us was in
their Power and none could help us — Then on the fourth
or 5''^ day of September 1777 — I was taken by a Wiirrant
from W"' M'^Cobb for Trading with the Men of War. And
on the 6"* of September 1777 — I was Conmiitted to Pownal-
boro Goal, and my Wife a very weakly Woman and four
small children left to save & get what we liad on & in the
Ground for the Winter, and they depended much on the
Fish I ketched in my Cannoo for the Support of my Family
— for we had but little Bread or Meat and often without
any —
And by the Construction of the Law, as the Justice Says
I cant be admitted to Bail. I am a Very Poor man and have
a poor disti'essed Family & my Wife very weak and they
want my Help very much for their Support, and to lay Here
in Goal Confined upon charge for a Cold & Tedious winter
is Cruel & Hard which I never can pay — & the Cliarge of
the Justice &c, for Carrying me to Goal is <£3. 19.. 6 lawful
money — & to lay here in Goal all winter & till Next June
for doing that which I could not lielp nor no other man if in
252 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
such a situation as I was, I never did any thing against Law
or against the Country, hut am wilhng to submit too & Keep
all the Laws that shall come to my Knowledge. I therefore
most Humbly Pray your Honors to take me, and my dis-
tressed Family's Circumstances into your Wise Consideration
and Release me from my great Distress and Confinement and
Charges, and as in Duty Bound I shall ever pray —
Clark Linneken
Pownalboro Goal October 18"> 1777
Mechias Oct. 20*'^ 1777
Whereas on fryday Night the 17*'' Inst, a moose skin belong-
ing to the states was stolen from an Indian who had Received
it to worke it up for the Use of the Troops stationed here
after much serch the same was found in the Back Yard
belonging to Stephen Jones of Mechias County of Lincoln
Esq'' who acknowledges he had purchased it from Another
Indian who stole the skin for which he Let him have a bot-
tle of Rum Contrary to the Resolves of the Honble The
General Court & the many severe Injunctions Issued by the
Super Intendent —
Therefore these are to Request you to Grant a Summons
for said Jones to appear at the place you may appoint to
answer the said Complamt for the offence, — for and in
behalf of John Allan Esq"^ Superintendent of Indians Eastern
Department —
Lew* Fred'' DeLesdernier J P
A True Coppy Attest Ja* Avery
Lincoln Ss: Mechias Octo. 20*" 1777
In Consiquence of a Complaint made by Lew' F. De
Lesdernier for and In behalf of John Allan Esq' Superen-
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 253
tendent for Indians Eastern Departmt. against Stephen
Jones Esq'' for Buying a moose skin of an Indian who stole
It / Belonging to the State, & Supplying the Indians with
Rum for the Same, — a Summons was Issued for said Jones
to appear at the House of David Longfellows Immediately —
W" Tupper Constable returned the Summons, said Jones
not being to be found. — fit Ten oClock the said Jones not
appearing the following Depositions were Taken —
The Deposition of John Preble Cap* of a Company of
Indians stationed at Mechias, Being Duly Sworn, — Testi-
fieth & Sayeth that on the 17*^ Ins*^ he went with Colo.
Allan & an Indian in serch of a moose Skin, belonging to the
State, which was Stolen, that they went into M'' Jone's Back
Yard, that they found a moose Skin which the Indian
Declared in a very Solemn manner was the same Skin
Deliverd him to work up for the States Service, which was
stolen from him. — and that said Jones Confessed he rec'^ the
Skin from an Indian Named Jean Battest Foreleg, & that he
Gave the Indian a bottle of Rum on ace* of said Skin, — &
further he Sayeth Not. —
Lincoln Ss : Examined & Sworn at Mechias this 20*'' Day
of Octo'' 1777 Before me Benj* Foster Jus: Pea: —
The Deposition of Jones Earns worth of Lawfull Age
Testifieth upon Oath, & Sayeth, some time last fryday being
the 17*'' Ins* He went into Esq"^ Jones House and Asked said
Jones to sell him a Mug of Toddy, Said Jones answer to him
was that he had Just sold the last and all the Rum he
had, — and seeing an Indian Squaw come out of the Shop
with him the said Jones, the Deponent Concluded that the
Squaw had bought the Last of the Rum, but a few minutes
before, — Sworn before me this 20*" Day of Oct. 1777
Benj'* Foster Jus: Pea:
The Deposition of Joseph Averll Serj* in Cap* Wests
Company. This Deponent being Duly Sworn, Testifieth &
254 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Sayth, that on Fryday afternoon being Call'd by Col Allan,
to an Inclosure belonging to Esq"^ Jones he saw a moose Skin
that was spread to Dr}', that he was Desired to take notice
of the same — he was ordered to Desire Serj* Milbury to
place a Gentry over said Skin to prevent any Indians from
Taking it, he was further ordered to go to Esq' Jones and
Tell him that a moose Skin, the property of the State which
an Indian had to work up for the use of the Troops, was
found in his Inclosure on his Premisses, which had been
stolen by A Nother Indian. —
He further Deposeth that he was present when Col Allan,
Tax'd said Jones of having bought said Skin from the
Indian that had stole it, — Esq"^ Jones said that the same
Indian had, Brok Open his House During the late Disturb-
ances, and took out a Keg of Rum, that he had made the
Indian Own it, and that the Skin was brought him for satis-
faction, and that seeing the Indians Candoche gave him one
Quart Rum as an Equivalent for He thought the Skin
overpaid the Rum taken with the Keg, — & further Sayeth
Not. Joseph Averal
Lincoln : Ss : Examined & Sworn at Mechias the 20*^^
Day of Oct. 1777 — Before me Benf Foster Jus: Pea:
I said a Warrent to Take the Body of said Jones and then
Adgourn'd —
Lincoln Ss: Mechias Octo. 24'*' 1777 — By Virtue of a
Warrent Issued against Stephen Jones Esq. he was this Day
bro* before me, Two oClock the Court opend and Evidences
being Call'd, the following Depositions were Taken —
The Deposition of Amos Boynton of Mechias in the
County of Lincoln being Duly Sworn Testifieth & Sayth,
that on Fryday the *** Inst he was at wo}k with M"" Farns-
worth on a Celler not far from Stephen Jones Dwelling
House, and that he saw Jean Battest Forelegs an Indian
have a Skin, which seemed to be wett, and Carry'd it into a
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 255
I^ittle House, between where he was at Work & Said Jones
House, — and saw the Indian Come out of the House soon
after without it, & further Sayeth Not, —
Amos Boynton —
The Deposition of David Longfellows of Mechias in the
County of Lincoln, being Duly Sworn Testifieth & Sayeth,
that on Fry day the 17"^ Ins' he was to work for M^ Farns-
worth on a Cellar not far from Stephen Jones Dwelling
House, — that he saw Jean Battest Forelegs an Indian
Carrying a moose Skin which seemed to be wett, and Carried
it to a Small House between where he was at work & Said
Jones House, & further Sayeth Not —
David Longfellow
The Deposition of Jonas Farns worth of Mechias in the
County of Lincoln, being Duly Sworn, Testilieth & Sayeth,
that on Fryday the 1^^^ Ins* he was at work on a celler with
M"^ Longfellow & Boyenton, Not far from Stephen Jones
Dwelling House — that M"^ Longfellow & M"^ Boyenton Told
him they saw an Indian Carry a Moose Skin into Samuel
Milburys House soon after which he the Depo* went into
said House, & Saw a moose Skin laying in said House, which
was wett, & looked if it had been into the water to Soak —
that some time after Cap' Stephen Smith camo to him and
inquired if he knew any thing about a moose skin that was
stolen, and that he went with Capt Smith to Said House But
Cou'd not see any thing of the Skin, & further Sayeth Not
Jonas Farnsworth —
The Deposition of Cap* Stephen Smith of Mechias in the
County of Lincoln being Duly Sworn, Testifieth & Sayth,
that on Fryday the 17"^ Ins' being at the Indian House with
M' Allen, an Indian Named Ignace, seemed to be very much
Concerned, and said he had Lost a Moose Skin which was
given him to work up for the Troops, — and the Indian said
256 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
that Jean Battest Forelegs, had got Two Bottles of Rum &
that s*^ Ignace Immagined that said Battest had Stole the
skin & Sold it for the Rum — that in the afternoon he went
where M'' Farnsworth & David Longfellow was at work, and
said Farnsworth told him he saw a wett moose skin in a
small House Close by Stephen Jones Dwelling House, and
said Farnsworth sent to the House with the Depo* — &
Seemed to be surprised that the Skin was gone, — that he
saw M' Delesdernier and Call'd him to assist him in looking
for the Skin, & Coming by an Inclosure by said Jones House,
He saw a moose Skin Spread to Dry, and that M"^ De Lesder-
nier went & Call'd the Indian who had Lost the skin who
Declared in a very Solemn manner, that the said skin was
the self same Skin that he Lost & further Sayeth Not. —
Stephen Smith
The Deposition of Samuel Milbury Serjent in Cap' Wests
Company Being Duly Sworn, Testifieth & Sayth, that on
Fryday afternoon Serj' Averel came to him and Desired him
to go to Col. Allen, that he went into M'' Jones Inclosure
where he saw a moose skin, and an Indian said Jean Battest
Forelegs had stole it from him, that Col. Allan, ordered him
to put a Centry over s*^ skin till further orders, which was
Accordingly Done — and in about Two hours after said
Moose Skin was brought into the Guard House, & further
Sayth Not
Samuel Milbery
Lincoln: Ss : Mechias Oct. 24*^ 1777 then appeared before
me Amos Boynton David Longfellow, Jonas Farnsworth,
Stephen Smith, & Samuel Milbury, & maketh oath to the
foregoing Depositions by them Signed
Before me Benj'' Foster Jus Pea :
The Deposition of Ignace a Canadian Indian Lately Resi-
dent at Penobscut, Being Duly Sworn on the Crucifix / pro-
OF THE STATE OF ALA.LNE 257
fessing Koiiian Catbolicism / Testifieth & Sayth / M'' De Les-
dernier being Sworn Interpreter / that he rec'^ of Cap' Smith,
Two IMoose skin to work up for Morgasons for the Troops,
that he Puts them in a puddle of water to Soak, — that Next
morning, he went to take out Said Skins — and that one of
them bemg Missing, he Concluded it was Stolen and Jean
Battest forelegs having a case bottle of Rum, he Concluded
He was the Indian who stole it, &, being sent for he went
Down to M'' Jones, & Going Into an Inclosure by the House,
he there saw a Moose Skin, which was the self Same skin
which was Stolen from him, — and this is the Skin Now pro-
duced in Court, — & further Sayeth Not —
Lincoln Ss : Mechias Examined & Sworn this 24'^ Day of
Oct. 1777 —
Before me Benj"^ Foster J. P.
Stephen Jones the Deff' in this Cause pleads not Guilty,
but Does not advance any thing in order to support his
Defence, upon a Due Examination of the Evedances it
appears that said Stephen Jones has Violated the Resolve of
the General Court of tliis State in respect of supplying
Indians with Sperituous Liquors, — therefore it is Adjudged
that said Jones pay the sum of Forty Shillings with Costs, —
and further it appears that he has been Guilty of the Crime
of rece'« stolen goods the property of the State of the Massa-
chusetts Bay, — It is adjudged that he Give Security for his
appearance at the Court of General Sessions of the Peace to
be held at Pownalborough the First Tuesday in June Next
to answer such things as is alledged against him Respecting
these Premises. — otherwise to be Committed to Goal--
Benj* Foster Jus : Pea :
A True Coppy Attest Ja» Avery
To the IIon*''*= the great and General Court of the State of
Massachusetts Bay the Petition of tlie Subscribers, being
17
258 DOCUMUNTAIIY HISTORY
Inhabitants of the West Precient in Pownalborough, and
adjacent Humbly Sheweth
That your Petitioners are members of the Episcopal church,
that great part of them are French and Dutch Germans
Protestants, who came into America in the years 1750 &o
1751 etc., upon the Incouragment given by the Massachu-
setts Government that they should enjoy their Religious
Privileges. They beg further to represent that for Twenty
years, last past they have enjoyed these privileges excepting
only the year past. That they have constantly maintained a
minister of the Episcopal church, with the assistance of the
Society, and have constantly attended Public worship accord-
ing to the rights of the church of England. That they have
built themselves a church and have a church Gleab in the
West precient of Pownalb" They further Represent that in
the year 1773 the Town of Pownalboro' was divided into
two precients by the Names of the East and West Precints,
in the same year 1773 the West Preceint called a preceint
meeting at which meeting the Votes of some of your
Petitioners, and all who were at said meeting above 20 in
Number were refused to be accepted for this Reason because
they were Episcopalians. Your Petitioners immediately
withdrew and never attended their meetings afterwards. On
the 28'^^ of March 1776, The Congregationalists in the West
Preceint ( being not more than Eight or Nine in Number
that met) and Voted to Raise the Sum of X30 to hire —
preaching in the year 1776, which they never did, except a
transient Person now and then a clay. That the Assessors
assessed your Petitioners by virtue of an Act of the 16'** of
George the Second. They further Represent that the Col-
lectors Viz : Samuel Emerson, & John Elbridge have taken
every advantage ( and of some of those Persons who were
Germans, and did not understand the Law in the English
Language ) to distress them as well as others by giving them
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 259
Notice to pay the Ministerial Tax and then distraining.
They further dechire that by their being thus assessed by
the minority of the Parish they are drove to great Streights,
and must soon be ruined, as the minority under colour of
law were determined to drive them to tlie last extremity.
We further beg leave to Represent, that when the Act of
16"' of George the Second was made, it was not Supposed
that such a case could happen, when 7, 8 or 9 Congregation-
lists should Vote away not only their own money but also
the money of about thirty Episcopalians, and that to without
and against their consent. We further declare that tho' the
money taken from us is by a Law to be paid to our Pastor,
whom we Su[)port & who will we make no doubt returne it
to us again, yet it subjects us to be distrained upon, which
is now our case & also make us pay for the taking our own
money out of our own Pockets against our Consent to be
put in again after the collectors and Treasurer have improved
it for a long Time, before it can be got from them, which
must be and is a great Trouble & cost to us as We may be
obliged to go thro' a law suit to get it again. We further
think that the Law aforementioned was designed to prevent
Persons, from pretending to be of a Religion they were not
of merely to get rid of paying Taxes. We further declare
that it is the unalienable right of mankind to woi"ship the
Supreme being according to the dictates of a Well informed
Conscience, that no man can dispose of his Religion and
much less can any person take it from him — That every
Species of Taxing that takes away a man's Interest and at
the same Time debars liim from assenting or discenting
because of his Religious principles is persecutions and tends
to force him to give up what the God of Nature never gave
him a right to dispose of, tlie right of private Judgement, in
matters of Religion, at a time wlien the Continent is con-
tending for civil and religious Liberty. We are Sorry to
260 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
have the Occasions of Petitioning the Hon^^^ Court upon so
disagreeable a Subject as persecuting Persons who came
from Germany upon the Faith of the Government of the
Mass* Bay, that they sliould enjoy their Religious Principles,
But the matter is of such consequence to us that our all is
depending as the Collectors distrain and Sell our Goods at
half price & make us pay the Costs. We therefore humbly
pray that the Hon^^® Court would take the matter into con-
sideration & pass an Act that all Episcopalians who pay a
minister may be freed from being assessed or Taxed in any
parish for ministerial Rates, and that tlie collectors be
ordered to returne all the moneys so distrained & Received
from us the respective Persons, from whom he took them
with the charges & Damages or otherwise Give us such
relief as the Court in their Wisdom shall think proper & as
in duty bound shall ever pray.
Pownalboro' West precient
N. B. The Congregationals in the West precient of Pownal-
boro' never hath been imbodied into a church etc. to this day.
Samuel Goodwin Edmund Doherty Michael Stilphen
his
Martin X Healey John Cottin Goskin Loves Houdlette
niarke
David Bailey Sam^ Goodwin J*^ John Johnson
John Parks Peter Pochard William Bourke
George Mayer Philip Mayer George Goud
his
Daniel Malbone Jn" X Pochard Charles Erlain Houdlette
miirke
George Stilphen Cornelius Stilphen Jean George Goud
Richard Callihan Christopher Jakins Robert Tycross
Josanna Janb pro go Luda Capman Main
In Council April 29, 1777.
Ordered that the Petitioner notify the Inhabitants of the
West Precient in Pownalborough by leaving a Copy of this
Petition & Order hereon with the Precient Clerk of Said
West Parish thirty Days at least before the Second Tuesday
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 261
in July next, that they may sliew Cause ( if any they have )
before the General Court of this State of their setting and in
Case the Said Court shall not be then setting on the Second
Tuesday of their meeting after that time wherefore the
Pi-aj^er of the Said Petition should not be granted.
Sent down for Concurrence
Jn° Avery Dp^ Secy.
In the House of Representatives Apl. 29, 177Y
Read & Concurred.
A true copy Sam'l Freeman Sp^ Pro. Tern.
Attest Jn° Avery Dpy Secy
By virtue of the within Order of the Great and General
Court, I, Charles Callahan, one of the Episcopal Church of
pownalborough in the West Preceinct, and one of the Vestry
did on the V^ Day of June 1777, Deliver'd to Charles Gush-
ing Esq'' clerk of the West Precienct of the town of pownal-
borough as we are informed, A copy of the within petition
and order thereon before Christopher Tackin another of the
Vestrymen — Charles Callahan.
In Council July 8, 1777 Ordered that the Consideration
of the within Petition be referred to the Second Tuesday of
the next Setting of the General Court —
Sent down for Concurrence
Jn° Avery Dpy Secy.
In the House of Representatives July 8, 1777.
Read & concurr'd R T. Paine, Sp*" pro tem.
In Council October y'' 21, 1777 Ordered tliat the considera-
tion of the within Petition & the Papers accompanying the
same be referred to the Second Tuesday of the next Setting
of the General Court.
Sent down for Concurrence
Jn*' Avery D^ Secy.
In the House of Representatives Oct. 21, 1777
Read & Concurr'd J. Warren Spk"^
262 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Falmouth 21 0«' 1777.
'Sir
when y" was at Fahiiouth shipping some Wines to your
place your had a gundelo of mine w^ they partly loaded w*^^
Ballist left her along side of the Wharf the Gundelo, filP
los* her Oars & was much Damag'^ tlie Ace* you have Inclos'*
w^ sum youl please remit by the first Opp'^ — I am w*'^
respec* your m° II Serv*
CoW Glover Pearson Jones
State of Massachusetts Bay.
In the House of Representatives Octo"" 22 1777 —
Resolved, That the East precinct in the Town of Pownal-
borough, be and hereby is impowered to Call a Meeting of
The freeholders and other Inhabitants of s*^ precinct. Quali-
fied by Law to Vote in Town affairs ) to Choose a CoUecter
in the Stead of Roger Smith who was Chosen by S*^ precinct
in March A D 1775 One of the Collectors of s^ Precinct and
who afterwards Refused to Serve, by fully impowering Such
Collecter who Shall be Chosen at s*^ Meeting in stead of s*^
Smith, to Collect all Such Taxes as remain uncollected by
Reason of the s*^ Smith's Refusing to Serve ; And to do all
Other Matters which a Collecter Chosen at the Anual Meet-
ing in the Month of March Might legally do —
Sent up for Concurrence J Warren Spkr
In Council Oct* 11^ 1777
Read & Concurred Jn° Avery D^ Sec^
Consented to
Jer Powell A Ward R Derby
John Whitcomb John Taylor S Hoi ten
B White Benj Austin A Fuller
Jabez Fisher Josiah Stone D Hopkins
Tim° Edwards D Sewall N. Gushing
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 263
State of Massachusetts Bay
In the House of Representatives Octo. 23'^'* 1777
Resolved, that the Board of War be and they hereby are
directed to deliver to Charles Phelphs Esq' Two hundred
bushels of Salt for the Use of the Inhabitants of the Towns
of Brattleborough, New Marlborough, Fullam, Guilford,
Townsend, and Cumberland, he paying for the same the
Current Price
Sent up for Concurrence J. Warren Spk''
In Council Octo. 23'^ 1777
Read & Concurred John Avery Dp^ Secy
A True Copy Attest Jn° Avery D^ Sec^
State of Massachusetts Bay
In the House of Representatives Oc' 1777
Whereas it appears upon examination of the count}^ Treas-
urer's Accounts for the county of Lincoln that all the Money
granted and allow'd by the Court of General Sessions of the
Peace for said county from Sept 1772 to June 1774, were
for such purposes and appropriations as the Law empowered
the said Court to grant — and the Ballance due to the
County is one hundred Sixty pounds four shillings & three
pence Therefore Resolved that the said account be allowed
Sent up for Concurrence
In Council Oct' 23, 1777
Read & Concurred
J Warren Spkr
Jn** Avery D^ Sec^
Consented to
Jer Powell A. Ward R. Derby
John Wliitcomb John Taylor S Ilolten
H Gardner D Hopkins S Sewall
N. Gushing A Fuller B White
Jabez Fisher Josiah Stone Oliver Prescott
264 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
To the honorable Council and the Hon. House of Represen-
tatives of the State of Massachusetts Bay
Humbly Sheweth William Gardner of Gardnerston in the
County of Lincoln, that your Petitioner at a Court of Special
Sessions of the Peace held at Pownalborough in the County
afore sd on the 16^^ Day of September last was tried and
found guilty of counteracting the united Struggles of the
States of America, and of being so inimically disposed
towards the States that his future Residence therein would
be dangerous to the publick Peace & Safety, and in Conse-
quence thereof is sent to the Board of War by them to be
confined in a Guard Ship ; from which Sentence, as there is
no Appeal from s*^ Court, your Petitioner prays to be relieved
by this honorable Court for the Reasons following, viz
1. The Persons who carried on the Prosecution against
your Petitioner were actuated by private Pique & Revenge
on account of an old Grudge, which had long subsisted
between them, & that he was condemned for speaking
against the conduct of certain individuals and not against the
Justice of the Cause in which we are engaged.
2^y The Jurors for the Trial afore s*^^ were not chosen in the
Manner petit Jurors for the superior Court are chosen, &
drawn from the same Box, as by Law they ought to have
been but the Manner of choosing them & the Proceedings of
the Court were intirely irregular and against Law.
3^y Your Petitioner was unacquainted with the Law by which
he was condemned, and could not procure an Attorney to
speak for him — he had engaged an Attorney to conduct his
Business at s*^ Trial, but the Evening before the Trial was to
come on, he declared that he was afraid of future Conse-
quences, which would attend his speaking in said Cause, and
refused to fulfil his Engagement, All which your Petitioner
would be able to verify, if this honorable Court would enable
him to procure his Witnesses. He has petitioned the gen-
OF THE STATE OF MAINE
265
eral Court for the Purpose afore^*^, and the s'^ Court chose a
Committee to examine the Matter & tho' the Facts alledged
in this Petition appeared to them to be true; yet by Reason
of your Petitioner's not having his Witnesses present, nor
Deposition reguhirly taken, the s*^ Committee did not think
proper to order a new Trial. Your Petitioner tlierefore
humbly prays tliis honorable Court to permit him ( he giving
Security to the Board of War ) to return Home, and procure
such Depositions as shall be necessary to prove the Facts
afore s'\ and authorise some Justice of the Peace to take
them and grant your Petitioner a legal & impartial Trial.
And as in Duty bound will ever pray
W'" Gardner
In Council Oct^ 24, 1777
Read & Sent down
Jn° Avery D^ Sec^
In the House of Representatives Oct. 24, 1777
Read and Ordered that the Hon^^ Council Act thereon as to
them may seem fit
Sent up for Concurrence
R T Paine Spkr pr temp
In Council Oct* 24, 1777
Read & Concurred
Consented to —
Jer Powell A Ward
T Cushing H Gardner
S Holtcn D Hopkins
John Whitcomb Jabez Fisher
D Sewall N Cusliing
Oliver Prescott
Jn° Avery D^ Sec^
R Derby
John Taylor
B White
A Fuller
J OS i all Stone
State of Massachusetts Bay
In the House of Representatives Oct" 24*'» 1777
Resolved that the within Petitioner Claik liinnckeii serve
266 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
William M^Cobb Esq'' with a Copy of his Petition, and this
Order thereon that he may make Answer in Writing if he
thinks proper, at the next Meeting of this Court, why the
Prayer of said Petition shall not be granted — and in the
mean time said M'^Cobb is hereby permitted if he shall judge
it expedient to admit the within Petitioner to Bail on Suffic-
ient Sureties,
Sent up for Concurrence
R. T. Paine Spk. P. T.
In Council Ocf^ 24^'^ 1777 —
Read & Concurred John Avery D^ S^
A True Copy Attest Jn° Avery Dy Sec^
Booth bay Novmbr 11, 1777 Served the within to will""
McCobb Esq' by a Coppy
James Fullerton
Received this back again from Capt James Fullerton the
S'l December 1777
Invoice of Sundrys supply*^ Stephen Smith Esq'' Commis^ &
Truckmaster for the Indians, and for Troops raised by order
of Court for the Defence of Machias & the Eastern parts By
the Board of War for the State of Massachusetts Bay, 1777.
Here follows a list of provisions, clothing, military stores
& general supplies.
State of the Massachusetts Bay
To the Honorable Council of said State — The Petition of
John Martin Schaffers of Waldoborough — Humbly Shews
That he is in great Want of Three of the Hessian or
Brunswick Prisoners, One for himself. One for Waterman
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 267
Thomas Esq"" & One for Captain Andrew Sliench therefore
Prays he may have them on the usual Terms
And as in Duty bound Shall Ever Pray
John Martin Scliaffer
Boston 25*'^ Octo'- 1777
In Council Oct* 25' 1777 Read & Ordered that the Com-
missary of Prisoners be and he hereby is directed to deliver
John Martin Schaffer three of the German Prisoners as soon
as any shall be discharged from work on Governours Island
to be employed as Servants — if they should consent thereto
— said Schaffer engaging to support them and to allow them
reasonable wages for their Labour and to return them when
the Council of this State shall call for them & to pay the
Expence of carrying them — - The said Commissary to take a
Receipt of the said Schaffer for that Purpose —
Jn° Avery D^ Secy
Lincoln Ss : Memo'""
That on the Twenty fifth Day of Oct"^ in the year of our
Lord 1777 Personly appeared before me Benjamin Foster
Esq. one of the Justices of the Peace for tlje County of Lin-
coln aforesaid, — Stephen Jones of Machias aforesaid Esq'
Job Burnam & Daniel Meservy both of Machias aforesaid
and Acknowledged themselves to be severally indebted unto
the Gov* & people of the State of Massachusetts Bay, in the
respective sums following Viz. — the said Stephen Jones
Principal in the sum of Twenty Pounds, — and the said
Job Burnam & Daniel Messervy sureties in the sum of Ten
Pounds lijuth. to be levied on their Goods or Chatties, Lands
or Tenements, and in want thereof upon their Bodies, to the
use of the said Gov* & people aforesaid, if Default be made
in tlie Peformance of tliu Coiulitiou lieic uiidcrwiitt(!n. —
268 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
The Condition of tlie above Written Recognizance is such,
tliiit if the above named Stephen Jones shall and do pros-
ecute an appeal by him made from a Judgment Given against
the said Stephen Jones for a Breech of the Resolve of the
Honble Gen^ Court, of the State aforesaid, for supplying the
Indians with spiritious Liquors, in five actions for the sum
of Eleven pounds Seven Shillings & Eight pence for Fine,
& Costs of Suit, at the Next Court of General Sessions of
the Peace to be holden at Pownalborough for the County
of Lincoln Aforesaid, witli Effect — Then the above written
Recognizance to be Void Otherwise to abide in full force,
Power, Virtue
Benj* Foster Jus : Peas.
A True Coppy Attest Ja^ Avery
Lincoln, Ss: Stephen Jones Principle £20
Job Burnam )
Tx 1 ^r ? Sureteys, XIO — each
Dan' Meservey I "^
Be it Remembered that on the 25*^ Day of Octob' in the
Year of Our Lord one Thousand Seven Hundred & Seventy
Seven. Personally Appear'd Before me, Benj^ Foster Esq'
one of the Justices Assigned to keep the peace of Said
County, Stephen Jones Esq"^ of Mechias County Aforesaid,
and Job Burnam of said Mechias Innholder and Daniel
Meservey of Mechias aforesaid, Acknowledge themselves to
be Justly and Truly Indebted to the Government and people
of the State of the Massachusetts Bay, That is to say
Stephen Jones in the Sura of Twenty Pounds Current
Money of the State aforesaid. Jobe Burnum in the sum of
Ten pounds & Daniel Meservey in the Sum of Ten pounds.
To Be Levied on their Respective Goods & Chatles Lands
& Tennements and in want thereof on their Bodys for the
Oi<" THE STATE OF MAINE 269
Use of the Government & people of the State of the Massa-
chusetts Bay if Default Be Made in the Under Written
Conditions —
The Condition of this Recognisance is Sucli, that Whereas
a Complaint lias been Made by Lew* Frederick Delesdernier
for and hi behalf of John Allan Esq"" Superintendent of
Indians Eastern Department, against the above Bounded
Stephen Jones, for having received from an Indian a IMoose
Skin, the property of the State Aforesaid which was Stolen,
in Lieu of which Said Jones Gave the Said Indian, Rum
Contrary to the Resolve of the Honorable the General Court
of the State Aforesaid —
Now if the Said Stephen Jones shall personally Appear
before the Worsliipfull Bench of Justices in the General
Sessions of the Peace to be holden at Pownalborough in and
for the County Aforesaid, on the first Tuesday of June Next,
And there Answer to Such things as are Alledged against
him Concerning the premises, & in the Mean time Be of
Good Beheavour to all tlie Subjects of the United States
of America then the Above Recognisance to be Void & of
None Effect. Otherwise to Remain in full Force and
Virtue —
Taken & acknowledged the Day & Year aforesaid Before
me Benj'' Foster Jus : Pea:
A True Coppy Attest Ja" Avery
T(j tlie Hon^''® Jonathan Bowman Kmf Judge of Probate of
Wills &c for the County of Lincoln &c —
Sir, — Wc tlic Subscribers being the major part of the Select-
men of Pownalboro hereby Certify your Honor that Charles
Callahan late of said Pownalborough Gent, has absented
Iiimsclf for more than thrcje Months from his habitation &
has left Estate Real and }jei'sonal to the valu<! of more than
270 DOOUMBNTAEY HISTORY
Twenty pounds within said Town and from the best Intelli-
gence we can obtain we verily believe the said Charles
Callahan went voluntarily to our Enemies and is still absent
from his usual place of abode & without this State with o\ir
Enemies — Given under our hands this 26 day of October
A D 1777
Edmund Bridge )
A c -i-i / Selectmen of Pownalboro'
Asa Smith i
A True Copy att. RoP Gushing Reg'
Tlie Committee on the message of the Hon''^^ Council of
the 27"' of this instant, and the papers accompanying the
same, take leave to report, that it will be impossible to give
any direction respecting the conduct of Stephen Jones,
(Complained of in the Petition of James Avery ) in supply-
ing the Indians with spirituous liquors, before the sitting of
the Court at Pownalborough, to which said Jones has
appealed, — that Col° Allen has given intimations of his
intention to be soon at this place, — and therefore, that the
Petition of James Avery, and papers relating to Machias
lay on the table, till said Allen's arrival.
I the subscriber Certify & am ready to confirm y^ truth of
y® following on Oath That when Colonel Josiah Brewer came
from y® westward with stores for y® use of y® distressed peo-
ple of Penobscot, sent to their relief by the Massachusetts
Bay State : He called a meeting of y® inhabitants of this place,
& informed them of the stores he had brought down for
them: But required obligations signed jointly & severally,
for the cost & pay of them. Objections was made against
general Obligations, and he was advised to keep them him-
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 271
self, until he received the worth of them from such as took
them, which was voted in the meeting, because no other
method could be improved to procure them. One Charles
Blagdon told Colonel Brewer in my hearing, he sent for his
part of the stores & did not desire them without the pay, but
could not get them, & several others a^ the same
Robert ^PCurdy
Penobscot Nov^ 3, 1777
Nicholas Crosbey Being of Lawfull age testifieth and
saith he was att penobscot State truck house & he heard Sev-
eral people discorsing Concerning Col" Josiah Brewer L' Col"
Jona''^ Lewder & Leut andrew Gilman, being Sent for to the
General Cort att Boston. Col" Lowder af^'^ Replys if they
did not Receive a coppy By the time that was appointed they
Should have a good Excuse not to go up or not be obliged to
go he further saith he told Col Lowder he See the papers
the General Cort Sent down,
Nicholas Crosby
N. B. Luit Col" Lowder & Let Andrew Gilman went To
Mechias Nov the S''^
Whereas my Sloop Brought Down the Stores that was sent
by the State of Massachusetts Bay said Stores that Belonged
to the uper Destrick was landed att Col" Josiah Brewers all
except thirty four Bushels of Salt which was brought back
to my Store : which is about twenty miles down, Said River
and delivered to Col" Johanathan Lowders fishermen, by
Said Lowdcirs orders
Jonathan Buck
We the subscribers certify and are ready to make oath to
the trutli of the following. That when Colonel Josiah Brewer
came from the westward with stores for the use of the dis-
tressed people of Penobscot, sent to their relief by the M'ls-
sachusetts Bay State. lie called a meeting of tlie inhabitants
272 DOCUMENT AKY HISTORY
of this place, and informed them of the stores he had brought
down for them: but required obhgations signed jointly &
severally for the cost, and pay for them. Objections was
made against general obligations, and he was advised to keep
them himself, until he received the worth of them of such as
took them ; which was voted in the meeting, because no other
method beside general obligations could be improved to
procure them
Moses Wentworth
Robert M^Curdey
Peter Sangster
Joseph Avy
We the subscribers jointly & severally testiiieth & saith,
That att Penobscott on the 5'^ Day of November 1777. In
our presence & hearing M"" Benjamin Wheeler of the Place
afores*^ Presented a number of persons, with written declara-
tions to Josiah Brewer Esq"" to administer their oaths for the
truth of them : He read the papers & utterly refused swear-
ing them ; it was proposed for two Gent" to write the cap-
tions to them, which would prevent his loosing any time.
But he refused this also. Mr. Wheeler immediately made a
tender of the money, & demanded by law, that he would
swear them. But he still refused, and said he would do no
business out of his own house, tho at y** same time he swore
some evidences for CoP Goldthwait &c &c. Mr. Wheeler
replied, The evidences would be scattered, living at a dis-
tance, & some of them was going to the Westward, & there-
fore there was special meeting to sware them, but he refused
to sware them. Pett" Wheeler then told him, he was ready
to deliver him some papers from y* General Court, he
answered, that he should come back in three days, and then
he would receive them, but would not tarry. M'' Wheeler
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 273
then run ont of the House, and called to L* Col" Jon^ Low-
der, & Cap* Gillman, who was then near at hand waiting for
CoP Brewers return, to come up & hear them & read them.
But they would not come, & went off as it was said to
Mechias, to the truth of which we are ready to make oath as
witness our hands, at Penobscot
Robert IVPCurdey Samuel Low
Moses Wentworth Caleb Goodwin
N. B. Cap* McCurdy forgets M"" Wheelers calling to Col°
Lowder & Cap* Gillman as he was in the House at that time
& in company. M"" Samuel Low has forgot this part with
Captain ]\LCurdy.
Memorandum, Col" Brewer swore me, viz Caleb Godwin
at the same time in another case. —
Caleb Goodin the deponent saith, that he went personally
to Colonol Josiah Brewer, and requested some stores for M"^*
Blake, Avho had a family of small children, living only upon
the charity of the people, and iier husband at that time in the
Continental army : which Colonol Brewer knew. I requested
her part of the provisions of Colonol Brewer for her use,
informing him of her circumstances : but he utterly refused,
and did not send her any relief, thougli she and her children
was then suffering for the necessities of life.
Caleb Goodwin
We the subscriber Certify, and offer to give oath to the
following. Tliat when Col" Brewer came from the West
with stores, for the use of the Distressed People of Penob-
scot, which was sent to their reUef by the Massachusetts Bay
State. He called a meeting of the Inhabitants of this place,
and Inform'd them of the Stores he had brought down for
them : but required Obligations signed jointly and severally,
for the Cost, and pay for them. Objections was made against
general Obligations, he was advised to keep them himself,
18
274 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
until he received the worth of them of such as took them :
which was voted in the meeting, because no other method
besides General Obligations would be improved to procure
them. It was moved in the Meeting b}' the Moderator, That
People which received the stores. Should pay in boards at the
rate of Eleven hundred for a thousand. Hogshead staves in
the same manner &c. Which was to be dehvered either to
Lt CoP Lowder, or Cap' Grant, and when they made the pay
to them, their order would be sufficient for the delivery of the
stores. This vote pas'd in the affirmative in the Meeting,
because of the necessity of the people for the Provisions,
which could not be procured on any other conditions ; to
which vote as it stands related, neither Colonel Brewer, nor
L* Col° Lowder made no objection. To which as related
above, we solemnly aver the truth, as witness our hands, at
Penobscot November the 5'^ 1777.
Kenneth M^Kenzie
Ehphalet Nichorson
N. B. Lieu* CoP Lowder was clerk in the said meeting &
Jedidiah Preble moderator
We aver the truth of the Above, & further saith, the
boards should be paid at Four Dollars a thousand & y^ mar-
ket price for boards at that time was 1:6:8 at 10 hundred
for a thousand
Jedidiah Preble John Smart
Jacob Lannett Andrew Webster
To the Hon^^^ Council and House of Representatives of the
State of the Massachusetts Bay, in their Convention at
Boston &. &. &.
The humble Petition of that Part of the Inhabitants of
Penobscot River, embodied in a Regiment of Militia, whereof
Josiah Brewer Esq' is Colonel.
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 275
Which Craves leave humbly to shevi^, That the commons
of the said Regiment, was never consulted, neither were
knowing, neither approved of the divission of the Ancient
regiment of Militia in this place : and did not so much as
suspect, that any person or persons were studious in planning
the s** divission, as hath taken place, where there are so small
a number and so poor a people : neither were we let into the
secret; our advice, & consent asked, which we expected in a
matter of such importance: neither were we notified to make
choice of such Gentlemen, whom we apprehend would have
prosecuted the General tranquillity of the good, and faithful
inhabitants of this river ; by reason of which divers griev-
ances hath been produced to the detriment and discourage-
ment of the inhabitants here.
Therefore for present Redress, and for the Prevention of
future evils. We the Inhabitants of this River, embodied in
a Reg' of Militiaunder the command of Josiah Brewer afores'\
Request that Your Honours, from your known goodness, will
return us to, and incorporate us with the Ancient Regiment,
of which Jonathan Buck Esq"^ is Colonol. It was never
agreeable to us, since his Appointment, to be seperated from
him, under whose complaisent government, we have all
possible assurance of unity and amity, which greatly pro-
motes the happiness, and prosperity of such a people, that
we are blessed with such affable, and laudable examples, &
promoters of the good of all people for whom they are con-
cerned, and with whom they are connected, and we are the
more intence, & engaged in the above request; as we acer-
tained of his zeal, and Faithfulness to preserve and defend
the States, without oppressing those whom he commands.
We crave leave to show, tliat One Regiment is sulhcient
for this place, and a multitude of officers, lessens tlic number
of piivates; so that thci'c not being sulhcient conunands luire
for all of them, they can with honour refuse exposing them-
276
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
selves ill case of danger ; by which means, such can avoid
the inconveniences, and dangers of the war; which is injuri-
ous to the United States of all North America.
Your Honours petitioners present & submits their above
request, hoping you will grant their request, and as in Duty
bound, shall ever pray
Penobscot November the 5th 1777
Benjamin Higgins John Smart Isaac Hopkins
his
Charles X Blackdon Ehsha Grant Kenneth M'^Kenzie
mark
Eliphalet Neil Jonathan pars Eliphalet Nickerson
Gustavus Swan Andrew Webster Jun'' Jacob Dinnett
Thomas Campbell Cap* Robert Treat Secn'^ Lef°
Andrew Grant Capt Moses Wentworth Henry Kenney
Nathaniel mayhew Joshua Couillard
James Grant
Samuel killam
Joseph Carter Senr
his
John O Salley
mark
James Philbrock
peter Sangster
Ephraim Downes
John Pierce
Jean Cluley leiu*
Joshua Treat jun
Robert M« Cordey
Archeleus Harding
Eben Crosby
Ichabod colsou
Edward Smith
James CoUings
Benj" Shute Capt
Ephrm Grant
Simeon Gorton
William Sullivan
Stephen Bysell Joseph Avy
William Lunnt [?] James Duning
Lieut Henry Black
Ralph Deverex
Benjamin Smith
Joshia Burley
Silas Harthorn Jun''
Ephr"' Grant
Adam Grant
John Couillard
Daniel Lancaster
his
Jacob X Clearford
mark
Joseph pumroy
Josh'* Treat
Edmund Smith
Zetham French
Joshua E Ayr
John Chisam
his
Goodwin X Grant
mark
Samuel Rogers
Daniel Good en
his
Daniel X warren
mark
Simon Smith
We the subscribers. Hereby solemnly declare, that Col°
Josiah Brewer Refused delivering us our proportion of salt,
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 277
which was sent down by the Province for the relief of the
distressed people of Penobscot, & never received any molassoes,
but after y® Petition went from this place to Court, then
CoP Brewer delivered the salt to us, for which we paid the
money.
John Smart
Penobscot November the 7th 1777. Jacob Dennett
Jedidiah Preble's Evidence.
The Deposition of Jedidiah Preble Jun'' of Lawful age tes-
tifieth & saith, That some time in September Last the Depo-
nent went in Company with L* Col° Lowder in the Province
boat, with a number of Soldiers, to Guard one Patrick Bow,
who was then a prisoner, on Board said Boat, for being
Detected for stealing a Quantity of Beaver out of the Truck
House, and sundry merchandise : Col" Lowder delivered said
prisoner over to Josiah Brewer Esq'', together with a Com-
plaint of his Crime, in order for Trial ( as I thought ) M''
Justice Brewer reading the Complaint, He -observes to the
Deponent, That in case he should proceed to the Trial, He,
and CoP Lowder, would Loose a Considerable Sum of
Money : for he would not try the said Prisoner, but nuist
Bind him over to the Sessions and then he would only be
punished according to Law. He considers or pauses, a little
time, and tlien saith to the Deponent, and asked me, Have
you not got Orders to Inlist men into the Continental Service
from Lieut Ulmore? The Deponent told him lie liad, But
did not think Lieut Llmore would be willing to Inlist so bad
a fellow into the service. M'' Justice Brewer answered, He
made no doubt he would receive him. JVP Justice then pro-
ceeded to Settle the Affair with the Prisoner, in manner fol-
lowing viz. Cast up the Articles he Stole, which ( I (liiiik )
278 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
amounted to Fifteen pounds Twelve shillings & Four pence.
He then added Three times that sum, which amounted to
Sixty Two Pounds, Nine shillings & Four pence ; and then
told the prisoner If he would pay that sum of Money, He
should be discharged. Tlie Prisoner told him He was willing
to do anything he desired to procure his liberty. Col° Brewer
Esq'' Replyed, If he would sign the Deponents Inlistment,
and Give Him an Order upon Lieu* Ulmore for his Bounty
to the amount of that Sum ; and Give his Note of Hand for
the Same sum; he should be discharged from his Accusation.
All which the Prisoner readily complied with, & it was Set-
tled in this Manner in the Deponent's Presence ; the prisoner
was accordingly set at liberty. Colonol Brewer Esq"^ said to
me before he finished this affair, as foUoweth viz. You know,
if I settle the affair, without Connnitting the Prisoner to
Gail, It will be a considerable advantage to me and Col°
Lowder, which the Deponent understood, would be equally
divided between them, as They were in partnership respect-
ing the Truck trade. The Deponent further saith. That this
Patrick Bow, Deserted from the Regulars to our Assistance
(as he understood), and Inlisted into the Guard at Penob-
scot under Col'' Brewer afores**, and was a soldier in the said
Guard at the time he was made prisoner. — And further saith
not
Jedidiah Preble Ju''
Penobscot November the 8"' 1777
Charles Blagdon the Deponent testifieth and saith. That I
and my family was in great distress for bread, and I went to
Col° Josiah Brewer to procure some of the Province Corn,
Salt, &; molassoes, and took a large, good, bull Moose skin
with me, to purchase these stores with. But Col° Brewer
would give me no more than five peck of Indian corn ; and
by reason of my pressing famishing necessity, I was con-
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 279
strained to let the s'^ skin go for so small a purchase ; and I
never received any other of the stores of Col" Brewer, which
belonged to the Province, th6 I certified my necessity to him,
and he said, lie would not take lumber for them, & therefore
received no more of the stores, which I aver is the truth, as
witness my hand at Penobscot this 8th day of November
1777.
liis
Test Charles X Blagdon
John Herbert '""'^
Simeon Gorton of lawful age testifietli & saith, That he
was in necessity of corn & salt & molassoes, applied to M''
Benj. Wheeler of Penobscot for relief, who told him he hud
not wherewith to supply his necessity. But pausing a little
time said, As your circumstances are difficult, I will give you
an order, & money, & go to Col° Brewer, & take my part of
the stores, y^ Province sent down for the Relief of y*^ people
&c &c. I took the Order from under his hand, with the
money, & went to Col° Brewer, delivering y® Order to him,
& offering him y^ money for the stores, Col° Brewer reading
y* Order Refused it for the following reason viz. because it
should have said. The stores sent to Penobscot by y® Massa-
chusetts Bay State, & he gave me y® order again. — I then
immediately returned y® Order to IVP Wheeler aforesaid, who
wrote me a substitute one, I went back to Col** Brewer y®
second time for y® stores, But he reading y^ Order as before
had no Objection against it ; but replied. Your family is but
small, & I will not deliver them to you, others have more
need of them, & they shall have them, & gave me y^ order,
saying. You should have brought a receipt with you to deliver
to me on receiving y^ stores ; for which reason I will not let
you have them. I answered, There is y^ Order, & I will sign
a receipt for them consonant with y'' Order, & that was sufli-
cient to justify his delivering them to me But he utterly
280 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
refused y^ delivery of y^ said stores, or any part of them to
me. Upon which I tendered him the money for the stores,
which he also refused. Upon which I came away without
any part of them, after I had spent more time than to have
purchased an equal quantity if they were to be procured
anywhere else. Given under my hand at Penobscot Novem-
ber the 10^'> 1777
Simeon Gorton
Joshua Ayr of Lawful age testiiieth & saith, that some
time in last May ( according to my memory ) the Deponant
applied to L* Col° Jon^ Lowder for his proportion of Corn,
Salt & Mollasoes, sent by y® State of y® Massachusetts Bay ;
for the Support of y® distressed people of Penobscot. He
answered me & said I staid too long, & should have none :
for it was gone, & he was not obliged to keep it for me.
The Deponant said, he could not come for it before he had
the money to pay for it, & that he now had Silver money to
pay for it, & requested the Corn, Salt, & Molassoes, as he
had y'^ silver to pay for them. Upon which he said, what
stores he had, he purchased with his money, & the Province
Corn, Salt, & Molassoes was gone, adding the Deponant
should have come sooner, Upon which I replied. He refused
to deliver them to me before I had the money to pay for
them, and as soon as I could collect the money to pay for
them, I applied for them. Upon which the Deponant went
off. Col° Lowder sent L* Andrew Gillman after me, who
brought me back to Col° Lowder, & he delivered six quarts
to a person, & as I had ten in family he delivered me Sixty
Quarts, for which I paid him ; but refused to let me have
Corn or Molassoes ; of which Species I never received the
least particle. The deponent asked Col° Lowder, whether y^
Court or he set a price upon y^ salt? He said, Twenty four
shillings old tenor was all I should pay for it, and said he
had been a benefit to the river in fetching stores into the
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 281
River; but he never would again further than his own
interest : Gods me ; if I do I'll be dam - d, and be made a
stew-pye in hell. Lt CoP said not [ long ] after, That he did
not value y^ hart all y® people of the River could do him, but
would do that which is right in his own eyes, but said this
respecting the false alarm. Reported from Oldtown by Lieu*
Gillman, & Ensign Coburn which first alarmed y^ River, fur-
ther the Deponent saith not, but avouches the truth of the
above. In witness whereof y'' Deponant signs his hand at
Penobscot November the 12, 1777 —
Test John Herbert Joshua Ayr
Nathanael Mahew of lawful age testifieth & saith, that he
received Two Bushells of Indian Corn of the State stores of
Col° Josiah Brewer viz. One Bushell for himself, & another
for the Widow Rose, and dividing said Corn between them
at home, it fell short One peck of corn of y® measure, & y*
Deponant saith none of y® said Corn was taken out of y® bag,
or otherwise wasted, for which he paid y® money. & y" Depo-
nant solemnly avoweth y® truth of y® above, as witness my
hand at Penobscot November y'^ 12. 1777.
Test John Herbert Natlianiel Mayhew.
Gustavus Swans Evidence.
Gustavus Swan of lawful age testifieth & saith, That he
was drafted for a minute man and CoP Brewer not long after
came from Boston, »Sc brought with him a quantity of powdei-,
sent by the Massachusetts Bay State, to supply his Regiment,
Upon which I applied to Col" Brewer afores'^ for my propor-
tion of y^ Powder. But he lefused to lee me have any of
the s'^ powder, unless I would give him my note for Two
dollars for one half a pound of Powder. Which I refused to
do. And so left him. I remained without any of that pow-
282 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
der until the generally conceived false alarm, at Ensign
Coburns up the River : before w*^'* alarm there was a meeting
here, & a petition was sent up to y^ General Court by M"^
Elihu Hews, w"" he did not present, After which petition, &
false Alarm Cap' Grants company was called together, to
appoint an alarm post, & deliver us powder. Then CoP
Brewer told Cap* Grant to deliver the men half a pound of
powder a man, & either take half a dollar in money, or a note
of hand for that sum of such persons that received the pow-
der of him. The Deponant further saith, that M"" Andrew
Paterson, went with him in the same cannooe, to Col° Brewer,
when he first applied to him for powder, but CoP Brewer
demanding a Note of hand for Two Dollars for half a pound
of powder of him, as he did of me, he refused the powder, as
I had done, and we went off together. The truth of y® above
I aver as on oath, November the 16. 1777.
Gustavus Swan
Grustavus Swan's Evidence.
Gustavus Swan the Deponant of lawful age testifieth &
saith. That Captain Jedidiah Preble came from Boston with
sundry articles belonging to the Massachusetts Bay State
( as I understood ) to supply the Indians at Penobscot, for
furs, & skins &c &c. — In the beginning of the winter of y^
year 1775: the river being rose «& impassible from Captain
Grants at Sowerdebscott upward. The goods was housed, or
stored in a house belonging to Thomas Goldthwait Jun""
where Cap* Preble tarried several days to take care of the
goods he had brought down. L* Col° Jonathan Lewder came
down and relieved him, whilest he went up the River to pro-
cure carriages to transport them by land to the truck House.
Cap* Preble removed the goods as soon as he possibly could
with safety : But I understood, that Cap* Preble had took
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 283
Col" Lowder to be a Partner with him in the Truck trade, &
he supposed Col° Lowder would take the same care of the
goods, he himself would liave done. Cap* Preble removed
the goods without delay to the Truck House, where CoP
Lowder then lived, boarding with one Silas Harthorn in the
same house : but Cap* Preble lived up the River about a
mile distant. Col° Low^der unknown to Cap* Preble set up
or approved of a frolick twice a week, & sometimes three
times a week, in a room adjacent to y" store shop & some-
times was in y" shop where the stores were beginning at
about dark in the evening, which frolicking & dancing was
continued sometimes till ten oClock, sometimes till midnight,
& at other times all night, drinking spirituous liquors : Col°
Lowder sometimes begun the frolick with a present of Two
quarts of rum, & sometimes with one quart, and made him-
self one in the dance and frolick ; in this method CoP Low-
der proceeded for two months, or until the Rum failed, which
time I was generally there, being imployed by Col° Lowder
in cutting Mill Loggs & I was greatly disturbed in the House
for want of my necessary rest, which to procure I gave the
Fidler one night a Pistereen to desist from his liddleing,
which he did, & broke up the dance y* night as I hoped :
But I was greatly disappointed: for they sung & danced all
night, till sun-rise in the following morning.
Lieu* Col" Lowder imployed, Charles Blagdon, Josiah Bur-
ley, Ichabod Colson, Rob* Man, Ebeneizr M'^Kenzie, Silas
Harthorn, Simeon Smith, with one teem of oxen in y^ general
every day, and Ensign Jeremiah Coburn butted loggs &c.
Col" Lowder was generous with liquor to revive the hearts of
his laborers, & paid them for their labour in Corn, Pork,
Hoggsfat, Rum, Tobacco &c which was generally designed
to be biought for the use of the Indians. The Indians see-
ing the materials brought down for them, disposed of in the
above manner, were exceedingly displeased, & would not
284 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
suffer any one of us, to go into the store room ; which resent-
ment, was also directly against Cap* Preble, who they took
to be the master of y^ Truck trade at that time, & after this
manner Col" Lowder conducted until the stores were chiefly
gone. To the truth of the above the Deponant is ready to
make oath, as witness my hand at Penobscot November the
16th 1777 —
Gustavus Swan.
Josiah Burley & Silas Hathorn being present before the
Committee Dec. 18, 1777 Confirm the within Testimony.
Grustavus Swanks Uvidence.
I the subscriber of lawful age testifieth & saith. That M''
Benjamin Wheeler of Penobscot went to Col° Josiah Brewers
house at Penobscot Afores*^ with y^ coppy of y® papers, sent
to y** place afores*^ by y® General Court of y* Massachusetts
Bay State ; and enquired for Col° Brewer afores** of y® maid :
she told him that y^ Col° was not at home. M'' Wheeler
then desired to see M" Brewer. The maid said she saw
gone out. Doc'' John Herbert being present, Asked the
maid. Where M' Brewer was gone? The maid said, she
would not tell. He then asked her how long he was gone ?
The maid replied, About half an hour. He then asked her
whether it was likely he would be gone any time ? To which
she replied, She did not know. Upon which y'' Doctor
turned & said to JVP Wheeler, his business would not admit
his tarrying, & therefore desired him to dispatch his business,
as they were going up y® River in one Cannooe. Upon
which M' Wheeler, told the maid he had brought coppies of
certain papers sent by y® Gen^ Court to Col° Brewer & his
associates, & then being the 7th day of November 1777, took
out y® s^ coppies, & presented them, & made a tender of
OF THE STATE OF l^IAINE 285
them. The maid said, He miglit leave them with her, & she
would give them to Col" Brewer on his return. But M'^
Wheeler said, he must give them to Col° Brewer himself.
