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A HISTORY

SWAN'S ISLAND,

MAINE.

H. W. SMALL, M. D.

ELLSWORTH, ME.:

HANCOCK COUNTY PUBLISHING COMPANY, PRINIKKS.
1898.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

I. iNTKODrCTION ABORIGINES DiSCOVKRY, 3

II. PURCIIASK SeTTI.EMENT AND LanD

Titles, ...... 17

III. A Sketch of the Life of Col. James

Swan, ...... 44

IV. Biographical Sketches of I^arly Set-

tlers, . . . • . . -59

V. Gott's Island, . . . . ' . 159

VI. Thk FisiiiNc; L\i)i;sTRY, . . . 175

VII. Synopsls 01. THE Municipal Records, . 204

VIII. Miscellaneous, ..... 233

HISTORY OF SWAN'S ISLAND.

CHAPTER I.

INTRODUCTION ABORIGINES DISCOVERY.

T TPON the very threshold of this historical sketch I
^"^ found m3self quite destitute of early public records.
For over half a century from the settlement of this island
until its organization as a plantation no municipal records
were kept. But I have been fortunate in bringing to
light many private family records, old deeds showing
what lots were occupied by the pioneer settlers ; and writ-
ten mutual agreements, which seem to have been often
the result of arbitration on any disputed point where dif-
ferent claims to land conflicted with one another.

A great deal of the information which I have received
concerning the early settlers was obtained from the oldest
inhabitants of the island, many of whom were children of
the first settlers, and in a few instances the latter of the
pioneer settlers themselves. In this part, which I have
obtained from the memory of aged people, some errors
may appear, but in the main it will be found correct, as
a great deal of pains has been taken to verify these
records.

I feel that no apology is necessary for occasionally
going beyond the limits of this town and bringing in the
sketch of some person directly connected with the family

under consideration, for a book of this kind must necessa-
ril}' be excursive in its character.

All the subjects of the following biographical sketches
have been candidly and impartially treated, nothing with-
held that would be of public interest, nor praise bestowed
where it is undeserved. I think that everything of im-
portance which has transpired here since its settlement,
over a century ago, that would be of public interest, has
been here recorded. I have thought best to gain and pre-
serve this historical knowledge before the source from
which it could be obtained is gone, when it would have
been lost forever. It should be a matter of interest to all
of us to preserve a record of our ancestors. These hardy
pioneers came to this "island of the sea", cleared the un-
broken forests, cultivated farms, built their houses, reared
their families, and made it possible for their children to
have advantages which they never possessed. Whatever
of comforts or of Hl^M^'ies that we now enjoy is due, in a
great measure, to them as a result of their labor. They
^wed the seed amid great privation and toil, and we are
reaping the harvest. So it is most fitting tliat their names
should ever be held in grateful memory b}- their de-
scendants.

The location of Swan's Island is in Hancock county,
thirty-six miles south of Ellsworth, and is separated from
Mount Desert by four miles of water. The island proper
contains 5,875 acres, besides a number of smaller islands
which are included in the town. It is entirely surrounded
by the Atlantic ocean, yet several islands intervene be-

tween it and the open sea. The surface contains no great
eminences, but is generally hilly. The ocean has made
great indentations into the island, cutting it into great pen-
insulas which, in some instances, nearly unite, the enclos-
ure forming excellent harbors which offer safe shelter to
vessels of the largest size. Excellent crops reward those
who till the soil, yet on account of the rocky nature of the
land, farming was never carried out to any great extent.
An inexhaustible supply of granite forms the southern part
of the island, but the fishing business now, as ever in the
past, is the leading industry.

The I'emote history of this island, like that of all
America, is shrouded in darkness. I am not able to raise
the curtain and look into the past and see the people
whom we know, by unmistakable traces, made their homes
here, reared their j^oung, carried on their ancient mode
of hunting and fishing as a means of subsistence. Here,
too, they died ; and when th^^^i|^men came to take
possession of these ancient hvmting grounds, they found
only the ruins of savage occupancv. This was undoubt-
edly a favorite resort for tlie red men. The cool brac-
ing atmosphere of the island tempted them to leave the
seclusion of their forest homes, especiall}^ during the
warmer months of the year. This island then furnished
excellent hunting grounds. Sea fowl came in great flocks
so near that they could be easily killed by their rude
weapons, besides the excellent fishing in the harbor or
very near the shore made it practicable to use their birch
bark canoes. Also in winter the severitv of the weather

often drove them to the seashore to secure shell fish for
food when all other sources were cut off. In some parts
of the island where the primitive forest was cleared and
the soil first broken by the plow, the ground for very
large spaces would be literally whitened with the remains
of Indian dinners. Under huge trees that perhaps had
been standing hundreds of years clam shell would be
found to great depth in the ground.

In 1614 when Capt. John Smith first visited these
shores the number of Indians within the limits of the
present State of Maine was estimated at 30,000. The
tribe that occupied this section was the Tarratines, the
remnant of whom now resides at Oldtown and at present
numbers 446. These Indians were noted for the long dis-
tances they went in their canoes, and this gave to them
the general name of Etechmins.

At that part of the island called the "North" when
the first settlers came there were five different places
plainly seen where the Indians had their "set-downs" or
villages. There was another at the Middle Head, one in
the Reed field near the eastern shore, and several around
Old Harbor. In these ancient shell heaps have been
found, by men of our present day, flint arrow heads and
hatchets which must have taken much skill and patience
in making. These must have been their implements used
in hunting and perhaps in warfare. The promontory
where the light-house stands, near the entrance to Old Har-
bor, is called Hocomock, a name given to it by the Indians
long before the white men came. It mav have been their

name for this locality. Near to Hocomock Head is a
point of land extending into the harbor, called Burying
Point. A large number of Indian skeletons were un-
earthed by the plow. They were found most plenty near
the Middle Head and near the "Carrying-place", which
places were their burying-grounds. The skeletons were
found just beneath the turf and were of large size, show-
ing a race of much larger stature than the Indian of to-
day. This tribe made irregular visits to the island for
many years after the white settlers came, but of late,
since their number has so decreased, they have ceased al-
together.

DISCOVERY.

The first European who visited this island is not
known. The first authentic record was made by Cham-
plain during his voyage along this coast in 1604. He
made a map of the whole coast and gave the names to
many of the islands on either side of us, such as Isle au
Haut, Mount Desert, Petit Plaisants, etc. ; manv of these
names, which show their French origin, are still retained.
Champlain gave the name of this island on that early map
as Brule-cote, " brule " meaning burnt, and "cote" hill —
Burnt-hill. It is supposed that Champlain designated the
island by some hill that had been burnt over. Some later
discoverer translated " brule " burnt, but did not translate
"cote", hence on his map he incorrectly gave this island
the name Burnt Cote. Another, more stupid still, thought
the former had made a mistake in spelling, and on his
map had Burn Coat, by which name it is called in a deed

given October 28, 1790, as recorded in Hancock registry,
book I, page 28. Later it was generally known as Burnt
Coat or Burnt Coal Island.

It is quite probable that Champlain visited and ex-
plored this island, as would seem likely by the accurate
map he drew of this and the neighboring islands. That
some earlier explorer even than Champlain visited this
island seems likely, as he found a portion of the island
burned over. Perhaps the settlers on Mount Desert may
have made a harbor here while out on their fishing cruises,
but no other traces of habitation of the white man were left.
Traditional accounts say that the Northmen visited all this
region even as early as 1008. But if true, they left no
traces here to remind us of their visit.

Mount Desert seems to have been resorted to by
European discoverers at a very early date, probably for
the reason that its hills can be seen some sixty miles at
sea, thus making it a prominent landmark. In 155^ ^^'
drew Trevit, a Catholic priest, sailed in a French ship
along the coast. He landed and had many conferences
with the natives, among whom he tried to establish the
Roman Catholic religion, but we do not learn that he met
with any success. There was great rivalry in Europe
about this time between the Catholics and Protestants in
spreading their respective faiths into new lands.

The French sent De Monte in 1602 to further explore
these islands and adjacent mainland, which he took pos-
session of in the name of the king of France, and in true
Catholic style set up a cross and called the land he dis-

covered "Acadie", by which name all this region was
known until the capture of Quebec by General Wolf in

1759-

The French again passed this island and went to

Mount Desert and established the first Jesuit mission in

America in 1604.

The patent of Acadia to De Monte was, two years
later, surrendered to Madame de Guercheville. This lady
was a zealous Catholic and wished to convert the Indians
to that faith. Her colony landed on Mount Desert on
May 16, 1613, where they built a fort, erected a cross,
celebrated mass, and founded a convent. They named
the place Saint Sauveur. The French, as we have seen,
were getting a strong foothold in this region, but the
English Protestants, in the meantime, had not been idle.

In 1603 Capt. George Weymouth visited these
shores. He found a great number of Indians on the
shores with whom he carried on a brisk trade, receiving
rich furs in exchange for worthless baubles which pleased
the savage mind. He took possession of the land he vis-
ited in the name of the English sovereign. Wevmouth
was treated with kindness by tiie Indians, but their friend-
ship was rewarded by kidnapping five of their number,
and carrN'ing them to England, three of whom he deliv-
ered to Sir Ferdenand Gorges, who in 1639 received a
royal charter of" the Province of Maine.

The next Englishman of whom we have record who
visited this coast was Capt. John Smith, of Virginia, in
1614. He sailed along and explored the coast of Maine

with tlie intention of forming a settlement. He reported
having fonnd a settlement, which was the French at
Mount Desert. So he must have come ver}^ near this
island, if he did not explore it ; for it is separated from
Mount Desert by only four miles of water.

Smith built several boats during the summer, thus
becoming the pioneer ship-builder of Maine. Some of his
men were engaged in fishing ; others more thoroughly ex-
plored the coast. Late in the summer Smith returned to
England in one of his ships, while another, in charge of
Thomas Hunt, tarried behind, captured thirty Indians
who were carried to Malaga and sold into slavery. Thus
we see that in nearly ever}^ instance the Englishmen re-
warded the trusting and child-like simplicity of the Indians
by some act of treachery. This, no doubt, was the cause
of tlie hatred which the Indians had against the English
settlers.

The French, on the other hand, held out the olive
branch to the simple natives. They established mission-
ary stations among them. The Indians took kindly to the
Catholic faith, and ever after became the faithful allies of
the French.

Various Europeans visited this coast for trading and
fishing. Hundreds of vessels, even at this early date,
visited the waters from Newfoundland to Cape Cod. The
entire coast was dotted with temporary habitations for the
accommodation of the fishermen. We do not know that
there were any permanent settlements here during the
voyages of these European discoverers, but there is no

doubt that Old Harbor was frequented by fishermen
from the neighboring settlements on account of the excel-
lent harbor it afforded, and so conveniently near the fish-
ing grounds. Fishing must at this time have been the
leading occupation of the inhabitants of all the seaboard
towns, and, in fact, led to their settlement.

In the year 1688, the French king gave to a French
gentleman named Cadilliac a tract»of land in Acadia em-
bracing the whole of Mount Desert and a large strip of
mainland, and all the islands in front of this on the sea-
board. He held it until 1713, styling himself Lord of
Donaqua and Mount Desert. After the Revolution, one
M. Gregoire claimed the whole island for his wife, Maria
T., granddaughter of Cadilliac. In consideration of a
request made b}- Lafayette in favor of the Gregoires'
claim, Massachusetts recognized it as valid. This is the
only French claim sustained in Maine. The heirs of
Cadilliac, therefore, received a quit-claim deed of 60,000
acres on the mainland ; this included the present towns of
Trenton, Lamoine, Sullivan, Ellsworth, Eden and Mount
Desert.

In 1754 Spain joined France in a declaration of war
ao-ainst England. As soon as it was heard of in America
their respective countrymen took up the quarrel here.
The Indians of Canada and Maine aided the French, and
for long years this sparseh-settled country was the scene
of much bloodshed and distress from want. This was the
final struggle in America for supremacy between the
French Catholics and tlie Enslish Protestants.

The French claim was founded on the discoveiy of
the coast by Verrazzano in 1524, on the discovery and
occupancy of Canada by Cartier in 1535, on the grant of
Henry IV to De Monte, and on the voyages and discov-
eries of Champlain. The Enghsh based their claim on
the discovery by Cabot, in possessing Newfoundland by
Gilbert in 1553, and by the voyages of discovery of Gos-
nold, Pring and Weymputh, by the royal charter of 1606,
by the occupancy of the country by Popham, and subse-
quently by Gorges and others.

In 1755 an expedition of two thousand men was sent
to drive all the French from Acadia. This movement was
demanded by the English governor, Lawrence. When
this army arrived, it v^'as placed under the command of
Lieutenant-colonel Monkton, who added to his own num-
ber about two hundred and seventy regulars and a small
train of artillery. This expedition set out in May, and
before the first of September every stronghold in Acadia
was in the hands of the English. There were eighteen
thousand inhabitants of French extraction who, though by
the treaty between France and England, were considered
neutral, vet were indissolubly attached to the nation from
which they sprang. They took no part in all the wars,
but they secretly afforded aid, harbor and recruits to the
enemy, so the resident authorities demanded that those
about the Basin of Minas and in Cumberland county ad-
joining should be removed. Accordingly nearl}^ two
thousand of them w^ere transported and distributed along
the coast from Maine to Florida. Upon this event was

founded the beautiful poem "Evangeline", by H. W.
Longfellow. Constant warfare was thus kept up, inflict-
ing severe injury to all the inhabitants of Maine, until the
fall of Quebec in 1759, when this country was forever
wrested from the domain of France.

The extinction of French authority in this country
was the beginning of a new and prosperous era for Maine.
Deserted towns were repeopled, new ones sprang up along
the coast, and the sound of the woodsman's axe began to
be heard in the interior. From this time until the Revolu-
tion the tide of immigration set towards Maine, and the
progress in wealth and population was marvelous ; but the
breaking out of the war put a stop to this progress for
man}' years. Those who were preparing to come here
went into the army. During the Revolution the inhab-
itants along the coast suffered severely for their patriotism.
The English took Casline, burned Falmouth, now Port-
land, and harassed and destroyed our fishing and coast-
ing vessels.

The war closed in 1783, after which there was a large
accession to the population of Maine — a move from the
older states to this newer district whose resources were now
beginning to be developed. Soldiers who had served
through the war and were now discharged sought homes
in these eastern lands. This island was purchased about
this time, and many settlers came directly from Massachu-
setts. In fact, Maine's population is made up almost
wholly from the descendants of the settlers in the older
states, receiving few foreign emigrants.

The district of Maine in 1783 became a part of Mas-
sachusetts and remained under its jurisdiction until Maine
became an independent state. Shortly after the close of
the Revolution the question of separation came up for dis-
cussion, and several towns voted upon it; but as most of
the inhabitants were from Massachusetts, their attachment
for the old commonwealth was not weakened. In 1787 an
effort was again made and carried by so small a majority,
and the entire vote was so small, that it was thought best
to abandon it for the present. The position of Massachu-
setts during the war of 181 2 in opposing the measures of
the President and Congress was highly distasteful to the
patriotic inhabitants of Maine, and doubtless influenced
voters in bringing about the desired result. Maine was
admitted into the Union as an independent state in 1820.

Tlie census of Maine in 1789 showed 96,540 inhab-
itants; in 1800 there were 151,719, and in 1810 there
were 228,334 people. We can thus see how rapidly
Maine was becoming populated. Burnt Coat Island, as it
was called, was bought by Col. James Swan, of Massa-
chusetts, in the year 1786. Many of the wealthy men of
the older states were buying up property in Maine — invest-
ments which promised good returns. This island, as well
as the other islands included in Col. Swan's purchase, was
covered with a valuable forest of timber, which undoubt-
edly attracted the purchaser. Manufactured lumber found
a read}?- market at the many towns and villages that were
building up along the coast. Burnt Coat, at the time of
its purchase, was in the county of Lincoln (wdiere many

of the early records relating to this island may be found),
until Hancock county was formed June 25, 1789.

Hancock count}- has a more extensive seaboard and
more numerous harbors than any other coast of equal ex-
tent in the United States. When Massachusetts came
into possession of this territory, the mainland was divided
into townships and the islands into groups convenient for
classifying, such as the Deer Isle group, the Burnt Coat
group, the Mount Desert group, etc. The Burnt Coat
group extended from Isle au Haut on the west, near
Flye's Point on the north, to the Mount Desert group on
the east, and the Atlantic ocean on the south.

This territory was offered for sale for three reasons :
first, that Massachusetts might derive revenue from its
sale ; second, to ensure its settlement, and thus increase the
state's population ; and third, that only Protestants might
become owners of this land, and thus prevent the en-
croachments of the Catholics. This prejudice against the
Catholic religion, formed in those times, still exists at the
present day.

Usually the conditions that Massachusetts imposed
were : if granted a township six miles square, that it
should be settled by sixty Protestant families within six
years, and each family have a house at least eighteen feet
square ; to fit for tillage three hundred acres of land, and
erect a meeting-house and settle a pastor.

Col. Swan, soon after the purchase of these islands,
erected a saw and a ' grist mill. He built a store and
erected for himself a large mansion, which he finished up

in a most expensive manner. Many of the wealthy men
of that day still favored the English custom of owning
large estates ; this was seen especiall}^ in the great planta-
tions of the South. This seems to have been Swan's ob-
ject.

They began at the saw^ mill to manufacture the great
loors, which at first were cut near the shore and rafted to
the mill. The grist mill manufactured the barley and
corn, which the settlers were now raising on their cleared
land, for bread. Coasting vessels were being built to
carry the lumber to market, and return laden with supplies
for the settlers. The woodman's axe and the carpenter's
hammer were heard on every side. New houses grew as
if bv magic. Everything for the new settlement was now
in readiness. The mills were in operation. Settlers with
their families were rapidl}^ accepting the lucrative em-
ployment which was here offered them, and all indications
promised this to be one of the most thriving towns of the
East.

CHAPTER II,

PURCHASE, SETTLEMENT AND LAND TITLES.

The following is the agreement, deed and receipt of
payment for the Burnt Coat group of islands, between the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts and James Swan.
These interesting documents, which show what islands
were included in the original purchase, were found in the
Lincoln county records, in which county this group of
islands was then included.

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.

THIS AGREEMENT made this twenty-fifth day of February, A. D.
1785, between the Committee appointed by a Resolve of the General
Court of the twenty-eighth of October, A. D. 1783, on the subject of unappro-
priated Lands in the County of Lincoln, in behalf of this Commonwealth, of
the one part, and James Swan, of Dorchester, in the County of Suffolk, Esq.,
of the other part.

WITNESSETH, that the said Committee do agree to sell and convey to
the said James Swan, to hold in fe, a certain Island commonly known by the
name of Burnt Coat Island, in the said County of Lincoln, and all the Islands,
the center thereof are within three miles of any part of the said Burnt Coat
Island, and a good Deed thereof to be given to the said James Swan as soon as
the same Islands can be conveniently surveyed and a return thereof had. And
the said James Swan agrees on his part to pay on the nineteenth Day of March
next, the sum of nineteen hundred and twenty Pounds in the consolidated se-
curities of this Commonwealth to said committee, to the Use of said Common-
wealth, and the further sum of three shillings in the said securities per Acre for
every Acre that shall be found to be contained in the said Islands over and above
the number of twelve thousand eight hundred acres (to be paid for by the first
said Payment) on an accurate survey thereof in one year from this date. Any
Islands the whole thereof is a barren rock, to be excepted, but no allowance to

be made for any Bogs, Ponds, or waste Lands, and on the delivery of said Deed
to give satisfactory securities for the said last mentioned Payment. In witness
thereof the parties aforesaid set their hands the day and year first above men-
tioned.

S. Phillips, Jr.,
Nathan Dane,
James Swan,
Samuel Page,

Committee.

RECEIPT.

March, 19, 1785.
Received of James Swan, Esq., the first within mentioned sum of Nine-
teen hundred and twenty Pounds.

Nathan Dane.

January 19, 1786.
Received of the hon'ble Samuel Phillips, Esqr., the above sum, which
was overpaid on the within Lands purchased of the Commonwealth of Massa-
chusetts, say one hundred and twenty Pounds.

James Swan.

DEED.

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS,
That We, Samuel Phillips, Jun., Nathaniel Wells and John Brooks, Es-
quires, a committee appointed by two Resolves of the Commonwealth of Massachu-
setts of the 28th of October, 1783 and 30th of November, r785, on the subject
of unappropriated Lands in the County of Lincoln, and by those and other Re-
solves of said Court, empowered to sell and convey the unappropriated Lands of
the said Commonwealth in said County, for and in consideration of the sum of
one thousand four hundred and forty-three Pounds, nine shillings, in the consol-
idated securities of said Commonwealth, to us paid by James Swan, of Boston,
in the County of Suffolk and Commonwealth aforesaid, Esquires, have given,
granted, bargained, sold and conveyed and by these presents in behalf of the
said Commonwealth do give, grant, bargain, sell and convey unto the said
James Swan, his Heirs and assigns, the following Islands lying and being in
the County of Lincoln and Commonwealth aforesaid, and scituated southerly and
southeastly of a Point of main Land known by the name of Naskig Point, be-
ing the southeastly Point of N IV Township between the Penobscot River and
Union River granted by the General Court of the late Province of Massachusetts
Bay, to David Marsh and others, on the second Day of March, one thousand

seven hundred and sixty-two, and southvvestly of the Island called Mount
Desert, viz. :

Barnt Coat or Burnt Coal Island, containing five thousand eight hundred
and seventy-five acres; Island P, sixteen Acres; Island I, six acres 57 Rods;
Island K five acres, 136 Rods; John's Island twenty Acres, 10 Rods; Island N,
twenty-three Acres, 64 Rods; Island B, four Acres; Hatt Island, twenty Acres;
Harbour Island, one hundred forty-four Acres, 16 Rods; Marshal's Island,
eight hundred forty-three Acres, 80 Rods; Little Marshal Island, forty-two
Acres, 40 Rods; Island W, ten Acres; Island A, twenty-one Acres; Island C,
forty-four Acres, 60 Rods; Island D, sixteen Acres; Island F, twenty Acres;
Island G, thirty-three Acres; Loud Island, one thousand one hundred thirty-two
Acres, 130 Rods; Pond Island, two hundred and seven Acres; Island U, seven-
teen Acres, 100 Rods; Island V, three Acres; Westly Calf Island, two hundred
fifty-six Acres, 140 Rods; Eastern Calf Island, one hundred sixty-two Acres, 80
Rods; all of which Islands belong to and comprise the Division of Islands
called Burnt Coat division, surveyed for the Commonwealth, aforesaid, Anno
Domini, 1785, according to a Plan thereof, returned into the aforesaid commit-
tee's office by Rufus Putnam and entered in the Plan Book, page 118, in which
Plan the several Islands aforesaid, with their Magnitudes, Bearings and distances
from each other, as well as from Naskig Point are laid down, which Division of
Islands are separated from other Islands and bounded as follows, viz. : South-
erly by the Atlantic Ocean; Westley by Jerico Bay, which separates them from
Isle of Holt and Deer Island Division, Northerly by a line drawn due East from
the southern extreme of Naskig Point into Placentia Bay, which Bay divides them
from the Great Placentia Islands, and other islands lying Southerly of Mount
Desert. Also two other Islands lying Easterly of Placentia Bay, aforesaid, sur-
veyed and included in Mount Desert Division of Islands, entered in the aforesaid
Plan Book, Page 132, viz.: Great Placentia Island containing four hundred
forty-seven Acres, 155 Rods; and is scituated Northeastly of said Burnt Coat
Island about three hundred and seventy rods, and Black Island, containing two
hundred ninety-two Acres, 55 Rods, lying southerly of Great Placentia Island
and distance therefrom about two hundred and forty Rods. Both of these as
well as all the other Islands before described being within three miles of some
part or other of the great Island first mentioned.

The before described Islands containing in the Whole, Nine thousand, six
hundred twenty-three acres and three rods by Measure, according to the several

Plans of the same in the aforesaid Committee's office, Togather with the rights
Members Profits Priviledges and Appurtenances whatsoever, thereunto telong-
ing, or in any wise appertaining. To have and to hold the said bargained and
granted Premises with the Appurtenances unto him, the said Swan, his Heirs and
Assigns to his and their proper Use, and behoof forever. And the said Commit-
tee, in behalf of said Commonwealth covenant and agree with said Swan, his
Heirs and Assigns, that at the Time of ensealing thereof the said Commonwealth
of Massachusetts is seized and possessed of said granted Premises in fee, and that
they, the said Samuel Phillips, Junr., Nathaniel Wells, and John Brooks, have
good Right in their said Capacities and in behalf of said Commonwealth to sell
and convey the same in manner aforesaid, the Premises being free of all Incum-
berances, and that the said Commonwealth shall warrant and defend the same
granted Premises, to the said James Swan, his Heirs and Assigns forever against
the lawful claims and Demands of all Persons.

In witness whereof the said Committee hereto, set their hands and seals
this seventh Day of July, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred
and eighty-six. Samuel Phillips, Junr. [seal]

Nath'l Wells. [seal]

J. Brooks. [seal]

Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of

Leonard Jarvis.

Geo. R. Minot.

•

Suffolk ss. July 7, 1786.

Then the within named Samuel Phillips, Junr., Nath'l Wells and John
Brooks personally appeared and acknowledged the before written Instrument by
each of them signed to be their free Act and Deed, before me.

Stephen Metcalf,

Justice of the Peace.

SETTLEMENT.

When this island was discovered by Europeans, it
was, as before stated, entirely covered with a dense forest
of hardwood trees. The trees of this primitive forest at-
tained great size, as was shown by the enormous stumps

found throughout the forest by the older inhabitants. This
luxuriant growth was, no doubt,- due to the large amount
of foliage decaying, thus fertilizing the soil. After the
first growth was cut off, the land was burned over. This
was injurious to the soil where it covered rocky land, and
much of its richness was washed into the valleys and
thence into the ocean. The next growth on this impover-
ished soil was much smaller. This can be remembered
by many of the older inhabitants.

When this forest was, in turn, cleared, its place was
taken by a stunted growth of spruce and fir trees, which
now covers a part of the island. The first forest is what
attracted the attention of the people from the more pop-
ulated districts. Lumber was then in great demand to
meet the wants of the growing towns and villages along
the coast; and to meet these wants. Swan erected a saw-
mill to manufacture the lumber. This wood also found a
ready market as fuel, it being before coal came into use ;
and although it brought but a small price, often selling for
fifty cents per cord on the bank, yet it grew so abundantly
near the shore that fair wages could be made. It was the
chief employment of the men during the winter months.

At an early date quite a colony of Irishmen com-
pletely cut off the wood from that part of the island since
called Irish Point, this giving to it the name.

After Swan's purchase, his first work was to build a
dam across the mill-pond and erect his mills. The loca-
tion was on either side of the little island, near where the
lobster factorv was afterwards built. He built a sawmill

over the stream on one side of the island, and a gristmill
on the other. He then built a large mansion which he
proceeded to finish up in excellent style. This house was
built in colonial style of architecture, the roof being
almost flat. This was called by the settlers the " Big
House ". It was located near the shores of Old Harbor,
below where Harvev Bridges now lives.

The state of Massachusetts agreed to exempt Swan's
property from taxation for a period of twenty years, pro-
vided he settled, within seven years, twenty-two Protestant
families on the island, built or caused to be built twenty-
two houses at least twenty-two feet square, and built a
church and school-house and established a grammar
school.

In order to get the required number of settlers. Swan
sent out to the surrounding towns that he would give one
hundred acres of land to any settler who would bring his
family, build a house, cultivate the land, and that, at the
end of seven years, he would give him a deed, free of ex-
pense, for the land which he had so improved.

Qiiite a number of families came from Deer Isle,
Sedgwick, Mount Desert and other places. There was a
great demand for laborers. Many found emplo3'ment at
the mills. A large number chopped logs in the forest,
others with ox teams drew them to the mill where they
were manufactured into lumber. Many coasters from
other places came to take the lumber to market, and Old
Harbor took on a lively aspect.

Some of the early settlers made their first visit here in

one of these coasting vessels. In the meantime the fishery
business began to be developed. But few were employed
in this industry at first, for other occupations were more
lucrative. In after years, however, the fishery business
came to be the chief employment of the whole town.
The church and school-house were never built, as Swan,
soon after his purchase here, failed in business and left this
country before it could be carried into effect, and those
into whose hands the property fell did not choose to fulfill
Swan's agreement.

Swan had as a confidential agent a man named
Joseph Prince, of Beverly, Massachusetts. He came here
soon after the purchase of the islands and superintended
Swan's business during the early days of their settlement.
Prince received $500 a year and his family supported. He
settled on Harbor Island and built a house near the cove
which still bears his name. Hancock registry, volume 5,
page 481, gives the following account, dated February 28,
1798: James Swan, of Dorchester, appointed Joseph
Prince resident on Swan's Island, formerly Burntcoat
(this is the first time that the phrase Swan's Island was
used), with power of attorney to sell and convey to David
Smith, Joshua Grin die and Moses Staples one hundred
acres of land each; to John Rich, William Davis, David

Bickmore, Isaac Sawyer, and Knowlton thirty acres

each, all to be taken on the Great Island ; and to Samuel
Emerson sixty acres on Marshall's Island, and to any
other fisherman, who owns his fishing boat and who may
settle on the Great Island, ten acres. To be theirs on tlie

following conditions onl}^ : They shall live on said land
seven years, counting from their actual settlement, with their
stock and families ; shall pay all the taxes assessed by the
town, State or general government; the}^ shall cut no
more wood or timber than to make good and farmerlike
improvements ; shall pay the expense of surveying ; each
shall lay out such roads through his land as the agent
shall direct, and keep it in repair seven years.

As far as the case may admit, the cord wood and lum-
ber cut upon these lands shall be carried to market in
vessels belonging to Swan or his heirs. In like manner
the logs felled on this land shall be carried to the mills
erected or to be erected on said island. If the above
conditions are not complied with, the land that may be
improved by settlers will go back to said Swan. This
was acknowledged in Boston before John Vinal.

Soon after the year 1800, Prince moved back to Bev-
erly. His widow was living there as late as 1841, a very
aged lady. They have many descendants now living in
Beverl}^ and Salem. After Prince's departure. Swan's
business was transacted by different parties, as will be
noted later. Swan's property was now neglected. The
mills, which still ran for many years, were finally closed
and gradually fell into decay.

The land was held as of very little value after the
timber had been cut off, and settlers who came in made
their own selection of lots without consulting anyone.
The first permanent settlement was made by David Smith
in 1791- He settled on Harbor Island, where his daugh-

•2S

ter Sarah, afterwards the wife of Benjamin Stinson, was
born in 1792. He soon after moved into the " Big House "
while building his own, and while there, his son Benjamin
Smith was born in 1795. This is said to be the first child
born to white parents on the island.

The "Big House" was used as a temporary dwelling
b}^ many of the earl}^ settlers until a suitable house of their
own could be procured. Although there were sawmills
here, most of the first houses were built of logs. The
crevices were plastered with mortar made from burnt clam
shells. These were found in large quantities, and made a
good substitute for lime. Moses Staples made considera-
ble quantity in this way when he lived near Old Harbor.

The log houses were small, generally twenty-two
feet square ; the lower part was all in one room called the
"kitchen". This was used as a cook-room, dining-room,
sitting-room, store-room and general workshop. It was
the famih' " home ", and very often here large families
were reared. The largest of which we have record is
David Smith's, before spoken of, who by his first wife had
sixteen children, and by his second wife eight, making
twenty-four in all.

In the kitchen was a broad fireplace wherein swung
a large crane. Upon the crane were pendant hooks of
various lengths, upon which the pots and kettles were
hung. There was a wide, neatly-swept hearth, upon
which, before a roaring fire, the bright tin baker was
placed to bake the bread or roast the lamb. When a ban-
nock was to be baked, the dough of corn-meal and water

was spread about an inch thick upon a piece of sheet iron
about eight by eighteen inches^ and placed upon the hearth-
edge and a flatiron at its back to keep it up. When its
face side was cooked which, with a winter fire, required
only a few minutes, it was removed from the iron, turned
inside out and again presented to the fire for a few min-
utes. That gave it a hard, brittle crust on both sides.
These bannocks of corn or barley were the only bread
used. Wheat flour was very expensive, and could be
used only by the more wealthy.

At the side of the fireplace, and quite near thereto,
was a cavernous oven which each Saturday was heated
very hot, where the Sunday's beans and brown bread and
pumpkin pies, or a quarter of lamb were baked. Under
the oven was the stock-hole, with a capacity of several
barrels, into which the ashes from the hearth were
shoveled.

In autumn, after the harvest had been gathered and
the house banked and all cracks and crannies about the
house and barn where Jack Frost might come in were
properly tightened to keep him out, it was the correct
thing to lay in a supply of pitch wood for winter evenings'
light.

The furniture was of the simplest description. Spin-
ning wheels and looms manufactured the wool into cloth
which served largely to clothe the family.

During the long, bleak winters, shut off from all
communication with the main land, exxept an occasional
sail-boat, with the waves of the Atlantic ocean beating all

around them, it must, indeed, have seemed isolated. But
it was not so regarded by them. The little log house was
built in a sheltered spot in the forest. The sturdy settler,
to support his large family, was kept busy throughout the
day. In the evening the family gathered before the fire
in the huge fireplace, whose genial warmth gave a cheer}-
aspect to the little cabin. During the evening friends
would come with their family hauled by oxen, perhaps
for several miles. The younger members would entertain
themselves by coasting or skating or by games within
doors, while with the parents story-telling seems to have
been a favorite mode of entertainment, in which a ghost or
a goblin would figure as the hero of the tale. A gen-
erous supper would be partaken of before they left for
their long ride homeward. Notwithstanding the great im-
provements that have taken place within the last century,
I doubt if people enjoy themselves now more than they
did at that time. An increase of means brings with it one
of wants, and usually the expenditures will keep pace with
the income.

Many of the more prosperous soon built timber houses,
some of large dimensions. Most of the houses were built
near the shore so as to be convenient for fishing, which,
since the departure of Swan's agents, had been their chief
reliance for the support of their families. The first work
of the settler, after providing for his family, was to pro-
cure a boat. These were of small size at first, as an
abundance of fish could be caught near the shore, but
after a time larger boats and vessels were built, not onlv

for home use but also to sell. Land was cleared around
the house and barley, corn and potatoes were raised.
Barley and corn were ground at the gristmill and made
into bread.

Although farming was never carried on to any great
extent, crops were good. It is said that some of the
farmers raised a thousand bushels of potatoes per year.

A large amount of kiln wood was sold during the
winter months. At first this wood could be cut anywhere
except on land actually settled. Later the plantation re-
quired a small price per cord on all wood cut on wild
lands. Fish were plenty, but they brought a small price.
Yet they served as an article of food, and were exchanged
for corn, barley, and articles of clothing. Shoes of a rude
kind were made at home. The settlers at once stocked
their places with cattle and sheep, the latter being more
profitable on account of the dry, hilly pasture-land.

There were no roads, only paths through the woods.
If any one wished the use of a road he had to build it him-
self. On account of the rocky character of the land
through which roads must pass, they preferred, when vis-
iting another part of the island, to go in boats, rather than
incur the heavy expense necessary to construct roads.
Later, paths were converted into wood-roads, and these at
a much later date into highways, all of which had gates
across them. No horses were kept for seventy years after
the settlement of the town. But the roads at this writing
have vastly improved, in fact, none better can be found in
the county.

During the long bleak winters hunting was a favorite
pastime. Game was abundant, but so many hunters came
from other places that it became necessary for the inhab-
itants to pass a vote not to allow non-residents trapping,
hounding or laying poison for any fur-bearing animal ;
and still later no man was allowed to hound game except
upon his own premises.

Among the fur-bearing animals found here bv the
settlers were quite a number of bears, some of which were
so bold as to come to the barns and eat the food put out for
the hogs, and nights they would often prowl around the
houses to secure anything left around the door that would
tempt their appetite. Two bears were killed here by per-
sonal encounters. The first was killed b}^ Abel E.
Staples. A large party of men, as was customar}- in those
days, gathered at John Cook's place to assist him in clear-
ing his lot of the bushes and stumps, so as to enable him to
cultivate the soil. While so employed, several dogs,
which had accompanied the workmen, began to bark
furiously in the forest near them. Soon, much to the sur-
prise of all, they drove a large bear into the clearing.
The bear made a desperate attempt to escape by attacking
those who surrounded him. At this, Mr. Staples, using a
long stick which he had been using prying stumps,
struck the bear on the head. This only enraged the beast
the more. The second blow, given with tremendous
force, split open the bear's head, and he fell over dead.
A long time subsequent, a bear came out on the shore
where John and David Stinson were working on a boat

near their home at the north. One of the brothers started
for the house to get a rifle, while the other kept watch.
Presently the bear began to move towards the woods,
when Mr. Smith seized a broken oar that lay near his
boat, and after a severe battle came off victorious. Several
other bears were killed with firearms. This game was so
persistently hunted that it was entirely exterminated.

There were also large flocks of seabirds which served
as food, and the feathers were made into beds. Seabirds
still come in large flocks at certain seasons of the year.

There were no traders then on the island, but supplies
were usually laid in before winter. The mails came oc-
casionally, when a boat went to the mainland, but there
was no office here nor any regular place to receive the
mails.

The war of 1812 made itself felt among the few set-
tlers here, not only in the depression incident to warfare,
but the British cutters harassed our coasting vessels and
captured and detained many of the fishing vessels, taking
from these vessels any man whom they chose to regard as
a British subject and impressing him on board of an
English ship-of-war. In a similar wa}^ the father of
Moses Staples, who came here in 1793, was impressed on
board of a British war ship during the Revolution. He
was never heard of after that, and probably died or was
killed while in the service.

It is related that while one of the British cutters was
near our harbor, a boat came ashore, and her crew espied
several women and girls returning in a boat from one of

the islands where they had been berrying. The cutter's
boat went in pursuit, and soon overtook the party of
frightened women. They, however, did not detain them,
but on leaving them an officer- in the boat kissed one of
the young girls. "Go home,'' said he, "and tell your
parents that you have had the honor of being kissed by a
British officer."

In the year 1810, just previous to our second war with
Great Britain, an embargo was laid on flour to prevent it
being exported to England or to the English colonies.
Accordingly flour in Canada brought a very high price,
and made smuggling into that country profitable. So in
this year, two brothers named Prudy, who were Tories,
brought a load of flour in a Chebacco boat, and stored it
in the cellar of the "Big House", awaiting a favorable
opportunity to smuggle it into Canada, but some patriotic
citizen, knowing the character and business of the Prudy
boys, notified the customs officer at Deer Isle, who came
and, with the aid of David Smith, took charge of the
flour, put it on board of a vessel and carried it to Deer
Isle, where it was confiscated. The Prudy boys were
naturally enraged, especially with Mr. Smith, whom they
accused of betraying them to the customs officer. One
day, meeting Mr. Smith alone, they both attacked him,
but, much to their surprise, this old Revolutionary hero
administered to them a sound thrashing, which all of that
class so richly deserved. Prudy had Mr. Smith arrested
for assault. He was carried to Deer Isle for trial, and,
strangely enough, he came for trial before the very cus-

toms officer who had made the seizure, and by whom Mr.
Smith was discharged on the ground that he was justified
in the act as the means of self-defense. .

Swan's Island Plantation was organized in 1834.
Previously there had been no municipal organization, and
had been taxed only by the State. In State and national
elections it was classed with Mount Desert, later with Blue-
hill, and now with Deer Isle. At present Deer Isle,
Swan's Island and Isle au Haut form one representative
district.

During the first half centur}'^ after its settlement, there
were no public schools, but instruction was furnished the
young more or less regularly and supported by private
donations. These schools were kept in the room of some
dwelling, and the teacher "boarded around". The usual
price paid the teacher was nine shillings per week.

The people in those times seem to have made good
use of the advantages which were offered them, for most
of them had a good common school education. The first
school-house was built near the Carrying Place in 1834.
This building was afterwards moved and used in district
No. I until the new school-house was built in 1894.
The school-house on the east side was built soon after.
The first public winter term of school !i,was taught by
Miss Sophia Dodge, of Sedgwick. Among other early
teachers were John Adams, Hon. William H. Taylor, a
justice of the supreme judicial court of Maine, and Dan-
forth P. Marcyes, of Eden. The wages for a winter
teacher was about $14 per month and board, often as low

as fifty cents per week. The island was first divided into
the west district and east district. In 1839, ^^^ ^^^^ ^'^^'
trict voted to support scliool for three months in the sum-
mer, and two and a half months in the winter.

In 1842, the west district was divided into two other
districts — the southeast district, the line of which was to
run between Joseph Gott and John Gott's house, and the
Irish Point district, the dividing line to run between Abel
Lane's and David Smith's places.

This year the districts were numbered, west district to
be known as No. i, east district as No. 2, southwest dis-
trict as No. 3, southeast district as No. 4. Later, district
No. I was again divided ; all north of the Carrvincr Place
to be formed into a new district known as No. 5 ; and last,
a portion of district No. i was united to a portion of dis-
trict No. 2, the union forming district No. 6. The last
district, however, was soon abolished. The other districts
remained until all district lines were abolished b}' the new
school law of 1894.

