.A -^^• i> ^H, \' \# 'O. ^ \ ^ v-„ 0>' ■'-^a^ .■\ .v\ o'^\.v .0^ :v> ^. * . .. n > -O- c^%^^< .x-^-' v^v-'-r-^ •■'-">";-. ;V">-\^*'o ■0' ^ ^ S • ' 7^ "^A V^' CO '^A V* ^ ,0 -o ' 0> , •> * /■ '^,> A- ^ ■^ 0' „ '/^^ ' ,'^" . o ^ '" * '■'^ ■ " ' ' ,^N' ,0 o. oo 0- , X"'^-^. o5 -7*^^ -*>. * ... ^ ^ <.0^ 'O. * ,0' « [ \ vV •^, c"? "^^ ^ V S' -^. :)^: ,xV^^'"^.- -.s^ "^ <•. ' o , V ^ A "^z v'* V 1 B ,, -^, A V^ .^:^ -^c. <^r. V V \^- ■■^.■^ -^<^^ A-" V "V^ %<^'' #% *'^ ^.. ^-^^' .-^ ,vx> -^V ^/- V /"X^W 0^%^^^^^/-.^^—— An Historical Sketch TOWN OF DEER ISLE MAINE WITH NOTICES OF ITS SETTLERS AND EARLY INHABITANTS BY GEORGE L. HOSMER ^ Z\\t JFort J^ill ^tfBB SAMUEL USHER 176 TO 184 HIGH STREET BOSTON, MASS. LIBRARY of CONGRESS Two Copies Rec«hen, he renio\'ed to an island at the eastern entranee of what is known as l'\)\ Island Thoroughfare, Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 1 1 1 where he lived till his death in 1834, and whieh is still known as Babbidge's Island. He was a man of very decided political opinions, as was his brother Stephen also, only that in those opinions they differed ]:)olitically from each other. George Freeze, a brother of the persons noticed of the same name, settled upon the lot east of that of the Messrs. Babbidge. He came about the same time as did the others, which was quite early; where they came from is not known to us; and of him but little is now known. His children removed from here, and nearly all of their descendants reside in the towns north of Bangor, on the river. The only one of his grandchildren who remained was the late Hon. Richard Warren, a son of the Mr. Thomas Warren before mentioned, who was born on what is now known as Freeze's Island, in 1786. Mr. Warren purchased the farm occupied by Mr. Freeze, upon which he resided till his death, and it is now owned and occupied by his son-in-law, Captain Gideon Hatch. He died in 1865, and has been already noticed. Joseph Tyler, Esq., settled upon the lot south of the lands of Messrs. Babbidge and Freeze, which was included within the limits of the " Kent Claim." As the deed to Kent by Greenlaw was made valid by a resolve of the General Court of Massachusetts, Mr. Tyler could not hold it as a settler. He was the son of a Congregational minister in Dedham, Massachusetts; his mother was a niece of Sir William Pcppcrell, and he was born in 1749. His brothers, Messrs. Belcher and George Tyler, came with him; the year of their coming is not known, but it was prior to 1784. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary army, and his wife was Miss Phebe Fowles. I think I have understood that he contracted to purchase the claim of Mr. Kent. Tic rrbuilt the mills upon it, and was for many 112 An Historical Sketch of the years engaged in sawing lumber. He was a man of a good education for those times, and the first, or one of the first, persons holding a commission as justice of the peace in the town, which was in those days considered an office of dignity. He, with his brother George, was appointed a committee to lay out the island into lots to the settlers who were, by a resolve of the General Court, entitled to them. A history of the grant made of the remainder of the land to him and his brother has been given. After a number of years' residence on the land, he left it, and the sawmill became of little value, as the best of the lumber had been cut off in the vicinity. He then moved to the Reach, upon the farm of Mr. Robert Linn, where he remained till his death in 1835, ^^ ^^^ ^S^ o^ eighty-six years. His wife survived him, dying in 1857, at the age of ninety- three years. They had twelve children. The sons were: Joseph, Pepperell, Andrew, David, Peter P., James, Thomas and William, all of whom, except James, are now dead. The daughters were: Lydia, the wife of the Captain Joshua C. Howard mentioned before, whose death was in consequence of poison on board a revenue- cutter; Sarah, the first wife of Mr. Richard Brown and mother of Mr. Samuel Brown, now of Newburyport; Phebe, the wife of Mr. John Raymond, then of Boston, who died in Gloucester, and Mary, who died unmarried, when a young woman. George Tyler, Esq., came early, and was entitled to a settler's lot if he had complied with the requirements, but I never heard of his occupying one. His residence was with his brother, and he was engaged with him in business. He was also a justice of the peace; was a man of education, and very capable. His occupation before he came here was that of a silversmith; he was the first person who represented the town in the General Court ToK'H of Deer Isle, Maine. 113 at Boston. He never married. For some years he lived in Castine, being at one time postmaster there, and later removed to Boston, where he died. In his day he was well known here and in the towns around. Captain Belcher Tyler, a brother of the two last- named persons, settled upon the lot lying south of the millpond, which was also within the claim of Mr. Kent. He was a master-mariner, we suppose, as he was styled Captain Tyler. His wife was not a resident here before marriage, and after her death he married Mrs. Elizabeth Toothaker, the person who was noticed as being five times a widow and removed to the farm occupied by her former husband. He resided there till his death, in 1827. Of his family, all the sons removed from this town to the eastern part of the State, where their descendants still reside. Only one of his daughters remained, who was the wife of Captain Jonathan Torrey, and the mother of Messrs. David, William, and Belcher T. Torrey. She died a few years ago at the age of eighty-six years. Another daughter was the wife of Mr. Carr Thurlow, who resided several years on the farm of Mr. Aaron Babbidge, and afterward removed to the town of Cutler, in Washington County. Captain Tyler was a man of information, and, for those times, had a good education. Joseph Colby, Sr., was the settler upon the lot of land lying south of, and adjoining, that of Captain Tyler. He had a two-hundred-acre lot set off to him, which was within the limits of the Kent Claim, about which mention has been made. In the suit at law referred to in the former part of this work, I have understood that he claimed, in addition to his right as an early settler, that Kent had contracted to sell him the land, and in payment he was to perform a certain amount of labor upon the mill built by Kent and upon the dam, which he had performed; but 114 ^^ Historical Sketch of the upon what ground he held the land we do not know. He was a native of Newbury, Massachusetts, or some place in that vicinity, and was bom in 1744. When but eighteen years old he entered into an engagement of marriage with Miss Sarah Thurlow, who was eight years his senior; she purchased his " time," as it was called, of his father or master, and they were married. He came here very early — not far from 1766 — and his son Thomas, bom in 1768, was the first child born of white parents in that part of the town. Mr. Colby who was a pious and exemplary man, died in 1828, at the age of eighty-four years. His wife survived him till 1833, dying at the age of ninety-seven years. She was the Mrs. Colby before referred to as the one who carried the news of the surrender of Comwallis to Bagaduce. Their children were: Joseph and Thomas; Eunice, wife of Mr. Thomas Stinson, Jr. ; Betsey, wife of Nathaniel Robbins, Sr. ; Hannah, wife of Mr. Edward Small, and Sarah, wife of Mr. Leonard Judkins who came here a year or more prior to 1800, from Salisbury, New Hampshire, to which place they removed, but after a few years returned. While at Salisbury, Mrs. Judkins knew the father of Daniel Webster well, and remembered Daniel. The son of Mr. Colby, Captain Thomas Colby, is still re- membered by the older persons among us, from his peculiar manner of talking, he having been what is called tongue- tied. He was a master-mariner, and died in 1837, aged sixty-nine years. His first wife was Miss Patience Norton, and after her death he married Miss Betsey Thurlow, of Newbury, and afterward, Mrs. Merchant, widow of Nathan- iel Merchant. His children were: Joseph, 3d, Tristram, Thomas J., Anthony, Noah, the wife of Mr. Daniel Luf kin, and a Mrs. Deering, now living in Winterport, who is in receipt of a pension for the services of her husband in the War of 181 2, and is the only one of the family now living. Toii'H of Deer Isle, Maine. 115 The wife of Joseph Colby, Jr., who settled the lot adjoin- ing that of his father on the south, was Miss Eunice Thurlow of Newbury, Massachusetts, a sister of the late Captain David Thurlow who will be noticed. Mr. Colby was what was termed a "young settler." He was a man of large stature and great physical strength, but, like many persons who possess such, often overtaxed it, and was worn out sooner in life than many men much weaker physically, but who, sensible of their deficiency, take better care to preserve what they do have. They were the parents of twelve children. The sons were Abner, David T., Ste- phen, and William R. The daughters were the wives of the Mr. William Small who died, as before mentioned, under the practice of a Thompsonian doctor; of Mr. Samuel Stinson, Jr., Mr. Nathaniel Ware, Mr. Henry Keller, and Mr. William Thompson. All the family, with the ex- ception of Mr. Stephen Colby are now dead. Mr. Colby died in 1833, and his wife survived him several years. Thomas Stinson, Jr., who settled the lot of land adjoin- ing that of Mr. Joseph Colby, Jr., on the south, was a child when he came with his father to Stinson's Neck, in 1765. His wife, as we have stated, was a daughter of Mr. Joseph Colby, Sr. ; she was bom in 1763. Their children were: Joseph C, known as Esquire Stinson, born in 1782 and died in 1849 or 1850; Thomas, who was for many years a deacon in the Baptist Church; Jesse, who removed to Camden and died there or returned just before his death — the father of the present Mr. Jesse Stinson; Lydia, the wife of Mr. Jedediah Darling, of Bluehill, who lived till 1880, and died aged ninety-two years, and was the mother of those of that name there. Another was the wife of Mr. Gideon Candage, of the same place; another, that of a Mr. Wright, of Machias, and the others were the wives of Mr. Joseph C. Small and Mr. John Judkins of this town. ii6 An Historical Sketch of the All of the family are now dead. After the death of his wife, Mr. Stinson married the widow of Mr. Abner Lane, and after her decease he married the widow of Captain Belcher Tyler. Edward Small settled the lot lying south of that of Mr. Stinson; he was the son of Mr. Job Small and was bom in 1770; his wife was Hannah, the daughter of Mr. Joseph Colby, Sr., with whom he lived in wedlock sixty- six years. She, many years ago practised as midwife, had a great deal of experience, was very successful and quite skillful in many kinds of diseases in those days, when the services of a physician were not so readily obtained as now. She died in 1859, at the age of eighty-seven years, her death being caused by a fall upon the ice near her door. Her husband survived her until 1864, and was, until he lost his sight a few years before his death, able to per- form labor upon his farm, retaining his mental faculties remarkably. With but one exception I consider him the most active man, for one of his great age, that I have ever known. He was for some years a member of the board of selectmen of the town, and was a man of excellent judg- ment. They were the parents of nine sons, — four of whom removed from here; one, Mr. Samuel Small, of Machias- port, is still living; two of the others, Messrs. Ignatius and William Small, reside here; three others, Messrs. Joseph E., Thomas, and George W. Small are now dead, — the latter having been drowned in 1S40. There was one daughter, the wife of Mr. Alexander Drew, a resident of Machias, who became a widow and is now dead. The sons of Mr. Small, Ignatius and William, have several times been on the board of selectmen. His property is now owned by the last named, who resides upon it. Samuel Webb came here with his son, Mr. Seth Webb, from Windham, Maine, not far from 1765. He was bom Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 117 near the city of London in 1695, and his father was a cap- tain in the service of Queen Anne. Being left an orphan when he was quite young, it became necessary for him to seek some permanent employment. When a boy he was apprenticed to a ship-master, as was then the custom there, and while on a voyage to this country, when he was but seventeen years of age, his master died at some place in what is now the State of Rhode Island. He then apprenticed himself to a blacksmith and learned the trade. He was twice married, and was the father of ten sons. Many of that name in that State, and in the vicinity of Salem, Massachusetts, and in the town of Windham, in this State, and other places, are his descendants. He is said to have taught the first school within the limits of the town of Windham. Upon the removal here of Mr. Seth Webb, he and his last wife came with him. For many years previous to his death he was subject to what is known as the " shaking palsy," and died in 1788 at the age of ninety-three years. His remains, with those of his wife, were buried in the graveyard on the land for- merly owned by the late Samuel Whitmore, Esq., who some years ago, pointed out to me the place of their burial. Seth Webb, the son of the subject of the preceding notice, settled upon what is now known as " Babbidge Neck," on the lot of land afterward the property of Mr. Joseph Whitmore who, when a boy, came here and resided with him. His wife was Miss Hannah Winship, of Wind- ham, a daughter of the man of that name mentioned in Williamson's History of Maine, who was, when away from his house, scalped by the Indians, and recovered. He was at the time in company with a man of the name of Brown, who was killed by them, but Mr. Winship escaped death in consequence of the savages becoming alarmed and fleeing, not stopping to strike him upon the head with ii8 An Historical Sketch of the a tomahawk, as was their practice, fracturing the skull. After the scalping he was for some time insensible, and upon becoming conscious found himself unable to return home. As it happened, he was lying down by the edge of a bog, upon which cranberries grew plentifully, and it was at the time of the year when they are ripe. Fortunately there was no rain while he remained there, so he could creep about upon his hands and knees and procure them to appease his hunger and thirst. As the weather proved moderate he was enabled to recover, and at the end of two weeks, returned to his home, much to the surprise of his family who had given him up for dead. A physician in the neighborhood informed him that cran- berries were beneficial to the blood and caused his wound to heal. He lived for many years, and afterward married the widow of the Mr. Brown who was with him. After Mr. Webb settled upon the first land taken up by him, he gave up his claim to Mr. Whitmore, and took up a lot near what is now known as Webb's Cove; he also, a part of the time, resided upon Kimball's Island, now in the town of Isle au Haut, and was there during the war of the Revolution. When he left Windham he owned considerable property, but having a fondness for hunt- ing, he came East, and was during much of his time engaged in that pursuit with the Indians, with whom he was on good terms, and frequently those with whom he asso- ciated, made his house their home when about here. Among others who did so was a noted man among them, a chief named Orono, reputed to be a natural son of one of the sons of the Baron de Castine. Orono lived to a very great age, and was said to be one hundred and ten years old at the time of his death. I have often heard Mr. Webb's last surviving daughter speak of his being at her father's house frequently. Mr, Webb hunted much upon Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 119 Union River and its tributaries, and in all probability, the pond near it, now known as Webb's Pond, and the brook leading out of it were named for him. The year before his death he discovered a lead mine on the banks of that river (at a time when the water was so low that he could trace it across), and, as I have understood, not far from its mouth. He brought home a piece weigh- ing several pounds, and at the time of taking it, marked the place with his hatchet so as to enable him to find it on his next visit. He sent a part of it to Boston, where it was pronounced a good specimen of lead ore, in which was some silver. It was probably a continuation of one of the veins of that metal lately discovered in the towns east of the city of Ellsworth. His daughter, before re- ferred to, informed me that the family had the piece for several years, and that it was as large as a man's two fists. His death, caused by accidental shooting, took place in 1785. At the time he was on Kimball's Island and his family on this island, and either in launching his canoe, or in drawing it ashore if it was afloat, his loaded gun was discharged as it lay in the bow of the canoe, killing him instantly, his body being found upon the shore. At the time of his death he was fifty-three years of age. His wife survived him till 1815; she lies buried in what is known as the " old burying-ground," not far from the Town House, and hers is the only gravestone in the yard as now enclosed. Their children were : Mr. Samuel Webb, who died in 1837, much respected, at the age of sixty-five years; and William, who died more than fifty years ago. One of the daughters was the wife of Mr. James Saunders; another, the wife of Mr. Francis Kimball, who removed to Waterville, where his descendants still reside; another was the wife of Mr. Joshua Emerson; another, the last survivor, who died in i860, was the wife of Mr. John Eaton; 120 An Historical Sketch of the another removed to Portland, remaining unmarried, and another was the wife of Mr. Daniel Moore, of Castine. The wife of Mr. Samuel Webb was Miss Hannah Eaton, and they were the parents of the late Jonathan E. Webb, Esq., the present Mr. William Webb, and Mr. James L. Webb. Mr. Samuel Webb represented this town in the Legisla- ture in 1 83 1, and resided upon the land taken up by his father near Webb's Cove. After the death of Mr. Seth Webb, his widow attempted to procure a title to Kim- ball's Island, but the agent to whom she intrusted her business did not procure it for her, but did so for himself, as has been stated by the family. Captain Edmund Sylvester, a native of Marshfield, Massachusetts, who previous to his removal was a master- mariner, came here in 1788, and settled upon the lot of land lying south of that of Mr. Webb. His wife was Miss Deborah Cushman, a granddaughter of Josiah Winslow who died about 1774, a lineal descendant of Edward Wins- low, one of the first governors of the Plymouth Colony, and who was himself, I believe, one of the colonial governors of Massachusetts. He was the owner of a farm at Marsh- field that was later acquired by Daniel Webster and upon which he died. Other ancestors of Mrs. Sylvester were among the Pilgrims who came over in the Mayflower. After her marriage she persuaded her husband to leave the sea, saying that she was willing to live anywhere if he would but remain at home, and he came here and pur- chased the land settled upon by him. He was one of the selectmen of the town a few years; was an intelligent and honorable man, very decided in his opinions, and was from the time of the establishment of the Baptist Church here a member till his death in 1828. His wife preceded him about one month. There were many deaths during that year from a distemper not then fulh'' understood, which Touni of Deer Isle, Maine. 121 will be noticed in another place. I have been informed that about sixty persons died of it, few of those attacked recovering. At the time of his death he was sixty-eight, and his wife sixty-four years of age. Their children were the late Mr. Crowell H., Joseph, Mial, Abiel and Edmund, sons; Ruth, the wife of Captain William Raynes, and Salome, the widow of the late Mr. Joseph Sellers, 2d. The two youngest sons removed to Newbury- port and died there. Mr. Crowell Sylvester died in 1863, aged seventy-eight years; Joseph in 1847, aged fifty-six; Mrs. Raynes in 1852, aged sixty-three years, and Mrs. Sellers still survives at the present time (1882), aged eighty-one years. The farm of Captain Sylvester was, in 1842, sold to Mr. Robert Knowlton, whose heirs still own it, and most of his children now living reside upon it. George Gross settled a lot of land lying north and east of Webb's Cove, and easterly of the land of Mr. Thomas Stinson. He was not one of the first class of settlers who were here prior to 1784, but must have been one of those styled " young settlers." The place and date of his birth is to us unknown, but he came from the town of Harpswell, in this State, of which place his wife was a native. Her maiden name was Alexander, and she was a sister of the late Mr. Ezekiel Alexander and of the wife of Mr. Solomon Marshall. He was known as " Citizen Gross." The origin of his receiving that appellation was this: He at one time lost his house by fire, and applied to George Tyler, Esq., to write a subscription paper for the purpose of circulation for his relief, and the paper was headed thus: " Whereas, Citizen George Gross, of this town, has lost his house by fire," etc., and ever afterward he was known thus. He died in 1828, and his wife sur- vived him a few years. Their children were: Charles, bom in 1782; James and Nathaniel, l)om in 1789; Betsey, 122 An Historical Sketch of the the wife of Mr. David Smith, of Swan's Island, and mother of the present Mr. William Smith, residing in this town; Lucy, the wife of Mr. David Smith, Jr.; Abigail, the first wife of the late Mr. Elisha H. Dunham; Jane and Polly who never married, and Dorothy, the widow of the late Captain Jeremiah Thurlow. We believe she is now the only survivor of the family. Mr. Gross, at the time of his death, was in the receipt of a pension for his Revolutionary services. Thomas Buckminster who came here not far from the year 1790, took up, as a "young settler," a lot of fifty acres lying on the eastern side of Webb's Cove. He was bom in the town of Atkinson, New Hampshire, or in that vicinity, and when young lived in the family of the father of Mr. Jonathan Webster who came from that place here in 1804. Mr. Buckminster married Miss Rhoda, the daughter of Mr. Thomas Robbins, and was a very worthy man who left a good name behind him. He lived upon the lot taken up by him till his death, which took place not long after 1850, at the age of over eighty years. Their sons were John, Thomas, Ebenezer, Moody, and William. Their daughters were the wives of Messrs. Robert Knowlton, Swansey Gross, Joseph Knowlton, John Judkins, and Thomas Harvey, and one, named Mary, was never married. Of the family Ebenezer, Moody and Mary now remain. Some of the sons were remarkable for their stature, Thomas being six feet and six and a half inches in height, and John six feet and six inches. The property of Mr. Buck- minster is now that of his son, Mr. Ebenezer Buckminster, with whom his sister Mary resides. Thomas Robbins settled on the lot of land lying easterly of the land of Mr. Buckminster. He came from Boston, or some place in the near vicinity, in 1775, with his family, and in the earlv vears of the town he was a man of con- Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 123 siderable influence. He for many years held the office of coroner, and was well known as " Coroner Robbins." He was twice married, his last wife being the widow of the Mr. William Babbidgc before noticed, who resided near him. The date of his death is not to us known. Two of his sons who resided here were the Messrs. Nathaniel and Thomas Robbins, Jr., who have been noticed. One of his daughters was the wife of Mr. Buckminster, and the other that of Mr. Thomas Stinson, 3d, known as Deacon Thomas Stinson. The farm of Mr. Robbins came into the possession of Mr. John Buckminster, by whom it was occupied till his death, and now is the property of his son, Mr. William S. Buckminster. Joseph Whitmore resided upon the northeastern lot on what is known as Babbidge's Neck, which was laid out to him in the survey of the island. On this lot Mr. Seth Webb lived a few years after he came. The birthplace of Mr. Whitmore is not to us known, but as he came when a boy in the family of Mr. Seth Webb from Windham, that was probably his native town. He was bom in 1755, and his wife was Abigail, the daughter of Mr. William Babbidge. They went to Bagaduce for the purpose of having the marriage ceremony performed, which was done by the chaplain in the British service there, in 1780, or about that time. Mr. Whitmore was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, for which he received a pension. He died in 1841, at the age of eighty-six years, after having lived in wedlock more than sixty years. His wife sur^'ived him nearly ten years. Their sons were: John, who died in the town of Lincoln ville; Joseph, who was drowned in 1 81 4; William, who was drowned when going from Isle au Haut to Deer Island; Lemuel, who was drowned in Egge- moggin Reach; Daniel, who lived in the country of Aroos- took; Samuel, who lived and died here; James, who lived in 124 An Historical Sketch of the the town of Tremont, and Seth, who lived in the town of Trenton, near the shore and near the line of the city of Ellsworth. The daughters were the wives of Mr. Abel Staples, of Swan's Island; Mr. Jonathan Eaton, of Sedg- wick, the father of the late Theophilus Eaton, of Sears- port, and another was the wife of Mr. George York, of Brooklin. The only one of the family who made this town his permanent residence was the late Samuel Whitmore, Esq., who was engaged in trade, doing quite a large busi- ness for many years. Owning considerable navigation, most of which was engaged in the fishing business, he acquired a good property, in addition to the real estate of his father. His place of business is now occupied by C. H. S. Webb, Esq. He was, in 1840, the representative from this town, and for many years prominent in its affairs. Before his death, in 1862 or 1863, he gave up his business to his sons, who for a few years carried it on. At this time but one of his sons, Mr. Seth Whitmore, resides here. His widow, a daughter of Mr. James Joyce, survived him a few years, and the house occupied by them is now the prop- erty of Mr. Lemuel Joyce, a son-in-law of theirs. William Richards settled the lot adjoining that of Mr. Whitmore on the west, and it was assigned to him. He came in the early years of the settlement of the town, not far from 1765, from where or for how long is unknown. He removed from here and none of that name remained after him. He sold out his title to the land, and it fell into the possession of Mr. Oliver Lane, who came here with his father in 1784. The wife of Mr. Lane was the eldest daughter of Mr. Courtney Babbidge, Sr., and the sister of Messrs. Stephen and Courtney Babbidge, Jr., and by her he had a family. The sons were: Oliver, the father of the present Mr. Hardy Lane; Stephen B., who removed to Hampden not far from 1845, ^.nd Paul T., who remained Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 125 till his death. One of the daughters was the wife of Mr. Samuel McClintock who came here from Portsmouth, New Hampshire. He was a school-teacher and was styled " Master McClintock." Another was the wife of Captain Abram Colby and afterward of Mr. Timothy Saunders; another was the wife of Mr. Job Small, the son of Mr. Edward Small, who removed to Machias, where he died, and the other married Mr. James Duncan, Jr. All of the family are now dead. After the death of his wife, Mr. Lane married another daughter of Mr. Babbidge by his third wife; he died not far from the year 1840, his wife surviving him. Hezekiah L.