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ii
EXTRACTS
FROM THE
KEPT BY THE
LATE PASTOR OF THE
FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST
/JV FALMOUTH,
IN THE
COUNTY OF YORK, (NOW CUMBERLAND,)
FROM THE YEAR 1720, TO THE YEAR 1788^
WITH AN
•9
CONTAINING
A VARIETY OF OTHER MATTERS,
SELECTED
By SAMUEL FREEMAN, Esq.
PORTLAXD :
PRINTED BY THO^/AS TCDD & CO.
3 821.
THE
NEW YORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY
Astor, Lenox and Tilded^
Foundations!
1895
It has long been known to a number who wejfe
cotemporary with the Rev. Thomas Smith, late
Pastor of the First Church of Christ in Falmouth,
a part of which is now Portland, in the State of
Maine, that he was in the practice of keeping an
Historical Diary. The desire has been expressed
by them and others that it might be published.
When the late Governor Sullivan was writing
his history of Maine, he applied to Mr. Smith for
the use of this Journal in order to complete his
account of the Indian Wars, he. but Mr. Smith
was unwilling to comply with his request, because
the Journal contained a mixture of private matters
not proper to be exposed to public view. It having
come into my possession, I have been induced, with
the consent of his surviving children to make and
print such extracts from it as I thought might be
useful and entertaining to those especially who from
local circumstances would be apt to take a peculiar
interest in the transaction to which they relate.
The Diary commences with the year 1720, and
reaches to the year 1788, a greater length of time
probably, than that during which any similar record
has been kept within the limits of this State.
The matters I here present the public are — 1. No-
tices of such Foreign Events as came to the knowl-
IV
edge of Mr. Smith during that period. — 2. Domestic
Occurrences ; or such as took place in the town of
Falmouth, and its vicinity, from the time of his
coming there in 1725, with marginal notes as to the
particulars of some of the events which are but
slightly mentioned. [These were taken from
Holmes' Annals, and chiefly as he quoted them from
prior writers.] And 3. A view of the life and
character of the deceased. Also a separate account
of the Seasons.
In the selection of these matters I may have been
either more minute or more deficient than another
person would have been, but in faithfulness to that
trust which was confided in me when the Journal
was put into my possession, I could not put it into
another's hands. £ have noticed some things not so
much tor the things themselves as for other reasons,,
which will probably be apparent to the discerning
reader ; and as to the state of the seasons and of the
weather in the different parts of the year, which I
have inserted separately, partly in the words of the
Journalist and partly (for conciseness) in my own.
I would observe that they contain but an abridge-
ment of what is recorded in respect to them. To
have been more particular would have swelled the
work too much, to have been less so would have
rendered this part of it too imperfect, and to have
left it out entirely might have been regretted by
those who wish for an opportunity to compare
former times, in respect thereto, with the present,
and the state of the atmosphere, with the health or
sickness prevailing at the time.
Upon the v/hole, whether the Extracts I have
made will be received with such acceptance as some
who have encouraged their publication may expect,
I will not presume to judge. If they should, in the
perusal of them afford that gratification which has
been contemplated, I shall not regret the time I have
taken to prepare them ; if otherwise, I shall only
regret their publication.
Upon the few additions to these extracts it is not
necessary to observe.
Of the matters which are contained in the Appen-
dix, some notice will be taken in the Preface to that
part of the work. S. F.
July, 1821
*
FAMILY RECORD.
Mr. Smith was the eldest son of Thomas Smith, of
Boston, Merchant, (who marri«d Mary Curran, May 9,
1701.) He was born at Boston, March 10, 1701—2 ; he had
three wives. The first was Sarah Ty:sg, a daughter of Col.
Ttng, of Dunstable, whom he married September 12, 1728.
She died Oct. 1,1742. The second was the Widow Jordai^,
of Saco, whom he manied March 1, 1743 — 4. She died
January 3, 1763. The other was the Widow Elizabeth
Wend ALL, whom he married August 10, 1766. She died
(after the deatli of Mr. Smith,) March 16, 1799. By his first
wife, he had eight children, viz. :
1. Thomas born September 19, 1729, who died February
::3, 1729—30.
2. Peter born June 14, 1731— now living.
3. Lucy born February 22, 1733 — 4, who died in June
1780.
4. Thomas born September 12, 1735, who died February
10, 1776.
5. William born December 18, 1736, who died October
16, 1754.
6. John born October 14, 1738, who died December 26,
1773.
7. Sarah born November 14, 1740 — now living.
8. A Child born Sept. 6, 1742, which died Sept. 14,1742.
By his two other Wives he had no children.
EXTRACTS
FROM THE
OF THE LATE
KEY. THO^'VIAS SMITH.
1719.
It appears by his Journals of the succeeding years, num-
bered 2, 3, 4, kc. : that Mr. Smith began to keep a journal
this year, but what became of it, I do not know. That for the
next year is the oldest in my possession.
1720.
Mr. Smith entered the College at Cambridge, A. D. 1716,
and having made the study of Hebrew, a part of his employ-
ment, he intended probably to qualify himself as a minister of
the gospel. He took his first degree the present year. He
went frequently to Boston, and other places, but the incidents
he takes notice of through the year are unimportant. He
mentions the names of the following gentlemen as ministers
of the gospel at this time, viz : Thatcher, Sewall, Checkley,
Prince, Webb and Chauncy.*
* In this year, commenced the publication of the Boston Gazette. The second
newspaper published in America. The first was the Boston Netvs-Letter, (a
weekly paper) first published in 1704. The third was the N(xv-England Courant,
commenced in 1721. I have one of these in niy possession, printed January 15,
1726. It was printed by Benjamin Franklin, chiefly on a pica type, ia two
columns, and on half a sheet, of the size of pot writing paper ,^
10
1721.
May 1£. — About this time the small-pox was brought into
Boston.
£6. — The small-pox began to spread *
July IS. — Fast, on account of the small-pox.
[He mentions the names of several ministers in the vicinity
of Boston, viz : Cook, Appleton, Foxcroft, Gee, Fessenden,
Flint, Waldron, Prentice, Wigglesworth, Cotton and Ward.
The pages of this years journal are somewhat fuller than the
last, but not interesting.]
1722.
January 3. — Boston almost clear of the small-pox, and
wholly of inoculation.
February 26.— Town judged to be quite clear of the small-
pox.
July 12. — The Indians killed a man and drove the English
into the garrison, and at night, Capt. Starman and others,
killed 16 or 18 of those Indians.
July 26.— War proclaimed with E.Indians.
Oct. 2. — Hot, more so than ever was known before at this
season.
[In September of this year, Mr. Smith preached at Maiden
and Sandwich ; and this see*ns to be the commencement of
his frequent performances afterwards.]
1723.
Jajiuary G.— I preached at Bellingham.
7. — The committee of Bellingham was with me to acquaint
me of their call.
16.— There has been nothing like winter yet. This month
xias been the hottest that ever was felt in the country.
* It made great havoc there, and in some of the neighboring towns Inocula-
tion for that disease was now introduced into Xew-Eng!and, and a trial of it
recommended to the physicians, by the Rev. Cotton Mather. All however
declined it, but Doct. Zabdiel Boylston, who adventured to begin with his own
family, and afterwards continued the practice amidst violent opposition. Many
pious people were struck with horror, and were of opinion, that if any of his
patients should die, he ought to be treated as a murderer. The populace was so
enraged, that bis family was hardly safe in his house : and he wasofteii insulte*
in the streets.
11
Fehruai'y 4. — ^The sharpest weather ever known at this time
of the year.
24. — The greatest storm and highest tide that has been
known in the country.
March £1. — I gave Bellingham an answer.
August 29. — Mr. Foxcroft preached a funeral sermon on
Dr. Mather, who is this day buried.*
1724.
January 8. — Doct. Cook, sailed for England, as agent for
this Province.
11. — Visible eclipse of the sun.
12. — The pirates had their trial and all cleared but four.
June 2. — Two pirates were hanged, viz : Archer and
White.
July 23. — Mr. Webb's Lecture turned into a Fast, by rea-
son of the very great drought, every thing being burnt up.
August 10. — Mr. Sewall was chosen President of the
College.
1725.
February 26. — Saturday last Capt. Lovell and company,
who sat out the 20th of last month, fell upon a company of
ten Indians, and killed them all.f
March 10. — Dies mea natalis (vicessima tertia.)
April 29. — Mr. Webb's Lecture turned into a Fast, upoo
the account of the war.
*This was Increase Matber, who was President of Harvard College, from 1694
to 1701. He had been a preacher 66 years, and a minister of the same in Boston
62 years. He died in the 85th year of his age. His father, Richard Matber, came
to New-England in 1634, having been silenced by Dr. Neal, Archbishop of York,
and was the last minister of Dorchester, and died in 1669, aged 73. His son,
Cotton r.Iather, a minister of Boston, died in 172?, at the age of sixty-five ; all
eminently, pious and learned men. The last was the author oi Magnalia Ckristl
Americana. The books and tracts which this author published, amounted to 382.
Among his manuscripts was a work which he prepared for publication, entitled
Biblia Americana, or the Scrijiiures of the Old and New Testament illustratecL
" The writing of which" says his biographer " is enough constantly to employ
a man, unless he be a miracle of diligence the half of three score y^ars and ten
allowed us." A catalogue of the 382 books, which he published, is subjoined to
his life.
tSee a particular account of this in the Appendix.
12
May 15. — We have an account that this day seHiightjCapt.
Lovell's company had a bloody battle with the Indians.^ The
Captain, Lieutenant and 15 others idlled.
July 2.1. — The forces here went away for Richmond in
order to march to Penobscot.
22. — Twenty-one Indians ran away in the night.
£3. — Fqurteen Indians taken again.
24. — The Commissioners returned to Boston, with two
Penobscot Indians.
August 2. — The two Penobscot Sagamores in here,in Capt.
Saunders, bound home.
9. — Capt. Saunders put a shore the two Sagamores. A
cessation of arms appointed for forty days between us and the
Penobscot Indians.^
10. — Orders came for forces here, to prepare for a march.
Two gentlemen came in here bound to St. Georges, to treat
with the Indians.^
September 16. — News in town of the Indians killing 5 men
at Fort Dummer, and 5 more at the eastward.
20. — The forty days out, that were appointed for a cessation
of arms.
21. — I was invited to go up and preach at Norwich.
October 8. — !\Ty father and brother came in from St. Georges
without the Indians. The Hostage and another Indian ran
away.
2C. — General Thanksgiving.
December IS. — Mr. Whalton brought the contribution for
last Sabbath, £2 Gs.
[In fhe course of this year, Mr. Smith came twice from
Boston, preached at Falmouth seventeen Sabbaths, viz : From
June 27th, to Sept. 5th, and from Nov. 14th- to the end of the
year. During which time he visited the people there and at
Purpooduck ; rode to neighboring places and frequently
diverted himself by gunning and fishing. In December he
attended the ordination of Mr. Jeffries, at Wells ; preached
there and spent about ten days there and in the vicinity.]
1726.
January 14. — The forces dismissed.
24. — Yesterday and to day very severe cold. The river
frose over,
31. — Thus far has been a very smart close winter.
February 2a. — Here (with this month) ends the winter. It
has been all along a close and hard a winter as has been
*lbM. jIbJd. flbid.
IS
remembered. There has been good sledding all winter.
Never one thaw.
March 1 0. — Mea natalis 24 : Destinav : Deis precaro.
18. — There has been the best gunning here tliis winter than
has been for some years past.
£2. — Capl. Moody brought two Indians from North-Yar-
mouth.
23. — The Indians killed two cattle upon their return at
Winnegance, near Arowsick.
26. — It is observable that though the winter has been so
â– - ry severe, there has not been any thing like a storm the
whole time.
27. — We had news by an express from his Honor the Lieut.
Governor, that the Penobscot Indians had denied several
ai tides of the peace.
29. — Three persons drowned at Winter Harbor, in a
schooner of Elder Saywards.
»^pril 5. — Three Penobscot Indians came here this evening.
9. — Twenty-six vessels now in the harbor.
13. — The General Court met and sat 21 days upon the
Jesuit's Letter, which he in the name of the Indians, wrote to
the governor last month. They resolved to send them a
further supply.
24. — Saunders came in from Boston with a further supply
for the Indians : for Richmond as well as Georges.
26. — This day the committee acquainted me with the call
of the people generally planting here.
29. — Preached over to Purpoodock.
June 15. — About this time the ratification of the peace was
proposed to be, but put off further by the Indians.
S6. — Capt. Moody, brought me £20, of the town's money.
^*Mr. Walton brought me £10 125. 3d. beinii what was gathered
on 27 Sabbaths. This evening sailed for Boston.
29. — Arrived at Cape Ann, after having put into Piscata-
qua river.
July 13. — This day returned from Boston.
15. — The N. Hampshire gentlemen came here in a brig.
16. — The Massachusetts gentlemen came here in th«
evening, and lie below.
17. (Sunday.)— Mr. Shurtliif pi cached here A. M. Mr.
Fitch, P. M. The gentlemen all at meeting. In the morning
the gentlemen came on shore and made considerable H|_).ear-
ance with their drums and guns. The governor guarded in
pomp to meeting.
22. — The gentlemen spent this week entirely idle, waiting
for the Indians.
2
i4
£d. — The Indians came here from Penobscot on a message
to the government, and were sent away in the afternoon.
24, (Sunday.)— I preached here A. M. Mr. Tappan P. M.
Mr. Fitch baptised the children, 22 in all, besides an adult
person. Mr. White preached over to Purpoodock, A. M.
The Lieut. Governor, with the gentlemen, sailed up the bay;
I was fishing with Mr. Tyng before the door. Whiie the gen-
tlemen are gone, we enjoy ourselves.
29. — This morning the gentlemen returned from Arowsick.
The Indians to tlie number of 40, all of the Penobscot tribe,
came in here. In the afternoon the Congress opened.
31, (Sunday.) — Mr. Temberton and Mr. Welstead, preach-
ed here.
•August 1. — There was a public dinner, at which I dined.
2. — Several days were spent in private treaties, to pave the
way for the public ratifications.
4. — All private conferences were finished this day.
5. — The ratification of the peace was publicly done this
day in the meeting-house.
6. — Some affairs relating to the ratification that were left
unsettled yesterday, were this day finished, and all concluded
with a public dinner.
8. — The New-Hampshire gentlemen sailed.
10. — This week spent in interpreting to the Indians, the
journal of all their actions — and in fully settling some other
matters.
12. — The governor and other gentlemen sailed this day for
Boston. Capt. Franklin carried the Indians to St. Georges.
Mr. Welstead stopped here.
September 7. — N. N. E. storm brought into the harbor
about forty large fishing vessels.
17. — Captain Langdon came in here in a large ship.
SO. — This month we have always great numbers of fisher-
men in here.
[Several days of this month Mr. Smith appears to have
spent in bodily exertion, both by land and water, visiting,
dining, fcc. with Mr. Collier, Moody, Jarvis, he]
October 9. — Town meeting to-day. They voted to build
me a house. ^
27. — There is a considerable number of people down here,
to look out for farms, designing to settle here.
28. — This day we had news that the Indians had broken
out and taken a family in Kennebunk, viz. eight women and '
two children, one of the women big with child. Their names
were Dude and Baster.
15
JsTovember 21. — I sat out this afternoon for Boston.
26. — Arrived in Boston, iiaving lodB in all 124 miles.
December 7. — I sat out for Casco.
22. — Lodged at Mr. JeliVies, Wells.
24. — These two days I spent wholly with Mr. Jeffries in
his chamber.
31. — After some excursions to York, Sec. sat out for Casco.
[At tiie end of the journal for this year is " some account of
the settling of the town of Falmouth, Casco Bay." The diffi-
culty of reading the vvriting of Mr. Smith, by reason of the
very fine letters in which all his^journals are written, is on
this account, rendered much greater, by the leaf in which it is
written, having been wet and torn, and in several places the
writing entirely rubbed out. The following is as much as I
could pick out. It contains the greatest p.ut, and though
impetfect, I think proper to insert it in the form it is, rather
than wholly to oaiit it.]
In the year* '17, a number of men, about 30, petitioned the
General Court for this tract of land, in order to make a set-
tlement of ; who granted their petition, excepting the former
grants. Inhabitants most of the time between their being
*** the town filled but slowly.
When I first came down here, which was the 23d of June,
there were but about 5C families, such as they were, most of
them very poor, by reason of the Indians that kept the people
from their farms ^^* and confined them to garrisons, and
some that were soldiers, that had found wives on the place,
and were mean animals ; and I have been credibly informed
that the men they engaged to come to them, were as bad as
themselves, having a design of building up the town with any
that came and offered ; but the war coming on, purged the
place of many of them, and in their room came others, and
some very good *^^-*. This fall, came down I. Riggs, with
his family, and about the same time J. Sawyer, with his ;
both from Cape-Atm, both very good sort of men, errors ex-
cepted. When I came down, the meeting-house frame w;is
only covered ; but this summer it was handsomely finished
outside. Governor Wentworth giving the glass.
172G.--This spring came in*:o town one Savage, and also one
Stimson and his family,**^ whom the selectmen immediately
warned out of town, as they did several others, just about the
making of peace.
This summer, (peace being concluded) there came from
Cape-Ann, one Davis, a pretty troublesome spark, with his
* Ttija year, except the centurial part of it, seems to have been left a blank.
16
family. Also one of his wife's brothers, no better than he —
and a little after, another family who was also warned out of
town. Also one Haskell,a sober sort of a man, with his family,
Joljii Sawyer brought here to live.
This fall came Isaac Savage and Mr. Pride, whh their
families — also Mr. White's eldest son, who were sober and
ibrehanded men ; and many persons desiring to settle, and lias
an unspeakable â– ^â– ^** in a new settlement. Now Mr. B ,
!^on and his wife of Piscatawav, proceeding to great Hog
island. *"-â– '
This week we had a town meeting to consider of the petition
often several likely men to be admitted inhabitants, and the
matter was left to the selectmen.
This month I reckoned up the families in town, and found
ihere was 64, such as they were, accounting a man and his
wife a family There are likewise 13 or 14 young men mar-
liigeable, ihat have land in the town and are inhabitants;
and above 33 fighting men.
1727.— Came down here one **^* [something like Morres-
fon] who bought James or John Ballard's place, which Darling
v/as'^*^ who moved away to Black Point. Last month Mr. Saw-
yer and York came here and finished their grist mill, which
svery way answered their expectation. The people, before this,
seat their corn to B.to be ground. A saw mill was also built
upon the same stream. Several of the inhabitants began lo
get logs **'^*^*** and that was the old saw mill that was In-
gersols.
Eight persons, several of them having families, came here
aRd purchased a tract of land near Pond Cove, of Samuel
Jordan *>^^* with an obligation *- of it ** to stand by one
another in peace or war ; and the first thing they did, built a
garrison for the good of the whole ***^'^****^
One Red(hn came here to build a ship here.
One Woodbin\y and Skipper Dolliver purchased a small
tract of land of â– ^**** and were both down here. Woodbury,
a man of great substance, built a handsome house and a barn.
May 3. — The town adinitted 7 persons into the town as
inhabitants, and came into a new method, viz : that every
person admitted from that time, should pay £lO. Mr. Pikr,
Webber, Woodward, Clark and *** built a house and barn ***
Jlugust 9. — A sloop built before my door, was launched to-
day.
15. — The mast ship that loaded here sailed to-d;iy.
17. — The town admitted 23 persons into tiie town, they
paying the £lO.
17
September 18. — The town admitted 5 persons into the town.
Among others, the town thought it their wisdom to admit a
number of gentlemen that stand their friends : viz. Mr. Shove,
Capt. Walton, Mr. Powell and Lewis. Some of them the
town admitted are substantial men — and Capt. Wheelwright.
People constantly flocking down here to petition for lots.
[A memorandum is made in another part of this year's jour-
nal ; but so illegible as not to be fully understood. All 1 can
gather from it is, as I conceive of it,that this was a township a
number of years before, but taken by Waudghsgad, for the
French and Indians — and that " at this time the town book
was either burnt or carried into Canada, which was an
unspeakable loss," producing disputes between the old and
new proprietors. Some of whom had, or required lands
"over and over again."]
1727.
January 2. — I got home to-day, found all things well, tbt
people glad to see me.
3. — I was this evening at a notable supper at Mr. Whal-
tons, with about 19 of the neighbors.
[It seems, then, that large parties are nothing new.]
10. — Separated this day for fasting and prayer. "^
23. — Town meeting to-day. They passed several votes iii
my favor, viz. : To find m« my wood — To clear with me every
6 months — To give me three acres of Land for my Hoi^jse
and Lot — and to clear the 3 acre lot. Yesterday wrote to
Mr. Thacher for my dismission.
29. — (Sunday)— Not a vessel in the harbor, nor one stranger
at meeting : but as many of our own people as ever I saw.
SO. — To-day the people met and cut the timber for my
House, and drew part of it to the spot.
February 1. — Our letters were sent to tlie Churches for
their assistance at the intended ordination.
6. — My father came here in Young Saunders from Boston —
spent the evening with us, and went on board and sailed.
11. — A very cold day indeed, this.
13. — The river froze over this morning — broke away P. M.
29. — Town meeting to-day to settle things about entertain-
ing the ministers, and about building my House.
*So rauch of this Journal as is printed in italics,was on<,nr»\ly written vo
vai€ characters.
2*
18
March 6. — Sei apart this day for fasting and prayer.
8. — This day I was ordained Minister of the Gospel and
Pastor of the Cliurch. Mr. Mosely made the first prayer —
Mr. Wise prayed and gave the right hand of fellowship —
Mr. Newmarsh gave the Charge, and Mr. Rogers closed witk
prayer.
9. — My father came here this morning in an Indian canoe.
16. — Col. Westbrook came here.
21. — Col. Westbrook went to Richmond. About this time
Mr. Riddings came down here with a considerable quantity
of goods in order to build a sloop here.
25. — This week I spent very closely in preparation for the
Sabbath.
[The pages of his Journal for the rest of the year contain
iiothing ; on another sheet at the end of the Journal there
appears to be a continuation of the Journal to the end of the
year, but it contains little or nothing more than an account of
lire arrival and sailing of vessels particularly.]
September 10.— About SO vessels before the door for several
days.
[From other sources I learn that on the 29th October in
this year, there was a great Earthquake,'* upon which a gen-
eral revival of Religion took place — 40 out of 124 were the
fruity of it in the Rev. Mr. Emerson's Church in Portsmouth,
&.C. Sic. JVote. The Rev. Mr. Gookin was then minister of
Hampton, in that State, and Rev. Mr. Rogers of Portsmouth,
successor to Rev. Mr. Moody. (See Boston Recorder of Jan.
13, 1821, and Christian History for 1743, page 134. Of
4.his book more hereafter.) ]
1728.
January 1. — There ivas a great ligTit seen in the N. E,
in the beginning of winter, which they say, certainly predicts
a very cold winter, which proves true as to this.
*By this Earthquake stone walls and the tops of several cbimnies were thrown
down; in some places the doors were unlatched and burst open, and people in
great danger of falling. Its duration is supposed to have been about two inin-
tites, and its course from Northwest to Southeast, and it extended from Kennebec
to the river Delaware, at least 700 miles. On the same day, the Island of Martin-
ico was in danger of being entirely destroyed by an Earthquake, which continued
with very short intervals, eleven hours. Many lives were lost — St. Peters Church
was thrown down-, and beside churches, convents, and other buildings, abote
300 sugar works were ruined.
19
19. — Set out for Boston and arrived February 3.
February 8". — I came away from Boston.
19. — 1 got home, found all things comfortable. Thanks b$
to God. I have rode in ali the journey, SI 9 miles.
26. — Town meeting to day which was spent in reading the
Town Books.
27.— Same.
March 10. — (Sunday) I preached on the sins of the Toivn.
16. — A great many creatures have died this winter by reason
of the deep snow and scarcity of Hay.
25. — My 30 and 10 acre lots, with the ministry's, were laid
out.
26. — Annual Town meetings. The cah ailing party carried
all before them — and got all the officers of their party.
This week the Surveyors have been wholly employed
in laying out 30 acre lots in several parts of the town and es-
pecially over at Purpoodock, where they have laid out all the
land upon the water side, which at first occasioned a great
disturbance — that five old improved places were given to some
furious sparks who alone would take them.
^pril 19. — I sat out for Wells.
22. — Returned home.
29. — Nothing but confusion in town. Tl^f caballing party
broke among themselves.
May 2. — This week and the last, there has been a mighty
stir and unwearied endeavors to overturn the caballing crew
and **^'* are the chief instruments , ivho being disappointed in
what they were seeking after, and more disgusted, leave n»
sfoTie unturned to put a^top to their unjust and mad proceed-
ings, and have forced a town meeting for these ends.
6. — Town meetings. JVo Representatives chosen. Sat out
on a journey to Dunstable and returned June 13.
25 . — Town meeting chiefly to consider the Selectmen's
accounts, and after having wrangled all day broke up in a flame
— as near fighting as possible.
26 — Mr. Thompson was ordained (at Scarborough.)
July 6. — / contracted the most intimate acquaintance with
Mr. Thompson, and spent most of the weekpaet with him.
10. — We hear that the last Thursday's Lecture in Boston,
was turned into a Fast, on account of the drought, and it is
worthy of remark, that the late plentiful rains began that day
— doubtless an answer of prayer.
13. — I sat out on another journey to Dunstable.
August 13. — Returned to Falmouth and found all things
well.
September 11. — I sat out this morning early [for Dunstable
where he arrived the next day.]
12. — I was married this evening [to Sarah Tyng.J
20
14. — I sat out this morning for home, accompanied by Col.
Tyrig, &:c.
£8. — Got home very comfortably. We were met the flay
before at Scarborough, by Mr. Cobb and several of the people,
women especially — Tiad a very noble supper prepared for us.
JVovember I. — Town meeting to day. 100 acres of land
voted to every man. They differed about pew s, and adjourned.
22. — There was a great uproar to-day, about Capt.Larabee,
complaining against Isaac Sawyer, for scandalising of him.
December 2,ij. — There continues a desperate uproar in town
about Capt. Larabee, **^ several neiglibors summoned to
York, on account of his complaint against Sawyer.
[The journals of this year contain accounts of visits ; riding
out ; preaching here and there ; subjects preached ; whether
the meetings were fully attended or not ; state of the weather j
d<;)mestic concerns, he. fee]
1729— 1730— 1731-— 1732.
The journals for these years are missing.
That there may be some supply, the editor thinks it not
amiss to insert the following from the Annals mentioned in the
preface :
1729.
The Natchez, an Indian nation on the Mississippi, formed
a general conspiracy to massacre the French colonists of
Louisana. ^*^ Two hundred Frenchmen were killed. Of
all the people at the Natchez, not more than twenty French,
and five or six negroes escaped. One hundred and fifty chil-
dien, and eighty women, with nearly as many negroes, were
4aoade pii&ouers. But the next year,
1730,
Mr. Parrier, governor of Louisana, went against them with
-a body of French troops, and so terrified them at their ap-
proach, that they shut themselves up in a fort which they had
hmh ; but were soon forced liy the fire from the French
jnortars to make signals for capitulation. They were carried
21
\o Ne\v-Oileans,where they were confined in separate prisons,
and afterwards transported as slaves to St. Domingo. Thus
were the French women and children released ; and that
nation, the most illustrious in Louisana was destroyed.
1731.
Thomas Hollis, the distinguished benefactor of Harvard
College, died this year, at the age of 72 years*.
1732.
On the £2d of February, this year, George Washington
was born in Virginia, at Bridge''s Creek, in the county of
Westmoreland. [He died at Mount Vernon, Dec. 14, 1799.]
1733.
January. [The beginning of this month, Mr. Smith took
a journey to Boston.]
7. — I preached at Greenland. I hope I did some good —
the people seemed mightily afiected.
*The net produce of his donations in 1727, (exclusive of gifts not vendible.)
ansounted to 4,900J. N. E. currency, which placed at interest, at 6 per cent, pro-
duced 294Z. per annum. This sum he appointed to be laid out annually in the
following- manner :
To a Divinity Professor, . . . - - 80Z
To a Professor of the Mathematics, ... 80
To the Treasurer of Colleg-e, - - - - - 20
To ten poor Students in Divinity, . - - - lOO
To supply deficiences, ... - - 14
2MI.
In addition to these generous donations, he gave the college a valuable appa-
ratus for mathematics and philosophical experiments. He also sent a set of
Hebrew and Greek types for printing, the present of a friend of his, valued at
39/. sterling 5 and at different times, augmented the College Library with very
valuable baoks, partly his own gift, and partly by procurement froia friefids.
22
11. — Attended the fast, (at Cape Poipus.) Mr. Cutter gave
great offence by his rank Anninianism.
12. — Rode home alone, found all well through the goodness
of God.
14 (Sunday.) — I was much carried out, and the people
seemed mightily affected.
29. — Some of the ship's men were put in the stocks by
order of Justice Wheeler.
27.— To-day was our town meeting, pretty peaceable ;
Messrs. Wheeler, Pearson, East, Thorndike and Cobb, Se-
lectmen ; Wheeler, Treasurer, and Pearson, Clerk.
?9. — Public Fast. A very full meeting. I was as much
enlarged, and had the most extraordinary assistances that e\cr
(I think) I found. I was longer much, and i^rayed with grea-
ter freedom, distinctness and propriety, than ever I did on a
fast day ; and I here record it to encourage myself to depend
and rely upon God, having been enabled to pray for assistance
more than usual, being out of order, and much concerned
about it.
April 7. — I have not been from home this week. Have
written a great deal. [This he seems to have always done
generally. From a view of his sermon in my possession, and
an account of them among his papers. I imagine that in the
eourse of his life, he wrote and preached not less than SOOO.]
19. — Every body has had bad colds.
May 7. — Town meeting. They unanimously voted me
£160 for my salary.
June 23. — To-day Mr. Wheeler came from Boston and
brought news that the West-India bill about molasses,rose \Qd
in the gallon.
July 18. — Sat out for Boston, arrived 23d.
August 4. — Returned from Boston ; found friends all well.
September 5. — We all rode in the Colonel's new road, to
see the place where the paper mill is to be set, [at Stroud-
water.]
18. — To-day the inhabitants of Purpoodock had a parish
meeting, and voted to build a meeting house, and chose Mr.
Allen to be their minister.
October M. — The sloops all sailed this morning. I suppose
?here was about 30.
J'</'ovemher 9. — Mr. Parker came here, bound to Boston to
be ordained.
December 7. — I make a practice of working some evpry
day.
SO. — I rode to the Truckhouse.
2S
[The pages of bis Journal for this year are occupied with
accounts of the weather and of ministerial and social visits,
more fully than usual, and of planting, sowing and reap-
ing, kc]
1734.
January IS. — (Sunday). Sac. Ccen. about 40 at the com-
munion.
February IS. — We had news from Boston that there is like
to be Peace.
15. — Town meeting about building me a garrison ; East op-
posed and prevented it, but several of the people beat up
volunteers and set about it. There were about 50 hands went
to work on it.
March 11. — All the talk for a great while past is about war
expected ; we have often rumors of war, and sometimes
news that it is peace.
23. — All the week I am hurried about my garrison.
28. — I had about 50 persons assisting in raising my garrison,
and had a magnificent supper for them.
»^pril 17. — ^We are all hushed about the news of peace.
May 12. — I sat out with my wife on a journey, (to Dunsta-
ble.)
June 5. — Got home, found all well, thanks to God.
June 25. — Had the gates of my garrison hung.
July 28. — We were much alarmed to day by news about
the Indians appearing in a great body* There was a watch
this night.
29. — To day we had a scout of men Avent out to see if they
could make any discovery of Indians. There certainly is a
number of Canada Indians somewhere on the back of us.
August 3. — The coasters have entered into bonds not to
carry any more wood to Boston for a month.
10. — There were four of the Cape Indians drowned to day
going to N. Yarmouth.
September 5. — Mr. Waldo came to town.
16. — I sat out with Mr. Wheeler on a journey to Boston.
19. — (At York), I was to see the Indian woman that mur-
dered Trott's child.
25. — Sailed from Boston.
27. — Got home, found all well, thanks to God.
October 6. — (Sunday) Sac. Ccen. 70 communicants.
16. — Messrs. Jeffreys and Cutter came here. We kept a
public fast to prajr for the effusion of the Holy Spirit on the
youth.
24
20. — (Sunday.) Not a very full meeting, but a ^reat many
young people. Tliey pre iclied to them.
JVovembtr 6. — My father came here.
8.— I rode with my father to see the colonial great dam.
10. — Mr. Aden was instated. 1 was there. Mr. Willard
preached, Mr. Thompson gave the charge, and Mr. Jefferds
the right hand of fellowship.
Septemhej' 31 . — Destina P. M. Deum Landi re.
[Excepting his illness at sundry tnnes, Mr. 5?mith seems to
have enjoyed himself much with I'.is friends this year, and to
have attended many sick persons in his ministerial capacity.]
1735.
January. — [This month contains an account of a journey to
Dunstable, from 5th to 16th. The other part of the Journal
is similar to what is repeatedly recorded.]
February 4. — I sat out with my father on a journey to
Boston.
June. 19. — (At York), prayed with the Court. The Indian
was brought to trial.
21. — Got well home, found all very well, thanks to God.-
I never experienced more of the goodness of God than in this
journey. Met with no difficulty, no disappointment — but with
great civility and kindness in every place.
July 1. — There is an abundance of strawberries in my
swamp,
14. — I sat out on a journey, (returned the 18th.)
22. — Ministers meeting at Scarborough.
SO. — All hands set out in Mr. Wheeler's boat for Bruns-
wick.
August. — [A full pase, and very finely written, but it con-
tains nothing particularly interesting : there was however a
council at N. Yarmouth, respecting Mr. Gutter.]
September 16. — I rode round by the Falls, to see the dis-
tressed families who lost their relatives a board Boardn)an.
October 13. — I sat out on a journey to 3oston,( returned 25,)
SI. — We had a Fast (as there has been almost every year)
en account of thesickness which broke out at Kingston,'^iN.H.
* This was an epit'emic disease, which otjtained the name of the tliroat dis-
temper, whicli nade its appearance in May and spread gradnaUy throtig-h that
township during- the summer. Of the first faity who had the disease, rone re-
covered. In Aug^ust it began to malie its aj>peara.icr at Kxeter ; and in Fer.tera-
l»er in Boston. It conti lucd its ravages through thn succeeding' v i'lter and
^ring} and did not disappear until the end of the next summer. In the prp-
25
and which is got as far as Cape Porpoise, and carries off a
great many children and young persons and alarms the whole
country.
JVovejnber 6. — I first heard of Brunswick Fort being burnt.
9. — (Sunday,) Tv/enty vessels, chiefly sloops, sailed this
morning.
December 12. — To day Mr. Cutter was finally dismissed at
a town meeting.
[Tho Journals from 1733,- inclusively, take up two full
octavo pages to each month. They shew the industry of the
>vriter, not only in the making of tise Records, but in tlie
daily employments which are, in a very considerable degree,
the subjects of them.
The following Journal has no date, of the year, to it, but
some circumstances induce me to suppose it was made in the
year 1736, Each month, like the three last, takes up two
pages.]
1736.
January — [I see nothing in this month that needs to be
recited.]
February. — [I may say the same of this.]
March 12. — Parish meeting, they raised my salary 30Z. so
that it is now 230/. I did not expect so much or hear that
they designed it.
April. — [I do not think it needful to notice any thing in
this month.]
May. — [Nor in this, unless it be the following.]
£9. — T went over to Mr. Allen — met the ministers on the
affair of the Irish. They came over with me to dinner.
June. — [Nor in this, any thing.]
July, — [There is here nothing remarkable.]
August 14. — I sat out with Deacon Beautineau for Boston.
[He arrived there the 24th.]
vince of New Hampshire, not less than one thousand persons, of whom nine
hundred were under twenty years of a^e, fell victims to this malignant distem-
per. In Boston, four thousand persons had the same disease ; and one hundred
and fourteen died In Haverhill, Mass., there died of the same disease from
Nov. 17, 1735 to Oct. 6, 1737, one hundred and ninety-nine persons. The num-
ber of inhabitants of Boston was estimated at sixteen thousand. This disease
gradually spread westward, and was two years in reaching the river Hudson,
about two hundred miles in a straight line from Kingston. It continued its
progress, with some interruption uptil it spread over all the colonies.
3
26
September 1. — Came away from Boston, had a fine passage
of 17 hours.
9. — We were exceedingly alarmed with news of the In-
dians attacking Saco, and the guns being frequently heard.
11. — The front of my garrison was done up.
13. — We have a great deal of thought and talk about war.
20. — The measles has been in town for several months.
October 22. — I am much discouraged, I feel so feeble and
broken.
30. — I hnve reason to think I have the distemper going
about, viz. the slow fever and sore throat, and tl)at I took it of
Daniel Kent who died lately.
JVovember 15. — Mr. Maclenathem installed. I had a clash
with him.
17. — Many persons are taken down, as I was, with a sore
throat and pain in the head and other bad symptoms, but soon
over.
December. — [Nothing remarkable.]
[Mr. Smith frequently mentions having persons to dine
with him, especially on sabbath days, from which I conclude
he was very hospitable.]
1737.
January 3. — There is no wood, little corn, sad complaints
every where.
4. — Now there is corn there is no grinding, people know
not what to do.
9 — The distemper is broke out afresh, and proves mortal
at York and Wells. [It appears from the mention of a child's
death, to have been the throat distemper.]
11. — The distemper is in several places in the parish. Neal
lost three children.
19. — Mr. Waite came in from Boston in about eleven
hours.
February II. — Brunswick and Pemaquid Forts (which
were dismantled this session) are continued till May session.
19. — I was at prayer with a number of the Parish who met
about a new Meeting House.
March 5. — It is a melancholy time in regard to the scarcity
of corn, some have had none for several weeks.
12. — The distemper which seemed to be gone has broke
out again in several houses.
23.— Sailed for Boston. 30th All the talk in Boston is
about the mob that pulled down the Market.
»Spnl 8. — Got home after a pleasant passage.
27
21. — All the talk is, no corn, no hay, and there is not a
peck of potatoes to eat in all the eastern country.
Maij 1. — The distemper is now bad at North yarinoutl).
In aUTs liave died of it in the whole town ; 49 here and 26 in
Piupoodock.
S. — Mr. Goodwin came in with SOO bushels of corn. So
that there is great rejoicing in town. Thanks to God.
June 4. — Corn is 105. a bushel in Boston, hardly any to be
got-
20 . — Sat out for Boston.
July ?. — Was at Commencement.
15. — Got home.
Jlug. 5. — Ministers meeting here.
Sept. 17. — The distemper is beginning at Black Point, £ or
3 children have died of it.
October 13. — The distemper is still bad at Scarborough.
Not one has lived tiiat has had it of late.
14. — They attenipted to launch the mast ship, but she
stuck.
jVovemher 13. — There has been a distressing time in Boston
for want of bread, but the night before Thanksgiving, 1500
barrels of flour was brought in, wliich reduced the price from
655. to 555. a hundred,
26. — Three children have died this week of the distemper
in the town, and the pleurisy fever prevails and has pioved
mortal to several at N. Yarmouth.
December 1. — We have melancholy accounts of the sickness
at N. Yarmouth.
2.. — The distemper is now bad at Purpoodock, one Mour-
ton has buried S out of 4.
9. — All that had the pleuretic fever have died of it, save
one.
22. — There was a meeting of the Parish who voted to mc
200', for my last year's salary.
Through the goodness of God, I and mine are brought to
the close of another year.
[Though Mr Smith had been very frequently out of health,
he here makes reflections on various mercies he had been
favored with.]
NOTE. "A heavy shock of an earthquake was felt in New Jersey this year. It
eavised doors to fly open, find bricks to fall from the chiranies ; and excited great
consternation ; yet did but little aclual injury."
28
1738.
January S. — Stroudwater Bridge fell down.
February 16. — I sat out on my journey to Boston, (arrived
53d) 25th left Boston.
March 4. — Returned to Falmouth by water.
,^pril IS.-Public Fast. I had extraordinary assistance ;
was an hour and a half in prayer, a. m. and above an hour,]^. m.
17. — I was at the funeral of Mr. Townsend who died yester-
day.
June 8. — I went away this evening in Mr. "West for Boston.
10. — Got to Boston abotit one.
2S.— -Came avvay in Stickney.
24.— Got to Cape Ann.
£5.— Got home.
27.— -The canker dissemper is broke out in Milton, Wo-
burn and Cape Ann and is at N. Yarmouth.
August 10.— -The town and country is^now in an alarm by
news that Cox brought from the eastward. We keep a
watch every night on the neck.
16..— I was in the Evening at prayer with one Dyer and her
child who have the throat dlsterr.per, which prevails and
proves universally mortal at the Falls.
18.-— Col. Pepperil with the ofikers of the Militia and
troo|)s came dov.n here by order of the Governor to enquire
into the preparedness for v/ar.
SO.— At Mr. Powell's, (N. Yarmouth.)
Septcn.her 1.— -I paddled myself to N. Casco, dined at Mr.
Noice's and visited several families there.
U,— I set sail for Boston. 13.— Set sail for Falmouth.
14.— Got home. I was 22 hours going. 29 hours tliere.
£2 coining home.
19.— There was a council to day about Mr. Prentiss' leav-
ing his people.
22.— Five of Mr. Allen's family have died (within a week)
of the throat distemper.
October 14.— My wife was delivered of a son to day.
15.— (Sunday) We baptized our fhild, John.
.November 4.— The throat distemper is still exceeding bad
at Saco.
22.— The church suspended Mrs. *** (on account of hei
drunkenness.
[Though but few extracts are made from Mr. Smith's Jour-
nal this year, it should be noticed that his time seems to have
been fully employed, as in-former years.]
29
1739.
[A. part of the Journal for this year appears to be missing,
vfe. the three first and the last month ; I say " this year" as
it is covered with the outsides of the Ahnanac for this year,
but there is no date to the Journal.]
JjpiiL— [From the 1st to the 10th is an account of a jour-
ney to York, where he prayed with the Court at which he had
some business. The other part of the Journal, though very
full, js not interesting.]
Mai/ 18.— We had a public fast to pray for the success of
the Gospel. [Several ministers present— Mr. Willard preach-
ed.
[The journal for the rest of the month gives an account of
a Journey to Dunstable.]
June. — [This month is occupied with an account of a trip
to Boston, and journey to Dunstable, of Mr. Smith, his wife
and child.]
Juli/ 13. — The governor and several gentlemen came here
in a man-of-war from Kennebec.
20. — This morning a sloop came from Boston with the
eoLinsellors, representatives and other gentlemen ; and gentle-
ii-jn from all parts of the country'
£5. — To-day came here a great many of the chiefs of thfi'
tribes. They made a great show.
26. — The Indians appearing with French colors ; the
governor would not see them to-day. The governor dined at
Mr. Wheeler's, and about 40 gentlemen, mostly young meU;
dined at my house.
27. — There is nothing more remarkable this week than that
the governor and gentlemen are on the hill almost every day,
v/here there was a spacious great tent, with seats and benches,
and v/here they met the Indians.
28 — The Governor did not meet the Indians to-day, he
being with all the other gentlemen up to Col. Westbrook's, at
a dinner.
29. — There was a public dinner on the hill, where the Eng-
lish and. about 200 Indians dined. P.M. Delivering presents
to the Indians.
SO. — The governor set out for Saco by four in the morning
and the gentlemen v>ent on board the vessels.
31. — The Governor lodged at my father's truck-house, [%
Saco,] this night.
August 2, — The vessels all sailed to-day. They have left
us quite bare, and nothing of the covmtry's produce, left, oniy
S bushels of corn and some small things. They allowed £'i2
hi- our house.
3*
30
£4J — We had a public fast, to pray for tlie success of the
gospel ; many of the people attended — Ministers, Jeffries,
Thompson, Cutter, Moody and Prentice.
Septtviher 6. — I visited all the people at Spirwink, except-
ing one Simonton, and a few on the Cape.
21. — There was a meetipg of the New Proprietors to day,
at which they could not do any thing by reason of Mr. Mount-
fort and some others not being allowed Proprietors.
£2. — They finished the meeting to day, entirely to the
satisfaction of every body. The New Proprietors took in the
old ones by vote, (and others,) all signed Articles of Agree-
ment. This was the happiest meeting Falmouth ever had.
Thanks to God.
£4. — There are 12 coasting sloops, besides some schooners
that all lie close before the door.
25. — I reckon I have in a short space of time past, visited
all the people except at Stroudwater and a few at the N. E.
part of the town.
October 18. — This day sat out for Boston. [The rest of
the month is taken up with an account of his journey out,
there, and home.]
JVovember 9. — To day the committee are selling 600/.
worth of land. They sold 1000 acres.
30. — Yesterday Mr. Moody was ordained.
[Mr. Smith in his Sabbath days Journals, generally men-
tions Avhether the meetings are full or thin, and very often
that strangers were present, how he was affected, and when
he was afterwards " tired," and this was not unfrequent.]
1740.
January 16.— Every body expects in the spring a French,
as there is now a Spanish War.
21. — I have not been abroad a week-day for this eleven
weeks, yet I have constanily gone out on Sabbath days.
25. — We have had a close week with our children, all hav-
ing the quincy as well as others of us. It seems to be going
through the country.
February 4 — A soldier was froze to death.
£2. — I have been very ill and full of pain with a bad cough.
March. — [frothing material is recorded this month.]
^pril 21. — Orders are come to Boston for 5000 soldiers to
go to join the English forces in the West Indies, and are
thought to try for the Havana.
SO. — I rode to Stroudwater to talk with Mr. Slemmons,
t^ho is offended with my sermon to the Irish. Mr. Frost also
ol
made known that he is ofFended with me for some passage in
a sermon which he thought reflected on his taking Haskell's
house, Sic.
May 28. — Sailed in Capt. Fox's brig for Boston.
June 10. — Got home.
28. — There is strong expectation of war ; 2 French squad-
rons with one Spanish one having sailed, as it is thought for
the West Indies, and the Indians are surly and threaten a
war.
30. — t heard yesterday that Mr. President HoUyoke buri-
ed his wife and two children with the throat distemper.
July 3. — About this time we had a terrible alarm made by
Ares, Goriiamtown.
17. — We had a Parish meeting about receiving the new
meeting house. I was at prayer. A sad opposition there
was, but yet, by a majority, voted.
20. — We first met in the new meeting house an exceeding
full assembly.
24. — I had three sheep killed by a wolf. There were seven
©thers killed.
28. — A watch has been kept on the Neck, ever since Ares'
news.
30. — The church kept a day of Fasting and Prayer on ac-
count of the spread of Quakerism. Mr. Jeffrey and myself
prayed, A. M. Mr. Thompson preached. Mr. Allen and Mr.
Lord prayed and Mr. Willard preached, P. M.
31. — Our pews were appropriated.
Jiugust 3. — (Sunday,) An exceeding full congregation and
communion and yet I reckoned more than 60 heads of fami-
lies that were absent, and many of their whole families with
them.
10. — fSundayJ A full meeting. Mr. Crocker preached for
i9ie. Capt. Jones and Mr. Wilson have not been to meeling
in our new house, and there is an unhappy uneasiness about it.
September 29. — I sat out for York.
October 4. — Got home,
5. ('Sundav,^ I preached extempore, A, M. about Mr.
Whitfield.
JVovember 14. My wife was delivered of a daughter.
16. — fSunday,^ We baptized our daughter by the name of
Sarah.
December 3. There has been a great freshet that has done
a great deal of damage.
21.— I rode to Saco, lodged with my father at Smith's, who
was forced out of his own lodgings by vast quantities of ice
which jambed and raised the water 18 inches higher than hex
bedstapd.
i2
[I njight have mentioned before, that Mr. Smith used to
keep a particular account of th.e presents made him. These
appear to have been very numerous and shew the regard his
people had for him. Indeed the connexion with them seems
to have been a haj)py one on both sides.]
1741
January 2. — I walked over the ice from Capt. Moody's
beach, straight to Mr Cushing's to get corn.
3, — Our Mr. Stephen Jones, (we hear) is on shore at Cape
Cod with 1400 bushels of corn.
7. — I rode with Master Hodge to North Yarmouth ; we rode
round the Cove and turned down to Mr. Norris' across Pre-
sumpscot River, and lode from thence all the way on the iee
which was exceeding hard and secure. We were not three
<|uarters of an hour from Mr. Norris' to Mr. Loring's door.
10. — There has been for some time a melancholy scarcity
of corn.
11. — ("SundayJ I rode over the river and changed with
Mr. Allen.
14. — Melancholy tidings we have of vessels lost in the
storm last month.
15. — Twenty nine vessels tame out of Holmes' Hole chief-
ly laden with provisions. We hear 17 of them were lost the
next day.
FThere is a want of further Journal this year, until the
month of May, and after that month, to the end of the year.]
May S. — We hear there is a famine in Ireland and an uni-
versal scarcity.
4. — Pretty many families on the Penobscot live wholly on
the clam banks.
9. — The fish have but now struck in, a great relief to peo-
ple almost perishing.
14. — Mr Jones came in with 900 bushels of corn.
15, — Mr. Jones sells his corn at 15s. a bushel. It is 14s. in
Boston. People groan terribly at the price.
16. — A most melancholy time. God remember us in mer-
cy and be better to us than our fears.
33
1742.
January 2. — I got home frora a journey to Piscataqua,
•where I have been to observe and affect myself with the great
work of God's grace.
£9. — I rode with my wife and preached a Lecture at Mr.
Frost's, where the work broke out.
31. — The blessedest Sabbath Falmouth ever saw.
February 19. — My Father died last night.
March 12. — I sat out with my brother on a journey to Bos-
ton.
Aprils. — Returned from Boston.
9. — Had ten persons to see me about joining with the
church.
May 19. — We had a town meeting to see if the people
would receive the £1600 the General Court voted us. By
reason of opposition from Purpoodock, nothing was done.
£6. — I rode this morning to Black Point, and with Mr. Al-
len, carried on a Fast, which was to pray for the revival of the
great work.
27. — The people voted to day to receive the money. [It is
"not said what the money was voted for.]
June 14. — I sat out on a journey to Boston with my brother.
17.— Got to Bost(Mi.
July 10. — Got home.
12. — People have been much dissatisfied with my leaving
them so long. Mr. Bewal, by illness, disappointed me.
August — [The page of his Journal for this month is a blank,
A very singular neglect !]
31. — I rode to Gurham Town and preached, and had great
assistance.
September. — [A full page again, giving, until the 14th, an
account of a trip to Boston.]
October 1. — My dear wife died between 2 and 3 P. M. —
[Some account of her death and character, and of Mr. Smith's
meditations on the afflictive event, here follow.]
t 3. — (Sunday.) Mr. Allen preached here, and after service
we attended the funeral of my wife.
JVovc7nber 2. — Beef is now sold in this town at 9d per pound,
and other provisions extravagantly dear.
Beceviiber 28. — I preached to young people in the old Meet-
ing House.
[The Journal for this year is less filled than any of the pre-
seeding years, but it contains the record of events that were
interesting to Mr. Sjnith. The death of a sister, father, wife
sod cliild.]
34
1743.
January 23.— (Sunday.) I have been in a poor distracted
frame, this and the three preceeding Sabbaths ; lost all cour-
age and ready to give up.
February 1. — I sat out on a journey for Boston.
19. — Got home.
March 15. — Parish meeting ; they raised my salary to
£265.
29. — I sat out on a journey to Piscataqua.
[He seems at this time, to have been looking out for anoth-
er wife.]
April 13.— Got home.
18. — It pleased God to enable me to such a behavior at the
Bank* as that I had extraordinary acceptance, and met with a
great deal of acceptance and respect.
May 23.— I sat out for Boston with Mr. Crocker
26. — Got to Boston. There was a sad division in the Con-
vention of Ministers at Boston. Dr. Chauncey and others ia
opposiLion to the late work of God in the land. They obtain-
ed a vote against the disorders, &-c. thereby expressly own-
ing the work, which puts the Ministers on the other side into
a great ferment ; the people throua;h the country are also uni-
versally divided, and in the most unhappy temper. The oppo-
sition is exceeding virulent and mad.
June 3. — I came from Boston to the Islands.
4. — Came to sail.
5. — (Sunday.) Got liome to meeting, as they began sing-
ing. A. M. Mr. Hodge preached.
14, — Mr. Waldo come to town with an Execution against
Col. Westbrook, for £10500 and charges,
15. — I catechised the children on the Neck, about 70.
22. — I rode with my sister to a Minister's meeting at Scar-
borough ; had a Lecture. We met to declare lOur sense of the
late religious appearances.
July l.-^Days of Fasting are kept in one place and another,
on account of the worms.
4. — I sat out for Boston in company with Deacon Mitchell.
6. — Got to Boston.
7. — Went to see Mrs, Pierce, A. M. but did not stay, being
obliged to attend a Convention of Ministers to bear testimony
to the late glorious work of" God in the land which is opposed
by so many ; there were 90 ministers present, and with this
* The town of Poitsmouth or riscalaiun was then called " the Bank."
s&
Imppy concurrence, 30 ministers sent their testimony. The
whole number of ministers and attesters, is ill.*
15. — Got home (from Boston.)
£2. — Many strange Quakers in town.
Sepiemher 1 9. — Expectation of a French war. Her Majes-
ty having got a victory over the French, and sent and de-
manded the demolition of Dunkirk.
October 4. — The Court this year is kept at Purpoodock, on
pretence of no tavern this side
13.— Public Thanksgiving on account of the victory given
Her Majesty on the Maine. "With 1800, she fought the French
with 2800, which gives a surprising turn to the affairs of Eu-
rope.
14. — Yesterday the whole country was put into a great
fright, by Mr. Milliken bringing an express to Capt. Sherter.
[*Tliere are now in the Portland Library, two volumes, entitled " Christian
History, containing accounts of the revival and propagation of Religion in Great
Britain and Annerica." They were formed by a set of weekly papers published
under that title in the years 1713 and 1744. (The first number being published
March 12, 1743 and the last February £3, 1744— 5.) In that of July 16, 1743 is
an account of the calling together by an advertisement in the Boston Gazette,
'' the Jlinisters of that town and such other brethren in the country as were per-
suaded that there had been a happy revival of religion io n)any parts of the
land, through an extraordinary divine influence, td consider whether they were
not cnlled upon to give an open conjunct ttstimor.y of an event so surprising-,
cracious, &c. in an interview at Boston the day after the then approachin" com-
raencement, and that those v.'ho could not be present Vvould send their attesta-
tions in writing."
Agreeably thereto, ninety Ministers met at Boston on the 7th of July, and ap-
pointed Doct. Colman, 3/o<?er«tor; Doct. Sewal, Assistant, and Messrs. Prince
and Hobby, Scnbes. The result of this assembly, which " after inquiries, dicla-
Jions, discourses and debates" they agreed upon, was denominated their "• Tes-
timony and Adzice 5" this it was agreed should be published, and it is, together
witLthe ^^ Attestations''^ contained in the Letters of 28 (and afterwards increas-
ed to 43) absent ministers, inserted in the first of the two volumes abovemen-
tioned, from page 155 to 200.
This is the Assembly or " Convention of Ministers" which Mr. Smith in his
Journal says he^was obliged to attend. It may be here noted, that the follow-
ing Ministers sent their joint " Attestation" to the Convention by Mr. Smith.,
and it is recorded with the others, viz :
Pcev. Benjamin Allen, Pastor of the 2d Church in Falmouth.
Rev. William Thompson, Pastor of the Church in Scarborough.
Rev. Samuel Jefferds, Pastor of the Church in Wells.
Rev. John Hovey, Pastor of the Church in Arundel.
Rev. Nicholas Loring, Pastor of the Church in \orth-Yarmo«th.
Rev. Moses Henill, Pastor of the Church in BidJeford.
36
Her Majesty we hear is nov.' in Germany v^hh 170C0 tine
troops and expects to be joined with Prince Charles ofLor-
ram, with 6000 more.
J^'ovember 1.— Mr. Jones is languishiRg and just gone. At
the desire of him and his friends I sat out on a journey to
Portsmoiuh, to bring down Doct. Rogers.
4.---CaHie away with Doct. llogers.
7.— Got liome.
8.— I was at the Funeral of Mr. Jone?, who died on Satur-
day night (the 5th.)
December 14.— Mr. Wight was ordained.
15.— Thi; General Courts Committee are here fixing the
places for Block-houses, from Maiblehead to Berwick six ;
three further east.
£0 —Sat out on a journey to Boston.
26.— Got to Boston. First saw a Comet, though it has
been seen near three weeks.
1744.
[The Journals now begin to be written on paper of a larger
size, viz : 8vo. Post.]
March 1.— I was married this evening [to Mrs. Jordan.]
10.— This day I am' 42 years old. I took a religious notice
of it. I have rode in 13 months past, more than 3000 miles.
I have been to Boston 4 times.
»^pn7. — [Nothing material.]
Maij 19.— We have had a Packet from government; certain
advi ce of a war with France
£0.— (Sunday.) People are at work at North-Yarmouth
and this town about their garrisons to day. Not a very full
meeting ; many fearing to come*
23 -—Samuel Waldo, jr chosen our Representative.
25.— All the talk and thoughts now is about war. People
are every where garrisoning. We hear Canso is taken.
Jwnc 3— -(Sunday.) Not a full meeting, people fearing to
come. This morning there was a great Earthquake.
14.— The Soldiers came down here. The Province have
raised 500, 300 of them for the eastern country.
20. —Sat out for York.
23—- Got home.
28.— There was a public Fast on account of the War and
the Earthquake.
29.— A new recruit of Soldiers came down here, the Prov-
ince having raised 500 more, 300 for this eastern country, an(j
37
e& of them are posted in this town and two of them in my gani-
son.
July 9. — I catechised the children on the Neck ; about 80.
12. — Several gentlemen from the Court with others, with
the Mohawks are now down at Georges, treating with the
Penobscot Indians about being at peace with us, and about 20
Saco Indians are at Boston pretending to live among us.
26. — We hear the Penobsoot Indians have agreed to be at
peace.
August 1. — Mr. Waldo came here with a Colonel's com-
mission. 160 soldiers in this country are dismissed upon the
late treaty with the Indians.
28. — Gunning after pidgeons, which increase in plenty.
I brought home ten dozen in my chaise.
September. — [Rather a thin page in the journal of this
month, and nothing of any consequence.]
October I. — This day I separated myself in some poor
manner for the exercise of humiliation, with respect to the
soie provideuce that happened on it a year ago ; and,herewith,
thanksgiving for so happy a resettlement, and supplication for
the blessing of God.
12. — Two soldiers, very drunk, were drowned.
SO — .1 rode to Justice Frost, designing to go to York, to see
Mr. Whitfield, (who came there a few days ago) but heard he
was dangerously ill, so returned.
31. — Mr. Pearson this mornmg came to see me, to oppose
Mr. Whitfield's coming here.
The parisii are like to be in a flame on account of Mr.
Whitfield's coming, the leading men violently opposing.
My brother returned from England to York with Mr.
Whitfield.
JVbveinber 2. — I am much about with the people to quiet
them with respect to Mr. Whitfield.
7. — Mr. El wins was ordained at Dunston.
9. — Had a church meeting, and chose Dr. Moody and Mr.
Cotton, Deacons.
14. — The soldiers are all dismissed except a travelling com-
pany under Capt. Jordan, with whom are enlisted three Sa-
co Indians, and their families are settled at Stroudwater, and
provided for by order of government.
14." Col. Pepperil and others aregone as Commissioners to
demand of the Indians their sending the quota of men to join
us against the St. Johns' Indians, (with whom we are now at
war) agreeable to their agreement in the treaty with governor
Dummer, and in case of their non-compliance, after 40 days,
to assure them that the government will proclaim war with
them.
4
38
The throat distemper has broke out again in Kingston,
Exeter ai\d Stralham, and pioves very mortal.
December 26. — Deacon Mitchell, of North-Yarmouth, died
about this time. It has been a sickly and dying time there,
with the slow fever.
[Mr Smith se^is to have enjoyed better health this year
than for two or three years past.]
1746.
January 13. — An express is gone to Boston with the In-
dians' answer : viz. That their young men won't comply with
the proposal of taking up arms against the St. Johns' Indians.
24 — Great and prevailing clamors every where against
Mr. Whitfield.
February 13. — Ministers meeting relating to Mr. "Whitfield.
Present Messrs. Thompson, Jefferds, Hovey, M Morril and
myself ; had much of uneasiness. [See ,^Note Page 35] July
7, 1743.
22. — All the talk is about the expedition to Louisburg. —
There is a marvellous zeal and concurrence through the whole
country with respect to it. Such as the like was never seen
in this part of the world.
28. — Annual Fast, which was earlier in the year than usu-
al, on account of the expedition to Louisburg.
March 10. — I rode to New Marblehead, [now Windham,]
to change with Mr. White.
19. — We hear that Mr. Whitfield who was to day at Bidde-
ford, has got to Dunston.
20. — Mr. Whitfield having preached at Dunston yesterday,
and to day went back to Biddeford, but Mr. Loring and Mr.
Allen sent letters with messengers, which brought him back.
21. — Mr. Whitfield preached, A. M. at Biddeford, and re-
turned to Scarborough and preached P. M. for Mr. Thomp-
son.
22. — Mr. Whitfield preached, A. M. for Thompson, and
P ' M. for Mr. Allen. I was over at Presumpscot ; Messrs.
Whitfield, Wise, and Rogers lodged at my house.
23. — Mr. Whitfield preached in my pulpit, A.M. Multi-
tudes flocking from Purpooduck and elsewhere.
24. — (Sunday,) Mr. Wise preached to my people. Mr.
Whitfield preached at North Yarmouth all day.
25. — We came home with 18 persons who dined with me
Mr. Whitfield preached here P. M. to a great congregation.
All opposers at meeting but the two Noices.
39
26.— I heard Mr. Whitfield, A. M. at Mr. Aliens, and P.
M. at Mr. Thompsons.
I have been in great concern about Mr. Whitfield's coming
among us, there having been such a violent opposition to him
among all our leading men except Mr. Frost, and such un-
wearied pains taken to prejudice the people against him, so
that I feared nothing but such a quarrel as would be fual to
me, but now he is come — stand still and see the Providence
of God.
The wonderful providence of God is to be observed witb
respect to Mr. Whitfield, that 3iessrs. Loving and Thompson
should come just as they did, and that Mr. Whitfield should
come JHst as he did, when Messrs. Pearson, Wait, Wheeler,
Moody, Freeman and others were all gone out of town, so
that there was no uneasiness, but all well, and a general re-
ception — Thanks to God.
^^pi'il 2. — Mr. Waite returned, so that the parish is in a
buzz about Mr. Whitfield.
11. — Mr. Longfellow came to live here.
17. — He begaH to keep school.
27. — I have hardly been out of doors this week, being ill.
May 17. — [Sac Led) Mr. Fox was chosen Representative,
there was much disorder at the meeting.
19. — (Sunday,) For several Sabbaths and the lecture, I
have been all in a blaze ; never in such a flame, and what I
would attend to is that it was not only involuntary, but actu-
ally determined against — I went to meeting resolving to be
calm and moderate, lest people should think that it was wild-
ness, and affectation to ape 3Ir. Whitfield, but God (I see)
makes what use of me he pleases, and I am only a machine in
his hand. Tibi Jesu.
27. I set out with my wife in our chaise for Boston.
June 22. — Got home. [While Mr. Smith was at Boston
he heard Mr. Whitfield twice.]
26. — People 'are uneasy on account of the Indians ; they
having been discovered in several places.
2S. — Constant expectation of the Indians doing mischief.
July 8. — We had news to day that Cape Breton was taken
the 27th of last month.* There is great rejoicing through the
country. We fired our cannon five times, and spent the after-
noon at the Fort rejoicing.
7. — (Sunday) Our people on the neck were again all day
rejoicing, and extravagantly blew off a vast quantity of pow-
der.
* The expedition to Cape Breton was one of the most remarkable events n
the history of North America. It vas hazarde us ri. the attemj t,but successful
>a the exeeutiun.
40
18. — Public Thanksgiving on account of the successes at
Cape Breton.
19. — We had an alarm to day on account of an express
from Capt. Bradbury, that advised of the Indians breaking
out and killing a man and 40 cattle, and burning a garrison
and saw mill. This is the first mischief in this eastern coun-
try, though two men have been killed at the westward this
summer.
20. — For a fortnight past we have been exceedingly trou-
bled with musquetoes. They would not suffer us to sleep.
£2. — Alarms continually on account of the Indians.
SO. — A man was killed at Topsham, and a boy scalped.
Aagtisi 1. — One Capt. Bean has a company that scouts
from Saco to Presumpscot, and one Capt. Mocbun has anoth-
er that scouts from Presumpscot to Brunswick, besides there
are other companies that scout all along the frontier.
5. — Indians were discovered at Gorhamtown.
15. — Her Majesty is this summer over at Hanover. The
French drive all before them in Flanders, having retaken the
most if not all the places, the Duke of Marlborough died last
year, but then the war is all in our favor by sea. We having
taken, besides other rich prizes, seven East-Indiamen and
three South Sea men.
2,3. — War with the Indians was proclaimed at Boston.
The Indians killed a man and horse, at Red Meadows.
September 6. — We have news of there being two Indians
killed and one taken at Georges. (Mem. The captive is
Col. Job ; the killed. Col. Morris and Col. Sam. The ex-
ploit was done by 19 of the inhabitants, under one Lieut.
Proctor.)
8. — (Sunday,) An alarm at North Yarmouth stopped ihe
people. There was an Indian fired at, at Long Creek.
15. — (Sunday,) Col. Cushing's son was shot.
16. — We live very quiet on account of the Indians.
19. — Public Fast on account of the Indian War.
People seem wonderfully spirited to go o'.it after the In-
dians. Four companies in this town and many more in other
towns are fitting for it; the government offer 400 pounds for
tlie scalp of a man to those who go out at their own expense,
and 310 pounds to those who have provision from the Pro-
vince.
SO.— No Indian news since ihe 8th of this month.
October Q. — We have not heard of an Indian being any
where upon this Eastern frontier for near a month, and there
is reason to thmk that immediately upon their breaking out,
they went away to Canada. [The reasons are here given.]
41
3. — We have news that 13 Indians appeared at Sheepscet
last week, viz. Monday, and killed two men, and wounded a
third, as they were gathering corn. We hear too, that five In-
dians were seen a day after at Cathans, so that I suppose they
are now returned from Canada.
13. — 'Tis generally a very sickly, dying time through the
country, with the usual nervous or slow fever.
We have tidings daily of our people dying at Cape Breton,
and of many coming home and dying after arrival.
15. — Capt. Stephen Jones sailed with a company in quest
of Penobscot Indians.
20. — (Sunday,) [Mr. Smith here appears to have been dis-
couraged, and to fear that his usefulness was over. He ob-
serves that in his last prayer he said, a dead minister and a
dead 'people, and prayed that God would set a man over the
congregation that would do the people service. But in mak-
ing the record of these expressions, he appears to have blam-
ed himself for using them ; he however added to his prayer,
that while he continued he might be faithful. I would ob-
serve here that in the course of Mr. Smith's Journal it appears
he had some differences \tith two or three of his parish, in
noting which, he expressed a concern lest he had given occa-
sion for them, by something he said ; although he was not
sensible of his having either said or done any thing thnt af-
forded a just cause for them. They were however of short
continuance, for in every instance they were happily compo-
sed. This I mention to shew his regard to harmony and
peace, as well as the conscious temper of his mind in the above
instance.]
JVbyemter 1. — Capt. Jones returned, having seen no In-
dians.
17. — (Sunday,) Pretty full meeting ; had great assistances,
P. M.
23. — About this time Lieut, Jordan's wife perished in the
sea, with two more women and three men froai a sloop bound
to Boston.
28.— T-Mr. Leavit was ordained at Salem about this time,
with vast disturbance.
December 1. — We have news of the Indians (to the number
of 900) destroying a Dutch village near Albany, oT SO fami-
lies.
19. — Several children have died of the quincy and throat
distemper.
4*
42
1746.
January 11. — Mr. White came home and brought sad
news. The success of the rebels, having taken Edinburg,
and made a bloody sacrifice of all the people within 30 miles,
and being 13,000 strong, Sic.
22. — We hear that the sickness at Louisburg increases
much ; and that Capt. Cutter is dead.
28. — Read all the newspapers, which confirm the sad ac-
counts of the rebellion in Scotland.
February 12. — There is a scout of 200 men from tho
ivestern towns, under one Stephens, who are to penetrate the
frontiers of Canada.
18. — From the newspapers to-day, I learn that the Wool-
wich man of war had taken and carried into St. Kitts, a
Spanish Galleon, worth a million sterling ; that the King of
Prussia is suing for peace, and that the troops from Gibraltar
for Louisburg, were arriving in several parts of America.
March 18. — Parish meeting. Most of the principal per*
sons were for allowing me £50 on account of keeping me out
of my salary for two years past, but ^^^ opposed and prevented
it,
[The best of men have some enemies.]
April 19. — This morning 10 Indians killed Briant (of Gor-
hamtown) arid four of bis childreir, and took or killed his wife
and Reed and Cloutman, which puts the people in great
surprise.
May 2. — Mr. Longfellow was agreed with, [as a school
Blaster] for another year at £200 per annum.
G. — I sat sail this evening in Wait's sloop, for Boston.
(Returned the 17th.)
21. — Mr. Cooper was ordained. News came to us this
morning that the Indians had burnt all the Houses at Broad
Bay, and killed cattle at Pemaquid.
23. — News came from Georges, that the Indians had fallenr
on a company of our men, killed one and wounded a second ;
and that our people killed an Indian which they scalped, and
wounded a second, which 'tis hoped is dead.
27. — News from Sheepscot,that five persons returning from
meeting, were fired upon by 15 Indians, who killed one and
mortally wounded a second, wliich second killed an Indian as
the Indian xvas coming to kill him.
June 6. — Two soldiers were killed by the Indians at the
side of Westcoat's field, [at Long Creek.] Tliere were 25
soldiers in tiie field, besides Westcoat's own folks, and only 7
Indians drove them -cill — scalped the two man, took thek
.1^
4o
liothes and three guns ; (after Skillin, Stephen Iiisij, an^
one or more of our men had courageously stood and made a
few fires) the Indians never supposed there were so many men
there, but only Westcoat's hands.
9. — I see by the governor's proclamation, that the govern-
ment has voted to sipport 3000 volunteers in the present
expedition. New-Hampshire 1000 ; Connecticut 600 ;
Rhode-Island 400. Heard that 2000 French and Indians,
were designing to-morrow, to make a powerful attack upon
our frontiers. The news that alarms us, comes to us from
Capt. Saunders, viz. That a young Indian taken captive,
declared it to us.
10.— An Indian was seen and fired at three times out of
Mr. Frost's garrison, [at Stroudwater.]
13. — This neighborhood are now buildhig a block-house
near Mr. Larabee's for the common defence.
15. (Sunday) — An Indian was seen and fired at by N.
Crocket, near the Causeway, by Chapman's, [near what is
noAv called the Horse-tavern] upon which account a great
number of our men were absent from meeting, and pursuing
him.
IG. — Our people seem more awakened and alarmed on
account of the Indians than ever they have been. It is th»
same scout of Indians that are still upon our back, and which
did the mischief «at Gorhamtown. They grow exceeding
bold, having no check as yet.
17. — I was at New-Casco at the funeral of Mr. Joseph
Sweat, who yesterday P. M. was killed by the Indians near
.Blanchard's, at N. Yarmouth. Merriconeag, we think, was
attacked this morning, there being continuE^l firing there, and
from thence to N. Yarmouth.
20. — The expedition to Canada goes on in this Province,
but slowly ; our people being dispirited on account of the
sickness and their unfair treatment at Cape-Breton.
July 4. — We had news that the rebellion is defeated. It
was on the 16th April, when the Duke obtained a complete
victory, having lost but 300, and the rebels 2900, with many of
the principal officers.
[Mr. Smith seems to have been in low spirits on two of the
Sabbaths this month " and ready to give up," yet said he, " I
do not learn that the people perceive it."]
August. — The Indians came upon Mr. Proctor's folks
and we hear that they have killed one.
5. — Godfrey discovered an Indian in the swamp behind
Bracket's.
9. — Philip Greely was killed. 28 Indians (some ^ay 32)
'jyere seen together by Mr. Wiers.
44
11. — To-day we were all in arms going to N. Yarmouthj
hearing it was attacked ; but it proved to be the Indians kill-
ing hogs. An Indian fired at Weston, just by the neck.
12. — Our men were this P. M. in a scout searching the
swamp between the Bracket's.
15. — Two Frenchmen and an Indian fired on Mr. Allen
Dover, coming through the bog from Black-point, and he
fired twice on them, and 'tis thought killed one of them.
20. — I attended a fast at Purpoodock, on occasion of the
drought, and preached P. M. but was in such a clouded dark
frame as (I think) I never was at any other time.
26. — This afternoon Mr. Stubbs and a soldier with him,
were killed by the Indians on the backside of his house. It is
thought the same Indians that killed Greely.
September 12.— We have news that Cloutman and the
other Gorhamtown captive are well at Canada.
21. — Boston is now alarmed with tidings of a French fleet
that was seen off Cape Sable.
25. — Mr. Waite came in and brought news that Boston is
all in an uproar, that 700 men came in on Monday, and that
10,000 were expected in by Tuesday night, and that gentle-
men are sending their principal effects into the country.
28. — Mr. Gordon brings news that 15000 men are already
got into Boston ; that all shops and ware-houses are shut up,
and that they are fortifying the end of Long Wharf.
29. — Salein, Marblehead and Cape-Ann, are in great dis-
tress, sending away their effects, &ic.
October 5. — Our people are now alarmed.
6. — Town meeting about sending away the records. I had
concluded to send away my family to Marvvich, but my wife
negatived it.
8. — We are packing up the principal of our effects to send
them with the family to Newbury.
11. — We are only waiting for an opportunity to go to New-
bury.
16. — Public fast on occasion of the French fleet, he. We
have now certain advice that they are in Jebucta, fortifying.
That Annapolis is besieged, and that there is a mortal epidem-
ical sickness among the French, and their Admiral dead.
17. — My wife never concluded 'till to-day not to move
away.
25. — Mr. Waite brought news from Boston, that a storra
cast two of the transpoits on shore, on the Isle of Sable ; that
two of the large men of war (of the Jebucta fleet) had parted
with their masts* ; and that a reigning mortal sickness bad
*They were overtaken by a violent tempest off Cape-Sal It, and TvLat ships
Neaped destruction returned singly to France.
45
been among them. All of which entirely disconcerted them
in their measures and obliged them to stay so long at Jebucta.
But upon taking one of our vessels, and hearing that the Eng-
lish fleet were pursuing them, they hurried out, and that the
disappointment had caused the Duke D'Anville to poison
himself, and the next Admiral to fall on his sword, and to burn
a 60 gun ship.
JVovember SO. (Sunday) — I am quite discouraged, my voice
failing by reason of a rheumatic hoarseness.
December 7. [Sund-Ay) — Thin meeting, and growing more
and more so. Public Worship is like to drop ; for in the
summer people fear to come, because of the Indians, and in
the winter they cannot come.
[This ends the journal of a year, replete with accounts of
war and war's alarm.]
1747.
January. [No events of any importance are noticed this
month.]
February 12. — People think I am in earnest about leaving
them and I think so too. I am quite discouraged, my voice
is gone.
20. — We have melancholy news of our troops at Menis,
viz. that an army of 600 French and Indians in the night sur-
prised them and killed 69, took 50 with two sloops that had
our ammunition, kc. and obliged the rest of our army to
capitulate. Our army consisted of about 500. Col. Noble*
and our Capt. Jones was killed and many of this county.
25. — Visited and prayed with Mrs. Gilman, on occasion of
the death of her son Moses, who was killed at Menis with
several others.
We hear father Hall and Roberts of this place lately died
at Annapolis. God is weakening us exceedingl}', and griev-
ously thinning our small numbers in this country. Every
thing in God's Providence looks dark and distressing.