There were five principal settlements. The most
numerous families were the Smiths, Stinsons and Kents at
the north ; the Joyces, Staples, Torreys and Stockbridges
at the east side, the Gotts and Stanleys in No. i, and the
Spragues, Sadlers and Bridges in No. 4. Most of the
settlers in each section were related to each other. And a
large percentage of the population of this island to-day is
descendants of the above-named families.

These people, although surrounded by many disad-
vantages, have reared a hardy, industrious, intelligent

class of people. A general appearance of prosperity pre-
vails. The homes are neat and elegantly furnished. The
grounds and lawns are tastefully kept. The roads are
kept in a good condition of repair, with sidewalks built in
two of the villages. Schools have been liberally sup-
ported, offering to the young thirty weeks of instruction in
the year. All school-books are furnished free, so that the
poor can enjoy equal advantages with the wealthy. A
new two-story school-house has just been completed, and
the schools for the first time graded (1894).

Seldom has there been a pauper to -call for public
charit}", and the town is without debt.

We of the present day, who now occupy comfortable
homes, with all these advantages, with mails and steam-
boats that dail}- connect us with the neighboring towns,
can scarcelv realize the <jreat changes which have taken
place for the better within this century.

LAND TITLES.

As we have already seen, the commonwealth of
Massachusetts agreed to sell to James Swan the twenty-
five islands included in tlie Burnt Coat group, which were
estimated to contain 12,800 acres, at three shillings per
acre, which amounted to £1,920. This Swan paid on
March 19, 1785, and he was to receive a deed as soon as
the islands could be surveyed. By actual measurement
this group was found to contain onh^ 9^623 acres, and the
difference which Swan overpaid between the estimated
and real measure of this group was returned to him Jan-

iiarv 19, 1789. The deed of this group was given to
Swan by the common weahh on July 7, 1786. On Octo-
ber 28, 1790, James Swan, late of Boston, by his at-
torneys, Henry Jackson and Benjamin Hitchborn, sold to
Joseph Prince, resident of Burn Coat, for the sum of
£300 " and divers other good causes " Burn Coat Island
and all other islands within three miles of said Burn Coat.
(1-28) *

After Prince's purchase he followed Swan's agree-
ment with the settlers, by giving a bond to each occupant
of the land that he would give him a deed 6f his prop-
erty at the end of seven years. To Joseph Toothaker he
gave a bond of $100 for the one hundred acres extending
from the Carrying Place around the Cove, dated April 26,
1792 (3-208), and to Joshua Grindle for the same amount
of land extending from Moses Staples, to the Carrying
Place, dated May i, 1794 (3-245). On June 29, 1795,
Joseph Prince and wife Joanna sold to Henry Jackson, of
Boston, for £300, the same purchase; on July 16, 1795,
(3-256) Jackson also bought of Bartolomy DeGregoire
land on Mt. Desert for which he paid £1,247. He also
bought Bartiett's island. Cranberry island and Duck island,
and also a tract near Stinson's Neck, Deer Isle.

On September 28, 1796, Henry Jackson sold the
Burnt Coat group back to Swan in consideration of the
sum of £300 (4-206). He also gave Swan a quit-claim
deed of these islands and improvments on the same ; also

* The figures refer to Hancock registry, volume and page, where these
records were obtained.

land in Suffolk and Norfolk counties for £5,000 (4-207).
On December 6, 1796, Swan mortgaged this property to
Henry Jackson to secure the payment of £2,333 (4-203).
On July 13, 1798, Swan gave the same security to Stephen
Higginson and Samuel G. Perkins, of Boston, as security
for $30,000 (5-541). Swan mortgaged this property to
other parties at different times to secure payment of loans,
all of which were promptly paid.

On February 28, 1798, Swan gave to Joseph Prince,
of Swan's Island (formerly Burnt Coat), power of attor-
ney to sell dnd convey to the settlers the land which they
had occupied, and to such other fishermen as might settle,
on the conditions which are stated elsewhere. He also
gave Prince power to sell a lot of land on " Island of
Holt" which Swan had bought of Nathaniel Shelden in
1796. This power of attorne}^ is recorded in (5-481) Han-
cock registry.

We find no further record that any property here was
bought or sold for some fifteen years. During all this
time the settlers selected whatever property they choose,
and no one disputed their claim. The agreement by
which Swan promised the settlers a deed of the property
that they occupied at the end of seven years was not
carried out by him or by the other parties into whose hands
this property fell. It may have been for the reason that
when the seven 3^ears had expired Swan was in France
and had no one here to attend to his business. So the
failure may have been due to neglect, or perhaps the set-
tlers did not fulfill the conditions of the contract. How-

ever, the settlers did not seem to care much about the title
to land that they possessed, which was of very little value.
Their log cabins and boats comprised the greater part of
their possessions, so if they were ousted their loss would
not be very great ; besides they considered they had a
moral right to the land they occupied, according to Swan's
agreement.

On October 3, 181 2, "James Swan, of Boston, at
present residing in Paris, mortgaged to Michael O'Maley,
a merchant of Baltimore," a part of this group of islands.
Swan was indebted to O'Maley for the sum of 43,080
francs as appears by a bill of exchange drawn at Harve
in 1808. Swan paid on this 6,663 francs with interest,
leaving the balance due O'Maley on September i, 1813,
of 36,417 francs. As security Swan mortgaged to
O'Maley thirteen islands of this group, viz. : Swan's
Island, Marshall's island. Black island. Hat island. Great
and Little Placentia islands, Long island " and five others
the name not recollected", " containing in all about 12,000
acres, together with the grist and the sawmills, farms,
stores, mansion-house, timber lands, waters and fish-
eries ". This mortgage was executed at Paris in the
Greffe of the prison of St. Pelagie, where Swan was then
imprisoned, and acknowledged before David Bailey
Warden, United States consul at Paris, October 3, 181 2
(33-226). In this transfer it is noticed that only thirteen
of the twenty-five islands included in the Burnt Coat
group were conveyed. After this there seems to have
been no claimants for this property, either mortgagor or

mortgagee, until 1817. During all this time settlers con-
tinued to come in and select whatever lots they choose to
occupy, unmolested by anyone.

On March 10, 181 7, Rufus B. Allyn, of Belfast, as
attorney for O'Maley, entered and took peaceable posses-
sion of the premises named for the purpose of foreclosing
the mortgage. He notified the settlers that in O'Maley's
name he should take possession of all this property. He
brought as witnesses of this seizure Jesse Holbrook and
Paul Giles.

On August 29, 1821, a power of attorney was given
by O'Maley to Daniel Webster to transact the business
connected with the thirteen islands of the Burnt Coat
group, as well as his other transactions with Swan. This
was signed by O'Male}^ in Boston. A power of attorney
was given by Swan to William Sullivan (son-in-law) to
act jointly with Daniel Webster, they to have the power of
substitution, to sell all the islands in this group and exe-
cute deeds in their names, and Swan and O'Maley agreed
to confirm all acts so transacted. This was dated Sep-
tember 13, 1821.

On June 13, 1823, Daniel Webster, attorney for
O'Malev, and William Sullivan, attorney for Swan, sub-
stituted Rufus B. Allyn to act jointly for both parties
(43-168), and whatever deeds were given afterwards
were in Swan and O'Maley's name. As to the mortgage
of Swan to O'Maley, it is believed that it was given to a
friend to protect the property from other debtors. Swan
had considerable property in Boston and vicinity which

was conve3'ed in somewhat the same manner. It is
strancje that if O'Malev claimed anything under this mort-
gage he should have waited several years before assert-
ing his claim.

The year after Allyn's appointment he came to these
islands and demanded payment of all the settlers for the
land which they occupied. He gave to each occupant a
deed of the property he occupied, and took a mortgage to
secure payment. Both the deeds and mortgages, which
are recorded in Hancock registry, were executed between
the years 1823 and 1839. The following were given at
that time :

Moses Bridges, of Sedgwick, bought Eastern Calf island,
containing 162 acres, for $400, May 24, 1823. Mort-
gage was paid December 5, 1839 (43~5°9)*

Peter Powers bought Western Calf island, containing 256
acres, for $750, September 21, 1822 (43-521).

John Finney bought the place on which he lives October
I, 1823, for $147 (44-238).

Levi Torrey paid $160 for the land which he occupied, on
October 16, 1823. Deed was witnessed by John
Cook (44-239).

Ebenezer Joyce paid $130.27 for 68 acres of land on
which he lives, October 3, 1823.

Abel E. Staples paid $175 for land which he occupied
1823.

James Joyce bought of Rufus B. Allyn the place on which
he lived for $146.51 on May 27, 1824.

Francis T. Gille}', of Placentia, paid $237. This mort-
gage was paid December 25, 1839.

Robert Mitchell paid $210 for land on Placentia May 24,

1824. This mortgage was paid October 27, 1828.
Benjamin Smith bought for $365.50 the farm on which he

lived, May 18, 1824.
Moses Staples' land amounted to $83.37. Recorded May

20, 1824.
Benjamin Stinson's was valued at $200.
John Staples, a lot near Mackerel Cove, for $60.75.

May 17, 1824.
Benjamin F. Staples' lot valued at $42.13. Deed given

May 18, 1824.

Moses Staples, jr., bought his lot for $158.16 May
17, 1824.

Daniel Hamblen, for part of Placentia, $140.30, 93
acres, 1825.

Israel B. Lunt, unincorporated place called Long island.
His tract of land contained 1,132 acres, for which he
was to pay $600. Date of mortgage June 30, 1835.

O'Maley at present in Paris, kingdom of France, sold to
Thomas Colomey for $200 a lot near Seal Cove,
executed by Rufus B. Allyn on July i, 1835
(60-424).

Scarcel}^ an3^thing was paid on the above mortgages,
but no action seems to have been taken by Allyn to en-
force payment. Afterwards ex-Governor Edward Kent
was said to have been employed by O'Maley to bring suit
against the settlers to recover possession of the islands,
and to have prosecuted these claims for several 3'ears.
Some of the settlers paid something, as we have noticed
above, while others absolutely refused to pa}'. In the end

Oovernor Kent could not find his clients and returned to
the islanders what money he had collected from them. It
is probable that Swan's heirs took this method to get some-
thing out of the islands, but, finding tlie matter likely to
be hotly contested, ga\'e up the contest.

No further claim was ever made by O'Maley or his
heirs. Nothing more was done until after Col. Swan's
death, when Charles J. Abbott, of Castine, was appointed
administrator of the estate of James Swan, late of France,
in April, 1837. Swan's just debts were $142,995.49.
There not being personal propert}' enough to pay, some
of these islands were appraised by Thomas Cobb, John B,
Redman and Benjamin Rea in December, 1837, as
follows :

ISLAND. ACRES, AMOUNT.

Little Marshall 42 $63

W 10 10

A 21 21

B 4 4

C 44 66

D 16 80

F 20 30

G 33 49

K 5 6

N 23 46

P 16 16

I ^ 6 . 5

John's 20 50

U 17 17

V 3 3

$466

This took in the islands that had few or no settlers.
How Mr. Abbott settled with the Swan heirs I do not
know. He afterwards claimed title to some of the islands.

Up to 1834 ^'^^ settlers on Swan's Island had no title
to their lands except such as they could hold by posses-
sion. Neither O'Maley nor Swan ever made any claim
after Mr. Abbott sold the outlying islands. We do not
know what became of O'Maley. He was last heard from
in Paris in 1837, where it is said that he died. A diligent
search of the records of Baltimore reveals no account of
him or his heirs.

In 1834 Swan's Island was organized as a plantation,
when all the property was taxed. In the plantation
records of 1839 we find the following land taxed to
Michael O'Malev : Seven hundred acres in the south-
eastern part of the island, and one lot of one hundred and
fifty acres bounded by the land of Benjamin Stinson and
Benjamin Smith. O'Maley 's tax remained unpaid, and in
Hancock registry' (85-33) is the following: Benjamin F.
Staples, treasurer of plantation of Swan's Island, hereby
certifies that real estate assessed in the year 1843 to
Michael O'Malev, or unknown, on which a tax of $13.44
remains unpaid at the end of five years, said property was
taken possession of by said plantation ; dated Jul}^ 7, 1848.

In the year 1847 John Dodge made a survey of all
unappropriated lands on Swan's Island, and it was divided
into lots of fifty acres each, which were numbered and
divided into first, second and third class, according to their
value. Some of the better lots were sold at public auction.

Many of the other lots, which were of no income to the
plantation, were given to settlers. They would choose
what land the}' wished to own, make a record of the
boundaries in the book of the plantation clerk, and pay
the taxes on the land so occupied. I do not know that
the plantation ever gave a deed to the occupants of these
lots ; all of them have now become the property of private
individuals.

CHAPTER III.

A SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF COL. JAMES SWAN,

James Swan was the original purchaser of the twen-
t3^-five islands included in the Burnt Coat group. The
largest of these islands, which contains this town, was
named for him — Swan's Island. He was born in Fife-
shire, Scotland, in 1754, and came to this country about
the year 1765. Although ci small bo}^ he was unusually
active and intelligent, and soon found employment in Bos-
ton. As a boy he was studious, devoting all his spare
time to his books, and in this way secured an excellent
education.

Even in his 3'ounger 3-ears,-Swan had a varied expe-
rience. Before his twenty-second 3'ear he had been mer-
chant, politician, soldier and author. When onh^ eighteen
3'ears of age, while 3'et but a clerk in a counting-house,
which was situated next to Ellis Gra3''s, opposite the east
end of Faneuil hall, he wrote and published a work on
the African slave trade. This book was published in
1772, and was entitled: "A Dissuasion of Great Britain
and Her Colonies from the Slave Trade." A cop3- of this
work is said to be in the Boston public librar3^

He served as an apprentice for several 3'ears with
Thaxter & Son, and while there he formed an intimate
friendship with several other clerks, who, in after 3"ears,
became widely known. Among these were Benjamin

Thompson, afterwards made Count Rumford by the king
of Bavaria ; and Henry Knox, who was a clerk, probably
in the same store, and afterwards became the bookseller
on Cornhill, and later a general in the Continental arm}^

While young Swan was here employed, he boarded
on Hanover street. This was at the time of the birth of
the Boston Tea Party. Swan had taken a great interest
in the stirring events which were transpiring just previous
to the Revolutionary war, and all his sympathies were
awakened in behalf of tiie Americans, who were manfully
resisting the tyrannical laws by which Great Britain was
trying to enslave the colonists.

To resist more effectual!}' these unjust laws, an asso-
ciation was formed called the Sons of Liberty. Swan
and the other apprentices joined the association, and he was
present and took part in that act of disloA'alty to the crown,
which became a part of the world's histor}^ — the Boston
Tea Party.

England, alarmed at the show of resistance which
the colonists were making, repealed all the obnoxious
laws except the tax on tea, but the colonists would not
submit even to that tax. So an immense meeting was held
in Faneuil hall to discuss this matter, and it was there de-
cided that the tea in the ships then lying in Boston
harbor should never be brought ashore. Accordingh-, a
part}^ of the Sons of Liberty, disguised as Indians, went
aboard the ships and emptied three hundred and forty-two
chests of tea into the water.

Histor}' reveals that while these young men were on

their way home from the Boston Tea Party, they passed
the house at which Admiral Montague, a British officer,
was spending the. evening. This officer raised the window
and cried out :

"Well, boys, you've had a fine night for your Indian
caper. But, mind, you've got to pay the fiddler yet."'

" O, never mind," replied one of the leaders, "never
mind, squire ! Just come out here, if }OU please, and
well settle the bill in two minutes."

The admiral thought best to let the bill stand, and
quickly shut down the window.

When Swan and his companions returned to their
boarding-place with tea in their shoes and smooched faces,
they ran the gauntlet of the boarders at the next morning's
breakfast. Among others who were in the Tea Party
were Samuel Gore, who lived to the advanced age of nine-
ty-eight years, George Robert, wdio died at the age of
ninety-two, and Samuel Sprague, father of the poet.

Swan was engaged in the battle of Bunker Hill, where
he was twice wounded. It is said that he was volunteer
aid to Gen. Warren, but this is improbable, as all accounts
of that battle show that Warren declined command, and
was killed while fighting in tlie ranks with a musket. So
it was not likely tha't he had an aid-de-camp.

Swan was afterwards promoted to captain in Craft's
artillery. He was at the evacuation of Boston by the
British on March 17, 1776. The next day he witnessed
the entrance of Washington into Boston amid great rejoic-
ing, as the inhabitants had been besieged for eleven

months. Afterwards Swan became secretary of the
Massachusetts board of war. He was elected a member
of the legislature and adjutant-general of the state. At
the close of the war he was major of a cavalry corps.
Throughout the whole war, he occupied positions of trust,
often requiring great courage and cool judgment, and the
fidelit}^ with which every duty was performed was shown
by the honors conferred upon him after retiring to civil
life.

Prior to the Revolutionary war, there was a man liv-
ing in Boston named Barnaby Clark, who was a merchant
and shipowner. He had two children, Samuel and Hep-
zibah. The latter, in 1776, became the wife of James
Swan.

There was also living in Boston at this time a wealthy
Scot — an old bachelor — named William Dennie, who
was connected in business with Barnaby Clark, and in
whose employ Samuel Clark sailed as shipmaster. A
strong friendship existed between Barnab}^ Clark and Wil-
liam Dennie, and the latter, having no relatives in Amer-
ica, often said he would divide his property between the
two children of the former. When he died, however, he
left his whole estate to James Swan, being instigated
thereto, it was believed, by Swan's influence.

Samuel Clark, Swan's brother-in-law, was a Revolu-
tionary soldier, and was a major in one of the Boston reg-
iments which took part, under Gen. Sullivan, in the Rhode
Island campaign, which failed on account of a great storm
that prevented the co-operation of the French troops. In

this storm Major Clark contracted a disease of which he
died in Boston at the age of tvvent3"-six years, leaving a
widow and infant son — also Samnel Clark. (The latter
was the father of my informant, Samuel C. Clark, who
now resides in Marietta, Georgia, at the advanced age of
ninety 3'ears. He was a neighbor of the Swan family in
Boston, and an intimate friend.)

By Major Clark's will all his properly was divided
between his wife and son, and he made James Swan one
of the executors of the will and guardian of the child.
His will gave directions as to the investments and care of
the estate, none of wdiich was observed by Colonel Swan,
and wlien Samuel Clark became of age, twenty years
after, he was onh' able to obtain his property by a law-
suit with Swan. Swan, by means of the large fortune
willed to him, entered the mercantile business on a large
scale, and became very wealthy.

At the beginning of the Revolution he was said to
own about two and a half million acres of land in Mingo,
Logan, Wyoming, and McDowell counties, in western
Virginia ; Pike county, Kentucky, and Tazewell count}',
Virginia. He sold what he could of this land, and de-
voted the proceeds to furthering the cause of American
independence. In return for his services the state of Vir-
ginia redeeded to him all the property he sold, and gave
him much more Iving west of the Alleghanies. He also
bought much of the confiscated property of the Tories.
Among others was the estate belonging to Governor
Hutchinson, Iving on Tremont street, between West and

Boylston streets, Boston, which became ver}' valuable
property. There was also on the southerly side of Dudley
street, near Dorchester, an estate of one Colonel Estes
Hatch, who died, leaving it to his son Nathaniel, who
was a Tory and who went to Halifax in 1776. The
state confiscated the property of about sixty acres. It
was purchased by Colonel Swan in 1780 for £18,000,
and afterwards offered for sale to Governor Hancock
for £40,000, but he would not pay the price Swan
demanded.

In 1784 Swan purchased the Burnt Coat group of
islands. This was about tiie time that his friend Gen.
Henry Knox came to Maine, and purchased a large tract
of land in Thomaston, where he built a large mansion and
spent much of the latter years of his life. Throughout
their wliole lives the friendship formed in their boyhood
days subsisted between Colonel Swan and General Knox,
and may have induced them to have taken up their resi-
dences together in Maine.

After the war. Colonel Swan lived on the corner of
West and Tremont streets. This place he afterwards
sold, and it was converted into a garden theatre. He also
owned a house on Dudley street, near Roxbur}-. The
last was an old-fashioned mansion. He built in Dorches-
ter an elegant summer residence, a part of which is stand-
ing and apparently in good condition. During Swan's
short residence in Boston he gave liberal entertainments,
and among others who accepted his hospitality were the
Marquis de Viomeuil, second under Count de Rocham-

beau, Admiral d' Estaing, the Marquis de Lafajelte, and
Gen. Henry Knox.

Later Colonel Swan became deeply involved in debt
from speculations which turned out badly. In 1787 he
went to Paris, and through the influence of Lafayette and
other men of influence, made a fortune through govern-
ment contracts by supplying their army. Here he lived
through all the dark davs of the French Revolution.
During this period he made ever}- effort to colonize the
proscribed French nobilit}' on his lands in America. He
had induced a number to immigrate and received on board
his ships a vast quantity of their furniture and belongings,
but before the owners could follow their furniture on
board, the relentless guillotine had caught them in its
hungry jaws. The laden ships put to sea and safely
arrived in Boston. One of these ships was commanded
by Capt. Stephen Clough, of Wiscasset, Maine. He was
an eye-witness to the execution of the French queen,
which fiendish act remained indelibly impressed upon his
memory. He gave to his youngest daughter the name
Antoinette in memory of her.

In these cargoes sent over by Colonel Swan was a
great deal of elegant furniture, beautiful pieces of tapes-
try, family plate, and fine paintings from royal palaces.
These adorned the old Swan mansion in Dorchester.
Some of these are still in the possession of his descend-
ants, but many of them have long since been disposed of.
A massive silver soup tureen was bought of the family by
a gentleman in Boston. If its mate could have been pro-

cured it would readily have sold for $i,ooo. Compara-
tively useless of itself, he eventually sent it to the East
Indies, where it sold for $300. At a period long subse-
quent its companion was disposed of in Boston. A pair
of andirons of elegant and elaborate workmanship was
sent here from Paris, that for a number of years enjoyed
a "golden" reputation. Later they became the propert}-
of the late George Blake, and after his death they were
discovered to be brass gilt.

Much of the furniture, including three or four side-
boards, became the property of General Knox, who w'as
then furnishing his mansion in Thomaston. Other arti-
cles were added to the Knox mansion by James Swan, jr.,
who married General Knox's youngest daughter Caroline,
who was the last of the family to occupy the old mansion,
which for want of care and repairs went almost to ruin
over her head.

These sideboards, which came into General Knox's
possession, are still retained as relics in Knox county.
One of them is now in Thomaston. It came into the pos-
session of Hon. Hezekiah Prince, of Thomaston, in 1813,
when he resided in the liouse at Mill River, built and fur-
nished by Knox for his son Henr\-. The dwelling-house
and many other portions of the Knox estates had passed
into the hands of his creditors. This sideboard and other
furniture of Henry, jr., remained in the house and w^as
sold, and bought by Mr. Prince. It remained in the
Prince family nearly a quarter of a century. It is now
owned by Charles S. Coombs, of Thomaston. Another

was bought by Samuel Fuller, of Thomaston, and sold to
Boston parties.

Prince Talleyrand was convened to Boston by Colonel
Swan, and sent to Montpelier, the home of Knox in Thom-
aston, about 1794, where he was for some time the guest
of the general.

Mrs. Swan accompanied her husband on several trips
to Paris. But on his last trip Colonel Swan came to grief.
He had contracted a debt in France claimed to be 2,000,-
000 francs. This indebtedness he denied, and refused to
pay it. He was caused to be arrested b}^ the French
government and confined in St. Pelagie, a debtors' prison,
from the year 1808 to 1830 — a period of twenty-two
years.

Swan steadfasth' denied the charge brought against
him, and although he was able to settle tlie debt, he pre-
ferred to remain a prisoner rather than secure his liberty
on an unjust plea. He proposed, b}' a lifelong captivity
if necessary, to protest against his pretended creditor's in-
justice. He gave up his wife, children and friends, and
the comforts of his Parisian and New England homes for
a principle. He made preparations for a long stay in
prison.

Swan's sincere friend, Lafayette, in vain tried to pre-
vail upon him to forego his designs of living and dying in
St. Pelagie. But, no; he was stubborn to the last. He
lived in a little cell in the prison, and was treated with
great respect by the other prisoners, they putting aside
their little furnaces with which they cooked, that he might

have more room for exercise. Not a day passed without
some kind act on his part, and he was known to have
been the cause of the Hberation of many poor debtors.
When the jailer introduced his pretended creditor he
would politely salute him and say to the former :
"My friend, return me to my chamber."
Here in prison for long 3^ears he remained, until, on
July 28, 1830, on the ascension of Louis Philippe to the
throne of France, he was forced out of prison with the
other debtors at the age of seventy-six vears. This St.
Pelagie was the prison where Mme. Roland, of whom
Thiers speaks so beautifully, and the infamous Du Barry,
mistress of Louis XV, were taken to execution, and where
Josephine experienced her first vicissitude of fortune, as
related in the beautiful story of her life b}' Imbert de St.
Amand.

With funds sent to him by his wife in America, Swan
hired apartments in the Rue de la Clif, opposite St.
Pelagie, which lie caused to be fitted up at great expense,
in which were dining and drawing-rooms, coaches and
stables and out-houses. There he invited his friends and
lodged his servants, putting at the disposal of the former
his carriages in which they drove to the promenade, the
ball, the theatre — everywhere in his name. At this Pa-
risian home he gave great dinners, but as in that beautiful
play of the "Lost Man" in which William Rufus Blake
was so grand as Geoffrey Dale, there was always a place
left for the absent one at the table. Swan seemed happy
in thus braving his creditors and judges. He allowed his

beard to grow, dressed a la mode, and was cheerful to
the hist day of his confinement.

When the Revolution of 1830 discharged the debtors
from St. Pelagie, this brave old man (who had passed
through our Revolutionary war, one of the bravest men of
his day, as well as through the horrors of the French
Revolution) went with them. Three days after, on July
31, he returned to St. Pelagie to reinstate himself a pris-
oner— for what could this old man, who had passed
nearh^ a third of his life a prisoner, do? Here he was
seized with a hemorrhage, and died suddenly in the Rue
d' Echiquier, very near to where the firm of Jordan, Marsh
& Co. have their foreicjn office.

After his freedom his one desire was to embrace his
friend Lafayette, and this he did on the steps of the Hotel
de Ville. The next morning Col. Swan was dead. He
is said to have been a fine-looking old gentleman, greatly
resembling the great philospher and statesman, Benjamin
Franklin. Col. Swan's romantic career seems to have had
many elements of greatness, which were especially shown
by his sacrifice and heroism during the dark days of our
Revolution, as well as by the many deeds of charity and lib-
eral hospitality which characterized his whole life. It is
to be regretted that his otherwise noble and generous char-
acter should have been blemished by his financial
transactions.

Col. Swan had an interesting family which he left in
his New England home during his long stay in Paris.
His wife, Hepzibah Clark Swan, together with Hon. Jon-

athan Mason, who died in 183 1, owned the Mt. Vernon
phice, which Mrs. Swan occupied during her husband's
long stay in France. She was a woman of great personal
beauty, of strong impulses, and a most marked and decided
character. Col. Swan remitted to his wife large sums of
money which were invested for her use, and were subject
to her power of appointment. Besides this she received
two-tenths of all the income of the Dorchester estates, and
numerous other properties in Boston. Repeated attempts
were made to get at his estates in Boston, as having been
purchased with his creditors' funds, but they were unsuc-
cessful. Mrs. Swan for some time lived in the elegant
mansion in Boston now owned by Benjamin Wells, on
Chestnut street, and also the beautiful summer residence in
Dorchester. In the garden of this mansion is still to be
seen the enclosure where lies buried Gen. Henr}' Jack-
son, the original trustee who had charge of her property.
Mrs. Swan died in 1826. Col. and Mrs. Swan were the
parents of four children — one son and three daughters,
the latter of whom have many descendants in Boston,
New York and Philadelphia.

Their son, James Keadie Swan, was born in 1783,
and was graduated from Harvard college in 1802. He
was described as "a spoiled child of wealth and dissipa-
tion, with no business, no capacity, little taste, and no
means of getting a livelihood but by a yearly allowance
from his mother". He married, as was said at the time,
"through the influence of two scheming mothers", Caro-
line F., the youngest daughter of Gen. Henry Knox, of

Thomaston, in 1808. She was sixteen years of age, and
a most amiable and charming person. After the marriage
Swan took up his residence in Thomaston at the old Knox
mansion, where his wife endured him for twenty-eight
years. He died March 22, 1836, over fifty years of age.

Mrs. Swan married July 31, 1837, ^^^^ Hon. John
Holmes, of Alfred ; this was his second marriage. He
was one of the most distinguished men of his time in
Maine — United States senator, United States district at-
torney, etc. He removed to Thomaston, repaired and oc-
cupied the Knox mansion. The second marriage of Mrs.
Swan was as happy as the first had been unhapp}^ Mrs.
Holmes died in Thomaston Oct. 17, 1851, aged sixty-one
years. She left no children.

One of Mrs. Swan's daughters married John C.
Howard, who died leaving several children, two of whom
were married in Boston — one to Rev. Francis Wayland,
D. D., late president of Brown university, and the other
to Rev. C. A. Bartol, of the West church, Boston.

Another daughter married William Sullivan. She
was a most refined, amiable and ladylike person, and her
husband was equall}' distinguished ; his elegant manners,
kind disposition and considerate notice of the 3'oung made
him very popular. His graceful and elegant hospitality
and the charming society of his beautiful and accom-
plished family made his home delightful to all friends and
visitors. One of their daughters was married to the tal-
ented artist Stewart Newton, and after his death she
became the wife of Mr. O'Key, of New York. Seldom,

if ever, has there gathered within the walls of one of Bos-
ton's mansions a more agreeable family.

Sullivan was a man of culture and refinement. He
published an interesting volume entitled : "Familiar Let-
ters on Public Characters." At the bar he was a pleasing
speaker, and took high rank in his profession.

The third and last daughter of Mrs. Sw<in was mar-
ried in succession to John Turner Sargent, esq., and to
Rev. Dr. Richmond. After the death of the latter, she,
by permission of the legislature, resumed the family name
of her first husband. For several years she occupied her
mother's mansion in Dorchester. In earh' life she was
pre-eminently distinguished for beauty. Her real name
was Christiana Keadie, but she was always called Kitt}^
Swan. She was the mother of three sons, one of whom,
John T. Sargent, was well known as a minister in Boston.
Another had a cultivated musical taste. He published a
volume of poems. He was the father of the young Kitty
to whom he recently dedicated a graceful and pleasing
song.

In Hancock registr}^ is the record of the will of
"James Swan, of Dorchester, U. S., now in Paris, made
in prison Sept. 9, 1824, proved May 7, 1831". He names
in it his wife, Hepzibah Clark, sister Margaret, widow of
David Swan, of Leith, Scotland; brother David Cowper,
for services in France ; brother-in-law John Nixon, who
is employed in the N. E. Glass Works in Boston, for loss
he met in removing from Nova Scotia to Boston : oldest
daughter Hepzibah Clark, widow of John Clark Howard,

of Boston: Christiana Keadie, widow of John Turner Sar-
gent, of Boston : Sally or Sarah Webb, wife of William
Sullivan, and son James Keadie, "who has a bad descrip-
tion." Mrs. Swan and William Sullivan were named as
executors. In his will he donated large sums of money
to bis children, and to the city of Boston to found an in-
stitution called the Swan Orphan Academy. Charles P.
Ross was appointed administrator, but the estate was de-
clared insolvent. Joseph May and William Minot were
appointed commissioners, and they reported the claims
against the estate to be :

Joseph Prince, judgment $ 19,749 60

William Sullivan, trustee 28,866 01

William Sullivan 10,106 95

Jean Claude Piquet 55841 9^^

Antonio Furey Piquet, administra-
tor of the estate of Jean Claude
Piquet, judgment in the circuit

court 126,997 76

William Sullivan, judgment in the
supreme judicial court of Mass-
achusetts 5 '473 34

$197,055 56
Sullivan's claim disallowed 38,972 95

Amount Swan owed $158,082 61

The estate was hopelessly insolvent, for but little
property in Swan's name was found.

CHAPTER IV.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF EARLY SETTLERS.

Thomas Kcnch,

Thomas Kench was the first white settler within the
present territorial limits of Swan's Island. He was an
Englishman by birth, and came here near 1777, and set-
tled on Harbor island. He bnilt a log honse and cleared
a small farm, and soon" bought a cow and a few sheep.
Here he lived like Robinson Crusoe, many years alone,
no habitation visible; the nearest settlement was at Mt.
Desert. The fishing-boats passing this island, and seeing
the smoke curling up above the trees from the chimney of
this little isolated abode, would land to see who this lonely
dweller could be. They found a reserved, eccentric man
who did not encourage their visits. Many incredulous
stories were told concerning him, but, no doubt, they had
their origin in the minds of the imaginative fishermen.

Kencli planted an oyster bed at Old Harbor, but it is
not known whether it proved profitable or not. Oyster
shells have been found in abundance in the soil around
Mr. Kench's old cellar, which can still be seen near the
shore of Old Harbor.

Kench was a Revolutionary soldier in the service of
the American colonies, and was one of those who accom-
panied Benedict Arnold up the Kennebec river and across

the wilderness to Qiiebec in 1775. During this march
the soldiers suffered terribly from exposure and for want
of food. When they arrived Arnold, in conjunction with
Gen. Montgomer}', with onh- one thousand men, besieged
the city for three weeks. At last it was decided to hazard
an assault. In the midst of a terrible snowstorm, the}^
led their forces to the attack. Kench is said to have been
one of the few who reached the top of the wall, but
was obliged to jump down to save his life. They were
soon overpowered b}' superior numbers, and were obliged
to surrender. A remnant of the army, crouching behind
mounds of snow and ice, blockaded the city until spring.
At the approach of British reinforcements, they escaped
and made their way homeward, disheartened by failure
and sickened by want and exposure. Kench was among
this small band of survivors of this most dreadful cam-
paign of the Revolution.

Soon afterwards Kench deserted from the army, and
came here, where he could be free from molestation, pre-
ferring the solitude of his island home to the horrors of
warfare. No other person came to share his solitude,
and he held undisputed possession of this island until
after Swan's purchase, when, in 1791, David Smith
brought his family to Harbor island.

In 1796 Kench removed from the place that had been
his solitary abode for so many years, and went to what is
now the town of Brooksville. There he bought of
Edward Howard one hundred acres of land fronting on
Buck's Harbor, for which he paid $100. (4-14.) He

spent the remainder of his hfe as a farmer. He died
there, over ninety years of age. His wife was Miss Jane
Maker, of Cutler, whom he married soon after going to
Brooksville, and by whom he had six children, three sons
and three daughters. His sons Thomas and William
lived and died at Brooksville. The other son, Stephen,
settled in Dedham. His oldest daughter, Betsy, was the
wife of a Mr. Witherspoon, who lived on Butter island
in Penobscot bay. Mary was the wife of John Ross, of
Brunswick. After his death she married Jephtha Benson,
who lived for many years on Marshall's island. After
her second husband's death she came to this island and
lived with her son until her death, which occurred in 1874,
at the age of eighty-two years. The last daughter, Lucy,
was the wife of a Mr. White, of Orland.

David Smith.

David Smith, who was commonly called "King
David", was the first permanent settler on this island. He
was born in 1760, in New Hampshire, where he spent the
early part of his life. He was married there and had
three children. Concerning his first wife and children we
have no record. When the Revolutionary war broke out,
he was a lad sixteen years old. He left his home and en-
listed in the New Hampshire regiment under Gen. Cilley.
He served throughout the war, being in many of the en-
gagements of the North. He fought at the battle of Ben-
nington, Vermont, where, it will be remembered, the

Americans had collected a large amount of supplies.
Burgoyne sent a detachment under Col. Baum to seize
them. Gen. Stark with the militia met him there. As
Stark saw the British lines forming he exclaimed :

" There are the redcoats. We must beat them to-day,
or Betty Stark is a widow."

His bravery so inspired these raw troops that they
defeated the British regulars, and took six hundred prison-
ers. Smith was also at the battle of Bemis Heights, near
Saratoga, where he was badly wounded. For his ser-
vices during the Revolutionary war he received a pension
during the remainder of his life.

After the close of the war he came to Maine, with
many others who were then leaving the older states to
take up land in the district of Maine, which was then
being rapidly developed. He settled at first at Deer Isle,
where he lived for five years. Here, on October 23,
1786, he married Eunice, daughter of John Thurston,
who came to Deer Isle in 1784 from Gloucester, Massa-
chusetts. By this wife Smith had sixteen children. In
1791 he came here with the other workmen employed at
Swan's saw and grist mills, and for a number of years he
worked at the mills. He lived for a few years on Harbor
Island, and afterwards moved into the "Big House". His
wife died in 1809.

No longer having employment at the mills. Smith
bought of Rufus B. Allyn, Swan's agent, a tract of two
hundred and forty acres of land at the "North.". One hun-
dred acres of this land is now owned by his grandson.

Benjamin Smith, esq., one hnndred acres by Capt. John
C. Kent, and forty acres by Charles Kent. On this place
he first built a log house near where Charles Kent now
lives, and later built a timber house forty feet square,
which was located just across the highway from Capt.
John C. Kent's house.

After the death of his second wife, he married
Betsey, daughter of George Gross, who came to Deer Isle
in 1784 from Harpswell. Gross was a Revolutionary sol-
dier, and was pensioned by the government. By this
wife Smith had eight children — twentv-four in all after
cominfT here, besides the three bv his first wife in New
Hampshire. Mrs. Smith died in 1868, aged eighty years.

After moving upon this tract of land Smith cleared a
fine farm, and spent the remainder of his life as a success-
ful farmer. The soil was then rich, and excellent crops
were harvested. He died in 1840, aged eighty years.
Most of his large and interesting famil}- settled here.
Their children were as follows :

John, born in 1787, was lost at sea while engaged in
the West India trade, at about the age of twenty-one
years.

Eunice, who was born in 1789, became the wife of
Anthony Merchant, jr., of Merchant's island. He was
born in 1790. Merchant's father settled Merchant's
island, and from him it received its name. They had
one son, David S., and one daughter, who became the
wife of Willard Mathews, who at that time resided on
Merchant's island. After his marriage he removed to

Belfast out of which place he sailed for a number of
years as master mariner. After Eunice's death, Mr.
Merchant married Maria Gross. He was for many years
collector of taxes in the Isle au Haut collection district,
and was a faithful and efficient officer. He died about
1865, at the age of seventy-five 3'ears.

David, 2d, born in 1791. These three children were
born at Deer Isle previous to his coming here.

Sarah, born in 1792, on Harbor island, became the
wife of Benjamin Stinson, esq.

Benjamin, born in 1795, at the "Big House". He
was the first white cliild born on this island.

George, born in 1799, never married.

Asa was born in 1803.

Ann, wife of Benjamin Kent, was born in 1808.

All the rest of the children b}- his second wife died
in childhood.

By his third wife his children were : John ; Mary,
who became the wife of Samuel Kent; Eliza, wife of
Johnson Billings; James; Luc}', wife of John Stinson,
who after his death married John Valentine and lived at
Irish point; William; Dorothy, who married Benjamin
Smith, 2d; Solomon, who died young.

Smith's sons, named above, being among the young
settlers, most of whom were the first settlers on the land
they occupied, will be further noticed.

I. David Smith, 2d, took up a tract of one hundred
acres of land, a part of which is now occupied by Pearl
Smith, and built a house near where he now lives. This

land was a part of the property which had been taxed to
O'Maley, but failing to pay the tax thereon for many
years, the plantation took possession of it, after which it
was taken up by settlers. In 1840 Mr. Smith married
Lucy Gross, daughter of George Gross, before mentioned,
by whom he had eleven children. Mr. Smith died in
1868, aged sevent3--seven years. His wife died in 1886,
aged eighty-seven years. The following were their chil-
dren :

Betsey, wife of Edmond Stanley ; Abigail, wife of
Joseph Stanley ; Susan, who was three times married, her
first husband being Joseph Dunbar, from whom she was
separated ; her second husband was Joseph Smith, of
Jonesport; her third, Peter Stanley ; David, 3d ; Asa, who
died at sea ; Mary A., wife of Moses Conar^- ; Lois, wife
of Samuel Whitmore, of Deer Isle; Sarah J., who mar-
ried Curtis Robinson and now resides in Boston ; Dorinda,
who died unmarried ; George W. ; Luc}', wife of Charles
Little, of Rockland.

II. Benjamin Smith took up the tract of land ad-
joining his father's on the south which extended to the
Stewart lot. It contained one hundred and thirty-six
acres, and was bought of Swan and O'Maley "s agent. He
afterwards took up a lot of fift}' acres of the proprietors'
lots, such as were mentioned in the last sketch. This ad-
joined the land of his brother David. He built a house on
the hill near where the Irish point road joins the highway.

Mr. Smith was an enterprising, intelligent man, tak-
ing an interest in all public affairs. He served on the

first board of assessors after the plantation was organized
in 1834. His other associates on the board were Benja-
min Stinson and James Joyce. He was a firm friend of
the public schools, doing much to encourage their estab-
lishment. He offered the use of his house in which the
first term of public school was taught on this island. The
next year a schoolhouse was built. Previous to this time
all schools had been supported b}^ private donations.