\ne, the father of the subject of the last notice, came here from what was then known as Sandy Bay, now in the town of Rockport, Massachusetts, with his family and took up a lot of land adjoining that of Mr. Richards on the southwest. His other sons were Oliver, John, Abner and Benjamin Lane; the latter was afflicted with insanity for several years. One of his daugh- ters was the wife of Mr. Courtney Babbidge, Jr., and another was the wife of Mr. Robert Douglass, of Isle au Haut. She was killed by being struck with a fragment of a rock that her husband was blasting, further particulars of which will be given in the notice of Mr. Douglass. After the death of his wife, Mr. Lane married the widow of Mr. Abram Thurlow, of Newburyport, the mother of the late Captain David Thurlow and of the wife of Mr. Joseph Colby, Jr. C.\PTAiN Benjamin Stockbridge settled upon the lot of land lying west of that of Mr. Richards, but he was not of the class who were here prior to 1784. He came from Gloucester, Massachusetts, and was a ship-master and in good circumstances. It was said that he commanded the ship which first carried the American f^ag up the Darda- 126 An Historical Sketch of the nelles. The exact time of his coming is to us unknown, but it was prior to the survey of the town by John Peters, Jr., as his name appears as the occupant of a lot on his plan. His death took place not far from 1830, at an advanced age. He was a member of the Baptist Church here, and when some difficulty occurred between him and some of his neighbors — members of the same church — and an examination was made before the church, Captain Stockbridge read the thirtieth chapter of the book of Job, beginning with: " But now they that are younger than I have me in derision, whose fathers I would have disdained to have set with the dogs of my flock." His family con- sisted of two sons, Mr. John Stockbridge, who removed to Swan's Island, and Benjamin, who was lost at sea when a young man. Mr. John Stockbridge died several years ago and was the ancestor of all of that name there. One of his daughters was the wife of Mr. James Duncan, who came here as early as 1800. Another was the wife of Captain John Greenlaw who died in 1870, at the age of eighty-seven years, after having lived with his wife, who survived him, sixty-six years. Another was the wife of Mr. Benjamin Lane before mentioned. Another was the wife of Mr. James Greenlaw, a brother of Captain John Greenlaw. Another was that of Captain William Grover, of Isle au Haut, who removed to Islesborough, and an- other was the wife of Mr. George Grover. Captain Stock- bridge when young was a man of capacity and energy, but had become, before his removal here, somewhat reduced in circumstances. John Thurston came here in 1784 from the same place as did Captain Stockbridge, but earlier; they were relatives, but of him little is known, as he died many years ago. His sons were John Thurston, Jr., Amos Thurston, and Solomon Thurston, the latter of whom Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 127 removed from here. Mr. Amos Thurston resided here till his death, and his wife, Miss Mary Gott, a sister of the late Captain Isaac Gott, of Tremont, survived him, dying in 1866, at the age of ninety-one years. They were the parents of the present Mr. Ambrose Thurston, the late Mr. Amos Thurston, Jr., the widow of the late Mr. John W. Small and the wife of Mr. Jesse Stinson. The others of the family are now dead. Mr. Solomon Thurs- ton resided while here upon the land now occupied by Mr. Thomas Gross, who inherited it from his father, the late Mr. Swansey Gross, and when he went from here, it was to the town of Vinalhaven. The children of Mr. John Thurs- ton, Jr., were the late Mr. Nathaniel Thurston and the wives of the late Captain Isaac Gott, of Tremont, and of a Mr, Putnam who once resided here, but removed many years ago. A daughter of Mr. John Thurston, Sr., was the wife of Mr. David Smith, of Swan's Island, and was the mother of David, Benjamin, George, and Asa Smith, all of whom resided on Swan's Island. One was the wife of the late Benjamin Stinson, Esq., and the mother of the present Rev. Benjamin F. Stinson. Another of the daugh- ters was the wife of the late Mr. Anthony Merchant, and another was the wife of Mr, Benjamin Kent, and after- ward that of Mr. John Beal, who died here not many years since. Another daughter of Mr. John Thurston, Sr., was the wife of a Mr. Gott, and afterwards the wife of Mr. David Harding, of Sedgwick. Another was the wife of a Mr. Hooper and the mother of Captain Jeremiah Hooper, of North Haven. C-\PT.\iN Seth H.\tch, a native of Marshfield, Massa- chusetts, settled upon the lot assigned to Mr. William Babbidge, who, as has been stated, took up his settlement first upon the land afterward assigned to Deacon Joshua Haskell, but removed to the neck which was named for him. 128 An Historical Sketch of the On the plan made by John Peters, Jr., the lot on which Captain Hatch settled was laid out to him. Captain Hatch was born not far from 1760 and came here a young man, but not in season to become a proprietor by settle- ment prior to 1784. He occupied the western part of the one hundred acres laid out to Mr. Babbidge, whose daugh- ter he married, and lived upon the place till his death, in 1844. His wife survived him. Their children were: Cap- tain William B. Hatch, a master-mariner, who resided in Pembroke in Washington County; Seth, who removed to the same place and was in the same vessel with his brother William, who was master, when they were lost at sea, never being heard from. Another son was the late Cap- tain Jeremiah Hatch, and another the present Captain Gideon Hatch who resides upon the farm of the late Hon. Richard Warren. The daughters were the wives of Mr. Tristram T. Robbins, Mr. Simon Stinson, Mr. William Greenlaw, Jr., and of the late Captain William Warren. She still survives, the other sisters being dead. The farm of Captain Hatch became the property of his son Jeremiah, with whom he resided at the time of his death. Samuel Staples resided for several years upon the east- em half of the land of Mr. Babbidge, whose daughter he married. Some time not far from the year 18 14, he removed to the town of Charleston in the county of Penob- scot, or in its vicinity. The cold season of 1816, which was long remembered, obliged him to remove from that place, and in a few years he returned here and took up a lot near Burnt Cove — the one since occupied by the late Captain Joseph Fifield — and built a house upon it which is now occupied by Mr. John Horton. Afterward he removed to a lot of land near the thoroughfare, now oc- cupied by Mr. Paul Thurlow, where he died in 1841, aged seventy-three years. His wife survived him several years, Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 129 and at the time of her death resided with a daughter, the present Mrs. Walter Greenlaw, a widow. Mr. Staples and wife were the parents of the following children : Sam- uel who went away when a young man, never returned, and no tidings were had of him; Thomas, who followed the sea for many years, visited many parts of the world, returned in 1845, and died a few years after, and David H., for many years a pilot on one of the steamers running from Bangor to Boston, who died in Belfast. One of the daughters was first the wife of Mr. Joseph Sylvester and afterward the wife of the present Mr. Nathaniel Robbins. She died a few years ago, aged eighty-six years. Another was the wife of Mr. Aaron Stinson. Another was the wife of Captain Walter Greenlaw. Another was the wife of Mr. Joshua Emerson, afterward that of Mr. Elisha H. Dun- ham. Another was the wife of Mr. William Barbour, of Verona, and the youngest was the wife of Captain Thomas D. Toothaker, who lost his brig in the great gale in 1839, in the harbor of Gloucester, Massachusetts, and Mrs. Tooth- aker attempting to reach the shore was drowned, while the crew narrowly escaped, the vessel becoming a complete wreck. The members of the family who survive are Mrs. Greenlaw and Mrs. Barbour. The farm Mr. Staples oc- cupied on Babbidge's Neck became the property of the late Capain John Greenlaw, upon which he lived till his death. _Bexj.\min Weed came here among the first settlers not far from the year 1763; but he did not settle upon Great Deer Island and of course had no right to a lot of land upon it when the allotment was made by Joseph and George Tyler, as their authority extended to no other parts of the town than Great Deer and Sheep Islands. Mr. Weed made his settlement upon Little Deer Island and continued to reside there for many years, but after- ward exchanged his land for a lot lying near Campbell's 13c An Historical Sketch of the Neck, with Captain Peter Hardy, then the junior of that name. Upon the plan of the island the lot purported to be that of Mr. Hardy. He removed to it and lived there till his death. His wife was the daughter of William Eaton, and his family were Joseph, William, Jeremiah, and John Weed. One of the daughters was the wife of Mr. Josiah Gray; another, the wife of a Mr. Tuttle, after she became a widow, also married Mr. Gray who had lost his wife, and after his death became the third wife of Captain Tristram Haskell. Another daughter was the wife of a Mr. Ferrill, who was a resident of Mount Desert. Mr. Weed has been mentioned as having been engaged in the siege of Louisburg, but what place he came from here is not known. After his death the premises occupied by him became the property of Mr. Josiah Gray, who continued to reside there till his death; and it was afterward that of Mr. Silas H. Gray. Joseph Weed, the son of the subject of the last notice, settled upon the farm adjoining that of Nathan Haskell, Esq., on the east. He was a very industrious and prudent man and a good citizen. He was for many years a col- lector of taxes. His wife was Miss Judith, daughter of Mr. Jonathan Eaton, and their children were: John, who died when a young man; Joseph, now living; Nathan E., now dead, and who was for many years a collector of taxes, and Caleb who was drowned when a young man in the millpond at the Northwest Harbor. He had shot some seafowl that were in the pond, and in going to pick them up in a small leaky float which either filled or cap- sized, he sunk before he coidd reach the shore. The daughters of Mr. Weed were the wives of Mr. Nathan Dow, now living at the age of ninety years, Captain Davis Haskell, Mr. David Dow, Mr. Amos Weed, and Mr. Daniel Weed. One died unmarried. Before the death of Mr. Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 131 Weed the town obtained possession of his farm, and the premises were used as a poor-farm until a few years since. Mr. Weed and his wife both lived to be over eighty years of age, living in wedlock more than sixty years. William Weed first settled upon a part of the lot of land taken up by Mr. John Pressey, Jr. In 1822 he exchanged his farm with Ignatius Haskell, Esq., for a tract of land on the south part of the island near what is now known as Green's Landing, w^hich he occupied during the remainder of his life. His wife was Mary, the daughter of Mr. Jonathan Eaton, and their children were Amos, Daniel, and Levi Weed, and a daughter Eunice, who be- came the wife of Mr. Joseph Weed, Jr. They are all now dead. Mr. Weed died in 1844 at the age of seventy-two years. He was an honest man and a good citizen. His wife lived till about the year 1850, and was respected by all who knew her. None of his descendants now own the real estate left by him, which is the property of Sullivan Green, Esq., and Mr. Stephen B. Barbour. The buildings that were upon it are now taken down. Jeremiah Weed settled upon Little Deer Island on a lot of land adjoining that of his father. His wife was Miss Althea Joyce, a daughter of Mr. James Joyce, and they had a large family, the sons being Jeremiah, James J., Ebenezer J., Randolph, who lives in Winterport, and one son who died young; of the above Randolph is now, in 1882, living. The daughters were the wives of Mr. Benjamin H. Eaton, Captain Joseph H. Gray, Mr. Samuel Eaton, Mr. Nelson Haskell, Captain Jonathan Gray and Mr. William Eaton, of Little Deer Isle, and one married in Boston. The four first named are now dead. Mr. Weed died several years before his wife, and she died a few years ago. John Weed, the youngest brother of the family, was bom in 1786, and his wife was Miss Betsey Harris, the 132 An Historical Sketch of the daughter of Mr, Joseph Harris. Their children were Henry, James, Davis H., Charles and Dyer D. One of the daughters was the wife of Captain Benjamin Thomp- son, and two were the wives of Mr. Samuel Torrey. Of the family at this time John and Mrs. Torrey — now Mrs. Manchester, of North Haven — are still living. Mrs. Weed died about the year 1879, and her husband died several years ago. JosiAH Gray, who occupied the premises of Mr. Benja- min Weed, was a native of what is now the town of Brooks- ville and a brother of the Mr. Christopher Gray who died in that town in 1866 at the age of one hundred and three years. They were grandsons of the person of that name who, in 1760, made the first permanent settlement in what is now Castine, and the ancestors of almost all of that name in the towns in this vicinity. Mr. Gray and his wife were the parents of thirteen children; seven of them were sons, one of whom was Captain James Gray, a ship- master, who resided in Boston. Another was Mr. Josiah Gray, a master ship-builder, who died in Bluehill. Two removed to Vinalhaven; one went away to sea and never returned ; and one resides here — the present Mr. Solomon Gray. Of the daughters, two only remain: one, the late wife of Mr. Silas H. Gray; the other, the widow of Mr. Joshua Pressey, 2d. She was the adopted daughter of the late Captain John Torrey, and came into possession of his homestead, upon which she now resides. A man named Gray but of another family, lived for many years, and died, here — Mr. Jeremiah Gray — whose wife was Hannah, the daughter of Mr. Nathaniel Bray, Jr., and granddaughter of the first of the name who came here. They were the parents of eleven sons and one daughter who was the wife of Mr. Enos Cole. One of the sons died at sea; another moved to New Brunswick, and Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 133 another now lives in Gloucester, Massachusetts. The rest remained here, one of whom — Mr. Solomon Gray — died at New Orleans while in the military service of the United States. There are but two remaining here at present. Mr. Gray died several years ago; also his wife, a worthy Christian woman, much respected. Rev. Peter Powers came here not far from the year 1785, from Newbury, in the State of Vermont — now Hanover, New Hampshire. He was a minister of the Congregational denomination, and was the first settled pastor of the church here, although the church had been established several years. He was a zealous patriot in the Revolutionary times, who for his political opinions incurred the ill will of the Tories in that vicinity, and because of a sermon he preached from the text found in the book of Judges, fifth chapter, twenty-third verse, he was so perse- cuted by them that he left that place and came here, where he was pastor of the church till his death in 1800, at the age of seventy-two years. He was entitled to a grant of land as the first settled minister here, and his farm was on the eastern side of what is known as the Parsonage Lot of four hundred acres. The town, or parish, built a house upon it, and he resided there during his lifetime. He had several sons, one of whom was the Rev. Jonathan Powers, settled in the year 1796 as the first minister in the town of Penobscot, where he died in 1807. Another son was Hale Powers who built a sawmill in the present town of Brooksville on what is known as Horseshoe Creek. An- other was Mr. Prescott Powers who resided here many years, whose wife was a daughter of Deacon Francis Has- kell. He came into possession of the land of his father, and after residing upon it for several years, removed to Pond Island, near Swan's Island, and afterward to Blue- hill, where he died. Onlv one of his familv remained here 134 ^^^ Historical Sketch of the — the wife of the late Mr. Daniel Johnson. Mr. Powers was for several years the clerk of this town and was con- sidered one of the most honorable and upright of men. His wife died not far from i860, aged about eighty-seven years. Dr. Moody Powers was the youngest son of Rev. Peter Powers; he remained here till his death, and was a practising physician. His wife was Miss Betsey Eaton, a daughter of William Eaton, Jr., and they had a large family. The sons were: the present Mr. Hale Powers; Mr. Jonathan Powers, who removed to the State of Ver- mont; Peter, who removed to Winterport; William E., who resides here, as does his brother, Mr. Samuel E., and the other, Moody, now lives in the State of Kansas. One of the daughters was the wife of Captain Amos Howard; another was the wife of Mr. David Tyler who died very suddenly in 1836, or about that time; she afterward removed to Vermont and married there; another was the wife of John H. Parker, Esq., of Mount Desert, and the other was the first wife of the late Mr. Henry Weed. Dr. Powers died not far from 1850, and his wife in 1871, at the age of ninety-one years. There were other children in the family of Rev. Peter Powers, but they did not live here, or if they did, they did not remain. The farm he received is now owned and occupied in part by Mr. Levi Greenlaw, but whether the house now upon it was built for Mr. Powers, or not, we do not know; but it probably was, as it is very old — one of the oldest in the town. Solomon Barbour for many years occupied the farm lying south of Long Cove, and was ancester of all of the name in the town. He was a native of Massachusetts, and his wife was Deborah Faxon, of Braintree in that State, who, when young, had been for some years in the family of John Adams, President of the United States. She once Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 135 told me that while she was living with them John Quincy Adams was an infant, and that she had many a time rocked him in his cradle. Mr. Barbour came here not far from 1793 with a family, and with him came Miss Betty Bryant, very well known here sixty years ago and more. She was for many years a school-teacher and lived to a great age. Mr. Barbour did not own the farm, but occupied it under Ignatius Haskell, Esq., the owner, and it is still known as the Barbour Farm. He resided upon it till his death. He was by trade a baker; was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and received a pension till his death, the exact time of which we do not know, but it was a few years prior to 1830. His widow received a pension under the act granting pensions to widows of Revolutionary soldiers, and lived till 1852, dying at the age of ninety-two years. They were the parents of five sons. Mr. John Barbour, born in 1777, who lived on what is known as Beech Hill. His wife was Miss Jane Gibson who died before him, he living to the age of eighty-seven years. He was the father of the late Deacon George Barbour; of the present Mr. Samuel G. Barbour, still residing in this town; of Mr. Solomon Barbour of Swan's Island, and of Mr. John Barbour, Jr., who a few years since removed to Massachu- setts. Another of the sons of Mr. Solomon Barbour was Captain Benjamin Barbour, who removed to Newburyport, sailing out of that port for many years. Another was the late Mr. Josiah Barbour; another was Mr. Charles Bar- bour, and another was Mr. Isaiah Barbour, who removed to Isle au Haut and from there about forty-five years ago removed to Camden, where he died in 1880, or about that time. The daughters were the wives of Mr. Adam Thomp- son and Deacon Stephen Babbidge, known as Stephen Babbidge, Jr., who after her death married her sister, the widow Thompson. 136 An Historical Sketch of the James Gibson was another Revolutionary soldier who came here from Massachusetts prior to the year 1800. It seems probable that he might at one time have occupied an island north of, and near, Stinson's Neck, which is still known as Gibson's Island, but he resided for some time on this island, where he died many years ago; but very few now know anything about him. He had two sons, Samuel and James, who died at sea when young men. Two of the daughters married here ; one was the wife of Mr. John Barbour; the other, the wife of Captain Nathaniel Bray, Jr., and the mother of the present Captain James G. Bray. Mr. Gibson was engaged in the battle of Bunker Hill, and before they came here he resided not far from New- bury port. I perfectly recollect his widow, who was blind for many years. She once informed me that when Gen- eral Washington was on his tour North, he and his escort passed them while going from Newburyport to Portsmouth. He was recognized by Mr. Gibson, who had served under him and who spoke to, and saluted, him. The salute was returned and the General, finding that he was one of his soldiers, stopped his company, shook hands, and conversed with him, seeming pleased to have found again a fellow-soldier. She said that General Washington was one of the most noble appearing men she had ever hap- pened to see. Richard Greenlaw was the youngest son of Mr. Jona- than Greenlaw who settled here shortly after William Eaton. He went when a child to New Brunswick with his father in 1783, but returned with his brother William. He was not the owner of any real estate, we think, but resided upon the farm of his son during the later years of his life. His wife was Miss Mary Jordan, a daughter of Mr. James Jordan, and he was by trade a ship-carpenter. Their sons were: Richard, who removed to the town of Kilmarnock, Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 137 Maine, which is now called Medford; another was the late Mr. James J. Greenlaw; another was the present Mr. Joseph S. Greenlaw; another was Mr, Samuel J. Green- law; another was Mr. William L. Greenlaw, who resides in Newburyport, and another was Mr. John C. J. Greenlaw, who died many years ago. The daughters were the wives of Mr. George Barbour and Mr. Thomas V. Howard ; and two live in Massachusetts. William Bray was the youngest son of Mr. Nathaniel Bray, St., and lived on the farm now owned by Mr. Joshua Marshall. He was not one of those who settled prior to 1784, but must have been a " young settler." His wife was the daughter of Mr. Samuel Pickering who lived on Pick- ering's Island, a sister of the late Captain Samuel Pickering who lived near the Town House. They had two sons, John and Willard; and the daughters were the wives of Mr. Benjamin Cole, father of the present Mr. Enos Cole, and of the late Mr. Joshua Haskell, father of the present Messrs. Mark, Guildford D., and Joshua Haskell. Mr. Bray died not far from the year 1835, ^^^ his wife survived him. His real estate passed into the hands of Ignatius Haskell, Esq., and was sold to Mr. Ezekiel Marshall, the father of the present owner. Nathan" Low came here from the county of Worcester, Massachusetts, prior to 1800. He became owner of the land laid out to Joshua Staples, and afterward of one of the lots laid out to Mr. Thomas Thompson near Thompson's Cove and other lands in that vicinity. He was by trade a tanner, which business he carried on for many years, and was probably one of the most skillful farmers that ever lived in the town, engaging extensively in that pursuit. His wife was the daughter of Mr. Thomas Thompson. She- died in 1836, and he afterward married Hannah, the daughter of Mr. Jonathan Hardy, who was some forty 138 An Historical Sketch of the years younger than himself, and who died in a few years after her marriage. By his former wife he had three sons: Mr. Thomas T. Low, now dead; Nathan Low, Jr., who died a few years ago in consequence of the vessel of which he was then master having been run into by a steamer on the easterly route from Portland. Captain Low was thrown into the water, and being then nearly seventy years of age, the exposure caused his death shortly after. He was brought home, but lived only a few days. Another and the sole surviving son is the present Mr. William Low. None of the daughters remained here, and whether any of them are living is not known to us. Mr. Low was a major in the regiment of the militia to which the com- panies in this town belonged, and was known as Major Low. He was one of the selectmen of the town, and was an influential citizen. He died in 1859, at the age of ninety- four years. A brother of his in Massachusetts lived to be about one hundred years old. He acquired quite a large property, and settled his sons upon farms of which he was owner. He was a large, portly man, and as an officer in militia he must have made a fine appearance. I have been told by one who had seen both that he very much resembled the father of Daniel Webster. Am AS A HoLDEN camc here as early as the year 1800, if not before. He was a native of the town of Mendon, Massachusetts, and was bom in the ^'■ear 1775. His wife was Abigail, the daughter of Mr. William Eaton, Jr. She was bom in 1783. His profession was school-teaching, which he practised till he was more than seventy years of age, a greater term of years than it was ever prac- tised by any other person in this vicinity. He used to say that he had taught three generations, as he had for scholars during his later years the grandchildren of those who were his pupils in his earlier years. His family con- Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 139 sistcd of eleven children. The sons were: Prescott P., a blockmaker by trade, now residing in Bangor; William E., now a resident of the town of Tremont ; the late Samuel E., for many years a school-teacher; the present Mr. Fran- cis M. Holden, and one son, who died young. One of the daughters was the wife of Mr. Willaby Nason, Jr., who removed to Belfast; one, Hannah, died unmarried; Mary was the wife of Mr. Thomas Howard; Charlotte was the wife of Mr. Stephen K. Howard, and the two others married in Massachusetts. Mr. Holden occupied the farm and house now owned by his son, Mr. Francis M. Holden, the only survivor of the family here. He died in 1853, at the age of seventy-eight years, his wife surviving him. Peter Williams, a man of color, came here early. He was bom a slave in Virginia, and resided in the family of Mr. Mark Haskell. He married a woman of color who was purchased when an infant by Mrs. Haskell. She was bom in 1752, brought up in the family, and treated as one of the children. Her name was Phyllis. Her first husband was a native of the State of Rhode Island, and was named " Newport Rhodeisland." By that mar- riage she was the mother of one son, named " Reuben Rhodeisland," who was an enterprising man, and acquired considerable property. He was the former owner of the land and house now occupied by Mr. Eben F. Haskell, and died in 1827, unmarried. His mother married Mr. Williams, by whom she had children. They were the owners of the real estate now occupied by Mr. Oliver van Meter, formerly of Bangor, a son of the well-known Mr. Henry van Meter who lived to a very great age. The son of Mrs. Williams, by her last marriage, died when a young man, and her daughter Phyllis, in 1828, married Mr. Sydney Russell whose daughter became the wife of Mr. Van Meter. Mr. Williams died many years ago, and I40 An Historical Sketch of the his wife in 1835, aged eighty-four years. All his life Mr. Williams professed great attachment for Old Virginia, the State of his birth. John Foster, a native of Massachusetts, came here prior to the year 1800. The lot of land lying south of that laid out to Jonathan Torrey was once occupied by him, and on the plan of the island it was allotted to him, but he must have purchased it as a " young settler." He was by trade a hatter, and for several years carried on that business at the Northwest Harbor, near the spot occupied by the shop of Mr. Israel B. Higgins. He mar- ried Mary, the eldest daughter of Ignatius Haskell, Esq., and they had one son, Mr. Eben B. Foster, who removed to Boston, and was for several years one of the proprietors of The Boston Courier. Neither of their two daughters was married, nor did they remain here. Mr. Foster died in Boston when a very old man. James Joyce resided for many years on what it still known as the Joyce lot, lying north of the farm of Captain Peter Hardy, Jr., now the property of Mr. John Thomp- son, but he was probably never its owner, as the lot pur- ports on the plan to be that of Mr. Thomas Thompson. Mr. Joyce came early, removing here from the town of Marshfield, Massachusetts, or that vicinity, and married the widow of Mr. Courtney Babbidge, Sr. By his mar- riage with Mrs. Babbidge they had seven children. The sons were Messrs. James, Ebenezer, and William Joyce, and the daughters were the wives of Mr. Jeremiah Weed, Captain Levi Torrey, Mr. John Stockbridge, and Captain Samuel Whitmore. Of the family Mrs. Torrey only now survives. The sons removed to Swan's Island, and the two oldest re- mained there till their deaths ; the other removed here in 1848. Of the daughters, Mrs. Weed and Mrs. Whitmore re- mained here, and Mrs. Stockbridge died on Swan's Island. Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 141 Jesse Niles came here from the State of New Hamp- shire, not far from the year 1800. He was by trade a house-carpenter. His wife was a daughter of Deacon Caleb Haskell, and after the removal of Deacon Haskell, Mr. Niles occupied his farm till a few years prior to his death. After the death of his wife, in 1835, he married Miss Edna, the daughter of Mr. Naylor Small. By his first marriage he had four sons and two daughters, none of whom is now living. One of his sons, Mr. Mark A. H. Niles, was a minister, first a Congregationalist and after- ward a Unitarian, and was for a short time pastor of the church of the latter denomination in Belfast, where he died about the year 1840, a short time after he removed there. The other sons were John, Jesse, and Arthur. The daughters married in Massachusetts. None of the family remained here. By his second marriage Mr. Niles had two sons, one now dead; the other went from here. The two daughters remained and married here. After the death of her husband Mrs. Niles became the wife of Mr. Levi Greenlaw. Pearl Spofford, Esq., came here not long after the year 1800, in company with Mr. Samuel G. Town, with whom he formed a copartnership in trade. He was a native of the town of Pelham, New Hampshire, and his father's residence was not far from the line of the State of Massachusetts. It was his intention when he came East to stop at Fox Island Thoroughfare; but when he came, early in the spring, that passage was closed with ice, and he came to this place, stopping in the Southwest Harbor. Finding that this town might be a profitable place for trade, he concluded to remain. He had his goods carried to the Northwest Harbor, and for some, time occu- pied a part of the house of Aaron S. Haskell as a store, boarding in his family. After some time he dissolved 142 An Historical Sketch of the his connection with Mr. Town, who removed from here. He afterward formed a copartnership with his brother, Mr. Frederick Spofford, who was lost in the schooner Shakespeare, in 1818. They did an extensive business for the times, built vessels, and at one time owned a good deal of navigation here. After the death of the junior member of the firm, Mr. Spofford continued the business alone for many years, and the last vessel of his building was in the year 1835 — ^ t)rig named the Frederick Pearl. His wife was Miss Sarah Averill, a native of Massachu- setts, a very worthy lady, esteemed by all who knew her. She died in 1858. Their children were: the late Freder- ick P. Spofford, Esq., who died in 1870; the present Hon. Charles A. Spofford; Edwin B.; George W., who has been for several years a member of the board of select- men; and William H. H. Spofford, who has been for sev- eral years a deputy sheriff. One daughter was Sarah, the wife of Dr. Amos A. Herrick, of Sedgwick, Maine, who practised medicine here. Some years afterward he removed to Sedgwick, where he died, and his widow is now dead. Eliza, the other daughter, was the wife of Dr. William F. Collins, who died in 1858, near the time of the death of Mrs. Spofford. She afterward became the wife of Hon. George Tolman, who resided here. There were other children, who died when young. Mr. Spof- ford died in 1865, aged about eighty-seven 3^ears. He was for many years the most prominent man in the town, filling several town offices, was several times representative to the General Court at Boston, and was the represen- tative, in 182 1, to the Legislature of this State, and nearly all his life he took an active part in politics. He was in former times a Federalist, afterward a Whig, and, after that party disbanded, became a Republican. He was postmaster from the first establishment of one here till Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 143 1838, when he was removed on poUtical grounds. In 1 84 1 he was reinstated and held the office till 1845. ^V the loss of the Shakespeare he suffered pecuniarily to quite a large amount, as he was the chief owner of the vessel and her cargo, which consisted of merchandise to be used in trade here. At his death he was possessor of consid- erable property, chiefly in real estate, some of which was quite valuable, and next to Ignatius Haskell, Esq., was the largest owner of that kind of property in the town. He was an educated man and very intelligent, and had a very large share of natural capacity. Had he chosen the law for a profession he would have taken a high rank among others in this part of the State, and for a long time he had a good deal of influence here. He ever took a great interest in education, and was liberal in the support of the gospel, though not a professor of religion. He was one of those men who, whatever matter they may take hold of, do so in earnest. The house he occupied is now owned by two of his sons, Messrs. C. A. and George W. Spofford. The store occupied by him is now taken down; it was standing near the sail-loft of Mr. S. B. Haskell. The chief part, or nearly all, of the estate he left is now the property of his children. Dr. David Axgell came here as early as 1800, if not a little before. He was a native of the State of Rhode Island, and was boni in 1770. His wife was Miss Abigail, the daughter of Ignatius Haskell, Esq., and they had two sons — Amos, who was lost in the schooner Shakespeare, and Moses C. Angell, whose wife was a daughter of Mr. Asa Green. She was then the widow of Mr. John R. Haskell, and the mother of the present Sylvanus G. Has- kell, Esq. By the second marriage she had several chil- dren. The family removed to Hyde Park near Boston several years ago, where he died in 1876. The wife of 144 -^^ Historical Sketch of the Dr. Angell was for many years insane, but quietly so. The loss of her son affected her very much, as it did her husband, for he was a young man of promise. Dr. Angell had for many years quite an extensive practice, in which he was very successful. He had a good education and much natural ability and was a great wit; his observa- tions were often most appropriate. He was also well informed upon almost every subject and capable of im- parting a good deal of information, and, when he chose, his conversation would be very instructive and pleasing. In the latter part of his life his practice was more limited, but upon some occasions, when a serious case occurred, his advice and assistance were sought, as he had had a large share of experience. In some cases, no doubt, his aid saved the life of the patient, or at least such was the opin- ion of those who might be presumed to know. During the administrations of Presidents Jefferson and Madison, he was an officer of the customs here, as his political opinions were those of the then Republican party. In religion he was rather inclined to be skeptical. He died in 1843, aged seventy-three years, and his wife died a short time before him. Hezekiah Rowell, Esq., a native of Salem, New Hampshire, came here in the spring of 1804, in company with Messrs. Jonathan Webster and Joseph and Samuel Noyes, who were all of that vicinity. Mr. Rowell was by trade a blacksmith, but he did not work at the business here. His wife was Sarah, the daughter of Ignatius Haskell, Esq. She was born in 1789, or about that year. They had two sons, one dying in infancy; the other, Mr. Philip R. Rowell, has for many years resided in Mas- sachusetts. None of the family remained here. Mr. Rowell was for many years a justice of the peace, and was for some time in trade here, occupying as a store the Toivn of Deer Isle, Maine. 145 lower part of the house now owned by Mr. Levi Scott. He accumulated considerable property. After the death of Mr. Ezekiel Morey, he purchased his farm, one of the most valuable ones in the town, from his heirs, and built a house upon it which is now the property of the family of the late Mr. Joseph Sellers, 3d. The land was sold to different individuals, and there are upon the lot which was the property of Mr. Morey, more dwelling-houses than upon that of any other of the early settlers. He was a representative to the General Court at Boston at least twice prior to 1820. He removed from this town to Castine, where he resided several years; afterward he returned, remaining till about 1824, when he returned to that place, and for several years was in trade there and was once on the board of selectmen of that town. In about 1844 he returned here, lived a few years, and then removed to Hampden in this State, where he was a member of the family of one of his daughters who resided there, and in that place he died. Aaron S. Haskell was the eldest son of Ignatius Haskell, Esq., but as in the previous record there was little said of these sons, and as they were men of promi- nence in their day, it is proper to notice them. The one whose name heads this sketch lived here from the time of the removal of the family here in 1778, when he was but three years of age, till his death in 1864, at the age of eighty- nine years. He was by trade a tanner. The name of his first wife was Hannah Marshall, a daughter of Mr. Ezekiel Marshall, one of the early settlers, whom we have noticed. She had no children and died many years ago. In 1836 he married a widow who came here from the island of Cape Breton. Her place of residence there was the town known as Arachat, not far from Louisburg. She was nearly forty years his junior in age, and they had a family. Only one 146 An Historical Sketch of the of her sons by her marriage with Mr. Haskell now remains here, and one by her former marriage — the present Cap- tain Dennis Haskell, as he is called. They are both ener- getic and capable master-mariners. The house built by Mr. Haskell near the Northwest Harbor is still known as the Aaron Haskell house, and it is now the property of Captain John W. Green. After the death of his father, he had, as a part of his share of his real estate, the land and house formerly occupied by Dr. John Phillips. He resided there with his family after his marriage till his death, his wife dying a few years before him. Mark Haskell was the second son in the family, and was bom in 1785. His wife was Miss Hannah Beck Cross, of Newburyport. She died in 1882, at the age of ninety-three years, and her bodily and mental powers were very remarkable for one of her extreme age. Mr. Haskell went into trade at Castine, in company with his brother-in- law, Mr. Jonathan L. Stevens, but afterward returned here. While his health permitted, he was in trade here in the store owned by him, opposite the Green House. He was an honest and capable man and was much respected. Pie had no family, and died not far from the year 1847. His wife came into possession of his property, a part of which was the house owned and occupied by his father, after- ward sold to the late Captain William Haskell and now the property of his widow. Some years after the death of her husband, Mrs. Haskell married a Mr, Porter, of Lyme, New Hampshire, now dead. After his death she returned here and resided with Mrs. Eben E. Raynes, a daughter of her sister, Mrs. B. F. Ferguson. Ignatius Haskell, Jr., the third son of the family, resided at the northern part of the island, first upon the farm afterwards the property of Captain Amos Howard, and later upon that now occupied by his son Mr. Albion K. P. Town of Deer Isle, Maine. i^-j Haskell. His wife was Sarah, the daughter of Mr. William Eaton, Jr., l)y whom he had this son and several daughters, one of whom was a deaf-mute. One of them was the wife of the late Mr. A. C. Gordon; the other, that of Captain Oliver Howard, now of Gloucester, Massachu- setts, the last of whom only is now living. Mrs. Gordon died in 1878, aged fifty-eight years. Mr. Haskell was, during the War of 181 2, in command of a company of the militia; by trade he was a house-carpenter. He died not many years before 1850; his wife died in 1876, aged eighty-four years. Solomon Haskell, the youngest son of the family, was bom in 1794, and was the first child bom in the Has- kell house, not long after his parents moved into it. His wife was Miss Joanna Carman, the daughter of Mr. John Carman, and sister of the present Mr, Levi Carman. They had four sons and five daughters, the former being Messrs. Hezekiah R., Charles S., Eben F., and the late Philip R. Haskell. One of the daughters was first the wife of Mr. Nathan E. Weed and now the widow of Cap- tain William Haskell. Another was the wife of the late Captain David E. Adams, lost at sea. Another was the wife of Mr. Samuel E, Powers; another, the wife of Mr. William Bell, and one died unmarried. Of the above, Mrs. Powers is not living, and Mrs. Haskell only resides here. Mr. Haskell was twice representative to the State Legislature, — in 1826 and 1848. He was for several years one of the selectmen. He was a prominent man; was in trade many years, formerly in company with the late Benjamin F. Ferguson, Esq., and after a dissolution of the copartnership, was in trade alone. He died in, or about, 1867, and his widow survived him some ten years. His son, Mr. Eben F. Haskell, occupies the house and homestead of his father and is proprietor of the tanyard 148 An Historical Sketch of the which was his father's property, in which in former years much more business was done. Joseph Noyes, mentioned as coming in 1804 with Mr. Hezekiah Rowell, resided here till his death in 1850, or about that time. He was a native of Atkinson, New Hampshire, and was by trade a house and ship joiner and a very skillful workman. His wife, as we have stated, was the daughter of Mr. Ezekiel Morey, and survived her hus- band. Their sons were: Mr. John M. Noyes, who re- moved to Mount Desert, where he lived many years; Alexander N., who removed to Castine, and thence to Massachusetts; Henry A., who removed to Massachusetts; Joseph, now in Castine; and Albert O., now in the Terri- tory of Arizona. Of the daughters, one only remains here — the wife of Mr. Hezekiah R. Haskell. Another was the wife of Mr. Joshua E. Haskell, a son of Mr. Ed- ward Haskell, who removed to Fairfield in this State, where he was accidentally killed. The others married in other places. Mr. Noyes was a very sensible, capable man, and filled several town offices. His homestead is now the property of Mr. William E. Gray. Rev. Joseph Brown came in 1804, or about that time, and was settled as pastor over the church here as the immediate successor of Rev. Peter Powers. He resided in the house known as the Parsonage, now the property of Rev. Hiram Houston. He was educated by the well- known Lady Huntington at the same place of instruction, and, I think, at about the same time, as Rev. Mr. Milton, of Newburyport, who in his day was quite celebrated as a preacher. He was born in England in 1760, or about that year, and continued here till his death. He was said to have been a preacher of ability and was a man of edu- cation. He brought a family, among whom was the late Rev. Charles M. Brown, well known in this vicinity a few Town of Deer Isle, Maine. '49 vears aeo who was settled in Tremont, Maine, and re- ^fded there severalyears. but who for many of his last yea^s after his wife's death, made this town his home. In his Lmer years he followed the sea, and later became a good preacher, but was a very smgular man Ano he son was Philemon; another was Amencus, and another was Toseph none of whom remained here permanently. A daughter was a Mrs. Davenport, of Newburyport, and about the family, except Rev. Charles M. Brown, but Uttle is known. \n the time of the War of .8.. the sym- pathies of the Rev. Mr. Brown were very strongly in favor ^f Great Britain, and he carried them into ^e pulp^- a practice to be condemned, as it is of no benefit to a cause and productive of much injury to rehg.on. This "lade him many enemies, and a number m the southern part of the town, members of the church a^d congregation dissolved their connection with it and abandoned the plaee of worship. The result was the formation o a church of the Baptist order, in what is known now as South Deer Isle This troubled him to a great degree and had an injurious effect upon his mind. At last his church and parish dissolved their connection with him, which so har- rowed him that he died shortly after, in 1819. His remains he in the burying-ground near the Town House^ me which a stone was placed, but it was removed by h. son several years ago, and where it is now we do not ''"sTmcel Pickering settled what is known as Picker- ing's Island, not included in our territorial limits, but as he was in his dav well known here, it seems proper to notice him Whether' he ever resided in the town we do not know, but all his family known to us, with but one ex- ception, did so, and died here. His -'f" J»%^.'^f ^hter of Mr Elijah Dunham. Sr., and sister to Mr. Elijah Dun- 150 An Historical Sketch of the ham, Jr., who died in 1842. One of his sons was Mr. Daniel Pickering who resided on Greenlaw's Neck near the place now occupied by his son. His wife was Miss Mary Hayden, of a family who then lived here, but of whom nothing is now known. He died not far from 1850, his wife dying a few years earlier. He was the father of the late Mr. Richard Pickering, of the present Mr. Thomas Pickering, and of another son who lived in Orland. The daughters were the wives of Mr. John Bray, son of Mr. William Bray; of the late Mr. Willard Cole, and of Mr. Nathan Ball. Captain Samuel Pickering was another son of the family of the subject of this sketch. His wife was a daughter of Mr. Benjamin Cole, the second of the name, upon whose land Captain Pickering settled. His former place of residence is now the property of the widow of the late Mr. Mark H. Bray, and the house occupied by him at the time of his death is now the property of Mr. George W. Bray, It is near the Town House. Captain Pickering was a master-mariner, a very active man, and accumulated property. He died several years ago. His wife survived him for several years, dying in i860 or about that time. Their family consisted of two sons and seven daughters, the sons being the present Messrs. Aaron D. and Timothy B. Pickering. The latter is a man of business here, owns considerable navigation, and has been in trade many years. The daughters were the wives of Mr. Willaby N. Bray; Mr. William Torrey, before referred to, who died on a passage to California; Mr. Nathan W. Sawyer; Captain Robert Kelsey; a Mr. Wilkinson, of Massachusetts; Mr. David Torrey, 2d, and Captain Dudley Pressey, the lat- ter of whom only now resides here. The others, with the exception of Mrs. Wilkinson, are dead. The daughters of Mr. Samuel Pickering, Sr., were the wives of Mr. William Bray and of a Mr. Davis. The latter Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 151 did not reside here. The time of the death of Mr. Pickering we do not know. David S.\wyer came here not far from the year 1800, from some place in the vicinity of Newburyport. He was bom on the day of the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776, and was by trade a house and ship joiner. In the latter business he had a good deal of practice and was a very good workman. His wife was Miss Rebecca Crock- ett, the daughter of Mr. Robinson Crockett. Their sons were Nathan W., Admiral G., Mark H., David and Abel Sawyer, the first and last of whom are now dead. David Sawyer, Jr., has for some thirty years resided in Castine, and Abel, before his death, lived in the town of Sedgwick. The daughters were the wives of Mr. Ezekiel Marshall, Mr. Samuel G. Barbour, Captain James G. Bray and the late Mr. Mark H. Bray, all of whom except Mrs. Marshall are now (1882) living. The wife of Mr. Sawyer died not far from the year 1838, and he survived her twenty years or more. By the death of a brother in Groveland, Mas- sachusetts, he came into possession of about ten thousand dollars, which at his death was divided among his children. He was one of the most remarkable men whom I have ever met. He had an extraordinary memory, was'a'great reader, and, retaining what he read as he did, possessed, of course, a large amount of information. He was a good mechanic, and an honest man whose word was good, for whatever he promised he performed. Avery Fifield, a native of Haverhill, New Hampshire, came here not long after 1800, and was at the time appren- ticed to Mr. Jesse Niles, who has been noticed. For sev- eral years after the end of his term as an apprentice he worked at the trade of a house-carpenter. His wife was Miss Sarah, the daughter of Micajah Lunt. She was bom Februar\' 6, 1786, and is now dead. They had a 152 An Historical Sketch of the family of twelve children, all but one of whom lived to man- hood and womanhood. The sons were: the late Captain Joseph Fifield, who died in 1874; Avery, who died in i86g; Ebenezer S. ; Thomas S. ; George, a deaf-mute, and John J. The daughters were the wives of Messrs. William Sweet- sir; Thomas Small, a son of Mr. Edward Small; Silvious Simpson; Captain Stephen B. Morey, and Captain Jere- miah H. Greenlaw, all of whom, with the exception of Mrs. Simpson, are now living. Mr. Fifield first lived near Small's Cove, but later purchased a lot of one hun- dred and sixty acres lying on the south side of Burnt Cove. He removed there not far from 181 2, at which time there was not a settlement in that part of the town south of the residence of Mr. Samuel Small. His first house stood not far from the spot upon which the house of Captain Morey now stands. He afterward removed to the place now occupied by Mr. Thomas F. Fifield, upon which he built the house now standing. After a few years he went into the fishing business, owning several vessels, and con- tinued in it till the time of his death, which took place in September, 1845, ^-t the age of sixty-two years. He was a representative to the Legislature in 1836 and 1844, and had a great deal of influence, especially with those of his own political party. He was a warm-hearted man, ready to relieve any one who might be in distress, and was one of those men who mean w^hat they say. Captain David Thurlow was a native of Newbury, in the State of Massachusetts. He was bom in the year 1775, and could well remember the " dark day " in 1780. While he was still a child, his father, Mr. Abram Thurlow, was suffocated by going into a deep well which had long been covered up and disused. He, with a brother of his wife, a Mr. Boynton, had been soldiers in what is known as the Old French War, and were both at the second attack Toivn of Deer Isle, Maine. 153 upon Louisburg. His son, David, came here where he had an aunt who was the wife of Mr. Joseph Colby, Sr. ; his sister, also, was here, being the wife of Mr. Joseph Colby, Jr. The latter had settled first for some years upon what is now called Thurlow's Island, where he and Mr. Thurlow built and operated a sawmill. There was an excellent privilege there, and they manufactured much lumber, as there were in that vicinity logs conveniently near as well as in abundance. After a few years Mr. Colby removed, and Captain Thurlow carried on the business alone, purchas- ing the interest of Mr. Colby in the island and the mill. He built several vessels on the island, — about seventeen in all, I believe: one brig of one hundred and forty tons, two or more coasting-schooners and fishing-vessels, — and at one time owned quite a number. Some of them were of large size for those days and did a good deal of business for the times, employing many men. He accumulated an important property, and at one time was one of the most prosperous men in the town, but in the latter part of his life became somewhat reduced. His wife was Mercy, the daughter of Samuel Trundy, and they were the parents of twelve children. The sons were Jeremiah, Stephen, David, Caleb S., Moody and Paul Thurlow; the last two only are now living. The daughters were the wives of Captain Levi Babbidge, Mr. Aaron Babbidge, Captain Peter P. Tyler, Captain Nathan Raynes (afterward that of Mr. Charles Collier, of Charlestown, Massachusetts), and the present wife of Sullivan Green, Esq. Three of them are now living. He was a captain in the militia at the time that station was considered an honor, and from that circumstance he was always styled Captain Thurlow. He died in 1857, at the age of eighty-two years. He and his wife, who died in i860, were ver}' charitable, and in the days of their prosperity they remembered the 154 -4w Historical Sketch of the poor, for which their names are still respected. He was a very observing and sensible man, though without early advantages of education, possessed a sound judgment, was one of the selectmen of the town and, in 1829, repre- sented it in the Legislature. Rev. Samuel Allen came here not far from 18 10. He was a native of the town of Columbia, in the county of Washington, and was, we believe, the first or one of the first pastors of the Baptist Church here, continuing in that capacity for several years, often preaching on Isle au Haut and at other places in this vicinity. He was for a time quite popular and had many friends, but for some reason many became dissatisfied, and he ceased to be their pastor, and for many years he did not preach. He was bom in 1778. His wife was Miss Lois Look. They had four sons — George, Daniel, Samuel, and William. George died at sea, and Daniel married his widow for his second wife and afterward removed to Levant, near Bangor, where he purchased a farm, and sailed as master of a ves- sel out of Bangor. Samuel died some ten years ago. Wil- liam a few years since moved to Portland. The daughters were: Hannah, the wife of Mr. Isaac Crockett, and after- ward of Mr. Samuel W. Emerson; Ann, the wife of Mr. Reuben Small, whom we mentioned as being burned to death in 1827, and afterward the wife of Mr. Ward, of Addison, Maine; Louisa, the wife of Mr. Thomas Crockett who moved to St. Andrew's, New Brunswick, and Sarah, the wife of Mr. Levi Scott, only the last of whom resides here. Mr. Allen died in 1833, at Levant, at the age of fifty-five years, his wife surviving him more than thirty years. He was a man of much natural talent, and for many years was a successful preacher, although his educa- tion was limited, and if he had had advantages might have taken a comparatively high rank in his profession. Town oj Deer Isle, Maine. 