L' Col° Lowder & Lieu* Andrew Gillman was then absent,
being gone to Machaius as was reported. The deponant
declares the above to be the whole truth, & nothing but the
truth, & is ready to confirm it with his oath
Gustavus Swan
Penobscot November y« 16th 1777.
Mechias November 18*" 1777, —
Sir,
The Multiplicity of Business which has Surrounded me,
Since my Appo* to the Command at this Place, & daily wait-
ing the Arrival of Colo. Campbell & Colo' Nevcrs with the
Instructions &<= ( the former only arriv.'^ the 15"' & the Lat-
ter not yet ) Has Prevented my Informing the Hon*''" Board
of any matters this way Since the 12'''' Ult° which Neglect I
pray may be Excuzed, —
Not having received any perticular Instructions from the
Honble Board, I have Endeavourd to Act from my own
Knowledge, what I thought most Beneficial, —
The men lias Come in very slow & indeed from certain
Information that the Enemy may not be Expected, I am
Satisfy'd that no more come & have wrote Colo' Nevers that
one Hundred Men will be Sufficient & not recruit more, —
By the bad Weather, which we have severely Experienced,
very Little Progress have been made in our Small Fortress, —
I think By the Tenth of Next Month to Discharge all But
Fifty, as I shall not be at any further Expence than is abso-
lutely Necessary without further orders from the Honble
Board, —
I have it not \n my Power by this Opporf" to communicate
286 DOCUMENTARY HISTOKY
Perticularly, respecting Military Matters, but shall in a few
Days,—
The Present is Occationed by the Arrival of Col. Lowther
Cap' Oilman & some chiefs of the Penobscot Tribe respect-
ing matters on that River. It appears the Indians will not
Settle any matters but thro' my hands, & indeed I have
promised to be there some time ago but being obliged to
give close attention here during the Difficulty s, which ren-
dered it Impossible to give attendance there, — It appears
to me from what I Can learn that the Treatment they
receive on that river. By the Trade being permitted for
every one, that they will go to Canada for Supplys, — I
wi-ote the Hon^^'' Board the 25*^ Sep' on these affairs &
must again strongly recommend that the Trade be intirely
Prohibited, only the Truck Houses, — or at least that certain
Persons be Licenced under severe penaltys & restrictions, —
and from Ace** I received it is highly requesete & Necessary
that a Truck House with full supplys shoud be keep'd up
there as it woud bring in the Indians from Canada, —
I find I shall not have it in m}^ Power to keep my Indian
Soldiers, in such Regular order as I woud chuse, there fluct-
uating Turn of mind, & So Subject to Liquor that I admit
but of few to be in Town, — I had a conference with them
the other Day, upon Settleing the past Summers Business, —
one of the Cap** in Perticular rose & said that no Distinction
shoud be made with the Pay, — But have the Officers, Over-
plus, Distributed among the Soldiers, their Honour bemg
Sufficient, By which I Payd them Ten DoUers g month from
the 2'^ August (we arrived here) till the Latter end of Octo-
ber, Drawing upon the Truck House to Discount in the
same manner as with furrs, — the Men who was in actual
Service this Summer about 30 — which I chuse to keep
close with me as it Commands all the others of the Various
Tribes, — I Promised to allow their familys some Provision
OF THE STATE OF IMAINE 287
for the winter, all the rest pays for it tlie perticulars of this
I shall mention in my Next, — I show'd them the Commis-
sions sent they are highly pleased. We agreed to have all
the Diff' Tribes meete at there Villages, chuse their Principle
chief & under Captahis, which shoud meete this fall, at
Mechias, when Commissions shoud be given them Signifying
their Diif* Ranks & be intitled to pay wlien Calld on
Duty, — Shoud the Hon^''' Board find any fault, or know
of anything more proper to be Done, it woud add to the
many Obligations I owe woud they be kind enough to Com-
municate it, —
Cap*^ Crabtree arrived here Yesterday. He has been to
the mouth of S* Johns where he found a Truck House
Errected, By the Britains under the Care of Mess" Hazen
White & Simonds, he Took every thing of that property
only, allso all the Indian Pledges he has brot & Deliverd
me, Expecting some payment, I cannot say how far this
was Legal for a Privetier, But I am Extrcemly Glad it was
Done, and am sure Crabtree woud not have Done it, if he
tho't it not for the Best as he has Acted here with much
Honour, —
Time not permitting me to write more on Bussiness, But
cannot conclude without mentioning to the Honble Board,
the Unhappy Situation of my unfortunate family having
heard that a Carteel was Intended, I posponed writing to the
Province for fear it should Thwart the generous Intentions
of the llon'''^ Court, — but hearing no Acc^* for Six Weeks,
I made bold to send M"^ Delesdernier with five men hi a
Boat, four Indians in Two Burch Canoes. The Two Canoes
returned a few Days ago. Bringing rae Intelligence that M"
Allen & children were siezed & put in close confinement iji
tlie Garrison, this appears to be Occationed by M"" Frank-
lin & others who were at S' Johns, as tliey attrebute the rea-
son if not, penetrating & Distroyiug this Eastei'ii part,
288 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Because of my going the Indians, this frown of Providence
I Justly Merit, tbo' Greatest affliction I ever Experienced, I
must Say was I not in the Situation I am, I certainly woud
penetrate that Province, wdth a Number of Men and Endeav-
our to Treat them, as they Deserve, —
Having received Intelligence that some Provision Vessels
& others are Bound Up the Bay of Fundie, the Meresheete
will Sail to morrow in Company w4th Cap* Crabtree in order
to Inteisept tliem, & as it appears that no other but the Gage
Sloop, or Loyall Nova Scotia Schooner, will be their Convoy,
I hope to have a Good Ace* of them, in the Meresheete I
shall put Eight or Ten Men of the Troops, which Shall be
credited the Military Department, — I have Desired Crab-
tree to Seeze one Justice say at the mouth of S* Johns, who
was one of the persons that Bro't the Troops, to Land him
at the mouth of Cumberland Bay, with a Letter to Colo^
Goreham to Dismiss my family, or reprisals will be made if
refused,—
Permit me at this Time to Congratulate the Hon''^^ Board
on the success of the American Arm, in the Northern
Department a circumstance which must Redound to the
Honour of Amarica, Even Shoud they be Conquored after, —
May the God of Armies give Conduct, Courage & Resolu-
tion to all our Officers & Soldiers, to Enable them to con-
vince those Tools of Dispotism, that Amaricans Valour &
Virtue Springs from the Devine fountain, — may Wisdom
& Justice Reign in all our Senates,— is the Eainest Prayer
& Wish, of Hono'd & Respectful! Sir your most obedient &
Devoted Hbble Serv'
J. Allan
Novem-- 19*^ 1777 —
Since I wrote the above I have had another Conference
with the Penobscut Indians, — they Produced some promises
in Writing from the General Court, some of which have not
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 289
been Complyd With,— all wliieh 1 promised shoudbo full-
filed & convinced them, to their Satisfaction why it was not
before, —
As to the meeting which was intended before mentioned,
it is referred to the Spring, — I must again give it as my
Oppinion that a Truck House be Supplyd, — I understand
there is great Quantitys of Peltry, which they will be forced
to Carry to Monsier Lunier, if not otherways Sup})lyd, — It
will be Necessary that the familys of those who were in the
Service on Penobscut River this Summer, Shoud have some
Little provisions During tlie Winter —
I liave been obliged to Spare some Rum from the Truck
House for the Soldiers Expecting that some woud be sent to
them, —
I woud mention that Nathan Jones Esq. was taken the
other Day by Cap* Crabtree & Carry'd him to frenchmans
Bay to his own House. He Avas bound foi' Passamequody.
If these things are Tolerated, tlie Horrors of Warr will be
Endless, — By my Next I shall Trouble the Hon'''" Board
witli Several Matters, —
I hope the Hospitality Politeness & Generosity which
New England is so Distinguishd by, will not give to much
Liberty to M"^ Burgoyn & his Army, give me Leave to say
th;it I Know well the Dissmiliation Deseit & Intreguing Tal-
ents of those Miscreants & Tools of antichrist, —
The Hon'''® Jeremiah Powel Esq. Presedent of the Hon'"' the
Council Board of the State of the Massachusetts Bay —
State of Massachusetts Bay
To the Hon'''^ Council & Hon'' House of Representatives
of said State, setting in Boston Nov'' 19, 17Y7 —
The Petition of John Robinson of Robinson's Island in llie
County of Linctoln, Miuiiier, huinl)ly sliews.
19
290 DOCUMENTAKY HISTORY
That for several years past, your petitioner has lived at the
Eastward of said Robinson's Island, during which time the
principal part of his employments from his thorough acquaint-
ance with the harbours contiguous has been to pilot & safely
conduct into Port, any American Vessels tliat needed his
assistance. — That he has been since the commencement of
these present difficulties peculiarl}^ active in piloting the
many privateers, which are continually cruising about said
Island into different harbours, & very often into a convenient
one of said Island which is adjoining to his own possessions.
That said Harbour is the continual resort of Privateers, &
where in general they supply themselves with wood and
water — That he lately has entered on board the Washington
Privateer & been a cruise against the enemies of the united
States of America — Your Petitioner begs leave further to
shew that about five leagues distance from said Island, there
is an Island called Cramberry Island, the harbours of which
are exposed to, & frequented by the British Ships of War in
their different Cruises against these States. — That since this
has been known to be the situation of said Island, a certain
Andrew Herrick of a public inimical disposition to the
cause of America which your petitioner is ready to prove,
has moved his place of residence from a town, named Nas-
keague situate on the Main, in the County of Lincoln afore-
said & contrary to the advice of his friends hath situated
himself upon the outermost shore of said Cramberry Island,
with a profest design of trading with the enemy of which
said harbour is never entirely deserted. — Your petitioner is
ready further to prove, that owing to the uniformity of your
Petitioners conduct in favor of America, & the contmual
representations of said Herrick, his Name has become con-
spicuous among the enemy & his possessions with his life
have been repeatedly threatened — That sometime since he
was alarmed with the appearajice of the enemies barges,
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 291
mann'd & accoutred, with a profest design of burning his
buildings & destroying his estate, & had it not been for the
assistance of the crew belonging to a privateer which at that
time fortunately lay at Anchor in the Harbour, he, his family
& his substance must have inevitably perished — Twice this
attempt was made by the enemy, & after the exchange of
several shots thro' his house, by which the lives of his Wife
& Children were greatly exposed, the same cause prevented
the execution of their second design, excepting the loss of
some live stock from his Farm — Your Petitioner begs leave
also to shew that about three months since going on board
the Privateer called the Active, commanded by Captain
Gardener, with a design to pilot said ship into the Harbour
of Robinson's Island, & save her from one of the enemy's
ships of War, of larger force, & with whom she was then
engaged, & must have struck to, from the ignorance of
the adjacent Shores, having effected his purpose, he men-
tioned to the said Gardener, the said Herricks Character &
Situation, who when made acquainted with the circumstances
manned a barge, under the command of his Lieutenant to
visit said Herrick. Upon his Arrival, being asked by said
Herrick who he Avas, & receiving for an answ^er " a barge in
in the Service of the King of Great Britain, the said Her-
rick then & there, in order to be at that time protected,
produced a protection which he had received from one of the
British Ships of War ( which is ready to be produced to your
Honors ) the Commodore as he then said, & furtlier the
said Herrick declared he had at different times traded with
the British Fleet & always had received his money for his
Cattle & other things which he had made articles of Mer-
chandise," & immediately offered the Lieu^ a bullock — Since
this Expedition from the threats of the said Herrick & the
Enemy, your Petitioner has been obliged to fly from his
possession with his wife & family & leave exposed a large
292 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
farm, & a great quantity of Stock & Provision — Your Peti-
tioner therefore, from his ovni peculiar situation, which is
five miles from any habitation, from the profest inimical dis-
position of said Herrick & the power he is now in possession
of & exercises to distress & destroy your Petitioner & the
inhabitants living upon the neighboring shore, & for the
allegations herein contamed, which many stand ready to
prove, earnestly prays your Honors that the said Andrew
Herrick may be sent for immediately to answer to the above
assertions, & that he may be removed from his present
situation, & from the power of acting hereafter in direct
opposition to the cause of his Country —
And as in duty bound shall ever pray
John Robinson
In Council Nov"^ 26^^ 1777 Read & thereupon Resolved
that John Taylor Esq with such as the Hon'ble House shall
join be a Committee to consider the above Petition &
report what is best to be done thereon
Sent down for Concurrence
Jn° Avery D^ Sec^
In the House of Representatives Nov. 27, 1777
Read & Concurred and M'' Greenleaf & Capt Batchelder
are joined J Warren Spkr
Mechias Nov' 20^^^ 1777 Twelve OClock A.M.
Sir,
M"^ DeLesdernier is Just returned who Brings Intelle-
gence that the Enemy, were about to fortify S^ Johns River,
& a Ship is Daily Expected there, — that a remforce* has
arrived at Cumberland, & are billitted out among the Inhab-
itants,— that M" Allan & Children are in the Fort & Guarded
by Twelve Men when ever permitted to go out, therefore do
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 293
not Expect to Git them only by Force, — that Burgo3^an's
Disaster had not reachd Nova Scotia — that all the Indians
on the head of S' Johns & a Number of the Mickmacks are
on their way for this Place, Pi ere Tomma the Chief of the
S*^ Johns Tribe who has been w^ith Francklin is with them, —
I have the Honor to Be with Profound Respect Sir Your
most ob' hbl serv'
J Allan.
The Honble Jermiah Powel Esq""
To the Honrable Cort and House of Representitives in the
State of the Masatuses bay we your Humble petishnors Hum-
bly Beag Leave to make our Distreases and Requeasts known
to your honers and Theay may Come under your wise Con-
sidrashon, that is we the inhabbitants of Freanchman's Bay
Being often Cald from our beasones to the assestance of our
fellowsoffers att Mechi^is Could not take proper Care of what
Litle we had Grooing Soo that our Crops wase cut Short in
Boath provishon and heay which Brought us to Great strats
But yeat Still In hopes to wory throo the weanter with out
trobling this honorable Cort having Loaded a Large Scooner
and Sloop with Lumber and haveing Some fur and Such on
bord to send to Boston to geat provishon for our Support
But unhappely they Boath fell in to the Enemyes Hand, and
having had one Sloop taken from us about three months
Before we have Lost navagashon belonging to the please
Not with Standing have Lumber anufe to purcheas what we
Shall have Nead of but No chance to Geat it to amarcket
and Being Disapoynted of all our prospicts our hopes Cut oil
we must Beag Leave to throo our Selves on the raarsie of
tliis Honrable Cort for some mony or provishon to Support
us tiiroo the winter Humbly trusting that our Recjuast will
294 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Be by your honers Granted and as wee are in duty Bound
Shall Ever
Dated att freancbmans Bay by virtue of aspeasliel meeting
Heald on November 24"' 1777 and by tbe add vise of the
Same we the Subscribers being the Committee of this plase
Doe present this petishon In behalf of our Selves and
consteatuance.
By the hand of Capt. Paul Nath. Prebble
Simpson who wase appoynted Stephen Hardison
Agent for the Same Reasones. Paul Simpson.
Mechias November 27**^ 1777.—
Sir.
My last was of the IS^^" 19"^ & 20"' Ins* By Colo^
Lowder, I herewith send a State of tlie Men under my Com-
mand to the 23'^ InsS allso a state of them the 10*" Octo-"
when I took the Command, By which the Hon'*'** Board may
see the Superfluous Number of Officers, & Non Commissioned
Officers This I have perceived lias been Much Accustomed
& Practized, thro'out the Army in America, But Perticularly
in this District, —
By such Appointments & the Shortness of the Service,
Accumilate Charges to an Anormous & unnessassary
Amount — Giving Officers Commissions before the Inlisting
Men I must think Improper, & the Appointing Non Com-
mission'd Officers, before there is Men Sufficient is useless,
as it is very Expencive & Brings duty harder upon the
Private Soldiers which are Present, — Non Commissioned
Officers in the British service (recruiting Partys only
Excepted ) is sildom appointed, till the Company is raised,
when there is a better opportunity to Gete more Suitable
Men for the Bussiness, the appointments being allways by
Merit,—
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 295
I mention tliis an Evil I Commonly see & indeed if I liad
it in my Power I would have prevented it in this part, —
By the Return the Hon^'® Board will perceive, that there
is some Columns Difficient in Staff Officers, which I intend
to Continue so, as I shall not Employ any more than is
Necessary, there was some Lately arrived Expecting some
such Births which I allowed Rations to on Conditions of their
Doing Duty as Soldiers, some Declines & others Except, —
An Ordenance Store Keeper is absolutely requeset in such
parts as this, I Perceived the Last Summer, Great Wast of
Arms & Amunition which I am Confident Can Never be
Accounted for, I accordingly Appointed one in that Char-
ecter, allowing him Serjents wages, in whose hands I put
every thing respecting the Artillery, Small Arms, Powder,
Balls &c —
Several such appointments are Necessary, but it should
not intitle them to full pay, — I have Diviated no Doubt
from the stated Rules, but mean to Persue that Meathod as
may be most Beneficial for the Service, & advantage to the
States, & have only allowed pay according to the Benefit
arrising, —
I have understood that the Muster Roll made up for the
Expedition to S' John's Last Spring, ( which Roel I never
heard of till a few Days ago ) Several Employments are
filled up, which were Needless & what was Never agreed for
or Intended — on the Arrival of Major Shaw I shall Examin
very Closely before the Money is paid out —
On the 23'' Ins* I Discharged Thirty Privates Belonging
to Cap'' Dyers & Wests' Comp^ wlio Belonged to tliis Dis-
trict, as it did not Deminisli the strength of the Place, — the
Ollicers & Non Connnissioned Ollicers, J cliuse to Keep a
Little Longer, till I Gete in all tlie Arms Ammunition
&c which were Del'' out — I shall Dismiss as fast as
I'ossible, —
296 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
We have liad some good wether a few Days past, I keep
the Men Constant at work about our Little fort, as I want to
gete the Cannon Secure before winter, —
I mention'd in one of my former Letter of Takeing from
the Truck House some Cloath for Soldiers which were in the
Utmost Destress, — I have allso Taken Corn for Meal to
make the Mens Rations Compleat, and by the Desmal
situation of a Number of familys husbands & sons have been
some time in the Service, I have made so free as to spare
several Bushels, which by all appearance woud have perislied
if not given,
Permit me once more to request the Hon^'^® Court that if
Possible they woud advance some Corn & Cloathing from
the Publick Stores towards paying soldiers Wages for many
appears no use this way. Excuse this Supplication, Humanity
forces it,
I find a Considerable Difficency in the Supplys for the
Truck House which was voted by tiie Hofible Court shoud
they be made up, & what is advanced to the soldiers
Returned, It woud be sufficient for the Truck House,
In my Letter of the 12"' Ult° I mention'd about Keeping
Twenty men, the Number I have Compleated & form'd them
into a Seperate Corps by themselves keeping them Con-
stantly at Exercizing the Great Guns, shoud it be thought
Expedient to keep them, I shoud be Glad to Know as soon
as Possible,
Any Expresses the Honble Board woud want to Send,
woud be Glad it Might be Convey'd to Cambden, where steps
will be Taken to Convey it this way.
The Enormous & monsterous Charges, which Comes in at
these Times make Me Sometimes Stagger what to Do, It
often Discourages me in my Business, I trust that Matters
will soon take a Different Turn,
The Difficultys which I am under respecting Lodging the
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 297
Indians and having them about me, Obliges me to mention
to tlie Hon'''^ Board the Necessity there is for a house
Seperate to myself, — the Trouble which they give the
Inhabitants & their often Quarreling gives me much more
Business, — they incline Indeed to be mostly with me in the
same House, which if a small one keeps Continual Con-
fusion,— I Cannot hire one Convenient at the falls so Called,
But there is one on the Eastern Branch near the fort at the
Rhyni & More adjacent to the Indians, which was formerly
the Property of Ichabod Jones, It appears it is under the
immediate order of government, I shoud be Extreemly glad
if I cou'd, have the Use of it During my Publick Employ-
ment in this Place, —
I have the Honour to be with Respect & Regard Sir Your
most Obd' & Devoted Hbl Serv* J Allan
The Hon^* Jeremiah Powell Esq'
November 28^
The Letter from the Honble Board to me of the 12'^ Aug*
Came to hand a few Days ago. Several of my Letters have
been so Detained, I must beg Leave to Acquaint the Honble
Board how I am harrass'd. By some Persons, in respect of
supplying the Indians with Liquor — I have taken every
step to keep Quietness & Overlook'd many Irragularitys,
only hinting by Advertisements to Shame them from it,
Stephen Jones Esq. in perticular, whome I have Endeavour'd
to Treat with that respect due the Station he holds, & Did
not for a Trifle Chuse to Expose him, — But it became so
flagrant & Audatious, that I was Compel'd to Prosecute I
recommended it might be Done by a Summons, & not a
Warrant, as I was against his being bro't in such a Manner,
But he Treated it with much Contempt, — A Moose Skin
was found ])elonging to the State in his Possession, when a
Warrent was sent for him, — Colo' Foster who I am (/on-
fident is a very I'pright, Honest Man — tho' not so well
298 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
avers'd in Law, — M"^ Jones seem'cl to Dispise & woiid give
no satisfaction, I insisted on the Judgment & acquainted him
I shoud use my Authority as Commanding Officer of the
Military for the futer with him if he Persisted, —
The Honble Board being no Doubt Burthen'd with Com-
plaints &c I have sent the Proceedings to Mess""® Cross of
Newbury to be presented when Convenient, to Know if the
Proceedings be Consistant with the Intentions of Govern-
ment as many persons Construe the Resolve Concerning
these Matters many ways, I mean to make no Complaint
against M' Jones, as I Doubt not his Conduct will be so
flagrant as not to want a perticular Prosecution, —
The Honble Board will perceive that there is Fifty Three
in the Indian List, this Number is Uncertain, as they are
about on their Hunts, within the report of the Cannon, shoud
there be an Allarm, — there is None now on Wages but
Ambroise & Five more But Generally about Twenty five
allways Present, the three Commissioned Officers is Cap*
Preble Mess" Lewis Delesdernier & James Avery, all of
whome the Indians are much Attached to,— M'' Delesdernier
was with me During the whole time with the Indians, he is
perfect in the french Language & some Indian, him & M"^
Avery have been of Great Service in the Business & the
Indians much Satisfyd at their having Commissions, Time
will not permit me to write Concerning them and I Doubt
not but the Honble Board will think I am Troublesome
enough, —
The Honble Board will please to Excuse the Trouble they
had about some Affairs of the Meresheete Schooner in respect
to Supplys, I never intended any such thing, as I Determined
to Give as Little Trouble as Possible, knowing the great
Business which Surrounded them, my orders was not Com-
ply'd with respecting the Vessell, By them I had Intrusted,
The Great & Monsterous Charges bro't in & the Little
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 299
Profits arrising, I tlio't best to Discharge the Schooner from
the Service for tlie Present, have sent a Small Schooner up
the Bay which I had here, as mentioned in my Last, I am
Respectfully Your most hble
J Allan
Kittery Nov' 29*'' 1777
Sir The Honorable Council Some time Since Ilonor'd me
with a Commission for one of the Justices of the Superior
Court of Common Pleas for the County of York of which I
shall ever retain a most thankful rememberance —
I find my State of Health and bodily infirmities are such
that it will not admit of my giving the due and constant
attendance at the Courts.
Therefore I do Voluntarily Resign and desire that there
may be an appointment in my stead
I Heartily wish the Honorable Council the Divine Pres-
ence and Direction in transacting the Public affairs of the
State
I have the Hon"^ to be Sir your most Obd and Hum^ Serv*
James Gowen
In Council Ja^ 16, 1778
Read & accepted JiV' Avery D^ Secy.
The Honorable the President of the Council of the State of
the Massachusetts Bay
Instructions to Representative. 1777.
To Henry Woods Esq. Representative for the Town of
Pepperrell in the General Assembly, of the State of the Mas-
sachusetts Bay —
300 DOCtJMENTAllY HISTORY
We the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of
Pepperrell m Town Meeting Assembled Nov"^ 29: 1777.
Having maturely consider'* the late Act of the Great and
General Asseml^ly of this State for calling in and giving
publick Notes on Intrest, for all the Bills of publick credit
of this State excepting those that are on intrest and that are
in value less than one dollar. — Think it will be attended
with Many and great evils to this State. As this nesesary
but unhapy War has unavoidably occasioned a heavy debt to
be contracted by this State and likely to increase. We think
that paying intrest for such a large sum must much increase
the Debt without equivalent advantage many other evils
attend the calling in so large a sum at once. Many persons
that have this States Money by them and little else must
carry it in and take Notes for the same or loose it which
money they will need to pay their Taxes, with for the want
of which their Goods and Chatties must be taken to their
great damage or prehaps to their utter Ruen —
We are Sencable that the high and uncertain price of the
Nesasaries of life is a great grievance and must prove very
hurtfull if not checked for which good purpose we Suppose
the Honourable general Assembly passed the late Act — But
with all humble submission think that calling it in a little
more Moderately by a Tax might answer the same purposes
without being attended by so many bad consequences — For
the above reasons and many More which might be Mentioned
— We desire and expect you will use your best endeavours
in the General Assembly to procure a repeal of the Above s''
Act —
Presenting the above Instructions to your wise Considera-
tion. Wish you and all true friends to the American States,
The allwise Gods direction that he would lead you in the
way that shall be most for the good of this and all the Amer-
ican States and never suffer you to be led a side from
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 301
seeking the welfair of your Country is the Prayer of your
Coustituants
W"^ Preseott ^
John Nutting I
rr, , o ^J^ i^ Committee
iho* fepauiding '
John Shed
Voted to accept the Report of the Com*®* and that the
Clark serve the Representative with a Copy of the same.
Pepperrell Nov'" 29*^ 1777
a true Copy attest
W^^ Green Town Clark
I Jacob Bussell the Deponant of lawful age testifieth and
saith, That I was frequently in company with ISP Benjamin
Wheeler of Wheelers Borough, And heard him say that he
feared North America would not be able to stand against
Great Britain for the following reasons viz. He feared the
Provinces would not be united, and had not sufficient Pow-
der and Cannon : but did not doubt we had men enough :
and added, He would be willing to be stripped to his skin to
gain the victory of England; and I never see or knew him
to be assisting, either by word or deed against the Interest of
the States, or in favour of the regulars. The Massachusetts
Bay, sent down Powder and other stores to the people of this
place and I went to Col° Brewer for Powder, and led for bul-
lets, that I might be prepared to engage the enemy : but he
refused letting me have any Amunition until the enemy
attacked us : I then went off. Soon after this I was telling
M"^ Wheeler aforesaid I had applied to Col^ Brewer for amu-
nition to be in readiness for the enemy, but could procure
none of him upon any conditions, said M"" Wheeler replied.
He would supply me with Powder and PjuII out of his o^n
302 DOCUMENTARY HISTOKY
stores for the service aforesaid, and further said, he would
supply the People with amunition as long as he had any, and
said this from time to time. I requested my proportion of
Corn and Molassoes, and Salt, from time to time of CoP
Brewer and L' Col Lowder : but they never let me have any
salt, and but two quarts of molassoes, & as he said my share
of the corn. I aver the above to be the Truth, & am ready
to confirm it with my oath, as witness my hand at Penobscot,
December the 1, 1777.
Jacob Bussell
I the Deponant Thomas Howard, of Penobscot, of lawful
Age testifieth and saith, That the Deponant hath long been
intimately acquainted with M' Benjamin Wheeler of the place
aforesaid, and heard him often say. He had amunition by
him, which he reserved to disperce amongst the inhabitants
here, to enable them to engage any enemy, that should
attempt to make an invasion upon this place ; and ever heard
him speak friendly to y« general tranquility of the States of
North America ; and I never heard, knew, or suspected, that
he held any correspondance with any person, suspected of
being attached to our common enemy & that were enemical
to the States : which could not be secretted from me, pro-
vided any such thing had been. He repeatedly, and at all
times said, he would gladly assist in person, and with his
substance those who were expoased in confronting the
attempts and progress of the enemy, and he ever appeared to
be sincere. But as he keeps a Corn or gristmill, from which
he could not be spared, unless all went against the enemy :
in that case, he would assist their famihes at home in their
absence. To the truth of the above I am ready to make
oath, as witness my hand at Penobscot December the 2^
1777.
Thomas Howard
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 303
I do upon Recollection asert the whole of the above to be
the truth, and further saitli, I was at Portsmouth with M"
Wheeler aforesaid, and I complained to him I had no amuni-
tion to equip me to oppose the enemy : and he offered me
money to purchase the amunition for the use aforesaid, and
at another time, when I was going where tlie enemy was, he
actually furnished me with amunition to engage them. The
above I assert to be truth, and am ready to confirm it with
my oath, as witness my hand at Penobscot December the 2*^
1777.
Jacob Bussell.
In the House of Representatives Dec. 2^ 1777
Resolved that the Hon. Council be & hereby are desired
to give orders for discharging the eight Men stationed on
Merryconeag Neck & Sebasso Degin Island in the County of
Cumberland who were inlisted agreeable to a Resolve of y*'
24"' June last it appearing to this Court unnecessary to con-
tinue them longer in Service than the seventh instant
Sent up for Concurrence
John Pitts Speaker g Tem :
In Council Dec. 2*^ 1777
Read & Concurred
Jn" Avery D^ Sec>
Consented to —
Jer Powell W Spooner A Ward
W Sever John Taylor S Holten
A Fuller Jabe/. Fisher John Whitcomb
N Cushing Tim" Danielson D Hopkhis
Josiah Stone Jedediah Preble D Sewall
304 DOCUMENTABY HISTORY
To the Honorable Council and Honorable House of Rep-
resentatives of the State of Massachusetts Bay in general
court assembled Humbly shews.
Elizabeth Ross of Falmouth in the County of Cumberlnrid
— Widow — That some time in or about the Mouth of May
AD 1775 were taken out of her House in said Falmouth a
large Silver Cup and Tankard, & carried to the House of
Coll Edmund Phiney m Gorham in said County, and by
order of this Hon. Court lately deposited among a number of
other Articles, with the Committee of said Gorham — The
cup was some time ago put into her Custody by M'^ Edward
Tyng a friend to the American States who is now in some
part of Europe The Tankard was once the property of her
Son in Law William Tyng, now absent from this State —
She apprehends they were both suppos'd by the Persons
who took them, to be tlie Property of the said William Tyng,
who was at that time suspected of being unfriendly to these
States — but your Petitioner begs leave to inform your Hon-
ors that neither of them was in the custody of the said
Wilham at the Time of taking them — and though it is
probable she wou'd have returnd the Tankard to her said
Son in Law, had he not have left the State, she humbly
thinks the taking it from her was lawless & unjustifiable and
whatever might be the principles of her said Son in Law or
his disposition toward these States, she presumes she has not
by any Act of her own forfeited her claim to the protection
of the Law —
She has been a very great sufferer on Account of the sup-
posed unfriendly Principles of M'' Tyng. Her Houses have
been almost Destroyed —
Her Goods have been despoiled — and her Estate wasted
in a manner that wou'd shock your Honours to be informed
of —
Taking these things into consideration your Petitioner has
OF THE STATE OF ISIAINE
305
grounds to hope — and therefore humbly prays that your
Honors woud order the Couiuiittee aforesaid to restore the
said Cup and Tankard to your Petitioner — or otherwise
relieve her as in your Wisdom you shall think best— And
your Petitioner as in Duty bound will ever pray —
Eliz Ross
Resolve on the Petition of Elizabeth Ross of Falmouth.
State of Massachusetts Bay
In the House of Representatives Dec. 2*^ 1777
On the Petition of Elizabeth Ross of Falmouth in the
County of Cumberland praying that the Committee of Gor-
ham may be directed to deliver her a Silver cup and Tankard
which were taken from her House some time in or about the
Month of May AD 1775 and now in the hands of said Com-
mittee by order of the General Court
Resolved That the Prayer of said Petition be so far
gd"anted as that the said Committee be and are hereby
directed to deliver to the said Elizabeth Ross or to her Order
the said Silver Cup to remain in her hands until demanded
of her by Edward Tyng mentioned in her Petition or by his
legal Representative, she giving said Committee a Receipt
therefor —
Sent up for Concurrence
In Council Dec, 2M777
Read & Concurred
Consented to —
Jolm Pitts Speaker g Tem
Jn" Avery D^ Sec^
Jer Powell
W Spooner
R Derby
D Hopkins
Tim" Danielson
N Gushing
W Sever
John Taylor
Jaljez Fisher
Josiah Stone
John Whitcomb
A Ward
S Holten
Dan' Davis
Jedidiah Preble
A Fuller
20
306 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Resolve on Petition of John Robinson^ Bee. 3, 1777.
The Committee of both Houses appohited to consider the
petition of John Robinson representing that one Andrew
Herrick on Cramberry Island in tlie County of Lincohi is
aiding & assisting the Enemys of America and praying tliat
S-' Plerrick may be Prevented from Acting thus in opposition
to the Cause of his Country — have attended that Service, &
take leave to report that s'^ Robinson be & he hereby is
directed to make his Complaint to either of the Justices of
the Peace in said County to the extent that said Herrick may
be dealt with as to Law and Justice appertains, which is
humbly Submitted
John Taylor g order
In Council Dec 3M777
Read & Accepted
Sent down for Concurrence
Samuel Adams secy
In the House of Representatives Dec' S"^*^ 1777.
Read & concurred and thereupon Resolved that John Robin-
son, who in his Petition to this Court has represented that
one Andrew Herrick living on Cramberry Island in the
County of Lincoln is aiding & assisting the enemies of Amer-
ica & prayed that said Herrick may be prevented from Act-
ing thus in opposition to his country, be & he hereby is
directed to make his complaint to either of the Justices of
the peace in said County to the Intent that said Herrick may
be dealt with as to Law & Justice appertains
Sent down for Concurrence
John Pitts Speaker g Tern.
In Council Dec. 5, 1777
Read & Concurred
Jn° Avery D" Sec^
Consented to —
Jer Powell W Sever A Ward
OF THE STATE OF MAINE
307
John Taylor
John Whitconib
D Hopkins
Tmi° Danielson
A Fuller
W Spoon er
S Holten
Moses Gill
N Cnshing
Benj Austin
Jedidiah Preble
D Sewall
Josiah Stone
Oliver Prescott
State of Massachusetts Bay-
In the House of Representatives Dec S^ 1777
Upon the Petition of Ichabod Jones praying for a Release
from his Confinement at Northampton & for a Restoration of
his Estates —
Resolved that the s'^ Ichabod Jones be & he hereby is dis-
charged from his Confinement & that his Estates be restored
to him —
Sent up for Concurrence
John Pitts Speaker g Tern :
In Council Dec. 4, 1777
Read & Concurred
Consented to —
Jer Powell
W Spooner
Jabez Fisher
Tim" Danielson
D Hopkins
W Sever
Jedidiah Preble
John Taylor
D Sewall
Oliver Prescott
Jn° Avery D^ Sec"
A Ward
T Cushing
John Whitcomb
S Holten
Josiah Stone
S
ir,
Mechias Decem. 4**" 1777 —
I had the Honour of receiving your favor of the IS*''
Olt" Concerning Invoices &c of Sundries Matters for the
use of the Troops Stationed at [tliis place] for the Defence of
Mechias & Truck House, — 1 liave not had it in my Power
308 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
by the hurry [of my] Business to make so Perticular an
Inspection as to have such an Accurate return as I Coud
Wish, — Only that I find some Considerable Mistakes, the
Perticulars of which 1 shall Expediate as soon as Possible, —
The Invoice I had Last spring had not in it Two Hogs-
heads of Rum, which I before wrote about, I woud Acquaint
the respectful! Board that I stand Indebted to the State
therefor as Truck Master,
I have the Honour to be with Due Respect Sir your most
obedient & very hbble Serv*
Stephen Smith
The Honble the Presedent of the Board of War
Lincoln Ss. To Jonathan Bowman Esq*^ Judge of Probate
&c for s*^ County Nathaniel Thwing of Woolwich in said
County of Lincoln Esq'' Agent for the Estate of Charles
Callahan late of Pownalboro' in s'^ County Gent, an Absentee
Complains that the s^ Charles left personal Estate behind
him, to a Considerable value the greater part whereof has
been secreted, embezeled or Conveyed away by some person
or persons, & that your Complainant hath great reason to
suspect that Rebeccah Callahan Wife of the s*^ Charles, hath
secreted, Embezzled or Conveyed away the same — Where-
fore your Complainant prays that the s** Rebeccah may be
proceeded with in the premises as the Law in such Case
directs — & your Complam* &c
Decemb' 6^^ 1777 Nath' Thwing
A True Copy as appears of Record
RoF Cushing Reg""
Lincoln Ss. To Rebeccah Callahan Wife of Charles Calla-
han late of Pownalboro in said County Gentleman an
Absentee Greeting
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 309
Whereas Complaint has been made to me by Nathaniel
Thwing Esq"" Agent for the Estate of said Charles that the
said Charles left personal Estate behind him to a Consider-
able value, the greater part whereof has been secreted,
embezzled or Conveyed away & that the said Nathaniel hath
Just reason to suspect & doth suspect that you the said
Rebeccah have secreted embezzled or Conveyed away the
same — You are therefore hereby Cited to appear before me
at a probate Court to be holden at the Court House in said
Pownalborough on Wednesday the Seventeenth day of
December instant at Eleven o Clock in the forenoon to be
interrogated upon Oath concerning the premises & to be pro-
ceeded with as the Law in such directs — Hereof you are
not to fail dated at Pownalborough aforesaid the Tenth day
of December A D 1777
Jon** Bowman Judge of Probate
To the Sheriff of the County of Lincoln or his Deputy to
serve this Citation and make return thereof
J. Bowman Judge Prob*
Lincoln Ss. December 15, 1777, I Cited the within named
Rebecca Callahan to appear at the time and place by reading
this Citation to her
Samuel Goodwin Jun"" Dep^ Sheriff
Fees 6/ A true Copy att*
RoP Cushing Reg-^ of Prob*
Captain Wesfs Certificate for Bounty Money.
This may Certify that Cap' Stephen Smith Muster Master
for the County of Lincoln In the State of Massachusetts
Bay apointed for that Purpose has Paid the under Named
Persons being Noncommissioned oflicers & Soldiers in my
Company Six pounds and one blanket Each being a bounty
310 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Allowed to Each Non Commissioned Officer & Soldier that
Should Ingage in the Expedition against S* Johns Viz —
Joseph Averil James OBrian Nathan Andrews
David Libbee Bartholome Bryant Joseph Getchel
William Mills Jonathan Woodruff Peter Coleborth
Josiah Dodge James Dillaway Henry Dillaway
John Yong Daniel Austen James Foster
Beuning Foster William Killey Josiah Libbee
John Berrey Jun"^ John Gardner James Brown
Joshua Brown Joseph Getchel Jun"^ John Berrey
Daniel Elliot Daniel Richardson
Jabez West Cap''
To the Hon'''® the Council and House of Representatives of
the State of Massachusetts Bay.
The Petition of Benjamin Foster, Col° of the Sixth Regi-
ment of Militia in the County of Lincoln, on behalf of him-
self ; Joseph Sevey, Joseph Libbee, and Stephen Smith,
Captains in said Regiment for themselves and the men under
their command ; and Jonas Farnsworth, Adjutant in said
Regiment, and Likewise Lieut. Joel Whitney & Company
Humbly sheweth,
That whilst the British ships were at Machias, and the
whole time the Militia were on duty at said place the past
summer, your petitioners and the men under our command
did not receive any Rations from the Commissary or any
other person on behalf of this State, but lived on their own
provisions whilst on duty as aforesaid ; and whereas the
chief part of their time from June to October, was employed
in the publick service, which prevented following their own
private business, and put it out of their power to lay in
Provisions for the present winter: your Petitioners therefore
humbly pray your Honors, that we and the Men under our
command, who were on duty as aforesaid, may have Rations
OF THE STATE OF MAIME 311
granted for the time tliey were so employed, equal to the
Rations granted other troops in the service of this state. —
And whereas there was a necessity for employing a num-
ber of Oxen, to haul Timber for building breast-works &c ;
we pray your Honors that pay may be granted for such
Labour, agreeable to the annexed account. — And as in duty
bound your petitioners will ever pray &c. —
Benj* Foster : Col° Joseph Sevey Capt Stephen Smith
Jonas Farnsworth Joseph Libbee Joel Whitney
Machias December 1777
In the House of Representatives Mar. 13, 1778
Read & referrd to the Committee on Accounts —
Sent up for Concurrence J Warren Spkr
In Council Mar 13 1778
Read & Concurred Sam^ Adams Sec^
To the Honourable the Council of the State of Massachu-
setts Bay
The Petition of John Frost of Kittery in the County of
York Brigadier for said County & Humbly shows that your
Petitioner agreeable to the Militia act of said state has
appointed one Captain and Two Lieu* to Command a Mat-
ross Company in said County beg leave to Recomend Samuel
Nason for Captain Nehamiah Bean for first Lieu* Storer
Sewal for Second Lieu* Pray your Honours they may be
Commissioned accordingly —
Your Petitioner as bound in Duty Shall Pray
Jn" Frost
Samuel Nason Nemehiah I5ean Storer Sewall
In Council Dec. 9' 1777 Read & Ordered that Comis-
sions be made out for the above mentioned ofiicers agreeable
to their respective Ranks —
Jn" Avery D^ Secy
312 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
To the Great, and General Court of the State of the Massa-
chusetts Bay in New England Humbly Sheweth
That I Reced a Copy of my Petition of the 24*^ of Octo'
1777 with an order thereon to serve William M'^Cobb Esq''
with a Copy thereof & order, which I have done by Capt
James Fullerton, and I Return your Honours my most lium-
bly & hearty thanks therefor; but am not to have any
Releaf, from Said M'^Cobb, Excepting I Can Raise money to
pay all the charges arisson & to arise, which is out of my
Power to do, if I should Die in Goal, therefore May it
Please your Honours, William M'^Cobb Esqr Living in
Booth Bay, about twenty five miles from Pownalborough
Goal, as the Road goes, it was with the utmost Difficulty I
Gott any Person to Serve him with a Copy, of the Petition,
& order thereon. Capt James Fullerton, Coming from
Woolwich he was so Kind as to under tak it for me, and
Carried the Original & a Copy there & Served it y* 11"' of
November 1777 as his attestation on the Petition and order
will appear which origenal I Did not Receive back again
from Capt James Fullerton, Till the third of December 1777,
by the hand of M"^ John Jones, who informed that Capt Ful-
lerton told him Said Jones, that when he Said Fullerton
went to William M^'Cobb Esq' he begain to Expostulate with
Said M'^Cobb, about Said Clark Linneken — and said it was
a Pette that he was sent & Confined in Goal & for no Crime
& he & his family a suffering greatly Said William M*=Cobb
Esq'' answered & Said, he was Sorry & that he should be
Glad to helpe him if he Could &c or words to the same pur-
port, and seemed to be Sincear & pitte him & family, which
Capt Fullerton thought he Said M^'Cobb was Sincear & in
Earnest, he Said Fullerton then pulled out the Petition &
order of the General Court, & Shew him & Gave him a copy
thereof; upon which Said William M'^Cobb altered his
Countance & Tone, & Decleared he would not admitt him
OF THE STATE OP MAINE 313
Said Liiinekin to Bail Except he would pay all the Charges
arision & to arise & give Bonds for £400 Lawful money, the
Bonds I am willing to give if I Could Get Bondsmen for I
am honest & mean to he so &e but the Charges am unable to
pay, Except I Could Come out & work to Earn the money
to pay them, for I have but one Cow & that gives milk for
my wife & children, Said M*^Cobb would do nothing about
it; — and here I am Left in Goal — in the most Distressed
manner, having Little Cloaths only a Shirt & a Thin Jaccot
to ware & poor britches & no Shews & Stockings only one
pair of Shews & Stockings Gave me Since I have been in
Goal — and no blankett to Cover me, only to lay down in
this between Cold weather, on some hay given me, without
any Coveren which is too hard for human Nature to Bare,
and to Receive such punishment in a christian land and for
no Crime, is Cruel; — if there had not been an old Grudge, I
believe Said M'^Cobb would Never Issued a warrant against
me for trading with the men of warr's People, when I had
nothing to Trade with but wanted charity for my self &
famely, for I had Little or no bread, for three months
together, only what I gott now & then from a Neighbor, but
Never no bread to Carry home, only to eat there. —
but tlie Jugeror often Pursues the Jugered to Run him
down, in order to Prevent his obtaining Satisfaction; — my
wife and 4 childreen are in a most suffering Condition as
well as my selfe therefore I most Humbly Repet my Request
to your Honours to Liberate me from this Doleful Goal, and
from my charge, and perishing Condition, & family also, for
I shall have no Relief from any Known Enemie, and as in
Duty Bound I Shall Ever Pray
Clark Linneken
Pownalborough December 9 1777
314 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
I James M'^Curdy of Lawful age testifieth and saith, That
when the Enemy landed at I^ong Island in Penobscot Bay,
M'' Benjamin Wheeler being an Inhabitant at Wheelers-
borough on Penobscot River, Lent Thomas Calderwood a
Firelock and furnished him with amunition to go against the
Regulars : and also said from time to time, ( according to the
best of my memory ) That he had Three Firelocks, and plenty
of Ammunition, and would let any man have them to fight
the Regulars with. I have never heard y® said Benjamin
Wheeler express any thing prejudicial, or injurious to the
interest of the States ; but rather the reverse. Further the
deponant saith not, But is ready to make solemn Oath to the
truth of the above as Witness my hand at Penobscot Decem-
ber the 12th 1777.
James M'^Curdy
State of Massachusetts Bay to Stephen Smith Truck Master
D'
For ace* of Sundries Dl*^ p' order of Col° Allan Superin-
tendent Eastern Department for the use of the Indians
[ Here follows list of articles.]
This may Certify that Cap'^ Stephen Smith Muster Master
for the County of Lincoln for the State of the Massachusetts
Bay Appointed for that purpose has Paid the under Named
Persons being Non commishaned Officers and Soldieis in my
Company Six pounds and one blanket each being a bounty
Allowed to Each Non commishaned Officer and Soldiers that
should Ingage in the Expedition agains S* Johns Viz.
Nethaniel Cox William Mitchel Nemiah Small
Daniel Small Noah Mitchel George Finey
OF THE STATE OF MAINE
315
Metliias Whitney Joseph Libbee
Abraham Allan
Danil Hill
John Guptal
Richard Fassett
Samuel Libbee
Moses Worster
Benj" Getchel
Benjamin Strout
Samuel Gates
John Walker
Benj" Tibbuts
Thaubal Hinckley
Samuel Milbury
Joseph Learton
James Dyer
Richard Earl
William M°Castler
Benjamin Foss
William Ray
Samuel Shaw Jun"^
Christopher Tracey
Abner Tibbuts
Daniel Merrit
Samuel Reynolds
Josiali Moore
James Dyer
Ghristopher Tracey
Going Wilson
Jonathan Niels
Bradbury Merril
Samuel Small
Nethanel Tubbets
Asa Tracey
Machias Decem"" 12, 1777 p*"" Reuben Dyer Cap*
Board of War to settle with Mr. Smith as Commissary &
Truckraaster —
Coll Leonard M'' Barlow Mr White to settle with him as
Muster master & to order & Report into Resolve
Petition of Seth Grardner — Leave to Withdraw
State of Mass*^ Bay
To the Hon^'* the Council, & the hon'''® House of Repre-
sentatives of said State.
The Petition of Seth Gardner of Harpswell, County of Cum-
berland, humbly sheweth,
That your Petitioner ( being one of the drafted Men some
Time last Winter) faithfully served three Montlis in the
present War — that being in low Circumstances, was unable
to purchase an effective (ire arm — that Your Petitioner
received one from the Sele<;t Men of this Town, to whom he
316 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
was accountable for the same said fire Arm being State
property — that when your Petitioner returned home ( by
Water from Boston ) said fire Arm was carefully put into
the Boat when your Petitioner was going a Shore — that one
of the Men ( when rowing in said Boat, by means of tlie
Thawl-pins breaking, or tlie Oar starting out of its place )
fell backwards, and accidentally with his Foot struck said
fire Arm over board.
Your Petitioner ( continuing in indigent Circumstances )
humbly prays that this hon*^ Court would discharge him
from his Obligation to the Select Men of this Town, to pay
for said fire Arm. All which is humbly submitted to the
Wisdom of this hon*^ Court, and your Petitioner as in Duty
bound shall ever pray.
Seth Gardner
Harpswell 13"^ Dec' 1777.
We the Subscribers being in the Boat aforesaid, do testifie,
and are ready to make Oath, that the Loss of said fire Arm
happened as is herein set forth.
John Bray
Ward Haskell
James biship
State of Mass'' Bay
In Council Dec. 15—1777
Whereas there is a Tract of Land, of about three mile
Square Commonly called Cooks Lott adjoining Saco River
without the bounds of any Town, upon which there are many
Valuable White Pine Masts, a considerable part of which
Lott of Land belonged to Sir William Pepperrell one of the
late mandamus Councellor who is absent from this State, in
which Lot or Tract of Land Rish worth Jordan Esq. of
Biddeford is Interested — and as tis said that some persons
have made Strip and Waste thereon and are again preparing
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 317
to Cany off the Pine M.ists afores*^ by cutting them for mill
logs the ensueing Winter and no person having been
appointed an agent to s'^ Pepperrell —
Therefore to prevent any further destruction of said Tim-
ber and that such as have already destroyed the same may be
specially called upon to made compensation therefor It is
Resolved tliat the said Rishworth Jordan Esq. in his own
Name for liimself and the other owners thereof be and hereby
is fully authorized and impowered to prosecute and pursue
actions of Tresspass to final Judgment & Escu" against any
persons that have Committd Tresspass thereon since Janu-
ary 1775 or that hereafter may Commit Tresspass on s'^
Land he to account with the Judge of Probate for York
County for the said Pepperrells proportion of such damages
as may be Recv** & to pay the same in the manner agents
are directed by Law to Do — any Resolve to the Contrary
notwithstanding —
Sent down for Concurrence
John Avery D^ Sec"
In the House of Representatives Dec 15 1777
Read and Concurred J Warren Spkr
Consented to —
Jer Powell W Sever A Ward
W Spooner T Cushing R. Derby
John Whitcomb John Taylor S Holten
Moses Gill Benj Austin D Sewall
Tim" Danielson N Cushing Jabez Fisher
Tlie State of Massachusetts Bay in the House of Representa-
tives Decmb' 15, 1777
on the petition of Capt Samuel Whitmore of Gorham in the
County of Cumberland praying for alowances for Services
318
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Done on tlie Batteries in falmoutli in said County by him
selfe and men under his Command —
Resolved that there be paid out of the Treasure of this State
for their services afsd. to the Capt Eight shilhngs per Day
Left five shilhngs per Day Non Commission officers three
shillings and Six pence per Day Privates three shillings per
Day in full for their services and Ratisions and the Com-
mittee on Musterols are Directed to and allow tlie
Roll for such Service when presented agreeable to this
Establishment
Sent up for Concurrence
In Council Dec. 15, 1777
Read & Concurred
Consented to —
Jer Powell
W Spooner
John Whitcomb
Moses Gill
N Cushinsr
W Sever
T Cushing
John Taylor
Benj Austin
Jabez Fisher
J Warren Spkr
Jn« Avery D^ Sec^
A Ward
R. Derby
S Holten
Tim° Danielson
Oliver Prescott
Lincoln Ss At a Court of Probate held at Pownalborough
in the County of Lincoln before Jonathan Bowman Esq*^
Judge of the probate of Wills & for granting Letters of
Administration on the Estates of persons deceased within
the County aforesaid —
On Wednesday the Seventeenth day of December Anno
Domini 1777 — Rebeccah Callahan Wife of Charles Callahan
late of said Pownalborough gentleman ( an Absentee ) being
Cited to appear at said Court upon the Complaint of
Nathaniel Thwing Esq' who was appointed Agent for the
Estate of tlie said Charles, that the said Charles left personal
Estate behind him to a considerable value, the greater part
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 319
whereof had been secreted embezzled or Conveyed uAvay by
some person or persons & that the said Nathaniel had jast
reason to suspect & did suspect that the said Rebeccah had
secrected Embezzled or Conveyed away the same — Upon
which the said Rebeccah came into Court & being required
by said Judge to acquit lierself on Oath of the premises,
then refused to be sworn & interrogated upon Oath in the
premises. It is therefore ordered by said Judge that the
said Rebeccah be Committed to the Common Goal in the
said County there to remain untill she shall Comply to dis-
cliarge herself upon Oath or be otherwise legally discharged,
from this sentence the said Rebecca, claimed an appeal to
the Supreme Court of probate for this State, & gave Suffi-
cient security according to law for prosecuting her said
appeal with effect
att. Rol'* Cushing Reg'
A True Copy as appears of Record. RoF Cushing Reg'
State of the Massachusetts Bay Lincoln Ss
Before Jonathan Bowman Esq' Judge of Probate of Wills
&c for said County at a Special Court of probate held at the
Court House in Pownalboro on Wednesday the Seventeenth
day of Decemb' A D 1777 at Eleven o clock A M Nathaniel
Thwing Esq"" Agent for the Estate of Charles Callahan late
of Pownalborough Gent" ( Called an Absentee ) Complainant
against Rebeccah Callahan Wife of the said Charles for
embezzleing, secreting or Conveying away &c the personal
Estate of the said Charles, the said Rebeccah refusing to
acquit herself on Oath touching the premises was by the said
Judge ordered to be Connnitted to the Common Goal of said
County &c from whicli sentence she appealed to the Supreme
Couit of Probate for this State; and for wliich she now
assigns the following reasons Viz' —
320 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
1 Because the said Rebecca when before said Judge the day
aforesaid voluntaryly declared to him that she has disposed
of the whole of the personal Estate of her said Husband as
she had a right to do, and therefore refused to acquit herself
on Oath touching said Complaint —
2. Because the said Rebecca within three Months, next
after her said Husband went from home, did s&ll and dispose
of the whole of the personal Estate of her said Husband
which was by him left in her hands for her use and for the
support of her self and family —
3. Because there is no Certifycate made to the s*^ Judge
that the said Charles Voluntarily went to and is still with
the Enemies of this and the other United States of America
which by the Law of this State ought first to have been
done, but there is only a Certifycate made by Edmund
Bridge and Asa Smith who call themselves the Major part of
the Selectmen of Pownalborough, that they believe the said
Charles voluntarily went to and is still with their Enemies,
and not the Enemies of the United States of America —
4 Because it is plain by the preamble of the act of this
State on which the aforesaid proceedings were granted, that
the s*^ Act was made Solely for the benefit of Creditors of
Absentees that they may all receive their Equitable demands
out of such Estates : Now the said Rebecca Avers that when
the said Charles went from this State he was not Justly
Indebted one Shilling to any person whatsoever within this
or any of the United States, and therefore the aforesaid pro-
ceedings are groundless and unnecessary and not supported
by Law —
5 Because the said Rebecca had not any proper or reason-
able Notice of the Complaint and Examenation aforesaid,
being only served with a Citation on the fifteenth day of the
s^ Decemb' at Eight of the Clock a Night when many miles
from her home or prepare her self for the aforesaid Tryal,
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 321
before slie was obliged by the said Citation to attend thereon
without fail —
6 Because the aforesaid Order & Sentence of the said
Judge was not made and published on any certain or fixed
day made known and published by the said Judge for mak-
ing and publishmg his orders & decres which by Law it
ought to have been —
Rebecca Callalian
Filed January 2'» 1778
.V true Copy of the Reason on file
att Rol'' Gushing Reg""
Machias December 23, 1777.