March 9. — Annual Parish Meeting. [Mr. Smith here takes
a thankful notice of the harmony of the parish, and their
liberality towards him in voting £150, new tenor finstead of
£400 old tenorj for his salary, of which he gave £100 old
tenor to New Casco for preaching six months with them,
which was kindly accepted.]
16. — Mr. Waite with several others were to see me, com-
mending my Sermon, &6C. There is a surprising turn to the
People's countenances. Thoughts, words and actions to-
* ll\> t03S was 60 killed, and 50 wounded.
46
wards me. Thanks to God. [The turn was doubtless imagi-
nary, for none of these things appears to have been against
him.]
25. — The people came and fitted three swivel guns in my
boxes.
April 13. — The Indians first were discovered (about 8)
and killed a young man, one Dresser at Scarborough.
14. — We dre all in alarm to day. Every where Indians
are seen. They took W. Knights and two Sons at Sacaribig.
17. — The Indians one day this week killed Mr. Elliot and
Son and carried away one Murch.
18. — I was present at the taking off the hand of one
Doubleday by the Doctor of the mast ship.
19. — (Sunday) Very thin meeting ; people fearing to come,
partly by reason of what the Indians have done and partly
they having some time since resolved to keep at home. This-
being the fatal day, as people universally looked upon it, on
which the Indians first do mischief, and on which they did
it last year, but none was done now.
21. — The Indians to day (about 10) killed Mr. Foster and
carried away his wife and six children. They killed several
cattle. Our folks pursued them, they say there were 50.
22. — We are all alarmed again. In the evening one
Stephen Bailey was fired upon by seven Indians near Long
Creek.
23. — I prayed with a company of young men (viz, 26) who
are now going out under the command of Capt. Ilsley m
pursuit of the Indians; may God give them success.
A scout of men are now out from N. Yarmouth, another
going out from Purpoodock. We are in the most distressed
circumstances. Swarms of Indians being about the frontier,
and no soldiers save Capt. Jordan's Company of 50 men, SO
of whom have been for sometime at Topsham, guarding the
government timber.
24. — The Indians are spread all over the frontier from
Topsham to Wells,
May 2. — Five Indians have this week killed two women.
5. — The In(^ians killed a man (one Hinkley) r^t New Mea-
dows and chased one yesterday at Wells, in the heart of the
town.
7. — The Indians fired upon a man in Dnnston.
8. — We hear the Indians yesterday at Damariscotta took a
man and killed his wife, and daughter-in-law.
9. — The Indians at Topsham fired upon a canoe in which
they killed two men and greatly wounded one more, only a
woman escaped unhurt.
19, — Capt. Ilr^Iey and Morris are ou-t with scouts pursuing
47
the Indian. The former takes two whale boats to go iav
Sebago.
23. — We have been for some time prettj' quiet as to the
Indians.
The Canada men are still coming down and sent out in
scouts after Indians.
25. — We are now alarmed again with a certain account of
the French Fleet.
£6.— We have news that Friday last, the Indians killed at
Peraaquid our Mr. John and Joseph Cox, Vnicent, Smith
and Weston of Purpoodock and five men of the Fort,and took
Dyer, Mayo and Cox of this town, and only a lad and Mr.
Lowell escaped, the latter exceedingly wounded.
29. — We have now news that neither the French nor Eng-
lish Fleet are like to come to America.
June 15. — Sailed for, and I6th arrived at Boston, Came
from there the 26th, and got home the 29th.
July 1. — The whole frontier was thrown into surprise by
alarm. Some Indians discovered by Capt. Smith at Saco.
7. — We have news of admirals Warren and Anson taking
six India ships, with their convoys, from France.
August 2,0.— Out captives came home from Canada; 171
came in a large ship from Quebec and 90 more are coming ;
SO left sick and 70 are dead.
We have accounts from Canada that but eight or nine of the
French Fleet that escaped admiral Anson and Warren. The
whole Fleet consisted of 38 ships. All designed to recruit
Canada, and reduce Annapolif. They had 1000 stand of
arms; 7000 suits of clothes with stores of ammunition, &ic.
Thus IS Annapolis and this part of the country saved sur-
prisingly a 4th time. Glory to the all disposing Providence
of God.
The India ships were itumensely rich, having a million and
a half m specie. Admiral Anson's share come to £60,000.
26.— We have news that admiral Warren and commodore
Fox have taken a great many of the French West India
sugar ships.
^r^^^V^^^^ Indians took Wm. Bolton and vvounded a lad of
Mr. Mayberry's at Marblehead, [now Windham]. There ap-
peared to be 27 French and Indians.
September 3.— We have an express that Wednesday last in
the mornmg, the French and Indians, about 50, killed three
men and wounded two,atPemaquid ; after which they attack-
ed the Fort for two hours.
21— The Indians moved off upon their taking Wm. Bolton
for we have heard nothing of them since. I purpose h£arin '^
by hira of the Canada soldiers— discouraged them.
48
October 6. — I prayed with the Court, P.M. Justice O/ane
drunk all day.
7. — Tiie Canada officers begin to move off.
JVoveviber 11. — Biigadier Waldo went off with Doct.Olivcr
and Mr. Wlieaton.
24. — (Sunday). I preached a funeral sermon on the occa-
sion of those eight ministers that have died within a year, viz,
Messrs. Fitch, Simrtlef, Rogers, Tappan, Colman, Tukinson.
Moody and Wiswell.
December 9. — The Town-house at Boston was burnt.
[The Journal of this month contains two pages exceeding-
ly crowded, but nothing so interesting as to require notice
among these extracts, upon the general plan on which they
have hitherto been made.]
1748.
January 6. — We have news (via W. Indies,) that Commo-
dore Hawke fell in with theMartinicofleetof 200 sail, fourdays
from Brest, and took six ships of the line and two frigates. — â–
The merchantmen escaped with only one ship of the line and
one frigate.
C pt. Pearson brings news from Boston of Admiral Hawk,
having a few days after the success abovementioned, taken 6
men of war with their transports.
9. — The difficulties of living daily increase, unrighteousness
and oppression are breaking out like a deluge.
There is no standard, but every man is getting what he can.
10. — The prices of the necessaries of life (through tht de-
preciation of money) do daily monstrously increase.
31. — (Sunday.) I preached at Biddeford.
February 5. — I was at prayer with Justice Moody ; walked
there in snow shoes. They thought he was dying.
1 1. — There is a surprising body of snow upon the ground.
20. — Justice Moody died this morning.
27, — Went to Saccarapig. Mr. Conant tells me he has
ground 1000 bushels of Corn this winter, there being no other
mill than his, between North-Yarmouth and Saco.
[Although but little is here noticed from the Journal of this
month, the pages are particularly fdled with accoimts of
the weather, and the difficulties attending the great depth of
the snow.]
March. — [Mr. Smith, this month seems to have been much
disheartened in his pulpit, apprehending that he is slighted by
his people ; but he says,]
17. — Parish meeting. They voted me £600c
49
[A very fuJl account of the weather is contained in the pages
of this riionth.]
April 18. — I was at prayer with Mr. Gary, who died while
I was there.
May 3. — Capt. Burnel was killed by the Indians at Bruns-
wick, and with him .
16. — I sailed for Boston with Capt. Ephraim Jones.
June 9. — He returned.
20. — Indian Corn is now 30s. a bushel ; Flour £lO a hun-
dred.
The Indians killed one Eaton and took at N. Yar-
mouth, and burnt all the houses eastward of Wier's. There
wasan iiundred of them. They way laid the whole road to
New-Casco.
21. — I was to see Lambert who is awakened and wrought
upon. [This is not the only person that was awakened by
3Jr. Smith's preaching.]
23. — A melancholy dry time ***. This and the mischiefs
done by the Indians, make it a dark time indeed.
Jiihj il. — We had news that the preliminaries of Peace are
agreed on, and a cessation of arms. Happy tidings !
o. — I have been to prayer with one Whitney, who was
wounded by the Indians, and died this night.
31.— The lightning killed Mrs Hicks and her child. Mr.
Giddings was much burnt and near dead. None escaped un-
hurt butalirtle child, which by crying brought in the people,
who found Mrs. Hicks and 3 of her children prostrate on the
hearth, and Mrs. Giddings appeared dead.
August 4. — I don't know whether I was ever so hurried in
the ministry, so constantly praying with the sick and at funer-
als. [This frequency of prayer continued during the month.]
Septemhej' 1. — There is an asthmatic quincy prevailing on
this week among the children, that proves dreadfully mortal,
2i. — I have not been in my study this week, only yesterday
P. M. I am out all day visiting and praying with the sick.
M)vember 9. — Nine 'children have lately died at N. Yar-
mouth, with the canker ail.
7.--I am hurried perpetually with the sick ; the whole
practice rests on me, and God gives me reputation with satis-
iaction of mind, as being a successful instrimient in his hands.
December 12. — We tapped the barrel of W' ine sent us by
Messrs. Frost, Fox, Wheeler, Noice, Pearson, Wait, Ilsley,
Berry and Dalton.
[Thus ends the few extracts from the journal of this year,
not, to the public, so gloomy and distressing as the two last.]
5
50
1749.
January 2£. — (Sunday.) I labor for want of breath, being
grievously oppressed at my breast. I raise much, and have
a continual cough all this month, which with my other com-
plaints quite dishearten me.
February 4. — Maj. Freeman came home from the General
Court, and brought with him the new Act for drawing in all
the paper currencies, by the exchauge of silver.
16. — Yesterday one Mrs. Deering of Bluepoint was found
barbarously murdered ; 'tis supposed by her husband.
March 14. — Town Meeting. Maj. Freeman, chosen Treas-
urer ; Capt. Pearson, Clerk ; Col. Gushing, Strout, Cotton,
Snow and Thompson, Selectmen.
15. — Parish meeting. The people raised my salary £50
viz ; to ^650.
S3. — Annual Fast. I had uncommon assistance, especially
in the first prayer ; I was about an hour, and I was an hour and
a half in sermon.
26. — (Sunday.) I could not speak in morning sermon.
I told the people they were convinced of the necessity of
looking out for another Minister.
^pril 13. — Mr. Joshua Freeman sent in near 3 gallons of
choice Madeira Wine.
[Several other presents are particularly mentioned this
month.]
May, — [Visiting and receiving visits of friends, and visiting
and praying with the sick, were the prmcipal subjects of the
Journal this month, besides accounts of the weather which
occupy nearly a full page of every month,]
June 15. — Public Fast on account of the drought.
July 6. — The Indians are now at Boston, treating about
peace. They have taken a boy and killed a man on the wes-
tern frontier.
£5. — ]V[y wife came home from Boston. She brings good
news, that the entire prospect of nature is changed at the
westward from the brink of a dreadful ruin and absolute fam-
ine, never more suddenly and signally saved. Thanks to God.
August 9. — I went with Peter, in a float, to New-Casco to
visit Mr. Blackston.
24.— Public Thanksgiving on account of the great mercy
in the late seasonable and refreshing rains.
SO. — Sailed for Boston with Mr. Bradbury.
September 14. — Got home (from Boston.)
£8. — The Commissioners came to town, viz : Mr. Hutch-
inson, Choat, Williams, Otis, Downing and Hutchinson. Mr,
Welstead, Chaplain ; Col. Cotton, Clerk.
51
50. — The town is full of company,
October 1. — (Sunday.) Mr. Welsted preached P. M.
2. — Contribution yesterday $\7 15s.
6. — Mr. Russel and New, went away, as did a great part of
the company in town, being tired Waiting for the Indians.
10. — The Commissioners spent P. M. here. There is but
very little company in town.
14. — The Norridgewock Indians came this morning. The
Treaty opened P. M. in the Meeting-House.
16 — The Treaty was finished this evening.
17. — I dined with the Commissioners. The presents were
delivered to the Indians
19. — Peter sailed this morning with the Commissioners in
Saunders.
A'*ovemhe7'. — [On several Sabbaths in the course of this
month, Mr. Smith, complained of weakness of body and de^
pression of mind.]
December 3. — Mr. Paddeshai kept Sabbath here, but did
not preach.
[Here closes the short Journal of a year, a year exempted
from the distresses of war, and favored with a Peace with the
Norridgewock Indians.
Although the Extracts are few, the labor of the jour-
nalist was not diminished ; indeed it seems to have increased,
for the pages are fuller, although the subjects of them are net
so gei^rally interesting at the present day.]
1750.
Prefixed to the Journal for this year, is the following
memorandum.
I was born the 10th of March, A. D. 1701—2.
I was admitted into College, July, 1716.
Took my first degree, 1720.
I began to preach April 19, 1722.
I came to Falmouth, June 22, 1725.
I was ordained March 8, 1727.
I was married Sept. 12, 1728.
My Father died Feb. 19, 1741—2.
My Wife Oct. 1, 1742.
I was married 2d time, March 1, 1743 — 4.
Thomas went to Boston, April 12, and was bound [to Mr.
Scolley] for 6 years and 9 months, July 3, 1750.
William, went to Mr, Grant, Nov. 24, 1750.
January \\. — There has been a great uproar about the
men that killed the Indians at Witchcassit, tbey having been
^
52
rescued by some ot our people from the officers, antl to day
after surrendering themselves to Capt. Bean, at Truck-house,
were carried to York.
29. — I sat out with Maj Freeman, for a ride (to York.)
February 1.— Mr. Lyman has been lately ordained at York.
3. — I rode home.
£2.— A special Supreme Court at York, for the trial of the
men tiiat killed the Indians.
March 11. (Sunday)— I spake with vast difficulty, and the
populace wonderfully slighted me. [As he thought.]
15- — Annual fast. Had uncommon assistance, was an hour
in eacli of the first prayers. Never was I darker and more
discouraged before the day came ; my voice, freedom and
fluency being all gone. I make a minute of it to record God's
goodness, always to excite my thankfulness and trust in him.
27.— Parish meeting ; they raised my salary £50 to £760,
some opposition : though £800 was urged by several.
April 2. — This day the Province treasury is open, and silver
is given out for our Province bills, which now cease to pass.
This is the most remarkable epoch of tliis Provmce. Its
alfuirs are now brought to a crisis.
10, — Mr. Roberts, and Mr. Newman last week died sud-
denly. It is remarkable how many disastrous events and
sudden deatlis have been in this pdace withm a year or two :
this is the tenth.
May 5. — I have been drinking tar water for more than a
iveek, and (ind myself surprisingly better ; the soreness of my
vitals is gone, and I feel hardly any pain.
27. — (Sundayj I fear I w.as too fervent, and I think greatly
slighted. [This was an apprehension frequently expressed ;
but from good reasons that might be offered, I think it was
more imaginary than real.]
June 15. — I rode to York. Abbe was acquitted to the great
surprise of the court, who continued the other two prisoners
fo be removed for a trial elsewhere. This unhappy affair
gives this country an ill name, and 'tis feared will bring on a
war.
21. — Rode to Newberry. An epidemic cold prevails.
25. — Rode to Boston. 'Tis a time of great perplexity and
distress here on account of the sinking of the pa}>er currency.
There is a terrible clamor, and things are oi)ening for the
extremest confusion and difficulties. The merchants, shop-
keepers and others in Boston, having for some years past, got
money easily and plentifully by the abimdance of tliat frau-
dulent and iniquitous currency, and abandoned themselves
to the utmost extravagance and luxury in all their way of
living, are now in a sad toss, and make outragous complaints
at the stop put to it by the late act.
58
July 6. — Mr. Tyng has been exceeding friendly to me as
(I tliank God) ail my friends have been.
July 14. — There is news of a brig full of people gone to
Penobscot to settle there.
August 31. — There seems to be a dismal storm gather-
ing. The Penobscot Indians are in arms, to the number of
150, and 60 Canada Indians came to join them, designing a
blow. Families are moving from thence. A man of war of
20 guns is sent there from Boston. The French in a large
brig were seen some time since going there. There were
also two more brigs with soldiers, war-like stores, &:c. sailed
from Louisburgh at the same lime. There was two 60, and
a 38 gun ship, 20 transports, ai«d a ship with 300 women.
September 8. — There was an alarm in the night at the tower
occasioned by an express from Richmond, that an Indian had
told them that in 43 hours the Indians would break upon us,
and that 60 Canada Indians were come to reinforce them.
9. — (Sunday) Not a fail meeting ; the people fearing to
come.
10. — We hear that on Saturday all Kennebec was in a
blaze, a firing guns. People are universally moving to the
garrison.
11 — All the talk is about the Indians, and various accounts
and expresses. It is said some have been seen at Gorhani-
town.
13. — We have news from Witchcasset, that the Indiar..s
took (or killed) a man and a boy there to-day, and that a great
fire was seen at Sheepscot, like the burning of the houses,an(l
that the people heard alarm even to Peniaquid.
14. — A man was taken this week by th^ Indians at Mac-
quoit.
16. — (Sunday) Captain Wheeler died.
13. — Indians were discovered and pursued at Dunstable;
the same (I guess) that were on Wednesday last seen at Gor-
haratown.
20. — The Quakers had a meeting at Proctor's. Training
day to impress 100 men here and at Scarboiongli, to scout
from Saco to Georges — Muggridge's doing*. The people are
in a sad ferment. An unwarrantable and iil-concerted ilnn<;.
22.— Webb's son wr.s taken atMarblehead [now Windham]
by the Indians.
23. — Capt. Ilsley (who has the command of one of tlse
companies) went into the woods to-day.
28. — The Indians are discovered ahiiost every dav, 2 or 3
together, in the back parts of tiie town.
30 — Mr. Roberts died, though perfectly well the night
before : the 16lh instance of a sudden dealh within 2 vears.
64
October. — [A number of children died in tlie parish this
month, 5 in one week.]
JVovember 10. — I v.as at prayer with Quiniby's child, which
is sick of a fever, that first broke out at Gorhamtovvn, where it
was quite epidemical, hardly any escaping.
20. — There are 25 persons sick at Gorhamtown garrison,
four have died.
24. — The fever spreads now all over the parish.
December^. — I heard Capt. Preble was unusually afifected.
26. — Mr. Lombard was ordained at Gorhamtown ; [Min-
isters present, Messrs. Loring, Smith, (who preached) Allen,
Thompson and Morrell.]
[The ministerial duties of Mr. Smith must have been ardu-
ous ; but he faithfully discharged them, and though he was
sometmies dissatisfied with himself, and feared that his people
were so with him, yet he always gave them remarkable
satisfaction.]
1751.
January 24. — This winter [for its mildness] will go down
memorable to posterity.
February 14. — I rode to Biddeford.
16. — Sat out for home, but my horse throwing me out of
the ferry boat into the water, I was obliged to go back to Mr.
Morrill's. I struck my face (and forehead especially) against
a rock, which had it not been under water, would have dashed
me to pieces. Ordered by the preserver of men.
19. — Came home.
March 27. — Attended Mr. Little's ordination.
April 19. — We are alarmed Avith tidings of the Indians
coming upon us. One was shot at by Mr. Hasj^ill's negro, at
Saccaribig.
20. — It is a sickly time at Scarborough.
24. — It is a melancholy time as ever the country knew.
1st. On account of the great convulsion and perplexities re-
lating to a medium, some towns not having raised any money
for public taxes, nor chosen officers. 2d. With respect to a
war with the Indians. 3d. The epidemic fever. 4th. The
coldness and wetness of the spring.
May 7. — I catechised the children on the neck, about ISO.
1 1.— Capt. Darling in a mast ship, came in.
June 8. — Job Burnal was killed by the Indians on the road
behind Capt. Merrill's, and his horse also.
July 10. — It is a time of health, and therefore a time of
leisure with me.
55
27. — We have news of the Indians taking 7 persons oa
Wednesday la?t, at the new meadows, viz. 3 Hinkley's, 2
Whitney's, Punington and Lombard.
SI. — The freshet has carried away many bridges, hay, he.
on Presumpscot river. Saccaribig bridge and the Presump-
scot great dam broke.
August 3. — People are quite mad in town, there being 50
men pressed in Col. Cushing's regnnent, and 100 more to be
pressed, to escort and protect the proposed treaty.
19. — I sailed for Boston in Wilson, log-laden with a tow
of masts.
£3. — We were becalmed off the Brewster till dark, and
then a tempest arose northerly, and a dismal night, much to
be remembered ; may I never loose sight of the sense of it.
£4. — Got to Boston.
30. — Came away.
31. — Got into our harbor, sun near an hour high.
September. †” [Nothing particular.]
October. — [Nothing that need be noticed.]
JVovember. — [Pages less filled than usual, and less impor-
tant.]
December. — [Fuller pages, but chiefly respecting ministerial
duties.]
[This year's journal notices but few events of much impor-
tance, the chief of which are enumerated the 24th April.
The complaints of Mr. Smith, as to his health and spirits,
were much fewer than for some years past.]
1762.
January 3. — Walked over to Col. Cushing's on tiie ice And
might have rode in my sleigh, as I designed, but was dis-
couraged.
8. — A pleuretic fever prevails (at Biddeford) and proves ex-
ceedingly and remarkably mortal.
14. — [Mr. Smith here gives an account of an excursion
with his wife and others to N. Yarmouth and Brunswick on
the ice, passing over Harrisicket Bay a-going, and venturing
on their return to come directly from Brunswick across the
Bay without Macquoit Island to New Casco, and over thenc€
to the Beach home.*]
* This will give the reader an idea of extreme cold weather, but the winter
of 1696, is said " to be colder than had been known in New-England, since the
first arrival of the English. During a great part of it, sleighs and loaded sleds
passed on the ice from Boston as far as Nantasket.
56
21. — Last night there was a smart southerly wind which
brought in a swell and broke the ice, and the ebb tide carried
it away, so that the harbor is all open as high as across Capt.
Pearsons' to Sawyer's Dock, and where the people were pass-
ing yesterday — and where teams and horses might have pass-
ed, there is no ice.
Fehruury 6. — Rev. Mr. Jefferds of Wells, died last Satur-
day of the pleuretic fever, which prevails there.
March )£i. — We hear the small pox spreads at Boston, past
all hope of stopping it.
28. — 'Tis thought some thousands have been inoculated
this week in Boston.
^^pr^l a. — I sat sail for Boston in Goodwin. 10 — Arrived.
14. — All business is laid aside in town. The streets deso-
late, many of the shops shut up, and the people universally
spend their time to attend the sick.
16. — 'Tis said there are 3000 now inoculated.* A harvest
time to the Doctors.
23. — All the talk in all companies is about inoculation, the
town is sadly divided about it.
25. — I came away from Boston. 29. — Got home.
28 — When I left Boston, 21 had died that had been inocu-
lated, i.e. about 1 per cent. Sixteen died, of about 90, in the
common way i. e. about 1 in C.
May 4. — Capt. Saunders has a man on board sick of the
small pox.
June 16. — At Wells, the town concurred with the church
in the choice of Mr. Fanweather.
July ^ — Public Fast on account of the Small Pox and
Fever prevailing.
By contribution we gathered £47 10s. O. T. for the poor
of Boston.
August. — [There is but little in this month besides an ac-
count of a journey with his wife to Boston from llt!i to 25th.
The design of the journey was a visit to Mr. Plaisted at York,
who with his wife have been very ill a great while.]
September '2. — I rode with Major Fieernan and Peter to
Marblehead [Windham] a pigeoning — we got near ten dozen.
Mem. New Style by Act of Parlianient took place the
Sd of this month, which shortened it 11 days. [The days are
numbered 1, 2, 14, kc]
Odtfher 24. — The Commissioner (viz. Col. Wendall, Capt.
Watts, Judge Russell and Mr. Hubbart) having been to
Georges and ratified the Peace, put-iia here, a>id I dinen and
spent rhe day with them.
* Holmes says, 2109, of whom SI cUocU 5544 hni it in the natuial way, of
whom 514 died. The total number of inhabitanls in Eoslcn was 17 574.
57
J\ovember 16. — Public Thanksgiving. I could not speak
in Ser. and gave the blessing without the last singing. I am
quite discouraged (mem. I hear the ser. was uncommonly ad-
mired by strangers and others.)
[See an observation at the end of the year 1750,]
[From the paucity of extracts this year, it is not to be
concluded that the entries were few ; for they were nearly as
minute and numerous as common, though not so interesting.
Domestic Concerns, social interviews with his friends, offi-
cial duties and accounts of the seasons, fcc. furnished suffi-
cient matter to fill the pages of this year's journal.]
January 25. — Our two School-masters (Mr. Longfellow
and Mr. Wiswell) opened their Schools on Monday 22d.
February 27. — Last night Maj. Freeman's Warehouse was
consumed by Fire.
It is a time of dismal scarcity for Bread.
March 14. — We are relieved from the distress for want of
Bread, a sloop and schooner having arrived, [with a supply of
Corn, I suppose.]
April 10. — We have an epedeinic illness prevailing, called
the rash. Thank God, it is in so few instances mortal.
27. — I am incessantly every day, (except yesterday) at
prayer with the sick.
May 22. — Capt. Preble was chosen Representative.
/wne.— [The Journal of a trip to Boston from 14th to I8th,
takes up the chief of the page for that month. The rest of it
has nothing material.]
July. — [I need not make any extracts from the Journal of
this month ]
Au^'ust 11. — Gov. Shirley returaed from England, where
he had been about 4 years.
September. — [Less matter, (and less of it for extracts) in the
Journal of this month, than usual.]
October 2. — I went in a whaleboat to Mericoneag, with our
three young Deacons.^
[*Wlio these three " young- Deacons" were, T don't know. It appears by the
Records of the Church, that the following persons were appointed to that office
at the times here mentioned — viz':
1727— Saiauel CoI>b, | 1744— Samuel Moody,
f729~nenry Wheeler, | Williftni C^ottou,
Penjamin York, [ 1751— Jaaaes .^lilk,
58
28. — (Sunday.) Not a full meeting P. M. I was earnest
and blundered in reading my notes, and was (perhaps) vapou-
ry, and thought the people slighted me much, tho' my wife
don't think so
[I make this extract to confirm a sentiment I have before
expressed.]
JVovemher 1. — Annual Thanksgiving ; had great assistance.
23. — Capt. Ross brought his family to live here.
24. — Capt. S. Waldo came here.
26. — New-Casco was voted off a Parish.
December 8. — Dined at Deacon Cottons ; had a splendid
entertainment.
^ 13. — I reckoned up the families of the Parish, and there
were 302, and New-Casco being set off (62 families) there re-
mains 240, 120 of whom are on this Neck, 8 on the Islands,
21 on Back-Cove, 48 in Stroudwater Parish (including Long-
creek) and the remaining scattered on Presumpscot and Back-
of-the-Cove families, and in Purpoodock 300 families. In
the whole tov/n 500 families.
[Several Presents made to Mr. Smith, are mentioned in the
Journal for this month ; and I would observe, that, (generally
speaking) such notices are common in every month of th«
year]
1754.
January 11. — I rode to Doughty 's and prayed. They have
lost three children of the throat distemper, a fourth is very
dangerous.
February 26. — I sat out with my wife and Peter for York.
27. — Mr. Richardson was ordained (at Wells.) I began
with prayer. Mr. Loring preached.
March 13. — I got home well. I have every where in my
journey met with great kindness and respect.
19. — We are now raising six companies of soldiers [mak-
ing collectively 800] to cover the eastern frontiers, the Indians
having lately appeared surly and threatening at Richmond,
and the Government being apprehensive, they design to break
npon us. The new settlement of the Plymouth patent is the
provocation.
Samupl Cobb, Jr. | J781— Richard Codman,
1769— Nathaniel G. Moody, j Samuel Freeman,
Benjamin Tiigotnb, i 1723— Wood busy Stor#r.
59
April 4. — Annual Fast. Had wonderful assistance, spoke
easy, and in high spirits. Thank God who has appeared to
help me last Sabbath and to day.
May 6. — Mr Allen died.
9. — Was buried.
22. — Sailed to day for Cape-Ann.
27. — Got to Boston.
June 13. — Returned from Boston.
18. — We have been painting and fitting up our House for
the Treaty which is approac^hing.
21. — The Norridgewock Indians came here (42 in all and
25 men.)
24. — Several of the Transports (that have the soldiers from
Kennebec) got in to day.
25. — Eight hundred soldiers got in and encamped on Bangs'
Island.
26. — The Governor [Diimmer] got in this morning. P. M.
came on shore, lodges at Mr. Fox's.
27. — The Government dined in the Court Chamber.
28. — Yesterday and to day we had a vast concourse dined
with us, at our own cxpence. I dined with the Governor.
29. — The Government yesterday met the Norridgewock
Indians, and to day proposed to them the building of the
Fort at Teuconic.
SO. — (Sunday.) Parson Brockwell preached A. M. and
carried on in the Church form. I preached P. M.
July 1. — The Norridgewocklndians gave their answer, and
refuse the Forts being built at Teuconic.
2. — The Treaty was signed between the Governor and the
Norridgewock Indians.
I dined with the Governor. Mr. Thompson, Elvin and 20
others, dined with us at my expence.
3. — The Indians had their dance. Three young men of
the Norridewock tribe went to Boston, and the rest returned
home.
5. — The Penobscot Indians came (15 men) and the Gov-
ernment met them in the Meeting-House.
6. — The Treaty was finished. Seven gentlemen went up
the bay, and others to Boston.
8. — The ship sailed with Mr. Danforth, Oliver, Bourn and
Hubbard from us, and the whole body of Representatives.
9. — Mr. Langdon and Doct. Dearborn here. I paid the
latter £252 for John's living with him.
14. — (Sunday.) Mr. Brockwell preached. He gave great
offence, as to his doctrine. Our Fishermen are all fled home,
alarmed with the news of a French war proclaimed at Hali-
fax.
60
17. — The Governor went to North-Yarnioulh and leuuned
at night.
19. — I (lined with the Governor. The Governor drank tea
with us. The ships returned. Mr. Wheelwright, Lincohi,
and Minot ol'the Council ; Hancock and others.
£3. — The Governor dined at Col. Cushings. The rain
prevented me.
28. — Mr. Erwin came to town, and Mr. Storer who lodged
with us. Capt. Osborn sailed for Boston, having paid me
near ^100 for my House.
JJuguM 30. — Tiie Governor and the gentlemen with him,
sailed in Saunders for Kennebec, to visit Cushnoc and Teuco-
nic Forts.'^'
September 3. — The Governor returned from Kennebec.
8. — The Governor sailed with Col, Masquerene, Mr. Brock-
well, Mr. Wheelwright, Richmond, Charish, Minot and
Price. •
Thus ended a Summer's scene of as much bluster as a Cam-
bridge Commencement, and now comes on a vacation Avhen
our House and the town seems quite solitary.
12. — 1 attended a Fast at Purpoodock preparatory to the
settlement of a Minister, (other ministers, Thompson, Morrill
and Lombard.)
Odober 5. — I have spent a good deal of time at Court to
hear the cases between the Plymouth and the Pejepscot Pro-
prietors. The former left them. Gridley for the former.
Otis for the latter.
7. — I sat out out on a Journey [to Portsmouth]
12. — Returned.
IC. — The Church at Purpoodock made choice of Mr. Hol-
yoke, to be their Minister by a majority of one vote.
21. — I had the melancholly tidings to day that my son Wil-
liam died last Wednesday night.
The Parish at Purpoodock concurred with the Church by
the majority of two votes.
jSTovemher 5. — A smart Storm with a deluge of rain and
thunder and lightning in the night. N. B. There has been
the least thunder the Summer past that has been for years.
December 8. — (Sunday.) The W — 's make a wretched
practice of spending P. M. together with others, carousing.
15. — Purpoodock Parish is in a sad situation, dismally di-
vided and quarrelling.
*
*He went 40 miles above Norridgewock,but found no French Fort. He
erected one at Teuconic which "svas named Fcrt IlaliJax, another at Cushnor
named Fort We. t on. Minot,
61
1755.
January 16. — Peter began to keep school on the Neck.
February 2. — Several of our people went over to Purpoj^-
4ocU to hear Mr. Clark.
14. — Justice Noice died this evening.
March 10. — I received a letter from the Secretary inform-
ing me that the Governor and Council had warned me to
preach the next Election Sermon.
- April 7.- Mr. Fox died last night.
2b. — Mr. Clark (who relumed to Purpoodock on Tuesday)
gave his answer to day.
30. — Mr. Moss was ordained at Berwick. This is a day
much to be remembered. The Indians having done mischief
upon it, viz. killed the Peales, Briant and family at Gorhum*
town.
May 8. — There was a Council at Purpoodock to day, Mf.
Loring Hovey, Morril and myself, with delegates.
15. — We have news that the Indians on Tuesday last took
two men and burnt a house at Frankfort.
18.— ^Sunday,) Thin meeting, many having gone yester-
day, and fearing to be pressed, to Sabago, and New Boston,
[now Gray,] a report alarming us of the latter's being de-
stroyed.
£2. — Our forces sailed from Boston for Siganecto with a
fair wind.
25. — We have news from Sheepscot that 5 men were taken
there by the Indians, a ploughing, and that 2 escaped.
29. — We have news that one Snow was found killed by the
Indians on the back of North Yarmouth, and another man
(with him) taken.
June 27. — New* comes of the Fort at Chicanecto's being
taken, after a conflict of about an hour. We lost but 4 men."**"
There was in our army 2270, all New England men, except
$70, who were the Kings regulars.
23. — There ifi a French fleet of 15 sail upon the coast, and
an Engli^i fleet dogging them, that have taken two seventy
gun ships.
July S. — Public Fast on occasion of various expeditions a-
gainst French forts.
7, to 16. — [On a Journey to and from Portsmouth.]
17 — We have news of a second English squadron arriving
at Cape Sable shore.
• Minot says only one.
6
6^
13. — One Winter bere (of Boston) in favour of Clark, the
former a bad man and belied very much among the people at
Purpoodock, who are in a dreadful mad temper.
30. — We went to Purpoodock where was a grand Council
of 15 Churches. [Here they are enumerated.]
31. — The Council continued. Messrs. Rogers and Elwins
only w ere for installing Mr. Clark, and ten othei ministers a-
gainst it, we had close hot work through the whole. In the
close of this day the Council had like to have been broken to
pieces, about voting by Churches.
August 1. — The Council spent the two days past in hear-
ing the facts. Spent this in summing up the evidence, and
in the evening voted not to instal Mr. Clark, there being 23
votes against it, and 18 for it, and £ neuters, Mr. Wise and
Mr. Langdon.
The result was read this morning and the Council dis-
persed. '
7. — We have news which confirms the first new s. [I have
not observed that this was mentioned before,] viz: General
Braddock's being killed with 24 more officers and 35 w ound-
ed (£0 only escaping unhurt) and 600 soldiers killed and
wounded, and the whole army put to the rout, and flight, and
the artillery taken.
10. — (Sunday,) Very full meetmg — the Purpoodock peo-
ple over — Mr. Clark preaching again.
14. — Our Justices are at work, contriving to take Mr. Clark
in hand.
18. — Things are in a sad toss about Mr. Clark.
£8. — General Fast, partly on occasion of General Brad-
dock's defeat* and partly for success to Gov. Shirley's expe-
dition to Niagara and General Johnson's to Crown Pqint.
September ?> . — The engagement at Lake George, was to .
day a victory ,f in answer (I hope) to the prayers on the late
Fast.
* It will not, I conceive, be thoHg'lit amiss to g-ive here the folloising' particu-
lars of this defeat. " After an action of three Lours, General BraddocU, niider
whoos three horses had been killed, received a mortal wound j and his troops
fled in extreme dismay and confusion. The provincials, who were among the
last to leave the field, formed after the action by the prudent valour of Wash-
ington, and covered the retreat of the regulars. The defeat was entire. Of 85
•fficers,64 were killed and wounded, and about half the privates. The defeat-
ed army fled precipitately to the camp of Dunbar, where Braddock expired ©f
bis wonnda.
t The French General, Baron Dieshaw, who had received a wound in his leg
WW leaning «n a stump, entirely alone, while looking; for bis watch to sarren-
63
19. — I WHS to visit Mr. Pearson on occasion of the news we
have of Col, Titcomb's beini^ killed in Gent^ral Johnsons' ar-
my, who have had an engagement with the French and In-
dians at Lake George.
October 9. — [A complaint having been brought against Mr.
Clark, for lying, the cause was this day tried at Court, and he
was acquitted by the Jury. " There were thousands of peo-
ple present."]
.Yovember 10. — I prayed at New Casco with Mrs. Clark's
grand child and widow Douglass, both ill with the throat dis-
let«per ; eight children have died there. [These died too.]
17. — There was, in the night, at a quarter past four, a most
amazing shock of an earthquake. It lasted iwo minutes, that
seemed as if it w(;uld shake the house to pieces, and then
threw down near 100 bricks of our chimney, and did the
same to many other chimneys in town.*
18. — We had a lecture on occasion of the earthquake, ex-
ceeding full considering the short notice people had. Peo-
ple are universally greatly surprized and distressed.
19. — \ pleasant calm day and night, not a breath of wind,
and such was last night wlicn the earthquake was. and all yes-
terday. We have never known two days and nights together
so calm and pleasant.
2"2. — Besides several earthquakes we have had this week,
we had this evening at half after eight, a very smart one
which exceedingly surprised us. Continued cloudy 'till to-
der it, one of the soldiers, suspeetin" him to be in search for a pistol, poured a
charg-e through brs hips, and he was conducted a prisoner to the English camp
Capt. M'Ginnes, commander of the provincials fell in the action.
* It beg-an at Boston a little after 4 o'clock in a serene and pleasant night, and
continued nearly four and a half minutes j about lOO chininies were in a man-
ner levelled with the roofs of the houses, and ahout 1500 shattered and thrown
down in part. The ends of about 12 or 15 brick buildings were thrown down
from the tops to the eves of the houses. The vane of the market-house was
thrown down, a new vane of one of the churches was bent at the spindal. At
New Haven, the ground in many places seemed to rise like the wavei of the
sea, the houses shook and cracked, as if they were just ready to fall. Its course
was northwest to southeast, its extent was from Chesapeak Bay, southwest to
Halifax, oortheast about 800 miles, but from northwest to southeast it reached
at least 1090 miles, and perhaps many more. It probably passed by the West
Indies to the eastward of the Islands. About 2 o'clock, P. M. the same day
the sea withdrew from the harbor of St. Martin, leaving the vessels dry, and
fish on the banks, where tliere used to be 3 or 4 fathoms of water, and when it
came in it arose six feet higher than usual. There was no shock felt ibere
ibou jh he.'-e it was the most violent that was ever known in the country.
64
ilay it rained, and when we had a great shock of the earth,
it not only rained but the wind blew.
December 11. — Peter went to preach and live at Marble-
head. [Windham.]
18. — We had a Fast on occasion of the Earthquake.
19. — There were two or three Earthquakes to night.
£7. — We have an accoont that Lisbon is destroyed and 300
miles on the ocean towards the Straights mouth, St.Ubes and
Algizero. Other places sunk, and Cadiz and Saville great-
ly damaged, 60 miles back ; but we hear as yet no more.
SO. — I catechised, and prayed, and exhorted the children
in the meeting-house. (200 of them.)
[It will be noticed that some of the events of this year, were
uncommon and important.]
1756.
January 4. — (Sunday,) Mr. Bosworth preached. I was in
the evening called to Justice Frost, who, going from meeting
was seized with a fit, but before I got to him, he w as dead.
8. — Public Fast ; on occasion of the Earthquakes in Eu-
rope and America.
£0. — Clarke's messengers returned, not being able to get
Installers.
£9. — We hear of Mr. Wise's death.
February 3. — Town n.eeting to choose Representative —
after a violent struggle by Clarke's party, in favor of Capt.
Robinson, Major Freeman was chosen.
March 9. — Town meeting. Mr. Longfellow chosen Town
Clerk.
26. — We have news from St. George, that a party of In-
dians, the day before yesterday, killed two young men and
scalped a third.
Jlpril 12. — This morning the robbin, which has visited us
several springs past, began to serenade us.
May 3. — Mr. Clark set out once more to get Installers.
10 — This morning we are alarmed with young Knights,
who escaped from the Indians 3 days ago, and got to North
Yarmouth this morning, who brings news of 120 Indians
vcoming upon the frontier who are to spread themselves in
small scouts from Brunswick to Saco.
11. — Capt. Milk with 40 men, Capt. Ilsley with a com-
pany and Capt. Skillin with another, went out in pursuit of
the Indians. Capt. Smith with a reinforcement out of the
IS. Yarmouth and New Casco companies, went with Knight
to the place where he left 3 squaws and where the Indians
66
left their beaver. We hear that Gapt. Berry is also gone
with his scout.
13. — The Indians a few days ago took a man at Brunswick
that was in company with others who threw away their guns
and escaped. They iiilled one Mains and â– ^**^, at Flying
Point, and carried away a young woman but they also left an
Indian there, a man firing down through the chamber floor,
and killed him on the spot.
14. — This morning one Brown was killed and Winship was
wounded and scalped at Marblehead, [Windham]. Manches-
ter fired upon them, and we hope killed an Indian, as did
Capt. Skillin another. The Indians fled aftVighted and left
5 packs, a bow and a bunch of arrows, and several other
things.
Brown and Winship were going with a guard of four men and
four lads to work upon Brown Place about a mile from the fort,
right back, and the two Walker's forward on about 60 rods, and
the Indians fired on them, whereupon Manchester fiied once but
Farrow and Sterling with (he other two lads run away home,
and the Indians fled also in great haste. Capt. Skillin with a
company being gone out in the woods about a mile were call-
ed back, and with Capt. Brown's scout (that happened also
to be there) pursued the Indians, and fired on one, and then
all shouted for victory. Mancliester was the hero of the
action but Andersol [I believe it should be Anderson] be-
haved gallantly (calling, follow on my lads) ; or the English
perhaps all of them would have been killed.
18. — Maj. Freeman was again chosen our Representative,
Capt Waldo his Competitor.
20. — There is a great bustle again at Purpoodock. Jon.
Rogers and the Clevelands are come there to install Mr,
Clark who spent to day in a mock council. Many of our
people went over, and
21 — This afternoon installed him in Simonton's orchard.
23. — (Sunday) Had a. contribution in favor of Jos. Knight?.
June 4. — Peter fwho ha? discontinued preaching at Marble-
head 3 sabbaths past by reason of the Indians) went there to
day.
17. — Col. Gushing recovered his Cause of rates. A terri-
ble uproar about Mr. Clark's being poisoned by Mr. Lovet.
July 14. — This day the ministers kept a private Fast, on
occasion of the contentions in our town and the reproaches
cast on the ministers.
22. — Public Fast on occasion of the expedition to Crown
Point.
We are visited with the sore judgment of the t\orms that
*6
66
we were 13 years ago, which have destroyed whole fields of
English and Indian corn in divers places.
27. — Mr. Clark is on the road with his wife 3 days, and to
day preached to the quakers and a huge rabble gathered toge-
ther through curiosity wliicii occasions a great toss among
the people.
29." -We have news many ways, that war with France was
proclaimed the 16th of May.
August 20.— A brig is here from Ireland, sent by brigadier
Waldo with passengers.
24.— All the daily talk is about the French expedition to
Minorca and our fleet that are sent there in the defence of it,
and our army gone against Crown Point. We are in hourly
expectation of engagements that will be decisive of the fate of
each.
September 6.— We have news that Port Mahon was sur-
rendered to the French the 29th June. Admiral Byng not
having succoured it, but withdrew from an engagement with
the French fleet to Gibraltar ('tis thought through corruption.)
We have also the shocking news that Oswego Forts with 1500
men have surrendered to the French.
9.— Son Thomas came home being done with Mr. Schollay-
10.— Rode to N. Yarmouth and dined with Mr. Wiswell.
19.— Mr. Wiswell gave in his answer to N. Casco.
26.— (Sunday) A thin Meeting, some of our men being gone
to Georges upon the news brought us yesterday, that Georges
Fort was attacked (which was not true, but one of our schoon-
ers was burnt and two taken, and 3 men killed and 3 missing.
28.— Capt. Ross had a large ship launched.
£9.— -It is a sickly time generally through the country ; at
Saco the throat distemper has killed 14 children ; at Dunston
they have the fever and ague ; and at Black Point, N. Yar-
mouth and Falmouth the slow fever and bloody flux.
Odoher 2.-"Govcrnor Shirley sailed for England.
7.— I rode to Black Point and attended a fast on occasion
of the sickness.
12.— I was over to Purpoodock visiting and praying with
Dr. Wise, staid all night. 13.— Dr. Wise died.
14.. —We have news that 13,000 French regulars besides
Canadians and Indians are got near our arm* at lake George,
and that the army is very sickly.*
* It was agreed in a council of Colonial Covernment at New York, to raise
lO,000 men for an expedition against Crown Point ; 6000 for an expedition
agaittst Niagara and 3000 against Fort du Quesnp,and that 2000 should advance
«p the river Kennebec and destroy the settlement on the Chaudiere ; but major
general Winslaw findirkglhere were only 7000 raised for the former, declared
them inadequate to the enterprise. The attempt proposed against Fort du
Quesne was not prosecuted, and the expedition up K^naebec terminated is a
were scouting purty wfcicb explored the conntry.
67
Capi. Rouse put in here having lost his lieutenant and 9
men with his pinnance by Indians.
SO. — The town is full of company. In the harbor are Rouse,
Tenny, Granger, the Deal ships' and a snow from Boston.
J'/ovemher 3.— I went to New Casco to ihe ordination of
Mr. Wiswell. [Other ministers, Loring, Thompson, Hovey,
Morrel.]
12.— The Centurion man-of-war arrived herefrom Halifax
to guard the ships.
December 31. — Having obtained help from God, I and
mine continue and are brought to the end of another year— •
Blessed be his name.
[The journal of this year records events, which might be
deemed disastrous, but He who ruleth over all, is wise and
good and righteous in all he does. Let then all the people
praise Him (however they be afifected by his government) and
join in the ascription with which it closes and that of David
king of Israel.— " Blessed be his Name.]
1757.
February 6.-The snow was so deep in drift, that there was
no possibility of getting to the Meeting House. We met and
had one meeting at the Court House.
March 13. — One Clark of Sebago town killed Woorster
and wounded Gray and Sands.
April 9.— Yesterday 6 Purpoodock men were put to goal
for their rates to Mr. Clark.
20. — Jos. Cox, Bayley and others, sailed upon a cruise for
6 weeks after the Penobscot Indians.
May 4 -—Eighteen more Purpoodoc men were put to goal
for Clark's rates.
14. — Yesterday young Webb of Marblebead v/as fired upon
by two Indians, 70 miles back in the woods.
18.— Seventeen Indians waylaid and had a short engage-
ment at Topsham with Lithgow and 8 men, tv^o of our men
were wounded and two Indians carried off dead.
SO. —We hear by a man that made his escape, that 2 of
his companions were killed by the Indians 70 miles up Ame-
riscoggin.
30." -I prayed with a young woman who was in prison for
the murder of her infant.
June 2. — Cox and Bayley returned from their cruise after
the Indians, bringing with them the scalps of two men whom
they kill«d, two canoes and a quantity of oil, fish and feathers.
68
7. — We hear that Capt. Whitney was killed by a Bumber
of our men who fired upon a camp where he was, supposing
Indians were in it.
17. — Marshal Daune raised the seige of Prague and ob-
tained a victory over the king of Prussia.
20.— Capt. Waldo came home from Boston and brings the
most melanchol}' tidings of the drought at the westward and
that the small pox is in our forts and that it is feared a great
French fleet is coming to America, upon which account all
hearts ache at Boston and people appear quite discouraged
and disconsolate.
21 — We bad a fast upon the occasion of the distressing
drought.
22.— -The association meeting was turned into a fast.
20. — Public Fast on occasion of the drought and appre-
hension of a French fleet to attack us, and many disappoint-
ments and threatening impending judgments.
July 2. — Lord Loudon we hear has sailed from N. York
with transports for Halifax.
S. — No person sick in the parish, a remarkable mercy !
7. — The melancholy case of N. Casco opened to day about
their turning to the Church of England.
8. — To day at half past two we felt a considerable earth-
quake.
I hear Merriconeag parish is broken to pieces.
15.— Mr. Cox's sloop came in from Halifax, and brings
news of the arrival of a French fleet consisting of 17 ships of
the line and 15 other men of war, and 64 transports and that
Lord Loudon had 87 transports.
18. — We have had the greatest abundance of cherries that
ever we had (perhaps 20 or 30 bushels.)
It is a time of remarkable health in the parish, and through
the country, and has been so hitherto, throughout the year. I
myself grow very fat.
25. — An uneasiness in the church, on account of the Pur-
poodock people partaking with us.
26. — A clamouring by some of the town against me for
visiting Mrs. Cox, who has broke out with the small po>,when
I did it at the desire of the Justices and Selectn»en.
Several families h^ve moved away for fear of the small
pox.
SO. — Our cherries are not yet gone, and people are satisfi-
ed and tired coming for them. More than a hundred women
and some men have been after them, and the currants cannot
be diminished.
August 14.— We have news that 16,000 French and In-
dians have attacked our fort at the Lake.
69
15. — We have news that our fort William and Henry, at
the Lake, was taken on Tuesday last, and that foit Edward
Avas besieged by 16,000 of ihe enemy. The country is ail in
an uproar, marching to their relief. General Johnson is there
and General Webb, whh 5,000 men.*
19. — Sailed for Boston.
27. — Amidst all the distress of the ^.own, upon occasion of
our loss and disappointment, we have to day, further melan-
choly news by a ship from London, o; the Duke's being beat.
Stpieniber 2- — Returned from Boston.
October 19. — W^ hear that our fleet at Louisburgh had all
like to have been lost on the 24ih of September. That the
Tisbury, with 150 men, foundered, and that the Ferret was
missing, and most of the others lost their masts.
JVovemher 3. — We have news fom Halifax that the peo-
ple there talk of leaving the place ; that our Province Snow
is taken ; that 6 large men of vv^ar are gone home in Jury
masts, and th it Hanover is *aken.
30.— The price of beef at Boston is 12 pence per pound ;
corn per bushel, 205. ; here 22 and sixpense.
I am provided with every thing needful for the coming win-
ter.
December 14. A Council at Gorham.
16. The Council finished, and brought the aggrieved
brethren to agree.
£6. Capt. Pearson gave me a barrel of cider.
[I notice this as a further memento of the numerous pre-
sents made to Mr. Smith.]
[This appears to have been a healthy year, generally, and
with Mr. Smith in particular. With but one exception, he
made no com'_)laint of discontent with his performances on
the Sabbath, nor expressed any doubt of the people's satis-
faction with them.]
1758.
Januanj 20. — I rode to Gorham and joined the council :
six churches.
21.— The council sat yesterday and to-day, in bearing a
tedious exh'bition of charges brought -'^ainst Mr. Lombard
by the disaffected,
*The last was surrendered by capitulation, and the garrifon was to he allow-
ed the honors of war, and to be protected against the Indians until within the
reach of Fort Edward ; but no sooner had the loldiers left the place, than the
Indians in the French army, disregarding the stipulation, fell on theooj and
oommitted the most cruel outrages .
70
■fi4.— We spent yesterday and to-day in hearing a tedioifs
cxhibii ion of charges brought by Mr. Lombard against the
disafFecied, and m debating and voting on the same.
25.— All this morning was spent in debating what the re-
sult ofthe council should be ; whether to continue Mr. Lom-
bard upon trial for twelve months, or dismiss him, and when
I was pntting it to vote, a motion came into the council that
the parties had agreed.
26.— And so the matter was finished by nine o'clock this
evening.
Fehruarij 13.— We have the confirmation, and particulars
©fthe news that the King of Prussia, with 18 or 20.000 men,
obtained a complete victory over the Imperial and French
army of 60,000 men. An astonishing event ! Glory to God.
16.— Two Londoners with £l(
away on Lynn beach by the storm.
£S.— We have the happy news of a second complete victo-
ry over Prince Charles and Marshal Douse, (Imperial gener-
als) by Prince Bevere. The Prince Bevere was beat, but
afterwards the King of Prussia joined him, and the above
victory was obtained, with SC,000 against 70,000.
March 15.— Parish meeting— -They voted £800 for my
salary, and I gave them a receipt for all arrears.
21. — We have a confirmation of the last news. We hear
of a prodigious expedition, entered upon, against Canada.*
26.— Horses and sleighs go every where over the snovf,
which is as high as the fences.
April 5.— Joshua Moody is now recruiting men for the
Canada expedition. There are to be 500 men raised in this
county.
28.— Mr. Francis Waldo, who came to town on Monday,
dined here. He is appointed Collector for this port.
May 3. — One Ingersol and one Willard are come to town
with recruiting orders for ninety more men out of this part
ofthe country, which makes the people quite mat^, that when
we had cheerfully enlisted our quota, (viz. 500) they should
now get a pressing.
* The British governmeut having: determined to send a large force to Ameri-
ca, to operate by sea and land against the Freneh, Mr. Pitt, in a circular letter
to the colonial g'overnors, called upon them to raise as large bodies of men as
the number of inhabitants would allow. The northern colonies were prompt
and libern! in furnishing supplies. The legislature of Massachusetts voted to
furnish 7,000 men, Connecticutt 5,000, and New-Hampshire 3,000. These troops
were ready to take the field very early in May, previously to which term, Ad-
miral Boscawen had arrived at Halifax with a forneidable .Seet, and l2,0C?
troops under the cotimand of Gen. Amherst.
Tl
11. — Our soldiers sailed for Kittery in 3 transport sloopj".
24. — One Pomeroi, upon -Kennebec river was killed by the
Indians, and a young man taken captjve.
June 1. — The two last Thursdays' newspapers are full of
the success of the DuUe of Brunswick. In Hanover, the
French were driven out of every place with great loss. Their
army sickly, and multitudes dead and killed, and by a deci-
sive battle they were entirely routed — all their magazines
taken and Hinover entirely evacuated.
3. — Admiral Boscawen has arrived at Louisburgh with his
fleet from Halifax. It consisted of twenty-four ships of the
line, eleven frigates, and four bomb ships.
4. — He landed his troops at Gaberouse Bay.
11. — We hear that Mr. Preble, of Arowsic, and his wife
were lately killed by the Indians, and their six children and a
young woman carried away captives.
18. — Parish meeting about the bell Capt. Ross sent for,
which is come. After much conceited opposition, m^de by
the out families, who threatened never to come to meeting,
and talked of being set off a [separate] parish. The parish
voted £100 L. M. to pay for it.
26. — Brigadier Waldo came to town by land, as did his sons
by water.
£9. — We attended a fast upon the expedition. Mr. Mor-
rell and I preached. Messrs. El win, Thompson, Hovey and
Lombard prayed.
Jiihj 2.— (Sunday) Our bell (which weighs more than 800)
which was hung yesterday, rang at the usual hours.
6. — We had a fast with respect to the great expedition :
Mr Elvin preached.
12. — Attended a fast. I preached.
19. — I attended a fast. Messrs. Thompson and Elvin
preached.
21. — News that Louisburgh is taken, the joy of which is
abated, by news that our army at Ticonderoga is routed, and
retreated with the loss of 2000 men.
27.— The news of the taking of Louisburgh is contradicted.
August 17.— Capt. Jordan came here and brought ns news
of the reduction ofLouisbuig on the 26th July, which is con-
firmed by a letter from Thomas, in Boston, to Mr. Codman*
The people spent P. M. and most of the night rejoicing.
'72
24. — We have [further] confiimation of the news of the
veduftion ofLoulsburgh* and hear of great rejoicings :it Bos-
ton and PortsniOtUh.
30. — We have been all in alarm b)' the advices of great
firidji, at Georges. 150 men (mostly volunteers) are gone ia
Mr. Cox.
31. — Upon their return from Pemaquid, they brought news
th.'-t the French and Indians had attacked Georges, '.ook and
returned a woman : killed 60 cattle, and nioveU o!i'.
Sejdember 12. — The epidemic congh we had all the last
winter, now again prevails in every house. The chikiren
especially are grievously exercised with it, and seem as if
they would die.
14. — Day of pri<yer and Thanksgiving on occasion of the
reduction of Louisburgh, and defeat of our army at Ticon-
fiaroga.
18. — Capt. Tenny in a mast ship came here to load.
21. — We hear that Prince Ferdinand, in command of his
Majesty's army, obtained a complete victory over Count
Clermont, and the French army oh the 23d June, in which
the latter lost oOOO uien, and the fornier only 1000.
22. — Admiral An -on, with a great fleet, and the Duke of
Marlborough, with 16,000 troops, have been to St. Malo, and
burnt 300 sliips.
October 16. — I prayed with Enoch Ilsley's child, who is ill
with the cough and fever, as hundreds of children are in the
parish.
JVovemher 3. — A small man of war run aground coming in
here, as an escort to the mast ship.
6. — The man of war and mast ship sailed.
December. — [Nothing ;o be noticed.]
[T have not observed in the journal of this year, that Mr.
Smith expressed any disheartning circumstance ordonbtof
appiobation and acceptance.]
1759.
January li. — I preached a Lecture entirely extempore,
determining to do it but the moment before I began.
* It was taken with the loss of about 400 Bien killed or w oanded. Tlie garri-
son lost upw ards of 1500, and the tow.n was left almost in a heap of ruins. The
conquerors found 2'i\ pieces of cannon, and 18 mortars, with a large qu.intity of
stores and ammunition. The inhabitants of Cai«e Britor, were sent to France
in English hij :; bntt'>^' garrison acnounting to 5637 officers and men, were
^carried prisoners to En jiaud*
73
27. — The measles is spreading through the t«wns in this
part of the country.
February IS. — Mr. Thompson died this morning.
21. — I rode with my wife to Mr. Thompson's Funeral.
There was a great concourse of people, as many from my
parish, as there were Horses and Sleighs.
March 14. — Parish Meeting. Voted to enlarge the Meet-
ing-House and build a Steeple.
[Many were ill, and several died with the measles thismonth,
and Mr. Smitli was much employed in visiting and praying
with the sick.
How much he was engaged in this kind of ministerial duty,
and how many scenes of sickness and death he has been wit-
ness to ! And it may be observed, that he was not only ' much'
in prayer, but eminent in his copious, fluent and fervent man-
ner of performing that exercise.]
April 4.— Mr. Townsend was ordained in Gorham. Capt.
Phinney prayed before the charge, and Capt. Morton gave it,
and Townsend did all the rest.
18. — A remarkable Comet in the N. E. about 3 in the
morning.
May 4. — Governor Povvnal came here in Capt. Saunders.
o. — He sailed to day with 400 soldiers for Penobscot, to build
a Fort there.
31, — We hear that Brigadier Waldo died suddenly at Pe-
nobscot on Wednesday last.
June 28 — ^General Fasc on occasion of the expeditions.
July 18. — I have baptized S3 infants in about six weeks.
24. — Oui people threw off the easterly end of the Meeting-
House.
August. — Prince Ferdinand at the head of the Allied army
of 4a,000 in Hanover [had] obtained a complete victory over
Marshal Contaide's army of 140,000.
8. — We have the joyful news of Niagara* and Ticondero-
ga'sf being taken, and that the army have landed near Que-
bec.
9. — Yesterday Mr. Hemmenway was ordained [at Wells.]
16.-— There were public rejoicings upon the confirmation
of Niagara and Ticonderoga being taken, and Crown Point
being deserted and burnt.
*The garrison at Niagara, consisting- of 609 men, were to march out Avith the
lienors of war, and to be carried to New- York, and the women and children to
Montreal.
jThe enemy, after blowing up their magazines, and doing what damage the
time would allow, CTacuated the fort and return^ to Crown Point.
74
29.— Had a Lecture. Baptized six chrildren.
[It may be here mentioned, that, during the ministry of Mr,
Smith, the number of baptisms in his Society, (as it appears
by the Church record,) was £362 — viz : Of Infants 2331.
Adults SI.
Septemher 13.— This was the memorable day when Gen.
Wolfe's army obtained the victory over the French army at
Quebec, which brought about the surrender of the City.*
17.— Quebec surrendered.
18.— Our army entered into and took possession of Quebee.
£6.-— The captaijis of the mast ships made a great Barba-
que on Hog-Island, for a general frolic.
27 — There are 136 Houses upon this neck, besides Tucker's
shop, Preble's and Bangs' warehouses and Bradbury's work-
shop, Avhich have families m them, and the fort.
Odbher 5. — We have a deluge of company this week, and
indeed through the whole summer.
[The social disposition of Mr. Smith, always afforded him
the company of the most respectable strangers, and frequent
visits of his acquaintances and friends.]
14. — We have news that Quebec is taken, and that General
Wolfe and Montcalm, are killed. (See Sept. 13.)
16. — The cannon were fired at the fort yesterday and to-
day. Mr. Mayhew's house was illuminated, and small arms
fired in the evening, upon further and more authentic news of
the victory at Quebec.
17. — The three mast ships fired and were illuminated upon
the same occasion.
18. — The country is all in extacy, upon the surprising news
of the conquest of Quebec. General Wolfe, with an army of
5000 men, on the 13th of last month, having got above the
city, and landed on the north side, attacked the French behind
the city, who after a terrible engagement of 15 minutes, fled
into the city, which surrendered the 17th.
2,5. — Public Thanksgiving for the reduction of Canada and
Quebec particularly.
*In the battle at the plains of Abraham, about 1000 of the enemy were made
prisoners, and nearly an equal number fell in the field and in the pursuit.
I- The loss of tke English, both of killed and wounded, v. as less than 600 men.
Quebec, at the time of its capitulation, contained about 10,000 souls. After it
was reduced, it was garrisoned by about 5000 men, under the command of Gen.
Murr-iy.
At attempt was made the next year to recover it by the French, under tbe
command of M. de Levi, but Gen. Murray with 3080 men, marched out on the
28th April, to tbe plains of Abrahnm, and atUcked them near Sillery with great
Impetuosity, and after a fierce encounter, retired into the city. In this action he
?l>st over 600 men, and the French a greater number.
IB
A'ovember 1. — t dined with Capt Grangev, and spent P.iSl
on board Darling, with Capt. Hagget. [Captains of the three
mast ships.]
13. — I was to see John Waite, who is returned from the.
river St. Lawrence, and who came away with the last of the
fleet.
21.^ — This day is memorable for the defeat of Gen. Winch,
with a Prussian army of above 12,000 men, who all surren
dered to the Austrian army ; and also for the defeat of the
Brest fleet, by Sir Edward Hawke.
December SI. — We have news from Europe, that the
French are still upon the design of inva«iing England and
Ireland.
[Some time this year Mr. Edward Sawyer was appointe.1
sexton of the parish, as successor to old Father (Arthur)
Gooding.]
1760*
January 20. — News is come from the General Court that
the disaffected brethren atPurpoodock are setoff.
February 6. — Brigadier Preble is returned from Boston
and brings news of the county's being divided.
29. — We have certain news that Admiral Hawke has taken,
destroyed and scattered the whole Brest fleet, and (bad nev.s)
that the Prussian army under general Winch has all surren-
dered.
March 1. — We have news that Mr. Bernard, (Governor of
the Jerseys) is appointed our Governor, and Mr. Pownal,
Governor of South Carolina.
20. — I had a letter from Brigadier Preble, giving an ac-
count of the Penobscot Indians coming for peace. Governor
Lawrence has made peace with the St. John's and Passaraa-
quoddy Indians, and the neutral French and Cape Sable In-
dians are also come in.
23. — (Sundav,) I was this morning called to Capt. Ross',
Mr.Flatt and'Mr.M'CIean being killed by the fall of the
kitchen garret floor, full of corn, upon the chamber floor
(where Mr. M'Clean was) which carried it down in an instant
and kil'ed Mr. Flatt in the kitchen. One of the servants was
wounded, but the rest escaped in the chimney.
25. — I prayed at the funeral of Messrs. Flatt and M'Clean.
The largest and most solemn funeral that ever was in the
town. People were very much affected.
16
28. — We have the confirmation and particulars of the lat^
awful fires in Boston, viz. : a fire at N Boston on Monday
noon, but soon extinguished. A fire on Thursday at Griffin's
wharf, that endangered the magazine, but also soon put out.
And a prodigious fire on Wednesday night, the greatest that
ever was in America. It broke out in Cornhill at the widow
Jackson's, and consumed all the southeast part of the town ;
irom thence, all the lower part of Milk-street and the most of
Water-street, Pudding lane, Quaker lane and Mackrel lane,
as far as Col. Wendell's wharf, containing S49 buildings, i. e.
175 warehouses and shops, and 174 tenements inhabited by
220 families.*
SO.— The loss by the above fire is computed to be £100,000
sterling, or a million old tenor.
31. — The genera] Court have voted for the use of the suf-
ferers £3000, lawful money.
^pril 6. — (Sunday) Weccmtributed £179 old tenor, for the<
suiferers by the fire
May 1. — We have news of a cessation of arms.
2. — We hear that all hope of peace is over for this year,
and that the contendmg nations are going at it in earnest.
IS. — Visited among the soldiers under Capt.Ingersol, now
going away.
24. — Sailed for Boston in Capt. Saunders. Put into Cape
Ann, and
30, Got to Boston. Maj. Freeman and Cajpt. Pearson are
in tov.'n about dividing the county.
7. †” Rode to Dunstable.
10. — Returned to Boston.
12. — Came away from Boston with an easy pretty breeze.
13. — The wind continued fair till near night, when arose a
dreadful N. E. tempest, which drove us back to York.
14. — Got home P. M. with a pleasant N. W. gale.
23. — Maj. Freeman and Capt. Pearson returned from Bos-
ton with news of the division of the county into three.
24. — News from Boston of the siege of Quebec's being
raised, which occasions great joy.
July 29. — Lord Rutherford, was to see me. He has lately
t)een with some men of war from Louisburgh, in pursuit of
three French vessels, in the Bay of Chalours, and destroyed
them. They were destined for Quebec, with stores.
30. — Col. Gushing has lost his sloop and negro ; taken by
the above French ships.
31. — I dined at Capt. Ross', with Lord Rutherford.
*Minot says, " II raged with such violence, that in about (our hours, it de«*
ty-cyed nearly a tenth part of the towji."
77
Jiuguscld. — Oui- people raised the steeple of the meeting-
house. I prayed with th^iii.
30. — We have had do uews this year, except the raising the
siege of Quehec.
Sepicidher 1 L — We have n/ws of General Amherst taking
Isle Royal, 3j miles above Montreal.
18. — We hear that Capt. Rowland has taken Isle Nut, St..
Johns, and Chamble Forts,with an army of 5500 from Crown
Point.
20. — News from Boston that our armies under General
Amherst, had joined at Montreal,'^ and taken it. Our people
were there upon rejoicing all the afternoon,,
£2. — Our people are rejoicing again. Our house was illu-
minated, as were several others in the neighborhood.
23. — It is as sickly a time in Boston as has been known.
24. — [Sickly here too.]
25. — We hear a small army of Russians under Forequet,
have been routed, and that he himself being taken afterwards,
died of his wounds ; also that the right wing of Prince Ferdi-
nand's army was routed with 1000 killed.
October 9. — Thanksgiving for the reduction of all Canada, /
by taking Montreal.
" [There was a Council the latter part of this month at
Brunswick between Mr. Dunlap and his people, which ter-
minated upon an agreement that he be dismissed, and that
his people pay him all arrears and £200 O. T.J
SI. — And'thus ended this difficult affair, to the surprise and
joy of all concerned. The council was unanimous, and each
party perfectly satisfied.
A'oi'emfeer 4. — We have news by the way of Halifax of a
victory gained by the king of Prussia over general Laudaun,
wherein the latter lost 7000 killed and 4000 taken. The kin^
of Prussia left only 600.
10. — The new impression of the Psalm book was brought
us, 380.
14. — We have the confirmation of the king of Prussia'.*?
victory over Laudaun, viz. That the Austrians lost 10,000
men and 5000 prisoners and 82 cannon, and all their tents
and baggage, and that the Prussians lost only 530 killed and
tOOO wounded.
26. — We have a great deal of good news by the mast-ships
arrived at Portsmouth, viz. That Count Daun being recall-
ed, General Beck was beaten by the king of Prussia, with the
*It was surrendered with Detroit, and all other places withiu the governmerit
of Canada, to his Britanic Majest}' on the 8th inst. The destruction of an arma-
ment ordered out from France in aid of Canada, completed the annibilation ^f
the French power on the continent of North Anieric&,
*7
78
ioss of 2S,C0O killed and taken. ^liHt Bioglig was sick and
iiis tirn.v letieating liom Hanover. Tliiit Prince Heniy bad
drubbed the Russians, and that tlie French interest in the East
Indies was lost.
[O, War ! What kavoc dost thou make !]
Decemher S. — I dined with the new civil officers of this new
county of Cumberland, upon their being sworn.
8. — The people upon this Neck are in a sad toss about Dr.
Coffin's having the small pox, which 'tis thought he took of a
man at N. Casco, of whom many there have taken it. It is
also at Stroud water.
9. — The uproar is quieted by the removing of Dr. Coffin ta
Noice's Farm.
£8. — I have married 22 couple the year past.
[I have taken no notice of marriages in these Extracts,
5ior of the frequent deaths of women and children, but where
the deaths of men are mentioned, I have thought it proper
to notice them either in these extracts, or ia the list of names
at the end.].
1761.
January 6. — "We have now the news confirmed that King
George the 2d died of a rupture in his heart, the 25th Oct.
aged 77 years, wanting 17 days ; and that his grandson George
Sd, was proclaimed at Boston this day se'nnight.
15. — We have the great news of a complete victory gained
by the King of Prussia, over Count Daun, and the whole Aus-
trian army, but no particulars.
February 14. — I had an exceeding ill night, was greatlj
distressed, and a disposition to fits.
28. — I never, in my apprehension more nearly looked death
in the face ; my father being seized with fits about this time
of life (i. e. near 60.)
[Mr. Smith was much engaged this month visiting and pray-
ing with the sick.]
March 5. — The two nights past I have been disquieted and
«3istressed with the return of my old complaints, viz a con-
stant agitation at tfee pit of my stomach, that expands all over
me with quick startL<;h convulsions.
7. — Had an extreme ill night.
8. — (Sunday) a very full meeting, was feeble, but greatly
assisted.
[Mr. Smith was frequently ill with colds, &c. but at this
time he was in his apprehension, dangerously so. I have
•therefore noticed it.]
19
9. — Things remain in a dismal situation about the school
master Richmond^ a very worthless fellow, by means of which
the peace of ihe neighborhood of the neck is broken up and
dreadful quarrelmgs occasioned. The old selectmen sent hitn
out of town, but he returned and kept school at . An-
nual town meeting. Capt. Pearson, Moderator ; Mr. Stephen
liongfellow, Town Clerk ; though "^^^ tried to oust him. Se-
lectmen reduced to three,(Capt. Milk,Deacon Merrill and Mr.
Stout) by means of which Deacon Cotton and Capt. Gooding
were dropt. Capt. B. Wait offering to serve for nothing,vvas
chosen town treasurer. Votes for a Register, of the new-
county were brought in. Maj. Freeman and Nathaniel
Moody were competitors. A workhouse was appointed.
The meeting lasted £ days.
12. — We were last night about a quarter after two, awak-
ened and roused outofour beds by an astonishing earthquake*
much such as that five years ago ; only that in that there was
a more terrible jar, and this was undulatory. We had a lec«
ture on the occasion at 4 P. M,
21. — Having obtained help of God, I continue to this da}',
which makes me 59 years old.
23. — The uproar in town continues ; besides, Col. Waldo,
to-day carried a complaint to Boston, against Capt. Pearson^
signed by 800.
31. — A sickly, dying, melancholy time.
^pril 22. — Mr. Bosworth came here.
24. — Our people made uncommon rejoicings yesterday (on
occasion of the King*s coronation.)
May 5. — I prayed and dined with the c®urt ; the first for
this new county of Cumberland. ^
22. — I had a very bad sleepless night, with many great
convulsions through the night. I am entirely worn out with
extraordinary service, at prayer continually, and for want of
sleep.
2d. — I sat out with Mr. Codman on a journey to Boston
[for his health it appears.]
June 2. — Rode to Boston (from Cape Ann) with Mr.
Saunders. *
9. — Came away from Boston [by water.]
11 — Got home, more comfortable than ever in my life, no
fits, and could sleep well.
16.— I prayed with Capt. Milk's little girl, (of 7 years old)
sick and remarkably religiously impressed.
26. — Our people raised the spire of the steeple. I prayed
with theni.
-iiTwo shocks were felt on the s^me day, is alttbe New-EDgland ColoniesJ
80
July 7. — We had a fast on <iccasion of a very distressing
and incieasing dronght. Mr. Wiswell preached. Tliere was
a fresh shower just as we went out of the meeting house,
whicli very much affected the people.
8. — It pleased Gojl to give us gentle showers from 9 to 12
A. M. to prepare for a wondertul great shower that followed,
and lasted an hour, when the heavens gathered blackness, the
rain poured down abundantly, so as I never saw the like.
17. — I rode with Mr. Longfellow in the Chaise to the mast
ships (Darling and Hagget) which came in yesterday. I es-
caped signally from hurt by the chaise wheel running over
me.
24. — By Brigadier Preble, from Boston, we have the con-
firmation of Belleisles being taken, and that the expedition to
the Mississippi is given up.
25. — The fire is broke out and flames at Dunston, Gorham
and New-Casco. A most melancholy awful time.
29. — The man of war came in, Capt. Scaiff, a 40 gim ship,
to convoy the mast ships.
August 7. — I spent V. M. on board the man of war with
Ross, Pearson, Freeman, and Longfellow.
19. — A great storm ; there has been no rain like it. Thus
iu the mount God is seen, and thus God has began to work
deliverance (when we have been brought a great while to an
extremity) as he did in July !£8th, 1749, a month before this
time.
23.— Capt. Ross came in, in a large ship to load ; as did
Capt. Malcom some time ago, besides which there lie here,
3 mast ships and the man of war.
31. — My Brother came liere in Capt. Target, with the man
of war that went from hence to Boston, to take and carry to
France the merchants money, viz. £22,000 steiling. The
fleet consists of the man of mar, Mr. Target, 3 mast ships,
(Darling, Hagget and Mallard) and 2 brigs (7 in all.)
Septemher 27. — (Sunday) An exceeding full meeting. Pe-
ter [Mr. Smith's son] preached here all day, to great accep-
tance.
October, — [There is nothing proper to be extracted fronn
the Journal of this month.]
J\/ovember. — ^^{Nor from that of this month.]
December 7. — This evening we had very nearly lost our
house. — [Here are enumerated a number of things that were
burnt ]
[Notwithstanding the illness of Mr. Smith this year, there
seems to have been no remission of his ministerial labors ; a
close application to which it is probable(if it was not the caus«
of bis complaints;) was unfavorable t« iiis Jaealth.
1762;
January 4. — Father Goodwin was buried.
February 5. — We have news from London, that the King
•f Prussia has saved his army without fighting, as Prince
Ferdmand has done Hanover.
8.— Sterling of 3Iarblehead [Windham] says that the snow
with them is more than five feet deep.
11. — There is no passing from the wind-mill to the meet-
ing-house.
28. — A wonder of a winter, this will be famous for, to
posterity. The deep snow falling as early as the Sd Decem-
ber ; since which, it kept snowing continually.
March 1. — A time of remarkable health in the country, and
hardly any body sick in the Parish.
[Mention is frequently made this month of the difficiilty of
passing on account of the depth of the snow.]
31. — God is appearing to work deliverance as he did at
this timpj 14 years ago, (1748) when we had just such a win-
ter as this has been.
£pril 4. — (Sunday) There is no riding on horse-back, nor
in a sleigh or chaise, but in a narrow bad foot path.
7. — We have news of the surrender of Martinico to Gen.
Montcalm ; that Admiral Saunders had taken a Spanish Gal-
leon with half a million sterling, and that the Reteon man of
war, has taken a register ship worth £40,000 sterling.
8. — Our people are rejoicing upon the conquest of Marti-
Â¥iico.
May 11. — We hear Spain declared war with England, the
l5th January.
14. — Collector Francis Waldo was chosen Representative.
[His brother, Col. Sam. Waldo, had been for several years
before.]
24. — Capt. Darling in a mast ship came here. Ke brings
a confirmation of the news of peace between the new Czar
and the King of Prussia.
June 24. — The Judges [of the Supreme Court] came to
town. Lynde and Russel stay here.