155 He lived, while here, at what is known as Allen's Cove, near Green's Landing. James Duncan came here as early as 1800, or not long after. He was a native of Massachusetts, and was bom in 1779. His wife was the eldest daughter of Captain Ben- jamin Stockbridge, whom we have noticed, and he settled at what is now known as Green's Landing. There had then but one person lived there, who was named Grover, and who left shortly after Mr. Duncan went there, so that we may consider the latter as its first permanent settler (although Thurlow's Island near there was occupied before that time), and, from the south side of Crockett's Cove by the southern shore of the island as far as Webb's Cove, his was the only dwelling-house for some time. He was engaged for a while in the manufacture of salt from sea- water, the process of which has been described, and also in chopping wood, and probably did more of that than any other man in the town ever did. He took up quite an extensive tract of land, and afterward built another house about two hundred rods from the shore, where he spent nearly all the rest of his life. His wife dying, he, after her death, resided with his children, and died in the family of his son in Rockland, when nearly ninety years of age. The children of the family were: James, the son just referred to, now dead; Mary, the wife of Mr. Robert Barter, who resided on what is known as Wreck Island, within the limits of the town as established in 1868; Elizabeth, the wife of Captain John Barter, of Isle au Haut; Abigail, first the wife of Mr. John Sellers who was lost in Chaleur Bay with Captain David Colby, in the schooner Georgiana of Castine, in 1839, and secondly of Mr. Stephen Colby; and Sarah, the wife of Mr. Levi Weed who several years ago removed to Rockland, and later to South Thomaston, where he died not many years ago. All the daughters arc living except 156 An Historical Sketch of the the wife of Mr. Colby. Mr. Duncan was for several years before his death afflicted with shaking palsy, and was always a hard-working man. Moses Gross came here not long after 1800 from Boston, and was by trade a mason. He was known as Mason Gross, to distinguish him from Mr. George Gross, who, as has been stated, was known as Citizen Gross, but they were not relatives. He at one time did considerable business at his trade in Boston, but becoming somewhat reduced in circumstances, he moved from that place here. He was for much of the time employed at his trade here, doing nearly all the work in his line. He died in 1822, at Castine, while employed upon a block of brick stores there. His wife was a native of Boston, and was born in 1773, about the time of the destruction of the tea in Boston Harbor. She died here in the family of her daugh- ter, Mrs. Pressey, in 1862, at the age of eighty-nine years. After the death of her first husband, she, in 1830, or about that time, became the wife of Ignatius Haskell, Esq. The sons of Mr. Gross were: Samuel P., James, Isaac and the late Mr. Frederick A. Gross. The daughters were: Margaret, the wife of Mr. John Leman, of Boston, who, after her death, married her sister Martha; Mary, the first wife of Captain Jeremiah Thurlow, and Harriet, the wife of Mr. Sylvanus G. Pressey. Another daughter never married. Of the family Mrs. Pressey is the sole survivor. Her son, Mr. Samuel P. Gross, follov/ed the occupation of his father. James was a master-mariner and died after a vers^ short illness in 1828. Mr. Frederick A. Gross died in 1881. Jonathan Torrey, Jr. In recording the family of Mr. Jonathan Torrey, I briefly noticed his sons. One of them, who in his lifetime was as well known as any other person in the town, is the subject of this sketch. Town of Deer Isle, Maine. i57 He was one with whom I was very well acquainted He was bom here in 1774. and his wife was Miss Prudence, daughter of Captain Belcher Tyler. He followed the sea for manv vears. and for nineteen consecutive years was master of a vessel employed in the Labrador cod-fishery the last vear being 1824, as the fisheries then had failed to the extent that it was no longer a profitable business. He continued to follow the sea, sometimes m the fishmg and sometimes in the coasting business, till 1832 or 1833. when he abandoned it and turned his attention to his farm which, as we have stated, was the one occupied by Mr John Billings, adjoining that of William Eaton on the Reach shore. He was a man of integrity and enter- prise The time and cause of his death have been stated in the notice of his father, and his sons mentioned. His widow outlived him about twenty-five years. The real estate owned by him is now in the possession of his heirs. David Torrey was the eldest brother m the family, and lived for many years near the road leading from the Northwest Harbor toward the Reach. He was a very eccentric man, and died in 1858 at the age of ninety years His wife was Mrs. Martha Robbins, a daughter of Mr. Charles Sellers, and they had no children. She had three by her former husband, none of whom remained here. She has been noticed in the sketch of the family of her father as dying in 1879. at the great age of nmety-seven ^Taptain John Torrey was another son of Mr. Jona- than Torrey. Sr., and was for many years a master-manner, making several voyages in the Labrador fisheries. He was a capable and intelligent man. His wife was Mis Dorothy, a daughter of Captain Jonathan Haskell, and a'^ter'to the wife of his brother Mr. Dan^l Torrey They had no children, but adopted a daughter of Mr. 158 An Historical Sketch of the Josiah Gray when she was very young, who took their name and was afterward the wife of Mr. Joshua Pressey, 2d. She is now a widow, and occupies the homestead of her adopted father. The other members of the family of Mr. Torrey, Sr., have, with the exception of Mrs. Eaton, been dead for several years, and have also been elsewhere noticed. The limits of this work will preclude many such further sketches that I should like to make, and the per- sons who would be the subjects of them are now remem- bered by but few of the living. William Raynes, 2d, the eldest son of Captain John Raynes, was in his day very well known, not only here, but in other places, as he was for many years a master- mariner, and throughout his long life maintained an un- blemished reputation which was well known wherever he was acquainted. He was bom in September, 1778. His wife was Miss Ruth, the daughter of Captain Edmund Sylvester. He followed the sea until sixty years of age, and resided upon the farm first taken up by Mr. Samuel Raynes, which was purchased by Ignatius Haskell, Esq., from whom it was purchased by Captain Raynes, not long after 1800. Upon the lot, he built a house which is now in a state of decay. The children of the marriage were: William, who died in 1832, aged twenty-three years; Edmund S., whose first wife was Mary A., the daughter of Mr. John Howard, and the second a Miss Small, of Newbury port, in which place he now resides; George who died in 1836, in New York; Abiel who was shipwrecked on Martha's Vineyard, in 1846, being one of the crew of the brig Lincoln of this town. He died shortly after reaching the shore, and was there buried. He married Susan, the daughter of Captain Henry Luf- kin, Jr., a sister of the present Captain H. T. Lufkin. She afterward became the wife of Mr. Robert Clark, of Tou,'n of Deer Isle, Maine. 159 Castine, where she is now living. Another son was the late Mr. Aaron B. Raynes, whose wife was Miss Mary M., a daughter of the late Mr. Thomas Sellers, of Bangor, a son of Mr. William, and a brother to the present Mr. Amos Sellers. Mr. A. B. Raynes was formerly one of the select- men, and represented this town in the year 187 1 in the Legislature. In that year he removed from this place to the State of Missouri. He afterward came East and resided in Norwich, Connecticut, where he died in 1881, at the age of fifty -nine years. Another son is the present Captain Eben E. Raynes, whose wife was Miss Elizabeth, daughter of the late Benjamin F. Ferguson, Esq. He is the only member of the family now residing here. The youngest son was Mr. Benjamin Raynes, who went from here in 1854 to California, afterward returning, and who now resides in Gloucester, Massachusetts. The daughters were: Susan, the wife of George .L. Hosmer, who died in 1868; Elizabeth, the wife of Mr. Charles S. Tor- rey, who died in 1853 ; Caroline, the wife of Mr. Jason Webb, who died in Gloucester, Massachusetts, in 1857. Of the family of twelve children but three are now living. Captain Edmund S. Raynes, the second son, was for years an active master-mariner, making many voyages to the East Indies. The date of the death of Captain Raynes has been stated and also his age. His wife died in 1852. Joseph R.wxes was the third son in the family, and his wife was Betsey, the daughter of Mr. Nathan Johnson. Two of their sons, Captain John J. and Horatio G. Ravnes, now reside in Hyde Park, Massachusetts, and one, Nathan Raynes, resides here. One married daughter, Mrs. Lucas, is a resident of Methuen, Massachusetts, and the young- est is the wife of Mr. Bcster B. Haskell. One is single, and makes the house of her deceased father her residence i6o An Historical Sketch of the in summer, while the rest of the time she lives in Boston. Captain Raynes followed the sea and the fishing business many years. Both he and his wife died within forty- eight hours of each other, in April, 1859, and their remains occupy one grave. Benjamin Raynes was the youngest son, and his wife was Miss Sabrina, the daughter of Mr. Joseph Whitmore, Jr., who, as has been stated, lost his life in 18 14, at the same time with Mr. John Eaton, by drowning. Their only son was the late Captain Edmund Raynes. Their eldest daughter was first the wife of Captain Henry J. Lufkin who was master of the brig Baron de Castine, of Castine, and who died on board of her on the coast of Africa, in i860. She was afterward the wife of Mr. Israel B. Grindle, of Penobscot, and died in May, 1881. Another was the first wife of Mr. Edward P. Haskell. Two now remain; one is the wife of Mr. Alvin B. Saunders, and one is un- married. In 1846 Captain Raynes, then master of the brig Lincoln of this town, was wrecked on Martha's Vine- yard. The brig being heavily loaded with lumber, with spars on deck, was knocked down, righting after the masts were cut away, and for four days in the latter part of November the crew were on deck without food or water, drenched with sea-water. Two of the crew, William Adams and Richard Brown, died before the vessel went on shore; and soon after she struck, the mate, Mr. Benja- min J. Saimders, in attempting to reach the shore was drowned, leaving three on board, who, when the tide had ebbed, reached the land, one of whom, Mr. Abiel S. Raynes, soon after lay down and died. He had lost his hat when the brig was knocked down and was more drenched than the others with salt water. The two remaining. Captain Raynes and Mr. Charles H. Saun- ders, attempted to reach a house at about half a mile's Town of Deer Isle, Maine. i6i distance from the shore, were seen, and assistance was rendered them. The exposure and suffering caused Cap- tain Raynes to become prematurely old, and he died at sea in 1861, at the age of fifty-eight years, his wife dying in 1859. He was for several years engaged in the Banks fisher}', and was master of vessels from Castine in that pursuit, but for a number of years prior to his death he was engaged in the coasting business. Captain Henry Lufkin was a son of the Mr. Benja- min Lufkin mentioned, who came here from Gloucester, and was at the time of the removal about fifteen years of age. He resided here the remainder of his life, and was master of a vessel in the coasting business many years. He purchased a farm of Ignatius Haskell, Esq., which was a part of the land formerly occupied by Mr. Robinson Crockett, upon which he lived till his death. His first wife was Miss Betsey Robinson, and by her he had two sons — the late Captain Henry Lufkin who died in 1868, and Captain Joseph R. Lufkin who died in 185 1 — and two daughters. One was the wife of Mr. Timothy Saunders, and the other was the wife of Captain Ebenezer Beardsley, then of Boston, but a native of Damariscotta, Maine. Both of the daughters are now dead. The second wife of Captain Lufkin, the subject of this notice, was Miss Betsey Raynes, and by her he had two sons and two daughters. One son is the present Captain Mark H. Lufkin, and the other died when a young man in the West Indies. One of the daughters was the wife of the late Johnson Raynes; the other died unmarried, and of the family Captain M. H. Lufkin is the sole survivor. The death of Captain Lufkin took place in 1839. at the age of sixty-four years, and that of his wife in 1858. at the age of seventy-eight years. His real estate is now the pro])crty of his son, who occupies it. 1 62 An Historical Sketch of the Daniel Lufkin was a brother of the subject of the preceding notice. He was born in 1785. His first wife was Sarah, the daughter of Captain John Raynes. Of their family three now remain: Mr. Benjamin Lufkin who resides here; Mr. Theophilus Lufkin, of Castine; and a daughter, the widow of Mr. Miles Gardiner, of that town. One son, Mr. Daniel Lufkin, Jr., was drowned by stepping off a wharf in Bangor several years ago; he left a family. Two other sons died when young men, unmarried. The wife of Mr. Lufkin died in 1828. For his second wife he married Mrs. Patience Snow, the daugh- ter of Mr. Thomas Colby, by whom he had three sons and one daughter. One son was drowned; another re- moved from here, and one, the present Mr. Henry F. Lufkin, and the daughter, the wife of Mr. Edwin Tyler, reside here. Mr. Lufkin died in 1871, at the age of eighty- six years. His wife died a year or two after. EzEKiEL Alexander came here many years ago from Harpswell, Maine. He was well known here. Two of his sisters resided here — one the wife of Mr. George Gross ; the other that of Mr. Solomon Marshall. The wife of Mr. Alexander was Polly Eaton, a daughter of Mr. Elia- kim Eaton, the oldest son of Major William Eaton. She was bom in 1776. After her marriage she had two daugh- ters, one of whom married in Massachusetts, and the other is the well-known Avis Alexander. He died in, or about, 1850, and was not far from ninety years of age. His wife was well known as a wandering character, gather- ing herbs, etc., while she remained able. She afterward became an inmate of the poorhouse, and died in 1869, at the age of ninety-three years. Joseph Clifton came here many years ago and was well known. He was born in Medford, Massachusetts, according to his own account, in 1771. His wife was a Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 163 daughter of Mr. John Scott and the widow of Mr. Ebene- zer Ball. By Mr. Clifton she had three daughters: one is the present wife of Mr. Thomas Low; another the wife of Captain William Torre}'' who died in 1881; the other married in Massachusetts. He was a very singular man, and for many years did not live with his family, preferring to roam about, not remaining long in any one place. He spent considerable time in Winterport and in that vicinity. By trade he was a shoemaker. When, by reason of age, he became incapable of labor, he returned here, where he spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1865, at the age of ninety-four. His wife died not far from 1870, aged eighty-five years. Simon Smith came here not far from 1800. He was the son of Mr. Abiatha Smith, one of the early settlers of Isle au Haut, and was bom in Thomaston. His wife was Miss Lydia, the youngest daughter of Mr. Thomas Small, Sr., and they had a family of twelve children. Of the sons the eldest, Simon Smith, died on Isle au Haut, in 1835, of smallpox. The next in age. Captain Benjamin Smith, was lost at sea while master of a vessel belonging in Winterport, at w^hich place he resided. The next in age was the late Mr. Samuel Smith who represented this town in the Legislature in 1854. Another is the present Mr. John Smith. One, Chase Smith, died when a young man. The daughters were the wives of Messrs. William Webb, James Saunders, 2d, Alexander N. Noyes, Henry A. Noyes, Paul T. Lane — all of this town. Another was first the wife of a Mr. Foote and afterward of Joshua Fuller, Esq., of Thomaston. The other was the wife of Mr. James Babbidge, 2d, of North Haven, Init now a resi- dent of Falmouth, Maine. Mr. Smith died a few years prior to i860, and his wife did not long survive him. The 164 An Historical Sketch of the farm owned by him was sold by his heirs, and is now the property of Captain H. T. Lufkin. William Sellers, Jr., was a native of York, Maine, and was bom in 1775. He came here early with his father, Mr. William Sellers, a brother of Messrs. Charles and Jo- seph Sellers, but he did not acquire a settler's right. He, and the rest of the family, with the exception of their father who returned to York and died there, remained here until their deaths. The wife of Mr. Sellers was Miss Abigail, daughter of Mr. Thomas Small, Sr., and their children were: (i) Mr. William Sellers, 3d, who lived not far from Burnt Cove; (2) Mr. David Sellers who lived on Stinson's Neck; (3) Mr. Thomas Sellers who died of the cholera in 1849, in Bangor; (4) Mr. John Sellers who was lost in Chaleur Bay, in 1839, — one of the crew of the schooner Georgiana of Castine, Captain David Colby, mas- ter; and (5 and 6) the present Messrs. Ebenezer S. and Amos Sellers. Of the two daughters, one was the wife of Mr, John Conary, and the other that of Mr. William Fife who for- merly resided on Swan's Island. Of the family two only now are living. The dates of the deaths of Mr. Sellers and his wife were not far from 1850. His property is now owned and occupied by his son, Mr. Amos Sellers. The brother of Mr. Sellers removed to Brooklin, Maine, many years ago. The sisters were the wives of Mr. Thomas Conary, Jr., of Mr. Ebenezer Jordan, of Mr. Stephen Dow and afterward the third wife of Mr. Stephen Babbidge, and another was the first wife of Captain James Torrey. Elias Morey was the eldest son of Mr. Ezekiel Morey, who came among the earliest settlers. He was bom in 1 761 and remained here till his death, which took place not far from the year 1845. His wife was a Miss Robin- son, and was sister to the wives of William Raynes, senior of the name here, and of Captain Henry Lufkin. Town of Deer Isle, Maim. 165 They had a family of thirteen children. The sons were: the late Mr. William Morey, who was the father of the pres- ent Mr. Levi B. Morey, and whose wife was a daughter of ]\Ir. Robinson Crockett; another was the late Mr. Elias Morey, Jr., who died on Swan's Island; another was Charles Morey' who went away and died when a young man; an- other was Mr. Ezekiel Morey who died many years ago, and the other was Mr. Joseph Morey, the father of the man of the same name, who now lives here. They all are dead The daughters were the wives of Mr. Joseph Cole, Hezekiah Robbins, Elijah Dunham, Mark Robbins, and Abram Holbrook — all of this town; and there were others who were married in other places. For some years Mr. Morev resided upon a part of his father's farm, but his right' was purchased by Deacon Joshua Haskell. After that he resided the most of the time on Greenlaw's Neck, where he died a few days after his wife's death. Naylor Small has been mentioned as one of the sons of Mr. Job Small. He was bom in 1772. His wife was the daughter of Mr. Levi Carman, the early settler of that name. Of his family there was one son, the late Mr. Calvm Small. Two daughters were the wives of Captain Tristram Haskell. Jr., and Mr. Charles Walton, of Spruce Head Island, 'both of whom are now dead; another was the wife of Ur. Jesse Niles, and the present wife of Mr. Levi Greenlaw; another, the wife of the late Mr. Frederick A. Gross, and one died unmarried. Mr. Small died in 1863, at the age of ninety-one years; his wife died a few years before. His property passed into the hands of his son, by whom it was occupied till his death. Michael Small, Esq., was the youngest son of Mr. Job Small. He was bom in i779- His wife was Miss Deborah Perkins, of Castine. They had a large family, mo.t of whom died voung. Three of their sons were: the 1 66 An Historical Sketch of the present Mr. Michael Small; the late Mr. Frederick Small, and Mr. Robert P. Small who removed to Gloucester, Mas- sachusetts, and is now dead. Of two daughters, one is the wife of Mr. William Small; the other died, unmarried, not long after the death of her father, which took place in 1837, after a most distressing illness. His wife survived him about twenty years, residing with her son, Mr. Michael Small, who owns and occupies a part of the property left by his father. Mr. Small was for many years a justice of the peace, an enterprising farmer, and accumulated considerable property. Charles Chatto, Michael Ready, and John Finney came here about the beginning of the present century. The first was a native of Scotland, the other two of Ireland. They were in the military service of Great Britain, from which they had deserted at the time of their coming here. They were stationed near the river St. Croix, and, either by swimming or in a boat, came alongside a vessel belonging here, the master of which was Captain Ephraim Marshall, who landed them here, where they remained, two of them, and married. Mr. Chatto married a Miss Staples; they were the parents of Mr. Joshua S. Chatto who has resided here and is well known. Mr. Ready married Lydia, the daughter of Mr. Chase Pressey; they were the parents of Messrs. Thomas and Jeremiah Ready, the former of whom resided here until a few years ago, and the latter went to Boston when a young man. Mr. Finney married the daughter of Mr. Moses Staples, of Swan's Island; they were the parents of the late Mr. Moses S. Finney who came here as early as 1838, from that place, and remained till his death, a few years prior to i860. Mr. Finney, or, as he was generally called, Jack Finney, was a man of small stature, and very excitable. If he deemed himself insulted, he was ever ready for a com- Toivn of Deer Isle, Maine. 167 bat, however great the disadvantages to himself might seem. George G. Choate came, not far from the beginning of the present century, from some place in the county of Essex, in the State of Massachusetts. By trade he was a house-carpenter. He first married a Miss Johnson, a daughter of the last wife of Mr. Ezra Howard, and by her had three daughters, one of whom was the wife of Mr. Samuel Hall, of this place, but who, many years ago, removed to Long Island in the town of Bluehill. Another married Mr. Thomas Haskell, son of Deacon Joshua Has- kell, a master ship-carpenter, who lived here until a few years ago, and then removed to Boston, where he died not long after. He had been married before, and had a family of eight children, his first wife being a daughter of Courtney Babbidge, Jr. The remaining daughter of Mr. Choate by his first marriage was Mary Choate who resides in Boston. The second wife of Mr. Choate was Miss Betsey, daughter of Mr. Thomas Small, Sr. They had two sons. One was the late Mr. Thomas S. Choate who resided here, but died several years ago. The other was Mr. John Choate who, when quite a young man, left this place and went to New Orleans, and before the Rebellion commanded a steamer on the Mississippi River. Of the daughters we know nothing, as they did not remain here. Mr. Choate formerly resided in a house near the Town House, which, after his removal from here, was purchased by Jonathan E. Webb, Esq., and moved to the North- west Harbor. It is now the property of Captain John W. Green. Not far from 1830 Mr. Choate moved to Bluehill, where he resided till his death, which took place about i860. He was a great wit, and many examples of it are well remembered both in this place and in Bluehill. i68 An Historical Sketch of the We have given quite an extended sketch, and notices of the settlers and early inhabitants. Among them were many who were not descendants of those first settlers, but who came here and were prominent in their day in that part of the town known as Great Deer Island. We will now notice those persons who were the early settlers of Little Deer Island. As has been stated, the authority of Messrs. Joseph and George Tyler to allot lands to settlers did not extend to Little Deer Island, but was confined to Great Deer and Sheep Islands, or, as the latter is known, Jordan's Island. Whether those persons who were there as settlers prior to 1784 were entitled to their lots of land, or not, we do not know; but as the same rule was observed in Township Number Three (which embraced the present towns of Penobscot, Castine, and a large part of Brooks- ville), as was on Great Deer Island, we may judge that it was established by resolve of the General Court of Massa- chusetts, in other towns in this vicinity. The proprietors of that island were residents of Massachusetts. Hon. Thomas L. Winthrop, once lieutenant-governor of the State, was one of the principal proprietors, if not the only one, from whom the titles of occupants were derived. It was surveyed in 1802 by James Peters, of Bluehill, a brother of John Peters, Jr., by whom the second survey of Great Deer Island was made, in 1798. At the time of the survey most of the land was occupied. Eliakim Eaton, the oldest son of William Eaton, set- tled on the lot upon the southeast end of the island. His settlement embraced what is known as Stave Island, now occupied by his grandson, Mr. Benjamin H. Eaton. His wife was Miss Mary Bunker. She was a daughter of a man of that name who, as has been stated, lived to the extraordinary age of one hundred and ten years; but such a statement must be received with a great deal of caution, Toii'n of Deer Isle, Maine. i6y as there is generally a disposition in such cases to exag- gerate. If the statement be correct, there has been but one case in this part of the State of such extraordinary longevity — that of Mr. Laughlin McDonald, who died in Belfast, in 182 1, said to be of the same age, and generally believed to be from the statements made by him of persons he had seen, who had been dead more than one hundred years. One of the sons of their marriage who remained here was the late Mr. Solomon Eaton who died about the year i860, at an advanced age. Another was Mr. Isaac Eaton, who married a daughter of Mr. Peter Hardy, Sr., died when a young man, and whose widow became the wife of Captain Jonathan Haskell who died in 1873. Another son is the present Mr. Peter H. Eaton who is about ninety years of age. Of the daughters, one was the wife of Mr. Ezekiel Alexander, whom we have before noticed. A son of hers, before her marriage with him, who went by the name of Ezekiel A. Clark, was found dead under very suspicious circumstances in Boston, in 1849. As he was known to have had several hundred dollars in monev, none of which was found upon his person, it was presumed that he had been robbed and murdered. Another daughter was the wife of Mr. Jeremiah Eaton, She was the mother of the present Mr. Alfred Eaton. After the death of her husband, who was drowned in 1834, she became the wife of Mr. John Gray, in Brooksville. Another daughter was known as Phebe Eaton. She was the mother of the late Captain Rufus Benson, who removed to Camden, and was the master of a bark belonging to that place, which was seized by the Spanish authorities about the year 1850, about which considerable was said at the time, it being the subject of correspondence between the government of this country and that of Spain at the time that Hon. Daniel Webster was Secretary of State. Captain Benson 170 Ait Historical Sketch of the was brought up by Mr. Amos Thurston, of this town, who, when Rufus was a little child, was in his boat fishing near Isle au Haut, and being near a ledge, heard a child cry- ing upon it; he landed there and found him, and he re- mained in his family till he was twenty-one years of age. After that he removed to Camden and became an active master-mariner. He is now dead. His mother, late in life, became the wife of Mr. Christopher Gray, of Brooks- ville, the man who lived to be one hundred and three years of age, but we believe she had been married before. Another daughter married in Harpswell, Maine; nothing is known about her. Mr. Eaton died not far from the year 1800. His widow married Mr. Charles Stewart who was well known in Sedgwick and Brooksville. She died between the years 1840 and 1845, ^^ the age of one hun- dred years, as was supposed. The real estate of Mr. Eaton was afterwards purchased, with the exception of the widow's dower, by the late Mr. Abijah Haskell, Jr., who resided upon it till his death, in 1872. Solomon Eaton, son of the subject of the preceding notice, lived and died on the island on which he was bom, not long after the year 1770. His first wife was a daughter of Mr. Benjamin Howard, of what is now Brooksville, and their sons were: the present Messrs. Benjamin H. and Mark Eaton; the late Solomon Eaton, Jr., of this town, who died in 1849, ^^^ Mr. John Eaton, of Sedg- wick, now dead. The only daughter who remained here was the wife of Mr. Peter H. Haskell, who is now dead. The second wife of Mr. Eaton was the daughter of Mr. Daniel Billings, who was some twenty-five years younger than himself, and they had three sons who were: Mr. Isaac B. Eaton, of Isle au Haut; Mr. Amos Eaton, and Mr. Hardy Eaton. They all are dead. After the death of his second wife, he married a sister of his first wife. Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 171 Mrs. Martha Tibbetts, of Brooksvillc, and they both died near each other, not far from the year i860. The settle- ment of Mr. Eaton was upon the southwest side of the island, and his place afterward became the property of the late Silas L. Hardy, Esq. Jephtha Benson was the first settler upon the land adjoining that of Mr. Eliakim Eaton on the northwest. He came here not far from the year 1800, from one of the towns in the vicinity of Paris, in the count}^ of Oxford, in this State, and his descendants still reside there. He was a Revolutionary soldier, and was born about the year 1757. He resided several years upon the land he settled, and then removed to Marshall's Island, lying west of Swan's Island. He married a Mrs. Ross who was a daughter of Mr. Thomas Kench who, many years ago, lived near Buck's Harbor, in Brooksville. Mr. Kench was also a Revolutionary soldier, and was one of those who accom- panied Benedict Arnold up the Kennebec River and across the wilderness to Quebec in 1775, and was engaged in the attempt to capture that city under General Mont- gomery. It is said that he was one of the few who reached the top of the wall, but was obliged to jump down to save his life. By his wife Mr, Benson had a family, none of whom ever resided here, but were on Swan's Island a few years ago. He was dispossessed of Marshall's Island, in 1835, by Rufus B. Allyn, of Belfast, and afterward removed to Brooksville, where he died, at the age of ninety- eight years. His land on Little Deer Island afterward became the property of the late Silas L. Hardy, Esq., by whom it was occupied till his death, in 1859. It is now the property of his sons. Jonathan Hardy, before noticed, was the occupant of the lot of land lying northwest of that of Mr. Benson, and lived upon it till his death. Some years before that time 172 An Historical Sketch of the he sold a part of it to his son, Mr. Jonathan Hardy, Jr., who removed to Winterport, and it was by him sold to Mr. James E. Parker who is now the occupant. The remainder of the lot is the property of the sons of Silas L. Hardy. His second wife, a Miss Susan Jones, of Cas- tine, after his death became the third wife of Mr. Timothy Saunders. She had one daughter after her marriage with Mr. Hardy, who became the wife of Mr. John Hardy, and died in the year 1854, on the voyage with her husband to Washington Territory. Her husband remained there some time, and afterward returned, sometimes residing here and sometimes in other places. Isaac Gray settled the lot of land northwest of that of Mr. Jonathan Hardy, Jr., on which he resided several years, but not till some time after 1800. His wife was the oldest daughter of Mr. Joseph Harris, and they were the parents of the late Mr. Joseph H. Gray and Messrs. Silas H. and Oliver B. Gray. One daughter became the second wife of Mr. George C. Closson, and the other, that of the late Captain Timothy Parker, of Winterport. Mr. Gray removed there several years ago and died in that place. His wife returned and died here in 1876, at the age of eighty-seven years. The real estate of Mr. Gray is now the property of his heirs, and is unoccupied. Joseph Harris was a native of the British Provinces, and came here very early. His wife was a daughter of Mr. James Gray, who lived near Walker's Pond, in Brooks- ville. She was a sister to Mr. Christopher Gray, men- tioned before, and to Mr. Josiah Gray who has been noticed. We do not know the exact date of his coming, but as his oldest daughter was bom in 1789, if he lived there at that time, he was one of the early settlers. His lot was that adjoining the one taken up by Mr. Isaac Gray on the northwest. They had one son, the present Mr. Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 173 Henry Harris. The daughters were the wives of Mr. Isaac Gray ; Mr. John Weed ; Mr. Samuel Pittee who came here from North Yarmouth, Maine; Mr. John Hutchin- son who died here not many years ago; and the youngest was first the wife of Samuel Hutchinson, and afterward that of Mr. Ebenezer Spinney who came here in 1837 from the town of Eliot, Maine. Mrs. Spinney is the only one of the daughters remaining, and is now at the age of eighty years. Mr. Harris died in 1841, at the age of eighty-six years; his wife died in 1854, at the age of eighty-nine years. D.wiEL Billings was the settler upon the lot of land lying northwest of that of Mr. Harris. He was a brother of Mr. Timothy Billings, and was bom in this town not far from the year 1768. His wife was Miss Carter, a sister of Rev. Edward Carter, a Baptist elder, who many years ago preached on Cape Rozier, in Brooksville, near what was known as Bakman's Mills. A sister of the family was the wife of Mr. Thomas Wasson, a well-known citizen in Brooksville for many years, who died more than forty years ago, and who was a Revolutionary soldier, and grandfather to Thaddeus Shepardson, Esq., of that town. Mr. Billings and wife had three sons who arrived at man- hood, and one who died young. They were Daniel Bill- ings, Esq., who many years lived in Monroe, Waldo County, and practised law. A few years ago he came here and purchased what is known as the " Swain Place." He was afterward appointed a trial justice, for which posi- tion he was well qualified. He died not many years since after a short sickness. Another son was the late Mr. Peter H. Billings who also resided in Monroe. He was by trade a millwright, and was a very skillful and ingenious mechanic. He died not far from the year 1850, not quite forty years of age. The other is the present Mr. Edward 174 -^w Historical Sketch of the C. Billings who occupies and owns the homestead of his father. The daughters were the wives of the late Mr. Peter Hardy, Jr., who died in 1859; Mr. Samuel Howard, of Brooksville; Mr. Solomon Eaton who has been noticed; Mr. Peter H. Eaton; Mr. Samuel Gray, of Sedgwick, and Mr. George Swain. The first four are now dead. Mr. Billings died at an advanced age several years ago, his wife dying before him. He left a good reputation. Samuel Howard, one of the family in Brooksville of that name, settled upon the land adjoining the lot of Mr. Billings upon the northwest. His wife was a sister of Mr, Billings. He lived for several years upon it, and afterward removed to the town of Montville. His farm was purchased by Otis Little, Esq., of Castine, who ac- quired land adjoining it, and had in all about four hun- dred acres which, a little before 1830, he sold to Captain John Gray, of Sedgwick, who lived upon it about thirty- five years, and then removed to the town of Brooksville, where he died. He had previously sold a part of his land to Mr. Shadrach Black who occupied it from 1836 till his death, not long after 1870. His wife was a daughter of Mrs. Gray by a former husband. Another portion of his land he sold to his son, the present Mr. Jonathan D. Gray who, a few years ago, sold it to Mr. John Douglass who now occupies it. When Captain Gray removed he sold the remainder of his land to his son Jonathan who occu- pies it at present. Mr. Black's land is now occupied by his son. Timothy Billings who, as we have stated, was the first child of white parents bom in the town, settled the farm on the northwestern end of the island. His wife was a Miss Wells, a relative, doubtless, of those of that name who lived in what is now the town of Brooklin. She died many years before him, leaving a family of three sons, of Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 175 whom wc have had knowledge, and two daughters. Two of the sons were Captain John Billings and Amaziah Bill- ings, who lived in Sedgwick. Of the daughters, one was the wife of Mr. James Gray, of Brooksville, and the other that of Captain Robinson Crockett, Jr., who lived at one time on Stinson's Neck. The other son of Mr. Billings, Jeremiah Billings, who remained here and occupied the farm of his father, died very suddenly, in 1840. After his death his widow married Mr. John L. Lawry, who came here in 1841 from some town in the county of Waldo, and in whose family Mr. Billings, the subject of this notice, resided till his death, after which the farm was sold, and the family removed to Winterport, where Mr. Lawry died. It is now the property of Mr. Michael D. Snow- man, who removed there from Brooksville. That which was said of Mr. Daniel Billings, as to character, might be repeated of his brother. William Swain was the first settler on the southwest side of the island, upon the lot of land adjoining that of Captain Gray on the southeast. He was a native of Scot- land, and came with the British army to Bagaduce in 1779. He was a master-mariner, and in former years a man of enterprise. He was at one time worth a very good property. His wife was a daughter of Mr. Samuel Mat- thews, of what is now Castine, whose farm, a valuable one, was afterward owned by Mr. Jonathan Hatch, and occupied by him at the time of his death. A cove on the shores of which his place lay is known as Swain's Cove; but the e.xact time of his coming here is not known. He did not pay for his property, but the proprietors never molested him. After his death his son, Mr. George Swain, made a contract to purchase it, but failed to pay for it, and did not acquire a title. After the removal of Mr. George Swain. Mr. Horatio X. Haskell contracted with the owners 176 An Historical Sketch of the for its purchase, but he also failed to meet his payments. Afterward it was purchased by Daniel Billings, Esq., who resided upon it till his death, a few years ago. It is now owned and occupied by his widow. The time of the death of the wife of Mr. Swain is not known, but he died about 1835. I^ the family there were, to our knowledge, four sons, namely, William, Samuel, Walter, and George Swain. All are now dead. Mr. George Swain removed to Winterport, where his widow and descendants resided till the last of our knowledge of them. Noah Blaster was the first settler upon the land adjoining that of Mr. Swain upon the southeast. Of him but yevy little is known either of the place he came from or the time of his death. He left one son and one daugh- ter, but of the latter we know nothing. His son was the late Mr. Samuel Blaster, who died in i860, at the age of eighty-three, having been born in 1777, and whose wife was a daughter of Mr. Christopher Gray, of Brooksville. At the time of her marriage she was the widow of Mr. James Hendrick, by whom she had two sons, Christopher, now dead, and the present Mr. Stillman Hendrick who resides on Little Deer Island; and a daughter, now dead, who was the wife of Mr. Solomon Eaton, Jr., who died in 1849. They were the parents of Mr. Isaiah V. Eaton, who died a soldier in the Union army during the war for the sup- pression of the Rebellion. Mrs. Blaster died several years before her husband, by her marriage with whom there were a number of daughters, and one son, the present Mr. William Blaster. Richard Banks settled upon the lot of land lying south- east of that of Mr. Blaster. He came here from the town of Hartford, in Oxford County. He brought a part of his family, and, we believe, married the daughter of Mr, Blaster after he came here. One of his sons whom he Town oj Deer Isle, Maine. 177 left behind was the late well-known Silas Banks, who fell into distress in that town, and, after his father gained a settlement here, this town was hoi den for his support, and was obliged to provide for and remove him. He was a pauper till his death in 1872, or not far from that year. He was a very witty non compos person, and in some things possessed a good deal of shrewdness. None of the other children of Mr. Banks resided here, and in 1835 he removed to the town of Mount Desert, where he died. The lot on the southern end of the island is the one which was occupied by Mr. Benjamin Weed, whom, with his family, we have noticed. After his exchange with Captain Peter Hardy, the latter moved upon the lot, and resided there several years. It was a valuable farm. When he moved from it, it was occupied by his son, who was known as Peter Hardy, 3d, and after the death of his grandfather, in 183 1, as Peter Hardy, Jr. He remained there till his death, in 1859, at the age of sixty -one years. His wife was Miss Joan Billings, the eldest daughter of Mr. Daniel Billings; she died in 1876, at the age of eighty- two years. Before his death Mr. Hardy bequeathed his farm to his son, Mr. George W. Hardy. His mother resided with him till his death, after which she removed to Babbidge's Neck and resided with her daughter, — now the wife of Mr. Hiram Gross, — where she remained till her death. After the death of Mr. George W. Hardy his widow and children occupied the farm a few years; she then married and moved away. It is now the property of Mr. William Blaster. Abijah Haskell, Jr., has been named as the person occupying the property of Mr. Eliakim Eaton after his death. He was a resident of the island over sixty years. He was a son of Mr. Abijah Haskell who was a son of Deacon Francis Haskell. They both have been noticed. 178 An Historical Sketch of the He was bom in 1781. His wife was Miss Susannah Hardy, a daughter of Mr. Peter Hardy, Sr. By their marriage they had one son and three daughters. The son is Mr. Abijah W. Haskell, who now resides in the town of Sedg- wick. The daughters were the wives of three brothers of the family of Mr. Jonathan Hardy, — Silas L. who died in 1849 on the island; she is now dead. Another was Mr. Jonathan Hardy, Jr., who removed to Winterport, where he died a few years ago. The other is Mr. Peter Hardy who now resides in that place. Mr. Haskell died in 1872, at the age of ninety-one years, and his wife in 1874, at the age of eighty-five. They lived together in wedlock about sixty-five years. We have noticed the settlers on Little Deer Island, and will now take up a sketch of the settlements in that part of the town which was set off and incorporated as the town of Isle au Haut, in 1874. The first was made in 1772 on what is known as Merchant's Island. We will state first what is known about the titles of the lands in that town, and the islands lying south of Great Deer Island, now included within the limits of this town. But few of the settlers on the islands acquired titles to the land occupied by them until after the separation of the State of Maine, when both States had a joint ownership in the public lands in this State, and not long after sales of the most of them were made at a very reasonable rate. Thurlow's Island was purchased before the separation by Joseph Colby, Jr., and David Thurlow, and we think that Merchant's Island was bought by the occupant, or his son, Anthony Merchant, Jr. Kimball's Island was purchased not long after the death of Mr. Seth Webb, in 1785, by Mr. Solomon Kimball. We think that many of the settlers on Isle au Haut had also acquired titks. In 1802 a sur\ .y Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 179 was made of the island by Mr. Lathrop Lewis, and the most of it was divided into lots ; but a portion of over thirteen hundred acres lying west of the pond on the island was left in one body, and sold after the separation to the late George Kimball, Esq. Another of three hundred and thirty-nine acres, lying near the southwestern point of the island, was purchased by David Thurlow and parties in Castine. We have understood that, before the separation, the late Peletiah Barter was appointed as an agent by the residents who had taken up lots, to go to Boston and take measures for the acquirement of titles, and from the fact that the persons who were in possession of lots at the time of the sales made by the land agents of both States, were not disturbed, we judge that they had acquired titles to their lands. Some of the occupants of islands between Great Deer Island and Isle au Haut neglected to purchase, and others bought them, and after the larger part of them were sold, there remained a number of smaller ones which were sold to the late Hezekiah Rowell, Esq., as also was the island known as Hard Head near Eagle Island. He at one time owned quite an amount of that kind of prop- erty, and many of the present owners derived their titles from him or his grantees. Among others we would name what is now known as Fog Island, which was formerly known as Cutter's Island, lying east of the northern part of Isle au Haut, which was occupied by a man named Cutter who was drowned in attempting to land some cattle from a gundelo some eighty years ago or more. With him were a Mr. Sheldon with his wife, two sons, a daughter, and a colored man named Hall — none of whom escaped. Mr. Sheldon left one daughter who became the wife of Mr. John Pressey, 3d, the son of Mr. John Pressey, Jr., who has been noticed. Her name was Mar}', and by the marriage he had one son i8o An Historical Sketch of the and one daughter of whom we have had knowledge. The son was Mr. Henry Pressey, who was, in the winter of 1849 and 1850, lost with Captain John G. Green in the schooner Tamerlane, bound to this place from Boston. The daughter was the wife of the late Mr. Samuel Howard. After the death of Mr. Pressey his widow married Mr. Nathaniel Merchant who then lived on Camp Island, on the southern side of Deer Island Thoroughfare, upon which he died a few years prior to 1830. After that she became the third wife of Mr. Thomas Colby, who died in 1837, and she then married Mr. Thomas Cooper, of North Haven. When he died she remained here, supported by that town till her death, which was about the year 1859, at the age of eighty-nine 3'ears. The island then called Fog Island, by which name it is at present known, was, prior to 1830, occupied by Mr. John Crockett, not a relative of the fami- lies of that name here, but a half-brother to the first wife of Mr. John Closson. Not far from the year mentioned, he was drowned between that island and Isle au Haut in the sight of his family. His widow afterward became the wife of Mr. John Gross. A number of those islands were inhabited. The one known as Saddle Back, over sixty years ago, was occupied by Mr. Edward Howard, whom we have mentioned as a son-in-law of Mr. Theophilus Eaton. Not far from 1820, when he became a very old man, he removed to Brooks- ville, where he had children who took care of him, and died there. Worthy's Island was occupied for some time by Mr. Charles Gross who failed to pay for it to the owner, H. Rowell, Esq., and in 1839 he removed from it, and it was purchased by Sullivan Green, Esq. Russ Island was the residence, for many years, of Mr. George Harvey, a soldier of the War of 181 2. He died there, and the island is now the property of Captain Stephen B. Town of Deer Isle, Maine. i8i Morey. Mr. John Coombs occupied what is known as Devil Island, and in 1836 he sold it to Mr. Avery Fifield and moved to the town of Islesborough. Mr. John Har- vey, a soldier in the war of the Revolution, occupied Bear Island for some time, and it was afterward the property of Captain David Thurlow who also owned several other islands by purchase from the land agents, and Camp Island, which was sold him by Robert Merchant. On the one known as Round Island, Mr. Hezekiah Robbins resided for several years. Afterward he removed to a small island at the head of Webb's Cove, connected with Deer Island by a bar, upon which he died. It is near the property of Mr. Jack Stinson. Wreck Island was, many years ago, occupied by Mr. Joseph Colby, Jr., for some time, and for the last thirty years or more it has been occupied by Mr. Robert Barter, and by his family since his decease. The island known as Burnt Island, near Isle au Haut, was for several years occupied by Mr. Henr\^ Barter, and York's Island was occupied by Mr, Robert Knowlton, who, in 1842, removed to Deer Island and purchased the Sylvester farm near Webb's Cove. The two latter islands are within the territorial limits of the town of Isle au Haut, and the former ones mentioned are within those of Deer Isle. Although there were many disadvantages in a residence upon those islands, still there were advantages which were of value to the occupants whose chief business was fish- ing, digging clam-bait, and in later years the taking of lobsters, — the last of which has been a lucrative employ- ment to those engaged in it. For those pursuits they were very convenient, but social and educational advan- tages must, of course, be limited. The male inhabitants were skillful in the management of small boats, and they felt as safe in one as others do in carriages upon the main- land It is surprising to one who has not that skill how 1 82 An Historical Sketch of the safely a boat can be managed by a person who has experi- ence in the matter. Those islands were valuable for keep- ing sheep; if one was present to take care of them, they could be kept the year round with but little expense. The occupant, when but one was on an island, had no neces- sity for maintaining line fences, which is a serious matter to those that have to meet it, and so such stock can be kept upon them with great profit. The late George Kim- ball, Esq., at one time had about four hundred on Kimball's Island, and the late Mr. Asa Turner kept about as many upon Isle au Haut. In both cases the expense of wintering was very small, which made it a profitable business. The only drawback was the danger from thieves, who could go to one of the small islands where sheep were kept and upon which no person resided, and obtain both wool and mutton without paying for them. I recollect hearing of an instance where a small vessel from some place up the bay or river, anchored in a little harbor on the southwestern end of Kimball's Island, which lay at some distance from the house, and, undiscovered, those on board drove up, butchered, and carried off several. Upon the islands lying between Deer Isle and Isle au Haut such depredations are often committed upon those having no inhabitants, by a worthless class who have opportunities for plunder. Were it not for that, those islands would be of more value than they now are, SETTLERS. Anthony Merchant, who come from the town of York, Maine, was the first person who settled within the limits of the present town of Isle au Haut, and, as has been understood, he came the same year that his father-in-law did to Deer Island. It must have been in 1772, and the island he settled upon has been ever since known as Mer- Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 183 chant's Island. His wife was Miss Abigail Raynes, and was a daughter of Mr. John Raynes, St., the father of Messrs. John, Johnson, and William Raynes. Mr. Mer- chant was a master-mariner and made voyages to the West Indies. They had three sons and five daughters. The sons were: Nathaniel who, as has been stated, resided upon Camp Island; John who removed to Vinalhaven; and Anthony Merchant, Jr., who lived and died upon the island settled by his father. Of the daughters one, Abi- gail, was the wife of Mr. Joseph Arey, of Vinalhaven. Another, Eleanor, was the wife of Mr. John Smith, of that town, who lived near what is known as Smith's Harbor, on the eastern side of the island, and both her husband and herself lived to a good old age. Another, Miriam, was the wife of Mr. Henry Barter who will be noticed. Another, Martha, was the first wife of Captain Tristram Haskell, of this town, who has been noticed. One, Susan, died un- married. Mrs. Haskell died not far from the year 1803, but the others, with the exception of Susan, lived to be very old. Mr. Merchant was a very quiet man and a good citizen. The year of his death is not known to us. His wife died not far from 1833, and was at the time consid- erably over eighty years of age. Nathaniel Merchant was the eldest son of the family. He married in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and had two sons and two or more daughters. The sons were the late Mr. Nathaniel Merchant who died, we believe, in 1879, on Isle au Haut, and Mr. Robert Merchant who resided, after the death of his father, on Camp Island, which was for many years the residence of the latter. In 1845 he sold it to the late Captain David Thurlow, and since that time he has been here only a part of the time, as his wife abandoned him. His present place of residence we do not know. One of the daughters of the family 184 An Historical Sketch of the was the wife of Mr. John Gott, Jr., who formerly resided on Swan's Island. About the rest of the family we have no knowledge. Mr. Merchant, the subject of this notice, for his second wife, married the widow of Mr. John Pressey, Jr., the daughter of the Mr. Sheldon before referred to, who was drowned near Fog Island. For many years they resided on Camp Island, where he died not far from the year 1830, as before stated. His widow has been noticed. Anthony Merchant, Jr., was the youngest son of the family and was born in the year 1790, or about that time. His wife was Miss Eunice Smith, a daughter of Mr. David Smith, of Swan's Island, who was well known here man}^ years ago. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, By his first marriage Mr. Merchant had one son, the late Mr. David S. Merchant, and one daughter, who became the wife of Mr. Willard Matthews, who at that time resided upon Merchant's Island, but after his marriage soon removed to Belfast, out of which place he sailed as a master-mariner. After the death of his wife Mr. Merchant married Mrs. Maria Gross, by whom he had a family, of which there how remain two sons. One of the sons, Mr. John Merchant, was drowned a few years since, having been knocked overboard from a small vessel while sailing down the bay. The remaining sons have removed from the' town. One of the daughters is the wife of Mr. James Childs who has ever since his marriage lived on the island. The other, the wife of Mr. John Cross, is now dead. Mr. Merchant was for many years a collector of taxes in what was then known as the Isle au Haut collection district, and was a faithful and efficient officer. He died not far from the year 1865. His widow married a Mr. Clark, of the town of Brewer, Maine. Jacob Gross was also a resident of Merchant's Island, and lived upon the western end of it. He was a brother Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 185 of the Mr. George Gross before noticed, but from what place he came, or what year he removed here is not to us known, nor do we know the year of his death. He left a widow, four sons, and one daughter. The sons were Messrs. David, Swansey, John, and James Gross. Mr. David Gross died in 1853; his wife was Miss Parizanda Merithew, and she died in '1880. They were the parents of the present Messrs. David and William Gross. Mr. Swansey Gross married a daughter of Mr. Thomas Buck- minster, and they are both dead. They were the parents of Messrs. William B., Hiram, and Thomas B. Gross. The latter resides upon the homestead of his father. Mr. John Gross was the third son of the family, and his first wife, who abandoned him, was a daughter of Mr. James Robertson. He afterward married the widow of the Mr, John Crockett whom we have mentioned as residing on Fog Island and being drowned near there. By that marriage he had tw^o sons. One was Jacob Gross who was one of the crew of the schooner Sarah which was lost in 185 1 in the great gale in Chaleur Bay with all on board. The other son is the present Mr. Edwin Gross. The fourth son, Mr. James Gross, never married, and for some years before his death was totally blind. The daughter, Mar\' Gross, was the wife of Mr, William Matthews, who re- moved to Merchant's Island from the town of Boothbay, Maine. He died in the family of his son, Mr. Stinson Mat- thews, in this town, his widow surviving him a few years. The next settlement made in the present town of Isle au Haut was, as has been stated, by Mr. Seth Webb, whom we have noticed, but the exact date is not to us known. It has been said that during the ver\^ severe winter of 1780 he went to the top of the mountain on Isle au Haut, and from that eminence could see no water for ice out seaward. If that account be correct, it must have 1 86 An Historical Sketch of the been the most severe winter ever experienced here since the first settlement of the town, as in but few winters within the past fifty years has the ice made to such a degree as to be sufficiently strong to pass over from Deer Island to Isle au Haut. After the death of Mr. Webb, Mr. Solomon Kimball purchased the island now known as Kimball's Island (the one settled by Mr. Webb), and resided upon it. Afterward it came into the possession of his son, the late George Kimball, Esq., who occupied it till his death in 1839. The wife of the latter was Miss Lucretia Amazene, of Newcastle, New Hampshire, and she died not long after i860. Mr. Kimball was a man who sustained a good reputation, and was active and enterprising. He did considerable business, owning vessels, and was in pos- session of an extensive property. Besides the island he occupied, he owned over thirteen hundred acres of land in one body on Isle au Haut, lying westerly of the pond on that island. He was, in 1826, representative from this town to the Legislature, and was for many years a justice of the peace. One son in the family was George Kim- ball, Jr., Esq., who removed to Winterport, and in 1850 removed to California, having organized a company which built a ship of six hundred tons, as we believe, in the town of Cutler, Maine. With a number of others interested in the ship he emigrated, and at the last accounts was living. Another son was Solomon and another William Kimball — both of whom, we believe, went to California at the same time. The latter is now dead. Another son was Mr. Benjamin A. Kimball, who died in 1842, or about that time, at home. The daughters of the family were the wives of Mr. Isaiah Barbour, who removed to Camden; of Mr. Willard Clark, a school-teacher; of the late Captain Benjamin S. Smith, a son of Mr. Simon Smith, who re- moved to Winterport and was lost at sea. His widow Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 187 resides at the present time on the homestead of her father with her two sons. The other daughter of the family now living is the second wife of Captain Seth Webb, of this town. Two of the daughters died unmarried. Peletiah Barter was the person by whom the first settlement was made on Great Isle au Haut, and it was in 1792. He was a native of the town of Boothbay, Maine, and resided on what is known as Barter's Island in that town. He was bom in the year 1772. His wife was Miss Mary Trundy, the eldest daughter of Mr. Samuel Trundy, of this town, and they were the parents of ten children. Two of the sons grew to manhood, — the late Mr. Peletiah Barter, Jr., and the present Mr. John Barter who now resides there. His wife was a daughter of Mr. James Duncan who has been noticed. One of the daughters was the wife of Mr. David Collins. Another was the wife of Mr. William Dorr, of Winterport. Another was the wife of Mr. John S. Merrill, of the same place. Another was that of Mr. Thomas Littlefield, of Winterport, and after his death she was the wife of a Mr. Raymond, and afterward, of Mr. Benajia Merithew, of Islesborough. The other was first the wife of Mr. Paoli Hews, Jr., of Belfast; second, of Mr. Elijah Toothaker, and third, of the present Mr. Abner Bray. All of the family, with the exception of Mr. John Barter, are now dead. The wife of Mr. Barter died many years ago, and he never remarried. He died not far from the year 1852. He was at one time in possession of quite a large amount of real estate, none of which is now owned by his descendants. Henry Barter came not long after his brother, the subject of the last notice, and settled upon the lot north- east of that occupied by him. His wife was Miss Miriam Merchant, a daughter of Mr. Anthony Merchant. They 1 88 An Historical Sketch of the had one son, the late Mr. Robert Barter, who for some years resided on what is known as Wreck Island. He died there not many years ago. One of the daughters was the wife of the present Mr. Francis Coombs. Another was that of Mr. Peletiah Barter, Jr. One died unmar- ried. Mr. Barter and his wife lived together for many years, and he had the reputation of being an upright man. He removed from the land first occupied by him to what is known as Burnt Island, now the property of Mr. James Turner, 2d, and both he and his wife died there. After the death of his parents Mr. Robert Barter, their son, sold it to Mr. Turner and removed to Wreck Island, which was included in the purchase made by Hezekiah Rowell, Esq., before referred to. William Barter, a younger brother of the subjects of the two preceding notices, settled upon the southern part of the land taken up by Mr. Peletiah Barter. His wife was Miss Sarah, the daughter of Mr. Stephen Babbidge, of this town. Their sons were: Mr. William Barter, Jr., who removed to Vinalhaven and died there; the late Stephen Barter, who resided in Isle au Haut; Thomas Barter, who died many years ago, and the present Mr. Amos Barter. The daughters were the wives of Mr. Joab Black, who did not reside there; the late Captain Jona- than Rich; Daniel L, and Ebenezer D. Carlton; Davis Collins; and one married in Winterport. At the present time no one of the family, except Mr. Amos Barter, resides there. Mr. Barter was for many years engaged in trade, owned and built vessels, carried on the fishing business and owned a good deal of property. Both he and his wife died many years ago. Captain Samuel Turner was the occupant of the land lying southerly of that of Mr. Barter. He was the son of the wife of Mr. Charles Kempton by a former mar- Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 189 riage. He perished at sea in the year 1839, upon the wreck of a vessel of which he was master, which was en- gaged in the freighting business, an occupation he followed for many years. Of the crew but one, Mr. James Hender- son, survived. He was very well and favorably known in this vicinity for many years, and at the time of his death was about fifty-five years of age. He left a widow and a family. The sons were the present Captain James Turner, John K. Turner, and Captain William G. Turner, Two of the daughters resided in Searsport, and one was the wife of the late Captain Ezra Turner, of Isle au Haut. Ebexezer Sawyer was one of the early settlers there. He came, we believe, from Boothbay or from that vicinity, and was engaged in the fishing business, as were most of the settlers there. Both he and his wife died in the win- ter of 1839 and 1840, at an advanced age. The land he occupied was that adjoining the lot of Captain Turner on the south. Their sons were: Mr. Paul Sawyer, who removed to what is now the town of North Haven; Na- thaniel, a master ship-carpenter, who removed to Isles- borough; Ebenezer, who, not long after the year 1840, went to the town of Searsport ; and one who died a young man. One of the daughters was the wife of Captain William Yeaton. Another was that of Mr. William Bab- bidge. Another married Mr. Bickmore, of St. George. The other married Mr. George Allen, and after his death she became the wife of his brother, Mr. Daniel Allen, who removed to Levant, Maine. We believe that all of the family are now dead. The property occupied by Mr. Sawyer is now that of Captain James D. Barter. William Yeaton was the occupant of the lot lying south of that of Mr. Sawyer, whose daughter he married. He came here when young, and for some time resided in the family of George Kimball, Esq. He came from Ports-" 190 An Historical Sketch of the mouth, New Hampshire, or that vicinity. He and his wife were the parents of four sons and eight daughters. Of the family but one now resides there, — the wife of Mr. Spencer Robertson. In 1842, or about that time, Mr. Yeaton purchased a farm in Northport, Maine, and re- moved there, where both he and his wife died. He was by occupation a fisherman, and was very active and suc- cessful in his employment. Charles Kempton was an early settler, and came from what is the present town of Winterport. He there resided near what is known as Stubb's Point. The maiden name of his wife was Stinson, of a family of that name in what was then the town of Prospect. At the time of his mar- riage she was a Mrs. Turner, and, as we have stated, was the mother of Captain Samuel Turner. Their son was the late Captain John Kempton, who died on Isle au Haut a few years since. One daughter was the wife of Mr. Ebenezer Sawyer, Jr. Another was that of Captain The- ophilus Eaton who is now dead, and their widows now reside in Searsport. Another died unmarried. The lot taken up by Mr. Kempton is near what is now known as Moore's Harbor, named for a Mr. John Moore, of Cas- tine, who was a fisherman, and who frequently anchored his vessel there during the time of the Revolution and afterward. Mr. Kempton died not far from the year 1839, and his wife survived him a few years. Chauncey Holmes, who was in his day well known, was for many years a resident of the island, near Morse's Harbor. From what place he came, or the time of his coming, is not known to us. His wife was a Mrs. Crock- ett, whose maiden name was Rendell, of a family who resided in Prospect. Her first husband was Mr. Isaac Crockett, a brother of the Mr. John Crockett mentioned before, and they formerly lived in Vinalhaven. She had Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 191 a family by her first marriage, but none by that with Mr. Holmes. He was a singular man and had a good share of wit. About the year 1843 they, with others on the island, became converts to Mormonism and removed to Nauvoo, Illinois, and when the Mormons left that place for the Salt Lake, Mr. Holmes and his wife and Mr. Robert Douglass, who will be noticed, went in the company. He, being very old and infirm, perished on the journey from starva- tion and fatigue. Ebenezer Leland, we have understood, was the per- son who made a settlement on the island next after that of Mr. Reletiah Barter. He came from the town of Eden, Maine, and settled near Duck Harbor, mentioned in the account given of duck-driving. From what I have learned, I am inclined to the opinion that it was used for that pur- pose by the Indians before the whites settled this part of the countr}^ as it was from them that the settlers here learned of that method of taking ducks. Mr. Leland, not long after the Revolutionary War, lived in what is now the town of Brooksville. Whether he came from that place or not to Isle au Haut is not known, but he was originally an inhabitant of Eden, of which place his father was one of the early settlers. In the war of the Revolution he was a lieutenant in the regular army, and after his dis- charge happened to be at Bagaduce while the British were there, and was arrested as a spy. Had he not been able to produce his written discharge, he might have suf- fered death. His wife was a Miss Dyer, of Steuben, near a place known as Dyer's Bay. Of the family, we have knowledge of three sons and three daughters. The sons were: the late Mr. Ebenezer Leland, Jr., who died in this town some twenty-five years ago; Jesse Leland, a nan compos person; and one who died when a young man. One daughter was Ursula, the wife of a Mr. Higgin? 192 An Historical Sketch of the of Eden, and mother of Captain Eben L. Higgins, of that place, and afterward the wife of a Mr. Salisbury. Another, Nancy Leland, was never married; and another, Hannah, was first the wife of Mr. John Harvey, Jr., a soldier of the War of 18 12, and afterward married a Mr. Daniel Getchell. She died, as was supposed, in consequence of violence at his hands, not far from 1868. Mr. Leland died many years ago; his wife died about the year 1837. Abiathar Smith went to Isle au Haut from the town of Thomaston, Maine, not far from the year 1800. He settled near what is now known as Head Harbor. He had three sons and one daughter, of whom we have had information. The sons were: Mr. George Smith, who will be noticed; Mr. Simon Smith, whom we have men- tioned; and another, named Abiathar Smith, who removed from here, and of whom we have no knowledge. The daughter was the wife of Mr. Elisha Holbrook. The property of Mr. Smith is now that of Mr. George Smith, Jr., who is the present occupant. It is one of the most valuable places on the island. Calvin Turner came early with his family, and settled near the northern end of the pond. He formerly resided in what is now the town of Orland. It has been stated that he built the first saw and grist mills in that town, in U773. The exact time of his coming is not known to us. His wife was a Miss Stinson, a sister of the wife of Mr. Charles Kempton before noticed. The sons of the family were: the late Captain Asa Turner, who lived and died on Isle au Haut; James Turner, who lived in Bucks- port; John Turner, who removed to the town of Brooklin, where he died. Another, whose name, we believe, was Calvin, was lost at sea, and was at the time master of the vessel on which he was lost. Of the daughters we know nothing, as none of them remained here. Mr. Turner Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 193 died in 1838, at the age of ninety years. The land he lived on was afterward occupied by his son, Captain Asa Turner, who was a man much respected. His wife was Miss Abigail Smith, of Prospect, and they had a family of six sons and four daughters. The sons were the present John Turner, Esq., Ezra, James, 2d, and Isaiah B. Turner — all of whom, except Ezra, are now living on the island. One son, Mr. Thomas Turner, was drowned several years ago near the mouth of Union River, and one died when young. The daughters were the wives of Mr. Jacob Wil- son, who removed to Massachusetts; of Mr. Patrick Con- ley; of Mr. John K. Turner, and of Mr. John Doane, of the town of Newburg, Maine. Of the daughters but one, Mrs. Conley, now remains here. A few years ago Captain Turner removed to the western side of the island near the Thoroughfare, and his property on the eastern side of the island is now that of a Mr. Sprowl, formerly of Bucksport, who is now the owner of a large tract of land on that side of the island, which is used for pasturage, and is also the owner of Fog Island. The house of Mr. Turner is now occupied by Mr. Noah Page, formerly of Bucksport, who is in the employ of Mr. Sprowl. In 1843 Mr. Turner represented this town in the Legislature. Elisha Holbrook was the occupant of the lot of land lying north of that of Captain Turner. He came from Cape Cod not far from 1800, and married a daughter of Mr. Abiathar Smith. Their children were: the present Mr. Abram Holbrook who resides here; one of the name of Simon who went away many years ago; and another, Daniel Holbrook, who removed to Vinalhaven and was killed by falling from a derrick used in hoisting stone, up which he had gone for the purpose of fixing a tackle or something of the kind. The daughters were the wives of Mr. Joseph Morey, and afterward of Mr. Humphrey 194 -^'^ Historical Sketch of the Webster; of Mr. Samuel Black; of a Mr. Hall, from some place near Belfast; and another who was brought up in the family of Captain Samuel Turner. What became of her is not to us known. The wife of Mr. Holbrook died nearly sixty years ago, and the family was broken up. During the latter part of his life he was a public charge. Daniel Gilbert, a native of Massachusetts, settled upon the lot north of that occupied by Mr. Holbrook, which he afterward purchased. His wife was Miss Sarah Reed, of Boothbay, by whom he had no children. They adopted a child named Francis Merithew, who was drowned about the time of the death of Mrs. Gilbert, in 1839. In 1840 Mr. Gilbert, when fifty-five years of age, mar- ried a Miss Lois Ellis, who was then sixteen years of age, by whom he had a family. About the year 1850 he removed to the western side of the island and purchased a lot of land which was formerly the property of Mr. Pele- tiah Barter, and built a house upon it, residing there till his removal to the town of Bristol, Maine, where he died in 1876, at the age of ninety-one years. George Smith, a son of Mr. Abiathar Smith, settled upon the lot north of that of Mr. Gilbert. He was bom in 1780, and his wife was Miss Judith Knowlton, a daugh- ter of Mr. Benjamin Knowlton. One of their sons was the present Mr. George Smith, of Head Harbor, who alone of the family now resides here. Another son was Abiathar Smith, and the other was Joseph Smith — both of whom removed from here many years ago. One daughter was the wife of Mr. George Curtis who went there from the town of Surrey, and afterward returned, where he lived the last we knew of him. Another was the wife of Mr. Samuel Coffin who came here from Kennebec County, or the eastern part of Oxford County, returning after a few years' residence on the island. Another was the wife Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 105 of Mr. Aaron Merithew, Jr., who went to Vinalhaven. Another was the wife of Mr. Benjamin Merithew, Jr., who removed to Searsport. The youngest was the wife of Mr. Isaac B. Eaton who resided upon the homestead of Mr. Smith. He is now dead, his wife dying before him. Mr. Smith died not far from the year i860, aged over eighty years, and his wife about ten years after. Thomas Tyler, a brother of Messrs. Joseph and George Tyler, settled upon the lot adjoining that of Mr. Smith on the north. He was for many years a school-teacher, and was known as Master Tyler. After he became advanced in years he married Miss Betsey Bagley, of New- buryport. He died not far from the year 1830. After- ward his wife returned to Newburyport, where she had relatives. He formerly lived on Merchant's Island. A matter of dispute arose between Mr. Merchant and Mr. Gross relating to the ownership of a small island near Merchant's Island, and it was referred by them to Master Tyler. He divided it into three equal portions, assigning that on the eastern end to Mr. Merchant, that on the western part to Mr. Gross, reserving the middle part to himself, giving as a reason that it was proper that their lands should not join, and if he had the middle part, it would keep peace between them. Both parties acqui- esced in his decision. The lot he occupied on Isle au Haut he had no title to, as he had never purchased it of the State. Afterward it was acquired by Mr. Hiram Small, who resided upon it until his death a few years ago. Robert Douglass was the occupant of the lot adjoin- ing that of Mr. Tyler upon the north. He was an early occupant, but what place he came from, or what time he came, we do not know. He was a brother of Captain James Douglass, who, fifty years ago, or more, was captain of the revenue boat at Belfast. His sisters were the^wives 196 An Historical Sketch of the of Messrs. Thomas and James Cooper and Benjamin Bur- rage, Esq., of North Haven. By his first wife Mr. Doug- lass had two sons : Alexander who removed to some town in Penobscot County, and Robert, a ship-carpenter, who remained on Isle au Haut till about 1850, when he became interested in the ship referred to in the notice of George Kimball, Jr., Esq., and was in the company of emigrants who removed to California. We do not know whether he is now living, but probably he is not, as if he were, he would be a very old man. The lot and buildings he occupied are now the property of Mr. Francis Coombs, who resides upon them. One of the daughters of Mr. Robert Douglass was the wife of Mr. John Rich, and the other was the wife of Mr. Asa Collins who was lost in a gale in 1841, in the schooner Forest of Gloucester, of which Captain Stephen Rich was master. After the death of his wife Mr. Douglass married Miss Lydia Lane, a daughter of Mr. Hezekiah Lane, and a sister of Mr. Oliver Lane, by whom he had one son, Mr. Abner Doug- lass. His last wife was accidentally killed about the year 1832, by being struck on the head with a piece of stone which her husband was blasting. At the time of the Mormon excitement he, with Mr. Holmes and wife, and others from the towns of Vinalhaven and North Haven, joined that sect. As has been stated, he perished upon the journey to the Great Salt Lake. The property owned by Mr. Douglass is now that of his grandson, Mr. Still- man Rich, and it is near what is known as Douglass's Cove. He was a very decided man, and, when his mind was made up, it remained so. A few years after the death of his last wife he journeyed to the Southern and Western States, and on his return expressed the opinion that the people in the Northern States enjoyed life more than those of the other sections of the country, and that, notwith- Toivn of Deer Isle, Maine. 197 standing the greater fertility and natural advantages of the other States, still in New England better living was to be found, and more of the real comforts of life. John Rich occupied the lot of land northerly of that of Mr. Douglass, and his wife, who was of a prepossess- ing appearance, was the daughter of Mr. Douglass. One son of the family was Captain Stephen Rich, who re- moved to Gloucester, Massachusetts, out of which place he sailed as master in the fishing business several years. He was an active and enterprising man, and, as has been stated, was lost with all his crew in the year 1841. An- other son was Mr. Jonathan Rich who was an invalid for many years, and died not far from the year 1864. Another was Mr. Thomas Rich who was drowned in 1839; and two remaining sons are Mr. Perez Rich, who removed to Islesborough, and the Mr. Stillman Rich named before as the occupant of the property of Mr. Douglass. There was one daughter in the family, who was first the wife of Mr. Josiah Pierce, of Vinalhaven. They became converts to Mormonism and removed to Nauvoo, Illinois, but while there she became disgusted with it and made her escape. With but little means she returned to her friends here and was divorced from her husband, afterward becoming the wife of Mr. Noah Barter, and the mother of one daughter. She died a few years ago. The exact time of Mr. Rich's coming here we do not know, but it was before 18 10. He died shortly before i860, his wife surviving him a few years. Benjamin Knowlton was for many years a resident of Isle au Haut. He was a relative of those of that name in the town of Northport and in the county of Waldo, and, we believe, was a native of Massachusetts. When a young man he went to Nova Scotia, and there married a Miss Smith. He was there a part of the time, at least. 198 An Historical Sketch of the if not all, of the Revolutionary period, and some time after his return took up his residence on Isle au Haut. His sons were the late Mr. Robert Knowlton, of this town, and Mr. Joseph Knowlton who removed to Islesborough. One daughter was the wife of a Mr. Hamilton. She was the mother of the present Mr. Solomon Hamilton, now nearly ninety years of age. Another was the wife of Mr. George Smith; another was the wife of Mr. Aaron Merithew, and we believe that there was another. Mr. Knowlton died many years ago, but the date is unknown to us; his wife died in 1842, at the age of eighty -nine years. Some years before her death a brother in Nova Scotia, by his will, left her the income of $6,000, which she received till her death, and after that the principal was divided among her children. She resided in the family of her son, Mr. Robert Knowlton, and removed to Deer Isle with him a short time before her death. Mr. Robert Knowlton died in 1876; his wife died a few years before him. Benjamin Merithew settled upon a lot of land on the south part of the island, between Duck and Head Harbors. His first wife was Miss Frances Atwood, by whom he had three sons: Mr. Reuben Merithew who removed to Isles- borough; Benjamin who removed to Searsport; and Francis, the adopted son of Mr. Daniel Gilbert, who, as has been stated in the notice of him, was drowned. The second wife of Mr. Merithew was a Miss Sarah Coombs, of Vinalhaven, by whom he had a family. At this time one only of the family resides here — the wife of Mr. Stinson Matthews. Mr. Merithew was a son of Mr. Roger Merithew, who many years ago resided upon, and owned, what is now known as Babbidge's Island in the town of North Haven. Both he and his wife are now dead. Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 199 Aaron Merithew made a settlement near Moore's Harbor, where he resided till his death, by drowning, in 1844. None of his family remained here, and his property was afterward purchased by the late Mr. Eli Eaton. Henry Wilson, Esq., removed to Isle au Haut from Gloucester, Massachusetts, not far from the year 1820, and was in trade there several years. He was successful in his enterprises, accumulating in them a large property. He built a house, store and wharves, and was for several years an inspector of fish, in which business he was also interested. He was one of the selectmen of the town, and in 1833 was the representative from it in the Legis- lature. He was a man of ability and intelligence. In 1836 he removed to Ipswich in the State of Massachusetts, with his family, and in a few years removed to Glouces- ter. His real estate was purchased by John Turner, Esq., by whom it is at present occupied. John Collins was for many years a resident of the place, and his wife was a member of the Lanpher family. Her father, Stephen Lanpher, was one of the early set- tlers of the town of Bucksport, and his widow died in 1833, at Castine, aged about one hundred years. A daugh- ter, a Mrs. Gross, died in Orland some years ago, at as great an age. The sons of Mr. Collins were: David w^ho died on Isle au Haut, not far from 1863; Asa who was lost, as has been stated, in 1841 ; James who removed to Bluehill, and afterward to Castine, where he died; John who now lives in Castine, and Otis who moved to Blue- hill, with whom his mother resided. Mr. Collins was by trade a tailor and was bom on the island of Mount Desert. During the latter part of the last centur\' and the earlier part of the present century he resided in Castine. His death was caused by freezing on a very cold day not long 2 00 An Historical Sketch of the before the year 1830. He was returning to his home from the Thoroughfare, and sitting down to rest on the way, was overcome by the cold and perished. Captain Jacob Carlton, a native of Frankfort, Maine, was for a long time a resident. He was a man of energ5^ was engaged in trade, and while there built one barque and two large schooners, a gristmill, a large store, and a brick house — the only one in the two towns. In 1838 he was representative to the Legislature. His wife was Miss Elizabeth Dow, a daughter of Mr. John Dow, who lias been noticed. Their sons were Messrs. Daniel L. Carlton who was in trade for several years and removed to Rockland; Ebenezer D., and Jacob T. Carlton. There were two daughters, one of whom is now the wife of Cap- tain Bester Babbidge, of Winterport. In 1839 Captain Carlton removed to Winterport and purchased a large and valuable farm on which he lived till his death. At the last accounts his widow was living, but none of the family now reside here. James Robertson, formerly a resident, went there many years ago. He was a native of Scotland and was, when a young man, in the British navy, being present when the Danish fleet was taken in 1802 we believe, by the British under Lord Nelson, who was the commander there. He came shortly afterward to this country and married a Miss Hopkins, and for some time resided in Castine and afterward went to Isle au Haut. By her he had one son, the present Mr. Spencer Robertson, and two daughters: one the wife of Mr. John Gross, and afterward that of Mr. Anthony Merchant; the other married in Massachusetts. For his second wife he married a sister of Mr. Hezekiah Robbins, now deceased, and had a family, one only of which resides here — the present Mr. James Robertson. Not far from the year 1830 Mr. Robertson Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 201 removed from here, and for some time lived in Belfast. In his day he was well known. John Harvey resided for some time upon an island between Great Deer Isle and Isle au Haut, but whether he lived on Isle au Haut, or not, is not known to us. He was a Revolutionary soldier, a native of South Carolina, and was born in 1750. In the war he was in the Pennsvl- vania line under the command of a Colonel Brodhead. After the war he came to this State, and for several years resided in Northport, where he mxarried a Miss Knowlton, in 1789, and afterward came here, but returned. In 1836, when very old and poor, he was chargeable to this town, and was removed here with his wife. He was unable to procure a pension for his services, from the difficulty of proof, as all who were his comrades were probablv dead, and he was unable to establish his claim. After his death in 1837, an agent succeeded in procuring it for his heirs; but, as was charged, he kept it himself. Whether the charge were true, or not, we have no knowledge. Mr. Har- vey left two sons who have resided here, and one daugh- ter. The sons were the late Mr. George Harvey, who lived on Russ Island, and Mr. John Harvey, who lived at Duck Harbor, where he resided many years, but re- moved to the State of New York, and after some time returned and died here. Both were soldiers in the War of 1812. The daughter was first the wife of Mr. Daniel Hamilton; second, that of Elisha Grant, Esq., and third, that of Mr. Nathan W. Sawyer, of this town, and died, we believe, in 1879, at the age of seventy years. Elisha Grant, Esq., removed to Isle au Haut not long after 1840, and resided at Head Harbor not far from thirtv years. His death was caused by a cancer. For several years he was a deputy sheriff in the county of Penobscot, and was a man of intelligence and capacity. He was 202 An Historical Sketch of the three times married, his last wife being Mrs. Nanc}^ Ham- ilton. By his first marriage he had three sons. One was Mr. Hiram Grant, of Hampden. Another was the present Mr. David Grant, who resides on the premises occupied by his father, and the other was Franklin Grant, who died a young man several years ago. He died about the year 1870, and his remains were by his request taken to Hamp- den and laid by the side of those of his first wife. I HAVE now given a sketch of the settlement of the towns of Deer Isle and Isle au Haut, of the earliest settlers, and of those of a later date. It has been written entirely from memory, with the exception of that which relates to the probable discoverers, and of the information that was gained from a list of those who were here prior to 1784, found among the papers of the " Proprietors," which were in the custody of the late Solomon Haskell, Esq., and previously in that of his father, Ignatius Haskell, Esq. Accompanying this list were the dates of their coming and also a copy of a memorial drawn up by a committee of the settlers, setting forth the manner in which a grant of the lands remaining after they had had their lots assigned them, was obtained, which has been already described. Under the circumstances these records must, of course, be imperfect to a greater or less degree; yet I hope that they may prove of interest, and that it may be a satis- faction to those who will come after, to have even such knowledge respecting them as has been obtained. I have in my lifetime sought to gather whatever information in regard to them, that I could. It has been a matter of fear to me, that, when the task of thus preserving it should be undertaken, my memory might so fail me that I should be able to do so only in part; but I feel confi- dent that what has been written is, in the main, correct, Town oj Deer Isle, Maine. 203 and had it not been attempted by me, perhaps it would have been by no one, and so much of this been lost to posterity. In my notices of individuals I have endeav- ored to treat the memories of those of whom I have written with candor, not intending to withhold anything to be said in their favor which was justly due, nor to ascribe praise undeserved. The town, as incorporated in 1789, was of great extent, which was inconvenient to the inhabitants at the extreme parts of its territory, especially those on Isle au Haut, as the}'' lived at a distance from the place where the town meetings and elections were held, and, in order to trans- act business with the officers of the town, were obliged to cross a distance of five miles by water besides the travel by land from the south part of the island to the center, some six miles. From the northern extreme to the south- em was about twenty miles in a direct line. The length of Little Deer Island is about three miles from the south- western to the southeastern extremities. Great Deer Island is more than nine miles in length in a direct line from the northern end to the southern at the Thoroughfare. Isle au Haut is about five miles in length, besides being five miles from the nearest part of Great Deer Island. The incorporation of Isle au Haut into a town was thus a great convenience to its inhabitants. After the establishment of the territorial limits of the town in 1868, it contained about twenty-six thousand acres, of which the tov.-n of Isle au Haut after its incor- poration contained nearly seven thousand acres, leaving now within the limits of this town not far from nineteen thousand. The town of Isle au Haut contains but little land capable of cultivation, and its value consists in its pasturage. It was settled by fishermen because of its convenience for their purpose, as at that time fish were 204 An Historical Sketch of the more abundant there than now and could be taken nearer the shores. With them agriculture was not a considera- tion; had it been, it would never have been settled. The town of Deer Isle contains a large proportion of land that can never be cultivated, especially in the southern part ; and most of the early settlers, in that part of the town, depended upon fishing. It has been their chief employ- ment for a large part of the time since, and in past years it has been carried on quite extensively. For the twenty years prior to 1840 Captain David Thurlow was inter- ested in it, employing many men and owning several vessels which he sent out to the Labrador shore and mackerel fisheries. From 1830 till 1845, the late Hon. Richard Warren; from 1830 until i860, the late Samuel Whitmore, Esq.; and from 1830 until 1844, the late Mr. Avery Fifield were all very considerably engaged in carry- ing on the various branches of this industry, as were others, also, who followed them, until a later date. The most business carried on in the town at any time was by the Messrs. Warren, and Warren & Tolman, in fitting out vessels, inspecting mackerel, and owning vessels employed in it, also in furnishing employment to a large number of men. It was commenced by them in 1845 and carried on till a few years after 1877. At present most of the mackerel fishing is carried on b}'' the Messrs. Webb, but since 1870 the business has declined to almost nothing, and the many young men who make it an employment sail out of other places — principally out of Gloucester. In i860 there were owned by inhabitants of this town about ten thousand tons of vessels, a very large part of which were employed in the fisheries. The northern part of the island is better adapted to agriculture than the southern, as the proportion of land incapable of being cultivated is smaller; but there is still Town oj Deer Isle, Maine. 205 a large share of it which can never be made profitable for the purpose. In former years more attention was paid to that pursuit. The soil originally produced large crops, and had the early settlers been more judicious in the use of fire in clearing their lands, the soil would have retained its fertility much longer. It was by them an object to have the ground as dry as possible when fire was used, so as to clear it up more effectually; but the conse- quence was that with the wood the vegetable matter upon the top of the soil which was necessary to the durability of its fertility, was destroyed. After the benefit of the ashes was gone, the soil soon became less fertile and required heavy manuring. The same mistake was made elsewhere as well as here, and, had the ground been in such a state as to prevent too deep a burning, our farms would have been far more valuable. I recollect hearing it stated by one that a small farm of a few acres was cleared without burning the wood upon the ground, and its fertility was retained much longer than that of the lands around it. By this we may learn that although fire is necessary for the clearing of lands, its use should be prudent and at suitable times. The chief products of the farms here were, as in other towns in this vicinity, hay, grain, and potatoes; the latter to quite an extent, especially prior to 1845, when the potato-rot first made its appearance. By the statistics procured by the person who took the census here in 1840, over thirty-six thousand bushels were returned, but since the rot commenced the crop has verj' much decreased. Now it has another enemy — the potato-bug, which came in 1880. From these two causes the crop will not receive the attention it otherwise would. The crop of grain has fallen short very much in comparison with the yield in former years, from the cause stated in the first part of the 2o6 An Historical Sketch of the work, but should a gristmill be erected and maintained here, it would probably increase. The chief pursuit of the inhabitants in the northern part of the town is that of following the sea in coasting and on foreign voyages, but comparatively few as fishermen. Although it is profitable as a general thing, yet its effects are visible in the large proportion of widows, many of whom are those of mariners. At this time, March, 1882, there are about one hundred out of a population of about thirty-three hundred. From the nature of their employ- ment many lives are lost at sea. I have annexed a list of what vessels have been lost since 18 18, and of the persons on board who have been preserved in my memory. In 18 18 the schooner Shakespeare, owned by Messrs. P. & F. Spofford, was lost, bound from Boston to Deer Isle; Captain John Green, master; Frederick Spofford, Esq., passenger; crew, Asa Green, Jr., Abner Babbidge, and Amos Angell. In 1822, or about that year, schooner Lingan, of Castine; Captain Benjamin S. Haskell, master, with his son, and David Perry, of this town. In 1830 sloop Huntress, of Castine, bound from New York to Castine; captain, John Greenlaw, Jr.; Captain William Eaton, pilot; crew, William Buckminster and Joseph Conary. In 1839 Captain Samuel Turner, of Isle au Haut, and his crew, with the exception of Mr. James Henderson, who survived and was taken off the wreck. The same year in a gale in Chaleur Bay, schooner Georgiana, of Cas- tine; David Colby, master; crew, John Sellers, Henry Keller, Thomas J. Colby, Mial Sylvester, Israel Dorr, Jr., and Joseph Dorr. In 1845 schooner Commodore Perry, on Long Ledge, near Mount Desert; William D. Haskell, master; Moses Haskell Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 207 and Francis Haskell, 2d, who belonged here, and Miss Jane Cole, of this place, a passenger. In 1846 brig Lincoln, with four men, before referred to, from Calais with lumber. In 1849 schooner Tamerlane, of this place; John G. Green, master; crew, Henry Pressey, Ebenezer Ball, Joseph H. Davis, and Joseph Haskell, all belonging here. In 1851, in Chaleur Bay, schooner 5ara/t, of this place; Captain Levi Knight, master; crew belonging here, Wil- liam Knight, James Sellers, Amos Babbidge, Stinson Colby, Albion P. York, and Ephraim Crockett. The same year the schooner Lion, of Castine; Captain Enos Pressey, of this town, master; and of the crew belonging here, George Pressey and Henry McClintock lost, Joshua Pressey, 2d, saved. Also the same year schooner Mary Moulton; Captain Joseph Emerson and his brother, Samuel Emerson, both of this place; the crew all lost. In 1875 schooner R. S. Warren, Captain Frederick T. Pickering, master; crew belonging here, George Picker- ing, Lewis K. Gray, William E. Thompson, Amazene Stinson, John H. Morey, and a son of the captain. In 1879 Captain William Richardson in a vessel owned by himself; with him were his son and Herbert Greenlaw. The same year brig Anna N. Torrey; Captain John H. Bray, master; James Bray, mate. In 1 88 1 Captain William C. Emerson and his step-son, when bound to Boston in a vessel loaded with stone. Several years ago — the exact date to us unknown — there were lost, in attempting to land, on Fire Island near Long Island, New York, four of the crew of a brig com- manded by Captain William H. Reed, of this town. They were: Cummings M. Torrey, mate; Alfred Simpson, Warren F. Scott, and Gardiner Weed, seamen. 2o8 An Historical Sketch of the Of the crew of the schooner Julietta Tilden, lost in 1867, in Chaleur Bay, were the captain, Benjamin H. Sylvester, and Everett F. Saunders, residents here. There have been several persons lost sailing out of other ports at different times who belonged here. We have noticed two of the early physicians who prac- tised here, and it would be proper to extend our notices to those who came after. About the year 1824 Dr. Abiel Reed, a native of Newcastle, Maine, came and remained till his death, which took place not far from the year 1870. He married the widow of Captain Benjamin S. Haskell, and they had two children: the son was Captain William H. Reed, who moved to Portland a few years ago; and the daughter first married a Mr. Austin, of some town near {Bangor, and afterward became the wife of Mr. Levi Marshall, Jr. She is now dead. Dr. Reed was a man of education, very well informed, and was said to be well read in his profession; but he did not have much success in his practice. After him came a Dr. Abbott, who did not remain long; but from what place he came, or went to from here, is not known to us. His leaving town was prior to 1830. In the year 1830, or about that time, came Dr. John Phillips from the town of Dixmont, Maine. He was a native of Massachusetts and remained about ten years, and while here had considerable practice. In 1838, or about that time, Dr. Amos A. Herrick, of Sedgwick, came and practised till about the year 1845. He was quite successful in his practice, and married Miss Sarah, daughter of Pearl Spoiford, Esq. He removed to his native place and died in a few years after. In 1845 came Dr. Joel Richardson, a native of the town of Eden, Maine; he remained about four years, then removed to Rockland, where he practised till a few years Toii'n of Deer Isle, Maine. 209 ago, removing to the State of Wisconsin. He was a diligent student and became skillful in his profession. In 1849 Dr. William F. Collins succeeded Dr. Richard- son and remained till his death in 1858. He had an extensive practice, and all who knew him had a favorable opinion of him as a physician; his death was much re- gretted here. He married Miss Eliza A. Spofford, the youngest daughter of Pearl Spofford, Esq. The general health of the inhabitants of this town has been as good as that of other towns in this vicinity. In 1828 a disease prevailed here which was very fatal, and, as has been understood, about sixty persons in the town died of it. What its exact nature was, is now unknown, but, as has been stated, of those who were attacked, every one who was bled (as then was the practice in most dis- eases) died, and but few recovered. The longevity in the town w^ill perhaps compare with that in other towns in the county. The number of per- sons between 90 and 100 years is 3; those over 80 and under 90 years, 23 ; those over 70 and under 80 years, 84, — in all, no over 70 years, or about 1 in 30 persons. The following is a list of those persons, with their ages, who have since 1833 attained the age of ninety years and upward, and died in this town: In 1833, Mrs. Colby, widow of Joseph Colby, aged 97. ,, 1835, Mrs. Small, widow of Job Small, aged 96. ,, 1835, Mrs. Carman, widow of Levi Carman, aged 91. ,, 1836, Mrs. Thompson, widow of Thomas Thompson, aged 91. ,, 1838, Mr. Calvin Turner, aged 90. „ 1842, Ignatius Haskell, Esq., aged 91. ,, 1842, Mr. Elijah Dunham, aged 90. ,, 1844, Mr. Joseph Sellers, aged 92. ,, 1844, Mrs. Colby, widow of Ambrose Colby, aged 92. „ 1850, Mrs. Raynes, widow of John Raynes, aged 91. ,, 1852, Mrs. Barbour, widow of Solomon Barbour, aged 92. 2IO An Historical Sketch of the In 1854, Timothy Billings, aged 90. ,, 1854, John Closson, aged 90. ,, 1857, Mrs. Tyler, widow of Joseph Tyler, Esq., aged 93. ,, 1858, David Torrey, aged 90. „ 1859, Mrs. Lunt, widow of Micajah Lunt, aged 95. ,, 1859, Major Nathan Low, aged 94. ,, i860, Francis Marshall, aged 92. ,, 1863, Peter Hardy, aged 93. ,, 1863, Naylor Small, aged 91. ,, 1863, or about that time, Mrs. Closson, widow of John Closson, aged 91. Mrs. Closson, widow of Nehemiah Closson, aged 91. ,, 1864, Edward Small, aged 94. ,, 1865, Joseph Clifton, aged 94. ,, 1866, Robert Campbell, aged 92. ,, 1866, Mrs. Thurston, widow of Amos Thurston, aged 91. ,, 1869, William Raynes, aged 91. ,, 1869, Mrs. Alexander, widow of Ezekiel Alexander, aged 93. ,, 1871, Mrs. Powers, widow of Dr. Moody Powers, aged 91. ,, 1872, Abijah Haskell, aged 91. 11 1873, Jonathan Haskell, aged 94. ,, 1875, Mrs. Torrey, widow of James Torrey, aged 91. ,, 1875, Mrs. Carman, wife of Frederick Carman, aged 90. ,, 1879, Mrs. Torrey, widow of David Torrey, aged 97. ,, 1882, Mrs. Porter, widow of William Porter, of Lyme, New Hampshire, aged 93. ,, 1882, Mrs. Sarah Fifield, aged 96. — In all, thirty-six persons. Since the above list was compiled: Mr. Nathaniel Robbins, born, according to entry upon the town records, March 13, 1799, died January 27, 1902, at the age of one hundred and two years, ten months and fourteen days, retaining his faculties until the end. He was a son of Nathaniel and Betsey (Colby) Robbins. Mrs. Salome Sellers who, like Mr. Robbins, has lived in three centuries, is now in her one hundred and sixth year, with no greater indications of being old than are ordinarily shown by any aged person. She was born October 15, 1800, and was the daughter of Captain Edmund and Deborah (Cushman) Sylvester and the wife of the late Mr. Joseph Sellers. Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 211 CHAPTER IV. Municipal and Miscellaneous. The act of incorporation was passed January 30, 1789, and was approved by John Hancock, as governor. By the act Gabriel Johonnot, Esq., who then resided in that part of the town of Penobscot now included in the town of Castine, was authorized to issue his warrant to some principal inhabitant, directing him to notify the inhabitants of this town to meet at such time and place as he might appoint, for the choice of town officers ; and his warrant was issued March 17, 1789, to George Tyler, Esq., who issued his notice to the inhabitants to meet at the meeting-house — which then stood where the Town House now stands — on Monday, April 6, at nine of the clock in the forenoon, for the choice of town officers, and to act upon such other business as might be neces- ScLvy, and also to give in their votes for a governor, lieu- tenant-governor, a state senator, and a registrar of deeds. Pursuant to said notice the inhabitants met at the time and place appointed and chose Thomas Stinson, Esq., moderator. Rev. Peter Powers, town clerk, and five selectmen, to wit: Thomas Stinson, Esq., Captain Thomas Robbins, Mr. William Foster, Mr. Nathan Haskell, and Mr. Joseph Sellers; and Captain Ignatius Haskell, treas- urer, besides other officers. The Rev. Mr. Powers during the year resigned the office of town clerk, and Nathan Haskell, Esq., was chosen, who was elected to said office till the year 1803. There was the sum of one hundred pounds voted as sal- arj' to the minister, according to contract, which contract 212 An Historical Sketch of the was made by the inhabitants when the call to Mr. Powers was made, August 23, 1785. There then was an agree- ment to build him a house thirty-six by twenty feet, of one story, to be finished in the same manner that houses com- monly are in country towns. Also there was the sum of sixty pounds voted to be laid out upon the roads, and for a man's labor the sum of four shillings was to be allowed, and three shillings for oxen per day. George Tyler, Esq., was chosen representative to the General Court. 1790. The following-named persons were chosen selectmen: Thomas Robbins, William Foster, Joseph Sellers, Theoph- ilus Eaton, and Thomas Stinson. There was also voted the same sum as the year previous, for the support of the minister, and the sum of eighty pounds for the pur- pose of defraying town charges, and eightpence on the pound as the collector's commission. Also the sum of twelve shillings to Mr. Benjamin Cole for sweeping and taking care of the meeting-house. At a meeting held May 6 it was voted not to choose a representative. In this and the previous year the controversy respecting the lands in the town between the settlers and Messrs. Joseph and George Tyler was often acted upon in the town meetings. This year the town treasurer was instructed to repair the meeting-house, to furnish it with glass so that it might be comfortable, and charge the cost to the town's account. 1791. This year Messrs. William Foster, Caleb Haskell, and Joseph Sellers were chosen selectmen. It was voted not to choose a representative, and it was also voted to divide Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 213 the town into five school districts. At the same meeting it was agreed that one school should be kept at the school- house on Webster's land (now occupied by William R. and Albert N. Sellers); one at or near the mill at the North- west Harbor; one at or near Joseph Colby's at Southeast Harbor; one at or near John Howard's, near the house at present occupied by Mr. William E. Knight, and the other near Jonathan Torrey's, at the comer of the road lead- ing from the Reach to the Northwest Harbor. It was also voted that the inhabitants upon Stinson's Neck should be exempted from taxation for the support of schools, and the sum of thirty-six pounds was raised for the support of schools. If any district should neglect keeping a school for the time according to its proportion of the money raised for one year, such district should forfeit its pro- portion for the use of the town. The town accepted the house built for the Rev. Mr. Powers, and voted that it be made a town charge. 1792. Messrs. Caleb Haskell, Joseph Sellers, and William Foster were chosen selectmen, and the sum of forty pounds was voted for the support of schools. It was also voted to raise no money for town charges. At a town meet- ing held on the seventh day of May, it was voted not to choose a representative, and at the same time it was voted that all future town meetings be warned by posting up three notifications, to wit: one at the meeting-house, one at Haskell's gristmill, and one at Tyler's gristmill. It was also voted to lay out a new burying-ground, and the committee chosen for the purpose were Mr. Ezekiel Morey, Captain fjohn Hooper, and Captain Ignatius Haskell. 214 -An Historical Sketch of the 1793- Messrs. William Foster, Caleb Haskell, and Joseph Sel- lers were elected selectmen, and the sum of fifty pounds was raised for the support of schools. The sum of fifty pounds was raised for repair of highways, and thirty pounds for payment of town charges. In May it was voted not to choose a representative. 1794. The town chose as selectmen the persons who were elected the previous year, and voted to raise one hundred pounds for the support of schools; also, that Babbidge's Neck be the sixth school district and that Little Deer Island be the seventh. In May it was voted not to choose a representative. At a meeting held September 30, it was voted to give the men who should voluntarily enlist, a sum in addition to their monthly pay, to make up their wages — eight dollars per month — for the time they should be called into actual service, until they were discharged; three shillings per day in case they should be called to form a detachment. 1795- Messrs. Job Small, Nathan Haskell, and Thomas Thomp- son were chosen selectmen. The sum of one hundred pounds was raised for the support of schools, the same amount for repair of roads, and the sum of thirty-five pounds to defray town charges. It was also agreed to consider some proper method to build a meeting-house; one hundred pounds was raised to be appropriated for the purpose, and a committee of three, to wit, Messrs. Ignatius Haskell, Thomas Thompson, and Thomas Small, was chosen to expend the said sum in providing suitable Toii'H oj Deer Isle, Maine. 215 timber and other materials for building. No representa- tive was chosen this year. 1796. Messrs. Edmund Sylvester, Joseph Sellers, and Thomas Thompson were chosen selectmen. It was voted to release the inhabitants of Little Deer Island from working on the highways; also, to build a pound near the Carr^-ing place, and stocks near the meeting-house. The sum of $100 was voted for the purpose ; $333.34 was raised for the repairing of highways; also. Si 66.6 7 for the support of schools. No representative was chosen this year. 1797. Messrs. Edmund Sylvester, Joseph Sellers, and Nathan Haskell were chosen selectmen, and there was voted the sum of $100 for town charges; $333.67 for schools, and the same amount for repairing highways. No representa- tive was chosen this year. It was voted that no person not an inhabitant of the town should dig or carry off any clams from any bank or flats within the limits of the town; that the sum of fifty cents for each bushel so taken should be the penalty, one half to the use of the town and the remainder to the prosecutor. A committee of fourteen was chosen to see that the said vote should be put into execution. 1798. Messrs. Joseph Sellers, Edmund Sylvester, and Nathan Haskell were chosen selectmen, and no money was voted for the support of schools. One hundred pounds was voted for the repairing of highways and Si 00 for the pay- ment of town charges. This year Captain Ignatius Has- kell was chosen representative to the General Court. In November a town meeting was held for the purpose of 2i6 An Historical Sketch of the agreeing upon some suitable method of supplying the preaching for the coming winter, as the Rev. Mr. Powers was unable to fill the pulpit through infirmity and sick- ness. A committee was chosen, and it was instructed to apply to Mr. Ebenezer Eaton, if he could be obtained. 