This may certifie that Col" Benjamin Foster, M"' Jonas
Farns worth, Cap* Joseph Sevey, Cap' Joseph Libbee & Capt.
Step" Smith and Leu' Joel Whitney and the Militia Com-
panies under their command except 8 men days, which
were on duty at Machias the last summer, did not receive
any Rations from the Committee of this place or from the
Commissary
p"^ James Flinn Cle' To the Committee
Stephen Smith Commissary
I Tho. Child of Falmouth hereby certify That I have often
seen at the House of M" Elz"^ Ross in said Falmouth a large
Silver Cup mark'd with the name of Edward Tyng, late of
Boston also. I have drank out of it and I know it to be the
same Cup which I formerly saw in the possession of Edward
Tyng in Boston ( son of the decea'^ Edw. Tyng ) who boarded
with me at the House of my late Mother there, and I then
understood and believed it to be the property of the said
Edward tlie Son and that it was given to him l)y his
Father —
Falmouth 1"' Janu^ 1778 Tho. Child
21
322 DOCTJMBNTARY HIBTORY
State of Massachusetts Bay
In the House of Representatives Jan 2'^ 1778
on the Petition of Stephen & Ralph Cross praying the
Court to grant them a Sum of Money for the use of John
AUan the Continental Agent of Indian affairs m y^ Eastern
Department
Resolved that the prayer of the Petition be so far granted
that the Treasurer of this State be directed to pay to the
Petitioners for the use of s** John Allan Esq the Sum of
three Hundred pounds as Soon as the State of the Treasury
will admit of the Same, Said Allan to be accountable to this
Court for the Same —
Sent up for Concurrence
J Warren Spkr
In Council Jan^ 24, 1778
Read & Concurred with an amendment at A
Sent down for Concurrence
Jn° Avery D^ Secy
Warrant drawn at A. (dele? what follows & insert —
Petitioners to be accountable to this Court for the same
untill the Said Jn" Allan Esq as Continental agent as afore-
said shall by a Writing under his hand or in some otlier Way
make liimself accountable for the same and no longer —
In the House of Representatives Jan^ 2 1778
Read & Concurred
J Warren Spkr
Consented to
Jer Powell W Sever A Ward
Jedidiah Preble Jabez Fisher Moses Gill
Tim° Danielson John Taylor B White
Dan' Davis Benj Austin N Cushing
A Fuller S Holten J Palmer
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 323
To the Honorable the Council of the State of Massachu-
setts Bay —
Joseph Noyes of Falmouth in the County of Cumberland
Humbly sheweth that he has Expended a considerable sum
in Supplying the Forces Stationed at Falmouth & Cape
Elizabeth more than what he has received therefore pray
your Honours to give him a Warrant on the Treasury for
Four Hundred pound to Enable him to pay for what he has
Expended & to purchase a further supply of Provisions &c
and as Duty Bound shall Ever pray
Joseph Noyes
Boston Janry 11^'^ 1778
In the House of Representatives, Jan. 12 1778
Ordered — That ]\P Jenkins be of the Committee on the
Petition of Benjamin Wheeler & others a Conmiittee of a
Settlement called Wheelersborough — in the room of M''
Crane absent
Sent up for Concurrence J Pitts Speak"^ g Tern
In Council Jan^ 12, 1778 Read & Concurred
Jn^ Avery D^ Secy
State of Massachusetts Bay
In the House of Representatives Jan^ 12''" 1778
Upon the Petition of Nath" Prebble & others a Committee
of Frenchmans Bay praying for some Assistance under their
Misfortunes.
Resolved, that the Board of War be and they are hereby
directed to order Ninety barrels Beef & Five Teirces of Rice
to be deliver'd to Nathaniel Prebble & others a Committee
from Frenchman's Bay for the Use of the Inhabitants of said
plase, the said Prebble & others giving their Obligation to
324 DOCUMENTAKY HISTORY
the Board of War to deliver to tliein or their order Wood or
Lumber as the Board may chuse at ye Market price, in pay
for the above Provisions, on or before the last day of April
next —
Sent up for Concurrence J Pitts Speaker pro Tern
In Council Ja^ 12, 1778 Read & Concurred
Jn° Avery D^ Secy
Consented to
Jer. Powell B. Greenleaf W. Spooner
Caleb Cushing John Taylor Benj. Austin
Dan' Davis R. Derby Jedidiah Prebble
N. Cushing Moses Gill Josiah Stone
John Whitcomb A. Fuller D. Hopkins
To the Hon^ Councill & House of Representatives of the
State of Massachusetts Bay
the Petition of Stephen & Ralph Cross in behalf of John
Allan Esq"" Humbly Sheweth that the Said John Allan hav-
ing been Appointed by the Honb^' Continental Congress
Agent of Indian Affairs in the Eastern department and hav-
ing been oblig'd to Make Larger Expenditures for the Exe-
cuting his trust than that Honb' Body has Yet Granted to
him and by Reason of the Important trust Committed to him
by this Honb' Court he has not been able to Lay a Proper
State of Matters before the Honb' Congress therefore Your
Petitioners Pray that this Honb' Court Would Grant to the
Said John Allan Esq four Hundred Pounds to be Paid into
the Hands of Your Petitioners to Enable them to answer
Such Drafts as he has Drawn on them agreeable to the desire
of Said Allan or Grant Such other Relief as You in Your
Wisdom Shall think fit
and Your Petitioners as in Duty bound Shall Ever Pray
Steph" & Ralph Cross
Newburyport 12 January 1778
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 325
An account of the provisions that was Dealt out on the
Alarm Occasioned by the Ship Milford at Edgcumbe on June
the 21«t 1777
To Capt Rob* Hodge Company 21 lb of Bread & to C 9. of
Beef
To Cap* Arch McCalesters Company 31 lb of Bread & 31>^
lb of Beef
To Cap* Henry Hunter Company IS^'' of Bread 27 of Beef
To Cap* Eben' Goe Company 20 of Bread 30'^ of Beef
To Cap* Joseph Jones Company 36 of Bread 39'" of Beef
To Gertham Weber 4'" of Bread 7>^ Beef
To the Select Men troble & Expences X 1-1-0
New Castle Jan" the 12: 1778
Errors Excepted Pr Sam^ Waters ) Selectmen of
David Hopkins ) New Castle
New Castle Jan^ 12*'' 1778
Then the within named Samuel Waters & David Hopkins
Personally appeared and made oath to the Truth of the
within accomp*
Before me Benjamin Woodbridge Justice of pea
CoP Buck
Sir, I liereby Certifie, that Col° Josiah Brewer, L* Col°
Jon* Lowder, Lieu* Andrew Gilman, or Ens: Jeremiah
Coburn, never asked the advice, consent, or Approbation of
me, ( or to my knowledge ) Requested the advise or approba-
tion of any Other of the Committee, to Appoint the })uilding,
or the place where to Erect or Build any Fort or Stockkade
whatsoever But went on to Stockkade the truck House, by
Virtue of tlieir own power, without any regard to the Com-
mittee, or Inhabitants, at any time whatsoever. Notwithstand-
ing tlie foregoing alarms. And as no advice was requested
of the Committee for Building the Fort, so no advice was by
326 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
tbe above Gentlemen, asked or requested respecting tlie
Alarming the Inhabitants of the River, by reason of the
Report of tlie Descent of tlie Indians, in making an Incorssion
upon us by force of arms: but they, or such of them, as
Alarmed the Inliabitants of the River ; did the same by no
other Influence or Authority, then wliat they were possessed
of in themselves ; for no advice was by any of them ever
requested of me in Either of the above requests ; And I
never heard, or knew, tliat they consulted the Inhabitants, or
any of them, to Authorize their proceedings. To the truth
of the above I herewith affix my Hand, and am ready to aver
the same on Oath
James Budge of the Com"®
To CoP Jon^ Buck President of the Committee of Safety and
Correspondence in the District of Penobscot
A true Copy Attest Jn° Avery D^ Sec^
May it Please your Honours
The Council of the State of the Massachusetts Bay in New
England Was Pleased to Honour Me with the Commisson of
the Millitary Command of a Company in the Western Pre-
cenct of Pownalborough and My Affairs is Such that I Cant
do my Duty therein according to the Expectation of the
Councel I therefore most humbley begg leave of your Honours
to Resigne the Said Commison —
and whereas my first Leautenant M'' Carr Barker of Said
Company is a Suitable Person to take the Command of Said
Company and Jonathan Reed the Second Leautenant of
Said Company is a Suitable Person Allso and a Greable to
the People to be — Advanced to the first Leautenant if your
Honours Should think Proper to Honour them with those
Commands And M'^ Thomas Densmore would be a Sutable
Person for a Second Leautenant and I beleave a Greable to
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 327
the People if your Honours Sliould think Proper to Honour
him with that Command
All which is Most Humbly Submitted by your Honours
Most Deutifull most Obedient and Vary Humbel Serv"
John Johnson
Pownalborough West Preceinct January 13, 1778
To the Honorable the Council of the State of the Massa-
chusetts Bay in New England
In Council Feb^ 26" 1778
Read & Ordered that the within Resignation be accepted
Jn° Avery D^ Sec^
In Council Feb^ 26' 1778 Ordered that Col° Joseph North
be and he hereby is directed to cause the Company in the
Western Precinct of Pownalborough in his Reg* together
with the Alarm List within Limits of the Same to meet
together & make Choice of a Captain in Room of John John-
son who has leave of this Board to resign his Commission as
Captain in his Regt. and he is further required to see that
the Choice is made according to the Directions of the Law
and duly certified to the Secretary of State
Read & Accepted Jn° Avery D^ Sec^
To the Honorable the General Assembly of the State of
Massachusetts Bay —
Humbly shewe
Martha Cotton of Falmouth hi the County of Cumberland,
widow, Executrix to the last Will & Testament of William
Cotton late of said Falmouth - Tanner - deceased.
That at the Inferior Court of Common Pleas held in the
County aforesaid in March A D 1773 she in her said Capacity
recoverd Judgment against Elisha Baker of Brunswick in
said County Blacksmith for the sum of <£3 8. Cost Money
& Damage and <£3. 6. 6 loss of Suit, from which Judgment
tlie Defendant by David Wyer liis attorney appealed to the
328 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
next Superior Court in said Falmouth — at which Court his
Appeal was entered.
That your Memoriahst by Samuel Freeman her Attorney,
appealed at said Superior Court to manage her cause but the
Judges there forbid his speaking in the said Cause & con-
trary to a Law of the State disallowed the appearance of
your Memorialist altho said Freeman was legally empowered
to appear in her behalf and ordered her to be called out by
default —
That thereupon your Memorialist presented a Petition to
the General Court praying the Court to order Execution for
Cost against her to be stayed and to direct the Judges of the
said Inferior Court to try the Cause & allow your Memorialist
to appear by such person as she should think fit to appoint —
This Petition the said Gen^ Court was pleased to sustain &
ordered that the said Elisha Baker should be notified to show
cause at tlie next Session why the prayer of it should not be
granted. The said Baker was notified accordingly but not
appearing to make answer the two Houses were pleased to
pass a Resolve granting the prayer of said Petition ; but the
then Governor namely Mr. Gage refused his consent thereto
Thereupon your Petitioner has not only been deprived of the
Benefit of the Lav/, which every good subject of the State is
entitled to — but has been troubled with the Execution of
the Costs recoverd against her by said Baker — which she
was obliged to satisfy
Therefore your Memorialist liumbly prays that your Honors
would be pleased to order that she may have a tryal of the
Cause aforesaid & impower the Judges of said Court to allow
such Costs in case she shall recover Judgment against said
Baker as they shall judge reasonable & in particular that she
may be reimbursed the sum she paid to satisfy said Baker's
Execution against her — and your Memorialist as in duty
bound will ever pray
Martha Cotton
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 329
State of Massachusetts Bay
In the House of Representatives Jan^ IS''^ 1778
On the petition of Martha Cotton praying that she may
be admitted to re-enter an Action at the next Superior Court
of Judicature to be holden at Fahnouth in the County of
Cumberland whicli action she brought against Elisha Baker
m the year 1773.
Resolved that the Prayer of said Petition be granted &
that the said Martha Cotton be and she is hereby impowered
to re-enter her said Action at the next Superior Court of
Judicature to lie holden at Falmouth in and for the said
County of Cumberland on the next Tuesday after the fourth
Tuesday of June next : And the Justices of said Court are
hereby fully impowered & directed to hear said case make
up Judgment for the sum that shall be found due, togetlier
with all reasonable Costs & charges that said Martha hatli
been at by means of said Action having been declared
defaulted & award execution accordingly. And the Judg-
ment already had by means of said default is hereby declared
null & void. And the said Martha by herself or such person
as she shall appoint shall be allowed to appear in, plead &
prosecute said suit to final Judgment & execution. Provided
that the said Martha shall notifie the said Elisha Baker of
tliis suit by serving him with an attested copy of this order
& the petition on which it is founded at least fourteen days
before the said sitting of said Court.
Sent up for Concurrence J. Warren Spker.
In Council Jan^ 13' 1778 Read & Concurred
Jn" Avery D^ Secy
Consented to
Jer. Powell W. Sever B. Greenleaf
W. Spooner A. Fuller S. Hoi ten
John Whitcomb R. Derby Caleb Cushing
Moses Gill Benj Austin Dan^ Davis
Jabez Fisher D Hopkins Josiah Stone
330
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
State of Massachusetts Bay
In the House of Representatives. Jan^ 14*'' 1778 —
Resolve that the Board of War be and they liereby are
directed to Receive the pay for Ceartin Provishons Suplied
Nath-'^ Prel)ble & others for the Inhabitants of Freuchmans
Bay, at Some Convenient Landing in said Frenchmans Bay
Sent up for Concurrence
In Council Jan^ 14' 1778
Read & Concurred
Consented to
W. Sever
Jedidiah Preble
Moses Gill
Dan' Davis
D. Hopkins
B, Greenleaf
Caleb Cushing
Benj Austin
A Fuller
Josiah Stone
J. Warren, Speaker.
Samuel Adams Sec''
W. Spooner
R. Derby
John Whitconib
Jabe^ Fisher
Tim° Danielson
State of Massachusetts Bay
Council Chamber Janu^ 14, 1778
Ordered that Capt. Joseph Noyes be & he hereby is
appointed to provide for & Supply the Sea Coast men sta-
tioned in the Town of Falmouth & Cape Elizabeth w^ith such
Provisions as were allowed the men in the sea Coast Service
in the year one Thousand Seven hundred & Seventy Six. —
To the Hon'''® the Council & House of Representatives of
the State of Massachusetts Bay in New England
Humbly Shews
Timothy Frost of York in the County of York, that in the
year 1774 to discharge a considerable debt due from him to
one Thomas Wallingford, and a small debt due to Jotham
Moulton Esq'' then Slieriff of the County of York He Exe-
OP THE STATE OP MAINE 331
cuted a Deed to the said Jotbam of all his Real Estate, which
He said Jotham was to make Sale of in such parts and par-
cels as would raise a sufficient Sum to discharge the said
demands, and what remained of said Real Estate them Debts
loeing paid was to be reconveyed to your Petitioner. That
the said Jothara disposed of all the Lands so conveyed, except
about an Acre & quarter with the Buildings thereon, then
and ever since in the Tenure & occupation of your Petitioner
which nearly raised money sufficient to discharge the demands
aforesaid. That having the greatest confidence in the Integ-
rity and Honesty of the said Jotham he never took any Writ-
ing from him that could operate in Law as a [ Disseisin ] to
the said Deed. That the unexpected & untimely Death of
the said Jotham prevented him from doing that Justice to
your Petitioner, which he doubts not he would have done
And as by Law the Administrators of said Jotham's Estate
cannot legally reconvey such of the said Lands and Buildings
as are undisposed of without the aid of the General Court.
He therefore prays that the said Administrators of the Estate
of the said Jotham Moulton Esq"" may be authorized and
impowered to Reconvey the Lands & Buildings your Peti-
tioner conveyed to the said Jotham in 1774, which have not
been disposed of, upon such Terms & Conditions as the said
Admin" from the particular circumstances of the Case shall
Judge Equitable, and your Petitioner as in Duty Bound
Shall ever pray
York Jany 16, 1778 Tim« Frost
State of Massachusetts Bay
In the House of Representatives; Jan^ 20'" 1778
Whereas the Comm*® of Correspondence &c for y" I'own
of Fahnoutli have represented to this Court that they did in
August 1777 Stop sixteen oxen whicii tliey say were about
332 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
to be driven out of this State Contrary to a Resolve of y*
Gener^ Court, prohibiting the exportation of Provisions pass**
the 6^^ of February 1777 & filed an Information against y*
same at the Court of Gen Sessions of y*^ Peace for the
County of Cumberland agreeable to s*^ Resolve but before y*
Seting of S*^ Court of Sessions the s** Resolve was Repealed,
it is therefore Resolved — that the Court of Gen^ Sessions of
y® Peace for the County of Cumberland be and they are
hereby Authorized & impowered to proceed to the hearing
& determining upon the afores^ information as fully &
effectually as tho. the Resolve afores*^ passed the G*^ of Feb-
ruary 1777 had not been Repealed.
Sent up for Concurrence J Warren Speaker
In Council Jan^ 20' 1778
Read & Concurred Jn° Avery D^ Secy
Consented to
Jer. Powell W. Sever A. Ward
B Greenleaf W Spooner Caleb Gushing
R Derby John Whitcomb Moses Gill
J Holton Tim° Danielson A. Fuller
Josiah Stone Oliver Prescott D Hopkins
The Committee of both Houses on the Petition of Benj*
Wheeler & others, have heard said Wheeler, Col° Brewer
Lieut. Col° Lowder & Cap^ Gilman being present and beg
leave to submit the following State of facts viz —
Your Committee found that in 1776 the said Brewer &
others gave their Security to the Treas"^ of this State for a
certain sum of money Lent to be paid on or before the 11*''
day of April 1777, in order to purchase Ammunition Salt &
Corn for the use of the Inhabitants on Penobscot River,
which money your committee are of Opinion said Brewer &
others ought to Account for —
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 333
2''ly That the General Court m 1776 made an Establish-
ment for a Guard of 30 men, to be placed on Penobscot
River, under the Command of Andrew Gilman, which have
been continued ever since, without being of any service to
the State, but little of their time as appeard to your Com-
mittee has been spent in Guarding or Scouting and we are
of Opinion they ought to be immediately discharged. —
Your Committee who found, that CoP Lowder in 1776
Rec'* of the Treas"^ of this State Four Hundred pounds as
Truck master to the Tribe of Penobscot Indians which sum
said Lowder ought to account for, and we are of Opinion
that there is no necessity for a Truck House at that place. —
N Cushing g order
In Council Jan^ 20 1778. Read & Accepted
Sent down for Concurrence Jn" Avery D'' Sec^
In the House of Representatives Jan. 22*^ 1778 Read &
concurred as taken into a new Draught.
Sent up for Concurrence J Warren Spk'
In Council Jan^ 22"^ 1778 Read & Concurred with the
amendment at A in the New Draft
Sent down for Concurrence Jn'' Avery D^ Sec^
at A insert and hereby are
In the House of Representatives Jan. 22'^ 1778
Read & Concurred J Warren Spker
Consented to
Jer Powell W Sever A Ward
Jedidiah Preble Jabez P'isher John Whitcomb
Tim° Danielsou Benj Austin John Taylor
Caleb Cushing Oliver Prescott Josiah Stone
I Palmer Moses Gill S Holten
334 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
In the House of Representatives Jan. 22*^ 1778 —
On the Petition of Beniamin Wheeler and others
Resolved that Mr. ISJye Cap' Wales & J. Brignd Warner be
a Committee to settle with Col. Josiah Brewer and others for
a certain Sum of Money lent said Brewer and others
for which Sum in the Year 1776 they gave their Security to
the Treasurer of this State. —
Resolved, That the Guard of 30 Men appointed by the
General Court of this State in 1776 to guard on Penobscot
River under the Command of Andrew Gilman be immediately
discharged, —
Resolved that Mr. Nye, Capt Wales & Br'ig^ Warner be a
Committee to settle with Col. Lowder for the sum of four
hundred Pounds lawful Money which the said Lowder as
Truck Master to the Tribe of Penobscot Indians received of
the Treasurer of this State in the Year 1776.
To the Honorable the Council Board of the States of
Massachusetts Bay.
May it please your Honours, the Committee of Machias
begs leave to lay before the Honourable Board the distrest*^
Situation which this part of the State labour under occa-
tioned by the present war, hitherto have with stood every
attempt of our Enemy s being Strengthned by your Honours
Indulgence and assistance which is Gratefully acknowledge
by the greatest part & we trust the whole of this district
Having flatter** our Selves that every Campaign would be
the last always having a firm Resolution to maintaign our
most Invaluable Rights and priviledges in opposing the
Cruel and Bloody Intentions of our merciless Enemys which
generally carried our Spirits beyond our Strength
The Enemys attacks last summer being the most destres-
ing we have hither to Experienc** has prevented our Carrying
OF THE STATE OP MAINE 335
on our farming business it being much neglected in its proper
season occation*^ by the peoples being on duty
The same calamity to a degree has hapned to the Inhabit-
ants in the other Settlements upon the Shoare who has been
Repeatedly called upon duty, particularly in the midst of hay
time & harvest & has reduc*^ them to many difficultys for the
Nessessarys of life this winter.
This Settlement in particular being oblig** to advance all
the provitions that could be Spared for the Support of the
Troops called here for our assistance, makes it verry difficult
amoungst us as one has it not in his power to Supply
another —
However these are dificultys we Naturally Expect by the
Calamity of War, but alass what looks more dismal that all
is our unguarded Situation Being the Eastern part of the
State and so ajasent to Noviscotia are Subject to every Insult
from that Quarter, as soon as the Icy featters of the Winter
breaks their Chains and the Spring opens which will be the
time that every one will want to put Seed into the Ground,
as farming is much practised of late and to good success
But well knowing the Intentions of our enemies that they
meane to deprive us of every nieanes of gitting our lively
hood in any Quietness and if Possible make them selves
masters of this part of tlie Country, having already Estab-
lish* a Truck house at S*^ Johns well Supplyed with every
kind of British Manufactury Sutibel for tampering with the
Indians, and protected according to the Best accounts with
about Seventy five British Troops
This has somewhat allarm'' us and for feare they Should
Send a party in some private manner this Winter and
destroy the Cannon and other property belonging to the
Stiite Col° Allan has thought proper to keep up about twenty
or thirty men as artilery men witli one Coramisiond officer to
them as a Guard and protection to the States property these
336 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
are constantly keep'^ upon duty it being Recommended by
the Committee of this place
The Col° has about Seventy Indians that are Imbodyed &
under his immediate Command which appears will be a Suf-
ficient protection during the winter Season from any attacks
we might have from S'' Johns provided they can be supported.
And we must at this time do Col° Allen the Justice to say
tliat he has managed his affairs as Commanding officer to the
grate Satisfaction of the Publick and Notwithstanding the
many Extraordinary demands for Provition both from Eng-
lish & Indians has us*^ every thing with the Gratest Oecon-
omy. we hope your Honours will not omit to grant him such
assistance as is Necessary as being Superintendant of Indians
affairs or any other departments he may be appointed to
But under the present Situation of affairs it looks very
melancoly to the Inhabitants the Spring advancing the
Indians will want to go a hunting thereby will be Scattered
we Shall be so unguarded that many of our prin sable
Inhabitants are Talking of Removeing their Fammilys and
effects to the westward which Grately damps the Spirits of
the common Sort of people fearing they must soon fall a
pray to a Cruel & Blood thursty Enemy
Many of the Inhabitants are wholly unable to Remove
themselves & Effects & must be objects of Charity and a
Burden to whatever part of the Continent they might
Remove to
We therefore humbly intreat & pray your Honours to take
our most deplorable Situation into your wise consideration
and Grant us such Releif as you in your grate wisdom
Shall think proper, major Stilman will lay this matter before
your Honours and can inform you of every Circumstance
We have lost all hopes of Gitting the militia on duty as
they ware last Summer, the Grate Sinking of the Bills of
Credit & the high prices of the Nessessaries of life that a
OF TETE STATE OF MAINE 337
Soldier gits but about one Bushell and a half of Corn for a
months pay this has grately discouraged the people on the
whole Shoare from Entering into the Service and many other
difficulties Major Stilman can inform you,
Any favours your Honours Shoidd seem meet to grant or
what is intended you will be pleas'' to communicate to Major
Stilman thai wc may know our fate before destruction comes
upon us
The major will have full power from us and may be con-
sulted with upon e\ery measure concerning us in these mat-
teis, it would be injustice not to say the people in this and
the other Settlements on the Shoare are warmly attach'^ to
the Interest of the united States and have ever been Ready
and on every occation to exert themselves in the defence of
this much injured Country, but the distresses brought on by
the present war seems to demand your Honours attention
and nothing can Releive them more to have a Suffecient
Number of Continental Troops Station** at Machious this will
be a protection to the whole Shoare and leave the Inhabit-
ants to be Quiet upon their plantations where they will
Ct)nifortably support their Familys and keep the possession
of a Valuable part of the united States
ALso that the Comniasarys Store at Machious may be Suf-
liciently supplyed with provition & amunition in order that
the militia or any part of them might be Supplied whenever
they Shoud be called on duty by any alarm as it is out
of the Power of the inhabitants here to Supply themselves
All of which circumstances major Stillman can inform you,
])ut under god we Shall leave our most deplorable Situation
with your Honours grate wisdom not doubting you will grant
us Such Relief as you will tliink best, committing our case to
the almighty wlio governs & Orders all things to his Glory
whatever tlie case may be Concerning us
We are with Dutiful Respect Your Honours Most Obedi-
22
338 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
ent Humble Servt* — for and in behalf of the Committee of
Mechias & b}' their order
James Flinn Clerk
Mechias Janiuy 24'*^ 1778
N B onr utmost Endeavours have been Exerted to assist
in erecting a Fort at andrews hill about two miles below the
mills wdiere if compleated and man'' would be a Sufficient
Protection to the whole Settlement and with a less number
of men & less expence than an 3^ other way, but the season of
year was so far advanced it w^as out of our power to make it
any way safe to trust the artilery in Not withstanding
CoP Allan push'' the works as fast as possible with what
Troops he had under his Command as well as Several of the
Inhabitants which gave their assistance, we therefore implore
as a favour that your Honours would grant us that assist-
ance, which will be Nessessary for the Compleateing Said
Fort both for the safety of the States property and a protec-
tion to the whole Shoare,
For further Particulars Refer to Major Stilman
You will have some accounts of Losses sustained in the
Expidition to S* Johns for Boats and Sundry Supply s by
different persons who Stand in grate need of their being paid
which the Major will lay before you and we must Intreat
your Honours allowance for the same to be paid to Major
Stilman, Also agreable to a Resolve of your Honours we
Should take it as a favour that Cap*' Smith might have pro-
vitions sent to Enable him to Repay what he Borrowed from
different persons that advanc'' it Solely for the Support of
said Expedition the account of which the Major will have
particular Instructions & ace*' of what is paid and the
Ballance due and every thing which must acquaint your
Honours has been conducted with the gratest Oeconomy
Possible
Machious Jan^ 24t'» 1778
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 339
Mechias Januy 24»»> 1778
iMa}- it please the Hon'''® Board —
By Major Stillmaii which is now going to the Westward
upon Some Public Business — I have the Honour to Trans-
mit Sundry accounts. — respecting my Employment as Com-
missary & Truckmaster —
The Hurry and Confusion which was Occationed By the
Enemy the past Summer Prevented Matters being Keep'd So
Regular as I coud wdsh, Consequently it has taken much
Longer Time to Correct, which has prevented their being
Transmitted sooner.
Being not Certain to Whome I should send these matters
I have Transmitted one Copy also to the Board of Warr as
they Consign'd the Articles which came downe
Major Stillman will answer the Hon'''® Board to such
Questions as they may want to Know Respecting the Man-
agement of any Matter during the summer —
I have Issued from the Truck house Several Articles By
Order of CoP Allan, for Supplying the Troops who were in
Great want & Distress which were in the Service all Sum-
mer, Many Coud not go on Duty without it —
I have Endeavored to persue every Step Oeconomy and be
as Carefull of the Dilivery of Every Matter, As the Situation
& Circumstances woud Admit the perticulars of Which I
Trust will Receive your Honours Approbation —
The Indian Matters have Wholly been Conducted By
Colo' Allan who Inspects the neccssarys they arc in want of
& from time to time Orders Such Things from the Truck
House, as well what they Pay for as otherways their not
Being a Hunting but Constantly out about one service or
another, their Debts amounts to Considerable Tho I Expect
they will make some payments Soon, as some are Gone &
Others Just Setting of a Hunting —
We arc in want of several Things to make up the Deffi-
340 DOCUMENT AliY HISTORY
ciency iii the Truck House, wliich I Expect Col° Allan will
Communicate to your Honours by this Opportunity the
Indians have Been of Much Service & I Trust are So much
now Under Authority as to be more usefull & Cheaper than
Heitherto —
The Precariousness of Transporting things By Sea, Makes
me Timerous to Ship Any Property of the States, heaving
already had some of the Property taken by the Enemy,— I
have at Present a Considerable Quantity of Beaver, otters,
Martins, Moose Skins &c By Me, which I Pray Your
Honours to Order what you wou'd have done with —
Your Honours having Apjjointed me Commissary of Mus-
ters I pursued every Step I thought Necessary for the
Benefit of the States — General Warner not Coming Down
I received but a Small part of the Money which was ordered
for Paying Bountys reather then the Service shou'd Suffer, I
Borrow'd & Advanced a Considerable Sum. I Sent the
Account by Col° Campbell but the Sum was not answered, I
woud Pray the favour that Your Honours wou'd Pay the
Amount to Major Stillman —
At Present 26 who Drew Rations, which does duty here
as allso sum Indians Your Honours will Please to Inform
Major Stillman if I am to Continue as Commissary for them
as usual —
I Am with Dutifull regards Respectfully Your Honours
most Obedient Devoted Humb' Serveut
Stephen Smith
To the Hono'^^ Jeremiah Powell Esq'
Machias Jan^ 24'^ 1778
Gentlemen
This will be delivered by Major Stillman, with my
accompts of the Commissarys Business, — With full Power
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 341
to Settle them, as the Indians bemg here Prevent my Com-
ing up for myself. —
I would Just mention a few mistakes in the Invoice your
honours Sent me of y® 11 of October, I am Charged with
Bread 78022 lb, which Should bee but 78. 0. 22 lb. The
Number of Casks is 56, whicli is Right and the iNIistakes by
that May be easily Rectifyed, In the Mollasses 20 gallons
over Charged by Reason of the Wantage not being Deducted,
I am Likewise Charged with 100 Empty Cartridges, for
tlie 9 Pounders & 50 Ditto for y^ 4 pounder, which Never
Came by any of the Vessels. —
One Barrill Flour Short in Capt Goochs Freight, It
appears by Col" Campbell a matter of uncertainty Whether
he took on Board or not.
I am Charged 60 p a Dozen for Seven Dozen Shirts, &
80 p for three Dozen D°, which I Imagine ought to be so
much a Peace —
I wrote about 200 Gallon Rum, I had last July, lias not
been Charged me in any Invoice. —
I have Drawn for Capt Gooch freight as agreed on by
Col° Campbell, amounting to 93 : 18 : 0 which will be Pre-
sented by Major Stillman, also In favor of the Committee,
for Sundries Supplies, for the use of the Troops, Amount of
328: 3.. 73^, which the Committee Expect to be Placed to
their Credit.
I have Given two Certificates, one in favour of Captain
Wallace for 1057 lb Beef, the other in Favour of Stephen
Jones Esq' for 663 lb Beef which the Commissary Store was
Furnished with, I have Supplied Sundries as pr accompt
which I Expect will he Replaced, as some is Borrowed and
the people Cannot Do without itt —
I have taken from the Truck liouse to Furnish the Com-
missary Store & from the Commissary Store to Furnish the
Truck house as you will see by the accompts —
342 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
I am Charged with 56 lb wampum which Is no more than
Beeds
I have Beaver, Moose Skins, Feathers & Small Furs, — by
me to a Considerable Amount Should be glad to Receive
your orders what to Do with it
I send the amount of Sundrys supplyed Col" Allan as
Superintendent of Indians Eastern Department & there is
Sundry other matters Furnished which I Cant Collect to
Send as yet, —
You will see by the Generall acct. of Provisions, of a
Quantity being on hand the 31 of Decem"" Which I DeUver
out to the Indians & artilery, by order of CoP Allan, any
Further Particulars Refer you to Major Stillman and Gentle-
men your most Obedient Humble Servant
Stephen Smith
perticulars of Molasses Shipt by Com^ Devens on 1/' Cap'
Gooch
Sep* 29
124
GalP
3 out
30
106
d°
2 out
Oct 2
107
d°
2
118
d°
2
1 bb'
29
9 out
484
9
out
475
State of Massachusetts Bay
In the House of Representatives Jan^ 24 1778
The House made choice by ballot of M"" Thomas Child as
Naval Officer for the Port of Falmouth for the Year ensuing
The House made choice by ballot of Capt Nicholas Crosby,
as Naval Officer at the Port of Penobscott for the Year
ensuing
OF THE STATE OF MAINE
343
The House made choice by ballot of Tristram Jordan Esq
as Naval Officer for the Port of Pepperilboroiigh for the
Year ensuing
The House made choice by ballot of Capt Richard Trevet
as Naval Officer for the Port of York for the Year ensuing
The House made choice by ballot of Capt Stephen Smith
as Naval Officer for the Port of Mcchias for the Year ensuinsr
Sent up for Concurrence
In Council Jany 27: 1778
Read & Concurred
Consented to
J Warren Spkr
Jn° Avery D^ Secy
Jer Powell
B Greenleaf
R Derby
Tim° Danielson
Josiah Stone
W Sever
Caleb Cushing
John Whitcomb
Dan^ Davis
A Fuller
A Ward
Jedidiali Preble
S Holten
D Hopkins
Oliver Prescott
In the House of Representatives, January 26*'*
Whereas it is represented to this Court that the Committee
of Correspondence Inspection &c for the Town of Gorham
in the County of Cumberland have in their Possession a Sil-
ver Cup & Tankard said to be the Property of William
Tyng, late of Falmouth in s*^ County who has fled to the
enemies of the United States of America therefore Resolve
the said Committee of Gorham be & they are hereby directed
to deliver said Silver Cup and Tankard to the Treasurer of
this State & take his Receipt for the same any Resolve or
Order of this Court to the Contrary not withstanding
Sent up for Concurrence
In Council Jan^ 26, 1778
Read & ConcuiTed
Consented to
J Warren Spkr
Jn° Avery D^ Secy
Jer. Powell
W. Sever
A Ward
344 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
B. Greenleaf Caleb Gushing W. Spooner
John Whitcomb S Holten Dan^ Davis
Tini° Danielson D Hopkins Josifih Stone
Oliver Prescott B White Jabez Fisher
Resolve concerning the Committee of Gorham to deliver
the Silver Cup mentioned in the Representation of Gorham
Jany 26' 1778
Mechias Januery 27* 1778
To the Honorable the Board of War for the State of
Massachusetts Bay by this opertunity the Committe of this
place would Inform you that During the Last Summer we
Suplyd the Commisereys Store at Mechias with sundries of
Provisions for the use of the Trups in the States Surves —
In this place amounting to ,£328.. 3.. 7 and we heave Taken
Captain Stephen Smith's Bill Drawn on your honours for the
Same also we payd Captain Gooch X93.. 18. — for y*^ fraight
of the artellerey & Stores belonging to the State brought
here by him for which we have a Bill upon your honours for
all amounting to £422 : 1 .. 7 The two said Bills will be
presented to you by Major Stillman and as wee are
indepted to the State Do not Disiar to Draft the money out
for them but That wee may have Credit for the said Sums
from the State and that Major Stillman may be furnished
with a Recpt. for the Whole amount for and in behalf of the
Committe of Mechias In order tliat wee may Charge the
State With the same wee are witli Due Respect yours to
Surve
By Order of the Committe
g James Flinn Clark
State of Massachusetts Bay.
In the House of Representatives Jan" 27, 1778
Resolved that there be paid out of the Treasury of this State
OF THE STATE OF MAINE
345
to the Board of War the Sum of Seaven hundred fifty
pounds for tlie purpose of purchasing half of y^ Schooner
Elizabeth & her Cargo y*' said Vessell to be employed in
bringing Lumber from Machias & other Eastern ports
Sent up for Concurrence
In Council Jan^ 27, 1778
Read & Concurred
Consented to
J Warren Spkr
Jn° Avery D^ Secy
Jer Powell
B Greenleaf
John Whitcomb
I Palmer
B White
Josiah Stone
W. Sever
W Spooner
S Holten
D Hopkins
Oliver Prescolt
N Cushino-
A Ward
Caleb Cushing
A Fuller
John Taylor
Tim° Danielson
A Calculation for Sundry articles Necessary for 150
Troops for Six Months — [ Plere follows list of articles.]
N.B This Quantity as has been Deliverd this Summer
will Serve 150 —
The above is an Estimate of Provision &c for one Hun-
dred Indian Troops for Six months —
Mem. of Sundry Articles to Supply the Truck House at
Machias for Trading with Indians — [Here follows list of
articles.]
Machias Jan^ 27"' 1778
for and in behalf of John Allan Esq Conten^ Agent for
Indians East Depart. Jn" Avery D^ Secy
In Council Feb^ 26' 1778
Read & Comitted to the Committee who have now
under Consideration the Letters & Papeis of ('ol'' Allan -
Sent down for Concurrence
Jn"' Avery D^ Secy
346 DOCUMENT AEY HISTORY
In the House of Representatives Feb^ 26, 1778
Read & concurred with an amendment at A viz At A
insert " together with the acccounts of John Allan Esq "
Sent up for Concurrence J Warren Spkr
In Council Feb^ 27' 1778
Read & Concurred Jn" Avery D^ Secy
Memo of Sundry Warr Like Stores Wanting for the Mili-
tary Department, at Mechias January 28"' 1778. —
[ Here follows list of articles.]
Pepperellbor° Janu^ 1778
Sir
Having been Honor'^ with a Commision from the Major
part of the Honorable Council appointing me to the Com-
mand of the youngest Regiment of the Brigade in the County
of York — and have Served as a Military Officer upwards of
Twenty years — in all which Time in that Sphere of Life as
well as Every Other, have Endeavoured to Serve my Coun-
try with fidelity in Preserving it* Liberties and there has not
been one Officer that has Served in Either of the Regiments
in this Brigade but has Served under me when I was a field
officer — as an officer or Soldier — the Late Brigadier served
under me as a Captain, when there was but one Regiment in
the County of York — when the Regiment was Divided and
formed into a Brigade, I Accepted a Commission with the
Sole Motive of Serving my Country — being Deeply Impress*^
in mind at that Time — the Salvation of this Country from
an inveterate foe — Depending on a well Regulated Militia
th** I will not here Deny but that I Tho' it a Degradation to
hold a Commission under one who had Served under me th°
OF THE STATE OF MACTB 347
I Esteemed him as a Gentlem" and a Soldier but I tbo' my
Country wou'^ have been Disserted at that Time had I then
Resigned my Command by Reason of the Times being so
fluctuating — but of Late a Path has been Opened by the
Death of the Late Brigadier of this Country for Some other
Gentleman Besides him who has been Honor*^ with the Pro-
motion thereof as I Conceive and as I have been Credibly
Informed was Obtained at the Expence of other' Characters
I am therefore Constrained under tliese and other Considera-
tions to Resign my Command of the Regiment I have the
Honor of Commanding — otherwise I shou*^ not do Justice to
mySelf, and if this Method of a Resignation is not Sufficient
to the Honorable Council will wait their Command in any
formal method they may Prescribe to add further there was
a Dispute Subsisting Some Time Since at y** general Court
Between the Two Western Regiments in this County about
Precedency I Cannot but Observe had there then been a
Litigation Between Either of them and the Eastern Regiment
it must have been Easily Determined in favour of the Latter,
for I was the only officer in y" Brigade, that had been a field
Officer Before the Regiment was Divided and was the Mat-
ter Traced Back it wou'^ be found that the first Field Officer
that was ever appointed in the County of York or Province
of Main Lived within the Limits of Where my Regiment
now is and any Person whatever Seeking Preferment at the
Expence of another Character must I Shou'' Think appear
Disagreable to all Persons whatever I have been Credibly
Informed it has been Represented to Several Gentleni" who
are members belonging to the Honorable General Court — that
Neither CoP Sayer or my Self was ever willing to Serve the
Country by going with the Militia when the Service of the
Country Required it this I Take to be a Reflection and
Ought to be Resented, also at y® Time the Last Draft was
made to Reinforce the Continental Army the Gentlem" was
348 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Please*^ to Sa}^ that no men wou"^ be Raised in the County of
York unless he was Commissionated to take y** Derection,
Seems to Imply a Very Great Dissability in y^ Officers or a
Carelessness in them — which Ought not to be Passed over
was it the Case — but notwithstanding all that has been
Suggested by 1 Shall Esteem it an High Honor if I can
Serve my Country in the Important Affairs it is Engaged in.
Let it be in what Capacity it will that is not Dishonarable to
me and am Sir with great Veneration your Most obedient
Humb' Serv* — Tristram Jordan
To the President of the Honorable Board
to be Communicated
In Council April •^•' 1118
Read & Sent Down Jn° Avery D^ Sec^
In the House of Representatives April 3*^ 1778
Read & ordered That Coll'' Porter & M^ Ingalls witli
such as the Hon^^^ Board may join to be a Committee to con-
sider the within Letter & report
Sent up for Concurrence J Pitts Spkr g Temp
In Council April 3^^ 1778
Read & Concurred and Oliver Prescot Esq is joined
Jn" Avery D^ Sec^
The Com^®* of both Houses appointed to Consider the within
Letter, report that the Hon^'^® Council be Desired to accept
the s*^ Letter from Col'' Jordan as a resignation of his Com-
mission — Oliver Prescott p"^ order
In Council April B'* 1778 Read & Accepted
Sent Down for Concurrence Jn" Avery D^ Sec^
In the House of Representatives April 4'''* 1778
Read & Concurr'd J Pitts Spk g T
To the President of the Honorab' Council of the State of
Massachusetts Bay
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 349
State of the Massachusetts Bay-
To the honorable the Council & house of Representatives
of said state in great & general assembled.
The Petition of the Committee of Correspondence, inspec-
tion & safety for the town of Falmouth in the County of
Cumberland humbly sheweth.
That on the sixteenth day of August A I) 1777 they
stopped sixteen oxen in said Falmouth \\hicli Jacob llath-
way & Kalph Austin two strangers had purchased east of
Falmouth and were then driving to the Westward through
said town, they the said Connnittee suspecting that said oxen
were designed & intended to be carried out of this state/
being provisions/contrary to a resolve of the great & general
court of this state passed upon the 5"' of February A D
1777. That they stopped the same as above said in order to
make enquiry agreeable to said Resolve. But that no cer-
tificate w^as produced by said persons from the Committee of
any town in this state from whence said provision was taken
to said Committee of Falmouth nor any satisfaction given
them that the same was not intended to be carried out of the
state ; nor any other act or thing, required by said resolve,
done by the persons aforesaid to entitle them to a redelivery
of said provision, nor have they to this day applied to your
petitioners respecting the same.
Wherefore your petitioners at the expiration of thirty days
from the time of stopping said provision seized the same
agreealjle to said resolve & proceeded to fde an information
against the same at the Court of general sessions of the peace
holden at said Falmouth within and for said county of Cum-
berland on the last tucsday of October A D 1777 in order to
get the same adjudged forfeited, & disposed of agreeable to
said resolve viz one half to the use of this state & the other
h;iir to tlic use of your Petitioners, liut your Petitioners
loiiiid thiit after said provision was st(jp})ed and seized as
350 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
afores*^ but before the setting of said Court the resolve afore-
said Avas repealed, so that said Court of Sessions could not
proceed to try & adjudge the same forfiet, but they continued
the cause to the next term in the last tuesday of March A D
1778, in order to give an opportunity to your petitioners to
apply to your honors for relief. —
Wherefore as your honors Petitioners have been at great
expense in keeping said Oxen which they seized by virtue of
a Resolve of Court & from a regard to the good of the pub-
lic, and may be made liable to the action of the owners of
said Cattle & to pay damages for what they apprehend was
lawfully done at the time, without the interposition of this
Honorable Court, they humbly pray your honors would be
pleased to take the premises into your wise consideration and
revive said resolve as to the seizure & information & pro-
ceedings aforesaid respecting the Oxen aforesaid & impower
the said Court of Sessions to proceed to the hearing tryal &
condemnation of said oxen in the manner directed by said
resolve as fully as if the same had never been repealed, or
otherwise relieve your petitioners in such way and manner as
to your honors great wisdom shall seem meet.
And your petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray &c —
By order of the Committee John Waite Chairman
Resolved that the Board of War be and hereby are directed
to supply Stephen Smith Truckmaster at Machias, wdth all
such Articles agreeable to the Estimates accompanying that
resolve for the Truck House under his Care for Supplying
the Several Tribes of Indians m that Department: and also
to Supply from time to time as they shall think proper said
Stephen Smith Commissary at Machias with such Provisions
and Ammunition as may be necessary for Subsisting and
Supplying such men as may be Raised by this Resolve for
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 351
the Defence of Maehias and to Repaj^ those Provisions that
have been already borrowed by Col° Allan for the said Service
and also Supplying said Smith with 400 lbs Powder and 600
lbs Ball to furnish the Militia that may at any time be called
out for the Defence of that part of the State, said Smith to
be accountable —
Resolved that the [Board] be & liereby are requested to
appoint a Suitable Person with the Rank of Major who shall
be and hereby is impowered and directed to Inlist a Number
of Men not exceeding one hundred for the Defence of
Maehias not more than one half of Same to be [ illegible] and
the Parts adjacent, and the Officers and Men to be under the
Command of Col° John Allan to form them into one Com-
pany with One Captain two I^ieu** one Ensign four Sergeants,
four Corporals. One Drum and One fife and to continue in
Service till the first day of December next unless sooner dis-
charged and said major is hereby impowered to Appoint all
the Officers of said Company and the Council is hereby
requested to furnish said Major with blank Conmiissions for
that purpose, and to encourage said Officers and Soldiers to
engage and Continue in said Service it is further
Resolved that each Officer and Soldier who shall engage as
aforesaid shall be entitled to, and receive the same Rations
and pay as the Officers and Soldiers in the Continental
Army and each Non Commissioned Officer and Soldier who
shall Inlist as aforesaid shall upon passing Muster receive a
Bounty of Six pounds to be paid him by the Muster Master,
and upon his providing himself with a good effective fire
Arm, and Bayonet, Cartridge Box, Knapsack, Blanket, and
Canteen or Wooden Bottle, shall in Addition to the Above
incouragement receive Twenty Shillings per month for each
Calhuuler montli he shall Continue in Service
And it is further Resolved tliat the Council be requested
ot Appoint Muster Masters to muster the said ('ompany and
352 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
to furnish said Muster Masters from the Publick Treasury
with a Sum of Money Sufficient to pay the above bounty. —
And it is further Resolved that Col° John Allan be
impowered and directed to engage in Service as many
Indians as he shall think proper not exceeding one hundred
and upon such an Establishment as he thinks their Service
shall merit, and Make return to this Court that such Order
may be taken thereon, as this Court shall think necessary —
Resolved that the Board of War be and are hereby
Directed to furnish Stephen Smitli Commissary at Machias with
Stores Necessary for one hundred Indian troops and Like-
wise sundry Military Stores Agreeable to a List accompany-
ing this Resolve
it is further Resolved that the Secretary furnish Coll Allan
with a copy of the Acts & Resolves of this Court
N" 2 Wee Dont know what Stores were Sent But wee
know there was many Complaints amojig the people that they
Could get nothing & it being made a Condition that none
were to Receive them unless all Became bound & that being
Refused as must bee Expected answered their purpose of
Keeping the Stores for their own Use because they knew that
but few had mone}' to Purchase : — The note was procured by
their Declaring in a public meeting that the Stores would
not be delivered without the people were bound Jointly
3*^ The Company are not employed in Scouting or other
Duty for which they were Intended but are Employed in
Servises for the oficers —
N. B Enquire of the Soilders now gone to Boston & of
Cap* preble who lives in the neibourhood
As to the ten Indians in the Service it is Confidently
Reported they do no Scouting or any kind of Duty & Do not
Come near the garison except once a week or fortnight for
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 363
their allowance & they getting so much for nothing Causes a
Jealousy among the others & gives a great opertuonty to the
oficers to put most of the Indians pay in their own pockets
At present the Company is partly of boys For Enquire of the
Soilders now at Boston
4th "Wee apprehend that Col° Brewer multiplying the number
of men in his district has been Injurius to us by having Such
a number of oficers CoP Brewer ordered Deadmen to bee put
into the list to Increase its number
See the Return
5^^ That the money put into the hands of Truck oficers has
been ill improved & in no respect answred the design of the
State & it is att length entirely Consumed & the Indians left
without any Supply except what they get from private
traders Several evidences to prove this See abram preble
Silas lieathorn Issiali Barley Simon Smith Ebenz'' M/'Kenzie
and others — But Col° Brewer Refused taking their depo-
sitions & before he Returned they being Enlisted were
obliged to go to Boston
See the Evidence of Caleb Goodwin & others
6^** That there was a great perversion of Justice Respecting
Col" Brewer not pmiishing a thief but making up a Criminal
affair & to Serve himself & Col" Lowder Contrived it so as
to get the man inlisted into the Continental Servis tho he
was a Deserter : & got his bounty
See Jedidiah preble & Stanton prentice evidence. —
7"' The alarm about the Indians had no foundation & was
made to Serve them Selves to the great hurt of the
Inhabitants
See preble Fletcher & Curtes Evidence
8 That Col" Brewer Col" Lowder Leit Gilman Evidently
avoided being Served with Copyes of Corts ordei's
See No 5 B Nicholas Ciosby & Gustaves Swan Evidence
22
354 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
State of Massachusetts Bay Feby 1«' 1778
This may Certify that Elisha Bragdon Robert Libby Nathanel
worrin Abraham Durgin John Robbinson and John Mathews
have ben Inlisted into the Continental Army By Sargt.
Capt Norths Copy Coll Lees Regt for the term of three
years and Mustered without their Bountys Being Paid
Test Daniel Ilsley
Muster Master for the County of Cumberland
State of Massachusetts Bay
In the House of Representatives February the 4"' 1778
Resolved That there be paid out of the puljlick Treasury of
this State the Sum of Therty pounds to M"" Briant Morton
the Chairman of the Committee to go to the County of Cum-
berland for the purpose of Collecting the Return of the
Number of Male inhabitants in Each Town m the said
County to Enable him to prosecute the business above men-
tioned he being accountable to this Court therefor,
Sent up for Concurrence J Pitts Speaker p''° Tem
In Council Feb'' 4, 1778
Read & Concurred Warrant drawn.
Jn° Avery D^ Secy
Consented to
In the Committe of Inspection, Correspondence & Safety
at Machias this 7"' Day of Feb^ 1778
This may Certify that y^ Inventory hereunto Annexed has
been Carefully Examined and taken by us and we have just
Reason to think that y® Several Articles therein Contained
were Burnt Destroyed & Plunderd from y^ Said Sylvanes
Scott by y* Enemy in y^ 15"' of last Aug** also it further
appear to us that y** said Scott lost y* greatest part of his
Potatoes and other Roots growing Likewise a Quanty of
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 355
Fence lUiint nearly his Land lays Common tho y® Burning a
Part of y® Fence and Destroy^ a part of y** Grass growing
was partly Ocassioned by y^ Troops in y^ States being Posted
upon said Premises which by no means cou'd be Prevented
but still all adds to y® Distress of y® unfortunate M'' Scott &
we must Recommend him to Legislative Authority for y^
State of Massachusetts Bay not Doubting but y^ AA'ill grant
him such Relief as will be Necessary, as we can affirm that
his Circumstances demand* the Charity of the Publick, as it
is out of y*^ Power of his Friends to assist him and also at
this Distressing time it is out of y^ Power of the Inhabitants
of this Settlement to give him any assistance adequate to his
losses but are ready to Condole with him in his Distress and
woud be willing to Exercise Charity in Relieving him were
it in their Power p*"' order of the Committee
Stephen Smith Chairman
In Council Feb^ 27' Read & Ordered that John Taylor
Esq with such as the Hon'ble House shall appoint be a Com-
mittee to consider this Petition & report what may be proper
to be done thereon —
In the House of Representatives Feb^ 27, 1778
Read & Cojicurred and M"^ Ingalls M'' Wyman are
joined —
J Warren Spkr
State of Massachusetts Bay
In the House of Representatives Feb 7^'' on the Petition
of Timothy Frost of York in tlie County of York
Praying that the Administrators of the Estate of Jotham
Moulton Esq"" late of York Aforesaid deceased, may be
impowered to reconvey to the Petitioners About one Acre &
Quarter of hmd & the Ijuildings thereon for the reasons Set
forth in his petition.