Mr. Smith's wife was Marjory, daughter of Elijah
Toothaker, who came to Deer Isle in 1798 from Phillips,
in Franklin county. He was drowned near 1810; while
coming from the main land he accidentally fell overboard.
Mrs. Toothaker was married five times. After Mr. Tooth-
aker's death she married in succession, Belcher Tyler,
Thomas Stinson, 2d, Samuel Jordan and Dominicus Car-
man. Mr. Smith died in 1872, aged seventy-seven years.
His wife died in 1882, aged eighty-eight 3-ears.

Mrs. Smith was the mother of ten children — six sons
and four daughters. The daughters were : Eunice, wife
of Moses B. Sadler; slie died in Rockland in 1863, aged
forty-three vears ; Phebe, widow of David E. Sprague :
Betsev, wife of David 'Smith, 3d ; she died in 1891, at the
aj'-e of fift3--nine years; Lucinda, who died from the
effects of scalding. The sons were: Elijah, who died
of yellow fever while on a voyage from Wilmington to
Guadeloupe ; he was mate with Capt. Thomas Bunker, of
Cranberry Isles ; Sylvanus, who died young ; Benjamin,
2d, who occupies a part of the lot taken up by his grand-
father, David Smith, sr., and who has been one of the

foremost men of the town, holding every town ofHce in
the gift of the people : he possessed a wonderful memory ;
he was well read in ancient and modern history, and he
possessed the faculty, that so few people have, of remem-
bering exactly names and dates; it .was from him I re-
ceived much information concerning the earl}' settlers and
their family histories ; Newell, who died in Rio Janeiro
while there in command of a vessel ; his home was in
Rockland ; he married Clara Sadler, who now resides in
Somerville ; Eben, who was lost at sea on a vov'age from
New York to Havana, as mate of a schooner; she had a
deck-load of shooks ; as he was coming on deck during a
severe gale, a sea swept the deck-load overboard, carry-
ing him with it ; his tirst wife was Betsev Brown, of Vi-
nalhaven, from whom he was divorced ; the}' had one
child, who is now the widow of Hiram Colomy ; he after-
wards married Mary Sadler; after Mr. Smith's death she
became the wife of David H. Sprague ; Andrew, who
married Clementine Lancester; while preparing for col-
lege he studied under Rev. Jonathan Adams ; he was
graduated from Bowdoin college, and later attended the
theological seminarv at Bangor, and became a Congrega-
tional minister; he preached at Camden, Boothbay and
Waterf ord ; at the latter place he died.

III. Asa Smith settled at first near Irish point,
w'here he built a log house. He changed his residence
several times. He lived at Mount Desert; afterwards he
came back here, and lived where Hezekiah Holbrook
now resides; later he went to Deer Isle, and finally to

Saco, where he died. His wife was Abigail Kent, by
whom he had ten children — six sons and four daughters.

The daughters were : Elmira, who became the wife
of Benjamin Gould, of Rockland; she separated from
him and afterwards, married in Boston; Catherine, who
married Solomon Morgan, of New York; Melissa, who
married Charles Holmes, of Boston, an excellent man, in
easy circumstances; it was with Mr. Holmes that his
wife's father spent his declining years; after Mr. Holmes
died his widow married again and resides in Saco ;
Asenath, who also married in Saco.

The sons were : Samuel, wlio moved to Jonesport
and married Julia Alley, of that place; he possessed a
shiftless character; he left his wife and went to Grand
Menan, where lie died; Asa, 2d, who married Jane E.
Davis, of Long Island, from whom he was divorced;
while here he lived in the Billings house just north of
where Capt. John C. Kent now lives ; later he married, in
1858, Abbie Hunt, of Rockland; Henry, who, when
about twenty years of age, left home for ''life on the
ocean wave"; for a long time he was not heard from, but
he was seen in New York city by an acquaintance from
this island ; he was in a large ship about to start for China ;
since then he has never been heard from : George, who
was drowned in the cove near Buckle island ; his brother
Alden was in bathing, and having got beyond his depth,
was in imminent danger of drowning ; George went to
his rescue, but became exhausted and sank, and be-
fore assistance came he was dead ; Alden and Eldad,

both of whom left town, and their whereabouts is un-
known.

IV. yohn Smith bought the lot known as the Irish
point farm of Samuel Kent. This place is now owned by
the heirs of Capt. John Staples and David Smith, 3d.
Mr. Smith married Lydia Rich, of Mount Desert. He
died in 1876, at the age of sixty-five years. His wife
died five 3^ears before, aged sixty years. They were the
parents of six children — two sons, Benjamin and Frank,
who died young, and four daughters. The oldest daugh-
ter, Angeline, married Hezekiah Holbrook ; Athalana
was the wife of William Withrow, of Nova Scotia;
Lenora, now dead, was the wife of Warren Smith. One
other daughter, Margaret, died young.

V. yaincs Smith took up the lot north of his father,
David Smith, sr. This is known as the "Narrows lot";
it includes the northern extremity of the island. The
place is now owned by J. T. Crippen, of Ellsworth. On
this place are located some valuable stone quarries. Mr.
Smith married Mary Stewart, bv whom he had four chil-
dren— the present Leroy and Albion Smith, and two
daughters — Matilda, wife of Moses Sadler, and Edna,
who died young.

VI. William Smith, the last son of David Smith,
sr., married Prudence Gott. He built the house where
Capt. John C. Kent now lives. Afterwards he went to
Deer Isle, where he bought a farm near Stinson's Neck
bar. He died in 1890, aged sixty-eight years. His
widow resides at Stoninjiton.

Joseph Toothaher.

Joseph Toothaker came here a short time after Mr.
Smith, probably the same year, from PhilHps, in Franklin
county. He settled on a lot of land north of the carrying-
place. He built a house whose location can still be seen
near the cove just across the carrying-place. On April
26, 1792, Joseph Prince gave him a bond of $100 for a
deed of one hundred acres of land beginning at the carr}-
ing-place and extending around the cove far enough to
include one hundred acres, after he had occupied it seven
years (3-208). If he had anv famih' here, I do not know
what became of them. He was an uncle of Benjamin
Smith's wife and a brother of Elijah Toothaker, who came
to Deer Isle in 1798.

Mr. Toothaker had been absent from home some time
when search was made, and he was found on Harbor
island, dead from the effects of a gunshot wound — whether
accidental or otherwise was never known, but many sus-
picious circumstances led to the belief that he had been
foully dealt with. The cove bordering on the carr) ing-
place near where he lived is still called after him Tooth-
aker's cove.

Joshua Grill die.

Joshua Grindle came here from Sedgwick in 1794.
We hnd he sold the same year the lot he had formerly
lived on "to James Douglass a lot of land at Buck's Har-
bor, township number 4, county of Lincoln, Massachusetts
Bav, New England, for the sum of £12, 510, Hallifax

currency". (3-105) He took up a tract of land here ex-
tending from Moses Staples' to the carrying-place, which
contained one hundred acres. It is the lot occupied b}^
Horace E. Stanley, Daniel McKay and others. The hill
above the carrying-place is still called " Grindle hill ".
Joseph Prince gave a bond for a deed to Mr. Grindle on
May I, 1794, to be given when he had lived on the place
for seven years.

The island having been sold to Swan again, he gave
to Prince the power of attorney, Feb. 28, 1798, to give
Grindle a deed, and although Grindle lived on this lot
until 1800, no deed to him was ever recorded. In the
year 1800 he returned to township No. 4 (Brooksville),
where he bought two lots of land of Abner Dodge, where
he lived on his farm the remainder of his life. He died
about the year 1849, '^g^c^ near seventy-five years. Mr.
Grindle's wife was Ruth Stanley, of Sedgwick, whom he
married before coming here, and by whom he had ten
children. When he left this island his place w^as taken by
John Van Namberg, a Dutchman, whose wife's name was
Sarah. They had no children. After a short residence
here, he left and went to Brooksville. Samuel Kempton
afterwards took tliis same place. His wife was Lydia
Dunham. They had one daughter, Hannah, who moved
to Hampden. The property fell into the hands of Ed-
ward Gott, whose heirs still own it. Whether Mr. Grin-
dle ever secured any title to this land or not we never
learned, nor is there any record of his deeding it to the
subsequent occupants.

Mr, Grindle's family consisted of four daughters and
six sons. The daughters were: Anna, who became the
wife of Richard Grindle and settled in Brooksville ;
Joanna, who was the wife of Israel Johnson, and resided
in Bluehill ; Mary, who married William Wescott, and
lived at North Bluehill ; Eliza, who died young.

The sons were: Eben, who was born here in 1800;
his wife was Mary Grindle; he was the father of Mrs. E.
J. Orcutt, whose husband was formerly light-keeper at
Hocomock Head; Stephen, whose wife was Hulda
Snow; their home was in Brooksville; Lowell, who mar-
ried Mary Stephenson and lived in Surry for many years,
finalh^ returning to Brooksville where they died; Joshua,
who married Mere}' Farniiam and settled in Surry; John,
who married Eliza Smith and settled in Surr}' ; Daniel,
who married Ruth Rogers and settled in Salem, Mass.

All the children of Mr. Grindle, sr., survived him
except Eliza. They are now all dead except Joshua.

Alexander JVuttcr.

Alexander Nutter was the first settler on Irish point.
He came here about 1796 from Gloucester, Mass. He
first came to the island in a coasting vessel. This was
after the mills were erected and the manufacture of lum-
ber was begun. He thouorht it would be an excellent
opening where he could find lucrative employment coast-
ing. So he bought a vessel and moved to this place. His
wife was Betsy Kent, whom he married before coming
here. He moved from this place to Mount Desert and

later to Ripley's Neck in the town of Harrington, then to
Gouldsboro where he took up a farm and spent the re-
mainder of his life. He died at the age of ninety-six
years. His wife died at the age of sixty-four years.
They had a family of live children, of whom Amelia was
the oldest. She married a Mr. Robbins, of Harrington.
She died at the age of nearly ninety years. Another
daughter, Salome, was twice married. Her first husband
was a Mr. Wheeler. After his death she became the wife
of Frederick Burns. Jonathan Nutter, the oldest son,
married Louisa Cole, of Harrington, by whom he had
fourteen children. One of these children, Albert, per-
ished on the south side of Nantucket Island during a
winter gale. He was mate of the schooner "Haines".
They were driven ashore and the whole crew lost. Other
vessels were wrecked here at the same time, and among
the dead that washed ashore his bod}^ could not be recog-
nized. Isabell was the fourth child. She married a Mr.
Mitchell and resided in Boston. Reuben Nutter, the
youngest child, married Ruth Fr3'e, of Harrington. He
is now an inmate of the Sailor's home, Staten Island. He
is a very old man.

yohii Rich.

John Rich came here in 1794, and took up the first
lot of land on the eastern side of the island, a part of
which is now owned by Francis Torrey. He built a log
house near the shore. He remained here, however, only
three years, when he removed to Isle au Haut. Here he

took up a lot of land north of Robert Douglass, whose
daughter he married.

When Mr. Rich left here his property came into the
possession of Moses Staples. It was said that he came to
this place from Mt. Desert. He had man}- relatives
there.

Mrs. Rich was a woman of prepossessing appearance.
She was the mother of Capt. Stephen Rich, who removed
to Gloucester, out of which place he sailed as master in
the fishing business several years. He was an active, en-
terprising man. He was lost at sea, together with all his
crew, in 1841.

Another son w'as Jonathan Rich, who w^as an invalid
for many years, and died not far from the xear 1864.

Another son was Thomas Rich, who was drowned in
1839.

The two remaining sons were Perez Rich, who re-
moved to Islesboro, and Stillman Rich, who became the
occupant of tlie property of Mr. Douglass.

There was one dau<ihter in the family, who was the
first wife of Josiah Pierce, of Vinalhaven, and the}' be-
came converts to Mormonism and moved to Narvoo, Illi-
nois. While there she became disgusted with it, and
made her escape. With but little means she returned to
her friends, and was divorced. She afterwards became
the wife of Noah Barter. She wms the mother of one
daughter, who died some years ago. Mr. Rich, sr.,
died near the year i860,, his wife surviving him a few
years.

WilliafH Davis.

William Davis, a relative of Mr. Rich, came here
also in 1794. He took up the lot of land adjoining Rich
on the north, now owned by Oilman Staples. He left
with Rich in 1797, and went to Long Island, which fur-
nished a better harbor to shelter his boat, and was more
convenient to pursue the fishing business. Mr. Davis
has many descendants at Long Island.

Richard Caj-pentc?'.

Ricliard Carpenter came here from some town on the
Penobscot river, and took up the lot now owned by Mrs.
Lenora Wharton and George E. Stanle\-. It contained
one hundred acres. I do not know the date of his coming,
but he was the first occupant of this land. His wife was
Betse}' Hamblen, of Gott's island, by whom he had eight
children, as follows : Abigail, Nathaniel, Ambrose,
Susan, Emmeline, John, Philip and Margaret. None of
these children settled here. Mr. Carpenter built a house
near the shore, below where Mrs. Wharton now lives,
where all his children were born. He was found dead in
the woods where he had gone to chop. After his death
his widow sold the place and went to Bucksport, where
she became the wife of Ephraim Emerson. After his
death she married Cliarles Wheeler, of Carmel.

Moses Staples.

Moses Staples came here in 1793 from Deer Isle.
He was, next to David Smith, the oldest permanent settler,

coming some two years later than Mr. Smith. He took
up a tract of one hundred acres adjoining Joshua Grindle
on the south. He was at this time the only settler on the
west side of the harbor. Here near the. shore he built a
log house and brought his family. The crevices between
the logs were plastered with lime made by burning clam
shells, which were found in great quantities near where
his house stood. Its location was near where David
Smith, 3d, now lives. Mr. Staples was a ship carpenter,
and came here because building material was plenty and
cheap. Excellent ship timber was made of the trees that
grew close to the water's edge, and small vessels were
then in great demand in the coasting trade.

After living on this lot for a few years, he, in i797»
moved to the eastern part of the island, and bought the
lots just being vacated by John Rich and William Davis.
He also took up all the land north of the Davis lot to the
salt water. So his tract of land extended from where
James Jo\ce now lives to the end of Trask's point. Pie
received a deed of this lot together with the lot near Old
Harbor from Rufus B. Allyn, Swan's agent, in 1824, in
consideration of the small sum of $83.37, ^"^^ gave Allyn
a mortgage. He at first built a log house just to the east-
ward of Joseph W. Staples' present residence. After-
wards he built a frame house and barn. He did an
extensive business in shipbuilding at the place where
Henry D. Joyce now has his boat-shop, and it is still
called "The Yard". One of the vessels built there, the
"xVrcadie ", was seen in Boston nearly sixty years after

she was built, having, of course, been several times
repaired.

Moses Staples was born in 1753, and in the year 1764
he came to Deer Isle with his parents. He had a younger
brother named Joshua, and one older brother. He had
several sisters, one of whom was Hannah, wife of Steph-
en Babbidge : another was the wife of Courtney Bab-
bidge, sr., after whose death she became the wife of
James Joyce, whom we shall notice as one of the early
settlers here. Another sister was the second wife of
Thomas Conary. By each of his wives Mr. Conar}' had
ten sons — twenty in all. Another sister was the wife of
Jonathan Torrey, and the last sister, Ann, was the wife
of Timothy Saunders.

The brother Joshua spoken of married a daughter
of John Raynes, sr., by whom he had one daughter, Jane,
who married Elias Morey, jr., who lived and died on this
island.

The father of this Staples family was impressed on
board of an English man-of-war during the Revolution,
and was never heard from. The mother of this famil}-,
Mrs. Mercy Staples, afterwards married a Mr. Hutchin-
son, of Sedgwick, by whom she had two sons and one
daughter. The sons were Rev. David Hutchinson, a pre-
siding elder in the Methodist Episcopal church in the west-
ern part of the State, and Timothy Hutchinson, who lived
and died on Little Deer Isle. The daughter, Susan, was
the wife of Capt. Benjamin Gray, of Penobscot.

Moses Staples married Judith Eaton, of Deer Isle,

78,

before coming here. They were the parents of thirteen
children. Their descendants formed the largest family on
the island.

After Mr. Staples' marriage he went from Deer Isle to
live in Sedgwick, where he remained about a year.
While there their first child was born. He came
back to Deer Isle. Seven children were born to them
there, and after coming back to Swan's Island the remain-
ing five were born. Mr. Staples was an active, intelli-
gent man, who always took a great interest in the trans-
action of town business, and was ever foremost for public
improvement.

In 1844, some two years previous to his death, he
very thoughtfully had a sworn statement drawn by Joshua
Trask, esq., of the dates when many of the earliest settlers
came, and tlie lots of land taken up by them. This was
prompted, no doubt, by the fact that no public records had
been made. This document has been a great help in
making a record of his family. He accumulated consid-
erable property which he disposed of before his death.

The lot of land bought of John Rich, being the prop-
erty of Francis Torre}' and Asa Joyce, went to his son,
Moses Staples, 2d, in the year 1800. The lot he bought
of William Davis, which is now owned b}' Oilman Staples,
he sold to his son-in-law, John Finney, in 1803. The
place now owned by Joseph W. Staples went to his son,
Abel E. Staples. The remainder of the point of land he
divided into two parts ; the eastern half he gave to his son
Alexander, and the western half to his son Mark.

Moses Staples died in 1846 at the cige of ninety-three
years. His wife died three 3'ears before at the age of
eighty-seven years. The children of Moses and Judith
Staples were as follows :

The daughters were Elizabeth, wife of John Finney ;
Dorcas, wife of John Skinner; they lived and died in
Boston : Mrs. Skinner died in 1839. Another daughter,
Sarah, married Capt. Thomas Bunker, of Cranberry
Island. He was a master mariner, and went on foreign
voyages. Mrs. Bunker died at the age of fort3^-tive
years. Her children were Thomas, Marietta, Martha,
Hulda, Joseph, Warren and Moses. Another daughter,
Hannah, died at the age of sixteen years, and the last
daughter, Judith, was the wife of Robert Mitchell.

The sons were Joshua, Alexander, Moses, Samuel,
Mark, Abel, Washington and Amos. The sons and their
families all settled here, and so will be further noticed.

I. Joshua Staples took up a lot of land adjoining
his father on the west in 1819. It is the land now owned
by Capt. John S. Staples. He built a house over a cellar
near where Emery Barbour's house now stands. His
wife was a daughter of Josiah Closson, of Deer Isle, by
whom he had fourteen children. Mr. Staples moved to
Sedgwick, where he died in 1860, at the age of sevent}--
seven years. His wife survived him several years, dying
at the age of eighty-one years. The following are their
children :

Abel, who, when a young man w^ent to sea, and was
gone from home eighteen years, during which time he vis-

ited nearly all parts of the world ; he then came home and
married Caroline Kane, of Brooklin, where he resided
until his death, which took place by the capsizing of a
boat in Eggmoggin Reach ; although he was an excellent
swimmer, he was drowned ; this was due to his grasp-
ing a rope to which an anchor was attached, and which he
held firmly, thus keeping his head below water until life
was extinct; the other men, except John Ross, who was
also drowned, saved their lives by clinging to the boat ;
Nathan, who settled in Sedgwick; he was a carpenter by
trade; his wife was Sally Grant; Isaac, who died at the
age of eighteen vears ; William, who lived and died at
Bluehill ; his wife was Irena McFarland ; Ephraim, who
married Caroline Merchant, of Merchant's Island, where
he resided for a number of vears, after which he moved
to Rockland where he died ; Johnson, who at present lives
in Rockland : he is a carpenter bv trade, and is now fore-
man of the South End railway ; his wife was Lucy Chatto,
of Long Island, in the town of Bluehill ; Levi, who mar-
ried Hannahetta Staples, built a house near where Joseph
Remick, whom we shall notice, once settled ; Capt. Eben-
ezer M., who lived for some time at Deer Isle, married a
daughter of Alexander Staples, widow of Washington
Staples — a singular occurrence, her maiden name being
Staples, as well as that of her two husbands.

The daughters were : Charlotta, wife of Jonathan
Bridges, of Sedgwick; Luc}', who died young; Sarah,
who married first David Whipple, and after his death be-
came the wife of John Murch, of Trenton, who is now

dead; Lois, who was the wife of Levi Closson ; after his
death she married Pickering Eaton, of Sedgwick ; she is
now dead; Caroline, who was tlie wife of John Hamilton,
of Bluehill ; Lydia, who died when a child.

IL Alexander Staples did not occupy the land left
him by his father, but sold it to Solomon Barbour, who
moved here in 1843. Mr. Staples married Margaret,
daughter of John Stinson, of Deer Isle. After his death
she married Joseph Small, of Deer Isle. After Mr.
Small's death she came here to reside. She died in 1882.
Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Staples were the parents of the
following children: Isabel, first wife of Asa Joyce;
Elizabeth, tirst the wife of Washington Staples, and
after his death the wife of Capt. Ebenezer Staples;
Hulda, wife of William Bunker, of Cranberry Island,
and who now resides in Massachusetts; Julia, wife
of Benjamin Gra}', and Margaret, second wife of Joseph
C. Judkins. The last two reside at Deer Isle; one son,
Amos, died when a child.

III. Moses Staples, 2d, in 1800 bought the tract of
land first taken up by John Rich, extending from the Fin-
ney to the Joyce lot. His wife was Betsey Rufnelle, of
Tremont, whose father was a Frenchman and came to
Mount Desert from Boston. They occupied for several
years a log house left by Mr. Rich, tiieir first child being
born there. He afterwards built a house that was located
just across the road from where Francis Torrey now lives.
Mr. Staples died in 1862, aged eighty -four years. Betse}',
his wife, died in 1858, aged seventy-seven }ears. They

were the parents of ten children, the first of whom was
born in 1800. Most of the children settled here, and
they were an enterprising family.

Their daughters were : Mar} , wife of William Jo3ce ;
Hannah, wife of Rev. Benjamin F. Stinson ; Sally, first
wife of Jacob Reed, who died in 1865, aged fift3'-nine
years; Susan, wife of Edward Gott, who died in 1894,
aged seventy-seven 3ears. Mrs. Stinson died in 1895,
aged eightj-five years. She was the last survivor of the
family.

Their sons were : Franklin B., who bought the land
we have spoken of as being taken up by Joshua Staples ;
it included all the land now owned by Capt. John S.
Staples, besides the lots owned by Capt. Ebenezer M.
Staples, Thomas Pinkham, Capt. Emerv E. Joyce, Emery
Barbour, Ellis R. Joyce and William H. Burns; his wife
was Lucy R. Smith, by whom he had five children, as
follows : Capt. Hezekiah Staples, who married Abigail
York, of Ellsworth, where he now resides; Oilman,
whose wife was Mere}' Stockbridge, and resides on the
Finney place; Reuben, who died young; Capt. John S.,
whose first wife was Rosilla Staples, who, together with
her child, died of diphtheria ; he afterwards married her
sister, Lucy J. Staples; he owns the homestead lot; one
daughter was the wife of Levi Staples ; Mr. Staples died
in 1879, '^gccl seventy-eight years; Luc}' R., his wife,
died the same year, aged seventy-three.

Augustus R., who bought the Carpenter lot, which
contained one hundred acres, of the widow of Richard

Carpenter ; he built the house where George E. Stanle}"-
now lives, it being one of the oldest houses in town ; his
wife was Susan Hamblen, of Gott's Island ; Mr. Staples
was a man endowed with a good share of common sense,
and was a practical business man, serving the plantation
in its early days in many positions of trust; his death,
which was much lamented, occurred in 1856, at the age
of forty-four years ; his wife died July 4, 1875, at the age
of sixty-four years. Their children were : Amanda,
widow of Oliver L. Joyce, esq. ; Nancy, widow of
Lephen Babbidge, who now resides in the West; Isadore,
wife of Joseph Reed ; soon after their marriage she
accompanied her husband on a voyage to New York in a
vessel which was lost, probably foundering in the gale
which overtook ihem soon after leaving New York; this
was in the year 1867 ; Mv. Reed's age was twenty-five
and, his wife's twenty-two years; Ida, who married Frank
Staples and lives in Rockland. There were two sons, be-
tween whom their father's land was divided; Benjamin S.
built a house to the eastward of his father's; his wife was
Lenora Joyce ; he died in 1884, at the age of forty-five
3'ears ; after his death his widow married William Whar-
ton. The other son, Augustus W., married Abbie Bar-
bour, of Deer Isle, and resides here.

Moses, 3d, bought the Finney place and built the
house standing thereon; his wife was Mercy Smith. Mr.
Staples was subject to epileptic fits, and during one of
these seizures he fell upon a fire and received injuries from
w'hich he died in 1845, at the age of twenty-six years.

INIrs. Staples afterward became the wife of Benjamin S,
Dolliver, of Mount Desert.

Washington had a part of. his father's land, being that
now owned by Asa Jo3ce's heirs, and built the house
thereon. He died in 1849, '^"d, as has already been
stated, his widow, Elizabeth, married Capt. Ebenezer M.
Staples.

Simeon took his father's place, and with him his par-
ents lived during their latter days. His wife was Sa-
phrona Joyce. He was a carpenter, having learned his
trade with John Adams. He moved from this place to
Rockland. His place became the propert}' of Francis M.
Torrey. Mr. Staples died in Rockland in 1892 ; his
widow still resides there.

IV. Capt. Samuel Staples married Ruth Bunker, of
Cranberry Island, at which place he lived for several years,
afterwards going to Lubec and finally to Bangor, where
he died in 1853, aged sixty-six years. They were the
parents of seven children : Hannah, Philo, Samuel, Isaac,
George, Priscilla, Judith.

V. Mark Staples married Lydia Gott, of Mount
Desert. He built a house near wliere John Stockbridge
afterwards lived. He then sold this place and occupied
the land left him by his father, which we have spoken of,
it being the land now occupied by Capt. Olando Trask,
Henry D. JoNce, Jefferson Torrey and Elmer I. Joyce
estate. He built a house near where Capt. Trask's now
stands. He afterwards moved to Aroostook countv, and
subsequently moved many times, being of a roving nature.

He died at Rockland in 185 1, at the age of sixt^'-one
years.

VI. Ahcl E. Staples took np the lot of land ex-
tending westward from his brotlier Joshua. It begins to
the western line of Capt. John S. Staples' land, and ex-
tends around the cove to the land now owned by Reuben
Joyce ; it contained one hundred acres. He w^as the first
settler on this land. He built a house near where Her-
bert W. Joyce's store now stands. In 1837 he moved upon
his father's place, and lived with his parents until their
death. His wife was Rebecca Whitmore, of Deer Isle.
They were the parents of ten children. The daughters
were: Mary E., wife of Joshua Trask, esq., who was
lost in the Bay of Chaleur in tlie great gale of October 3,
185 1, aged forty-four 3'ears ; after his death she married
Philip Moore, of Gott's Island ; she is now dead ; Abigail,
wife of Stephen B. Lane, of Deer Isle; Joanna, wife of
Capt. Levi Tcrrey ; she died in 1887 ^^ the age of sixty-
six years; Harriet N., widow of Solomon Barbour;
Louisa, wife of Henr}' D. Joyce. The sons were : Sam-
uel W., John, Joseph, who died young, Seth W., and
Joseph W.

Abel Staples died in 185 1, aged sixty-six 3'ears; his
wife died in 1873, aged eighty-one years. Previous to
his death he divided his property among his three sons.
Joseph W. and Samuel W. received the homestead lot and
the western part of the lot he first took up (that lot extend-
ing from Reuben Joyce's to near the steamboat road).
The rest of this lot, extending from the steamboat road to

the land of Capt. John S. Staples, went to the other
brother, John. Samuel died in 1883, aged sixty -two
years. After his death his part of the property went to
his brother Joseph W. Joseph W. married Caroline
Stinson, of Deer Isle ; she died in 1874, '"^g^d forty-five
years; after her death he married Mrs. Ellen Stanley, of
Gouldsboro. John built the house now owned b}^ Alfred
W. Joyce; he was a master mariner, and accumulated
considerable property ; during the latter part of his life he
was engaged in trading. He w^as three times married ; in
1841 he married Maria Barbour, who died in 1874, ^gt^<^
fifty-one years; after her death he married Mrs. Helen
Merrill, who died in 1880, aged forty-eight years; his last
wife was her sister, Mrs. Henrietta Marshall ; all of his
wives belonged in Deer Isle. He died in 1891, aged sev-
ent3^-one years. His cliildren were: Capt. Benjamin J.,
who is a merchant liere ; Capt. Charles, who died in
1888, aged thirty-eight years ; Matilda, wife of Levi B.
Joyce; Rosilla and Lucy J., wives of Capt. John S.
Staples; Durilla, wife of Herbert W. Joyce; Maria, wife
of Andrew Torrey. There were several other children
who died young.

VII. Was/iiiigion died when a young man. He
was taken ill while on a sea voyage, and was brought into
Cranberry Island, where he died.

VIII. Amos died young in 1807.

yoseph Rejuick.
Joseph Remick came here from Hancock soon after
the war of 181 2. For a few years he lived in a house

with Deacon James Jo3'ce ; afterwards he buih a house to
the west of where Mrs. Hannalietta Staples now lives, the
cellar of which can still be seen. Mr. Remick married
Miss Priscilla Noble, of Mount Desert, by whoin he had
nine children. The}- left this place in 1830 and returned
to Hancock. Later they moved to Roxbury, Mass., where
Mr. Remick died in the 3^ear 1834, '^ged nearly fift}^ years.
Mrs. Remick, after the death of her husband, made her
home in Ellsworth, where she died. Their children were
as follows : Reuben died in Ellsworth ; his wife was
Mary A. Finney ; Nathan was lost at sea ; he was with his
brother returning home from a coasting trip. One day
during the voyage he was at work in the yawl boat at the
davits, when one of the falls broke and precipitated him
into the water. He seized two oars as he fell, which kept
him afloat. In the excitment of lowering the boat, the
painter was dropped and the boat drifted away. The wind
died away so that the vessel could not be managed.
Hatches and everything that would float were thrown to
the now helpless man, but being unable to swim he could
not reach them. For over half an hour he sustained him-
self within speaking distance of the vessel. At last a
small wave rolled over his iiead when he sank from view.
He was twenty-one years of age, and was to have been
married on his return home. The other children of Mr.
and Mrs. Remick were Philip, who married Maria Milli-
ken and settled in Ellsworth ; Capt. Lewis Remick, who
married Elizabeth Milliken ; after her death he married
Henrietta Jordan ; they lived at Bayside, Ellsworth ; Han-

nah was the wife of Mr. Carlton, of Boston; Catherine
was the wife of George Lorn, of Boston ; Phebe married
Dr. John F. W. Lane, of Boston ; Judith was the wife of
Capt. Watts, of Ellsworth, and Margaret was the wife of
Gardiner Milliken, of Ellsworth.

The only survivors of this family are Philip, Lewis
and Mrs. Lane.

James Joyce.

James Jo3^ce took up the lot adjoining Moses Staples
on the south, which contained one hundred acres of land.
Mr. Jo3xe came to Deer Isle from Marshfield, Mass., and
there took up a tract of land north of Capt. Peter Hardy's,
which is owned by John Thompson. It is still known as
the JoN'ce lot. The Joyces came to America from Glou-
cestershire, England, or near by, where many of that name
still reside. Among the members of the Joyce family
there seemed to be a talent for drawing and painting.
Some were quite noted artists. In the British museum
there are several colored drawings of the Prophets by the
Rev. James Joyce, of Fairfield church, Gloucestershire.

The earliest record of this famil}^ in America is at
Marshfield, Mass., where most of their descendants still
reside. There was a clock-maker there who had three
sons, one of whom went to New Haven, Conn., one to
Deer Isle, and one, whose name I could not learn, to some
point near Lewiston or Brunswick.

When James Joyce came to Maine he settled first at
a place called Majorbagwaduce near where the town of

Brooksville is now located, where he took up a tract of
land which, however, he sold when he went to Deer Isle.
I find the following record in Hancock registry (3-97) :
James Joyce of a place called Majorbagwaduce, in con-
sideration of the sum of £50, Halifax currency, sold to
Kenicum Limburner, of the same place, one hundred and
fifty acres of land located on the east side of Majorbag-
waduce river. This was dated October i, 1782.

Joyce came to Swan's Island in 1806, and moved his
family into the house just vacated by Joseph Prince.
From here they moved into the " Big House ", which at
that time furnished accommodations for thirteen families.
Swan's agent offered Mr. Joyce the gift of two hundred
acres of land on the eastern side of the island if he would
move there and build a sawmill over the stream where a
gristmill was afterwards erected. He also offered him a
share of the lumber so manufactured. But Mr. Jo3xe did
not accept the offer.

In a few years, however, he moved to the eastern
side, and took up the land I have mentioned. He cut
away the immense growth of pine trees, cleared the land
for cultivation, and built a log house near where the Reed
house now stands. He afterwards built a house to the
eastward of where James Joyce, 3d, now lives, where he
spent the remainder of his life, the latter years of which
he lived with his son William.

Joyce's wife was Mary Staples, a sister of Moses
Staples, sr., and at this time was the widow of Courtney
Babbidge, sr. Mr. and Mrs. Joyce were the parents of

eight children, three sons — James, Ebenezer and William,
and five daughters — Elethea, wife of Jeremiah Weed ;
Mercy, wife of Courtney Babbidge ; Olive, wife of Capt.
Levi Torrey ; Abigail, wife of Samuel Whitmore, and
Ruth, wife of John Stockbridge. Of these daughters,
Mrs. Weed and Mrs. Whitmore remained on Deer Isle,
and Mrs. Babbidge died in Ellsworth.

Mr. Joyce's descendants form a large and influential
family, most of whom remained here. They have alwaj^s
been prominent in educational matters, and they have been
represented among the officers of this place almost every
year since the plantation was organized. Mr. Jovce died
in 1833, aged seventy-five years. His wife died in 1836,
at the age of seventy-five years. The sons, all of whom
settled here, will be further noticed.

Deacon James Joyce, the oldest son of James Joyce,
sr., in 1816 took up a tract of one hundred acres adjoin-
ing his father on the south. He built a log house to the
eastward of where Levi B. Joyce's house now stands.
He afterwards built a house of hewn timber, and later
built the house that Levi B. Joyce now owns. His prop-
erty is in part owned by his two sons, Levi B. and
Oliver L.

Mr. Joyce was the first deacon of the Baptist church
after its organization here. He died in 1873, aged seven-
ty-nine years. His wife died in 1872, aged seventy-two
years. His wife was Jane, a daughter of John Stinson,
of Deer Isle, by whom he had twelve children — seven
daughters and five sons. The daughters were : Mar}-,

wife of Levi Babbidge, who resided in Rockland; Isabel
S., third wife of Jacob S. Reed; she died in 1888, at the
age of sixty-eight years ; Jane, wife of William A. Friend,
of Sedgwick; she is now dead; Abigail, wife of Isaac
H. Marks, of Sedgwick : they afterward moved to Rock-
land, where Mr. Marks died ; his widow still resides
there ; Margaret, wife of William Pickering, of Deer
Isle; Nancy, wife of Rodney Gott, who now resides in
Somerville, Mass., and Sarah, wife of James H. Hutch-
ingson, of Mansfield.

All five of the sons settled in this town, and were as
follows : Asa, who married Isabel Staples, of Deer Isle,
at which place he resided for some years : he then came
to this island and built the house now owned b}^ Warren
Sprague ; after the death of Washington Staples, lie
bought that farm, on which he has ever since resided ;
after the death of his first wife he married Mrs. Eliza
Buker, of Ellsworth ; James, 3d, who lived on the land
taken up by his grandfather; he resided for several years
in the house now owned by Napoleon B. Trask, and later
built the house he lived in at the time of his death ; his
wife was Harriet Gott; his death occurred in 1898, at the
age of seventy years; Henr\^ D., who built his house on
the lot formerly owned by Mark Staples; he is a ship
carpenter, and occupies the yard formerh' used by Moses
Staples, sr. ; his wife was Louisa Staples ; Oliver L., who
had a part of his father's lot of land and who built his
house nearly opposite his father's ; his wife was Amanda,
daughter of Augustus R. Staples; Levi B., who occupies

the homestead lot; his wife was Matilda Staples. These
five brothers lived in the same school district in which
they were born, over half a century. In the year
1896 three of the family died. Asa died in Ellsworth,
where he moved the year before, aged seventy-four years.
Oliver L. died, aged sixty-two years, and Mrs. Mary Bab-
bidge died in Rockland, aged seventy-eight years.
There was one other son, Wellington, who died when a
child.

William Joyce was born in 1802 ; he was the second
son of James Joyce, sr. He lived on his father's place till
after the latter's death. In 1848 he went back to Deer
Isle, where he died. His farm became the property of
James Joyce, 3d. He was the father of ten children, as
follows: John B., born in 1821 ; died in 1840; Seth,
born in 1823; lived at Deer Isle; William A., born
in 1826; setded at North Haven; Elizabeth, wife of
William Wood, born in 1831 ; Moses S., born in 1834;
now resides at Deer Isle; Hannah, wife of William
Hatch, of Oceanville, born in 1837 ; John, a second child
by that name, born in 1840; Mary E., born in 1844; Jus-
tin A., born in 1846. Most of this family died at Deer Isle.

Ebenezer Joyce, another son of James Joyce, sr.,
built a house near where Charles H. Joyce's house now
stands. He afterwards bought the lot taken up by Rev.
Bryant Lennan, for which he paid $300; transfer was
made May 24, 1826. This property is now occupied in
part by Reuben Joyce. His wife was Catherine Stinson,
a sister of his brother James's wife, also a sister of the

wife of Alexander Staples. They were the three daugh-
ters of John Stinson, of Deer Isle. INIr. Joyce represent-
ed this town in the State legislature in 1859; ^^ ^^^^' i'^
1875, at the age of sevent3'-seven j^ears. His wife died
in 1886, aged eighty-three years. They were the parents
of eleven children — six sons and five daughters. The
daughters were : Sophrona, widow of Simeon Staples ;
resides in Rockland ; Lucy, wife of Seth Staples ; Rosa-
linda, wife of Capt. Stephen Babbidge, of Rockland ; she
is now dead; Augusta, wife of Elias Harrington, of Rock-
land ; Melita, wife of Cyrus Gahan, of Rockland.

The sons were: Isaiah B., who married Olive Tor-
rey ; his place is now owned by David H. Sprague ; he
died in 1882, aged sixty-one years; Mrs. Joyce died in
1861, aged thirty-nine years ; Roderick M., who married
Catherine Stinson in 1847 ; he bought the house and lot of
land of Asa Staples on Middle Head ; he was extensively
engaged in the fishing business at one time; he moved to
Castine in 1864; his place is now owned by Michael Stin-
son ; Eben S., who built the house where William S. Jo3'ce
now lives ; his wife was Sarah Y. Stinson, whom he mar-
ried in 1854; He died in 1894: John, who died in 1893 at
Bluehill ; Reuben, who occupies the homestead lot; his
wife was Mary A. Lunt, of Long Island ; after her death
he married Mrs. Abbie Young, of Bluehill; William S.,
who resides on the place bought by his brother Eben ; his
wife was Deborah Bridges.

The last two brothers are the only ones of this famih*
who now reside in this town.

Levi 7o?'rey.

Levi Torrey took up a lot of one hundred acres ad-
joining the Joyce lot on the south. He came here from
Deer Isle (where he was born in 1789) about 1814. He
built a house on his lot which was situated to the south of
where Winslow D. Stanley now lives. Mr. Torrey 's
father, Jonathan Torre}^ came to Deer Isle in 1763 from
Falmouth, Maine, and took up a tract of land of two hun-
dred acres, near the north part of Deer Isle. He married,
in' 1767, a daughter of William Eaton, and after her death
he married a Mrs. Robinson, who was a sister of Moses
Staples, sr. He lost his life b}' the capsizing of a boat
near Cape Rosier, while returning from Castine. His
oldest son, David, was in the boat, and being more vigor-
ous, was able to keep himself upon the boat's bottom, and
for a while kept his father upon it with him ; but as the
water was cold he soon became chilled, fell off and was
drowned. David was rescued. It has been stated that a
certain man belonging to that town passed them when they
were both upon the boat, but made no effort to save them.
This man afterwards admitted that he saw them.

By his first wife Jonathan Torrey had live sons —
David, born in 1768: William, whose widow married
Amos Gordon; he was the father of Hezekiah Torrey,
who represented the town of Deer Isle in the State legis-
lature in 1822 ; William, who died on a passage from Cal-
ifornia around Cape Horn, and a daughter, who was the
first wife of John P. Johnson. Another son was Capt.

Jonathan Torrey, born in 1774, who died of smallpox in
1847 ; the widow of his son David died in 1879, ^^ ^^^^ ^^"
vanced age of ninety-seven years. There were also
Francis H. and John, who lived and died at Newbury
Neck, Surry.

By his second wife Jonathan Torre}' had four sons —
James, Levi, the subject of this sketch, Deacon Asa, who
died in Ellsworth, and Capt. Ebenezer. Mr. Torrey also
had three daughters by his first marriage, who were the
wives of Nathan Haskell, Jonathan Eaton and Nathaniel
Webster, who lived at Cape Elizabeth. The real estate
of Mr. Torrey at Deer Lie is still owned by his descend-
ants ; the larger part of it was owned by the late Capt.
Daniel S. Torrey, and is still occupied by his widow.