July 5._The woods are all a fire ; 6 houses, 2 saw-mills,
several barns and cattle were burnt at Dunston. 6 families
burnt out at North-Yarmouth, and a vast deal of damage done
in fences burnt, and fields and pasture laid open.
7. — We had a fast on occasion of the grievous drought;
not a very full meeting, many being at work about the fires.
17. — Mr. Wiswell (at New-Gasco) is close confined in the
boight of distraction. Domine Brown there.
82
ks. — Our people are every day frolicing, notwithstanding
the distress of fiies.
26. — We have an account of St.Johns and New-Foundland
being taken by 2 hne of battle French ships, and a frigate
and about 1600 laiad troops from Brest.
28, — A day of Public Prayer on occasion of the drought
and famine feared.
80. — It pleased God to give us a steady rain for several
hours.
August 12. — Pepperilborough gave Mr. Fairfield a call.
13. — It pleased God to give us a very bounteous shower.
16 — another.
18. — Another. 21. — A great deal. The earth is no\V
wonderfully soaked and refreshed, and the grass begins t«
look green. 30. — The grass grows wonderfully.
31. — We have news of the taking Moor Castle at the
Havanna.
September 6. — Mr. Wiswell went to Boston last night.
10 — We have the good news, that the Havanna surren-
dered on the 14th July. A great conquest in itself, but vast-
ly great by the men-of-war we took and destroyed, together
with an immense sum of dollars.
2£. — Ah ordination at Windham [doubtless of his son
Peter, tho' he is not namedja prodigious concourse of people,
a great and admired solemnity ; Mr. Morrel began with
prayer, Mr. Langdon preached. I gave the Charge. Mr.
Loring gave the R. H. F. Mr. Elvin preached. It was
thought by all to be the most finished solemnity of the kind
ever known.
October 7. — Public thanksgiving for our successes in war
this year.
10. — Governor Barnard came here from the eastward.
27. — Mr. Fairfield was ordained at Pepperilborough.
29. — Capt. Ross, in a large ship (of 700 tons) came hereto
load, as did a Snow of his, a few days ago, besides which there
are now 5 other ships and Snow's here a loading.
JSTovemher 5. — Mr. Miller was ordained at Brunswick.
19. — Mr. Wiswell returned to this place from Doct. How,
of Andover.
December. — [No occurrencesproper to be noticed.]
1763.
January l. — This year begins with a great breach madfe
upon me, and a great change.
83
£. — (Sunday) I went to meeting this morning under no
apprehension of my wife being near her end; but last night
she re/using to take any sustenance, and continuing to do it,
alarmed me, and
3, At midnight, she fell asleep and never awaked, but ex-
pired about 4 in the morning, without a sigh or a groan.
6. — Attended the funeral of Mrs. Smith. She wanted 4
months of 65 years. We had lived together near 19 }ears.
February 4. — Wednesday morning Brigadier Prebie, CoL
Waldo, Capt. Ross, Doct, Coffin, Nathaniel Moody, Mr.
Webb and their wives, and Tate sat out on a frolic to Ring's,
and are not yet got back, nor like to be, the roads being not
passable.
5. — Thomas and wife, Codman and Sally, Butler and
Nancy Codman, with vast difficulty, returned that same day
from Windham. We feared Butler had perished.
6. — (Sunday) Our people generally spent yesterday shovel-
ing snow to the meeting house and elsewhere.
9, — We are every where shut up ; people are discouraged
making paths. They say there is now 5 feet of snow upon
a level, but it is mountainously drifted on the clear ground.
It is a melancholy time, near a famine for bread.
11. — Our fiolicers returned from Blackpoint, having been
gone just ten days. They got homeward as far as long
creek last night ; and with vast difficulty and expense reached
iiome.
13. — (Sunday) Pretty full meeting considering how diffi-
cult it vvas to get there. The people shovelled a foot path
froni Mr. Codman's new house to the meeting-house, [now^
called Temple-Street] through 3 feet of snow.
17. — A cessation of arins was proclaimed at Boston on
Monday last.
20. — (Sunday) still a diffieuity in getting to the Meetings
horse.
27. — (Sunday) Thin meeting, it being very blustering and
cold and difficult to get to the meeting house.
28. — Tiiere is no path any where through the country fur-
ther than Stroudwater and up to Windham. Mr. Marston
was obliged to leave his horst ^t H.rtmpton and come home
with snow-shoes,
March 1. — To day in God's gracious Providence we were
relieved by the coming in of Mayhev.'s schooner fiom Con-
necticut with 1000 bustiels of Indian corn. People were re-
duced to the b.5t and extremest distress : scarce a bushel of
corn in the whole eastern country.
8. — Yesterday and to-day we had the coldest and longest
storm this winter, there fell 19 inches, about as much as has
been consumed.
«4
Id. — I manied Snmuel Green and JaneGustin ;they came
en snow-shoes across the Cove from Capt. Ilsley's to my
house.
11. — The definitive treaty of Peace between Great Britain,
France and Spain with the accession of Portugal, was signed
yesterday at Paris-
18. — -^** and *** set up for Town Clerk and quarrelled
dreadfully about it, but sat up a wrong person, and therefore
did net su'^ceed. The old officers were chosen.
19. — '^*'^ set up my salary at £1000, but was opposed and
prevented by ***.
23. — To day came m a sloop from Boston whh SOOO bush-
els of corn.
£4. — A schooner came in from Cape Ann, with 1600 bush-
els, which sells for 30s. or 27s. by the 100 bushels. Thus in
God's merciful Providence we have again a most seasonable
and full supply.
35. — Capt, Gooding got in. with 2300 bushels more.
^^pril 6. — The Robbin visited us.
19.— To day was the first passing through the country, by
Mr. Russel,
Mai/ G.— The earth has a most beautiful green face. I
never knew the grass so forward not so well set.
31.— I sat out on a journey to Boston alone.
Ju7ie 25.— Got home well, thank God most fervently.
JuZi/.— [There is no particular event, proper to be extracted
from '.he journal of this month.]
"H^ii^-'dst 2.— I rode to North-yarmouth, and attended the
funei .1 of Mr. Loring.
11 , - -Public thanksgiving for the peace.
12 — Capt. Brad. Saunders here with the Indians, going to
Boston ,to treat about peace.
27. — Capt's. Darling and Hagget, [in mast ships] came in
last night, as did two ships before this week, to load by Capt,
Ross. By reason of the wet weather, my books and cloaths
have iiecoine mouldy, and we were not able to shut our inner
doois, being swelled so through the Avhole summer.
September 11. — I have been discouraged about my enemies,
they Uik of a new meeting-house.
October 2«. — The mast ship sailed.
JVo-^^em-'Cr 2t and 28. — **** and -J^-^^*, are sending about a
subscription for u new meeting-house, in favor of Mr.Wiswell.
December ] 3. — Our attention is very iouch dr-'.-vn in, and
the »n')si of our thoughts nml Mvk is about the new meeting-
ho'. • <■• "'^f. WisweVi.
20.— Isp.5ut the evening at Doct. Coffin's, who is breaking
and decaying fast.
85
tQ. — Mr. Brooks here, who has had a call at N. Yarmouth.
[Mr. Smith was dejected at times, this month, but at other
times in good spirits. At the close of it he says it has pleased
God to give hmi a year of trouble,]
1764.
January 27. — We heard that old Harvard College was
burnt lately.
30. — I am very ill to day. I bless God that the cough I
am now exercised with did not happen when I was first
wounded. [By a fall some time before, by which he had
broken two of his ribs.]
February 6. - This evening the signers for the new meeting
house bad a meeting, when **^ and ^""^^ quarrelled and
fought in the street. A foundation for a church was thus laid
^^*^^^" the pillars tremble.
12. — (Sunday) One Mr. Murray (an Irishman put in here
from the eastward,) preached here p. m. extremely popular.
March 7. — The people at Boston are all inoculating at the
Castle and Shirley's Point with marvellous success, in the
new method with mercury, he.
8. — The guards at infected houses in Boston are removed,
the people finding they can stop the spreading no longer.
27. — Annual town meeting Capt. Gooding and Milk
added to the Selectmen because of the small Pox.
28. — Palish meeting. Stroudwater again set off. A
great struggle to get me an assistant, and all the principal
men for it, but ^^"^ headed the young men and the Stroud-
waterev'g in the opposition and pievented it.
.^pril 4.— Mr. Whitfield I hear is at York.
12. — Annual Fast, I had marvellous assistance which I had
rather note because I was in bondage before in thought of it
by reason of a slowness of thinkmg and speaking that has
come upon me, and takes away all fluency and makes me
think I'm a breaking, but I never performed better. All praise
to God who heard my cries.
May 2.0. — (Sunday) Mr. Deane preached p. m. He came
to town with Col. Tyng. 27. — Mr. Dean preached.
June 15. — Mr. Deane came here.
17. — Mr. Deane preached.
21.— Mr. Bernard and Mr. Curwin came here.
25. — Mr. Curwin and Deane set off for Wiscasset.
28. — Messrs. Bernard, Curwin, and Deane returned.
29. — ^Visited Mr. Bradbury, Mr. Chipman with the gout,
and others.
8
86
July 2.— Messrs. Bernard, Curwin and Deane went off.
3. — We liad a church meeting, lull, and unanimous in giv-
Wg Mr. Deaiie a call.
4. — Mr. B»ooks was ordained. A multitude of people
from my parish, and a decent solemnity.
17. — The parish (at a meeting) concurred with the church
in tiie choice of Mr. Deane by a great majority. They voted
him a thousand settlement, and 700 salary.
The new meeting house men, with the Stroudwater men,
made their utmost opposition to Mr. Deane's settlement, •
but in vain. The meeting was peaceable. I have beep ex-
ceedingly earnest in prayer. I fail much, and have been
greatly distressed about myself and the people, but God has
rejnarkably appeared and the whole is a great scene ol Pro-
vidence
23. — The new meeting men had a meeting, and declared
for the church. They have been in a sad toss since th©
parish meeting and made a great uproar, getting to sign for
the church. They began to frame the house.
Mr. Bromfield here.
August 15. — There was a council at Gorham that united
the two churches and dismissed Mr. Lombard.
23. — Capt. Hagget in a mast ship arrived with young Dr.
Coffin.
25 — Mr Deane came here.
26 — Mr. Deane preached, a very full meeting.
28.— I had a great company drinking tea, among, whom
were Col. Powel and his sisters.
30.— Mr. Hooper (church parson) came here yesterday and
with him Messrs. Tyng and Palmer. Governor Bernard put
in here.
31. — There is a sad uproar about Wiswell, who has declared
for the church and accepted (a day or two ago) of the call
our churchmen have given him to be their minister.
It broke out on a sudden, and happily tended towards Mr,
Deane's settlement.
September 2.— (Sunday) A great day this ! Mr. Hooper
preached to our new church people, and "baptized several
children. We had notwithstanding, a full meeting especially
a. ra. when I preached, and Mr. Deane p. m. who then gave
his answer.
3. — Mr. Hooper with his company, Capt. Erving with his»
and Mr. Deane with Capt. Pearson and Major Freeman sat
out for Boston. The corner stone of the church was laid by
the wardens, who with their officers were chosen to day.
9, — (Sunday) Mr. Wisweli preached in the Town-house.
S6. — Capt. Brown (who was here last year and whose
87
ship sunk going home) came here in another to load with
masts.
30.— (Sunday) Mr. Wiswell preached in the Court-house
to a small company.
October 4.— Mr. Brown (late of Marshfield) came here in
order to preach at Stroudwater.
8.— Mr. Wiswell sailed in the mast ship, Capt. Hageet.
11.~Mr. Deane came to town, and with him Mr. Brooks,
with his wife.
17.— Mr. Deane was ordained. A great solemnity, and a
vast collection of people. Mr. Adams be^an with prayer,
Mr. Miii^m preached, Mr. Merril prayed be'fore thecharoe—
I gave It, Peter gave the R. H. F. and Mr. Woodard closed
with prayer.
.£4. ---Mr. Eaton was ordained at Harpswell.
The young folks have had a rampant frolic of it.
.Yovember 24.— Mr. Brown retunred to Stroudwater.
25.— (Sunday) Our Sabbath frolickers now ride to b.ear
Brown, as they used to do Wiswell.
27.— I rode with Mr. Deane to Conant's and Proctor's ; I
prayed with the former who had his leg amputated by Nath.
Coffin, and Mr. Deane with the latter, who has his arm broken
in two places.
December 11.— I rode to Father Skillin's funeral. Ke
reckoned he was in his lOOth year.
31.— The winter thus far has paid us off. There has been
nothing like it, since the winter between 1747 and 1748.
Obtaining help of God, I continue. I am in good health,
but am slow in recollecting and thinking.
1765.
January 3.— The country from Boston to Portsmouth is
entirely blocked with snow.
16.— Mr. Foxcroft was ordained at N.Gloucester. We had
a pleasant journey home, Mr. L. was alert and kept us merry
—a jolly ordination — we lost sight of decorum.
20.— (Sunday) Mr. Brown preached here. All the church-
men, except Mr. Hope, came to meeting, and p. m some that
went to StrQudwater, and many going turned back.
22.— The ships and other vessels loading here are a won-
derful benefit to us. They t^ke off vast quantities of timber,
masts, oar-rafters, boards, &c.
February 25— A vessel from Newbury brought in 500
u^a^^ °^ ^°*'"' ^"^ ^^^^ °^ Purpoodock 1000, which with
the flour in town are a wonderful relief to the people.
88
March 4. — The church at N. Casco gave Mr. Fuller a call.
10. — One Davis brought from Boston 1000 bushels of
corn; and neighbor Mayo and Lieut. Thomes 1000 more.
12. — Col. Waldo came home with Brigadier Preble and
brings news that Stroudwater is made a parish by the Court
(with Long Creek) and that Purpoodock is not made a Dis-
trict.
14. — Jeremiah Pote came in from N. Cai'olina and brought
2900 bushels of corn ; Mr. Saunders sent here 500 bushels
in a schooner that brought as much more.
16. — Father Proctor died in the night aged 85.
27. — Annual parish meeting. My full salary and Mr.
Deane's were voted neniine contradicente. Forty returned
their names and were therefore setoff to Stroudwater parish,
and £48 L. M. were allowed them. The Church parties'
petition to be exempted from paying to Mr. Deane's settle-
ment and salary, was dismissed. The meeting was quite
peaceable. Blessed be God.
^pril 9. — The robin this morning, first made his appear-
ance.
10. — The Spring bird (as usual) came this morning and
witi) the robin gave us a serenade.
2-2. — Stroudwater parish gave Mr. Brown a call.
Jllai^ 8. — I was over at the funeral of Col. Gushing, who
died yesterday morning.
27. — Doct. Coffin with the palsy, continues breathing.
Jime 10. — Mr. Deane set olF for the ordination of Mr.
Winship at Woolwich.
July 11. — Mr. Deane's house was raised.
29. — I sat out for Cape Ann, with Sally and Peter in ano-
ther chaise,
Jlugust 1. — Got to Cape Ann about 10 o'clock.
6. — Rode to Boston.
12. — Sat out for home.
15. — Got home well, thanks to God.
15. — Last night there was a great mob in Boston, that de-
stroyed the new stamp house and attacked the Secretary's.
21. — Mr. Brown was installed.
22. — On Monday there was a second mob, that did violence
to Capt. Halloway's and Story's houses and almost ruined
the Lieut. Governor's whose loss by it is computed at £80,000.
Intoxicated by liquors, found in the cellar of Mr. Halloway,
the rioters inflamed with rage, directed their course to the
house of the Lieut. Gov, Hutchinson, whose family was in-
stantly dispersed, and who after attempting in vain to save
hims'lf within doors, was also constrained to depart to save
his life. By four in the morning, one of the best houses in
the Province was completely in ruins, nothing remaining but
89
the bare walls and floors. The plate, family pictures, most
of the furniture, the wearing apparel, about £900 sterling in
money, and the manuscript books which Mr. Hutchinson had
been thirty years collecting, besides many public papers in
his custody, were either carried off or destroyed.
September 10. — A mob lately attacked with great outrage,
Mr. Bennet, and did great damage.
12. — We hear of mobs continually at Newport, Connecti-
cut, Stc. as well as in this Province. Affairs seem to be
ripening to an universal mob ; all relative to the Stamp offi-
cers, who are obliged to give up their commissions.
18. — We hear there is a change of the ministry at home
which gives great joy, and puts a stop to that of mobs relative
to the Stamp Act.
25. — The General Court was called together with respect
to the distressed state of the country, and the universal un-
easiness and opposition to the Stamp Act.
October 23. — The General Court met about the Stamp
Act.
25. — Mr. Thrasher was found dead this morning in his
loft.
November 6. — Mr. Williams' was ordained at New-Casco.
7. — Mr. Savage came with his wife to liveiiere.
December 2,3. — I prayed with Mrs. Cox on the news of tho
death of her husband.
26. — News of Mr. Puddington being cast away.
1766.
January 8. — A mob here assembled, threatened the cus-
tom-house.
14. — Doct. Cofifin, (u'hodied on Saturday, the 11th) was
buried.
23. — This morning at 5 o'clock, we had a very alarming
earthquake, though not so great as that 5 years ago, yet coi>-
tinned as long.
24. — We had the repetition of an earthquake in several
smaller shocks.
February 12. — We have had news for a good while of a
change in the ministry at home. The Duke of Grafton, and
General Conway, Secretaries in the room of the execrable
Earl of Bute, and Mr. Greenville, which gives us great joy,
with respect to the hopeful prospectof a redress of our colony
grievances.
28. — We have had of late, several vessels from England
with abundance of news relative to the Stamp Act, mostly
90
promising a repeal or suspension of it. The nation, (city and
country, mercliants and manufacturers) are in a mighty toss
about It, and the Parliament know not what to do between a
desire of relieving us, and of saving their own credit and
authority. It was a rash thing, occasioned by Mr. H. and
other New-England men, ripened by Mr. Greenville and the
old ministry.
March 1. — In the course of the year past there have died,
the Duke of Cumberland ; the Prince WiUiam of the royal
blood of England ; the Emperor of Germany ; the Dauphin
of France ; the Princess Dowager of Orange; the reigning
Duke of Amhalt ; the Duke of Parma ; the Dukes of Boltoa
and Dorset, and other great personages.
14. — To-day was as great a N. E. storm of snow as ever
was known, perhaps greater.
£0. — Harper came in with 3000 bushels of corn.
25. — Annual town meeting, very full. The principal ofiS-
eers, the same as last year, except Mr. Ephraim Jones in the
room of Maj. Waite.
26. — Annual parish meeting. They established my salary
for the future (with my consent) £750 O. T. the same with
Mr. Deane's. The officers the same as last year.
SO. — Had 6 pounds of Brewster's chocolate at 14c?. a pound.
[I noticed this as one of hundreds of instances noted in Mr.
Smith's Journals, to show how fond he was of this nutricious
article.]
31. — The talk and concern of people since the storm, (the
14th) is about Weeks &t, Company. We have good news
from home that gives ushopes of the repeal of the Stamp Act.
Mr. Pitt has very zealously engaged in our interest, and the
ministry is so.
.■ipril 3. — I married Mr. Deane with Eunice Pearson.
Mai/ 16. — Capt. Tate in a large mast ship, came here, in 30
days from London, and 24 from the Land's End, who brings
certain news that the Stamp Act is repealed.
18. — We had an express with confirmation of the repeal of
the Stamp Act.
19.— Our people are mad with drink and joy ; bells ringing,
drums beating, colors flying, guns firing, the court-house
lluminated and some others, and a bonfire, and a deluge of
drunkenness.
20.— Our house was illuminated, and a great many others.
June 24.-— The mast ship sailed. Capt. Haslop came in,
and a^hip from Barb^does. The Supreme Court sat. Judge
Lynde here also.
29.— (Sunday) The Lieut. Governor, Judge Oliver, Mr.
Goff, Mr. Winthrop and Mr. Bowdoin, at meeting.
91
July 24. — Public thanksgiving on account of tiie repeal of
the Stamp Act.
August 10. — I was married [to the widow Wendell.]
September 1. — The town is full of strangers.
30. — There is a great change in the ministry at home. Mr.
Pitt made a Viscount and Earl, and in great favor.
October 29. — There is a council meets at North-Yarmouth
to-day, viz: Messrs. Chandler, Hale, Langdon, Stevens,
Lancton and Morrill, with delegates.
JVovember 1. — There are 6 large ships now lying in the
harbor.
17. — I had 19 pounds of chocolate (seepage 90.)
19. — There are great and universal complaints for want of
money, [a lamentable occurrence, but not an uncommon one.]
23. — Col. Powel and the justices are together all this week,
taking evidences about Mr. Hope's will.
December. — [Nothing suitable to the design of these
extracts.]
1767.
January 1. — Had S3 lbs. of Brewster's chocolate (see page
90.)
15. — Deacon Milk broke his thigh ; this is the third time.
19. — I retHrned (from Windham) on horseback. [This
modeof riding, Mr. Smith might have mentioned because he
went there in a sleigh : and I notice it because I was just now
reflecting, that notwithstanding his age, it appears to have
been his usual way of riding out ; (unless when he took his
wife with him) he was fond of a good horse, and of riding on
bis back, and well knew how to manage one.]
February 3. — There has been a great fire at Boston, it con-
sumed twenty dwelling-houses, besides other buildings, most-
ly in Paddy's Alley.
24. — Mr. Graft returned from Boston. A broken heir of
old Hope, his will being vacated.
15. — Visited Capt. Ross, under a course of mercury, for a
cancer.
28. — The controversy and uneasiness with the Governor
continues and increases.
March 5. — John Cotton has had three lectures lately in this
neighborhood.
17. — He continwes them.
21. — Obtaining help of God, I continue to this day, on
which I am 65 years of age. I bless God heartily, I have
92
my health, and am stronger than I was through most of my
younger life.
April 22. — Craft broke into goal by the assistance of mother
Hope.
May 15. — Brigadier Preble was chosen our representative,
v^ithout opposition.
June 5. — Curtis Chute and one Young, where killed in an
instant by the lightning, at the widow Gooding's ; Harrison
and others hurt and near being killed, and the house near
being destroyed also.
80. — I sat out with my wife on a journey for Boston.
Juhj 28.— We got home.
[On the 31st of this month, there was a violent hurricane in
Falmouth, which as Mr. Smith did not notice it) I have ob-
tained an account of, from a friend, as follows, viz.
" It connnenced near Sebago Pond, took an easterly direc-
tion, passing through Windham, and directly over the Duck
Pond, passed through the north part of Falmouth, and the
south part of North Yarmouth, (now Cumberland) to the sea.
It appears to have been the most violent in the town of Fal-
mouth. It took the roof off the house of Mr.Purrington,situated
near the Duck Pond, and prostrated every tree in its way, ex-
cept a few sturdy oaks, but abated in some measure after it
entered North Yarmouth, so as not to do much damage in
that town. It extended in breadth about three quarters of a
mile."]
August 30. — Mr. Thacher preached all day. Mr. Deane
lor him.
September 14. — Mr. Thacher gave his answer to Gorham.
16. — We have melancholy news from home, viz. That the
Parliament have passed a bill to prevent New-York from act-
ing in General Cburt until they comply with the billetings of
the kin2;'s troops there, and fixing salaries upon the Judges,
to be paid in duties laid upon wine imported, and many other
articles.
Octobers. — Capt. Ross sailed for England in Capt. Heath
with Capt. Haslop.
23. — Mr. Thacher was ordained, (at Gorham.j
JsTovember. — [Nothing to be noticed.]
December 12. — I hear Wm. Tyng is appointed our sheriff.
1768. -
[There does not appear to be any thing in the Journal of
the five first months of this year th \t merits particular natiee.]
June 1. — Mr. Winter was ordained at Georgetown.
20. — There vva? a mob at Boston on Friday caused by
93
seizing Hancock's sloop. The town is in a sad toss, on ac^
count of the Commissioners, &.c.
July 1. — Mr. Chipman was seized with an apopletic fit and
died in two or three hours.
8. — The Commissioners are fled to the Castle, which is
guarded by men-of-war.
9. — Matters are in a sad toss at Boston. The Governor
having dissolved the Assembly.
20. — Capt. Ross arrived here in a mast ship (Capt. Moore.)
30. — John Cotton has been here night and day in King
street, roaring, exhorting and warning and praying ever since
yesterday was se'nnight. He is ver} crazy.
August 24. — There was a mob to rescue Nathan Winslov/
from gaol, but they were defeated.
September IS. — An Express arrived from Boston to have
the mind of the several towns, with respect to the troops ex-
pected there.
20. — Fast at Boston on account of the distressed state of
the Province.
21. — Town-meeting to consider of the Express from Bos-
ton. Chose Brigadier Preble to go to Boston to join the
proposed Committee of Safety for the Province in our pre-
sent distress.
30. — We hear that Col. Dalrymple arrived on Wednesday
from Halifax at Boston with two regiments, 1000 men.
October 1. — Mr. Thompson, and the proprietors of Pearsou-
town, [now Standish] closed as to his settlement.
The ships came up and invested Boston, and the troops
landed.
8. — Things are in a sad pass in the country.
26, — Mr. Thompson ordained. (Ministers, Messrs. Wil-
liams, Brown (who preached) Smith, Foxcroft, Deane.
27. — Council at N. Yarmouth. Mr Brookes' men all
failed.
JVovemher 2. — The Council at N.Yarmouth broke up, hav-
ing advised Mr. Brooks to ask a dismission, and the people to
give him £50 L. M. He has been at N. Yarmouth just five
years.
10 — The Cork troops arrived at Boston, which puts the
town anew in great confusion.
28. — I prayed at the funeral of Capt. Ross.
December 8. — Deacon Cotton died this morning.
94
1769.
January. — [Nothing remarkable.]
February 2. — Holland is torn to pieces by Hinkley, and
other creditors.
March 24. — Church meeting. Messrs. Moody and Tit-
comb, chosen Deacons.
April 6. — (Sunday.) It was so dark, I could with difficulty
read my notes.
[No wonder, for his Sermons were written in as fine a
hand as his Journal, about equal to a brevier type.]
8. — I first heard the spring bird. The robbin came a week
ago.
22. — The House of Commons, have concurred with the
House of Lords against us, and our public affairs have a dark
face and prospect.
May 30. — There was a famous Election this week. Elev-
en new Counsellors chosen. The Governor negatived nine
of them, together with Brattle and Bowdom. Hawley refus-
ed. Cushing is Speaker and Adams Clerk.
June 19. — News that the Governor is ordered home, and
that the General Court is adjourned to Cambridge ; and
20. — That two of the regiments are ordered back to Halifax,
one to New-York, and (he other to our Castle.
July. — [Nothing remarkable.]
August 2. — Governor Bernard sailed this week.
September 8. — Sac. Lecture. Mr. Deane preached on the
Comet, which now appears.
26. — Sat out for Boston.
October 13. — Got home.
19. — There was a considerable Earthquake last night, and
another to day at noon.
JVovember. — [Nothing to be noticed.]
December 6. — The Counsel at North-Yarmouth met for the
Ordination.
8. — Mr. Gilman was ordained. Mr. Deane preached.
1770.
January 24. — John went over the Ferry in a sleigh, and
back in six minutes.
25 — The Dutch sleigh went over four times and returned
in thirty minutes.
February 28. — We have had a close winter : as cold per-
ha})s as ever was.
March 10. — Mr. Lyde, (our new Collector) came to town
yesterday.
96
12. — There has of late been many frays betireen the soldiers
:\nd the inhabitants of Boston, occasioned by acases from the
former ; but las( Monday evening there was a very tragic one.
The soldiers in iirig- street, tired on the people and klled four
upon the spot, moi tally wounded two more, besides wouutung
five others. The town is in a great ferment and met the next
day, as .lid also the Governor and Council. The captani and
the murderous soldiers weie apprehended and committed, and
the troops sent to the Castle.
31. — Obtainmg heip from God, I continue, and am this day
68 years old : a wonder lo myself and others.
26. — -We have the Kmg's Speech to the Parliament (9tb
January) which has the same unfavorable spirit as the former
one against us,
April 12. — Mr. Hubbard is dropped from being Commissa-
ry, and Cushing appointed in his room ; and John Preble as
Truck-master, in the room of Goldthwait.
16. — Col. Waldo died P. M. at 47 years of age.
20. — Col. Waldo was buried with great parade under the
Church, with a sermon, and under arms.
[H.N iemains were afterwards removed to Boston.]
21. — We have news that the Revenue Act is repealed, ex-
cept as to Tea ; that Lieut. Governor Hutchinson is appoint-
ed Governor and Mr. Flucker, Secretary. No rejoicing at
the news.
May 1. — Mr. Flucker and Erving to see me. [They had
been here several times before.]
14. — A inast ship came in.
June 23. — Three ships sailed from hence this morning, a
mast ship, a Deal ship, and a Scotch ship.
July 3. — Capt. Tate, in a large ship came in.
[Fasts were kept this month here, and at Scarborough,
Stroudwater, Windham, and North- Yarmouth, on account of
the drought.
August 1. — Mr. Foxcroft's Fast is to-morrow (at New-
Gloucester,) and Mr. William's (at New-Casco) to day.
2. — Last night came a most blessed rain ; it rained a great
deal.
September 17. — We hear that the Lieut. Governor has de-
livered tip the Castle to Col. Dalrymple.
SO. — Mrs. Tate was shot this morning, by a gun set for
thieves.
October 3. — We hear Mr. Whitefield died at Newbury, sab-
bath morning (Sept. 30.)
11. — The merchants and traders in Boston have agreed to
rescind the non-importation agreement.
12. — The General Court have agreed to proceed on busi-
ness at Cambridge.
96
. 26. — The loss Boston has sustained, is rated at £150,000
and more.
JVovember 16. — Capt. Brown came in here in a mast ship
to load.
18. — An exceeding great N. E. snow storm, with a vast
abundance of rain, and very high tides.
20. — We hear that the late snow storm was much more se-
vere in Boston than here, and the greatest that ever was there.
The tides rose two feet higher than ever was known. From
the Conduit through the lower and Maine-streets, they sailed
in boats, where the water was up to a man's chin. The Cel-
lars were all full. Some warehouses afloat. The vessels
much damaged. One schooner thrown on Clark's wharf.
December 17. — I prayed with Mrs. Pike on the news of the
death of her husband.
1771.
January 9. — Mr. Moody was ordained at Arundel.
February 27.— A terrible and terrifying night, the last was;
a prodigious tempest that seemed as if it would blow down
our houses ; the wind easterly and a great storm of rain, and
then snow, and very cold to day, and continues snowing.
March^^. — Governor Shirley died, aged 77.
^jjril 28. — (Sunday.) Preached a sermon to seafaring
men.
May 3. — Two mast ships came in. Brown and Hinsdall.
June and July. — [Nothing remarkable.]'
August 1. — Sat out with my wife for Boston in Captain
Pike.
30.— Returned in Capt. Holland.
September. — [Nothing remarkable.]
October 28.~We are in a great toss by the seizure of
Tyng's schooner by a tender.
jVoveniber 13. — Mr. Savage [a naval officer] was mob-
bed. Collector Waldo came home from London.
December 15. — (Sunday ) Mr. Wiswal, being sick, the
Church people were generally with us.
1772.
January. — [Nothing remarkable.]
February 28. — There have been many storms and gales of
wind through the winter, and three as severe snaps of cold
weather as ever was.
March U. — We have lived upon Moose several days.
97
15. — (Sunday.) I rode round through the towa to meeting.
There was a good foot path as far as Mr.Codman's ;and from
a canal very narrow, dug through the deep snow, so ihat
most of the people went through it singly in a long continued
string, close upon the heels of one another.
29. — (Sunday.) I could not see any way I could get to
meeting, and therefore did not attempt it. There is no sleigh-
ing ihrough the Main-street, and through the other streets
the snow is up with the fences.
April. — [Nothing remarkable.]
May 3. — (Sunday.) A very full meeting I had desirable
assistance, yet can't get over the suspicion, that I am slighted.
[Such entries in the Journal of Mr. Smith, were not unfre-
quent. Prayers and Sern)ons which he feared did not meet
with acceptance, were often very highly ap))roved.]
21. — There was a Moose killed upon the flats. He was
first started near my garden fence.
June lO.-v-A mast ship came in."
_ July 3. — Goodwin was tried for murder and found guilty.
6. — Tate was arraigned and pleaded guilty. Goodwin was
sentenced [at Supreme Court, which sat this week.]
8. — Visiied and pt^ived with the prisoners.
[Several other ministers this month, in turn did tiie same.]
28. — Extremely hot. The thermometer at the highest.
29. — There was a prodigious tempest, with thunder and
lightning, i^i all the neighboring towns.
August 8. — Doctor Cooper aod Mr. Bowes came to lodge
with us. With them came Doct. Winthrop, Hancock, Brat-
tle, Hubbard and Calf.
12. — Hancock and company sailed for Kennebec.
September 9. — The people are in a sad toss about Murray's
not being asked to preach.
23. — The prisoner [Goodwin] who was to have been exe-
cuted to-morrow, has a further repri.eve for five weeks.
October 4 — (Sunday.) Mr. Thacher preached here to the
great discontent of the people, many of whom went to church
at Purpoodock, and all in a sad toss.
3. — There is a famine of Bread in town, no Indian and no
Flour ; no Pork in town or country.
28. — The prisoner has been some days in a bad frame, and
mad with every body.
29 — Goodwin, who by a second reprieve whs to have been
executed to day, is reprieved again for a fnitir!;;|'t. A com-
pliment to Mr. Flncker, by solicitation of Wi,\vf| raid Clark.
JVovemher 8. — (Sunday.) The prisoner at meeting.
12. — Goodwin was executeri. Mr. Clark preached a Lec-
ture, and prayed at the gallows. There was the greatest con-
course of people ever seen here.
9
98
10. — I prayed with Deacon Milk, who died soon after.
December. — [Nothing remarkable.]
1773.
January 14. — The measles is now spreading here.
February. — Extremely cold this winter.
March 29. — We hear of Capt. HowelTs death in Holland.
April 13. — Attended the funeral of James Milk, [the Dea-
con's son.]
May 2,1. — Mr. Cummings came from Scotland to live
here.
30. — There is much zeal and hot talk amongst us about
a new Meeting-House.*****
June 11. — People at Boston, and the General Court are in
a great toss about the Governor's and Lieut. Governor's let-
ters, now come to hand from London.
29. — The Superior Court met. Judge OUver, Hutchinson,
Ropes and Cushing.
July 8. — The Thermometer was up to 100.
29. — We sailed for Boston in a Packet (Pike.)
September 25. — There is an epidemical vomiting and purg-
ing and fever among the children and others.
October. — [Almost every day Mr. Smith was out, praying
with the sick and attending funerals. Scarcely any thing else
is mentioned in his Journal for this month.]
JVovember. — [The same, nearly, may be said for this
month.]
December. — [And for the chief of this, too.]
10. — The people at Boston are in a great toss relating to
India Tea.
22, 26. — [Mr. Smith here gives an account of the seizure,
with an appoplexy, in the night, of his son John, and of his
situation until the 26th, when he died.]
1774.
January 10. — My son Saunders, died of a paralitic disorder.
23. — (Sunday.) It was so cold, I was but 15 minutes in ser-
mon.
February. — [Mr. Smith, from exposing himself at all sea-
sons, in the constant discharge of his ministerial duties, often
caught cold. He closes his Journal of this month as follows.]
28.— I bless God, that, through the winter, until now, I have
99
66caped my old grievous cold, which has been so much the
affliction of my life.
March 8. — We have got sixteen quarters of lamb and mut-
ton left.
[Mr. Smith, it appears, was always well possessed with
family stores, either by presents, purchase, or by the fruits of
his garden and pasture.]
22. — Annual town meeting. Very full and very noisy.
They quarrelled about placing the Court-House. The officers
the same. Jere. Pote, Selectman and Treasurer, in the
room of Capt. Jones.
81. — The robbin came and tuned up.
*^pril 19.— We hear of the death of Mr. Emerson, Dr.
Cummings and Mrs. Fairfield.
23. — Harper came in (they say) with 4000 bushels of Corn.
J^lay 12. — Major Freeman was chosen Representative.
14. — Yesterday General Gage arrived at the Castle as Gov-
ernor of the Province. Boston is shut up by act of Parliament.
The Custom-House is removed to Marblehead,and the Com-
missioners to Salem.
25 — Our people moved the Town House and School
House.
26.— At the Election, Brattle and Royal were dropped, and
eleven new Counsellors were chosen, but the Governor
slaughtered [negatived] the most of them ; among whom,
were Bowdoin, Winthrop and Dexter, (13 in all.)
June 1.— The fatal act of Parliament took place at Boston,
by which the port is shut up. The Commissioners are gone
with the Governor to Salem, and the Custora-House office to
Plymouth.
7.— The General Court is adjourned this day, to meet at
Salem.*
*The House of Representatives, resolved: "That a meeting of Committe'^s
from the several Colonies is highly expedient and necessary, to consult upon
the present state of the Colonies, and the miseries to which they are and might
be reduced by the operation of certain acts of Parliament, respecting America,
and to deliberate and determine upon proper measures to be by ihem recom-
mended to all the colonies, for the recovei-y and establishment of their just rights
and liberties, civil and religious, and the restoration of that union and harmony
between Great-Britain and the Colonies.most ardently desired by all good men.''
In pursuance of which resolution, a committee of five persons, (Thomas Cush-
ing. Samuel Adams, Robert Treat Paine, James Bowdoin and John Adams,
Esq'rs.) was appointed to meet committees or delegates from the other Coloniesi,
at Philadelphia, or any other place, which shall be judged meet on the first day
of September next. On the 4th of Sept. delegates from eleven states appeared
at Philadelphia, and the next day, having formed themselves into a Congress,
unanimously chose Payton Randolph, President, and Charles Thompson, Sec^
retary.
100
14.— The bell tolled all day, as the harbor of Boston is
vhut up.
17.— The Governor dissolved the General Court.
[But the members continued together, until, as guardians
of the people, they adopted such measures as the exigencies
of the (then) Province required.]
29.— We had a Fast, relative to the sad state of our public
•affairs.
30. — ****made an entertainment yesterday for the Tories,
(in opposition to the Fast) and*** and *** kept their shops
open.
Julif £1,-1 find my feet fail, and I stiffen in vi-alking.
[But his mental powers do not appear to have failed, nor
his ministerial abilities weakened.]
August — [Nothing remarkable.]
September 3. — The grand coniinental Congress are now
meeting at Philadelphia.
;V. — The Congress met.
21. — This morning came here from the eastern towns in
ilie county 500 men, near one half armed, to humble sheriff
Tyng ; which having done, they went off.
22. — Major Freeman was chosen our representative.
October 26. — The grand continental Congress broke up.
.fS/^ovember 10. — Our [negro man] Jack died.
December 25. — I almost killed myself m praying at the
funeral of Jer. Tucker ; more than 200 people there.
27. — I prayed with the Free masons, had uncommon
assistance, (thank God.) [This is a sample of many records
of the same kind.]
1775.
January 2. — There is a great scarcity of corn in this part
of the country.
Fcbruai-y 3. — We have the King's speech to the new Par-
liament, and the answer of both houses.
7. — People are ntnch joyed by the debates of Parliament,
which they think begin to look in our favor.
13.— There are near 5000 bushelsof corn brought among us.
March 1. — 'Tis said there are now 10,000 bushels of corn
lately brought in among us.
16. — Annual fast, recommended by Congress.
22. — Annual town-meeting. A general overturn in favor
of the times. Capt. John Wait, Moderator, Deacon Moody,
Clerk, Smith Cobb, Treasurer, Major Freeman, Mussey Ow-
en, Bracket Merrill, Selectmen.
28.— Mr,
101
AprilQ. — We have been flushed for some days with news
froiii home, that the merchants and manufacturers and others
were rising in our favor, and that Parhament was likely to
repeal all the acts ; but have now news that sinks us entirely,
that Parliament and administration are violently resolute with
14 frigates, and 4 more new regiments,(all a coming) by force
to oblige us to a compliance with the lavvs.
\t. — Capt. Coulson is very troublesome.
18. — General Gage sent 900 men by night to Concord, t»
destroy our magazine there, which were driven back, though
reinforced with 1100 more.*
19. — To-day our people in many hundreds are collecting
from all the near towns. The people are every where in the
utmost consternation and distress.
20. — The country is all in alarm every where, sending sol-
diers to Boston. A civil war is now commenced.
£1. — Our company of soldiers set out for Boston.
25. — We sent away to Windham our principal things. Our
people are many of them doing the same.
28. — We had about 40 men killed in the action of Wed-
nesday the 19th, and the regulars about .
*0n their arrival at Lexington, towards five in the morning;, about 70 men be-
longing to that town, were found on the parade under arms. Maj. Pitcaim,
who led the band, galloping up to them, called out, " disperse, disperse yo»
rebels ; throw down your arms and disperse." The sturdy yeomanry not in-
stantly obeying the order, he advanced nearer, fired his pistol, flourished hig
sword, and ordered his soldiers to fire. A discharge of arms from the British
troops, with a huzza, immediately succeeded; several of the provincials fell,and
the rest dispersed. The firing continued after the dispersion, and the fugitives
stopped and returned the fire. Eight Americans were killed, three or four of
them by the first fire of the British, the others after they had left the parade ;
several were also wounded.
The important consequence which followed the event related in the foregoing
note, have induced me to insert it. I would further add, that " the British de-
tachment proceeded to Concord ; that a party of British light infantry followed
them, and took possession of the bridge, while the main body entered the town
asnd proceeded to execute their commission. They disabled two 24 pounders,
threw 500 pounds of ball into the river and wells, and broke in pieces about 60
barrels of flour." "The militia being reinforced, Maj. Buttrick, of Concord,
who had gallantry oflered to command, advanced towards the bridge, but not
knowi'ig the transactional Lexington, ordered the men not to give the first fire,
that the provincials might not be the aggressors. As he advanced, the light in-
fantry retired to the Concord side of the river and began to pull up the Dridge,
and on his nearer approach, they fired and killed a captain and one of the pri-
vates ; the provincials returned the fire, a skirmish eneuedj and the regulars
â– were #')rced to retreat."
9*
102
29. — A small man ef war (the Cjinso, Capt. Moet) [Mowat]
« as been here some time. Capt. Coulson and his £iiip,which
makes the people all in a toss.
SO.— We are continually disquieted, apprehensive that we
and the whole country are inevitably and entirely ruined. We
hear that General Carlton of Canada, is coming upon us with
an army, and that 40 or 50 Indiaris are certainly discovered
upon the back of Royalstown,[now Durham]. This was soon
quieted.
May 1.— We hear the Bostonians have delivered up their
arms to the selectmen.
2.— W^e have a great army of twenty thousand or more of
our provincials at Cambridge and Roxbury, preparing to at-
tack General Gage, with the King's troops in Boston, while
the people there are in the utmost perplexity and confusion.
6.— Boston is closely shut up, so that there is no going out
or coming in. On Saturday and Monday last, about 8 or
900 were permitted to go out.
8.— Various are the accounts we daily receive from Boston,
and little can be depended on, only that General Gage is daily
securing the town, having entrenched upon Beacon Hill, Fort
Hill and Cops Hill, while there is much talk of fresh forces
expected.
10.— Yesterday one Col.Thompson came here with a com-
pany of men from Brunswick, to take the man of war here
and Coulson's ship, and Capt.Moit his.
11.— Doctor and Parson Wiswell walking on the
neck, were taken by them and made prisoners, which made a
vast tumult. The Gorhamites, with some from Windham,
and Capt. Phinney, (called Colonel) Hart Williams and Stew-
ard, joined them in the night, and having rifled Coulson's
house of all in it, they went off a Friday.*
13.— The town has been in great distress, many women and
children have moved out, and the most have sent their princi-
pal goods into the country. A dreadful day !
16.— Parson Wiswell went off.
29.— Yesterday our provincials had a skirmish with the
regulars at Chelsea, Noddles and Hog-Island ; we killed sev-
eral, but lost none. Drove the sheep and cattle away and
burnt a cutter.
June 4. — (Sunday) The church people met, and Edward
Oxnard read prayers.
7.— A man of war (the Senegal) of 14 guns, Capt. Dud-
denson, came in here with two tenders.
14... -There was an alarm muster. A goodly appearance !
16. — Two thousand more troops and 350 horses arrived
*For a p/irticular account of this, (called " Thompson's War") see appeutUx.
103
this week at Boston, so that Gage's army now consists of more
than six thousand, some say 7 or oCOO.
17.— Charlestown was burnt.
19. — Friday night last, some hundreds of our provincial
army, began to entrench on a hill in Charlestown, and on
Saturday were attacked by more than two thousand of the
regulars, under the cannon of the man of vvar, Capt. Hill, and
floating batteries. Our men so vastly overpowered in num-
bers, were obliged to retreat with the loss of about fifty killed,
(among whom was Doc Warren) and the regulars had a thou-
sand killed, some say 14 or near 1500, among whom are 22
officers.
£1.— Mr. Nash was ordained at New-Boston, [now Gray.]
26. — People are apprehensive of a famine, there being a
scarcity of corn and flour.
July 1. — Capt. Ross came in with 3 or 400 barrels of flour.
S.— Capt. Bracket and company marched to Cambridge.
6.— Mr. Deane had a lecture P. M. to Capt. Bradish and
company, on their going to the army with a regiment from
these parts.
10. — Four vessels came in, 3 from the West Indies and one
from Maryland, with 1500 bushels of corn, and one before
with as much more.
IS.-— Crosby camfe here in a brig with 3500 bushels of corn
and barrelsof flour, so that we are plentifully relieved
from all fears of a famine. Blessed be God.
16.— (Sunday) A full meeting; though so many are moved
back, and 60 of Bradish's men, vvlio belong to us.
20.— Continental fast.
August 13. — There is a company of soldiers here from the
eastward.
25. — I went over to Puvpoodock and lodged at Mr. Clark's.
26. — I preached there with much assistance and to much
acceptance. Mr. Clark gone to the army.
September 25.— Parson Clark and Mr. Lancaster dined
here.
October 15. — (Sunday,) Mr. Deane being unwell, I preach-
ed all day, and administered both sacraments.
16. — A fleet of five or six vessels of war anchored at the
Island with Mowet, a cat bomb ship, two Cutter schooners
and a small bomb sloop.
17. — They came up before the town, P. M. sent word that
in two hours they should fire upon the town, which was res-
piteil,
18. — 'Till nine this morning, when they began and continu-
ed 'till dark, with their mortars and cannon, when with ma-
rines landing, they burnt all the lower part of the town and up
as far as Mr. Bradbury's, excepting Mrs. Ross' two houses,
104
and son Thomas' shop and stores, my house being included.*"
I rode to Windham just before the firing began, as did Mrs.
Smith yesterday. A solemn time !
22. — (Sunday,) I preached at Windham.
My barn being saved, (though on fire several times,) we are
getting up here our hay, &,c.
My house was the last that was burnt, though several times
on fire, and not 'till near dark, and kindled by [from] Capt.
Sanforth. We lost [here Mr. Smith enumerates what he
lost.]
JVovember. — [Mr. Smith at Windham this montli, he says,]
25. — I rode to Falmouth in order to preach, but could get
no lodgings, therefore returned to Mr. Codman's, [who then
lived atGorham, near the bounds of Falmouth.]
Decembers — (Sunday,) I preached here all day, to the
soldiers and about 20 families.
4. — I returned to Windliam, having met with great kind-
ness from Mr. Ilsley and wife, and made a very welcome
and very satisfactory visit. General Frye and Preble break-
fasted with me.
[Mr. Smith preached at Windham the other Sundays in
this month, and his son Peter once for him at Capt. Blake's,
where he frequently used to preach himself.]
Thus ends a very remarkable year, remarkable to all the
people of the State, but especially to the inhabitants of Fal-
mouth, [now Portland.]
1776.
January — [Nothing remarkable.]
February 10. — A fatal day.
11. — (Sunday,) Peter preached at Falmouth and I at
Windham.
12. — Peter returned with the sad news of his brother
[Thomas] being sick, which was confirmed by another letter
in the evening. He was seized on Monday with a pleurisy
and fever, at Cape Ann.
14. — We heard by Elwell, that he was much belter on Sat-
urday, but
15. — To day we heard by a letter from Mr. Winthrop, that
he died on Satrnday evening.
19. — His wife and Peter sat out for Cape Ann.
March 2. — Our Provincials began to cannonade and bom-
bard Boston.
*T-)r a particular account of this, see Appendix.
105
4 —The Provincials continued last night and to night, antl
entrenched and fortified two hills on Dorchester neck.
7. — General Fast
20. — We have the news confirmed that How, with the To-
ries, left Boston and fell down below the Castle. A surpri-
sing event !
21.— The peri-pneumonich disorder, of which my son died,
has eversince prevailed in Falmouth, and is very mortal. Wes-
terman, T. Womninean ?nd Dawson, have died on our Neck ;
Maj. Berry, Capt. Haskill, Bayley and Sawyer, at Back
Cove ; Mr. Wyer, Mrs. Riggs, Ficket and Trickey at
Stroud water ; DiinnHni ind Pearson at P.resumpscot ; Capt.
Buchnam and wite, Underwood and Austin, and others at
New Casco. We hear old McLellan lately died, also Zech-
eriah Sawyer and a son of Capt. Gooding and Mr. Merril.
27.— The troops and fleet sailed yesterday and to day from
Boston, supposed to Halifax.
April.— [Mr. Smith continued to preach at Windham, and
sometimes his son Peter for him at Falmouth.
Nothing now appears in his Journal of his praying and
visiting the sick, of which his former Journals were so full ;
nor are the pages half so full of other matters as they were
before the burning of the town, and his removal to Wind-
ham.]
14. — I preached all day at Windham. Peter for me. No
lodging, eating nor horse-keeping at Faimouth.
29.— (Sunday) Rode to Falmouth and preached. Dined
at Justice Pearson's and returned to Windham.
30.— Mr. Bodge was seized with the epidemic sickness ; it
is in many houses here, and every where through the coun-
try. A proper pestilence.
May 17.— I rode to Falmouth, p. m.
18.— Continental Fast. I preached, a. m. Dined at Jus-
tice Pearson's.
20. — (Sunday) I preached a. m. Dined at Deacon Tit-
comb's, where! lodged.
21.— Returned to Windham.
June 8. — We rode and dined at Major Freeman's [at Sac-
carappa.] Drank tea at Mr. Ross' and lodged at Mr. Cod-
man's [at Gorham.]
9.— Rode down to Falmouth.
10. — (Sunday) Put up at Mrs. Child's. Preached, a.m.
[Some of these extracts may appear to be too unimportant
to be recorded here. They Rre inserted to shew the employ-
ment of Mr. Smith's time, in his exiled state.]
July 4.— k great plot discovered at New York, to destroy
the magazine, the staff-officers, &lc.
SO. — We have news of the repulse and defeat of Commor
lOG
dore Sir Peter Parker, with eight men of war, and Earl Corn-
tvallis and General Clinton, with their troops, in an attack on
Charleston, S. C. with great loss to ihem ai^jd but little to us.
[Mr. Smith rode to Falmouth four times this month.]
August. — [There is nothing particuUir in the Journal of
this month that need to be noiiced. Mr. Smith rode to Fal-
mouth as often as in the last.]
September 16.— I gave up the wholeof my last year's salary
to the parish, and accepted of £76 for this year.
[He rode to Falmouth, to preach but twice this month.]
October. — [Mr. Smith rode to Falmouth and preached
every Sabbath.]
JVbtJe»i6er.— -[Nothing remarkable.]
jDece?Mier 4.— Every fourth man is drafted for the army
every where.
[Mr. Smith continued at Windham all this month. There
was one important event this year, which Mr. Smith has not
neticed. The Declaration of Independence, July 4th.]
1777.
January. — [There are but seven Entries made in the Jour-
nal of this month, and neither of them of any consequence.]
February 5.— We had a public Fast. I had (as usual) great
assistance.
9.— I am enabled to preach loud and strong.
13. — I prayed at the funeral of Mr. Enoch Moody, who
died suddenly a Monday evening.
^JarcL— [Nothing to be remarked, but that altho' Mr.Smith
was 75 years old this month, he was able frequently to ride on
horseback, and to perform his ministerial duties " as usual," —
and that since the year 1775 his Journals are confined to one
page only for each month.]
April 19. — There has been no news for 5 or 6 weeks either
from our armies or Europe.
30. — There is a great and increasing scarcity of provisions
except fish, of which there is a vast quantity. There is no
provision to be got, at Boston. A most distressing time.
May — [Nothing remarkable. It appears, however, that Mr.
Smith now lived at Falmouth, though he had not mentioned
his removal from Windham.]
19. — The town has chosen two Representatives, Brigadier
Preble and Capt. Noice.
June 2. — Howe with his army, have been for a good while
cooped up in Brunswick by Gen. Washington and his arm^
at Princeton, having had skirmishes in our favor.
107
[The pages of bis Journal now begin to be filled again,
but notliing reniaikauie tliis month.]
July. — [A full page, but chiefly relating to the weather,
(raw and cold until the 14th.) and to presents made to him.]
18. — We hear Ticouderoga is taken — it was deserted by
General St. Clair, without any fighting.
20. — (Sunday) I improved the astonishing news, news
which throws the whole country into wonder and distress.
Lord help us !
£3. — Howe's army is at Straten island.
August. — [The Journal now and until December follow-
ing, contain, as usu;d, two pages to each month.
1. — We hear Ho^e has left the Jersey's going somewhere,
either to Delaware or Nortii River or Boston.
15. — We hear Howe has returned from Delaware to New
York, and intends to go up the North River to join Burgoyne,
who has got to Saratoga.
£7. — Provisions awfully scarce and dear.
30. — We live from hand to mouth. God gives day by day,
kc.
31. — (Sunday) I was enabled to speak with great strength
and spirit.
Septemhei' 1. — Our prospects are now better as to the
northern army, having had several successful victories.
7. — (Sunday) Was greatly assisted We have not had a
note for any sick person for 9 or 10 Sabbaths.
£2. — General VYashmgton, with half his army, had an action
(on the 11th) with the whole of Howe's, in which he lost the
held and several hundred men, and Howe double.
30. — Our Col. BroAvn, &,c. have got possession of Mount
Hope Dejiance at the French lines, at Ticonderoga.
General Burgoyne has got into bad plight, enclosed by our
army under General Gates, Arnold and Lincoln ; near Fort
Edward.
October ££. — We have much and great news of the suc-
cesses of our Northern army, that have inclosed Burgoyne's.
£5. — I have not been called out to any sick person this
week.
£6. — (Sunday) We had the news,p. m. by the post, authen-
tic, of the astonishing victory of Gen. Gates in taking Gen.
Burgoyne's whole army. Our people were hereupon mad
in their rejoicing.
J^Covemher 1. — Our Falmouth-built privateer sailed.
2.~(Sunday) I thought I did well, but imagined I was
slighted.
9. — (Sunday) Same.
30^— (Sunday) I cant but think I am slighted.
[These suspicions are revived after a long interval.^
December 18. — Continental Thanksgiving.
108
1778.
[The Journal for the first half of th's year and for Novem-
ber, have but one page for each niowth, all the rest have two
pages each and are full.]
January 5.— General Washington is gone into winter
^juarters.
19.— The mast-ship (Capt. James) sailed.
February.— [The Journal for this njonth relates chiefly to
the weather.]
March £7. --Regimental Training, to enlist men to rein-
force General Washington.
£9.-— (Sunday) Had marvellous assistance, freedom, k-c.
Jipril 13.— A French man of war came in here with a
packet to Congress.
19. — (Sunday) I preached all dav. Mr. Deane at Bidde-
ford.
22.— Annual Fast,— was much assisted.
[[notice ihese expressions of assistance, to show how won-
derfully Mr. Smith held out ; now 76 yeais old.]
2.5. — We have great news ; that Lord Norih is seeking an
accommodation with the Colonies, by Commissioners to treat
with them.
May. — [Nothing remarkable.]
June 17. — Five of our young men have lately been inocu-
lated and have got well.
20. — Our people are all mad about inoculation. They
have built a new Pejt House, and the first class, of 41, are
entered
22. — General How is gone, and Gen. Clinton with his ar-
my have left Philadelphia.
26. — The Commissioners from England are arrived to treat
about peace.
July 2. — Gen. How is gone home, and Clinton succeeds
him.
The British army have evacuated Philadelphia and taken
the rout of the Jerseys. Washington is pursuing them ; Lee
is attacking, and Gates advancng to meet the Commission-
ers, and C'Migress are corresponding.
Between 2 and 18. — Abou^ -his time (at Monmouth) our
army battled it all day with thr-, enemy, and drove them. We
had 160 killed and they S20 and left 60 prisoners. Many
hundreds of Hessians have deserted to us.
.SI. — People fear a fan-ine. The Indian corn curls and is
like to come to notiiing, and there is no prospect of any pota-
toes nor turnips nor any sauce at all. Lord have mercy up-
on us.
109
22. — We have news by a hand bill of the arrival of a
French fleet at the Hook, of 12 line of battle and 4 frigates,
and that the people are flocking to our ;u my.
31. — We have news of the arrival of 11 more French men-
of-war at Sandy Hook, and they have taken 16 (out of 17)
ships from Cork with provisions. Also, that some of the
French fleet are co-operating with General Sullivan in an
attack on New York.
August 1. — All the talk is about the expedition to Newport.
The people are flocking there in companies of the principal
inhabitants, of Salem, Newbury, he. to co-operate with two
Brigades iVom General AVashington's army, and the French
fleet who are at Newport.
£1. — We hear that General Sullivan, with his army, are en-
camped on the heights, within half a mile of the enemy, and
were to attack them yesterday.
SI. — Our troops gat ofl" Rhode Island and are retiring to
Providence as head quarters, and that the French fleet got to
Boston last Friday.
September 1. — A British fleet under Admiral Byron, of 12
capital very large ships, are arrived at the Hook to reinforce
luord How, against the French fleet.
18. — Today an express ariived from France at Piscata-
qua, with news that the French fleet had obtained a complete
victory over the British, and that England had declared war
against her.
21. — Boston is in a great toss, preparing for the British
fleet and army, expected to attack them and the French fleet.
30. — There is a terrible dyseniary that prevails and rages
at the westward. There is not a child three years old left in
Mystic. Doct. Elliot died of it, and Mr. Adams of Water-
town.
October 2.Q. — (Or thereabouts, for there is no particular
date.) The Commissioners at New York have put out a
manifesto, threatening the utmost horrors of war, in case of
our standing out against their proposals 'till the 12th of No-
vember next. 'Tis tho\ight their design is to destroy all out-
seaport towns.
We hear that the British fleet have fallen down to the Hook,
and that 150 ships, Transports, have come up the Sound, as
far as New Haven, and 'tis thought they are designed for Bos-
ton. That they are preparing against them at Boston-
Twelve hundred men are ai work fortifving.
JVovember 3.- The French fleet sailed from Boston, and
all is now quiet as to fear from danger of the enemy's com-
ing.
10
no
12,. — To-day there is as great a southerly storm of rain as
has been known. It blew down fences, Mr. Butler's house
and other buildings.
16 — All the news is that the enemy are embarking at New
York for the West Indies and Halifax.
25. — Common laborers have four dollars a day, while mia-
isters have but a dollar, and wasiier-woraen as much.
30. — It is a melancholly time upon many accounts. Law-
ful money is reduced to be worth no more than old tenor.
Creditors don't receive an eighth part of their old debts, nor
ministers of their salaries.
December 31. — The thought of people now is, that the ene-
my will keep Newport, New York, and Long Island, this
winter.
Through the favor of Providence, we are well stored with
provisions for winter.
It has been a year of such remarkable health in this Par-
ish, that for near the last half of it there has been but one note
for any sick person, (viz. Capt. Blake.)
Mr. Chase, minister of Kittery, was frozen to death. A
team with 4 oxen and an horse, and the driver were frozen to
death on Boston Neck, all standing up, as were several other
persons*
1779.
[The Journal of this, and all the succeeding years, are con-
tained in but one page only for each month.]
January 3.— (Sunday,) I meet with much difficulty in see-
ing to read my notes. [It is surprising that he had not occa-
sion to make this observation long before.]
Our company of Soldiers are reduced to ten.
4.__It is wonderful how the people live here on the Neck,
for want of bread, there being little to be bought, and that so
monstrous dear.
8. The people upon the Neck, universally, have for some
weeks past, suffered extremely for want of wood, there hav-
ing been no sledding, and the carting very bad, and wood
thereupon raised to 20 dollars a cord, [but doubtless in paper
money.]
10.— (Sunday,) It rained very hard A. M. I rode to meet-
ing in a chaise and preached, but Mr. Deane not coming
down there was no meeting P. M. [Mr. Deane, after the
town was burnt, moved to, and lived at Gorham, near the
bounds of Falmouth.]
23.— Good sledding ; wood has fallen to 8 dollars.
Ill
S8. — ^Congress have called in 15 millions of their dollars
hy way of tax this year ; two millions is the part of our State,
February — [Nothing that requires particular notice.]
March 21. — (Sunday,) My eye sight failed and worried
me.
£7. — Mr. Frothingham dined with us.
*^prU 1. — There is a grievous cry for bread in^all the sea-
port towns, and there is but little meat and no fish yet.
6. — Parish meeting. The people voted not to make any
[further] allowance to their minister's salary, so they stand
£75 a year.
7. — Indian meal is sold at 30 dollars a bushel.
13. — No news from England since the 9th Dec. What we
had then was, that they are meditating revenge, and a terrible
new campaign. 1200 troops are coming.
22. — We hear that three of our Continental vessels of war,
have taken a fleet bound from New York to Georgia with
Stores.
27. — I hear wood is 52 dollars i\ cord in Boston, and flour
at £50 per hundred, i. e. a barrel is more than my whole
salary.
May 8. — Corn is now sold at 35 dollars a bushel, and cof-
fee at 3 dollars a pound,
20. — Tyng and wife came here in a flag.
23. — Had great strength, never spoke louder nor better.
June 1. — Molasses is raised to 16 dollars, coffee 4, sugar 3.
8. — Tyng sailed at last, without Mrs. Ross, after a great
toss.
10. — A man asked 74 dollars for a bushel of wheat meal.
11. — Green peas sold at Boston at 20 dollars a peck.
Lamb at 20 dollars a quarter. Board 60 dollars a week.
17. — We bought 3 pounds of halibut for a dollar.
18. — We have news of a large fleet of 800 troops in Pe-
nobscot Bay.
19. — We are greatly alarmed by the appearance often top-
sail vessels, which proves to be a fleet from Boston. Frigates,
&e.
June 20. — We are in a sad toss ; people moving out. Nev-
er did I feel more anxiety.
21. — We have news tiiat the commanders, Lincoln and
Moultrie, have obtained a complete victory at Charlest()n,over
the regulars.
30. — People are every where in this State spiritedly appear-
ing in the present intended expedition to Penobscot, in pursuit
of the British fleet and army there.
July 13. — Two brigs and a dozen transport sloops came in
from Boston, to carry our regiment of soldiers to Penobscot.
112
19. — The vessels with their soldiers, sailed for Townsend.
'Ahere the whole armament is to collect.
21. — The vessels of war (17) from Boston, went by us to
Penobscot.
23.— The enemy's fort at Stony Point, was taken by Gen.
Wayne. Fairfield and Norwalk burnt, and New-Haven
plundered by Tryon.
2&. — (Sund;:y) A full meeting: had much help; people
very sleepy. [This complaint was not unusual ; I thought
therefore I might mention it once.]
[Sviveral acceptable presents are mentioned this month, as
well as almost every other.]
August 10.— We hear that Wheeler Riggs was killed at
Penobscot, and about sixty more are killed and wounded, and
amoi;^ them, three Indians, and our army waiting for mortars
from Boston.
17. — We have news that the seige at Penobscot is broken
wp, on the arrival of several frigates from New-York.
18. — We hear our people have burnt all their vessels, and
are retui ning by land. A sad affair !
22. — Our people are in a sad toss, expecting an attack from
the enemy.
£S.— We bougjit a pound of Tea at 19 dollars.
27. — Col. Jackson's regiment came here from Kittery.
September 1. — We are full of men, having not only Jack-
son's regiment, but Mitchell's also ; well defended.
3. — We were thrown into vast surprise by the coming in of
three large ships, which proved to be the Boston and Dean
frigates, and a prize ship.
4. — Another prize ship came in, both of them men of war.
7. — Col. Jackson's regiment went away, being sent for by
Gates, upon the news of the arrival of Ashburnot, and the
troops at New-York.
25.--ThePenobscot soldiers,(Col.Mitchell's)were dismissed.
26. — (Sunday) My eyes failed me.
October 8. — We have constantly repeated news that Count
D'Estang being on our coast, w^ith twenty line of battle ships
;»nd ten frigafes.
19, — I prayed with the regiment of militia.
28. — Still have repealed accounts of Count D'Estang.
JVovemberl. — Mr. Bradbury moved to Newbury.
4. — Day of prayer through the State.
3 5. — Parish meeting about salary. Voted to do nothing.
£2. — Capt. Sanford brought me 400 dollars, gathered by
subscription.
29. — We have news that Count D'Estang and Gen. Lincoln,
were defeated and had retreated at Savannah. Sad news !
December 9. — Continental Thanksgiving.
5 3. — Wood is 70 a<> llaics a cord j Coffee 8 dollars a pound
113
1780.
January 31. — Severely cold, as perhaps ever was ; the
harbor down to the sea, lies froze up entirely. Thus January
leaves ns as it found us, dismal, cold and windy [and snow
very deep.]
February 1. — Dole and others from head-quarters, bring
news that the country is blocked up with snow, and that they
sufter for want of wood and water.
18. — No news, but great stir about the Cartel shipwrecked.
March 24. — Young Mussey asks 500 i. e. above £U00 for
a hat. Laborers 30 a day.
27. — Parish meeting ; they voted a nominal sum.
31.— The street to the meeting-house, remains full of snow,
^^pi'il 7.— Brigadier Wadsworth came here in the conti-
nental Protector, Capt. Williams.
8.— A regiment of 600 men are raising ; 300 of them for
this place, 200 for Campden, 100 for Machias.
May 19.— An unusual dark day.
[Mi. Smith is yet able to ride on horse back, and to preach
with strength and spirit.]
June 10.— I had the shocking tidings of the death pf niy
daughter Lucy, fMrs. Forbes.j
/mZi/ 25.— Brigadier Wadsworth went to Camden.
29. — The joy occasioned by the arrival of the French fleet
is all over, by the coming of an English one under Graves.
»4iia'U5/— [Nothing remarkable.]
September 1.— News of a mob of 50,000 in London.
24.— Sir George Rodney, with ten line of battle ships, has
arrived at New-York, so that with Graves and Arbuthnots,
there, are 19.
October 2.-- -The Tender act repealed lately.
5. — There is a discovery of a horrid plot of General Ar-
nold's giving up our grand fort at West Point.
10. — I had nothing for dinner and no prospect of any.
[But here Mr. Smith mentions a full supply. I note this, to
observe that in these calamitous times, such destitutions and
providential supplies were experienced by many.]
25.— Our new Constitution took place.
JVovember 16. — A signal day of mercy ! I was never so
anxious about wood and meal ; but was relieved marvellously.
[Mr. Smith then enumerates as before, the articles with
which he was fully supplied.]
Decembers. — (Sunday) I preached with much aid; Mr.
Deane not coming down.
7. — Continental thanksgiving, I preached ; Mr. Dean«
(whose tarn it was) not coming down.
10*
114
17. — (SunHay) I preached with much aid and attention.
[A.S Mr. Smith often complained of (at least a supposed)
want of attention, I think it proper to observe, that he oftea
noticed with satisfaction, the attention of his hearers.]
1781.
January 12. — Capt. Pearson Jones was buried.
20. — Wood is fallen from SOO to 120 dollars, i. e. a dollar
and a half silver.
February 22. — Mr. Thacher was dismissed about this time.
24. — The street is brim full of snow ; we are buried up.
March 1. — We are in a woful toss by news from Captain
McCobb, of a scheme of an attack from Baggaduce. Two
men that were in it, say that a number of Tories were to disa-
ble our cannon and secure our magazine, while the vessels
made the attack.
6- — Our regiment were in arms.
31.— I have had a good measure of health through the winter.
,/lpril. — [Nothing remarkable, but the death of three per-
sons noted in the list of names at the end of this book.]
May 3. — Annual fast ; had great assistance in prayer, but
sunk, and my eyes failed in sermon.
Juntl^,. — A French convoy arrived in Boston with 1500
troops.
Jiugust 18. — Wood is at 2 dollars a cord, never so cheap.
22. — There is only hard money passing, and little of that.
Stpiemher 1. — We have news of the arrival of 5 ships and 5
brigs at Baggaduce, that much disquiets us.
IS. — New-London and Groton burnt by Arnold. We fear
he is coming on us.
17. — I am relieved from a most anxious concern, I have
been in for four days, by the great news of the arrival of the
French fieet at Chesapeake and Washington, and hope he is
got there.
24. — Great expectation from Chesapeake, where there are
28 line of battle ships under Count DeGrasse,with 8000 troops.
General Washington with SOOO ; La Fayette with near as
many.
October 4. — Capt. McLellan brought hand bills from Bos-
ton, with the news of the surrender of Cornwallis and his
a>my, and a great victory of the French fleet under Courit
De Grasse, over that of the British under Graves and Hood.
Our people are rejoicing.
8. ---Admiral T>!gby is arrived at New-York with three ships
of the line, and Prmce Henry on board. They have twenty
i-hips of the line tbe'e.
115
15. — The great news of Cornvvallis is premature.
18. — VVe hear the British fleet with 7000 troops have sailed
from New-York ; their destination unknown. Boston is in a
sad toss.
19. — General Green has lately obtained a great victory in
killing a thousand and more near Charleston.
20.— Mr. Bodge came in this evening with idings of Mrs.
Smith being dangerously ill.
£7.— The post came express with the great news of the un-
conditional surrender of Cornwallis and hisarmy on the 19th.
28.— (Sunday) Mr. Deane and I improved the occasion iii
suitable sermons.
29.— Our people spent the day in usual rejoicings.
. November 30. — A tedious month, the past, as ever was.and
heavy gales of wind from the north, constantly cold, cloudy
and rainy weather.
i)6C67n6er.-— [Nothing remarkable, unless it may be observ-
ed that Mr. Smith's performances this month, were satisfac-
tory to himself and acceptable to his hearers ; one of whojn
said, after the annual thanksgiving, that he then '' seemed to
be inspired."]
1782.
[The journals now begin to be written" with not so fine a
pen; as the strokes of the letters are thicker, and the hand
writing larger than heretofore. The pages hev.ever, are as
full, though they do not contain so much.]
January 29.— Very blustering and cold, dismal winter.
Peferuar^/ 11.— Harper got in from Boston, having been
gone three months.
14.— People are in a sad tumult about Quaker meetings^
ministers and taxes.
25.— Lt. Kitts taken. Antigua blocked up.
26.— -The harbor down to the Islands remain shut up.
28.— We have the King's speech of 27th November ; noth-
ing material in it.
March l\.— A privateer brig is off here, and has taken
many vessels.
16.— Mr. Deane moved down here.
20.— Parish meeting ; voted Mr. Deane and myself, each
an £100 for last year, and this, with contributions.
24,— (Sunday) I worried through the street,going and
coming. Never was enabled to perform better, [Now 80
years old.]
116
.^j9rj7 7.— (Sunday) Forgot my spectacles and could not
preacii, but prayed, and begun and closed the sacrament.
£5.— Annual fast ; 1 preached all day.
£6.— The West-Indies is like to be the seat of war, till the
approach of the hurricanes come, and then America.
£8.— Admiral Rodney is arrived at the West-Indies with
ten ships of the line, which with Admiral Hood's there before,
make S4 ©f the line, a 40 gun ship and frigates ; Count De
Grasse has the same.
May 6.— Town meeting ; Capt. Noyes chosen representa-
tive.
8.— We have the great news that our independence is
acknowledged in England, and that their troops here, are
recalled.
15.-— We have news of a graad naval battle in the We?t-
Indies.
£1.— We have certain news of an entire change in the
British ministry.
£8.— Capt. Cox is moving away to Nova Scotia.
June 4. — Sir Guy Charlton is arrived at New York, in the
room of Clinton, with an olive leaf of peace. Congress
won't treat v/ith him.
£5. — Little news. No more land fighting I hope.
July. — [Nolhino; remarkable.]
August 16. — We hear the French fleet of IS line of battle
ships and 4 frigates and 4000 troops, lately arrived at Boston,
Our prisoners in England are all liberated and sent to us.
19. — Great news. They are negotiating a general Peace
at Paris.
£.') — (Sunday) Never was I more anxious before hand and
never had greater assistance. Thank God.
[Very many were the remarks of this kind.]
September £1. — Messrs. Codman and Freeman accepted
the office of Deacons.
£6. — Our great prospects of Peace are vanished.
£9. — (Sunday) My strength and voice and eyes failed me
much.
October. — [Nothing remarkable.]
JSTovember £3. — There has been no fighting in America
this year.
December 8. — (Sunday) I went out and prayed, but it was
so dark I could not see to preach.
15. — (Sunday) Most horrid cold and windy. I could not
stand it, but dismissed the people after praying and singing.
£S. — About this time I confined myself, I was alarmed with
hypocondriac disorders, viz. a fluttering and sinking at my
breast, a dismal restlessness, with profuse sweats every morn-
ing about 4 o'clock. Broke oif from meat and coffee and
Ill
took to Scotch barley broth. Had watchers, and v.-as appre-
hensive death was fast approaching. Sent for Peter and wife,
(who caaie and tarried near a fortnight) moved into the
larger room, wiiere my restlessness increased through the day,
and had an unusual intermission in my pulse. Sent for Dr.
Coffin (who thought I was dying) and for Dr. Barker. Hax!
a nurse and watchers every night, and in the whole a most
1783.
[The Journals for January, Februtiry and March are
missing.]
^^pril 4. — Our men about this time had a mad day of re-
joicing — firing cannon incessantly from morning tonight,
among the houses, arid ended in killing Mr. Rollins.
8. — We have authentic accounts, many ways, of Peace,
though no official one from Congress.
9. — Goods at Boston fell in price near half.
The Preliminary articles of Peace were certainly signed
at Versailles the 20th January, and ratified the 3d of Febru-
ary. An inglorious Peace to Britain, but an happy one to
America.
18. — The proprietors of the Neck are making a grand
stone wall fence round it.
22. — I stepped out to the door for the first time, having
been confined to the House about four months.
26. — The post brought us a Proclamation from Congress,
for a cessation of hostilities.
May 1.— Our people had a grand rejoicing day, in which
they a. m. had a Lecture, (Mr. Brown preached,) a contribu-
tion for the poor, aud gathered 66 dollars and two-thirds.
Had a public Dinner and 13 cannon fired several times, the
whole very decently carried on.
4,— People are all damped in their extravagant rejoicings,
by accounts novv brought, that there is no Proclamation come
for Peace, but only for a cessation of hostilities, and that
there is a violent opposition in Parliament against it.
June 6.— I began to drink tar-water.
8.— (Sunday) I ventured out and preached. Had marvel-
lous assistance.
14.— The measles is in town.
16.— Dyer came with flour, and brought the small pox.
17.— Capt. Ingraham [in addition to several former pre-
sents, gave me 1 % hundred of flour, to make up a barrel
—a grand gift, and to Mr. Doane the same. God reward
him greatly.
118
[The names of other donors have not hitherto (except in
2 or 3 instances) been mentioned, they were too numerous.
This is noted as having been received with peculiar grati-
tude.]
18.— -Capt. Cole in a ship came in to load, as did also a
large mast ship.
31.â„¢ We have no accounts of the Definitive Treaty of
Peace being signed, nor of the evacuation of New York, tho*
constantly expected. General Washington has taken leave
of the army and retired, and all is peace.
[Mr. Smith preached eveiy Sabbath this month, having as
he observed, " great assistance."]
August 31.— (Sunday) Had marvellous assistance. It was
perfect pleasure in speaking.
September 13.— We have news that the plague is in Phila-
delphia and New York and that a hundred die daily.