356
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Resolved that the Administrators of the Estate of Jothara
Moulton Esq'' Aforesaid, be & thej hereby Are Authorized
& impowered to execute a deed of release to said Timothy
Frost of such part of the real Estate Said Timothy conveyed
to Said Jotham in 1774, vt'hich remains undisposed of, for
Such Sum & upon Such Conditions, as from a C-onsideration
of the particular Circumstances of the case may Appear to
them Just & equitable, & Such release Shall have the Same
force & effect as if it had been executed by the Said Jotham
in his life time, Any law to the contrary notwithstanding
Sent up for CJoncurrence J Pitts Speak" p''° Tem
In Council Feb^ 7, 1778
Read & Concurred
Consented to
Jer Powell
Caleb Gushing
D Sewall
Moses Gill
S Holten
A Fuller
Jn° Avery D^ Secy
A Ward
Benjamin Austin
John Whitcomb
J Cushing
John Taylor
W Spooner
Josiah Stone
Jabez Fisher
Tim° Danielson
Dan^ Davis
Sir
Mechias February 12^*^ 1778.
You will Receive on Board the Sloop under your Com-
mand Captain James Littlefield Lately from Nova Scotia
whose Vessell was taken by the priviteer Schooner Congress
Cap* Marun, having arrived from Enemys Country, and his
throwmg himself upon me as Comm^ Claiming protection as
a subject of the united States, you will therefore see proper
Care taken of him nor permit any person to molest him or
permit him to Quit the Vessell till he arrives at some port to
the Westward of Penobscut, where you Mill permit him
to depart should he request it —
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 357
You will also Receive on Board one M"^ Rob Bell an
Inhabitant of Passamaquady in Nova Scotia, this man I have
Repeated Accounts is very Active in Aiding & Assisting the
adherents of Great Britain, and is what is Commonly Term'd
a Tory, & if permited to return may be of the most danger-
ous Consequence to this Country, You will therefore not
permit him to Leave the Vessell till your Arrival at Boston,
Newbury or Portsmouth at any of which, you will take him
before the Committee of Safety &c Communicating this my
Letter, & request of them to secure him By Bond or other-
wise, so that he may not return Eastward, it may be observed
that a short time ago he went to Nova Scotia to get some
Vessell of force to protect the British Adhearents — Any
Expence Arising shall be punctualy pay*^
I am Your h" s^ J. Allan
Supernd of Indians Eastern Depart
Capt. Ephriam Chase
Return of Rations due to Colo^ Benjamin Foster's Regi-
ment of Militia while on Duty at Machias Between the 20***
of May 1777 and the 13"' of February Following, Viz* —
Benjamin Foster, Colonel ; Alexander Campbell, Lieu*^
Colonel ; Samuel Jordan, Major ; Jonas Farnsworth, Adju-
tant ; James Flinn, Qua. Master : Nath^ Cox, Serj* Major ;
Benj* Foster, Colonel ; Joseph Libby, Cap' ; Thirty five
Privates ; Joseph Seavy, Captain ; Fifty Two Privates ;
Joseph Seavy, Captain ; Ezekiel Foster, Lieu' : Forty five
Privates ; Stephen Smith, Captain ; Amos Boynton, Lieu* ;
Forty five Piivates ; Joel Whitney, Lieu' ; Jonathan Knight,
D*' ; Eighteen Privates; Samuel Libby & Company; Henry
Dyer & D° ; Lieu* W" Nickles & Men ; Cap* John Hall &
D"
[Signed] Jonas Farnsworth Adj*
358
DOCUMENTABY HISTORY
In the House of Representatives Feb^ 14"^ 1778
on tlie Petition of Clerk Linniken praying to be liberated
from the common Goal for Reasons therein mentioned.
Resolved that the Sheriff of the County of Lincoln be and
he hereby is directed to liberate & discharge the said Clerk
Linniken from his present confinement, without demanding
any Costs of said prisoner: and that the said Sheriff be
directed to lay liis account of the Costs arising upon said
Commitment before the Court of General Sessions of the
peace for said County wliich Court aie hereby impowered
and directed to pay out of the said County Treasury all sucli
legal Costs as have arisen
Sent up for Concurrence
In Council Feb^ 14' 1778
Read & Concurred
Consented to
J Pitts Spk'^ p-^o Tem
Jn° Avery D^ Secy
Jer Powell
Caleb Gushing
S Holten
Dan' Davis
Josiah Stone
Moses Gill
A Ward
John Taylor
Benj Austin
Oliver Prescott
N Gushing
W Spooner
John Whitcomb
D Hopkins
A Fuller
B White
Pepperrellbor" Feb^ IQ''' 1778
Dear Sir
I think it Necessary that the Naval Laws be Revised
for those that are Enemies to the State may do almost as
they are mind to do for a Vessel may Come from Nova Scotia
and go back again without being Detain'^ unless the Council
or Representative Body Give Particular Orders to Detain a
Naval Officer as an Officer Cannot Stop a Vessel by Law and
Shou*' he Pretend to take a Vessel into Custody on Suspic-
tion there is nothing to Indemnify him he is therefore in
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 359
fear of Doing a Duty that I think is incumbent to be Done
Several Vessels has been into this Sliore from Nova Scotia of
Late and if these Things are Allow'^ Intelligence may be
Carried to the Enemy at all Times for we know not our
Friends from our Enemies that Come from that Quarter
[unsigned]
To the Hon^' tlie Council of the State of Massachusetts
Bay
The Committee of Correspondence Inspection & Safety for
the Town of Boston beg leave to Represent to your Honors
That one Robert Bell sent here from Mechias by Col° Allan
as a person unfriendly to the United States, has been
examined by us, & it appearing to the Committee that his
going at large might be attended with disagreable Circum-
stances ; they have committed him to the Goal of this
County, and if your Honors shall Judge proper to take fur-
ther order concerning him
W"' Davis Chairman ^ order
Boston Feb. 23M777 —
In Council March S'* 1778 Read & Committed to Moses
Gill Esq to consider this Petition w^ the Letter from Col°
Allan & report what is best to be done thereon
Jn° Avery D^ Secy
To the Hon''' the Council of the State of Massachusetts
Bay —
The Committee of Correspondence Inspection & Safety for
the Town of Boston beg leave to acquaint your Honors, that
upon a complaint entered, by Capt. Ogreen Crabtree, against
Capt. James Littlefield an Inhabitant of this State, as liaving
360 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Corresponded & traded with the Enemy in Nova Scotia
they have examined into the grounds of this Complaint; and
from the declarations made by several Persons, they think it
their duty to acquaint the Hon'^^« Board with this Complaint,
and to lay some of the Evidences in support of it before
them — as also to inform your Honors, that from conversing
v/ith seveial Persons belonging to Mechias & other parts of
the Eastward, they have reason to think tliat the Indulgences
granted to some who have an Interest in Nova Scotia have
been perverted to the purpose of a private trade with the
Inhabitants of that State, which has been productive of uni-
versal discontent in those parts of this State — by order of
the Committee John Simpkins Ch'"man
Boston Feby 24, 177
Letters & Papers respecting William Ball of Passimiquody
now confined in Boston Goal witli Order thereon for the
liberation —
Boston At a Meeting of the Comm''^ of Correspondence
Inspection & Safety Feb^ 24/ 1778
M' Jeremiah Thompson of Penobscott in this State
appeared, and declared that when Capt. Littlefield came into
Cornwallis in Nova Scotia on or about the 24 of Decern'^ he
there discharged 4 hhds. of Molasses from the Sloop EHza-
beth — that about the 3*^ of January he agreed with said
Littlefield to go in said Sloop to the West Indies and got at
Hallifax, Men & a lot of cotton wool but proceeded no far-
ther than Pasamequadee in the Governmt of Nova Scotia, &
there landed 6 hhds of Moloses & all the Cotton Wool &
was to have loaded with Lumber for W. Indies as Cap*^
Littlefield told him.
after which the Vessel was taken by Cap* John Marcon of
of the Armed Schooner Congress, that before the Vessel
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 361
was captured he took Cap' Littlefield in a Burcli Canoe with
two Indians, wlio was going as Littlefield informed to
Machias — that he heard M'' John Avery of Windsor in
Nova Scotia say that he owned a part of the Vessel above
mentioned — being asked whether he had ever heard Cap*
Littlefield speak against the Country he declared he had not,
but on the Contrary had heard him stand up for America as
also that he never heard of his giving any advice to the
Enemie or of his doing anything unfriendly to his Country —
Jere Thompson
Robert Kent in the County of Lincoln appeared, &
declared that he had shipped upon s'' Sloop Elizabeth at
Pemaquid for Machias the 2*^ Day of December, & agreed
with Cap*^^ Littlefield to go in said Sloop to y® West Indies at
16 Dollars a month & expected to receive his Wages in hard
Money in the West Indies, — that he proceeded as far as
Passamaquadee & from thence to Cornwallis, where they
landed from the Vessel 4 hhds the contents unknown — from
Cornwallis he returned to Passamaquadee & help'd hall the
Vessel on shore for nessaries & afterward to unload part of
the Cargo — after which the Vessel was taken — that he
understood She was to have taken in Fish & Oyle at Passa-
maquadee but where the rest of the Cargo was to be pro-
cured he knew not — that he had never heard or knew him
do or say any thing to the prejudice of his Country — And
that he had heard Cap* Littlefield say, that on his return
from the West Indies he intended to fall in with Pemaquid —
Robert Kent
Jonas Farnsworth of Machias appeared & declared that at
the time Cap' Littlefield was brought into Macliias which
was about August last, he had two Sea Men on board, viz.
John Trayha & Walter Wilkins who were Inhabitants of
Annapolis Royal in Nova Scotia & tliat he knew Trayha to
362 IX)CUMBNTARY HISTORY
be a Person greatly suspected of being eniniical to his
Country — Jonas Farnsworth
Mem^ the above Declarations taken when Cap' Littlefield
was present. Col° Benjamin Foster appeared Col° Thaw.
Deposition of Thomas Miee.
I Tho^ Rice of lawfuU age testify & say that some Time last
Summer, as I think, I saw two Letters signed Charles Calle-
lian Dated in some part of Nova Scotia, directed the one to
his Wife, the other to a Gentleman in Pownalboro. He
began them with complaints that he was injuriously & wick-
edly drove from his Home & Family, contrary to his Inclina-
tion, and mentioned that he feared his Wife was persecuted
& plundered, as plundering he said was the prevailing
practice of the Times. In his Letter to his Wife, after giv-
ing her some Directions respecting the Family, desired she
would come to him in the Spring, if she could not be in quiet
at Home, for He was w^ell provided for, and was in an Armed
Vessel of ten or twelve Guns with one hundred brave Fel-
lows under him, and that he was determined to fight as long
as he could keep Guns & Carriages together ; He mentioned
in his Letter that it would have been more agreeable to him
to have gone into the Merchants Service, than a board an
Armed Vessel, but no Opportunity presented. He further
mentioned that he was a good Pilot both by Land or Water
on this Coast and that it was likely he should soon have an
Opportunity to draw on the Committee at Pownalboro : He
further mentioned he had a fixed Salary (^ the exact Sum I
cannot remember,) besides what he could catch.
Pownalboro' Feb^ 25, 1778 Tho. Rice
Lincoln Ss. Pownalbor" Feb^ 25"> 1778. Then the above
named Tho* Rice personally appear'd & after being Care-
fully examin'd & Duely Cautioned to testify the whole
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 363
Truth, made Solemn Oath tliat the above Deposition by
him subscrib'd (According to the best of liis remembrance)
Contains the Truth. Before me
Nath^ Thwing Just Peace
A Committee of both Houses upon the Petition of the
Com"^ of Machias and several Letters from Col'^ John Allan,
have considered the same ; and apprehend that the retaining
and securing the Several Tribes of Eastern Indians in the
Friendship and Service of the United States is a matter of
the utmost importance to the safety and Defence of so Val-
uable a part of this State as the Eastern Country, and to this
end your Committee apprehend that it is absolutely Neces-
sary that the Truck house at Machias should be supplyed
with Cloth, Corn, Rum, & every Kind of stores Necessary for
such a Department as the best means to secure the several
Tribes of Indians from taking part with the Enemy — Your
Com'^^ further report that it will be expedient for the safety
of Machias, and to prevent the progress of the Enemy in the
Eastern Country, that a small Body of men not exceeding-
one hundred for their present Relief should be immediately
inlisted under the special Direction of Col" Allan divided
into two Companys properly Organized and Stationed at
Machias, and that the said CoP Allan be impowered to
ingage in Service as many Indians as he Can and upon such
an Establishment as shall be adequate to their service — and
that Stephen ^mith the Commissary should be supplied with
provisions &c not only for subsistance of the men that may
be raised replace what provisions have been already Bor-
rowed — and that a Quantity of Powder & Ball be also sent
to said Commissary to supply the Malitia that may be Called
at any time to reinforce that part and that the whole matter
should be laid before Congress for their inspection & allow-
ance— Your Com*''® would inform this Court that there are
364 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
several important matters Contained in said Allan's Letters
that have not yet been Considered and your Com^^^ ask leave
to set again —
all which is Submitted Moses Gill g order
In Council Feb" 25' 1778
Read & Sent Down Jn° Avery D^ Secy
In the House of Representatives Feb^ 28, 1778
Read and accepted and the Committee are directed to
draw the same into a Resolve —
Sent up for Concurrence J Warren Spker
In Council March 2'» 1778
Read & Concurred Jn° Avery D^ Secy
In the House of Representatives March 7, 1778
Read & recommitted & the Committee are directed to
set forthwith —
Ordered that Maj Cross be of the Committee in the room
of M'" Wood absentt —
Sent up for Concurrence J Warren Spkr
In Council March 7, 1778
Read & Concurred Jn° Avery D^ Secy
The Committee of both Houses to Whom was recommitted,
the above report ask leave to report the annexed resolve
Which is Submitted Moses Gill
In Council March 10M778
Read & Sent Down Jn" Avery D^ Secy
In the House of Representatives March 10' 1778
Read & recommitted — and the Committee are directed
to report an Estimate of supplies necessary for the Commis-
sary and Truck Master at Machias
Sent up for Concurrence J Warren Speaker
In Council March 11' 1778
Read & Concurred Jn*' Avery D^ Secy
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 365
The Corumittee of both Houses, to Whom was recommitted
the foregoing report agreeable to order of Court, have made
out an Estimate of Amonitions and provitions, Necessary for
the Supplying and Subsisting, of Three hundred Men for Six
months for the defence of Machias, also an Estimate for pro-
vitions &c for One hundred and fifty Indians, for the same
space of time, also an Estimate of Articles Necessary for Sup-
plying the Truck House, which Estimates Accompany this
Report. — and Which is Submitted Moses Gill p order
In the House of Representatives March 12 1778
Read & passed as amended
Sent up for Concurrence J Warren Spk*"
In Council March 12° 1778.
Read & sent down Jn" Avery D^ Secy
In Council March 13' 1778.
Read & the Board reconsidered their Vote of Concur-
rence with the House on the within Resolutions —
Jn° Avery D^ Secy
In the House of Representatives March 13 1778
Read again and passed as further amended
Sent up for Concurrence J Warren Spker
In Council March 13' 1778
Read &; Concurred Jn" Avery D^ Sec^
Consented to
Jer Powell I Cushing Moses Gill
John Taylor John Whitcomb I Pahner
N Cushing A Fuller Benj Austin
H. Gardner Oliver Prescott Tim° Danielson
D Hopkins Josiah Stone
In Council Feb>- 26' 1778
Ordered that Col*" Jonathan Buck be and lie hereby is
directed to cause the fourth Company of his Militia in his
366 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Regt together with the Ahirm List within the Limits of the
same to meet together &> make Choice of a Captain in the
Room of Dennis Getchell who has leave from this Board to
resign his Commission and he is further required to see that
the Choice is made according to the Directions of the Law
and duly certified to the Secretary of tliis State
Read & Accepted Jn° Avery D^ Sec^
To tlie Honourable the Council and House of Repre-
sentatives in General Court Assembled
Humbly shews Daniel Sullivan of Frenchmans Bay in the
County of Lincoln — that in the Course of the summer and
Fall past he was waited upon by his superiour Officers in the
Militia three several times to March his Company for the
Defence of Machias and that he marched them sixty miles
Each Time upon said orders as appears by his pay roll
examined by the Committee of the Honourable Assembly —
and that his said Company are allowed m said Roll at the
Rate of forty shillings per month for their Time whereupon
he begs Leave to suggest that the sum allowed them is but a
small reward for the loss they sustained in bemg taken from
their business in the only season in which they could procure
hay for the \\dntering their Cattle and he therefore prays that
some further allowance may be made them and that they may
have the same wages as the Militia in the Western part of
the State when they have been allowed in like Cases
And also begs leave to show your hon" that he paid the
expense of sixty six men untill it amounted to three hundred
and Twenty two Days of men more in said marches, of his
men and prays tliat the same may be allowed him out of the
public treasury
and he likes would Represent to the Honourable assembly
that the said Frenchmans Bay are in the most Distressed cir-
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 367
cunistances for want of the necessaries of Life and that he
would therefore humbly hope that your honours ^^'ould order
that the sums Granted as well upon his pay Roll as this peti-
tion ma}^ be laid out in the State Store for such necessaries as
the people in whose behalf he petitions are suffering for —
and as tlie greatest part of the arms of said People have been
taken in our Coasting vessels whereby they are rendered in a
Defenseless Situation he therefore prays that they may have
the Loan of a few arms and be Supplied with some amuni-
tion upon Security to return the arms and to pay for the
amunition — as lie is at great Distance from home in this
Inclement season of the year and upon very great expense
he prays your Honours to take this petition under Considera-
tion as soon as more important Business will admit of it & he
Avill ever pray
Feby 26^" 1778 Dan^ Sullivan
Resolve suffering Dan^ Sulivane to make up his Muster
Roll at the Rate of 40s. g m'' for the Soldiers that marclrd
to Machias & directing the Board of War to supply tlie Inh.
at Frenchmans Bay all Necessaries —
Feb>' 27' 1778 —
In the House of Representatives Feb^ 27 1778
On the Petition of Daniel Sullivan Resolved that the said
Daniel Sullivan be Admitted to make up a Muster Roll at
the Rate of two Pound Ten Shillings per Month in addition
to one he Made up at two Pound per Month, for the Soldiers
that Marcht from Frenchmans Bay to Machias upon alarms
there several times in the Months of July Sep'' and Oct'"
last — it is further Resolved That the said Daniel Sullivan
and Company be allowed the same Rations as those Ollicers
and Soldiers that Marcht t(^ the Wisterd in Sep"^ last —
Resolved that the said Sullivan be permitted to purchase of
368
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
the Board of war so much of the Necessarys of Life for the
use of the Inliabitants of Frenchmans Bay as the amount of
his Muster Roll if the Board of War can spare it — -it is fur-
ther Resolved That the said Daniel Sullivan have Liberty to
purchase of the Comissary Gen'' Twenty five Fire arms
two Hundred w*^ of Powder Eight Hundred w* of Lead and
four Hundred Flints he giving proper security for the same
to be paid to the Comissary of this State within twelve
Months from the Date of this Resolve —
Sent up for Concurrence
In Council Feb^ 27' 1778
Read & Concurred
Consented to —
J Warren Spkr
Jn^ Avery D^ Secy
Jer Powell
J Cushing
Moses Gill
Dan' Davis
I Palmer
Tim° Danielson
A Ward
John Taylor
Caleb Cushing
D Hopkms
Josiah Stone
W Spooner
S Holten
B White
A Fuller
Benj Austin
Resolved that the Petition of Daniel Sullivan be Admitted
to Make up a Muster Roll at the Rate of 2/10 per Month in
addition to one he has Made up at 4 0/0 for those Officers
and Soldiers that Marcht from Frenchmans bay to Mechias
upon alarms there several times in the months of July Sep"^
and Octr last and it is further Resolved that the said Daniel
Sullivan and Company be allowed the same Rations as those
officers and soldiers that Marcht to the Westrd in Sep^
last — Resolved that the said Sullivan be addmitted to
purchase of the Board of War so much Necessarys of Life
for the use of the Inhabitants of Frenchmans bay as the
amount of his Muster Roll it is further Resolved that the
said Daniel Sullivan have liberty of purchasing 25 Fire arms
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 369
200L of Powder 800L of Lead and 400 Flints he giving
security for the same to be paid to the Comissary of this
State \A'ithin from this time
State Massachusetts Bay
To the honorable the Council and hon° house of Represen-
tatives in General Court assembled
The petition of the Inhabitants of a new plantation or set-
tlement called Royalsbourg in the County of Cumberland
humbly sheweth. —
That the Inhabitants of Brunswick did in the year 1776
assess the polls of the inhabitants of said Royalsbourg
towards the public tax laid on said Brunswick that year, and
have required the inhabitants of said Royalsbourg to give in
a list of their polls & estates in order to assess them again
towards said Brunswicks part of the public tax for tlie year
1777. Which the said Inhabitants of Brunswick suppose
they liave a right to do, by virtue of the tax acts for those
years respectively.
Your Petitioners beg leave to represent to your honors
that by far the greater part of the families in said Royals-
bourg ( not being now more than 49 in all ) have been set-
tled there no more than four or five years, that they enterd
on wild uncultivated lands, had a wilderness to subdue, and
buildings to erect for shelter with great difficulty labour &
expense, & are yet strugling for life — That an early frost
the last year 1777 in a great measure cut off their indian
Corn Crops so that not half enough was raised there for the
necessary use & support of the Inhabitants tliat they have
nothhig else to dispose of nor any business or trade by which
to procure a supply of so necessary and at present dear as
well as scarce an article, much less to obtain money to pay
24
370 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
in taxes — that they have but 46 men on the training band
list, of whom seveteen are inlisted for three years in the con-
tinental army — many of whom have left families whom they
must supply agreeable to a late Resolve of the general court,
which is, in the present scarcity & dearness of provisions, a
heavy burthen upon them, notwithstanding the provision
made in said resolve for their reimbursement of that
expense —
That their being taxed in Brunswick toward their propor-
tion of the public tax ( & which is no more than their propor-
tion if Royalsbourg was not in being ) is a benefit & relief to
Brunswick only, and is not of the least advantage to the
state, and there appears to your petitioners no good reason
why they should help Brunswick pay its public tax rather
than any other town in the state Wherefore your Petitioners
humbly pray your honors to take the premises into your wise
& merciful consideration, and order that the collector of
Brunswick for the year 1776 be directed not to demand of
any of the Inhabitants of said Royalsbourg the poll tax laid
on them by said Brunswick that year but that the same be
remitted them — and that said Brunswick should not assess
them for the year 1777 or in case they have done it or may
do it before your honors pass upon this Petition that such
assessment may be vacated & the sums assessed remitted to
them — or that your Honors would otherwise releive your
Petitioners in such way & manner as to your Honors shall
seem meet &, your Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever
pray &c —
charles gerrish Charles Hill Jisah chandler Ebenezer Rob-
ards, William Gerish, Vitt' Gusase Micah Dyer, John parker,
Benjamin Eben Isley, Vining David Dyer, John
Gushing, Samuel Smith Charles Garish, Robinson Crockett,
Ezekiel Jones Veusen Robarts, Benj*
Sawyer, Moses Mariner Jon* Armstrong huse gatchell, John
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 371
gatchell Robart gatchell, John blethen, Josiah Day Samuel
Roy, Stephen Samuel York Joshea Strout
[Dated on back of document, Feb. 2, 1778 ]
To the Honourable Council and House of Representatives
in General Court assembled. — The Protition of Cap* Jabez
West, of Machias, in Behalf of his Company that had ben
under his Command: this Last Summer for the Defence of
that Place. —
Humbly Slieweth, — That whareas your Protitioner raised
a Compan}' the Last Summer at Machias ; and the noncom-
mition** officers and soldiers wear Cheafiy men that had
familys in that Place : being oblidged to Strictly attend thear
Duty, from July till December. — Several of which not hav-
ing time to Cut hay for thear Cattel : and have been obliged
to kill them : or othear ways Dispose of them to thear grate
Disadvantage, — and others Loosing the gratest Part, — and
some all, the grain and Roots theay had growing; and now
have Scarce any thing Left to Depend on for thear Support,
the Remainder of the winter and Spring. — but Part of thear
Pay for thear Service which at only the Establish Pay : will
give thear Suffering familys but a Small Releaf.
Thearefore your Protitioner Pray your Honours to take
this matter: into your wise Consideration and grant us such
Additional Pay : as others have ben granted in Like Cases ;
in this State, — so that it will not only serve for thear grate
Releaf at this time of Distress : but grately incoridge them :
to Enter into the Service again —
also your Protitioner beg Leave to acquant your Honours :
that he has ben at a Very Considerable Expence for Raising
a Company which Consisted of 45 men — and not yet had
any alowance for it, — thearfore your Protitioner humbly
Prays, he may be Paid for such Service, as in your wisdom
you shall see fit,
372 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Likewise your Protitioner Prays, if your lionours should
see fit : to alow an additional Pay to tlie men in his Role,
that your Honours would Lett the whole of it Come out of
the State Store, in Provitions & Cloathing. — as your Proti-
tioner : is in the gratest Hast, to Return. So he may
Releave the Destressd. — and as in Duty bound your Pro-
titioner, Will Ever Pray —
Jabez West
Boston February 2"^ 1778
Gouldsboro February 2^ 1778
These may Certyfey that william ^upper Deputy Sheriff for
the County of Lincoln hath Served the write'g put into his
hands to Serve on Samuel Jordan Esq' Thomas Milliken &
Ivery Hovey M"^ John Underwood & M'^ Samuel Gardner
being Plaintiffs according to my Direction and has made his
Returns on the Same accordingly, and I have two oxen &
one Cow that was Attached by said Tupper in Domg Said
Servis which I ingaged to Keep So that Execution may be
Levyed on them Accordingly. And in Case the Said oxen
or Cow in part or the Wliole Should happen to be the prop-
erty of Malletia Jordan then in that Case I promis & Ingage
to and with Said Tupper to pay all Costs and Dammages
that the Sheriff of the County of Lincoln or the Said Tupper
or Either of them May Sustain By Said Two oxen and one
Cow So Attached & Removed In Witness Where of I have
here unto Set my Hand Day and Date above
A True copy Signed by Nathan Jones
Exam** p®' Wm Tupper Saml Jordan
To the Hon''' Council and House of Representatives of the
State of Massachusetts Buy.
Samuel Waters of New Castle in the County of Lincoln in
the State aforesaid begs Leave to inform your Honours, —
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 373
That some Time in the Year 1776, Application was made
to the General Court by the Convention for the County of
Lincoln for a Quantity of Powder, Ball & Flints and the
same were obtained for said County by Samuel Nickels on
his Bond being given to the Commissary General of this
State for the Payment of a certain Sum of Money therefor —
That when the same arrived in said County they were dis-
tributed into divers Towns and Part of the Pay therefor
received in Bills of Credit & Notes issued by this State the
whole whereof was collected as your Informant heard &
veryly believes, before the first Day of December last, but
by Reason of the very great Distance of the County of Lin-
coln from Boston it was not seasonably offerd to the
Commissary General who now declines receiving the same
without particular Direction from your Honours therefor —
tho' by far the greatest Part thereof consists of Continental
Bills,—
Your Informant humbly petitions your Honours to pass some
Resolve of the general Court directing the said Commissary
to receive the same on Account of said Bond any Law of
this State to the Conterary notwithstanding and your Peti-
tioner as in Duty bound shall ever pray
Boston 5 Feby 1778 Samuel Waters
In tlie House of Representatives Mar 2 1778
Ordered that M"^ Tucker be of the Committee on the Peti-
tion of Silvanus Scott, in the room of M"^ Wyman absent —
Sent up for Concurrence J Warren Spkr
In Council Mar 2 1778
Read & Concurred Sam^ Adams Sec^
State of Massachusetts Bay
In the House of Representatives March S""** 1778
Upon the l^etition of Benjamin Furnass setting forth tluit by
374 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
tbe Permission of this Court, had proceeded to Nova Scotia
in the Schooner Two Brothers Joseph Wilhams Master to
bring up Effects belonging to Ebenezer Thayer but that said
Schooner proving leaky and Captain Williams absent, he was
obliged to take another Vessell and Master to return with
said Thayers' Effects, and that upon his passage up, putting
into Casco Bay — the Vessell & Cargo is Seized by George
Dike Commander of the Fort there as not being under the
Permission granted by this Court and therefore praying this
Court to Order that said Vessell and Cargo be released to
him. —
Resolved that the prayer of said Petition be so far granted as
that the Vessell and Cargo set forth by the Petitioner to be
under the Custody of M"^ George Dike Commander of the
Fort at Casco Bay, be immediately released & permitted to
proceed up to Boston — Whereupon her Arrival Report is
Ordered immediately to be made by the Commander of said
Vessell to the Board of War ( under whose direction said
Furnass proceeded to Nova Scotia in the Schooner Two
Brothers ) and said Board are directed to make needful
Inquiry whether the Conditions in the Permission granted by
a Resolve of this Court the 30*'' of September last to Eben-
ezer Thayer and said Furnass have been properly complied
with —
Sent up for Concurrence J Warren Spkr
In Council March 3'^ 1778
Read & Concurred Jn° Avery D^ Secy
Consented to by the Major part of the Council
A true Copy Attest John Avery D^ Sec^
State of Massachusetts Bay March 4'^ 1778
To the Honourable Council & House of Representatives in
General Court Assembled —
OF THE STATE OF MALNE 375
We the Subscribers Inhtibitauts of a Place called Raymond
Town in the County of Cumberland beg leave to Represent
to your Honours the Circumstances of the few Inhabitants of
s*^ Place.
1* their are about Twenty Families in the Place and they
are as Poor as Can well be Immagined Mostly without Shoes
& hardly any Clothes & but lately moved there in Order to
make Settlement for a future Livelihood upon the Encour-
agement of the Proprietors to give them Deeds of Some
Land When they Shall have Compleated tlie Settlements as
required by the Act Granting Said Township —
2"^ Said Township lays on the Northeast Side of Sebago
Pond adjoining to no other Township but Otisfield on the
North West and adjomes not upon Windham or New Boston
by a Considerable distance a large Tract of Land belonging
to this State lying between them —
3>iiy Notwithstanding the Assessors of Windham took it in
their Heads to rate the Inhabitants of S** Raymond Town for
the 1776 and for the year 1777 tho the said Inhabitants
have not paid said Rate for 1776 neither are they able to Pay
it or for the year 1777
4*^^ Your Petitioners humbly conceive that the Said assessors
Mistook the Meaning of the Tax Act for the year 1776 as
Your Petitioners apprehend that Act did not Mean that any
Part of the Sum laid Upon the Town of Windham for that
Year Should be Paid by any Other Persons but those Who
lived in Said Windham Especially by the People of Any
Other Place not adjoining Said Town and that the Clause in
Said Act Impowering the Assessors to rate tlie Estates lying
in Places adjacent must mean Such Estates in those Adjacent
Places which belong to some of the Inhabitants of the Towns
taxed by Said Acts Otherwise Such Towns Would not Pay
their Proportion of the State Tax Set on Such Towns to
Pay
376 DOCUMENTAKV HlSTOllY
5th Wherefore your Petitioners Humbly Pray that this
Hon'^''' Court Would take the Premises into their mature
Consideration and give orders to the said Assessors to Abate
the Rates they laid upon the Inhabitants of Said Raymond
Town for y*^ year 1776 and for the year 1777 and not Rate
them Again till further orders of the Gen^ Court or however
Otherwise Releve your Petitioners as your Honours may
think fit — and your Petitioners as in Duty Bound Shall
Ever Pray
Joseph Dingley James Jordan John Davis
Samuel Jordan Jeremiah Jordan Roger Jordan
Gideon Davis Bengaman Clark Dominicus Jordan
Samuel deney Jonathan Simonton Peter Staple
Machias March 8"' 1778
To the Honoroble Council and House of Representatives
of the State of the Mass" Bay, in general Court assembled,
Humbly sheweth, —
that the Sixth Regiment of Militia in the County of Lin-
coln are almost without ammonition, by Reason of thear
being coulled to Machias Several Times the Last Summer
thear Did attack the Enemy, which Did grately wast thear
ammonition : altho all Possible Care was Taken by the offi-
cers of the Militia that no wast should be maid. —
We your Protitioners also beg Leave to acquant your
Honours that thear is wanting in s*^ Regiment by the Return
maid by the several Cap** one hundred and Eighty Seven
fire arms, — being in this Defenceless Situation and appre-
hensive that the Enemy will attack us Early this Spring. —
We your Protitioners Pray in behalf of our Selves and the
good men under our Command: that your Honours would
grant us a supply of arms and ammonition ; so that Every
man may be able to Defend himself : and help Defend that
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 377
Valuable Part of this state ; the Eastern End of the county
of Lincoln, and as in Duty bound your Protitioners will
Ever Pray
Benj* Foster
Jonas Farnsworth
To the Hon"^ Council and the Hon^'* House of Represen-
tatives in General Court Assembled for the State of Massa-
chusetts Bay —
The Petition of Silvanus Scott of Machias Humbly shews
That in the Month of August last Viz. on the Fourteenth
day of said Month The Cherry came to Machias and burnt
plundered and other ways destroyed a number of Dwelling
Houses other Buildings &c & among them was the Dwelling
House Barn major part of Household Furniture, Husbandry
Implements & Carpenters Tools belonging to your petitioner
That his Family consist^ of a Wife & Ten Children are
thrown into the utmost distress thereby, that he is destitute
of Money & unable to afford them any assistance at present,
he has already preferred a petition to your Honours praying
that his losses might be made up to him, which petition was
laid aside, he would now intreat of your Honours to grant
him such a sum of Money as in your Wisdom shall be judged
sufficient to Remove his Family from Machias to some part
of this State where they shall be more secure from the
ravages of the Enemy & he as in duty bound will pray
March 7, 1778 — Silvanus Scott
Petition of James Nolle Shannon f Jonas Farnsworth.
To the Hon'''® the Council and House of Representatives
of the State of Massachusetts Bay. —
The Petition of James Noble Shannon and Jonas Earns-
378 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
worth in behalf of themselves and others, Captors of the two
Sloops, Called the Polly and Unity. Humbly Sheweth,
That your Petitioners and others, on the eleventh day of
June A D 1775, did in the Harbour of Machias within
thirty Leagues of the Shore, attack and take the said two
Sloops, one of them about Eighty and the other about Ninety
Tons burthen, together with their Cargoes and appurtenances,
and on the same day brought the said Captures into Machias
aforesaid: which Sloops were at the time of the Capture
thereof in the Service of the Enemy and had been carrying
supplies to the British Fleet and Army, employed against
America. For which causes of Capture, the Captors caused
the said Sloops, Cargoes and appurtenances to be duly
libelled on the twenty ninth day of July 1776 in the Mari-
time Court for the Eastern District in said State. The time
and place of Trial having been duly notified, and the Claims
of Ichabod Jones and Daniel Holt to the said Sloops and
Cargoes filed, on the thirteenth day of September last ; the
Libels and Claims aforesaid were committed to a Jury duly
returned, impannelled and sworn to try the same ; When the
Depositions taken on the part of the Libellants, for want of
a proper Caption were rejected by the Court, and they then
having no other Evidence to support the Libels, the Jury
found in both cases against the Libellants, and Judgment
was rendered accordingly ; from which, the Libellants appealed
to the then next Superior Court of Judicature to be holden
at York for the County of York on the fourth Tuesday of
June A D. 1777. When and where the appellants entered
their appeals, in hopes of having a fair tryal there, upon the
merits ; but when said cases were called for trial, the Supe-
rior Court determined that no appeal in either, said to them,
and therefore dismissed them both — By means whereof the
Captors have been and are totally deprived of the benefit of
a trial on said Libels. Wherefore your petitioners humbly
OF THE STATE OP MAINE 379
pray, that Your Honors by Act or Resolve, would enable the
Apellants to prosecute their appeals with Effect, at the first
Superior Court that shall be held in said District. And your
petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray &c.
J. Noble Shannon
Boston March T^ 1778. Jonas Farnsworth
Mar 9. 78 W Sumner M Prentice Capt Jenkins
To the Hon'''® the Council of the State of Massachusetts
Bay
The Petition of William Bell in behalf of his Brother
Robert Bell of Passimaquody Humbly Sheweth
That his said Brother Robert Bell was taken by order of
the Com*^® of Correspondence &c of Boston as a person
Inimical to these States, and is Committed to Goal. And as
your pet"^ is Conscious of his Brothers Innocence, he is desir-
ous with your Honors leave that he may be allowed Bail for
his appearance to answer to any Charges that may be alledged
against him —
Your pet' therefore humblys prays your Honors would be
pleased to give orders that he may be Liberated from his
Confinement upon his given Bail that he sliall be forth com-
ing to answer any Complaints that may be brought against
him, or that he may have an immediate trial. —
And as in duty bound shall pray &g
Boston March 7, 1778. William Bell
In Council March 7, 1778
Read & Ordered that Richard Derby and Jn° Taylor
Esq' be a Committee to en(juire into the Facts mentioned in
this Petition & report what is best to be done thereon
Jn" Avery D^ Secy
380 DOCTJMENTABY HISTORY
Petition of Jahez West ^ Reuben Dyer.
To the Honorable Council and House of Representatives
of the State of the Mass" Bay in the General Court assem-
bled.— Humbly Sheweth —
That we your Protitioners beg leave to acquant your
Honours : that we was Commitioned officers under the Com-
mand of Major Stillman of Machias the Last Summer Past,
and thear is a number of Rations Due to your Protitioners :
as we can make appear to your Honours. —
Thearfore your Protitioners Humbly Pray that we may
have our Rations that is Due to us in Provitions : as we are
inhabitants of Machious and the Places ajacent, and are in
much want of the same, —
and Likewise your Protitioners beg Leave to acquant your
Honours that we was at a Very Considerable Expence in
Raising of men : and as yet Never have had any Recompence
for it. — Humbly Pray your Honours would alow such Pay
as in your wisdom you shall see fitt, — and as in Duty bound
your Protitioners will ever Pray.
Jabez West
Boston March 8*^ 1778 Reuben Dyer
State of Massachusetts Bay
In the House of Representatives March 9. 1778
Resolved that the Treasurer of this State be and hereby is
Directed to Receive of Jonathan Lowder Truck Master of
the Penobscut Indians Four liundred pounds which sum
when paid said Lowder shall have Credit for upon the final
Settlement of his Accounts
Sent up for Concurrence J Warren Speaker
In Council March 9, 1778
Read & Concurred Jn° Avery D^ Secy
Consented to
Jer Powell Caleb Cushing Moses Gill
or THE STATE OF MAINE 381
I Palmer Jabez Fisher Tim° Danielson
Benj Austin John Taylor N Gushing
A Fuller D Sewall B White
Josiah Stone Oliver Prescott John Whitcomb
Resolve directing the Treasurer to receive of Jon* Lowder
£400 late Truck master to the Indians at Penobscot March
9, 1777.
State of Massachusetts Bay
Council Chamber March 9, 1778
Ordered that Robert Bell of Passiniiquody in the Province
of Nova Scotia now confined in the Goal in Boston in the
County of Suffolk be and he hereby is liberated upon his
giving Bond for the sum of X500 to the Treasurer of this
State with two sufficient Sureties in the sum of £250 each
that he shall be forth Coming to answer to any Complaints
that may be bro't against him before any Court that may Call
for him within Six months from this Time and that he vnU
not directly or indirectly Correspond with any Person or
Persons inimical to this or any of the united States of
America ( knowing them to be such ) — And the Sheriff of
said County is hereby Ordered & directed upon the Said
Robt. Bell's giving sufficient Bonds as aforesaid to liberate
him from his present confinement in Said Goal —
read & Accepted Jn° Avery D^ Secy —
State of Massachusetts Bay
In the House of Representatives March 9, 1778
Wliereas by a Resolve of this Court of the 20"' June last
the Committee of Correspondence &c of the Town of Gor-
liam in the County of Cumberland were ordered to cause a
382 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
number of Persons to be apprehended & brought to Justice
for entering into the Dwelling House of one of the s** Com-
mittee & carrying from thence a quantity of goods which
were orderd by this Court to remain in the hands of said
Committee
And in consequence of said Resolve a prosecution is now
pending in the court of general Sessions for said County —
And whereas it has been represented to this Court that the
Persons prosecuted are desirous of settling the matter with
said committee
Resolved Therefore That the said Committee A be &
hereby are impowered in behalf of this State to make such
Terms with the said Persons in respect to the said Prosecu-
tion as they shall judge proper — And on such settlement
The said Court of general Sessions shall cause a nolle prose-
qui to be entered thereon B
Sent up for Concurrence
J Warren Spkr
In Council March 10, 1778
Read & Concurred with the annexed Amendment from A
to B —
Sent down for Concurrence
Jn° Avery D" Sec^
In the House of Representatives March 10, 1778
Read & Concurred
Consented to —
Jer Powell N Cushing Benj Austin
Caleb Cushing Moses Gill A Fuller
Tim° Danielson B White Jabez Fisher
J Cushing Josiah Stone Oliver Prescott
J Palmer D Hopkins John Whitcomb
dele from A to B & Insert
Resolved Therefore that the said Committee or the major
part of them with the Consent of the agent, or Agents of
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 383
the Estete or Estates of the Absentees to whom the said
goods Origmally Belonged (where any agents have been
appointed and reside within the County of Cumberland)
Be and hereby are authorized and impowered to make such
Terms with the said Persons, with Respect to the said Prose-
cution as they shall judge Equitable, — and upon such Settle-
ments being made & certified to the said Court of general
Sessions of the Peace, under the said Committees Hand —
The said Court be and hereby are impowered to cause the
said Prosecution to surcease and be discontinued, and the
said Committee in case such Composition shall be made, are
directed to pay & deliver over whatever they may Receive
on such composition, to the agent, where there is any
appointed, and where there are none to the Treasurer of this
State —
To the Honorable the Council & House of Representatives
of the State of Massachusetts Bay in General Court Assem-
bled.
The Petition of Joseph Chadwick Survey% Humbly Shew-
eth That in pursuance to Orders from a Committe of this
Court in the month of Jan^ last he has protracted a Plan of
the Inland ports of the Country, which lies from Penobscot
to Quel)ec. His Labor time & Expence in Accomplishing
the said Plan he Values at the Sum of fourty pounds which
sum the said Joseph Humbly prays may be Allowed him by
an Order of this honourable Court
& your petitioner as in Duty Iwund shall Ever pray &c
Joseph Chadwick
Cambridge March 10^" 1778
To tlie Hon'"'" ('ouncil & House of Representatives, in
General Court Assembled, the Petition of George Stillman,
384 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
in behalf of Himself the Committee of Machias & Captain
Stephen Smith Commissary at Machias Humbly Sheweth.
That Whereas your Petitioner hath a Power of attorney
from the Committee of Machias to Transact business for that
Settlement, & to Settle the S' Johns Expedition & their
accompts of Supplys to the Commissary Store, likewise one
from Captain Stephen Smith, to Settle his Commissary &
Muster Masters accompts as also an accompt of Contingences
for the Service During your Petitioners Command at Machias,
all Which accompts, your Memorialist begs leave, to lay
before your Honours, praying your honors to take the Matter
into your Wise Consideration, and Point out some Method,
Whereby the Said accompts May Be Settled, & your Peti-
tioners as in Duty Bound &c
George Stillman
Boston March 11'*' 1778
Calculation for Sun dry s Necessary for the Troops to be
sent to Machias, — for 6 months
Rations for 300 Men for 6 months 81,000 lb of Beef, 54,000
lb Flour & Bread 366 Bushels Peas 3,900 lb Rice 618 lb
Soap 50 lb Candles 18,000 Muskett Cartridges 2,000 Flints,
Resolve on the Petition of the Conmiittee of Machias &
several Letters of Col° Allan respecting wanting one hundred
Men for the Department of S*^ Machias & giving an Estimate
of Supplies for the Commissary and Truck Master — March
11' 1778
An Act for Incorporating the Plantation Called Coxhall,
in the County of York, into a Town by the name of
Coxhall.
Whereas the inhabitants of the plantation called Coxlmll,
in the County of York, have represented to this Court, that
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 385
the erecting said plantation into a town will greatly con-
tribute to its settlement, and remedy many difficulties and
inconveniences they now labour under ; therefore, —
Be it enacted by the Council and House of Representatives
in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same,
[Sect 1.] That the said plantation, bounded as follows;
viz., beginning on the west of Mousom River, a little l>elow
the great falls there, at a pitch-pine stump ; from thence,
crossing said river on a north-easterly point of compass, and
running, by the towns of Wells and Arundel [ 1 ], nix miles
( viz., until it comes within four miles of Saco River ), to an
Oak Island, so called ; thence, from said Arundel line, on a
north-westerly course, continuing at the distance of four
miles from said Saco River and parallel thereto, back into the
countr}^ six miles and an hundred and twenty rods, to a
hemlock-tree marked on four sides, about forty rods to the
northward of a pond called Swan Pond ; from thence, across
said pond, excluding about two-thirds thereof, on a south-
west course, six miles to' a red-oak tree mark'd on four sides ;
and thence, on a south-east course, to the bounds and pine
stump, b}^ said Mousom River, first mentioned ; including
therein about twenty-three thousand and forty acres, — be
and hereby is erected into a town by the name of Coxhall ;
and the inhabitants are hereby invested with all the powers,
privileges and immunities which the inhabitants of other
towns in this state enjoy.
And be it further enacted,
[ Sect. 2.] That the Honorabble Benjamin Chadbourne,
Esq^ be, and he hereby is, impowered to issue a warrant to
some principal inhabitant of said plantation, requiring him to
call a meeting of said inhabitants, qualified as the inhabitants
of other towns ought to be to vote in town affairs, in order
to choose such officers as, by law, towns ar(! impowered to
choose in the month of March, annually. [ Passed March
11, 1778.]
25
386
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
111 the House of Representatives March 12"^ 1778
On the Petition of James Noble Shannon and Jonas Farns-
worth praying for liberty to enter and prosecute an appeal
from Two Judgments in the Maritime Court for the Eastern
District, given in favor of Ichabod Jones and Daniel Holt the
Claimants to the Two Sloops mentioned in said Petition.
Resolved that tlie prayer of said Petition be granted and
that the said James Noble Shannon and the said Jonas
Farnsworth be and they hereby are impowered to enter and
prosecute their Appeals from the said Maritime Court respec-
tively, at the next Superior Court for the County of York,
and the Judges of the said Superior Court are Authorised
and directed to hear Adjudge, and determine upon said
appeals respectively, in the same Manner and by the same
Rules they are now by a Law of this State impowered to do
in Maritime Causes Provided the said Shannon and Farns-
worth serve the said Ichabod Jones and Daniel Holt with an
Attested Copy of said Petition and this Order thereon
twenty days at least before the sitting of said Superior Court
Sent up for Concurrence
In Council March 13' 1778
Read & Concurred
J Warren Spkr
Jn*' Avery D^ Secy
Consented to
Jer Powell
Tim° Danielson
Benj Austin
Moses Gill
John Whitcomb
J Cushing
R Derby
A Gardner
Oliver Prescott
I Palmer
A Fuller
N Cushing
Josiah Stone
John Taylor
D Hopkins
State of Massachusetts Bay
To the Hon^ Council and Hou^ House of Representatives
of said State in General Court Assembled at Boston the 12
day of March Anno Domini 1778 —
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 387
The Petition of Andrew Gilman of Penobscot in the
County of Lincoln in said State —
Humbly Sheweth that Your Petitioner Left his home in
Canada, together with all his Effects, which are in the hands
of the Enemy. That Your Petitioner to Serve the Cause of
his Country by tlie desire of Captain John Lake, who was
Impower'd by the Honor^^^ Congress of this State. m May
1Y75, to treat with the Lidians of the several Tribes about
Canada together with the Eastern Tribes.
That Your Petitioner was with Said Indians Upwards of
Twelve Years, before, and from the Acquaintance he had
with them, Induced, Capt" Lane to Use his Influence with
said Indians to Joyn General Washington, and not take up
the Hatchet against the Americans
That Your Petitioner Engaged a Number Of them to go &
treat w*'' General Washington, Upon Condition Your Peti-
tioner would accompany them, for Which the Honoiable
Court allowed him four pounds g month & Three shillings
p'' day for his Expences, Since which he has been Commis-
sion'd to the Care of A Company at Penobscot, & Called of
the other Services, and allowed but four Pounds g Month
up to the 22"^ Jan^y Last, &> dismiss'd, that Your Petitioner
has been at Considerable Expence in Treating said Indians
for to Engage their favours. Your Petitioner prays your
Honors would take his Case into Your Wise Consideration
for his Past Extraordinary Services, & Confirm him in his
former Employment, As he Can't Return to Canada at this
time, and as the Indians Can't do any Business with us with-
out an Interpretor and Your Petitioner as in Duty bound
Shall Ever Pray &c —
Andrew Gilman
388 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
To the Honorable Council and House of Representatives
of the State of Massachusetts Bay in General Court Assem-
bled
The Memorial of George Deake of Cape Elizabeth in the
County of Cumberland a Serjeant and Commander of a
Guard in the Service of Said State Stationed at the Fort in
Said Cape Elizabeth, Humbly Sheweth that on the Twenty
second Day of February last He Boarded a Schooner of
about Sixty Tuns that Came to Anchor in Portland Sound,
the Master one Thomas Lowden Said the Schooner was from
Mechias, and belonged there he ( the Said Deake ) Demanded
the papers, the Master said he had None ( Haveing some
Former knowledge of the Master that He Belonged to Nova-
scotia and had been in an Armed Sloop for Several Months
past that he last fall Faught a Gallant Battle for an Hour &
twenty minutes with a Privateer Belonging to this State )
he Thought Best to Bring her to anchor under the Guns of
Said Fort and keep a Guard on Board her, after which one
M'' Furnace Shew a permit from the Board of War for one
Joseph Williams to go to Novascotia in a Small Schooner of
about Twenty Tuns with three men and to Retui-n in the
Same Vessel, & it Not being the Vessel Nor one Man men-
tioned in the permit in her, and knowing one Miller Jonson
of Novascotia had allredy brought a Small Vessel into this
State with ( as he Said the same affects intended by Said
permit and after obtaining her papers viz a Register & Clear-
ance From the port of Hallifax, Invoice of her Cargo which
appeared to be partly of Goods Prohibited by Congress viz
British Manifactorys and letters to Gentlemen in this State
Desireing them that if the Said Schooner Should be taken &
Brot into any part of the Contenant to Claim her and
Describing the Vessel and Cargo so Exactly that they might
lay in their Claim, he shew the Papers to a Number of
Respectable Gentlemen of the Commitee of Falmouth and
OF THE STATE OP MAINE
389
had the men Examined they then said She was lawfull prize
& that they Rise on the master & Brot : her into port to libel
her themselves & the master being Examined of that affair
knew Nothing of it, all which made them appear full of
Falsity & Fraud, and being advised to File a libel against
her in behalf of the state & my Self & Company to prevent
their Escape by further fraud He accordingly libeP her &
filed all the papers & letters in the Judges Office, all which
hath Given Your memorialist much Trouble & Great Expence
wherefore think it Duty to lay the State of facts before this
Honourable House for Your Consideration and Pray Your
Honours will Direct as in Wisdom Shall think Just
George Deake
In the House of Representatives March 12, 1778
Read & committed to the Board of War
Sent up for Concurrence
In Council March 12' 1778
Read & Concurred
Consented to
Jer Powell Caleb Gushing
John Whitcomb Moses Gill
H Gardner D Hopkins
Josiah Stone A Fuller
John Taylor Oliver Prescott
J Warren Spkr
Jn° Avery D^ Secy
T Gushing
I Palmer
N Gushing
Benj Austin
Tim" Danielson
To the Honble the Council & House of Rapresentatives of
the State of Massachusetts Bay. —
The Memorial of James Avery In Behalf of Colo^ John
Allan Contniental Agent for Indians Eastern Department, —
Humbly Sheweth, that while Col" Allan has had the care of
the S* Johns & Other Indians, He has often Been obliged to
borrow ( on his own Credit) Laige Sums of Money to Enable
390 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
him to Discharge their Necessary Expenses, and As it has
often Times been Attended with much Difificulty & Delay in
his Business, — your Memorialist Humbly Prays that Your
Honours would be pleased to Grant him such a Sum of
Money on Colo^ Allans Account as in your Wisdom you may
think Necessary to Enable him to Discharge the Expences of
the ensuing season, —
Your Memorialist would Likewise, Inform your Honours
that he is Appointed by said Allan to Settle the Accounts of
the Expenses Attending the Indians the Past Summer & as
your Memorialist is not Inform'd wheather the Honble Court
has any Directions from Congress to Settle with said Allan,
& as the Honble House of Representatives is about to Adjourn,
& said Allan in Great want of the Money therefore your
Memorialist Humbly Prays your Honours would Authorise
the Honble Council ( in the Recess of the House of Repre-
sentatives to Grant said Allan such a Sum of money as may
appear Due to him by the Accounts & the Honble Board may
think most Expedient, Till the Accounts Can be Settled by
Congress, — and your Memorialist as in Duty Bound shall
ever Pray
Boston 13"' March 1778. Ja« Avery.
Petition of Jonas Farmworth.