After coming to Swan's Island, Levi Torrey married
Olive, daughter of James Joyce, sr. Tliey were the par-
ents of eleven children, six sons and five daughters.
Mr. Torrey died in 1863, aged seventy-four 3ears ; his
wife died in 1883, at the advanced age of ninety-two years.

Their daughters were : Louisa, wife of John Per-
kins, of Bluehill ; Olive, wife of Isaiah B. Joyce, who
died in 1861 ; Emily died when a child; Martha, wife of
Freeman Torrey, of Tremont; after his death she became
the third wife of Seth Stockbridge, of Rowley, Mass., and
Miranda, wife of George Colter, who resided in Ellsworth.

The sons were: Joseph R., who bought a part of
the Babbidge lot, and built the house now owned by
Stephen Dunham, jr. ; his wife was Roxalana Richardson,
whom he married in 1839; ^'^^y were the parents of two

daughters — Louise, wife of Hardy Lane, of Sedgwick,
and Emily, wife of Allen Reed, of Saccarappa ; Mr. Tor-
rey died in 1880, aged sixty-five years; his wife died in
1893, aged seventy-eight years; Capt. Levi, jr., who
bought a part of the Mark Staples lot, and built a house
where his son, Jefferson Torrey, now lives; in 1840 he
married Joanna Staples; she died in 1887, aged sixtj'-six
years: Mr. Torrey died in 1857, aged forty-one years.
They were the parents of Andrew J., who died in 1888, at
the age of forty-six years, Jefferson, Samuel and George;
Lucretia, Clarinda and Olive ; Charles, who married Ann
Baker, and lived in Rockland ; Ezra, who was drowned
from a boat near his home in the year 1865 ; liis wife was
Susan Reed, who still occupies his property; Albert, who
married Mar}' E. Dolliver, and resides at Tremont ; Ama-
ziah, who married Mary A. Nealey in 1857, and li\es
near Irish point.

Courtney Babbidge.

Courtney Babbidge came here from Deer Isle some
time prior to the war of 181 2, and took up the lot of land
lying south of Mr. Torrey 's. His wife was Mere}' Joyce,
a daughter of James Joyce, sr. Mr. Bal^bidge had lived
here but a short time when he removed to Harrington, and
later to West Trenton. He died in 1856, aged seventy-
five years. Mrs. Babbidge died in 1865, aged eighty
years. When Mr. Babbidge moved from this island he
divided his property between his two sons, Joseph and
Alfred ; the latter sold his property to Joseph Torrev, who

built the house now owned by Stephen Dunham, jr. Mr.
and" Mrs. Babbidge were the parents of eleven children —
six sons and five daughters.

The daughters were : Ruth, who was born at Deer
Isle, wife of Eben Jordan, of Harrington, and settled
there; Abbie, who was born at Swan's Island; she be-
came the wife of John Smith, and settled first at Deer
Isle ; later thev moved to West Trenton ; Mercy, wife of
Levi B. Crockett, of Deer Isle; Sarah, wife of Thomas
Haynes, settled at West Trenton ; Mar}', born at
Harrington, was the wife of Nathan McRav, of Orange,
N. J., where tiiey settled.

The sons were : Alfred, born at Deer Isle ; he
married Hannah Hamblen and settled at Swan's Island ;
he lived for some lime in a house over an old cellar still
seen near the road south of David H. Sprague's, and after
his father's remo\al from this place, Alfred occupied a part
of his property. Their children were Alfred, Stephen,
Martha, Augustus and Melinda. Mr. Babbidge after-
wards moved to Rockland. While sailing from this port
he died at sea. After the death of his wife he married
Susan Perry.

Joseph S., born at Deer Isle in 1806; he married
Mary C. Hamblen, and settled on the lot now owned b}'
Augustus W. Staples; he died in 1883, aged seventy-six
years; Mrs. Babbidge died in 1881, aged seventy-one
years. Their children were ^Daniel H., who was lost in
the schooner "Constitution " b'ff Nausett light. Cape Cod,
in i860, at the age of twenty-eight 3'ears ; his widow,

Emih' (Reed), afterward became tlie wife of Capt. Win-
throp Lane ; she was drowned by the foundering of* the
vessel "S. J. Collins" on their way home from Boston,
together with all on board, among whom were Mrs. Lane,
two children, Lillian Babbidge, aged eight years, and
Grace Lane, one year; Joseph, who married Isabella
Murphy ; he died of smallpox at Mount Desert ; Martin V.,
who has often served on the school board in this town ; he
represented this district in the legislature in 1876; Hannah
A., wife of Capt. Benjamin J. Staples.

The other sons of Courtney Babbidge who did not
reside here were John, who married Isabella Strout, and
settled at Harrington; Courtney, jr., who was born at
Swan's Island, married Lucy Leighton, and settled at
Harrington, afterwards moving to Boston; William, who
married Susan York, of Ellsworth, where he settled; he
afterwards moved to Dakota; Samuel, who married Sarah
, and settled in Norwich, Conn.

The grandfather of Courtney Babbidge, also Court-
ney, came to Deer Isle in 1773 from Windham, Maine.
He was three times married ; his last wife was a Miss
Staples, who after her husband's death, became the wife
James Joyce, sr. Mr. Babbidge's sons were Stephen,
Courtney, James and William ; his daughters were the
two wives of Oliver Lane, and of Capt. Hezekiah Colby.

Of the sons, James removed to Vinalhaven, where
he lived and died; William settled at Windluim ; Courtney
was a Revolutionary soldier, and is said to have been
present at the surrender of Cornwallis; he sold his farm

at Deer Isle and removed to a small island at the entrance
to Fox Island thoroughfare, still known as Babbidge's
island; he died there in 1834.

The other son of Mr. Babbidge, sr., was Stephen, the
father of the subject of this sketch. Stephen's wife was
Hannah Staples, a sister of Moses Staples, sr. His chil-
dren were : Courtne}', who, as we have noticed, settled
on Swan's Island ; Stephen ; Levi, a master mariner ;
John, who died suddenl}' in 1826; Aaron; William;
James, who, in 1833, was drowned with his wife and child
in passing through the flood gates into the mill pond at
Southeast Harbor, Deer Isle. The daughters were the
wives of William Barter, of Isle au Ilaut, and Nathaniel
Robbins. Mr. Robbins is still living (1898) in his nine-
ty-eighth ^•ear.

Stephen Babbidge, sr., died in 1841, aged eighty-two
3'ears. He was for many years an invalid ; he was much
respected, and in his day had considerable influence at
Deer Isle, and acquired much property. After the death
of his wife he married her sister, Mrs. Saunders, and
afterwards, in 1835, niarried the widow of Stephen Dow.

John Cook.

John Cook came here near tlie vear 1799. He was a
Welshman and together with one of his countrvmen,
Charles Chatto, and two Irishmen, Michael Readv and
John Finne}', were in the militarv service of Great Britain
from wdiich they deserted and came to Deer Isle. They
were stationed near tlie St. Croix river, and either b\- swim-

146449

lOO

ming, or in a boat, they came alongside of a vessel be-
longing to Deer Isle, the master of which was Capt.
Ephraim Marshall, who, on hearing of the hardships they
were forced to endure, kindly consented to let them re-
main aboard and brought them to Deer Isle. Mr. Chatto,
who married a Miss vStaples, and Mr. Read}-, who married
Lydia Pressey, remained at Deer Isle until their 'death.
Mr. Cook and Mr. Finney, whom we shall notice later,
settled on this island.

Mr. Cook married, at Deer Isle, Zeruah, widow of
Joshua Staples, and a daughter of John Raynes, sr., who
came to Deer Isle in 1772, from York, Maine. By her
first marriage she had one daughter, Jane, who became
the wife of Elias More}', jr. They subsequently came
here to live. Mr. Cook took up a tract of land lying to
the west of the Joyce and Torre}' lots. It contained eigh-
ty-seven acres. He built a log house which he occupied
until 1835. Mrs. Cook had no children by her second
marriage. In his later years, being able no longer to
perform manual labor, he had Elias Morey, jr,, whose
wife was Mrs. Cook's.daughter by her first marriage, come
and live with them. Mr. Cook died in 1846. His wife
died a few years before ; both attained a great age.

Elias Morey, Jr.

Elias Morey, jr., came here from Deer Isle in 1832 ,
and moved upon the lot with Mr. Cook, which place he
afterwards came into possession of. Mr. Morey's wife, as
has been stated, was Jane Staples. Before coming here

lOI

Morey lived on what is known as tlie Ring farm at
Monntainville, Deer Isle; the farm then, in 1822,
belonged to Spofford and Towne. Morey's grandfather,
Ezekiel JMorey, came to Deer Isle from Meadow's river,
near Brunswick, in 1787, and built the first frame house
on Deer Isle, He was twice married and was the father
of thirteen children. The sons who survived him were
Elias, Ezekiel, Isaac, Joseph and James. The first-
named son was the father of the subject of this sketch.

When Mr. More}' came here the lands he occupied
were covered with a heavy timber growth, which he cut
off and sold for kiln-wood. Mrs. Morey died in 1854, ^^
the age of sixty-three 3'ears. After her death Mr. Morey
married Sarah L. Friend, of Sedgwick, an estimable lady,
who died in 1889, in her ninet^^-first year. His death oc-
curred in 1867, aged seventy-six years. By his first mar-
riage Mr. Morey had five children — three daughters and
two sons.

The daughters were : Martha, wife of Asa C.
Staples; she died in 1866, aged fifty years; Jane, wife of
Calvin P. Abbott; they lived in Hancock; Mr. Abbott
went on foreign voyages, and died while at the West
Indies, where he was buried : after this Mrs. Abbott came
here and lived with her father until her death, which
occurred in 185 1, at the age of thirty-three years; Lois,
wife of James Sprague; she died in 1885, aged sixty-four
years.

The sons were : Otis, who resided at Mt. Desert ;
his wife was Elizabeth Reed ; after her death he married

I02

Matilda Closson ; lie died in 1886; Hezekiah, who in
1867 came into possession of his father's propert}^ ; he
built a house to the west of his father's ; his wife was
Nanc}^ A. Conary, daughter of Israel Conar\', whom he
married in 1845.

Mr. Morey, by great industry and economy, acquired
considerable property. He died in 1885, at the age of
sixty-one 3^ears. His real estate is owned b}^ John Stan-
le}'. Mrs. Morey moved to Winterport in 1897.

Rev. Bryant Lcnnan.

Rev. Bryant Lennan, a minister of the Baptist denom-
ination, came in 1814 from Hampden, and took up the lot
south of the Morey lot, \\'hich extended to the shore on the
northwest; it is the Slockbridge lot, and included the land
now owned by Reuben Jovce and David H. Sprague. He
built a house on what is now known as Stockbridge hill,
and later built one near where Reuben Joyce now^ lives.
He was the first settled minister on this island. He or-
ganized the Baptist society here. According to the record
of Eastern Maine Baptist association holden in Sedgwick,
October 11, 1820, the Swan's Island Baptist church was
taken into the association at that time with a membership
of twenty-three. Among the representatives from this
place, as delegates at this and subsequent meetings, as
appears in those old records, were the names of Joshua
Staples, Courtney Babbidge, Deacon James Joyce and
Ebenezer Joyce. The first two years Mr. Lennan
preached here he was only a licensed preacher, but on

I03

October 2, 1822 he was ordained. He was married when
he came here, and had a family but none of them setUed
in this town.

Mr. Lennan was a well-educated man, very earnest
and faithful in the performance of his ministerial duties,
and was much respected by the people. He remained
here several years. He then went back to Hampden, and
his land was purchased by Ebenezer Joyce and John
Stockbridge. Some fifteen years after leaving here, after
the death of his wife, he came back and preached several
years, after which time we have no further record of
him.

Jo Jul Stockbridge.

John Stockbridge came here from Deer Isle in 1816.
He lived for several 3ears on a place formerly owned by
Alfred Babbidge, south of where David H. Sprague now
lives. When Elder Lennan moved away he bought the
eastern half of his land, and lived many years in a log
house that Mr. Lennan built. He afterward built a frame
house on this lot where he lived the remainder of his life.

Mr. Stockbridge's father, Capt. Benjamin Stock-
bridge, came to Deer Isle from Gloucester, Mass. He
was a shipmaster in good circumstances. It is said he was
in the ship that first carried the American flag up the
Dardanelles ; it was in the year 1800 that the frigate
"George Washington " displayed the star-spangled banner
before the crescent beneath the walls of Constantinople.
It was the occasion of the bearing of tribute from the Dey

I04

of Algiers to the Sultan. When the stars and stripes ap-
peared at the Bosphorus, the people did not know what the
flag represented, or, in fact, an3^thing about it, and in order
to pass the forts and castles the captain resorted to an ad-
mirable stratagem. When the "George Washington"
neared the forts her commander shortened sail, and made
ready to anchor; as he did so he ordered a salute fired,
which was quickly responded to by the batteries of the
fort. The scene was soon shrouded in dense smoke, and
when it cleared away the astonished Turks saw that the
frigate had taken advantage of the smoky veil to glide
through the narrow strait, and was already- far on her wa}-
to Constantinople.

After coming to Deer Isle he continued to follow the
sea. He was a member of the Baptist church there, and
it is said that when some difficulty occurred between him
and some of his neighbors — members of the same church
— an examination was made before the church. Capt.
Stockbridge read to them the thirtieth chapter of Job,
beginning: "But now thev that are younger than I have
me in derision, whose father I would have disdained to
have set with the dogs of my flock."

Mr. Stockbridge wlien young was a man of energy
and capacity, but in his latter years became somewhat
reduced in circumstances. He had a famih^ of eight chil-
dren, six of whom were daughters. One was the wife of
James Duncan ; another the wife of John Greenlaw, who
died in 1870, at the age of eighty-seven years, having
lived in wedlock sixtv-six ^•ears ; the other daughters were

105

the wives of Benjamin Lane, James Greenlaw, Capt.
William Grover, of Isle an Haut, who later moved to
Islesboro, and the wife of George Grover. There were
two sons — Benjamin, who was lost at sea when a young
man, and John, the subject of this sketch. He came here
when a young man, and married Ruth, daughter of James
Joyce, sr. Mr. Stockbridge was an intelligent man, and
much respected. Most of the early records of the planta-
tion were made by him, he having been chosen the first
clerk in 1834; ^^^ held the office for many years. He
died in 1859, ^S^^^ sixty-three 3'ears. Ruth, his wife,
died the year before, at the age of sixty-nine years. The}'
were the parents of nine children — two daughters, Sarah,
wife of Albert Smith, of Ellsworth, and Mercy, wife of
Gilman Staples, and seven sons, as follows : .

Benjamin, born in 1817. He built the house where
Benjamin, jr., now lives. He married, in 1842, Sarah
Norwood, by whom he had four children — Isaiah, Mar\-
E., wife of Charles H. Joyce, James E. and Benjamin
W., all of whom reside here. Mr. Stockbridge is dead;
his widow still resides liei'e.

John married Hannah M. Murphv, and after her
death, which occurred in 1864, at the age of thirty-six
\ears, he married Susan Morey, of Deer Isle. Mr.
Stockbridge represented this town in the State legislature
in 1867. He died in 1881, aged sixty-two years. Mrs.
Stockbridge afterwards became the wife of Thomas Pink-
ham, of Boothbav.

James, born in 1818. He was taken ill while aboard

io6

a ship, and was taken to New York, where he died in
Bellevue hospital in 1843, at the age of twenty-five 3'ears.
He was unmarried.

Samuel W. married, in 1852, Martha Finney, and
the}^ were the parents of six children. He died in 1883,
aged sixty-two years.

Deacon Seth W. went to Gloucester when a vouncf
man, and for a time went in fishing vessels from that port.
He was next promoted to captain of a freighting schooner
employed in carrying fresh halibut from Gloucester to
Boston. Later he engaged in buying and shipping fresh
halibut, in company with William T. Smith and William
Rackcliffe, at what is now Walen's wharf, and on the de-
cease of his partners admitted David L. Robinson into the
firm. On the formation of the Atlantic Halibut Co. he
was an original stockholder. While here engaged he did
a large business, and owned extensively in shipping.
After having been engaged in active business for nearly
half a century, he bought a fine farm in Rowley, Mass.,
where he spent the greater part of the later years of his
life. He was three times married ; his first wife was Eliza
I. Kiff, of East Gloucester, to whom he was married in
185 1. After her death he married, in 1865, his first wife's
sister, Mrs. Nancy El well. She died in 1884 at Rowley,
after which he married Mrs. Martha Torrey, who survives
him. He owned a cottage at Swan's Island, where he
usually spent a part of the year. He died in 1896 at
Rowley, at the age of seventy years.

Eben lives in Gloucester. His wife was Clar-

107

issa Kiff, a sister of the two first wives of his brother
Seth W.

William was the 3'oungest son. He married Fannie
Thurston, of Tremont. He was an architect, and worked
at his trade in Boston and Beverly ; at the latter place he
died.

John Finney.

John Finney bought the lot adjoining Moses Staples,
sr., on the south, being the land just vacated by William
Davis. He was a native of Ireland, and was in the mili-
tary service of Great Britain. While stationed near the
St. Croix river he deserted and came aboard of a vessel
belonging to Deer Isle. This vessel was commanded b}'
Capt. Ephraim Marshall, who, together with John Cook
and others of the same compan}', came to Deer Isle in
1799. There he married the eldest daughter of Moses
Staples, sr. He came to Swan's Island in 1803, and
bought the tract of land already described. He built three
houses in different locations. The first house stood near
the shore, where Jefferson Torrey now resides; the second
was near the back shore, and the third to the south of
Moses Staples. Mr. Finne}' was small of stature and of a
rather excitable disposition, but he was ever read}' to de-
fend a cause he considered just. After the death of his
wife Mr. Finne}' lived with his son until' the death of the
latter's wife, when he moved to Somesville, where he died
in 1844. When Mr. Finney left he sold his property here
to Moses Staples, 3d, and it is now owned by Oilman

jo8

Staples. Mr. and Mrs. Finney were the parents of nine,
children.

The daughters were : Nancy, wife of Choate Bar-
ton; Mary A., wife of Reuben Remick, of Ellsworth;
Sally, wife of Edward Courts, of Boston ; Eliza died un-
married; Dorcas, wife of Oliver Eaton, of Sedgwick.

The sons were : Moses S., who married Eliza Stin-
son : he lived here with his father for several 3ears ; after
the death of his wife, in 1838, he went to Deer Isle and
married Margaret, widow of John Buckminster; he died
Dec. II, i860, aged fifty-eight years; he was the first
person buried in the cemetery at Oceanville : Thomas,
who married Lydia Gott, of Mount Desert, where he
resided ; John, who married in Boston.

Pe^er Gott.

Peter Gott, one of the most interesting characters of
eastern Maine, took up the tract south of Moses Staples,
or the point of land to Hocomock Head. This is now
owned and occupied by the descendants of Isaiah L. Stan-
ley and others. Peter is said to have been a cousin of
Daniel Gott, who owned Gott's Island, and after whom it
was named. This Gott family came from Cape Ann, at
which place there are still many of that name.

Peter came to this State previous to the Revolutionary
w^ar, and settled at Ship Harbor, a small inlet east of Bass
Harbor, and later moved to Swan's Island, where he
reared his famil}-. He married, near the year 1776, Char-
ity Kain, by whom he had eleven children, born between

109

the years 1777 and 1799; I have been able to trace only
nine ; the other two presnmably died 3^oung. After corn-
ins here he built a house near where the widow of Isaiah
L. Stanley now lives-
After tiie death of his wife Charit}', and the acciden-
tal drowning of Daniel Gott, of Gott's Island, with two
sons, David and Charles, Peter married, in 1824, the
widow. He then sold his place here to his son-in-law,
William Stanley, and moved to Gott's Island, where lie
lived many years until after the death of his second wife,
when he came back to Swan's Island, where he remained
until his death, which occurred in 1839. ^^ ^'^^ over
eiffhtv vears of age. He was buried in the little ceme-
ter}^ near Hocomock Head.

The Gott family spread far and wide among the early
settlers, and has left its particular and distinctive features
on the people of these islands down to the present time.
A rough and hardy people, vigorous and tough ; they
have continually intermarried, and the family to-day dif-
fers in many respects from its vigorous ancestors. The
following nine children of Peter and Charity Gott reached
adult age; there were seven daughters and two sons; the
daughters were :

(i) Mar}^ wife of Thomas Trevitt; (2) Eunice,
wife of Asa Conar}', of Bluehill ; her children were Alvin,
Asa, Belinda and Augusta Conary ; (3) Margaret, wife
of Jonathan Rich, of Bass Harbor; Mr. Rich died in
1817, aged thirty-seven years; her children were John
Rich, who married Rhoda Dodge and settled at Bass Har-

bor ; Robert Rich married Ann Bushee; Samuel Ricli
married Clarissa Gaily; Maurice Rich married Data
Peters, of Bass Harbor; Zebadiah Rich married Eunice
Robbins, of Tremont ; L3^dia Rich married John Smith
and settled on Swan's Island; Amy Rich married William
Nutter, whom we shall notice, and Lucy Rich married
James Marsh; (4) Ruth Gott married William Stanley ;
(5) Lydia Gott married Mark Staples; these last two
married and settled on this island, and their families have
been considered elsewhere; (6) Patience Gott married [i]
Morris Peters, [2] James Camel, [3] James York; by
her first husband her children were Data, Betsy, Mar}^
Calvert and James Peters; (7) Charity Gott married
William Rich and settled on Outer Long Island, where
they have many descendants.

Capt. John Gott, the oldest son of Peter and Charity
Gott, married, in 1798, Ruth Barton, of Castine. They
lived at Ship Harbor for several years, where some of
their children were born. He was for many 3' ears a mas-
ter mariner. He came here and took up the tract of land
adjoining Joshua Grindle on the northeast; it includes the
whole lot from where Horace E. Stanley now li\'es to
David H. Sprague's land, and went to the brook north of
Ambrose Golt's. He built a house where Albion Smith's
barn now stands. When quite an old man he abandoned
the sea, and began to cultivate his farm. But he was in-
duced to make one more voyage which proved to be his
last. A partv of nine voung men from Sedgwick or near
there, secured a vessel commanded by Capt. John Gordon

Ill

to go on a fishing trip. The captain, being young and in-
experienced, came to this ishmd for a pilot to accompany
them on this voyage. After much urging Capt. Gott con-
sented to accompany them. They left for Green Bank.
When a few days out a terrible storm came up, and it is
supposed they foundered at sea, as they were never heard
from. This was near the year 1840. Capt. Gott's age
was about sevent}^ years. After his death his widow mar-
ried Abraham Kingsland, of Kingsland Landing, New
York city. It is said he was heir to a valuable tract of

land in that city, and had affidavits to prove his claim, but
while intoxicated these were gotten from him. Repeated
efforts were made to recover these papers, but without
avail. In after 3'ears he left here to go to New York,
where he was to live with his children by a former mar-
riage, but he never arrived there. A man answering his
description was found dead in Portland, and it was thought
he met his death while under the influence of liquor, to
which he was addicted. Flis death occurred about the 3'ear
1859. Mr. Gott's property went to his son Joseph, except
what was known as the Babbidge lot, which was owned
b}' Edward Gott. Mrs. Kingsland died in Rockland in
1865, aged eighty-four years.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Gott were : Martha,
wife of Israel Conary ; Prudence, wife of John Foster;
after his death she became the wife of Samuel Irving, an
Englishman ; both her husbands belonged in Boston ; after
she became a widow the second time, she moved to
Palermo, where she died ; Ruth, wife of William Fife;

112

she died in 1844, aged twenty-eight years. The sons
were John, David, Samuel, Joseph, Edward and Am-
brose; three other children, Samuel, Hiram and Sally,
died young. These children, most of whom settled here,
will be further considered.

Martha Gott married Israel Conary, and settled on
the lot known as City point; he afterwards moved to
Black Island, where he lived several years; he finally
came back here, and bought a part of the Gott lot, then
owned by Joseph Gott, and built the house where David
Stanley now lives. This family is noticed in another
place.

John Gott married Abigail Merchant and settled
where the widow of Daniel Bridges now lives, and to
whom Mr. Gott sold his place when the latter went to
Rockland. Mr, Gott died in 1875, aged seventy-nine
years. His wife died in 1874, 'lifted eighty-two years.
Their children were : Harriet, wife of James Joyce, 3d ;
Prudence, wife of William Smith ; Mary, wife of Wilbert
Boynton ; David, who married Jane Ingraham : Caroline,
wife of John Ham. The last three settled in Rockland.

David Gott married Clara Winthrop, of Palermo.
They were the parents of three ciiildren. He died in
1877.

Samuel Gott married Mary Merchant. His children
were Mary, Lydia, Samuel, William, Roxana and Eu-
dora, all of whom are dead except Lydia. After the
death of his wife, Mr. Gott, in 1852, married Barbara M.
Carter, of Brooklin, By this wife he had several children,

113

of whom Augusta and Fred live here. His second wife
died in 1895, aged sixty-two years.

Joseph Gott bought the lot at City point of Israel Con-
ary. He built a house on the east side of the road nearly
opposite where Verenus Reed now lives. His wife was
Eunice Sprague, by whom he had the following children :
Manley and Susan, who died young; Rodne}', who mar-
ried Nancy Joyce, and now resides in Somerville, Mass. ;
Freeman, who married Mary Stinson ; Augusta, wife of
Capt. William P. Herrick ; Leroy, wdio died in the civil
war; Fred, who married Hannah Gott; Harris, who
married Diantha Bridges; Myra, wife of Hardy
Stinson.

Edward Gott settled on a part of the lot first taken up
l)y Joshua Grindle, and which is now owned by Horace
E. Stanley. His wife was Susan Staples, a daughter of
Moses Staples, 2d; she died in 1895, aged seventy-seven.
Mr. Gott's death occurred in 1885, at the age of seventy
3'ears. They were the parents of eleven children, as fol-
lows : Gilbert J., who married Mary Carter, of Sedg-
wick ; he was lost at sea February 10, i860, at the age of
tvventv-tliree years; Susan F., who is now a resident of
Boston; Pathena J., wife of Hezekiah Holbrook ; Martha,
wife of Charles W. Kent; Edward Warren, drowned No-
vember 6, 1869, aged twenty-three; Lucy A. married
John Beal, of Deer Isle, and now resides in Bucksport ;
Hattie A., wife of Horace E. Stanley; Emma R., wife of
James E. Kent, of Addison; Delora A., wife of Leaman
D. Bridges; she died February 17, 1882, aged twenty-

114

seven; Mary E., wife of Thomas J. Stanle}- ; Mina M.,
vinmarried, is in the milHnery business at Bath.

Ambrose Gott had his father's lot at City point.
His wife was Sarah A. Herrick, with whom he Hved in
wedlock over half a century. He died in 1894, ^ged sev-
enty years. His widow still occupies the place. Their
children were Aurilla, Ellen, Alice, Hannah, Clara, Jos-
eph, Alvarado, John and Emery.

Peter Gott, jr., the second and last son of Peter
and Charity Gott, settled at Bass Harbor. His wife was
Puah Richardson. Their children were Alpheus, who
was drowned with his father in a great gale off Cape Ann ;
Benjamin ; William ; Martha, wife of Joseph Gott, settled
at Goose Cove ; Betsey, who married a Mr. Kent ; Joanna,
wife of William Tinker : Lydia M., wife of William Scott
Richardson, of Bluehill.

Cushing Stczvart.

Cushing Stewart came here from North Haven in
1822, and took up the lot south of Benjamin Smith. It is
the land now owned by his son, George Stewart, and the
Rowe estate. He built a house near Spirit cove. Mr.
Stewart was born at Fox Island in 1797 and was of Scotch
parentage. He served through the war of 181 2. After
coming home from the war, he married Ann Robinson, of
Mount Desert, where he lived several years previous to
coming here, and where his first two children were born.
He died in 1838 at the age of forty-one years. His death
occurred in Rockland while on board a vessel. After his

115

death Mrs. Stewart became, in 1840, the wife of Abel
Lane, who came here from Deer Isle. Mr. Lane lived
here for some years, then moved to Brooklin, where he
died about the 3ear 1874. After his death Mrs. Lane re-
turned to this town and lived with her daughter until Mrs.
Lane's death. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart were the parents of
five children.

The daughters were : Elvira, wife of Samuel Robin-
son, of Gouldsboro ; Mary, wife of James Smith ; Corde-
lia, widow of James Rowe ; he came here from Baldwin,
and settled on a part of the Stewart lot ; Mr. Rowe died
in 1891, aged sixty-nine 3'ears.

Tlie sons were: Otis, who married Louisa Marshall,
of Islesboro, and afterwards moved to Georgetown ;
George, who married Elizabeth Robinson : he now^ lives
liere on the homestead lot.

Benjamin Stinson.

Benjamin Stinson came to this place from Deer Isle
near 1810. His grandfatiier, Thomas Stinson, was the
tirst settler on that part of Deer Isle called Stinson's Neck
and after whom that place was named. He came there
from Woolwich in 1773. It is said that he held the first
religious services ever held in Deer Isle; its occasion was
the regret of his wife that thev could not have the relifjious
privileges that the}' enjoyed in Woolwich. So the next
Sunday Mr. Stinson, accompanied bv his familv, went to
the shade of a large tree that crrew near his house, and
performed the services usual on sucli occasions — reading

ii6

a sermon. He was the first justice of the peace on Deer
Isle, and was a man of integrit}^ and had considerable in-
fluence. He had a large family, one of whom was Wil-
Ham Stinson, the father of the subject of this sketch.
Another son was Samuel Stinson, who was a Revolution-
arv soldier. William married Miss York, by whom he
had his family ; after her death he married Polly Calef,
and after her death he married the widow of William
Webb. William, as well as his father, was deacon of the
Congregational church for many 3'ears.

Benjamin, the subject of this sketch, was born in
1778. He came here and took up a tract of two hundred
and forty acres of land near Seal Cove. This property is
now owned by Call and Dj^er. Here he built a log house
and later a frame house. In 181 1 he married Sarah B,
Smith, a daughter of David Smith, sr., whom we have
noticed was born in 1792 on Harbor island, being the first
white child born there. He afterwards bought the tract
of land first taken up by Moses Staples, sr., which
extended from William Stanley's to the Grindle lot.
Previous to buying this last lot he had moved to Exeter,
Maine, but he soon returned. Later he exchanged lots
with his son John, and lived where Daniel McKay now
resides. His farm at Seal Cove was divided between his
two sons, John and David.

Mr. Stinson was one of the early justices of the peace
here. He represented Swan's Island and Mount Desert in
the State legislature in 1837. For several years he was a
master mariner. Mr. Stinson was a well-informed man.

117

very decided in his views, and fond of discussing an}^ sub-
ject. When he came here there were no public schools,
and no municipal organization. He was foremost in get-
ting this island organized as a plantation, which was ac-
complished in 1834, ^"<^ ^^^ ^"^'^s tireless in his efforts to
establish public schools — a most worthy undertaking for
which he should long be remembered. He also was the
means of having a post-office established here, and he was
appointed the first postmaster. Previous to this time there
had been no regular mails or any place to receive them.
Mails were sent and brought b}^ any boat that chanced
to go to the main land. He was in all a public-spirited
man, and worked for the public benefit of his adopted
town, an example which, if more generally practiced at
the present time, would result in much benefit now as
well as to future generations.

Mr. Stinson died in 1867, aged eight3'-nine years.
His wife died in 1856, aged sixty-four ^^ears. They were
the parents of ten children — five sons and five daughters,
all of whom lived to adult age. The sons were : Rev.
Benjamin F., born in 1812; John, born in 1815 ; William,
born in 1817 ; David, born in 1821 ; Capt. Michael, born in
1833. The daughters were: Livonia, born in 1819, was
the wife of Hardy Lane; Keturah, born in 1823, was the
wife of Oliver Lane; Catherine was born in 1825, and
was the wife of Roderick Joyce; she died in 1893,
aged sixty-eight years. Sarah, born in 1827, was the
wife of Eben Joyce ; she died in 1855, aged fifty-eight
years; Mary, born in 1832, married George Hem-

;^i8

mingway, of Chelsea. The sons will be fartlier con-
sidered.

I. Rev. Benjamin F. Stinson, the oldest child of
the family, was born in 1812. He attended the common
school, and later the Maine Wesleyan seminary at Kent's
Hill, where he prepared to enter the ministry in the ser-
vice of the Methodist church. He married Hannah,
daughter of Moses Staples, 2d. He occupied the place
that his father had bought of Moses Staples, sr., and built
a house where his brother, Capt. Michael Stinson, now
lives. For several years he traded, doing a good busi-
ness, and having an extensive trade. During the time he
was trading there was no other store on the island. He
also owned quite extensively in shipping. His store was
located on the site now owned by S. Morse.

His methods of doing business were rather slack for
his own benefit, and he soon went out of business. He
then devoted his whole time in the service of the church,
and was ordained about the year 1862. While belonging
to the conference he preached at Deer Isle, Tremont, Ad-
dison, Hancock and other places. During the declining
years of his life he settled down at Tremont, where he
bought a farm belonging to Rev. Charles Brown. He
preached at Tremont and Swan's Island alternate Sun-
days, often coming here in an open boat ; he would sub-
ject himself to au)^ exposure or inconvenience to meet an
appointment. He was an earnest, faithful worker, and
for his time was considered a good preacher, much be-
loved by those with whom he labored. A Methodist

119

church recently erected at Gott's Ishind has been dedi-
cated to his memor}- for the faithful services rendered it.
While here he was often honored by offices of trust in the
town affairs. He represented this town in tlie State legis-
lature in 1855. His death occurred in 1887, at the ao-e of
sevent3'-five years. His wife died at Swan's Island in
1895, at the age of eighty-five years. She was the last
survivor of a large family.

H. John Stinson settled on that part of the Grindle
lot now owned by Daniel McKay, and he built the house
now standing there. His wife was Lucy Smith, by whom
he had the following children : Nelson, who married
Mary Reed, and who now resides in Harpswell ; Meletiah
J., who married Viola Rowe ; after his death she became
the wife of Byron Morse, who died in 1897 ; Deborah,
vv'ife of Leroy Smith ; she died in Belfast in 1896; Char-
lotte, wife of Frank Gott. Several other children died
young. As already stated, John exchanged places with
his father, and, together with his brother David, went to
Seal Cove. They both lived in their father's house there
for some years. Later they divided the lot of land, John
building the house now owned by Henry B. Call, and Da-
vid built the house now owned by Mr. Dyer. Mr. Stinson
died in 1852, aged thirty-seven years.

HL William Stinson bought a part of Harbor is-
land, and built the house that now stands there. This
island is still owned by his heirs and by Capt. Michael
Stinson. He married Elizabeth Lane, of Deer Isle.
After her death he married Lizzie, daughter of Billings

I20

Hard}', of Freeze's island. He died in 1890, aged seven-
ty-three 3^ears. His children were : Sarah, wife of John
Hard}', of Frankfort ; Hardy and Oliver, who now reside
in Boston.

IV. Capt. Afichael Stinson is the onl}- one of this
family who resides in this town. In 1859 ^^^ married
Naomi G. Whitne}', of Shelburne, Nova Scotia. He was
for many 3'ears a successful master mariner. He also did
considerable business in trade.

Enoch Billings.

Enoch Billings came here from Sedgwick in 1826,
and took up the tract of land north of David Smith. It
contained one hundred and seventN'-five acres, and is
known as the "Narrows lot". This place was afterwards
bought b}' James Smith, and at present is owned b}' J. T.
Crippen, of Ellsworth. On it are located some valuable
stone quarries. Mr. Billings' wife was Sarah Carter,
whom he married in Sedgwick previous to his coming
here. She was a large, powerful woman, often perform-
ing feats of strength that would have done credit to a man.

Most of iheir children were born in .Sedgwick ; they
were Enoch, who was afflicted with epileptic fits ; one
day while fishing in a boat, he had an epileptic seizure,
fell from the boat, and was drowned ; his boat was found
anchored ; John, another son, lived here for some years,
and afterwards moved to Brewer, where he bought a large
farm, and there he died; his wife was Harriet Billings;
Johnson, another son, was born in Sedgwick in 1810, and

121

came here with his father; he married Ehza Smilli, a
daughter of David Smith, sr. ; he built a house over a
ceHar uorth of where Capt. John C. Kent now H\es ; this
place he sold to Asa Smith when he moved to Stinson's
Neck, Deer Isle, where he bought the farm near the
school-house. Mr. Billings was an industrious man, and
lived in easy circumstances ; he is now living, in his nine-
ty-first 3'ear, hale and vigorous; his wife died in 1891,
aged seventy-seven years.

The daughters of Enoch Billings were Edna, wife of
Thomas Conary, of Surry, and Sarah, wife of Lovan
Conary, of Surry. William and David Carter, brothers
of Mrs. Enoch Billings, lived for some time here. Wil-
liam was drowned from a boat while cominj/ from Deer
Isle. David in after years moved away. Thev were both
unmarried.

John Valenline.

John Valentine came here from East Haddam, Conn.,
in 1852, and married the widow of John Stinson, on
whose place he lived while here. The\' afterwards moved
to Rockland, where Mrs. Valentine died. Their children
were Ann, who married a Mr. Manson in Massachusetts ;
Betsey and John, jr., also married in that state; tlie latter
afterwards moved to Pennsylvania, and with him his
father now resides.

Thomas Co lo my .

Thomas Colomy came here from Damariscotta in
1823, he being then only eighteen years of age. He

122

made liis first visit to the island while in a fishing vessel.
Afterwards he came and lived for several years with the
family of Samuel Kent. His wife was Mercy Kent,
whom he married soon after coming here. He bought the
land and built a house near where David Smith now lives.
This place he sold at the solicitation of a friend and bought
Conary's island near Deer Isle, but in this purchase he
was greatly deceived ; the condition of this place was so
much different from what he had been led to expect that
he soon came back here and bought the place of William
Annis, where Hezekiah Holbrook now lives. Previous to
going to Conary's island he sold his farm here to David
Smith, 3d, who still occupies it. After living on the Annis
place some 3'ears, he moved to Irish point and bought the
place then owned by David Stinson, next adjoining the
Smith lot, where he spent the remainder of his years. He
died in 1884, at the age of seventy-nine years. Mrs. Colomy
died in 1879, aged fifty-nine years. They were the parents
of ten children, most of whom have moved from this town.
The daughters were : Roxana, wife of Joseph Whit-
more ; Caroline, wife of Joel Whitmore, both of Deer
Isle; these two daughters now reside in California; Liz-
zie, wife of Capt. Courtney Crockett, of Deer Isle ; he
was lost at sea in 1883 in the schooner "J. H. Miller",
while he was on a voyage to Boston where he was to sell
his vessel ; this was to be his last trip to sea ; his widow
still resides at Oceanville ; Lorenia, wife of William Sulli-
van, of Nova Scotia ; they reside at Deer Isle ; Margaret,
Marietta and an infant died young.

123

The sons were : Franklin, who married Mary Whit-
more; Edwin, who married Carrie Whitmore, botli of
Deer Isle, where they now reside; Hiram J., who was the
only one of the family who settled here ; he owned the
place formerl}' occupied by his father at Irish point ; his
wife was Eva Smith ; Mr. Colomy was drowned from an
open boat Oct. lo, 1894 ' ^^*^ started to row out from Seal
Cove around Irish point in the face of a furious gale. It
was raining very hard, rendering his frail boat very slip-
pery, and it is supposed that in trying to change his posi-
tion in tiie boat he slipped and fell into the water : his
brother coming from Deer Isle in a boat picked up his
empty boat and towed it into Old Harbor; he was forty-
nine years of age.

Ki)iihaU Her rick.

Kimball Herrick came to this island and bougiit the
John Smith place at Irish point, in 1839. ^^^^ father was
Eben Herrick, of Brooklin, one of the pioneer settlers
there. His mother's maiden name was Priscilla Bridges.
He had eight children. The daughters w'ere : Affie,
Emmeline, Hannah and Matilda ; the sons were : Walter,
Shadrich, Elijah, and Kimball, the subject of our sketch :
they are now all dead.

Kimball was born in Brooklin in 1803, where he lived
until after liis marriage. His wife was Abigail M. Bab-
son. Previous to his coming here he lived three years on
Marshall's island, but he never owned any proper!}- there.
Mr. Herrick died in 1887, aged eighty-foiu- years. His

124

wife died in 1884, aged eighty 3'ears. They were the
parents of three daughters, all of whom are living here.
The}' are Sarah A,, widow of Ambrose Gott; Sapphira,
widow of Isaiah L. Stanley ; Abbie, wife of Abram Hol-
brook.

Samuel Kent.

Samuel Kent came here in 1805 from Annisquam,
Mass., and for a number of 3'ears lived with his brother-
in-law, Alexander Nutter, whose place he had when Mr.
Nutter moved awa3^ His place is what is now known as
the Irish point farm.