October 24.— We have news that the Definitive Treaty was
signed the 2d of last month.
JVovember 5.— Mr. Jewet was ordained at Gorham.
6.— Mr. Hilliard was installed (a Monday) at Cambridge.
December.— [Mv. Smith complained of severally ill turns
the last month and this : stili he continued to preach, with
ntiore easo and spirit than usual]
1784.
January. --[Nothmg remarkable or unusual.]
February 29. — I have, through the goodness of God, been
carried through the winter,much beyond my fears. Never was
I more anxious in the approach thereof, and never had a more
comfortable winter, or suffered less by the cold,
Maj'ch 5. — Mr. Deane returned, having been gone six
weeks.
* 6. — Great rejoicings in Boston,on account of the Definitive
Treaty signed by Congress.
16. — Brigadie'r Preble, who died on Thursday night (11th)
was buried.
£0. — The measles is in town.
April 10. — This place fills up very fast. There lately
came here, Mr. Hopkins, Robinson, Vaughan, Clark and
Codman,
12. — The trade of the place surprisingly increases. Our
vessels all come and go safely.
24. — Mr. Ilsley moved down here, as did Capt. Stevenson,
yesterday.
119
[Mr. Smith, this week, observes, that he has had as happy
assistance as he could %\ish.]
May 23. — (Sunday.) It was so dark, I could not see to
preach, and so only performed with prayer.
[But he preached every other Sunday in the month.]
June 23. — Messrs.Hopkins,Butler,Cummings and Osgood,
sailed for England.
July 18. — (Sunday.) There was preaching for the first
time in Mr. Brown's Meeting-House.
22. — There came suddenly as great a tempest as ever I
knew, preceded by some hidious darkness, and accompanied
with a vast shower.
[Mr. Smith seemss to have enjoyed his health at this time,
and, excepting the failing of his sight, to have renewed his
age, visiting and preaching as usual.]
August 1. — Strangers (traders and others) crowd in among
us surprisingly.
11. — Capt. Stone, Stephenson and Smith, have great
Mouses raised.
21. — Mr. Edgar and family came here.
[Mr. Smith continues his preaching, and ministerial visits.]
Septemher 18. — Col. Powell died last night at N. Yarmouth.
October 17. — (Sunday) I prayed, but it was so dark, I could
not see lo preach. Mr. Deane preached all day.
J^'oveniher.- [No particular occurrence to be noticed this
month ]
December 5. — (Sunday) I could hardly preach at all, and
fumbled so much, I am quite discouraged. [Opposite to this
date in the journal, Mr. Smith writes, "this was the last Sab-
batii I was out to preach."
1. I would observe here, that the journals for Wie two last
years were written on the large size paper, he formerly used,
and that each page was as full as it could hold.
2. That I have been more particular in the exLracts from
them concerning Mr. Smith, in consideration of his age, and
that of his life drawing near to a close.
It appears by the diary of the late Rev. Doc. Deane, that
there were erected this year (on that part of Falmouth, which
is now called Poviland) 11 dwelling houses, 11 stores, 7 shops
and 4 barns. The names of the owners are mentioned.]
1785.
January 1. — The Falmouth Gazette first appeared. [The
first paper printed in the town, published by Mr. Thomas E.
Wait.]
120
March SI. — Parish meeting ; voted the salaries, as the year
past, without opposition.
»^pril 6. — The church people had a meeting, and subscrib-
ed £10 St. a man for a pew, in order to build a cliurch.
29. — The post at last got in here,having been hindered near
5 weeks.
May 15. — (Sunday) I ventured out /or the first time to
meeting, but did not preach.
June 5. — (Sunday) A delightful Sabbath, I began with
prayer, but could not see to preach.
20. — We are all in a blaze about singing ; all flocking at 5,
10, and 4 o'clock to the meeting-house, to a Master hired,(Yiz.
Ivlr. Gage.)
29.— The people are all in a sad toss, supposing Polly
Grafton has the small pox. I prayed with her.
Jut?,' 29.— The governor and lady here; an Italian Count
also.
August 7.— Mr. Parker began to read prayers to the church
people.
8.— Governor Hancock was to see me.
Stptemher £7.— There is now a dozen new large houses
building*
29.-— Distresing times are opening on the country ; all the
money is gone, and therefore all business is coming to an end,
Oc/oc*er3.— The court-house was raised.
15.— -At ?, M. 4 o'clock, a meniorable dark time.
21.— For two days and two nights, it rained without ceas-
ing, as hard as ever was known, which raises the ficshets in the
rivers in such a hideous manner, as to carry away all the
bridges on Pesumpscot river, and many elsewhere, and also
many mills. Saco bridges carried away.
28.— I am daily visiting, (when I can go out) either alone or
with Mrs. Sm.ith.
.Vovem&e/-.--[Nothing remarkable this month.]
[It may be observed that Mr. Smith preached none the year
past, nor since the 5th Dec. last year. He however attended
other ministerial duties, making prayers at meeting on the
Sabbath, and with the sick ; and though now and then com-
plaining, appears to have enjoyed pretty good health.]
1786,
January 2.— There was a considerable earthquake about 7
A.M.
4.— Grand convention of delegates about a new state, who
voted artijles of grievances, and adjouined to September.
*Doct. Deane, ia hi5 diary, sayg « that llie number of bouses erected this year
was 58.
121
February. — [Nothing remarkable.]
March 2,1. — This day I am 84 years old. I continue a
wonder to myself and many.
80. — Parish meeting, only 13 persons present. They sent
a committee to me about giving up my salary.
Jlpril 14. — Parish meeting by adjournment,having spent
the whole day upon it, they 'voted *a salary to both ministers.
21. — The parish alter several meetings, voted to pay my
arrears, viz. $2.50, but took off 5* for depreciation.
29. — Wearisome days and restless nights are appointed
unto me.
Se.— (Sunday) I was very unwell, but-ventured out and was
much assisted.
May. — [Nothing remarkable.]
, June 28. — We sat out for Windham ; my chaise overset,and
wounded my forehead sorely, and I had liked to have bled to
death. Solemn thanks to my great preserver.
July 4. — Our Neck is set off, and incorporated into a town
by the name of Portland.
28. — My legs continue to swell.
.Qugust 5. — The whooping cough prevails ; Mrs. Smith and
I have it severely bad.
9. — I was. unwell, but forced out to pray at the first meeting
of our new town, Portland.
27. — (Sunday) Deacon Freeman read sermons.
September 6. — The country seems to be in a general riot.
7. — Convention of delegates for a separate state.
October 25. — The whooping cough continues, and with it a
dreadful cankercus disorder.
JK'oi'ember 2. — The country is in extreme confusion, occSi-
sioned by the many county mobs, and the want of money to
pay the taxes, &lc.
December 6. — Shattuck, Smith, Parker and others, ring-
leaders of the mobs, were taken and carried to Boston last
Wednesday.
[Note. Sixteen dwelling houses were erected in Port-
land, in the course of this year.] *
[I may make the same observation at the end of this year
with respect to Mr. Smith's performances, and (though not so
fully) as to his health, that I did the last year ; and with res-
pect to both years tkat by reason of Mr. Deane's bodily indis-
position, there was frequently no meeting.]
11
122
1787.
Januarif 17. — General Lincoln is now at Springfield, with
a grand army to reinforce General Sheppard against the army
of" the Insurgents under Shays, at Peihain.
February — [Chieily on the state ofthe weather.]
March 17. — It is agreed we have had the longest and cold-
est winter remembered.
£1. — Tliis day I am fourscore and five years old.
[And for Gb years before and 8 years after, he was a man
of prayer and a faithful nnnister of the gospel of Chiist.]
££2. — Fast day ; I was out and prayed A . M. and had great
assistance.
^pril £0. — A great fire at Boston. It began near Liberty
Pole, and the wind blowing hard, (northward) carried away
all the buildings on both sides the way, 100 in all, including a
meeting-house and 50 houses.
£3. — The new episcopal church was raised.
May £. — Hard times ! no money ! no business, is the gen-
eral cry.
June £3. — A great uproar about Murray's not preaching.
July 31. — President Willard here.
August 16. — There was a parish meeting about setting off
a number ofthe parish as a separate society.
£8. — Town meeting,f voted to pull down the meeting-house
and got subscribers to build a new one.
September 1£. — Town meeting.* They voted Mr. Deane,
^nd myself £75 each. The separatists voted themselves otf.
23 — (Sunday) Mr. Freeman read sermons, and I made the
prayeis. Had great assistance.
£4 — Quakers annual meeting ; great numbers flocked
there.
£7 — The grand convention finished and published the new
constitution of government for the confederated U. States.
October 3. — One Mr. Kellock come here to preach to the
separatists.
4. — I am abroad a visiting with my wife almost every day.
11. — Poor Portland is plunging into ruinous confusion by
the separation.
14. — (Sunday) A great flocking to the separate meeting
last Sunday and this, in the school-house.
17. — The council met at Windham upon Peter's case.
J^'uoember 3. — AH the talk is about the new constitution of
government, fabricated by the late federal convention.
December 5. — Mrs. Smith and myself are sorely distressed
Tvith the whooping cough, and rheumatism: have tedious nights.
'Mr. Sraitb mu?t, I think, have meant here, paiisli meetings.
123
26. — Mr. Child was buried ; I was not out.
28. — I slept well three nights,biit now had a sleepless night.
30. — I walked to meeting pretty comfortably.
[Thus ends the journal ot" the present year ; the pages of
which for each month, are all full : but it is the last of this des-
cription. Mr. Smith, it appears, continued to exercise his
official duties, (except preaching) and to enjoy a remarkable
degree of bodily health and mental strength.]
1788.
[The Journal for this year is the last that can be found.
It contains only five unimportant entries in the month of Jan-
Jiary and three in the month of May. Mr. Smith lived after
this about seven years ; but his eyes grew din) and his bodily
strength became enfeebled. It could not therefore have been
expected that he should continue to exercise an employment
of this kind. Would that some person of equal diligence and
industry, had resumed and continued it.]
In addition to the view which the foregoing extracts will
afford, of the genera] character of Mr. Smith, I would observe
in regard to his religious sentiments, that he embrr'ced the
opinions of Calvin in preference to those of Arminius. I
think it not improper liowever to notice, an oral communica-
tion, which he made to me some years before his death, and
which I then coumutted to writing. It is as follows, and was
considerd by him as
A brief Summary of the Christian Religion.
1. That God made man after his own image ; holy, just
and good, and therefore perfectly happy.
2. That man fell from this state of perfect rectitude, and
thereby brought upon or subjected himself to eternal misery.
S. That God so loved the world, that he gave his son Je-
sus Christ to redeem mankind from this state of punishment
for sin, who made an atonement therefor, by his sufferings
aad death, and thereby purchased the grant of repentance.
124
4. To enable man to repent, he promised to send his Ho-
ly Spirit to them who asked it. " If ye being evil, Sec."
5. Therefore to recover a state of happiness, we are by
the assistance of the Spirit, to repent and be obedient ; and
uy>so doing, we shall obtain eternal life.
TO THE READER.
On closing this part of the work, and referring you to uhat
is said in the preface, the Compiler thinks it proper to ob-
serve, that, in making the foregoing selections, he was aware
of the impracticability of suiting the taste of all. What, to
one, may be considered unimportant, another may read with
satisfaction. He therefore solicits your candid considcratii-n
of them, in a collective view.
STATE OF THE SEASONS, WEATHER, &c.
1722.
February 5. Moderate weather. 12. Fine weather. SS.
Wet, stormy weather concludes the month. March 5. Fine
weather again. 16. Charming day. April 9. Thunder and
lightning, rain and hail. 30. Thus far it has been a very cold
dry spring. J^lay 31. Fair weather concludes the month.
July 30. The hottest day that has been this year. An ex-
ceeding dry time, as ever was. September 30. Very hot for
the time of year. October 20. Very cold. £7. Excessive
cold. December 2 — 9. Very hot indeed for the time of year,
more so than ever was known before.
1723.
Januarys. Raw, cold weather. February 1. A summer
day. April 30. It is thought it has been the forwardest spring
that has been known in the country, inasmuch as the blossoms
are dropt from the trees, and the 1st of the month, a man in
Cambridge, mowed a quantity of English grass. May 2.
Cooler weather. 25. Cool weather throughout the month.
October. It has been for a month past very stormy and uncom-
fortable weather as ever was known this time of the year.
JVovember. This has been a very cold month, snowed but
once.
1724
April 11. The peach trees but now begin to blossom.
December 14. First snov/ fell today. 29. Considerable snow,
but followed and consumed by rain. This month we have
had something like winter weather.
1725.
Nothing 'till April SO. It has been a very cold month.
May 29. This has been a cold month, and no rain, and noth-
ing more during the year.
1726.
January 31. This has been a very smart close winter.
Februarys. The river froze over again last night. 9. More
11*
126
moderate, the river breaking up. 16. The river froze over a-
gain. 28. This month iias been severe, close weather, but no
storm all winter and not one thaw. March ^2. More moder-
ate. ^ 14. The fish not come upon the usual ground here.
•/3pn7 27. People generally planting. This month has been
wet and uncomfortable weather. "Tis thought in these parts,
to be a very backward spring. May 20. The peach and ap-
ple trees but now begin to blossom. 27. There has been ve-
ry little pleasant weather this month. June 20. There has
been a very great drought this spring. September 30. This
month has been cool, but n© great frost yet. October 30.
Several days past pretty cold.
1727.
February 10. Snowed all day. 11. A very cold day this.
16. A most charming pleasant day. 24. A very pleasant
day. March 30. We have had very uncomfortable weather
this month. The spring is thought to be very backward.
(The pages of the Journal for the rest of the year, contain
nothing.)
1728.
January 11. For several days past, there has been a spell
of comfortable weather. 13. Avery terrible storm of snow
all day. The snow that fell to day is almost two feet upon a
level. 18. The coldest day we had this year. February,
There has been no thawy weather, but as close for six weeks
past as ever was known. Great scarcity of hay on account of
the drought last year. March 8. 'Till this day there has been
no appearance of winter's breaking up. 15. A wonderful
smile of providence in the snow going away. The creatures
were almost starved ; a great many have died this winter, ev-
ery where. April 6. Thus far we have had very pleasant,
comfortable weather for the season. 13. As much rain fell
to day as ever did in one day. 17. There just begins to be
some young feed now. SO. The most of this month has been
very cold. May 1. Last night there was a considerable frost.
June QO. Tilings begin to suffer much, by reason of the
drought. July 9. Our people, this day, begin to cut their
salt hay. JVovember 30. The three days past has been really
cold. Presuinpscot River froze up. December 30. Winter
sets in as cold as ever remembered in December.
[JVote.— The Diary for 1729, 1730, 1731, 1732, is mis-
sing.]
1733.
January 8. Cold. IS. This whole week has been a spell
«f warm weather. 25. It does not seem to be very cold, yet
127
it was froze over to Parpoodock last night. Februarys. Pro-
digious blustering and cold. 16. It thawed all last night. 22.
Ice still lies as far as North-Yarmouth. A man may walk
over to Hog-Island. 28. It is melancholy to see so much
snow as has fallen so late in the year. MarchlO. Therehasbeen
but little of the snow consumed yet. 21. Comfortable weath-
er. 22. Snow mostly consumed. 27. Pleasant. 29. The
snow in the woods is near four feet deep. April 4. Cloudy
and cold. 13. Pleasant day. 16. Stioudwater still froze
over. 20. A cold and backward spring. 23. It is said to
have snowed at Saccarappa last night, knee deep. Ju7ie 29.
It is a wonderful year for grass. August. Pigeons very
plenty. We kill more than we can eat. 20. Trot, with a
net, got 16 dozen this morning. September. Generally a
pleasant month. October 2,i. It froze in the shade all day.
JSTovember 4. Turnips are exceeding plenty. 24. Warm
weather. December 7. Wonderfully pleasant most of this
month.
1734.
January 11. Blustering and cold. 19. Rain. 28. Pretty
comfortable. February. Pleasant weather generally this
month ; tho' some days cold. March. All along warmer and
pleasanter than April last year. April 4. As hot a day as the
generality of summer. 19. Jack finished planting potatoes.
25. There is vastly more potatoes planted this year than ever.
May 9. Though the sprmg was at first very forward, things
don't come on as they promised. 22. Very warm and pleas-
ant. June 21. There never was (I believe) such a year for
grass. July 4. The rasi)berries begin to be ripe. 8. We
hear that at Boston, people die of the excessive heat. 23. It
is (I believe) as fruitful a year as ever was. September 6.
Extraordinary cold. 13. Pleasant. 30. We began to dig
our potatoes, so early, because we have so many to dig.
J\*ovember 1. Feed is good yet. December. To the end of
this month the weather has been very moderate.
1735.
January. Though cold at times, there has been much pleas-
ant and moderate weather this month. February 28. This
has been a summer month, only two or three cold days.
March. Not so pleasant as the last month. April 9. Cold
and windy. 17. Quite hot. 21. Same. July 10. People
have began to mow. August 11. There has been so much
rain, it is feared there will be but little good English hay.
December. There have been several pleasant days this moHth-.
None remarkably cold.
128
1736.
February. A close cold winter. 28. It look$ piomising for
a foiwaid s})ring. March 15. Severely cold, ,/lpril 10. A
hot day. 11. The spring looks promising. 17. We dug the
lower garden and sowed carrots, parsnips, &tc. May S.d. It
has been through the whole of this month, except one week,
cold and raw. July 9. Sowed turnip seed. The fowls and
chickens have destroyed the grass-hoppeis. 25. It is a won-
derful year for grass. August. Cold weather the last of this
nionth. Septtmher. It has been very dry all this month.
JVovemher 3. We pulled up all our turnips. Fine weather.
JDecemher SO. Hardly any winter yet.
1737.
January 2. 'Tis thought the ground is frozen four feet
deep. 11. It snowed ail day. 16. A level snow of about
eight inches, but turned to rain. 17. Glare of ice. 18 to 22.
Snow. 27. More snow. 31. Pleasant. February. Rains
and pleasant weather alternately. March 26. It is a very
backward spring indeed. SO. Spring like day ; the trees do
hardly begin to bud. Jlpril 2. The goosberry bushes look
quite green. 11. Snowed all day. 18. Cloudy and cold.
20. It looks no more like spring than it did a month ago. IVo
plowing or gardening yet. 25. There is no grass at all.
May 2. We sowed our peas, and lower garden. 4. Multi-
tude of creatures are not able to get up, many have died. 9.
Warm to-day. 10. The whole neighborhood without milk.
17- The grass don't grow for want of rain. 20. A joyful,
seasonable rain. 24. Very pleasant. July 18. There never
was, in the memory of man, more seasonable weather, 20.
Grass is very thin. 22. No feed on the Neck. 27. Grass-
hoppers plenty. August 8. The grass seems to be, but now,
shooting. 19. About this time our Almanac conjurer spoke
of a great storm, which alarmed multitudes of people, so that
some cut the tops of their corn ; but there was nothing like
what was prophesied of, that come to pass. September. Va-
rious vveather this month, but on the whole a fine season for
the corn to dry. Ocfo?>er 10. Cold. 19. Fine weather. 23.
It was never known to be so dry. No sawing nor grinding.
JVovemher 5. There has been some rains. 24. No grinding ;
we have had a bag of corn go from mill to mill, for about two
months, and not ground yet. December 18. It is remarkable
that there has been no northwesters this fall nor winter.
1738.
January. The month comes in warm like the beginnirwj
©f April. S3. Two things are remarkable, relative to the
129
wind, for several months past, one is, that the wind always
comes about witli the sini. Tlie other, that after foul weath-
er, the wind comes as far as the S. W. and except once or
twice, no further. February. The former part of the month
cold. The last half, fair, pleasant and moderate weather.
March Plenty of hay, corn, &c. a vast ditlerence on this ac-
count between last spring and this. 27. The frost is general-
ly out of the grownd. It looks likely for a forward spring.
^pril 11. Jack dug the lower garden. 14. Unusually hot
weather. The spring is thought to be two or three days for-
warder than the last. May. Pleasant. We finished planting
potatoes to day. 15. Hot weather. 23. Fine pleasant day.
29. Abundance of rain. July!. Grasshoppers. The drought
come on very severely and prevailed in such a manner as the
like was never known. Septejnber 3. More rackoon's, jays,
and red squirrels than ever was known. The weather this
month generally pleasant, JVovember 5. There is, I think,
more grass now than in the summer. 23. Cold weather.
27. Snow last night, but fair and moderate to day. Decem-
ber. Frequent snows this month, but turned to rain, and the
latter part of the month remarkably slippery.
1739.
JlprU 11. No appearance of any feed yet. 20. We have
remarkable seasonable weather. 30. There has been no rain
for about a month past, except a small shower. JlugustSl.
We have had more hot weather these four days past, than all
(he summer together. September 17. Last night there was a
very white frost, that killed the tops of our potatoes. October
8. The cold weather prevails as far as Boston, so that there
is no business going forward.
1740.
January. This month has been generally fair and pleasant.
February 18. A summer winter. We had only two snows
and sledding but about three weeks ; two or three snaps of
coldpveather, else constantly warm and open, and always fair.27.
Warm southerly 'veather. March 3. Asummerday. 10. Same.
18. Warm. 29. Charming weather. Jipril 14. The spring does
not look very promising. 23. Exceeding hot. SO. A pleas-
ant day. May 11. A very backward, cold spring. June 25.
We have had the finest, most seasonable weather that can be.
Every thing is promising. July 22. It begins to be a dry
time. 28. As growing a season for about a month past, as
ever was in the memory of man. August 10. There has been
an uncommon season of hot weather this summer. October
28. It began to snow. 29. Snow melted much, yet it is three
inches deep. JVovember 5. I believe no man ever knew so
130
winter-like a spell so early in the year. Deceviher 4. Ti)e
frost is still wholly out of the ground. 29. The Fore River
has been shut a day or two. SO. Several persons walked over
to Purpoodock.
1741.
January 1. A little cooler, hut a pleasant day. 19. The
whole week has been a spell of charming weather. 27. A
chnrniing pleasant day. 29. Much cooler. SO. A great deal
of the Aurora Borealis. Jlpril 10. Melancholy time, the
snow lying, and little hay. 25. The snow has consumed
wonderfully. SO. Roads now settled surprisingly ; the rea-
son is, there has been no frost in the ground the winter past.
1742.
January, Feb. No account of the weather is given.
March 11. The snow is four feet deep in the woods. ,fipril
18. Comfortable Sabbath. 25. Unusually hot. ,Mai/ G. The
grass grows wonderfully. 29. Same. Very hot weather for
a week past. Nothing further is said of the weather until
October 18. Some unusually hot days about this time, and
then, nothing until, December 23. Charnnng weather every
day. 29. Wonderful weather for about ten days past ; there
has been no cold weather yet.
1743.
Nothing said of the weather 'till^ March 1. Very cold.
This has been a close winter: the snow being constantly so
deep in the woods, that the teams could not stir, though there
was not so much near us, and in Boston there was hardly any.
^ipril 28. There has been no easterly weather this month, and
though cold, yet raw and chilly as usual. The roads are eve-
ry where as dry as summer. May 1. An uncommon dry
time. 7. Refreshing rains. June I. Indian corn wants heat.
20. A very dry time, people fear a drought. 22. It rained
plentifully. 27. There are millions of worms, in armies, ap-
pearing and threatening to cut ofFr every green thmg ; jjeople
are exceedingly alarmed. July I. Days of fasting are kept
in one place and another, on account of the worms. 28. Ah
exceeding scarce time for hay. It is £7 or £8 a load. Au-
gust!. Fine growing season. October 31. Wonderful weath-
er, moderate and dry. JVovember 7. There has been no rain
for many weeks, so that not a mill goes in this part of the
country.
1744.
January, Feb. .March. Nothing remarkable is said of the
weather or season, 'till April 29. A forward spring ; a great
131
mercy, on account of the scarcity of hay. No person ever
saw such an April in this eastern country, so dry and warm
and pleasant. May 1. A fine season as ever vvas known,
SI. No person in the land ever saw such a spring, so h(jt and
intermixed with seasonable showers. We have ripe straw-
berries, and every thing more than a fortnight forw arder than
usual. July \^. A wonderful year for grass and hay, both
English and salt. August £0. I don't remember that pig-
eons were ever so plenty as now. October. I reckon this
inonth has been September, and September was October.
1745.
February. A very moderate, pleasant month, but little snow
or foul weather. March 30. This month has been like Feb-
ruary ; a nonesuch ; wonderful pleasant, and like April.
June. So cool a June has not been known. August 18.
A good hay season. Septemher 30. No frosts 'till a night
or two ago. October ^Q. Warm and pleasant. A^ovemher IQ.
Uncomfortable weather ; deep snow in Boston that lies all
the week ; a considerable snow here. December 27. Thus
far moderate, and hardly like December. 31. A blustering,
severe night. This is the first that looks like winter. No
sledding yet.
1746.
January 31. A fine, moderate winter thus far. Only two
short cold snaps. February 24-. The snow is 3 or 4 feet deep
in the woods. 23. The snow is still as deep as at any time
this winter. March 20. A severe month, quite unlike the last.
The snow still covers all the Neck. 27. A sweet pleasant
day. April 11. Jack dug the upper garden. 12. The spring
is uncommonly forward. 18. I sowed peas, carrots, fee.
20. The most part of the week has been as dry as mid-
summer. May 4. The creatures were let on the Neck.
Jane 9. A fine growing season. 26. It couies on a very dry
time. July 9. A melancholy drought advances. 31. There
was a little rain this morning, but the ground is exceeding dry.
August Vj. 'Tis thouicht the present is the greatest drouglit
that ever vvas in New -England. 24. Plentiful showers. £9.
It rains like a flood. September 29. It is an unusual, jnode-
rate growino; season. October 5. It is like the springing of
the year.^ The grass has grown surprisingly. Pleasant wea-
ther tlie latter part of the montl). Noveviher 25. Indian voxrt
25s a bushel. 30. Hay at Boston £20. Bcccmber 1. Very
pleasant day. 15. Severely cold.
132
1747.
Jahuari) 12. Our \vhole Bay froze over entirely.- 19.
Moderate weather. February So. Since tlie 7th, it has been
pleasant moderate weather. March 31. Tliere has been no
high winds this month. No lion-iike days, more like April.
We had our n))per garden dug, ^^pril 3. 'Tis thought the
spring is full a montli forwarder than usual. 9. Tiie grass
grows wonderfully. 16. English beans .md peas, came up in
our garden. 50. The latter part of this month has been
pretty raw, cold and wet, and the grass no forwarder than
in the beginning of this month. May 24. The earth has a
fine green face. June SO. Every thing is wonderfully flourish-
ing. ^ Ju/t/ 10. Mowed some of my hay. 20. Mowers ex-
ceeding scarce. Mem. Yellow weed must be mowed early,
or it will be good for nothing. Sepiemher 29. There has been
no fall like this, so moderate and dry ; my potatoe tops look
more green and flourishing than at any time this year. Octo-
ber 23. This has been a dry fall, no water at the mills, or
grinding. December 2.4r. The snow, though settled consider-
ably, is full 3 feet deep. SO. This has been a very unplea-
sant month.
1748.
January. A cold, snowy month. February. A cold, snowy,
uncomfortable month. March 1. Comes in smiling. The
rest of the month, generally cold and snowy. Jiprii 1. Comes
in joyfully. 8. The snow is all gone, except in a few drifts.
23. The earth looks beautifully green. May 15. Unusually
hot, dry weather. 20. It is but about 7 weeks since there was
5 ^ feet of snow on the ground. 31. Melancholy time. All
the talk is about the heat and drought — never the like. Junt
2. Exceeding raw and cold. 14. An epidemic cold prevails.
20. Dry time comes on again. There has been showers fre-
quently, but no rain in the country this year. July 4. Fine
showers. 10. Dying hot. It is a most melancholy dry time.
The grass in the pastures is all burnt up. 19. A steady rain.
Av,s:ust 31. Dry, dry, very dry, and very hot. September 6.
Reviving rains. 24. A white frost. 29. Wonderful, hot
summer day. The grass grows as fast as ever I saw it. Oc-
tober 2. We began to dig our potatoes. No appearance of
moisture in the ground. 10. The ground froze hard this
morning. JVovemher ^.'2,. A moderate fall this. December.
Generally pleasant. 30. Severe snow storm. 31. Cold, and
the year ends stingingly.
133
1749.
Januarys, A very cold month, and the river froze over
on the 3d day, and was so on the 19th. February. A cold
month. March 11. An uncommon spring-like day, but most
of the month very cold. SO. Snow gone. April 8. The
ground is fit for ploughing. 21. Planted potatoes. MayQl,
A melancholy dry time. Jane 9. Same. £4. The grass-
hoppers do us more spoil than the drought. £9. They have
eaten up entirely an acre of potatoes. July 3. I reckon my
poultry (about 100) eat ten thousand grasshoppers every day.
Very hot. The most remarkable time that ever we or oul-
fathers saw. 13. As many grasshoppers as ever, but they
are a new growth. 21 The ground begins to look green, but
there are many grasshoppers >et. August I never saw the
earth change its face so much any day as this. The whole
country is renewed and revived. October 14. Our potatoes
turn out universally small. 18. Snow. JVovember 2,^. Cold
day. 25. Severely and unusually cold. 39. 'Tis thought
winter never sat in so early. Presumpscot river is frozen'so,
that a man can walk over it. [December, Does not appear to
have been so severe.]
1750.
January and February, Nothing remarkable as to the
weather. March 11. Warm, calm and pleasant for this time
of the year. 18. Raw. 23. Snow. 28. More snow. 30.
Pleasant. April. Some cold, and some pleasant weather.
Jitay 31. A wet and cold month, and yet there are millions
of little grasshoppers not killed. June 30. There has been a
happy mtermixture of heat and wet for 3 weeks past. July
and August. Nothing renjarkable. September. Cold the
latter part of the month, but the corn is like to be good.
1751.
January 6. No snow on the ground. 7. Show storm.
12. Thaw. 15. The frost is entirely out of the ground. 21.
Weather hke 3Iay. 24. This winter will go down memora-
ble to posterity. February. This month has been more like
sprmg than winter ; moderate generally, and several days as
warm as May. 23. PleasantVeather still. Thus winter ends,
a wonder through the whole. March 5. Snow storm. 13.
Fme spring weather the rest of the month, except the 4 last
days. April, A cold blustering month. May 8. Our Eng-
lish cherries did but to day begin to bloom. 17. They are
now in all their gaiety of blooming. 23. Growing season.
SO. Never did things grow faster, nor never a better prospect.
June 5. Very cold. 15. A wonderful time for grass, but the
134
Indian corn wants heat. 26. Seasonable weather, October
4. We began to dig our potatoes. JVovemher \Q. Moderate
weather. 21. Another wonder of a day, so cahn, warm and
delightful.
1752.
January 1. The harbor froze over this morning. The
whole hay shut up. 12. People since the 1st, constantly pass
over to Purpoodock on the ice. 14. Went to Brunswick en
the ice, and returned without Macqua's Island, (See page 55.)
27. Ice broke up as far as Mr. Fox's wharf, (See page 56.)
February. Much snow. The roads blocked up, and travelling
bad. 'i^ay 2. Raw, cold ; every thing is backward. 15. The
trees do but now begin to blossom. SO. Raw,easterly weather,
as it has been all the month. June 15. There is a promising
prospect of grass, and the Indian corn starts wonderfully.
July d. Begun to mow the upper ground. August 12,. In the
evening there was dismal thunder-and lightning, and abun-
dance of rain, and such a hurricane as was never the like in
these parts of the world; it blew down houses and barns,
trees, corn, and every thing in its way. 21. There has beea
more thunder and lightning, and it has done more harm this
summer all over New-England, then ever was known. 31.
Dry weather. September 31 . Dry, dry, dry; melancholy
drought. 30. It rained and stormed in the night a great deal.
October 9. A storm of rain. 30. We wonderfully fail in our
sauce by reason of the drought.
1753.
January and February. — Though there has been some
cold blustering weather, this season ; it has, upon the whole,
been a moderate winter. March. The first of this month
mostly cold ; ihe last, moderate and pleasant. 31. The
spring surprisingly warm and forward. May 18. The first
pleasant day this spring. June. The season is uncommonly
forward. August 26. The grasshoppers have done much
damage. October 24. The frosts have held off wonderfully.
1754.
January and February. Generally moderate and pleasant.
March 6. The frost seems almost out of the ground. 15. Cold
and froze hard. April 6. This is the 13th day of fair, dry,
and therefore, pleasant weather. 18. This is the 25th. 31.
Cold but dry. May 13. Cloudy and foggy. The grass
grows surprisingly. 23. A remarkable hot day. July 1. I
have no grass growing in my mowing ground, and there is no
feed on the neck ; the reasons are, the open winter, three
136
weeks early drought, and the grasshoppers. September 1. We
have no potatoes growing this year, because of grasshoppers.
22. There is a melancholy drought. October M. A great
storm. The earth is filled with water. JVovember 23. Unu-
sually moderate and pleasant all this fall. December IS.
Since the second day of this month, the weather has beea
pleasant and the ground bare. 27. No sledding yet.
1755.
January. Several falls of snow, and some sledding. 21.
The ground almost bare. 22. Moderate, it hardly freezes ti
night. 25. The ground bare. February 11, No snow this
month yet. 20. Some sledding, having had two or three
inches of snow. 30. Fine walking and very good sledding.
March 20. Very good sledding. 29. It snowed all day.
May 8. We have done gardening. 25. The creatures were
put on the neck. June 14. It rained abundantly. 28. Very
hot till P. M. when there arose a severe hurricane with rain.
Capt. Bennet's frame was blown down. July IZ. The In-
dian Corn (by heat and alternate showers) grows finely.
August 26. No hot weather this summer (except eight days)
until to day. September 12. A wonderful growing season.
19. There was a frost. October 6. Warm. 14. Digging
potatoes. 26. Cold. December Q, A true winter's day. 15.
A fine summer's day.
1756.
January. Moderate and pleasant month, generally. 28.
The season seems so altered that the fish are struck in, as in
May. February. Much delightful weather. March. Some
blustering weather, but unlike March. 19. Rainy and warm
lik<r May. April 12. The robbin has visited us several
springs past. .May 11. Our heart-cherry trees and pair
plumbs, are blossoming. 19. They are all in the bloom.
(See page 68.) Hot and rainy. June 2. Things were never
so forward. Plenty of rain this month. 27. A hot sabbath.
July l^ to 15. Foggy. 20. A fine growing season. 22. We
are visited with worms, as we were thirteen years ago, which
have destroyed whole fields of English and Indian Corn in
divers places. 30, A wet summer this ! August 10. I never
saw such grass, so tall and thick. 26. Very hot. September
11. Extremely hot, but come on very cold. 24. The frost
has killed the brakes and leaves of Indian Corn. November
12. Fine weather. 30. It snowed very fast. December 7.
Severely cold. 10. A thaw. 23. A severe snow storm. 29,
Fine warm weather for three days pa.st.
136
1757.
Januarii4. Cold. A fall of snow three inches 14. It
can*t be better sledding. 18. The harbor is frozen over.
SI .It rained all last night. February G. Deep snow. (See page
67.) The rest of the month partly cold and blustering, partly
lairi}', and partly pleasant. March. Begins pleasant but win-
ery. 5. The snow is five (eet de«p in the woods. 22. A se-
vere storm of snow. 26. More snow. £9. Pleasant and
tvarm. ,/Ipril 3. More snow. 12. Rain- 15. More rain.
15. Rainy. May 10 and 16. The spring is very backward.
£5. Raw cold. June 1. A very dry time, (see page 68.) 19.
Though there has been two or three small showers, the
<!ro!!g!ii awfully increases. 28. It rained most of last night
and this mornirig. Thus in the mount God is seen, but the
grain and grass are'much cut short. August 16. We have re-
freshing rains, and it is now a growing season. 30. It is con-
stantly hot, and becomes very dry again. September 17. A
refreshing rain. October. Much fine weather this month.
SI. Cloudy and cold. JVovemher and December. Common
vinter months.
1758.
, January 29. The snow is three feet and a half npon' a
level. February. Some pleasant weather, but in general a
cold month. March. Alternately cold and pleas mt. April.
A cold month. 30. A very cold spring thus far. May Gen-
erally raw and cold. 31. People are every where, but now,
planting. June. Some pleasant days, but mostly raw and
cold. July. Little or no really hot weather this month. Very
wet. August 19. Fine weather, but not hot. 31. Very cold
all this week. September 28. The greater part of the Indian
Corn in this town is spoiled,!!! was planted so late ; and it lias
been such a wet cold summer. October. Mostly cold and
unpleasant. JSTovemhtr. Some pleasant, but mostly cold
weather. December 25. The harbor froze over to the Islands.
1759.
January 'H^. Incomparable sleighing. 31. A severe cold
winter hitherto. February. Some comfortable pleasant
weather this month. March. Same, but there were snow
storms the 22 and 26. April 4. The rohbin visited us to day.
The spring birds have been here singing several days. This
month has been generally fair and pleasant, but cold
and dry. May 11. A warm day ; the first this spring.
16. The cherry trees are blooming. 19. The grass is
forward. 24. A delightful warm day ; but, 31. Cold
137
weather. There has been but one warm, and one hot day,
all this spring. June 5. Charming hot. T.May storm. 14.Ra\v,
cool. £5. A happy growing season. July 2,. A frost, 18.
A deluge of rain. Cherries begin to be ripe. 31. It is so
wet a season, we are in no haste to cut our grass. August. A
fruitful summer, especially in pasturing and hay. September
1. Abunda«ceof pidgeons. 18. Gale of wind that blew down
the apples, &c. £6. Wonder of a hot day. 30. No frost
yet. October 18. No frost yet. ££. Charming day. 30.
Cold weather. jYovember. Generally moderate this month.
December. Snows and cold weather, but not more than com-
mon for the season.
1760.
January and February. No weather unusual in winter
months. March 13. Pleasant. 17. Cold and windy. £3.
Snow. SO. The robbin and spring birds came a week or ten
days sooner than usual ; so much forwarder is the spring than
common. April. Several cold days. £7. Severe thunder
and lightning. May 1, The trees shoot out their leaves.
10. The heart-cherry trees begin to blossom (earlier than last
year, and then earlier than usual.) 81. No hot weather this
spring. Indian Corn looks poorly. June £6. There has
been but £4 hours of hot weather this year. July 12.
Hot weather for a week past. August 1£. Hot and a
peerless growing season. September 1. Multitudes of grass-
hoppers. 16. Extremely hot. 17. Extremely cold. jVb-
vtmber 8. A gay morning and warm day. 14. Snow.
19. Exceeding cold. £3. Moderate weather. December 7.
Pretty cold. £0. Much colder. £6. Calm mornings all this
week, and moderate through the days.
1761.
January 11. The harbor froze over yesterday and to day.
26. A fine level snow, and enough of it. February. Wonder
of a month. The snov. went away the 7th. JV/arc/i. Unusu-
ally moderate weather this month. April 1. The season is
uncommonly forward, warm and pleasant. ££. Fine weather
continiially. 30. Cold. June £5. It is as melancholiy dry a
time as ever I saw. July 5- As great a drought as in' 1749.
Tl. Gentle showers (see page 8.0.) 17. Plenty of pease.
£0. Raspberries. August 1. The drought awfully continues.
1£. No feed on the neck, a great while. 16. The drought in-
creases (see page 80.) 19. Storm of rain— (see page 80.) 31.
Marvellous growing time. vSurprislng change on the face of
the earth. September £5. The earth has a most beautiful green
face, October 6. The grass is better set than in the spting.
12*
138
December 31. We never had such a December ; it began with
snowing, and the snow is two leet upon a level. It gives fine
sledding.
1762.
February and March. (See page 81 .) ^^pril 12. The robbin
and spring birds visit us. 28. The last of the huge mountain
of snow behind the garrison, disappeared. June b. Melan-
choly dry time. All are now looking for an absolute famine.
23. A dark day. July 2. (See page 81.) August. (Seepage
82.) October. It is very cold a days, but no frost in our gar-
den yet. JVdvember 30. The last 11 days have been moder-
ate and comfortable. December. Several delightful days this
loonth. 26. The fore river frozen over. 31. Winter sets iry.
1763.
January 12. Incomparable sledding. 26. The harbor
froze over all this week. 31. The harbor broke up. Febru-
ary 'i. The harbor is frozen over. 12. Same, 26. Same.
28*. Thus ends February, as it did last year, a severe winter as
any we have had, (see page 83.) March. A cold blustering
month. 28. It has been a cold tedious winter, (see page 83.)
April 15. There has been no rain this spring. The snow
goes away kindly. 12. The robbin and spring birds begin to
tune up. 18. — (See page 84.) SO. The roads and ground as
dry as summer. May, to 18. Fine weather. 20. Cold,
which prevents the cherry trees from blossoming. 24. The
freshets are raised higher than ever known. 27. Warm
weather is much wanted, (seepage 84.) July!. There is no
summer yet. 14. Not a hot night this summer ; indeed no
hot weather at all, but constantly wet. 21 Cold N. E. storm.
There has not been for two months past, 48 hours of fair
weather at one time. August 9. The weather continues fog-
gy and wet. 26. Fair weather since this day sen'ight ; a
great favor and rarity. September 10. A frost last night. 18.
A plenty of rain after a fortnight of dry seasonable weather.
28. We began to dig our potatoes. JVovember 10. A long
*torm. 14. Very cold. 18. A great N. E. snow storm. 26.
There has been the week past a spell of moderate pleasant
weather. December 2. Moderate weather. 8. Raw i3. Pleas-
ant. 18. Blustering.
1764.
January 11. Harbor froze over. 26. There fell just as
much snow as was wanted and desired. Much business done
139
this month. February. Generally moderate weather this
month. March l^. Cold and windy. 15. Warm. 25. Un-
comfortable. 28. Charming pleasant. »^j9n7 14. The spring
is marvellously forward. 26. Pleasant day. May. Generally
a pleasant month. 25. The cherry trees are in full bloom.
June 14. The earth is sufficiently soaked. 18. It has a most
beautiful green face. SO. The fruits of it are promising.
August 18. A very dry time seems to be coming on. 31. A
very dry time indeed. September 7. There has been a great
deal of very cold weather. 18. Cold still. 19. A hot day.
26. Very cold. SO. Delightful sabbath. October 9. Fine
weather. 13. Pleasant. 22. Very warm. 24. Cold and
windy. 26. A great storm, wind S. E. JVovember 1. Pleas-
ant. 5. Dry travelling. 16. Very cold. 27. A tine day.
December 17. About 15 inches of snow upon the ground. 27.
There is between 2 and 3 feet. 31. It has thus far been a
severe winter ; nothing like it since 1747 and 1748, then it
was more so.
1765.
January 8. The whole bay is skimmed over. 14. Plea-
sant. 22. The heart of the winter seems broke. Incompar-
able sledding. 23. A charming day. 26. Very cold. 31. A
great storm. February 5. Tempestuous and cold. 12. The
ice lies over the harbor still. 14. A thaw. 18. Fine warm
weather. 25. There has been no snow all this month. March
% Winter returns upon us. IS. A charming day. 22. Raw
cold. 24. Dismal snow storm. 31. Hot and pleasant, though
it has been raw and cold for some time past. April 9. The
robin this morning first made his appearance. 10. The spring
bird with the robbin, gave us a serenade. 11. The wind blew
fresh and cold. 19. Warm. 22. Raw cold. SO. The dry
time continues and increases. May 1. Plentiful rain. 12
The spring is uncommonly forward. 14. The cherry blows.
25. Cold for 9 days past. 27. An extremely hot day. 29.
A growing season. June. A growing season. SO. A great
prospect of grain and grass, though the Indian corn, very
much wants heat. July. Alternately warm and cold. Aua-ust
The pastures are dried up. September 2. Plentiful rains.
The earth has anew face. 15. Very cold. 24. A delightful
day. December 16. Snow. 31. Last night was as cold as
(perhaps) it ever was, in this country, and continues sq.
1766.
January 6. The harbor remains shut up. 9. Fine wea-
ther. 17. Severely cold. 21. Rain. 80. Incomparably
pleasant. February 4. Fine sledding. 9. This is the 14th
140
clay since there has been any falling weather. 19. Pleasant
clay. £6. Fair and pleasant. 28. Very cold. JlpriL Gene-
rally pleasant. 27. The spring comes on finely. May 5. A
long spell of raw cold weather. 16. Our cherry trees begin
to blossom. 26. They are in full blow. 31. The spring is
uncommonly forward. The Indian corn in many places, has
come up. June 14. An uncommon grosving season. July
80. Rain every day ; never such a season ; yet the old grass
grounds have but poor burdens, owing to the last winter's
frost, which killed the grass. August 18. Such a growing
season, through the whole summer never was known. Sep-
tember 1. Cabbages are beginning to head. 10. Michaelmas
storms. SO. The earth has a most beautiful face. The Eng-
lish grass is now set and grows more than at any time this
year, and there has been no frost yet. October. Pleasant
weather most of the month. 31. A surprising warm sum-
mers day. JVoveviber 1, 2. Two other such days. 9, IS.
Cold. 14. Moderate again. 17. A great storm of snow.
29. Geese and chickens plenty at 2s. a pound, turkeys 2s. 6d.*
Cold weather. December 5. Butter 5s. a lb. A moderate
month for December.
1767.
January 6. A deluge of rain has carried away most of the
snow. 11. Snow. 13. More rain. The last snow entirely
carried away. 17. More snow. 21. The roads are all ice
again. 26. More snow. 30. Incomparable sledding. Feb-
ruary. A cold month. 28. Warm and pleasant. March 3.
A great rain. 4. Storm. 12. Cold. 17. Charming day,
good walking. 24. Rainy. 30. We had smelts to day, two
coppers a dozen. 31. Charming spring-like weather, a. m.
April 6. The robbins came and i)egan to sing. May 12.
Strangely cold. 15. The heat breaks in upon us. 22. The
heart cherries are in the blow. 27. Cold. June 11. A grow-
ing season, but poor prospect of grass. 16. Cold. 21. Ex-
tremely hot, shower in the evening. 27. No rain since 21st.
SO. Showers. July 20. People are concerned about the
drought. 23. Great showers. 31. Deluge of rain. August
18. The grass grows more than in the spring. 23. Extreme-
ly hot. 26 and 28, the same. September 28. We began to
dig our potatoes ; moderate fall. October 13. Cold weather.
£8. Storm of snow. SO. Charming pleasant, since the storm.
December 14. Snow. 19. Snow. 21. Exceedmg cold ; the
thermometoi down to 0. 2^. More snow. The snow 4 feet
and more at Gloucester.
* TUese prices must have been in old tenor.
141
1768.
February 1. There is a great body of snow upon the ground.
10. 4^ feet in the woods, so that people are beat out of them,
and pour in their teams with wood. 27. All the week has
been warm like April, and indeed all the month. The vvin-
ter must be accounted moderate, except December and a week
in November ; the thermometer is generally' between S6 and
40 deg. March. Generally cold and windy. 20. A terrible
storm of snow. April 1. A great storm of snow. 9. It con-
tinues cold and windy. 21. A backward spring. 39. Ther-
mometer rose to 64, 30, sunk to 47. May 13. Cold still, and
the spring unusually backward. 20. The thermometer up to
72. 21. Now 76, but P. M. sunk 20 deg. The cherries and
damson trees begin to Wow. 28. The face of the earth is
renewed and beautifully green. June to 12. Frequent
showers. 14. A great storm as ever we knew ; wind S. S. E.
that did a great deal of damage. 20. Warm ; here we may
reckon summer begins. July 16. It rains almost every day.
22. A happy season for Indian corn. 25. Very hot. 26.
Tile cherries are a good deal colored. 31. Hot weather con-
tinues. September 16. Seasonable weather all the week. 29.
A great frost last night, spoiled the unripe corn. JVovemher 6.
Pleasant. 20. A great storm of rain. 27. Snow. 30. It
has been an uncommon cold, cloudy, rainy fall, as well as
summer. December 31. The snow is all gone, and the ground
bare.
1769.
January. Very moderate weather most of the month. Feb-
rwa?-^. Cold weather came on. 17. The harbor and whole
bay froze up. 13. Warm like summer. 21. Still warmer.
28. Here the weather changes to winter again. March {SI)
has been a spell of true winter weather. April 1^. We set
out our cabbage stumps. 20. Very cold spring hitherto. 29.
Very dry and very cold weather. May. Generally cold and
rainy. June. Generally cold. 25. Fine hot weather. 29.
Cold again. July 5. Raw cold. 14. Very dry. 22. Ther-
mometer at 83. From this time, much rain to the end of the
month. August. A full and good crop of hay, and success.
in making it ; and there is as good a prospect as the latter
harvest. September. Foggy days. 8. Dreadful N. E. storm.
12. Cold nights but pleasant days. 16. An extraordinary
week of warm days. 26. Delightful weather. 29. Charming
weather every day. October 12. A deluge of water. 17.
Another cold day. 27 to 31. Pleasant weather. JSTovemher
7. We have had a cold fall. 16. Very cold. 29. Last night
142
the thermometer was down to 12. Decembers,. More mod-
erate. 8. Severe cold. 13. Thermometer ut 3 o'clock down
to 3. 23. At 4. SI. At 2, but fair weather and good
walking.
1770.
January 5. Thermometer 2 deg. below 0. 7. Storm of
rain ; thermometer 47. 18. Thermometer S below 0. 23.
The harbor remains shut up. 2D. Colder still. 28. A warm
day. Feirwar^/ 1. Thermometer 3 below 0. 15. Thaw. 23.
Snowed all last night. 27. Thermometer 3 below 0. We
have had a close winter, as cold perhaps as ever was. March
9. Delightful fair morning. 14. Very coldjand good sledding.
18. The last sleighing. 31. Snow gone. Not much \^iady
weather the month past. April 8. Pleasant. 19. Wimiy
and cold. 28. Very hot ; th.ermometer up to 23. Mayb.
Thermometer 74. 16. English cherries begin to blow. 25.
Rainy. 29. Showry ; the spring is unusually forward. Junt.
Some raw cold days. 25. Hot growing season. 29. Tl>er-
mometer 90. July 11. Hot dry weather since 25th June ;
after which, there were frequent rains. September 8. Dry
again. 14. A deluge of rain. 20. Indian corn is thought to
be out of danger. October 1. A delightful djiy. 3. Stormy
and cold. 11. A deluge of rain. 20. An exceeding great N»
E. storm. 29. Pleasant ; the most of the month h;;s been
raw, cold, rainy and stormy. JSfbvemher. Generally moder-
ate and pleasant till 27th. December. Generally moderate
and pleasant, and (no snow) thermometer almost down to 0.
1771.
January IS. The frost seems to be getting out of the ground.
17. A vast deal of rain. 31. It began to snow ; thus far an
unusually moderate winter ; but February has paid us off.
21. Thermometer down to 0. April. ('Till towards the last
of the month) Has been generally cold and unpleasant. May
G The spring is thought to be very forward. 20. The heart
cherry trees are all in blossom. June 17. Unusual cold days,
hitherto. SO. A remarkable growing season for every thing
but Indian corn, vvhinh is exceeding backward. July 4. Ther-
mometer up to 84. 11. Cool dity.' 18. Cool still." 30. Very
liot. August 14. People admire the seasonableness of the
weather through the summer, and the universal fruitfulness.
October 19. A <le!ightful summer day. 20 and 28 the same.
28 and 29. Two very cold freezing days. JVovember. Much
such a month as last November. Decemher, has paid us
severely, the whole of it (except 2 or 3 days) has been steadily
cold, (extraordinarily so) and stormy and snowing. 24. Tho
thermometer was 4 deg. below 0.
143
*i772. ,
January 17. Peerless sledding. 31. Though it has snow-
ed very often this month, there has been no deep snons. Feb'
ruary 12. Thermometor at 0, and in the evening 4 degrees
below 0. 13. 16 degrees below 0. 14, 4, and 15, 8 degrees
below 0. 16. A moderate day» 20. A deluge of rain. 25.
Easterly storm. 28. A beautiful gay morning. 29. it has
snowed more then 21 times, all of them (exeejjtthe last) very
level. March. A cold, stormy, blustering month. ^^Ipil.
Several storms and a number of pleasant days. May 1 and 2.
Very hot. 12. Frosts and ice. 20. Growing time ; the
plumb and cherry trees are blooming. 25 to 30, Raw cold
and rainy. 31. A summer day. June. Several cold days,
yet a growing season, ^ilugust 1%. The grass uncommonly
well grown and good. 28. A deluge of rain. SO. Hot weather,
and a growing time as ever was. Sepiemhr 30. It has been
a remarkable fruitful summer. Ocluher 30. 'Tis thought that
near a quarter of the spring, summer and fall, has been rainy
weat'ier, and most of it stormy. Decemher. Several summer
like days this month.
1773.
Ftbruary. A'cold blustering uncomfortable month, except
the 3 last days which weie pleasant and moderate. March 1 .
Very moderate. 14- Pretty cold. 31. Spring like day.
April showers and melodious singing of the birds: among
which were two robbins, in such a manner as I never knew
the like. Aprils. Raw cold. 8. Spring like weather. 15.
Raw cold. 21. Some warm days. 25. Rainy. SO. Raw
cold easterly weather. May 1. The spring is thought to be a
month forwarder than usual. 10. Wonderful hot summer
weather. 12. The heart cherry and pear trees in blow, and
the common cherries and plumb trees are just upon it. 22 to
26. 'Rainy. Jime 3. A hot day. 7. Cooler. 11. Cold.
15- Strawberries plenty. 23. Wonderful weather. 28. Ex-
tremely hot, thermometer at 92. July 7. A nielancholy dry
time. 12. A smart thunder shower. 20. A great rain. Sep'
tember 9. Damsons begin to be ripe. 12. Very cold. 18.
Very hot. 27. The wells fail. 28. Extremely hot. 29.
A storm of rain. SO. There has been no frost to do any
damage. October 31 This month has been a wonderful,
moderate, pleasant season. Decemher 10 A storm of rain.
11. Surprising pleasant day. 19. It snowed all last nigiit and
most of to-day.
144
1774/
January 10. The thermometer in the study was doAvn toO,
and in the woodhouse 8 degrees below 0. 11. It was 6 deg.
colder. 22. The thermometer was down to the bottom of
the plate. 31. More moderate. February II. Moderate.
14. The snow is about a foot deep in the woods. March 31.
This month has been very moderate. The robbins came and
tuned wp. April 8 It has not froze in the house since the
beginning of February. 13. The spring is very forward. We
began to dig our garden, 24. A surprising hot summer day.
29. Storm of rain. May. A raw cold month; the spring
backward. 31. A hot day. June 6. Cold. 10. Summer
breaks in upon us. 17. Set out cabbage plants. July 10.
Not a cherry or plumb this year. 12. A memorable growing
season 20. We have had jnany small messes of peas. 29.
Very hot ; a fine hay season. August 11. A melancholy
dry time. 29. The flies are vastly troublesome. September
1. Very hot and dry. 16. It is an exceeding dry time. 29.
Cold. SO. Very hot. October W. Everyday is unusually
warm and constantly dry. 14. Thunder &hower,with a deluge
of rain. 23. Warm. A^ovember 3. It is almost as dry as be-
fore- 5. It rained plentifully. 11. A calmn and pleasant
day. 10. A deluge of rain fell. 20. Very cold. 22. Storm
of snow, 25. Storm of rain. 28. Warm and pleasant.
December 8. Theie is no frost in the ground. 14. Cold. 19.
Kain all day, and at night a prodigious tempest; the rest of
the month, snow and cold.
1775.
January 6. Very cold days- 23. Very moderate weather-
27. A summers day. 28. Wonderful moderate. February 1'
There has been no snov,-, and but little rain since the 29tn of
December ; wonderful weather, we saw two robbins. 11.
Warm day 18. Cold. 20. Snow, incomparable sledding.
21. A summers day. 23. A great snow storm. March 7.
The frost seems out of the ground in the streets. [On this
day, (March 7) in the year 1621, Mourt says, in his relation of
the affairs of Plymouth : "We begin to sow our garden
seeds." — Prince''s Chronology'] 15. We have wonderful mod-
erate weather. 28. It has been a wonder of a winter; so
moderate and unfreezing Aprils. Cold days. 5. Avery
stormy snow^y day. 12. Cold N. E snowstorm. May Q.
The spring hitherto has been, and is cold, wet and backward,
except the grass. 19. Hot summers day. 24. Raw and cold.
S:- '.'' ' p r..^!-5 day. 31- The cherry and plumb trees are
out of, and the apples in the midst of blossoms. June 7- A
hot and dry season. 16, There was a small frost. 22. Cold
145
•for several days. £9. A great storm of rain. July 2. The
face of the earth is renewed afFectingly, but no grass on the
neck. 11. It rained plentifully. 12. An extreme hot day.
fil. A fine shower, August 12 We have plentiful rains.
20. xV wonderful year for fruit of all sorts. 29. It rained
abundantly. September QQ. A great frost. Odofter 11. Ve-
ry \hot. 21. A great storm aftei the burning of the town,
that lasted three days. JVovember. The whole of this month
has been one continued spell of severely cold windy winter
like weather. December £4. Severely cold.
1776.
January 29,. This month (like the two past) has been con-
stantly and severely cold. The wind has been westerly all
winter. i*e5/'war7/. A dismal cold snap of weathe.. 29. The
winter pas? has been the coldest, in the \vhole, that has been
known. The ground has been constantly covered with snow.
March 19. It seems as if the summer wiis breaking upon us.
April 22. It is a very cold, wei" and backward spring. May
*. The ground has frozen three nights past. 10. A hot day
and night, 12. Hot. 17. The heat continues. 26. Cold
v/eather, all the week. 31. Very cold still. June 12. Hot
summer. 19. A drought seems to be coming on with worms.
25. A small shower. 28. Hot for several days past. 29.
Showers. July. Plentiful rain through this manth and the
next. September 20. Remarkable warm weather, 30. No
frost yet to do any harm. A great prospect of Indian Corn.
JVovemher. This whole month has been remarkable for fine
njoderate weather. December 6. It is constantly moderate.
18. Signs of snow, but none. 20. Very cold, il. Extreme
cold. 31. Cold; very poor sledaing,
1777.
January \Z. Pretty good sledding. February \\. It snow-
ed allday. 15. Very cold. 21. Storm of snow. 28. Con-
tinual snow storms. March 17. It has been surprising warm
weather for some time. April Q. Bad walking. 12. A won-
derful week of warm weather. May \6. It is agreed to be
the coldest weather, and most backward spring that ever was.
20. Raw cold. 25 A hot summer day. 26. R^w cold, with
a deluge of rain. June 30. Cold, very cold ; nothing ever
like it through the whole spring, and yet every thing is flour-
ishing, perhaps never more so, except Indian Corn. July 9.
A great cold storm, with much rain. IS. Dismal cold. i5.
la
146
A hot summeis di^y. 17. Every thing is flouiisliinj;. 29. it
marvellous Auitfiil season as to every thing, ^lugust IC.
Never was there such gardens, never such fields, never such
pastures, never such a year for every thing. Hot weather to
the end of the month. September SI. The earth is burdened
with its fruits. 8. There was a frost in several of the back
towns that killed the corn leaves. 13. Another great frost.
The corn not hurt. 23. N. E. storm. £7. Fair. SO. Com-
foi table. October 9. Hitherto this monti.), very pleasant
weather. 10. Deluge of rain and very high Avind. 11. Very
cold. 21. It snowed all day. 25. The week past, raw cold
winter weather. November. A cold stormy month.
1778.
January and February. True winter, both as to cold and
snow. March 31. The whole month past has been a tedious
spell of severely cold, stormy, snowy weather. April'ilb. It
has been almost constantly cold and very windy. 28. We
sowed our garden fiMe weeks sooner than last spring. 30.
The spring is forward, the ground is dry, but the weather cold.
May 8. Rainy. 15. A summers day. 31. There lias been
a great frost two nights past. June 14. Cold weather a few
days. 27. Fine weather for the Indian Corn, which grows
wonderfully, and there is as great a prospect of ail the fruits of
the earth as ever was. July 2,. It is a dry time. 18. The
drought awfully continues. 27. It is as grievous a drought as
ever was known. 31. People fear a fanune. The Indian
Corn curls, and is like to come to nothing ; and there is no
prospect of any potatoes nor turnips, nor any sauce at all.
August 6. Plentiful rains. 9. Uncommon hot. It has been
through the whole, a fine seasonable and remarkable hot sum-
mer, 16. Rain. 20. Extremely hot. 21, A shower, short,
but plentiful. 26. A shower. September 17. No frost to do
any damage. SO. Potatoes have grown to the wonder of all,
October 1 to 8. Wonderful fine weather. 19 to 22. Same and
hot. 28. Wonderfully moderate. November and December,
Generally very cold and stormy — (see page 110.)
f
1779.
January 4. — (See page 110.) 21. The harbor and whole
bay froze over. 26. Remained so till to day. February 1.
Pleasant. 4. Hot thawy day. 7. Fair and moderate. 10.
Thawy. 13. Windy and cold. 22. Moderate, March 91 to
3. Delightful days. 9. Snow. 12. Storm of snow. 19.
147
Snow. 22. Somlierly snow storm. April i. A giievous cry
for bread. 10. Four days past pleasant and warm. 19.
Flounders plenty. 24. Pleasant. 26. Began to dig our gar-
rleii. May IS. The cherries and plums began to blow, but
no grass yet. Jiuie 23. Strawberries at the best. 25. Sever-
al days of hot weather. Every thing flourishes vastly. July
5. The Indian Corn was never so forward and flourishing.
14. A fine hot rain. 25. Steady rain. A wonder of a sea-
son. August 31. Cut our corn stalks. Never was the corn
so forward. Poor hay season, by reason of the almost daily
rains. September 4. A great tempest of rain. 12. Rainy.
18. Very hot. 24. A wonder of a potatoe year, so many, so
large, and so good. October 1. No frost yet, though very
cold for three days past. 4. Warm. 10. Very hot.
23. Hot summer day. 29. Wonderful fine weather.
Never such a fine season. JVovemher 30. A moderate fall.
December 31. The past has been a true winter month, very
cold and stormy, with repeated snows.
1780.
January. A cold stormy month. — (see page 113.) Fehniary.
Some thaws and some cold weather until the 15th, thence to
the 24lh, moderate. 25. Very cold. 29. A most delightful
day ; a weather breeder. March 2. Blustering day, lion like
March. 7. Pleasant. 12. Tempestuous. 18. Moderate and
pleasant since the 12th. 26. Windy and cold. April 15.
Moderate spring like weather. May 1. No warm weather
yet. 10. Summer forenoon, quite reviving. 11. Cold and
windy. 18. A cold backward spring. 24. A little summer-
ish. 27. Thunder showers, quite needful, it being a dry time-
SO. No grass yet. June 30. A wonder of a winter the past,
and a spring, and a summer thus far, so cold and till now dry.
July I. The grass grows to the admiration of all. 4. Very-
hot. 18. Plenty of rain. 2!!. Extreme hot. August °l. A.
blessed rain. 7 fo 16. Sultry hot. 18. A wonderful change
from very hot to very cold. 22. A fine season for vegetation.
24. A memorable hot night. 27. Extremely hot. 29. In-
tense hot day and night. 31. A great rain ; very cold. Sep-
tember!. Cold still. 3. Heavy showers. 21. Calm hot sum-
mers day. JVovember 1. A great snow storm. 30. The whole
month generally cold and stormy. December 1 and 2. Se-
verely cold. 9. Moderate all the week. 18. No snow on
the ground. 23. Snowed about five inches. 28. More snow,
•26. Snow knee deep. 28. The roads are all blocked up.
148
1781.
January 6. Fine sledding. 9. Extreme cold. £3. A great
storm of snow. 2G. Rain and a lliaw. February 1. Snow
again, but turned to rain. 5, Severe cold storm of snow. 9.
Extremecold. 17. Great storm of snow. £0. Blustering
and very cold. 24. The street is brimful of snow, we are
buried up. March 10. Cold month thus far ; fme sledding.
15. A beautiful spring. 18. Rain and snow. 23. It snovved
ail day. 28. Very cold and windy. April 3. A great snow
storm. 11. A heavy rain. 19. »Snow again 22. Cold and
windy. 29. Moderate. Jlfa^/ 1. Pleasant day, quite reviving.
9. Cold and windy. 15. Warm. 20 and 21. Sumnie*
days. SO. Hot summer weather. June 11. A fine growing
season. 19. Heavy shower, with thunder and lightning, and
great hail. 27. A deluge of rain. 30. No summer but three
days. July b. A hot day and night. 8. Estreuwiy hot. 15,
Very hot. 24. Small showers ; a very dry time. 30. A
Hierciful shower. August 6. A grievous d /ought. 13. A
plentiful rain. 20. A deluge of rain. Srptember 15. Hot
weather. 20. Fine weather. 24. A summer's day. October
S. Horrid cohl. 10. A very hot summer's day. 11. Hotter
(like this day 59 years.) 22. It froze last night. 31. A mod-
erate fall, thus far. JVovember 2. A great storm, and a deluge
of rain. 11. A moderate day. 18. Rainy. 23* Blustering
and cold. 25. Storm of snow. 30. A tedious, cold, stormy
month. December 7. Snow. 11. Good sledding. 23. Storm
of fine snow. 31. Another great snow storm.
1782.
January I to 7. Thaws. 11. Snow. 13. A great storm of
snow. 16 and 17. Severe cold. 28. Colder. SO. The har-
bor has been froze up a fortnight. 31. Colder still, (see p. 11 5)
February 3. Still cold and snowy. 12. Colder than any day
yet. 28. A long, close, stormy and severe winter as perhaps
ever was known,(5ee p.ll5) JV/arc// 1. Moderate. 6. Rainy.
14. A fme day. 18. A deluge of rain. 23. Lion-like March,
2C. High wind and cold. April 2. A delightful day. 7. A
heavy rain. 14. A pleasant day. 16. The spring is moder-
ate and forward. 28 and 29. Pleasant. 30. The spring is
thought to be remarkably forward. May. A cloudy and wet
month, but few fair days and not a hot one. June 30. A
wonder of a season ; the Indian corn that was backward, re-
vives, revived and flourishes. August 31. A memorable
summer, with but few hot days. September 4. A horrid cold
day. 18. Very cold. 17. Pleasant summer's day ; a won-
149
der : 24. Plentiful ruins. 80. A delightful tlay. Odoher
5. A week of pleasant weather. 14. A dry lime. 17. A grand
rain. £3. A delightful warm day. 25. Another. SI. It snow-
ed most of the day. JVovember 2,. Very cold. 9. Moderate.
28. Horrid cold and windy. December. A cold month.
1783.
No Journal of the weather 'till April, which was in general
a pleasant month. May 9. After an unusual dry spring hith-
erto, there fell a deluge of water last night. 10. Another
great rain. 20. Very cold. 21. Very warm. 22. A deluge
of rain. 29. A hot day. 30. Very hot. June. The first
part of the month cold, cloudy and wet. The latter part, very
hot. July G. It rained plentifully. 11. A grand rain. 19.
Hardly any hot weather this month. 25 and 26. Very hot ;
our gardens are surprisingly flourishing. 30. A deluge of rain.
August 7. Extreme hot. 8 and 9. Very cold, raw and win-
dy. 12. Cold. 16. Extreme hot. 19. A surprising grow-
ing season. 21. A very hot day. 24. Extremely hot. 28.
More rain. 31. A remarkable uneven summer; some few
days extremely hot, but the most of it, heavy raw weather,
with sea-winds and cold. Septemhei', has been like the sum-
mer, and particularly like the last month of it. October. The
same, never the like ; a most memorable year. JVovember 12,,
A strange warm day. 13. A deep snow. 28. A great storm.
December. The first half moderate, the latter, cold and
stormy.
1784.
January 31. The first week of this month was nioderate,but
the rest horrid cold, stormy, snowy weather. February. A
cold month, and indeed a cold winter through the whole, the
longest and coldest ever known. March has been moderate
and not so very windy as usual. April 6. It snowed yester-
day and went away to-day. 17. This is the 3d day of cold,
rainy, snowy weather. 29. Raw, cold, the spring is very
backward. .May 9. A pleasant day. 15. A hot summe,r's
day. 25. A deluge of rain. June 3. A hot morning. 5. A
hot day ; thus summer breaks in upon us. 12. Cold. 18.
Hot. 20. Very hot. 27. (Sunday) A terrible tempest,which
obliged me to break off in my sermon. SO. As growing a
season as we could wish ; strawberries are very plenty, large
and good. Ju/^. Frequent rains this month. 20. Extremely
hot. 31. Fair and good hay season, but not before, (see p. 11 9)
August 4. Heavy rain. 14. We have had a week of verj
hot weather. 18. A wonderful growiiig season, 23. Gre^'t
*13
160
rains frequently. September SI. A deluge ofrain. 14. Un-
commonly cold. 19. Cold. 29. A warm delightful day. 80.
No frost yet to hurt the corn or do much damage. JVovemher
SO. A wonderful month ; so moderate, and no hard frost 'till
last night. Decevtber 9. It has not froze in the house yet. 11.
Perhaps there never was so moderate a season. 13. Cold and
windy; winter seems to besetting in. 19. A terrible windy,
cold day. 20. Snow. 22. Another terrible storm of snow.
1785.
February 3. Very cold, the harbor is froze up. 12. A cold
stormy day. 12. Very cold and stormy. 20. Moderate for
several days. 25. An exceeding great driving storm of snow.
March 1. Very cold. 9. More snow but level. 15. Very
cold and windy. 24. Blustering cold. 31. True winter
weather. Jipril 3. More snow. 7. Middle-street is all water
and mire. 10. Back-street, the snow is as high as the fences ;
no sleighs can pass. 13 and 14. Very cold. 24. The snow
consumes surprisingly, but it is 2 or 3 feet deep in the woods.
28 and 29. Wonderful warm, spring-like days. May 5. Clou-
dy and dull for 5 days past. 8. Rainy. 14. A deluge of
rain. 19. The country people are but now beginning to plant ;
the spring is so very backward, cold and wet. 23. The May
storm. 27. DeJuge of rain, fatal 'tis feared to the Indian
corn, just planted. 30. A hot day, which causes the cherry
and plumb trees to begin to blossom. 31. Another hot day
which occasions great joy. June 2. A very hot day. 7. Cold.
18. Very hot weather. 21. Cold and rainy. 22. Very hot.
23. Raw cold. 25 and 26. Hot. 27. Piercing cold. 29. Hot
day. 30. Perhaps there never was a more seasonable year for
grass. July 31. We have had marvellous seasonable weather
hitherto ; every thing is very flourishing, never a better pros-
pect. August 8. A deluge of rain. 9. Remarkably cold.
18. Third day of hot weather. 20. The heat continues;
Happy season ! 22. A 7th hot day. 27. Cloudy, windy and
cool. September^ has been (except a day or two) a month of
raw, cold, uncomfortable weather, but no frost yet. October.
This month has been unusually cold, raw and unpleasant.
(Seep. 120) A''ovevib€r 6. Cold Sabbath. 9. Heavy, dull
weather. 23. A N. E. storm. £6. Another. 27. A pleas-
ant Sabbath. December 2. Cold. 4. Storm of snow. 7.
Snow again. 8. Horrid cold. 17. A deluge of rain, and a
thorough thaw. 18. A summer's day. 19. Another ; the
5novv is all gone and the frost out of the ground. 25. CoW.
30. Severe cold storm of snow.
151
1786.
January. A cold month, though it closes moderately. Feh-
Tuarif 18. A warm day, but the rest of the month was cold
weather and good sledding. March 7 and 9. Pleasant and
moderate. 10. Windy and cold. 14. Moderate. 19. A
most beautiful day. 26. A surprising warm summer's day.
,^j9?-i7 comes in raw and cold. 2. A severe snow storm. 9
to 14. Cold and windy. 22. The whole week (except Fri-
day) has been heavy, raw, rainy weather. May 31. The
spring is thought to be ferward ; most people have planted.
June. 1. Summer commences with a hot day. 4. Extreme
hot. 5. Cold. 7. Very hot. 13. Growing season. SO.
Never was more seasonable weather, and never a greater pros-
pect as to all the fruits of the earth. July 2. Extreme hot.
9 and 11. Same. 12. Ram, happy season. 18. Cold. 22.
But a few hot days yet. 30. Hot A. M. but dismal sea wind
P. M. August 31. Very little hot weather this month. Sep-^
temher. The whole of this month has been wonderfully mod-
erate. October SO. A wonder of a fall this, hitherto ; almost
constantly one uniform course of moderate weather. It has
been as dry and hot as summer, no rain but one day. A'b-
vember 12 Raw and cold. 17. It snov/ed and came up win-
dy and cold. 20. Cold. 25. Fine sledding ; true winter
since the 17. SO. So dry a fall was never known. There is
no water in the earth ; the wells fail, and the prospect is dark
as to water. December 1 to 3. Very cold. 5. Storm of snow.
8. Another, greater. 14. Moderate. 20. The roads are all
blocked up with snow. 24. Cold and stormy ; a vast deal of
damage done by the late storms. 31. The weather moderated.
1787.
January. Almost the whole of this month, it has been se-
verely cold. February 3. Cold weather. 12. A little more
moderate. 19 and 20. Cold. 28. There have been no deep
snows with us, but from Portsmouth to Boston, the roads have
been blocked up, and to Newport and New-London, it has
been vastly deeper. Truly a memorable winter. March 1.
The heavy dull weather still continues. 4. Last night there
was a great storm of snow, near afoot. 12. Pleasant. 13.
The snow is 5 feet deep in the woods. 15. The closest win-
ter remembered. 19. Wonderful warm, pleasant day. 21.
Winter seems to be over. April 4. A hot summer's day. 5.
Cold again. 8rol7. Moderate and pleasant. 19. Five days
of very blustering and tempestuous cold weather, night and
day. 30. From the 17, this has been a cold month; but
few warm days, yet we begin to dig our garden 3 weeks soon-
er than the two years past. May 8. A hqt summer's day. 10.
152
A storm of rain. 16. The dreadful eastern weather continues.
25. A deluge of rain. 26. Horrid cold and frosts. SI. A
coiu spring. June 2. Dismal raw and cold. 18. The week
past was hot weather. 2.4. A hut but windy Sabbath. 25.
Heavy rain. SO. Indian corn is backward, but there is a good
prospect of English grass. July 1 to S. Raw, cold, easterly
â– weather. 7. Four days past, very hot. 17. A fine rain. 19.
Very cold. 23. There has not been a hot night this summer.
31. Nothing like summer yet. Alas ! for the Indian corn.
August 1 and 2. Raw cold. 3. Summer breeses. 13. Fog-
gy. 21. No hot weather yet. 27 Cold. SO. Warmer.
f^eptember. Some warm and some rold weather. October 2,
and 3. Hot summer days. 8. Cold. IS. A week of warm
weather. 20. A week of uncommon cold, windy weather.
24. Three surprising hot days. SI. The raw, heavy, cold
weather returns. November SO. This month has been favor-
ably moderate. The ground has hardly froze, and no snow.
J)ecembcr. The weather has, this monthj been quite moderate.
Jl respectable citizen of Portland, has handed to me
the following :
1808.
April 14. Put the seeds of beets, carrots and onions in the
ground, in my garden, Portland. 20. Grafted appletrees.
30. Asparagus was fit to cut. May 1. Peach and pear-trees,
gooseberries and currents were in blossom ; beets are come up.
1809.
July 11. Pulled carrots for the table. 3. Commenced
mowing mv grass at the farm.
1810.
April 24. Put the seeds of carrots, beets, onions and pars-
nips in the ground. May 14. Onions, carrots, beets, pars-
nips, cucumbers and muskmellons are all up and growing well
— pear and plumb-trees are in blossom.
1811.
March 16. Put the seeds of cabbage, lettice and radishes in
the gtound, and they did well. 28. Sowed sweet marjorum
and other pot herbs, the frost being out of the ground. Apnl
1. The cabbage, lettice, is up and growing well. April 8.
Planted potatoes on my farm, And had therii fit for eating the
last of June; also green peas.
1816.