To the Honorable Council and House of Representatives
of the State of Mass"* Bay in General Court : assembled :
Humbly sheweth —
That Jonas Farnsworth Adj' of the Sixth Regiment of Militia
in the County of Lincoln : was Caulled upon to Do Duty at
Machias this Last Summer Past : as well as the field & staff
officers : — as by Rolls sett forth and Passed, — Likewise
Cap* Joseph Sevey : Cap* Stephen Smith : Cap* Samuel Lib-
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 391
bee : Cap' John Hall : Lew*^ William Nicholas : and Lew**^
Joel Whitney: and Cap* Henry Dyer with thear Respective
Companys under thear Command as is Sett forth by the Rolls
Passed by your Honours, — being obliged to attend at Every
alarm : was almost totally hindred from Doing any thing for
them Selves ; or Raising scarcely any Provition for the Suport
of thear Respective Families —
Thearfore your Protitioners Humbly Prays that your Hon-
ours would take this matter in to your consideration and
give the officers and soldiers that belong to the afoarsaid,
Rolls : such additional Pay as other Companys of the Militia
has ben alowed, as the Established Pay will not Purchis but
Littel,
also your Protitioner Prays that the additional Pay may
be Paid out of the States Store. — in such articals of Pro-
vition & Cloathing as is wanted for thear Releaf. —
Likewise your Protitioner begs Leave to acquant your
Honours ; — that Cap* Samuel Libbee and his Company
found them selves while** on Duty 126 Days Rations. —
also Cap* Henry Dyer and men — 44 Days Rations. —
also Cap* John Hall and men 76 Days Rations. —
and Lieut" William Nicholas and Company 149 Days Rations :
all which your Protitioner Prays may be Replaced in Pro-
vition as theay are in grate Nessessity for the same. —
also your Protitioner beg Leave to acquant your Honours
that Coll. Campbell of the afore s'* Regiment : Lay'* before
your Honours, a Staff Roll whearin Co" Foster was maid up
41 Days Service and Drew his Pay, but Did not Draw his
Rations : Likewise a Roll of Cap* Joseph Sevey : also a Roll
of Cap* Joseph Libby boath of Machias, which Did Duty
thear when the ship ambuscade Viseted us : and your Hon-
ours Pay" nothing more then the Established Pay which is
but a Small Recompence for thear Time : in that Valuable
Part of the year. —
392 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
your Protitioner prays that your Honours would allow an
additional Pay to Cap* Joseph Sevey & Cap* Joseph Libby
and the good men under thear Command then : and also
alow them thear Rations with the Rations Due to Co" Fos-
ter, out of the State Store, as theay was obliged to find them-
selves at that Time, and Never as yet had any alowanee for
it, and are now under the gratest Nessessity for the same.
also Prays that your Honours will alow the Several
accounts hearwith Presented. —
and as in Duty bound your Protitioner will Ever Pray —
Jonas Farnsworth
Boston February 27*^ 1778
In the House of Representatives March 13, 1778
Read & referrd to the Committee
Sent up for Concurrence J Warren Spkr
In Council Mar. 13 1778
Read & Concurrd Sam' Adams Sec^
Mar. 13. Ord. to be till next session
Complaint of Nat¥ Thwing
State of Massachusetts Bay in New England
To the Hon^'® the Supreme Court of Probate, &c, for the
said State. —
Humbly complains in behalf of the Government & People
of the Massachusetts Bay, aforesaid, Nathaniel Thwing of
Woolwich in County of Lincoln Esq'' Agent to the Estate of
Charles Callehan late of Pownalborough, Gent" an Absentee,
That the greater part of the Personal Estate, which was left
by the s** Charles, had been secreted, embezeled or conveyed
away, & that your complainant had just reason, to suspect &
did suspect that Rebecca Callehan wife of the s,^ Charles, had
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 393
secreted, embezled or conveyed away the same, Whereupon
agreeable to the Law of this State in such Case provided,
your Complainant enter'd his Complaint to the Judge of
Probate of Wills, &c for the said County of Lincoln, who
cited the said Rebeckah to Appear before him at a Court of
Probate to be holden at the Court house in Pownalbor°, on
Wednesday the seventeenth day of December last to be
interrogated upon Oath concerning the same, & the said
Rebeckah having refus'd to be sworn, and interrogated upon
Oath in the Premises, The said Judge order'd that the s*^
Rebeckah be conmiitted to the Common Goal of the s^
County of Lincoln, there to remain untill she should Comply
to Discharge herself on Oath in the Premises, or be otherwise
legally discharged. Whereupon the said Rebeckah claimed an
Appeal to the supreme Court of Probate for this State, &
Enter'd into Recognizance with Sureties as the Law Directs
for Prosecutmg her said Appeal with Effect. And the said
Rebeckah having Neglected to prosecute her s'' Appeal with-
in three months, which by Law she ought to have done.
Your Complainant therefore humbly Prays that your Hon-
ors would pass such Orders in the Premises, as to Law and
Justice Appertains, and as in Duty bound &c
Nath^ Thwing
York March 17**^ 1778 Then Cap* Joshua Bragdon person-
ally appeared & made Oath that since the first day of August
last & before the first day of January last he manufactured
in tliis State Fifty Bushels of good Salt & that he Sold the
same to Inhabitants of this State at the Regulated price the
said Salt being made out of Sea Water — Before Nath' Wells
Just Peace In Council April 17' 1778 Read & Ordered
That a Warrant be drawn on the Treasury for £1 : 10/ in
full Discharge of the Bounty allowed by this State on Salt —
Jn° Avery D^ Secy
394 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
State of Massachusetts Bay
Council Chamber, March 20' 1778
Ordered that Stephen Smith Esq"" Truck Master at Machias
be and hereby is directed to send by the first safe Convey-
ance all the Furrs and Peltry that he has now on Hand to
Boston, directed to Richard Devons Esq", Commissary Gen-
eral of the State aforesaid who is hereby directed to receive
the same
read & Accepted Jn° Avery D^ Sec''
Mrss Moses Davis Esq'' & Other Committes for Pownal-
boro Woolwich and Edgcomb To Timothy Parsons D' June
26
for 6 : 020 " w* of Bread (aj 6 0/ 18. 0. 0
for 672 lb of Fatt Beef @ 17 8 19. 12—
for 24 Gallons of Wes* inga Rum (oj 20 p 24
X61. 12. 0
Pownalboro March 23'<» 1778
Erors Excep** Timo^ Parsons
Inlistment & Beating Ordera for 100 Men to be Stationed
at Machias for the Defence thereof — to Major Stillman —
March 21' 1778
We the subscribers do hereby Severally inlist into the Ser-
vice of the United States of America to continue in that
service for the Defence of Machias till the first Day of Decem"^
next unless sooner discharged, and each of us engage to
furnish our selves with a good effective fire arm Bayonet
Cartridge Box Knapsack Blanket and Canteen wooden bottle
and we consent to be formed, and bee under the Command of
such Officers as the General Assembly of the State of Massa-
chusetts may appoint and we promise faithfully to Observe
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 396
and Obey all such Orders as we from time to time shall
receive from our Officers. And to be under such regulations
in every respect as are or may be provided for the army of
the aforesaid States Dated this Day of AD 1778
Pownalboro March 24"' 1778
This may certify all whom it may concern that upon the 24**^
of June 1777 I was desired by the Committee of the town
of Pownalboro to keep an account of the provisions deliverd
to the Militia Men assembled & I then saw deliverd to the
several persons who brouglit the victualing returns — 290 lb
of beef — 175 lb of bread & 17 Gall of Rum — as appears by
the account then kept Langdon
To the Honourable the Council & the Honourable house
of Representatives of the State of Massachusetts Bay —
The Petition of a Joint Committee of Pownalborough, Wool-
wich & Edgcumbe Humbly Sheweth that Last year in the
month of June we were alarm'd by the Milford Frigate and
great numbers of the Militia Turn'd out to Defend them-
selves, and their Country and Shew a Noble Spirit of Resent-
ment against the atempts of the Enemy and Stood ready to
assist in any measure that should be thought Proper to pro-
ceed in or upon to beat the Enemy out of the River or if any
Landed to take them prisoners if possible, but at the same
time they were not able to furnish themselves with provis-
ion for their Support while on the Duty of Alarm and at that
time provision of almost every Kind was very scarce in these
parts insomucli that the inhabitants could not get support for
themselves by Reason of the Coasting business being Stop'd
and all other Business Stagnated, and had no way been found
out to get Support for tlie Militia they must of Consequence
396 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
have Retir'd to their Respective homes, or perish'd in the
Field and then the Enemy might have Destroyd us at their
pleasure your petitioners understanding that there was pro-
vision belonging to the State in the County about ten miles
Distance from them and that the Said provision was under
the Care of M"^ Timothy Parsons Agent for the State Your
petitioners therefore applyd to the said Parsons for Pro-
vision Sufficient to Supply S** Militia and accordingly M''
Parsons Supply'd us with a Quantity of Provision for that
purpose as will appear by his Accounts, and the Vouchers
which accompany s this petition your Petitioners would fur-
ther inform your Honours that M'' Parsons has Since Settled
with the Board of War and paid them for the above provis-
ion — and now he calls upon your Petitioners for his pay &
makes Demand thereof
Therefore your humble petitioners pray that your Honours
would take the Matter into your wise Consideration and as
the provision was then the States property we humbly pray
that the Account Renderd in by M"" Parsons may be allowd
and that a Sum of Money Equal to it may be allowd & paid
out of the publick Treasury to Moses Davis Esq'' who we
have appointed to Receive & pay Said Money if allow** to
M' Parsons, and your Petitioners as in Duty Bound will
ever Pray —
Edgcumbe March 25 1778
Moses Davis Chairman
Signed by Order and in behalf of the Committes above-
said — J
An account of Provision deliverd out in time of the Alarm
Occasioned by the Milford frigate At Edgcumbe June 24'^
1777 —
[ Here follows a list of articles.]
This may Certify that by the Desire of the Field Officers
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 397
I Dealt out the provision to the above Darned persons who
Victualed the MiHtia — before the provision belonging to the
State came to hand, and were promisd their pay ( out of the
above provision after the Committes had Sent after it ) by
the field Officers, and after this was Deliverd out there was
no Beef Left but there was about half a Bag of Bread ( as
the Bread was all in Bags ) left or about fifty w* but it was
Chiefl}' the Remnants of the other Bags Emtied into that
and was very much Broakcn and but a Little of it fit for
Use — and upon the Alarm which happened soon after by
the Rainbow man of War, the Remainder of the said Bread
that was good I Deliverd out to the Militia upon their
Request as many of them came from far and brought no pro-
vision with them
Moses Davis Major of the 3** Reg'
Edgcumbe March 25 1778
Edgcumbe March 25 1778
To the Honourable John Taylor Esq*^ —
Sir, I beg Leave to Trouble you with a few lines of a pub-
lic Nature and humbly beg your attention on this affair as I
sliall hereafter relate on the 24*** of June 1777 we were
alarmd by the Milford frigate w^hich came up tlie River and
Lay at anchor in Withcaset Bay Two Days and in Conse-
quence of this alarm the Militia turnd out and were embodied
near where the Said frigate Lay at Anchor, Ready to Execute
Orders which might be given from their Officers on this
Occasion — but at this time provision was very scarce here,
in these parts insomuch that the Inhabitants could not Sup-
port the Militia, therefore the Committes of the Severall
Adjacent Towns imbodied in a joint Committe to Consult
what \\ as best to be Done, and understanding that there was
provision ])ek)nging to the State, in a Brigg Leying in Dama-
398 DOCUMENTAHY HISTORY
rascotte River & that M"^ Timothy Parsons had the Care of
it, and was Agent for the State, the Committe applyd to M''
Parsons for provision to Support the Militia while on the
Alarm and accordingly M'' Parsons as he saith deliverd 600
w» of Bread & 672 w* of Beef and 24 Gallons of Rum this
provision was Seperated one half on the East Side of the
River and the other half on the West Side of the River as
the Number of Militia was about Equal of Either Side and
the Militia being some of them one whole Day without any
Victuals to Support Nature were very hungry and every one
at Such a time cannot be kept in order — and hunger will
break through stone wall, therefore the provision immediately
upon Sight was Broak upon before there was any body to
take any account of it the Committe not being present at
that Juncture of time — and many thought that it might be
taken without account as it was States property — but with
as much speed as possible there was men appointed to take
account of and Deliver out Said provision to the Officers and
Soldiers of said Militia but the Accounts kept does not make
out so much as M"" Parsons has Charged the Committes ^vith
but the Reason is as I before mentioned there was Consider-
able taken away without any account and there was no help
for it at that time of hurry and Difficulty and altho there is
not so an authentick and particular account of it as I could
wish there was — yet as it was Certainly Used and Expended
for the Sole Benefit of the Militia it would be very hard for
the Committee to pay for it or any part of it without their
Receiving any Benefit by it after they have had all the
Trouble of procureing of it and have no manner of Allowance
for their Trouble but I Submit the whole to your Honour
and the other Gentlemen of Courts — wise consideration and
Beg Sir that you would use your Influance in Carrying this
affair through the Court I am Very Loth to Trouble your
Honour with such an Affair but Necessity drives me to it as
OF THE STATE OP MAINE 399
we have no Representative, nor is there any m the County
that will attend Court this Session and as we are calld upon
for the money and a Demand of it to be paid immediately I
therefore humbly beg your Honours Assistance in this affair
and pray you would Deliver the inclosd petition with the
Vouchers to Some Trusty Gentlemen of the house which will
get it Committed and acted upon as soon as possible — and
if it should pass the house with allowance I beg you would
for\A'ard it through the Council and get the Matter so
Authenticated that I may send for and Receive the money
by an Order without being to the Expence of my Personal
Attendance at Court I further beg your Honours would Lay
this Letter before the Committee which may be appointed to
Consider the aforesaid petition that they may have a true
understanding of Affair — and as I am appointed by Joint
Committe of Pownalborough Woolwich & Edgcumbe to peti-
tion to the General Court for allowance of the above pro-
vision. I write m their behalf and Renewedly beg your
Honours Assistance in this affair which will be Receiv'd as a
great favor from your Honours most Obedient and Humble
Sev* Moses Davis
To the Honorable John Bradbury Esq'
York Ss Whereas we the Subscribers Being Authorized and
Impowered By the Honorb*'' John Bradbury Esq"" Judge of
the Probate of Wills &c Within and for the County of York
by a Warrent Bearing Date the Second Day of October 1777
to take an Inventory and to Apprize in Lawfull Money all
tlie Estate Whereof Ebenezar Wallingford Late of Somers-
worth in the State of Newhampshire Gen* Deceased Testate
Died, Seized of in tlie Aforesaid County of York We Have
Taken an Inventory and Have Apprized the above Mentioned
Estate as Follows Viz Ninety Seven Acres of Land Near
400 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Stair falls in Berwick and is Known by the Name of Lot
Number one in the first Range in the Division of Berwick
Proprietors Common Land at Seven Shillings g Acre
£33-19-0
also tliirty Seven Acres of Land in Said Berwick
Commons Known by the Name of Lot Number one
in the Sixth Range at five Shillings g Acre X 9-5-0
also Twenty five acres of Land in Berwick and is
Known by the Name of Lot Number thirty five in
the Third Checker in the Division of Kittery Pro-
prietors Common Land in Said Berwick at twenty
shillmg per Acre X 25-0-0
And also the Testates Wright in a thatch bed in
berwick and is Known by the Name of Fowling
Marsh be the Same More or Less at j6 20-0-0
X 8 8-4-0
Berwick March y« 2V^ 1778
Joseph Prime ~]
Robert Rogers J> Committee
John Tucker J
Berwick March 31 1778
Then the above named Joseph Prime Robart Rogers & John
Tucker Personally appear** & Made Oath to the above Inven-
tory before me
Hum^ Chadbourne J Peace
Pownalborough March 30, 1778
Sir
I have had the honor of being appointed a Major in the
first Regiment in the County of Lincoln, but my ill State of
Health for more than a year past has prevented me discharg-
ing the Duties of that Office, either to my own Satisfaction,
or to the advantage of the Publick, and my Health still
OF TITE STATE OF MAINE 401
declining, makes me dispair of being capable to serve my
Country in that Character, at least for the present, when per-
haps I may be most wanted ; Wherefore I beg tlie Favour of
you to communicate this to the Hon^'^^ Board and Pray they
would accept of this my Resignation, that I may no longer
hinder some otlier Gentleman being appointed in my Stead,
better Qualified to serve this distressed country, the Good of
which I hope ever to prefer to my private Honor or Interest
whatever
I am with great Respect & Esteem your very humble
Servant John Huse
In Council April 30' 1778
Read & Sent down Jn'> Avery D^ Sec^
To the Sec" of the state of Massachusetts Bay
In the House of Representatives April 30, 1778
Read & accepted
Sent up for Concurrence
J Pitts Spkr g Tem
In Council April 30', 1778
Read & Concurred Jn° Avery D^" Secy
To the Hon^^ the Council & House of Representatives in
General Court assembled the Petition of the Committe of
Inspection Correspondence & Safety for the town of Bristol
in the County of Lincoln humbly sheweth that the Scituation
of said town Exposes it in a Verry Peculiar manner to be
Attacked by the Enemys ships or Boats in almost every part
of its Settlements having the Navigable River of Dammas-
cotta on the West Broad Bay on the East and the Ocean
on the Southern line and within this Bounds several noted
Harbours as Pemmaquid Round Pond Miscongus and Broad
Cove and scarce any place is to be found on the Waterside
26
402 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
where there is not good Shelter & Anchorage with Sufficient
depth of water for Vessels of Large Burthen that in such
Exposure the Inhabitants Cannot live without the greatest
Anxieties in a time when we Dayly Expect the Unnatural
Enemy on our Coast and in our harbours to plunder us as
they were the last year, when we were in great distress the
Coast being infested with them our Distress however was
greatly Encreased when we saw a Squadron of the British
fleet with Avowed Commission to Spread Desolation by fire
& Sword — and attacking our Bretheren in Various parts of
this County Endangering their Hves Demanding & Destroy-
ing their propertyes Entering & penetrating up our Rivers into
the heart of the Country and threatening to make some har-
bour this way a Randevouse for their Ships & prizes but the
fear of the Inhabitants was Verry great when the Commodore
of the Squadron then lying in townsend sent Dawson with
an armed Brig in to pemmaquid harbour & Demanding a
Privateteer then at anchor there threatening Vengeance in
Case of Refusal and this people Are fully persuaded that if
the Enemy Effects their purposes of making a lodgement in
this Neighbourhood this town must fall one of the first sacri-
fices to their fury Your Petitioners would further humbly
suggest that from a Just sense of our Endangered scituation
the wisdom of the legislature saw fit to Station a Company
of sea Coast men to guard this town Every year since the
war began till the last year and the Effect was that hearing
there was an Armed force here not one of the Enemys ships
dared to Enter our harbours or Distress any of the Inhabit-
ants in these parts whilst said sea Coast men remained with
us the Verry fame of such Provision was found to be a real
defence but since a reverse of public measures has thrown
open the whole Coast of this County to the will of our foes
their Vessels being invited by our Naked & Defenceless state
have kept the Inhabitants in almost Continual Alarms Tho
OF THE STATE OF MAINB 403
it could never be Expected that in our best Estate we should
be able alone to defend ourselves against their force yet it is
observed that our ready Compliance with every requisition of
the Hon''^ Court in Reinforcements & in furnishing more
than our Quota of the Continental army Dureing the war
has greatly Encreased our Inability & the danger that Ensues
on it, Your Petitioners flatter themselves that the forM^ard-
ness of this town in the publick Cause ought not to operate
to their Disadvantage & Confident of the Justice & honour
of the General Court will not put that among the reasons for
Abandoning us if we should be Abandoned to the mercy of
the Common foe Yet we Cannot dout that if this must be
our Deplorable Case if some Effectual provision for our
Defence is not made by Government without Delay Impresed
therefore with a sense of our Duty to the i)ublick & to the
town of Bristol your Petitioners thought it their duty at this
Crisis to lay before your Hon" an Account of our Condition
Beseching you to take our Case into your wise Consideration
and grant two twelve pounder Cannon two Nine pound &
two Six with Ordinance Stores for them with one Company
of Matrosses with what Ever further Relief your Hon" in
your great wisdom shall seem meet & Your Petitioners as in
Dutv bound shall Ever pray
Rob* MKown Clerk
By order of the Cornmitte John Read Chairman
Bristol March y« 30^'' 1778
s--
We the Committee of Correspondence &c. of the Town of
(iorham in the County of Cumberland; (in obedience to a
Resolve of the General Court of this State of the tenth
Instant) have compounded with those persons against wliom
a suit was commenced by Virtue of a Resolve of h"^ (General
404 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Court of the 20*^^ of June last ; and have follow'd the direc-
tions given us, so far as was in our power : for the Agent
that was appointed to the Estate of Thomas Coulson late of
Falmouth an Absentee; did sometime since enter on board
the Cumberland & was not expected home till May next : &
the Court of General Sessions of the Peace setting this
Month, we thought it not advisable to put off settlement till
a future day : & because s*^ Agents return was uncertain, we
have also thought fit to send to the State Treasurer what we
have receiv'd over & above paying the Captors their Cost
and trouble in first taking & securing s** goods : which we
presum'd to do by Virtue of a late Resolve of the General
Court Granting liberty to the Captors to lay their accounts
before s*^ General Court for allowance and payment.
We remain your Obedient most humble Servants —
Em^ Phinney Chairman g Order
Gorham March 30*'' 1778
To the Hon^^* Speak' of the House Represent^^ of State
Massachusetts Bay
To
You are hereby impowered immediately to inlist One
hundred men including non commissioned Officers & Privates
as Soldiers in the Service for the Defence of Machias upon
the Establishment fixed by a Resolve passed the 13' March
1778 with the additional Bounty given by the State of
Massachusetts Bay, to continue in that Service till the s*^
Day of December next unless sooner discharged and that you
cause said Men when so inlisted, to pass muster as soon as
may be The Non Commissioned Officers to be appointed by
the Captain & Subalterns of said Company
Day of 1778
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 405
At a regular Meeting of the Male Inhabitants of the town of
North Yarmouth free and twenty one Years, called for the
purpose of laying before them the Form of Government,
drawn up by the late Convention, for this State — for their
Consideration and approbation there of — Said Form of Gov-
ernment having been Read, and. Article by Article, particu-
larly debated, a vote was called to know tlie Minds of the
town whether they approve or disapprove of the same —
when Sixty four voted their Approbation, and twenty their
disapprobation thereof — Certified by Us,
Paul Prince )
> Selectmen of said Town
Sam' Merrill \
Return of the War Like Stores Remaining in the Ordin-
ance Store and in the Service at Mechias In the State of
Massachusetts Bay April 1«* 1778
Sm" Arms 65. D° Wanting Repair 20. Bayonnetts
70. Cartridge Boxes 44. Muskett Cartridges 80. Barr'
Powder 5 '4^, Boxen Balls 7^. Cannon Cartridges 9 Poun*^""'
82, 4 Poun"" 6, Swivels 2. Sponges 9 Poun'^" 1, 4 Poun''^ 2,
Swivels 1. Ladles & Worms, 9 Poun*** 1, 4 Poun'^M. Round
Shott 9 Poun'*« 47, 4 Poun<i« 44, 2 Poun-^^ 41, Swivels 20.
Grape Shott Bag 73. Langerage 86. Cannister Shott 9'"
Cases 2, Cannister 7, 4'^ Cases 1. Portefires 5. Portefire
Staffs 1. Lint Stocks 3. Cartridge Pouches 3.
Mechias Apr' 1" A True & Authorative Return Y*' Serv*
Frd'' DeLesdernier Lieut.
State of the Troops & Indians Stationed at Mechias in the
State of Massachusetts Bay under the Command of John
406 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Allan Esq'' Continental Agent & Coraman'" & Chief of East-
ern Indians.
Capt"* 1. Lieut with the Rank of Cap* 3. 1"' Lieu'* 1.
2*^ Lieu'* 1. Commissary 1. Indian Chiefs 2. Conductor 1.
Serj* 1. Corporals 1. Privates 133. fifes & Drums 2.
Courrier 4. Totall 151.
Mechias April ^^'^ 1778. A True & Authinck Return
g Lew* Fred'^ DeLesdernier Lieut.
Falm° 3-1 Apr. 1778
Dear Brother,
You may remember that some time ago I sent a memorial
to the Gen. Court which has not been acted upon, beg you
will endeavor to have it taken up this session and at the
same time, if proper move for the Naval Officers to have leave
to appoint deputys, and be excused from Military duty, been
chosen Constables, Jurymen &c &c — would it not be best
when any Sea Coast Company Stop Vessels suspected of
illegal Trade, for the Naval Officers of the port where any
such Vessel is, to libel &c — with tenders of my best services
to you and M" Freeman, believe me to be, Yr Affec' Bro""
Tho. Child
To the Hon''^ Council and house of Representatives of the
State of Massachusetts Bay Now Sitting at Roxbury
the petition of Samuel Waterhouse of Wells in the county
of York and State aforesaid humbly sheweth — that your
petitioner was appointed by the Brigedier of said County to
command a company according to the Order of Council of
the 12' of March last, which company was Raised from the
interior parts of the County, and have Joyned the Regiment
at Whiter hill under the command of Col° Jacob Gerrish.
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 407
but a great part of said company are deficient in Arras and
some are so bad that it is dangerous to the safety of the
camp to Remain in such a state, the men are willing to
serve their Country but as they are in low Circumstances
they have not been Able to furnish themselves according to
law Neither were they able to pay their fines when drafted
and the Committyes of the plantation could not furnish
them. Therefore your petitioner prays that he may be
allowed to draw from the publick stores for the use of those
men who are deficient in Guns and I will be accountable for
the delivery thereof at the second of July Next when the
time of our draft will expire and as in duty bound will ever
pray
Samuel Waterhouse
Camp at Winter hill April 4^»> 1778
State of Massachusetts Bay
In the House of Representatives Apr' 6"* 1778
On the Petition of Sam^' Waterhouse now commanding a
Compn^ of Militia doing duty at Winter Hill praying for a
number of Fire arms for the use of his Company
Resolved that the Board of War be and they hereby are
ordered & directed to deliver the said Sam" Waterhouse a
number of Fire arms Not Exceeding Forty he the said
Waterhouse giving his obligation to Return the said arms in
good order to the said Board of War on their order on or
before the third day of July Next Except such & so many of
said arms as the men for whose use they are wanted shall
chuse to purchase which the Board of War are hereby
Impowered to sell them at such price as they shall Judg Rea-
sonable and the Court is hereby directed to make such
408
DOCUMENTARY HlSTOllY
on his Muster Roll from those men who keep any of said
Guns as the price of s'^ Guns set at by s*^ Board of War and
the sum of three shillmgs for those which may be Returned
for the use thereof
Sent up for Concurrence
In Council April 6' 1778
Read & Concurred
Consented to
Jer. Powell
J Cushing
John Whitcomb
I Palmer
John Taylor
A Ward
Moses Gill
Benj Austin
B Wliite
Oliver Prescott
J Pitts Spk' p Temp
Jn° Avery D^ Secy
R Derby
Abez Fisher
A Fuller
Tim° Danielson
D Hopkins
State of Massachusetts Bay
In the House of Representatives April y^ 9 1778
On the Petition of Jonathan Louder Truck master to the
Penobscot tribe of Indians Praying for goods to Supley said
Indians with
Resolved that the board be Directed to Supply Jonathan
Louder with the following articles for the Supply of the
Penobscot Indians, if they have them to Spare to Vz one
bale of Blankets one Peas of Bleu Shorud three Peces of
Calico one Peece of Lening one of Oznabags one hundred Lb
of Powder two hundred Lb of Lead one hundred Lb of Shot
two barils N E Rum one Hogshad of Molases one Baril of
Pork ten bushils of Beans or peas Knives Sizzers Needels
and combs a Small Quantity of Each and it is further
Resolved the said Lowder be Derected to trad with the
Indians agreeabel to the Regulation made by John Allen
Esq with the Indians and to remit all the furs and skins he
OF THE STATE OF MAINE
409
shall Receive of the Indians to the hoard of war and
acountable to the General Court for the dowiugs
be
Sent up for Concurrence
In Council April 9' 1778
Read & Concurred
Consented to
Jer Powell A Ward
J Cushing
Jabez Fisher
Benj Austm
D Hopkins
I Palmer
Moses Gill
Oliver Prescott
S Holten
J Pitts Spr g Temp
Jn° Avery D? Secy
R Derby
John Whitcomb
B White
A Fuller
Josiah Stone
To The Honb^ Council & House of Representatives now
assembled at Roxbury, State of Massachusetts Bay.
Anxious for the safety of our country & also to fulfil our
engagements to the Continental Congress ; viz " That we
would support them with our lives & fortunes in case they
should declare the thirteen united Colonies, Independent of
Great Britain, ( General Washington w6 make no doubt
believed the colonies sincere in what they promised, &
accepted of the most important & difficult command to sup-
port the independence of his country-men ; But how that
brave man has been supported ; or rather neglected & by
those very persons who rejoiced at his appointment to com-
mand the forces of the United States; is well known &
needs no comment,) & in order to justify ourselves to God
& the world, by doing every thing in our power to fulfil our
engagements, and thereby stimulate other Towns to do the
same, have ( notwithstanding our being burnt out by the
enemy, & complying with every resolve of the Congress, &
the General Court of this State respecting our furnishing
our quota of men ) engaged fifty men Inhabitants of this
410 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Town, to march immediately to reinforce General Washing-
ton; provided your Honours will accept of them, and allow
them State pay and rations. We would inform your hon-
ours that the men are engaged 'till the last day of November
next unless sooner discharged ; as you will see by the inlist-
ment. We would also inform your Honours that other
towns in this country, are in motion, and doubt not they will
make up one hundred & fifty able men, including those in
this Town. Similar exertions of all the Towns in the United
States at this critical juncture we think are necessary : when
many persons we have reason to fear are endeavoring to
bring us into bondage again, by insinuating; that if we
would give up our Independence we might have any terms
we pleased to ask.
By order of the Town.
We are your Honors most ob* Serv*®
W" Frost Joshua Stone Moses Shattuck
Pearson Jones Jesse Partridge Nathe' Deering
Joseph Ingraham
Falmouth April 9^» 1778
In the House of Representatives April 13, 1778
Read & thereupon Ordered That M' Baker Coll Peck &
M"^ Codding with such as the Hon Board shall join be a
Committee to consider the same — and also the matter at
large — and report what is left to be done thereon
J Warren Spkr
Sent up for Concurrence
In Council April 13, 1778
Read & Concurred and Joseph Palmer & Moses Gill Esq''
are joined —
Jn° Avery D^ Secy
Mr. Baker
Coll Peck
Mr Codding
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 411
Roxbury April 10, 1778
To the Hon'ble the Council of the State of Massachusetts
Bay —
Petition of James Avery of INIachias Humbly sheweth
That your Petitioner was appointed by Col" Allan to wait
upon your Honors in Order to obtain a necessary Supply of
articles for the Indians under his Command and agreeable to
a late Resolution of the General Court, among other Articles,
the Board of War was directed to deliver fifty Pounds of
Wampum which they had not by them and as the Honble
Tho* Cushing Eq"^ can supply him with that Article upon
your Honors Order therefrom prays your Honors would give
an Order upon him to be delivered to the Board of War ;
from whom he can receive the same and this Article can be
charged with the other Articles received from them.
And as in Duty bound shall ever pray
Jas Avery
State of Massachusetts Bay
Council Chamber April 10, 1778
Ordered that the Honorable Thomas Cushing Esq"^ be & he
hereby is directed to deliver to the Board of War of this
State all such Wampum as he now hath in his hands belong-
ing to this State, that they may be Enabled to comply with a
late Resolve of the General Court.
read & Accepted
Jn" Avery D^ Secy
Penobscot April 12 1778
Sir I arrived here after a long Passage of three weeks I find
the Indians and the Inhabitants of this River in very Distres-
ing Circumstances for want of Corn M'' Preble has borrow'd
412 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
all the Corn of the people here that he could git m order to
supply the Indians and now he cannot even Replace it againe
it is not to be bought he has had no Stors from Jpsurg this
Winter there is not Corn enough in this River to Supply the
people for three weeks and what the Indians will Do I Cant
say M' Preble & Treet has bought about 40 bushel this Day
but what is that amongst so maney I hope you will bring
some for the Indians if possable thay think very hard oft
that you stay so long and Dont send them aney thing thay
Expect to have Every thing when you Come at the price
CoP Allen Lett
I Remaine your friend and Humb^ Serv*
Josiah Brewer
N. B. as to their is no Potaters in this River to plant this
year if you Dont bring some for your Self and me we shall
have none to plant
P.S. as to matters Respecting other affairs in this River all
things Remain very still as some Persons find they have
Done their bes* and it turns out very Contrary to their
Expectations
150 bush^ Indian Corn 2 Teirces Flower
Account of Rations Due to Cap' Rubin Dyer & officers in
the Staits Service at Mechias from July 3*^ & to the 9 of
octob' 177Y
Due to Capt Dyer 160 Rations Due to Left Allin 112
Ditto Due to Left Longfellow 97 Ditto Total 369
Thease may Certifie that I have Deliverd the above officers
one Ration each from the first Day of Sept' to the Ninth Day
of October and No more
g Robert Foster Quarter-Master.
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 413
This may Sartify that I have Dehvered the above offsers
from the first Day of August to the Last of August 15
Rations in the hole.
g Elijah Ayer Quarter-Master.
Boston April 13^'' 1778
Pleas to pay the above account of 8/ g man and Rations
that is Due as g this account to Capt. Jonas Farnsworth
P' Ruben Dyer
Account of Rations Due to Capt Jabez West and officers
in the Staits Servis at Mechias from the 24 day of June 1777
to the 9 day of October
P'' me Jabez West
Due to Ca|>t West 106 Rations Due to Left Scott 127
Ditto Due to Left Allbee 84 Ditto Due Engine Stone
317
These may Certifie that I have Deliver'd the above officers
the one Ration each from the first Day of Sepf to the 9 Day
of October and no more
g me Robert Foster Quarter-Master.
Boston April 13, 1777.
Pleas to Pay the above account to Capt. Jonas Farnsworth
and Likewise the Rations.
Jabez West
State of Massachusetts Bay
April 13"> 1778
The Com**® of both Houses, this day appointed, to con-
sider the Representation of the Town of Falmouth, respect-
414 DOCUMENTARY HISTOKY
ing the raising Volunteers for reinforceing the Continental
Army, beg leave to Report at large.
That it be earnestly recommended to the Several Towns &
Plantations in this State, immediately to furnish by volun-
tary inlistment, for a term of Nine Months unless sooner dis-
charged, as many Men as they can Spare for the Continental
Service ; to be formed into companies «& Regiments under
officers of their own choosing, & to Serve under Such Gen-
eral-Officers as the General of the American Forces shall
order ; to have Continental Pay & Rations, & a Bounty of
Twenty Pounds for each & every Private Soldier & Non-
commissioned officer, Provided That they shall inlist as
aforesaid on or before the Tenth of May next & every such
Town & Plantation, having previously furnished their one
Seventh part for the Continental Army, shall have Credit
for all Such Volunteers as they shall furnish in manner as
aforesaid, so as to be considered in future Levies.
That the conduct of said Town of P'almouth is highly
approved for their manly, generous & patriotic behavior in
this affair ; & that their volunteers be accepted ; & that the
Gentlemen reconnnended for Officers, be commissionated by
the Council accordingly : & that this conduct in the Town
of Falmouth be reconunended for general immitation. —
J Palmer g order
In Council April 13, 1778
Read & Sent down —
Jn° Avery D^ Secy
In the House of Representatives April 15, 1778
Read & committed to the Committee to whom was recom-
itted the Resolve for raising men for the North River &c :
Sent up for Concurrence
In Council April 16, 1778 J Pitts Spk' g Temp
Read & Concurred
Jn° Avery D^ Secy
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 416
State of Massachusetts Bay
To the Honorable the Council and House of Representa-
tives.
Whereas by a Resolve of the hono^« Court of the 3'* March
last ordering that the Schooner Two Brothers seiz'd at Fal-
nioutli by George Deake Commander of the Fort at Casco
Bay be i-eleased and permitted to proceed to Boston where
upon her Arrival Report was to be made by the Commander
of said Vessell to the Board of War under whose direction
said Ebenez'' and Benjamin Furnass proceeded to Nova Sco-
tia in a Schooner also called the Two Brothers and the said
Board are directed to make needfull Enquiery whether the
Conditions in the permission granted by a Resolve of Court,
of the 30 Septem last to s*^ Thayer & Furnass have been
properly complied with. In pursuance of which order the
said Schooner hath been removed from Falmouth and is now
m the Port of Boston, and the said Commander hath agreea-
ble to said Order made Report thereof to this Board, and the
said Dcak hath laid before us a number of Papers found on
board said Schooner from which it appears, That there are
sundry Invoices of Goods, found on Board, which do not
express whose property they are, or to whom they are con-
signed ; neither doth any bills of loading appear, expressing
at whose risque, or to whom the goods are shipped. Besides
the Clearance is for the Bay of Fundy & thence to the West
Indies; and the Slnpping papers filFd in like manner. More-
over the Vessell in question is three or four times as large
as that Permitted to fetch up the Effects of Ebenez"" Thayer
& is not Command'' by (>ap' Williams, according to the afore-
said permitt, But by a Cap' Tliomas Lowden, who is affirmed
to be inimical to these states, & to have been in arms, & to
have fought against us. In fine there is a Certain Bill of
Exchange for 112 X sterling wliich appears not to be drawn
in the usual form, or negotiable in the usual uianner; all
416 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
which Taken into consideration, as well as many Dark hints
and inuendoes Scattered through the whole of the papers in
question, utterly inconsistant with fair dealing, makes us
apprehensive that their real design M'as, under false & feigned
papers, to carry on a Contraband trade between our Enemies,
the Subjects of Nova Scotia, and the disaffected persons re-
siding in the Eastern part of these states; By which means
it might be practicable to supply our Public Enemies, now
in arms against us, or othei'S residing in the West India
Islands, or in Nova Scotia, with Provisions. —
We therefore are clearly of Opinion & are Confirm'd there-
in, By the Concurrent advice of the Attor^ Gen\ That the
said Vessell & Cargo/ which have been already libelled/ be
prosecuted in the Court of Admiralty & the matter deter-
min'd according to Law ; to the End that the particular cir-
cumstances of this transaction may be brought to Light
Sam Phps Savage Prest g order
War Office 13^" April 1778.
PS. Wee would also Inform the Hon'® Court, that yes-
terday M"" Sheriff Greenleaf did in consequence of a Writ
given him by William Bant of Boston, seize the said Vessell
& Cargo, & bring her to a Wharf in this Town, Causeing her
Sails to be unbent & Stored Whereby we apprehend that
the said Vessell & Cargo may be unsafe without a guard.
Col° Jon* Lowder Dr for Sundrys for Penobscot Indians,
Apl 13 1778
[ Here follows a list of articles.]
The Petition of Rebecca Callahan.
To the honorable Council & House of Representatives in
in General Court assembled at Boston, March ye 7th A D
1778
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 417
Humbly sheweth Rebecca Callahan wife of Cliarles Calla-
han late of Pownalborough in the County of Lincoln, that
her said Husband some time since, absented him self from
this State, and is supposed by the Select-men of said Pownal-
borough to have gone to the Enemies of the united States of
America, and that his Estate is to be taken into ye Plands of
the Connnittee of Sequestration to be disposed of according
to a late Act of this honorable Assembly respecting the
Estates of such Persons as have joined the Enemy afore-
said ; and Nathaniel Thwing of Woolwich in s** County Esq'
has been appointed Agent for the said Charles, and has
taken Possession of the real Estate, and has applied to your
Petitioner for all the personal Effects of the s*^ Charles but
your Petitioner not thinking that the said Charles had,
according to the spirit of the said Act, forfeited his Estate,
and that she had no other Way of supporting her Self &
Family and that the said Charles had left an aged Father
intirely dependent on said Estate for his living, refused to
deliver the personal effects hito the Hands of said Thwing.
Whereupon your Petitioner humbly prays this honorable
Court to consider her distressed Situation, and permit her to
have, and keep Possession of her s^ Husband's Estate both
real & personal for the necessary Support of her Father, her
Self and Family. But if this honorable Court should not
think proper to grant your Petitioner the Prayer of this Pet-
ition, Slie prays that she may be permitted to go to her Hus-
band carrying with her the said moveable Effects ( which are
but of the Value of three hundred Pounds ) as necessaiy to
defray lier Expences «fe support her Self till she can be pro-
vided for by her Husband — And as in duty bound will ever
pray
Rebecca Callahan
In Council April 14: 1778 Read and thereupon Ordered
that Benjamui Austin Esq'' with such as the Honble House
26
418 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
shall appoint : be a Committee to consider the same & report
what is proper to be done thereon
Sent down for Concurrence
Jn° Avery D" Sec^
In the House of Representatives April 14, 1778
Read & concurrd & M'' Ely and M" Sumner are joined
J Pitts Spkr p Temp.
State of Massachusetts Bay —
I John Allan, Do Acknowledge, The United States of
America, to be Free Independent, and Sovereign States, and
Declare that the People Thereof Owe no Allegiance or
Obediance to George the Third King of Great Britain, and I
renounce refuse and Abjure Any Allegiance or Obediance to
him. And I Do Swear that I will to the Utmost of my
Power Suport, Maintain, And Defend the Said United States,
Against the Said George the third. King &c — his Heier and
Successors, and his or their Abettors, Assistants and Adher-
ents, And Will Serve the said United States in the Offices of
Superintendent and Commander in Chief of Indians Eastern
Department, Which I now hold, With Fidelity, According to
the Best of my Skill and Understanding So help me God —
Jn° Allan.
Lincoln Ss. Mechias Apr^ IS''^ 1778
This day the Above Mentioned John Allan Esq'' Person-
ally Appeard & Made Solemn Oath to the foregoing Declara-
tion By him Subscribed —
Before me Alex: Campbell Jus* peace
State of Massachusetts Bay
In the House of Representatives April 17 1778
On the Petition of Andrew Gilman Setting forth that he
left his home in Canada, in the year 1775, to serve this State,
OF THE STATE OF MAINE
419
in engaging the Peuobscott, and Several other Tribes of
Indians to Engage in our Service, or Rather not to take up
the Hatchet against us, and that he has served faitiifully from
the month of May 1775: until Jan^ y" 22'^ 1778 at which
time he was Discharged, — and Praying that he may be Rein-
stated in his former Service &c, —
Resolved that, Lieu't Andrew Gilman, be & he is hereby
appointed, a Lieut in the Service of this State, to Reside at
Penobscot & with the Penobscot Tribe of Indians, to watch
their motions and inclinations, as well as the dispositions of
all other Indians that may come within his knowledge and to
do such other Services as he may be appointed to by the
General Court of this State, —
it is further Resolved that s*^ Andrew Gilman be allowed
the Same pay and Rations for his Services as a Lieut in the
Continental Army to commence the 23 of Jan^ last aforesaid,
untill the further order of this Court, ^ — and the Honorable
Council are hereby requested to Commis" and direct the Said
Gilman accordingly. —
Sent up for Concurrence J Pitts Spk'' p"^ Temp
In Council April 17' 1778 Read & Concurred
Jn" Avery D^ Secy
Consented to
Jer. Powell W Sever
R. Derby I Gushing
S Holten Jabez Fisher
A Fuller J Stone
B White D Hopkins
John Whitcomb
A Ward
I Palmer
Benj Austin
N Gushing
Oliver Prescott
State of Massachusetts Hay
In the House of Representatives April 17"' 1778
Resolv'd that there be paid out of the Public; Treasuiy of
this State to CoY' Jolm Allan the sum of Two Hundred &
420 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Thirty Seven Pounds Seven Shillings & Nine pence Half
Penny, Beiug so much due him on his Accounts as Com-
manding Officer of the Troops Stationed at Machias. —
Resolv'd that there be paid to said Colo^ John Allan Con-
tinental Agent for the Eastern Indians, out of the Public
Treasury of this State, the sum of Twelve Hundred Pounds on
account of the United States, to Enable him to Discharge
the Debts already Contracted & to carry on the Business of
Agency with the Indians, Said Allan to be Accountable for
the Same, —
Resolv'd that the Board of War be and hereby are
Directed to furnish said Allan with four Whale Boats and an
Oyl Cloath marque
Resolv'd that Lieu* William Albee with Thirty men now
under his Command & whose time of Service expires in June
Next be Continued in Service untill the first Day of Decem-
ber Insuing, and the Board of War are hereby directed to
furnish Stephen Smith Commissary at Machias with Provi-
sions for the Same, —
Resolv'd that Major George Stillman be and hereby is
Impowered to Engage in the Service a good Surgeon for the
Troops at Machias, and said Surgeon to be allowed Ten
Pounds for Each Callander Month and Two Rations of
Provisions. —
Resolv'd that the Council be and hereby are Directed to
write a Letter to Congress, Inclosing all the Letters Colo^
Allan hath wrote to this Court, Together with his Accounts
as agent to the Eastern Indians, acquainting them with what
they have advanced Said Allan & Desire that they woud
take some proper order respecting his further Supply, —
And whereas it is Attended with Great Charge & is highly
improper for this State to Keep a Truck House at Machias
as the Indians there are wholely under the Directions of the
Continental Agent, Therefore
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 421
Resolved that the Truck House at Machias ought in future
to be Carry'd on at the Charge of the United States, under
tlie Directions of Colo^ John Allan Continental Agent for
tlie Eastern Indians, and the Council is hereby Directed to
Inform Congress of the Same, —
Whereas the Penalty mentioned in the Resolve of this
Court of the 27^'' of June Last hath been found insufficient
to prevent the Evil Practices therein Complained of, in
respect of Trading with the Indians Therefore —
Resolved that no person ( the Truck Master Excepted ) be
Allowed to Give, Sell, Truck, Barter or Exchange, with any
Indian or Indians, any Strong Beer, Cyder, Wine, Rum,
Brandy, Strong Liquors, or any other Articles, for clothing
or any other thing whatsoever the Indians may have in Pos-
session, wlieather. Intoxicated or not, on tlie Penelty of Fifty
Pounds, to be paid one Moiety to him or them, who shall
Inform or sue for the Same, and the other Moiety to the
Treasurer of this State for the use of the State, for Each and
Every Offence above mention'd to be recover'd at any Court
proper to Try the Same or Twelve months Imprisonment. —
Sent up for Concurrence
J Pitts Spk'' g Temp
In Council April 17, 1778
Read & Concurred
Jn** Avery D^.Secy
State of Massachusetts Bay
In the House of Representatives April 20, 1778
On the Petition of George Stilraan in behalf of Capt"
Stephen Smith who was appointed Muster Master for the
County of Lincoln in this State Praying alowance for Cash
he has paid in Bounties to Non Comissioned officers & soul-
diers who engaged in the expedition against St Johns
422
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Resolved that tliere be paid out of the Public Treasury of
this State to Capt" Stephen Smith, tlie sum of two hundred
& fifty seven Pounds in full Discharge of all Demands s'^
Smith hath against this state for Mony paid by him as
Bounties to Non Comissioned officers, and soldiers, who
Engaged in the Expedition against St Johns.
And that the Boaid of War be Directed to settle acc*^' with
Cap*^ Smith as Commissary, & Truck Master.
Sent up for Concurrence J Pitts Spkr p"^ Tem
In Council April 21' 1778 Read & Concurred
John Avery D^ Sc^
Consented to
Moses Gill John Fisher
W. S. Spooner Benj Austin
D Hopkins Oliver Prescott
A Fuller
B White
John Whitcomb
Josiah Stone
To the Honb^'' Council & House of Representatives of the
State of the Massachusetts Bay in general Court Assembled
the Petition of Andrew Oilman of Penobscot Humbly
Sheweth
That Whereas your Petitioner had a Company of men un-
der Command Stationed at Penobscot which Company was
discharged in Jan^ Last and as your Petitioner together with
Insign Jeremiah Colborn have two Rations Each Due from
the 11*^ of Sept" to the ll^*" of Decem" 1776 and one Ration
Each Due from ll*'* of December to the 22 of January 1778
the time said Company was Discharged, and as your Peti-
tioner is in great want of Provision he Humbly Prays your
honors to take the Matter into your Wise Consideration and
point out some Method Whereby your Petitioner ma}' be en-
OF THE STATE OF* MAINE 428
abled to Receive the Provisions Due on the s^ Rations and
your Petitioner as in [duty] Bound shall Ever Pray
Roxbury April 21«' 1778
Andrew Gilman
The Committee on the within Petition having attended the
Severel Report, that the Petitioner have Leave to withdraw
his Petition.
To the Honorable Council of the State of Massachusetts
Bay —
Joseph Noyes of Falmouth in the County of Cumberland,
Commasary to the Forces stationed at said Falmouth & Cape
Elizabeth
Humbly shew that he stands in need of money to Purchase
Provisions &c for said Forces therefore pray your Honours
to give him a warrant on the Treasury of this State for five
hundred Pounds and as in Duty Bound shall ever pray
Joseph Noyes
Roxbury April 21" 1778
In Council April 21' 1778 Read & Ordered that a War-
rant be drawn on the Treasury for X500 in fav*" of the said
Noyes for supplying the Sea Coast Men with Necessaries he
to be Acc''^" for the same
Jn" Avery D^ Secy
State of Massachusetts Bay —
In the House of Representatives April 21, 1778
On the Petition of Joseph (Jhadwick praying Allowance for
his time & trouljle in Protracting a Plan of the Inland from
Penobscutt to Quebeck
Resolved that there })e paid out of the Treasury of this State
424
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
to the said Joseph Chadwick the sum of thirty Pounds in
full for said Service —
Sent up for Concurrence
In Council April 21' 1778
Read & Concurred
Consented to
Jer : Powell
I Palmer
Moses Gill
John Whitcomb
Josiah Stone
A Ward
T Cushing
Benj Austin.
D Hopkins
A Fuller
J Pitts Spkr g Tem
John Avery D^ Sec"
Warrant drawn
R Derby
S Holten
B White
Oliver Prescott
Jabez Fisher
In tlie House of Representatives April 23'^ 1778 On a Pe-
tition of a Number of Inhabitants of a Place called Raymond
Town in the County of Cumberland praying for an Abate-
ment of the Publick Taxes, assessed on them by the assessors
of the Town of Windham, for the years 1776 and 1777; for
reasons set forth in said Petition
Resolved that the Prayer and Petition be granted, and
that the assessors of said Windham be, and they hereby are
ordered and Directed to abate all the Publick Taxes that
they have or shall have Levied, or Assessed, on the Polls,
and Estates of the Said Inhabitants for the years 1776 and
1777: Provided, nevertheless That nothing in this Resolve
shall be Cause to or tend to any Abatement in the Taxes
imposed on the said Town of Windham by the General Court
Sent up for Concurrence J Pitts Spkr p"^ Tem
In Council April 24, 1778 Read & Concurred
Jn° Avery Dy Secy
Consented to
Jer Powell A Ward I Palmer
Moses Gill S Holten Jabez Fisher
Oliver Prescott W Spooner D Hopkins
OF THE STATE OF MAINE
425
In the House of Representatives April 25 1778
In a letter from Col. Josiali Brewer at Penobscut, to Col.
Jonathan Lowder Truck Master to the Penobscut Indians,
Representing the Great want the s^ Indians are in of Corn.
Resolved that the Board of War be, and they hereby are
directed to deliver to Col. Jonathan Lowder Truck Master
for said Penobscut Indians one Hundred and fifty Bushels of
Com for the Use of the Said Indians, He, the said Jonathan
Lowder being accountable to the Court for the Same.
Sent up for Concurrence J Pitts Spkr g Tern
In Council April 25, 1778 Read & Concurred
John Avery D^ Secy
Consented to
Jer Powell A Ward
B White Josiah Stone
Benj Austin
Moses Gill
Oliver Prescott
In the House of Representatives April 27'^ 1778
On the Petition of Ziphion Thayer praying that the Con-
duct of his Brother Ch Thayer relative to the Schooner
called the two Brothers might be enquired into and that the
said Schooner her Cargoe &c be tried upon the Libel of John
Dixey, for Reasons set forth in said Petition
Whereas the said Schooner was Captured and carried into
the Eastern District, where she was first Libelled by George
Deak Commander of the Fort at Casco Bay, as well in his
own behalf as in behalf of this State, — since which she has
been removed by a special Order of this Court to the Middle
District, and there libelled by John Dixey and some doubts
may arise which of said Districts is the proper place for
Tryal — therefore Resolved that the Judge of the Maritime
Court for the Middle District be and hereby is impowered
426 DOCtTMENTARY HISTORY
and directed, to proceed to the Tryal of Schooner called the
Two Brothers, upon tlie Libel of John Dixey and that the
said George Deak be and hereby is also impowered to file his
Claim to the s*^ Schooner her Cargoe &c in behalf of himself
& of this State, in the same Court as well as all others con-
cerned either as Captors or Claimants and that tliey be
allowed to give the same Evidence as they by law might have
done in Case said Schooner had been tried in the Eastern
District, and that the Judge of said Eastern District, be
and hereby is directed to dismiss the libel first mentioned,
any law Usage or Custom to the Contrary Notwithstanding —
Sent up for Concurrence J Pitts Spkr g Tem
In Council April 28' 1778 Read & Concurred
John Avery D^ Secy
Consented to
Jer Powell A Ward W Spooner
J Palmer Benj Austin John Whitcomb
T Cushing D Hopkins Oliver Prescott
Council Chamber April 27, 1778
Lieu. And'*' Oilman Sir
I am directed by the Hon'ble Board to signify to you that
as you have been lately appointed by the Gen' Court a Lieut,
in the Service of this State to reside at Penobscot in that
Capacity mentioned in your Appointment it is their Expecta-
tion that you Officiate as an Interpreter whenever the Public
Service require it between Col" Lowder and the Indians at
Penobscot.
By order of the Council John Avery D^ Secy
To the General Court now sitting at Roxbury
May it please Your Hon" Your Petitioner asks your Pa-
tience amid all your attention to the public Interests of our
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 427
iiijui'^ Country to the following State of Facts ; — In Sep''
after the Lexington Battle, pursuant to a recommendation of
the provincial Congress to the good People of this State to
use every Means to prevent supplies being carried to the En-
emy your Pete'', together with the other Members of the
Com*^ of Safety, &c at Frenchman's Bay, took under their
Care the Sloop advance, commanded by one sd. Carman which
was taken by one Hodgkins, and bro't into the s*^ French-
mans Bay — which Sloop had been impow** to carry Supplies
to the Troops then in Boston, and was then on her Passage
to the eastern Shore for the Purpose ; which Vessel being
tryed in a regular manner by the Committees appointed by
the s^ Congress for such purposes, was condemned to be de-
tained in the Hands of the s*^ Com®® till the further Order of
Government which condemnation was ratified by the Gen.