The Kents are a ver}' old family in this country.
Three brothers came here from England in 1630, and
landed in Portsmouth, N. H. Tradition says that in
England they were in hiding five years to escape being
beheaded during the reign of Charles I. They finally
escaped and came to this countr3^ Three brothers,
Charles, Martin and Daniel, descendants of these Kents,
came to this State from Marshfield, Mass., in 1793, and
settled what has since been known as Kent's Hill, the
location of the Maine Wesle3an seminar3^ and female col-
lege. The Marshfield records also give the name of
Samuel Kent, who married in 1728, Desire Baker, and in
1 73 1 the3^ had a son, also Samuel. Another of this fam-
ih', Thomas Kent, settled near Gloucester in 1649. ^^
had two sons, John and Samuel ; the latter was married
in 1654. He also had a son Samuel, born in 1661. This
family being the onl3^ Kent famil}' recorded as ever

125

settling on Cape Ann, was undoubtedh' the ancestor of the
Mr. Kent who came to this town. The names given to
his children here are but a repetition of the names of the
Kent family on Cape Ann. This custom of naming chil-
dren for family relatives was then almost universal.
There are many Kents now living in or near Gloucester,
and man}^ of their descendants are scattered through
Maine.

Mr. Kent married before coming here Katie Woolens,
of Gloucester. They were the parents of nine children.
Mr. Kent was drowned about the }-ear 1831, while coming
from Deer Isle in an open boat, where he had been to get
Richard Warren to perform the marriage ceremony for
his son Samuel. He accidentally fell overboard ; a strong
breeze was blowing, and before assistance could be ren-
dered he had become exhausted and was drowned. His
wife died in 1S38. His propert}' afterwards fell into the
hands of ex-Governor Edward Kent, of Bangor, and was
afterwards sold to John Smith and Kimball Herrick.
Their daughters were : Abigail, wife of Asa Smith ;
Asenath, wife of a Mr. Smith, of Boston, where they re-
side; Mercy, wife of Thomas Colomy, who died in 1875,
aged fifty-nine years ; Catherine, who married in New
York city. The sons were :

I. Benjamin, who was born in 1801, in Annisquam.
His wife was Ann Smith, by whom he had five children.
The daughters were : Sabrina, wife of John Wallace, of
Jonesport; Sarah, wife of John Dobbin; Mercy, wife of
Levi Alle}'. The sons were: David, who married

126

Elvira Wallace; John, who married a Mrs. Alley. The
whole family settled at Jonesport.

II. Samuel was the second son. He was born in
Annisquam in 1803 ; his wife was Mary, daughter of
David Smith, sr. Mr. Kent, with George Smith, bought
the Billings lot and built the house where Charles W.
Kent now lives. They were the parents of six children —
Eliza, Henrietta, Charles W., John Calvin, James E. and
Hosea M. Mr. Kent died in 1877, aged seventy-four
years. Mrs. Kent died in 1897, at the age of eighty-five
years. The only survivor of the family of David Smith,
sr., is Mrs. Kent's sister, Dorothy, wife of Benjamin
Smith, 2d.

III. yantes, another son, married Rebecca Stower,
of Gouldsboro. They settled in Brooklin where they died.

IV. Martin, in 1844, married Lois Billings. They
resided in Sedgwick. He was a master mariner.

V. Hiram married, in 1848, Nancy, daughter of
William Stanley. He owned the house built on a part of
the land formerly owned by Benjamin Stinson, where lie al-
ways resided. He died very suddenly ; he retired in his
usual health, and in the morning was found dead in bed.
His deatli occurred in 1894, aged sixty-seven years. His
wife died in 1866, at the age of thirty-five years.

Thomas Dunbar.

Thomas Dunbar came here in 1819 when a ciiiJd eight
years old, and was brought up in the family of Benjamin
Smith. His parents resided at Deer Isle, where he had a

127

brother EHsha, who died in 1893, at the age of sevent}^-
tive years. Thomas married Susan, a daughter of David
Smith, 2d ; he separated from his wife, after which he spent
a roving life. After the marriage of his son, he went to
Ellsworth to live with him, and died there, about eighty
years of age.

Mrs. Dunbar afterwards married a Mr. Smith, of
Jonesport, and after his death she became the wife of Peter
Stanley. B}^ her first marriage Mrs. Dunbar had one
child, Joseph. He married Clara Batchelder, a daughter
of Rev. Theophilus Batchelder, a Baptist clergyman. She
was a most excellent woman, well educated and refined,
and was well known throughout Hancock county, together
with her sister, Annie O. Batchelder, as an excellent school
teacher. They were often selected where strict discipline
was required ; they were large, muscular women and
capable of meeting any emergency that might arise in
school.

After the death of her husband Mrs. Dunbar became
the wife of Daniel S. Beal, a wealthy man of Ellsworth.
He was at the time of this marriage about eighty years of
age, and had a family by his first wife. After his death,
which occurred a few months after his marriage, it was
found that he had willed his property to his second wife ;
his children contested the will, and, after a long trial
which attracted a great deal of attention, the will was
broken. Mrs. Beal died in Ellsworth in 1893.

128

William JVuttei'.

William Nutter came here about the year 1800 from
Mount Desert, and was a brother of Alexander Nutter,
whom we have noticed as being the first settler at Irish
point. He came soon after the departure of Joseph
Prince, and took up all the land south of where Parker
Bridges now owns, to the salt water. He built a small
house where Rodney Sadler's now stands, he at that time
beingr the onlv inhabitant on that side of the harbor. His
wife was Amy Ricii, of Mount Desert. Mr. Nutter died
in Portland while there in a vessel. They were the pa-
rents of five children — one daughter and four sons. The
daughter, Elizabeth, married Elwell W. Freetliy, and now
resides in Brooklin. Benjamin, the oldest son, married
Eliza, a daughter of Eben Herrick ; James and William
were lost at sea ; Josiah married Judith Roberts, and set-
tled in Brooklin.

After the death of her husband, Mrs. Nutter married
Eben Herrick, of Brooklin ; she sold her place here and
removed to Brooklin, where she spent the remainder of
her life. Bv Mr. Herrick she had two children — Emma
and Alethia, both of whom married in Boston. Mrs. Her-
rick died in 1866.

Joshua Sadler.

Joshua Sadler came here in 1834, '*"*^^ ^"^ ^^'^'^
brothers, Thomas and Moses, came about two years later.
The Sadler family came to Maine from Gloucester. They
settled in Georgetown, where these three brothers were born.

129

Joshua manned Mary Crabtree, of Vinalhaven, where
Ihey lived for several years, a part of their children having
been born there. When he came to this island he bought
the land now owned by Rodne}' Sadler, besides tlie large
tract extending to the south and southwest of this place to
the salt water. This he bouo;ht of the widow of William
Nutter, who was the first settler on this land. Mr. Nutter
had built a small house where Rodney Sadler's now stands.
After Thomas came the two brothers, and lived for some
time in this small house. They afterwards divided the
tract of land that Joshua had taken up, the latter taking
the southern half including the "Point", and Thomas had
the northern half. Joshua then built a house where Mrs.
Margaret Sprague now lives. They were the parents of
fourteen children.

Mr. Sadler sold his place — the southern part to John
Ross, and the "Point" to Silas Hard}-. He then went to
Ellsworth, where he died about the year 1864. His wife
died at Deer Isle, where she went to live with her son
James. Their sons were : Chaney, who married Abigail
Bridges; the}' lived here some years, then removed to
Ellsworth, where he now resides; James, who married
Margaret Stinson, of Deer Isle, where he settled ; George,
who also lives at Deer Isle; he has been twice married ;
his first wife was L^•dia Ball; Benjamin, who married
Justina Bridges; they removed to Ellsworth; Ehen,
who married Lizzie Billings, of Deer Isle; he was
lost at sea ; after his death Mrs. Sadler became the
wife of Angus INIcDonald ; John, who died in the South

130

while in the service of the o;ovei"nment durino" the Civil
war.

The daughters were : Julia, wife of Thomas Trundy,
of Deer Isle ; L3'dia, wife of Leander Milliken, of Ells-
worth ; he was lost at sea ; Georgiana and Betse}', who
were married after the}- went to Ellsworth. The other
children died while 3'oung.

Thomas Sadie?'.

Thomas Sadler, a brother of the subject of the last
sketch, was born in Georgetown. As already stated, he
took the northern half of the tract of land first taken up
by Joshua. He built a house near where Merrill Sadler
now lives. Just previous to his death he built the house
now owned by Rodney C. Sadler. In 1827 he married
Hannah Hunt, of Georgetown, where they spent the first
ei<iht vears of their married life. At the solicitation of
his brother Joshua, he came here to live. The two
brothers owned a fishing vessel, and came here on account
of the convenience for carrying on their business.

Mrs. Sadler, w^ho still survives, is in her eighty-ninth
year, and possesses a remarkable memory for one of her
age. She related to me much concerning the early set-
tlers here. The land they occupied was covered with
alders and a 3'oung growth of spruce when she came.
This land had previously been chopped over, the logs hav-
ing been sawed at the mill. There were then only three
or four log huts in what is now school district No. 4, none
of which could be seen from her house. There were no

131

roads, only paths through the woods. The only inhabi-
tants besides her husband and two brothers were the widow
Rebecca Sprague, two Gott brothers, John and Joseph,
and on the other side of the harbor there were John Gott,
sr., father of the last two named, Edward Gott, Benjamin
Stinson and William Stanley. There was then no store
on the island, and most of their supplies came from Rock-
land ; these were o'ot in exchano[e for wood and fisli.
Amid these privations and desolation their family was
reared. A large family, with the large amount of work
which it brings, kept them busy, and Mrs. Sadler sa^'s she
was never discontented with her lot. The}' were the
parents of eight children.

The sons were : William, who married Maria Ross
and lives in Rockland; Thomas, who married Lovina
Jovce ; after her death he married Mrs. Julia Oakes, of
Gloucester, and after her deatli, married Mrs. Abbie D\er,
of Vinalhaven ; his home is now in Everett, Mass. : Rod-
ney C, who married Ann Stewart, and lives on the home-
stead lot.

The daughters were : Clara, wife of Newell Smith ;
they lived in Rockland; Mr. Smith died of yellow fever in
1882 ; after his death Mrs. Smith married Ilorton Burpee;
Izetta, wife of Cornelius Wasgatt ; they now reside in Ev-
erett; Mar}', wife of Eben Smitii ; lie was lost at sea; she
then became the wnfe of David H. Sprague; Elizabeth,
wife of Freeland II. Benson ; they reside in Seattle,
Wash. ; Rosilla, wife of Elias Sprague. Thomas Sadler,
sr., died in 1868, aged sixty-one years.

132

Moses Sadie?'.

Moses Sadler took up the lot south of the Gott's, ex-
tending to the lot owned by his brother Thomas, which
land is now owned in part by Parker Bridges' heirs. He
built a house where Mr. Bridges' now stands. His wife
was Eunice Smith, who died in 1863, at the age of forty-
three 3'ears. Their cliildren were : Sylvanus, who mar-
ried in the South, and now resides in Seattle; Lorenzo,
who was lost at sea ; two children who died young.

Mr. Sadler, sr., left here and settled near the
Mooseabec river. After the death of his wife he married a
Mrs. Dunbar.

James T. S^rague.

James T. Sprague came here in 1820 from Union,
Maine, and settled on Harbor island where he built a log
house. Here he brought his family. He remained there,
however, only a few years, when he went to Marshall's
island. He occupied one part of the island, and Jephtha
Benson had the other. Afterwards he came back and
took up one hundred acres of land in the southeastern
part of the island, this being a part of the lot of five hun-
dred acres which had for many years been taxed to
Michael O'Maley, and who had now ceased to own it for
non-payment of taxes thereon. He built a house near the
head of the long cove just below where Lemuel Sprague
now lives.

The Sprague family came to Maine from Block
Island and settled in the town of Union, where many of

133

that name still reside. Mr. Sprague's father, John
Sprague, had a family of fourteen children, most of whom
removed from the place of their birth.

James, the subject of this sketch, lived in Union until
after he was married and had a famih' of three children,
the present James Sprague being two years old when they
came here. Mr. Sprague married Rebecca Hewes, of St.
George. She had been previoush^ married to Israel El-
well, of St. George, by whom she had two children —
Israel Elwell and Susan Elwell. Bv Mr. Sprague she
had six children — Jeremiah, Samuel and James, who were
born in Union, and Eunice, John and David, born here.
Mrs. Sprague died in 1862, aged seventy-nine 3'ears.
The children will be further noticed,

Jeremiah Sprague married in New London, wdiere he
resided until his death.

Samuel Sprague married Phoebe Reed, of Tremont,
where he settled. After the death of his wife, he married
her sister, Abigail Reed. A few 3'ears previous to his
death he moved here, and lived on his father's place. He
died in 1854, ^g^d forty-four years. His widow now re-
sides at Tremont.

James Sprague took up a tract of land south of his
father's, in 1838. This lot contained one hundred acres,
of which he kept sevent3'-five acres, and the two Stanley
brothers had the remaining twenl3^-five acres. He built
the house where he still resides. He married Lois S.
More3^, in 1839, ^Y whom he had the following children,
all of whom settled here : Leander, Elias, David H.,

134

John N., Martha and Laura. Mrs. Sprague died in 1885,
aged sixty-four 3^ears.

David E. Sprague married Phoebe Smith in 1848.
She was a daughter of Benjamin Smitii, whose place Mr.
Sprague had. It is the lot north of the carrN'ing place.
Mr. Sprague was for many years a justice of the peace,
and often served as town officer. He built the house now
occupied b}^ Martin Kent. Mr. Sprague died in 1893,
aged sixty-nine years. • Mrs. Sprague died in 1896, aged
sixty-eight 3'ears.

John N. Sprague took up the lot north of his father's ;
it contained one hundred acres, which he sold to Albion
and Isaiah Stanley. He built the house where the latter
now lives. He afterward bought the lot of land formerly
owned bv Joshua Sadler, now occupied by Mrs. Margaret
Sprague. He lived in the house now occupied by his
widow, which was built bv Joshua Sadler. This land in-
cludes most of the stone quarries that are being operated
at the present time by Pdatthew Baird, of New York. In
1843 he married Martha, daughter of William Reed, of Mt.
Desert. She died in 1854, '^gc<^' thirty-four years. He
afterwards married Margaret Stanley, who survives him.

Eunice, the onh^ daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James T.
Sprague, became the wife of Joseph Gott.

William Stanley.

William Stanley came here from Tremont in which
town lie was born in 1795. His wife was RuUi, daughter
of Peter Gott. They were married before coming to this

135

place, whicli was about the year 1814. They moved
upon the place then owned by Peter Gott, and with whom
Mr. Gott lived. This lot of land adjoins on the south the
lot hrst taken up by Moses Staples; it is now occupied by
Mr. Stanley's descendants, and extends from where David
Smith, 3d, now lives to Hocomock head. Their house
was located where tlie widow of Isaiah L. Stanley now
lives.

For many 3'ears Mr. Stanle}^ was a master mariner.
He served efficiently in many of the town offices. He is
the ancestor of all by tliat name on this island. They
have multiplied rapidly, and often intermarried. They
have been a hardy, honest, industrious family. Few of
this family ever li\'ed to any great age. The}' were the
parents of ten children, most of whom settled here. Mr.
Stanley died in 1856, aged sixty-one years. His wife
died four 3'ears previous, at the- age of fifty-four 3 ears.

Their children were : Edmond, born in 1815 ; Jo-
seph, Clarissa, widow of Capt. Daniel Bridges; Peter;
Herbert, who died young ; Nancy, wife of Hiram Kent ;
William, who died at the age of twenty-four 3^ears ; Luc3^,
wife of Moses Bridges, 2d; after his death she became
the wife of Freeman Gross; Mrs. Gross died in 1895,
aged fift3--nine 3'ears ; Isaiah L. and Freeman. The last-
named and Mrs. Bridges are the onh^ survivors of the
family. The sons who lived here will be further noticed.

Edmond Stanley, together with his brother Joseph,
took up the twent3'^-five acres of land lying southwest of
James Sprague's, and which was a part of his one-hun-

136

dred acre lot. His wife was Bets}-, daughter of David
Smith, 2d, by whom he had ten children. They were :
Albion, Isaiah, Jeremiah, George, David, John, Mar-
garet, wife of John N. Sprague, Sultana, wife of Fred
Dunham, Ellen, who died unmarried, and Hannah, wife
of Samuel Stanley.

Joseph Stanley settled on a lot next to his brother
Edmond. His wife was Abigail Smith, sister of the wife
of the subject of the last sketch. The}- were parents of
ten children, as follows: Joseph, Horace, Ansel, Samuel,
Albert, who fell from a bluff and was drowned at the age
of two years; Thomas, Elizabeth, wife of Albion Stan-
ley: Eunice, wife of Elmer Holbrook ; Lucy A., wife of
Stephen Dunham, jr. ; Margaret, wife of George E. Trask,
and Lois.

Peter Stanley lived on the place taken up by David
Smith, 2d, and in whose family Mrs. Smith lived during
the latter part of her life. His wife was Sarah Rice, of
Long Island, by whom he had three children — Lucy A.,
wife of Isaiah W. Stanley: Elmira, wife of Warren
Sprague; George E. After the death of his wife he mar-
ried Emily Rich, of Long Island, by whom he had two
children — Alwilda, wife of John Slanlev, and Sarah, who
married Harry Sargent, of Ellsworth, where she now re-
sides. After the death of his second wife Peter Stanley
married Mrs. Susan Smith, daughter of Da\id Smith, 2d.
Mrs. Smith had twice before been married : her first hus-
band was Thomas Dunbar, by whom she had one child —
Joseph ; she afterwards married a Mr. Smith of Jones-

137

port, by whom she had one daughter — jNIelissa, who mar-
ried Joseph Stanley, 2d. Mrs. Stanle}' died in 1896, aged
seventy-two years. Peter Stanley died in 1884, aged six-
ty-two years.

Isaiah L. Stanley lived on the place that his father
settled on. His wife was Sapphira Herrick, daughter of
Kimball Herrick. Mr. Stanley died in 1892, aged sixty-
five years.

William Fife.

William Fife came here from New Hampshire, and
built a house and store just below where Elmer Holbrook
now lives. Here he carried on quite an extensive business.
He seems to have been an enterprising business man, and
often served as town officer. His wife was Ruth Gotl, b\'
whom he had four children. They were: Sarah J.,
born in 1834, ^^''^^ ^^''^^ ^^^'^ compos mentis; Elmira, born
in 1836, who became the wife of Morris Rich, of Tre-
mont ; William, born in 1839 ' Elnathan, born in 1841. The
former of the two sons is dead ; the latter went to New
Hampshire. His wife died in 1844, at the age of tweniv-
eight years. In 1845 he married Sarah Sellers, of Deer
Isle. She was a daughter of William Sellers, who came
to Deer Isle from York, Maine, in 1775. His wife soon
separated from him, and he moved to Ellsworth where he
died in 1855. In 1862 Mrs. Fife married Charles Fisli,
of Thorndike. She died two years later in Union, at the
age of fifty-six years.

138

ye^/itha Benson.

Jephtha Benson was born in Oxford county, Maine,
near 1757, and was said to have been married there, but
of this first family we have no record. Wliile a young
man he entered the Revolutionary war and served through-
out the war. In the year 1800 he came to Little Deer
Isle, and took up a tract of land. This afterwards be-
came the property of Silas L. Hard}^ b}- whom it was oc-
cupied until his death in 1859. It is now the propert}^ of
Mr. Hardy's sons.

Mr. Benson again entered the service of the govern-
ment at the breaking out of the war of 181 2. He was at
Bagaduce when the British took possession of that town.
He had in his possession an old English rifle which he got
at Castine at this time; it was highly prized by him, and
he kept it until his death.

At the close of the war of 181 2 he went to Marshall's
island, which lies to the west of Swan's Island. It is a
very valuable island to this da\', being assessed at $10,000
by the State, and was, as we have seen, included in Swan's
purchase. This island Mr. Benson leased to Swan's
agent. He was the first settler there. He cleared the
land and built a log house. Afterwards he built a timber
house which has long since gone to decay.

He married Mrs. Mary Ross, widow of John Ross,
who lived in Brunswick. She was a daughter of Thomas
Kench, whom we have noticed as being the first settler in
this town. Mr. Ross's father, Barton Ross, was a
pioneer settler of Brunswick, and owned a large tract of

139

land there. At his death he divided his property among
his six children, one of whom was John Ross, whom we
have mentioned. He built a house upon his lot, and
reared his famil}'. He sailed in a ship from Castine, at
which place he married iiis wife, Mary Kench. Mr. Ross
was lost at sea in 1817, wdiile engaged in the West India
trade. They had three children, whom Mrs. Ross brought
to Marshall's island when she married Mr. Benson.
These children were: John, born in 1812, Thomas, and
a daughter Evelyn, who died unmarried. The children
of Mr. and Mrs. Benson were : Saraii, who mar-
ried and lives in Charlestown, Mass. ; Mar}-, who became
the wife of Edwin Smith, and resided at Jamaica Plain ;
Maria, who married a Mr. Wood, of Boston ; Jephtha and
Judson, who were lost at sea; Freelan H., the only survix-
ing son, lives at Seattle, Wasli. When Mr. Benson came
to Marshall's island he onl\' leased the property, so he
secured no title to it by his long residence there. He was
dispossessed by Rufus B. AUyn, Swan's agent, in 1835, after
which lie removed to Brooksville, wdiere he died at the
age of ninety-eight years. After liis death Mrs. Benson
came to Swan's Island and resided with her children until
her death, which occurred in 1874, '^^ ^''^ '^^^ of eight\-t\\()
years. Marshall's island was afterwards sold to John B.
Redman, of Brooksville, and Charles K. Tilden, of Cas-
tine. It is at present owned by Oliver Lane, of Brooklin.
John Ross was born at Brunswick, and came with his
mother to MarsiialTs island. His wife was Elizal)eth, a
daughter of Moses Bridges. The}' lived for some } ears on

140

Calf island. He then bought a piece of land of Benjamin
Stinson, and built the house where Hezekiah Holbrook now
lives. Mr. Ross died in 1845, aged twenty-nine years.
Their children were Julia, Evehn, Emma, and some
others who died young. Mrs. Ross, in 1848, married
William Annis, who was born in Appleton in 1802. They
resided here until 1855, when they removed to Deer Isle
and bought the place near Stinson's Neck bar. They were
the parents of several children who still reside at Deer
Isle. Mr. Annis was drowned in February, 1872, while
crossing the bar near his home. He was seventy years of
age. Mrs. x'Vnnis was born in Sedgwick in 1818, and
died at Deer Isle December 19, 1892.

Thomas Ross was born in Brunswick, and for several
3'ears after his mother married Jephtha Benson, he lived
with his grandfather, Thomas Kench, at Brooksville. He
is the only survivor of the famil}', and resides in Maiden,
Mass. His wife was Diana Norwood, of Mount Desert.
He bought one acre of land of Silas Hard}^ and in 1845
built the house which is standinjj^ near the shore below •
Hiram Stanley's house. When Joshua Sadler moved
away, Mr. Ross bought all of his possessions — about one
liundred acres, which includes all the land south of the
road leading from No. 4 school-house to the point. In
i860 he sold his property here, and removed to Addison,
where he bought a farm. Their children were : John,
who married Fannie Wass, of Addison; he died of yellow
fever while captain of a brig bound for San Domingo; they
put in at Fortune Island, where he died and was buried j

141

Mary, wife of Oscar Evans, of Boston ; Sarah, wife of
George Haskell, of Boston ; Ella and Malinda, who died
young ; Charles, who was lost at sea : Lizzie, wife of Samp-
son Hewson; Laura, wife of Frank Hickson. The last
two reside at Maiden, Mass., and are the only surviving
children. Mr. Ross at present resides in this town.

Silas Ha7-dy.

Silas Hardy came here in 1825, and bought Harbor
island of Seth and Zachariah Kempton when they left this
place. He was a son of Capt. Peter Hardy, jr., of Deer
Isle, whose ancestors came to Deer Isle from Worcester,
Mass. Mr. Hardy married Hannah Adams, a sister, of
John Adams, of Beverly. He traded for a few years in a
store on Harbor island where Kempton Brothers formerly
traded. He sold Harbor island to William Stinson, and
bought of Joshua Sadler the point of land near the site of
Swan's mills. Here he built a house and store, and did a
large business. It was the only store on the island at the
time, and, in fact, it was the first large store on the island.
Others had traded here before, but they kept onh'^ a small
stock of goods, such as fishermen's supplies. As his busi-
ness grew he not onh- secured the trade of the island pop-
ulation, but also did a brisk business fitting the large fleet
which here found a market for its fish. He bought and cured
a large amount of fish. He also did quite a business in ship-
building ; the largest vessel he built in 1835, called the
*'Henry M. Johnson", vvhicli he built for parties in Newark,
New Jersey. Mr. Hardy was one of the first justices of

142

the peace appointed on the ishmd, and nearl}- all the mar-
riage ceremonies in those times were performed by him.
He had acquired a good education, and was an excellent
business man.

They were the parents of six children — three sons
and three daughters. The sons were : Silas, jr., a car-
penter, who resides in the West; he is unmarried; Thomp-
son H., who was killed in the Civil war; Arthur W., who
died at the age of twenty-three years. The daughters
were: Mary E., wife of Oliver Lane, of Stinson's Neck,
Deer Isle; Emma and Effie J., who reside in Chicago.
Mr. Hardy, sr., left here in 1847. He sold "the point"
to Moses Bridges in exchange for a part of Marshall's is-
land. This in turn he sold to Oliver Lane, the present
owner. After leaving here, Mr. Hardy lived for several
years at Winterport. During this time he sailed in a ship
between New York and Australia. From one of these
voyages he did not return, and it was supposed that he

died in Australia. His wife then went to Illinois with her

brother, John Adams, where she now lives at a very ad-
vanced age.

John Adams.
John Adams came here in 1840 from Beverly, Mass.
His wife was Lucy, daughter of Peter Hardy, jr., of Deer
Isle, and a sister of Silas Hardy, with whom Mr. Adams
came to work when Mr. Hardy began trading. He was a
carpenter and worked at his business here and at Deer
Isle. He afterward went to Winterport, and later removed
to Illinois. Mr. Adams was well educated, and for a

143

number of years taught school here, and often served as
town officer. He died in 1885.

They were the parents of six children, as follows :
Thomas J., who was a soldier in the Civil war; after the
war he bought an orange grove in Florida ; he now resides
in Indian territory ; Lucy J., who was a school teacher in
the West ; she was drowned while boating on Chr3^stal
lake, Illinois; Ellen, who is a teacher ; Mary A. and Zella,
who are unmarried and reside in the West; Lulu, who
died at the age of two years.

HARBOR ISLAND.

Harbor island forms the southern side to Old Harbor,
and contains one hundred and fort3-four acres. This
seems to have been an attractive location for the earliest
settlers, as many made this temporarily their home. It
was first settled, as has been recorded, by Thomas Kench,
near the \'ear 1777. After Swan's purchase this island
came into the possession of Joseph Prince, of Beverly,
who remained until about the 3'ear 1800. In 1791 David
Smith settled on this island, and while here Sarah, his
daughter, was born in the year 1792, being the first white
child born on this island. It afterwards became the prop-
erty of Col. Henry Jackson, of Boston. He, however,
probably never considered it as valuable property, and
soon other settlers took possession of it. Dr. Thurston
and a Mr. Bunker lived here for some years at an early
date. Here they kept a small store of general merchan-
dise. T\\G other settlers will be noticed more in detail.

144

Za ch a riah Kon^ton .

Zachariah Kempton came to Harbor island from
Hampden, Maine, in 1821, and staid about four years.
He, together with Ids brother, wlio came at the same
time, built a house and store on Harbor island, and
did considerable trading. They bought and cured Ush and
fitted out vessels. He soon brought his family here. His
wife was Mary Evans, and they were the parents of five
children — Frank, David, Zachariah, William and Jane.
These children are all dead except Zachariah and William,
who reside in Brooklyn, N. Y. Mr. Kempton was a car-
penter; he learned his trade of his father, who was a
shipbuilder and one of the pioneer settlers of Frankfort.
This Kempton family came to Frankfort from Plymouth,
Mass., where they settled when the}' came from England.
No member of this family is now living in New England
except a niece of the subject of this sketch ; she is the wife
of Alfred H. Slatten, of Hampden Corner, Maine. Mr.«
Kempton died in 1844.

Seth ICempton.

Seth Kempton came with his brother Zachariah to
Harbor island. He was a young man and unmarried.
When he left this place in 1825 he settled in Hampden.
His wafe was Lucy Brown, of Orrington, by whom he had
seven children — Seth, Zachariah, Harvey, Joseph, Luc}',
Lucinda and Eliza. Joseph settled in Colorado, Eliza and
Harvey in Iowa, whence Mr. Kempton's whole family
moved in 1839. ^^^^ other children settled in the western

145

states, and none of them ever returned to the place of tlieir
birth. Mr. Kempton died in six weeks after his arrival
in Iowa. The propertv on Harbor island l)elonging to
the Kempton brothers was bought by Silas Hardy. After
trading there a few years this propert}- came into the pos-
session of William Stinson. Hard}' and Oliver Lane, Mr.
Stinson's heirs, now own it.

Hardy Lane.

Hardy Lane came here from Deer Isle near the 3ear
1835. ^^^ ^^''^^ ^^^ ^o*^ of Oliver Lane, sr., and was born
in 1820. He, with his brother Oliver, bought Harbor is-
land of Silas Hard}'. His wife was Livonia Stinson, by
whom he had nine children. The}- were : Hannah, Sarah,
Livonia, who settled at Deer Isle ; Oliver, jr., who resides
in Chicago ; Silas, who bought a large farm where he now
resides at West Gardiner ; William, who lives in Seattle,
Wash. : Mary and Amasa, who are in Brookh'n, N, Y. ;
Lizzie, who lives in Brockton, Mass. Mr. Lane returned
to Deer Isle in t86i. Mr. Lane was a candidate for rep-
resentative to the legislature at Deer Isle in 1873. He re-
ceived fifty-four votes to one hundred and eleven for Wil-
liam Babbidge. He died in 1886, aged sixty-six 3'ears.

Oliver Lane.

Oliver Lane was born at Deer Isle in 1822, and, as
before stated, bought Harbor island with his brother Hardy
in 1835. The two families lived together for some years,
when 01i\er sold his part to William Stinson, whose wife.

146

Elizabeth Lane, was an only sister of the subject of this
sketch. Mr. Lane afterwards bought Marshall island.
The former owner had been Swan, during whose owner-
ship it was occupied by Jephtha Benson, later by Moses
Bridges and Silas Hardy. About this time it came into
the possession of Charles K. Tilden, of Castine, and
Erastus Redman, of Brooksville, by whom it was mort-
gaged to Boston parties. Mr. Lane bought it of these
parties at an excellent trade, as the island is quite valuable,
being assessed at about $10,000. Mr. Lane resided here
until 1874, when he went to Sedgwick, where he now re-
sides. His wife was Keturah Stinson, by whom he had
five children — Hardy, Fred, Georgie, Vesta and John.

Robert Mitchell.

Robert Mitchell was born in Dublin, Ireland, March
28, 1790, and came to this country as an emigrant in 1814.
After a long, tedious voyage of six weeks, they saw land
through the fo^r, and anchored in Old Harbor. It was
one of the old-fashioned emigrant ships, a poor sailer, and
furnished still poorer accommodations to its passengers.
There were three hundred and sixty emigrants aboard, most
of whom were Irish. It was Sunday morning when they
anchored. Many of the emigrants came ashore, some of
whom were invited to attend a religious service held at the
house of David Smith at the " north "'. While here they
learned that one of their countrymen, John Finney, lived
on the eastern side of the island, and a large number of
them went across the island to pay Mr. Finney a visit, and

147

stayed with him over night. Mr. Finney's small house
made it inconvenient for him to accommodate so large a
company, but he was equal to the emergency. He had
recently sheared his sheep, the wool of which he spread
upon the floor, thus making a comfortable bed for them all.

Mr. Mitchell alone remained ; the others returned to
the ship, which sailed the next morning for Portland.
Mr. Mitchell never heard from any of the company after-
wards. He was hired by Abel Staples, with whom he
worked two years. In 1820 he married Mr. Staples'
daughter, Judith. He bought land on Placenda, and went
there to live. There was a log house on the island, and
in this they began housekeeping. This island was then
covered with a dense forest, much of wiiich he cut off and
sold. The land thus cleared made an excellent farm. In
three years he had built a frame house. They had afam-
il}' of nine children, three of whom died young. Mr.
Mitchell was an active member of the Methodist church.
He died in 1861, aged sevent\-one years. Mrs. Mitchell
died twenty years earlier, aged forty-four 3ears. The
following are notices of their children :

George W. was born in 1822, and married Almira
Stanle}', a daughter of Joseph Stanley, of Steuben. He
was for many years a sea captain. After a long voyage
he arrived at Boston where he met a terrible death. He
was walking on a railroad track when his foot caught in a
frog, and to his consternation he saw a train approaching.
He tried in vain to extricate himself, but linding it useless,
he leaned as far back as he could in hopes of saving his

148

life b}' losing his leg. But just tlien a train came rushing
in the opposite direction ; he was struck, thrown high into
the air, and came down crushed and lifeless. The Masons,
of which order he was a member, sent his' bod}' home to
Calais, where he was buried in April, 1879. -^^ ^^^* '^
widow and three children. The widow and one child now
reside in Calais.

Jane A. was born at Swan's Island in 1824. She mar-
ried Benjamin Murph}-, of Tremont, where she has al-
ways resided. Mr. Murphy died in 1886, leaving his
widow with eight children. Mrs. Murphy, until her
death, resided with her 3'oungest daughter at Bass Harbor.
She died in 1898, aged sevent3'-four years.

Sarali B. was born at Swan's Island in 1826. She
became the wnfe of Adam Reed, of Tremont. For man}'
years he was a successful master mariner. He followed the
sea until near the close of liis life, when, on account of failt
inix health, he was obliued to abandon it. He died in
Jacksonville, Florida, where he had gone for his health,
Mrs. Reed at present resides in Oakland, Mass.

Judith vS. died at the age of seven years.

Marietta 13. was Iwrn at Placentia in 1836. She was
the wife of Charles Mitchell, of Bass Harbor. Mrs.
Mitchell died verv suddenly in 1872, at the age of thirty-
eight }ears.

Robert, jr., was born at I'lacentia in 1836. He mar-
ried Mary J. Ober, of Tremont. He followed the sea and
was mate of a New York vessel at the time of his death.
Thev were anchored off Ricker's Island. The nioht was

149

bright inrxmliglit, yet a watch was kept on deck. Mr.
Mitchell's w atcl) expired at 3 a. m. ; he went below into
the cabin, called the captain, told him it was his watch, and
then retired. The captain, onh' partialh' aroused, fell
asleep again. While they slept a "river pirate" came
aboard the vessel. He proceeded at once to the captain's
berth, placed a revolver at his ear, and told him if he
uttered a sound he would blow his brains out. The robber
secured a watch, $39 in cash, and such other articles as he
could readih' obtain. He then backed out of the cabin,
still keeping the captain covered with his revolver. The
captain then whispered to Mitchell that a robber w^as
aboard, when Mitchell came out of his berth, probably
half asleep, and started up the steps behind the robber,
who turned around and tired, the ball passing through
Mitchell's body and into the deck. He never spoke, and
died in a few minutes. His body was buried in New
York. This happened in 1865, at the age of twenty-nine
years.

Joshua S. Trask.

Joshua S. Trask came here from Stillwater, Maine,
about the 3"ear 1825, and married Mar}- Staples. He then
went to Long Island where he traded for several years,
doing quite a business. Although the island was small
and the inhabitants few, yet this was a resort for many
fishing vessels, it being near the fishing grounds, and fur-
nished a good harbor. It was from these vessels princi-
pally that he received his custom. He afterwards came

here and settled near the end of the point of hind formerly
owned by Washington Staples, now called Trask's point,
where he built a house. He was a man of liberal educa-
tion, and possessed a wonderful memory. His favorite
study was history, French history being his favorite. He
was a great admirer of Napoleon, after whom he named
one of his sons. For several years he taught school here
with good success. He was an active man in town affairs,
and for many 3'ears was justice of the peace.

They were the parents of eleven children. Mr.
Trask was lost in the Bay of Chaleur during the great
gale of Oct. 3, 1851. He was in the schooner "Henry
Clay", commanded by John Walls. The vessel foun-
dered in the gale and all hands were lost. His age was
forty-four years. Mrs. Trask afterwards became the wife
of Philip Moore, of Gott's Island, by whom she had'three
children, none of whom reached adult age. Mrs. Moore
is now dead.

The sons of Mr. and Mrs. Trask were : Capt. Or-
lando, wiio married the widow of Byron Joyce, and lives
near where iiis father settled; Napoleon B., who married
Cynthia Staples; he died at S}'dney, C. B., in 1865, aged
twentN'-nine 3'ears; Lorenzo S., who lives at Tremont.
Tiie daughters were : Lucinda, wife of Enoch Moore, of
Gott's Island ; Flavilla, wife of George Moore, of Tre-
mont; Elmira; several other children died in infanc}'.

Jacob S. Reed.
Jacob S. Reed came here from Brooklin in 1845, and
bought nine acres of land from the Jo}'ce lot, which at this

time was owned by William Jo3'ce. Some yeai"s previous
to his coming here he bought a small part of the lot of
land he afterwards occupied, through which ran a large
stream of water. This he dammed and it proved to be an
excellent mill pri\'ilege. This was the place where Prince
wished to locate a mill. Mr. Reed took down a mill
which he had been running in Brooklin, and erected it
over this stream. While at Brooklin his gristmill was first
operated by wind, and later by horse-power. This was a
rather expensive mode of manufacture, so he came here
where he might uiilize this water privilege. At this time
a greater part of the bread was made from the flour of
corn and barley which were raised on the island. William
Joyce operated the mill several years ; afterwards Mr.
Reed came himself, bought more land and built a house,
which is still known as the Reed house. Soon after this time
manufactured wheat flour became cheaper, so less grain
was raised here, and after a short time the mill was closed.

Mr. Reed was a man of marked individuality and
sterling integrity. He was three times married. His first
wife was Sarah, daughter of Moses Staples, 2d; she died
in 1865, aged fift3'-nine years; his second wife was Mary
Harding, of Boston, who died in 187 1, aged thirt3'-nine
years; his third wife was Isabel S. Joyce, who died in
1888, aged sixty-eight years. Mr. Reed died in Scarboro
where he went to live with his children. His death oc-
curred in 1888, at the age of eighty-four years.

The following were his children : Allen G. and
Lemuel, who live in Scarboro; Simeon S. and Joseph;

152

Emily, wife of Daniel H. Babbidge; he was lost in the
schooner "Constitution" off Nausett light, Cape Cod, in
i860, at the age of tvvent^'-eight years; after his death she
married Winthrop B. Lane, of Deer Isle ; Mrs. Lane was
in the schooner "S. J. Collins"' that was lost at sea in
1867, together with her two daughters, Lillian, aged eight
years, and Grace, aged one year; Susan, wife of Ezra
Torrey ; he was drowned in 1865 ; Mary E., wife of Nel-
son Stinson ; the}' now reside in Harpswell ; Sara.h A. and
Mvra, who died vouncj.

Ahrani Ilolhrook.

Abram Holbrook came from Deer Isle in 1836, and
settled here on the place owned by Samuel Kent, and
afterwards lived for a number of years on Buckle island.
He never owned any propert}' here. Later he returned to
Deer Isle, and lived the remainder of his life at Webb's
cove in that town. He was over seventy 3ears of age at
his death. His wife was Martha Morey, a sister of Elias
Morey, jr., whom we have noticed. The}' were the pa-
rents of eight children, as follows : Abram, jr., who
married Abbie Herrick ; Hezekiah, who married Angelina
Smith ; after her death he married Parthanea Gott ; these
two sons reside here at present; Mary A., wife of Amos
C. Beal, of Grand Menan : Rosetta, wife of Benjamin
Harvey, of Deer Isle; Susan, Henr}', John and an infant
died N'oung.

Mr. Holbrook's father, Elisha Holbrook, came from
Cape Cod and settled at Isle au Haut about the year 1800-

153

There he married a daughter of Abiathar Smith. His
children were : Abram, the subject of this sketch; Simon,
who went awa}' from home when a young man ; Daniel,
who lived at Vinal Haven; he was killed bv fallincr from
a derrick used in hoisting stone, up which he had gone for
the purpose of fixing a tackle; the daughters were the
wives of Joseph INIorey and afterwards Humphrey Web-
ster ; of Samuel Black, and of a Mr. Hall who lived near
Belfast; another daughter was reared in the famih' of
Capt. Samuel Turner.

Alexander Kiff.

Alexander Kiff came here from St. George, Maine,
in 1841, and lived in a house south of where Parker
Bridges now resides. He married, in 1823, Susan Robin-
son Gilchrist, of St. George, at which place they lived for
several years. They moved to Gloucester in 1849. ^^^•
Kiff died there in 1883, aged eighty-two 3'ears ; his wife
died in 1891, aged eight3'-seven years.