April 11. Wasa snow storm, the ground covered with snow,
and much frost in the ground. May^i. Pear-trees, currants
and gooseberries are in blow.
163
I have just now seen in a late Boston paper, the following
lines taken from the Bermuda Gazette. The reader, after
periising the foregoing Diary will, I think, be gratified with
their insertion in this place.
Varied circumstances of our Globe and it^
Inhabitants.
Each day 'tis fieezing, thawing, hailing, snowing,
Raining, thundering, lightning, calm and blowing ;
The sun illumes one half each moment's space,
While darkness follows swift and fills its place ;
Each part therefore partakes its share of light.
The poles, per annum, have one day and night,
"While Northern climes are sowing seed in spring,
The Southern ones are gathering harvest in.
When Summer's heat almost consumes the first,
The latter are almost benumb'd with frost.
Phoebus is always vising, southing, setting —
Some going to rest, others up are getting ;
Each day makes many widows, many wives ;
Each day earth loses eighty thousand lives ;
While infants cry at the first dawn of light,
Old age is crying for the loss^of sight ;
The former looking for that bliss before,
The latter retrospectively deplore ; â– *
Each says in turn, though earth is richly blest,
Look upward, man, for this is not your rest ;
There's none but Him who doth the whole control,
Is capable to fill the spacious soul ;
In Him eonfide, to Him your troubles tell,
And soon you'll find that he doth all things well.
JVames of persons deceased, whose deaths are noticed
in the foregoing Extracts.
1733. 1738. 1747.
Capt. Larrabee. Joseph Pride. q|j j^j,. Pi-jfje.
Mr. Woodward. Mr. Avery. Ephraim Nason.
Mr. Walton. Mr. Toppan. ^
1734. Mr. Townsend. ^ . V>? ,
Mr. Adams. 1744. Justice Moody.
1736. Mr. Trickey. Capt. Larrabee.
Mr. Pitman. Father Thomes. 1749.
Mr. Bosworth. 1746. Nathan Bangs.
Daniel Kent. Increase Pote. Mr. Young.
154
Benj. Svveetser.
Mr. Roberts,
Mr. Newman.
Capt. Wheeler.
1751.
Pote.
Deac.Lunt.
1753.
Mr. Dribney.
iVIr. Pitman.
Samuel Watts.
1754.
Oliver Bradbury.
1755.
Justice Noyes.
1756.
Justice Frost.
Dea. Westcoat.
N. Harding.
1758.
Mr. Fox.
Mr. Marston.
Mr. Weeks.
Justice Strout,
1759.
Brig. Waldo.
Mr. Minot.
Mr. Sweetser.
1761.
Mr. B ram hall.
Mr. Bangs.
Mr. Clough.
Josiah Sawyer.
1762.
Father Gooding.
Mr. Pollow.
1763.
Rev. Mr. Loring,
^V. Yarmouth.
17G4.
Capt. Minot.
Mr. Eaton.
Jacob St'ckney.
Father Skiliins.
1765,
Henry W^heeler.
Father Proctor.
Col. Cushing.
Thomas Sawyer.
Mr. Thrasher.
Mr. Hope.
1766.
Doct. Coffin,
Mr. Tliomes.
OldDeac. Cobb.
1767.
Old Jacob Sawyer.
Joseph Pollow.
Deac. Cobb.
1768.
Mr. Wallis.
Jabez Bradbury.
Capt. Ross.
Deac. Cotton.
1769.
Capt. Waite.
Mr. Anderson,
1770.
Col. Waldo.
Samuel Clark,
Mr. Marston.
Mr. Pike.
1771.
Capt. Stickney.
1772.
Mr. Holt.
Old Mr. Sawyer.
Solomon Gooding.
Mr. Lunt.
Deac. Milk.
Job Winslow.
1773.
Capt. Howell.
James Milk, jr.
Mr. Cates,
1774.
David Stickney.
Jer. Tucker.
1775.
Capt. "Ro])inson.
Capt. Moo'lv.
1776."
Mr. Westerman.
Mr, Dawson.
Mr. Wyer.
Mr. Rig£;s.
Mr. Ficket.
Mr. TrickeV.
Mr, Buckm'an.
Old Mr M'Lellaa.
Maj. Berry.
Capt. Haskell.
Mr. Bay ley.
Mr. Sawyer.
Old Mr. Quimby.
1777.
Mr. Motley.
Mr Cook:
Enoch Moody.
Capt. Noyes.
1778.
Loring Cnshing.
Justice Peaison.
1779.
Wheeler Riggs.
1730.
Capt. Ingersol.
1 7 o 1 .
Pearson Jones.
Mr. Bradley.
Capt. Blasdell.
Capt. Ilsley.
Capt. Gooding.
Mr. Noyes.
1782.
Benj. Proctor.
Mr. Tucker.
Mr. Brazier.
Old lAIr. Berrv.
Mr. Marston.
1783.
Old Mr Graves.
Capt. Step. Waite.
1784.
Biig. Preble.
Anthony Bracket.
Mr. Greele.
Mr. Deering.
1785.
Mr. Ayers.
John Bradbury.
Benj. Haskell.
1786.
Mr. Clemens,
1787.
I.«evi MerrilL
&f the Rev. Mr. Smith, as given by Rev. Elijah Kellogg,
in an Oration, pronounced at his interment, May 2.dih,
1795, and soon after, printed by ike request of a joint com-
rniitet, of the churches in Portland.
" Under that sable shrowd lies one, who had long escaped
the King of teireis. He stood till all his feiiows had fallen
aronnd him ; he stood like the venerable oak on the bleak hiil,
from whence trees less durable, had long been driven b}' the
resistless storms. But now death has brought him down.
He is holding him a trophy to his accursed banner; he is
dragging him in triumph at his hateful car, wliic!) hath rolled
off all the preceding generations of niankind ! Surely there is
no immortality here ; no permanent state for man.
Leaning pensive on the bier of the deceased, we v.ill indulge
a little to the recollection of his life. It is a tribute due to his
services. It is a tribute due to his character. It is due to his
longevity. As there w-as no minister below this place in the
province of Maine, when he was ordained ; nor in all the
boundaries of the present County,^ he hath been justly styled
the evangelist of the east. This town was for the most part
a forest ; the back comjtry a wilderness, infested with hostile
savages. His expressed diocess embraced an extent of terri-
tory, which now composes three large towns.^ In this cir-
cuit he labored incessantly ; sometimes by night as well as day ;
he was a physician both of body and mind f
When favored with a time of refreshing from the presence
of tiie Lord, he pieached almost every day in the week. He
was not without the seals of his ministry. He was sound in
the faith once delivered to the saints. While living be favor-
ed me with his discourses. In knowledge of the Scriptures
and of eminent authors on divinity, he excelled. In judg-
ment he was not deficient. His imagination was lively, and
his memory tenacious \ It is conceded by all who heard
^Cumberland,
-Portland, Cape-Elizabeth and Falmouth. Within fhese limits are at pre-
sent seven christian societies. [.Vow may be added, tiie (own of Westbrook,
and several other chrisl;an societies.]
tThe want of a Physician induced Mr. Smith to turn Lis attention to the
medical art, in v.hich he became considerably skilful.
{Mr. Smith's memor/, and all his mental facultie?, held out surpriiing^Iy,
156
hhij, that he was an instructive and agreeable pieachtr. Me
was moved himseh', therefore his hearers were moved. By
his prayers, I acknowledge mysplfto have been edified. Titere
were in them a richness of expression, a devotion and pathos
seldom possessed. In his manners there were dignity and
ease. In conversation he was grave, but not superstitious:
instructive, aflectionate and happy in anecdote. On his
tongue there dwelt a satirical edge v.ith which he chastised
and shamed the vicious, when arguments would not convince.
He well knew how to apply the balm of Gospel promises to
wounded souls. Being hiuif'elf a man of sorrows and ac-
quainted v.ith grief, his heart was full of sensibility.
He entered '.vith peculiar tenderness into the afflictions of
his people^ and comforted them with those consolations, which
he had found under like circumstances.
He lived happily with his people till the hour of his death,
during a ministry of more than 68 years. Excepting the two
last he was enabled to perform some part of divine service.
Posser^ing an early fame in his profession, to have exchanged
thec;ipitai* for this then distant and lonely residence, where
he knew not but the savage would scalp him in his bed, was
no small sacrifice !f Like the patriarch of old, he went out
from his native place, not knowing whither he was going,
nor what tlie Lord would do with him. He was employed as
an iTistnui.ent to cause the wilderness to bud aud blossom as
the rose.
He hath deserved well of the Church. We mean not to sug-
gest that he had no failings. He never believed it himself.
Our hearts are too sincere to indulge the strains of unqualified
panegyric. " For there is not a just man upon earth, u'ho
doeth good and sinneth not^ He who will not forgive, shall
not be forgiven. He who cannot excuse a fault in others, him-
self \9, most faulty. He is not a brilliant sun with here and there
a mote passing over its face ; but an opake planet under a to-
tal eclipse. He who hath not brought with him the mantle of
charity, to cover the failings of the deceased, himself uncov-
ers the nakedness of his own ancestors, and disturbs the ashes
of his dead.
A life of more than 93 years, how replete with incidents !
what changes must the possessor have seen ! On the record
of Harvard's sons, we find his solitary name ; to all around is
*Mr. Smith was a native of the town of Boston, descended from honorable
parents.
tSer,^ral persons were shot ^and scalped by the Indians just in the neighbof'
jvftod of what is now called Portlandj i9 yefirs aftw Mr. Smith was settled.
157
prefixed the signature of death.^ The wilderness, where he
first pitched his tent, is now the place of vineyards and of
gardens. Not a soul, that first composed his flock, is now in
the land of the living ! He beheld a wide destruction in his
own fk'mily, which came in upon him like a breach of waters.f
He lived to see this town respect.ible in numbers and charac-
ter ; adorned with elegant buildings and rising in commerce.
He saw it also laid in ashes in one day ; himself and his flock
scattered abroad to wander without shelter under inclement
i^kies-l He beheld the town gradually rising from its ruins
to its present state of prosperity. He lived under the reigns of
four different sovereigns. '<^ He saw cleath take one governor
after another from the head of the province ; judges from the
bench, and the ministers of God from his temple. He beheld
iiis countrymen greatly oppressed ; struggling to wrench
themselves from the manacles of royal prerogative. Most
fervently did he pray for their success.
He was indulged to see his country arriving to liberty and
independence; the object of the revolution accomplished ;
the federal government organized, and for several years, as a
citizen, enjoying its blessings. What changes ! What vicis-
situdes are here ! ! ! It suits with the sadness, with the
morality of the hour to dwell upon them. They conduct us
through the long tract of lapsed time. We are walking
among the tomhs of our fathers ! It revives the remembrance
ofw hat they suffered, to prepare for us this fair inheritance.
Venerable Pilgrim ! Thy long journey is happily closed.
Thy way-worn body hath at length found its rest. Though,
on a bed of earth, its slumbers shall be sweet till awakened hy
Jesus to immortality.
=*Mr. Smith received the honors of the University in Cambridge when he Was
18.
tMr. Smith buried two wives and five children; three (two sons and a daugk^
ter) in the midst of their usefuhiess,
- tBy tbe infamous Moet, in the fall of 1775, as a requital for the kind and poJit^
treatment, wbiclj he received from the inhabitants.
?Queen Anne. George I. George 11. George III.
158
CHARACTER
Of the Rev. Mr. Smith, as taken from a discourse, delivered
by the Rev. Sa7nuel Deane, D. D. May 31, 1795, being the
hordes day after his funeral,
" He was the son of Thomas Smith, Esq. late merchant
m Boston, and bom in that capitol of Massachusetts, on the
tenth day of March, oid style, in the year of our Lord 1702.
In his early youth, and as he has often said, too early, being
only 14 years of age, he was, after a laudable progress in the
preparatory studies, admitted as a student of Harvard College
in C-^mbridge ; where durmg his four years residence, he so
well performed his exercises as to receive a{)probation. But
his improvements became more rapid after he had received
the honors of that excellent seat of learning ; as from princi-
ple, he pursued.his studies with increasing industry, while his
judgment was advancing nearer to maturity. In the vigor of
youth, though born to good prospects, and with a genius fit
to have shined in other important professions, he devoted
himself to the most important, laborious and self-denying
work of the evangelical ministry, and applied himself sedu-
lously tQ theological studies.
At his first exhibitions in the sacred desk, though he was
not more tha.n twenty-two years of age, his performances,
both in free prayer and in preaching, were much approved by
the ablest judges, and his popularity was remarkable. After
officivUing with applause in Boston, and difterent parts of the
adjacent country ; and after having had invitatioiis to settle,
which he declined on account of his youth ; he was induced
about the year 1726, to proceed to this place, to act in the
double capacity of chaplain to the troops stationed here, and
preacher to the inhabitants of Falmouth, who consisted of no
more than abou^ forty families, some of which were respecta-
ble. After more than a year's residence among them, at their
unanimous call and importunity, he was induced courageously
to give himself to the ministry hsre, though this was at that
time a place greatly exjDosed to the furious incursions of the
savages of the wilderness.
On the 8tli day of March, in the year 17£7, the church was
formed, consisting of only ten male members,besides the elect
pastor, of which ten, not one has been living for a considera-
ble number of years past. On the same day Mr. Smitl was
ordained pastor of the church, it beir.g the first church that
was gathered to the eastward of Wells ; since which ti le his
pastoral relation has continued to the day of his d cease,
whiph was sixty eight years, and two months and a h?'.',which
159
biowght him into the 94th year of his age. He preached in
his turn till the close of the year 1784, and his mental facul-
ties since thai period have been so little impaired, that until
within about a year and a half of his decease, lie has assisted
in the work of the sanctuary, Avith ability and to edification,
by iiis public prayers. Not more than one instance is recol-
lected of a ministry in this country, so long protracted. This
servant of ''rod is a memorable, and almost singular instance,
not only o!' longevity, but of continued usefulness in his sacred
employtnent, in which he acted with industry and zeal. As a
star in the east to lead men to Christ, he shone in the pulpit
with superior lustre ; and for a long course of years, has been
considered as the most distinguished preacher in this part of
the country.
Thouj^h his voice was alv/ays feeble, the excellency of his
elocution, accompanied with a venerable and becoming grav-
ity, rendered his performances very acceptable. Possessing
in high degrees the gift and spirit of prayer, devotion could
not but be excited in the breasts of the serious part of his
audience. In sermons, his composition ^vas elegant, and his
language chaste and correct. Nor was he wanting in anima-
tion and pathos, in his pertinent addresses to difierent sorts of
hearers. He was punctual and frequent in his pastoral visits
to the sick and afflicted, to whom he was an important and
able adviser and assistant. His visits were the more highly
prized by the sick, as he was considered as skilful in medicine,
which he practised gratis among his people, for a number of
years, in the infancy of the settlement. Watchfulness against
sectarism,and a steady and.decided friend to the congregational
churches, he was a constant asserter of the doctrine of grace,
according to the rational scheme of moderate Calvinism. He
knew how to unite orthodoxy with candor and charity, like
the late excellent Dr. Isaac Watts, whose theological writingf
he much approved.
Constitutionally possessed of exquisite sensibility, he waS
convinced that his task was the more difficult,to govern himsel/
according to the strict rules of reason and religion ; but this
did not deter him from the undertaking. Blest with a singu-
lar strength of memory, which he retained but with little
abatement to the last, and with a lively imagination, his con-
versation was at once instructive and entertaining. His course
of life was not only regular and useful, but in many respects,
exemplary and alluring. Perhaps the most striking traits in
his religious character were his spirituality in devotion and
communion with God ; and his most exact and scrupulous
temperance in all things which, under God, undoubtedly con-
tributed to the long continuance of a constitution not natu-
rally strong. His hearers can witness how often he enlivenefl
160
tkeir souls with the fervency of his addresses to the throwe 0.
grace in public ; how ready he was in private to give a spir-
itual and heavenly turn to conversation ; and what a faculty
he had of doing it with dignity and ease, in a manner not apt
to disgust, but to attract and eilify. They have observed his
conversation enough to convince them that his mind was
habitually turned to things of everlasting importance. They
have seen how constant and well directed his endeavors have
been to promote the interest of religion ; and how great and
laudable his concern for the welfare of immortal souls.
Considering the celebrity of his public discourses, it is rather
strange tliat his publications have been so few.
We know of none, besides a sermon delivered at the ordi-
nation of the Rev. Solomon Lombard, at Gorham, and
another preached to the sea-faring men of his own parish.
In the varying scenes of life,and in so long a course of years,
it is no wonder that his afflictions have been great and mani-
fold. He has not only paid the usual tax upon long life, being
bereaved of most of his family and dear connections by death ;
but seen this flourishing settlement, his own house among the
rest, a prey to devouring flames, kindled by a merciless foe.
All which, besides many other trying providences, he has
borne with most remarkable fortitude and resignation. In
addition to his other qualifications of a christian bishop, he
was given to hospitality. In his better days, his house has
been the noted resort of foreigners, and strangers from dift'er-
cnt parts of this country, and of his clerical brethren, where
they were generously entertained. He knew what it was to
devise liberal things, and feel for the unhappy. Ever chari-
table and tender hearted, his.]enity towards debtors, and relin-
quishment of just debts and claims have been such as might
only be expected from one who placed his trust in the care of
Divine Providence, and did not consider his treasure as lying
on this side of heaven. In imitation of St. Paul, he often
sacrificed his right for the furtherance of the gospel. The
yeality of his patriotism, is beyond dispute.
In the late war, which our unnatural enemies made upon
us, he deeply commisserated the case of his oppressed and
bleeding country ; and most affectionate and persevering
were his supplications to heaven for her deliverance.
In the last week of his life, he informed me " that in his
early youth, he had solemnly dedicated himself to the service .
of God, and particularly before his ordination ; and that
through the course of his life, he had been wont to hold solemn
days of fasting and secret devotion." He added " that he had
often experienced the greatest comfort in these seasons of
extraordinary communion with God ; and often wished he
could have continued in such frames, as when in the mount
161
with God. But lie had never experienced such ineffable joy^s
of assurance, as some christians are said to have enjoyed."
Since I have been much acquainted with the state of his
mind, v/hich is several years, the thought of approaching dis-
solution, appeared to be uncomfortable and dismal to him.
And it seems that the thought of this great change was seldom
absent from his mind. But as death drew near, his fear of it
was apparently abated. He improved in many of the chris-
tian graces. He was more and n)ore constant and affectionate
in prayer. Lamenting his imperfections, and renouncing all
self-dependence, his hope was placed on the mercy of God^
through the merits of the Redeemer.
He seemed towards the last to have almost, or quite con-
quered all fear of the last enemy. For he said in my hearing,
more than once, " I long to be in the arms of my dear Re-
deemer." And once he uttered these expressions, " I do not
wish to continue here, I can do nothing but trouble my friends."
Without much apparent disease, his nature was exhausted by
a gradual decay. He had apparently no pangs in his death •
but calmly fell asleep, as we trust, in Jesus. Such was our
venerable friend, and such his exit.
[Before I obtained a copy of the sermon from which the
above character is extracted, I had completed the fore^^oing
work. Upon reading it, I could not but remark how well it
agreed with the journals, and the observations I have made.]
13
1 conclude this part of the work,with the following par^
ticulars respetting the First Parish in Falmouth.
It appears by the records of the First Parish in Falmouth,
that the first meeting of the inhabitants was holden at the
meeting-house, on the 18th February, 1733 — 4. It was warn-
ed by Roger Deering, Esq. Justice of the Peace, on the
application of Moses Pearson, Joshua Moody, Stephen'Green-
leaf, Henry Wheeler, William Pote, and Moses Goold, for
the purpose of choosing parish officers, and to see if the parish
would "erect and build a garrison round the Rev. Mr. Smith's
house, and any house in said parish, proper for defence."
On this they voted in the negative. On the other matters,
they chose Moses Pearson, Clerk ; John East, Henry Whee-
ier, and Moses Pearson, Parish Committee.
Extracts from the Journals of this time.
March 5, 1735 — 6. Voted, that the people of New-Casco,
have £25 allowed them to pay a minister, Stc.
January 11, 1738. Voted them £28 for the same purpose.
July 17, 1740. Voted, that the meeting-house on the neck,
called th« society meeting-house, [being built by certain pro-
prietors] be a parish-house forever, [on certain conditions,
which the proprietors agreed to.]
March 7, \74^. Voted not to grant the request of a num-
ber of the inhabitants of New-Casco, to be released from
paying rates to the Rev. Mr. Smith, the ensuing year.
August 26, 1745. Voted, that Justice Noyes, Mr. Freeman
and Mr. Mills, be a committee to enquire why the new meet-
ing-house is not finished.
March 12, 1749 — 50. Stephen Longfellow, Esq. was first
chosen Parish Clerk, and it appears, was successively appoint-
ed to that office until the year 1773, when Theophilus Brad-
bury, Esq. was appointed, who was continued in that office
till 1799, when Mr. Joseph Noyes was chosen. In 1781,
John Frothingham, Esq. was chosen. He was repeatedly
chosen till 1815, when he declined serving, and Ebenezer
Mayo, Esq. was chosen in his stead. He was continued till
1819, when George Bradbury, Esq. was chosen, who was re-
appointed io 1820, and also for the present year 1821.
163
March 27, 1750. Four men were appointed " to take care
that the boys" were " guilty of no misdemeanor at the meet-
ing-house on the Sabbath."
May 8, 1752. Voted, that the inhabitants on the eastward
of Presumpscot rivei',have their parish tax remitted to them
the present year.
A like vote was passed in 1753, and so long as they hired a
minister to preach for them.
March 20, 1753. On the petition of Simon Gookin, and
ethers, voted that there be an alteration made in the meeting-
house by moving each end as far as the galleries, twelve feet,
so as to make twenty eight new pews below, and four above,
with a proper additional number of windows, agreeable to a
plan exhibited. Several other votes passed to carry this into
effect.
jYovember ^3, 1753. The inhabitants of New-Casco.having
petitioned the General Court, to be set off as a separate par-
ish, and the parish having been notified thereof, voted unani-
mously to consent thereto, and that as many others living on
the west side of Preswmpscot, as should find it convenient,
might have liberty to join them.
March 10, 1756. Voted, that £25 be raised to purchase
Tate and Brady's Psalm Books, with the tunes annexed.
[They cost above £50.]
Jwie 12, 1758. Voted that there should be a bell provided
for the parish.
March 14,1759. Voted that there be a steeple built to the
meeting house.
On the petition of Samuel Waldo and others, voted that
there should be a new parish taken partly out of the first and
partly out of the second parish of this town. [Here the bounds
of it are described, and it was afterwards called the fourth
parish.]
Augus^Yt. At a meeting called to »ee if the parish would
build a number of pews between the pulpit and each side the
gallery, the article was dismissed.
July 17, 1764. Voted that the parish concur with the church
in their choice of Mr. Samuel Deane, to be settled as a col-
league pastor, with the Rev. Mr. Thomas Smith.
March 27, 1765. Voted, that the article " to see whether
the parish will excuse the people who belong to the church of
England from paying towards the settlement and salary of the
Rev. Mr. Deane," be dismissed.
[Their taxes afterwards were remitted until 1773, when
they were omitted to be taxed.]
January 23, 1786. Voted to petition the General Court
for leave to sell the parsonage lands in order to raise a fund
for the support of the ministry, and to tax the pews until such
fund be raised.
164
August 28, 1787. A subscription having been set on fool
for tflking down the meeting-house and building a new one ;
the parish voted that they would consent thereto, provided a
sufficient number of subscribers could be obtained to boild the
same, and would compensate the owners of the pews in the
old house. [It remains yet, firm and good,]
September 12, On the ajjplication of Joseph M'Lellan and
others, voted, that they, with such others as should see fit to
join them, be set oil from this parish.
January 22, 1788. The parish appointed an agent to reply
totlieir petition to the General Court for that purpose, and
instructed him to oppose an unconditional separation.
August 10, 180S. The parish took measures for building
a number of pews in the front of the galleries.
August lu, l^OQ. The parish appointed a committee to
procure some suitable person to preach on probation as a can-
didate for a colleague with Doct. Deane.
April 10, 1807- The parish annulled this vote and author-
izred the parish committee to procure an assistant to Doct.
Deane.
^J9n7 14, 1808. The parish renew their vote to obtain a
colleague for Doct. Deane.
October 17,1808. Voted, that the parish do not concur
with the church in their call of Mr.John Codman,as colleague
pastor with the Rev. Doct. Deane.
February 27, 1809. Voted to concur with the church in the
choice of Mr.Nichol?, as colleague Pastor with the Rev. Doct.
Deane.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
1. Preface,
2. Family Record,
3. Extracts, k,c.
IJVDEX.
To some particular matters mentioned in the Extracts,
A.
Alarm (at Boston 44)
Ag^reement, non.im. rescinded,
Army at Cambridge,
Arnold's Plot,
B.
Braddock's defeat,
Byng, Admiral
Bernard, Gov.
Brooks dismissed,
Boston shut up,
Bombarded,
Battle of Lexing-ton,
Bunker Hill,
with Howe,
at Monmouth,
Burgoyne's army taken,
Baggaduce, 114, See Penobscot,
British ministry changed,
c.
Caballers,
Convention of ministers at Bost.
Clark, Rev. at C. Elizabeth, "'
Canada,
County divided,
Cherries,
Crown Point,
Castle delivered up,
Cotton, John
Church, Episcopal raised,
Confusion,
Count De Estang,
/Counsellors negatived,
Congress (first) met,
Charlestown burnt,
Cornwallis surrendered, 114,
Constitution, new
Court House raised,
D.
Death of eight ministers.
Disastrous Events,
Distressing times, 44, 45, 46, 54
Deacons,
Dunlap, dismissed,
Drought, distressing, 68
Dissentary,
Depreciation of money. 110,
Dark day.
72
95
102
113
62
66
94
93
99
104
101
103
107
108
107
lie
19
34
61 to 66
74
76
73
90
93
122
ib.
112
94
100
103
115
113
120
48
52
100
57
77
80
109
111
120
91,
90,
Earthquakes
E.
18, 27, 36, 63, 64, 79,
89, 94, 120
F.
Falmouth settled,
burnt.
15, 16
104
55, 120
58
83
75
7C, 91, 122
81
Freshets,
Families number of
Frolic to Rings,
Flat and IvI'Lean,
Fires in Boston,
Fire in the woods.
Fleets and troops, 94, 103, 105, 106,
109, 113, 114, 116
French convoy arrived, 114
Fort at Stony Point takea, 119
Fairfield burnt, 112
G.
Gorhara Council, 69
General Court dissolved, 100
Gates takes Burguoyne's army, 107
Gooding convicted of murder, 97
Gage, Gnverner 9*
Groton burnt, IM
Gazette first printed here, U-9
H.
Hollis, a benefactor to H. Col. 21
Harbour frozen, 32, 55, 113, 115
Houses, 74, 119 to 122
H«althy times, 69, 81, 116
Harvard College burnt, 85
Howe, 106, 107, 108, 114
Hard times, 122
Hurricane, 92, see also page 134
Hooper, 86
Indians, 10 to 84
Independence, 106, 116
Insurrection, 122
Inoculation, 56, 85, 108
K.
King Georges' deat-i, 78
Kellogg came here, 122
L.
Lisbon destroyed, •• 64
Lombard, Rev. Mr. 70
— — dismissed-, 86
IKDEX.
Lexington Battle,
101
Ross' garret floor feH,
7A
M.
Meeting^ House,
nibbmond, sch. roaster,
79
73
Relief fruni *carcit.v,see
scarcity.
Moo!i6 killed in town,
97
Revenue act repealed,
95
Murray, Parson
85,
97
Revolutionary War,
99 to 117
Mobs at Boston,
26. 88
, 92
S.
here and other places, ' C9
93,
SICKNESS,
77, 7S
113,
121
Throat distemper,
26, 28, 31, 68
Massacre in Boston,
96
Quincy,
30, 49
Mowat,
102, 103,
104
Fever,
24, 41, 5), 66
N.
Small Pox, .
Epidemical, ^
55, 56
New Style,
56
21, 26
New Casco set off,
Niag^ara,
New York Legislature r
53
73
Fliiurisy,
Cough,
27
72
estraine^,
92
Measles, 73,98,117,118
Nor walk burnt,
112
Whooping cough,
121, 128
New London burnt,
118
Peri pneum<mic,
105
New Haven pkndered,
112
Scarcity of bread. &.c.
20, 27, 28, 32,
97, l60 to 111
ORDINATIONS.
43, 57, S3,
Allen,
24
Success in the war,
47
Brooks,
80
42
87
Storms, 32,
44, 90, 96, no
Cooper,
Eaton,
Small Fox at Boston,
55. 56, 85
68, 78, 108
Foxcroft,
87
Snow, deep
67, VO, 97, 113
Fairfield,
82
Scalps,
67
Gilman,
94
Steeple raised,
' 77, 79
Heinmenway,
Jeffries,
73
Shirley, Gov. died.
96
12
Stroud water set off
85
Jewet,
118
Stamp office destroyed.
88
LeuTit,
41
act repealed.
90
Lombard,
54
Savage mobbed.
96
Mr. Clanathan,
25
Senega! man of war.
102
Moody,
Miller,
96
Shattuck and others,
121
82
Shays' insurrection,
122
Morse,
61
Separatists,
138
Nash,
103
T.
Smith, T.
18
Treaties with Indians,
14, 29, 51, 56
firaith, P.
82
59 see peace.
Thacher,
92
Ticonderoga, 73, taken, " 107
Townsend,
79
Tyng appointed Sheriff,
92
Wight,
3C
- — his schooner seized
, 96
Wiswell,
67
Tate, Mrs. shot,
95
Winthrop,
88
Tate, guilty of murder.
97
Williams,
89
Thompson, Col.
102
o.
Tempcits,
97, 119
Cxnard, Edward,
102
TumuU,
102
P.
Troops arrive at Boston,
94, 103
sail for Halifax,
101
Purpoodock convulsed.
60 to 63 & 75
defeated.
106
Peace with Indians,
4 'J, 81
84
Tender act repealed,
113
with England,
117, 118,
see
Thatcher dismissed.
114
treaties,
u.
Uproars,
Paper currency called in
Psalm books.
50
S3
77
51, 78, 79, 86
Plot discovered.
105
w.
Penobscot expedition,
111,
112
War with France,
36 to 82
Plague in Philadelphia,
118
revolutionary.
99 to 117
Portland, a new town,
121
Witshington born,
21
Q.
ow, 106
, 66, 115,
122
Quakers, Si, 35, 5Z
Quebec surrendered,
74
Wbitefield,
death of
37 to 39, 81
seige raised.
76
95
R.
Winter mild.
54
31
Revivals in religion.
35
, 42
Wiswal distracted
81
Rebellion la Scotland,
42
) 43
See
82, 84, as
Receriis lest,
17
CONTENTS.
4. Varied circumstances of our globe and its inhabitants.
the'^o'^e^o^^rEx^^r^^^^^^^^^ '"^^"' ^'^^^ '^^^'^^ ^^ "^-^ -
^^6. Character of Mr. Smith, as given by Rev. Elijah Kel-
u J'Deir''''' ''^^^'' ^'''''^' '' Siven by the Rev. Dr. Saip^
8, Of the first parish in Fahnouth.
^ NOTE.
AN'
TO THE
'•EXTRACTS FROM THE JOURNALS
KEPT BY THE
HEY. THOMAS SMITH,
LATE PASTOR OF THE FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST
IN FALMOUTH, IN THE COUNTY OF
YORK, (NOW CUMBERLAND.")
CONTAINING
A VARIETY OF MATTERS,
COLLECTED
BY SAMUEL FREEMAN, ESQ,
IT was not contemplated when I made the extracts from Mr.
Smith's Journals, to collect any other matters ; but considering-
it would give an additional interest to the work, I have thought
it proper to collect some things, which, though they have been
already published, are in but few hands — and some others, not
before published, which I thought would be useful and enter-
taining-, and which would probably never be otherwise present-
ted to the public view. Among the former is an account of the
Indian Wars, so far as they related to Falmouth, or Casco Bay,
and the vicinity, and were anterior to the war events mentioned
in the Journals. Among the latter, are, extracts of letters —
proceedings of the town of Falmouth — accounts of religious and
charitable societies, &c. which it is needless to enumerate here .
They will be seen in the following pages, and a list of them
(with an Index to shew their places) given at the end of the
book.
S. F^-
JULY, 1821,
APPENDIX.
FALMOUTH.
I'HE town of Falmouth, formerly called Casco Bay, origin-
ally embraced the present towns of Falmouth, Cape Elizabeth,
Portland and Westbrook. It began to be settled at an early
period. It is noticed in Governor Hutchinson's history of Mas-
sachusetts (as will be seen in a subsequent page) as early as the
year 1645. The settlement of it therefore commenced before
that year. — Mr. Hubbard, in his narrative of the Indian Wars,
from 1607 to 1677, speaking of Casco Bay, says, " On the south
side of it is a small village, called Falmouth ; all or most of it,
lately destroyed by the Indians."
The following account of it is transcribed from Sullivan's
History of Maine : —
" Casco Bay," says he, " or what is now called Falmouth
and Portland, wbb taken up very early, by traders and fisher-
men, who did not expect to make permanent settlements, but
who sold their privileges, or rights of preoccupancy, from one
to another, as suited their convenience.
" In the year 1643, Sir Alexander Rigby sent George Cleaves
over, as governor of the plough-patent, or province of Ligonia*.
This tract had not been under any regular government. The
patent on Kennebeck did not extend to it ; the patents on Saco
river, were within the bounds of it; and those, together with
Camock's patent in Scarborough, were much in the way of Rig-
by's charter. The Massachusetts took advantage of these con-
troversies, and extended their claim so as to comprehend Cas-
co Bay, or a great part of it. When Cleaves set his commission
on foot, he was opposed by Vines, who held the patent on the
west side of Saco river, granted to him and Oldham in the year
1629. Cleaves, as agent to Rigby, made a deed to Michael Mit-
ten, in the year 1643, of two thousand acres of the land which is
•Note. « The province of Ligonia extended^outh of the rivei Sni^id hock
{now Saco riveO i. < .from tbe west of Capt Porpus to the east Ojf Cape Eliza-
beth, \G miles— and 40 miles back from 'he sea.
b2
ancient settlers and grantees of Gorges and Rigby, were gener-
ally excluded, unless when by an ancient and continued posses-
sion, they supported their claims.
" The records, if there were any, before the year 1692, were
not preserved, although there was no other town which was
then broken up, where the records were not saved ; but there
was no other place where the desolation was so complete, as it
was in the town of Falmouth. It will appear that the records of
the towns on the west of Falmouth, were preserved, as well as
those of the town of North Yarmouth."
CAPE ELIZABETH.
" The town of Cape Elizabeth, before the American revolu-
tion, joined with Falmouth in the choice of a representative, but
in all other respects was a separate corporation. * * * There
is an Island on the south side of Cape Elizabeth, called Rich-
mond's Island, formerly called Richman's Island. This Island,
with the land adjacent, and that in all Casco, was granted by
Rigby, before the year 1646, to Robert Trelawny, who estab-
lished a fishery on the Island, and sent one John Winter over as
his agent, to conduct the business. Rigby sent one Richard
Gibson to his province, as an Episcopalian clergyman : he wan-
dered away to Piscataqua, and finally became a preacher to
fishermen at the Isle of Shoals. Soon after this, Robert Jordan,
and another Episcopalian clergyman, came over, under the en-
couragement of Trelawney : he married John* Winter's daugh-
ter, and in him all of the name of Jordan in the country are to
acknowledge an ancestor.
" Winter died in the year 1646, and Jordan administered on
his estate, and in the year 1648, obtained an order of the courts
under Rigby's government, to sequester the whole of Trelawney's
estate, for a debt due to Winter for services. A large tract of
land is now held by the posterity of Robert Jordan, under that
order of court, and witliin the town of Cape Elizabeth ; but
there are so many clashing titles, under Gorges, Rigby, the In-
dians, and others in the to^vn of Falmouth and in Cape Elizabeth,
that the greater part of the land has been lost to Jordan's heirs,
who never seemed to contend for their right until it became
too late to reclaim it. * * * When the country was cut off
by the savag-es, in 1692, that toAvn became desolate ; but the
Settlement again revived in 1710. The government was settled
over it, with the other parts of Casco Bay, in the year 1718.
" Some people have supposed that Trelawney had a patent
from the council of Pljnnouth ; but this I believe to be a mistake.
His title was under Rigby's patent, which was originally gran-
ted to Dy and others. But these patents were all treated with
neglect, or contempt, during and after the civil wars between
Charles and the parliament : and nearly all the lands in Cape
Elizabeth were taken up anew, under President Danforth's ad-
ministration of the Massachusetts government, in that part of
the country.
" There has been no recent calamities by the Indian wars in
Cape Elizabeth. In the reign of Queen Anne, there was an
attack of the savages on the people of Purpoodock, or Spring-
]?6int. The wife of Josiali Wallis was killed, and two children
taken from her. The wife of Benjamin Wallis was killed ; the
Wife of Joseph Wallis, Thomas Leavit, and one Medford, with
their families, were carried into captivity. Josiah Wallis fled to
Scarborough, and carried his son John, then a boy, on his back,
and saved him from the savages." Thus far Sullivan.
The following is taken from the Church Book ofRecoYds^ in the
hand writing of the Rev. Mr. Smith :
" Anno 1716, one Ingersol built an hut on Falmouth Neck,
where he lived alone some time, and was thence called Gover-
nor Ingersol — He was afterwards drowned at Presurapscotwith
one Millet by the damming of the ice — raising an head of water
in the night while they were asleep. New-Casco fort being de-
molished by order of government a few months after this, viz.
1717, Major Moody who had been the commanding officer, with
Capt. Larabee who had been a serjeant, moved their families
down to the Neck, and built them houses. About this time 1715,
10
?vlr. Skillia and Bracket settled on their father's old farms at
Back-Cove. Now came also Capt. Coller and built a house, as
did one Proctor, Doug-hty, Rounds, Mills, Hall, two Scales's
(brothers) father Thomes, Wass, (twelve in all) and John Bar-
ber and father Gustian (who died June 1718.)
Samuel Cobb came here in 1717, when there was only one
house on Purpoodock side of the water, just built and inhabited by
one Doct, Winslow. In 1718,. said Cobb moved his family to
Falmouth Neck when there were 14 families there (including
liis.) This year Falmouth was anew incorporated a township by
the General Court, and the tract of Land granted to some of the
ancient proprietors, together with others who signed with them
in a petition for it.
N. B. The General Court was ignorant of its being formerly
granted to the old settlers who were broken up and driven away
when the town and fort were destroyed by the French and In-
dians, and hence ensued infinite confusion and quarrels be-
tween these new and old proprietors — the former not allowing
the latter any title nor those others that had purchased farms of
Sir Ferdinando Gorges' agent, till all was settled in a course of
law.
Anno 1722, in the latter end of July a war broke out with the
Indians, which continued 3 years, and kept back the growth of
the settlement.
In the year 1725, in June (the war ending the summer) I
[Thomas Smith] came here and found one Mr. Peirpoint (who
was Chaplain to the army, whose head quarters were on this
Neck) preaching to the people. Tliere was then 45 families in
the whole town, viz, 27 upon the Neck, 1 at New-Casco, and 17 '
at Purpoodock and Spirwink, most of them poor, and some of
them miserably so. They had 4 or 5 years before erected a
meeting-house, which they had only covered, and the floor of it
contained the people, with the fishermen and soldiers and other
strangers, that used to frequent the place much. The people of
Purpoodock had also a log house on the Point, which they built
partly for a Garrison to the famiUes on the Point, and partly for
11
a meeting house in which the whole town assembled every third
Sabbath.
March 8, 1726-7, a Church was gathered and I (Thoraas
Smith) was ordained Pastor.
At the first meeting of the inhabitants, under the Act of In-
corporation in 17 IS, the following town officers were chosen.
viz, Joshua Moody, Clerk — Samuel Moody, Treasurer — John
Wass, William Scales, Dominicus Jordan, John Pritchard and
Benjamin Skillins, Selectmen.
To show who were considered by the inhabitants as the most
suitable persons to manage their town affairs, from that period
to the time when the town of Portland was set off— I think it
proper to present a list of their names, and the offices to which
they were respectively appointed, as follows, viz :
from to
1719 1720
1720 1722
1723 1725
1726
1727 1729
1730
1731
1733
1732
TOWN CLERKS, &c,
from
Joshua Moody.
Samuel Cobb.
Joshua Moody.
Peter Walton.
Samuel Cobb.
Moses Pearson.
Samuel Moody.
Moses Pearson.
to
1734 1743
1744
I 745 1746
1747 1749
1750 1772
1773 1780
1780 1786
Samuel Moody.
Joshua Moody.
Samuel Moody.
Moses Pearson.
Sfn. Longfellow.
JYath'i G. Moody.
Jno Frothingham.
from
1719
1721
1722
1728
1730
1731
1733
1735
1736
1737
1738
1739
1740
1743
to
1720
1727
1729
1732
1734
1742
TOWN TREASURERS.
from to
1744
1745
1746 1754
1755
1756 1760
1761 1765
1766 1767
1768 1772
1773
1774
1775
1776 1785
1786
Samuel Moody.
Samuel Cobb,
'Samuel Moody.
Benj. Ingcrsoi.
John East.
Joshua Moody.
Henry Wheeler.
Moses Pearson.
Th's. Westbrook.
James Gooding.
The Selectmen.
Joseph Noyes.
Ezekiel Cushing.
John Waite.
Josliua Moody.
John Waite.
Enoch Freeman.
John Waite.
James Mills.
Benj. Waite.
Ephraim Jones.
James Milk,
Ephraim Jones.
Stephen Waite.
Smith Cobb.
John Waite.
Enoch Ilsley.
12
SELECTMEN.
Note. In this List the names are placed in the order of time
in which they were first appointed. The iig-ures at the rig-ht
hand shew how many years each one served during' the whole
period, viz: From 1718 to 1786. The persons against whose
name no figure is annexed served but one year each.
1718
John Wass,
William Scales,
Dominicus Jordan,
John Pritchard,
Benjamin Skillins,
Samuel Moody,
Benjamin Larrabee,
Richard Coller,
John Sawyer,
Matthew Scales,
Daniel Ingersol,
William Roberts,
Samuel Buckman,
James Armstrong,
Benjamin York,
Samuel Cobb,
Benjamin Ingersol,
John Brown,
John East,
John Perrj^,
Joshua Woodbury,
1731
Thomas Haskill,
Moses Pearson,
John Coy,
John Tyng,
Henry Wheeler,
Edmund Mountford,
James Buxton,
James Brickie,
Robert Thorndike,
Joseph Cobb,
Gowen Wilson,
Joshua Moody,
James Gooding,
Thomas Westbrook,
James Noble,
Joseph Thompson,
Charles Frost,
2
Joseph Noyes,
4
5
Robert Mitchell,
2
Ezekiel Cushing,
9
4
James Merrill,
4
7
Phineas Jones,
Jeremiah Riggs,
3
James Milk,
16
5
Christopher Strout,
8
2
1744
2
Enoch Freeman,
John Merrill,
3
John Robinson,
5
Stephen Randall,
2
4
John Snow,
5
4
Joseph Thompson,
6
3
William Cotton,
13
George Berry,
2
6
Samuel Skilhng,
2
Wm. Buckman,
6
Enoch Moody,
3
Wm. Simington,
2
John Waite,
3
.17
1756
Isaac Ilsley,
2
Humphrey Merrill,
15
5
David Strout,
Joseph Mariner,
5
Wm. Slemmons,
9
Ephriam Jones,
'4
3
Stephen Waite ^
S.imuel Cobb, '
4
2
Benjamin Winslow,
2
Nathaniel Carle,
10
11
Jeremiah Pote,
2
1775
2
Benj. Mussey,
2
John Bracket,
13
John Johnson, Jr.
2 Joseph McLellan,
Joseph Noyes,
9 Samuel Freeman,
Pearson Jones,
Enoch Ilsley,
Daniel Dole,
3 Joshua Freeman,
Benj. Titcomh,
3 Stephen Hall,
Richard Codman,
2 Thomas Child, 5
Solomon Haskill,
2 Daniel Ilsley,
Bracket Marston,
James Frost, 2
REPRESENTATIVES TO THE GENERAL COURT.
1719
William Scales,
1755
Charles Frost, (dec'd.)
1720
Samuel Moody,
Enoch Freeman,
1721
None,
1756
Enoch Freeman,
1722
Dominicus Jordan,
1757
Samuel Waldo.
1723
None,
1758
Do.
1724
Uncertain,
1759
Do.
1725
Major Mood)-,
1760
Do.
1726
Samuel Moody,
1761
Do.
1727
None,
1762
Francis Waldo,
1728
None,
1763
Do.
1729
None,
1764
Samuel Waldo,
1730
Uncertain,
1765
Do.
1731
Uncertain,
1766
Jedediah Preble,
1732
Uncertain,
1767
Do.
1733
Uncertain,
1768
Do.
1734
Dominicus Jordan,
1769
Do.
1735
Uncertain,
1770
Do.
1736
Uncertain,
1771
Do.
1737
Moses Pearson,
1772
William Tyng-,
Phinehas Jones,
1773
William Tyng-^
1738
Uncertain,
Jedediah Preble,
1739
Phinehas Jones,
1774
Enoch Freeman,
1740
Moses Pearson,
To the Provincial Congress.
1741
Joshua Bangs,
1775
Samuel Freeman,
1742
Uncertain,
1776
Jedediah Preble,
1743
Samuel Moody,
Joseph Noyes,
1744
Samuel Waldo,
"Samuel Freeman,
1745
Jabez Fox,
John Waite,
1746
Uncertain,
1777
Jedediah Preble,
•1747
Jabcz Fox,
Joseph Noyes,
1748
Enoch Freeman,
1778
Joseph Noyes,
1749
Moses Pearson,
Samuel Fiesman,
1750
Jabez Fox,
1779
None,
1751
Do.
1780 *Jedediah Preble,
1752
Do.
Joseph Noyes,
1753
Jedediah Preble,
Stephen Hall,
1754
Do.
1781 i
Stephen Hall,
•Under fhe new Constitotion
1782 Joseph Noyes, 1785 Joseph Noyes,
1783 Do. 178G Do. and
1784 Do. nnd John Frothingham?
Benjamin Titcomb,
MINISTERS.
The Rev. Thomas Smith was the first settled Minister in this
town.-^ He was ordained March 8, 1727, and was the only min-
ister in the town until November 10, 1734, when the Rev. Mr.
Allen was installed at Cape-Elizabeth, which was till then a part
of Mr. Smith's parish. " There was a block house held by some
few families at Purpoodock point — and a Garrison and a few fam-
ilies at Spirwink ; at those places he used alternately to minis-
ter to the people." There was no other minister in the town un-
til other parishes were set off. Of the first parish, the Rev. Sam-
uel Deane was settled as a minister with Mr. Smith, Oct.
17, 1764. They continued together until the death of Mr.
Smith, (May 23, 1795.) Mr. Deane then became sole pastor,
and remained so until tlie settlement of the Rev. Mr. Nichols,
June 7, 1809.
CAPE-ELIZABETH, OR SECOND PARISH. .
This parish was set off from the town of Falmouth by a vote
passed May 7, 1733.
The Rev. Benjamin Allen was the first settled minister of this
parish.f He was installed (as above mentioned,) November 10,
1734, and continued to be sole pastor until his death, (May 6,
1754.) On the 10th October following the church, by a major-
ity of one, voted to call to the ministry then, the Rev. Mr. Holy-
* It appears however, by the Records of the Town from the year 17 20 to 1724,
that the inhabitants employed Preachers from time to time; and though I
have no account of any, except the Rev. Mr. Burrows, between »he years 1685
and -.690, (of whom hereafter) it is not probable they were wholly destitute.
f'There was at some time, a Mr. Henry from Scotlind, who used to preach
there, v»'ho was an eccentric character, and rendtred himself Qontsmptible, by
his levity and Indiscretiou."
15
oke, and the Congreg-ation concurred by a majority of two, but
on account of the dissentions among- them, he was not settled.
The Rev. Mr. Clark, succeeded Mr. Allen, and was installed
May 21, 1756. Next to him was the Rev. William Gregg who
was ordained in Jaauary, 1801. He continued in the ministry
there, about nine years, and was succeeded by the Rev. Benja-
min Sawyer, who was ordained in 1810; but sometime after the
Rev.Mr. Greg-g returned, and was installed in January 1816, and
is the present minister.
NEW-CASCO, OR THIRD PARISH.
This Parish was set off from Falmouth, December 12, 1753.
The Rev. Peleg Wiswell, was the first settled minister of this
parish. He was ordained November 3, 1756, and continued in
that office until September 1764, when he accepted a call from
a number of persons, (who seceded from the first parish,) to settle
over them as an Episcopalian minister. The Rev. Ebenezer
Williams was their next minister. He was ordained Novem-
ber 6, 1765,* and continued such until the time of his death,
February 25, 1799. His successor was the Rev. William Mil â–
timore, who was ordained June 19, 1303, and is now the minis
ter of said parish^
STROUD WATER, OR FOURTH PARISH,
This parish was set off by a vote of the town of Falmouth, in
March 1753.
The Rev. Thomas Brown, was the first minister. He was in-
stalled August 21, 1765, and continued in the ministry until his
death in October 1793, though for about a year he was, on ac-
count of his impaired health, unable to preach.
He was succeeded by the Rev. Caleb Bradley, who was or-
dained October 9, 1799, and is the present Minister.
*The Church in March preceding, (jave a call to a M . Fuller, but it does not
appesr whether he accepted th^ call or whether the congregation concurred in
iror not.
16
EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
This society was formed on the 4th November, 1763, by the
Written agreement of 41 persons to procure a lot of land and
build a " meeting house for divine service." On the 23d July,
1764, an increased number expressed in writing under their
hands, their desire " that the worship to be carried on in said
house should be agreeable to the laws of Great Britian," and on
the 4th of September following, invited the Rev. John Wiswel
" to accept of the pastoral charge over them," and desired "that
he would apply to the Lord Bishop, for ordination." He accep-
ted their invitation, complied with their desire, and became
their minister accordingly. He continued such until 1775,
when he left them, and when the house which they had built
was consumed in the conflagration of the town by Capt. Mowat.
Thus was the society at that time in respect to assembling;
for public worship, broken up, and continued in a dispersed
state until 1805, when Mr. Parker read prayers for them, in a
hired room about two years — After him, viz. in July 1787,
they agreed to employ Mr. Thomas Oxnard, in the same ser-
vice, in the (then new) school house which they had hired for
the purpose. He continued in it until March 1792. Mr. Jo-
seph Hooper was next employed for about a year. After him
tliere were no stated performances until 1797, when the Rev.
Joseph Warren was employed and was continued until 1800.
(This year the pulpit seems to have been unoccupied.) In 1801
the society engaged the Rev. Timothy Hilliard, who officiated
until 1809.*
From this time there were only occasional supplies until June
1817, when the Rev. Mr. Olney was engaged in the service of
the society, and continued about three months. He was fol-
lowed in September 1818, by the Rev. Mr. Tenbroeck who is
now the instituted Rector.
♦Duritijr this period, viz. in 1802 and 1803 their present Brick church was
built.— Previous to that they erected a temporal y building on the spot where
their first church stood.
n
PROCEEDINGS OF THE TOWN OF FALMOUTH,
from the year 1768, to the year 1775.
On the 21st September, 1768, the town appointed Jedediah
Preble, Esq. to join a committee of conyention to be holden at
Boston to consult and advise upon such measures as his majes-
ty's service and the peace and safety of his subjects in the prov-
ince mi^ht require. The following were the instructions given
to him by tlie town : —
" You are hereby instructed and enjoined not to comply im
said convention with any proposals there made that shall be
illegal and unconstitutional, but that you heartily join with
them in any legal measure of obtaining redress of our present
grievances ; such as humbly petitioning our gracious Sovereign
for relief, or urging his excellency Governor Bernard to call a
new Assembly to set in General Court, to take all possible care
of preserving the rights, liberties and properties of the good
people of this Province, and in case the civil officers in the
government should in any case stand in need of their hands
being strengthened to put the lawsof this government in execu-
tion, that you join in convention in every legal method to aid
and assist them according as the emergency of the case may
require ; and in all your consultations in said convention it is
the desire of the town that you advise to the most mild and
peaceable measures, and from time to time to acquaint the
town with any material event that shall occur, wherein they
may be interested in such a- manner as may not be inconsistent
with the public good.^'
On the 7th January, 1773, the town gave the following in-
structions to its representative, William Tyug, Esq. which were
previously prepared, reported and signed by a committee ap-
pointed for the purpose.'''
Sir— Whereas we are sensible there is reason to complain of
infringe ments on the liberties of the people of this province,
i^ll w°''' ^c "T"' '^°'" ^^^"'"' ''*P^^" Longfellow. David Wyer,
c2
18
and a? you arc a representative for this town we would offer a
few things for your consideration on transacting- the very im-
portant business that may lay before the General Court at the
next sessions. We are not about to enumerate any grievances
particularly, as we doubt not the wisdom of the General Court
is amply sufficient to investigate, not only every grievance but
every inconvenience the province at present labours under; all
we mean is to suggest some method whereby all grievances may
be redressed. And considering the singular abilities and good
disposition of the present Governor, together with his family
being embarked on the same bottom Avith ourselves, we know
of no expedient more effectual than for the members of the
General Court, by a rational and liberal behaviour, to concili-
ate the affections of his Excellency : The particular mode of
doing this, we must leave to their wisdom and prudence, which
on this important occasion they will undoubtedl)^ exert, only beg
leave to observe that could his Excellency be prevailed upon to
join the other branches of the legislature in supplicating the
throne for redress of any of our grievances : it appears to us
the most probable way of obtaining his Majesty's Royal atten-
tion and relief.
THE YEAR 1774.
The records of the town for the year 1774, shew it to have
been a year of anxiety and deep consideration as well as such as
to require active exertions and prudent conduct.
Jan. 25. A meeting was warned for the choice of a commit-
tee to make answer to the several letters received from the Com-
mittee of correspondence in Boston, and to correspond with them
as occasion might require, and in general to do what might be
tliought best for the public welfare under the alarming circum-
stances then existing.
Feb. 3. At a meeting of the inhabitants they agreed upon an
answer, and expressed their sentiments in the following manner.
That having too patiently waited along time in hopes that the
G-overnor would join the other branches of the Legislature in
19
petitioning- the king for a redress of American grievances, we
now find it in vain still to hope or expect any relief through his
means. Having therefore considered seriously and attentively
the general opposition throughout the continent, to some late
acts of parliament, which lay taxes on us for the purpose of rais-
ing a revenue from us without our consent or opportunity of de-
liberating on the expediency thereof; we think it our duty which
we owe our fellow countrymen and our posterity, to declare our
sense and opinion in a matter which so highly concerns the wel-
fare of the present generation and the happiness of our children
yet unborn. First then we declare it as our opinion that neith-
er the Parliament of Great Britain nor any other power on earth
has a right to lay a tax on us but by our own consent or the con-
sent of those whom we may choose to represent us. This is one
of the most important articles of the glorious Magna Charta, the
liberties of which we have a right inviolably to enjoy, and it is
not only agreeable to the laws of God and nature, but it is in-
terwoven in the constitution of the human mind.
In parliament we have none to represent us, and the great dis-
tance of Great Britain which is separated from this continent
by a vast and hazardous ocean, renders it impossible that we evei
can either in reason or equity. But to prevent the inconven-
ience which this want of representation would subject us to, we
have by compact yet unbroken, by a charter which our fore-
fathers purchased for us, a parliament of our own, or rather a su-
preme provincial court, where we are equally represented, and
to whose laws, in obedience to the law of God alone ouo-ht we to
be subservient. No man can serve two masters. To be subject
to two legislative powers, renders us liable to a double subservi-
ency, which the nature of government does not require. A cor-
rupt and disaffected ministry have hitherto attempted to enslave
us, by bringing, or endeavoring to bring us to submit to acts of
parliament, which they and some of our enemies, adders in our
bosoms, had unjustly planned, and of which the late formidable
stamp act was a manifest instance.
This has happily been repealed, but now, still determined to
execute their mischievous schemes, they have let loose the moiv-
20
strous East India Company upon us to devour us, who have be-
gun their baneful commission by endeavoring to wash down the
fatal pill with the bewitching, the unsalutary Bohea Tea, which
they have sent out in large quantities to the different cities and
principal towns on the continent, to allure us with its gilded
bait.
And here we cannot help expressing our resentment against
some of our own countrymen who have been egging on their
deep laid schemes. What encouragement must it give our en-
emies in Britain, when they find that men born and educated a-
mong us, have spoken enmity against and have endeavoured to
represent us as rebels and disaffected subjects. We believe our-
selves to be as loyal subjects to his most gracious majesty King
George the third as any in his European dominions. To him we
owe our firm allegiance, and his crown will we maintain to our
latest breath. Nor do we desire to live free from the restraint
of good government. We detest anarchy and confusion — but
we say it again, we cannot think it just to be subject to the
control of a parliament 3000 miles distant from us, who neither
can either seasonably hear or thoroughly be acquainted with the
situation of our affairs.
It is with deep concern and uneasiness that we find ourselves
reduced to this unhappy alternative either to resist or yield — if
we yield we own the power that oppresses us and must forever
submit to its despotic sway — if we resist, we oppose that same
oppressive power, and must exert our resolutions with unremit-
ted ardor for our own security. If we yield we detach ourselves
from the general body of our fellow countrymen and must en-
dure their just reproaches. We must suffer the evils which a
servile submission will bring on us and our posterity and convey
the brand of infamy and shame to succeeding generations. We are
therefore constrained by the sacred obligations of patriotism, self-
preservation, & the tender ties of filial affection, to join our breth-
ren of the several towns on the continent in opposing the opera-
tion of their encroaching acts. Nature dictates, reason directs
and conscience urges us to support our freedom ; our happiness
depends upon it. Our cause is just and we doubt not fully cod-
21
sonant to the will of God. In him therefore let us put our trusty
let our hearts be obedient to the dictates of his sovereign will,
and let our hands and hearts be always ready to unite in zeal
for tbe common g-ood, and transmit to our children that Sacred
Freedom which our fathers have transmitted to us and which
they purchased with their purest blood.
We therefore further resolve,
1. That we will not suffer to be imported from Great Britain
to this town any articles whatever, on which the Parliament has
laid a duty with the purpose of raising* a revenue from us with-
out our consent.
2. That we will have no dealings or correspondence with any
person who may wilfully promote either directly or indirectly
the operation of such arbitrary acts.
3. That it is the opinion of this town that one of the most ef-
fectual means for obtaining- a redress of our grievances is for
every town to make proof of their virtue by desisting' from the
use of all India tea. Therefore,
4. Resolved, that whoever shall endeavor to allure the minds
of the people by any means whatever to use India tea until the
act imposing a duty thereon is repealed, is pursuing measures in
direct opposition to that freedom which the whole continent are
at this time contending for, and evidently proves how little they
are concerned if all America are enslaved, if they can but there-
by enrich themselves. Therefore,
5. Resolved, that we will not buy or sell any India tea, what-
ever, after this tljird day of February until the act which lays a
duty thereon is repealed, and will hold in detestation every per-
son who shall aim to counteract the designs of this town in this
respect.
6. Resolved, that as we are at a great distance from Boston
the metropolis of this province and cannot have so early intelli-
gence of encroachments upon our rights as they have, we do ac-
knowledge our obligations to them for their early notices of ap-
proaching danger, & for their intrepid behaviour upon the late tea
ships arrival. And we trust they will still be our watch tower,
22
and they may depend on our utmost endeavors to support them
at all times in defence of our rig-hts and liberties.
And then passed the following Votes, viz : —
Voted, 2d. That the said committee of correspondence be a
standing- committee to correspond with the committee of corres-
pondence for the town of Boston.
Voted, 3d. That the Selectmen of this town be a committee
of inspection, whose business it sliall be to observe if any per-
sons buy or sell tea contrary to the resolves of this town, and to
make report thereof to the committee of correspondence.
Voted, 4th. The Selectmen be and hereby are desired to with-
hold their approbation for license, for tavern keeping or retail-
ing to such person or persons as may presume to buy or sell tea
contrary to the aforesaid resolves.
Voted, 5. That Mr. Benjamin Mussey, Mr. Robert Pagan,
and Mr. Enoch Moody, be a committee to enquire what quan-
tity of tea is in town, of what quality, in whose hands it is, and
when imported and make report at tlie annual meeting in March
next.
Voted, C>. That a copy of these proceedings be by the Town
Clerk transmitted to the committee of correspondence in Bos-
ton.
At this meeting Cnpt. Jeremiah Pote and Mr. Robert Pagan
desired their dissent might be entered to the sixth Resolve, and
to the epithets given th€ ministry and East India Company.
June 30. A meeting of the inhabitants was called, to take in-
' to consideration the alarming state of the province, " and the
otherprovinccsof the continent,"with respect to the infringement
on their rights and liberties by some late acts of the British Par-
liament, and in particular the late cruel edict for blocking up
the harbour of Boston. At this meeting they directed their com-
mittee to write a sympathising letter to the committee of Boston
acquainting them " that we look upon them as suffering for
the common cause of American Liberty, that we highly applaud
them for the determinations they have made to endure their dis-
tresses, till they shall know the result of a continental Congress,
and would beg leave to recoiiimend to them to persevere in tiieir
23
patience and resolution, and that so far as our small abilities will
extend we will encourag-e and support tiiem."
Aug-ust 30. At a meeting of the inhabitants they agreed to
the draft of a letter reported by their comraittee in answer to
one received from the town of Boston, in which are the follow-
ing detached sentences.
" We beg leave to intreat you to persevere with your usual
fortitude and patience in that glorious cause which you have
hitherto so laudably defended, and we rejoice that though sur-
rounded by a fleet and army, you yet remain firm and resolute."
" What trust have we in Government ? What dependence on
our salutary laws, if they are liable to be altered or annulled
without our knowledge or consent ?"
" We would with patience bear our trouble, but we hope the
approaching Congress, on which we look with expectant and
impatient eyes, will adopt some method to redress our growing
grievances."
" We ardently wish a restoration of that harmony which once
so happily subsisted between our mother country and us ; but
till the wished for time arrives, we hope a sacred regard to our
oppressed country will influence every mind to the preservation
of peace and good order" *** Looking up to Him who is
the great Governor of all events, for help and direction, that He
may Iccid us into such measures as will be agreeable to his will,
and we obtain his divine blessing."
The town then voted, That Jedediah Preble, Esq. Enoch Free-
man, Esq. Stephen Longfellow, Esq. Mr. Enoch Ilsley and Mr.
Samuel Freeman, be a committee to meet committees from the
several towns in this county to consider what measures it will be
expedient to adopt for the general interest of the County in the
present alarming situation of our public affairs ; and that said
committee write to said towns, acquainting them with this vote,
and appoint the time and place of meeting.*
*In consequence of this vote, a Convention of gentlemen from dlflTerent parts
of the county was soon after held at FalnnoQth, at which a number of Resolu-
tions were passed ; which as tliey exhibit a view of the important situation of
affairs at that time, I think proper to insert at full length as follows :—
CUMBERLAND COUNTY RESOLVES.
At a meeting of the jolloivinz lentlejnen chosen by the several ioivns in the county
of Cumberland, held at Falmouth, in said county, on the i^st day of Septem-
her^ 1774, at thehouie ofMrs» Grtel'", viz. from
Falmouth^ the Hon.. Enoch Freeman, Esg. ; Stephen Longfellow, Esq. ; Mr.
24
yept. 29. At a town meeting, " voted, That the Hon. Enoch
Freeman, Esq. our Representative [chosen the 7th September,
to attend the General Court to be convened at Salem,] be and here-
Richard Codman, Capt. John Waite, Mr. Enoch Ilsley, and Mr, Samncl Frer.
man.
Scarborough t Capt. Timothy McDaniel, Capt. Reuben Fogg, Mr, Joshua
Fabyan.
Nor th'Yar mouth, Mr. John Lewis, David Mitchel, Esq. ; Messrs. Jonathan
Mitchel, John Gray, William Catter.
Corham, Solomon Lombard, Esq. ; William Gorham, Esq; ; Capt. Edmund
Phiney, Capt. Briant Morton, Mr. Joseph Davis.
Cape-El izadeth, Dr. Clement Jordan^ Messrs. Peter Woodbury, Samoel Dunn..
Capr. Judah Dyer, Dr. Nathaniel Jones, Mr. George S trout.
Bnimivicky Messrs. Samuel Thompson, Samuel Stanwood. Capt, Thomas
Moulton.
Hn-piiuellt Mr. Joseph Ewing, Capt. John Stover, Mr. Andrew Dunning.
Windham^ Messrs. Zerubbabal Honywell, Thomas Trott, David Barker,
ye'w-Gloucester, Messrs. William Hartis, Isaac Parsons.
The Hon. Enoch Fretman, Esq. was chosen Chairman.
Mr. Samuel Freeman, Clerk.
A Committee from the body of people who were assembled at the entrance
of the town, waited on this convention, to see if they would choose a commit-
tee of one member out of each town, to join them to wait upon Mr. Sheriff
Tyng to see whether he would act in his office, under the late act of Parlia-
ment for regulating the government.
On a motion made, Votedt that a messenger be sent to the said Sheriff Tyngf,
to desire his attendance at this convention, A messenger then waited upon
Mr. Tyng with the following billet, viz.
'* Mr. Sheriff tyng's company is desired at the Convention of the county, noiv
sitting at Mrs. Greek's. SAMUEL FREEMAN, Clerk.
»' Wednesday, Sept. 2ist, 1774, 1 1 o'clock, A. M."
Mr. Tyng accordingly attended, and after some interrogations, subscribed
the .following declarations, viz.
*• County of Cumberland, Falmouthy September ar, 1774.
*' Whereas great numbers of the inhabitants of this county are now assem-
bled near my house, in consequence of the false representations of some evil
minded persons, who have reported that 1 have endeavoured al! in my power
to enforce the late acts of parliament, relating to this province : 1 do hereby
solemnly decUre that 1 have not in any way whatever acted or endeavoured
to act in conformity to said act of parliament: And in compliance with the
commands of the inhabitants so assembled, and by the advice of a committee
from the several towns in this connty now assembled in CongreFS, I further
declare I will not as Sheriff of said county, or otherwise, act in conformity to,
or by virtue of, said acts, unless by the general consent of the said county. I
further declare, I have not received any commission inconsis'ent with the
chrter of this province., nor any commission whatever, since the first day of
July last. « WILLIAM TYNG.'*
'* County of Cumberland,
" At the convention of committees from the several towns in the said coun-
ty , held a*- the house of Mrs.Greele. in Fa'mouth. in s^id county , September
iist. i7;4. Voted, That tHe foregoing, by WilUam Tyng, E?q. subscribed, is
satisfcictory to this convention.
« Attest t SAMUEL FREEMAN.!'
25
by is instructed, that in case the House of Representatives bhould
resolve tliemselves into a provincial Congress, that he do join
with them in said Congress."
Nov. 28. The town appointed a committee of eleven to " sec
that the several articles of the associatio?i of the grand Amer-
The convention then formed themselves into a committee to accompany
Mr.Tyngto the body of the people, to present the above dtclaratton, and ad-
journed to the old Town-House, at 3 o'clock, P. M. the deliberation to be in
public.
The committee accordingly went with Mr. Tyng, who read the declaration
to the peopl-, wiiich they voted to be satisfactory, and after refreshing them-
selves, returned peaceably to their several homes.
P. M. 3 o'clock, met according to adjournment.
Voted, That Mr. Samuel Freeman, Solomon Lombard. E^q. Stephen Long-
fellow, Esq. David Mitchel. Esq John Lewis, Capt. John Waite, Samuel
Thompson, Capt. Timothy Mc D.niel, Doctor N.tnaniel Jones, Isaac Parsons.
Enoch Fr-.eman . Esq. David Barker and Capt. John Stovcr, be a committee to
draw up the sentiments of this convention, and report the same at the ad-
journment.
Then adjourned to Thursday morning at 8 o'clock.
September 22, Met according to adjournment, when the committee presen-
ted the following report, which after bJng read, paragraph by paragraph,
was unanimously .iccepted, viz.
The great concern with which the people of this county view the increasing
differences, which now subsist between the mother country and the colonies,
& the dark prospect which some late acts of the British parliament have in par-
ticu.ar opened to them, has occasioned tne several towns herein to choose
commuteesfor this convention. ^. To consi-ier what measures it would be
thought expedient to adopt for the general interest of the county, i„ the pres-
ental.rmmg situation of our public affairs." We therefore, the said commit-
tees, pur umt to the request of our respective towns, guided by a strong at-
achment to the interests of our oppressed country, think it proper wi h re .
L-rasSr::." '- ^^^ '-''- - -^- --- - -^^ know„ l
We think it the indispensable duty of every subject of the English constitu-
are' ZZr' "'" '' '""f '' '^^^ °^ ^-"- «--«-ns, to use his , tmo t
care and endeavour, according to the station he is in. to preserve the same
inv.oate and unimpaired ; for we regard it, not only as the fo d.t o„ o Tl!
ourcvu r,ghts aod iiberties. but as . sy,t m of government, the be t ca cu
orefe . 'T' ''"''''' "^"^ "^'' '^^''•""^- ^-' ^^ '--"^ ^^at . th.
pres nt admuustrat.on th, re are men so lost to a,, the principles of honor.
e jojed. ar^ wh.ch wh.le we profess ourselve,. as we now declnre we do
egtant sublets to Geo.ge the thin , our rightful Sovcre.gn, we have a .gt;
sell to enjoy enu.e and unmolested : And it is a melancholy consideration'
2S
ican Congress be duly observed by the inhabitants of the town.**
Dec. 21. A meeting was called to consider the address of
the provincial Congress, to raise money for the encouragement
of minute men, and to adopt other warlike measures.
that the acknowledged head of this respected state should be induced to pass
bis sanction to such laws as tend to the subversion of that glorious freedom,
which preserves the greatness of the British empire, and gives it reputation
throughout all the nations of the civil world. It is too apparent that the Brit-
ish ministry have long been hatching monstrous acts to break our constitu-
tion, and some they have at length brought forth. We think the colonies de-
serve a better treatment from his Majesry than this which he assents to. We
•are his loyal subjscts,& merit his regard,& cannot help thinking that if he would
pursue his own unbiassed judgment, and lay aside the selfish council of wick-
ed and designing men, he and his subjects would bf mutually happy, and prov-
ocations on both sides cease. But since the ministry have borne their tyranny
to such a length as to endeavour to execute their wicked designs by military
force in our metropolis we fear it is their aim to introduce despotic monarchy
But though rheir tyranny and oppression seems now with hasty strides to
Ibreaten all the colonies with ruin and destruction, wc hope no vengeance will
affright, or wiles allure u» to give up our dear bought liberty, that choicest
boen of Heaven, which our fathers came into these regions to enjoy and which
we therefore will lerain, while life enables us to struggle for its blessings.
We believe our enemies supposed we must submit and tamely give up all oar
rights. It is true a vigorous opposition will subject us to many inconveniences,
but how much greater will our misery be if we relinquish all we now enjoy,
and lay our future earaini{« at the mercy of despotic mtn ? We cannot bear
thethough^ Distant posterity woulc'. have cause to curse our folly, and the ri-
sing generation would justly execrate our memory. We therefore recommend
a manly opposition to those cruel ^cts, ind every measure which despotism can
invent to '• abridge our English liberties," and we hope that patience willpos-
•ess our souls, tir Providence shall dissipate the gloomy cloud, and restore os
to our former happy state.
The late act for regulating the government of this province we consider, in
particular, as big with mischief and destrcction, tending to the subversion of
our charter and our provioce laws, and in its dire example, alarming to all the
colonics. This through the conduct of some enemies among ou- selves, will
soon bring us into difficulties which will require Jsome able council to remove.
We therefore recommen<l to each town in this county to instruct thtir several
Representatives to resolve themselves with theoiher members of the House,
at their approaching session, into a Provincial Congress for this purpose.
To this Congr^s we shall submit the general interest of the province, bat
for the particular besefit of this county, we do advise and recomm'.nd,
I. Th^itth*- justices oF the sessions and court of common pleas, and eve.iy
other civil nfficT in this county, which no authority can remove, but that
Which constituted them agreeable to charter and our own proviacial Uws«
THE YEAR 1775.
Was bi* with important events. See the follov/ing account
of Thompson's War, Extracts of Letters, account of the burn"
would religiously officiate in their several departments, as if the aforesaid act
bad never b^en nventtd, and that every private person would pay a strict obe-
dience to such officers, be always ready to protect and to support them, and
promote a due observance of our own established laws. Ajid if any person
whatsoever should henceforth in any manner dare to aid the operation of the
said tyrannic act, they should be considered as malignant enemies to our char-
ter rights, unfit for civil society, and undeserving of the least regard or favor
from their fellow countrymen.
2. That every one would do his utmost to discourage law suits, and likewise
compromise disputes as much a> possible^
3. That it be recommended to the Hon, Jeremiah Powell, Esq. and Jedidiah
Preble, Esq. constitutional counsellors of this province, residing in this coun-
ty, that they would t?ke their places at the board the ensuing session as usual.
4. We csnnot bat approve of the recommendation given by the convention of
Suffolkceunty to the several collectors of province taxes not to p»y one far-
thing more into the province treasury, until the governmrnt of the province is
placed on a constitutional foundation, or until the provincial congress shall or<-
der otherwise ; and we recommend the same to the several collectors in this
county. But we thiuk it the duty of the several collectors of county, town and
disti ict taxes, to perfect th«ir collections, and pay the same into their several
treasuries as soon as possible. And here we think it proper to observe, that:
though we dr. not coincide in every instance with out SuffvJlk brethren, which
may be owing to a want of knowing all the circumstances of affairs, yet we
highly applaud their virtuous zeal, and determined resolutions.
5. We recommend to every town in this county, charitably to contri!)ute to
the relief of our suffering brethren in our distressed metropolis.
6. Lest oppression, which maketh even wise men mad, should hurry son.e
people into tumults and disorders, we would recommend that every individual
in the county use his best endeavors to suppress, at all times, riots, mobs, and
all licentiousness, and that our fellow subjects would consider themselves as
they always are, in the presence of the great GOD, who loveth order, and not
confusion,
â– 7. Tfaat when a general non importation agreement takes place, we shall look
upon it to be the duty of every vender of merchandise to sell his goods at the
present rates ; and if any person shall exorbitantly enhance the prices of his
goods, we shall look upon him as an oppressor of his country, And in ord'^r to
prevent imposition in this respect, we recommend that a committee be chosea
in each town to receive complaints against any who may be to blame herein.
And if he shall refuse to wait on such committee, on notice given, or be found
culpable in this respect, his name shiilbe published in the several towns of the
county, as undeserving of the fu-:ure custom of his countrymen.
8. That every on* who has i: in Im power, would improve cur breed rfsh«ep,
28
ing" of the town, &c. From the Records of the towrij it is not
thoug^ht expedient to make any further transcript.
The affairs of the town, as they respect the war and public
and as far as possible, increase their number ; and also encourage the raising of
flax, and promote the in:tnufaciures of the country.
9. As the very extraordinary and al *rming act for establishing the Roman
catholic religi'^n , and French laws« in Canada, may introduce the French or In-
dians into our fi onf ier towns, we recommend that every town, and individual
in this county, should be provided with a proper stock of military stores, ac-
ccrdiug to our province law, und that some patriotic military officers be cho-
sen in c'^ch town to exercise their several companies, and make them perfect
in the military art,
10. Oar general grievances being the subject of deliberation before the con- â–
tinentil congress, renders it inexpedient to consider them particularly ; on their
wisdom we have a great dependence, and we think it will be our duty to lay s-
side every measure to which we h tve advised, that may be variant from theirs,
and pay a due regard to their result,
And now we think it proper to declare, that as we ha\'e been recounting the
hardships we endureby the machinations of our enemies at home, we cannot
but gratefully acknowledge our obligation to those illustrious worthies, our
friends of the minority, who .constantly opposed those wicked measures, and
•would heartily wish that some great and good men, would invent and mark oat.
some plan that will unite the parent state to these its colonies, and thereby pre-
vent the effusion of christian blood.