Court and being strip*^ of her Sails, which were storred, She
was detain"^ accordingly ; — except in one Instance, when the
s*^ Com*® had a pressing occasion to transport a Quantity of
Salt, a small Distance, they made use of the s** Sloop far that
Purpose, and then safely [ placed ] her in her former Birth —
In this State your Petitioner left the s'^ Sloop ; and being
call*^ into the Service of his Country, has never seen her
since — Since which y'' Pete'^ is inform^, the s'' Hodgkins has
obtain"* Liberty of the gen. Court to libel the s** Sloop in the
Maritime Court for the eastern District, which he has done,
but previous to prosecution having compounded the matter
with the Owners of the s** Sloop, the action Deterrain*^ — But
to the great Surprise of your Petitioner, as he was on his
way from Camp, on Furlow to visit his Fam^ he is inform'*
by the Chairman of the s** Com®® that one Nathan Jones, of
(iouldslK)rough, by virtue of a Power, as lie saith, from the
Owner of the s** Sloop, has in the al)sence of your Petitioner,
at Head Quarters, attach"* liis Interest at Union River, and
converted part of the same to liis own use — and has com-
428 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
menc'^ an action against your Petitioner on ace* of the s*^
Vessel, the Day of Tryal being this very week; and that
while y"" Pete'' was out of the State, and wliich had not the
least hint, till on his Journey as afores'^ he met with the s*^
Chairman of the s*^ Com®^ —
Your Petitioner therefore prays, your Hon" to interpose
in his Behalf, as lie looks upon himself greatly injur'^ and
unreasonably persecuted, for his Fidelity to his Country ; his
strict adherence to the Orders of Government ; and more for
his Exertions in carrying the Resolves thereof into Execu-
tion ; and by a man too whose character is too notorious to
need an Explanation.
He therefore prays, feelingly prays, your Hon" to Order
the 8*^ Jones to suspend the Prosecution of the s^ action ;
restore the propei-ty he has taken from your Petitioner, im-
mediately and make such other satisfaction to y' Pete"" as you
in your wisdom shall think meet, that your Pete' may im-
prove his Interest for the good of his Fam^ while he is serv-
ing his Country as Surgeon in the American army ; and as
in Duty bound will ever pray —
Ivory Hovey, Surgeon in Col° Wigglesworth Reg'^
In Council April 27 : 1778 Read & Ordered that
Daniel Hopkins Esq. with such as the Hon'ble House shall
join be a Committee to consider the within Petition & report
what may be proper to be done thereon
Sent down for Concurrence John Avery D^ Sec^
In the House of Representatives April 28 1778 Read &
Concurred & Coll Orne & M"^ Baker are joined
J Pitts Spkr p Tern
Resolve directing George Deake to deliver Perry Howland
his chest of wearing apparel — April 28 : 1778
April 23 1778 Read & committed to the Representation
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 429
of the Board of War respecting the Schooner within men-
tioned —
In the House of Representatives April 28'^ 1778
On the Petition of Capt. Perry Rowland praying that his
Wearing Apparel &c in the Schooner called the Two Broth-
ers and now in the possession of Capt. George Deak may be
delivered to him for reasons set forth in said Petition.
Resolved that the prayer of said Petition be granted, and
that the said George Deak be and hereby is directed to
deliver to the said Perry Howland, his Chest of Wearing
Apparel, taking his Receipt therefor —
Sent up for Concurrence
J Pitts Spkr p Tem
In Council April 28 1778
Read & Concurred
John Avery D^ Secy
Consented to
Jer Powell A Ward John Whitcomb
I Palmer A Fuller Moses Gill
Oliver Prescott
The petition of George Deake Humbly Sheweth that the
Removal of the tryal of the Schooner two Brothers from the
Eastern District to the middle District Deprives me of all
the Hd vantages of my Evidance as it is Imposible to go to
Falmouth and back again before tryal & also the Health of
some of the Evidance will Not admit of their Comeing the
Distance and also one Considerable Freighter viz Perry How-
land lias swore tliat he would take my life for Satisfaction
Before I leave Boston in the presence of the High Sheriff M"^
Greenleaf, wherefore I pray that the Court will order the
tryal may go on, according to law in such Case provided, in
430 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
the Eastern District & in the mean time order Some meet
Person to take Charge of said Schooner till the Case is
Issued as the Removel Exposes my Person as well as
Deprives me of my Evidence and Consequently the benefit
of law and your Petitioner as in Duty bound will Ever pray
George Deake
In Council April 28' 1778
Read & Ordered that Joseph Palmer Esq. with such as the
Hon^ House shall join be a Committee to take into Consider-
ation this Petition & report what may be proper to be done
thereon
Sent down for Concurrence John Avery D^ Sec^
In the House of Representatives April 29, 1778
Read & concurred & Gen^ Lovel & Capt King are joined
J. Pitts Spkr g Tem
The Committee of both Houses, to whom was referred the
petition of Ivory Hovey, praying that the Property of the
s^ Hovey taken by one Nathan Jones of Gouldsborough may
be restored ; and that an action commenced against the s*
Hovey by the s*' Jones may be suspended — report the fol-
lowing Resolve,
A Resolved that the prayer of the s*^^ petition be granted,
and that the s** Nathan Jones, or the Officer who attached
his property, be and he hereby is directed, and commanded
to deliver without Delay to the s'^ Hovey all and every part
of said property of the said Hovey which the said Jones has
taken or have been taken by his order in Consequence of
any power he the s*^ Jones has received from the Owners of
the Sloop Advance.
And that the s*^ Action commenced against the said Hovey,
by the said Jones, on account of the said Sloop advance be.
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 431
and it hereby is, witli all the proceedings relative thereto,
suspended untill the further Order of the General Court. —
In Council April 28' 1778 Read & sent down
Jn° Avery D^ Sec^
In the House of Hepresentatives April 29, 1778 — Read
and passed with an amendment at A viz — At A insert " On
a Petition of Ivory Hovey praying that his property taken
by one Nathan Jones of Gouldsborough may be restored &
that an Action commenced against him by said Jones may be
suspended " —
Sent up for Concurrence J Pitts Spkr g Tern
In Council April 29' 1778 Read & Concurred
John Avery D^ Secy
Consented to
Jer Powell John Whitcomb I Palmer
D Hopkins Oliver Prescott Jabez Fisher
Benj Austin A Fuller
Resolve on the Petition of Rebecca Callahan.
The Committee of both Houses appointed to consider the
Petition of Rebecca Callahan have considered the same &
beg leave to report by way of Resolve, which is Humbly
submitted
Benj Austin per order
State of Massachusetts Bay
Whereas Rebecca Callahan of Pownalborough has petition'd
this Court that she may have leave to go to lier Husband
Charles Callahan, and that she may be allowed the personall
Estate lately belonging to her said Husband ( now in the
hands of Nathaniel Thwing Esq. agent for the said Charles
Estate ) to enable her to defray the chaiges of carrying her
aged Father & Family to her said Husband at Hallifax
432 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Resolved that Rebecca Callahan be & hereby is permitted
to depart this State with her whole Family directly for Halli-
fax or by the way of Newport and that she be & is hereby
allowed out of said Charles's Personall Estate the sum of
Two hundred pounds to defray the charges which may
Attend her Transporting her Selfe & Family to Hallifax or
Newport, & the said Nath Thwing Esq. is hereby directed to
pay the said Rebecca the aforesaid Sum of Two hundred
pounds out of the Personal Estate of the said charles for the
purpose aforesaid —
In Council April 29, 1778
Read & Accepted
Sent down for Concurrence
John Avery D^ Sec^
In the House of Representatives April 29'*^ 1778
Read & Concurrd
J Pitts Spkr g Tem
Consented to —
Jer Powell A Ward Moses Gill
D Hopkins John Whitcomb Josiah Stone
Jabez Fisher
To the Honble the Councel & House of Representatives of
the State of Massachusetts Bay —
The Petition of James Avery in behalf of Captain Isaiah
Boudron, Humbly Sheweth,
That the said Cap* Boudron Inlisted a Company of French-
men in the County of Cumberland in the Province of Nova
Scotia by order of CoP Jon" Eddy, and Embodyed his men
with a Number, of others who came with said Eddy and were
in Several Actions Against the Enemy, of the United States,
by which they Took a Number of British Troops Prisoners
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 433
and sent them to this State and was Dispos'd of according to
your Honours orders, that soon after the Enemy were rein-
forced by Superior Numbers, by which said Eddys men were
Defeated & Drove out of that County, — and said Boudron
& his men all belonging to that Province, were obliged to
Leave their Estates and famelys to the Mercy of the Cruel
Enemy & have now Taken shelter at Machias in this State
where they are in the Greatest Distress, — Therefore your
Petitioner humbly prays you will Take this Matter into Con-
sideration and be pleased to grant them pay according to the
Roll herewith, which will be a great releaf to them in their
Distressed Situation, —
Your Petitioner woud Likewise inform your Honors that
all the Men that went with said Eddy in that Expedition has
been paid by this Court Except the said Boudron & his Com-
pany, and your Petitioner as in Duty Bound will ever pray
Ja* Aveiy
In Council April 29' 1778 Read & Sent down
Roxbury April 27'" 1778 Jn° Avery D^.Secy
Li the House of Representatives April 29'" 1778
Read and committed to the Committee on Muster Rolls —
Sent up for Concurrence J Pitts Spkr g Tem
In Council April 29' 1778 Read & Concurred
Jn° Avery D^ Secy
State of Massachusetts Bay April 29'" 1778
The Com'*^ on Muster Rolls, to whom was committed the
Petition of James Avery in behalf of Cap' Josiah lioudron,
has attended that Service, & Report, That the Prayer of said
Petition be granted
A Fuller g order
In Council April 29' 1778 Read & Accepted
Sent down for Concurrence John Avery D'^ Secy
28
434
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
In the House of Representatives April 29^'' 1778
Read & Concurrd as taken into a Resolve
Sent up for Concurrence J Pitts Spkr p Tern
In Council April 29' 1778 Read & Concurred
John Avery D^ Secy
Consented to
Jer Powell A Ward
Jabez Fisher Moses Gill
D Hopkins W Spooner
T Cushing
John Whitcomb
On a Petition of James Avery in behalf of Captain Josiah
Boudron — setting forth that said Boudron inlisted a Com-
pany of Frenchmen in the County of Cumberland in Nova
Scotia by order of Coll Jonathan Eddy & employed them
in several Actions against the Enemy — & praying that the
Rolls for their Service may be allowed & paid
Resolved that the prayer of the Petition be granted, & the
Committee on Muster Rolls are hereby directed to allow said
Rolls accordingly
Resolve on the Petition of James Avery — directing the
Committee on Muster Rolls to allow Payment on the Muster
Rolls of Josiah Boudron — April 29' 1778
State of Massachusetts Bay April 29*" 1778
The Committee of both Houses upon the Petition of
George Deake, have attended that Service & heard the Par-
ties & Report that said Deake & one Ziphion Thayer have
agreed to settle the affair, if this Court consent to give up
their Claim to the Schooner Two Brothers & Cargo men-
tioned in Said Petition ; — That s*^ Deake appears to have
acted the part of a good officer ; — That the property of said
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 435
Schooner & Cargo will probably appear upon Tryal to belong
to said Thayer's Brother ; and tliat now said Thayer has
promised to said Deake, that he will generously pay him all
expences which he has been at about this affair, provided this
State shall give up their Claim, & said Thayer be put into
possession of said Vessel & Cargo ; upon which promise said
Deake appears to be fully satisfyed, depending upon the
performance on the part of said Tliayer
I Palmer g ord''
In Council April 29"> 1778 Read & sent down
Jn° Avery D^ Sec^
In the House of Representatives April 80, 1778
Read & accepted
Sent up for Concurrence J Pitts Spkr p Tem
Consented to
Jer. Powell W Spooner T Cushing
Josiah Stone Jabez Fisher D Hopkins
I Palmer
In the House of Representatives April 29"^ 1778
Ordered tliat Docf Dunsraore be of the Committee on the
Petition of George Deak in the room of Capt King absent —
Sent up for Concurrence
J Pitts Spkr g Tem
In Council April 29, 1778
Read & Concuired
Jn** Avery D^ Sec^
In the House of Representatives April 30, 1778
Whereas this Court by a Resolve of the 28'^'' directed that
the capture of the Schooner Two P)r()thers & Cargo lately
436 DOCUMENTARY HISTOllY
taken by George Deake should be tried in the Middle Dis-
trict of this State — &c whereas it appears that the said
Deake is willing to relinquish his Claim on a promise of
Zyphion Thayer who lays Claim thereto to pay him the
Expences he has been at provided this State will give up its
claim to the same
Resolved That this Court do hereby relinquish all claim
which tliis State may have to the said Schooner & Cargo
Sent up for Concurrence
In Council April 30, 1778
Read & Concurred
J Pitts Spkr g Tem
Jno Avery D^ Sec^
Consented to
Jer Powell T Cushing W Spooner
Moses Gill D Hopkins Josiah Stone
A Fuller
York Ss
York April 30"' 1778 Then John Caldwell appeared and
made Solemn Oath that he and Andrew Campbell Manfac-
tured and Sold agreable to the resolve of the Fouith of July
1777 two hundred forty five bu shells & one half of Salt
between the 15'^ of July 1777 & y« 1«* of January 1778 and
Sold it at the Regulating price, and they have received no
bounty therefor
Sworn before Joseph Simpson Jus : Peace
To the Hon'''® Councel of the House of Massachusetts Bay
York May 23'' 1778
Please to pay the Bounty for the above Salt to Joseph
Simpson Esq"^ and you will oblige your Humble Servant
Andrew Campbel'
OP THE STATE OF MAINE 437
In Council May 30 : 1778 Read & Ordered that a War-
rent be drawn on the Treasury for <£36. 16. 6 in fav"" of
Hon^ Jos^ Simpson for the Use of the said Campbell in full
Jn° Avery D^ Sec^
State of Massachusetts Bay
In the House of Representatives April 30'''* 1778
On the Petition of Jonas Farnsworth Benj* Foster &
others Praying for allowance for Rations Due during the
time of their Service at Machias agreeable to the abstracts
accompanying S*^ Petition, allso on the Petition of Jabez
West and Rubin Dyer praying for Rations Due to tliem &
Several other officers in the service of this State allso on the
Petition of Jonas Farnsworth praying for a Bounty for the
Non Commission officers & Private Soldiers in Several Com-
panyes of Militia who did duty at Machias Last Sumer and
allso on the Petition of the S'' Jonas Farnsworth praying for
a Number of Fire Arms & Amunition for the Sixth Regn*
of Militia in the County of Lincoln
Resolved that there be allowed & paid to Each Non Com-
mission officer & Private soldier who did duty at Machias as
set forth in s'^ Petition the Sum of thirty shillings p"" Month
in Addition to the Continental pay for which Purpose the
Petitioner is directed to Lay his Rolls before the Committee
of Muster Rolls for Examination, and it is further Resolved
that the Board of War be directed to deliver to the said
Jonas Farnsworth, one hundred & Sixty Two Fire arms,
Four hundred & Seventy three pounds of Powder & Nine
hundred & Forty Six pounds of Leaden Ball for the Sixth
Regn* in the County of Lincoln. Said Farnsworth giving
Security to the said Board of War To pay for the said Fire
arms & amunition In IVelve months from the date of this
Resolve — at Sucli price as the Board of War shall Judge
Reasonable — and it is furtlier Resolved that the Board of
438 DOCUMENT AKY HISTORY
War be directed to give orders on the Commisary Gen' for
Sucli & So much Provishons as shall appear to be due to
the Said Militia for Rations which they have not Received —
Sent up for Concurrence J Pitts Spkr p Tem
In Council April 30' 1778 Read & Concurred
John Avery D^ Secy
Consented to
Jer Powell A Ward T Cushing
Jabez Fisher Moses Gill D Hopkins
J Palmer
To the Honorable the Great and General Court of the
State of Massachusetts Bay convened and held at Roxbury
April 1778 —
The Memorial and Petition of the Plantation commonly
called Damariscotta, in the County of Lincoln, in behalf of
said Plantation, Humbly sheweth,
That said Plantation has been settled with inhabitants for
upwards of twenty years past ;
That the inhabitants thereof have, at great expence and
thro' many hardships and dangers, reducd said Plantation
from an inhospitable wilderness to a State of cultivation and
social improvement : and endeavering to demean themselves
as members of the community not unworthy of a share in its
priviledges, they have, to the utmost of their abilities, main-
tained order and regulation amongst themselves ; and having
been annually taxed by the town of Newcastle, have never
failed of contributing their moiety to the public utility.
Your Memorialists beg leave to add that said plantation
was among the foremost, in this county, in espousing the
great and all-important cause of America, in her opposition
to the tyranny of the King and Parliament of Great Britain ;
and having uniformly conthiued such exertions, in its sup-
port, as their little ability could permit ;
OF THE STATE OF MAINE 439
But since the laws of the State have begun to call upon
plantations as well as towns, in a separate and distinct capa-
cit}' to raise money or other necessary contributions to the
support of the array of the United States, ( our full quota of
which was chearfully and early compleated ) the said Planta-
tion has laboured under great Difficulties for want of the
powers of a legal corporation ; as every thing must be done
by voluntiiry Subscriptions, which, in their unincorporate
State, it was impossible to regulate in just proportion to the
ability of each inhabitant respectively
That from the same cause the said inhabitants have also,
from the beginning, laboured under various hardships in the
want of power to maintahi public schools, or the settlement,
or stated dispensations of the Gospel among themselves at
their Common expence : And various other difficulties have
laid upon said inhabitants, such as are peculiar to unincor-
porated plantations :
For these reasons the said inhabitants, now amounting to
famihes are induced at last to look up to the fathers of this
State for releif from their said hardships : and therefore in
their behalf, your Memorialists most humbly and earnestly
intreat the Honorable Court to take their case into your wise
consideration ; and as soon as may be, to grant us the priv-
iledges of a legal corporation ; & for that purpose
Your Petitioners pray your Honours that an act may pass
the honorable Court, for incorporating the said plantation
into a town by the name of & for investing the
inhabitants thereof with all the priviledges and powers
usually granted, by the laws of this State to incorporated
towns : —
And your Petitioners careful not to encroach on the lines
of otliers, and at the same time wishing to extend our bound
no farther than may be convenient to form one commodious
Parish, would pray your honors that the boundary lines of
440 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
said town may be fixed as follows, viz, beginning on the Eastern
bank of Dainariscotta river ; at the head of Browns cove, so
called, from thence running East on Bristol North line, about
three miles from Pemaquid Pond ; from thence N. by E. by a
right line, about two miles running thro said pond till it strikes
the South West corner of Waldoborough line ; from tlience N.
& by E. on said Waldoborough line about three miles and half
till it strike the North-East corner of Plummer's meadow so
called ; from thence N. W. by a right line one mile and half
till it strike the East side of Damariscotta Pond, on the
northern side of Noah Cioss's house ; from thence southerly
along the eastern shore of said pond, as said shore runs to
the lower narrows of Damariscotta Pond from thence run-
ning southerly on Newcastle East line, down to the mills, so
called, so on the said line down Damariscotta River to the
first mentioned bounds ; the whole tract not exceeding six
miles in length from North to South, nor four miles in
breadth from East to West :
And finally that the said inhabitants may not be obliged
to remain inactive in the important affairs of the establish-
ment of a new form of government, your Petitioners pray
that as soon as may be, an order may issue to Thomas Rice
Esq' or some other Justice of the Peace near them to grant
a warrant for convening said inhabitants at any time he shall
think proper to choose such officers & transact such other
business as is usually appointed by law to be done in the
month of March annually — And your Petitioners as in duty
bound in behalf of themselves and their said Constituents
Shall ever pray
Anthony Chapman Joseph Rust Francis Tufts
Committee of said Plantation
Dated at Damariscotta March IS*** 4778
INDEX
AcKi.EAY, John, a witness, 92.
Adams, Samuel, secretary, (55, 300,
311, 330, 373, 392.
Airs, J., he and his oxen hired,
16.5.
Albany, N. Y., 53.
Albey, William, 114.
Allan, Abraham, received bounty
money, 315.
John, declaration of, 418.
Col. John, with Indians, 2, 14,
169, 175,242, 420; to have pro-
visions, 3; will need corn, 4;
to come to Machias with In-
dians, 4; must proselyte, 5; at
Machias, 14, 169, 175; received
stores from Preble, 16, 30; in-
structions to, IS; his influence
over Indians, 35; as a witness,
91; Maj. Shaw embarked to
join, 114; no letter from, 114;
to put in a claim on tlie prize,
115; news expected from, 110;
inventory of sundries deliver-
ed to, 118; described attack
and repulse of tlie enemy, 170,
171, 175; desired supplies, 170,
179; drew on Messrs Cross,
176, 179; works for best inter-
ests of the United States, 177,
178; asked to have a court
martial called, 178; recom-
mended John Preble for em-
ployment, 178; tried to prevent
defraudations of Indians, 195,
190; in charf^e of Indians, 205,
389, 420, 421; stores for the
Indians sent to, 205; to be com-
missioned, 212; to enlist more
Indians, 212, 352, 303; to have
people conveyed from Nova
Scotia, 213; to coinmission In-
dian officers, 213; chief in com-
mand of Eastern Indians, 215,
210, 218, 234, 2(3, 241, 245, 252,
209, 324, 339, .345, 4()0; to sta-
tion men at and near Macliias,
228; made trade agreements,
229; excluded the Penobscots,
Allan, continued.
229; advised the use of every
means to keep the Indians,
230; desires advice, 231; to
erect a fort, 242, 338; adver-
tised that rum must not be
sold to Indians, 244; in court
for Jones, 247; in search for a
stolen skin, 253, 255, 256;
accused Jones of stealing
the skin, 254; his complaint
against Jones must await his
arrival, 270; obliged to act
without instructions, 285; In-
dians will only settle matters
through his hands, 286; diffi-
cult to keep his Indians in
order, 286; his family confined
in a garrison, 287, 292; order
to Crabtree, 288; held a con-
ference with tlie Penobscots,
288, 289; furnished rum to the
soldiers, 289; news from, 292,
293; gave advice in regard to
army regulations, 294, 295;
took supplies from the truck-
house, 290,339,351; requires
a separate house, 297; har-
rassed by the sale of liquor to
the Indians, 297; endeavored
to respect Jones, 297; sent
proceedings against Jones to
Cross, 298; sundries delivered
by his order, 314; appropria-
tion for, 322; obliged to spend
more than was api^ropriated,
324; further appropriation
asked, 324; retained a few In-
dians, 336; has well managed
affairs, 336; to have command
of the men enlisted to defend
Machias, 351; to enlist In-
dians, 352, 303; sent Bell, Tory,
from Machias, 359; obliged to
borrow money, 389, 390; needs
more money, 390; Avery to
settle accounts of, 390; sent
Avery for supplies, 411; to be
paid money due him, 419, 420;
further allowance, 420; whale
boats and oil cloth for, 420;
29
442
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Allan, continued.
his letters to be sent to Con-
gress, 420; letters of, 106, 107,
169, 179, 229. 232, 244, 285, 288,
292, 294, 297, 299, 356, 357;
mentioned, 27, 93, 180, 211,
218, 244, 245, 247, 252, 335, 340,
842, 363, 364, 384, 408, 412.
Mrs. John, 287, 292.
AUbee, Lieut, William, rations
due, 413; to be continued iu
the service, 420.
Allin, Lieut., rations due, 412.
AUinejurd, Henry, a witness, 79.
Amancoggin lp„i,„ -.r.. .oo
Aramoncongen/*^"^' ^"^' ^^^•
Ambroise \ Governor, hearty in the
Ambrose J cause, 40; under Col.
Allan, 205; praised, 205.
Ammunition, at Fort Halifax, 2;
needed at Machias, 14, 23, 376,
377; in care of Stephen Smith,
19; sent by Col. Brewer to
Machias, 20; amount at Ma-
cliias, 28; needed at Kittery,
67; cannon spoiled, 67; needed
at Falmouth, 75 ; to be sent to
same, 80; captured, 102; ex-
penses for, must come out of
a prize, 115; for Cape Eliza-
beth, 126; to be delivered to
Col. Howard, 137; given to
Indians, 165; still needed at
Machias, 173, 175; needed by
Col. Allan, 176; for Boothbay,
189, 225, 232; at Machias, 199,
200, 237, 241, 405; supplied by
T. Parsons, 208; for Machias,
212; needed at Boothbay, 220;
Col. Brewer demanded pay for
the State powder given to sol-
diers, 281, 282; supplied by
Benj. Wheeler, 301, 302, 303,
314; Col. Brewer should ac-
count for, 332; sent to Capt.
Smith, 350, 351, 363; wanted
at Fisherman's Bay, 367; Capt.
Smith to purchase arms for
same, 368; Daniel Sullivan to
purchase arms, 368, 369; for
Lincoln County, 373; wasted,
376, 403; soldiers to purchase
their own, 394; needed at
Winter Hill, 407; to be pro-
vided for same, 407, 408; to
be delivered to Jonas Farns-
worth, 437.
Anderson, Edward, surveyor of
highways and lumber, 97;
Anderson, continued.
town clerk, 98, 100; declara-
tion of, 100.
John, his goods examined, 116.
Andrews, Nathan, received a
bounty, 310.
Annapolis, 36, 92, 237, 243, 361.
Gut, 238.
River, 238.
Ai-es, Joshua, signed Wheelers-
borough petition, 64.
Arexes, pay due, 44.
Arms, every family obliged to keep
a gun, 75; needed at Fal-
mouth, 75; see under Ammu-
nition.
Armstrong, Jonathan, signed Roy-
alsbourg petition, 370.
Army, Continental, 72, 79, 146,
212, 213, 214, 347, 354, 403, 414;
see also under Soldiers.
Arundel, a boundary, 385.
Assoner, i)ay due, 44.
Attenanier, " 44.
Aussing Neptune, pay due, 44.
Austin, Benj., member of the Gen-
eral Court, 41, 43, 47, 48, 50,
60, 69, 73, 74, 80, 82, 86, 88,
119, 120, 128, 131, 134, 138, 153,
1.55, 167, 190, 202, 214, 216, 219,
226, 227, 233, 234, 236, 239, 262,
307, 317, 318, 322, 324, 329, 330,
333, 356, 358, 365, 308, 381, 382,
386, 389, 408, 409, 417, 419, 422,
424, 425, 426, 431.
Daniel, received bounty, 310.
Ralph, his oxen seized, 849.
Averil, Joseph, received a bounty,
310.
Averil, Joseph, as messenger, 254,
256; deposition of, 2.53, 254.
Avery, James, clerk of the court,
244, 245, 247, 252, 268, 269, 270;
petitioned for Col. Allan, .S89,
890; to settle accounts for Col.
Allan, 390; sent for supplies,
411; desired an order for
wampum, 411; petitioned for
Capt. Boudron's company,
432, 433; tliesame granted, 433,
434; memorial of, 389; petition
of, 411, 432, 433.
Capt. James, commissioned offi-
cer, Indians much attached to,
298.
John, deputy secretary, 41, 45,
47, 48, 50, 51, 52, 54, 60, 65, 68,
72, 7.3, 74, 80, 82, 85, 86, 88, 94,
116, 119, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131,
132, 134, 135, 138, 153, 155, 1.59,
INDEX
443
Avery, continued.
160, IGl, 166, 184, 185, 187, 190,
199, 200, 202, 214, 215, 216, 217,
219, 221, 226, 227, 228, 229, 282,
233, 234, 235, 236, 238, 240, 248,
249, 250, 261, 263, 265, 266. 267,
292, 299, 303, 305, 306, 307, 311,
317, 318. 322, 323, 324, 326, 327,
329. 332, 333, 343, 345, 346, 848,
354, 356, 358, 359, 364, 365, 366,
368, 874, 379, 380, 381, 382, 386,
389, 393, 401, 408, 409, 411, 414,
418, 419. 421, 422, 423, 424, 425,
426. 428, 429, 430, 431, 432. 433,
434, 435, 436, 438; letter of,
426.
John, of Windsor, claimed part
ownership in a vessel, 361.
Avy, Joseph, signed Wheelersbor-
ougla petition, 64; testimony
of. 272; signed Penobscot pet-
ition, 276.
Ayer, Elijah, quarter-master, 413.
Ayr, Joshua, deposition of, 280,
281.
Joshua E., signed Penobscot
petition, 276.
Bacheldor, see Batciielder.
Bailey, David, signed Pownalbor-
ough petitions, 85, 260.
Rev. Jacob, 143, 144, 145, 149,
150.
Baker, Mr. , member of the
General Court, 410, 428.
Lieut. Carr, proposed for cap-
tain, 21; see Barker.
Elisha, blacksmith, 327, 328, 329.
Bant, William, issued writ, 416.
Barker, Capt. Carr, proposed for
captain, 21, 326; beating or-
ders for, 218.
David, fence viewer, 97.
Prince, signed Kennebec peti-
tion, 125.
Barley, Issiah, can give evidence,
353.
Barlow, Mr. , 315.
Barnard, Joel, 76.
Robert, 76,
Robert second, 76.
Solomon, 76.
Barron, Mr. , engineer, 37.
Bartlett, John II., 67.
Capt. Nicholas Jr., 117.
Batchelder, i Capt. , member
Bacheldor, / of the General
Court, 199, 292.
Batteries, see Forts.
Bay of Fundy, 58, 92, 288, 415.
Beanian, Joseph, 77.
Bean, Nehamiah, recommended
for lieutenant, 311.
Beaver as currency, 16.
Belfast, 157, 158.
Bell, Mr. , 237.
Robert, a suspect, 357; arrested
and committed to the Goal,
359, 360, 879; innocent, 379;
his brother petitioned to give
bail for, 379; to be liberated
on bail, 381.
William, petitioned to bail liis
brotlier, 379; order on peti-
tion, 379; petition of, 379.
Bennett, John, signed York peti-
tion, 89.
Bennington, 1.
Bermuda, 159.
Berrev, \ John received a bounty,
Beirf, / 310.
Joiin Jr., ditto, 310.
Thomas, petitioned for liis pay,
68, 69, 71; to be paid, 72.
Berwick, distressed, 66; inventory
of Willingford's estate in, 400.
Fowling Marsh, 400.
Stair Falls, 400.
Beverly, 105.
Biddeford, 43, 46.
Bills, Continental, 373; see Cur-
rency.
Bishop, James, as a witness, 316.
Black, Lieut. Henry, signed Pen-
obscot petition, 276.
Blackdon, Charles, ditto, 276.
Blagdon, Charles, could not get
stores, 271, 278, 279; employed
by Lowder, 283; deposition
of, 278.
Blake, Mrs. , could not obtain
provisions, 273.
Blethen, John, signed Royalsbourg
petition, 371.
Boardwinham, 204:
Boats, 3, 4, 36, 420.
Boothbay, Newman at, 117; naval
officer established at, 125; far
from Kennebec, 125; Collier
and Dawson repulsed at, 185;
enemy still near, 186; ammu-
nition for. 189, 225; soldiers
to be stationed at, 189, 225,
226, 282; home of McCobb,
312; mentioned, 266.
Boothbay Harbor, the Rainbow in,
219; raid of the enemy, 219,
220; threats of the enemy,
444
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Boothbay Ilavbor, continued.
220; desired soldiers and am-
munition, 220.
Townsend Harbor, 250.
Townsend Neck, 250.
Boston, 9, 16, 17, 21, 30, 35, 52, 57,
01, 60, 75, 77, 82, 91, 102, 106,
109, 112, 117, 120, 121, 12.3, 124,
133, 138, 139, 140, 145, 148, 151,
152, 159, 160, 180, 182, 187, 190,
191, 193, 197, 199, 215, 210, 217,
271, 281, 282, 293, 321, 323, 352,
353, 357, 369, 372, 373, 379, 380,
384, 380, 390, 392, 394, 427, 429.
Board of War, 62, 112, 130, 139,
109, 180, 181, 189, 206, 213, 214,
225, 232, 263, 204, 206, 315, 323,
324, 330, 339, 345, 350, 352, 308,
374, 388, 396, 407, 409, 411, 415,
416, 420, 422, 425, 429, 437.
Council Chamber, 11, 18, 19, 55,
59, 121, 155, 180, 205, 217, 234,
330, 381, 394, 411, 426.
Goal, 249, 359. 360, 879, 381.
Guard Ship, 208.
Newspapers, 60,
Port, 57, 415.
Boudron, Capt. Josiah, enlisted a
company, 432, 434; obliged to
leave his estates, 433; his fam-
ily obliged to take shelter at
Machias, 433; desired relief
for the families of his soldiers,
433; desired that his men have
the pay due them, 433; men to
be paid, 433, 334.
Boundaries, 77, 103, 185, 439, 440.
Bounties, 200, 227, 228, 309, 314,
340, 421, 436, 437.
Bourke, William, signed Pownal-
borough petitions, 85, 260.
Bow, Patrick, stole beaver, 277; a
deserter, 278.
Bowdoin, James, member of the
General Court, 82, 88.
Bowell, David, signed Wheelers-
borough petition, 63.
Bowker, Joseph, signed Kennebec
petition, 125.
Bowman, Jonathan, ditto, 126; as
as a judge, 269, 308, 318, 319.
Boyington, "(Amos, elected a lieu-
Boynton, J tenant, 160; testi-
mony of, 255, 256; in Foster's
regiment, 357; deposition of,
254.
Hilkiah, 76.
Bradbury, John, judge, 399.
Bragdon, Elisha, enlisted, 354.
Joshua, desired to send vessel
Bragdon, continued.
from Wells, 59.
Joshua Jr., signed York peti-
tion, 89.
Capt. Joshua, manufactured and
sold salt, 393.
Brattleborough, 263.
Bray, John, as a witness, 316.
Brewer, Capt. , 184.
John, on Penobscot committee,
157.
Col. Josiah, commander at Pe-
nobscot, in need of provisions,
20; sent assistance to Machias,
20; number of men in liis regi-
ment, 03; petition to be served
on, 64; supplies sent to, 82;
people dissatisfied with, 158;
new guard in his care, 163;
consulted by Col. Lowder, 164;
at an Indian conference, 183;
proposed to fire an alarm, 183;
at Coburn's, 184; approved the
silence of the express, 184;
disputed with McCurdy, 184;
would not make an alarm, 184,
353; frustrated all attempts to
give information, 184, 185;
promised provisions, 185; com-
plaints against, 270, 271, 272,
273, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 281,
282, 284, 301, 302, 353; refused
to accept depositions, 272, 358;
altercation with Wheeler, 272;
administered oath to Good-
win, 273; released a prisoner,
in league with Col.
278; Mayhew testi-
281; "
277, 278;
Lowder,
fied for,
powder, 281;
from soldiers
brought State
demanded pay
for the same,
281, 282; not at home to re-
ceive papers, 284, 285; asked
no advice in building fort, 325;
responsible for false alarm,
326; ought to account for
money, 332; put names of
dead men on his list, 353; per-
verted justice, 353; avoided
orders of the court, 353; re-
ported the needs of the In-
dians, 425; letters of, 20, 411,
412.
Mrs. Josiah, 284.
Bridge, Edmund, selectman of
Pownalborough, 270, 320.
Bridgeton, 135.
Brigham, Charles, 77.
Brighton, 104.
Bristol, much exposed, 402; peo-
INDEX
446
Bristol, continued.
pie anxious, 402; defenceless,
402, 403; furnished more than
lier quota, 403; men and am-
munition needed at, 403; a
boundary, 440; mentioned,
105, 219.
Broad Bay, 401.
Cove, 401.
Brookens, Philip, 76.
Brown, Mr. , member of the
General Court, 65.
Amos, 77.
Benjamin, 77.
Charles, 77.
James, received a bounty, 310.
Joshua, ditto, 310.
Captain William, 179, 208.
Brown's Cove, 440.
Brunswick, jiaid for billeting sol-
diers, 48; soldiers from, paid,
68, 69; people from llarpswell
move to, 204; home of Elisha
Baker, 327; taxed people of
Royalsbourg, 369, 370.
Brunswick prisoners, or Hessians,
266.
Bryant, Bartholomew, received a
bounty, 310.
Buck, Col. Jonathan, asked to
send reinforcements, 11; town
meeting to be held at his
house, 157; same was lield,
1,58; as chairman, 169; went
to inquire about alarm, 183;
brought stores to Penobscot,
271; people desire him for a
colonel, 275; president of the
Committee of Safety, 326; to
order election of a captain,
365, 366.
Budge, James, on Penobscot Com-
mittee, 157, 326.
Buller, Thomas, ensign, 218.
Bunker Hill, Battle of, 179.
Bunting, 180.
Burgoyne, Gen. John, 289, 203.
Burley, Jcjsiali, signed Penobscot,
petition, 276; employed by
Col. Lowder, 283; confirmed
testimony, 281.
Burnam, Job, as bondsman, 267,
268.
Burr, Isaac, 77.
Burton, Benjamin, 78, 79.
Bush, Jonathan, 77.
Bussell, 1 Jacob, signed Wlieelers-
Busell, J borough petition, 64;
deposition of, 301, 302.
Bysell, Stephen, signed Penobscot
petition, 276.
Cagill, Col. 69.
Caldwell, John, manufactured and
sold salt, 436.
Calef, Thomas, justice, 218.
Call, Obadiah Jr., signed the Ken-
nebec petition, 125.
Callahan, ) Charles, delivered a
Callihan, J copy of the Pownal-
borough petition to Gushing,
261; anabsentee, 269, 318, 319,
392, 417; value of his estate,
269, 270, 308; an enemy to the
States, 270; his estate embez-
zled or conveyed away, 308,
309, 319; Thwing appointed
agent for, 319, 392, 417, 431;
his wife claimed the right to
dispose of the property, 320;
no proof that he is with the
enemies of the States, 320;
claimed unjust treatment, 302,
sent for his wife, 362; well
provided for, 362; in an armed
vessel, though he would pre-
fer the merchant service, 362;
by the act of sequestration
forfeited his estate, 417.
Rebecca, signed Pownalborough
petition, 85; wife of Charles,
308, 318, 319, 417; supposed to
have embezzled, or conveyed
away the estate of her hus-
band, 309, 319, 392, 393; com-
plaint against, 309; summoned
to court, 309; committed to
goal, 319, 393; appealed, 319,
893; the reasons of the appeal,
320, 321; neglected to prose-
cute the appeal, 393; Thwing
demanded her husband's per-
sonal effects, 417; she refused
to comply with the demand,
417; petitioned to hold her
husband's estate, 417; value
of his moveable effects, 417;
desired to be permitted to go
to her husband, 417, 431; to
have a portion of tlie personal
estate, 431. 432; permission
granted for her departure, 432;
petition of, 416.
Richard, signed Pownalborough
petition, 260.
Calvin, Jolin, 141.
Oalvinists, 141.
446
DOCUMENTAKY HISTORY
Cambridge, 58, 68, 72, 191, 383.
Camden, 240.
Campbell, Alex., justice of the
peace, 418.
Col. Alexander, carried let-
ters, 10, 11, 15. 18, 29, 179, 193,
221; consulted by Col. Eddy,
10, 11; asked Col. Buck to
assist Col. Eddy, 11; letter to,
32; number of men in his com-
pany, 123; collected the milita,
179; arrived at Machias, 285,
286; Smith drew on as agreed,
341; in Fosters regiment, 357;
his staff roll, 391; letter of,
203.
Andrew, manufactured and sold
salt, 430; Joseph Simpson to
draw the bounty for, 436, 437.
Capt. Thomas, signed Wheelers-
borough petition, 62, 64; on
Penobscot Committee, 157;
signed Penobscot petition, 276.
William, collector and constable,
96, 100.
Canada, 11, 94, 286, 387, 418.
River, 111.
Canadians, 183.
Canebec River, 110; see also Ken-
nebec River.
Cannon, see Ammunition.
Canso, 8.
Cape Ann, 70, 102.
Cape Elizabeth, soldiers at, 49;
fort built at, 75; soldiers
needed at, 75; in need of am-
munition, 75; men to be sta-
tioned at and supplies to be
sent to, 80, 234; powder for,
126; report on the petition of,
129; Noyes a commissary at,
131, 423; to have a flag, 180,
181; Dunn at, 191; the people
of, desired i^ay for billeting
soldiers, 191, 192; soldiers at
petitioned for more pay), 197,
198; Noyes' company in need
of provisions, 217; Noyes sup-
plied the forces at, 323, 330;
Deake stationed at, 388; peti-
tion of, 70.
Cape Sable, 8.
Cargill, James, signed Kennebec
petition, 125.
Carman, Capt. , 427.
Carter, Joseph, signed Penobscot
petition, 276.
Casco Bay, 47, 55, 58, 60, 102, 105,
116, 374, 415, 425.
Cates, Samuel, received a bounty,
315.
Chadbourne, Benjamin, to call a
town meeting, 885.
Humphrey, justice of the peace,
400.
Chadwick, Joseph, protracted a
plan of inland ports, 383, 423;
petitioned for pay, 383; to be
paid, 423, 424.
Chandler, Josiah, signed Royals-
bourg petition, 370.
Chaplain for the army, 218; re-
muneration of, 219.
Chapman, Anthony, signed the
Damariscotta petition, 440.
Chase, Caleb, on Gorhani Commit-
tee, 71; letter of, 108.
Capt. Ephriam, .3.57.
Chaudiere, Shudear, 183.
Chesley, Joseph, highway survey-
or, 97.
Child, Thomas, naval officer at
Falmouth, 342; deposition of,
321; letter of, 400.
Chisam, John, signed Penobscot
petition, 276.
Church, Noah, 77.
Noah second, 77.
Clark, Mr. , shipbuilder, 81.
Benjamin, signed Raymond
Town petition, 376.
Jno., signed Norridgewock let-
ter, 111.
Clearford, Jacob, signed Penob-
scot petition, 276.
Cleaveland, Ebeuezer, petitioned
for redemption of prisoners,
105.
Clouston, Capt. John, captured a
prize, 102, 133.
Cluley, Lieut. John, signed Pe-
nobscot petition, 276.
Cobb, Saml. M., signed Lincoln
County petition, 189.
Saml. W., signed Kennebec peti-
tion, 125.
Coburn, Jeremiah, ensign, propos-
ed to raise a guard, 163; did
not enlist men as directed,
163, 164; provisions sent to,
105; strange behavior of, 166;
mentioned, 158, 183, 184, 281,
282, 283.
Codding, Mr. , member of the
General Court, 410.
Coffin, Col. , member of the
General Court, 94.
Capt. Timothy, 192.
Oola, Capt. , 92.
INDEX
447
Colborn, Jeremiah, ensign, 422.
Cole, Benjamin, summoned, 6;
bound over, 6.
Coleborth, Peter, received a boun-
ty, 310.
Collier, Sir George, received a
dressing at Machias, 185, 222;
repulsed at Boothbay, 185,
219; appears to intend anotlier
quarrel, 180; near Pownalbor-
ougli, 200, 207, 210.
Collings, James, signed Penobscot
petition, 276.
Colsdu, Hat., signed Wlieeler.sbor-
ough i)etition, 64.
Icliabod, signed Penobscot peti-
tion, 276; employed by Lowd-
er, 283; .see also Coulson.
Cohvell, John, signed Wheelers-
borough petition, 63.
Combs, John, petitioned for his
pay, 68, 69, 71; to be paid, 72.
Committee of Correspondence, In-
spection and Safety, 81, 92, 94,
96, 107, 112, 113, 115, 116, 117,
129, 145, 158, 167, 219, 320, 331,
336, 338, 343, 344, 349, 354, 357,
359, 360, 362, 363, 379, 381, 384,
888 394, 395, 396, 401, 427.
Committee of Sequestration, 417.
Complaint of Natlianiel Thwing,
392.
Conant, Mr. , owned a dam,
101.
Condeskeg, 158.
Condesneg Falls, 166.
Congregationalists, 83, 84, 85, 141,
145, 258, 260.
Congress, Continental, 11, 40, 81,
117, 146, 188, 229, 235, 347, 363,
388, 409, 420, 421.
Provincial, 427.
Connecticut River, 77.
Contoocook Eiver, 78, 103, 135.
Cook, \ Conielas, signed Wheel-
Cooke, / ersborough petition, 64.
James, pay due, 44.
Josepli, deposition of, 246.
Cook's Lott, 316.
Coombs, Anth(tuy, selectman of
Uarpsweil, 124; signed Harps-
well petition, 201.
Coplisly, Joseph, recommended
for lieutenant, 218.
Cornwall is, 360, 361.
Cotton, Martlia, executrix of li<u-
hiisband's will, 327; recov-
ered judgment against Elislia
Baker, 327; case carried to a
higher court, 327, 328; her ap-
Cotton, continued.
pearance disallowed, 328; de-
prived of the benefit of the
law, 328; Baker recovered
costs against, 328; petitioned
to re-enter the action, 328; pe-
tition granted. 329; petition
of, 327.
Thomas, should liave pay as a
soldier, 69.
William, tanner, 327.
Couillard, Jt)hn, signed Penobsct)t
petition, 276.
Joshua, ditto, 276.
Coulson, Capt. Thomas, built a
shij), 60; has not paid for the
iron work, his goods in cus-
tody, 61, 107, 128, 404; the same
carried away by force, 107,
128; an absentee, 404; report
of the committee concerning
tlie goods of, 403, 404.
see also Colson.
Cowen, Calvin, petitioned for his
pay, 68, 69, 71; to be paid, 72.
Cox, Nathaniel, received bounty
money, 314; in Foster's regi-
ment, 357.
Coxhall, situation and boundaries
of, 384, 385; named, 385; town
meeting to be called in, 385;
act of incorporation, 384.
Crabtree, Capt. ^V ^^'^en. \ ^ ^^^aj.-
Ogreeu, J tured
an express, 243; plundered St.
John's truck-house, 287; sailed
in pursuit of British vessels,
288; captured Natlian Jones,
289; entered complaint against
Capt. J. Littlefield, 359.
Crague, Hugh, assessor and select-
man of Windham, 96, 99, 100.
Moses, signed Wheelersborough
petition, 64.
Cram, Uaniel, on Poarsontown
Committee, 71.
Cranbery Island, 90, 91, 290, 306.
Crane, Mr. , member of the
General Court, 66.
Cianson, Abner, 77.
Crockett, Uobinsou, signed Hoy-
alsbourg jietition, 370.
Crosby, Al)n('r, signed Wheelers-
bourg i)etiti(^n, 64.
Eben, signed Penobscot i)etition,
276.
Jolin, signed the Wlieelersbourg
petition, 64.
Nicholas, ditto, ()4.
Capt. Nicholas, naval ollicer at
448
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Crosby, continued.
Portsmouth, 342; evidence of,
353.
Simon, signed Wheelersbourg
petition, 64.
Cross Island, 22, 23, 182.
Messrs. 176, 179, 298.
Maj. , 199, 364.
Noah, 440.
Ralph, 179, 322, 324.
Kiver, 206.
Stephen, 179, 322, 324.
Ouler, John, signed the Wheelers-
bourg petition, 04.
Joshua, ditto, 64.
Cumberland, 222, 223, 237, 263.
Bay, 288.
County, 11, 36, 37, 39, 40, 41, 42,
49, 51, 59, 70, 73, 74, 80, 81, 98,
100, 107, 118, 119, 129, 134, 156,
180, 190, 193, 197, 211, 217, 228,
249, 303, 304, 305, 315, 317, 327,
329, 332, 343, 354, 369, 375, 381,
382, 383, 888, 403, 423, 432, 434.
Currency, beaver skins, 16; paper
money, 16, 204, 231, 300, 336,
373; silver money, 280.
Curtes, , 353.
Curtis, Capt. James, on billeting
his men, 48, 49; enlisted men,
68, 71; refused to pay the
same, 69; ordered to pay, 72.
Samuel, certificate of, 166.
Cushing, Judge , member of
the General Court, 89.
Caleb, ditto, 41, 43, 47, 48, 50, 69,
73, 74, 81, 82, 88, 167, 324, 329,
330, 332, 333, 343, 344, 345, 356,
358, 368, 380, 382, 389.
Chai'les, elected a Ijrigadier, 50;
clerk at Pownalborough, 1.50,
151 ; copy of a petition deliv-
ered to, 261; letter of, 138.
I., member of the General Court,
365, 419.
J., ditto, 41, 43, 47, 48, 70, 234,
3.56, 368, 382, 386, 408, 409.
John, signed Royalsbourg peti-
tion, 370.
Nathan, member of the General
Court, 65, 119, 126, 127, 130,
131, 132, 138, 153, 155, 202, 214,
216, 232, 283, 234, 239, 250, 262,
263, 265, .303, 305, 307, 317, 318,
322, 324, 333, 345, 358, 381, 382,
386, 389, 411.
Roland, signed Kennebec peti-
tion, 125; as registrar, 270,
309, 319, 321.
Cushing, continued.
T., member of the General Court,
48, 50, 81, 82, 88, 127, 153, 155,
167, 190, 202, 216, 219, 226, 227,
228, 229, 232, 233, 236, 239, 265,
307, 317, 318, 389, 424, 426, 434,
435, 436, 438.
Thomas, can supply wampum,
411; to deliver the State's
wampum, 411.
r>
Damariscotta, taxed by New
castle, 438; early espoused op-
position to the king, 438;
needs the power of legal cor-
poration, 439; petitioned for
Incorporation, 439, 440; de-
sired bounds of, 440; petition
of, 438, 440.
Brown's Cove, 440.
riummer's Meadow, 440.
River, 122, 397, 398, 401, 440.
Dams obstruct fishing, 70, 72, 100,
101, 129.
Dana, Fra., member of the General
Court. 190, 226, 228, 229, 2-32.
F. M., ditto, 41, 43, 50, 82, 86, 88,
119, 126, 128, 130, 131, 132, 134.
S. W., ditto, 47,
Dauielson, Timothy, ditto, 119,
126, 127, 128, 130, 131, 132, 134,
138, 153, 165, 202, 214, 216, 303,
■ 305, 307, 317, 318, 322, .330, 332,
333, 343, 344, 345, 356, 365, 368,
381, 382, 386, 389, 408.
Davis, Daniel, ditto, 41, 43, 48, 49,
50, 73, 119, 126, 128, 130, 131,
132, 134, 138, 190, 202, 214, 226,
227, 232, 233, 234, 236, 305, 322,
324, 329, 330, 343, 344, 356, 358,
308.
Gideon, signed Raymond Town
petition, 376.
John, ditto, 376.
Jonathan, desired to clear his
sloop, 56; signed Kennebec
petition, 125.
Maj. Moses, on Pownalborough
Conmiittee, 394, .396; to receive
money for the committee, 396,
399; account of provisions de-
livered, 396, 397; in the Third
Regiment, 397; letters of, 398,
397, 399.
Prince, on Gorham Committee,
71.
William, letter of, 359.
INDEX
449
Dawson, , his depredations at
Passamaquody, 3, 236, 237;
planned another expedition,
174; at Boothbay, 185, 186; at
Pemaquid, -402.
Day, Josiah, signed the Royals-
borough petition, 371.
Deake, "I George, in command at
Dike, / Casco Bay, 874, 388;
seized schooner of Furnass,
374, 388; to release the schoon-
er, 374; his reasons for seizing
the vessel, 388, 415, 416, 425;
the same declared a lawful
prize, 389; to file a claim for
himself and the state, 426; to
deliver Ilowland his chest and
wearing apiiarel, 428, 429; de-
prived of the advantage of his
evidence, 429, 430; can not
leave Falmoutli, 429; Ilow-
land swore to take the life of,
429; will settle if court con-
sents to give up claims to the
schooner, 484, 435, 436; the
committee on the i)etition of,
435; the state gives up claims
to the schooner, 436; memor-
ial of, 388, 889; petition of,
429, 430.
Dcane, Jno., on Pearsontown Com-
mittee, 71.
Declarations, see Depositions.
Deer Rief, 98.
Deering, Nathl., signed Falmouth
letter, 410.
Deer Island, 6.
Delano, Alpheus, 78, 79.
DeLesdernier, L. F., complained
of Stephen Jones, 244, 245,
252, 269; assisted in searching
for the stolen skin, 256; an in-
terpreter, 257, 298; went to
give information for Col. Al-
lan, 287, 292; a commissioned
officer, 298; Indians much
atlached to him, 298; letters
of, 244, 252; mentioned, 196.
Deney, Samuel, signed Raymond
Town petition, 376.
Dennet, Jacob, signed Wheelers-
borough petition, 03; declara-
tion of, 277.
Densmore, Thomas, recommended
for a lieutenant, .321, 326.
Depositions, of Allan, John, 418;
Avcrll, Joseph, 253; Ayr, Josh-
ua, 280; Blagdon, Charles,
278; Boynton, Amos, 254;
15, 17.
Depositions of, continued.
Bussell, Jacob, .301, 803;
Child, T., 821; Cook, Joseph,
246; Farns worth, Jonas, 253,
255, 261; Fletcher, Thomas,
182; Gorton, Simeon, 279;
Howard, Thomas, 302; Ignace,
245, 256; Kent, Robert, 361;
Longfellow, David, 255; Mc-
Curdy, James, 314; Mayhew,
Nathaniel, 281: Milbury, Sam-
uel, 256; Preble, Jedidiah, 163,
165; Preble, John, 2.53; Rice,
Thomas, 362; Savage, John,
138; Smith, Stephen, 255;
Sullivan, Daniel, 866; Swan,
Gustavus, 281, 282, 284;
Thompson, Jeremiah, 360, 361.
Derby, Richard, member of the
General Court, 41, 48, 47, 48,
50, 60, 69, 73, 74, 126, 127, 128,
130, 138, 190, 219, 226, 228, 229,
232, 238, 234, 250, 262, 263, 265,
305, 317, 318, 324, 329, 330, 332,
343, 379, 886, 408, 409, 419, 424.
Derry, James, signed Kennebec
petition, 125.
Dessen, "I
Dosseu, j"
Devens, , 342.
Deverex, Ralph, signed Penobscot
petition, 276.
Devons, Richard, commissary gen-
eral, 394.
Dike, see Deake.
Dillaway, Henry, received a boun-
ty, 310.
James, ditto, 310.
Dingley, Joseph, 376.
Capt. Josiah, 161.
Dinnett, Jacob, signed Penobscot
petition, 276.
Dixev, John, libeled a schooner,
425, 426.
Dodge, Josiah received a bounty,
310.
William, to be paid for his time
and expenses, 51.
Doherty, Edmund, signed Pownal-
borough petition, 85, 260.
Dole, Daniel, to be summoned, 129.
Ricliard, town clerk of Wind-
ham, 96, 98, 99, 119, 120; high-
way surveyor, 97; in the army,
98.
Downes, Ephraim, signed Wheel-
ersborough petition, 64; ditto
Penobscot, 276.
Dry Goods, illicit trade in, 6.
30
450
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Duning, ) James, signed Wheel-
Dunning, J ersborough petition,
04; ditto Tenobscot, 276.