They were the parents of the following children :
Eliza, born in 1827, who was the first wife of Seth Stock-
bridge ; she died in 1865, aged thirt\--eight years; Clar-
issa, who is the wife of Eben Stockbridge ; they reside in
Gloucester; William, who married, in 1853, Frances Tib-
betts ; Nancy, who was the wife of David Elwell : after
his death she became the second wife of Seth Stockbridge;
she died in 1884, aged forty-seven years.

154

Israel Conat'y.

Israel Conary came here in 1820, and settled on a lot
of land known as " Cit}^ point ". His wife was Martha
Gott. Fie afterwards moved to Black or Conary's island,
where he lived some years; later he came back to this
town and bought a part of the lot then owned by Joseph
Gott ; he built the house where David Stanley now resides.
After having reared their family here they moved to Blue-
hill, where Mr. and Mrs. Conary died.

They were the parents of the following children ;
Moses, who married Mary A. Smith, a daughter of David
Smith, 2d; John, who was lost at sea; William, who died
unmarried ; Nancy, who was the wife of Hezekiah Morey ;
she is the onlv one of the familv now residingr here ; Am-
aziah, who married Maria Malcolm, of Newcastle; Emma,
who was the wife of Harvey Conary, of Deer Isle ; Joseph,
who died unmarried at Staten Island, New York.

The ancestor of this Conary family, Thomas Conary,
emiorated to this countrv from Ireland, and was the first
settler on Conary's island in Eggemoggin reach. His first
wife was a daughter of the ancestor of the Limeburner
family, now living in Brooksville, by adoption. Mr.
Limeburner came from Scotland before the Revolutionary
war, and with him came, besides his own family, a son
and a daughter adopted by him. The son, Cunningham
Limeburner, died at an advanced age, not far from 1825,
in Brooksville, and the daughter, Mrs. Conary, was his
sister by birth. After her death he married a daughter of
Mrs. Mercy Staples, and a sister of Moses Staples, sr., of

155

this town, and by both marriages he had ten sons. Their
descendants, most of whom reared large families, have
settled in many towns in this section of the State.

Solomon Bai'hour.

Solomon Barbour came here from Deer Isle in 1843,
and bought the lot of land before described as belonging
to Alexander Staples. He erected the building now
standing thereon, and built a store, where he traded
for some years. Previous to this time he had been
a successful master mariner. His wife was Harriet,
daughter of Abel E. Staples. Mr. Barbour's grandfather,
also Solomon Barbour, came to Deer Isle from Massachu-
setts in 1793. His wife was Deborah Faxon, of Brain-
tree, who, it is said, when she was young, resided for some
years in the family of John Adams, President of the
United States; while with the family, John Qiiincy Adams
was an infant, of whom she had the care.

Mr. Barbour, sr., was a baker by trade. He joined
the Continental army near the beginning of the Revolu-
tionary war and served until its close ; he received a pen-
sion until his death, which occurred in 1830. After his
death his widow continued to receive the pension under
the act to grant pensions to the widows of Revolutionary
soldiers. She died in 1852, at the age of ninety-two years.

Solomon Barbour, jr., married after coming to this
town, where he continued to reside until his death in 1896,
at the age of eighty-one years. His widow still occupies
the homestead. They were the parents of Seth and

George Barbour, both of whom are dead, and Capt. Al-
vah Barbour, who at present is captain of the passenger
steamer "Vinalhaven ". Tlie daughters were: Edna,
wife of W. Leslie Joyce, and Cornelia, wife of Emery* E.
Joyce.

Moses Bridges.

Moses Bridges came to this island in 1847. He was
born in Sedgwick, March 17, 1790. Here he married
Emily Eaton ; they lived a few years in Sedgwick, where
their oldest child was born in 1818. He bought of Rufus
B. Allyn, Swan's agent, the eastern Calf island, contain-
ing one hundred and sixty-two acres, for which he paid
$400. He was given a deed of the island by Alhn May
23, 1823, and a mortgage was given; this mortgage was
discharged in December, 1839. -^^ then disposed of this
propert}' and moved to Marshall's island. Whether he
had anv legal title to the part of tlie island he occupied,
we do not know, but in 1847 he exchanged his part of
Marshall's island with Silas Hard}' for tlie "Point" below
Sadler's. It is claimed tliere was a mortgage on this place
when Mr. Bridcjes bought it and later it was foreclosed,
which turned Mr. Bridi>;es out of doors in his old asfe.
Mr. Bridges died in 1873, aged eightj'-three years; his
wife died in 1850, aged tifty-four years. Mr. and Mrs.
Bridges were the parents of eleven children.

The daughters were : Betsey, who became the wife
of John Ross, who was drowned in 1845, aged twent}'-
nine years; in 1848 Mrs. Ross married William Annis ;

157

he, also, lost bis life by drowning; Mrs. Annis died in
1895, aged seventv-four years ; Julia A., who married in
1843 Consider Bridges ; this occurred while the Bridges
family -was living on Marshall's island; they settled in
Bucksport ; she died about 1895, aged seventy-six years;
Emily, who married, in 1844, Isaac H. Keith; Abigail,
who married Chaney Sadler; Jane, who was the wife of
John Joyce; Justina, who was the wife of Albert Smith;
the last four settled in Ellsworth; Naomi, who married
Frank Wilson, of Orono.

The sons were : Daniel and Parker, who will be fur-
ther noticed ; Stillman, who married Caroline Pomroy ;
he died at this place; Moses, 2d, who married Lucy
Stanley; after his death she married Freeman Gross, of
Orland.

Daniel Bridges married Clarissa Stanley and bought
the lot of land formerly owned by John Gott, and built the
house where his son Wilmer now resides. Their children
were: Edmond F., Leaman, who died in 1887, aged
ihirtv-four; James and Wilmer; Deborah, wife of Wil-
liam S. Joyce; Emily, wife of Roland Stewart ; Dianthia,
wife of Harris J. Gott; Algia, wife of Lewis Staples. Mr.
Bridges died in 1887, aged sixt3-four years. His widow
still survives at an advanced age.

Parker Bridfjes bought the lot of Moses Sadler in
1859. On this lot he built the house now occupied by his
widow. His wife was Mary A., daughter of David E.
Conary, of Deer Isle, whom he married in 1852. Their
children were : Addison, Harvey, Reuben, who was lost

158

at sea Dec. i8, 1883, aged twenty-four years; David,
Lewis and Willard. The daughters were : Amelia F.,
wife of Edward E. Rankins, of Rockland ; she died in
1888, aged thirty-three years ; Susan, wife of Oliver
Bowley.

This completes the record of the earl}- settlers of
Swan's Island. It includes all those who made their homes
here for any length of time, as far as I have been able to
ascertain. I have tried to make the record of each family
as complete and accurate as possible. In some cases it
has been impossible to trace them all, as so few records
had been preserved. If some families have been noticed
more in detail than others, it has been for the reason
that better and more thorough records have been at my
disposal.

CHAPTER V.

GOTT S ISLAND.

It has been thought best to include in this work a no-
tice of the early settlers of Gott's Island, as the people
from that island have so often intermarried with the peo-
ple of Swan's Island, and man}? of them have changed
their residences from the one place to the other that their
histories are almost inseparable.

Champlain was the first explorer who makes mention
of Gott's Island, which the French then called Petit Plais-
ants (Little Placentia), b}' which name this island was
called until 1789, when it was purchased by Daniel Gott,
since which it has been known as Gott's Island. Cham-
plain, while on this voyage of discovery in September,
1604, made the first map of this coast. On this map we'
find the French had given names to many of these islands,
either at this time or previous to Champlain's visit. Many
of the names given to them by the French have been re-
tained to the present day, e. g.. Isle au Haut, Grand Me-
nan. Petit Menan, Mount Desert (which means "The Isle
of the Desert Mountains"), Petit Plaisants and Grand
Plaisants (Little and Great Placentia) which mean, when
translated, "The Litde Beautiful Island" and "The Large
Beautiful Island", and Brule-cote, afterwards incorrectly
translated into Burnt Coat by which Swan's Island was
formerly known. The French from this time had posses-

i6o

slon of the coast from the Penobscot bay to the St. Croix
river. This claim was not conceded, however, h\ the
Massachusetts Bay colony, wdiicli was jealous of the en-
croachment of the French. The French had established
trading-posts at many places along the coast.

During the spring of 1688 Sir John Andros, of the
Massachusetts Bay colony, desiring to determine the num-
ber of those stations and the strength of the French occu-
pation, sent a whale-boat down the shore to reconnoitre
and check the French advance. They found two French
families — (i) at Penobscot (Castine) Baron Castine, his
family and Ranne, his servant; (2) at Eggemoggin reach
Charles St. Robin, his son and daughter, La Fleur and
wife; (3) near Mount Desert, Little Placentia (Gott's
Island), he found Lowry, wife and child who were
French, and Hinds, wife and four children (English under
French protection) ; (4) east side of Mount Desert, Win-
scheag bay, Cadalac and wife; (5) at St. Machias, Mar-
tell, John Breton, wife and child, of Jersey. Latter, wife
and three children ; (6) Passamaquoddy and St. Croix,
St. Robin, wife and son Lettrell, John Minus, wife and
four children, Lambert, Jolly Clive, his servant, Torza,
Lena, his servant. The above enumeration is found re-
corded in the Massachusetts historical society, and was
made May 11, 1688.

So the first account of a settlement on Gott's Island
was this record. How long they had been there, or
where the\^ came from, is not known. Traces of where
Hinds and Lowry lived are still to be seen, one of which

i6i

is iti Charles Welch's field, and another near by in Sam-
uel Gott's field. A thorn tree still grows near where each
one of these houses was located, which is supposed to have
been planted by these families, as they were found grow-
ing there when Daniel Gott came to the island in 1789.
The thorn tree in Mr. Welch's field is but a few rods from
the shore, and the traces of where the house stood are
pretty well obliterated. The thorn bush in Mr. Gott's
field stands at what is called the fore shore bank. This
bank, which is made up mostly of clam shells, has been
gradually washed away by the action of the sea, so that
onl}' a part of the cellar over which one of these settlers
lived is visible; the rest is washed away, and the thorn
tree now is partly over the bank.

The Massachusetts Ba}^ colon}^, in May, 1704, sent
out an expedition under Capt. Church against the French
and Indians along the coast. The French trading posts
were broken up, and many of the settlers were taken pris-
oners ; this may have been the fate of Hinds and Lowry.
I do not find any further record of settlers on Little Placen-
tia until some eight}^ 3'ears later, when it became the prop-
erty of Mr. Gott. It is probable that this island was the
temj5orary abode of fishermen during a greater part of the
interval between the departure of Hinds and Lowry and
the arrival of Mr. Gott ; but if such there were, no records
of them have been preserved.

The Gott family which first settled at Mount Desert
came from Gloucester, Mass. They had very large fam-
ilies, and were a vigorous, hardy race; most of their large

l62

families of descendants reached adult age, married, very
often, among their own relations, they in turn having large
families. So they have spread far and wide, and they
and tlieir descendants form a large proportion of the
inhabitants in all the towns surrounding their earlv settle-
ment. They are especially numerous at Mount Desert,
Gott's Island, Swan's Island and Deer Isle. On account
of their frequently marrving people of their own
name, and the frequent repetition of names in the
different branches of this famih', their genealogy is con-
fusing.

Charles Gott, the ancestor of the Gott family in
America, came to this country in 1628, and was of the
company that came over with John Endicott, afterwards
governor. This compan}' sailed from We3'mouth, Eng-
land, June 20, 1628, and arrived at Salem on Sept. 6, of
the same year.

Daniel Gott, of Gloucester, had a large and interest-
ing family. Several of his children came to the towns
mentioned above. A part only settled on the island under
consideration, but their families are so connected that their
record will be <;iven here. Three of his dau<jhters mar-
ried three brothers, Richardson by name: (i) Elizabeth
married Stephen Richardson, of Gloucester, and settled at
West Bass Harbor, over an old cellar in the field back of
Jacob Sawyer's present residence; (2) Margaret married
Thomas Richardson, of Gloucester, and settled at East
Bass Harbor, over a cellar about half way between the store
and present residence of Perry W. Richardson; (3)

163

Rachel married James Richardson, of Gloucester, and
settled at Somesville about the time that Abraham Somes
made the first permanent settlement in 1762 or '63. In
AuguS/t, 1763, George Richardson was born, he being the
first child born to white parents on Mount Desert.

Another daughter of Daniel Gott, of Gloucester,
named Eunice, married Capt. Benjamin Stockbridge, of
Gloucester; they had one son, Benjamin, jr., who settled
at Deer Isle. After the husband died Mrs. Stockbridge
became the wife of Capt. John Thurston, of Gloucester.
By this second marriage their children were : Ambrose,
who married PoUv Gamage; Amos, who married Mar}'
Gott: Stephen married Mis. Pierce Carter: William mar-
ried Nancv Foster; Jolin, jr., who married Sarah Foster.
All these were born in Gloucester. Then about 1784,
Capt. Thurston moved his growing family and his step-
son, Benjamin Stockbridge, to Deer Isle, where the fol-
lowing children were born : Solomon, wiio married Sarah
Gott; Lois, who was the wife of a Mr. Ilooper ; after his
death she married Charles Gott, her cousin : Eunice, who
was the wife of David Smith, of Swan's Island ; Susan,
who was the Hrst wife of Charles Gott. So the Thurston
and Stockbridge families of Deer Isle were closely
related to the Gotts, of Gott's Island. Most of these chil-
dren's families have been considered more in detail else-
where in this book.

Daniel Gott, of Gloucester, also had two sons — Daniel,
whom we shall notice as the original purchaser of Gott's Is-
land, and William. Peter Gott, whom we have recorded

164

as having settled and reared his family on Swan's Island,
was a cousin to this family.

William Gott, a son of Daniel Gott, of Gloucester,
married Patience Richardson, and settled at Mason's point
(Somesville) about 1776 or 1778. He died soon after,
when his widow married Andrew Tarr and settled at Fer-
nald's point (Southwest Harbor). B}^ her first marriage
Mrs. Gott's children were : Elial, who was never mar-
ried; he was killed in a drunken fray in 1790; Rachel,
who married a Mr. York ; they had no children ; after Mr.
York's death she became the wife of a Mr. Dean ; the}'^
had one child, Rhoda, who died young. By her second
marriage her children were : Comfort, who married
Tobias Fernald, of Kittery, Maine; Andrew, jr., married,
in 1795, Esther Stanwood; Daniel, who married, in 1799,
Tryphosia Hudlock.

(i) Comfort and Tobias Fernald's children were:
Daniel, born in 1808, was never married ; is living (1894) ;
Eben, born in 1810, married Sophronia Wasgatt. (The
above were the parents of Rev. O. H. Fernald.)

(2) Andrew Tarr, jr., married Esther Stanwood.
They had one son, also Andrew Tarr, born in 1796.

(3) Daniel Tarr married Tryphosia Hudlock. Their
cliildren were; Daniel, Jonathan H., Sanuiel H., of
whom there is no record. Another son, Aaron, walked
overboard in his sleep from the steamer "Royal Tar";
Sarah married a Mr. Stephens.

Daniel Gott, a son of Daniel Gott, of Gloucester, first
settled at Norwood's Cove, Tremont, some time previous to

i65

the Revolutionai\' war. His wife was liannali Norwood.
Here, in 1777, their first chikl was born. Soon after this,
Mr. Gott moved to Gott's Ishmd, it receivino- its name from
liim ; previous to this time it was called Little Placentia
island. He afterwards bought this island of the common-
wealth of Massachusetts, in consideration of the sum of
£18. His deed was dated March 25, 1789, and is still in
a good state of preservation; it is in the hands of Mr.
Gott's descendants; he thus became, as far as we have
any record, the first owner of the island. The two Bass
Harbor residences of the sisters and the Gott's Island resi-
dence were in full view.

These families, after settling here, had hard work to
support their families, depending almost solel}' upon the
fishing business, and being so far away from any place
where supplies could be obtained. An incident of great
trial in the famih^ of the Gotts and Richardsons occurred
at Bass Harbor. They were short of provisions. Late in
the fall of 1765 (or thereabout) the}' sent a load of staves
to Gloucester to be exchanged for provisions to last them
through the winter. When the provisions arrived they
were stored at Thomas Richardson's, East Bass Harbor.
That night Mr. Richardson and wife, having put their two
children, Thomas, jr., and Puah, in bed, they harnessed
an ox single and started for Beech Hill bv moonlight,
following a wood track one mile east, and then along an
Indian trail seven or eight miles to Beech Hill and Somes-
ville to notify them that provisions had arrived. On their
return near midnight, when at the top of Beech Hill

i66

mountain, they saw a fire in the southwest direction and
they knew that their cabin was burning, and their two
children probably burned to ashes. Hastening their speed
they happily met the children coming to meet them, un-
harmed. This was a long, sad winter for tliem. All their
families moved to Gott's Island and made all things com-
mon ; fish, clams and some game helped them through the
winter.

Mr. Gott, with his two sons, Charles and David, was
drowned by the capsizing of a boat while returning from
the fishing grounds, July 7, 1814. Mr. Gott, sr., was
near fifty-five ^^ears of age. After his deatli his widow
married Peter Gott, of Swan's Island, in the year 1824.
Peter then lived at Gott's Island until his second wife's
death, when he returned to Swan's Island, and lived with
his sons there until his death in 1839.

Daniel and Hannah Gott were the parents of twelve
children, all of whom reached adult age, married and had
lar^e families of their own. There were ninetv-seven
grandchildren, of whom eighty-one were married. Of
these eight were married the second time. The following
were the children — eight sons and four daughters. Tlie
daughters were: Hannali, wife of William Appleton,
who settled at Tremont : Elizabeth, wife of James Somes,
who settled at Beech Hill; ]Mar\', born in 1775, married
her cousin, Amos Thurston, and settled at Deer Isle;
Sarah, born May 26, 1786, married Solomon Thurston,
and settled at Fox Island; she died x\ugust 23, 1869.
The sons were: Daniel, jr., Nathaniel, Joseph, Benja-
min, William, Charles, David and Isaac.

167

The families of tlie children of Daniel and Hannah
GoU will be further noticed.

I. Daniel Gott, jr., in 1785 married Deborah Rich-
ardson, and settled at Beech Hill. They were the parents
of nine children as follows : Daniel, who died at the age
of twenty-one; Susannah, who married, Dec. 21, 1809,
Rufus Wasgatt ; Sarah, who married, Nov. ^o, 1815, Asa
Wasgatt : Nathaniel, who married, in 1814, Jane Dodge;
Deborah, who became the second wife of Daniel Ladd ;
Eliza, who was the first wife of Daniel Ladd; Benjamin,
who died unmarried ; all the above settled at Beech Hill ;
Isaac, who married Mrs. Tryphosa Atherton ; after her
death he married Margaret Richardson and settled at
West Ellsworth ; Ann, who married Luther Park, and
moved out West.

H. Nathaniel Gott was born Feb. 11, 1765. His
wife was Betsey Richardson, who was born April 14, 1767.
They were married November 28, 1786. He settled on
Gott's Island. They were the parents of tw^elve children,
all of whom but one married and reared large families.
Mr. Gott died January 27, 1841. His wife died March
15, 1844.

The following were their children — one son and
eleven daughters : Asenath, wife of Philip Moore, of
Gott's Island ; Jane, wife of James Greening, of South-
west Harbor; Lucinda, wife of Thomas Stanley, of Little
Cranberry Isle; Esther, wife of Philip Longley, of South-
west Harbor; Clarissa, wife of William Gille}', of Cran-
berry Isles ; after his death she became the wife of Davi<.l

i68

Gates, of the same town ; Hannah died unmarried; Deb-
orah was the wife of John Clark, of Beech Hill ; Nathaniel,
jr., married Huldah Hudlock and settled at Gott's Island;
Rhoda, wife of Daniel Hamblen, of Bass Harbor; Betsy,
wife of Nicholas Tinker, of Southwest Harbor ; Mar}^
wife of Benjamin Richardson, of Somerville ; Judith, who
was the hrst wife of Mr. Gates.

HI. Hannah Gott was the yvife of William Apple-
ton. They settled at Tremont. They were the parents of
the following six children : Hannah, wife of a Mr.
Davis, of Ohio ; Polly, wife of Robert Nichols : Reuben

married Jane ; after his death she became the wife

of Alfred Harper; Gharles died unmarried; Sally, wife
of William Reed, of Goose Gove, Tremont; Betsy, wife
of William Harper, of -Tremont.

IV. Elizabeth Gott married James Somes and set-
tled at Beech Hill, where all their children were born.
They afterwards moved to Solon, Maine, where they died
— Mr. Somes at the age of sixty-eight years and his wife at
the age of sixty }'ears. They were the parents of nine
children — three sons and six daughters, as follows:
Hannah, wife of Stephen Manchester; the}' settled at
Solon ; Naomi died in Bangor unmarried ; Sarah, wife of
Benjamin Merrill, of Solon ; Elizabeth married Daniel
Durrill, who settled in Los Angeles, Gal. ; his widow still
resides there; Mary died in infancy; Mary, another child
of that name, was the wife of Ezra Averill ; they settled at
Twin Lake, Mich. ; James married Louisa Wright and
settled in Dry Greek, Gal. ; they are both living; Abram

169

died in Florence, Cal. ; Daniel G. married Charlotta L.
Thorn and settled in Los Angeles. There are only three
of this family now living (1895) — Elizabeth, aged eighty-
two, James, aged seventN'-seven, and Daniel, aged sixty-
nine 3' ears.

V. Mar}' Gott married her cousin, Amos Thurston,
of Deer Isle. (Mary's mother, Eunice, was a sister of
Daniel Gott, of Gott's Island. She married John Thurs-
ton, of Gloucester, who settled at Deer Isle in 1784.)
Mr. and Mrs. Amos Thurston were the parents of eight
children. The}^ owned a large part of the land on which
the village of Oceanville is now located. Mrs. Thurston
died in 1866, at the advanced age of ninety-one years.
For many 3'ears before her death she was totally blind.
Their children were: Mar}-, born in 1798, died in 1803 ;
Eunice, born in 1800, married Edward Small, of Deer
Isle; Susan, born in 1802, married John Webster Small,
of Deer Isle, December 7, 1820; Mr. Small died in 1874,
aged seventy-four 3'ears ; Mrs. Small died in 1889, aged
€ighty-seven 3^ears ; Mar}-, born in 1804, married Nathan-
iel H. Richardson, of Somesville, in 1826; Ambrose, born
in 1806, married Serena Morrill Gott; Amos, born in
1809, married Ann Stinson, of Deer Isle ; Elizabeth, born
in 1815, married Walter Butler Hamblen; after his death
she became the wife of Capt. Jesse Stinson; Hannah
Ann, born in 1819, died in 1836.

VI. Joseph Gott married L3'dia Barton and settled
;at Littk Gott's (Bar) Island. They were the parents of
s^ine children, viz.: Joseph, jr., married Hannah Carter

170

(a sister of David Gott's wife) ; Lydia was trlie wife of
William Hopkins; Ruth was the wife of Francis Gilley,
of Orland; Daniel married Lvdia Benson; after her
death he married Cornelia Dodge; Joanna was the wife of
Daniel Robinson, of Southwest Harbor; James married
Hulda Dawes; Martha was the wife of Earl Lane; Han-
nah was the second wife of Earl Lane ; Robert married
Rebecca Robinson, after her death he married a Mrs. Ober.

V^IL Benjamin Gott married, in 1796, Lydia Mor-
gan, and settled at Bass Harbor. The\' were the parents
of nine children as follows : Lydia, born in 1797, mar-
ried Robert Mitchell, of Placentia; Benjamin died unmar-
ried; Joseph married Martha Gott and settled at Goose
Cove; Susan married Josiah Leach ; David married Susan
Kelley, and lived at Goose Cove; John, born in 1812,
married Nancy T. Gott, who was born in 1819 ; Ezra
was lost at sea; Ellen married and lived in Boston; Eliza-
beth married John Dawes ; after his death she became
the wife of a Mr. Hodgdon.

VHL William Gott was born Oct. 17, 1777. He
married Susannah Milliken Nov. 3, 1806, and settled at
Gott's Island. They were the parents of live children.
Mr. Gott died Feb. 17, 1856; his wife died June 6, 1856.
Their children were : William, who married Mary Smith ;
Samuel, who married Hannah Richardson and settled at
Gott's Island ; Daniel, who died unmarried ; Salome, who
was the wife of Abram Morrison; Phoebe, who was the
wife of Daniel Jordan, of Orland ; Susan, who was the
wife of Daniel Rich, of Bass Harbor.

171

IX. Charles Gott was born in 177 1 ; married Susan
Thurston; after her death, which occurred in 1808, at tlie
age of twenty-seven years, he married Mrs. Lois Hooper, a
sister of his first wife. Mr. Gott was drowned, together
with his father and brother David, Juh' 7, 1814, at the age
of forty-three years. His widow moved to Sedgwick
where she reared her family. There were eight children,
as follows : Susanna, born 1798, died 1817 ; Lois T., born
in 1800, was the wife of David Walker; she died in 1886;
Nancy F., born in 1802, was the wife of John Thurston,
of South Deer Isle; Amos T., born in 1805, married
Joanna Gott, a daughter of David Gott ; after her death he
married Mrs. Margaret M. (Douglass) Gott, widow of
Solomon Gott; Charles jr., born in 1807, married Alice
Carter, of Sedgwick. The children by his second wife
were: Solomon T., born in 1810, married Margaret
Douglass; Eunice T., born in 1812, married Joseph Her-
rick, of Sedgwick; Hannah, born in 1813, was the wife
of Daniel Douglass.

X. David Gott married Joanna Carter and settled on
Gott's Island. He was drowned, as stated in the last no-
tice, July 7, 1814. His widow moved to Bluehill, where
she reared her family of four children. They were :
Abigail, wife of Moses Friend, of Sedgwick ; Joanna, wife
of Amos Thurston Gott: Hannah married in 1832 Preston
Preble ; Mrs. Preble is still living in Sedgwick at the age
of eighty-three years (1895) ; David, jr., died in infancy.

XI. Sarah Gott born in 1786, married Solomon
Thurston. They were the parents of nine ciiildreii. Mr.

172

Thurston died in 1854, aged seventy-one 3'ears ; his wife
died August 23, 1869. Their children were: Sarah, born
in 1809, was the wife of Enos Cooper, of Rockport; Sol-
omon, born in 1811, married Mar}- Annis; after her death
he married Calista Calderwood ; Martha was the wife of
Jesse Tha3er, of West Deer Isle ; Hannah was the wife
of James Witherspoon, of North Haven; Sophronia was
the wife of William Harrison Smith ; John married Lizzie
Grindle, of North Haven; Daniel was lost at sea in 1848;
Mary Ann married, in 1832, J. W. Ingraham ; William
married Abbie Wright, of Rockland.

Xn. Isaac Gott married his cousin, Mary Thurston,
and settled at Bass Harbor. Tiie}' were tlie parents of
eigbt children, as follows: Mar}-, wife of John Verrill ;
Isaac, who married Betsy Tiiurston, of Deer Isle; Serena
was the wife of Ambrose Thurston, of Deer Isle; James,
who married Martha Small, of Deer Isle; after her death
he married Eliza Webster, of Goose Cove; Hannah was
the wife of Sullivan Webster; Mary was the wife of John
Gott; L3'dia died unmarried; i\lmira T. was tlie wife of
Ambrose Thurston, of Tremont.

RICHARDSON FAMILY.

Four Riciiardsons married Gotts, both parties of whom
came from Gloucester, as we have before noticed.

I. James Richardson married Rachel Gott, and settled
at Somesville. Their children were : Polly, who married
Ezra Gott, and settled at Seal Cove, Tremont ; Judith, who
married John Somes, of Somesville; Rhoda was the wife

173

of Reuben Freeman, of Prett}^ Marsh ; Tamezin, born in
1772, married George Freeman, of PretLy Marsh ; Rachel
married David Wasgatt ; George, born August, 1763, was
twice married; liis second wife was Mrs. Bels}'^ (Martin)
Simons; James, jr., married a Miss Sargent; after her
death he married Hannah Gilpatrick; Daniel married
Sarah Cousins; Elijah left home when young, and never
returned. The above George Richardson was the first
child born to settlers on Mount Desert. The marriage of
Rachel and David Wasgatt was the first solemnized on
Mount Desert ; it was on August 9, 1774; the ceremony
was performed by Rev. Daniel Little, of Kennebunk.

II. Stephen Richardson married Elizabeth Gott.
Their children were: Stephen, jr., who married Margaret
Webster; John, who married Sarah Gamage; after her
death he married Hannah (Wasgatt) Day; Deborah mar-
ried, in 1785, Daniel Gott, jr., of Gott's Island; Ilannali
married Daniel Hamblen ; William married Lucy Hud-
lock.

III. Thomas Richardson married Margaret Gott.
Their children were : Thomas, who married Amy Rich ;
Abram, who married Mercy Wormell ; Puah, wife of
Peter Gott, jr.; Enoch (no record) ; Cornelius, who m;,r-
ried Margaret Richardson.

This is a complete record of the Gott family liiat came
from Gloucester for three generations after their settle-
ment.

Daniel Hamblen came to Gott's Island from Deer
Isle, where he had previously lived. His wife was ILiu-

174

nah Richardson, They were the parents of nine children :
Sarah married Stephen Richardson, and settled at Mount
Desert ; Elizabeth was the wife of Richard Carpenter, who
settled on Swan's Island; after his death she became the
wife of Ephraim Emerson, of Bucksport, and after his
death she became the wife of Charles Wheeler, of Car-
mel ; Daniel, jr., married Rhoda Gott ; they lived at Pla-
centia, and later moved to Deer Isle ; Walter died at the age
of four years ; Hannah was the wife of Alfred Babbidge,
who settled on Swan's Island ; later they moved to Rock-
land; Mary C. was the wife of Joseph S. Babbidge, of
SwanVIsland ; Walter Butler married Margaret Gott, of
Gott's Island; after her death he married Elizabeth Thurs-
ton, of Deer Isle; John and Susan were twins; John was
lost at sea at the age of nineteen vears : Susan was the
wife of Augustus R. Staples, of Swan's Island.

CHAPTER VI.

THE FISHING INDUSTRY.

From time immemorial it has been an honorable call-
ing " to those that went down to the sea in boats". These
brave and hardy mariners, inured from early life to ex-
posure and countless dangers, acquire a courage and calm-
ness in tlie hour of peril that are sublime. The brilliant
and daring achievements of our little navy in its unequal
contest with the "Mistress of the Sea" in 1812-14, which
attracted the notice and compelled the respect of the whole
world, were made possible by our plucky seamen who
manned those ships.

In the future, when warfare will be practically settled
on the ocean, this country will not turn in vain to our
brave sailors and fishermen to defend the nation's honor in
the time of peril. For this reason the interests of the mar-
iners have always been watched with the greatest solicitude,
and their rights jealously protected both by national laws
and international treaties since the foundation of the gov-
ernment.

The fisheries at Swan's Island must have begun with,
and, in fact, led to, its settlement ; in after years they became
the sole means of support to its inhabitants. Few, if any
other town in the State, ever had its entire population de-
pendent upon one industry for a livelihood. During the
first half century after its settlement, and even later, every

176

man and boy in this town was perfectly familiar with and
had been employed on a boat or vessel in this- dangerous
but oftentimes lucrative employment of following the sea.

Most of the settlers who came here had been fisher-
men in the places from which they came, and their chief
attraction here was the abundance and variet}^ of fish that
could be caught near the shore, and the excellent harbor
which afforded shelter for their boats. Even those who.
were enirasxed for a time in cutting and hauling logs that
were manufactured at Swan's mills, soon began to see a
more lucrative employment in the shore fisheries, which
industry was beginning to be stimulated by a demand in
the market.

Even in those earl}- times, with what could be earned
from tiie fisheries, with the crops that could be raised from
the fairly productive soil, and cutting kiln-wood in the
winter, the settler could make ample provision for his fam-
ily. Others engaged in freighting Swan's lumber to mar-
ket. Among those who came here for this purpose were
the Nutters, Kents and Sadlers. Kiln-wood was carried
to what is now the cit}' of Rockland, where lime-burning
had begun. Paving stones taken from the surf-worn
beaches of the outer shores were disposed of in the older
towns of Massachusetts. Traders came here in vessels
from a distance, and offered liquor, manufactured articles
and other wares in exchange for such products as could
readily be handled, such as dried fish, wool and such
products of the soil as could be spared.

Near the 3-ear 1800 the market for salt fish increased,

177

and the price was good considering the ease with which
they could be taken ; the business drew the attention of
the settlers more and more to this means of obtaining a
livelihood. Unfortunate!}' tiieir lack of the means to en-
gage in the business on a large scale, as well as a lack of
knowledge of the business conditions at a distance, pre-
vented them from securing the profit thev otherwise could
have made. Years elapsed before anything larger than
open boats were used at this island. Both the boat and the
mode of fishing were of the most primitive cliaracter. The
largest boats were called chebacco boats. They were
small two-masted boats of about fifteen tons. Cod and
haddock were the only fish for which there was a call in
the market. Halibut were plenty, often so abundant as to
make it necessary for a boat to change her berth to avoid
them, but they were not marketable. Occasionally a fish-
erman would catch one and smoke it for use in his own
famil}^. The larger part of the fishing, however, was
done in small row-boats called wherries. The fishermen
would usually get an early start so as to be on the
fishing grounds by daylight. Often a large number of
boats would go out in company. Here they would fish
with hand lines until near sundown, when they would get
up their killick and start for the harbor.

When brougiit to shore the fish were split, dressed and
thoroughly washed, then carried on a hand barrow to the
little fish-house where they were salted. During the day
women spread the fish on flakes to dry, turning them to
dr}' both sides alike and often shading them with green

178

boughs in tlie heat of the day to save them from being
burned b}' the sun. Wiien sufficiently cured, they were
stored in the loft of the fish-house until fall when they were
carried to market and exchanged for shoes, clothes and pro-
visions to last the famil}^ through the long, bleak winters.
The fisherman's wife found few moments in the day to be
idle. Besides the care of a large family of children, she
carded, spun and wove the wool into cloth for the use of the
family ; and, with the aid of the children, planted a little gar-
den, tending it whenever there was a spare moment. In
the fall she would gather in a good harvest to reward her
for her toil. Such hardships and privations of these
pioneer settlers on these inhospitable shores, and the firm
and cheerful willingness and power to overcome all these
obstacles, have certainly transmitted to their descendants
on this island the thrift, frugality and self reliance which
have been the means of surrounding them with homes
of comfort and luxury.

Many of the early settlers here were boat-builders.
They could get out their building material from the forest
around them, and work on boats during odd hours in the
winter when they could not go out fishing. Moses Staples
not only built boats for home use, but also small vessels,
which he sold to people from other places. The Joyces
were also ship carpenters.

An increase in the demand and suppl}' of fish called
for boats of larger capacity, for better fishing grounds
were found farther off shore, where it was unsafe to go in
small boats ; besides, the latter were inconvenient in carry-

179

ing their fish to market. So about the year 1810 the clie-
bacco boat was succeeded by the jigger or pink}-. The
pinky had a small cuddy wiierein were berths for the
crew, a brick fireplace and chinuiey with a wooden fun-
nel. Their food consisted mainly of fish, potatoes, pork,
molasses and Indian or barley bread. In these small
crafts some louij and hazardous voyages were made.
This was especially risk}^ in returning from the gulf of St.
Lawrence in the fall of the year, when they would often
encounter severe gales where no harbor could be made,
and the only alternative was to withstand the tempest as
best they could, or go to their destruction on that rock-
bound shore. It seems almost miraculous that no more
accidents occurred at that time.

Mackerel were first caught in 1800. At first little at-
tention was paid to this kind of fish, but year b}^ year
mackerel fishing grew in importance. In 1816 the jig
hook was invented by Abraham Lurvey. The earliest
practice of catching mackerel was for the vessel to drift
slowly under light sail, with the crew ranged along the
side of the vessel or boat, each with a hook and line at-
tached to a pole held in the hand. The hook being baited
and flung out to a length of several yards, and it moving
through the water, attracted the attention of the mackerel,
which, upon being caught, were landed on board and
thrown into a barrel or tub. It was discovered later that
throwing chopped menhaden or herring into the water had
the effect of attracting the mackerel in great numbers.
The oily portion of the bait covering the surface of the

i8o

water, acted as a guide for the fish to follow until, reach-
ing the side of the vessel, they came in contact with the
hooks baited with fresh and more palatable bait which was
ravenously seized by the mackerel. Bait mills, to grind
up the fish, came into use in 1820. This was a great
labor-saving device, as previous to this time the fish had
to be chopped with a hatchet. Poles to which lines
were attached wliile fishing were soon dispensed with
as being cumbersome and unnecessary. Soon any
sized boat, from a skiff to a pinky, was serviceable for
catching mackerel. Skill in catching was the main con-
sideration. In getting crews, boys from twelve to twenty
were more often selected as being more proficient than
those of more mature years. This employment of boys
made the burden of raising large families easy, when tiiey
were composed mostly of bo}'s. A separate account was
kept of each man's catch, so the more skillful he was the
greater would be his income. One half of the gross stock
went to the owners of the vessel who furnished the sup-
plies and provisions, and the other half went to the crew.
Some years, even in these small crafts, excellent } ear's
work was made.

Quite a number of pinkies were owned here, among
them were the " Columbia ", owned b}- Levi Torrey, the
schooner "Amelia", owned by Benjamin vStinson, the
"Pearl", "Young James", "Catherine", built by Silas
Hardy, and the "Arcade", built by Ebenezer Joyce and
Alexander Staples in 1827.

Vessels engaged in mackerel fishing would fit out in

I«I

March or April to go soutli and return about the first of
July. The rest of the season would be spent in the bay of
Fundy and along the whole coast of Maine, and some e\en
went to the gulf of St. Lawrence. Codfishing, however,
continued to be the principal fishery.

Recognizing the great service of the fishermen in the
war, and wishing to further encourage this industr}-, Con-
gress passed an act on July 29, 181 3, to pay a bounty to
vessels so employed. The following is a synopsis of that
law : That after the last day of December, 1814, there
shall be paid to the owners of vessels carrying on the bank
and other cod fisheries who have been employed therein at
sea for four months in the year, the following bounty :
For vessels between 20 and 30 tons, $2.40 per ton ; above
30 tons, $4, of which three-eighths shall go to the owners
of the vessel, and five-eighths divided among the crew.
The amount allowed to any one vessel was not to exceed
$272. At the same time a bounty was granted to fishing-
boats of more than five and less than twenty tons, pro-
vided said boat landed a quantit}^ of fish equal to twelve
quintals for every ton of measurement. The codfish indus-
tr}' reached its height about 1832, after which it gradually
declined. The bounty laws were repealed Juh^ 28, 1866.

As the other fisheries declined, tiie mackerel catch
increased, the common practice being to engage in cod-
fishing, getting one fare before the mackerel appeared,
either on the Maine coast or in the gulf of St. Lawrence,
after which the vessel, and usually the same crew, would
en(ia(ie in mackerel fishing.

l82

A day's experience on board of a hand-line mackerel
fisherman of those times is so graphically described by
Aaron Lightfoot that I give it below :

" The amount of moral courage and Christian forti-
tude required for a landsman to get up out of a comforta-
ble bed and struggle up on a cold, wet, cheerless deck to
handle cold, wet lines and colder, wetter tish, all for the
'experience', will never be known except by those who
have allowed themselves to be deluded into the thing. It
is diabolical. Now the mainsail is up, tiie jib down, and
the captain is throwing bait. It is not yet quite light, but
we hear other mainsails going up all around us. A cold
drizzling rain does not add to the comfort of the situation,
and we stand around shivering, half asleep, with our sore
hands in our wet pockets, about as 'demmed moist, un-
comfortable bodies', as ever dear old Mantilini saw, and
all wishing we were at home, and had never heard of a
mackerel. The skipper, however, is holding his line over
the rail witli an air that clearly intimates that the slightest
kind of a nibble will be quite sufficient this morning to seal
the doom of the unfortunate mack.

" 'There, by Jove! the captain's hauling back — I told
you so! Skipper's got him — no — ah, captain, }ou
hauled back too savagely ! '

"With the lirst movement of tiie captain's arm indicat-
ing the presence of fish, everybody rushes madly to the
rail, and jigs are heard on all sides splashing into the
water, and eager hands and arms are stretched at their
full length over the side, feeling anxiously for a nibble.

"'Sh — hist! there's something just passed my fly —
I felt him,' says an old man standing alongside of me.
'Yes, and I've got him!' triumphantly shouts tlie next
man on the other side of him, hauling in, as he speaks, a

i«3

fine mackerel, and striking him off into the barrel in the
most approved style.

" Z-z-z-zip goes ni}' line through and deep into my
poor fingers, as a huge fellow rushes savagely away with
what he finds is not so great a prize as he fondly supposed.
I was greatly flurried, missed stroke half a dozen times in
as many fathoms of line, and at length succeeded in land-
ing my first iish safel}' in my barrel, where he lies floun-
dering, ' melancholy and melodious,' as my next neighbor
st3'les it.

" Daylight soon dawns, and the rain, which had been
threatening very moistly all night, began to pour down in
dead earnest; and as the big drops began to patter in the
water the fish began to bite furiously.