Then, Voted, That every member of this convention be severally interro^-
ted whether he now has, or will hereafter take any commission under the
present act of parliament, for regulating the government of this province.
The members were accordingly interrogated, and each and every of them
answered in the negative.
Voted, That the several committees which compose this convention, or the
major part of each, be, and hereby are, desired to interrogate the civil officers
and other persons whom they may think fit, in their respective towns, wheth-
er they now have, or will hereafter take, any commission under the aforesaid
act.
Voted, That the whole proceedings of this convention be, by the clerk,
transmitted to the press, and also to the town clerks of the respective towns in
this county, as soon as may be.
Voted, Thit this convention be continued, and that the committee of Fal*
l»outh,or the major part of them, be, and hereby are, empowered, on any occa-
sion, that in their opinion requires it, to notify a meeting of the delegates there
of, at such time and place as they may think proper, setting forth the occasion
thereof.
Vot'd. That thf thanks of this convention be given to the hon. Enoch Free-
man. Fsq. for his faithful services as chairman. A true copy.
* - SAMUEL FREEMAN, Clerk.
29
measures, were conducted chiefly by a Cominittee of Corres-
pondence, Safety and Inspection.*
• Ihe following will exhibit some of their proceedings at three different peri,
ods of this year,— £J.
Falmouth t January 4?A, 1775-
The Committee of Inspection met, pursuant to adjournment, at Mrs.Greely's
Present, Messrs. Benj amin Titcomb, Smith W. Cobb,
Enoch Ilsley, Pearson Jones,
Benj. Mussey, Jedidiah Cobb,
Jos.McLelUn, John Butler,
Pelatiah March, Sam'l Freeman,
josepk Noycs, Theophilus Parsons.
The Chairman absent.
Vetid, That Mr. Benjamin Titcomb be Chairmanof this Committee for this
evening.
The Committee proceeded to give their opinions respecting Mr. Smith's re-
quest [made with due deference to the committee, as the only proper authorityi
existing at that time.]
Voted, That Mr. Smith be desired to attend.
Mr. Smith attended and was heard.
Votedt That it is the opinion of this Committee that Mr, Smith if he should
cell the powder he imported from Great Britain at 2oj. per. lb. would violate
he 9th article of the American Association,
Voted, That the chairman or (in case of his absence) any three of the commit-
tee should be impowered to convene the committee whenever he or they should
think proper. Attest, THEO. PARSONS, C/er;i.
2
Falmouth^ March 2j, 1775.
At a meeting ofthe Committee of Inspection, at the library chamber,to deter,
mine what ought to be done with rtspect to a vessel that arrived here this day
from Bristol, supposed to have goods and merchandize for Capt, ThoS. Coulson
en board.
Voted^ That Mr. Benjamin Mussey, Capt. Joseph McLellan and Mr. Benjamin
Titcomb be a committee to employ some persons to see that no goods are landed
from said vessel during the debates of the Committee of Inspection, and to de-
sire that Capt. Coulson and the master of said vessel would attend this Com-
mittee, Capr. Coulson and the master accordingly attended; and being asked
if said vessel came from Bristol, and what she had on board, ?nswered that she
did come from Bristol, and had on board rigging, sails and stores for a new
ship lately built here, by Capt . Coulson,
Voted, That Capt. Joseph McLellnn, Mr. Jedidiah Cobb, Mr, Benjamin Mus-
sey, and Mr. Samuel Freeman be committee to go on board said vessel or em-
ploy some other persons to go on board her to see whether she has on board any
goods other than the rigging sails and stores for said new ship.
The meeting was then adjourned to eight o'clock to-morrow morning to meet
at the library chamber, and that in the me^in time the absent members be ie-
sired to attend.
d2
30
THOMPSON'S WAR.
The following account of " Thompson's War," so called, is
transcribed from an orig-inal letter, written by a gentleman at
Portland, to his friend at Watertown.
Falmouth, May 18, 1775.
Sir,
It may not be disagreeable to you to have a more particular
Falmouth, March 3dt 1775'
The committee of Inspection meet pursuant to adjournment.
Present, Enoch Freeman, Esq. Messrs. Oaniet Ilsley, Benj. Titcomb, Enoch
Ilsley, John Waite, Stephen Waite, Benj. Mussey, Wm. Owen, Sam*l Knights,
Jedidiah Cobb, John Butler, Jabex Jones, Smith Cobb, Peletiah Mitch, Pear-
son Jones, Joseph Noyes, Samuel Freeman, Josepli McLellan,Tlieophilus Parsons.
The question being put, whether Capt« Coulson's taking said rigging and
sails out of the vtssel in which they arrived, and his appropriating them to
rig his new ship in order to send her to England, will be a violation of the
American Association.
After a long and serious debate, it was
Resolved in the affirmative by a majority of 1410 j.
Voted, therefore, that said rigging, sails and stores, for said new ship, ought
forthwith to be sent backagain, without breaking any of the packages thereof—
by a majority of 14 to 5.
Voted, N. C. D. That all other goods and merchandize that were imported in
said vessel ought also forthwith to be sent back again, without breaking any of
the packages thereof.
n Voiedt That Messrs. Enoch Ilsley, John Waite and Daniel Ilsley be a commit-
tee, immediately to inform Cipt, Coulson of the result of this committee,
and that they are now sitting, if he is desirous to attend them. Capt. Coulsoo
attended, and informed the committee the vessel in which his rigging and
sails arrived was so out of repair that she was unfit to return back again, un-
til she was repaired, and that in order to repair her, the freight must be taken
out. The meeting was then adjourned to 3 o'clock P. M. 10 meet at the same
place.
Falmo-.ith, zd March, I77S»
The committee met, atj o'clock.P.M.pursuant to adjournment.
Voted, That the sub committees, chosen by the 1st and 2d votes of yesterday
be disshsrged from any further service as sub-committees.
Voted, Th^.t this committee will exert their utmost endeavours to prevent a!)
the inhabitants of this town from engaging in any riots, tumults and insurrec-
tions, or attacks on the private property of any person, as pernicious to the
real interest thereof, as well as injurious to the liberty of America in general,
aiidthatthey will, as far as lies in their power, promote peace and good order,
as absolutely necessary to the existence of society.
Ordered, That the result of this committee, together with the tbrcgoing vote!
31
account of the solemn scene that has been acted here for two
last past, be posted up in some public place in the town, signed by the chairman.
Attest, THEOPHILUS PARSONS, Clerk.
3
Falmouth^ September 22rf, 1775.
At a meeting of a committee of thessid town of Falmouth, chosen on the 19th
instant, to put the Resolves of the General Court and Congress of this colony in
execution,
Voted Mr. Enoch Moody, Chairman— Mr. Nat. Green Moody, Clerk.
Voted, That Capt. F— be ordered togototht General Court, by land, on or
before Thursday next, to answer for his conduct with respect to his exporting
fish.
Votedi That Capt. Wm. McLellan, and Messrs. B. Marston and I, Nichols be
a committee to wait on Mrs. Ross, concerning a letter sent her from Boston.
Meeting adjourned to 5 o'clock.
The committee met according to adjournment.
The committee who wailed on Mrs. Ross reported, that she said she had not
peccived any letter from her daughter at Boston, since August loth, and that
not relating to public affairs ; and if in future she shall hear of any thing that
may probably injure the town, they may depend upon her giving information.
Mr. W— — was sent for and examined and found guilty of being concerned
with Capt. P-^— , in shipping fish from the Isle of Shoals to the West Ir.
dies : Therefore, Voted^ That Mr. W be ordered to go to the General
Court, by land, at the same time with Capt. P , and upon the same occasion.
Sent for Mr. P , and, upon examination, found him clear of being con-
cerned iu shipping the above fish.
Voted^ That Messrs. Moses Plumer, John Bagley and Wm, McLellan fae a
committee tn inspect inward and outward bound vessels.
Meeting adjourned to the house of Enoch Moody on Tuesday next, at 5
o'clock, P.M.
Met, and adjourned to Thursday, ri o'clock, at the same place. Then a
letter was dispatched to the General Court, concerning and — — ,
who were this day ordered to go there under the care of Mr. John Thrasher, who
has a warrrant for that purpose.
Votedi That if Mr. John Thrasher does not proceed as above, that a warrant
be issued to Capt, Joseph Noyes, to convey the above ——and— ——to the
General Court.
October 3d. The committee met at the desire of Mr, Samuel LongfellowJ
who on bis passage to the West Indies, met with a gale of wind, damaged his
vtssel,and lost part of his deck-load, and asks leave to re>Ioad hit vessel, and
proceed on his voyage. Then
Voted, That he be not permitted to take any more loading on board.
Deacon Titcomb and Mr. Enoch Ilsley applied for leave to send a sloop on a
whaling voyage. The committee voted that it w^s not in their power.
To shew further what kind of government existed at that time, 1 would add
the following:
4
Falmcttthn Kov,^t}i^ ms-
At a meeting of a number of gentlemen, from the several towns, at CoI»
Tyng's house, Col. Jona, Mitchell ctroscn Moderator, P.Jones Clerk.
32
or three days past, than it can be expected common fame will
g-ive you : —
Last Tuesday morning, Lieut. Col. Thompson,* of Brunswick,
with about 50 armed men, with each a small bough of spruce
in his hat, and having a spruce pole, with the green top on it
for a standard, landed on the back part of our neck, at a place
called Sandy Point, where there is a grove of thick trees. In
that place they lie, unknown to the people of the town, seizing
and detaining several persons that happened to pass that way,
till about 1 o'clock, when Capt. Mowat, the Surgeon of his ship,
and the Rev. Mr. Wiswal, taking a walk that way for their pleas-
ure, were seized and made prisoners. As soon as the master of
the ship (one Hogg) heard of it, he wrote to Col. Freeman, that
if Capt. Mowat and the other prisoners were not delivered up
in an hour or two (I do not certainly know the time) he would
lay the town in ashes. — You can hardly conceive the consterna-
tion, confusion and uproar that immediately ensued. Our wom-
en were, I believe, every one of them in tears, or praying or
screaming ; precipitately leaving their houses ; especially those
whose husbands were not at home, and widows ; hurrying their
Mr. James Sullivan was chosen Commander in Chief over the Militia and
the other companies now in pay in the province.
Voted, Thit 4 persons be appointed to assist Mr. Sullivan.
Voted, That Col. Mitchell be second in command— Col. Fogg third— Deacon
Titcomb, Major Noyes.
Mr. Isaiah Tucker be commander to take care of the cannon and see them in
order.
Voted a committee to supply the soldiers.
Voted one person to supply the people, and Mr, Wm. 0*ren was chosen.
K(;/«rf apersontocolltct whatbiUs we can get. Mr. Bracket Marston, and
Mr. John Bagley, to collect the balls.
•This Thompson was a portly man, not ot a very tall stalure, bat somewhat
corpulent, and apparently of a robust constitution ; rather fierce in appearance,
but not supposed to be possessed of much real courage. Nature had turnished
him with strong mental powers, and a capacity which, if ithadbeen rightly
directed and employed, might have rendered him a useful member of Society
—but his mind needed cultivation.
He was witty in conversation, and would often, when in the House of Rep-
resentatives, set in motion the risibles of his brother nicmbers.
His religion was not of the purest kind— his political principles were demo-
craticjor, as parties were then distinguished, a zealous whig.
33
goods into countrymen's carts, never asking their names, though
strangers ; and carrying their children, either out of town, or
up to the south end, according to the greater or less irritability
of their nerves. Some persons bed rid, or in childbed, were
hastily removed, with no small danger of their lives. Several
gentlemen of the town, who could attend it, and I among the
rest, immediately repaired to Col. Thompson's camp ; and after
obtaining leave of the advance guard, were permitted to speak
with him. We endeavored to persuade him to deliver up the
prisoners, by all the rational arguments we could think of j but
he appeared inflexible and even furious. Here and ther6 one
in the town (none but Tories however) were at first for rescuing
the prisoners by our militia ; but the general voice of the towa
was to observe a strict neutrality, excepting persuasives and
arguments.
Col. Phinney, of Gorham, colonel of the minute men, being
in town, and. fearing a rescue, or for some other reason, sent out
for his men, I suppose without asking the advice of any body ;
and soon afterwards sent word that they need not come into
town. Night was coming on, and the weather cool and windy,
which endangered the health of some of the gentlemen, at least
in the open field. It was therefore agreed by Col. Freeman
and his advisers, at the desire of Mowat and by the free consent
of Thompson, that the company of Cadets should escort the par-
ty and the prisoners to Mr. Marston's, in order that a consulta-
tion might be further held there. The two companies remain-
ed embodied before the door. Col. Thompson remained unwil-
ling to deliver up the prisoners, insisting much that Divine Prov-
idence had thrown them into his hands, and that it was open and
settled war between the Colonies aud Britain. But he was
more and more convinced that the whole force of the tovm
was against him, and found himself disappointed of a rein-
forcement that he expected to meet him here ; so that by about
9 o'clock in the evening he was much cooled : and the prison-
ers giving their parole, that they would deliver themselves into
his hands at nine the next morning, General Preble and Colo-
34
nel Freeman pledging themselves for them, he consented to set
them at liberty. Upon which Movvat, having" expressed his
gratitude to the town in strong- terras, went aboard, and dismis-
sed a number of our people, whom the master had, during- the
afternoon, caught in boats, and made prisoners. But when Col.
Thompson's men found that he had given Mowat his liberty,
. they were hard to pacify. Not only Col. Phinney's minute men,
but most of the militia from Gorham, Scarborough, Cape Eliza-
beth and Stroudwater, in the whole, amounting, it is said, to
600, came into town before morning, highly enraged at Capt.
Mowat's being dismissed, and seemingly determined to destroy
his ship. Wednesday morning, when it was found that Mowat
would not deliver himself up, the army took and made prisoners
of Gen. Preble and Col. Freeman^ threatening to treat them
in the same manner as they would treat Mowat, if they had him.
Even their children were not permitted to speak with them,
and they had no dinner that day. All the oflScers of the com-
panies then present, agreed to resolve themselves into a com-
mittee of War ; and after some hesitation they admitted the
officers of our companies on the neck, into the committee. In
which committee a vote was passed by a considerable majority,
that Capt. Mowat's ship ought to be destroyed. In the next
place, they appointed a committee out of their number, to con-
sider in what manner it should be done. This committee have
not yet reported as I can find. But they have proceeded to call
men before them who were suspected of being tories, to ques-
tion them, to draw promises from them, and especially to draw
money and provisions from them. The Rev. Mr. Wiswal deliv-
ered himself up^ very willingly, and seemed rather impatient till
they had him with them ; saying to some that passed by his
door, he was ready to die at any time, as he knew he was in a
good cause, the cause of the church of England.
The committee interrogated him concerning his political
principles. He declared an abhorrence of the doctrine of pas-
sive obedience and non-resistance ; and that he thought Great
Britain had no right to tax America internally, but as to the
35
late acts of Parliament, he had not examined them, and did not
choose to give his opinion concerning them.
Old Mr. Wyer had a file of men sent after him, who holding
a pistol to his breast, forced him to go before the committee ;
and when there, he was interrogated, whether he had said, " the
militia ought to rescue capt. Mowat ?" to which he answered
in the affirmative. Also, whether he did not think it an impru-
dent speech ? to which he answered, yes. Also, whether he
were of the same mind now ? He answered, no, as matters are
circumstanced. Then whether he would say any thing again
against the body of men in town. He said no. The commit-
tee soon agreed to dismiss him, and one of them said he was not
worth their notice. He thanked the gentlemen for their civil-
ity, made a low bow, and departed. Capt. Steward called to the
crowd before the door, to make way for Mr. Wyer, and told
them out of the window, the committee had dismissed him as
unworthy of their notice.
Capt. Pote was fetched before the committee without making
any resistance, though he had made formidable preparations to
defend himself. It is reported that the committee made him give
them, for the benefit of the body, about £ 50 O. T. in cash and
provisions, and that they have bound him in a bond of £2000, to
appear at the Congress of the Province, and give an account of
himself to them. They taxed General Preble some barrels of
bread and a number of cheeses ; and two barrels of rum for each
company then in town, which he readily gave them, Wednes-
day afternoon, in value about jP^lO, L. M. Wednesday evening,
they made out a bill of £158. L. M. against Preble and Free-
man, to satisfy the body for their time and trouble in the expe-
dition ; but I hear they have dropped that demand.
Yesterday morning they entered the house of Capt. Coulson,
and they use it as a barrack. The men made so free with a
barrel of N. E. rum, which they found in the cellar, that some
of them were quite, and others almost drunken.
Between meetings yesterday Calvin Lombard, being raised
with liquor, went down to the water side and fired a brace of
balls at MowAT*s ship, which penetrated deep in its side. The
36
fire was answered from a fusee on board, but with no aim to do
execution. — Capt. , Mowat immediately wrote to Col. Freeman
to deliver up Calvin, and to raise the Militia to dispel the moh
from the country, as he called them ; assuring- him that other-
wise he must fire upon the town. This threw the town again
into a panic ; but we had, notwitlistanding, a pretty full meeting-
in the afternoon.
Yesterday they hauled Captain Coulson's boat up to the house,
where it remained till just now, three quarters after twelve,
when near a hundred men hauled it up through the streets and
into Capt. Pearson's back lot, down almost to the Cove. It is
reported that Mowat sent word, or wrote on shore last evening-,
that he had boug-ht that boat of Coulson, and paid for it, and that
if it were not returned immediately, or speedily, he would fire
upon the town. He doubtless saw it hauled away just now ;
but he has not fired as yet, and here I sit writing- at my desk in
the old place, being fully convinced that Mowat never will fire
upon the town, in any case whatever. My house is turned in-
to a kind of barrack. Several have removed bedding and other
goods into it. We are full a nights.
I dont know why people think themselves so safe here, unless
it be because my wife is not yet much affrighted.
This morning the Committee sent to Deacon Titcomb for
lOOlbs of bread, who returned for answer, that he had no bread,
but what he wanted for himself ; but if the company would go
out of town, immediately he would give it them. Col. Finney
promised that he would do his utmost endeavour to get them out
of town to day : therefore the bread was delivered.
Friday 3 o'' clock. — ^They have just hauled another boat over
to back cove, and left it with the former. The boat belongs to
the ship. They have this day carried off Mr. Tyng's Bishop, a
piece of plate said to be worth 500 O. T. and his laced hat, but
they say they only take these things as pawns to make the own-
ers behave better, or to that purpose.
Friday 6 o'clock. — ^The Gorham Company being the only one
37
that remained here since Wednesday evening*, excepting
Thompson, are now gone out of town, being- urg-ed and coax
cd to it, by Col. Phinney.
The tow n thinks itself greatly relieved by it.
These companies paid no regard to the Fast yesterday. I
cannot find that any of them attended public worship, except
one : nor any one of their officers except Col. Phinney. He
was sent for to back cove by Col. Mitchell and Col. Merrill,
who were vexed at the proceedings of the armament, and came
to give advice. But Thompson would not wait on his senior.
The soldiery thought nothing too bad to say of the Falmouth
gentr)% Some of ihem were heard to say as they walked the
streets yesterday, " This town ought to be laid in ashes." I find
the plan was concerted beforehand on purpose to humble Fal-
mouth, for its arrogance in sending a message to Thompson
last week, to dissuade him from coming to take the ships. He
then wrote to Col. Freeman that he had wholly laid aside his
design ; and being reminded of it, his answer vras " there is
policy in war."
Saturday^ A. J\I. — Thompson is not gone as we supposed last
night. The ship has sent out a little vessel with a swivel to
interrupt him. If he had gone last night, he would have been
destroyed.
Yourjriend and servant^
P. S. Being disappointed last Saturday of sending the above
I am now able to add something more. — Capt. Mowat sent a
letter to the town on Saturday, informing them that he had
heard that Fort Guns were going to be brought in and replac-
ed, in order to destroy his ship ; and demanding of the town to
return his boats and drive out of town the cowardly mob that
was here. The selectmen warned a town meeting, to meet at
8 o'clock Monday morning. They met accordingly, and gave
Mowat such an answer as pleased him. " That the town disap-
proved of the proceedings of the armed body, but that we were
unable to resist them."
The Rev. Mr. Wiswal went on board ship on Saturday ; and
Sabbath morning sent to his Wardens that he should not preach
E
38
in the Church, but that they might come on board if they pleas-
ed and hear him. — None went. Some say he has taken a final
leave of his people : how it is, I cannot yet find out. His Fam-
ily remains here, and he is gone to Portsmouth, some say and
think to get himself a settlement there. His people seem to be
universally set against him, except a few high Tories, and wish
never to see liis face any more.
Yesterday Mowat and Coulson and their ships departed for
Portsmouth.
EXTRACTS
From original letters, written at Falmouth, in the year 1775, by
the Chairman of the Committee of Safety and Inspection, to
the Representative of the said town at the Provincial Con-
APRiL 12, 1775.
Last night we had a Letter from the Committee at Boston,
wherein they say they should be extremely uneasy to find any
omission of duty " in belialf of this Province and the other colo-
^' nies, as the ej'^es of the whole continent are upon us. The
'' tools of power wish for an opportunity to charge us with neg-
" ligence, and are watching for it, to make a division between
*' this Province and the other Colonies. We therefore again
*' recommend to you, as our firm opinion, that you conform
" strictly and religiously to the association of the Continental
" Congress, in every respect, without favour or affection to any
'^ person wJmtever. We are of opinion, to suspend the publica-
t* tion of your Resolves respecting Capt. Coulson, till we hear
" from you whether he has complied with the request of the
" Committee, conformable to the Resolution of the Continental
" Congress." Coulson no sooner arrived, but the next day had
the Canso Man of War up to town, and his old Bristol sloop a-
iong side of his new ship, taking out the goods. But it seems he
cannot get any of our people to help him, and I do not think he
will be able to get his ship loaded and rigged, unless he gets the
man of war's men to do it. And I hear that capt. Mowat has
been pressing men ; some he releases, and some retains. And
it is suggested by some, that his design is, to supply capt. Coul-
son with men from his own ship. We shall do all wc can to pre-
3&
vent any other person from breaking* the association. I do not
think it will be amiss for you to acquaint some of the Commit-
tee of Inspection in Boston, of Capt. Coulson's conduct with
which the people in general, in town and country, are very
much roiled.
We rejoice in your zeal and firmness, in so trying a time as
this, and we pray God to support you in so good a cause as the
preservation of our liberties, civil and religious.
APRIL 25, 1775.
Our people are moving out their pronsions, and some fami-
lies. The people are apprehensive of the ship, Capt. Mowat,
and some tenders who have been to Penobscot, and brought a-
way the guns from there. We are in a sad plight for want of
powder though we have enough to last one brush. Our people
are full of fire. I wish they may have conduct as well as cour-
age.
MAY 5, 1775.
You have done well in writing so much to me and the Se-
lectmen, of whpm I am one.
It has been the principal intelligence we have received since
the wicked excursion of the Banditti sent out by Gage to rob
and murder our people.
Intelligence is looked for chiefly from the camp and round it.
From these out skirts, little can be expected but rumour and re-
ports—seven eighths of them without the least foundation. We
have lately heard that the Penobscot Indians are highly exas-
perated at Capt. Goldthwait for suffering the tender to disman-
tle the fort there, and carrying the powder and stopping the
rich trade, and that a number of men were going to take him for
delivering up the fort .
Perhaps it would be prudent for the Congress to send down
and secure the Indians in our interest.
We, the selectmen, have this moment agreed with one Jabez
Matthews and one David Dinsmore of New Gloucester to go over
to Quebec to make discovery, whether any Canadians are in
motion to come on our back settlements or to excite the Indiana
to do it — and I have written to Mr. Remington Hobby of Vas-
40
salboroug-h to procure one or two more to g-o with them as hun-
ters. They are charged to be cautious not to let the Canadians
have reason so much as to suspect their business.
MAY 10, 1775.
We are in confusion, though Col. Thompson wrote us he had
laid aside the scheme of coming- here to take the ship Canso, yet
he appeared yesterday morning' on the back of the neck. * * *
(See page 32) I cant help thinking- but that it is a very impru-
dent action and fear it will bring on the distraction of the town,
for we can make no defence against a man of war and undoubt-
edly, in a short time there wont be a house standing here. Pray
let Congress be informed of this affair and let us know whether
Thompson had such orders — and pray the Congress to give us
some direction, for we are in such confusion, nobody seems to
be rational.
MAY 11,
The letter of this date contains an account of Thompson's
War so called, [See page 30] the following particulars only may
be added thereto, viz.
That Brigadier Preble and Col. Freeman wrote to Capt.
Mowat by Mr. Pagan, of the situation they were in, owing to
his forfeiting his word and honor, and that their lives and estates
lay at stake. (Indeed Thompson's men talked of carryifig them
on the neck and shooting them — but he wrote for ansAver that
he had sent on shore that morning some clothes to be washed
and bring off some clean ones, and that some of the men had
threatened the messenger that they would cut him in pieces, and
that if he came on shore he should be shot and never come on
board again alive — so that he did not care to come on shore un-
less he could be of service to accommodate matters. Whereup-
on their grand committee sent for them into their chamber which
they could hardly get into, for the guards in the entry — and ac-
quainted them that they wanted refreshment, and if they would
supply them (337 men) they might go home, which they did at
the cost of £100, O. T. They also called on capt. Pote and Mr.
Ilsley to contribute, and got as much from them. Some of them
were for making further demands, saying they had not pa^id
41
enough, but their officers did not approve of it, however they
insisted upon it — What ! says Col. Phinney, wont you he gov-
erned by your officers ! We have obeyed them long enough
they said, considering what we have got by it. Well, says Phin-
ney, if that's the case, I have done. However, they would have
a vote for it, and Col. Thompson was going to put it. Mr.
Frothingham standing by, said to Col. Thompson — Put the ques-
tion, whether they will leave it to their officers to determine ;
which he did, and it passed in the affirmative, except a few, one
or two of which cried of vexation, at the officers determining
against their motion.
" Good God ! give us a regular government or we are undone."
MAY 13, SATURDAY.
Capt. Mowat has written two letters to the people of this
town, demanding of them the man that fired at the ship — the
boats they had taken — and assurance that there is no cannon
coming out of the country, to be used against his ship, as he
says they have reported to him ; and declares that the moment
a shot of any kind shall be fired from the town, or any part of
the shore, either upon the ship or boats belonging to her, he
shall consider Falmoutli in a state of open rebellion, and there-
upon shall give proper signals before he fires, and not move his
ship till he has it in writing from the town that no such design
is intended ; and next Monday the town meet to give answer to
his letters. I have only time to say that the gentlemen at North
Yarmouth highly disapprove of Thompson's attempt to take the
Canso. Col. Mitchel and Esq. Powell do not like the conduct
of some of our people, * * * and * * * * who have got a number
of 'listing papers, and assume the office of Colonels, and appoint
their own officers, Captains, Adjutants, &c.
I must now conclude, and say — God grant that order may
come out of confusion, and that the Congress would give such
directions in all parts of the Province, that no such tumultuous
assemblies may be seen, heard or felt ag-ain, without a head,
without proper authority, without rule or order — that our
lives and properties may not lie at the mercy of such men as
W S , and J R and the rest, as bad or worse.
e2
42
MAY 16, 1775.
The letter of this date gives an account of the " storing" by
Capt. B — , as he termed it (i. e. throwing into the river) a Gun-
delo, of (the sweeping of) some Coal, taken from a brig from
Ireland, where it was taken for ballast — while the subject was
under consideration of the committee.
MAY 24.
You have informed me that the last Provincial Congress did
me the honour to choose me one of the Committee of Safety for
the Province * * *. I would cheerfully attend that service,
without delay, but at present I can't possibly go up * * * *. My
time is so taken up on one public affair and another, that I am
obliged to neglect my own business, to my great damage. The
trouble and difficulty of getting a quorum of the committee to-
g-ether, throws the whole burden, in a manner, upon me.
I heard, to-day, that lately there were a number of Indians up
Androscoggin river, consulting what side to take, but could not
agree among themselves.
A man from Deer Island, near Penobscot, gives a melanchol-
ly account of the distress the people are in that way, for the want
Qf bread, owing to the stoppage of trade : he heard that several
children had died of hunger. What will become of them God
only knows. We are not able to help them or ourselves.
Our Committee of Correspondence has just voted an applica-
tion to Congress, praying that the regiment raised here might
be stationed among us, for our defence.
MAY 30.
The letter of this date gives an account of two men, who were
convicted before Stephen Longfellow, Esq. of a breach of the
peace, and fined — but refusing to comply with the sentence,
were with much difficulty imprisoned — and adds,
" It is expected they will, notwithstanding, be taken out of
Goal, by force, by the people of , where they belong —
and X cannot help thinking it in a great measure owing to Col.
Thompson's manoeuvre, as it geems to be their common opinio»
that there k no law."
43
JUNE 4, 1775.
Capt. John Cox, from Boston, bring's us an account of a
battle at Noddle's Island. He says the sloop near Winnisimit,
that had the first brush, cut or slipped her cables, and came
and fastened to his stern. He was shocked to s oe the blood
running- out of the Skuppers. There were a number dead
and wounded on deck, but they did not seem to be willing- to
give an account how many. * * * * They were much frighted.
From the g-eneral down to the common soldier afraid to go to
bed for fear of the Yankees. They seemed all to be in a panic.
JUNE 8.
The ship Senegal, Capt. Duddington, arrived yesterday, and
lies down by Preble's Island. She is a sloop of about 16 guns.
Hope she has no design of annoying us. Sheep and Cattle are
most in danger.
The man that committed a rape at North Yarmouth, cut hig
throat this afternoon, and died.
JUNE 13.
I think I wrote you, in my last, that the Senegal was arrived.
I then supposed the design was to plunder the Islands and shores,
and perhaps it will be so, but to my great surprise yesterday
morning, that arch Coulson arrived with his new ship, and
stopped below, near the Senegal. Upon sight of him, the blood
of the people grew hot — the committee met — the people began
to get his masts, &c. afloat, to carry them out of his way, and
the committee advised them to secure the masts that Coulson
had here to load with, and his effects not to be carried off, but
reserved towards making good the damage he and such as he had
occasioned this country. — About 11 o'clock. Dr. Coffin, [a sister
of whom was the wife of capt. Coulson] had leave to go on board,
and soon returned with two letters, one from Capt. Coulson and
the other from Mr. Tyng, who came with him. Coulson endeav-
ored to excuse his conduct, and begged he might take in his
cargo, for Mr. Garnet's sake — but more heartily that his wife
might have liberty to go on board.
Mr. Tyng, said the reason he did not come on shore as soon
as he arrived, was because he was afraid it would create some
44
uneasiness, and tlierefore sent for his wife on board : on which
Mr. Tyng- and Mrs. Coulson got John Barnard's men to set
them on board,but before they got to Preble's wharf ( from Tyng's)
they were stopped and turned back — the people choosing
to have some assrurance from Capt. Duddington that he came
peaceably without any intention to commit hostilities before they
suffered their wives to go to them : whereupon Doct. CoflBn was
permitted to go on board again, which produced a letter from
Capt. Duddington to Tyng & Coulson in answer to theirs to him
on the subject, wherein he writes thus : " I am very sorry that
the arrival of his Majesty's sloop Senegal under my command
should prove any wise detrimental to yours or any persons in-
terest, or that the people of Falmouth should put such a vague
construction upon the orders I have to govern me, which are
solely, to protect the property and person of his Majesty's faith-
ful subjects, not to distress them, and this I am fully determined
religiously to observe."
Whereupon the committee wrote to them that their wives
might go on board provided they would be content to remain on
board till the ship sailed, which being agreed to by their answer
they had a permit to go on board Coulson's ship, and to carry
with them necessary bedding, &c. : but could not consent that
Coulson should carry off his masts, &c. : as he is a declared ene-
my and has put this town to a great deal of charge and trouble ;
but that the people have stopped them towards refunding the
charge agreeable to a resolve of Congress. The men enlisted
are on duty watching the Islands and shores, &c.
The new post rider came here last Saturday before night with
the mail containing a packet of letters for me. The people here
seem to be well pleased at your care and endeavour to inform us
so often of the most material intelligence in this day of expecta-
tion, you will still go on to gratify your constituents.
JUNE 14, 1775.
Lane is returned here from Penobscot, with four Indian Chiefs,
Orono, Joseph Pearse, Poreris and one more bound up to the
Congress — Orono seems to be a sensible, serious man, and a
liearty friend. I cant help thinking but that they should be welJ
45
treated, justice done them respecting tlieir lands, &c. and care
taken that they are properly supplied with such things as shall*
enable them to g-et their living in their own way, by which they
may be now and forever secured to the interest of this country.
We have had a conference with them, and they chose to re-
serve what they had to say till they got to the grand council of
the Province. We have provided a chaise to carry them to Ports-
mouth and money to Lane for their expences. * * * One Mr.
Oilman is their interpreter who speaks their tongue freely, and
seems to be a clever young man. * * * We wished them a hap-
py journey and a happy agreement with the council.
JUNE 15, 1775.
I would only mention, one affair that cotifirms me in my opin-
ion that whatever men are stationed here (and it is really neces-
saiy there should be) they ought to be under the government and
direction of somebody besides themselves, for Mr. Thomas Smith
told me yesterday that Col. Phinney wanted 4 or 5 barrels of
Pork, and he upon Col. Phinney's telling him the Province
would pay as soon as the Roll was made up, let him mark 4 bar-
rels, and that afterwards Capt. Stuard came and demanded the
Pork in such a rough and abusive manner that he was afraid
to refuse him any thing, if he was to demand all he had.
JUNE 26.
Coulson's boat and five men went up to Presumpscot Bridge
with their arms ; they said they went for water, but the people at
New Casco thought they went for timber masts,&c.if they could
find any for loading the ship. * * * They seized the boat, men
and three guns and kept them under guard till next day, ,when
Capt. Samuel Noyes wrote me of it as chairman of the commit-
tee, who immediately met, and by their order I wrote Noyes to
keep them till further orders. — Coulson wanted his men. We
wanted Coulson gone, that we might have a little peace and
quiet. He sent to the committee. The committee gave him
to understand that if he would give them assurance of his leav-
ing the port, he might have his boat and men, but the guns must
be kept to pay the charge of keeping his men at New Casco, &c ♦
and accordingly wrote to Capt. Noyes, to let the men and boat
40^
go as soon as the ship was under sail ; and going out of the har"-
bour, Capt. Stuart and his men went to New Casco. Maj.
Brown, also from N. Yarmouth, and Capt. Samuel Noyes, and
their men : and we understood that they had considered the mat-
ter and thought the boat ought not to go, so on Saturday Capt.
Stuart brought the men to town and left the boat &;c. behind ;
carried the men to Marston's, and sent to me as chairman
of the Committee to supply them with provisions, but I told
Stuart as they had stopped the boat and guns which were
not chargeable keeping, he might keep the men himself : since
they had no regard to the committee's advice I would have noth-
ing to do with the men, and I hear they were dismissed and went
on board the ships last Saturday evening, but whether Coulson
will get his boat or not, I can't say. I am afraid he can't sail
without it, having no others ; for Col. Thompson's army took his
other two boats away. But enough of this.
Mr. Jabez Matthews is returned from Canada and has given
me a verbal account of his travel and the rough reception of
some of the Canada Indians and some French bailffs, &c. : and
that had it not been for the good disposition of the French people,
especially the women, he believes he and the three men that
went vnth him would have been confined in goal and not got
back again at all : three men who went from Kennebeck about
a fortnight before him have not been heard of since. Mr.
Matthews says that, from what he could learn from a clever fel-
low who interpreted for him, the French people are determined
not to come out against us. As I found it was impossible to give
a full and perfect idea of his account in writing I have sent him
up to the Congress to give an account himself.
AN ACCOUNT
Of the destruction or burning of the town of Falmouth, on the
18thof October, 1775.*
•I have before me, two public papers, each of which contains this acconnt,
>vilhoot variation, even in a single word. One is "The Continental Journal
and Weekly Advertiser," of September 12, if76, published in Boston, by John
Gill. It is introduced as follows: "The fojlewing account of the destruction
of the town of FALMOUTH, on the 1 8th of October, 1775, was sent to Messrs,
47
Falmouth, january 15, IT 75.
Last March, one Capt. Coulson, who had been for two or three
years an inhabitant and trader in this town, imported from Great
Britian, a quantity of sails and rig-ging- : He immediately applied
to the committee of inspection for leave to use them, in prepar-
ing a ship he had launched for her voyage to England. The
committee judged it would be a breach of the Continental Asso-
ciation, and refused to give him liberty, though they thought
the case was hard, and would gladly have construed the asso-
ciation in his favour ; but he grew angry, and bade defiance to
committees and congresses. However, under the pretence of
going to the Provincial Congress for leave to rig, he went and
obtained the Canceau, Capt. Mowatt, which arrived about the
beginning of April, and under her protection rigged his new
ship.
On the ninth day of May, Capt. Mowat fell into the hands of
Lieut. Col. Thompson and company, * who had lain in wait for him;
but, by the earnest solicitation of some gentlemen among us, as
the navy of Britain had not then commenced any hostilities
against any part of the continent, and as we expected several
provision vessels to arrive soon, which we stood in great need of
he was persuaded to set him at liberty, the said Mowat, promis-
ing to deliver himself up the next day, which promise he did not
Samuel and Ebenezer Hall, printers at Cambridge, sometime in January last,
in order to be inserted in their paper ; but soon after one of the printers dying,
and the other being confined a long time by sickness, it could not have a placa
in that paper as was intended ; and having been mislaid ever since, was the rea-
son of its not making its appearance before now. It being of importance to the
unhappy sufferers of that town, that the world should be made acquainted with
a true state of that inhuman act, it is now given to the public.
The other is a *â– ' supplement to the Eastern Argus" published at Portland,
November ar, 1820, introduced thus : " The foUowinj account of the destructioa
of Falmouth, now Portland, is taken from the Remembrancer, published in
London during the war of our Independence. A;complete set in : 7 vols, is now
rarely to be met with In England ; and we believe, as seldom in this country.
A fruitless search was lately made to obtain two copies abroad— one for a dis-
tinguished American scholar and statesman, and another for the Library of
Congress.
Besides the ons in our possession, there is a set in Bowdoin College Library."
* « „ Ed. Arg'ts.
* Sec Page 32. *
48
lliink proper to fulnl. A day or two after, without any aftront
or injury being- offered him by the town, Capt. Mowatt sent us
a letter, threatening* to fire upon the town, if Ave would not by
force expel Col. Thompson and his company. Instead of re-
g-arding- it, the town treated Col. Thompson witli civility, and
liis men were victualed at the expense of persons in this town, as
long- as they pleased to tarry with us ; the town expecting- as a
consequence of it, for two or three days to be canonaded : In
which time the inhabitants were at g-reat expense and trouble
in removing- themselves and effects into the back settlements.
Soon after this one Mr. Crandall was taken into custody by
Admiral Greaves ; and after he was liberated, reported, that the
Admiral enquired of him whether Capt. Coulson had loaded ?
To which he answered in the neg-ative ; and that the Admiral
then said, if that town prevents his loading-, I will lay it in ashes
or to that purpose. This report was but little attended to at
the time, as the said Mr. Crandall was but little known in this
place. But since the conflag-ration we have obtained from him
the following- deposition.
"I Philip Crandell, of Harpswell, in the county of Cum-
berland, and province of Massachusetts Bay, being^ of lawful
age, do testify and say, that some time in the month of June
iast, I sailed from Harpswell for Salem, and upon my passag-e
there, I was forcibly taken by an armed vessel and carri-
ed into Boston ; and being- in the presence of Admiral Greaves,
he asked me if such a man of war (he named her, but I forgot
her name, had arrived at Falmouth ? I answered that I heard
she had. He then asked me if I thought she would be opposed
by the people ? I replied I could not tell. He then asked me if
Capt. Coulson was loading at Falmouth ? I answered that I had
heard he met with such opposition from the people as to prevent
it. Upon which the Admiral said you may tell them, if they
will not let him load, that I will send a ship or ships, and beat
the town down about their ears. I then toid the Admiral, that
Capt. Coulson's being prevented loading was not owing to the
inhabitants of Falmouth-neck, but to the country people. I do
not remember that the Admiral made any reply, or said any
thing further relative to Falmouth or Capt. CouJson. And fur-
ther 1 the deponent say not. PHILIP CRANDELL."
49
Cumberland ss.
Then the above named Philip Crandell, personally appeared
and made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition by
him subscribed, before me
WILLIAM SYLVESTER, Just. Pads.
Mr. Crandell's mistake in thinking Capt. Coulson's being
prevented loading- was not owing to the inhabitants of Falmouth-
neck, will appear by and by. Capt. Mowat, despairing as we
suppose, of being able to protect Capt. Coulson, went away with
hira to Portsmouth. Capt. Coulson returned the 7th day of
June in his ship, together with the Senegal, Capt. Duddington.
The same day or the iky following*, a party of the inhabitants of
the neck, by the direction of the town's committee, and in com-
pliance with a resolve of the Provincial Congress, to prevent
tories carrying their effects out of the country, seized a number
of masts, which the said Coulson was just ready to take in, and
towed them up a river, to a place where neither Coulson nor
Duddington dared to go after them.
Nothing further happened that we can recollect, that has any
connection with the destruction of the town, excepting our
generally obeying the authority of Congresses, until Monday
the 16th day of October last : When Capt. Mowat, in the Can-
ceau, with anotlier larger ship, called the Cat, a large schooner
and a small sloop, all armed vessels, arrived in our harbour, and
anchored down by the islands, a league from the town. As the
town perceived it was Capt. Mowat, by whom they were before
threatened, and knew hira to have great reason to be bound in
gratitude to several gentlemen in it, it was the less alarmed.
But supposing him to be in quest of cattle and provisions, the
committee sent the greater part of Capt. Noyes's men, and some
of Capt. Knight's to guard the islands, where there were large
stocks of cattle and quantities of hay. The next day, being
Tuesday, we saw the fleet warping up towards the town, as the
wind did not favour them ; And about 4 o'clock, P. M. they an-
chored in a line close to the town. Though the public has been
told, that Capt. Mowett came ashore at this time, it is not true.
He sent a messenger with a flag, who delivered the following
better :
60
Canceau, Falmouth, Oct. 16th, 1775.
" After so many premeditated attacks on the legal prerog-a-
tive of the best of sovereigns, after the repeated instances yoti
have experienced in Britain's long forbearance of the rod of
correction, and t}>e manifest and paternal extension of Aer hands
to embrace again and again, have been regarded as vain and
liugatory ; and in place of a dxitiful and grateful return to your
king and parent state, you have been guilty of the most unpaid
donable rebellion, supported by the ambition of a set of designing
men, whose insidious views have cruelly imposed on the credu-
lity of their fellow creatures ; and at last have brought the whole
into the same dilemma ; which leads me to feel not a little the
woes of, the innocent of them in particular, from my having it
in orders to execute a just punishment on the town of Falmouth^
in the name of which authority, I previously warn you to re-
move without delay, the human specie out of the said town, for
which purpose I give you the time of two hours, at the period of
which a red pendant will be hoisted at the main top gallant mast
head, with a gun. But should your imprudence lead you to shew
the least resistance, you will in that case free me of that human-
ity so strongly pointed out in my orders, as well as in my incli-
nation. I do also observe, that all those who did on a former oc-
casion fly to the king's ship under my command for protection,
that the same door is now open to receive them.
The officer who will deliver this letter, I expect to return im-
mediately unmolested. I am, &c.
H. MOWETT.
The town met immediately, and appointed the honorable Jed-
ediah Preble, Esq/Doct. Nathaniel Coffin, and Mr. Robert Pa-
gan, a Committee to wait upon capt. Mowett, to know of him
in general the meaning of his letter, and the reasons for the
threatenings therein contained. The Committee acted accord-
ingly, and have testified as follows :
Capt. Mowett informed us, that his orders from the Admiral
did not authorise him to give any warning to the inhabitants ;
but that they required him to come opposite the town with all
possible expedition, and there burn, sink and destroy : and that
he had taken upon him to give this warning at the risk of his
commission. He further told us, that these orders did not res^
pect tliis town only, but also all the sea-port towns upon the
continent. We then expostulated with him upon the severity of
such orders, and entreated tJaat, if possible, some method might
be fallen upon to save the town ; or at least to give the inhabi-
tants an opportunity of removing some of tlieir eiiects, &c. Up-
on which he said, if the inhabitants would, in the morning by 8
o'clock, deliver up four pieces of cannon, which were in the
town, with their arms in general, and ammunition, he would in
that case do no hurt to the town, until he had dispatched an ex-
press to the Admiral, who, he did not doubt, would order him to
save the town. And as a token that his demand would be com-
plied with, he required that eight arms should be delivered up
by 8 o'clock that evening, which should be the condition of the
town's being safe till 8 o'clock next morning. We told him we
were pretty certain these demands would not be complied with ;
but that in discharge of the trust reposed in us, we must inform
the town of his demands. — Upon this we went to the County
House, and acquainted our constituents with the terms above
mentioned, who disapproved of delivering up the cannon or their
arms. But that they might have an opportunity of removing
the sick, with the women and children, and as many of their ef-
fects as possible, they ordered the eight arms to be sent on
board, and desired us to inform capt. Mowett, that the town
would meet early in the morning, and send him an answer by 8
o'clock. The town accordingly met in the morning, and re-
solved by no means to deliver up the cannon, or their arms, and
sent us with this message ; at the same time desiring us to en-
deavour to prolong the time on board as long as possible, that
more effects might be removed. We went on board with thie
message, and staid till half past 8 o'clock, when we were desired
to go ashore, and capt. Mowett, at our request, gave us half an
hour longer to get out of the way ourselves: at the expiration
of which time the firing upon the town began.
Jedediah Preble,
Robert Pagan,
Nathaniel CoFFm»
52
It was about 9 o^clock on Wednesday, being the 18th of Oc-
tober, that the firing began from all the above mentioned ves-
sels with all possible briskness, discharging on every part of the
town, which lay on a regular descent towards the harbor, an
horrible shower of balls from three to nine pounds weight,
bombs, carcasses, live shells, grape shot and musket balls. The
firing lasted without many minutes cessation, until about six
o'clock, p. M. during which time several parties came ashore and
set buildings on fire by hand. Parties of our people and others
I'rom the neighboring towns, ran down to oppose them, and it is
thought killed several. One officer after he fell was stripped of
a neat pair of pistols, his flask and cockade. Through the good-
ness of God no life was lost on our side, and only one man wound-
ed, viz. Mr. Reuben Clough of this town, Had no opposition
been made, we do not believe they would have left one building
standing : and more opposition would have been made, had not
the people's attention been taken up in securing their effects.
Besides, it was very unfortunate that our companies of sea-coast
men were put under the direction of a Committee ; for they did
not, and we suppose could not, get together in the hurry of af-
fairs ; and therefore could give no authorative directions.
As near as we can judge about three quarters of the buildings,
reckoning according to their value, are consumed, consisting of
about 130 dwelling houses, many of which held two or three
families apiece ; besides barns, and almost every store and
tvarehouse in town. St. Paul's Church, a large new building
with the bell ; a very elegant and costly new Court House, not
quite finished ; a fine Engine, almost new ; the old Town House,
and the Public Library were all consumed. But one or two
wharves have escaped the flames ; and every vessel in the har-
bour of any considerable bigness Avas burnt, excepting two,
which the enemy carried away with them. The warning given
was so short, that but few teams could be procured to remove
the goods out. Much was carried out by hand. But as far as we
can learn, not much more than half of the moveables were sa-
ved out of the buildings that were burnt. All the compact part
of the town is gone ; and am»ng the hundred dwelling houses
53
that are standing tber6 are but few good buildings, and those
damaged with balls passing through them or bombs bursting.
They are mostly the refuge of the town, and their owners do not
generally inhabit them, as we are apprehensive our enemies will
soon endeavour to seize so fine a harbour as ours, and to possess
themselves of so advantageous a post as the remarkable emi-
nence on our neck.
Our hearts ache for the misery in which a great part of our
people are involved. The most were greatly impoverished be-
fore the final catastrophe, by the decay of navigation and trade,
which were our sole means of support. So many have lost a part
or the whole of their substance, that we conjecture not less than
a hundred families must have suffered for want of necessaries,
unless relieved by charity. The settlements l)ack of us are new
and but little cultivated. The inhabitants are mostly poor, and
Iiave never yet been able to raise their own bread, so that much
alms is not to be expected from them.
From this state of facts, it follows most evidently, in the first
place, that the town of Falmouth was destroyed for no other rea-
son, but because of its obedience to the Continental and Provin-
cial Cciigresses, and its attachment to the cause of liberty and
America. In the next place, that those who live remote from
us, would do well to minister something out of their abundance
for the relief of our suffering poor, until it becomes possible for
them to get into some way to support themselves, as we find with
pleasure and gratitude, this province by its representatiTes have
Enoch Freeman, J
Humphrey Merill, f Selectmen of the towc
John Johnson, C of Falmouth.
William Owen,
.
" Soon after this catastrophe, there wajt an alarm which spread
itself in a very extraordinary manner. All the sea coast was
alarmed on the same night from Boston to Kenebec, with ao
universal cry that the British troops were landing to burn the
habitations of the people. This alarm urged the people to throw
Tip slight fortifications on the harbours. And while the towns
f2
54
west of Falmouth were employed in that business, capt Sy-
mond came into the harbour of that town, with a ship of more
force than all those which had destroyed it. An express was
sent to the other towns, and a number of volunteers went to the
assistance of the remains of Falmouth, and joined the people
there. When they arrived, the captain of the ship sent on shore
to forbid their throwing- up any works ; they however proceed-
ed, and prepared the materials for a battery, and fitted two six
pounders, which were all the artillery they had. On seeing
that they were determined to attack the ship with the means
they could command, the captain forgfot his threatening, and
went out of the harbour as soon as he could get away.
" The General Court, on hearing this matter stated to them, or-
dered that a sufficient force should remain there all the winter,
with 400 troops raised for the purpose of defending the sea coast,
and with authority to call in all the militia of the District, if it
bhould be found necessary. Brigadier General Frye was sent
by General Washington to take the command in the succeed-
ing spring ; but there never was another attempt upon tlie
place. The forts which were thrown up hastily, and without much
skill, before General Frye came, are to be seen thereftow.*'
Sullivan.
Of 3<mH Bonithan.
At a General Court holden at Saco, Oct. 21, 1645, John Bon-
iiihan of Saco, in the Province of Maine, having been summon-
ed divers times, in his Majesty's name, to appear at said Court,
and hath refused, threatening to kill or slay any person to lay
hands on him ; and divers judgments, executions and warrants
©f the good behaviour against him, is adjudged an out-law, and
proclaimed a relhel.
Ordered, by consent of this Court, that if Mr. John Bonithan
be taken, that he be sent forthwith to Boston, to answer to such
thing's as there shall be brought againet him.
Ordered, for the charges of th^ General Court at Saco, for
the Province of Maine, £4. 10. Saco to pay 10s. ; Casco 10s. ;
Georgiana* 20s. ; Piscataquaj 50s — Col. Mas. Hist. Society-
* Tht name given in the cUarter frcm Gorge to York, of the territory
Vtwcen Piscataqua and Wells.
t Suppos d to comprehend the lands >^30^tn by the names of Kittery arA
35
Certain Presentments of Grand Juries.
We present Charles Potum, for living an idle, lazy life ; foU
lowing- no settled employment. Major Bryant Pembleton join-
ed with the Selectmen of Cape Porpus to dispose of Potum ac-^
cording' to law, and to put him under family government.
We present Jere Guttridg-e for an idle person, and not provi-
ding- for liis family, and giving reproachful language to Mr. Nat
Frier, when he reproved him for his idleness.
The Court for his offence, adjudges the delinquent to have 20
lashes on his back, and to bring security to the court to be of
better behaviour in providing for his family;.
We present Adam Goodwine for denying the morality of the
4th Commandment.
We present the Selectmen of the town of Kittei-y, for not ta-
king care that their children and ycuth be taught their cate-
chism, and education according to law.
ibid.
Similar presentments were made against the Selectmen of the
several towns of Cape Porpus, Scarborougli and Falmouth.
Although these and the two following articles, do not but in
one or two particulars, relate to the town of Falmouth, it was
thought the insertion of them would afford some amusement to
the reader.
1647.
Petition to tlie General Court, of William Cutt and — Cuttcry.
That John Reynolds, contrary to an act, in Court, that xm
wimin shall live upon the Isle of Shoals, hath brought his wife
thither, with an intention there to live and abide —
And hath also brought upon Hogg island, a great st©ck of
goats and hogs, which does not only spoil and destroy mud»
fish to the great damage of several others, and likewise many
of your petitioners, but also spoil the spring of water that is on
that island, by making it unfit or unserviceable for any manner
of use, which is the only relief and sustenance of all the rest
of the Island.
56
Your petitioners therefore pray that the said Reynolds may "be
ordered to remove his goats and swine from the island forth-
with — Also that the act of court beforementioned may be put
in execution, for the removal of all inhabiting there — and youi-
petitioners shall pray.
Order of Court thereon.
Whereas by the aforesaid request, the general complaint of
the fishermen and owners of the Isle of Shoals, that it is a great
annoyance and prejudice for Mr. John Reynolds to keep his
sheep and goats on the Isle of Shoals — It is by mutual consent
of this court, ordered, that Mr. John Reynolds shall within
twenty days remove all his swine that he hath at Hogg Island,
from thence or any other island of these islands that are inhabi-
ted with fishermen. And as for the removal of his wife (if no
further complaint against her) she may yet enjoy the company
of her husband. These dated the 20th October, 1647.
Col. Mass. Hist. Society.
1649.
A BODDY POLLITICK.
Whereas the Inhabitants of Piscataqua, Georgiana and Wells,
in the Province of Mayn have here begun to prppo gat and pop-
uliet these parts of the country did formerly by power deriva-
tive from Sir Ferdinando Gorges Knight, exercise — the regu-
lating the affairs of the country as ny as he could according to
the laws of England — and such other ordinances as was thought
meet and requisit for the better regulating thereof.
Now forasmuch as sir Ferdinando Gorges is dead, the country
by their generall letter sent to his heirs in June, 1647 and 48.
But by the sad distractions in England noe return is yet come
to hand. And command from the Parlament not to meddle
insoemuch as was granted to Mr. Rigbey.* Most of the Com-
missioners being dep'ted the Province. The inhabitants are
for present in sume distraction about the regulating the affairs
of these fites: For the better ordering whereof till further order
power and anthor}'ty shall come out of England ; the inhabit-
*Rigbey claimed land* in Falmouth and S«arborougb.
SI
auts with one free and universanimus consent due bynd them-
selves in a boddy pollitick a combination to see these parts
of the country and Province regulated according to such laws
as formerly have been exercised and such others as shall be
thought meet, not repugnant to the fundamental laws of our
native country — And to make choyse of such Governor or Gov-
emers and magistrates as by most voysses they shall think meet.
Dated in Georgiana, alias Accoms. the day of Julie, 1649.
-The privilege of charter escepted. (Copied literatim.) ibid.
1692.
Op George Burroughs.
G. Burroughs who had been a preacher several years before at
Salem village, & afterwards, at Wells, in the province of Maine,
was this year indicted at a court holden at Salem, in the county
of Essex, in the words following, viz : " Essex, ss. The jurors
for our sovereign lord and lady, the king and queen, present,
That George Burroughs, late of Falmouth, in the province of
Massachusetts, Clerk, the ninth of May, in the fourth year oP
their reign, and divers other days and times, as well before as
after, certain destable arts called witchcrafts and sorceries^
wickedly and feloniously hath used, practised and exercised, at
and within the town of Salem in the county of Essex, aforesaid,
in, upon and against one Mary Wolcot, of Salem village, in the
county of Essex, singlewoman, by which said wicked arts, the
said Mary Walcot, the nintli day of May in the fourth year above
said, and divers other days and times, as well before as after
was and is tormented, afflicted, pained, consumed, wasted and,
tormented, against the peace."
Three other bills were found against him for witchcrafts up-
on other persons, to all which he pleaded not guilty, put hiiiiself
upon trial, &c.
The afflicted persons and the confessing witnesses were first
examined ; for although by the advice of the elders their evi- ^
dence was not conclusive, yet from presumption which arose
from it, and with other circumstances to corroborate it, the proof
58
nu^lit be sufficient to convict*. One circumstance was, that
being a little man, he had performed feats beyond the strength
of a giant, viz. had held out a gun of seven feet barrelf with
one hand, and had carried a barrel full of cider from a canoe to
the shore. Upon his urging that an Indian, who was present,
held out the gun also, and the witnesses not remembering that
any witnesses were there, it was said this Indian must have been
the black man or the devil, who the witness swore looks like
an Indian. Other evidence was given of his harsh treatment of
his wives, having been twice married ; and of his pretending to
them that he knew what had been said in his absence, and his
persuading them to give it under their hands in writing, and to
swear to it, that they would not reveal his secrets. And it was
further said they had privately complained to the neighbors that
|heir house was haunted with spirits. And a brother of one of
his wives swore, that going out after strawberries, upon their
return, he went into the bushes on foot, and though they rode a
quick pace, yet when they came near home, to their astonish*-
Hient they found him with them J, and that he fell to chiding his
IpFife for talking to her brother about him, and said he knew
* Margaret Jacobs had been brought to accuse herself, and then to charge
Burroughs and her own Grandfather ; but struck with horror, chose to lose
htr own life, ratliCr than persist in her own confession, ami recanted a!! she
aaid, and begged forgiveness of Bur rough's, who is said to have freely forgiven
her.
t This gun is now in the Academy at Fryeburg. A gentleman of that
town, whom I requested to 'nform me as to the weight of this gun, writes me
as follows : '» 1 have called upon the Preceptor of the Academy, and weighed
the gun mentioned. The weight now,is22;b. Thsre is missing, the breech
mounting and part of the breech ; also the ramrod, which I think would weigh
6 or 7 lb. more. Its whole length is j feet 8 inches. The barrel is about 6 feet
3 inches.**
J With as much propriety Mr. Burroughs might hwe been charged with
witchcraft, for what was at the time considered a surprising entrance into
that part of Falmouth which is now called Portland. When he and his wife»
with some ofhers in company with them were coming to that town, and had
got as far as Strontwater, hepirted from them, and hiving before been ac-
quainted with the way, came through the woods, on foot, (in a direction near.
> \y as the road Is now,) while they travelled in the old road, round the shore by
Fore River ; and because hs arrived before them, they thought he employed ths
devil to assist him !
#9
their thougbts, which his brother said was raore than the devii
knew ; to which Burroughs said, that his god told him.
jVgainst this evidence he urged, that a man was with him, to
show that another walked as fast as he did ; and this was deter-
mined to be the black man also. And upon the whole, he was
confounded, and used many twistings and turnings, which I
think we cannot wonder at.
At his execution, he concluded his dying prayer, with the
Lord's prayer ; probably to convince some of the spectators of
his innocence, for it was the received opinion, that a true witch
could not say the Lord's prayer without blundering.
Thus far Hutchinson.
Sullivan, in his History of Maine, says, that " Burroughs was
born in the County of Essex, and was a preacher in Falmouth,
in the year 1685*. What his education was, or where he ac-
quired it, is not known at the present day * * * " That " he
was a man of a bad character, and of a cruel disposition." See
his account of Burroughs' Trial. He observes that,
" The aflfidavits of the witnesses were taken in writing, and «
sworn to in open court, and are now on the files of the Court of
Common Pleas in Salem.
** Samuel Webber testifies, that "about 7 or 8 years before that
time he lived at Casco Bay. George Burroughs was then minis-
ter there, that having seen much of his g- eat strength, and the
-said Burroughs coming to our house, we were in discourse about
the same, and he then told me, he had pet his fingers into a
bung hole of a barrel of molasses, and lifted it up, and carried
it round him and set it down again."
" There was another man who testified, that " he saw parson
Burijoughs put his fore finger into the muzzle of a large gun,
and hold it out straight."
" Susannah Shelden testified, that " Mr. Burroughs' appari-
tion came to her, ,and told her that he had killed three children
of his neighbor's, his own two wives, and two of his own chil-
dren."
* He lived in a house which was built near where Judge Frothingham now
lives, on land which is now a part of Free-Street, running by his h mse towards
the bouse of the Hon. Maltliew Cobb ? " tb« cellar of which has been sctn since
the year J.770."
«0
" Mercy Lewis testified thus : " Burroughs took me up on an
high mountain, and shewed me all the king'doms of the earth,
and offered them to me, if I would write in his book ; and said
he would throw me down and break my neck, if I would not ;
and said that he kept the devil as a servant in his shop/'
" Before the grand jury, Ann Putman testified as follows : —
" on the 8th of May, 1692, I saw the apparition of Georg-e Bur-
roughs, who grievously tortured me, and urged me to write in
his book, which I refused. Then he told me, that his first two
wives would appear to me presently, and tell me a great many
lies, but I must not believe them. Then immediately appear-
ed to me the form of two women, in winding sheets, and nap-
kins about their heads, at which I was greatly affrighted ; and
they turned their faces towards Mr. Burroughs, and looked very
red and angry, and told him that he had been very cruel to them,
and that their blood cried for vengeance against him ; and alsa
told him, tiiat they should be clothed with white robes in hea-
ven, when he should be cast down to hell, and he immediately
yanished away. As soon as he was gone, the two women turn-
ed their faces to me, and looked as pale as a white wall, and told
me they were Mr. Burroughs' two wives, and that he had mur-
dered them. And one told me, that she was his first wife, and
be stabbed her under the left breast, and put a piece of sealing
wax in the wound ; and she pulled aside the winding sheet, and
shewed me the place. And also told me that she was in the
house where Mr. Paris* then lived, when it was done. And
the other told me that Mr. Burroughs, and a wife he hath now,
killed her in the vessel, as she was coming so see her friends
from the eastward, because they would have one another. And
they both charged me to tell these things to the magistrates, be-
fore Mr. Burroughs' face, and if he did not own them, they did
not know but that they should appear. This morning also, Mrs.
Lawson and her daughter, told me that Mr. Burroughs murder-
ed them. This morning also, appeared to me another woman
in a' winding sheet, and told me that she was Goodman Fuller's
♦The minister of DiinTerSt ^ho first set the matter of prosecuting for witch-
<;raft on foott
61
{irstwife, and tliafcMr. Burrong'bs killed her, because there ^ras
a difference between her husband and him. Also, on the 9th
day of May, during- the time of his examination, he did most
g-rievously torment Mary Wolcot, Mercy Levis, EUzabeth
Hubbard and Abig-ail Williams, by pinching-, pricking' and
choaking- tliem.
" There was some other e^ddence to corroborate this. Bur-
roughs was found g'uilty, on all the indictments, and was execu-
ted.
" There was an extraordinary delusion in the old colony of
Massachusetts at that time, as well as in Europe. In both coun-
tries many innocent people suffered an ig-nominious death, and
tliere can be no doubt but that the people who appeared to be
tortured were possessed by evil spirits of some kind or other ;
Dor have we any reason to doubt, whether there was not some
extraordinary cause from the state of the atmosphere, or from
something- else, which operated on the nerves of the judg-es, and
on the people at larg-e, depriving- them, in a g-reat measure, of
their rational faculties.
*' If Burroughs had continued at Falmouth he might have fal-
len a victim to the savages, but he would not have been execu-
ted for witchcraft, because there never was a prosecution for
that crime to the eastward of Piscataqua river."
FACETIOUS TRIAL,
Or the case of Woodside v, Orr, about the year 1766.
As the foUowing^account of this trial, which was the subject
of pleasing conversation at the time when it took place, will
probably afford some amusement to the reader -, and as the re-
sult of it was both honourable and satisfactory^ to the parties con-
cerned, I think no apologj^ is necessary to be made for the in-
sertion of it. The account was lately given to me by a very
respectable gentleman wlio was personally acquainted with all
the members of the court.
Soon after William Woodside, of Brunswick, had obtained a
commission of Justice of the Peace, for the county of Cumber-
land, [Francis Barnard being Governour of the Province,] Mi*.
62
John Orr, a townsman of his, g-ave out some hints, that he sup-
posed the Governor had been deceived in granting the commis-
sion, and that Woodside had shewed him, (the Governor,) some
original letters from persons of distinction in England, to
Woodside's Father, as made and sent to him, and thereby ren-
dering him a person of consequence and importance. At a
court of General Sessions of the Peace held at Falmouth, at the
same time of the Inferior Court, of C. P. Woodside attended and
complained to them of this conduct of Orr, upon the act against
libelling and lying — And David Wyer, who at that court actc,i
as king's attorney, was employed to draw up the complaint in
writing in a formal manner directed to the Court, (the grand
jury having been dismissed) — Woodside seemed very urgent
that this business should be brought to a hearing'. — But as Mr.
Orr was a reputable townsman, it was agreed that the business
ihould be discussed in an evening at the long- room at Freeman's
the innholder, where the court in those days always dined.
The members of the Court of Sessions — the gentlemen of the
bar, and some of the most respectable gentlemen of the town
were notified of the time and place and desired to attend. Mr.
Orr had some how obtained a printed copy of the proceedings
of a treaty between the commissioners of the government and
the eastern Indians, where complaints were made by the In-
dians against Woodside for selling them brass rings for gold
rings intended to be used by way of cffsett to his spotless char-
acter. After the gentlemen to the number of 30 and upwards
iiad assembled, it was agreed that Jcre. Powell should be presi-
dent of the meeting, and declare the decisions of the meeting
upon such points as were discussed, and Orr was to make such
satisfaction, by way of acknowledgement, as the company
bhould adjudge reasonable, and might consist with the dignity
of the Justice to accept — and two or three of the gentlemen of
the bar, upon each side, were to argue and make observation
upon the occasion. Some punch and wine were introduced for
the use of the company and the litigants. The charge of scan-
dalum magnatvm was then read by the king's attorney — and
expatioued. The gentlemen of the bar, present, were Mr.
Chipman, of Marblehead— Mr. Pyncheon, of Salem—Daniel
Farnham, of Newbury — Samuel Livermore, of Portsmouth, and
som^ Qt}:ers not now recollected— and after the subject matter
65
had been discussed, replied to, and remarked upon, for an iiour
or two, President Powell, by the consent of Mr. Justice Wood-
side, put the following question, to the members of the Grand
Court — That if they had received no opinion to the prejudice
of Justice Woodside, from the reports John Orr had circulated
of him, he (Woodside) would be satisfied and surcease any fur-
ther prosecution of the business — and each one was seriatim to
deliver his opinion, and the President was then to declare pub-
licly the decision. It was amusing" to observe the great atten-
tion of Woodside during the period the members were deliver-
ing with great gravity tlieir sentiments on this important occa-
sion, some of which were lengthy, after which the President
declared, that it was the sentiments of a large majority, that
this grand assembly entertained no opinion to the prejudice or
disadvantage of Justice Woodside, from any thing that John Orr
liad said respecting him ! The punch and wine first brought in
beiiig consumed, conversation was had about the reckoning,
and as the meeting was held at the desire of Woodside and
Orr, it was proper that they should pay the reckoning. The
general question was pretty soon decided — ^but then a question
was made, in what proportion ? Many and perhaps the larger
part were about to decide that Orr should pay a pistareen, and
Woodside the residue — ^but the President fearing it would put
a period to the present good humour which subsisted between
the parties, proposed, (as it was the usage in those times, when a
gentleman of note first received a comipisson to make a Treat
to his particular friends and acquaintance) that Justice Woodside
should pay the reckoning, called the shewing, upon opening hig
commission. — To this Mr. Justice Woodside cordially assented
Whereupon the President ordered in a double bowl of punch and
three or four bottles of wine, to drink his health ; and Mr. Long-
fellow, the Clerk of the Court, then read aloud the commission
of William Woodside, fora Justice of the Peace for Cumberland
county— the gentlemen all standing up while the commission was
in reading .
T'he shewing -was said to be about a Josephvs.
Account of Thomas Bird's Trial.
Some time in June or July, 1789, a small vessel of about 20
OT 30 tons burthen, came to Casco Bay, and the persons on board?
64
entered into a barter traffick willi the inhabitants of Cape Eliz-
abeth. Such suspicious circumstances were circulated respect-
ing them, that the persons who came in her — Jackson, an Amer-
ican, originating- from Newton, Mass., Hans Hanson, a Swede,
and Thos. Bird, an Eng-Hsh or Irishman — were apprehended,
and brought before tlie Supreme Judicial Court, then sitting" at
Falmotith, near the close of the Court, for examination. From
whose examinations, taken down in writing, it appeared that
the vessel they came in belonged to one Hodges, of England ; —
that under the command of Capt. Connor they had been trading
off the coast of Africa ; — that, owing to the arbitrary and abusive
conduct of the Captain, they had killed him, and came off with
the vessel, with such effects as were on board, to America. —
They were then severally told, that they were under no neces-
sity to relate, or make answer to a question that would criminate
themselves. Bird, after this caution, appeared veiy open and
frank, and acknowledged that he fired the gun, loaded >vith one
or more balls, in the night time, that killed Capt. Conner, and
seemed to palliate or justify his conduct on account of the Cap-
tain's conduct. Upon this, the Supreme Judicial Court commit-
ted them to the Jail in Falmouth, for the piratical murder of
Conner on the high seas.
At this period, the Supreme Judicial Court of the several States
in the Union, with the maritime or admiralty Judge, were by an
Ordinance of the old Congress, authorized to try piracy and
felony, committed on the high seas, by the oaths of Grand and
Petit Jurors, according to the common law : and the Massachu-
setts Legislature, in February, 1783, passed a law for carrying
the Ordinance into effect. But before the next session of the
Supreme Judicial Court in the county of Cumberland, an act of
the Congress, under the Federal Constitution [unto whom the
thirteen United States had ceded all their powers \p, • maritime
and admiralty matters] passed the Judiciary Act, establishing
District, Circuit, and a Supreme Court. To the jurisdiction of
the Circuit Court, piracies and felony on the high seas, and a.U
' other capital offences were committed— and to the District Court
of Maine was committed all the powers of a Circuit Court of the
65
United States.— The District Judge of Maine was appointed in
September, 1789 ; and the time for holding- the first court was
the first Tuesday of December, 1789, when the court met, and
with its respective ofiicers, viz. Henry Dearborn, the Marshal^
William Lithgovv, District Attorney, and Henry Sewall, Clerk,
were then regularly inducted into oflSce. — The second court was
held in that part of Pownalborough, now Wiscasset, in March,
1780, where it was oot thought expedient to do any thing with
the person committed in Falmouth jail, for a capital offence oa
the high seas, except making arrangements, agreeable to the
statute's directiob, for a grand and three full petit jurors, to be
summoned to the June District Court, then next to be held at
Portland.
The Grand Jury, of whom Deacon Titcomb was foreman,
fotmd a bill against Bird, as principal, for the murder of Conner,
on the high seas, and Hanson, as being present, aiding and abet-
ting him therein. The prisoners, upon their arraignment and
pleading not guilty, hB.d John FrothinghamB.nd William Sym^
assigned as council, and a copy of the indictment and a list of the
panel of jurors delivered them two full days before the day as-
signed for trial. — On Friday morning the trial commenced (to
accommodate the public curiosity, in the meeting-house in the
first parish, where the Rev. Thomas Smith and Samuel Dean
officiated) and a petit or jury of trial, of whom Deacon Chase,
of Pepperell [now called Saco] was foreman. Jackson, one of
the accomplices, was improved as a witness, whose testimony,
with the voluntary confession oi Bird, taken in writing, before
the Supreme Judicial Court, as before mentioned, and some other
circumstances, as the stain of blood and the mark of the ball on
board or in the cabin of the vessel, appeared satisfactory to the
jury to return a verdict, about the close of the same day, against
Bird, of being guilty. — The jury found Hanson, the otherperson,
not guilty. And on Saturday morning (in the court-house) after a
motion in arrest of judgment, made by Syms, because the latitude
and longitude of the sea, where the crime was committed, was
not named in the indictment, was overruled, sentence of death
was pronounced on the prisoner convicted, and the clerk was
e2
66 -
directed to issue a precept under the seal of the Court, directed
to tlie Marshal, to carry the Judgrnent of the Court into execu-
tion — which the records of the District Court may more par-
ticularly shew. And execution was afterwards accordingly done
by Marshal Dearborn and las assistants, some time about the last
Friday of the same month of June, 1790. — As many of the inhab-
itants of Portland and the neighbouring towns may recollect,
some doubts were had, whether, as all executions by death in
Massachusetts, were by a statute made in 1777, to be carried in-
to effect, by a precept from the Supreme Executive of the State^
having a copy of the judgment of the Supreme Judicial Court
thereto annexed, a similar precept ought not to be had, in cap-
ital cases, from the President of the United States.
But as before the Revolution, the clerks of the Supreme Court
of Judicature, Court of Assize, and General Jail DeUverj^, had
always issued precepts, by order of the court, for carrying into
effect their judgment, in capital cases, and there being no
special provision made in the statutes of the United States
respecting that matter, it was concluded to be a necessary inci-
dent to a court, having jurisdiction of a crime, to issue all neces-
sary precepts for carrying its judgment or sentences into execu-
tion. And it is supposed that the same mode has been ever since
used upon sunilar cases, in the Circuit Court of Massachusetts.
As it was understood from Bird's counsel, that application
?vould be made for a pardon, in consideration of its being the
first capital conviction in the United States, in a court of the
United States, after adopting the federal constitution, a copy
of the indictment,^ and the proceedings thereon to the judgment
and order for execution were immediately forwarded to President
Washington, who then resided at New York. But he dechned
pardoning or suspending the time of execution to a later period
Ihan had been directed bj tlie court
67
Although " the wars which the inhabitants of Falmouth have
been engaged in, with the savages, can never be corre ctly giv-
en in history, nor the place in Casco Bay, where committed,"*
be in all cases ascertained, I have thought it would he agreea-
ble to the reader, to present him with the following view of
them as collected from the respective histories mentioned in
the margin ; and (as near as can be) in the order of time in
which the events took place.
1675.
The same time that Philip began his hostilities in Plymouth
colony, the Tarentines or eastern Indians were insulting the
English settled in New Hampshire and in the province of Maine.
They began with robbing the English, as they passed in their
boats and canoes, and plundering their houses of liquors, ammu-
nition and such moveables as they could easily carry ofF.f
In the month of September in this year, " a horrible outrage
was committed upon the family of an antient man whose name
was Wakeley, an inhabitant of Casco Bay, who had several
years before removed from Gloucester or Cape Ann, out of
some discontent, which afterwards he often bewailed, resolved
either to return back or remove to some securer place ; but he
was arrested by the sons of violence before he could effect his
purpose.
" This old man, together with his wife, his son and his daugh-
ter in law, (then far advanced in pregnancy,) with three grand
children, were cruelly murdered by those barbarous savages at
one time ; another of his grandchildren was taken alive and led
into captivity. A daughter of his was said to have been carried
to Narrhaganset, which shews that they joined with the south-
ern Indians in the rebellion. When once these Indians had im-
brued their hands in English blood, they were emboldened to
the like bloody attempts in the adjacent places.
* SuUivan. t Hutchinson,
68-
" This Wakeley lived so far from his neighbours, or else was
encompassed with creeks or rivers, that no relief could present-^
ly be sent to him ; however, Lieut. In^erson, of Casco,* the next
day with a file of men, repaired to the place where his house
«tood, to see what was the reason of the fire they discerned the
day before, where they found the house burnt to ashes, the bod-
ies of the old man and his wife half consumed with the fire, the
young woman killed and three of the grandchildren having
their brains beat out, and their bodies laid under some oaken
plank not far from the house ; one girl of about 1 1 years of age
was carried captive by them, and having been carried up and
down the country some hundred of miles, as far as Narragan-
set fort, was this last June returned back to Major Waldron, by
one Squando, the Sagamore of Saco ; a strange mixture of mer-
cy and cruelty.
" At Casco Bay, Lieut. Ingcrson's son, with another man go-
ing out a fowling about this time, were both killed before they
returned home, his father's house being burnt with many others
thereabouts."
1676.