Dunlap, John, enlisted and paid,
72.
Dunn, Capt. Samuel, at Cape Eliz-
abeth, 191, 192; ordered else-
where, 191; died, 191.
Dunsmore, Dr. , a member of
the (4eneral Court, 435.
Durgin, Abraham, enlisted, 354.
Dutch, the, 82, 141; .see also Ger-
mans.
Dyer, David, signed Royalsbourgh
petiticm, 370.
Harry, on Cape Elizabeth Com-
mittee, 71.
Capt. Henry, in Foster's regi-
ment, 110, 357; desired addi-
tional pay, 391.
James, received a bounty, 315.
James, 2d, ditto, 315.
Micah, signed Royalsbourg peti-
tion, 370.
Reuben, his company should be
filled, 34, 214; in the Sixth
regiment, 110; his men should
have same pay as men in the
militia, 212, 214; his company
received a bounty, 227, 315;
men discharged from his
company, 295; petitioned for
rations due, 380, 412, 413; peti-
tioned for pay for enlisting
men, 380; Farnsworth to col-
lect for, 413; his men to have
rations, 487, 438; petition of,
380.
Eddy, contlnved.
35; described the expedition,
35, 40; declined to call a court
martial, 178; to disband a regi-
ment, 199; to raise a battalion,
223; company enlisted by his
orders, 432, 434; his forces
driven out of Nova Scotia,
433; letters of, 4, 10, 12, 18, 22,
35, 40; memorial of, 214; men-
tioned, 180, 193, 215, 216.
Edgecomb, 219, 394, 395, 396, 397.
Edwards, Timothy, member of the
General Court, 127, 130, 134,
138, 153, 155, 236, 239, 2.50, 202,
Elder, William, on Windham Com-
mittee, 71.
Eldridge, John, collector, in Pow-
nalborough, 83, 258.
Elliot, Daniel, received a bounty,
310.
Ely, Mr. , member of the Gen-
eral Court, 418.
Emerson, Sam.uel, collector in
Pownalborough, 83, 258.
Emery, Jolin, signed Wheelers-
borough petition. 04.
England, 5, 301.
Church of, 83, 141, 142, 143, 144,
149, 258.
English at Norridgewock, 110; to
hire bad Indians, 111; and
provisions, 336.
Ei)iscopacy, 142.
Episcopal Church, 82, 83.
Episcopalians, 83, 84, 85, 145, 258,
259, 260.
Essex County, 51, 105.
Ever, W. T., member of the Gen-
eral Court, 47, 48, 60.
EAftEK, Jonathan, 77.
Eaglesou, M., 37.
Earl, Richard, received a bounty,
315.
Eddy, Col. Jonathan, arrived at
Machias, 4, 10, 35; reported
defects, 4, 10; no vessels at St.
Johns, 5; asked for advice and
troops, 10, 11; described fight
at Machias, 12, 13, 14, 18; let-
ters handed to Preble, 15;
entertained Preble, 15; good
management of, 16; has in-
structions, 19; sent a detach-
ment to Cross Island, 22; not
to discharge troops, 34; rum
delivered by his order, 31; his
great demands for provisions,
Fabvan, James, to be paid for
service, 129.
Fairbrother, Lowell, signed Nor-
ridgewock letter. 111.
Falmouth, soldiers at, to be sup-
plied, 49, 50; S. Goodwin I'c-
moved to, 51; sailors at, desire
more pay, 54; flour needed at,
54; order to port-officer of, 65;
proi)osed attack reported, 55;
sailors refused to sail from,
56, 61; court at, adjourned, 59,
60; home of H. Jenks, 00; T.
Coulson built a ship at, 60;
fisheries hindered by a dam,
27, 100; jn-ovisions needed at,
73; fort built at, 75; soldiers
INDEX
451
Falmouth, continued.
needed at, 74, 75; in need of am-
munition, 75, 7G; Ilaynes load-
ing a ship at, 76, 181; men to
be stationed at, and supplies
to be sent to, 80; olficers to be
appointed for the company at,
81; vessel delayed at, 102, lOo,
113, 136, 181; goods seized at,
107, 404; letter of warning to
committee of, 112; vessels to
hold back at, 113; AY. New-
man arrived at, 117; the Gruel
at, 121, 122; far from Kenne-
bec, 125; J Noyes, commissary
at, 131, 233, 423; prize brig
arrived at, 133; conflagration
of, 156; batteries built at, 15G;
Glover obtained no vessel at,
180; the enemy inquiredabout,
187 ; end of the post route, 188,
235; the government used
Mayo's lumber, tar and iron,
190, 191; assessors of, not
sworn, 194, 228; soldiers at,
petitioned for more pay, 197,
198; Harpswell exposed by
the destruction of, 204; Noyes'
company at, needs provisions,
217; errors of the assessors
made valid, 228; flour to be
sent to, 234; post-master of,
to arrange term of post-rider,
235; Little's loss by the fire
at, 238; gundaloe at, damaged,
262; home of Elizabeth Koss,
304, 305, 321; Capt. Whitmore
worked on the batteries at,
317, 318; Noyes supplied the
forces at, 323, 330; oxen de-
tained at, 331, 332, 349, 350;
Child to be naval officer at,
342; home of Martha Cotton,
327; schooner at, declared to
be a lawful prize, 388, 389;
former home of T. Coulson,
404; will send men to rein-
force Washington, 409, 410,
413, 414; conduct of, approved,
414; Furnass's vessel moved
from, 415; letter of, 409, 410;
mentioned, 98, 100, 121, 134,
157, 168, 186, 192, 193, 200, 321,
328, 329, 343, 406, 429.
Goal, 249.
I'cjst office, 235
Farnswortb, , 58, 59.
Capt. , wounded, 14, 25, 34.
Capt. Jonas, adjutant, wanted
to buy rum, 263; as a witness,
Farnsworth, continued.
255; oath of, 256; signed Sixth
Regiment petition, 310, 311,
377; received no rations, 321;
in Foster's regiment, 357;
petitioned for captors of a
prize, 377, 379; petition
granted, 386; neglected home
affairs, 391; petitioned for
more pay, 391; agent for Cap-
tains Dyer and West, 413; iiis
men to have rations, 437, 438;
depositions of, 253, 255, 861,
362; petition of, 390; men-
tioned, 110.
Farrington, Daniel, chainbearer,
103.
Fassett, Richard, received a boun-
ty, 315.
Fence viewer, 97.
Ferrin, Thomas, petitioned for his
pay, 68, 69, 71; to be paid, 72.
Finey, George, received a bounty,
314; see also Phinney.
Fire Arms, -see Ammunition.
Fisher, Jabez, a member of the
General Court, 41, 43, 50, 60,
73, 81, 82, 86, 88, 94, 119, 126,
127, 128, 131, 132, 134, 138, 155,
167, 202, 227, 228, 229, 233, 234,
236, 2.39, 262, 263, 265, 303, 307,
317, 318, 322, 329, 330, 333, .344,
356, 381, 382, 408, 409, 419, 424,
431, 432, 4.34, 435, 438.
John, ditto, 422.
Fisheries, the, 70, 71, 73, 100, 101,
129, 204.
Fisherman's Bay, people of, as-
sisted Machias, 293, 366, 367,
368; vessel from, captured,
293; people of, in need, 293;
petitioned for assistance, 294.
Island, a man-of-war at, 2.50, 251.
Fisk, Capt. , captured a brig,
122.
Fitzgerald, James, petitioned for
his pay, 68, 69, 71; to be paid,
72.
Flags for Cape Elizabeth, 181.
Fletcher, Th<mias, an interpreter,
183; sent to obtain informa-
tion, 183, 184; proposed to
proceed further, 183; met an
express, 183; at Coburn's, 184;
had an altercation with IJrew-
or, 184; referred to, 353; dep-
osition of, 182.
William, signed Norridgewock
letter, 111.
462
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Flinn, James, on Machias Com-
mittee, 94, 96, 116; as clerk,
321, 338, 344; quarter-master,
357.
Flint, , taken prisoner, 105.
Foot, Thomas, enlisted and paid,
72.
Forbush, John, 76.
Ford, Francis, signed Kennebec
petition, 12.5.
Foreleg, Jean Battest, stole and
sold moose skin, 2.53, 254, 265,
256, 267.
Forts and garrisons built at Fal-
mouth and Cape Elizabeth, 76,
156; at Penobscot must be
finished, 166; a temporary one
at Machias, 171; delay in
building bi'ought on a battle,
174; needed at Machias, 243,
338; the same slow in build-
ing. 285; the enemy to build
one at St. John's River, 292;
Whitmore worked on the bat-
teries at Falmouth, 317, 318;
Brewer built on his own
responsibility, 325; Machias
needs help to build one, .3-38.
Fort at Annapolis, 92.
at Cape Elizabeth, 75, 388.
at Ca&co Bay, 374, 416, 425.
at Cumberland, 224.
at Falmouth, 76.
at Indian River, 167.
at Machias, 242, 285, 297.
at St. John, 94.
Cumberland, 12, 35, 36, 37, 38,
39, 40, 94.
Halifax, 12.
Lawrence, 37.
Stanwix, 205.
Foss, Benjamin, received a bounty,
315.
Foster, Col. Benjamin, in com-
mand at Machias, 3, 13, 33,
170, 173; sent a report of the
disiiress at Machias, 9; con-
sulted by Col. Eddy, 10, 11;
Eddy asked for troops, 11;
praise due him, 14; as justice
of the peace, 245, 240, 247, 263,
2.54, 256, 257, 267, 268, 209;
letters of, 9, 25, 31, 160; men-
tioned, 3, 110, 297, 310, 311,
357, 377, 891, 392, 437.
Benning, received a bounty, 310.
Lieut. Ezekiel, in Foster's regi-
ment, 357.
James, received a bounty, 310.
Foster, continued.
Joseph, signed Kennebec peti-
tion, 125.
Robert, quarter-master, 412, 413.
Wooden, on Machias Committee,
96.
France, 117.
Frankfort, 158.
Franklin, Michall, superintendent
of Indians, 3, 5, 237, 287; en-
deavored to draw the Indians
to the British, 3, 177; formerly
a lieutenant-governor, 5.
volunteer militia, 237.
Freeman, Col. Enoch, justice of
the peace, 98; to be summon-
ed, 129; held command at Fal-
mouth, 166.
Joshua, assessor in Falmoutli,
193, 194.
Samuel, speaker, j^ro tern, 41,45,
40, 47, 48, 60, 74, 80, 82, 85,
261; as an attorney, 328.
French, the, in Col. Eddy's
expedition, .36; in Pownalbor-
ough, 82, 141, 258; at Nor-
ridgewock, 110; a merchant
in pay of the enemy, among
the Indians, 223, 230; in
American army, 4.32, 434.
Zethem, signed Wheelersbor-
ough petition, 64; signed Pe-
nobscot petition, 276.
Frenchman, has British commis-
sion to treat with the Indians,
223, 230.
Frenchman's Bay, Mowat inquired
about, 90; Nathan Jones car-
ried to, 289; provisions for,
328, 330; the people of, in
need, 293, 294, 367; men went
from, to assist Machias, 293,
366, 367; defenceless condition
of, 367; petitioned for arms,
307; arms to be sent to, 368;
captured sloop taken to, 427;
petition of, 293, 294.
Frost, Brigadier John, recom-
niended men for lieutenants,
311; letters of, 187, 311.
Timothy, of York, discharged
two debts, 330; conditionally
deeded real estate to Moulton,
331; Moulton dealt unjustly
with him, 831; petitioned for
power to recover property,
331; petition granted, 855,
366; petition of, 330.
Brig. William, complaintagainst,
24; a settlement to be made
INDEX
453
Frost, continued,
with, 60; on forwarding sail-
ors and pay of same, oA, 5(3,
108. 13i); desired instructions,
64; asked for tlour and pro-
visions for the troops, 54, 73;
indefatigable, 56; reported
concern lug Capt. Lawton's
ship, 61; articles for ships to
he sent to, 62, 137; delivered
ship to Capt. Hayne.s, 73, 181;
money due him, 73, 181; will
assist Haynes, 76; to forward
intelligence of ships, 113; or-
dered ship hauled to the
wharf, 122; signed Falmouth
letter, 410; letters of, 54, 56,
62, 73, 103, 181.
Joseph, Jr., 41, 103.
Fryehurg, militia raised in, 40, 41.
Fullam, 263.
Fuller, A., a member of the Gen-
eral Court 190, 214, 216, 219,
226, 227, 228, 229, 232, 233, 234,
2.36, 239, 250, 262. 263, 265, 303,
305. 307, 322, 324, 329, 330, 332,
343, 345, 356, 358, 381, 882, 386,
389, 408, 409, 419, 422, 424, 429,
431, 436.
Abr.. a member of the General
Court, 161.
Jonathan, signed Kennebec pe-
tition, 125.
Fullerton, Capt. James, 266, 312.
Furnace, } Benjamin, went for the
Furnass, / effects of E. Thayer,
373, 374; took another vessel,
374; in Casco Bay, 374; vessel
and cargo seized, 374, 388, 415,
416; same to be released, 374;
reason of seizure, 388, 415, 416,
425; a lawful prize, 389; vessel
moved to Boston, 415; had
questionable papers, 415, 416;
vessel libelled and to be prose-
cuted, 416, 425; trial of same
to be held, 426.
Furs, 109, 131, 178, 230. 340, 342,
394, 408.
G
Gagk, (Jov. and Gen. Thomas,
104, 328.
Garden, Lieut., , wounded, 172.
Gardiner, \ ^„ . „,,,
Gardner, }C*P*-' • ^^^^
A., a member of the (general
Court, 134, 386.
Gardiner, continued.
David, Quaker of Machias, 237.
F., a member of the General
Court, 70.
II., ditto, 60, 73, 74, 119, 127, 128,
ISO, 132. 134, 135, 138, 153, ir)5,
202, 214, 216, 228, 229, 232, 234,
236, 250, 263, 265, 365, 389.
Henry, state treasurer, 55, 78;
petition of, 103, 104.
John, 76, 310.
Samuel, as plaintiff, 372.
Seth, drafted, 315; borrowed
fire-arms, 315; lost the same,
316; petitioned to be dis-
charged from paying for arms,
316; testimony in favor of,
310; petition of, 315.
Dr. Silvester, attempted to es-
tablish a church, 142, 143, 144.
William, found guilty of treason,
264; unjustly condemned, 264;
an irregular jury, 264; attor-
ney afraid to defend him, 264;
desired to return home, 265;
petition of, 264.
Gardnerston, 264.
Garish, Charles, signed Royals-
bourg petition, 870; see also
Gerrish.
Gatehell, Huse, ditto, 370.
John, ditto, 370, 371.
Robert, ditto, 371; see also
Getchell.
Gates, Thomas, 77.
George II, 84, 258, 259.
George III, 216, 418.
Georgetown, Newman came from,
117; end of the postal route,
118, 236; mentioned, 218, 219.
Post Office, 236.
Gerish, ) Charles, signed Royals-
Gerrish, j bourg petition, .370.
Col. Jacob, at Winter Ilill, 406.
William, signed Royalsbourg
petition, 370; see also Garrish.
(iermans, 146, 148, 149, 258, 260;
see also Dutch,
(ietchell, Benj., received a bounty,
315.
Denes, in command of a com-
pany, 153; oppositi<ra to, 154;
resignation of, 154, 36(); letter
of, 154.
Joseph Jr., received a bounty,
310; .see also Gatehell.
Gibson, Abraham, 77.
(iill, Moses, a member of the Gen-
eral Court, 41, 43, 47, 48, 50,
69, 73, 74, 81, 82, 86, 88, 138,
454
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Gill, continusd.
153, 155, 167, 190, 216, 219, 226,
227, 228, 229, 232, 233, 234, 236,
239, 250, 307, 317, 318, 822. 324,
329, 330, 332, 333, 356, 358, 359,
364, 865, 308, 380, 382, 386. 389,
408, 409, 411, 422, 424, 425, 429,
432, 434, 430, 438.
Gilly, William, declaration of, 90.
Gilman, Lieut. Andrew, had care
of provisions, 20; to send a
part of bis guard to Macbias,
20; had command of Indians
at Penobscot, 44, 333. 387, 419,
422, 426; pay abstract of, 44;
a petition to be served on, 64;
complained of, 158; atMachias
and Old Town, 164; Indians
go with him, 166; reported
the proposed expedition of the
enemy, 182; went to obtain
truth regarding the rejjort,
183, 281; sent after Ayr, 280;
went to Macbias, 285; brought
Indians to a conference, 286;
did not ask advice, 325; left
Canada and enlisted under
Capt. Lake, 387, 418; induce
the Indians to join Washing-
ton, 387, 418; in a company at
Penobscot, 387; desired to be
retained in the service as in-
terpreter, 387; appointed a
lieutenant, 419, 426; to reside
at Penobscot and watch over
the Indians, 419, 426; his com-
pany discharged, 422; peti-
tioned for rations due, 422,
423; given leave to withdraw
his petition, 423; to act as an
interpreter, 426; petitions of,
387, 422; mentioned, 271, 273,
332.
Gloucester, 105.
Glover, Col. John, letters of, 168,
169, 179, 180; mentioned, 122,
123, 262.
Godfrey, Capt. , 192, 198.
Goe, Capt. Ebenezer, 325.
Goldsborough, 120, 121.
Goldtliwait, Col. , 272.
Joseph, 138.
Thomas, Jr., 282.
Gooch, Capt. , 4, 160, 341, 342,
344.
Gooden, Daniel, signed Penobscot
petition, 276.
Goodman, Maj., member of the
General Court, 94.
Goodwin, Maj. , 142.
Caleb, signed Wheelersborough
petition, 64; evidence of, 273,
353.
Reuben, signed Wheelersborough
petition, 64.
Samuel, ditto, Pownalborough
85, 260; deputy-sheriff, 309.
Samuel, Jr., signed Pownal-
borough i>etition, 85, 260;
ditto Kennebec, 125.
Solomon, moved from Ipswich
to Falmouth, 51.
Gookin, John Cotton, signed Pow-
nalborough petition, 85.
Gorham, petitions of, 70, 71, 129;
reports on, 72, 129; mentioned,
61, 107, 108. 128, 224, 237, 304,
305, 317, 343, 344, 381, 403, 404,
Col. , 36, 38. 288.
William, 71.
Gorton, Simeon, signed the Wheel-
ersborough petition, 64; ditto
Penobscot, 276; dej^osition of,
279, 280.
Goskin, John Cottin, signed Pow-
nalborough petition, 260.
Goud, George, ditto, 85, 260.
Jean George, ditto, 85, 260.
Gouldsborough. 372, 427, 430, 431.
Governor's Island, 267.
Gower, James, resigned, 299; let-
ter of, 299.
Graffam, Caleb, moderator, 96,
100; collector, 96; fence view-
er, 97.
Grant, Adam, signed Penobscot
petition, 276.
Capt. Andrew, 64, 274, 276, 282.
Elisha, signed Wheelersborough
petition, 64; ditto Penobscot,
276.
Ephraim, signed Wheelers-
borough petition, 62, 64; on
the Penobscot Committee, 157;
signed Penobscot petition,
276.
Ephraim, Jr., ditto, Wheelers-
borough, 64; ditto Penobscot,
276.
Goodwin, ditto, 276.
James, ditto, 276.
James, Jr., ditto Wheelersbor-
ough petition, 64.
Gray, Alexander, enlisted and
paid, 72.
Ellis, a member of the General
Court, 220, 235.
George, signed Norridgewock
letter, 111.
INDEX
455
Gray, contlrwed.
John, letter of, 102.
Uriah, enlisted and paid, 72.
Joiiatlian, 77.
William, 301.
Greenleaf, Capt. , 74.
Mr. , a member of the Gen-
eral Court, 94.
Benj., ditto, 41, 48, 109, 202,
214. 219. 227, 292, 324, 329, ;',;;0,
332, 343, 344, 345.
Joseph, justice of the peace, 49,
140.
William, sheriff, 416, 429.
Greenough, ISI., a member of the
General Court, 101.
Grist Mill, 302.
Groton, 111, IGO.
Gruel, Jacques and Co., 113.
Guilford, 2G3.
Guns, every family oblifjed to keep
one, 75; carried oft" by sol-
diers,75; «eealso Ammunition.
Guptal, John, received a bounty,
315.
(4urnet, tlie, 112.
Gusase, Vitt., signed Royalsburg
petition, 370.
Gyes, Frederick William, 192.
H
Hacock, Capt. Eat^ph, master
of the Lucy, 150.
Ilaffey, William, taken from a
sloop, 124; pilot for the
enemy, 124.
Ilaiens, Jonathan, 1.59; see Haynes.
Ilaild, Joseph, 76.
Hale, Mr. , a member of the
General Court, 101.
Henj., 77.
Saml., 77.
Halifax, 9, 38, 55, 58, 90, 92, 115,
177, 224, 237, 360, 388, 431, 432.
County, 239.
Hall, Mr. , of Annapolis, 36.
Mr. , a soldier, 91, 114.
Ilatievil, fence viewer, etc., 97.
Capt. Jolin, 110, 123, 357, 391.
Samuel, to be removed to
anotlier goal, 249.
Stephen, a witness, 92.
Hanson, Icliabod, selectman of
Windham, 96; assessor, 98, 99,
100.
Ha])good, Daniel, 77.
John, 76.
Nathl., 77.
ITarding, Archeleus, signed Penob-
scot petition, 276.
Thomas, ditto Wheelersbor-
ough, 64.
Ilardison, Stephen, ditto, Fisher-
man's Bay, 294.
llarwick, 1.
Ilarnden, Richd., signed Kennebec
petition, 125.
Harper, Capt. William, 168.
Ilarjiswell, geographical position
of, 123, 124; exposed to the
enemy, 124, 204; desired a
giiarcl and militia officer, 124;
guards to be enlisted for, 133,
134; desired abatement of
taxes, 203, 204; inen of estates
have left the town, 204; billet-
ing bills not paid, 204; busi-
ness gone from, 204; the
ministry and poor are heavy
charges, 204; home of Setli
Gardner, 315, 316; petitions
of, 124, 203; mentioned, 69.
Harvard, 161.
Haskell, Ward, as a witness, 316.
Haslem, Capt. George, member of
the Sixth regiment, 110.
Hastings, Mr. , member of tlie
General Court, 240.
Hatch, Davis, signed Kenuebeo
petition, 125.
Jonathan, selectman of Wells,
56.
Joseph James, pay due, 44.
Hathorn, John, signed Kennebec
petition, 125.
Silas, employed by Col. Lowder,
283; confirmed testimony, 284;
signed Penobscot petition, 276.
William, ditto Kennebec, 125.
Hathaway, Jacob, his oxen seized,
349. ■
Hawks, James, deer rief, 98.
Haynes, Capt. William, ship de-
livered to, 73; arrived at and
preparing to leave Falmoutii,
76; delayed. 102, 103; cannot
sliip sailors, 102, 113, 136; de-
livered money, 103; to load
masts, 137; can give informa-
tion, 140; had sailors which
Proctor wanted, 157; letters
of, 102, 116; see also IJaiens.
llay.en, Mr. , 236.
White and Simonds, 287.
Healey, Martin, signed Pownal-
borough petition, 85, 260.
Heath, Gen. , 45, 48, 215.
466
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Heathorn, / ersborough petition,
64; can give evidence, 353.
Henderson, John, petitioned for
his ijay, 68, 69, 71; to be paid,
72.
Herbert, Dr. John, 279, 281, 284.
llerrick, Andrew { Tory ), left the
main to trade with the enemy,
290, 291; showed Britisli pro-
tection jiapers, 291; aiding the
enemies of America, 306; to
be complained of, 306.
Hessians, 112, 122, 266.
Hewes, Major, , 206.
Elihu, sent with a petition, 184;
Col. Brewer prevented pre-
senting the same, 185; copy of
same sent to Court, 185; he
did not present it, 282.
Higgins, IJenjamin, signed Wheel-
crsborough petition, 64; ditto
Penobscot, 276.
Hill, Charles, ditto Royalsbourg,
370.
Daniel, received a bounty, 315.
Hinckley, Thaubal, received a
bounty, 315.
Hodge, Capt. Robt., 325.
Hodgkins, Capt. , 427.
Ilog-rief, 97.
Holiday, James, 159.
lloUoway, William, 77.
Holman, Jeremiah, 77.
Holt, Daniel, claimed part owner-
ship in a sloop, 378, 386.
Holton, S., a member of the Gen-
eral Court, 50, 60, 69, 74, 80,
82, 86, 88, 119, 126, 127, 128,
130, 131, 132, 134, 138, 167, 190,
202, 214, 216, 219, 226, 227, 228,
229, 282, 238, 234, 236, 239, 250,
262, 263, 303, 305, 307, 317, 318,
322, 329, 332, 333, 343, 344, 345,
409, 419, 424,
Saml., justice of the peace, 49.
Holway, Ludwick, master of the
Nex)tune, 159.
Hopkins, D., a member of the
General Court, 41, 43, 47, 50,
60, 70, 73, 74, 81, 153, 155, 167,
214, 216, 236, 289, 250, 262, 263,
205, 303, 305, 307, 324, 329, 330,
332, 343, 344, 345, 358, 365, 868,
382, 386, 389, 408, 409, 422, 424,
426, 428, 431, 432, 434, 435, 436,
438.
David, selectman of Newcastle,
326.
Hopkins, continued.
Isaac, signed Penobscot peti-
tion, 27(i.
Horse-beef Falls, 101.
Horton, Nathaniel, 138, 139.
Houdlette, Charles E., signed
Pownalborough petition, 85,
260.
Lones, ditto, 85, 260; ditto Ken-
nebec, 125.
Houghton, Jonathan, 77.
Hovey, Ivory, writ served on, 372;
interested in a captured
schooner, 427; in the army,
427 ; ]his interest attached, 427 ;
action brought against, 428;
petitioned that prosecution be
suspended, 428; a surgeon in
the army, 428; petiti(m
granted, 430; property to be
returned to, 4.30; action sus-
pended, 430, 431; petition of,
426, 428.
How, Mr. , 35, 91, 92.
Peter, 77.
Howard, Thomas, deposition of,
302.
Col. William, to enlist men and
be supplied with ammunition,
137.
Howe, Richard, Lord, 222.
Gen. William, 187, 222, 224.
Howland, Capt. Perry, to receive
his chest and wearing api)arel,
428, 429 ; swore to take Deake's
life, 429.
Hudson River, 12.
Huuewell, Zerubebell, on Wind-
ham Committee, 71; treasurer,
96, 100; warden, 97.
Hunter, Capt. Henry, 325.
Huse, Maj. John, on Pownalbor-
ougli Committee, 66; signed
Pownalborough petition, 201;
resigned, 400, 401; letter of,
400.
Hussoy, Paul, letter of, 192, 193.
Ignaoe, received rum from
Steplien Jones, 245, 246; moose
skin stolen from, 255, 256, 257;
deposition of, 245.
Ilsley, Benjamin Eben, signed
Royalsbourg petition, 370.
Daniel, muster-master, .354.
Enoch, to be summoned, 129.
Indian River, 167.
Indians, with Col. Allan, 2, 169,
175, 205, 242, 420; brought re-
INDEX
457
Indians, continued.
port from St. Johns, 3; Frank-
lin tried to induce them to
join the British, 3, 177; can
not get provisions, 3, 4; Allan
must proselyte, 5; the enemy
tried to engage them, 11, 92,
335; in the tight at Machias,
14, 26, 34, 35, 171, 172, 173,
205; brought in by Preble, 15,
to be furnished from Smith's
stores, 19; took prist)ners at
Cross Island, 22, 23; dejected,
26; can retreat to Machias, 28;
will be secured by the ex-
pedition to St. Johns, 30;
attached to the cause, 34, 40,
92; behaved gallantly, 38, 40,
175; imy abstract for a com-
pany of, 44; to return to their
homes, 45, 48; to be clothed
and paid, 45, 48; to be con-
veyed in a sloop, 46, 47; com-
manded by Col. Shaw, 51;
number under Col. Brewer, 63;
to be called to defend Machias,
92; declined to receive pre-
sents, 94; must be courted,
95; Preble, truck-master for,
105; still faithful, 106; the
sale of rum to, 109, 131, 175,
195, 196, 231, 244, 245, 252, 268,
269, 270, 297, 421; defrauded
when drunk, 103, 131, 244;
the Norridgewocks join the
enemy, 110; as pilots, 110;
the friendly ones desert the
Norridgewocks, 111; the Eng-
lish will hire, 111; make un-
reasonable demands, 116; the
truck-nia.ster, only to sell
them rum, 132; stores needed
for, 152, 164; false alarm of,
158, 159, 164, 165, 166, 326;
given ammunition, 165; what
the false alarm was worth,
165; drink and quarrel at
Machias, 175; have to be sup-
plied with provisions, 175,
176; left their fields of corn,
176; what shall be told them
if an expedition fails, 176; re-
ported to be on a march to
Penobscot, 182; conference
with Fletcher, 183; denied
repf)rting tlie raid, 183; at
I^ikc Kekonouch, 183; lired
on the guard, 183; and the
same doubted, 184; defrauded,
195, 196, 230; valor and good
Indians, continued.
conduct of, 205; stores sent to
Allan for, 205; more to be
enlisted, 212; pay of, 212; to
be supplied at Machias, 213;
nine commissioned officers to
be selected from, 213; Allan
to be the chief in command,
215, 234; agreement to trade
with, 229; the Penobscots not
in the same, 229; Allan later
had a conference with the
Penobscots, 229, 230; urged to
go where there was a truck-
house, 230; must be kept with
the colonists, 230; Allan asked
for advice concerning, 231;
restrictions must be made in
regard to the trade with, 231;
sell what they receive from
the truck-house, 231; hard
money and furs expected
from, 231; supplies to be sent
to Machias for, 234, 235; sent
up the river hunting, 242; ex-
pensive soldiers, 242; elated
by the news, 242; testified
against Jones, 245, 246; stole
rum from Jones, 247, 254;
stole a skin and sold it for
rum, 252, 253, 2.54, 255, 269,
297; Smith, truck-master for,
266; Preble brought supplies
for, 282; displeased because
the supplies were wrongly
dispensed by Lowder, 283;
resentment toward Preble,
284; will settle matters only
through Allan, 286; trade may
be driven away by the way
they are treated, 286; too
lluctuating to be good sol-
diers, 286; pleased with the
commissions, 287; on the way
to attack Machias, 293; a sep-
arate liouse needed for, 297;
uncertain number on Allan's
list, 298; attached to tliree
officers, 298; the British still
tampering with, 335; still with
Allan, 336; to go hunting, ;]36,
339; may be more useful and
cheaper, 340; how much pro-
visions for six months, 345;
Allan to enlist more, 352; do
no duty, 352; paid for notliing,
353; officers jtockct tlicir pay,
353; get their supplies from
private traders, 353; false
alarm made to suit them-
31
458
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Indians, continued.
selves, 353; on Littlefield's
sloop, 361; should be retained
in the service, 363; Gilman
had lived vpith, 387; Gilmau
induced them to join Wash-
ington, 387; state of those at
Machias, 405, 406; trade with,
permitted under regulations,
408, 409; Gilman to reside
with and watch over, 419; in
need, 411, 412, 425; corn to be
sent to, 425; mentioned, 114,
130, 179, 288, 336, 365, 411, 420.
Canadian, 165, 175, 245, 246, 286.
Eastern, 421.
Praying, 408.
St. Johns, 3, 46, 51, 106, 177, 293,
389.
see also under tribal names.
Ingalls, Mr. , a member of the
General Court, 348, 355.
Ingraham, Joseph, signed Fal-
mouth letter, 410.
Instructions to representatives,
299.
Ipswich, 51.
Iroquois, the, 246.
Isle of Shoals, 67.
Jakins, Christopher, signed
Pownalborough petition, 85,
260.
Janb, Josanna, ditto, 260.
Jenkins, Capt. , 379.
Mr. , member of the General
Court, 323.
Robert, can tell about a vessel,
64.
Jenks, Benjamin, did iron work
for Coulson, 60; not paid, 60;
prevented from attaching
goods of Coulson, 61.
Jewitt, Joseph, desired permit to
send out a vessel, 79; permis-
sion given under conditions,
79, 80; letter of, 79.
Johnson, John, resigned, 21, 326,
.327; signed Pownalborough
petitions, 85, 260; ditto, Ken-
nebec, 125; held command at
Pownalborough, 326; proposed
officer to succeed himself, 326;
company to elect his success-
or, 327; letters of, 20, 826.
Johnston, Simeon, signed Wheel-
ersborough petition, 64.
Jones, Esq., 116.
Jones, continued.
Col. , of Frenchman's Bay
would procure cattle for the
enemy, 90.
Capt. Ichabod, a Tory, 138, 139,
140; his estate under the or-
ders of the government, 297;
discharged, 307; claimed part
ownership in sloop, 378, 386.
John, 312.
Capt. Joseph, 325.
Nathan, desired parole privi-
leges extended, 120; reason for
same, 120; his request grant-
ed, 121; captured, 289; at-
tached the property of Ilovey,
427, 430, 431; bond of, 372;
memorial of, 120.
Pearson, his gundaloe damaged,
262; signed the Falmouth let-
ter, 410; letter of, 262.
Stephen, accused of selling rum
to the Indians, 244, 252, 263,
268, 270, 297; to be summoned,
244,2.53; writ served on, 245;
did not appear, 245, 253; testi-
monies concerning, 246, 247,
253, 254, 255, 266; further
time granted to, 247; fined,
247, 257; Indians broke into
his house, 247, 254; sold rum
for a stolen skin, 254; before
the court, 254; plead not
guilty, 257; declared guilty,
2.57; to appear at a higher
court, 2.57; acknowledged in-
debtedness to the government,
267; to appeal, 2(58; his bond
and bondsmen, 268; papers
relating to, to be laid on the
table, 270; Allan endeavored
to treat him with respect, 297;
treated his summons with con-
tempt, 297; despised the court,
298; proceedings against, sent
to Cross, 298; his conduct
flagrant, 298; mentioned, 341.
Col. William, 207, 208, 211, 233;
memorial of, 332.
Jonson, Miller, an illicit trader,
388.
Jordan, Dorainicus, signed Ray-
mond Town petition, 376.
James, ditto, 376.
Jeremiah, ditto, 376.
Malletia, had interest in cattle,
372.
Rishworth, had landed interests
with Pepi)ei-ell, 316; appointed
agent for same, 327.
INDEX
459
Jordan, continued.
Roger, signed Raymond Town
petition, 376.
Samuel, writ served on, 372;
signed Raymond Town peti-
tion, 37G.
Maj. Samuel, in Foster's regi-
ment, 357.
Maj. Tristram, naval officer at
Pepperell, 5, 343; appointed a
major, 34(5; long in the ser-
vice, 340; resigned, 347; still
willing to serve his country,
348; letters of, 5, 346, 348.
Joseph, Mary, deposition of, 24G.
Jpsurg, 412.
J , Josanna, signed Pownal-
borough petition, 85.
K
Kekoxouicii, Loik, 183.
Kennebec, 122, 125; petition of,
124.
River, 57, 110, 125, 137, 164.
Kennebunk, 57.
Kenney, Henry, signed Penobscot
petition, 276; see also Kinney.
Kent, Robert, deposition of, 361.
Keyes, William, 76, 77.
Kidder, Saml., on Penobscot Com-
niittee, 157.
Killam, Samuel, signed Wheelers-
bourg petition, 64; ditto Pe-
nobscot, 276.
Killey, William, received a bounty,
310.
King, Capt. , a member of the
General Court, 430.
Kinney, Henry, signed Wheelers-
borough petition, 64; see also
Kenney.
Kittery, asked for assistance to
oppose the landing of the
enemy, 66; a barrier to other
towns, 60; her men employed
in the war, 07; her trade gone,
67; mechanics gone from, 07;
asked for ammunition, (57;
a<^tion on tlie petition of, 68;
ollicor to be appointed for a
company at, 81; home of John
Frost, 187,311; home of James
Gowen, 299; petition of, 66.
Harbor, 60.
Proprietors, 400.
Knight, Lieut. , captured, 8.
Lieut. Jonathan, in Foster's
regiment, 357.
William, warden, 97.
Knowles, Freeman, signed Wheel-
ersborough petition, 04.
Lake, Capt. John, desired Gil-
man to enlist, 387.
Lamb, Joshua, aided prisoners to
escape, 239; obliged to leave
his home, 239; petitioned for
land, 239, 240; engaged a ves-
sel to move his family, 240;
pass granted to, 240, 241 ; land
granted to, 240, 241; petition
of, 239.
Lambard, Joseph, signed Kenne-
bec i)etition, 125.
Lan\bert, Lieut. , master of
the Diligent, 120.
Lancaster, Daniel, signed Penob-
scot petition, 276.
Langdon, , 61, 395,
Timothy, signed Kennebec peti-
tion, 125; as a judge, 140.
John, Jr., signed Kennebec peti-
tion, 125.
Lannett, Jacob, 274.
Larrabee, Capt. Nathaniel, enlisted
men, 68, 72; signed report, 69.
Lawrence, Capt. , 238.
Learton, Joseph, received a
bounty, 315.
Lebanon, distressed or ruined, 66.
Lee, Col. , 354.
Lemont, Benj., 218.
Leonard, Col. , 315.
Letters of,
Allan, Col. John, 106, 169, 179,
225, 229, 232, 244, 285, 288, 292,
294, 297, 299, 356, 357.
Avery, John, 420.
Brewer, Col. Josiah, 20,411, 412.
Bristol, 403.
Campbell, Col. Alex., 203.
Chase, Caleb, 108.
Child, Tho., 406.
Council, the, 11, 18, 19.
Gushing, Charles, 138.
Davis, Maj. Moses, 396, 397, 399;
William, 359.
DeLesdernier, L. F., 24-1, 252.
Eddy, Col. Jonathan, 4, 10, 12,
18, 22, 35, 40.
Falmouth, 409, 410.
Foster, Col. Benj., 25, 31, 160.
Frost, Col. John, 187, 311;
William, 54, 56, 61, 73, 103,
181.
Getchell, Denes, 154.
Glover, Col. John, 168, 169, 180.
460
DOCUMENTAKY HISTORY
Letters of, continued.
Gorham, 403, 404.
Gowen, 299.
Gray, John, 102.
Haynes, William, 102, 113.
Huse, John, 400, 401.
Hussey, Paul, 192.
Jewitt, Joseph, 79.
Johnson, John, 20.
Jfines, Pearson, 2G2.
Jordan, Tristram, .5, 346, 848.
Lyon, Rev. James, 7.
Machias, 32, 334, 338, 344.
Mayo, Simeon, 133.
MiUigau. John, 21, 181, 182.
Murray, Rev. M., 185.
Nevers, Phineas, 216, 217.
Noyes, Joseph, 217.
Parsons, Timothy, 121, 123.
Phinney, Edward, 107, 108.
Prehle, Jedidiah, 193.
John, 15.
Proctor, Joseph, 157.
Savage, Samuel P., 62, 112, 136,
137.
Saver, Ebenezer, 17, 23.
Shaw, Francis, 202.
Smith, Stephen, 1, 4, 29, 160, .308,
339, 340, 342.
Stillman, George, 27.
Stone, John, 81.
Waite, John, 76, 76, 116, 117,
186.
Warner, Jona., 1.
Lewis, Mr. , member of the
General Court, 104.
John, to be paid for his services,
129.
Lexington, Battle of, 427.
Libbee, \ David, received a bounty,
Libby, f 310.
George, on Machias Committee,
94, 96.
Gapt. Joseph, ditto, 94, 96;
signed Sixth regiment peti-
tion, 310, 311; received a
bounty, 310, 315; received no
rations, 321; in Foster's regi-
ment, 357; desired rations, .392.
Robert, enlisted, 354.
Samuel, received a bounty, 315.
Capt. Samuel, in the Sixth regi-
ment, 110, 257; desired addi-
tional pay, .390, 391.
Lincoln County, 46, 50, 56, 110,
124, 125, 153, 163, 187, 189, 202,
204, 211, 219, 232, 240, 244, 245,
246, 247, 252, 253, 254, 255, 257,
263, 264, 267, 268, 269, 289, 306,
308, 309, 314, 318, 319, 358, 361,
Lincoln County, continued.
362, 366, 372, 373, 376, 389, 390,
392, 393, 400, 417, 418, 421, 438.
Linniken, Clark, taken prisoner,
250; plundered, 250, 251; ar-
rested for illicit trading, 251;
in the goal, 251; petitioned
for release, 251, 252; action on
his release, 265, 266; McCobb
refused to release him, 312;
confined for no crime, 312;
must pay charges, 312, 313;
destitute, 314; to be dis-
charged without costs, 358;
petitions of, 2.50, 252, 312.
Liquor, see Rum.
Little, Moses, 238.
Paul, 238.
River, 44, 46.
Littlefield, Benj., selectman of
Wells, 56.
Capt. James, master of a sloop,
159; claimed protection, 356;
complained of, 359; agreement
with J. Thompson, .360; testi-
mony, 361; present vvhen dec-
larations were made, 362.
Nathaniel, selectman of Wells,
.56.
Nehemiah, .Jr., constable, 65.
Stephen, signed Wheelersbor-
ough petition, 64.
Liverpool, 6.
Long, Capt. , his sloop seized,
16.
Capt. John, master of the Hope,
1.59; captured and taken to St.
Johns, 2.36, 243; examined,
236; not in battle of Machias,
236; a spy for the British, 236,
237; an express to Annapolis,
237; tells of vessels at St.
Johns, 237; Ring went with
him, 238; exposed himself,
2.38; narrative of, 236.
Jno., a witness, 91.
Longfellow, Lieut. , rations
due, 412.
David, 110, 244, 245, 253, 2.55,
256; deposition of, 255.
Long Island, 314.
Lovejoy, Capt. , 235.
Abiel, signed Lincoln County
petition, 189.
Capt. Abie, to receive fire-arms,
137.
Lovell, Brigadier , a member
of the General Court, 199, 430.
Low, Samuel, 273.
Lowden, Capt. Thomas, 388, 415.
INDEX
461
Lowder, Lieut -Col. Jonathan, G4,
158, 164, 165, 183, 229, 271, 273,
274, 277, 278, 280, 281, 282, 283,
285, 286, 294, 302, 325, 332, 333,
334, 353, 380, 381, 408, 416, 425.
Lovrell, Capt. Abner, 81, 191, 198.
Lowther, Mr. — — , 230; see also
Lowder.
Lumber, 50.
J^""i^»:- Im., 230, 289.
Lunnci, J '
Lunnt, William, 276.
Luther, Martin, 141.
Lutherans, 141.
Lyon, Rev. James, of Machias,
petitioned for assistance, 6;
explored Nova Scotia, 7; de-
frauded, 7; sent plans, 7; sent
bill for lodging prisoners, 8;
desired not a charity but a
loan, 8; chaplain of army at
Machias, 218; letter of, 7.
M
McCalesteb, Capt. Arch.,
William, received a bounty, 315.
McCobb, Col. , 11, 31, 34, 235.
James. 220.
Saml. M., 189.
William, 251, 266, 312, 313.
McCurdey, \ James, signed Wlieel-
McCurdy, / ersborough petition,
64; one of the Committee of
Safety, 158; indefatigable, 164;
deposition of, 312.
Robert, on Penobscot Commit-
tee, 157, 158; signed Penob-
scot certificate, 185; testimony
of, 271, 272, 273; signed Penob-
scot petition, 276.
McFaden, Dr. , captured, 8.
McKenzie, Ebenezer, employed by
Col. Lowder, 283; can give
evidence, 353.
Kenneth, signed Wheelersbor-
ough petition, 64; ditto Penob-
scot, 274, 276.
McKown, Robert, clerk, 403.
McLelen, Capt. , 187.
McMahon, Michael, signed Wheel-
ersborough petition, 64.
McNiel, Capt. , 91.
Machias, Stephen Smith arrived
at, 1; the people of preparing
for defence, 1, 2, 222; the
enemy repulsed at, 2; defend-
ers of retreated, 2; the enemy
inhuniau, 2; ])risoner8 taken,
2; barge not allowed to land
Machias, continued.
at, 3, 33; Col. Allan with In-
dians expected at, 4; Capt.
Gooch brought supplies to, 4;
Capt. Eddy arrived at, 4, 10,
35; distress and need at, 7, 9.
30, 33, 95, 193, 242, 334, 335,
336; the enemv expected at, 9,
10, 12, 20, 23, 34; attacked,
13, 26, 31, 57, 170, 171, 172,
173; battle of, 13, 14, 15, 16,
25, .33, 170, 173, 185; ammuni-
tion and provisions needed at,
14, 26, 29, 32, 35, 116, 151, 152;
Col. Allan at, 14, 169, 175;
John Preble at, 14; English
losses at 17, 18, 25; Col.
Brewer sent assistance to, 20;
the Blond near, 22, 182; Maj.
Stillman at, 27; in a critical
condition, 27, 32, 33, 95; a
valuable town, 27,96, 151, 363,
376; amount of ammunition
at, 28; the service at, 29; an
expedition to rendezvous at,
32, 321; tlie peojjle of desire
the troops retained at, 34;
Spry left his baggage there,
57, 58; the same sold, .58, 59;
the British would send a ves-
sel there, 58; bill for billeting
men at, 68; Mowat bitter
against, 90, 95; warned of the
approach of the enemy, 92;
two companies raised at, 93;
rum sold to Indians at, 109,
131, 175, 195, 244, 245, 252, 297;
only place to obtain furs, 109;
the Sixth regiment at, 110;
truck-house to be supplied at,
130, 132; invoice of sundries
needed at, 130; Anderson's
trunk detained, 131; corn to be
delivered to Smith at, 152, 153;
money to be furnished, 154,
156; return of vessels regis-
tered at, 159; Capt. Gooch at,
160; home of Sylvanus Scott,
107, 168, A'lan described the
fight at, 170, 174; Collier and
Dawson received dressings at,
185; man intercepted with a
letter from, 186; letters sunk,
186; depredations at, 187: In-
dians at defrauded, 195, 190;
committee to consider the af-
fairs in, 199, 200, 211; Eddy to
disband a regiment at, 199;
army stores detained at, 199,
200; soldiers should be sta-
462
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Machias, continued.
tioned at, 202; Indians at
praised, 205; repoi't of com-
mittee on affairs at, 211; com-
pany to be raised for, 211,
212, 214, 218; arms to be sent
to, 212, 213; truck-house to
be furnished at, 2i;]; surgeon
and medicine for soldiers at,
212, 420; Allan to be chief in
command of the Indians at,
215, 21C, 218, 234; Lyon chap-
lain of the army at, 218; Howe
to destroy, 222; bounties for
soldiers at, 227; Allan to sta-
tion men at and near to, 228;
the enemy hourly expected,
231; supplies for the truck-
house at, 234, 266, 350, 351,
363; supplies for soldiers and
Indians, 234, 235; Long exam-
ined concerning, 236; men
and ammunition at, 237; paid
no attention to proclamation
of the British, 237; few men
and much property at, 241;
fortress needed at, 242; Smith
truck-master and in command
at, 260, 350, 394, 420; Lowder
and Gilman at, 285; Indians
on the way to attack, 293; as-
sisted by people from French-
man's Bay, 293, 366, 367, 368;
supplies received at, 307, 308;
soldiers at received bounties,
309, 314, 315; the people of
supplied the troops with pro-
visions, 335, 844; the outlook
melancholy at, 336; Major
Stillman to act for, 337, 338,
339, 344, 384; troops needed
at, 337, 338; niust have stores,
338; Smith, naval officer at,
343; vessel to bring lumber
from, 345; men to be enlisted
to defend, 351, 863, 394, 404;
Bell, a suspect sent from, 359;
Littlefield and Kent bound
for, 301; home of Farusworth,
361; estimate of supplies
needed at, 364, 365, 384; home
of West, 371; soldiers who de-
fended neglected home affairs,
371; vessel captured off, 378;
stores remaining at, 405; state
of troops and Indians at, 405,
406; home of Avery, 411; ra-
tions due the oflicers at, 412,
413; the truck-house at should
be conducted by the United
Machias, continued.
States, 421 ; families of French-
men obliged to take shelter
there, 433; letters from, 33,
334, 338, 344; petitions of, 93,
94, 354; mentioned, 5, 12, 19,
20, 25, 27, 31, 109, 114, 118, 140,
160, 180, 193, 194, 213, 214, 216,
229, 286, 241, 244, 245, 246, 247,
248, 252, 253, 254, 255, 257, 267,
268, 270, 271, 273, 285, 292, 294,
338, 339, 340, 345, 346, 354, 356,
357, 361, 376, 380, 388, 390, 391,
418, 420, 437.
Bay, 22, 182.
Falls, 13.
Harbor, 378.
Kiver, 22.
Fvym, 170, 297.
Scott's Farm, 15.
Madawasqua Indians, 229.
Main, Luda Capman, signed Pow-
nalborough petitions, 85, 200.
Maisner, 237.
Majabigwaduce, 157.
Malbone, Daniel, signed Pownal-
borough petitions, 85, 260.
Man, Robert, ditto Wheelersbor-
ough, 64; employed by Low-
der, 283.
Mandanms Councellor, 316.
Mangerville, 100.
Manley, Capt. , 17, 91.
Mansell, John, signed Wheelers-
borough petition, 64.
John, Jr., ditto, 64.
Marblehead, 21, 58, 121, 182.
Marun?' } ^^P<=- J°^^' ^^«' ^'^^-
Mariner, Moses, signed Royals-
bourg petition, 370.
Marisheete Indians, 229.
Marks of,
Ackleay, John, 92; Blackdon,
Charles, 276 ; Blagdon, Charles,
279; Clearford, Jacob, 276;
Gilly, William, 91; Grant,
Goodwin, 276; Healey, Mar-
tin, 85, 260; Pochard, John,
85, 260; Salley, John, 276;
Warren, Daniel, 276; White,
John, 92.
Marly, Mr. , 186.
Marun, .see Marcon.
Martin, Robert, warden, 97.
Martinces, 53, 65, 159.
Marshfield, 112.
Massachusetts Bay, State of, 1, 4,
7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 18, 19, 20, 23,
26, 28, 30, 32, 35, 41, 44, 48,
INDEX
463
Massachusetts, continued.
49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 55, 56, 57,
59, GO, G2, 04, 60, 70, 74, 79,
80, 81, 82. 84, 90, 93. 94, 95,
98, 103, 105, 106. 107, 108, KHJ,
111. 116. 118, 119, 120, 125, 127,
128, 129, 131, 138, 134, 137, 138,
140, 141, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155,
160, 162, 163, 166, 180, 184, 187,
189, 100, 191, 192, lu;;, 107, 200,
201, 208, 211. 214, 215, 217, 218,
227. 228, 229. 232, 233, 234, 235,
238, 239, 244, 248, 250, 257. 258,
259, 262, 263, 265, 266, 2(58, 270,
271, 273, 274, 279, 280, 281, 282,
284, 289, 293, 299, 301, 304, 307,
310, 311, 312, 314, 315, 316, 317,
318, 319, 322, 323, 324, 326, 327,
329, 330, 331, 334, 342, 344, 348,
349, 354, 355, 359, 369. 372, 374,
370, 377, 379. 380, 381, 383, 386,
388, 389, 390, 392, 394, 395, 401,
404. 405, 406, 407, 408, 409, 411,
413, 414, 416, 418, 419, 421, 422,
423, 431, 432, 434, 436, 437, 438.
Masts, 54, 67, 76, 103, 122, 123, 137,
208, 316, 317.
ISIathews, Lieut. John, 218, 354.
Maxell, Barak, selectman of
Wells, 56.
Maxwell, William, a witness, 91.
Mayberry, | Richard, town clerk,
Meaberry, ( 96, 100, 119, 120;
pound keeper, 98.
Thomas, tything man and sur-
veyor of lumber, 97.
William, fence-viewer, etc., 98.
Mayer, Georfje, signed Pownal-
l)orough petitions, 85, 260.
Philip, ditto, 85, 260.
Mayhew, Nathaniel, ditto Wheel-
ersborough 64; ditto Penob-
scot, 276; depo.sition of, 281.
Maynard, Elislia, 76.
Elisha, Jr., 76.
John, 77.
Stejjheu, 77.
Mayo, Simeon, ])ort agent, 133;
desired instructions, 133; the
government used his lumber,
190, 191; letter of, 133; peti-
tion of, 133.
Meaberry, see Mayberry.
Mecomb, James, taken prisoner,
105.
Medoctic Indians, 229.
Memorials of, Avery, James, 389;
Deake, George, 388; Eddy,
Col. Jonathan, 214; Jones,
Nathan, 120; Jones, Col.
Memorials, continued.
William, 232; Smith, Stephen,
109, 151, 152; Webster,
Pelatiah, 116.
Memrancook, 36.
Merril, Bradbury, received a
bounty, 315.
Saml., selectman of North Yar-
mouth, 405.
Merrit, Daniel, received a bounty,
315.
Merryconeag Neck, 134, 303.
Meserve, Elisha, 169.
Meservy, Daniel, 267, 268.
Newbury, 35.
Micmacs, the, 51, 115, 177, 223, 293.
Milbury, Sergeant , 254.
Samuel, had the moose skin,
255, 256; received a bounty,
315; deposition of, 256.
i\Iilitia, see Soldiers.
Miller, Noah, pass granted to, 240.
Milligan, John, letter of, 21.
Milliken, Thomas, 372.
Mills, William, received a bounty,
310.
JNIinas, 237.
Ministers, at Pownalborough, 83,
141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 140, 147,
148, 149; taxes to support, 201;
a burden to Harpswell, 204.
Minot, Col. , 218.
Mitchell, David, master of the
Lively, 159.
Capt. jfohn, on Belfast Com-
mittee, 158.
Noah, received a bounty, 814.
William, ditto, 314.
]SIohawks, the, 44.
Monhegan, 186.
Moore, James, 43, 45, 46.
Josiah. 315.
Wyat, 43, 45, 46.
Morton, Briant, 354.
Perez, 49.
Moulton, Abt. Jr., signed York
petition, 89.
Jitanna. 162, 163, 226.
Brigadier Jotham, 125, 126, 162,
198, 226, 227, 330, 331, 355, 366.
Mount Desert, 17, 43, 46.
Mouson River, 385.
Mowat, Capt. Henry, examined
(iilly, 90; threats of, 90, 95;
acciuainted with the coast, 91.
Mulligen, Juo., letter of, 181, 182.