" ' Shorten up,' says the skipper, and we shorten our
lines to about eight feet from the rail to the hooks, when
we can hook them in just as fast as we can move our hands
and arms. ' Keep your lines clear! ' is now the word, as
the doomed fish flip faster and faster into our barrels.
Every face wears an expression of anxious determination.
Everybody moves as though he had a full set of elastic
springs within him ; every heart beats loud with excite-
ment, and every hand hauls in fish and throws out hook
with a method; cool precision, a kind of slow haste, which
unites the greatest speed with the utmost security against
foul lines.

"The rain momentarily increases. We hear jigs
rattling down, and glancing up hastily, I am surprised to
find our vessel surrounded on all sides by the fleet, which
has already become aware that we have fish alongside.

"Meantime the wind rises, the sea struggles against
the rain, which is endeavoring with its stead}' patter to
quiet the turmoil of Old Ocean. We are already on our

184

third barrel of f sh, each, and still they come as fast as
ever, and the business (sport it ceased to be some time
ago) continues with undiminished vigor. Streams of per-
spiration course down our faces. Jackets, caps and even
our shirts are thrown off to give greater freedom to limbs
tliat are worked to their utmost.

"'Hello! where are the tish?' calls out somebody;
and sure enoush, all at once the whole business comes to a
standstill — the fish have apparently 'shut up shop' and
gone home, for not the faintest nibble does one of the fish-
ermen get. The mackerel, which a moment ago were
fairly rusiiing on board, have in that moment disappeared
so completely that not a sign of one is left. The next vessel
under our lee holds them a little longer than we, but they
finally also disappear from her side. And so on all
around us.

"And now we have a chance to look around us; to
compare notes on each other's success; to straighten our
backbones, nearly broken and aching horribly with con-
stant reaching over; to examine our fingers, cut to pieces
and grown as sensationless as a piece of salt junk, with
the perpetual dragging of small lines across them."

About the year 1850 a decided improvement in the
moral and social condition of the people of Swan's Island
took place. Increased economy resulted in placing some
of the settlers in a position to obtain better fishing crafts,
and the bounty paid by the government greatW stimulated
the industy here. This saved the necessity of running in
debt in advance for the necessaries of life and the expense
of running the craft. Improved methods of fishing were
learned from the crafts of the larger ports of Massachu-
setts, New Hampshire and Maine, and at the outbreak of

i85

the Civil war quite a number of fair-sized vessels were
owned by their captains here. The high price for fish
caused by the war resulted in increased production, and a
stead}' growth in prosperity was maintained for several
years. Several captains here accumulated considerable
property, and the lesson learned from them resulted in
profitable returns to the generation succeeding them.

The following is a list of vessels belonging to Swan's
Island which were registered at the custom-house at Cas-
tine at the close of the war: Schooners *' Clarissa Per-
son", "Eagle", "Eliza Mary", "Emerald", "Empire",
"Gipsy Queen", " Golden Rule", "Huntress", "Ivy",
"John Pew", "Lucy May", "Matilda", " Orinole ",
"Phebe", "Rainbow", "Reindeer", "S.J.Collins",
"Sharpshooter", "Shawmut", "Traveler", "Traverse"
and " Volant ". In tonnage they ranged from ten to sixty
tons.

About the year 187 1 a new mode of catching mack-
erel was instituted. Instead of the hook and line, large,
expensive seines began to be used. The first to try this
new experiment from this island was Capt. Freeman Gott
in the schooner "Highland Queen" during the season of
'72. So many more fish could be taken in this way, that
the other vessels quickly supplied themselves with the nec-
essary apparatus. Much more capital became invested in
this industry. New, fast-sailing vessels were built, and
expensive seines and seine-boats were required.

Stern discipline as seen on a merchant ship does not
exist on board a fisherman. Of the sixteen to eighteen

i86

men that comprise her crew, all are on eqnal terms, the
captain often consulting with the crew, and all working
with a will and in harmony, as the income depends on the
activity of ever}- man. The crew is composed mostly of
Americans, who are active and experienced fishermen.
The food served aboard these seiners is as good as at a
hotel. The cabin is finished and furnished in a tasteful
and often elegant manner. The share is managed differ-
ently from what it was on a hand liner, as the crew of the
seiner usually all share the same. One-half of the pro-
ceeds is thus divided among the crew, and the other half
goes to furnish supplies and gear, and to compensate the
owners of the vessel.

Mackerel seiners usually collect in a fleet. Often a
hundred or more sail of vessels will be in view of each
other at one time on the fishing grounds, or together seek
the shelter of some friendh' harbor during a storm. Such
a fleet entering or leaving a harbor presents a most inter-
esting view.

Mackerel having been fed on bait so long a time had
become very tame, so that the}' would collect in great
bodies, called schools, wiiich would appear near the surface
of the water. A lookout is kept at masthead. As soon
as a school is seen b}' him, all is exxitement on board the
vessel. The seine-boat is manned b}^ some ten men, who
row rapidly toward where the mackerel are showing.
When in the right position the seine, of about 1,500 feet,
is cast in a circle around the fish, and the bottom of the
seine is then pursed up. The vessel is speedily brought

i87

" alongside the seine-boat, and a portion of the cork line is fast-
ened to the rail of the vessel, so that the mackerel lie in
the seine between the vessel's side and the seine-boat. A
large dip-net with tackle and a long handle soon bails the
mackerel out, by the half barrelful, on the deck.

Next begins the dressing of the mackerel. With a
small dip-net they are thrown into square boxes, where they
are split, gibbed and finally salted into barrels. The fish
is also often cut by slight curves called " plowed ", which
gives them a fat appearance. Sometimes the seine is
thrown many times a day. Often the mackerel get fright-
ened and escape under the seine before it is pursed up ;
again two or three hundred barrels ma}^ be taken at one
time.

Fishermen from Swan's Island soon took a leading
place in this industry. Their knowledge of net fishing,
previously gained in the herring and other fisheries, made
them well qualified to operate the purse seine successfully.
Especially during the first two or three years our vessels
were noted for their phenomenal catches, from which
sufficient profit was made to enable them to buy and own,
even then, ten to fifteen of the best vessels in tlie fleet.

From 1874 ^o 1889 Swan's Island fishing vessels took
either the first or second place everv 3ear among the fleet
of the whole Atlantic coast, a fact that should awaken an
honest pride in the energy and thrift of our fishermen.
Many large and expensive vessels were built for and
owned In- our captains, and seamen came from all the
surrounding towns to secure positions with our successful

i88

captains. Signs of prosperity were everywhere apparent.
New, elegant houses were rapidly being erected. Roads
were improved, and many horses were brought to the
island. Travel greatly increased so that it made it profit-
able for a steamboat to connect here. No pauper called
for aid ; ever3^body had a plenty. So alluring and profit-
able was this occupation that almost every male inhabitant,
except those enfeebled by old age or the young boys,
would be gone from the island.

Among some of the notable fares it mav be noticed
that in 1880 the schooner "Alice", of Swan's Island, took
3,700 barrels of mackerel, stocking $19,548.75. In 1881
the schooner "Isaac Rich'' took 2,000 barrels up to the
middle of July. The same year tlie schooner "Alice "
took 4,804 barrels to Oct. 21. In 1885 the steamer
"Novelty", built for and commanded by Hanson B.
Joyce, was one of the largest fishing steamers in the
world, carrying a crew of forty men. Although very
large quantities of mackerel were taken, yet the expense
of running her was large. Unfortunatelv about tliis time
the mackerel, which had been so persistently chased, be-
gan to disappear. This made the experiment with the
steamer rather unprofitable, so in 1889, after a four years'
trial, she was sold at a considerable loss. From this time
until 1891 this industry gradually declined. After this
time the decline in the quantity obtainable and the difiiculty
of keeping track of so small a body of fish, made success
more a matter of luck and circumstances than of energy
and hard work. Finally, one by one, the vessels were

189

disposed of until at this time none is owned here, and the
fishermen have found new occupations.

Below is given a list of our successful commanders
and the vessels thev sailed. Most of them sailed the same
vessels in different years, but to save repetition I have
used the name of the vessel only once, giving the prefer-
ence to the owner. Vessels owned wholly or in part in
this town are in italics :

Capt. George Barbour, schrs John JVye and ^leen of the

West.
Capt. B. J. Staples, schr Golden Rule.
Capt. E. M. Staples, schrs Cherokee, Andrew W. Dodd

and Petrel.
Capt. John S. Staples, schrs Joseph Story, Annie E.

Friend, Eliza R., John Somes, Vesta, Laura Belle

and James Dyer.
Capt. W. Leslie Joyce, schrs Lillian M. Warren and

Rambler.
Capt. Charles Staples, schrs Corj>oral Trim and Miiinto-

noniah.
Capt. Edwin JoNce, schrs Eliza K. Parkhurst, Henr}' L.

Phillips, William H. Oakes, A. T. Giffard, Moro

Castle and W. R. Crittenden.
Capt. William S. Jojce, schrs Esperanza and William D.

Daisley.
Capt. Emery E. Joyce, schrs Highland ^icen, Robert

Pettis, Sir Knight, and F. H. Smith.
Capt. Andrew C. Smith, schrs Warren J. Crosby, Richard

Lester, Annie M. Nash, Mayor Jones, George R.

Keene and Henry Morganthan.
Capt. Alvah Barbour, schrs William H. Cross and Emma,

190

also passenger steamers Mayjield, Florence and Vinal-

haven.
Capt. Hanson B. Joyce, schrs G. W. Reed, Lizzie Wil-
liams, Alice, Willie F. Joyce, Solitaire and steamer

Novelty.
Capt. Michael Stinson, schrs Lucy J. Wai-ren,Charlotta

Augusta, F'ranklin Piei'ce, Thomas Hunt, Amelia

Cobb and Lizzie Poor.
Capt. William P. Herrick, schrs Pioneer, Amos Cutter,

Rebecca S. Atiuood, Cayenne, Augusta E. Herrich,

and Effie T. Kempt.
Capt. Charles E. Sprague, schrs Vanelia, G. W. Bentley,

Benjamin S. Wright, Charles Kelle\-, Annie Freeman,

Georgie Willard and Hannah Stone.
Capt. Frank Sprague, schrs C. D. Oliver, Aeronaut

and Isaac Chapman.
Capt. Lero}' Smith, schrs Winnie Webster, Old Chad,

Luc}' W. Dver, George W. Brown, and Fairy Frost.
Capt. Joiin C. Kent, schrs Sparkling Billow and Mary

Amanda.
Capt. Daniel McKay, schrs Vanelia and Robert D.

Rhodes.
Capt. James McKa}^, schrs Ellen Lincoln, Maud D.

Witherell and Ellen F. Dority.
Capt. Edmond F. Bridges, schr Glad Tidings.
Capt. Reuben Stewart, schr D. D. Gyer.
Capt. William Stewart, schr Belle Haskell.
Capt. Llewellyn V. Joyce, schrs M. M. Chase and Lady

Elgin.
Capt. Freeman Kent, schrs Nellie Woodbury, J. S.

Glover and Hattie Western.
Capt. Herbert Holbrook, schr Maggie Powers.
Capt. Augustine Holbrook, schr D. B. Webb.

191

Capt. Oliver Lane, schrs Alice M. Gould, Webster and

Lalla Rookh.
Capt. John A. Gott, schrs Olive G. Tower, Isaac Rich

and Daniel Simmons .
Capt. Emery K. Gott, schrs Maggie Willard, Abbie M.

Deerincf and Georoe Gilmore.
Capt. Horace E. Stanley, schrs M. E. Torrey and Flying

Cloud.
Capt. Hosea Kent, schr Parenthia Davis.
Capt. John Conary, schr John M. Plummer.
Capt. Leander Sprague, schrs A. E. Horton and John

Pew.
Capt. Frank Gott, schr Ethel Merritt.
Capt. Hard}' Stinson, schr J. G. Craige.
Capt. Reuben Joyce, schrs J. F. Chase and Alaska.
Capt. Roland Stewart, schr George Washington.
Capt. Fred Kent, schr Merrimac.
Capt. Otis Stewart, schr Bona Venture.
Capt. Willard Staples, schr Star of the East.

Making in all one hundred and twelve different
seiners, of which thirty-four were owned here.

After the mackerel industry had become unprofitable,
the class of fishermen who had been there employed
turned naturally to some other branch of the fisheries.
The most profitable inducement was held out in the lobster
fisheries. Few of these fish had been caught previous to
1857. They were then very abundant, especially near
the shore. They were of no value except as a fisher-
man would occasionally catch some for use in his own
family. Only the small ones were used as food ; the
larger ones were thrown away as unfit to be eaten. The

192

superior quality of the lobster as a food began to be appre-
ciated. So about the year 1857 a smack ran between
Swan's Island and Boston, but she covdd not carry and
dispose of in the market what three or four men at Swan's
Island caught. Generalh^ it was the older men, who were
unable to go far from home, who were engaged in catching
lobsters.

The difficulty of transporting live lobsters long dis-
tances in sailing vessels, led to the establishment of can-
ning factories at various points, one of which was built at
Old Harbor. This somewhat stimulated the business. A
larue number of shore fishermen forsook their former
mode of fishing, and turned their attention to catching
lobsters for the factory. Prices were low and the supply
was usually in excess of the demand. By 1870 prices had
to be raised to secure enough for the canning factories,
and by 1880 the supply liad been reduced so much that the
canning factories to some extent were abandoned. In-
creased steamboat facilities made it practicable to ship live
lobsters to the Boston market. In 1890 the demand had
greatly exceeded the supply, and prices were conse-
quently gradually raised.

At first only small boats were used, as lobsters could
be caught in abundance near the sliore. As they grew
scarcer larger and larger boats were required to go farther
from shore. Now the fishermen have a fine fleet of boats,
valued from $100 to $600 each. O. B. Whitten, State
commissioner of sea and shore fisheries, informs me that
in 1876 there were oUe hundred and eighteen men

^93

engaged in the lobster fisheries some part of the year.
The catch was 688,628 lobsters, valued at $56,008.14. In
1897 there were one hundred and forty-two men, who
caught 740,967 lobsters, valued at $75,208.56. At the
former date all sizes of lobsters were caught and sold, but
now it is prohibited by law to sell any less than ten and
one-half inches in length. In comparing the above figures
it will be seen that there is not only an increase in the
gross stock, but also in the catch.

The following is a report of the property engaged in
lobster fisheries from this town, and is a conservative esti-
mate ;

.Number of large boats, 139; valued at $20,850.
** small ♦* 133 '» ** 2,660.

*' lobster cars, 139; ** i^Spo*

** traps (estimated), 50 to a

man, at $1 each, 6,950.

Making the property so invested over $30,000.

The porgy fisheries for a time engaged quite a num-
ber of our fishermen, and offered luring inducements to in-
vest capital. The}' were chiefly valued for the oil they
contained. Suitable vessels were built, expensive nets
bought, buildings and wharves were erected to provide for
trying out the oils. Although these fish were so abun-
dant, yet they were so persistently followed and caught by
hundreds of small steamers, as well as by boats and ves-
sels of every description, that they suddenh^ disappeared
from the coast, and have never returned. Many of our

194

townsmen lost heavily by this failure, as many had in-
vested nearly all their property in the fishing gear and
property that was left useless on their hands. Some it took
years of thrift, and others never recovered from these losses.

Shell fish have alwa3's been depended upon to supply
the necessities of the fishermen when all other sources
have been cut off. In fact, it is doubtful if any of these
islands would have been settled had it not been for this un-
failing source of food supply. The Indians utilized this
means of subsistence, as is seen by the immense heaps of
clam shells, often forming embankments many feet high.
They are also found to considerable depth in the ground,
thrown there by some convulsion in nature, or by the grad-
ual settling, caused by the weight added on top. It is said
that during the greater part of one winter, owing to the
severit}' of the weather, supplies could not be brought
here ; the principal food during those weeks of isolation
were clams and seabirds. This species of fish has the
power of rapid propagation, as it is probable that several
crops are hatched and reach maturity during the year.
Shell fish have been constanth' dug, from the time of the
earliest settlement to the present time, without an}- signs of
exiiausting the suppl3^

At first clams were used for food and for bait in fish-
ing. Later they were salted in barrels and disposed of in
the markets of other seaports for bait. Since lobster can-
ning has proved unprofitable, many of these factories are
canning clams, there being a good market for all that can
be produced. At present clams are being shipped in the

195

shell to the Boston market. The income received in tills
town from shell fish during the year 1897 was $1,500.

A sardine factory was built at Old Harbor in 1895
by H. W. Joyce, wb.ich furnishes an excellent market for
the abundance of herring, which are found more plentiful
near this and adjacent islands than at any other place on the
Maine coast. The income from this branch varies from
$10,000 to $25,000 per 3^ear.

The fishing business will undoubtedly remain, as it
has ever been in the past, the main industry in this town,
as nature lias placed this island in a sea rich with this re-
source. Other industries, such as the granite works, ice-
cutting, etc., may be substituted in part, but the products
of the sea are more sought for ever}- year, and while the
compensation is adequate, our hardy fishermen can be re-
lied upon to supply the market.

LOST AT SEA.

r.ost !

\Veary and tempest-tossefl,

Lost at sea !
The ship went down in the foam,
And found a watery home,
While the waves resistless roam

Wild and free.

Lost !

Trials of fate were crossed,

Lost at sea !
\yith seaweed and coral dressed,
And hands crossed o'er his breast*
In a wakeless, dreamless rest,

Sleepeth he.

196

Lostr

In ocean's foam and frost,

Lost at sea !
And no tears fall o'er their grave^
But the restless ocean wave
Roams o'er monarch and o'er slave

In its glee.

Lost r

The ones we have loved nwst,

Lost at sea !
For they may not walk the shore,
When some long, long voyage is o'^tf,,
And they, wfth us no more.

Bend the knee.

Lost!

And pallid hands are crossed^

Lost at sea !
And maidens' eyes are dim,
And mothers' eyes o'erbrim'
As they sadly think of himt

In the sea.. '

Lostf

They are a mighty hosf,

Lost in the seaT
And the waves say with their moanv
I am monarch — all I own —
' Tis to me they all have gone —

Gone to me.

—S: G. Duley.

On July 7, 1814, Capt. David Gott and two sons*»
Charles and David, who went out from Gott's Island to the

197

fishing grounds, were lost by the sudden capsizing of their
boat. They had been fishing nearly all day with good
success, and were returning when the boat was overturned
by a squall, and as the boat was heavily loaded, it sank
immediately. When this summer squall had rapidly
passed away, no signs of men or boat were to be seen.
The father, as well as the two sons, left large families, of
whom but one survives at this time — Mrs. Hannah (Gott)
Preble, a daughter of David Gott, who now resides in
Sedgwick in her eight3-seventh year.

In 1829 Nathan Remick was lost from the scliooner
"Cornelia", of which his brother, Capt. Reuben Remick,
was master. They were returning from Boston where
they had been with a load of lumber from Ellsworth.
When about fifteen miles out from Cape Ann he had occa»
sion to get into the boat that hung at the davits, when one
end of the tackle unhooked, precipitating him into the
water. The boat was at once lowered, but in the excite-
ment her painter slipped from their hands, and tiie boat
went beyond their reach, leaving those on board utterly
helpless to render assistance. Mr. Remick supported
himself in the water and conversed with the crew for some
time. Although hatches, boards and everything movable
were cast into the sea, none of them reached him. He
soon became exhausted and the waves closed over him.
He was about twenty years of age, and was to have been
married on his arrival home.

198

In 183 1 Samuel Kent was lost while coming from
Deer Isle in a sail boat. He had been there for Richard
Warren, esq., to perform the marriage ceremon}^ for
his son Samuel and ^Luy Smith. He accidental!}' fell
into the water, and as the wind was blowing and the sea
was rough, it was impossible to rescue him.

Capt. John Gott, sr., was lost in 1840. A fishing
vessel, under the command of John Gordon, came into Old
Harbor on its wa}' to Green's Bank ; being rather inex-
perienced, Capt. Gordon sought the chaperonage of Capt.
Gott on this voyage. After much persuasion, Capt.
Gott, although near seventy years of age, agreed to ac-
company^ him on this voyage, which proved to be their
last. When a few days out a terrible gale arose, and the
vessel was supposed to have foundered in it, as she was
never heard from.

The schooner " Henry M. Johnson ", built at this
place by her commander, Silas Hardy, was on her first
voyage, and had proceeded as far as Eggemoggin Reach
where, on account of the storm, they anchored for the
night. During the next day, Nov. 7, 1846, the vessel
dragged her anchor and went ashore. Capt. Hardy, with
his crew, consisting of Abel Staples, 2d, William Torrey
and John Ross, took an anchor across the boat to carry it
to windward so as to heave the vessel off. They had pro-
ceeded but a short way when the boat was capsized in the
boisterous sea, and two of the crew, Staples and Ross, lost

199

their lixes. Both were young men and married. Mr.
Ross's widow afterwards became the wife of William An-
nis, who was drowned while crossing Stinson Neck bar in
Februar\-, 1872, at the age of sevent}^ years.

Joshua S. Trask was lost in the Bay of Chaleur dur-
ing the great gale of October 3, 185 1. He was in the
schooner "'Henry Cla}", commanded by Capt. John Walls.
The vessel foundered in the gale, and all hands were lost.
Mr. Trask was forty-four 3 ears of age ; he left a widow
and six children at this place.

During the same gale Capt. Benjamin Stinson lost his
vessel, the "Fly", and Capt. David Smith, 3d, also lost
the vessel he commanded — the " Liberator". They were
caught in the Bend of Prince Edward's Island ; the gale
came up so suddenl}- and with such terrific violence that
they were unable to get out of their dangerous location.
They were driven with great force upon the sandy beach,
but in such a location that no one was lost from either ves-
sel, although the vessels were a total loss, Tliey were
both owned at this place.

George Smith w^as drowned while trying to rescue his
brother near Buckle Island in August, 1855.

Gilbert J. Gott was lost at sea February 10, i860,
aged thirt3'-three years. He was in the schooner "Law-

200

rence N. Dean'", and was on the homebound trip of coast-
ing when tlie vessel was sunk during a snow squall, and
was never seen again.

The schooner " Constitution", a vessel owned at this
place, was commanded by Seth W. Staples. They had
broucrht home three carfjoes of mackerel from the Bav of
Chaleur during the season. In the fall they took a load
of salted mackerel and smoked herring from Whitmore's
and started for Baltimore. Besides the captain there were
on board John H. Staples, Daniel H. Babbidge and Allen
Reed, all belonging here. On the evening of November
19, i860, while running down the Cape Cod shore, when
about southeast of Nausett light, a squall struck the vessel
and capsized her. The captain attempted to save his life
by lashing himself to the rigging. The vessel began to
settle rapidly. Babbidge and Reed each seized a plank
and sprang overboard. Reed alone was saved. Bab-
bidge was undoubtedly drawn down by the suction when
the vessel sank. Reed kept himself afloat for over two
hours, when he saw the lights of an approaching vessel.
They caught the sound of his cries, and although it was
very dark, they succeeded in locating him, and took
him on board in a nearh^ exhausted condition. This ves-
sel was the " Isaac Achorn ", Capt. Avery.

Ezra Torrey was lost from a small boat June 9, 1865,
near the Otto Ponds. He had taken a load of lobster
traps and lashed them upon his dory when the boat sud-

20I

denl}^ rolled over ; he was undoubtedly entangled in the
gear so as to be unable to reach his boat; his body was
not recovered; he left a widow and three children.

On Oct. 12, 1865, Benjamin S. Jo3'ce was knocked
overboard and drowned near Port Hood, C. B. He was
with his father, Capt. Roderick Joyce, in the schooner
*' Highland Lass ". He was seventeen 3'ears of age.

In January, 1867, this town sustained one of the
greatest losses of life that ever happened at an}- one time,
in the loss of the schooner ''S. J. Collins", owned here
and commanded by Winthrop B. Lane. After the fishing
season was over, several men with their wives and children
made this coasting voyage a trip of pleasure. They took
a load of freight at Bangor for New York, after which
they took a load of corn at Hoboken, N. J., for Belfast
and Bucksport parties. They started for home on Jan.
5. That night a storm and gale came on, and it is sup-
posed the vessel foundered. The vessel's company were
Capt. Winthrop B. Lane and wife Emily, who was for-
merly the wife of Daniel H. Babbidge, who was lost at sea
in the schooner ''Constitution". Mrs. Lane had with her
her two daughters, Lillian Babbidge, aged eight, and
Grace Lane, one year old. The others were Simeon S.
Reed, his wife Emily and daughter Alice, Joseph F.
Reed, aged twenty-five, his wife Isadora, aged twenty-
two, and Amos Staples. The whole party were young
people.

202

On November 6, 1869, Edward Warren Gott was lost
from a boat near Buckle Isle. He was twenty-three 3ears
of acre.

Eben Smith was lost from the schooner "Clara
Smith", of which he was mate, near the year 1870. They
were on the vo3'age from New York to Havana. They
had a deck-load of shooks, which was struck by a sea dur-
ing a gale. Mr. Smith had just come on deck when the
sea swept the deck-load from the vessel, taking him with it.

Capt. John Freeman Gott was lost Nov. 29, 1875,
aged thirty-seven years. He was commander of the
schooner "John Somes" in which he had been fishing dur-
ing the siniimer. He was bound from Portland "down
east" for a load of herring. In trying to get into Booth-
bay harbor they were struck by a squall which capsized
the vessel and threw Capt. Gott overboard. He was an
enterprising man, and was the commander of the first
mackerel seiner from the inland.

In December, 1876, the schooner " Modena B. Jer-
auld", of Gloucester, Capt. Charles P. Mitchell, together
with his crew of ten men, was lost on La Have bank.
Among the crew was Byron D. Joyce of this place.

Adonlram J. Kent was drowned October 6, 1880,
aged thirty years.

203

Eugene S. Trask was drowned from a small boat
June 15, 1881, aged twenty-two years. His body was
subsequently recovered.

Reuben C. Bridges was lost in a dor}- on Middle
Bank December 18, 1883. He was in tbe schooner ''J.
W. Campbell ", Capt. Colin Chisholm. He was twentv-
four years of age, and was married just one month before
he was lost.

Frank Sprague was drowned by falling overboard at
the wharf at Hoboken, N. J., where they had just arrived
from South America. He was mate of the schooner, and
was superintending the spreading of an awning when the
rope on which he was drawing broke and he fell into the
water. Before assistance could reach him he was dead.
This occurred July 10, 1891. He was thirty-eight years
of age.

Hiram Colomy was lost October 10, 1895. He started
to row out to Seal Cove to go around Irish point in a siuall
boat. The gale had increased in violence, and the rain
had made the boat slipper}- ; it is supposed he fell over-
board in his effort to change his position. His brother,
coming from Deer Isle, picked up his empty boat and
towed her into Old Harbor.

Augustine Holbrook was drowned outside Old Har-
bor in 1897.

CHAPTER VIT.

SYNOPSIS OF THE MUNICIPAL RECORDS.

In 1834 ^^^^ population of Swan's Island had increased
to nearly two hundred inhabitants, and the settlers, having
long felt the disadvantages of an unorganized place,
thought that the time had come when the number of inhab-
itants warranted an organization into some local govern-
ment. Mau}^ local matters of considerable moment to the
settlers were neglected by the State authorities ; i^oads
needed to be built and kept in repair, and, above all, some
regular method was needed of furnishing instruction to the
vouno;;. Concernincr the first organization there is no
record known to exist. It is supposed that the first record
and those of the three following years were burned in a
house where the records were kept that was destroyed by
fire.

Wliether a regular plantation form of government was
incorporated according to the requirements of law, or
whether the settlers merely met by mutual agreement and
chose their officers without an}^ formality, will probably
never be known, as no record of their proceedings was
made to the secretary of State. Whether this omission
was the result of carelessness or not I do not know.

Concerning the year of this organization I am in-
formed by Benj. Smith, esq., wlio was present at that first
meeting, and although but a boy he remembered distinctly

205

not only the year (1834) ^^^^^ "^^^^ ^'^^ officers who were
then elected. I also find in the record of the meeting lield
in 1839 ^^^'^^ ^^ ^'^'^^ voted to abate a tax on Benjamin F.
Staples' bills for the year 1834; thus showing that an or-
ganization must have existed at that time.

Swan's Island alone constituted this alleged plantation
which started on its career in the spring of 1834 at a meet-
ing held in the house of Ebenezer Joyce, where the fol-
lowing officers were elected : Assessors, Benjamin Stin-
son, Benjamin Smith and James Joyce; clerk, John
Stockbridge ; treasurer, Benjamin Stinson ; collector of
taxes, Benjamin F. Staples. . No further record is found
until that of the year

1838.

The assessors chosen this year were Augustus R.
Staples, Edward Gott and Benjamin F. Stinson.

1839.

Met at schoolhouse in east district. Meeting was
opened by prayer bv Benjamin Stinson. The following
officers were chosen : Benjamin Stinson, moderator and
treasurer; Benjamin F. Stinson, clerk; Benjamin Stinson,
Augustus R. Staples and James Joyce, assessors ; collec-
tion of taxes bid off at auction at 3 per cent, by Thomas
Sadler. Raised $90 for schools, $150 for roads, and $25
for plantation expenses. William Stanley and Levi
Torrey were elected school agents; Benjamin F. Stinson,
William Fife and Joseph R. Torre}^, school committee ;
Asa Staples, John Stockbridge and Edward Gott, t} thing-
men ; William Jo}ce and Enoch Billings sextons.

2o6

Voted to abate O'Maley's tax on Benjamin F. Staples'
bill for 1834. Voted that no license be given to sell ardent
spirits. Voted that the island be divided so that three-
fifths of the voters shall be in the west district, and two-
fifths in the east district. A road was laid out from John
Stockbridge's to Thomas Sadler's house. The tax list
this year contained fifty persons.

State election was held September 9, and the follow-
ing was the vote : For governor, John Fairfield' had 19
votes; Edward Kent, i ; for senator, Charles Jarvis, 19;
representative to legislature, Allen Hopkins, 19; Amos
Clements, i.

A meeting was called in the west district October 8.
They voted to tinish their schoolhouse, and raised $60 for
the same. The work was set up at auction, and bid off
by Edward Gott. School was to begin December 20, and
continue eight weeks. Master's board bid off by Tliomas
Colomy for fifty cents per week. Wood furnished b}'
Benjamin F. Stinson at one shilling per cord. East dis-
trict voted to have two and one-half months' school in win-
ter, and three months in the summer,

1840.

Augustus R. Staples was chosen moderator; James
Joyce, clerk; Benjamin Stinson, Augustus R. Staples and
John Stinson, assessors; Benjamin Stinson, treasurer.
Voted to pay their taxes in directly to the treasurer.
Raised $100 for schools, $150 for highwaj-s, and $20 for
plantation expenses. Joshua S. Trask and Thomas Col-

207

omy were elected school agents ; Benjamin F. Stinson,
Joseph R. Torrey and Joshua S. Trask, school committee.
Voted to lay out a road from the highway to Asa C.
Staples' house.

School meeting was held in east district October 14.
Voted to begin school the first Monda}' in January. Mas-
ter's board bid off b}' Ebenezer Jox'ce at $1 a week. In
the presidential election held this 3^ear the democratic
electors had 41 votes, the whigs 3. State election, John
Fairfield had 47 votes for governor; Edward Kent 2;
representative to the legislature, Thomas Bunker 47 ;
Amos Clements 2.

1841.

Augustus R. Staples, James Joyce and Joseph R.
Torrey were chosen assessors. Raised $100 for schools,
$30 for current expenses, and $130 for liigliways. Wil-
liam Joyce and Benjamin Smith were chosen school
agents; Augustus R. Staples, Benjamin F. Stinson and
Moses Staples, 3d, school committee. Voted to abate the
tax on grist-mill. State election, the vote cast was as fol-
lows : For governor, John Fairfield 49; Edward Kent 3 ;
representative to the legislature, Amos Allen, 48. At a
school meeting it was voted to have two months' school.
Board bid off by Moses Staples, 3d, at seventj-two cents
a week.

1842.

Benjamin Stinson, William Stinson and Kimball
Herrick were chosen assessors. Raised $100 for schools,
$30 for current expenses, and $150 for highways. Eben-

2o8

ezer Joyce and Joseph Gott were cliosen school agents.
Benjamin F. Stinson, John Adams and Sihis Hardy,
school committee. Voted to divide west district. The
southeast district to be formed, the line running between
Joseph Gott's and John Gott's ; Irish point district line to
run between Abel Lane's and David Smith's. William
Joyce, William Fife and Joseph Gott were chosen tything-
men. Voted to give east district power to elect its own
school agent. State election, John Fairfield had 34 votes
for governor ; Edward Roberson i ; for representative to
the legislature, Stephen Allen 34.

1843.

John Adams, Ebenezer Joyce and Kimball Herrick
were chosen assessors; John Adams, Benjamin Stinson
and Silas Hardy, school committee. Voted to allow
school districts to choose their owm agents. Voted to num-
ber the districts : West district shall be No. i, east dis-
trict No. 2, southwest district No. 3, southeast district No.
4. Raised $100 for schools, $150 for highways, and $40
for current expenses. Voted to lay out a road from Ed-
mond Stanley's to Widow Gott's house. The school com-
mittee was allowed fifty cents per school for their com-
pensation. A road to be laid out from the schoolhouse
to Silas Hardy's. In district No. 2 voted to pay summer
teacher $1.00 per week. At the State election the fol-
lowing vote was cast: For governor, Hugh J. Anderson,
23 votes; representative to the legislature, Erastus Red-
man, 23.

209

1844.

Benjamin Stinson, Benjamin Smith, jr., and Joseph
R. Torrey were chosen assessors ; WilHam Jo^ce and
Samuel Gott tything-men. Raised $125 for schools, $150
for highways and $35 for current expenses. Voted that
the assessors lay out a road from William Jo3'ce's to Abel
E. Staples' house. At State election the vote was as fol-
lows : For governor, Hugh J. Anderson, 45 ; Edward
Robinson, i ; for representative to the legislature, Benja-
min F. Stinson, 45; Humphrey Wells, i. Voted on an
amendment to tlie constitution so as to establish town
courts. The votes cast were even — 18 yeas and 18 noes.
Presidential election, the democratic electors received 60
votes, the whigs i.

1845.

Augustus R. Staples, Kimball Herrick and William
Jovce were chosen assessors. John Adams, Benjamin
Smith and Ebenezer Jo3'ce, school committee. Raised
$150 for schools, $40 for current expenses, $61 for
arrearages, and $150 for highways. Voted not to grant
license to sell intoxicating liquors. At the State election
the following vote was cast : For governor, Flugh J.
Anderson, 40; Freeman H. Morse, i; lepresentative to
the legislature, Hezekiah D. Means, 40. A meeting was
called Feb. 14, 1846, at wliich it was voted to prohibit all
non-residents from running liounds, setting traps or ]a\ing
poison for an}- fur-bearing animal. The penalty to be
$50 fine, one-half of wliich fine to go to the complainant.

210

1846.

Augustus R. Staples, Benjamin F. Staples and Kim-
ball Herrick, assessors. Raised $150 for schools, $50
for current expenses, and $150 for highways. Benjamin
F. Stinson, Joshua S. Trask and William Fife, school
committee. State election the following vote \a as cast :
For governor, John W. Dana, 42 ; David Bronson, i ;
representative to the legislature, Erastus Redman, 42. A
meeting was called Feb. 3, 1847, at which it was voted
that the men who had been chopping wood on advertised
land be allowed to take the wood and pay stumpage
according to value — fifty cents for hard wood, and twenty-
five for soft wood. These men shall obtain a permit to
remove this wood, or they will be liable for trespass.
Voted that those claiming the land they occupy shall have
the land surveyed, and a record made in the clerk's book.
That all other lands not occupied be run out and marked
into fifty-acre lots. This sm-ve}' to be completed before
April 30 next. All persons having taken up wild lands
shall have the same surve3'ed and recorded before April l

next.

1847.

Benjamin Stinson, Augustus R. Staples and Kimball
Herrick were chosen assessors. Raised $160 for schools,
$50 for current expenses and $150 for highways. No
person is to be allowed to hunt with hounds except on his
own land. Any person who does not pay tax on the land
he has run out shall forfeit his right to said land. Voted
to compel every man to keep his sheep within his own en-^

211

closure. Accepted the road laid out from Levi Torre}-,
jr.'s house to tlie main road.

In this 3'ear the wild land which had heen advertised
was run out by John Dodge, and the following lots were
at once taken up: Edmond Stanley, 50 acres ; James
Sprague 75; John and David Sprague 200; Moses
Staples 25 ; Washington Staples 33 ; Solomon Barbour
49; Benjamin F. Staples 26; Levi Torre}^, jr., 12; Elias
Morey 31 ; Isaiah B. Jovce 10; Benjamin Stockbridge 7 ;
John Stockbridge 31 ; Ebenezer and Isaiah B. Joyce 151 ;
Joseph Gott 138; Edward Gott 40; Kingsland and Con-
ary 100; Asa C. Staples 25; Benjamin Smith 50; David
Smith 115, and Kimball Ilerrick 115. There were also
twent\-t\vo other lots of 50 acres each which were not
taken up at this time.

At the State election the votes cast were : For gov-
ernor, John W. Dana, 35 ; David Bronson, i ; represen-
tative to the legislature, Hezekiah Means, 35 ; N. K.
Sawyer, i. On the vote to see if the State officers shall
be elected bv plurality, the result was 26 noes.

1848.

Augustus R. Staples, Benjamin F. Stinson and Ben-
jamin Stockbridge, assessors. Raised $150 for schools,
$150 for highways, and $60 for current expenses. Voted
to sell non-resident land at auction for cash. Augustus R.
Staples was made agent to run off this land and sell it.
The lots were marked, according to qualit}' , into tirst, sec-
ond and third class. At the State election John W. Dana

212

had 32 votes for governor: Erastus Redman, 36 votes for
representative to the legishiture. Presidential election
the democratic electors had 43 votes; the whig electors 3.

1849.

Kimball Herrick, Benjamin Smith, and Thomas J.
Coloni}^, assessors. Raised $160 for schools, $170 for
highways, and $50 for current expenses. Benjamin F.
Stinson, Joseph R. Torrey and James Joyce were elected
school committee. Ambrose Gott, Edward Gott and Elias
Morey, tj'thing-men. Voted to accept the road laid out
from Samuel Roberson's to the iiighvvay. V^oted to divide
the money received from wild lands sold, in proportion,
according to the inventory of 1846. x\t the State election
John Hubbard received 28 votes for governor; Wyer Sar-
gent 28 votes for representative to the legislature.

1850.

Benjamin Smith, jr., Edward Gott and David Stinson
were chosen assessors. School agents chosen were John-
son Billings No. 1, Jacob Reed No. 2, David Stinson No.
3, and David Sprague No. 4. Benjamin F. Stinson, Ben-
jamin Stinson and Edward Gott were chosen school com-
mittee. Raised $160 for schools, $175 for roads and $75
for current expenses. The school census in 1850 gave the
following result: District No. i, 64 scholars; No. 2, 62 ;
No. 3, 25; No. 4, 43; total, 194. State election, John
Hubbard had 24 votes for governor, William G. Crosby, 3.
For representative to the legislature, Stephen D. Gra}' had
24; Rufus B. Walker, i, and Rufus K. Walker, 2,

213

i85i.

Kimball Herrick, John Sprague and John Stinson
were chosen assessors; Benjamin F. Stinson, Joseph R.
Torrey and Augustus R. Torre}', school committee ; Ben-
jamin Stinson, the plantation agent to sell wild lands.
Raised $150 for scliools, $150 for highwa3's and $40 for
current expenses. Voted to annex John Gott's property
to district No. i. This year th.e school census was: Dis-
trict No. I, 59 scholars; No. 2, 66, No. 3, 21 ; No. 4, 37.
There were at this time 68 voters in the plantation. A
special meeting was called for districts Nos. i, 3 and 4,
which voted to lay out a burying ground, funds for the
same to be raised b}'' subscription.

1852.

Solomon Barbour, Augustus R. Staples and Thomas
Sadler were chosen assessors; Benjamin F. Stinson on the
school board. Raised $180 for schools, $175 for high-
ways and $50 for current expenses. At the State election
the vote cast was : For governor, John Hubbard, 51;
representative to the legislature, William Webb, 56. At
the presidential election the democratic electors had 51
votes; whigs none,

1853.

Solomon Barbour, Benjamin Smith, jr., and Joseph
R. Torrey were chosen assessors; Augustus R. Torrey
was chosen on the school board. Raised $180 for schools,
$200 for highwa3's and $60 for current expenses. Voted
to lay out a road from Benjamin F. Stinson's house to the

214

highway. State election, vote for governor was : Albert
Pillsbury, 12, Anson P. Morrill, 9; William G. Crosby,
2 ; representative to the legislature, William F. Collins,
15. Voted to accept the road laid out from schoolhouse
in district No. 4 to Moses Bridges.

1854.

Benjamin Smith, jr., Benjamin Stinson and Joseph
R. Torrey were chosen assessors ; Benjamin F. Stinson
supervisor of schools. Raised $215 for schools, $200 for
highways and $60 for current expenses. The article to
provide for the selling of liquor for medicinal purposes
was passed over. The number of voters in the plantation
this year was 85.

1855.