I" On the 11th of August, a party of Indians began their out-
rages at Casco in a most perfidious and treacherous manner,
killing and carrying away captive to the number of 30 persons
and burning their houses ; amongst whom was the family of one
Anthony Bracket, an inhabitant of Casco, who was thought to
have been killed, but he himself, with his wife and one of her
five children carried away captive with a negro, did happily es-
cape from their bloody and deceitful hands, in November next
ensuing.
The following circuinstances in the assault of Mr. Bracket,;
are thought " worthy a more particular remembering."
One of the Indians called Simon, (and the chief) of those "
who were concerned in the assault had been confined in Dover
•Ingerson lived on a point of land on the east side of Presumpscotlriver ia
what has s^nce be<n called Ne w C2LSC0.—SuHivan'
tThe accouats for this and the preceding year arc t^ken fronilHubbarrff
69
prison, from whence a little before he made his escape and came
with a counterfeit pass to Casco, where he acquainted him with
this Mr. Bracket and often frequented his house. " Upon the
9th of August some of the Indians having killed his cow, Simon
promised to bring them to him ; meantime they, of the place,
sent two men to Major Waldron's at Dover, to complain of
this injury done by the Indians ; but before their return, very
early in the morning on the 11th of August, Simon with a party
of Indians came to Mr. Bracket's house, and told him these were
the Indians that had killed his cow, but as soon as he had said
that, the Indians went farther into his house and took oif all the
guns they could see. Bracket asked them what was the mean-
ing of that, Simon replied, that so it must be, asking him withal,
whether he had rather serve the Indsans or be slain by them,
to which he answered, that if the case were so, he would rather
choose to serve them than be killed by them. Simon replied
then they must be bound, which was presently done. The said
Bracket, his wife and a negro, were all bound by the Indians :
his wife had a brother, who oiFering to resist was killed forth-
with ; the rest, with five children were led away prisoners.'
The manner of their escape, is thus related by Hubbard : —
" The Indians that led them captive, having brought them to
the north side of Casco Bay, news was brought to them of the sur-
prisal of Arowsic's house in Kennebeck, with all the stores there-
in, which did so rejoice them, that they made all haste to share
in the good things there to be had. Thus eager to be gone, they
promised Bracket and his wife that they also should have a share
therein if they would make haste after them, bringing along a
burthen allotted to each of them. The woman having a little
before observed an old birch canoe lying by the water side, hop-
ed it was an opportunity providence offered for their escape ;
whereupon she first prudently asked the Indians to let the negro
their own servant (at the same time carried captive by them)
help them to carry their burthen, which was granted j then she
begged of them a piece or two of meat, which was not denied
them. Thus being furnished with help and provision, the In-
dians leaving them behind to come after with their several bur-
70
tliens, and a youii^ child, tliey could not but look upou it as a
iiutus Divimis, to bid them shift for themselves. The woman al-
so found a needle and thread in the house, with Avhich she mend-
ed the canoe, while they tarried on that side of the bay, in which
they soon ventured to get away, which prosperously succeeded ;
for in that old canoe they crossed a water eight or nine miles
broad, and when they came on the south side of the bay, they
might have been in as much danger of other Indians, that had
lately been about Black Point, and had taken it ; but they were
newly gone. So things on all sides thus concurring to help for-
ward their deliverance, they came safely to the flat at Black-
Point, where also by special providence they met with a vessel
bound for Piscataqua, that came into that harbour but a few
hours before they came thither, by which means they arrived
safe in Piscataqua river soon after ; all which circumstances are
yery worthy to be noticed."
" In another side of the town, as three persons were going to
reap at Anthony Bracket's, passing from an house where they
left their canoe, met with John Mounijoy and one Wdkely, to
whom they told what had happened, and soon after they heard
two guns fire, whereby it seems two men were killed ; where-
fore coming back towards Thomas Brackets, where they had
left their canoe, they saw him shot down by the Indians ; one of
the three, not so well able to run, hid himself in the bushes, in
hope to make his escape more conveniently afterwards, which,
accordingly be did ; but in the mean time he saw the Indians
carry away Thomas Bracket's wife and children. Soon after,
the three men aforesaid got safe to Mr. Mountjoy's Garrison ;
but not trusting to the security of that Garrison, they soon after
repaired to an island in the bay, called James Andrews' island.
One George Lewis and his wife tarrried all this time in their
bouse till the next day, when they had opportunity to get safo
to the island aforesaid, together with the two men that were now
returned from Major Waldern's ; whither they had been sent,
but too late, to make complaint of the Indian that had counter-
feited his pass to travel into th«se parts, and had done this mis-
71
Tlie day after, one George Felt, suspecting the worst, by reAa<-
oa of a smoke he saw on the opposite side of the town, took his
wife and children into a canoe, to see what the matter was ; but
when he came near a point of land, not far off, he found several
of his neighbours' goods, which made him conclude that their
owners were killed, and which was a sufficient warning to him
likewise to fly for his life, which he did to the same island. After
a number of them had escaped thither, they recollected that they
had left powder behind them in one or two places ; whereupon
they determined to venture a party of them in the night, to pre-
vent the Indians from having advantage thereby, and for their
own defence, if occasion should require ; accordingly their at-
tempt succeeded well, for they brought away a barrel of powder
from the house of one Wells, and likewise a considerable quan-
tity out of a chest in a store-house, where the Indians had been
ransacking, and had taken things out of the other end of the
chest yet overlooked the powder. In this surprisal of the plan-
tation in Casco Bay, called Falmouth^ there were 34 persons
killed and carried into captivity.
********* "-{s
*' When the aforesaid exploits were done by the Indians about
Casco Bay, several of tlie inhabitants removed to Jewel's island,
where they hoped to be more secure from the Indians, but the
barbarous enemy, finding so little resistance made against them
on the main land, a considerable party of them came with their
canoes to destroy that island also, about three weeks after the
abovementioned mischief.
There was a fortified house upon the island, where the Englisk
that either kept upon the island, or repaired thither, hoped to
secure themselves. But at the time the Indians assaulted the
place, many of the English were absent, and few left in the gar
rison but women and children. Some were gone to other places
to fetch Indian corn, others were in a boat, employed about fish,
amongst whom was one Richard Pots, with two more.
The wife of the said Pots was washing by the water side,
where she was occupied with her children, and carried away ia
sight of her husband, who was not a Uttle distressed with that
72
sad spectacle, but was incapable of affording any relief to his
wife or children. One of these little innocents, espying- his
father in the boat, ran into the water, calling for help ; but an
Indian was running after him to catch him up ; the poor man, in
a great agony, being within half a gun shot, was about to fire
upon the Indian, but fearing he might wound, or perhaps kill his
child, wliich the villain had seized and was carrying off, he for-
bore, chusing rather to have him carried away alive than expose
him to the loss of his life or limbs by shooting at the Indian.
" It is said some of the Indians were killed by those in the gar-
rison. 'Tis mentioned that a lad at one shot killed two or three
of them ; some guns were found afterwards under the fort, which
were supposed to have belonged to some of the Indians that were
killed. Some that were abroad when the fort was assaulted,
desperately brolce in through the Indians, whereby at the last
many people were preserved. Some flying away from Jewel's
Island, in a canoe, towards Richmond's Island, met with a ketch,
to which they made known the distress the people were in, who
therefore went to the place, and took in all the people they found
tlicre, and carried them off to a place of more safety. Yet there
were several persons said to be lolled, and carried away at that
lime, viz. three men, who were known to be killed, two women
and two children, that are supposedto be yet alive, tliough in the
enemy's power.
" From thence they went to Spurwink, where they assaulted
one place or more, and killed one man, wounded another, and.
carried another away captive. *****
" Within a while after, or about the same time, another fatal
accident befel 6 or 7 persons belonging to Casco ; for upon the
23d of September, some persons that belonged to a sloop or shal-
lop, that were pressed into the service, were desirous to save
some of their provisions, to wliich end they first made their
address to Capt. Hathorn (imder whom they were ordered to
serve] desiring they might be released ; the Captain told them
he could not do it, but desired them to have patience for a while?
they told him they must and would go, else their families must
starve at home ; the Captain told them further of the danger
and bid them not stir at their peril. However, go they wouiu,
and soon after went to Mountjoy's Island, to fetch sheep, where
they landed seven men. But the Indians suddenly fell upon them,
when they betook themselves to the ruins of a stone house, where
they defended themselves as long- as they could ; but at last they
were all destroyed either with stones cast in upon them, or witli
the enemy's shot, except one, who though at first it was hoped his
wounds were not mortal, yet soon after died thereof. Amongst
these was one George Felt, much lamented, who had been more
active than any man in those parts against the Indians ; but at
last he lost his own life amongst them, in this too desperate an
adventure."
" On the 12th of October following, near an hundred of the
Indians made an assault upon Black Point, all the inhabitants
being gathered into one fortified place, which a few hands might
have defended against all the Indians on that side of the coun-
try ;" but one Mug-, the leader of the Indians, " who had from a
child been well acquainted with the English, and had lived some
years in English families," and at this time shewed some cour-
tesy to them, offered a treaty to Mr. Josselyn, chief of the gar-
rison, and " promised liberty for all that were there, to depart
with their goods, upon surrender of the place."
" The said Josselyn reports, that when he came back from his
treating with Mug-, all the people were fled away out of the gar-
rison, having carried away their goods, by water, before his re-
turn, insomuch that having none but his household servants to
stand by him, he was capable of maldng no resistance, and so
surrendered."— Thus far Hubbard.
1686.
There is no account of further wars in this part of the coun-
try, until the year 1686, when Sir Edmund Andross was ap-
pointed Governor of Massachusetts. There were no doubt fre-
quent hostilities committed, but there are none of the particu-
lars, which took place between 1676 and 1686, preserved. In
1676, there was a peace made between the government at Bos-
ton, and the Indians of Penobscot : whether the influence of
H
74
iliat treaty extended to all the Savag-es, or whether they had
other motives to peace, is now unknown*.
In 1689, the Savag-es again attacked the eastern country, and
Col. Church was employed in the command of forces raised near
Boston, to support the people at Casco Bay. His orders were
from Thomas Danforth, President of the Province of Maine.
He was to rendezvous at Falmouth, in Casco Bay. There was
also an order from Governor Bradstreet, who had been elected
hy the people, after Sir Edmund Andross was sent awaj^ By
ihis commission he was to rendezvous at Falmouth ; to have un-
der his command captains Willard and Hall, and to make war
ag-ainst the savages in and about Casco Bay.
There was tlien a fort of some consequence at Casco ; and
when col. Church arrive? at Avhat is now Portland, he receiv-
ed intelhgence that there were 700 French and Indians on the
Island, assembled for the purpose of taking the fort. The next
day tiiere was an eng-ag'ement bctw ecn the troops under Church
and the Indians. There is no account of this action, excepting
whsit Church gives in his history, and he has, from bis being un-
acquainted with the country, described the place where it hap-
pened in such a manner, that it is very difficult now to fix upon
it with any degree of certainty. He says that he carried his
army unto the woods before day, and after fixing his scouts, he
returned to town ; when after sunrise, one of Bracket'sf sons
Informed him that the enemy were in his father's orchard.
It is clear from this circumstance, that the Indians must have
gone either up Fore River and landed above the town, or havfe
gone up Back Cove, and landed at the head of it. The latter
may be believed to be the most probable, because Church says,
that he fought the Indians across the river, and was informed
that they had men round the head of it, to go into town ; and
we may well suppose this river to be the creek which runs up
from the water of Back Cove. Besides this, the Indians drew
off to the northward, which they could not have done, if they
were on the south side of Fore River. The action was termi-
* Sullivan.
1 Mjthtr ssys ecpt. Eracka was killed.
75
nated in favor of Church ; and thoug-h his troops suiFcred very
much, 3'et he saved the town, and the whole eastern country by
that action. There were no more attempts made by the sava-
s^es on Falmouth in that year*.
1689.
Extract of a letter^ written by a gentleman of Casco^.
" Many were the outragings and insulting-s of the Indians
upon the En;^lish while Sir Edmund Andros was Governor. At
North Yarmouth and other places at the Eastward, the Indians
killed sundry cattle, came into houses and threatened to knock
the people on the head ; and at several times g-ave out reports
that they would make a loar upon the English, and that they
were animated to do so by the French. The Indians behavin;^
themselves so insulting-ly g-ave just occasion of great suspicion.
In order for the finding- out the truth, and to endeavour the pre-
venting- of a war. Captain Blackman a Justice of the Peace, with
some of the neighbourhood of Saco River, seized several Indians
that had been bloody murderous Rog-ues in the first Indian War,
being the chief ringleaders, and most forward to do mischief.
The said Captain Blackman seized to the number of between
sixteen and twenty, in order for their examination, and to bring-
in the rest to a treaty. The said Blackman soon sent the said
Indians with a good guard to Falmouth in Casco Bay, there to
be secured until orders could come from Boston concerning
themt."
1690.
In the spring of this year, the savages attacked the town a-
gain. There was a fort near the water side, where Deering's
house now stands, and another on the hill, near where the bu-
rying ground now is ; and another on the rocky ground, south
from the place where the first meeting house stands. The two
last mentioned, were not very capable of defence ; the people
abandoned the one near where the burying ground is ; and in
order to injure the assailants, placed a burning match in a hole
bored into a barrel wiiich contained gun-powder, with a hope,
* Sullivin.
-V Mather Magnalia. ^ Ibid.
7d
uiat, as the Indians entered, the powder would kindle, and g-ive
them an explosion. But the first who entered, espied the match,
and extinguished it. They tlien proceeded, and carried the fort
by the water side by an assault, and the other surrendered. By
this success, one hundred people fell into their hands, and the
town was desoiated. The slain had no funeral solemnities,
tho'jg'h their bones were gathered up by Col. Church the next
year, and laid under the earth. The country then being under
the government of Massachusetts Province, measures were a-
dopted for its protection. A strong fort was erected, near the
water side in Portland, called Fort Loyal, and commanded by
capt. Tyng. Divers other forts and garrisons were made in the
town, by which the inhabitants were generally protected, and
the town was increased in number of inhabitants*.
CASCO LOST.
" About the beginning of May 1690, the French and Indians
between four and five hundred were seen at Casco, in a great
fleet of canoes passing over the bay ; but not seeing or hearing
any more of them for two or three weeks together, the Casconians
flattered themselves with hopes that they were gone another
way. But about May 16, those hopes were over ; for one Gres-
son a Scotchman, then going out early, fell into the mouths of
these hungry savages. It proved no kindness to Casco, though
it proved a great one to himself, that a commander so qualified
as Capt. Wiliiard, was called off two or three days before. But
the officers of the place now concluding that the whole army
of the enemy were watching for an advantage to surprize the
town, resolved that they would keep a strict watch for two or
three days, to make some further discovery before they sallied
forth. Notwithstanding this, one Lieut. Clark, with near thirty
of their stoutest yonng men, would ventiire out as far as the top
of an hill in the entrance of the wood, half a mile distant from
the town. The outlet from the town to the wood, was through
a lane that had a fence on each side, which had a certain block
house at one end of it; and the English were suspicions, when
they came to enter the lane, that the Indians were lying behind
• SnlHvan.
77
the fence, because the cattle stood staring that way, and would
not pass into the wood as they used to do. This mettlesome
company then ran up to the fence with a huzza ! thinking there-
by to discourage tlie enemy, if they should be lurking there ;
but the enemy were so well prepared for them, that they an-
swered them with an horrible vengeance, which killed the Lieu-
tenant with thirteen more upon the spot, and the rest escaped
with much ado unto one of the garrisons. The enemy then
coming into the town, beset all the garrisons at once, except the
fort ; which were manfully defended, so long as their ammuni-
tion lasted ; but that being spent without a prospect of a recruit,
they quitted all the four garrions, and by the advantage of the
night got into the fort. Upon this the enemy setting the town
on fire, bent their whole force against the fort, which had by
it a deep gully that contributed not a little unto the ruin of it ;
for the besiegers getting into that gully, lay below the danger
of our guns. Here the enemy began their mine which was car-
ried so near the walls that tlie English, who by fighting five days
and four nights, had the greatest part of their men killed and
wounded* (Capt. Lawrence mortally among the rest,) began
a parley with them.
Articles were agreed, that they should have liberty to march
unto the next English town, and have a guard for their safety
in their march ; and the French commander, lifting up his hand,
swore by the everlasting God for the performance of these ar-
ticles. But the agreement was kept as those that were made
with Hugonots used to be. The English being first admonish-
ed by the French that they were all rebels for proclaiming the
Prince of Orange their King, were captived, and many of them
cruelly murdered by the Indians. Only some of them (and par-
ticularly Major Davis) were carried unto Canada where the
gentry very civily treated them. The garrisons at Papoodock,
Spurwink, Black Point and Blue Point, were so disanimated at
these disasters, that without orders they drew oiF immediately
* When Gov. Phips, accotnpanitd by the famous Benjamin Church, went
from Boston to build a Fort at Pcmaquid In 1792, they stopped at Casco in their
way and buried the bones of the dead, and took off the great gansthat were there.
«2
78
to Saco twenty miles within Casco, and from Saco in a few day^
also they drew off to Wells twenty miles within the said Saco ;
and about Wells drew off as far as Lieut. StorerV."
1694.
" The Indians (as the captives inform us) bein^ hungry^ and
hardly bestead, (accommodated,) passed through deserted Cas-
co, where they espied several horses in Capt. Bracket's orchard.
Their famished squaws beg-g-'d them shoot the horses, that they
mig-ht be revived with a little roast meat ; but the young* men
were for having a little sport before their supper. Driving
their horses into a pond, they took one of them, and furnished
him with an halter suddenly made of the main and the tail of
the animal, which they cut off. A son of the famous Hegon wajs
ambitious to mount this Pegasaean steed ; but being a pitiful horse-
man, he ordered them for fear of his falling", to tie his legs fast
under the horse's belly. No sooner was this beggar set on horse-
back, and the spark in his own opinion, thoroughly equipt, but
the mettlesome horse furiously and presently ran with him out
of sight. Neither horse nor man were ever seen any more ; the
astonished tawnies howled after one of their nobility, disappear-
ing by such an unexpected accident. A iew days after they
found one of his legs (and that was all) which they buried in Capt«.
Bracket's cellar, with abundance of lamentationf."
1698—9.
Jan. 14. A treaty which Gov. Phips made with " the Indian
Kings of the East" in 1693, but which they did not faithfully ob-
serve, was this year " renewed, ratified and confirmed, at Mare's
Point in Casco Bay, subscribed by Moxus and a great number
more|
1702.
At Casco Bay, the Indians came together, being upwards of
500 besides Frenchmen, commanded by Monsieur Bobasier, who
had ransacked & laid waste several settlements, and being flus^^
• Mather's Magnalia.
t M«h?r's Magnalia. t^Id.
79
6(1 with success, and having one great sloop and two shallops and
rauch plunder, attempted to undermine the fort by the water
side, in which they proceeded two days and two nights, and
would have effected their design if they had not been prevented
by the arrival of Capt. Southack, who raised the seige, made
them bring their sloops, with all their stores and plunder — re-
duced their shallops, and shattered their navy, which was up-
wards of 200 canoes.
1703.
Governor Dudley had a conference at Casco, with delegates
from the tribes of Norridgewalk, Penobscot, Pigwacket, Peno-
cook and Amariscoggin, who assured him, that they had not the
most distant thought of breaking the peace ; that the union was
" firm as a mountain, and should continue as long as the sun and
moon." But while they made these assurances, tliey wer«
strongly suspected of hostile intentions.
Whether such suspicions were well founded or not, in the
space of about six weeks after, a body of 500 French and Indians
in various parties, attacked all the settlements from Casco to
Wells, and killed and took 130 people, burning and destroying
all before them. — Indeed, " the whole eastern country was in
a conflagration, no house standing, or garrison unattacked*."
1712.
In the spring after the peace of Utrecht was known in Amer-
ica, the Indians sent in to Maj. Moody, at Casco, to pray that
there might be a peace between the English and them : also
proposed a treaty to be held there — but the Governor thought
It more te his honor to oblige them to come to Portsmouthf .
1723.
In April, the Indians killed and took eight persons at Fal-
mouth and Scarborough. Among the dead was the Serjeant of
the fort, Chubb, whom they took to be Capt. Harmon, and no
less than fifteen of them, aimed at him at the same time and
lodged eleven bullets in his body. This was lucky for the rest,
many more escaping to the fort than would have done^.
• Holmes* Atner. Annals.
t Harchinson-. t Ibid-.
80
1725.
A cessation of arms was agreed upon, and four delegates came
soon after to Boston and signed a treaty.
Indians' Cruelty to Captives.
Their cruelty was chiefly exercised upon children, and such
aged, infirm or corpulent persons as could not bear the hardships
of a journey through the wilderness. If they took a woman far
advanced in pregnancy, their knives were plunged into her
bowels. An infant, when it became troublesome, had its brains
dashed out against the next tree or stone. Sometimes to tor-
ment the wretched mother, they would beat the child till almost
dead, or hold it under water till its breath was just gone, and
then throw it to her to comfort and quiet it. If the mother could
not readily still its weeping, the hatchet was buried in its scull.
A captive, wearied with the burden laid upon his shoulders, was
often sent to rest the same way. * * * Sometimes a fire would
be kindled, and a threatening given out against one or more,
though there was no intention of sacrificing them, only to make
sport of their terror. * * * If a captive appeared sad and de-
jected, he was sure to meet with insult ; but if he could sing
and dance and laugh with his master, he was caressed as a broth-
er. They had a strong aversion to negroes, and generally kil-
led tliem when they fell into their hands. * * * A sale among
the French of Canada was the most happy event to a captive,
especially if he became a servant in a family; though sometimes
there, a prison was their lot, till opportunity presented for their
redemption ; while the priests employed every seducing art to
pervert them to the Popish religion, and induce them to aban-
don their country. These circumstances, joined with the more
obvious hardships of travelling half naked and barefoot through
pathless deserts, over craggy mountains and deep swamps,
through frost, rain and snow, exposed by day and night to the
inclemency of the weather, and in summer to the venomous
stings of those numberless insects with which the woods abound ;
the restless anxiety of mind, the retrospect of past scenes of
pleasure, the remembrance of distant friends, the bereayeraents
81
experienced at the beginning- or during the progress of the
captivity, and the daily apprehension of death, either by famine
or the savage enemy ; these were the horrors of Indian captivity.
On the other hand, it must be acknowledged that there have
been instances of justice, generosity and tenderness, during tliese
wars, which would have done honour to a civilized people. * * *
They would sometimes " carry children on their arms and
shoulders, feed their prisoners with the best of their provisions,
and pinch themselves rather than their captives should want
food."
In thus preserving the lives and health oi their prisoners, they
doubtless had a view of gain. But the most remarkably favor-
able circumstance in an Indian captivity, was their decent be-
haviour to women. I have never read, nor heard, nor could
find by inquiry, that any woman who fell into their hands, was
ever treated with the least immodesty, but testimonies to the
contrary are very frequent*. Whether this negative virtue is
to be ascribed to a natural frigidity of constitution, let philoso-
phers inquire : the fact is certain. Belknap.
For particular insta.nces of crMelty, see J^ather^s MagnaUa-
■—One only of many I will here transcribe.
MARY PLAISTED.
Mary Plaisted, the wife of Mr. James Plaisted, was made a
captive by the Indians, about three weeks after her delivery of
a male child. They then took her with her infant, off her bed,
and forced her to travel, in this her weakness, the best part of a
day, without any respect of pity. At night, the cold ground, in
the open air, was her lodging ; and for many a day she had no
nourishment but a little water, with a little bear's flesh, wliich
rendered her so feeble, that she, with her infant, were not far
* Mary Rowlandson, who was captured at Lancaster in 1675, has this pas-
sage in her narrative : •' I have been with these roaring lions and savage bears,
that feared neither God nor man, nor the devil, by day and night, alone and in
company, sleeping all sorts together^ and yet «ot cue of them ever offered me
the least abuse of «nchastiiy in worj or action. Other testimonies wight be
82
from being totally starved. Upon her cries to GoJ, there ^ras
at length some supply sent in, by her masters taking- a moose,
the broth whereof recovered her. But she must now travel ma-
ny days through woods and swamps, and rocks, and over moun-
tains and frost, and snow, until she could stir no farther. Sit-
ting" down to rest, she was not able to rise, until her diabolical
master helped her up, and then took her child from her, and car-
ried it unto a river, where stripping it of the few rags it had, he
took it by the heels, and against a tree dashed mit his brains, and
flung it into the river. So he returned unto the miserable motli-
er, telling her, she was now eased of her burLhen^ and must walk
iister than she did before.
PART SECOND
PORTLAND.
PRESENT STATE OF THE TOWN OF PORTLAND.
THE town of Portland is about three miles long-, and upon an
averag'e about tbree quarters of a mile wiJe. It contains witli-
in its limits (exclusive of streets, and what is covered with wa-
ter) 2151 acres of iand, and 6 acres of marsh, and at present,
8581 persons*.
There are now the following" public building-s in the town,
viz : a State House — an elegant Brick Court House — a large
Stone Gaol — a larg-e three story' Brick Academyf — a large
three story Brick Building belong-ing- to the Bank of Portland
—a like Brick Building" formerly erected for an Insurance Of-
fice, but now owned by the Cumberland Bank, and occupied as
a Bank, a Custom House, and other Offices — Ten Houses of
Public Worship, viz : 3 for Cong"regationalists — 1 for Baptists
— 1 for Episcopalians — 1 for Methodists — 1 for Union Society —
1 for Independent Methodists — 1 for Friends — and 1 for Univer-
salists — 5 School Houses — 700 Dwelling" Houses ,• in, or adjoin-
ing which, are 61 Shops | — 260 other Shops— 306 Barns — 66
Ware Houses — 11 Bake Houses — 6 Distill-Houses — 7 Tan Hou-
aes — 7 Slaug"hter Houses — 1 Iron Works and Furnace — 94 oth-
* This Is jccor Jing to the last census, iS'Jo. By the census of i8io, the
town then contained 7i6y. In 1800—3704. And ia 1790, but 2240.
t The two upper stories of this building are now occupied by Masonic
I odg-'S.
t A gentleman has sent me i<n account of the number of bn-ldings in this
town, in the year 1797, whicti I think pioper to note here, as fohows, viz : —
dwelling Louses, 390 ; mechanics* shops, 86 ; biriis and out -houses, 288 ; mer.
chants' stores and shops, 78 ; ( ffices, 5; rope t-iCtories, 3 ; distilleries, 2 ; meet
::)g houses, 4 ; schocl-housesj 2 ; court-house aud gaol.
84
erBuildings— a Post-Office— 15,583 Tons of Vessels— 392,096
superficial Feet of Wharves — a Library, belong-ing- to a number
of persons associated for its support, containing- about 1200 Vol-
umes — an Insurance Office — Institution for Saving^s — and 27
other Institutions and Societies, (as hereafter particularized) be-
sides Relig-ious Societies — 6 Eng-ines — 7 Public Schools*, viz,
4 Masters' Schools ; 3 Mistress' Do. ; and about 40 Private
Schools.
Accounts of the Societies here follow : —
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
1.
The First Cojigregational Society,
This Societj' is coeval with the town of Falmouth, being what
remained of it, after the separation of other Societies taken
therefrom. At the incorporation of the town of Portland, the
Rev. Mr. Smith, and the Rev. Mr. (late Doct.) Deane, were
Colleag-ue Pastors. Mr. Smith died. May 23, 1795 ; and Doctor
Deane, Nov. 12, 1814. [See page 14.]
2.
The Second Congregational Society.
This Society was incorporated March 17, 1788. The Rev.
^Ir. Kellog-g-, was the first Pastor. He was ordained Oct. 1^
1788. The Rev. Mr. Payson was ordained as a Colleague with
him, Dec. 16, 1807. A dissolution of this connection took place,
in Dec. 1811; in consequence of which, the gentleman last
mentioned, became, and now continues to be, the sole Pastor.
3.
The Third Congregational Society.
The Third Congregational Society, was incorporated March
8, 1808. It had no settled Minister, until March 14, 1810, when
â– * While the printers are preparing the types for this pajje, it appears|by
an advertisement of the School Committee, that an additional School is soon to
l>e established, to consist of scholars selected from the other schools, " for
their proficiency and good behaviour;" and it is required of the Instructor,
•» that he be well qualified to teach the English, La^/«, and Greek Languages^
Mathemstks^ Con:positi(in and Elocution, to the extent usually taught in Acad
emics."
85
a Church was formed, and the Rev. Nathan S. S. Becman or-
dained as Pastor of the said Church and Cong-reg-ation. About
a year after, his health became impaired, and he took a journey
to the Southward for the improvement of it. He was gone about
ten months, and having found the climate more favorable to his
health than this, he requested, and, by agreement of his society
and a mutual Council called for the purpose, obtained a regular
dismission in June, 1812. Previous to this, the Society being
destitute of a Miaister, the Rev. Mr Kellogg, whose pastoral
connection with the second church and congregation in Port-
land had been dissolved, was employed to minister to such as
were disposed to assemble in the Meeting-House of said Society ;
but those who were members of the Church all left it and went
for religious instruction to the Meeting-House of the second
Parish*. Those who remained formed a new Society, under the
denomination of the Chapel Congregational Society" — but the
former Society continued in existence until February, 1814,
when, by agreement with the members of the Chapel Congre-
gational Society, who had purchased the pews of all the mem-
bers of the third Society, not desirous of being united with them,
made a joint application to the Legislature for an act to set off
and annex to the new Society those members who had joined in
the formation of it, and to dissolve the said third Congregational
Society, on certain terms and conditions mentioned in said act.
Their request was complied with, and the Society was thereupon
dissolved.
4.
Chapel Congregational Society.
This Society was formed some time before the 18th March,
1812, partly by some who had been members of the third Congre-
gational Society and partly by others, who had joined them,
when a church was formed, and the Rev. Elijah Kellogg, then
installed as the pastor of the same.
> The Society was incorporoted the 24th Oct. following. The
Rev. Thomas Murdock having received and accepted a call to
*Thcy were sometime after received as members of the Church in said Parish.
I
8G
settle, as a colleag-ue with Mr. Kellogg-, was ordained on the
29th Sept 1819 — ^but by agreement with the church and con-
greg-ation, and by a mutual Council called for the purpose, he
was, on or about the 28th March last (1821) regularly dismissed
- — so that Mr. Kellogg is now sole pastor of that church.
5.
Episcopalian Society.
{See page 16.]
.6
Friendsc
It may not be amiss to observe, as to the Society of this denom-
ination, that it originated in England, A. D. 1644— having for
its head George Fox, born at Drayton, in July, 1624.
In about seven years, the preachers of their principles increas-
ed in number to such a degree that no less than sixty ministers
were raised up in Great Britain, and before the close of that
century were spread in most of the European Kingdoms and in
America. Adherents to them first came to New England in
1656. Here, as well as in England, they met with cruel perse-
cutions, which it would be foreign to;my design to setfojth.
Before the year 1696 they held meetings as other christians
&r worship, on the first day of the week ; also at other times as
occasions required. At an annual meeting that year, it was
recommended to Friends living at a distance, to hold meetings
in their famileS ; and for the regular administration of discipline
and other helps, they established in their Society four other kinds
of meetings, viz. Preparative, Monthly, Quarterly and yearly
meetings. In these worship and business were connected.
The authority of the first was only to judge of the propriety
of carrying the matters i before it to the higher meetings, at
which deputies, consisting of persons of both sexes, are appoint-
ed to remove it to the next in order, and there join in the trans-
action of any other business that may regularly come before
them. The first meeting in the State of Maine was held in the
tipper part of York, in Dec. 1662, by thrqe women, wlio had
87
been prosecuted and whipped at Dorer, in N. H. (viz. Aniiii
Colemaa, Mary Tomkins and Alice Ambrose.)
Soon after, another was held at Berwick — but no account of
any other meeting can be found for more than 60 years, when
in October, 1730, one was held by a few families found in Kit-
tery.
In 1743 a meeting- for worship was set up in Falmouth, and in
1750 one was regularly established in Berwick.
The next was established in Windham, in 1779. After thi^,-
meetings were multiplied in different parts of the State, when,
in 1790, the present Society in Portland was established. It is
unnecessary to enumerate the many meetings that have been
established since. I will only add, that the most general awa-
kening, or, in the language of the Society, " the roost general,
convincementj that has ever taken place in Maine, happened
during the Revolutionary War, principally through the instru-
mentality of David Sands, late of Cornwall, in the State of Netir
York, an eminent minister of this Society.^'
The foregoing account was taken from a more particular one,
handed to me by a respectable member of the Portland Societj^
and though it may be considered as principally historical, wiil,
I flatter myself, be acceptable to the reader.
The tenets of the Society, and their mode of worship, are well
known, as well as the spread of such Societies throughout the
United States. Were it otherwise, I should think it improper
to extend this article by an insertion of them. No further ac-
count therefore, I apprehend, will be expected.
7
The Methodists.
" The first Minister of this Denomination who visited Port-
land, was Rev. Jesse Lee, a. d. 1793. And in the following
year, a Society of this order was formed, which continued un-
der the care of Circuit Preachers, until the year 1804, when
the Rev. Joshua Taylor, was stationed in the Society, and con-
tinued with tliem two years*. He was succeeded by Rev. Da •
• " According to the discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church, their
Ministers who belong to the itinerant connection are not stationed more tllsa
^vi'oyears successively, and often bot one year, in :J)e sam* plafr/'
88
vid Batcheler, who continued one year. Rev. Joel Winch,
came next, and was successful in laying- the foundation of their
present House of Worship, and tarried two years. Rev. E-
paphras li^ibby followed, and was with them two years. Rev.
Martin R titer, one year. Rev. John Lindsej^, one. Rev. Dan-
iel Filiemore, ttuo. Rev. Eieazer Wells, one. Rev. Jacob San-
born, one. Rev. Elijah Hedding-, one. Rev Charles Virgin, â– o/ie ;
and Rev. Solomon Sias, two years. Rev. Elijah Kilborn, is the
present Minister. Rev. Joshua Taylor, having* located in Port-
land, still continues with this Society.
First Baptist Society in Portland.
This Society was incorporated February 12, 1820. By an
ilct passed June, 1820, it is provided that any persons belong-ing-
to the town of Portland, desirous to become mem.bers of this So-
ciety, by giving- notice thereof in writing- to the Clerk of the
Parish or Society they intend to leave, seven days at least be-
fore the annual meeting- thereof, and being- accepted by said iirst
Baptist Societ}^, shall from and after such acceptance become
members of the same ; and any person may cease to become a
member of said Society by giving notice in writing to the Clerk
of the same in manner aforesaid -.
Provided, That in both cases such persons shall be hoiden tp
pay all taxes lawfully assessed on their polls or estates at the
time of tiieir joining or leaving said Society. ^
By the same act all the powers and privileges given to the
other religious societies and proprietors of Meeting-Houses in
Portland, by an act passed February 12, 1809, are extended to
this society, and to the proprietors of the Meeting-House by
them occupied.
" The first Baptist Church in this town was constituted July
24, 1801. The number of members at that time was ten ; one
of this number was Mr. Benjamin Titcomb, who was requested
to take charge of them as their pastor the 28th Sept. following.
In 1803 the first Baptist Meeting-House in Portland was erected
by the Baptist Society. In 1804 Mr. Titcomb was dismissed to
89
the Baptist church in Brunswick, of which church he continues
to be the pastor. His successor was the Rev. Josiah Conrers,
ordained October 21, 1807. At his request he was dismissed
from the pastoral office, April 30, 1810.
After this, the Rev. Caleb Blood was requested by the church
to take the pastoral care. With this request he complied and
commenced his labors in June of the same year. In 1811 a
new and capacious house of worship was erected. — Mr. Blood
died March 6, 1814."
The next Pastor was the Rev. Thomas B. Ripley, ^©rdained
July 24,1816, and he is yet the Pastor of that Church-
9
Union Society.
t)n the 11th of Januarj^ 1810, "twelve persons, who had fel.
lowship with each other," and considered themselves as " born
of God, and united in one spirit," conformable as they conceiv-
ed, to that of St. Paul, manifested in the fourth chapter of his
epistle to the Ephesians, " embodied themselves together," with
a Pastor by the name of Elias Smith, and * mutually ag-reed to
drop all party names by which professors of different denomina-
tions distinguished themselves in ;that day,' and, ' from their
belief in Christ, as the true Messiah, to resume the ancient name
of Chrisiiansy'' Vy which .the disciples of Christ were called in
the days of the apostles. According to these principles, they
have fellowship and commanion with christians of all descrip-
tions. « Although the Church was gatliered by Mr. Smith, they
are not to be considered as embracing his peculiar tenets, any
more than those of any other sectarians. They have no creed
but the Scriptures—are under no ecclesiastical government ;
but endeavor, according to the best of their understanding, to'
decide all questions according- to the perfect law of liberty.''
"Elder Smith continued with them over onfi year, and then
moved to Philadelphia." They soon after invited Elder Samuel
Rand, " to take the pastoral care of the Church, who continues
with them to the present time."
In August, 1817, the Churgh, a^d gther* associated with
i2
90
tliem, purchased the old Court House ; and have since macfe it
a very neat and commodious house of worship. The Society
was incorporated in April, 1821, by the name and style of
« Union Society."
10
Independent Methodist Society »
This is not the name assumed by the Society, for they have
not any yet ; but they are such in reaUty — not being under the
discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church, although they are
Methodists by profession. They belonged in part, to the Socie-
ty of Methodists in this town — from which, on the last Sabbath
in January, a. d. 1819, fifty of them seceded. On the seventh
day of February next following, they by agreement formed this
Society, and admitted others to join them. After which, they
engaged Mr.. Timothy Wolcott, who had been an ordained El-
der, and who had withdrawn his standing with them, to be, and
he now i*j. their Minister. They have also appointed such Offi-
cers, and made such regulations, as they deemed proper, and
have lately built a new Meeting House*
11.
The First Universal S&eiefy in Portland.
Though for many years there have been individuals in Port-
land, professing to believe in tlic Doctrine of " Redemption and
Universal Salvation," who " have occasionally employed teach-
ers, whose religious views they considered more congenial with
their pAvn, than those of the stated preachers of the several
Churches ; they were never duly organized and associated foE
tlie regular support of the gospel, and their particular faith, till
Feb. 12, 1821." They have been since, (viz. on th« 12th April,
1821,) legall}^ established as a Society, in the manner pointed
oi^j^ by a late law of the State, entitled " An Act concerning
Parishes." Tlieir present Minister is the Rev. Russell Streeter.
The Society has "made choice of such Officers for the year, as
were deemed necessary," and appointed ' a Committee' to erect
" a convenient House fo^ Public Worship." '' The lot, and
Bcmc ma-terials fur th^ building,, are purchased."
91
[Since writing the above, (about two months since,) the Soci-
ety has erected, and completely finished, with a high Steeple,
a very handsome Meeting House, seventy-five feet in length, and
forty-four feet in width. A Bell, for said meeting-house, weigh-
ing 1236 pounds, has just arrived.]
OTHER SOCIETIES AND INSTITUTIONS;
Arranged according to the priority of time in which they were
formed.
1
Portland Library.
This was originally established in 1763, It was revised iiai
1786, and re-established in 1806. Acatalouge of the books, with
a list of proprietors, and new regulations, were published in 1815,
and republished with amendments in 1821. The number of
members was not to be limited. New members are admitted
by a major vote of the society present at any meeting ; the vote-
to be determined by yeas and nays in writing, or by a standing
committee of the proprietors. Every member is required to
pay two dollars annually for the increase of the library. The
preseat number, holding each a share is 78. It now contains
about 1200 volumes.
2
Portland Academy.
This institution was incorporated in 1794. Tt has a large
three story brick building, which, with the land on which it
stands, cost $7300. The two upper stories are now occupied by
masonic lodges. Its funds, which consist of bank stock and a
loan certiiicate, produce an annual income, amounting with the
rent of these two stories, to about $240.* The salaries of the
Preceptor and his assistant are now paid by the tuition money
of the studentso The Trustees meet monthly. The number of
students is limited to 70.
• Some gciierous donations have Ijcer. sijdc to the AcsiJemy, but they cznt-ct
â– becorrvCt!y asccrtRJned.
92
3
Portland Marine Society.
T^is society was designed "for the promotion of the knowl-
edge of navigation and seamanship, and for the rehefofdeca3'ed
and disabled seamen, and that of poor widows and orphans of
deceased seamen." It was incorporated in 1796. Its funds are
about $4000. The number of its members, is 62.
4
Portland Benevolent Society.
This society was incorporated in the year 1803. Its design
was to relieve and assist those who might require relief in a
manner different from that which is b}' law provided, for the
STipport and employment of the poor. It was not to go into op^
eration, until the sum subscribed should amount to $0000. This
sum was obtained by subscriptions, of from five to fifty dollars a
year and one prompt j)ayment of twenty dollars. Through the
misfortune of some members, and the delinquency of others the
funds drawing interest are now but little more than $3000. Thie
interest, with the annual contributions, which have amounted up-
on an average to $100 a year, are the supports of the Society.
Some private donations have aided it ; but those since the estab-
lishment of the Society, have amounted only to 133 dollars.
Managers are annually appointed to distribute the sums received.
They meet once every month for this purpose.
5
Bible Society of Maine.
This was tlie fourth Bible Society established in the United
States. (The first was at Philadelphia — the second at Hartford,
Conn. — and tlie third at Boston.) It was formed in August 1809,
and incorporated in March 1010. It has no funds that draw in-
terest, but is supported by subscriptions, donations and contri-
butions. The number of subscribers has been nearly two hun-
dred, subject to the payment of one dollar annually, the chief
of whom are inhabitants of Portland — but from divers causes,
the number of efficient members has been much reduced (per-
•As the meetiuRS of this Socl.t •, snd of its Ttustees, are holden in no orher
plate th.n Pet a d,! h..ve thoii£hi it fii to insert the accouMt of it ,^crp.
93
haps one half.) The donations made to the Society since its es-
tablishment (including- £lOO from the British and Foreign Bible
Society, and sums received from the Oxford Bible Society) a-
mount to $1987. The contributions at the annual meetings of
the Society (when a Discourse or Address is delivered) have
amounted, on an average, to $86 a year. The Trustees meet
once every two months, and havo sub-committees for the pur-
chase and distribution of Bibles, under their direction — but the
extentof their business has been reduced by the recent establish-
ment of Independent Societies m every county in the State, except
that in the county of Oxford, Avhich is auxiliary to this. By a
vote of the Society, at a meeting held at Portland, on the 16th
October, 1816, itbecame auxiliary to the American Bible Society.
6
Portland Female Society for Missionary Purposes.
This Society was instituted August 1st, 1809, " for the express
purpose of aiding Missions." The present number of members
is 121. None are to be adrhitted but such as sustain a good
moral character, and whose views and motives they have reason
to hope are right. No member is holden to pay more that one
dollar a year. The members of it meet on the last Wednesday
of every month. The time (more than what is necessarily em-
ployed in transacting the business of the Society) is devoted to
religious exercises. ' '
7 •
The Portland Foreign Mission Society.
This Society was originally instituted, Jan. 30, 1812, "for
the purpose of raising money to aid the American Board of
Commissioners for Foreign Missions," in their design of send-
ing Missionaries to the Heathen. It was not to continue in
existence longer than three years, unless a majority of the
members should by a new subscription see fit to renew it. It
was renewed accordingly. May 15, 1816, under some new con-
ditions and regulations ; one of which was, that each member
or donor might have his contribution applied, either to the pur-
pose of aiding the American Board of Commissioners, agreea-
94
bly to its original design — of promoting the translation of the
Holy Scriptures — or of educating Heathen children and youth.
It provides for an annual meeting, sermon or address, and
contribution, at such time and place as the committee for con-
ducting- the business of the society may appoint; the contributions
to be applied in equal proportion to the several purposes above-
mentioned. Each member of the society had liberty to subscribe
for the payment of such a sum annually as he saw fit. The num-
ber of original members was 51, and the amount of their annual
subscription upwards of $300. The present number is fifty, and
the annual amount of their subscription $120.
8.
Female Charitable Society.
This society was formed in 1812, and consisted at that time of
but 20 members. The number now is 112, It is supported by
their annual subscriptions, amounting to $120, and an annual
contribution made on the delivery of a discourse adapted to the
occasion. It was formed " for the purpose of making clothing,
and distributing the same to meritorious poor, and loaning bed-
ding and clothes to the sick." It also, (during the summer
months) " supports a school for female children."
9.
Baptist Female Missionary Society.
The object of this society, is to raise money " for the express
purpose of aiding missions."
It was instituted Nov. 2, 1812. The members meet on the
JBr&t Monday of every month, P. M. It is supported by subscrip-
tions ; each member subscribing such^a sum to be paid annually
as she shall see fit. None are admitted members but those who
sustain a good moral character. The present number is 84,
The annual subscriptions from 70 to 80 dollars.
10.
The Young Men's Society.
This was formed in 1814, for religious conversation and in-
struction. The members, eighteen in number, at first contrib-
95
uLedmontlily,but now quarterly, to raise a fund from -vrhreh to
relieve the needy and to afford aid in the education of indigent
young- men. They now have one who has his chief, if not only,
support from it. The contributions have hitherto amounted
from 125 to $160 a year.
Society for suppressing Vice and Immorality.
A Society of this denomination was established this year (1814)
and may yet be in existence — but as it seems to have been for
some time past inactive, I have not numbered it in the list of other
Societies.
11.
Auxiliary Tract Society,
This society was formed Jan. 1, 1815. It is supported by sub-
scriptions of different sums, not less than one dollar paid annu-
ally. Each subscriber is entitled to receive the amount of hie
subscription in tracts at the cost.
If any remain on hand, after thirty days notice in one or more
of the public newspapers, they may be distributed by the com-
mittee. Its annual meeting is on the first Wednesday of January.
The officers are a President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secre-
tary , Collector, and Committee of purchase and distribution.
The number of subscribers is 80, and the amount of the annusrt
subscription, about eighty dollars.
12.
Maine Charitable Mechanic Association.*
This society was instituted January 16, and incorporated
June 14, 1815. The act of Incorporation renders it ^^apable ia
law " to purchase, have, hold, use, take, possess, retain and en-
joy, in fee simple or otherwise, any personal or real estate, not
exceeding the value of $10,000 in real estate and $10,000 in
personal estate," and gives it power " to sell, alien and dispose
of the same at their pleasure.
The objects contemplated by the society are "the promotioa
ofindustr}^, the encouragement of en terprize, and the ameliora-
tion of the condition of the unfortunate." Its. government is vest-
* As the meetings of this societies ,>nd of its trustees are holden in no
other rplace thm Portland, I have seen fit to insert the account of it here.
96
ed in a President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary and nine
Trustees. Each member pays one dollar annually. The nnm--
ber of members at the formation of the society was 132. There
have been some admitted since.
The meeting's of the association are on the first Tuesdays of
April and October. Of the articles of its Constitution the fol-
lowing is the "conclusion" : " It is recommended that all meet-
ings of the association shall be opened with prayer to Almighty
God, that he would condescend to meet with ns, direct us, and
bless us."
It has a fund of about $800, drawing- interest.
Every Appentice, on arriving at twent)^-one years of age,
who shall have served his apprenticeship with fidelity and atten-
tention, is to be furnished with a certificate of approbation, in a
form prescribed, under the hands of the President and Vice-Pres-
ident, and the seal of the association.
Under the government, and through the instrumentali ty of
this association, with the aid of benevolent individuals, there was
in September last, a library established, which is denominated
13
The Mechanics Library,
for the use of the Apprentices of the respective members. It
now consists of 1200 volumes, and has 300 persons, who partake
of its benefits.
14.
Maternal Association.
This is a Religious Association of Females who are mothers
of children ; and is designed for inculcating religious principles
in their minds — or, in the words of their printed Constitution,
" bringing them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord
agreeably to their covenant engagements." The members meet
once a month for reading, conversation and prayer ; and once in
three months are allowed to bring to the place of meeting such
of their female children, as are between 4 and 14 years of age.
A small contribution is made at each meeting, for the formation
of a select Library. It was instituted Feb. 14, 1816. The pres-
ent number of Members is sixty.
^1
15.
Peace Society of Maine*.
This Society originated in 1816, and was organized by tiie
establishment of a Constitution, and appointment of Officers, on
the 31st January, 1817. It was the second of the kind in the
State of Massachusetts, and the third in the U. S. ; one in New-
York being- the first. The object of it is, " to exhibit in a clear
and distinct manner, the pacific nature of the Gospel, and to dif.
fuse a spirit of love and harmony, and an enlightened philan-
thropy and benevolence throughout the world ;" in pursuance
of which, they have procured and distributed, sundry tracts, and
principally a series of Pamphlets, entitled, " The Friend of
Peace." The Society may be considered as in an infant state ;
but it is hoped, that by suitable and sufficient nourishment, it
will grow and become powerful, and with the help of similar so-
cieties, which are continually multiplying, hasten on the time
when wars shall cease, and benevolence prevail, throughout
the world. The number of its members is now but forty-two, in-
cluding eight Clergymen, who are not " subject to any annual
contribution or other expense." The rest pay one dollar a year
Each subscriber is entitled " to receive one half of his subscript
tion, in such pamphlets or publications as the Society may pro-
cure, and at the lowest price."
Three of its members have lately died ; one of whom, Doct.
Appleton, was the first President of the Society. It has no oth-
er support than a contribution at its annual meetings, when a
discourse or address is delivered to promote the object of the In-
stitution.
16.
Portland Union Sabbath School Society.
The important object of this Society " is the moral and relig-
ious instruction of the young, by means of schools kept every
Sabbath, at suitable seasons of the year, and during such time of
the day, as may not be devoted to public worship."
It was instituted Sept. 6, 1816, under the name of "The Port-
land Sunday School Society," and its present Constitution estab-
lished, under the above title, Jan. 21, 1821. Its officers, viz. a
* As the meetings of this society, and of its trustees, arehc^flcti in no other
place than Portland, I have thought it fit to insert the accouni of it here.
President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretaiy, togetlier
with the Teachers and Supernumeraries for eacli School, are
annually appointed at a meeting holden on the third Monday of
March. The Instructors appoint one of their number, as Su-
perintendant of their respective Schools. To the discretion of
the Superintendant and Teachers for the time being-, is left the
method of regulating and conducting the School. The several
Ministers of the Gospel, in town, and the Female Teachers for
the time being, are admitted members, and invited to attend the
meetings of the Society.
The number of Members (besides these) is 94. The expens-
es of the Society, for the purchase of Books,i&c. are defrayed as
ihey occur, by voluntary contribution. In 1819, the Society
had received, during the preceding year, $219 25 ; and expen-
ded $217 34.
I have had an opportunity to peruse the records of its proceed-
ings, and am impelled to say, I felt an interest and satisfaction
therein.
17.
Juvenile Benevolent Society.
This is a Female Society, which was instituted Dec. 25, 1816,
and now consists of Sixty Members. They annually pay fifty
cents each, which is applied to the benevolent purpose of cloth-
ing indigent children, and educating heathen youth. They
meet once in every month.
18.
Female Society for promoting Christianity among the Jews.
The style of this Society fully expresses its object ; and its
funds are to be applied to it, " according to tlie discretion of the
Board." They are raised by payment of, ten dollars, which con-
stitutes a member for life ; or by paying annually a sum not less
than fifty cents.
The members generally pay one dollar a year each — some
more.
The present number is 100. It was instituted Feb. 11, 1817
m
19
Trustees of the Charity Fund in the Find Parish.
A Fund of $833 was raised by the subscription of the Ladies
of said Parish, previous to the year 1818.. They afterwards ap-
pointed two Gentlemen of the Parish, to manage the same. —
These Trustees, of whom the Minister op Ministers of the Par-
ish arc ahvays ex officio to be one, were incorporated for the pur-
pose, Feb. 10, 1818. They, with some other Gentlemen of the
Parish, have contributed by subscription, the sura of $610, for the
increase of the funds, which now of course amount to $1443.
The interest thereof (or the income only) is to be applied by
the Trustees, " in assisting" and relieving" the poor and necessi-
tous members of the Parish, according" to their best discretion,
so as most effectually to answer the design of those who created
the same."
20.
Second Church of Portland Missionary Society.
On the 12th of June, 1810, the members of the Second
Church in Portland, formed themselves into a Society, for (he
purpose of educating pious young men for the Missionary ser-
vice. It is generally denominated. The Church Missionary So-
ciety.
The Funds of this Society are raised by monUily contribu-
tions at the concerts of prayer, and quarterly contributions af-
ter the communion service. Its concerns are managed by ten
Trustees, consisting of the Pastor of the Church, the four Dea-
cons, and five other members. The amount of money receiv-
ed, up to the 4th Nov. 1820, was $G59 71*. It has now un-
der its support, three Beneficiaries, two of whom arc at Bcw-
doin College.
21.
Trustees of the Ancient Landmark Charily Fund.
This Institution was incorporated June 19, 1819.
The Trustees have power to receive, possess, and hold bv
• Besides this, the same Church contributed the last month, after eom-
niunion service, to the American Education Societ)-, the sum of 30O dolls.,
the receipt of which, has been publicly acknowledged by the Treasurer of thi"?'
Society.
too
g'lft, grant, and purchase, any real or personal estate : Provi-
ded the value thereof do not exceed Ten Thousand Dollars —
and are to. employ the income, interest and profits arising from
sush estate, in acts of charity and benevolence, and not other-
wise. The present amount of its Funds, drawing interest, i&
$1500.
22.
Bedhoven Society.
♦' The Beethoven Society of Portland, was instituted, Janua-
ry 16, a. d 1819. It consists at present of fifty -five members,
male and female. Its object and design is, to cultivate and pro-
mote a correct taste in the science and practice of Sacred Har-
mony, and to co-operate with other similar Societies in our
Country, in reviving and bringing forward into public notice,
those works and compositions of eminent masters, which justly
entitle them to an imperishable name among all the lovers of
sacred song. This Society, though of recent origin, has alrea-
dy received many flattering tokens of public patronage ; and
their concerts, which have occasionally been given, have been
fully attended.
"Its privileges of membership, are not limited to Portland ; —
many Gentlemen from diiferent parts of the State, are made
honorary members, without being subject to the regulations,
which govern the stated meetings of the Society.
" Beethoven, whose name this Society bears, stands second to
none of the masters of melody, who have arisen and shone up-
on the present age. And while a similar Society in Boston, has
inscribed on their escutcheon the celebrated names of Handel
and Haydn, the Beethoven Society of Portland, assumes the
name of one, whose genius seems to anticipate a future age, and
labors for the benefit of posterity.^
23.
Female Education Society of Portland and the Vicinity.
This Society was formed in 1819, " for the purpose of assist-
ing in the education of indigent pious young men for the Gos-
pel Ministry ;" and is auxiliary to the Maine Branch of the A-
merican Education Societv.
101
The present number of its members is one hundred. It has
a Board of Managers, and is supported by annual subscriptions
and contributions.
Their annual meetings is on the first Wednesday of June.
The annual subscrtptions amount to about $120.
24.
Institution for Savings for the town of Portland,
This Institution was established by an act of incorporation,
passed June 11, 1819. With the usual powers necessary to car-
ry into effect, the design of bodies corporate, it is made " capa-
ble of receviug from any person or persons, disposed to obtain
and enjoy the advantage of said institution, any deposit or de-
posits of money, and to use and improve the same to the best ad-
vantage ; the income or profits thereof, to be applied among
persons making the deposits, their executors or administrators,
in just proportion." The principal may however be withdrawn,
at such reasonable times, and in such- manner as the Society
shall direct and appoint.
25.
Portland Relief Society.
This Society was incorporated Feb^ 7, 1820. By the act of
mcorporation, it is enabled to hold real and personal Estate, to
the value of Ten Thousand Dollars ; and to employ the income,,
interest and profits arising therefrom, " in acts of charity and
benevolence ; and not otherwise."
The members of it are the same with those of the Portland
Lodge. Its funds amount to about $1500.
26,
Female Benevolent Society,
The design of this^Society is "to promote all the objects of pub-^
lie charitable benevolence — such as Bible, Missionary, Educa-
tion, Tract and other benevolent Societies." The present num-
ber of members is 55, each of whom pays (in quarterly payments)
an annual subscription of such a certain sum, as she sees fit to
subscribe, being generally one dollar or fifty cents.-It was insti-
tuted ^pril 24, 1820.
k2
102
27.
Portland Auxiliary Marine Bible Society.
This Society was instituted Sept. 10, 1820. Its sole object is
to circulate the Holy Scriptures among- seamen. Each member
pajs annuall}-^ seventy-five cents, and ten dollars constitutes a
member for life. Any member may receive the amount of his
subscription in Bibles, at the cost. — Its Board of Directors meet
once in three months. The annual meeting- is on the second
Monday in Februa7*y.
After supplying the demands, and pa5ang incidental expenses^
the surplus is to be transmitted to the Treasurer of the Ameri-
can Bible Society — The present number of members is 86.
28.
Trustees of the Methodist Society in Portland.
By an act passed in February, 1821, Lemuel Gooding, Thomas
Dodge, Joshua Taylor, Isaac Davis, Nicholas Stickney, Luther
Rice and John Ayres, and their successors, together with the
minister having the pastoral charge, for the time being, of the
Methodist Society in Portland, connected with the Methodist
Episcopal Church, as one of the United Societies thereof, were
incorporated by this name — and empowered to take and hold
real and personal estate, the income whereof should not exceed
$3000, and to give and grant, or bargain and sell the same, ac-
cording to the will and intent of the grantors or donors, and for
the benefit of the Society and not otherwise.
The number of the Board is not to exceed seven, four of whom
including the President, to form a quorum. They have power
to fill vacancies, and to make by-laws, not repugnant to the laws
of the State,, nor the discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
I? will not I presume be tbought improper, nor will it I think
prove unacceptable to the reader, if I add to the accounts of
the beforementioned Charitable Societies, the following Poet-
ical Address " To the Affluent ;" — nor to the accounts of the
Missiomry Societies, if I subjoin the succeeding " Mission^
/try Hymn,''^
103
TO THE AFFLTJENT.
»< Assist them, hearts from anguish free,
" Assist them, sweet humanity \"
AH ! ye who meet stern winter's frowD,
Upheld by Fortune's powerful hand ;
"Who see the chilling snow fall down,
With all her comforts at command ;
O ! think of their less happy doom,
Whom Poverty's sharp woes assail,
No sparkling^ fire, no cheerful room,
Revives their cheek, cold, wan, and pale*
Deep howls the wind ! the pelting rain
Drips through the shattered casement col5,
While the sad mother's arms contain
Her infant, shivering in their fold.
la vain they raise their piteous cry.
And plead at hungry Nature's call ;
Their only fooda mother's sigh —
Their only warmth the tears that fall.
Stretch'd on his miserable bed.
The wretched father sinks in griefs
Pale sickness rests upon his head,
And only hopes from death relief.
The parent's tender, mournful eyes
Mingle their faint and humid beams ;
Fresh woes from retrospection rise,
Fresh source from memory's fountain streams-
O, rich ! the transports might be thine.
To soothe their sufferings into peace ;
To bid the sun of comfort shine,
And want's oppressive empire cease \
To see the glow of health's return
Reanimate their faded cheek !
Life's feeble spark rekindled, bum.
And give what language cannot speak ?
On Fancy's pinion oft I roam
With Pity, partner of my flight;
Forget awhile that grief's my own.
And taste a soothing, sweet delight,
104
Forget th e many poignant woes,
That weigh this drooping form to earth ,
Where restless sorrow hopes repose,
'Scap'd from those ills which gave it birth
Oh ! ye embarked for pleasure's shore,
Restrain awhile the fluttering sail !
At pity's call retard the oar,
Nor let her pi aintive pleading, fail
MISSIONARY HYMN
" Glad we hear from day to davr
"What the Lord is doing.
How the gospel wings its way.
Sinners hearts subduing :
*"What a glorious wor'k is his
Work forever lasting,
Every other work but this,
Fadmg is and wasting.
"While thejudgment&of theliord,
Heaven and earth are shaking ;
Rous'd from slumber by his word,
Thousands are awaking .-
' Swiftly flies the joyful sound,
Heavenly truth declaring,
To a guilty world around,
News of pardon bearing.
"^ Saviour, let thy message run.
Message of salvation ;
Takes its circuit like the sun,
Visit every nation.
" Earth has long been overspread,
Overspread with sadness ;
Let the day spring come with speed,
Bringing light and gladness."
V 105
Having thus given an account of die present state of Portland,
I would close this part of the work by presenting to tlie citizens
of Portland the following
LIST OF TOWN OFFICERS,
From the lime the, town was incorporated to the present time.
SELECTMEN.
John Fox, in 1786, 1787 and 1795, - - *3
Nathaniel Deering, 178&, 1787, - - - 2
Peleg Wadsworth, 1786, 1787, 1788 and 1789, - 4
Samuel Freeman, 1788 and 1789, and from > c, .
1791 to 1812, inclusively, \ - ~4
Thomas Robinson, 1788, 1789, - - - 2
James Lunt, 1790, - - - - - 1
Ebenezer Preble, 1790, . - - - 1
Daniel Ilsley, 1790 and 1804, . . . 2
Woodbury Storer, 1791, 179^, and from 1794 to 1800, inclu 9
John Thrasher, 1791, 1792 and 1800, - - 3
Nathaniel F. Fosdick, 1793 to 1796 inclusively, - 4
Daniel Tucker, 1793, 1796 to 1800, also from ) „
1813 to 1816 inclusively, S
Daniel Epes, 1795 to 1797 inclu. - - - 3
Matthew Cobb, 1797 to 1799 inclu. - - 3
Robert Boyd, 1798 to 1799, 1800 & from 1808 to 1811 inclu. 7
Isaac Ilsley, 1801, 1807, - - - - 2
Thomas Motley, 1801, - - - - - 1
.Joseph H. Ingraham, 1801, 1802, 1803, and ) -
from 1810 to 1817 inclu. 5 " *^
Joseph Titcomb, from 1801 to 1806, and )
from 1808 to 1811, inclu. ] ' ^^
Joshua Rogers, from 1801 to 1806 inclu. - - 6
John Mussey, 1802, 1803 and 1807, - - - 3
George Bradbury, 1805, 1806 and 1808, - - 3
Moses Lunt, 1807, - - - - . i
David Green, 1807, - - - - i
Stephen Tukey, 1308 to 1811 inclu. - - - 4
Joseph Ilsley, 1809, - - - _ 1
Enoch Preble, 1812 and 1813, 1817 and 1818, - - 4
Samuel F. Hussey, 1812, - . , . 1
Josiah Dow, 1812, - - - .. _l
Peter Warren, 1813 to 1816 inclu. - - 4
Cotton B. Brooks, 1813, 1814, - - - 2
* These figures she\7 the number of years each person served within the peri-
od above mentioned.
106
Robert Douglass, 1814 to 1816 inclu. - - - - 3
JohnHobart, 1815, 1816, 2
Stephen Long-fellow, Jr. 1817, 1
Isaac Adams, from 1817 to 1821 inclu. - . - 5
Joshua Richardson, 1817 to 1821 inclu. . _ - 5
Benjamin Ilsley, 1817 to 1721, ... - 5
Woodbury Storer, Jr. 1818 to 1821, . - - - 4
Mark Harris, 1820 and 1821, 2
TOWN CLERKS.
John Frothingham, from 1786 to 1796, - - - - 11
Isaac Ilsley, 1796, 1
Stephen Patten, from 1797 to 1807, - - - -11
Samuel Homer, from 1807 to 1813, .... 7
Oliver Bray, from 1814 to 1819 inclu. - - - - 6
Joseph Pope, 1820 and 1821, 2
TOWN TREASURERS.
Enoch Ilsley, from 1786 to 1800 inclu. - - - 15
Lemuel Weeks, from 1801 to 1807 inclu. - - - 7
Matthew Cobb, from 1808 to 1818 inclu. - - 11
Samuel Trask, from 1819 to 1821, - ... 3
REPRESENTATIVES
At the General Court of Massachusetts,
1787 John Fox^ 1808 Same and Isaac Adams,
1788 John Fox, 1809 Same and same,
1789 Daniel Davis, 1810 D Tucker, Jos. Titcomb,
1790 John Fox, Daniel Davis, M. Cobb, J. H. Ing-raham,
1791 John Fox, W. Jenks, Isaac Adams,
1792 John Fox, Daniel Davis, 1811 Jos. Titcomb, M. Cobb,
1793 Dan'l Davis, Dan'l Ilsley, Geo. Bradbury, Jos. H.
1794 Same, Ingraham, Isaac Adams,
1795 D. Davis, Sam'l Waldo, Enoch Preble,
1796 Daniel Tucker, 1812 Geo. Brabury, Joseph H;
1797 Same, Ingraham, Isaac Adams,
1798 Woodbury Storer, Enoch Preble, Richard
1799 Same, Hunnewell, James Neal,
1800 Same, Wm. Crab tree,
1801 Joseph Titcomb, 1813 Jos. H. Ingraham Isaac
1802 Same, Adams, Enoch Preble,
1803 William Symmes, James Neal, Stephen
1804 Jos. Titcomb, W. Symmes, Longfellow, Wm. Fran-
M. Cobb,D. Tucker, cis, Seward Porter,
1805 Same and Smith Cobb, 1814 Same (except E. Preble)
1806 Geo. Bradbury, Jos. Tit-1815 Jos. H. Ingraham, Isaac
comb, Jos. H. Ingraham, Adams, James Neal, Se-
M. Cobb, Wm. Jenks, ward Porter, H. Smith,
1807 Same, Wm. B. Sewall,
107
1816 Josiah Paine, Jacob Qum-1819 Charles Fox, N. Kinsman,
cy, Daniel How, Robert Samuel Baker, Phinehas
Strong-, Phinehas Var- Varnum, Robert
num, John Mussey, Jr. Samuel Ayer,
1817 Jos. H. Ingraham, Isaac At the Legislature of Maine.
Adams, 1820
1818 Isaac Adams, John Wood- and
ma n, 1821
Ilsley,
Asa Clap, Nicholas Em-
ery Simon Greenleaf.*
PART THIRD.
COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND.
This county was set off from the county of York, in the year
-!760.
The following are the names of the Towns in the county, with
the years in which they were respectively incorporated.
J^ames.
Incor,
Karnes.
Incor.
Scarborough,
1658
Durham,
1789
NorthyarmouLh,
1713
Bridgton,
1794
Falmouth,
1718
Poland,
1795
Brunswick,
1738
Otisfield,
1798
Harpswell,
1758
Baldwin,
1802
Windham,
1762
Minot,
1802
Gorham,
1764
Danville,
1802
Cape Elizabeth,
1765
Raymond,
1803
New Gloucester,
1774
Harrison,
1805
Gray,
1778
Pownal,
1808
Standish,
1785
Westbrook,
1814
Portland,
1786
Cumberland,
1821
Freeport,
1789
Supreme Judicial Court,
Previous to the year 1798, the records of this Court were^
kept in Boston, where people were obliged to go, or send for
executions, copies, &c. Since that period the records for this
eounty have been kept in Portland.
* This gentleman, having been appointed Reporter of Decisions, 8cc, aftei"-
ward resigned his sear, and Isaac Ad^ms was chcsen to supply his place.
108
\^ourt of Common Pleas.
The following is a list of the Justices of the Court of Common
Pleas from the year 1760, with the number of years, in whicb
each of them held the office.
John Minot. Esq.
from 1760 to 1761,
2 Years.
Ezekiel Gushing-, Esq.
1760
1764,
5
Enoch Freeman, Esq.
1760
1788,
29
Edward Milliken, Esq.
1760
1771,
12
Jeremiah Powell, Esq.
1763
1781,
19
Alexander Ross, Esq.
1766
1767,
2
Moses Pearson, Esq.
1770
1775,
6
Jonas Mason, Esq.
1773
1777,
5
Solomon Lombard, Esq.
1776
1781,
6
David Mitchel, Esq.
1778
1786,
9
John Lewis, Fsq.
1782
1803,
22
Jedediah Preble, Esq.
1782
1783,
2
Josiah Thatcher, Esq.
1784
1799,
16
William Gorham, Esq.
1789
1804,
16
Stephen Longfellow, Esq.
1797
1811,
15
Robert Southgate, Esq.
1801
1811,
11
John Frothingham,
1804
1811,
8
Circuit Court of Common Pleas.
Benjamin Green, Esq. 1812 1821, 10
Judah Dana, Esq. 1812 1821, 10
William Widgery, Esq. 1813 1821, 9
Business of these Courts.
To give a general and comparative view of the business done
at these courts, from the year 1776, I insert here, the number
of Entries of civil actions in each year, as follows, viz :
Years.
En.
Years.
En.
Years. En.
In 1776
9
In 1791
166
In 1806 1678
1777
15
1792
167
1807 2422
1778
18
1793
166
1808 2293
1779
26
1794
267
1809 1855
1780
20
1795
161
1810 1193
1781
49
1796
217
1811 1187
1782
61
1797
351
1812 1422
1783
162
1798
468
1813 1115
1784
181
1799
593
1814 879
1785
196
1800
684
1815 916
1786
143
1801
867
1816 1117
1787
62
1802
885
1817 1537
1788
52
1803
1277
1818 1224
1789
77
1804
1460
1819 1333
1790
118
1805
1467
1820 1396
1T)9
TROBATE COL^T.
List of the Judges and Registers, with the time they commen-
ced the duties of their Office, and the number of years in
wliich they held the saipe.
Judges. Jtegisters.
1760. Samuel Waldo, 11 years. 1760. J.Stockbridge, 2 years.
17J0. Enoch Freeman 13 1761. S. Longfellow 15
1782. Wm. Gorham 23 l1'75, Sam'l Freeman 36
1804. Sam'l Freeman 17 1804. J.Frothinghaml2
1820. Albion K. Parris 1 1815. H. Southgate 7
SESSION COURTS.
From the Year 1760, to March 1808.
All the Justices of the County,
From March 1808, to November 1809.
Court of Sessions. Justices. — Isaac Parsons, Joseph E. Fox-
croft, William Hasty, Jotham Stone, Theodore Mussey. But
the latter did not qualify himself to act.
From JSTovember 1809, to September 181 L
The Court of Common Pleas,
From Sept. 1811, <o March 1812.
Court of Sessions. Justices. — Isaac Parsons, William Hasty,
Theodore Mussey, Jotham Stone, Joseph C. Boyd.
From March 1812, to J^ov. 1814.
Same. Justices. — The same, except Joseph C. Boyd. In his
stead, Woodbury Storer.
From J^ov. 1814, to Sept. 1819.
Circuit Court of Common Pleas — with the addition of two
other Justices, viz. Ammi R. Mitchell arid Lothrop Lewis.
From Sept. 1819, to Sept. 1820.
Court of Sessions. Justices, — ^Ammi R, Mitchell, Peleg
Chandler and Luther Fitch. [But the latter did not accept the
appointment.]
Since Sept. 1820, by appointment under the authority of the State
of Maine.
Court of Sessions. Justices.^W oodhvLry Storer, Chief Jm-
It
Lice ; Pcleg Chandler, Phinehas Ingalls, William Hasty, Se-
comh Jordan.
SHERIFFS.
Moses Pearson, Esq. from 1760 to 1768- 9 years.
William, Tyng-, Esq.
1768
1775- 8
John Waite, Esq.
1776
1809-34
Richard Hunnewell, Esq.
1809
1811 [See below;]
Joseph Foxcroft, Esq.
1811
1812- 1
Richard Hunnewell, Esq.
1812
1«21-13
CLERKS.
Stephen Longfellow, Esq. from 1760 to 1775-16
Samuel Freeman, Esq. 1775 1811 [See below.]
Joseph C. Boyd, Esq. 1811 1812- 1
Samuel Freeman, Esq, 1812 1820-46
Under the authority of the State of Maine.
William T. Vaughaa, 1820 1821- «
CRIERS.
Joshua t^reeman,
from 1760 to 1766- T
Timothy Cutter,
1766
1789-24
Pelatiah Fernald,
1789
1806-18
William B. Peters
1806
1821-16
COUNTY TREASURERS.
James Milk,
from 1760 to 1773-1#
Ephraim Jones,
1773
1776- #.
Enoch Moody,
1776
1777- 2
Joseph Mc Lellaa,
1777
1803-27
Horatio Southgate,
1803
1804- 2
Eiias Merrill,
1'804
1821-lS
REGISTERS OP DEEDS.
Enoch Freeman, ftom 17^0 to 1788-2d'
The Clerk, ex officio^ 1788 1790- '3
Isaac Ilsley, 1790 1804-15
Elias Merrill, Esq. 1€04 1821-16
in
COURTHOUSES.
The first Court House, 50 by 34, was built in 17T4. Cos*-
mittee for builing the same, Stephen Longfellow, Esq.
The second, 48 by 34, was built in 1787. Committee for build-'
ing- the same, Capt. Joseph Mc I^llan.
The third and present one, 60 by 50, was built in 1816.
Committee for building- the same, Richard Hunnewell, Esq.
Barret Potter, Esq, and Albert Newall, Esq.
COUNTY HOUSE.
The present County House was built in 1799.
building- the same, Woodbury Storer, Esq*
Committee-for
GAOLS.
The first Gaol in this town was buiii before the County was
separated from the County of York.
The second, 38 by 18, was built in the year 1769. Commit-
tee for building the same, Capt. James Milk.
The third or present Gaol was built in 1799. Committee for
building the same, Samuel Freeman, Esq. and William Gorham
Esq. This is a Stone Gaol, of 50 by 34. The builder, or chief
workman and director, was Mi*. John Park, of Groton, wW
built the Gaol at Concord,
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
Names of those who held the office of a Justice of the Peace, 4j8*
fore the Count}' of Oxford was ma<}e a separate County iii
1805 ; arranged according to the date of their Comiiiissiofi^
Note. Those with this mark, (*) are deceased.
'' Enoch Freeman
* Jedidiah Preble
* AarOn Hinkley
* Wm. Simonton
* David Mitchel
* Wm. Sylvester
* Wm, Thompson
* Wm. Gorham
Samuel Freeman
* JohnXiewis
* Joshua Fabyali
♦Peter Noyes
**'Rich'dCodman
* Sam'l Thompson
â– * Nath'l Purrington
* David Strout
* Ephraim Jones
Isaac Parsons
* Clement Jordan
"♦Edward Russel
* Edmund Phinney
* Samuel Small
John Deane
Robert Southgate
Daniel Davis
* George Peirce
* Joeiah Xhatcher
112
* Joseph Noyes
John FrothiDg-ham
* Georg-e Lewis
* Samuel Merrill
* Benj. Dunning-
* Stephen Hall
William Wiclg-ery
* Isaac Snow
*Nath'lLarrabee'
* Joseph Hooper
'* Paul Little
* Ichabod Bonney
* Samuel Calef
* John Gushing-
Josiah Pefrce
* John Peterson
* Andrew Dunning
Enoch Perley
Peter T. Smith
* John Greenwood
* William Martin
* Samuel Foxcroft
Stephen Longfellow
John Turner
Isaac Sturdevant
Stephen Purrington
Archelaus Lewis
Isaac llsley
Job Eastman
Peleg Chandler
Ammi R. Mitchel
Elisha Williams
John K. Smith
Michael Little
* Pclatiah March
Daniel StoweU
Gustaphus A. Goss
Samuel Paris
Moses Merril
Ebenezer Thrasher
* Osgood Carleton
Luther Gary
Cyrus Hamlin
Ebenezer Mayo
Woodbury Storer
Peter O. Alden
* Samuel Andrews
* William Symmes
* Charles Coffin
* Salmon Chase
Joseph Emerson
Lothrop Lewis
William Thompson
* John P. Little
* Sam'l Farnsworth
William Livermore
Josiah Burnara
* Jesse Rice
In the whole, from 1760 to 1805, while the towns in Oxford
were a part of the County, (being a term of 45 years) the ap-
pointments to the office of a Justice of the Peace, were in num-
ber, 113. The number appointed in the County since Oxford
was separated from it, (being a term of 15 years) is 192.
I close this part of the work with the following short account
of the
Cumberland Baptist Missionary Society.