Murcii, John, purchased land, 43,
40; bequeathed the same to
his son, 43, 40; deed of land
464
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Murch, continued.
burned, 44, 46; deposition
concerning, 46.
John, 2nd., petitioned for con-
firmation of laud title, 43;
action on his petition, 45.
William, deposition of, 46.
Muscongus, 400.
Murray, Rev. M., 185, 186.
Muzzy, Mr. — , 186.
N
Nantes, 117.
Nantucket, 159, 192.
Narrative of Long, Capt. John,
236.
Naskeague, 290.
Nason, Samuel, recommended for
lieutenant, 311.
Naval Laws, should be revised,
358.
Negroes, 197.
Nell, Eliphalet, signed Penobscot
petition, 276.
Neptune, Aussing, pay due him,
44.
Nevers, Lieut.-Col, Phineas, 15,
32, 171, 212, 213, 214, 217, 218,
227, 241, 285, 286; letter of,
216, 217.
New Boston, 375.
New England, 20, 70, 120, 289, 326,
327, 330.
New Hampshire, 78, 103, 135, 399.
New Marlborough, 263.
New York, 58.
Newbury, 35, 91, 176, 179, 357.
Newburyport, 159, 324.
Newspaper, 60.
Newcastle, 211, 325, 372, 438, 440.
Newell, Maj. , to disband the
troops, 27, 34; carried a letter,
221.
Lieut. Eleazer, desired pay for
billeting soldiers, 191; to be
paid, 192.
Timothy, report of, 199, 200.
Newman, William, brought news
to Falmouth, 117.
Newport, 432.
Nickels, Samuel, gave his bond for
ammunition, 373.
Nickerson, \ Eliphalet, signed
Nickorson, j Wheelersborough pe-
tition, 64; ditto Penobscot,
276; testimony of, 274.
Nickles, \ Lieut. William, in Fos-
Nicholas, j ter's regiment, 357;
rations due, 391.
Niels, Jonathan, received a bounty,
315.
Niles, Mr. , a member of the
(i^eneral Court, 104.
Noble, Rev. , 193.
Norridgewock, an exposed fron-
tier, 110; hunters taken near,
110, 111; needs assistance, 110,
111; people move from. 111;
guards to be enlisted for, 137.
Indians, 110.
North, Capt. , 364.
North Yarmoutli, 405.
Northampton, 307.
Norwood, Dr, , carried a let-
ter, 181.
Nova Scotia, 1, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 15, 17,
25, 27, 30, 32, 51, 91, 94, 177,
221, 222, 231, 237, 239, 240, 288,
293, 335, 356, 357, 358, 359, 360,
861, 362, 374, 381, 388, 416, 432,
434.
Battalion, 15.
Expedition, see St. Johns River
Expedition.
Noyes, Joseph, commissary at
Falmouth, 80, 233; supplies
to be delivered to, 131; needs
money to provision the forces,
217, 428; money to be sent to,
217, 423; desired pay for the
suyjplies he furnished, 323; to
supply sea coast men, 330;
letter of, 217; petitions of, 193,
194, 323.
Peter, justice of the peace, 194.
Noys, Mayor, 156.
Nutting, John, 301.
Nye, Mr. , 334.
O
Oak Island, 385.
Oaks, John, 77.
O'Brian, ) Capt. , captured a
O'Brien, ) schooner, 57.
James, received a bounty, 310.
Ocoys, 159.
Officers, too many, 294, 353.
Old Town, 164, 165, 281.
Onslow, 239.
Orne, Col. Azor, a niember of the
General Court, 220, 428.
Osgood, Abraham, owned a dam,
101; to be summoned, 129.
Lieut. Samuel, 41.
Otistield, 161, 375.
Oxnard, Thomas, missing, 133.
INDEX
465
Paine, R. T., sjieakcr, pro tern,
and member of the General
Court, 94, 127, 137, 153, 166,
221, 228, 232, 233, 234, 261, 265,
260.
Palmer, I., a member of the Gen-
eral Court, 119, 126, 127, 128,
131, 132, 134, 138, 153, 155, 167,
202, 214, 216, 333, 345, 368, 381,
386, 389, 408, 409, 419, 424, 429,
431, 435.
J., a member of the General
Court, 322, 382, 410, 414, 426,
438.
Joseph, a member of the Gen-
eral Court, 94, 430.
Parker, Mr. , a member of the
General Court, 65.
John, signed Royalsbourg peti-
tion, 376.
Jordan, ditto Kennebec, 125.
Parkes, John, ditto Pownalbor-
ough, 85, 260.
Pars, Jonathan, ditto Penobscot,
276-
Parsons, Timothy, ditto Kenne-
bec, 125; state agent, 396; sup-
plied provisions, -396, 398; his
accounts different from the
committee's, 398; bill of, 394;
letters of, 121, 123, 206, 208.
Capt. Timothy, 133, 136, 187.
Partridge, Jesse, sigued Falmouth
letter, 410.
John, clerk, 158, 159, 166, 184.
Passamaquoddy, 3, 35, 159, 236,
237, 243, 289, 357, 360, 361, 379,
381.
Indians, 51, 229.
Patcli, Henj., drafted, 160, 161;
jietitioned tf) b(^ discharged,
161; petition granted, 161, 162.
Patten, Saml., enlisted and paid,
72.
Patterson, Andrew, 64, 282.
Pattingall, Daniel, highway sur-
veyor, 97.
Pay abstract of Indians, 44.
Pearsontown, petitioned foi- incor-
poraticm, 41; meeting to bo
held, 42, 43; fislieries at in-
jured, 129; petitions of, 41, 7o.
Peck, Col. , a member of the
General Court, 410.
Pemaquid, 209, 361.
Harbor, 401, 402.
Pond, 440.
Pendcxter, Henry, 44, 40.
Pendleton, Jonathan, signed
Wheelersborough petition, 64.
Penobscot, 6, 20, 63, 82, 96, 157,
158, 159, 103, 165, 182, 184, 185,
229, 230, 245, 240, 256, 271, 272,
273, 274. 276, 277, 278, 279, 280,
281, 282, 284, 285, 302, 303, 856,
300, 387, 411, 419, 422, 424; pe-
tition of, 274.
Pay, 314.
Fails, 183.
Guard, 20.
Hills, 240.
Indians, 45, 46, 47, 48, 51, 165,
175, 183, 223, 229, 230, 286, 288,
289, 333, 334, 380, 381, 408, 416,
419, 425.
River, 62, 63, 82, 157, 158, 163,
164, 182, 183, 184, 223, 230, 231,
281, 282, 286, 332, 333, 411, 412.
Pepperrell, \5, 299, 300,
Pepperellborough, / 301, 346, 358.
Sir William, an absentee, 316;
his land stripped, 816; an
agent appointed for, 317.
Perrin, Charles, rejiort on the peti-
tion of, 248.
Petitions of,
Avery, James, 411, 432.
Bell, William, 379.
Callahan, Rebecca, 410.
Chadwick, Joseph, 383.
Cleaveland, Ebenezer, 105.
Cotton, Martha, 327, 329.
Cross, Stephen and Ralph, 324.
Damariscotta, 438.
Deake, George, 429, 430.
Dodge, William, 51.
Davis, Jonathan, 56.
Dyer, Reuben, 380.
Farnsworth, 377, 379, 390.
Fisherman's Bay, 293, 294.
Frost, Timothy, 330.
Gardner, Henry, 103, 104.
Seth, 315.
William, 264.
Gilnian, Andrew, 387, 422.
Harpswell, 124, 125, 203.
Hovey, Ivory, 426, 428.
Jcnks, Benjamin, 00.
Kennebec River settlers, 125.
Kittery, 06.
Lamb, .Joshua, 239.
Linnoken, (Jlark, 250, 252, 312.
ISlachias, 354.
Mayo, Simeon, 190.
Newell, F., 191, 192.
Noyes, Joseph, 323.
Pearsontown, 41, 42.
Penobscot, 274.
32
466
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Petitions of, continued.
Pownalborough, 82, 140, 258.
Prouty, Joseph, 19T.
Robinson, John, 289.
Ross, Elizabeth, 304.
Royalsbourg, 369.
Schaffer, John M., 266.
Scott, Sylvanus, 167, 377.
Sergant, Joseph, 52.
Shannon, James M., 377, 379.
Sixth Regiment, 310, 376.
Soldiers, 68.
Stillman, George, 383.
Waterhouse, Samuel, 406.
Waters, Samuel, 372.
Wells, Nathaniel and Company,
53, 55.
West, Jabez, 371, 372, .380.
Wheeler, Benjamin, 62.
Whitcomb, John, 103, 104.
Whitmore, Samuel, 156.
Windham, 98.
Wood, Abiel, 111.
York Regiment, 86, 88.
Pheli>hs, Charles, salt to be de-
livered to, 263.
Philadelphia, 91, 116, 117.
Philbrock, James, signed Wheel-
ersborough petition, 63; ditto
Penobscot, 276.
Phillips, William, a member of
the General Court, 47, 48, 50,
60, 70, 73, 74, 81, 82, 86, 88.
Phinney, Col. Edmund, 107, 108,
191, 192, 304, 404; .see also
Finey.
Pierce, John, signed Penobscot
petition, 276.
Jonathan, ditto Wheelersbor-
ough, 63.
Pike, Col. , 161.
Pitts, John, speaker, j)7'o tern, 65,
190, 202, 219, 226, 227, 228, 303,
305, 306, 307, 323, 324, 348, 354,
356, 358, 401, 408, 409, 414, 418,
419, 421, 422, 424, 425, 426, 429,
430, 431, 432, 433, 434, 435, 436,
438.
Plymouth Company, 143, 144.
Pochard, John, signed Pownal-
borough petitions, 85, 260.
Peter, ditto, 85, 260.
Pomroy, Joseph, ditto Wheelers-
borough, 64.
Pondicherry, 70.
Pool, Capt. Mark, in command at
Bristol, 105.
Port Bill, 139.
Porter, Col. , 348,
Portland Sound, 388.
Portsmouth, 159, 186, 303, 342, 357.
Post, The \ 187, 188, 189, 235,
Post Office, / 236.
Post-Master General, The, 188.
Potatoes, 412.
Potter, Capt. William, permitted
to sail from Newburyport, 5;
landed rum and rice at Pow-
nalborough»6; sailed without
permission and returned, 6;
his honesty doubted, 6; sum-
moned, 6; libeled, 6.
Powder, see Ammunition.
Powell, Jeremiah, a member of
the General Court, 18, 41, 43,
47, 48, 50, 60, 69, 73, 74, 80, 82,
88, 119, 126, 127 128, 130, 131,
132, 138, 153, 165, 167, 179, 186,
187, 190, 202, 214, 216, 219, 226,
227, 228, 229, 232, 233, 234, 236,
239, 244, 250, 262, 263, 265, 289,
293, 297, 303, 305, 306, 307, 317
318, 322, 324, 329, 332, 333, 340,
343, 345, 356, 358, 365, 368, 380,
382, 386, 389, 408, 409, 419, 424,
425, 426, 429, 431, 432, 434, 435,
436, 438.
Pownalborough, Johnson resigned
his command in, 21; Sargent
in the goal at, 53, 74; home of
J. Davis, 56; town-meeting
held in, 65; to choose a new
collector, 65, 262; committee
chosen, 66; trouble in, con-
cerning the taxes, 83, 141, 258,
259; to be summoned, 86, 260;
concerning the settlement of
a minister in, 83, 141, 142, 143,
144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 1.50,
258, 2.59; the Congregational-
ists were never a church in,
86, 260; a vessel to be libelled
at, 115, 127; home of Abiel
Wood, 117; home of Timothy
I'arsons, 133; the people of
imposed upon, 138; Tupper
libelled at, 139, 140; court to
be held at, 140, 318, 319; part
of the taxes not collected at,
200, 201; empowered to call
another town-meeting, 201,
202; Collier approached, 206;
home of Capt. Baker, 218;
copy of the petition served on
the church representatives,
261; Wm. Gardner tried at,
264; Stephen Jones summoned
to appear at court in, 208, 269;
Charles Callahan absented
himself from, 269, 270, 308,
INDEX
467
Pownalborough, continued.
309, 318, 319, 392, 417; the
major part of the selectmen
of, 320; Johnson in command
at, 320, 327; Jordan, the naval
officer at, 342; Callahan ex-
pected to draw on the com-
mittee of, 3t)2; deijosition of
Rice, at, 362; Langdon to
keep the account of provisions
delivered to the militia in,
895; the Milford alarm, 395,
397; short of provisions, 395,
397, 398; supplied by Parsons,
396, 398; letter of, 21; peti-
tions of, 82, 140. 258; men-
tioned, 219, 313, 394, 395, 400,
431.
Court House, 319, 393.
Episcopal Church, 82, 83, 141,
258, 261.
Goal, 53, 74, 251, 252, 312, 318,
358, 393.
Pray, James, fence-viewer, 97.
Preble, Abram, signed Wheelers-
borough petition, 64; can give
evidence, 353.
Ebenezer, signed Kennebec peti-
tion, 125.
Capt. Esayas, purchased and
improved land, 162, 226; re-
ceived no deed, 162.
Brig.-Gen., Jedidiah, a member
of the General Court, 17, 18,
119, 126, 127, 130. 131, 132, 134,
138, 153, 155, 163, 193, 305, 307,
322, 324, 330, 333, 343; letter
of, 193.
Capt. Jedidiah, town meeting
held at his house, 158; inter-
ested in raising a guard, 103,
277; reported the conditions
at Penobscot, 164, 165; signed
the Penobscot certificate, 185;
can give evidence, 198, 277,
352, 353; moderator, 274;
brought supplies for Indians,
282; Lowder his partner in
truck-trade, 283; did not
reside at the truck-house, 283;
resentment of Indians toward,
284; a (;ommissioned officer,
298; Indians attached to, 298;
borrowed corn which he couhl
not replace, 411, 412; depo-
sition of, 163, 105.
John, arrived at Machias 14;
desired a captaincy, 16; an in-
terpreter, 15, 245; in Machias
fight, 15, 16; described the
Preble, continued.
fight, 15, 16; will remain at
Machias, 16; should have
captain's pay, 17; obtained
intelligence, 91, 92; truck-
master, 105; obliged to leave,
106; delivered goods to Allan,
118; recommended for mil-
itary employment, 178; in
command of Indians, 253;
deposition of, 258; letter of,
15.
Nath., signed Fisherman's Bay
petitions, 294, 323, 330.
Prentice, M.. 379.
Stanton, 353.
Prescott, Oliver, a member of the
General Court, 119, 126, 128,
130, 131, 132, 134, 153, 101, 216,
234, 236, 263, 265, 307, 318, 332,
333, 343, 344, 345, 348, 358, 365,
381, 382, 386, 389, 408, 409, 419,
422, 424, 425, 426, 429, 431.
William, on Pepperrell Com-
mittee, 301.
Presunipscot Falls, 101.
River, 70, 72, 100, 129.
Prime, Joseph, on Berwick Com-
mittee, 400.
Prince, Paul, selectman of North
Yarmouth, 405.
Prisoners taken at Machias, 2;
concerning the exchange of, 8,
21, 83, 68, 105, 182; taken at
Cross Island, 22, 23; held by
Milligen, 181, 182; on the
Raven, 192, 193; captured by
Collier, 206; returned, 207,
210, 211; to be tried, 248, 249;
keepers of, to make return of,
249; cruelly treated, 239; aided
to escape, 239; those dis-
charged to be given work,
207; Brewer's method of trying
and releasing, 277, 278; taken
by enlisted Frenchmen, 432.
Proctor, Capt. Joseph, 121, 122,
123, 136, 157, 206, 207, 208, 210.
Prouty, Joseph, his negroes left
him, 197; letter of, 197.
Pumroy, Joseph, signed Pownal-
borough petition, 276.
Purington, James, ditto Kennebec,
125.
Nath., on Harpswell Committee,
69.
Q
QuKBEO, 95, 182, 423.
Quoddy, 236; see Passamaquoddy.
468
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
B
Eay, William, received a bounty,
315.
Raymond Town, number of fami-
lies in, 375; the people of,
destitute, 375; location of,
375; rated by the assessors of
Windham, 375; petitioned to
have rates abated, 376; Wind-
ham ordered to abate all taxes
levied on people of, 424; peti-
tion of, 375.
Read, John, 403.
Reed, Joel, signed Kennebec peti-
tion, 125.
Jonathan, ditto, 125.
Lieut. Jonathan, Jr., recom-
mended for promotion, 21, 326.
Robert, signed Kennebec peti-
tion, 125.
Regiment, the Fifth, 153.
the Sixth, 110, 202, 310, 376, 390,
391, 437.
the Third, 209, 211, 232, 397.
Report of Newell, Timotliy, 199,
200; on Robinson's petition,
292.
Resolutions on, petition of Calla-
han, Rebecca, 431; ditto Rob-
inson, John, 306; ditto Ross,
Elizabeth, 305.
Return of the Sixth Regiment,
110; of i-ations due the same,
357.
Reynolds, Samuel, received a
bounty, 315.
Rhode Island, 105.
Rice, Capt. , member of the
General Court, 104.
Dr. , arrived from Cumber-
land with a letter, 221, 222.
David, reported an intended
attack on Falmouth, 55.
Seth, 77.
Thomas, on Pownalborough
committee, 6G; signed Kenne-
bec petition, 125; ditto Pow-
nalborough, 201; received the
flag of truce, 207; justice of
the peace, 440; deposition of,
362; oath of, .362.
Richardson, Daniel, received a
bounty, 310.
Jabez, 77.
Ring, Mr, , captured, 237, 288;
escaped, 238.
Roads to be cleared and repaired,
97 J rates for labor on, 97.
Robards, ) Ebenezer, signed Roy-
Robarts, j alsbourg petition, 370.
Jones, Vensen, ditto, 370.
Robbinson, see Robinson.
Roberson, Mr. , visited by the
British, 251.
Robins, Thomas, taken prisoner,
105.
Robinson, \ John, of Cumber-
Robbinson, / land, enlisted, 3.54.
John, of Robinson's Island,
mariner, 289, 290; a pilot for
privateers, 290; on the Wash-
ington, 290; his life threat-
ened, 290; attempt made to
burn his property, 291, 292;
j)etitioned for the arrest of
Ilerrick, 292; report and reso-
lution on petition, 292, 306;
petition of, 289.
Robinson's Island, 289, 290, 291.
Rockingham, Township No. Two,
77.
Rodick, John, selectman in Harps-
well, 124.
Rogers, Mr. , 91.
Robart, on Berwick Committee,
400.
Samuel, signed Penobscot peti-
tion, 276.
Rolfe, Benjamin, 77.
Roman Catholics, 142, 144.
Ross, Mrs. , widow, 281.
Adam, constable, 56.
Elizabeth, silver-ware stolen
from, 304, 321, 343, 344; suf-
fered, 304; petitioned that the
silver-ware be returned to her,
305; petition of, 304; petition
granted, 305.
Row, Mr. , 35.
Rowe, Ephraim, on Pownalbor-
ough Committee, 71.
Roxbury, 406, 409, 411, 423, 426,
433, 438.
Roy, Samuel, signed Royalsbourg
petition, 371.
Royalsborough, people from
Harpswell went to, 204; a new
plantation, 369; taxed by
Brunswick, 369; number of
families in, 369; in need, 369;
training band in and soldiers
enlisted from, 370; has no
benefit from taxes paid to
Brunswick, 370; desired to be
released from the demands of
Brunswick, 370; petition of,
369.
INDEX
469
Rum, 31, 109, IIG, 122, 130, 195,
231, 244, 247, 248, 283, 289, 297,
341, 394, 398, 421,
Rust, Joseph, signed Datnariscotta
petition, 440.
S
Saccarappa, the dams at exam-
ined, 101.
Sackville, 30.
Saco River, 77, 103, 316, 385.
Sailors desired more wages, 54;
refused to go on a voyage,
5G, 102, 113, 130, 157; to 'be
found in small stores, 76;
wages offered to, 102, 103, 113.
Saint Eustatius, ) vessel cleared
Santa Statia, j for, 159.
St. Francis Indians, 175.
St. Georges, 78.
St. Johns, 94, 95, 96, 114, 151, 1.53,
212, 229, 230, 237, 238, 241, 248,
287, 335, 336.
River, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 35,
39, 40, 91, 92, 93, 94, 105, 118,
178, 222, 287, 288, 292, 293.
River Expedition, 1, 11, 12, 17,
18, 19, 27, 30, 32, 35, 115, 151,
155, 169, 176, 177, 178, 199, 213,
214, 215, 295, 310, 314, 338, 384,
421.
Salem, 53, 139, 159.
Salisbury, 238.
Salley, \ John, signed Wheelers-
Sally, J borough petition, 64;
ditto Penobscot, 270.
Salt, 203, 271, 277, 278, 279, 280,
302, 332, 393, 427, 430.
Sampson, David, 76.
John, 76.
Jonathan, 76.
Sandwich, 159.
Sandy Hook, 192.
Sangster, Teter, signed Wheelers-
borough petition, 04; testi-
mony of, 272; ditto Penobscot,
276.
Santa Statia, see Saint Eustatius,
159.
Savage, John, deposition and oath
of, 138, 139, 140.
Sam. Phips, letters of, 62, 112,
113, 136, 137, 416.
Sawyer, Heuj., signed Royalsbor-
ough petition, 370.
John, 77.
Sylvanus, signed Norridgewock
letter, 111,
Sayer, Col. Ebenezer, sent return
of drafted men, 23; asked for
examination, 24; resigned as
justice of the peace, 24; in
command at York, 88; letters
of, 17, 23.
Scarborough, in need, 79; sent full
quota to the army, 79; Jewitt
permitted to clear a vessel
from, 179; Col. Glover at, 179;
home of Joseph Prouty, 197.
Schaffer, John Martin, desired to
hire Hessians, 206; permitted
to hire, 267; petition of, 260.
Scott, Lieut. , rations due, 413.
Mr. , a member of the Gen-
eral Court, 240.
Daniel, 79.
Sylvanus, the enemy landed at
his farm, 15, 354; his property,
at Indian River, destroyed,
167, 354, 377; desired assist-
ance, 167, 168, 377; an inven-
tory of the destroyed i)roperty,
168; recommended for state
aid, 355; committee to con-
sider his petition, 355; com-
mittee changed, 373; petitions
of, 107, 377.
Seavy, \ Capt. Joseph, 110, 310,
Sevey, / 311, 321, 357, 390, 391,
392.
Capt. Joseph, 2nd, 357.
Michael, on Pownalborough
Committee, 06; signed Pow-
nalborough petition, 201.
Sea-water, salt from, 393.
Sebacook, ) ^ i ^7r^ n^^
Sebago, 'jPond, 70, 375.
Sebascodegin Island, 134, 303.
Sergant, \ Joseph, petition of, 52;
Sargent, j to be released, 74.
Sever, W., member of the General
Court, 190, 202, 214, 216, 219, 226,
227, 228, 229, 303, 305, 306, 307,
317, 318, 322, 329, 330, 332, 333,
343, 345, 419.
Sewall, Mr. , member of the
General Court, 65, 186.
David, ditto, 60, 64, 81, 85, 86,
87, 88, 89, 120, 107, 250, 202,
265, 303, 307, 317, 356, 381; let-
ter of, 199.
Moses, signed York petition, 89.
Nicholas, administrator, 162,
163, 226.
S., member of the General Court,
263.
Storer, recommended for a lieu-
tenant, 311.
470
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Shannon, James Noble, deposition
given at the request of, 139,
140; petitioned for the captors
of prizes, 377, 379; petition
granted, 386.
Shattuck, Moses, signed Falmouth
letter, 410.
Shaw, Capt. Benj., his sloop char-
tered, 46, 47.
Maj. and Col. Francis, defeated
at St. Johns, 10; met Col.
Eddy, 3r3; his assistance de-
sired, 36; ratified a treaty, 40;
to order a sloop prei^ared for
Indians, 46; to be paid from
the treasury, 48; desired a
commission in the Continental
service, 51; borrowed ammu-
nition, 116; affidavit concern-
ing, 178; petition granted, 248;
Allan awaited the arrival of,
295; letters of, 202, 206; me-
morial of, 45.
Joseph, purchased and improved
land, 102, 226; received no
deed, 162.
Samuel, Jr., received a bounty,
315.
Shed, John, on the Pepperrell
Committee, 301.
Sheepscot, 121, 122, 123.
River, 209.
Shench, Capt. Andrew. 267.
Shepody, 36.
Shudear, Lake Chaudier, 183.
Shute, Capt. Benj., on Committee
of Safety, 1.58; signed Penob-
scot petition, 276.
Simonds, Mr. , 114, 287.
and Co., 91, 92.
Simonton, Jonathan, signed Ray-
mond Town petition, 376.
Simpkins, John, on Committee of
Safety, 360.
Simpson, Mr. , member of the
General Court, 89.
Joseph, 4.36, 437.
Capt. Paul, 294.
Small, Daniel, received a bounty,
314.
Nehemiah, ditto, 314.
Samuel, ditto, 315.
Smart, John, signed Wheelers-
borough petition, 64; testi-
mony of, 274; signed Penob-
scot petition, 276; declaration
of, 277.
Smith, Asa, selectman of Pownal-
borough, 270, 320.
Smith, continued.
Benjamin, signed Penobscot pe-
tition, 276.
David, 77.
Edmund, signed Penobscot peti-
tion, 276.
Edward, ditto Wheelersborough,
64; ditto Penobscot, 276.
Israel, ditto Kennebec, 125.
Nathl., 77.
Capt. Nathan, 200.
Rev. Peter Thayer, salary of, 98.
Rogers, refused office, 65, 200,
201, 202, 262.
Samuel, signed Royalsbourg pe-
tition, 370.
Simeon, ditto Wheelersborough,
64; employed by Col. Lowder,
283.
Simon, signed Penobscot peti-
tion, 276; evidence of, 353.
Capt. Stephen, commissary and
truck-master at Machias, 1,
421; in need of provisions, 4;
to have the care of provisions,
19; instructions to, 19; to re-
place provisions,''35; to repre-
sent Machias, 93; on Machias
Committee, 96; letter to, 114;
no news from, 115; petitioned
for Machias, 151, 152; to be
supplied from the truck-
house, 154, 155; his record as
naval officer, 159, 343; elected
a captain, 160; looking for a
moose skin, 255, 256, 257;
acknowledged arrival of sup-
plies, 307; paid bounties, 309,
314; signed the Sixth regi-
ment petition, 310, 311; sun-
dries delivered by order of
Col. Allan, 314; Board of War
to settle with, 315; received
no rations, 321; should have
provisions, 328; confusion
prevented his keeping matters
regular, 329; timorous about
sending skins, 340; as com-
missary of musters, 340; ad-
vanced bounty money, 340;
mentioned mistakes in in-
voice, 341; Machias took bill
of, 344; to be supplied as
truck-master, 350, 351, 352; as
chairman of the Machias Com-
mittee, 355; in Col. Foster's
regiment, 357; desired addi-
tional pay, 389; ordered to
send furs to Boston, 394; as
commissary, 420; to receive
INDEX
471
Smith, continued.
provisions for Col. Allan, 420;
bounty money to be paid to,
421, 422; bill of, 80; deposi-
tion of, 2r)5, 250; letters of, 1,
4, 29, 160, 808, 339, 340. 442;
memorial of, 109; report on,
28, 181; mentioned, 180, 196,
260.
Snow, Capt. , 235.
Isaac, CO.
John, 6!'.
Soldiers, to be sent to Col. War-
ner, 1; retreat at Machias, 2;
to be continued at St. Johns,
3; the people enlisted, 4;
impatient for bounty, 4; de-
feated at St. Johns River, 4;
needed at ilachias, 9, 10;
return of men drafted, 17, 23;
to be raised for the Eastern
parts, 19, 211, 212; to be dis-
banded, 27, 34; company
raised at Machias, 27, 93; the
service at Machias, 29, 33;
proposal to call out the mil-
itia, 32; to be retained, 34;
raised at Fryeburp^, 40; bill
for billeting);, 48, 49; at Fal-
mouth, to be supplied, 49, 50;
in need of flour, 54; not
enough to protect Penobscot
River, 03; Sullivan's bill for
billeting, 08; petitioned for
pay, 68, 09, 150, 188, 197; to
be paid, 69, 72; needed at
Cape Elizabeth and Falmouth,
75; officers to be appointed,
81; companies to be new
ranked, 87, 88; dissatisfaction
about the same, 89; conveyed
to St. Johns River, 92; pay of
those at Machias, 93; return
of the Sixth Regiment, 110;
report of tlie commissary, 123;
to be enlisted at Ilarpswell,
133, 134; pay of same, 134;
guard for Kennebec River, ancl
pay of same, 137; commander
of one company, 153; built
batteries at Falmouth, 156;
one company elected officers,
100; defeated, 101; guard for
Penobscot River, 103, 104; not
correctly enlisted, 164; not
called to duty, 104; neecled at
Indian River, 1()7; Allan asked
for call of a court martial, 178;
tf) be ready to defend Penob-
scot, 182, 183; tired on Indians,
Soldiers, continued.
183; Brewer promised stores
to those at Penobscot, 185;
from Lincoln County, 188; to
be stationed at Boothbay, 189,
225; pay of same, 189, 226;
provisions for the same, 190;
regiment at Macliias to be dis-
banded, 199; should be at
Machias, 202; should be put
to serve as guards, 203; must
be provisioned, 203; billeted
at Harpswell, 204; victory of
Stark, 205; drove Collier back,
207; supplied by Parsons, 208;
expected salvage, 208, 211;
memorial of Third Regiment,
208, 211; extra hardships and
privations, 208, 211; pay of
those who went to St. Johns,
212; surgeon for Machias, 213,
420; militia does the drudgery,
224; bounty for, 227, 228; to
be rewarded, 233; supplies for
Machias, 234, 235; may not be
needed, 241, 242; to be con-
tinued in artillery, 242; Smith,
truck-master for, 260; desired
Buck for colonel, 275; Indians
too fluctuating, 280; rum
needed, 289; too many officers,
294, 358; supplied by Allan,
290, 339; to have supplies in
place of wages, 290; dis-
charged, 303; bounties paid
to, 309, 314; at Machias, fur-
nished their own rations, 310,
321; supplied by Noyes, 323,
330; account of provisions
dealt out, 325; under Gilman,
333, 334; supplied by people
of Machias, 335; pay for those
from Frenchman's Bay, 300,
367, 308; enlisted from Royals-
bourg, 370; neglected homo
affairs, 371, 391; petitioned
for extra pay, 300, 367, 871,
372, 391; calculation for sun-
dries needed at Machias, 384;
to supply themselves with
arms, 394; Langdon to keep
an account of provisions de-
livered to, 395; account of
provisions delivered at Edge-
comb, 396, 397, 398; guard
still kept to protect property
of the state, 335; loss by the
depreciation of the currency,
330, 337; not correctly em-
ployed, 352; to be enlisted by
4Y2
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Soldiers, continued.
Allan, 363; to have more pay,
367, 368; state of troops at
Machias, 405, 406; Water-
house's company needs arms,
407; the same to be provided,
407, 408; to reinforce Wash-
ington, 409, 410, 414; nine
months men to have same
pay as men in the Continental
army, 414; those at Falmouth
and Cape Elizabeth need pro-
visions, 423,
Somersworth, 399.
South Hampton, 58.
Sowerdebscott, 282.
Spaulding, Col. , 101.
Thomas, 301.
Spooner, W., member of the Gen-
eral Court, 43, 47, 48, 69, 73,
74, 119, 126, 127, 128, 130, 132,
134, 138, 1.53, 167, 190, 219, 226,
227, 228, 229, 232, 283, 303, 305,
307, 317, 318, 324, 329, 330, 332,
344, 345, 356, 858, 368, 424, 426,
434, 435, 436.
W. S., member of the General
Court, 422.
Spry, Thomas, taken prisoner, 57;
released, 57, 58; left his bag-
gage at Machias, 58; the same
sold, 58, 59; petitioned for
assistance and to receive what
belonged to him, 58, 59; me-
morial of, 57.
Stair Falls, 400,
Staple, Peter, signed Eaymond
Town petition, 376.
Starch, Capt. , 61.
Stark, Gen. John, 205.
Stevens, Capt. Isaac, .57.
Stewart, Samuel, Jr., .55, 56.
Stillman, Maj. George, in Machias
battle, 13, 27, 170, 171, 172,
179; praise due him, 14; led
the party at Cross Island, 22;
took prisoners, 23; raised a
company, 27, 29; his regiment
not full, 34; to be commis-
sioned, 212; received blank
commissions to fill up, 223; to
hold a court-martial, 225; can
tell of the difficulties at Ma-
chias, 337, 338, ,342; carried
letters, 3-39, 340, 384; to pre-
sent a draft for Smith, 341,
344; to represent Machias and
Smith, 384; to furnish a sur-
geon, 420; letter of, 27; peti-
Soldiers, continued.
tion of, ,384; mentioned, 380,
,394, 421.
Stilphen, Cornelius, signed Pow-
nalborough petition, 85, 260.
George, ditto, 85, 260.
Michel, ditto, 85, 260.
Stockade, see Forts.
Stone, Capt. , 54, 56.
Ensign , 413.
Lieut. Daniel, 100.
John, had a ship for sale, 81;
letter of, 81.
Joseph, 77.
Joshua, signed Falmouth letter,
410.
Josiah, 77; member of the Gen-
eral Court, 167, 190, 219, 226,
227, 228, 232, 233, 284, 239, 250,
262, 263, 265, .303, 307. ,324, 329,
3,30, 332, ,333, 343, .344, 345, 356,
.358, ,365, .368, 381, 382, .386, 389,
409, 41], 422, 424, 425, 4,32, 435,
436.
Storer, Joseph, selectman of Wells,
56.
Stout, Benjamin, received a
bounty, 315.
George, on Cape Elizabetli Com-
mittee, 71.
Joshea, signed Royalsbourg
petition, 371.
Studholm, Maj. , in eommnud
at St. Johns River, 5.
Suffolk County, 138, .381.
Sulkving, Col. , company of,
153.
Sulivan, \ Capt. Daniel, his bill
Sullivan, j for billeting men, 68;
in the Sixth regiment, 110;
marched to Machias, 366; de-
sired more allowance for sol-
diers, 366, 367; to make out
muster-roll, 867, .368; his men
to have more pay, 367, 368; to
purchase fire-arms, 368, 369;
deposition of, 366, 367.
Ja., 44, 46.
Hon. James, 156.
William, signed Penobscot peti-
tion, 276.
Sumner, Mr. , member of the
General Court, 418.
W., 379.
Sunbury County, 12.
Surgeon for Machias soldiers, 212,
420.
Swain, Barnabas, 159.
Swan, Gustavus, signed Wheelers-
borough petition, 64; ditto
INDEX
473
Swan, continued.
Penobscot, 276; evidence of,
281, 282, 284, 285, 353.
Pond, 385.
Sweetser, John, signed Wheelers-
borougli petition, 64.
Swine to go at large, 98.
Sylvester, William, selectman in
Harpswell, 124; signed Harps-
well petition, 204.
Taokin, Christopher, vestry-
man, 261.
Talpey, Henry, signed York peti-
tion, 89.
Tarr, John, taken prisoner, 105.
Taylor, John, a member of the
General Court, 41, 43, 47, 48,
50, 81, 82, 86, 88, 119, 126, 127,
128, 131, 132, 134, 138, 153, 190,
202, 214, 216, 219, 226, 227, 228,
229, 232, 233, 234, 236, 239, 240,
248, 250, 262, 263, 265, 292, 30.3,
305, 306, 307, 317, 318, 322, 324,
333, 845, 855, 356, 358, 365, 308,
379, 881, 386, 389, 397, 408;
signed Lincoln County peti-
tion, 189.
Tetters, Capt. , 243.
Thayer, Ch., 425.
E. Jr., a member of the General
Court, 41, 43, 47, 60, 70, 73, 74,
81, 82, 86, 88.
Ebenezer, sent for his effects,
374,375; liis effects seized and
released, 374.
Ziphion, 425, 434, 435, 436.
Thomas, Waterman, 266, 267.
Thomaston, 1 people moved to,
Thomastown, j 204; home of
Lieut. Mathews, 218; post
established at, 236; post-mas-
ter appointed for, 236.
Lime Works, 235.
Post Office, 286.
Thompson, Brigadier , 101.
Benjamin, petitioned for his
pay, 68, 69, 71 ; to be paid, 72.
Edward, letter of, 92.
Jeremiah, declaration of, 360,
301.
.Jonathan, enlisted and paid, 72.
Samuel, presented billeting bill,
49.
Thos., signed soldiers' petition,
69.
Thwing, Nathaniel, ditto Kenne-
bec, 125; entered a complaint
Thwing, continued.
against Rebecca Callahan, 808,
309, 319; appointed an agent
for Charles Callahan, 318, 392.
417, 431; entered a second
complaint, 392; as justice of
the peace, 363; demanded the
personal effects of Charles
Callahan, 417; to pay Mrs.
Callahan two hundred pounds,
432; complaints of, 308, 392.
Tibbuts, Abner, received a bounty,
315.
Benj., ditto, 315; .see also
Tubbets.
Ticonderoga, 191.
Titcomb, Benj., town clerk of
Pearsontown, 42, 193, 194; to
call town meeting, 43.
Tomma, Joseph, 246.
Piere, 293.
Toms, John, signed Wheelers-
borough petition, 63.
Torrey, John, made prisoner, 105.
Townsend, 186, 209, 263.
Townships, granted on the Saco
River, 77, 103; titles not con-
firnied, 104, 134, 135; bounda-
ries, 135.
No. One, 158.
No. Six, 78, 103, 135.
No. Two, 77, 158.
Tracy, Asa, received a bounty, 315.
Christopher, ditto, 315.
Trade gone from Kittery, 67; cut
off by the war, 188; gone from
Harpswell, 204; Allan made
an agreement with the Indians
concerning, 229; must be re-
stricted with the Indians, 231;
paper currency not useful in,
231; liable to be diverted to
Canada, 286, 289; with Indians
under certain regulations, 408.
Trafton, Charles, signed York
petition, 89.
Trayer, John, 361.
Treat, Joshua, signed Penobscot
petition, 276.
Joshua, Jr., ditto, 276.
Lieut. Robert, ditto Wheelers-
borough, 64; ditto Penobscot,
276.
Treet, Mr. , furnished corn,
412.
Trevet, Oapt. Richard, naval officer
of York, 343.
Trott, Thomas, on Windham Com-
mittee, 71; selectman, 96; as-
sessor, 98, 99, 100.
33
4Y4
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Truck-houses, 63, 116, 130, 164,
165, 176, 183, 195, 213, 230, 231,
234, 243, 271, 277, 282, 286, 287,
289, 296, 307, 308, 325, 333, 335,
339, 840, 341, 345, 350, 363, 420,
421.
Truck-masters, 95, 105, 132, 154,
266, 314, 333, 334, 339, 353, 364,
380, 394, 408, 425.
Truck-trade, 278, 283.
Tubbets, Nathaniel, received a
bounty, 315.
see also Tibbuts.
Tucker, Mr. , member of the
General Court, 373.
John, on the Berwick Commit-
tee, 400.
Tufts, Francis, signed Damaris-
cotta petition, 440.
Tupper, James, 189.
William, constable, 140, 245, 247,
253, 372.
Turner, Sim., his bill as express-
man, 52; i^aid, 52.
Tycross, Robert, signed Pownal-
borough petitions, 85, 260.
Tyng, Edward, 304, 805, 321.
William, 304, 343.
Tything-man, 97.
T , D , 8.
U
enlisting
Ulmoke, Lieut. -
agent, 277, 278.
Underwood, John, plaintiff, 372.
Union River, 427.
United States, the, 44, 45, 93, 106,
146, 151, 177, 178, 188, 195, 215,
216, 225, 243, 269, 290, 330, 337,
843, 359, 868, 394, 409, 417, 418,
420, 421, 482, 439.
Valpey, Mr. , a member of
the General Court, 116.
Vassalborough, 153.
Vaughan, William, 197.
Vessels, engagement near Ma-
chias, 2, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18,
25, 33, 57, 170, 171, 172, 173,
185; only one at St. Johns, 3;
depredations at Passama-
quoddy, 8; number at St. Johns
River, 5, 237; permitted to
sail from Newbury port, 5;
the same libeled, 6; fitted out
to attack Machias, 9; Long's
Vessels, continued.
sloop seized, 16; in Machias
Bay, 22, 182; Hall's schooner
captured and released, 36, 37;
brought reinforcements, 38;
Shaw's sloop to convey In-
dians, 46; the Friendship
desired permission to sail, 53,
54; same received permission,
55; sailors want more pay, 54;
to attack Falmouth, 55; sail-
ors refuse duty, 56, 61; the
Dolly permitted to sail, 57;
the British would not send
one to Machias, 58; Bragdon
desired to send one to the
West Indies, 59; one at Fal-
mouth in a poor condition, 61;
articles for, to be sent, 62;
loading at Falmouth, 76, 136,
157; Jewitt permitted to clear,
79; Congress to purchase, 81;
off the coast, 91, 92, 112, 113,
117, 124, 209; a barge attacked
Preble's boat, 91; brought
presents for the Indians, 94;
prizes taken, 102, 114, 122,
133; delayed at Falmouth,
102, 103, 113, 136, 181; trouble
about condemning a prize, 114,
115; not permitted to load,
but sold, 117; trial concern-
ing, 120, 121; at Falmouth,
contrary to orders, 121, 122;
in Damariscotta River, 122;
supplies needed for, 122, 123;
Wood to have the proceeds of
a sloop, 127; the Gruel to be
hastened away, 186; with
boards at Boston, 1.38, 189;
only those which supply the
army, allowed at Boston, 139;
return of those registered at
Machias, 159; Allan's block-
aded, 178; none at Falmouth,
one at Scarborough, 180; at
Boothbay, 186, 186; at Ports-
mouth, 186; Collier an easy
prey, 186; off Townsend, 186,
209; Collier near Pownalbor-
ough, but driven away, 206,
207; captured in Boothbay,
220; to attack Machias, 222;
a French ship captured, 224;
soldiers to be rewarded for
capturing, 233; engaged by
Lamb, 240; arrived at Ma-
chias, 241; gundaloe de-
stroyed, 262; schooner
dispatched to intercept ves-
INDEX
475
Vessels, continued.
sels going up Bay of Fundy,
288, 298, 299; Robinson a
pilot, 290; expected at St.
Johns River, 292; three be-
longing to Frenchman's Bay
captured, 293; a privateer
captured, 360; the naval laws
should be revised, 368, 360,
406; officers have no power
to hinder the carrying of in-
telligence to the enemy, 358,
359; took arms from French-
man's Bay, 367; Furnass'
seized, 374, 388, 415, 416, 425;
captured oflE Machias, 378, 386;
Furnass' sloop a lawful prize,
388, 389; in Wiscasset Bay,
395, 396, 397; in Pemaquid
Harbor, 402; with supplies
captured, 427.
Active, the, 291.
Advance, the, 427, 430.
Alford, the, 32.
Ambuscade, the, 3, 5, .33, 209.
Ann, the, 6.
Betsey, the, 117.
Blond, the, 22, 182, 237.
Congress, the, 856, 360.
Cumberland, the, 404.
Diamond, the, 91.
Diligent, the, 8, 57, 126.
Dolly, the, 57,
Edgcumbe, the, 325.
Elizabeth, the, 345, 360, 361.
Endeavour, the, 5.
Freedom, the, 102.
Friendship, the, 53, 55, 159.
Gage, the, 92, 288.
Greyhound, the, 91, 106.
Gruel, the, 121, 136, 206, 207, 208
233.
Hancock, the, 179.
Hope, the, 13, 159, 174, 179, 209.
Industry, the, 114.
Liberty, the, 127.
Lively, the, 1.59.
London, the, 159.
Loyal Nova Scotia, the, 288.
Lucy, the, 159.
Marisheete, the, 170, 171, 288,
298.
Mermaid, the, 6, 13, 17, 179.
Milford, the, 14, 105, 209, 237,
325, 395, 396, 397.
Molly, the, 179.
Necessity, the, 159.
Neptune, the, 159.
Penelope, the, 102.
Polly, the, 140, 159, 378.
Vessels, continued.
Rainbow, the, 13, 17, 179, 185,
186, 187, 206, 209, 210, 219, 222,
237.
Raven, the, 192.
Renown, the, 105.
Scarborough, the, 90.
Speedwell, 159.
Spry, the, 208.
Swan, the, 168.
Three Friends, the, 159.
Two Brothers, the, 374, 415, 425,
428, 429, 434, 435.
Union, the, 7-3, 102, 103, 181.
Unity, the, 378.
Vulture, the, 2, 5, 13, 17, 92,
179, 236, 237, 238, 243.
Washington, the, 290.
Yankee Hero, the, 105.
Vining, , signed Royalsbor-
ough petition, 370.
Virginia, 133.
W
Waite, Benjamin, owned a dam
and naills, 101; summoned to
court, 129.
Enoch, highway surveyor, 97.
John, has none of the State's
money, 61; sheriff, 180, 200;
letters of, 76, 118, 186.
Waldoborough, home of Alpheus
Delano, 78; Delano indebted
to, 78; commissioned officers
to be appointed in, 218; home
of J. M. Schatt'er, 266; as a
boundary, 440.
Wales, Capt. , 334.
Walker, Col. , 36.
Lieut. Isaac, 41.
John, received a bounty, 316.
Joshua, signed Wheelersbor-
ough petition, 64.
Simon, enlisted and paid, 72.
Solomon, signed Kennebec peti-
tion, 125.
Timothy, 77.
Wallace, Capt. , 341.
Wallingford, Ebenezer, estate of,
399, 400.
Thomas, 330.
Wampum, 229, 842, 411.
Wangervillo, 40.
Ward, Gen. Artemas, a member of
the General Court, 20, 41, 48,
47, 48, 50, 60, 74, 78, 81, 82, 88,
119, 126, 127, 128, 130, 131, 132,
134, 138, 153, 155, 167, 190, 19»,
202, 203, 211, 214, 216, 219, 221,
476
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Ward, continned.
226, 227, 228, 229, 232, 233, 234,
286, 239, 250, 262, 263, 265, 303,
305, 306, 307, 317, 318, 822, 332,
333, 343, 345, 356, 358, 368, 408,
409, 419, 424, 425, 426, 429, 432,
434, 438.
Warner, Col. , 1.
Brig. Gen. Jonathan, letter of,
1; mentioned, 11, 177, 199, 200,
215. 334.
Warren, Daniel, signed Penobscot
petition, 276.
James, speaker, .50, 65, 72, 73, 88,
89, 119, 127. 128, 129, 130, 131,
132, 134, 135, 138, 167, 199, 200,
214, 216, 236, 2.39, 240, 248, 249,
261, 262, 263. 292, 311, 817, 318,
322, 329, 330, 332, 333, 343, 345,
346, 355, 364, 365, 368, 373. 374,
380, 382, 386, 389, 392.
James Coplisly, to be commis-
sioned a lieutenant, 218.
W^arrin, Jonas, 77.
Washington, George, 66, 409, 410.
Waterhouse, Samuel, given com-
mand of a company, 406; at
Winter Hill, 406, 407; peti-
tioned for arms, 407; arms to
be delivered to, 407; petition
of, 406.
Waters, Saml., selectman of New-
castle, 325; petition of, 372,
373.
Watertown, 49, 163.
Waugh, James, signed Norridge-
VFock letter, 111.
Thomas, ditto, 111.
Weber, Gertham, 325.
Webster, Andrew, signed Wheel-
ersborough petition, 64; testi-
mony of, 274.
Andrew, Jr., signed Penobscot
petition, 276.
Pelatiah, held money of Abiel
Wood, 112; to pay the same,
127; memorial of, 116.
Wells, the Friendship desired to
clear from, 53, 54; permission
granted for same, 55; in need
of provisions, 53; assessment
in, 55, 56; Bragdon desired to
clear a vessel from, 59; as a
boundary, 385; letters from,
17, 23.
Nathl., letter forwarded by, 18;
selectman, 56; as justice of
the peace, 393.
Nathl. and Company, 54, 55.
Wentworth, Capt. John, in com-
Wentworth, continued.
mand at Cape Elizabeth, 81,
180; petitioned for more pay,
197, 198.
Moses, signed Wheelersborough
petition, 64; testimony of,
272, 273; signed Penobscot
petition, 276.
Wes, Capt. , 34.
West, Capt. Jabez, i>eople ask that
his company be filled, 34; his
men to have same pay as men
in the Continental Army, 212;
his company to be completed,
214; his men receive bounties,
227; Averll in his company,
253; Millbury in his company,
256; men discharged from his
company, 295; certificate for
bounty money. 309, 310; raised
a company, 371; petitioned for
extra pay, 371, 372, 380; to be
reimbursed, 371 ; rations due,
380, 413; Farnsworth to col-
lect for, 413; his men to have
rations, 437, 438; petitions of,
371, 372, 380; mentioned, 114,
115.
West Indies, 57, 59, 79, 360, 361,
415, 416.
Westcock, 36.
Whaleboats, 36, 420.
Wheaton, Mason, his place to be
the end of the postal route,
235; to be post-master, 236.
Wheeler, Benjamin, presented the
Wheelersborough petition, 62,
64; signed the same, 64; action
on the same, 65; on the Com-
mittee of Safety, 158; signed
Penobscot certiticate, 185; pre-
sented written declarations,
272; altercation with Brewer,
272, 284, 285; called on Low-
der, 273; assisted Gorton to
obtain rations, 279; a patriot,
301; supplied ammunition,
301, 302, 303, 314; would as-
sist soldiers' families, 314;
would supply firelocks, 314;
nob an enemy to the state, 314;
action on the petition, 323,
332.
Wheelersborough, misrepresented,
62, 63; has not received what
was sent, 63; a copy of the
petition of to be served on
others, 64; actions on the
petition, 65, 323, 332; home of
Benj. Wheeler, 301, 314, 328.
INDEX
477
Wheelwright, Capt. Aaron, 53.
Whitcomb, Benjamin, 77.
John, suffered by making a new
boundary, 7t3, 77; member of
the General Court, 47, 48, 50,
60, (39, 73, 74, 80, 82, 130, 134,
135, 155, 1(57, 190, 219, 220, 227,
228, 229, 232, 239, 250, 202, 263,
265, 303, 305, 307, 317, 318, 324,
329, 330, 332, 333, 343, 344, 345,
356, 358, 365, 381, 382, 386, 389,
408, 409, 419, 422, 424, 426, 429,
431, 432, 434.
Robert, signed Norridgewock
letter, 111.
White, , 287.
Col. , 185, 186.
Mr. , 315.
B., a member of the General
Court, 41, 43, 47, 48, 60, 60, 73,
74. 81, 82, 86. 88, 119, 126, 127,
128, 180, 131, 132, 134, 138, 202,
214, 219, 232, 233, 236, 250, 262,
263, 265, 322, 344, 345, 868, 368,
881, 382, 408, 409, 419, 422, 424,
425.
Charles, 77.
John, as a witness, 92.
Philij), signed Kennebec peti-
tion, 125.
Robert, ditto, 125.
Whitman, Charles, 77.
John, 77.
Capt. Samuel, to be paid for his
service, 317, 318; petition of,
150.
Whitmore, Stephen, signed Ken-
nebec petition, 125.
Whitney, Daniel, 77.
Capt. Joel, master of the Three
Friends, 159.
Lieut. Joel, of the Sixth Regi-
ment, 110, 123, 310, 311, 321,
357, 391.
Joseph, 77.
Methias, 315.
Richard, 77.
Richard, Jr., 77.
Wm., 77.
Whittier, Kbenezer, signed Kenne-
bec petition, 125.
Wilkins, Walter, a Tory, 361, 362.
Williams, Geo., 54.
Capt. Joseph, master of the
Two Brothers, 874, 888, 415.
Williamson, Jona., on Pownal-
borough Committee, 66.
Wilson, (.Joing, received a bounty,
815.
Wilson, continued.
Oliver, signed Norridgewock
letter, 111.
Windall, W., 54.
Windham, transactions at the
town-meeting in, 96, 98;
record of the town-meeting is
correct, 98, 99, 100; error in
proceedings, 99; the record
confirmed, 118, 119, 120; the
fisheries in, injured, 129;
rated Raymond Town, 375;
to abate the taxes in Raymond
Town, 424; petitions of, 70,
71, 129; report on, 72.
Windsor, 361.
Wine, 168, 169, 179.
Wing, Capt. , 3.
Winter Hill, 406, 407.
Wiuthrop, I., member of the Gen-
eral Court, 50, 60, 69, 73, 74.
Saml., 140.
Wm., 51.
Wiscasset, 1 ,qp. iq-t ix^t
Withcaset, } 1^^' 1^^' l-^^-
Bay, 206, 897.
Point, 122.
Wongonet, pay due, 44.
Wood, Mr. , member of the
General Court, 364.
Abiel, money detained from,
111; petitioned for permit to
receive it, 112; not permitted
to load his vessel, 117; vessel
sold, 117; to receive the net
proceeds of same, 127.
Benj., 77.
John, signed Kennebec petition,
125; post-master at George-
town, 236.
Woodbridge, Benjamin, justice of
the peace, 326.
Woodbury, Peter, 126, 191, 192.
W^oodruff, Jonathan, received a
bounty, 310.
Woods, Henry, instructions to,
299.
Woolwich, 219, 312, 392, 394, 396,
417.
Worrin, Nathaniel, enlisted, 354.
Worster, Moses, received a bounty,
815.
Wyer, David, attorney, 827.
Wynian, Mr. , member of the
General Court, 855, 373.
William, signed Kennebec peti-
tion, 126.
478
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
Yarmouth, 52, 115.
Yong, John, received a bounty,
810.
York, 81, 86, 87, 88, 120, 125, 140,
1G2, 192, 330, 343, 355, 436.
County, 23, 43, 46, 53, 81, 86, 87,
88, 121, 125, 140, 162, 166, 299,
311, 317, 330, 346, 347, 348, 384,
386, 899, 406.
York, continued.
Stephen, signed Royalsbourg
petition, 371.
Young, Capt. Ezra, in the Sixth
Regiment, 110.
John, fence-viewer, 97.
Samuel, signed York petition,
89.
, Ezekiel, ditto Royalsbourg,
370.
, Stephen, ditto, 371.
This Index was made by Mr. Edward Denham, of New Bedford, Mass. — J. P. R.
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