Kimball Herrick, Asa Joyce and David Stinson were
chosen assessors; Benjamin F. Stinson, supervisor of
schools. Raised $215 for schools, $125 for highways.
Voted that each man shall work out his tax on or before
Septeml^er 20, or shall cause the same to be worked out
on the highvvav. Raised $60 for current expenses.
Voted to accept the road laid out from Moses Conary's
house to J. S. Smith's barn; also the road from Samuel
Kent's to Asa Smith's.

1856.

Augustus R. Staples, Benjamin Smith, jr., and Sol-
omon Barbour were chosen assessors. Voted to have a
school committee in place of a supervisor; Benjamin F.
Stinson, Augustus R. Torrey and Ebenezer Joyce were

215

chosen. Raised $254 for schools, $200 for highways and
$75 for current expenses. State election, the votes cast
were: For governor, Samuel Wells, 29; Hannibal Ham-
lin, 28; representative to the legislature, James Turner,
2d, 29 : Charles A. Spofford, 28.

1857-
Solomon Barbour, Benjamin Smith, jr., and John
Stockbridge were chosen assessors ; Benjamin F. Stinson,
Joseph R. Torrey and Ebenezer Joyce, school committee.
Raised $260 for schools, $175 for roads, and $75 for cur-
rent expenses. Voted that districts No. i and No. 2 be
divided b}'^ a line between the property of Edward Gott and
Isaiah B. Joyce; that Roderick M. Joyce be annexed to
district No. 2, and John Gott to be set off to district No. i.
Number of voters this year was 86. At the State election
the vote for governor was : Manassah H. Smith, 19 ; Lot
M. Morrill, 7 ; representative to the legislature, William
Babbidge 19; John Turner 7.

1858,

David Sprague, Benjamin Smith, jr., and John
Stockbridge, assessors. Chose Benjamin F. Stinson su-
pervisor of schools. Raised $260 for schools, $75 for
current expenses and $150 for roads. Tiie plantation se-
lected the hill near Wharton's as a suitable place to build a
schoolhouse, on the north side of the road leadinij from
James Joyce's to B. F. Staples', if a deed can be obtained
at a reasonable price. If not it is to be built on land of O*
W. Morrey's near said hill.

2l6

1859.

Kimball Herrick, Benjamin Smith, jr., and Joseph
W. Staples, assessors. The board of assessors be also the
school committee. Raised $260 for schools, $75 for cur-
rent expenses and $150 for highways. Voted to accept
road from Lucv Valentine's house to the higrhwav. Voted
to divide district No. i between David Sprague's and Ed-
ward Gott's ; the north portion to be known as district No.
5 ; also that Roderick M. Joyce and others from district
No. 2 at the line between J. W. Staples and John S.
Jovce, and from district No. i to Benjamin Stinson's south
line, this new district to be known as No. 6.

i860.

Benjamin Smith, jr., Joseph R. Torrev and Benjamin
F. Staples, assessors, the assessors to serve as the school
board. Raised $275 for schools, $200 for highways, and
$75 for current expenses. At the presidential election the
democratic electors had 20 votes and the republican 19.

1861.

Kimball Herrick, Benjamin F. Staples and Benjamin
Stockbridge, assessors and school committee. Raised
amount of school mone}' required by law; $150 for roads,
and $75 for current expenses.

1862.

Benjamin Smith, jr., John Staples and Martin V.
Babbidge, assessors. Raised $300 for schools, $80 for
current expenses and $150 for highways.

217

1863.

Same board of assessors as the previous year was
elected. Oliver L. Joyce was chosen collector of taxes,
and was paid 4 per cent. Martin V. Babbidge, Cornelius
Wasgatt and Ebenezer JoNce were school committee.
Raised $300 for schools, $75 for current expenses, and
$200 for roads. A special meeting was called Dec. i, at
which it was voted to raise $2,100 for volunteers; that the
money be hired for two or three years' time, to be obtained
in town if possible. Solomon Barbour was chosen agent
to raise this money. This year there were 99 voters in the
plantation.

1864.

James Joyce, Isaiah B. Jo}ce and James Joyce, jr.,
assessors ; Cornelius Wasgatt and Martin V. Babbidge,
school committee. Voted to instruct the plantation agent
to put all bills for war tax into the constable's hands for
collection if not paid by September 2. Raised $300 for
schools, $50 for current expenses, and $200 for liighways.
Paid 6 per cent, for collection of taxes. A meeting was
called October 24 in wliich it was voted to raise $5,000 for
\olunteers and substitutes; that young men liable to be
taxed shall pay $50 apiece. l^enjamin Smith and Joseph
W. Staples were elected collectors. A meeting was
called February 17 at which $7,860 was raised to pay the
men who have put substitutes in the army under the call
of July, 1864. Voted to raise $800 to every man vvlio
enlisted.

21§

1865.

Solomon Barbour, Benjamin Smith, jr., and Joseph
R. Torrey, assessors ; Cornelius Wasgatt, Benjamin
Smith, jr., and Joseph R. Torrey, school committee.
Raised $350 for schools, $75 for current expenses, and
$150 for highways. Voted to accept the road laid out
from B. F. Staples' wharf to the nearest highway : also
the road from E. F, Smith's to Fred and H. Benson's.
A special meeting was called July 10. Heard the report
of the men who had put substitutes into the arm}'. Voted
to pay them 50 per cent, of what the}' had paid out, and
exempt them from further taxation. Voted to pay the
money hired in three yearly installments.

1866.

Solomon Barbour, Benjamin Stockbridge and OHvef
L. Joyce, assessors; Cornelius Wasgatt, Joseph R. Tor-
rey and Oliver L. Joyce, school committee. Raised $370
for schools, $75 for current expenses, and voted to pay
town officers $1.50 a day; $200 for highways. Voted to
tax dogs $5. Voted to accept the road laid out from
James Joyce's to Jacob S. Reed's, and thence to the high-
way at the corner of James Joyce's fence, near Joseph F.

Reed's.

1867.

Cornelius Wasgatt, Benjamin Smith, jr., and William
Herrick, assessors; Cornelius Wasgatt, Benjamin Smith,
jr., and Oliver L. Joyce, school committee. Raised $450
for schools, $75 for current expenses, and $250 for high-

219

vva3's. Voted that all road tax not worked out before

Oct. lO to be put in the collector's hands. Chose Jacob

S. Reed and Joseph Gott tything-men. Voted that there

siiall be a town landing at the head of the harbor, near J.

Gott's, and a road be laid out to the higlnva}'. A meeting

was called June 3 at which it was \oted to accept the road

laid out from Roderick M. Joyce's wharf to the highway

near schoolhouse No. 6; also road from John Valentine's

dwelling to the highway, and to discontinue the road near

J^enjamin Stinson's. Aug. 17, there were 96 voters in tlie

plantation.

1868.

Solomon Barbour, Joseph R. Torrey and Isaiah J.
Stockbridge, assessors ; Cornelius Wasgatt, John V. Stin-
son and Oliver L. Joyce, school committee. Raised $450
for schools, $40 for current expenses, and $200 for high-
ways. Chose Edward Gott collector of taxes ; Levi B.
Joyce and James F. Gott tything-men. Number of voters
tills year was 102. A meeting was called Dec. 5, at
which it was voted to pay each man who went from this
plantation into the war of the rebellion, or who furnished
a substitute, the sum of $100. This amount to be raised
in sixty days. At a subsequent meeting this \ote was re-
considered, and a longer time fjiven in which to raise

$1,500.

1869.

Kimball Ilerrick, Benjamin Smitli, jr., and Joseph
]<.. Torrey, assessors. The first assessor having resigned,
John Stockbridge v\ as chosen. Oliver L. JoAce, Martin

220

V. Babbidge and Joseph R. Torrey, school committee,
Raised $500 for schools, $75 for current expenses, and
$200 for roads. Levi B. Joyce and Benjamin Smith, jr.,
were chosen tN'thing-men.

1870.

Cornelius Wasgatt, Kimball Herrick and William
Herrick, assessors ; Cornelius Wasgatt, James F. Gott
and Melliah J. Stinson, school committee. Raised $500
for schools, $75 for current expenses, and $50 for roads.
Voted that the plantation assess and collect $10.50 out of
the $1,500, to pa}' war debt.

1871.

Solomon Barbour, Benjamin Smith, jr., and Mel-
tiah J. Stinson, assessors; Cornelius Wasgatt, Joseph
W. Staples and John N. Stinson, school committee.
Raised $350 for schiools, $100 for high\va3-s, $75 for
current expenses. Voted to accept road from Kimball
Herrick's house to the highway. Voted that district No.
6 be abolished, and that the dividing line between districts
No. I and 2 be the line between the property of Edward
Gott and David H. Sprague.

1872.

Solomon Barbour, Benjamin Smith, jr., atid John
Stockbridge, assessors ; Cornelius Wasgatt, Hanson B.
Joyce and Charles H. Joyce, school committee. Raised
$450 for schools, $150 for roads. Voted to buy the
Bchoolhouse at Center.

221

i873-
Hanson B. Jo3'ce, George H. Barbour and Benjamin
J. Staples, assessors; Cornelius Wasgatt, Hanson B. JoA'ce
and Charles H. Jo3xe, school commiUee, and that the com-
mittee be paid $2 per day. Raised $500 for schools,
$300 for highways, and $200 for current expenses. Ac-
cepted the road laid out from Henry D. Joyce's to Joanna
Torrey's house. Voted to change the road that now runs
to the northward of E. M, Staples' house so as to run to
the southwest of it, commencing at the southwest corner
of B. F. Staples' field and meeting the old road in Leslie
W. Joyce's pasture. The board of assessors having re-
signed, Benjamin Smith, Joseph W. Staples and Charles
H. Joyce were chosen. In State election Joseph Titcomb
had 5 votes; Nelson Dingley, jr., 6,

1874.

Cornelius Wasgatt, Joseph R. Torrey and Benjamin
Smith, assessors; Hanson B. Joyce and J. W. Stinson,
school committee. Raised $300 for highwa\-s, $375 for
schools, and $200 for current expenses. Voted that the
superintending school committee be authorized to designate
what series of text-books shall be used in the schools, and
give notice thereof to the parents of the several districts
before the summer term of school begins.

1875-

Cornelius Wasgatt, Joseph R. Torrey and Levi B.
Joyce, assessors ; Cornelius Wasgatt, Martin V. Babbidge
and Charles H. Joyce, school committee. James Jovce

222

was chosen collector, his compensation to be $24.50.

Raised $500 for schools, $300 for highways and $275 for

current expenses.

1876.

David E. Sprague, M. J. Stinson and James Jo^xe,

assessors; Benjamin Smith, collector; Cornelius Wasgatt,

Levi B. Joyce and Martin V. Babbidge, school committee.

Voted that the treasurer make a discount of 10 per cent.

on all taxes paid in previous to November i, and that all

taxes remaining unpaid Januar\- i, 1877, be put in the

constable's hands for collection. Raised $400 for schools,

$50 for highways and $350 for current expenses. Voted

to expend $25 on road leading from Kimball Herrick's

liouse to the highway. The assessors to sell schoolhouse

No. 6, and the proceeds divided between districts No. i and

No. 2 in proportion to the number of scholars wliich each

district received from district No. 6 when this school was

discontinued. There were 117 voters in town at this

election.

1877.

David E. Sprague, James Joyce and Michael Stin-
son, assessors ; Cornelius Wasgatt, Martin V. Babbidge
and Levi B. Jovce, school committee. Raised $400 for
schools, $100 for highways, and $375 for current

expenses.

1878.

Benjamin Smith, M. J. Stinson and Levi B. Joyce,
assessors; John Staples, treasurer: Levi B. Joyce and
Charles IL Joyce, school committee. Raised $400 fov

22-3

schools, $375 for current expenses, and $iOO for liigh-
waN's. Voted to accept the road laid out from Michael
Stinson's house to his wh.arf , also that the assessors lay
out a road from Kimball Herrick's house to the lighthouse
on Hocomock Head. A meeting was called March 21,
1878, at which it was voted to discontinue all highways on
Swan's Island, and that all mone}^ raised for highwaA^s be
expended on private wa3's. At the State election the fol-
lowinir vote was cast : For <jovernor, Seldon Connor had
3; Joseph L. Smith, 24; Alonzo Garcelon, 12; represen-
tative to the legislature, Charles A. Russ had 32 ; Benja-
min G. Barbour, 4. This year there were 139 voters.

1879.

Benjamin Smith, Levi B. Joyce and Oliver L. Jo\'ce,
assessors; John Staples, treasurer; Martin V. Babbidge
on the school committee. Raised $300 for current ex-
penses, $400 for schools and $200 for roads. At the State
election the vote for governor was : Joseph L. Smith, 42 ;
Alonzo Garcelon, 9; Daniel F. Davis, 9; for represen-
tative to the legislature, Charles H. S. Webb, 57; Rodney
Witherspoon, 9. On the constitutional amendment to
have biennial elections for State officers, yeas 57.

1880.

David E. Sprague, James Joyce and Joseph W.
Staples, assessors ; Joseph W. Staples and Levi B. Jovce,
school committee. Raised $400 for current expenses,
$400 for schools and $200 for highways. At the Slate
election the vote for governoi" was : Harris M. Plaisted,

224

29; Daniel F. Davis, 5; representative to the legislature,
Seth Webb, 29; Moses S. Joyce, 5; on constitutional
amendment to elect State officers by plurality, yeas 2 ;
noes 10. In the presidential election the democratic
electors had 78 votes; tlie repul)lican 11.

1881.

David E. Sprague, Oliver L. Jovce and Joseph W.
Staples, assessors ; Levi B. Joyce, Joseph W. Staples and
Charles H. Joyce, school committee. Raised $400 for
current expenses, $490 for schools, and $400 for high-
wa3'S. Voted that the road laid out by tlie assessors from
Tootliaker's by David E. Sprague's to connect with tlie old
road nearlv abreast George B. Stewart's, be accepted;
also accepted the road laid out past Levi B. Joyce's barn,
and running to the old road near the swamp.

1882.

Benjamin Smiih, Joseph W. Staples and Myric E.
Staples, assessors; Isaiah J. Stoekbridge, on the school
committee. Raised $490 for schools, $350 for current
expenses, and $400 for highvvajs. Voted that all books
be bought at the plantation's expense and sold at cost,
John Staples was appointed agent. Voted Lo accept the
road laid out from Herbert Jo}ce's house to the steamboat
wharf; also tlie road from Orlando Trask's house, past
John S. Staples' barn to the main road. At the State
election the vote stood : For governor, Harris M. Plaisted,
23 ; Frederick Robie, 7 ; representati^■e to the legislature,
Charles A. Spofford, 23; George H. Howard, 7,

225

i883.

David E. Sprague, Joseph W. Staples and Isaiah J.
Stockbiidge, assessors; Levi B. Joyce on the school com-
mittee. Raised $500 for highwa3's, $485 for schools, and
$400 for current expenses. Voted to discontinue the road
from Henry D. Joyce's to the cross-road near M. E.
Staples'; also the road from where Benjamin J. Staples'
wharf was to the highwa}', and also the road from Charles
W. Kent's to John C. Kent's. The whole amount of tax-
raised this year was $1,888.21.

1884.

David E. Sprague, Isaiah J. Stockbridge and Oliver
L. JoN'ce, assessors ; Oliver L. Joyce, on the school com-
mittee. Raised $490 for schools, $350 for current ex-
penses, and $500 for highways. Discontinued the road
near 'the head of tlie harbor. At the State election the
vote for governor was: John B. Redman, 35; Frederick
Robie, 25 ; representative to the legislature, William P.
Herrick, 56. At the presidential election tlie democratic
electors had 21 votes: the republican, 21; prohibition, 3.
A special meeting was held at schoolhouse No. 5, and it
was voted to accept the new road laid out at tlie head of
the harbor, and also road south of No. 6 schoolhouse, and
to hire $100 to be expended on said roads immediately.

1885.

Joseph W. Staples, Levi B. Joyce and Edmond F.
Bridges, assessors; Isaiah J. Stockbridge on the school

226

committee. Raised $485 for schools, $300 for current

expenses, and $500 for high\va3\s. Voted to discontinue

trie road from the highway to the old Torrey place, and

also the old road eastward of James L. Smith's, abreast the

new road laid out. Voted to accept the road laid out from

John C. Kent's to Albion W. Smith's field. There were

22 majority in favor of rebuilding county buildings at

Ellsworth .

1886.

David E. Sprague, Edmond F. Bridges and Joseph
W. Staples, assessors; Alphonso N. Witham, on the
school committee. Raised $500 for schools, $350 for
current expenses, and $300 for highways. Voted to ac-
cept road laid out from S3'lvester Morse's to the highway.
In the State election the vote for governor was : Clark S.
Edwards, 13; Joseph R. Bodwell, i2 ; for representative
to the legislature, Benjamin F. Fifield, 11; Wilmot B.

Thurlow, 12.

1887.

Joseph \V. Staples, Levi B. Joyce and Benjamin
Smith, assessors; Oliver L. Joyce, on the school commit-
tee. Raised $500 for schools, $300 for current expenses,
and $400 for highways.

Edmond F. Bridges, Levi B. Joyce and Isaac W.
Stinson, assessors; Levi B. Joyce, supervisor of schools.
Raised $500 for schools, $300 for current expenses, and
$400 for highways. Voted to make a town landing of M.
Stinson's wharf, he to be allowed l^io for the use of it.

227

At the State election the vote for governor was : Edwin
C. Burleigh, 19; William L. Putnam, 15; for representa-
tive to the legislature, Seth Webb, 22; Frank S. War-
ren, 15.

1889.

Edmond F. Bridges, Levi B. Jo3ce and Oliver L.

Joyce, assessors; Levi B. Joyce, Oscar S. Erskine and

Charles H. Joyce, school committee. Raised $500 for

schools, $300 for current expenses, and $400 for high-

vvavs. x\ccepted road laid out from Hosea Kent's to John

C. Kent's. Voted to unite districts No. 3 and No. 5, and

Bradford E. Rowe, Hiram Colomy and Benjamin J.

Staples were chosen a committee to locate the schoolhouse

for said districts.

1890.

Edmond F. Bridges, Levi B. Joyce and N. T.
Morse, assessors; Levi B. Joyce on the school committee.
Raised $500 for schools, $400 for highways, $250 for
current expenses. At the State election the vote for gov-
ernor was: Edwin C. Burleigh, 17; William P. Tiiomp-
son, 34; representative to the legislature, Joseph W. Has-
kell, 12; Seth Webb, 43.

1891.

Charles H. Joyce, Oliver L. Joyce and Benjamin
Smith, assessors; Oliver L. Joyce on the school commit-
tee. Raised $500 for schools, $100 for text-books, $500
for highwavs, and $200 for current expenses. Voted to
tliscontinue the road from the John Smitii place to wliere

228

it joins the road from Herbert Holbrook's ; that the asses-
sors examine the road from Herbert Holbrook's place and
hu^ out a road where they think necessar}- . The assessors
are authorized to get a road machine, and if it works sat-
isfactorily to pay for it out of the money raised for roads.

1892.

Edmond F. Bridges, Levi B. Joyce and Joseph W.
Staples, assessors; Charles H. Joyce and Isaiah J. Stock-
bridge, school committee, with Levi B. Joyce chairman.
Raised $575 for schools, $50 for text-books, $650 for
highwa3^s, and $300 for current expenses. At the State
election the vote for governor was : Henr}^ B. Cleaves,
21; Charles F. Johnson, 18; Timoth}' B. Hussey, i; for
representative to the legislature, Wilmot B. Thurlow, 25 ;
Franklin B. Ferguson, 16.

1893.

Isaac W. Stinson, Charles E. Sprague and Frank E.
Pettingill, assessors; Levi B. Joyce on the school com-
mittee. Raised $75 for text-books, $600 for schools,
$550 for highways, $50 on road from David Smith's to
Lewis Stanley's ; $300 for current expenses. Voted not
to divide district No. 4. Voted to apply to the legislature
for a town charter, if it can be secured without becoming
liable to support the paupers on the adjacent islands.

1894.

Charles E. Sprague, Isaiah J. Stockbridge and Lewis
Stanley, assessors; H. W. Small, Isaac W. Stinson and

229

George Sprague, school committee. H. W. Small was
elected supervisor. Raised $600 for schools, $50 for
text-books, $450 for current expenses, and $300 for roads.
Districts Nos. i, 3 and 5 were consolidated. Voted to
build a two-story schoolhouse for the accommodation of
these combined districts. Chose Benjamin Smith, Charles
E. Sprague, Hermon W. Small, Dana E. Burns and
Benjamin J. Staples as building committee, who shall
determine the location of said schoolhouse, and superin-
tend its building.

1895.

There were three meetings this 3ear for the election of
municipal officers. The first two were considered void on
account of some imformality in the warrants. The first
meeting was held March 4, the second March 27 ; the
third at No. 4 schoolhouse on April 18. Chose J. W.
Staples, moderator, Levi B. Joyce, clerk. Voted to re-
consider the transactions of the two previous meetings,
and the officers chosen at these former meetings tendered
their resignations. Charles E. Sprague, I.J. Stockbridge
and Nelson T. Morse were chosen assessors ; I. W. Stin-
son, treasurer; Fred A. Joyce on the school board; H.
W. Small, superintendent of schools; N. T. Morse,
collector of taxes. Appropriated $505 for schools, $75
for text-books, $500 for highways, $450 for current ex-
penses, $100 for repairs on schoolhouses.

During the session of the legislatm-e of 1895-6 an act
was passed, incorporating into a town Swan's Island and
all other islands, the whole or part of which are within

230

three miles from high water mark of said Swan's Ishind,
except Marshall's Island and such islands as are now a
part of Long Island plantation. This act was passed,
with the provision that this law shall not take effect unless
the same is accepted by a majority vote by ballot of the
legal voters of Swan's Island, taken at their annual meet-
ing held the first Monday in March, A. D. 1896, an article
therefor having; been inserted in the warrant callintr the
meeting. If act is then so accepted, it shall immediately
take effect, and the legal v^oters there present may proceed
to elect the usual town officers, and transact any other
business as a town of which notice has been oiven in the
warrant calling said meeting of said plantation,

1896.

The annual meeting was held at Atlantic school-
house; N. T. Morse was chosen moderator. Voted not
to accept the town charter by a vote of 82 to 59. L. B.
Jo3'ce was elected clerk; C. H. Joyce, I. J. Stockbridge
and Oliver Bowley, assessors; Charles W. Shaw% auditor;
I. W. Stinson, . treasurer. H. W. Small and Levi B.
Jo3'Ce on the school board : H. W. Small, superintendent
of schools ; Fred Turner, road commissioner. Appro-
priated $^505 for schools, $30 for school-books, $300 for
highways, $400 for current expenses, and $200 for
support of the poor. Voted to pay tlie balance due on
the schoolhouse debt. Accepted the road laid out from
near Philip McRae's to S. Morse's.

In State election in September the vote was :• For gov-

231

ernor, Llewell}!! Powers, 22; Melvin P. Frank, 14;
representative to the legislature, Stephen B. Thurlow had
32 ; Dudley W-. Fifield, 7. During the session of the
legislature of 1896-7 a bill was passed making Swan's
Island a town. The limits were the same as in the bill
passed by the previous legislature, and contained the fol-
lowing islands : Swan's Island, Orino, Round, Sheep,
Finne}', Buckle, Crow, Heron, Hat, Hay, Green, Harbor,
Scrag, two Bakers, John's and the two Sister islands,
which include eighteen out of the twenty-five islands that
were originalh^ conveyed to Swan in the Burnt Coat
group. The legislature also authorized the new town to
collect in all outstanding taxes that had been assessed by
the officers of the de facto plantation. It also gave au-
thoritv to any justice of the peace in Hancock county to
warn a meeting. This bill, granting a town charter to
Swan's Island, was signed by the governor, and became a

law March 26, 1897.

1897.

The annual meeting was held March i, and the usual
officers chosen. The question, however, was raised in re-
gard to the legality of the incorporation of the plantation,
as no record was to be found of such proceedings, and
the legislature did not legalize either the title to a planta-
tion or the transactions that had taken place under the
alleged plantation. So a new meeting was warned
according to the requirements of the new town charter.
The first town meeting was held in No. 4 sciioolhouse on
April 13. The warrant was issued by Le\i B. Joyce,

232

esq., to Llewellyn V. Jo}'ce, directing him to warn a
meeting at the above-named place and date, to elect the
usual town officers.

The meeting was called to ordSr by L. V. Jovce.
Nelson T. Morse was elected moderator; C. E. Sprague,
clerk ; C. H. Joyce, I. J. Stockbridge and Oliver Bowley,
selectmen; George A. Sprague, auditor; I. W. Stinson,
treasurer; Isaac W. Stinson, A. C. Smith and E. K.
Gott, school board; John Hardy, superintendent of
schools ; Horace E. Stanley and Fred Turner, road com-
missioners. Appropriated $505 for schools, $75 for text-
books, $400 for roads, $550 for current expenses, $60 for
repairs on sclioolhouses, and $200 for support of poor. By
the death of Congressman Seth L. Milliken, a special
election was lield June 12 to choose his successor. The
vote was: For Edwin C. Burleigh, 24; Frederick W.

Plaisted, 4.

1898.

Meeting was held at Atlantic schoolhouse. This year
two hundred names appeared on the voting list. Tlie fol-
lowing were the officers chosen : Moderator, C. E,
Sprague; clerk, F. F. Morse; selectmen, C. H. Jo3'ce,
Oliver Bowlev and Linwood E. JoA'ce; school board, C.
E. Sprague, F. F. Morse and Nelson Sprague ; superin-
tendent of schools, H. W. Small ; auditor, J. W. Staples ;
road commissioner, David M. Stanley. Appropriated
$505 for schools, $700 for town expenses, $500 for high-
ways, $200 for support of poor, $50 for repairs on school-
house, $80 for text-books, and $100 for supplies and
appliances. Accepted road laid out from John Sprague's
to Elias Sprague's.

CHAPTER VIJl.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Following are the names of the representatives to the
State legislature who liave been chosen from Swan's
Island. When the first representative was chosen this
island was classed with Mt. Desert. The others repre-
sented the towns of Deer Isle, Swan's Island and Isle au
Plaut. The vote given below is for the whole representa-
tive district :

Benjamin Stinson was elected in 1837 ; he received
89 votes ; Enocli Spurling, 70.

Benjamin F. Stinson w^as elected in 1855 ; he re-
ceived 162 votes: Solomon Barbour, 134. Mr. Stinson
was a candidate for the same office in 1844. His vote in
this town was 45 ; Humphrey Wells, i. But Mr. Wells
received a majority in the district.

Ebenezer Joyce was elected in 1859; ^^^ received 135
votes; Franklin Closson, 134.

John Stockbridge was elected in 1867 ; he received
152 votes; William H. Reed, 74.

Martin V. Babbidge was elected in 1876; he received
268 votes; Augustus O. Gross, 173.

William P. Herrick was elected in 1884; he received

238 votes; Wilmot B. Thurlow, 237.

Charles E. Sprague was elected in 1894 ; he received

239 votes; Charles L. Knowlton, 155.

234

The Swan's Island Mutual Fire Insurance Company
was organized for the purpose of insining against loss or
damage b}' fire of buildings and household furniture
located on Swan's Island. Afterwards the propert}' on
Gott's Island and Orino Island was included. The first
meetinii to effect an ortjanization was held in the school-
house in district No. 2 on Januar}^ 29, 1893. On Feb-
ruar}'^ 10 following the signers of the " Articles of Agree-
ment " met and proceeded to elect a board of directors,
and adopted a constitution and by-laws. The following
was the first board of directors : Frank E. Pettin""ill,
Emery E. Joj'ce, Edmund F. Bridges, W. Leslie Joyce,
Hermon W. Small, Joseph W. Staples, Herbert W.
Joyce, James Joyce and Isaac W. Stinson. The board of
directors chose Hermon W. Small president; Joseph W.
Staples, secretary, and James Jo3xe, treasurer.

The plan of this insurance was for mutual home pro-
tection against loss by fire, at the least expense possible to
the policy-holders. The policies ran for a period of seven
years, and the policy fees at first were 17, afterwards 25
cents on each $100 insurance. This was just to meet the
incidental expenses. The president and secretar}' together
received $1 for the writing of each policx', and the treas-
urer received 10 per cent, of the gross receipts of these
policy fees for his compensation. There were to be no
other expenses except loss b}- fire, when each policy-
holder was to pay his part of the loss in proportion to the
amount for which lie was insured. The policy notes were
for 10 per cent, of the amount insured. About $25,000

235

was written the first year. A State charter was issued to
this company b}- the secretar}' of State on March 23,
1893. The first policies were issued April 18 following.

POSTOFFICES.

For some fifty years after the settlement of this town,
there was no postoffice here. Such mail as was received
stopped at the postoffice either at Deer Isle or Mount
Desert and was brouglit to tlds island when a sail-boat
chanced to visit those places. This was ver}- inconvenient
to the settlers, and often the delivery was long delayed or
the mail lost. The first office was established in 1844,
and Benjamin Stinson was appointed postmaster. The
mail at this time came to the island from Brooklin once a
week, and the mail carrier was to be paid b}' subscription ;
but as man\- received little mail, interest in the enterprise
soon waned and the burden of carryincr the mails fell
mostly to the lot of the postmaster. Few newspapers were
taken here at that time. Letters were merely folded and
secured with sealing-wax — no envelopes were used.
Postaire was charged accordino- to the distance the letter
was sent. It often cost twentv-five cents or more to send
a letter to some places even in this country. The postage
was collected when the mail was deli\'ered.

Mr. Stinson was succeeded as postmaster by James
Joyce, in 1852, and after him Joseph W. Staples was ap-
pointed. The mails during the last two appointments, and
a long time subsequent, were carried to Tremont.

The receipts of the office were all the department

236

allowed for the compensation of the postmaster and mall
carrier. The pa}- was so small that great difficult}' was
experienced in getting a mail carrier, and it was carried so
irregularly that a large part of the outgoing letters, from
which the revenue came, w^as sent off b}^ private convey-
ance. So the receipts of tlie office were small indeed.

In 1 861 Cornelius Wasgatt w^as appointed postmaster,
after which the mails were carried much more regularly.
When he moved from the island Mrs. Mary Gott received
the appointment. After her resignation Isaac W. Stin-
son, a grandson of the first Swan's Island postmaster, was
appointed, and at the present time the office is held by
Capt. William Herrick.

As the town increased in population and tlie amount
of mail became much larger, it proved inconvenient for
one office to accommodate the whole island. So, in 1884,
an office was established at the eastern side of the island,
called Atlantic. Mrs. Durilla Joyce was appointed post-
mistress. She held the office until 1897, when she was
succeeded bv Llewelhn V. Joyce. In 1897 a new office
was established in what was formerly school district No.
4, and was named Minturn. Mrs. Arwilda Newman was
appointed postmistress.

After the mails became somewhat larger than at first,
they were carried to Tremont twice a week when the
weather would permit a sail-boat to cross the bay. Later
they were carried daily. The department established a mail
route, and paid the mail carrier. In 1894 this old mail
route was discontinued, and a steamboat company con-

237

tracted to bring the mail daih' from Rockland to Old Har-
bor. This is a much more direct route than wlien it went
by the wav of Tremont, and thence b}- stage to Ellsworth.
We have now daily communication with the city, and daily
papers are received on the day of publication. In no other
way has the improvement been greater than in the man-
acrement of the mails, wliich is so vital to the business in-
terest of an}- community.

CHURCHES.

The earh^ settlers here were a religious people, and,
although the}' had no pastor or place for public worsliip,
they made up for this lack of privilege by holding Sunday
service in some dwelling-house, where one of the company
performed the service usual in those times by reading a
sermon. Mid-week prayer meetings were also held.
These services were attended b}' the people from the dif-
ferent sections of the whole island, and on pleasant dav.s
the}' would come from the neighboring islands. Most of
the first settlers were of the Congregational denomination,
but that church never formed an organization.

A Baptist preacher came here about the year 1814,
and conducted a series of revival meetings ; as a result,
quite a number joined the church of that denomination. In
1817 a Baptist society was organized in that part of the
town now known as Atlantic. According to the minutes
of the Baptist association, held in Sedgwick Oct. 12, 1820,
the Swan's Island church was taken into the association.
Rev. Bryant Lennan, a licensed preacher, and Joshua

238

Staples represented this church at tliis association. Tl^ey
reported the memhership at that time to be twent\'-three.

In 182 1 tlie Swan's Ishind cluirch was represented at
the Baptist association held at Surr}- by Rev. Bi yant Len-
nan and Courtney Babbidge. Two members had been
excluded during the year, leaving twent3'-one members in
good standing. In the association held in Addison in
1822, this church was not represented. Rev. Br3'ant
Lennan was ordained durino- the vear. This church was
represented at the association held in Brooksville in 1823,
by Rev. Bryant Lennan, Deacon James Joyce and Joshua
Staples. The membership was the same as last reported.
In 1824 the association that met at Bluehill reported this
church membership to have been increased by the baptism
of thirteen candidates, making the total membership this
year thirty-four. This 3'ear the church was represented
by Rev. Mr. Lennan, Courtney Babbidge and Ebenezer
Jo}"ce.

Mr. Lennan was connected with the church for many
years. He is said to have been a faithful pastor and was
considered a good preacher. He finally returned to
Hampden, his native town. After some hfieen ^ears Mr.
Lennan returned and preached a few A'ears, after which I
find no further record of him.

Rev. Theophilus Batchelder preached alternately here
and at Deer Isle for several years. Rev. Benjamin F.
Stinson preached here a great deal at different times. He
did faithful service and was much loved and respected by
the church here. After the schoolhouse was built at the

239

eastern side of the island services were held tliere. Ser-
vices in ihose limes were ver\- long. After a sermon of an
hour, a short intermission would he taken, after which a
second sermon was preached.

Rev. Daniel Dodge preached a part of the vear 1838.
Ebenezer Jo3'ce was chosen deacon. The conference del-
egates were James Jo3xe, John Stockbridge and Ebene-
zer Joyce. In 1840 quite a revival took place under the
pastorate of Rev. Samuel Macomber. Asa Jovce, Sally
Stockbridge, John Cook and Jane Morey were taken into
the church. In 1842 26 more joined. From 1843-5 meet-
ings were held more or less regularly by Elder St. Clair,
Carey or Dunham. From 1847 to 1850 the preachers
were Revs. Messrs. Macomber, Hall and Pendleton.
During the latter N-ears several more were taken into the
church .

For the next few years tlie interest of the church mem-
bers gradually declined. On Juh^ 14, 1857, a church
meeting was called. Those present were Rebecca Staples,
Betse\' Staples, Sally Morey, Catherine Jovce, Rosalana
More}^ Nancy Morey, Polly Babbidge, Ebenezer Jo3xe,
James Joyce, John Stockbridge, Joseph S. Babbidge and
Elias Morey. They made an effort to establish the meetings
again. As a result Revs. Samuel Macomber and The-
ophilus Batchelder preached a part of the year.

The following were the members of the Baptist church
on April 6, 1867 : James Joyce, Ebenezer Joyce, Joseph
S. Babbidge, Joseph R. Torre\', Asa Jo3-ce, Hezekiah
More3', Benjamin Stockbridge, Samuel Stockbridge,

240

Isaiah B. Joyce, Eben S. Joyce, Henry D. Joyce, James
Joyce, jr., Benjamin F. Staples, Simeon R. Staples, Wil-
liam A. Joyce, Otis More}-, Rebecca Staples, Mary Trask,
Polly Babbidge, James Joyce, Catherine Joyce, Olive
Torrey, Roxana Torre}^ Isabel S. Joyce, Jane J. Joyce,
Martha Torrey, Harriet Staples, Sophronia Staples,
Louisa Staples, Nancy More}', Susan Reed and Sally
Morev — thirtv-two in all.

'On April 7, 1857, nine more joined ; on the next Sun-
da}' fifteen more joined — making the total membership at
this time fifty-six. On May 16, 1886, Rev. C. E. Harden
baptized nine persons. The following Sunday Rev.
Gideon Mayo baptized five.

Among the preachers during the previous twenty
years were Revs. B. F. Stinson, N. G. French, C. E*
Harden, Mr. Pierce and Gideon Mayo.

In 1886-9 Rev. George D. B. Pepper, D. D., presi-
dent of Colby university, preached here during the sum-
mer. During 1888-9 R^^'- William H. Hall preached
here. From 1888 to 1891 thirty-one persons joined the
church. The membership had now increased to over
seventy.

A church was built by this society in 1883 at a cost of
$3,5o^. In 1890 and 1891 Rev. W. II. Hall conducted a
series of revival meetings, and a large number was added
to the church membership. Rev. J. Frank Jones was the
pastor in 1891-2. In 1894 Rev. S. O. Whitten came and
preached three years. A two-story parsonage was built
in 1891 at a cost of $1,400. At present there is no settled

241

pastor, and the church membership has fallen to fifty-
nine.

The Methodist society was organized in 1834. The
first preacher of that denomination here was Rev. Asa
Wasfjatt. Soon after Rev. Mr. Douglass came here from
Bar Harbor, and baptized several candidates. In 1859
Rev. Benjamin F. Stinson, of this town, entered the min-
istry, and for the twenty-eight }'ears that he preached,
much of the time was devoted to the church in his native
town. In i860 Mr. Stinson preached in Tremont; '61,
'62 in Deer Isle; '6^, '64 in Franklin; '65, '66 in Colum-
bia; '67, '69 in Tremont; '70, '71 in Harrington; '73 in
South Deer Isle; '75 and until his death in 1887 he
preached at Tremont and this town on alternate Sun-
days.

Rev. John A. Oakes came in 1861, and preached two
years. The services were held during this time at the
Center schoolhouse. The other preachers were Rev. A.
Plummer; Mr. Caldwell, who stayed here two vears.
He was followed bv Rev. Theophilus Balchelder, who
also preached in the Baptist chuixh. For several \ears
after this there was no regular preacher. In 1882 Rev.
Israel Hathaway came and preached about two years until
his death. He was followed by Elder Roberts, George
A. Fuller and I. B. Conley.

In 1888 a church was built at a cost of $2,500. Since
then a pastor has been regularly emploved. The\' have
been Revs. Wesle}' Haskell, Samuel E. Dunham, George
M. Bailey, Horace Haskell, Andrew J. Turner, Lester

242

McCalf, Chester Butterfield. The present pastor Is Rev.
John L. Pinkerton. The present membership is thirty.

The Advent society has been organized for some
years, and has quite a large number of church members.
A church was erected in 1893. There is no regular pas-
tor, but one is furnished more or less regular!}-, and when
without a pastor, the services are conducted b\' a member.
Their cliurch seems to be in a vigorous and growing con-
dition.

CONCLUSION.

This work has extended far beyond my original inten-
tions. It has covered, I think, nearly everything likely to
be of public interest since the discover}^ of this island. As
stated elsewhere, errors will undoubtedl}- appear. The
author knew of but few of the people or events personally ;
he has had to depend, in some parts, almost wholly upon
the memory of aged people. But the best information
gleaned from these sources has been faithfully recorded.

I have been five vears in collecting these records,
much of which, had it not been secured during the lifetime
of the oldest residents, would have been lost be3'ond re-
covery.

The descendants of man}' of the early families who
lived here are scattered among different towns and
states, and it has required a great deal of patient toil to
find them all, and collect their family history, so as to
make their record complete.

To the many who have so kindly furnished the
material for this work, the author extends his thanks, and
to them he is greatly indebted.

INDEX OF FIRST SETTLERS.

fAGE.

Adams, John 142

Babbidge, Coui-tney 96

Barbour, Solomon 155

Benson, Jephtha... ......v..w 138

Billings, Enoch -.. ....: 120

Bridges, Moses 156

Carpenter, Richard 75

Clark, Samuel C... 48

Colom}', Thomas 121

Conary, Israel 134

Cook, John 99

Davis, William 75

Dunbar, Thomas 126

Fife, William 137

Finnejs John 107

Gott, Daniel 163

Gott, Peter 108

Grindle, Joshua 7^

Hamblen, Daniel.... i73

Hardy, Silas 141

Herrick, Kimball....... 1 2 3

Holbrook, x\bram 152

Joyce, James — 88

Kempton, Seth 144

Kempton, Samuel 7^

Kempton, Zachariah 144

Kench, Thomas 59

244

Kent, Samuel 124

Kiff, Alexander 153

Lane, Hardy 145

Lane, Oliver 145

Lennan, Rev. Bryant 102

Mitchell, Robert 146

Morey, Elias, jr. 100

Nutter, Alexander 72

Nutter, William 128

Prince, Joseph 23

Reed, Jacob S 150

Remick, Joseph 86

Rich, John 73

Richardson, James 172

Richardson, Stephen 173

Richardson, Thomas 173

Sadler, Joshua 128

Sadler, Thomas 130

Sadler, Moses 132

Smith, David... 61

Sprague, James T 132

Stanley, William 134

Staples, Moses 75

Stewart, Gushing 114

Stinson, Benjamin 115

Stockbridge, John 103

Swan, Col. James 44

Swan, James Keadie 55

Toothaker, Joseph 70

Torrey, Levi 94

Trask, Joshua S 149

Valentine, John ...........w...,.w.,....,...........v...............w....... 121

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