This Society was instituted July 24, 1816, Its object is^ " tft
* Timothy Pike
Ezckicl Whitmiai
George E. Vaughan
Isaac Parker
Caleb Prentiss
Andrew R. Giddins
Theodore Mussey
Nathaniel Perley
Rich'd Hunnewell
James Paine
Arvida Heyford
George Bradbury
Barret Potter
John Dunlap
James Prince
Homes Thomas
Edwd. Richardson
* Josiah Bisco
John Perry, jun.
* Dominicus Record
* Foster Waterman
Jos. Mc Lellan, jun.
Samuel Perley
Joseph E. Foxcroft
Jacob Mitchel
Elias Merril
Hugh Mc Lellan
J. Thompson
U3
absist by its funds and influence, in tlie measures now in opera-
tion, to send the gospel among- the heathea." Its Directors con-
sist of the President, two Vice Presidents, a Corresponding- Sec-
retary, a Recording- Secrctarj^, a Treasurer, and three Trus-
tees. Its funds are composed of subscriptions of one dollar or
more paid annually by each member, and by a contribution at
the annual meeting-s, at which a sermon is delivered, and a con-
tribution made. The time of this annual meeting^ is the third
Wednesday of June. The present number of members is uncer-
tain. There are, however, 59 in Portland, and 19 in North-
Yarmouth. The monies collected are sent to " the Board of
Manag-ers of t\ie Baptist General Convention of the United
States.-'
PART FOURTH.
STATE OF MAINE.
An Account of the District, now State of Maine, as it is con-
tained in the Charge of the Hon. David Sew all, Esq. to the
Grand Jury, at the District Court, held at Portland, June 1,
1790.
Gentlemen of the Grand Jury^
It may be useful to mention something of the origin and chan-
ges of government that have happened in this Eastern Territo-
ry, prior to a particular consideration of tJie business which has
called us together at this time.
It is now 183 years since the first settlement was attempted
to be made in any part of the territory now known by the Dis-
trict of Maine. This settlement was upon the western side of
Sagadahock nver neai- the sea, in the year 1607. But it was of
short continuance, being abandoned within a year after its com-
mencement.
More than twenty years after that period, Sir Ferdinando
l2
114
"Grorgc, au active member of the Council of Plymouth, in Old
Eng'land, obtained from that Council a grant of a larg-e tract of
land. And upon a surrender of their charter to the Crown of
Eng-land, from whence it was derived, had a g-rant and confir-
mation of the same, by patent from King- Charles the first— ^des-
cribing- the territory, as extending- from Piscataqua river to Sa-
gadahock river, and back from the sea coast between those riv-
ers, and the rivers of Newichwanick and Kenebeck, that ran
into them, north-westerlj^ one hundred and twenty miles, by the
name of the Province of Maine*. This patent or charter, wbich
bears date the 3d day of April, 1639, from an unacquaintance
with the g-eneral course of the rivers Newichwanick and Ken-
nebeck, was supposed to comprehend a country on the conti-
nent of America, of one hundred and twenty miles square, and
has disting-uished this pari of the territory, by the appellation of
the PROVINCE OF MAINE. This charter to Gorge, con-
tained very ample powers of government, as large, it is said, as
ever a sovereign of England committed to a subject. But they
seem calculated more to aggrandize the lord proprietor, and
make him absolute in his principalitj^, in matters civil, military
and ecclesiastical, than for securing to the persons who should
inhabit here, any permanent privileges, exclusive of what de-
pended upon the will and pleasure of the lord proprietor.
However, in justice to the memory of Sir Ferdinando Gorge,
It may be observed, that no traces remain of his having abused
the powers of government committed to him ; but that he took
great care and pains, and expended large sums of money, in' ma-
king settlements in various parts of the territory, which eventu-
ally proved to be of very little advantage to himself or any of his
descendants. He appointed a deputy Governor and Council,
and instituted Courts of Justice, some of tlie records of which
are yet extant.
About the year 1647, some of his council moved out of the ju-
risdiction — those who remained conceiving their power to have
ceased by his death, which happened about that time. And the
• The Jslanc55 of Nantucket and Martha's Vineyaid, were includtd in this
paicntj but are qow no part of ihe District of Maint.
115
civil war which rag-ed in England, prevented his descendants
from taking any care of the Province, or even to make answer
to the pressing letters wrote on the occasion.
The inhabitants sensible of the absolute necessity of civil g-ov-
ernment, in the year 1649, unanimously entered into a concise
constitution or form of g-overnment, stiled a combination^ where-
in they agreed to choose a Governor and other officers annually,
and to be governed by the general laws of England, and such
other regulations, as the persons by them annually elected
should make. This kind of government continued until the
year 1652, when the fewness of the inhabitants and their scat-
tered situation, occasioned their applying (as their ueighbors of
New Hampshire had some years preceding) to the Colony of
Massachusetts, for assistance and protection against the In-
dians. And the Massachusetts Colony construing the northerly
line of their patent to Rosewell, &c. in 1628, to be three miles
due north of the most northerly part of any river that emptied
into, or was connected with the river Merimack, and to extend
the same line east to the Atlantic Ocean, and west to the South
Sea — this place, three miles north of the most northerly part of
the Merimack, the}' fixed somewhere in the Lake Winnepesco-
ky, in the lat. of 43° 43' 12" — and by a corresponding observa-
tion of the latitude on the sea coast, found that an east line from
thence, would strike the shore of Casco Bay. And this line thus
run, would include all the then inhabited part of New-Hamp-
fejiire, and nearly the whole of Maine. And from this circum-
stance it is probable, they more readily exercised the powers
of government over them.
- From that time (1652), until after the restoration of King-
Charles the second, New-Hampshire and Maine, were in all res-
pects, considered as parts of the Massachusetts. About the year
1664, the Commissioners appointed by the Crown of England
to visit the' New-England Colonies, came into the Province of
Maine, and appointed Magistrates, who exercised their author-
ity buta few years. For soon after the departure of the Com-
missioners, the Massachusetts colony sent down their Magis-
trates.. And from the disputes which arose from the officers
il6
who derived tiieir authority from different sources, the civil antj
political affairs of Maine were in some degree of confusion. But
the mag-istrates appointed under the colony of Massachusetts
prevailed ; and the government of the Territory returned again
to its former channel under the Massachusetts. Until upon the
repeated applications of Gorge's descendants and capt. John
Mason, (who claimed New Hampshire to the crown of England)
an order issued inhibiting the Massachusetts to exercise juris-
diction any longer. And New-Hampshire was, in 1679, made a
distinct government under the crown, by a commission to
President Cutts. And about this time the Massachusetts colony,
b)' their agent, Lieut. Governour Usher, purchased of Gorge,
the grandson and heir at law of Sir Ferdinando, the Province of
Maine, for £1250 sterling. And conceiving that by this pur-
chase they obtained as well the powers of Government contained
in its charter, as the soil, administered the government in the
Province of Maine, agreeably to the directions prescribed there-
in, until the Massachusetts colony Charter was vacated by a
judgment in Chancery, in 1684. When the new Charter of
William and Mary was granted in 1692, the territory of Maine,
and that east of it called Sagadahoc, and also all Nova Scotia,
were incorporated with the old colony of Plymouth, together
with the colony of Massachusetts, into one government by the
Dame of Massachusetts Bay.
From these several transactions may be collected the con-
nection of what is now denominated the District of Maine, and
which includes all the territory on the sea-coast, from the mouth
of Piscataqua river, to the river St. Croix, 300 miles and more
ia length, and from 50 to 80 miles in breadth, antl comprehen-
ding the counties of York, Cu>fBERLAND, Lincoln, Hancock
and Washington with the Massachusetts — notwithstanding the
intervention of the State of New Hampshire,
The foregoing account is copied from the Columbian CopU-
nel, printed at Boston, August 25, 1790.
General Census^ of Jilaine, at the foUoicing Periods.
Counties. Inmr. 1790. 1800. 1810. 1020,-
York* 1691 28,821 37,729 41,877 46,284'
Cumberland, 1760 25,450 37,921 42,813 49,339
Lincoln, 1760 29,962 30,100 42,992 52,953
Hancock, 1789 9,549 16,316 30,031 31,071
Washington, 1789 2,758 4,436 7,870 12,746
Kennebec, 1799 24,394 39,564 42,633
Oxford, 1805 27,185
Somerset, 1809 -.---- 21,698
Penobscot, 1815 -.---- 13,931
Time of Separation and Organization of the State:
Maine was conditionally separated from Massachusetts by za
Act of the General Court of Massachusetts, June 19, 1819.
Its Constitution was formed Oct. 23, 1819.
It became entirely an independent State, March 15, 1820.
The first election of Governor, Senators
IT? * 4- * 1 1 i- AP"1 3, 1820.
and Representatives took place *
The first Legislature was held at Portland, May 31, 1820.
SOCIETIES AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS.
Note. — The account of these are placed in the order of time
in which they were respectively formed-
Bowdoiii College.
This Institution was incorporated by the Legislature of Mas-
sachusetts, June 24, 1794. By the act of incorporation, it was
to be under the government and regulation of two certain bodies
politic and corporate, viz. The President and Trustees^ and The
Overseers.
The President and Treasurer were to be ex officio members
of the former, and the number (including tliem) were never to
be greater than thirteen, nor less than seven. The Presic^ent
of the Trustees to be ex officio President of the College. — They
*It may not be correct to say that thiicoanty was incorporated in 1691 ; but
it then first became such in the Province of Maiiachusett^—X\i\s ke'tng the year
when Maine was annexed to that Province,
may hold any estate, real or personal, provided the annua I iii
come of the same should not exceed the sum of Ten Thousand
Pounds. They liaTC power to elect a Vice-President and Sec-
jpetaiy of the Corporation — to make by-laws — to determine affld
prescribe the mode of ascertaining the qualification of the stu-
dents, requisite to tlieir admission^ — to repair the buildings of the •
College — to settle, divide and manage, or sell, convey and dis-
pose of the five townships of land, granted to them for the use of
.the College, or any part thereof :—-i: ad with the concurrence ©f
the Overseers, to elect Trustees, .President and Treasurer, or
^ny officer of the College— to fill up vacancies — to remove any
Trustee who might become incapable of discharging the duties of
his office, or any Officer of the College — to purchase or erect
iany house or other building, which they judge necessary for the
College— to determine what Officers shall be established for this
said College, their duties, salaries, emoluments and tenures —
to appropriate funds — to accept any estate, when the donation
may be made upon condition — to determine the qualification for
the students requisite to their admission — to confer such de-
crees as are usually conferred by Universities for the education
of youth — and to make, alter, amend or repeal any^rules, orders?
or by-laws, for the government of the College.
The number of the Overseers (including the President of the
College and Secretary of the Corporation, who were to be ex
officio members) was never to exceed forty-five, nor less than
twenty-five. — They have power to elect a President, Vice-Pres-
ident and Secretary, and to fix the tenures and duties of thejr
respective offices — to remove any Overseer who may become
incapable of discharging the duties of his office — to fill up va-
cancies — and to agree or disagree to any election, vote, order or
act of the President and Trustees, made necessary by the Act
of Incorporation, to give effect and validity to the same, of
which they are to notify that Board in convenient time ; but no
business was to be transacted at any meeting, unless fifteen of
them, at least, were present. But
The terms and conditions mentioned in the act of their incor-
poration have by consent, and by a law of this Stale, passetl
Jime 18, 1820, been " so far modified, limited or anulled, as that
the President and Trustees and Orerseers shall have, hold, use
and enjoy their powers and privileges in all respects ; subject
however, to be altered, limited, restrained or extended," as the'
Legislature of the State shall judg^ *' necessary to promote the
best interests of the Institution ;" and by another law, passed'
March 19, 1821, the following alterations have been made, viz ;
— The number of Trustees are increased to not less than twenty"
uor more than twenty-five : No business to be transacted bj'^ lesfe'
than thirteen, and the number of Overseers never to be less
than forty-five nor more than sixty : The Secretary of the Trus-
tees not to be an Overseer: The Treasurer not to be a Trustee
nor an Overseer : Vacancies to be filled in efither Board only- at
the annual meeting in September.
By an act passed June 28, 1820, the sum of three thousand
dollars, annually, was granted to the Institution for the term of
seven years from the 14th Feb. 1824, to be paid from monies
arising from the tax on Banlfs.
The first acting President* of the College, was the Rev. Jo-
seph Mc Kean. He was appointed in 1802, and died in 1807.
The next was the Rev. Jesse Appleton. He was appointed ill
1807, and died in 1819. When
The Rev. William Allen was appointed, and now holds the of
fice.
Presiderxis of the Board of Overseers.
1. ]
aon. David Sewall^ frc
)m 1794 to 1800..
.. 6 Years.
2.
Daniel Davis,
1800
1805..
.. 5
3.
James Bowdoin,
1805
1807.,
.. 2
4.
David Sewall,
1807
1808..,
.. 1' • •
5,
James Bowdoin^
1808
1809 . .
..I *
6.
David Sewall
1809"
1816..
.. r
7.
Samuel Freeman,
1816
1819...
.. 8
8.
Jeremiah Bayley,
ltJ19
1821...
. 2
27 •
*The late Rev. Or. Deane was, fbetieve, I>y previous appointment, nominally
the first.
120
\
This account is taken from the Massachusetts Register. A
List of the other Officers of the two Boards, and of the Executive
Gkjvernment, now holding^ their respective Offices, as well as the
Vacations, qualifications for admission, and the Course of Studies
to be pursued at the College, may be seen in the " Maine B.eg'-
ister" for the present year 1821.
The number of students graduated since its establishment is
as follows — viz.
In 1806
•7
1811
6
1816
11
1807
3
1812
7
1317
8
1803
6
1813
5
1818
19
1809
5
1814
15
1819
11
3810
12
1815
8
1820
12
The number in the class to be graduated the present year,
1821, is said to be 21.
Jdaine Jilissionary Society.
This Society was incorporated March 3, 1809, " for the pur-
pose of extending the knowledge of God our Saviour, by sending
the glorious gospel to those who are destitute of the public and
stated means of religious instruction." It has not yet any per-
manent funds, from which any income is realized. By the last
-will and testament of Peter Thacher, Esq. of Gorham, made in
1810, the residue of his Estate, aftet payment of sundry lega-
cies, was given to the Society. But the Society has received
nothing to this day, though it is said something is expected soon.
The late Doct. John Wingate, of Hallowell, devised to the So-
ciety, two Farms, which were thought to be worth $2000 each,
but his widow has the use of them during her life.
The sources from which the Society has derived support are,
1. From the members of tlie Society, the number of whom is be-
'tween 4 and 500, who pav, on admission, one dollar, and two
dollars annually. 2. From Auxiliary Societies. 3, From Con-
g^regational Collections; and 4. Individual donations. "The
receipts, of course, are different in different yeiirs — varying
from $500 to $1500." The income of the Society " has been
applied almost exclusively to the support of missionaries in the
destitute places in Maine. — It has been the object of the Society
to assist those who are endeavoring to help themselves, and to
-aid in the settlement and permanent establishment of Ministers.
121
—The Society has generally met on the fourth Wednesday ol
June annually.
JBibh Society of Maine,
[See page 92.]
Society for Theological Education in Maine.
This Society was formed by gentlemen living- in different
parts of the District (now State) of Maine, and incorporated
Feb. 27, 1812, " for the purpose of raising a fund to assist those
well disposed young men, that are desirous of entering into the
work of the gospel ministry, but by a deficiency of pecuniary re-
sources, are unable to prosecute a course of regular studies ne-
cessary to qualify them for a station so important and useful."
It was to continue for the terra of thirty years.
Though I have taken much pains, I have not been able to ob-
tain any particular account of this Society. From the vague
information I have received, I have formed an id-a that it con-
sisted of but about twenty members, whose subscriptions were
not for any certain sum, but optional ; and that it has since its
establishment, given way to the " Maine Charity School,'*
which emanated from it, or been super: ekd by the " Maine
Branch of the American Society for educL.i rag pious Youth for
the Gospel Ministry." For the accounts of these Societies.
See below, and page 123.
Just as the above was going to the press (and I deferred wri-
ting it until a day or two before,) a respectable gentleman in-
formed me, that the funds of this Society were all transferred to
the above mentioned " Maine Charity School." — Avg-. 24, 1821
JVaterville College.
This Institution was established by the General Court of Mas-
sachusetts, Feb. 27, 1813, under the name of the " Maine Liter-
ary and Theological Institution," for the purpose of educating
youth.
The powers given to the Society are such as are usually given
to Societies of this kind. It is made " capable of having, hold-
ing and taking in fee simple or any less estate by gift, grant,
devise or otherwise, any lands, tenements or other etfects, real or
M
122
personal — Provided tlie annual income should not exceed the
sum of $ 30,000." The clear rents, issues and profits of wliich is
lobe appropriated to the endowment of the Institution in such
manner as most effectually to promote virtue and pict}^ and a
knowledge of such of the lang'uag-es and of the liberal arts and
sciences as the corporation from tune to time should direct.
It may erect and keep in repair such houses and other building-s
as the Board of Trustees shall judge necessary, but no business
shall be transacted unless thirteen are present.
By the act of Hs incorporation there was granted a township
of land " to be vested in the corporation of the institution, for
the use, benefit and purpose of supporting said institution, to be
bj' them holden in their corporate capacity, with full power to
sell, convey and dispose of, for settlement only, and to no one
person a larger quantity than one thousand acres, in such way and
manner as shall best promote the welfare of the Institution, to
be laid out under the direction of the committee for the sale of
eastern lands.
By an act passed June 19, 1820, the President and Trustees of
this Institution are authorized and empowered to confer such de-
grees as are usually conferred by Universities established for the
education of youth, provided that said corporation shall confer
no degree other than those of Bachelor of Arts and Master of
Arts, until after the first of January 1820, and provided also that
the said corporation shall not make or have any rule or by-laws
requiring that any number of the Trustees shall be of any par-
ticular religious denomination— Provided that no student sus-
taining a good moral character, shall be deprived of any privi-
leges of said Institution or be subjected to the forfeiture of any
aid which has been granted by said Institution for the purpose of
enabling him to prosecute his studies, or be denied admission to
said Institution or the usual testimonials on closing his studies,
on the ground that his interpretation of the scripture differ from
those, which are contained in the articles of faith adopted* or to
be adopted by said Institution.
»The Instittifion h:^s net ad^p^e^ any avricje of faith, and I am well assured
does not intend to.
123
No President of the Colleg-e has yet been elected ; but the
business of education is carried on under the superintcndanccof
the Rev. Jeremiah ChapUn. The present number of students is
about thirty. A four story brick building- is now erecting-, of
eighty feet in length, and forty in breadth.
By an act of June 28, 1820, one thousand dollars annually,
for the term of seven years, from the 14th February, 1821, was
granted to this institution, to be paid from the tax on banks, one
fourth of which is to be appropriated towards the partial or total
reduction of the tuition fees of such students, not exceeding one
half the number of any class who maj apply therefor.
The Rev. Sylvanus Boardman, is the present President of the
board of trustees.
Maine Gharity School.
" This School originated with the Society- for Tljcological
Education, and is nearly connected with that Society.
" In 181.2, some measures were taken to establish the Institu-
tion.
" On the 25th of Feb. 1814, it was incorporated for the pur-
pose of promoting religion and morality, and for the education
of youth in such languages, and in such of the liberal arts and
sciences, as thf^ Trustees thereof should from time to time judge
the most useful and expedient for the purposes of the Seminary,
and as they might accordingly direct.
" Tlie number of Trustees was never to be more than fifteen,
nor less than nine. They may choose oHicers as they may see
fit. They may receive and hold in fee simple or otherwise, any
lands or other estate, real or personal — provided the annual in-
come thereof shall not exceed the sum of $ 15,000, and may dis-
pose of the same in such way as tliey may judge will be most
conducive to tlie general interest of the seminary, and the pro-
motion of piety and literatui^e.
" In 1816, it went into operation at Hampden, on the Pen-
obscot.
" In 1819, it was removed to Bangor, where it is pcrmaneat-
ly established.
124
'•'• The Institution tlcpcnds in a great measure for support, on
charitable contributions, and the good providence of God, who
has the hearts of men in his hands.
" It has two Professors, one of Theolog-y, and one of Classical
Literature, and twenty-two Students. Six graduated last year.
Commencement, the last Wednesday in August. The Term of
Studies is four years : three are devoted to literary and classi-
cal Studies, and one to Theology. To ail pious students, pre-
paring for the ministry, tuition is offered gratis. Pious and in-
digent students are assisted as to board and clothing, from the
funds. But it is expected that they will do what they can to
si^pport themselves, and they are required to refund one half of
Tvhat is g-ranted for their support. Young men of good moral
character, but not designed for the ministry, may be admitted
into the seminary and enjoy the literary advantages, paying for
their instruction."
I am indebted for the foregoing account, to a Rev. Gentle-
inan, who kindlj- forwarded it to me at my request.
Since the insertion of this account I have seen in the Bos-
ton Recorder of August 18, 1821, the copy of a letter from the
Treasurer of the society, dated July 24, containing- a list of
receipts from the 1st December last, in donations, subscription
and collections by agents, amounting to $1378,66 besides ''large
quantities of clothing, and many valuable books — also, a deed
from Henry Ladd, of Portsmouth, N. H. conveying real estate,
value unknown ; and one from Isaac Davenport, of Mil ton, Mass.
securing to the seminary, a scite for its buildings, estimated at
not less than $1000." The writer says " We have on our list
fourteen beneficiaries," and that "the whole expense of the
seminary will for the current year, a little exceed $3000," and
*' that the income will fall considerably short of three fourths
of that s urn."
Maine Charitable Mechanical Association.
The meetings of this Society being holden, and the officers of
it residing in Portland, I have given an account of it amop^
l!iOse of other Societies in that town. [See p. 95.]
125
Peace Society of Maine.
[See page 97.]
Maine Agricultural Society.
This Society was incorporated Feb. 16, 1818. It is made ca
pable in law, of purchasing-, taking and holding, estate real and
personal, provided the annual income should not exceed the
sum of $ 30,000. And it may make, establish, and put in exe-
cution, such laws and regulations, not repugnant to law, as may
"be necessary for its government ; and appoint oflicers for the
well governing and ordering the affairs of the Societj-.
I cannot give a better account of this important Society, than
in the words of a very respectable member of it, who has been
30 obliging as to comply witli my desire that he would furnish
me with one — It is as follews : —
"In thej'ear ICO?, an Agricultural Sccietj^, was incorporated
under the name of the Kennebec Agricultural Society. It was
partly formed out of the remains of a Society of persons, who
had voluntarily and with good effect associated, in the year 1787,
for the promotiou of agriculture, by means of the importation of
beeds, cattle and implements. The newly incorporated Society,
of 1807, continued in an active state for some years ; and trans-
mitted various papers to the Massachusetts Agricultural Society,
which were published along with the Memoii's of that Society,
making indeed part of them. After a time, however, this new
Society became dormant ; and, some of the members, being
joined with other individuals who favored the adoption of a more
extensive plan, a meeting took place at BrunsAvick, which being-
soon followed by other steps, terminated in the formation of the
present Society.
The first president was the Hon. Samuel S. Wilde, one of the
Judges of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts ; and the second
was the Hon. William King-, the late Governor of Maine, who
still presides over this Society, (July 1821.)
There has been one shew of cattle, &c. which was held at
HallowcU, in October 1820 ; and a sccj-nd is appointed to be
ai2
126
held at the same place, in October of the present year, (1821.)
The leading- object of this Society, as embracing- in its view
the agricultural concerns of the whole State, is to unite every
county of the State in its management and support. Hence,
every county has a vice president and two trustees assigned to
it ; and a committee is expected to be formed in each county,
to collect and transmit information to the parent Society, and
become the org-an of local distribution for whatever may be
placed, for that purpose, in its hands. There is also a committee
of publications attached to the Society, having a central position,
(viz. near the head of the tide waters of the Kennebec,) which
has published various Essays, intended to imitate the form of ar-
ticles in our Cyclopedias ; these memoirs appearing- first in the
newspapers of the State, which were most central, and being
copied into such others within the State, as found it convenient
to insert them.
The Annual Meeting- of the Society is at the time of the shew
of cattle, &LC. ;and the trustees also, who have the management
of these shews, have at least three meetings appointed within the
year.
The funds of ihe Society consist at present solely of the con-
tributions of its members, who are in number about two hundred;
each paying one dollar per annum, or five dollars for life. The
State has as yet furnished.no aid ; but it is hoped that some pat-
ronage, of a pecuniary nature at least, will be provided for the
Society, at the ensuing sessions of the State Legislature, in con-
formity to a practice now becoming universal throughout the
Union, and v/hich the labors of this Society, the importance of
its objects, and tliC respectability of many of its members, seem
to merit.
Tlie above fund is the whole source, from whence the premi-
ums of the Society are furnished, and the whole of its incidental
expenses defrayed ; under which head however we must not in-
clude, that of advertizing ; its advertisements having hitherto
been inserted, by a noble generosity, in the various newspapers
of tlie State, free of all charge."
July 14,1821.
127
Besides this Agricultural Society, thcfre is in Maine, one in
Oxford County, also one in Somerset County, and another in the
town of Winthrop.
Eastern Branch of the Massachusetts Evangelical Missicmary
Society,
" The great object of this Society, is " to furnish to the des-
titute inhabitants of our own country, and especially the Dis-
trict of Maine, the means of religious instruction and moral im-
provement, giving occasional aid to towns and parishes, in sup-
porting the gospel ministry." One of the articles of its Con-
stitution, contains a resolution in the following words, viz.
"" That no persons shall be employed as its Missionaries, but such
as are sound in the faith once delivered to the saints ; approved
for their knowledge, prudence and piety ; animated with chris-
tian zeal ; diligent in their proper calling ; and ready to endure
hardships, as good soldiers of Jesus Christ.'* And by another it
contemplates to imitate the example of the parent Society, who
made it " one important part of their duty, to give their aid in
the instruction and superintendance of schools." It was insti-
tuted June 10, 1818.
" It is supported by donations and annual subscriptions of one
dollar each. A donation of twenty dollars, constitutes the do-
nor a member for life. One has been made, by a person un-
known to the Society, of one hundred dollars. The present
number of members is about one hundred.
<J\Iaine Branch of the American Society for educating pious
Youth for the Oospel Ministry.
This Society (of which the late Doct. Appleton was the first
President) was established at Portland, Jan. 7, 1819. The name
of it shews the design of its institution. Any person may be-
come a member, by subscribing its constitution, and paying a
sum not less than two dollars, and may continue a member as
long as he shall pay annually that sum. Twenty-five dollars,
paid by any person, makes him a member for life. Provision is
made in the Constitution, for the formation of Branch Societies,
and their representation in this Society ; also, for annual meet-
ings and contribulions.
128
in regard to appli cants for aid from the Society, and tliose
who may be received as beneficiaries, the directors are to g-ov-
em themselves by tlie g-eneral principles of the parent societj'-.
The present number of members is ninety-four. The amount
of sums received since its establishment is $1425, and that of
sums expended, $ 724.
Trustees of the Maine Baptist Education Society.
This Society was instituted August 17, 1819. It is supported
by annual subscriptions of different sums, not less than one dol-
lar; annual contributions, and auxiliary societies. Ontheolh
of February 1821, Sylvanus Boardman, Jeremiah Chaplin, Tho-
mas B. Ripley, Robert Low, Calvin Stockbridg-e, John O'Brien,
their associates and successors, were incorporated into a body
politic, by the name of the " Trustees of the Maine Baptist Soci-
ety ;" who were, by the act of incorporation, empowered to
make by-laws for the manag'ement of their affairs, and to take
and possess any real or personal estate, to the value of sixty
thousand dollars, and to g-ive and grant, bargain and sell, or
lease the same. They have also power to elect such officers as
they may deem neccssar}', and fill all vacancies in their number,
occasioned by death, resignation or otherwise.
The number of Trustees is not to exceed twenty. They meet
tinnually at Waterville, on Tuesday, P. M. next before the an-
nual meeting of the Corporation of Waterville College.
'All the Estate of the Corporation, both real and personal, is
to be improved to the best advantage, and the annual income
thereof, and so much of the principal as the Trustees shall judge
proper, together with the annual subscriptions and contribu-
tions, applied in making provision for the education of such per-
sons for the ministry, as they may deem fit subjects therefor.
Medical School.
This School was established by an Act of the Legislature,
passed June 27, 1820, to be " under the control,, superintend-
ance and direction of the President and Trustees, and Over-
s.eers of Bowdoin College, for the instruction, of Students in
Medicine, Anatomy, Surgery, Ciiemistry, Mineralogy and Bot-
any;" who are to appoint learned Professors thereof. These
129
Professors are to " deliver regular lectures in their respective
branches, at such times as the Corporation shall prescribe."
For the benefit of this School, and for procuring the neces-
sary Books, Plates, Preparations and Apparatus, the Legisla-
ture in the same Act, granted the sum of $ 1500 ; and the sum
of;^ 1000 annually, until it shall otherwise direct.
Maine. Congregational Charitable Society.
By an Act of the Legislature of the State of Maine, passed
January 23, 1821, the Rev. Elijah Kellogg, and fourteen oth-
er Ministers of the Gospel, with their associates and successors,
were incorporated into a body politic, for the humane and benev-
olent purpose of affording relief and support to the indigent wid-
ows and children of deceased ministers : and for that purpose
were authorised to take and hold any estate whose annual in-
come should not exceed the sum of five thousand dollars, and to
give or grant, or bargain and sell the same ; and with all the pri-
vileges usually granted to other Societies instituted for purposes
of charity and benevolence.
Maine Medical Society.
This Society was established by an Act of incorporation pass-
ed March 8, 1821, which gives it " power to take and hold any
real or personal estate, to the value of $ 10,000 ; and to give,
grant, bargain and sell the same, provided the whole amount of
the income of such estate, together with all fines and penalties,
received by the Society, shall be applied to uses consistent with
the design of the Institution." The act made it the duty of the
Society, at their first meeting, to appoint Censors or Examiners,
for the examination of all who having been Students in Medi-
cine and Surgery according to the regulation of the Societ}^,
should offer themselves to be approved and licensed as practical
Physicians and Surgeons ; and " from time to time to describe
such medical instruction or education as they should deem re-
quisite for candidates previous to their examination, to be pub-
lished in at least, two Newspapers printed in the State. Every
approved candidate is entitled to a letter testimonial of the ap-
130
probatloa and license to become a praclitioner,''and may be ad-
mitted to the deg-ree of Bachelor, or Doctor in Medicine at Bow-
doin Cuileg-e, and have the use of the Society's Library. And
after tiiree years' approved practice, and being of good moral
character, be admitted a fellow of the society.
The Society may annually elect Comisellors, and may annex
fines to the breach of any by-law, not exceeding fifty dollars to
any one fine. The annual meeting-s of the Society are to be
holden a,t Brunswick, on the Tuesday next preceding- the ftrst
Wednesday of September in each year.
In addition to tlie beforementioned Societies, there are in the
State of Maine the following — viz.
Augusta Union Society — for the improvement of morals and
diiTusion of useful knowledge. Instituted June 2, 1819. Incor-
porated June 10, 1820.
Bucksport Feraale Charitable S-ociety. Incorp. Jan. 1, 1815.
Thomasion Charitable Society. Incorporated in 1819.
Wiacasset Feraale Asylum.
Eastport Mechanic Association-
Thomasion Marble Manufacturing Compcuiy. Incorporated
1B18. Also^
■Female Missionary Society, in each of the following towns—
viz. Bridgeton, Otisfield, Gushing-, Thomaston — and a
Foreign Missionary Society at Wiscasset, one at Bath, and
another at Portland ; of Avhich last see page 93.
MASONIC SOCIETIES.
The Grand Lodge of Maine.
This Lodge was incorporated b}- the Legislature of the State,
June 6, 1820. By the act of its incorporation it is enabled " to
take and hold, for charitable and benevolent uses, anj' real es-
tate to the value of twenty thousand dollars, and any personal
estate to the value of sixty thousand dollars," and to dispose of
the same, *' with all the privileges usually granted to other So-
cieties, instituted for purposes of charity and benevolence."
And by an article of its by-laws, it constitutes " The Grand
Master, Deputy Grand Master, Grand Wardens and Recording
131
Grand Secretary a Board of Trustees of sucli estate. Bj other
articles it establishes a Charity Fund, " which shall be from
time to time increased, by adding- thereto one half of all monies
that may be in the Treasury at every annual meeting of the
Grand Lodge, over and above the debts of the Grand Lodg-e,
and one half of all donations not specially appropriated by the
donors." This fund is to be under the direction of tlie Trustees
before mentioned, and six brethren, who are not acting" officers
of the Grand Lodg'e, being- elected by ballot, for the term of
three years, and -constituting-, during- that term, a permanent
part of the board, who meet on Monday preceding- each quar-
terly communication of the Grand Lodg-e.
The mecting-s of the Grand Lodg-e are to be in Portland, on
the second Thursdays of January, April, July and October.
Under the jurisdiction of this Lodge, there are now within
the State thirty-six subordinate Lodges, two of which are es-
tablished in Portland. Each of these have a Fund for charita-
ble purposes, established by acts of incorporation.
The following is a list of them.
FIRST DISTRICT.
Portland — Portland, York — Kennebunk.
Saco— Saco. Freeport — ^^Freeport.
Cumberland-New-Gloucester. Adoniram — Limington.
Ancient Land Mark-Portland. Tranquil — Minot.
SECOND DISTRICT.
Pythagorean — Fryeburg. Oriental Star — Livermore.
Oriental — Bridgton. Blazing Star — Rumford.
Oxford — Paris.
THIRD DISTRICT.
Kennebec — Hallowcll. Temple — Winthrop.
Maine — Farmington. Herraon — Gardiner.
Village — Bowdoinham. Waterville — Waterville.
Northern Star — Anson. Somerset — Norridgewalk.
Bethlehem — Augusta.
FOURTH DISTRICt.
Solar — Bath. Amity — Camden.
United — Brunswick. O rient — Thomaston,
Lincoln — Wiscasset- St. George — Warren.
Union — L^nion.
132
FIFTH DISTRICT.
Hancock— Castine. Felicity — Bucksport.
Rising Virtue — Hampden. Belfast — Belfast.
SIXTH DISTRICT.
Warren — Machias. Eastern — Eastport.
Tuscan — Columbia.
Portland Lodge.
This Lodge was originally instituted in March, 1760, and in-
corporated February 7, 1820. Its Funds is at present $1500.
(See page 101) Stated meetings the second Wednesday of eve-
ry month.
Antietit Land Mark Lodge.
This Lodge was originally instituted in June, 1806, and in-
corporated June 19, 1819. The amount of its present Fund is
about $1500. (See page 99.) Stated meetings the first Wednes-
day in every month.
There is also a
Grand Royal Arch Chapter for the State of Maine.
Organized February 7, 1821. Its jurisdiction extends through-
out the State, and it has four subordinate Chapters, one of which
is in Portland, viz.
Mount Vernon Chapter.
This Institution is not incorporated but was formed and or-
ganized at Portland, about fifteen years ago ; soon after which
it established a Fund of about $500. Its stated meetings are held
in Portland, on the third Mondays of each of the autumnal and
winter months.
The other Chapters are Montgomery Chapter, BatJi — New
Jerusalem Chapter, Wiscasset — Jerusalem Chapter, HallowelL
There is also established in Portland
A Council of Royal Masters and Appendant Orders.
Stated Convocation at Masons' Hall, the first Mondays in
January, April, July and October.
Also,
An Encampment of Knights Templars a7\d Appendant Orders.
t33
ACADEMIES.
Besides the Portland Academy, of which some account has
been g-iven, (See Pag-e 91,) Academies have been established
in the following places in the State of Maine, arranged accord-
ing- to the order of time in which they were respectively incor-
porated.
Towns.
Berwick,
Hallowell,
Fryeburg",
Machias,
Lincoln,
Gorham,
Bluehill,
Hampden,
Hebron,
Bath,
Farmington,
Time of Tncor.
March, 1791
March, 1791
Feb. 1792
March, 1792
Feb. 1801
March, 1803
March, 1803
March, 1803
Feb. 1804
March, 1805
Feb. 1807
Towns. Time of Incor.
Bloomfield, Feb. 1807
Belfast, Feb. 180G
Warren, Feb. 1808
Bath, (Female) March, 1808
Bridg-eton, March, 1808
Limerick, Nov. 1808
Monmouth, June, 1809
Saco, Feb. 1811
North-Yarmouth, Feb. 1814
Augi]sta,(Female) June, 1817
Bangor, (Female) June, 1818
BIBLE SOCIETIES.
Bihie Society of Maine.
As the Meetings of the Bible Society of Maine, and of the
Trustees of said Society, have always been holden at Portland, in
the County of Cumberland ; and as since its incorporation an
Independent Society has bjeen formed in each of the other coun-
ties of the State, (except Oxford, which is auxiliary to the
Maine Bible Society,) I have placed some account of it among
i.he accounts of other Societies in that Town.
Besides this and the County Societies, there are in the State^
the Kennebec Marine Bible Society — the Biddeford and Saco
Marine Bible Society — and at Portland, an Auxiliary Marine Bi-
ble Society. Of this last, See Page 102.
BANKS.
Js'ames. Capitals.
Cumberland, $200,000
Kennebunk, 100,000
Bath, 100,000
Hallowell & Augusta, 150,000
Wiscasset, 100^000
Walerville, 100,000
Bangor, 100,000
Lincoln, 100,000
J^amef.
Portland,
Saco,
Augusta,
Kennebec,
Gardiner,
Castine,
Passamaquoddy,
Capitals.
200,000
120,000
100,000
100,000
100,000
100,000
100,000
134
T hare thus g-iven a g-eneral account of the laic District, (now
State) of Maine, and of the several Institutions, which have been
i'orined therein, for the State at large ; together with a list of
those whose operations are confined to particular portions of
the State, so far as I had any knowledge of them. This was all
I had in contemplation, when I made a division of this Appen-
dix into four parts, except tlie Census and Valuation of Estates,
which I purpose to insert at the end of it — not only for extend-
ing- the information thereof more generally, and for the better
preserving the knowledge of the present population and wealth
of tlie State, but that its progress in these respects may be as-
certained in time to come.
The following account of Lovewell's Fight, is inserted by
particular request : as an event of peculiar interest, it will
doubtless gratify many, and be received with general satjsfac-
rion.
LOVEWELL'S FIGHT.
.^n account of Capt» John LovezueWs Battle with the In-
dians, at Pigwacket, (now Fryehurg^) in the begin-
ning of the year 1725.
{taken from Belknap's hist, of new-hampshire.]
The success of the forces at Norridg-wock, and the larg-e pre-
inium offered for scalps, having induced several volunteer com-
panies to g-o out, they visited one after another of the Indian
villages, but found them deserted. The fate of Norridg-wock
had struck such a terror into them, that they did not think them-
selves safe at any of their former places of abode, and occupied
them as resting places, only when they were scouting' or hunt-
ing.
One of these volunteer companies, under the command of
Capt. John Lovewell, of Dunstable, was greatly distinguished,
first, by their success, and afterwards by their misfortunes. This
company consisted of thirt}^ ; and at their first excursion to the
northward of Winnipiseogee lake, they discovered an Indian
wjgwara, in which were a man and a boy. They killed and
bcalped the man, and broug-ht tlie boy alive to Boston, where
they received the reward, promised by law, and a handsome
gratuity besides.
By this success his company was augmented to seventy. They
marched again, and viisited the place where they had killed the^
Indian, and found the body as they had left it two months before.
Their provision falling- short, thirty of them were dismissed by
jot and returned. The remaining forty continued their march
till they discovered a track, which they followed till they saw a
136
smoke, just before sunset, by which the}^ j»"5g'ed that the enemy
ivere encamped for the night. They kept themselves conceal-
ed till after midnight, when they silently advanced, and discov-
ered ten Indians asleep, round a fire, by the side of a frozen
pond. Lovewell now determined to make sure work ; and pla^
cing his men conveniently, ordered part of them to fire, five at
once, as quick after each other as possible, and another part to
reserve their fire. He gave the signal, by firing his own gun,
which killed two of them ; the men firing according to order,
killed five more on the spot ; the other three starting up from
their sleep, two of them were immediately shot dead by the re-
serve ; the other, though wounded, attempted to escape by cros-
sing the pond, but was seized by a dog, and held fast till they
killed him. Thus in a few minutes the whole company was de-
stroyed, and some attempt against the frontiers of New-Hamp-
shire prevented ; for these Indians were marchmg from Canada,
well furnished with new guns, and plenty of ammunition. Tliey
had also a number of spare blankets, mockaseens and snow-shoes,
for the accommodation of the prisoners whom they expected to
fake, and were within two days' march of the frontiers. The
pond where this exploit was performed, is at the head of a
branch of Salmonfall River, in the township of Wakefield, and
has ever since borne the name of Lovewell's Pond. The action
13 spoken of by elderly people, at this distance of time, with an
air of exultation ; and considering the extreme difficulty of
finding and attacking Indians in the woods, and the judicious
manner in which they were so completely surprised, it was a
capital exploit.
The brave company, with the ten scalps stretched on hoops
and elevated on poles, entered Dover in triumph, (Feb. 24) and
proceeded then to Boston ; where they received the bounty of
one hundred pounds each, out of the public treasury, (March 9.)
Encouraged by this successs, Lovewell marched a third time
(April 16 ;) intending to attack the village of Pigwacket, on the
upper part of the river Saco, which had been the residence of a
formidable tribe, and which they still occasionally inhabited*.
•^To attempt a march of more than 100 miles into the wilderness, where
not a friendly hut, or civilized inhabitant were to be met xoith— where:
137 ,
His company at this time consisted of forty-six, including a chap-
lain and surg-eon : two of them, proving- lame, returned : another,
falling- i'jck, they halted and built a stockade fort, on the west
side of tlie great Ossipee pond ; partly for the accommodation of
the sick man, and partly for a place of retreat in case of any
misfortune. Here the surg-eon was left with the sick man, and
eight of the company for a guard. The number was now re-
duced to tliirty-four. Pursuing their march to the northward,
they came to a pond, about twenty-two miles* distant from the
fort, and encamped by the side of it. Early the next morning,
(Ma}- 8,] while at their devotions, they heard the report of a
gun, and discovered a single Indian, standing on a point of land,
which run into tlie pond, more than a mile distant. The}^ had
been alarmed the preceding uight, by noises round their camp,
which they imagined were made by Indians, and tliis opinion
was now strengthened. They suspected that the Indian was
placed there to decoy them, and that a body of the enemy was
in their front. A consultation being held, they determined to
march forward, and by encompassing the pond, to gain the place
where the Indian stood. And that they might be ready for ac-
tion, they disencumbered themselves of their packs, and left
them, without a guard, at the north-east end of the pond, in a
pitch pine plain, where the trees were thin, and the bushes, at
that time of the year, small. It happened that Lovewell's march
iiad crossed a carrying-place, by which two parties of Indians,
consisting of forty-one men, commanded by Paugus and Waliwa,
who had been scouting down Saco river, were returning to the
lower village of Pigwacket^ distant about a mile and a half from
this pond. Having fallen on his track, they followed it till they
came to the packs, which they removed ; and counting them,
found the number of his men to be less than their own. Thev
savages and wolves were " lords of the soil !"-^where " dangers prest on
every side .'" was a desperate adventure, reserved for the daring spirit
of an intrepid LoveweU. There was not at the time of the battle a whitG
inhabitant within fifty miles of the scene of action.
* The printed accounts s^yforirj : it is prc^able the inarch was circu^
itoira.
k2
138
therefore placed themselves in ambush, to attack them on their
return. The Indian who had stood on the point, and was re-
turning- to the villag-e, by another path, met them, and received
their fire, which he returned, and wounded Lovewell and anoth-
er, with small shot. Lieut. Wyman firing- again, killed him, and
they took liis scalp*. Seeing- no other enemy, they returned to
the place where they had left tlieir packs ; and while they were
looking- for them, the Indians rose and ran towards them with a
horrid yelling-. A smart firing- commenced on both sides, it be-
ing- now about ten of the clock. Capt. Lovewell and eig^ht
more were killed on the spot. Lieut. Farwell and two others,
were wounded. Several of the Indians fell ; but, being" superior
in number, they endeavored to surround the party, who per-
ceiving- their intention, retreated, hoping to be sheltered by a
point of rocks which ran into the pond, and a few large pine
trees, standing on a sandy beach. In this forlorn place they took
their station ; on their right, Avas the mouth of a brook, at that
time unfordable ; on their left, was the rocky point ; their front
was partly covered by a deep bog, and partly uncovered ; and
the pond was in their rear. The enemy galled them in front
and flank, and had them so completely in their power, that had
they made a prudent use of their advantage, the whole company
must either have been killed, or obliged to surrender at discre-
tion — being destitute of a mouthful of sustenance, and an escape
* This Indian has been celebrated as a hero, and ranked with the
jRoman Curtius, who devoted himself to death, to save his country. [See
Hutchinson's Hist. Vol. II. p. 315.] Having been on the spot where
this celebrated action happened, and having conversed with persons who
v/ere acquainted with the Indians of Pigwacket, before and after this
battle, I am convinced that there is no foundation for the idea that he
was placed there as a decoy, and that he had no claim to the character
of hero. The point on which he stood, is a noted fishing place ; the gun
vviiich alamied Lovewell's company, was fired at a flock of ducks ; and
when they met him, he was returning home with his game and two fowl-
ing pieces, The village was situated at tiie edge of the meadow on Saco
river, which here forms a large bend. The remains of the stockades
were found by the first settlers, forty years afterwards. The pond is in
♦ho township of Fryeburg.
139
being impracticable. Under the conduct of Lieut. Wyman, they
kept up their fire, and shewed a resolute countenance, all the
remainder of the day ; during- which, their Chaplain, Jonathan
Fryc*, Ensign Robbins, and one more, were mortally wounded.
The Indians invited them to surrender, by holding up ropes to
them, and endeavoring to intimidate them by their hideous
yells. But they determined to die, rather than yield ; and by
their well directed fire, the number of the savages v/as thinned,
and their cries became fainter — till just before night, when they
quitted their advantageous ground, carrying off their killed and
wounded, and leaving the dead bodies of Lovewell and his men
unscalpedf . The shattered remnant of this brave company, col-
lecting- themselves together, found three of their number unable
to move from the spot ; eleven wounded, but able to march, and
nine who had received no hurt |. It was melancholy to leave
their dying- companions behind, but there was no possibility of
removing them. One of them. Ensign Robbins, desired them
to lay his gun by him charged, that if the Indians should return
before his death, he might be able to kill one more. After the
rising of the moon, [with their consent,'] they quitted the fatal
spot, and directed their march towards the fort, where the sur-
geon and guard had been left, [hoping to find a recruit^ and to re-
turn with fresh hands, to relieve them.'] To their great surprise,
» Mr. Frye, the only son of Capt James Frye, of Andover, was a
young gentleinan of a liberal education, who took his degree at College,
1723. He was greatly beloved by the company, for his excellent perform-
ances and good behaviour, and fought with undaunted courage till about
ihe middle of the afternoon, when, being mortally wounded, he could fight
no longer, but prayed audibly several times, for the preservation and suc-
cess of the residue of the company.
f By ihe best information, which was afiericards obtained from the
Indians who were in the engagement, there were about eighty of the sav-
ages, opposed to our valorous hero, with only thirty-two men. 2'he num-
ber killed on ihe part of the enemy, including their Paugus, wasfortu-
five. It was supposed and believed that not more than twenty of the ene-
my xccnt off well
X The fight co7itinu€d veryfwiow and obstinate till tmoards night
140
the^ found it deserted. In the beginning of ikfic action, one mail
(whose name has not been thought worthy to be transmitted to
posterity) quitted the field, and fled to the fort*, where, in the
* Solomon Kies also came to the fort. When he had fought in the bat-
tle till he had received three wounds, and had become so weak by the loss
of blood that he could not stand, he crawled up to Ensign Wyman, in the
heat of the battle, and told him he was a dead man ; but (said he) if it be
possible, I will get out of the way of the Indians, that they may not get
toy scalp. Kies then crept off by the side of the pond to where he prov-
identially found a canoe, v^^hen he rolled himself into it, and was driven by
the wind several miles toward the fort ; he gained strength fast, and
ifeached the fort as soon as the eleven before mentioned ; and they,all ar-
rived at Dunstable on the 13th of May, at night.
On the 15th of May, Ensign Wyman, and three others, arrived at Dun-
stable. They suffered greatly for want of provisions. They informed,
that they were wholly destitute of all kinds of food, from Saturday mot-
tling till the Wednesday following ; when they caught two mouse squir-
tels, which they roasted whole, and found to be a sweet morsel. They
afterwards killed some partridges and other game, and were comfortably
?tipplied till they got home.
Eleazer Davis arrived at Berwick, and reported, that he and the other
three who were left with him, waited some days for the return of the men
from the fort, and at length, despairing of their return, though their wounds
were putrified and stank, and they were almost dead with famine, yet they
all travelled on seyeral miles together, till Mr. Frye desired Davis aM
Farwell not to hinder themselves any longer on his account, for he found
iiimself dying, and he laid himself down, telling them he should never rise
"more, and charged Davis, if it should please God to bring him liome, to go
to his father and tell him that he expected in a few hours to be in eterni-
ty, and that he was not afraid to die. — They left him, and this amiable
and promising young gentleman (who had the journal of the march in his
pocket) was not heard of again-
Lieutenant Farwell, who was greatly and no douht desei-vedly applaud-
ed and lamented, was also left by Davis within a few miles of the fort, and
-tvas not afterwards heard of But Davis getting to the fort, and finding
provision there, tarried and refreshed himself, and recovered strength to
tJravel to Berwick.
Josiah Jones, another of tlie 4 wounded who were left the day after the
fight but a short distance from the scene of action, traversed Saco river,
and after a fatiguing ramble, arrived at Saeo, (now Biddeford) emaciated,
and almost dead from the loss of blood, the putrefaction of his wounds anii
141
style of Job's messeng-ers, he informed them of Lovew^rsdeadi,
and the defeat of the whole company ; upon which they made the
best of their way borne, leaving a quantity of bread and pork,
which was a scc^sonable relief to the retreating survivors. From-
this place, they endeavored to get home*. Lieut Farwell, and
the Chaplain, who had the journal of their march in his pockety
and one more, perished in the woods, for want of dressings for
their wounds. The others, after enduring the most severe hard-
the want of food. He had subsisted upon the spontaneous vegetables of
the forest ; and cranberries, ^c. whicti he had eaten, came out at a wound
he had received in his body. He was kindly treated by the people at Sa-
to and recovered of his wounds.
Several of the Indians, particularly Paugus, their Chief, were well
known to Lovewell's men, Sf frequently conversed with each other, during
the engagement. In the course of the battle, Paugus and John Chamber-
lain discoursed familiarly with each other, and the latter, assured Paugus
that he should kill him ; Paugus also menaced him, and bid defiance to his
insinuations ; when they had prepared their guns, they loaded aiid dis-
charged them, and Paugus fell.
A son of Paugus, after it had become a time of peace, went to Dunsta-
ble, to revenge his father's death, with the death of Chamberlain. — He did
not go directly to Chamberlain s, but to the house of a neighbor, where he
tarried several days, on some pretended business, that his design- might
• not be discovered ; his errand was however suspected, and a hint given
to Chamberlain — who cut a port -hole above his door, through which he
very early one morning discovered an Indian behind his wood-pile, lying
with his gun pointing directly to the door ; and it was supposed that the
same musket which had conveyed the mean of death to the bosom of the
great Paugus, also proved fatal to his son, as he was not aftenvards heard
of.
It is also reported of this Chamberlain (who was a stout and courage-
ous man, and who used to say that he was not to be killed by an Indian)
that he was once fired at b}'^ an Indian, as he was at work in a saw-mill,
at night ; he was in a stooping position, and did not discover the Indian
till he fired, who was so near him he immediately knocked Mm down with
a crow bar, with which he was setting his log.
Lieut. Josiah Farwell, Mr. Chaplain Frye and Elias Barrows were
wounded and died by the way, in attempting to return home.
* As they proceeded on, they divided into three companies, one morn-
ing, as they v/ere passing a thick wood, for fear of making a track, by
shl^^, Cifiie ia, one after another, and Trere not only rfeceiveft
with joy, but were recorapenced for their valor and suffering's ;
and a g-enerous provision was made for the widows and childrea
of the slain.
A party from the frontiers of New-Hampshire were ordeixd
out to bury the dead ; but by some mistake did not reach the
place of action. Col. Tyng-, with a company from Dunstable.,
went to the spot, and having* found the bodies of twelve, buried
them, and carved their names on the trees where the battle was
fought. At a little distance he found three Indian graves, which
he cppaed; one of the bodies was known to be their warrior
Paogus. He also observed tracks of blood, on tlie ground, to a
great distaitce from (he scene* of action. It was remarked that
a week before this engagement happened, it had been reported
in Portsmouth, at the distance of eig-hty miles, with but little
Variation from the truth. Strch incidents were not imcommoit,
and could scarcely dfeserve notice, if they did not indicate that
a taste for the marvellous was hot extinguished in the minds of
the most sober and rational.
This was one of the most fierce and obstinate battles wliich
had been fought with the Indians. Tlie^^ had not only the ad-
vaiitage of numbers, but of placing themselves in ambush, and
waiting with deliberation the moment of attack. These circum-
stances gave them a degree of ardour and impetuositj'. Love-
well and his men, though disappointed of meeting the enemy in
their front, expected and determined to fight. The fail of their
commander, and more than one quarter of their niunber, in the
first onset, was greatly discouraging ; but they knew that thfe
situation to which they were reduced, and their distance from
the frontiers, cut off all hope of safety from flight. In these
circumstances, prudence as well as valor dictated a continuance
of the engagement, and a refusal to surrender ; until the enemy,
which the enemy might follow them. On€ of the companies came upon
three Indians, who pursued them some time. Meah while, Elias Bar.
row, one of this paTt}^ strayed from the others, and got over Ossipee
river, by the side of wi»eh, his ^fl-caSC was foarid, but be wa? not h^ard
of after.vaads.
143
awed J>y their brave resistance, ami weakened hy ii*fcir own ioes,
yielded them the honor of Ihe field. After this ejtcQuster the
Indians resided no more at Pigwacket, till the peace.
This account of LovcTvcirs battle was collected, by Mr. Bel-
knap, from the authorities cited in the margin, and from the
verbal information of ag-ed and intellig-ent persons. The names
of the dead, on the trees, and the holes where both had been in-
terred Sf cut out, were plainly visible, when he was on the spot
in 1784. The trees had then the appearance of being- veiy
old, and one of them was fallen.
Ot^The Notes printed in italics, and that which is inserted
at, and continued from, page 140, are taken from a pamphlet,
written by the Rev. T. Symmes, pastor of a Church in Brad-
ford, and printed by A. & J. Shirley, in 1818 ; wherein he has
preserved the names of Capt. Lovewell's (or as he spells the
same, Lovell's) company.
CENSUS,
AND
TALUATION OF ESTATES,
IN THE
STATE OF MAINE.
Taken in the Year 1820.
COUNTY
OF YORK.
Persons,
Polls,
Estates.
Alfred,
1271
275
96,967
Arundel,
2478
500
324,122
Berwick,
2736
544
200,428
Biddeford,
1738
36S
164 708
Buxton,
2590
534
160,070
Cornish,
1088
189
69,863
Elliot,
1634
352
108,928
Hollia,
1762
342
94,91«
Kittery,
1886 '
406
116,091
Lebanon,
2223
431
116,689
Lyman,
1367
283
76,232
Limerick,
1377
268
85,126
LimiQgton,
2122
434
97,557
Newfield,
1147
213
67,336
Parsonsfield,
2355
474
159,272
Saco,
2532
543
286,542
Sanford,
1831
372
102,950
Sbapleigb,
2815
578
138,584
South Berwick,
1475
299
131,758
"Waterborough,
1763
342
78,029
York,
3224
672
256,940
Kennebunk,
2145
4d3
235,023
Wells,
2660
576
»,476
170,920
Total,
46,284
* $3,329,059 10
(
COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND.
Persons,
Polls,
Estates,
BaMwia
1124
242
45,970
Bridgtoa,
1160
263
76,966
» The cents, in the expressed valuation of each town, are left out ; but thefr
^re included in the addition of the whole awount of the Estate* in each county ,
O
\
!46
Persons.
â– Polls.
Eslalesi
Brunswidr,
2954
553
210,382
Cape Elizabeth.
1622
293
91,577
.?>)anville,
1083
212
48,585
Durham,
15G0
349
99,116
Falmouth,
1679
383
174,446
Freoport,
2177
483
179,404
Goiham,
2800
569
241,235
Gray,
1479
268
88,040
Harrison,
789
157
40,788
Harpswel],
1256
295
88,576
Minof,
2524
492
133,669
New-Gloucester,
1628
366
147,390
Norfh-Yarmouth,
3646
801
361,741
Gtisfield,
1107
222
78,160
Portland,
8581
1734
1,695,185
Poland,
1353
273
53,195
Fownal,
1051
245
75,851
Raymond,
1396
208
42,387
*^car borough,
2232
436
233,698
Standish,
1619
358
140,823
Westbrook,
2494
513
226,143
Windham,
1793
298
126,123
Thompson Pond Plan.
150
51
12,339
Total,
49,339
"10,164
$4,711,918 71
COUNTY OF LINCOLN.
Persons.
Polb,
Estates.
Alna,
975
237
86,964
Appleton Plantation,
511
83
23,840
Bath,
3026
541
236,367
Boothbay,
1950
404
81,326
Bowdoin,
1777
339
73.459
Bowdoinham,
2259
429
130,683
Bristol,
2927
582
164,766
Camden,
1825
381
131,177
Cushing^,
600
121
37,100
Dresden
1338
298
83,236
Edgecomb,
1629
294
89,201
Friendship,
587
130
25,338
Georgetown,
1165
255
75,986
Hope,
1179
199
57,192
Jefferson,
1577
269
79,166
Litchfield,
2120
412
108,892
Lewiston,
1312
237
69,629
Lipbon,
2240
358
98,875
Montville,
1266
263
73,677
Montville Plantation,
409
75
10,682
.New-Castle,
1240
*«50
88^815
147
Persons, PoUt.
N^obleborougb, 1553 308
Palermo, 1056 203
I'bipsburgb, 1119 250
Putnam, 652 240
St. George, 1325 223
Thomaston, 2651 575
Topsham, 1420 214
Union, 1391 383
Waldoborough, 2244 552
Wales, 515 98
Warren, 1826 394
Whitefield, 1429 252
Wiscasset, 2131 400
Woolwich, 1330 374
Patricktown Plantation, 292 35
Total,
Belfast,
Belmont,
Bluehill,
Brooks,
Brooksville,
Bucksport,
Castine,
Deer Isle,
Eden,
Ellsworth,
Frankfort,
Gouldsborough,
Islesborough,
Jackson,
Knox,
Lincolnville,
Monroe,
Mount Desert,
iVorthport,
Orland,
Penobscot,
Prospect,
Scar^mont,
Sedgwick,
Sullivan,
Surrey,
SwansvUle,
Thorndike,
Trenton,
Vinalhaven,
52,953 10,692
COUNTY OF HANCOCK.
Persons,
20,26
744
963
. 318
972
1655
975
1842
764
892
2127
560
639
375
560
1294
630
1349
939
€10
J 009
1771
675
1420
872
428
603
438
639
. 1308
Polls.
402
149
215
70
200
351
eo9
370
143
205
410
151
145
71
112
241
162
309
17^
128
169
351
156
281
227
96
103
103
116
281
Eslales^
102 007
02,653
83,465
32,226
34,650
161.504
88,321
87,453
180.396
31,179
126,576
59,101
162,814
106,520
7,577
$3,153,707 35
Es'ales.
146,046
21,757
68,796
27,695
61,195
117,449
174,413
102,261
34,782
70,63S
130,592
44,110
34,152
31,454
41,429
69,095
34,470
56,006
40,883
45,349
55,605
94,340
38.953
75,278-
57,93»)
25,598
32,0?7
40,376
35,264
63,371
H8
Persons. Polls*
Marlaville, 38
No. 14, or Marlaville S. 12
No. 26, or Marlaville N. 18
No, 27, or Richards, 10
No. 8 &: 9, or N. Sullivan 70
No. 13, or Eastbrook, 10
No. 13, or Otis,
Waldo Plantation, 40
Residue of Bingham's Purchase,
No. 10, adjoining Steuben,
Estates*
13,094
4,858
7,069
5,753
13,969
5,508
9,000
3,113
34,000
3,400
Total,
31,071
6,312
$1,951,158 84
COUNTY OF KENNEBEC.
Persons,
Polls.
Estates.
Augusta,
2457
494
183.029
Chesterville,
612
142
41,629
Clinton,
1356
279
72,743
Belgrade,
1121
187
53,148
China,
894
170
40,647
Dearborn,
463
94
15,095
Fairfax,
1204
220
55,347
Farmington,
1938
397
143,235
Fayette,
828
165
52,955
Freedom,
788
154
30,711
Gardiner
2053
343
230,812
Green,
1309
238
72,624
Hallowell,
2919
599
516,982
Harlem,
862
155
30,130
Joy?
505
91
22,012
Leeds,
1534
268
86,018
Malta,
1054
183
29,080
Moflmouth,
1596
310
91,597
Mount Vernon,
1293
271
72,709
New Sharon,
1219
240
69,055
Pittston,
1337
28G
94,697
Readfield,
1513
328
125.208
Rome,
533
97
12,297
Sidney
1890
356
131,735
Temple,
615
119
22,008
Twenty-five Mile Plan. 202
38
9,063
Unity,
978
169
50,615
Vassalborough,
2434
457
214.776
Vienna,
66$
127
34,827
Waterville,
1709
361
159,607
Wayne,
1051
203
52,33^
Wilton,
1115
228
50,145
Winthrop,
1619
342^
126,544
Winslow,
935
202
86,874
Total,
42,632
8,213
$2,880,302 10
149
COUNTY OF OXFORD
Persons.
Polli.
Estates.
Andover,
365
78
32,605
Albany,
235
72
16,158
Brownfield,
727
154
40,034
Buckfield,
1501
292
88,116
Bethel,
1267
256
70,450
Denmark,
772
152
42,327
Dixfield,
595
121
38,907
Fryebur*,
1057
176
69,737
Fryeburg- Addition,
169
S8
3,964
Gilead,
328
57
17,522
Greenwood,
392
99
17,075
Hartford,
1133
246
76,093
Hebron,
1727
350
118,354
Hiram,
700
160
32,224
Jay,
1614
529
90,368
Lovel,
430
92
25,527
Livermore,
2174
416
142,496
Mexico
148
24
15,061
Norway
1830
256
92.479
Newry,
303
83
39,799
Porter,
487
120
27,939
Paris,
1894
37t)
122,851
Rum ford,
871
193
67,882
Sumner,
1048
194
61,324
Sweden,
249
55
21,967
Turner,
1726
385
145,532
Waterford,
1035
251
78,656
Weld,
489
96
33,519
"Woodstock,
509
79
27,124
Plantation No. 1,
76
25,268
Howard Gore,
67
IQ
3,615
Bradley's and East man's } _
Giant, < S
2,850
Fryeburg Academy,
40
2,792
Township letter D— to
40:
J. Gardner,
3,075
Township letter E— to
J. Gumming?,
3,080
No. 1, first Range,
158
3,337
No. I,. letter A.
.
5,233
No. 2, letter A.
.
„
4,276
No, 2, first Range,
-
-
3,312
N«. 3, first Range,
•
.
4,416
No. 5, first Range,
.
.
3,407
No. 4, third Range,
.
-
3,150
No. 2, third Range,
.
.
3,150
No. 4, fourth Range,
-
9
3,45S
3^0, 2, second Range,
-
-'
3,456
o2
150
Persons,
No. 3, second Range, 23
No. 3, third Range,
Letter C. adjoining
letter B.
Letter B.
No. 5, fourth Range,
No. 8,
No. 4,
No, 6,
PolU.
Total
27,185
COUNTY OF
Persons.
245
Atkinson,
Bangor,
Brewer,
Carrael,
Corinth,
Dixinoot,
Dexter,
l^xeter,
Eddington,
Etna,
Foxcroft,
Guilford,
Garland,
Hampden,
Heraaon,
Levant,
Newburgb,
New-Charlestown,
Newport,
Orringlon,
Oroao,
Sebec,
^angerville,
?unkhaze Plant.
Williamaburgh,
Erownsville Plant.
Blakesburgh do.
iVo^ 1— 3d Range,
No. 1— 4th Range,
No. 1— 7th Range,
No, 3— 3d Range,
No. 3 6th Pvange,
No. 4, East P. River,
Township No. 6-9th R,
Do. No. 7 8th R,
LcesmoDtj or No. 3-7lh R. 97
1221
734
153
296
815
461
583
276
194
211
325
275
1478
277
143
328
344
512
1049
415
431
310
107
207
72
150
131
215
16
5,281
PENOBSCOT.
Polls.
46
267
147
38
63
106
95
109
60
42
52
65
54
341
55
29
63
87
114
214
100
88
79
29
23
37
19
46
18
32
30
54
26
5
4
10
Estates.
4,609
3,150
3,840
3,515
3,450
3,000
3,500
$1,756,324 45
Estates,
20,713
132,998
49,699
20,545
24,771
29,796
27,390
27.688
19,130
15,094
14,539
9,883
24,121
107,598
22,056
16,687
24,718
29,483
27,650
58,216
24,690
23,874
20,976
12,127
10,253
13,483
11 904
12,487
11,097
6,216
14,873
11,792
2,737
6,702
3'488
7,816
151
persons.
Pells.
Estales.
Jarvis' Gore, (s(
) called) 139
20
5,790
Aaron Forbes' Grant,
300
T. Harling's Grant,
2,667
300
13,931
$903,683 9^
COUNTY OF SOMERSET.
Persons,
Polls.
Estales.
Anson,'
948
190
52,136
Avon,
450
88
24,888
Athens,
590
137
55,433
Bloomfield,
889
160
62,112
Bingham,
315
56
14,060
Cornville,
662
131
49,475
Canaan,
1470
262
55,450
Corinna,
411
69
11,218
Embden,
644
132
30,314
Fairfield,
1609
290
93,100
Freeman,
517
99
20,238
Hartland,
411
88
18,780
Harmony,
584
112
28,003
Industry,
778
16
38,201
Kingfield,
464
77
9,303
Moscow,
286
48
16 764
Madison,
881
183
68,910
Mercer,
743
139
33,104
Norridgewock,
1454
296
88,696
New Portland,
817
161
44,094
New Vineyard,
594
104
28,935
North Hill,
481
94
16,865
Philips,
624
110
16,301
Palmyra,
336
88
30,781
Plantation No. 1,
, IstR
. 250
44
14,954
Do. No. 7,
7th R.
, 44
11
8,277
Do. No. 2,
1st R.
98
18
11,843
Ripley,
325
66
17,873
St. Albans,
371
71 .
21 123
Solon,
468
95
28,080
Strong,
862
153
37,950
Starks,
1043
167
47,352
Warsaw,
315
70
19,580
Parkman PI.
225
30
12,258
Sebasticook PI.
10
6,873
East Pond Setlement,
144
10
1,608
Bingham's Purch
lase.
336
139
701
Township No. 8,
8th R,
0,900
Township No. 9,
8th R.
c
'. 73
4,023
6,900
Total
{^98
$1,278,241 79
152
COUNTY OF WASHINGTON.
Persons,
Polls,
Eitales.
Addison,
519
95
34,707
Calais,
418
95
40,062
Columbia,
637
135
65,356
Cherryfield,
241
121
32,942
Denaysville,
557
134
54,758
Eastport,
1937
388
231.327
Harrington,
723
144
35,063
Jon'esborough^
675
153
43,815
Lubec,
1430
328
123,851
Machias,
2033
469
161,602
Perry,
407
90
31,592
Steuben,
780
153
43,547
Robbinstown,
424
86
40,456
I'Janlation No.
9,
264
36
20,252
Do. —
11
362
76
15,983
Do. —
23
70
41
7,464
Do. —
12
J82
44
25,815
No. 1, First Range,
4,810
— 1, Second
Range
%
6,000
— 3, First
do.
6.154
— 2, Second
do.
4,008
— 3, or N. E.
. Machiaa
30
8,867
— 6,
61
30
8,530
— 7,
74
20
7,818
— 10,
164
30
13,202
-rs;
47
4,608
— 14,
29
5,248
— 15,
201
40
9,86j0
— 16
114
25
9,120
— 17,
48
5,600
- 18,
20
4,608
— 19,
34
4,608
— 20,
50
7,200
Bioghara's Purchase,
101,305
Holten's Plant
,ation,
117
15
2,778
3,456
Total
1'2,746
$1,223,600 29
AGGREGATE.
Counties.
Persons.
Polls,
Estates.
York,
46,284
9,476
3,329,059
Cumberland,
49,339
10,164
4,711,918
Lincoln,
52,963
10,692
3,153,707
Hancock,
31,071
6,312
1,951,158
Washington,
12,746
2,778
1,223,600
Kennebec,
42,632
8,213
2,880,302
Oxford,
17,185
5,281
1,756,324
Somerset,
21,698
4.023
1,278,241
Penobscot,
13,931
2,667
903,683
TotaK
297,839
59,606
$21,187,997
TABLE OP CONTENTS.
I. FALMOUTH.
Prefece
Falmouth
Cape Elizabeth
Town Clerks
Town Treasurers
Selectmen
Representatives
Ministers
Second Parish
Third Parish
Fourth Parish
Episcopal Church
Proceedings of the Town
The Year 1774 .
Cumberland Resolves
The Year 1775
Page.
3
, 5
. 8
11
ti
12
13
. 14
it
15
16
17
18
23
27
Thompson's War
Extracts from Letters
Burning of Falmouth,
Of John Bonithan
Certain Presentm^^nts
Petition of Wm. Cutts Sf al.
Order of Court thereon
A Boddy Pollitick
Of George Burroughs. .
Facetious Trial
Thomas Bird's Trial
Indian Wars
Letters from a Gent, of Casco
Casco Lost
Indian's Cruelty-
Mary Plaisted
Page.,
31
38
48
54
55
58
5T
61
63
67
75
78
80
81
11. PORTLAND.
Present State of .
Religious Societies
First Congregational
Second Congregational
Third Congregational*
Chapel Congregational
Episcopalian Society
Friends
The Methodists
First Baptist Society
Union Society
Independent Methodists
First Universal Society
87
Other Societies and Institutions.
Portland Library . . 91
Portland Academy . . "
Portland Marine Society . 92
Portland Benevolent Society . "
Bible Society of Maine . •«
Female Missionary Society . 93
Foreign Mission Society . "
Female Charitable Society . 94
Baptist Female Mis. Society . "
The Young Men's Society . "
Society for suppressing Vice, ^c 95
Auxiliary Tract Society . '•
Maine Char. Mechanic Society 96
Maternal Association . "
Peace Society . . 97
P. Union Sab. School Society "
Juvenile Benev. .Society . 98
Female Jews Society . „
Trustees of Char. Fund, 1st P. 9&
Second Church of. P. Miss. So. "
Ancient L. Mark Char. Fund "
Beethoven Society . . 100
Female Education Society , "
Institution for Savings . 101
Portlaiid Relief Society . "
Female Benevolent Society . ♦•
P. Aux. Marine Bible Society 102
Trustees of Methodist Society "
Address to the Affluent . 103
Missionary Hymn . . 104
Town Officers . . 105
Selectmen . , . ••
Tov/n Clerks . . .106
Town Treasurers . . '*
Representatives . . ♦•
* This Society being legally dissolved, is not now to be numbered "as
Gne of the Societies in the town. The whole number, therefore, isbu?
154
III. COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND.
List of Towns . . 107
dupreme Judicial Court . . "
Court of Common Pleas . 108
Circuit Court of Com. Pleas . "
Business of these Courts . . '*
Probate Court . . 109
Session Courts . . *'
Sheriffs .... 110
Clerka ....'•
Criers . . . .110
County Treasurers . . ♦*
Registers of Deeds . , "
Court Houses . , . Ill
County House . . . "
Gaols .... *•
Justices of the Peace . . *•
Cumb. Baptist Miss. Society . 112
IV. STATE OF MAINE.
Judge Sewall's Account of
General Census
Organization of
Societies and other Instirations.
Bowdoin College
Maine Missionary Society
Maine Bible Society
Maine Charitable School
Do. Char. Mechanic Assoc.
Maine Peace Society
Maine Agricultural Society
113
E. Br. of Mass. Evan. Miss. So. 127
117
Trus. of Bap. Education So.
Medical School
128
Congregational Char. Society
129
ns.
Medical Society _ .
'*
117
List of other Societies .
130
120
Masonic Societies
*'
121
Academies
133
123
Bible Societies
"
124
Banks ....
*»
125
Lovewell's Fight
135
Census and Valuation
1^5
NOTE.
The Extracts from Mr. Smith's Journals, were transcribed in Janua-
ry and February, A. D. 1821. Most of the accounts of Societies and
other Institutions, were prepared in April and May ; and other parts of
the work, at different times from March to June. It was put to the press
sometime in Julv. During the printing of it, additions and amendments
were occasionally made, as a view to improvement and correctness,
seemed to require.
If it should meet the expectations of those, who have encouraged its
publication, or afford any entertainment or useful information to the
leader, it will be gratifying to THE COMPILER
ADDIT10N5 TO THE CENSUS,
Omitted in their places, but included in the ag-gregales of the
counties, to which they respectively belong.
LINCOLN.
Peru, ....
343
Monbegan Island*,
€8
Township, No. 6,
323
Township, letter B.
6
PENOBSCOT.
Township, No. 3, 2d Range,
- 23
Plantation No. 1,
99
8,
155
2, - -
18
7, - .
113
3, - -
146
AndoverGore,
31
4, - -
125
Holmes, or No. 2, - -
84
>* No. T, 6th Range,
85
Ketchum, ...
44
2, 7th do. -
61
Hamlin's Grant,
65
5, 8th do. •
172
Gore, State Land,
27
HANCOCK.
Plantation No. 1,
60
Plantation No, 7,
82
2, â–º -
103
8, - .
173
Mctawascaf,
1134
9, - -
133
14,
67
WASHINGTON.
15,
41
N. Limeric Plantation,
27
Little Spruce Head,
• k
Plantation No. 3,
S
Duck Island, - - -.^
losV "^-^
SOMERSET.
Butter Island,
111
Plantation No. 1, 3d Range,
27
Eagle Island, ...
8
1, 2d do.
66
Great Spruce Head,
14 f
2, 2d do.
28
Beech Island,"--.^ . - .
^.^
4, - -
37
Hog Island. ^^— T"-
^^^
No. 5, or Chandlersville,
155
Marshal's Island,
7
Township north of No. 1, in
Placentia Island,
39
3d Range,
1
Back Island,
9
No. 2, east of Moscow,
19
Township, No. 1,
49
No. 1, 3d Range,
41
" 33, . - .
14
Million Acres, north of Harmony 90
20 - .
200
No. 3, 3d Range,
20
26 . .
103
Mark Island,
7
KENNEBEC.
Burnt Goat Island,
218
place adjoining Fairfax,
26
Long Island, ...
19
Pond Island, ...
10
OXFORD.
Township, No. 8,
98
Batchelder's Grant,
91
- ^ 38, . .
29
Mo. 4, ....
171
21, - .
15
Chandler's Gore,
42
27, - .
47
• This Island is nndoubtf dly included in some town.
i- .Mataw^sca is a French settlement, near gauada,
The Reader w desired to make, with A pen, ffie following
CORRECTIONS.
ftk page 11 — Dele *' 4'C." at the end of the words •' Town Clerk."
16— Line 17, alter 1805 to 1785.
„ 29— Insert, between the 24th and 25th lines of the Note, the
figure 2.
„ 32 — In some copies, for **, Master," say Marston.
y, „ — At the bottom line, previous to " a zealous whig," insert
he was*
f, 95 — Second line from the bottom, for *' Societies." write
Society.
'A
l-J*J^