1799. At the annual meeting in April the persons who were elected the previous year were chosen selectmen. The sum of three hundred dollars was raised for the support of preaching. A committee was chosen for the purpose of providing for the pulpit, and a committee of one from each school district to provide teachers for the several school districts. Three hundred dollars was raised for repair of highways, one hundred dollars for the payment of town charges, and the same sum for the ptirchase of military stores. At the meeting in May it was voted not to send a representative, which vote was reconsidered at a meet- ing on the twenty-seventh day of the month. The town agreed to send one on the condition: " That he should bring no additional expense on the town, and procure two bondsmen for that purpose." Messrs. Joseph Tyler and Peter Hardy offered themselves as such for any person whom the town should chose, and were accepted by the town. George Tyler, Esq., was elected representative. This 3^ear there was a controversy between the town and Mr. Josiah Crockett, who claimed a lot of land sold by the town to Mr. Ebenezer Webster, for the support of a pauper. Mr. Crockett had recovered the land at an action-in-law, and after considerable expense the matter was settled with the occupant of the land under Mr. Webster, of whom he had purchased it. The sum paid by the town was six hundred dollars. Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 217 1800. This year Messrs. Joseph Tyler, Prescott Powers, and Edmund Sylvester were chosen selectmen. It was also voted that when any vote which was of importance should be called for, it should be by written ballot, and after such a vote should be declared, it should not be disputed. This was to apply to all future meetings. The committee form- erly chosen to supply the pulpit was instructed to engage the Rev. Mr. Page, if he could be obtained. The sum of $332, was raised for the support of preaching, $250 for the support of schools, $333.33 for repairing highways; and $100 for the payment of town charges was voted. The selectmen were directed to take measures to prevent the setting of fires in dry times and the carrying firebrands about so as to expose the property of individuals, by drafting some orders; to annex fines and penalties for the breach thereof, and to procure the approbation of the Court of Sessions to the same, that it might become a town law. In May it was voted not to send a repre- sentative; there being 17 votes in favor of, and 36 against, sending one. iSoT. This year Messrs. Joseph Tyler, Jonathan Haskell, and Prescott Powers w'cre chosen selectmen. The following sums were voted: S300 for the support of preaching, and $100 to pay town expenses. There appears not to have been any sum raised for the repair of highways, only the town was to furnish two thousand feet of two and one-half inch plank for the use of the bridge over Tyler's Mill- stream. It was also voted that each district should raise its own money to keep its schools and pay its teachers ; also, that a new valuation l^e taken, and that " no per- son should use firelight in taking fish within the limits 2i8 An Historical Sketch of the of the town, under the penalty of thirty dollars for each barrel so taken." Joseph Tyler, Esq., was this year chosen representative. At the same meeting, which was held in May, the sum of two hundred pounds was voted for the purpose of repairing the highways. In December a meet- ing was held, and it was voted that the treasurer should call on Mr. George Tyler's bondsmen to refund the money which said Mr. George Tyler took out of the treasury at Boston, with which the town was taxed as " represen- tative's pay," agreeably to a vote of that meeting at which he was chosen. By reference to the doings of the meeting in May, 1799, the matter will be understood. 1802. This year Messrs. William Foster, Jonathan Eaton, and Ignatius Haskell were chosen selectmen, and Messrs, Edmund Sylvester, Caleb Haskell, and David Angell, assessors. The following sums were voted: $330 for the support of preaching, $330 for the support of schools, $150 to defray town charges, $600.67 fo^ repairs of high- ways; that one half of these sums should be paid in six months, and the remainder in one year. At the meeting in May it was voted not to choose a representative. 1803. This year Messrs. Joseph Tyler, Chase Pressey, and Jonathan Haskell were chosen selectmen, and Mr. Pres- cott Powers, town clerk. The following sums were raised: $333-33 for the support of schools, $666.66 for repairs of highways. At the meeting in May it was voted not to send a representative. At the same time the sum of $100 " was raised for the support of the gospel, $200 for town use, and $150 to provide a town stock of powder, Town oj Deer Isle, Maine. 219 lead, flints, kettles, etc.," and it was voted that no man should carry a firebrand off his own land between sunset and sunrise, on penalty of five dollars. In July of the same year the sura of $100 was raised for the support of the gospel, and $50 in addition for contingent expenses. The sum of $50 was taken from that which had previously been raised to procure a stock of powder. At a meeting held in October it was voted to give Rev. Joseph Brown a call to settle over them in the ministry and to pay him $400 yearly as salary. He was to have the use of the parsonage lot, and the expenses of moving his family and furniture were to be paid, also to furnish him a residence until a parsonage house was built. In November it was voted to build a parsonage house and a bam of the dimen- sions of thirty by forty feet, said building to be finished by the first day of November, 1804. 1804. This year Messrs. Jonathan Haskell, Chase Pressey, and Joseph Tyler were chosen selectmen. Fifty dollars was raised for the support of the poor, $300 for town charges, $421 to pay the salary of the Rev. Mr. Brown and arrear- ages, $1,000 for the purpose of building the parsonage house and bam, $600 for repair of highways; and that each district vote and raise its own school-money. At the meeting in May it was voted not to send a representa- tive. In November the sum of $300 was raised for the purpose of repairing Long Cove Bridge. On August 14, Rev. Joseph Brown was installed over the church here. 1805. This year Messrs. Jonathan Haskell, Chase Pressey, and Prescott Powers were chosen selectmen. The fol- 2 20 An Historical Sketch of the lowing sums were raised: $700 for town charges, $200 for support of schools, $50 for payment of frame of the parish barn, and $600 for repairs of highways and bridges. In May, $160 was raised for the purpose of finishing the parsonage bam, and $75 for digging a well near the house on the parsonage lot. A new valuation was voted to be taken by one of the assessors. It was voted not to send a representative to the General Court. 1806. This year Messrs. Jonathan Haskell, Nathan Haskell, and Chase Pressey were chosen selectmen. There were voted, in addition to the sum raised for the salary of the Rev. Mr. Brown, the following sums: $250 to pay up arrearages, $100 to lay out on the parsonage house, $300 for town charges, $400 for schools, and $600 for repairs of highways; and, although the warrant contained an article for the choice of a representative, nothing is shown by the records that action was taken upon the subject. 1807. Messrs. Jonathan Haskell, Nathan Haskell, and David Angell were chosen selectmen. It was voted that there should be but one constable and that William Young be constable. The following sums were raised: $400 for the salary of the Rev. Mr. Brown, $150 for town charges, $400 for support of schools, and the vote upon the sum to be raised for repairs of highways was postponed till the meeting in May; $80 was raised for the support of the poor. At the meeting in May it was voted not to send a representative, and it was voted to give a bounty to destroy crows; the sum of $700 was raised for the purpose of repairs of highways and bridges. At a sub- sequent meeting, held on the twenty-eighth of the same Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 221 month, the sum of $300 was \'oted, in addition to the sum before raised, for repairs of highways, and also S50 additional for town charges. 1S08. This year Messrs. Jonathan Haskell, Nathan Haskell, and Pearl Spoftord were chosen selectmen. Besides the salary of the Rev. Mr. Brown, the following sums were raised: $50 for the support of the poor, $200 for the sup- port of schools, $800 for highways and bridges, and $250 for town charges. It was voted that the taxes be paid into the treasury in quarterly payments; also, to pass over the petition of James Eaton and others, praying to be excused from paying the minister's salary. In May it was voted not to send a representative. This year Messrs. Hezekiah Lane, James Eaton, and others peti- tioned the General Court that they might be incorporated into a religious society, by the name of the First Baptist Society of Deer Isle ; and at a meeting held on the twenty- sixth of December the town voted to remonstrate to the General Court against it, and a committee of three was appointed to draft the remonstrance. 1809. On January 1 7 it was voted at a town meeting that the town disapproves the embargo laws then in force, and a petition was voted to be made to the General Court for relief under the said law, for the distressed and em.bar- rassed situation of the people here. At the annual meet- ing Messrs. Nathan Haskell, Pearl Spofford, and David Thurlow were chosen selectmen. It was voted to release James Eaton and fifteen others from paying their money toward a minister tax. The usual sum was raised for 22 2 An Historical Sketch of the the salary of the Rev. Mr. Brown, $200 for town charges, $250 for schools, and $800 for highways and bridges. This year Captain Pearl Spofford was chosen representa- tive. 1810. This year Messrs. Nathan Haskell, Pearl Spofford, and Chase Pressey were chosen selectmen. The salary of the Rev. Mr. Brown was raised, $300 for support of schools, $100 for arrearages on account of poor, $76 for expense on the account of poor for this year, $60 to purchase a stock of powder, $110 due Captain Ignatius Haskell on account of interest money, $100 for town expenses, and $500 for highways and bridge. It was also voted to tax the Baptists with others for minister tax, and allow those who belonged to that society to receive their part of the same, to appropriate to their own religious use. Pearl Spofford, Esq., was chosen representative at the meeting in May. 1811. Messrs. Jonathan Haskell, Nathan Haskell, and Pearl Spofford were chosen selectmen this 3^ear. The following sums were raised: $420 for salary of the Rev. Mr. Brown and the Baptist brethren, $600 for highways, $130 for sup- port of the poor, $400 for schools, $200 for town charges, and $40 to complete the town's military magazine and to replace ammunition that might be drawn out on muster days. In May two representatives were chosen, namicly, Captain Ignatius Haskell and Pearl Spofford, Esq., and an additional sum of $276 was raised toward defraying town charges. A vote was at the same time passed adverse to setting off the District of Maine into a separate State. The representatives from this town were instructed to oppose it. Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 223 This year Messrs. Nathan Haskell, Pearl Spofford, and Joshua Haskell were chosen selectmen. In addition to the salary of the Rev. Mr. Brown, the following sums were raised: $400 for schools, $500 for highways and bridges, $200 for a bridge over Tyler's Millpond. The other votes relative to the raising of money were deferred till another meeting, at which the sum of $250 was voted to defray the expense of the poor and town charges. Pearl Spofford and Prescott Powers, Esquires, were chosen representatives. At a meeting held on the eighteenth of July, it was voted that the selectmen be authorized to petition the govern- ment of the United States, or some suitable officer of the United States Army, for one or more companies of United States soldiers, to be stationed on Deer Isle for defence of the same. Also that the selectmen be authorized to peti- tion the Governor and Council of this Commonwealth for the loan of sixty muskets and four four-pound guns for the defence of the town, and that the late detachment from the militia may not be taken away from the town. This same year at a town meeting held on the fifteenth day of August, resolutions were passed reflecting strongly upon the then present administration, and the declaration of war; but at that time party feelings ran high and led to acts of indiscretion and violence of language. 1813. The board of selectmen elected the former year was re-elected, and $500 was raised for the repair of highways and bridges, $400 for support of schools, and the usual sum as salary of the Rev. Mr. Brown. At a meeting in April several amounts were voted for town purposes. Messrs. Prescott Powers and Pearl Spofford were chosen represen- 2 24 -'^'^ Historical Sketch of the tatives, and the vote raising $400 for support of schools was reconsidered, and no sum was raised for the purpose at the meeting. A remonstrance was voted against re- moving the courts from Castine to Buckstown, now Bucksport. 1814. At a meeting held on the thirty-first of Januar}', reso- lutions were passed relative to the late embargo law, and it was then voted that they be presented to the Gen- eral Court. At the annual meeting the board of select- men for 18 1 3 was re-elected, and the following sums were voted: $400 for minister's salary, and the same amount for support of schools. At a meeting on the fourth of April the sum of $100 was voted for town expenses, and it was voted to build a pound. In May Nathan Haskell and Frederick Spofford, Esquires, were elected repre- sentatives. In November a meeting was held, and it was then voted to make a new assessment of all town taxes before assessed, leaving out the state tax; also to indemnify the assessors and collector from all costs and damages that might hereafter arise on account of not assessing the county tax and not collecting the state and county taxes. The town ordered the assessors not to assess the county tax for 18 14. In August, this year, the United States frigate Adams ran upon a ledge near Isle au Haut and the guns on board v/ith other articles were landed. A tent was erected for the accommodation of some of her crew who were sick of the scurvy. She had several prisoners-of-war on board. Her captain employed the late Mr. Robert Knowlton and his brother, who had a small vessel that was em- ployed in fishing, to carry their prisoners to Thomaston, the part of which is now Rockland. While on their pas- sage there they made an attempt to take the vessel, but Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 225 Mr. Knowlton and his brother were very resolute and gave them to understand that it would not be safe for them to undertake it. They then became quiet and were carried to their place of destination. The ship was got off the ledge and went up the river to Hampden, where, a short time after, she was blown up by her captain — Morris — in order to prevent her falling into the hands of the British, who took possession of Castine shortly after she was taken up the river. During the latter part of this year, or in the earlier part of 18 1 5, an English brig loaded with beef, pork, and salmon, with a deckload of lumber, sailed from Castine for the West Indies. Her mate was a resident of this town. While sailing down the bay she was intercepted by an American privateer who gave chase to and fired upon her. Finding escape impossible the brig ran into Small's Cove, and went aground upon the bar at its mouth, the priva- teer following and continuing firing which was answered by the brig. After the brig grounded, the privateer an- chored as near as was safe and, by firing, disabled her. The noise of the guns attracted many people to the spot, and soon quite a large crowd was gathered. One of their number, having a gun, fired at the lieutenant of the priva- teer, who had gone aloft to look out. The brig was taken possession of by the officers of the privateer; they gave the inhabitants permission to take the lumber or other articles of which her load was composed, and a prize- master was put on board. During the night a number of persons assembled with the intention of retaking the brig and carrying her back to Castine. The prize-master escaped to the shore and was lost in the woods, and in the morning went to the house of an inhabitant who did not sympathize with the enemy, and was carried to a place of safety. The lieutenant of the privateer was on 2 26 An Historical Sketch of the board the brig and would have fired into the mob, as it certainly was, had not some one of the inhabitants taken what powder there was to be found on board her. She had guns on board, which, if loaded and discharged into the crowd, might have done much damage, and at the time it was fortunate that the powder was carried off. He heard the names of the persons assembled called over, and learned by whom they were headed, but the attempt to retake her was unsuccessful. The next day the brig was taken off. The captain of the privateer, armed, came on shore and took the mate who was among others assem- bled there, and by threats comipelled him. to go with him on board the privateer which took the prize to Wiscasset, where she was condemned. Not long after the prize- master was taken over to Thomaston, but the inhabitants here were cautious, for fear that what the}^ did might be the cause of trouble to them from the enemy. The British at Castine did not thank their sympathizers here for what they did, as they said " they were able to fight their own battles." It was said that the captain of the privateer intended to retaliate upon the persons in the company whose names he heard called over, by raising a company of persons engaged in the business of privateering, and coming here and doing to the individuals whatever damage he was able, but as peace was soon proclaimed, it was not done. With all the charity we have, we can see no excuse for the act of attempt to retake. It was one of the cases in which political feelings vent themselves in acts not to be justified, as the practice of privateering was allowed by all nations at the time. If it had been attempted in the case of a prize taken by a United States armed vessel, it must, of course, have been treason, as it would have fallen within the limits of its definition given in the Constitu- tion. The act was long remembered to the prejudice of Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 227 those engaged in it. Thirty years afterward one of their number was a candidate for an office of respectability, when the charge was brought up. He was interrogated about it in the public town meeting and admitted it, while his competitor was one of those who enlisted and served through the War of 181 2, and was honorably discharged. This shows us that if any one comes before the people as a candidate for their suffrages, there is always some one who remembers his wrongdoings. 1815. The board of selectmen for 18 14 was re-elected. It was then voted that the state and county taxes for the year 18 1 4 be assessed and committed forthwith. By the records of that year we find they were not assessed, and we are at a loss to discover why. Six hundred dollars were raised for the highways and to complete the town pound, $400 for the Rev. Mr. Brown, and the same amount for schools. It was also voted that " no swine should be allowed to go at large upon the commons or highways in the town with or without yokes and rings." In May Messrs. Nathan Haskell and Pearl Spofford, Esquires, were elected representatives. At a meeting on the third day of April the sum of S300 additional was voted for the support of the poor and for town charges. At a meeting on the tenth of June it was voted to choose sixteen men as a committee to assist the tithingmen of the town to enforce the due observance of the Sabbath, and for the suppression of intemperance in said town. The committee was: Messrs. Deacon Joshua Haskell, William Foster, Benjamih Cole, John Howard, James Jordan, Chase Pressey, Courtney Babbidge, Nathan Low, Peter Hardy, Jr., William Greenlaw, William Stin- son, John Scott, Pelctiah Barter, Elijah Dunham, Thomas Robbins, and Josei)h Whitmore. 2 28 An Historical Sketch of the 1816. This year the previous board of selectmen was chosen. The sum of $300 was voted to defray town charges and support the poor, $400 for repair of highways and to finish the pound, $400 for support of schools. In May Messrs. Pearl Spofford and Prescott Powers, Esquires, were elected representatives. For a choice of a delegate to attend a convention to be held in Brunswick in the month of September, a meeting was held in August, and Pearl Spofford was chosen. On the question of a separa- tion of the District of Maine from Massachusetts there were given: for the separation, none; against it, one hundred and sixty votes. This year there appears to have been no salary for the Rev. Mr. Brown. 1817. This year Messrs. Ignatius Haskell, Jonathan Haskell, and Frederick Spofford were elected selectmen. It was voted " that the overseers expose for sale at public auction the poor of the town to the lowest bidder on the day of the next annual April meeting." Four hundred dollars was voted for highways and bridges, and $600 for support of schools. In May Messrs. Frederick Spofford and Nathan Haskell, Esquires, were elected representatives, and the sum of $500 was voted to pay town charges and support the poor. The vote for the sale of the poor was amended so as to allow the overseers to dispose of them, and apply town moneys for their support at their own discretion. 1818. This year the board of selectmen for the previous year was elected. Three hundred dollars were voted for repairs of highways and bridges, and $400 for schools. At a Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 229 meeting in April the sum of $400 was raised for town charges and for the poor. In May Messrs. Pearl Spofford and Hezekiah Rowell, Esquires, were elected represen- tatives, and the latter was chosen to fill the vacancy in the board of selectmen occasioned by the death of Fred- erick Spoflford, Esq. Mr. Benjamin Cole was chosen sexton. 1819. This year Messrs. Ignatius Haskell, Jonathan Haskell, and Joseph Noyes were elected selectmen. The sum of $400 was raised for the support of schools, and $600 for repair of highways and bridges. In May the sum of $900 was voted for town expenses and support of poor, $200 to pay the Rev. Mr. Brown for betterments on the parsonage, and the article for raising money for the support of the gospel was passed over. Messrs. Pearl Spofford and Hezekiah Rowell, Esquires, were elected representatives. In July the question of a separation of Maine from Massa- chusetts was acted upon, and there were given in the affirmative twenty, and in the negative eighty-eight votes. In September a meeting was held for the choice of dele- gates to attend the convention for the purpose of forming a State Constitution. Messrs. Ignatius Haskell and Asa Green were chosen, and the Constitution was voted upon at a meeting in December. The number of votes in favor was twenty-two, and in the negative one. 1820. This year Messrs. Ignatius Haskell, Nathan Haskell, and Joseph Noyes were chosen selectmen. The sum of $400 was voted for the support of schools, $600 for high- ways, and $400 for the support of the poor and the pav- ment of town charges. At the meeting a committee was 230 An Historical Sketch of the chosen " to prevent non-residents from digging clams in the town." It was also voted that the selectmen and clerk prepare and forward a petition to the First Legislature praying in behalf of the town, " that the Circuit Courts of Common Pleas may be abolished, and such courts estab- lished as a substitute in each town, and such extension of power given to justices of the peace as the Legislature shall think fit and proper." Pearl Spofford, Esq., was elected representative to the Legislature of Maine, and the votes were as follows: For Pearl Spofford, 92 votes; for Asa Green, 70; Ignatius Haskell, 7; and Samuel Allen, 6. This year Messrs. Pearl Spoft'ord, Stephen Babbidge, and Richard Warren were elected selectmen. The sum of $200 was raised for town charges and $600 for the same purpose for the year previoiis, $400 for the sup- port of the poor, $300 for support of schools, and $500 for repair of highways and bridges. It was also voted to sell the poor, at auction, and there follows a list of such unfortunate persons as were disposed of under this vote. At the annual election in September Hezekiah Torrey was elected representative, having 60 votes, to 54 for Asa Green, 2 for Solomon Haskell, and i for Hezekiah Rowell, Esq., and in the February following five persons were licensed as retailers of spirits under the law then in force. 1822. The board of selectmen for the year previous was chosen. The sum of $450 was voted for town expenses and sup- port of poor, $736.80 for schools, and $800 for highways and bridges. For representative, Richard Warren was Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 231 elected, having 68 votes. Ignatius Haskell, Esq., had 65 votes, and Mark Haskell i. 1823. This year Messrs. Pearl Spoflford, Richard Warren, and George Kimball, Esquires, were chosen selectmen. The sum of $750 was raised to defray town charges, $736.80 for schools, and $1,000 for highways and bridges. At the annual election in September, Solomon Haskell, Esq., was chosen representative, having 96 votes to 51 for Hezekiah Torrey, Esq. 1824. This year Messrs. Solomon Haskell, Stephen Babbidge, and Peter Hardy, Jr., were chosen selectmen. The sum of S3 50 was voted for town charges, $736.80 for schools, and $1,000 for highways and bridges. It was voted that the expense of assessing and collecting taxes, together with the fees of the treasurer, be taken out of the school- money. It was also voted to defend the law case of the town with the town of St. George on account of the Welch family. At the election in September Deacon William Stinson was elected representative, having 69 votes to 40 for Stephen Babbidge, 16 for George Kimball, Esq., 2 for John Foster, and i for Asa Green. 1825. This year Messrs. Solomon Haskell, Peter Hardy, Jr., and Samuel Webb were chosen selectmen. The sum of $400 was voted for town charges, S736.80 for schools, and $1,000 for highways and bridges. It was voted to provide rations for soldiers on the days of inspection and review. George Kimball, Esq., was elected representative, having 232 An Historical Sketch of the 106 votes. No other person was voted for, as appears by the records. 1826. This year Messrs. Solomon Haskell, Samuel Webb, and Joseph C. Stinson were chosen selectmen. The sum of $550 was voted for town charges and support of the poor, $736.80 for schools, and $1,000 for highways and bridges. It was voted to pay each soldier twenty cents in cash instead of rations otherwise provided by law. At the election in September William Webb was elected representative, having 55 votes to 32 for David Thurlow, 7 for Stephen Babbidge, and 2 for Edward Haskell. 1827. This year Messrs. Joseph C. Stinson, Jonathan E. Webb, and Stephen Babbidge, Jr., were chosen selectmen. The following sums were voted: $736.80 for schools, $750 for town charges and support of poor, and $1,000 for high- ways and bridges. It was voted not to impose a tax on dogs, and twenty cents to soldiers on duty once a year. At the election in September Rev. Abijah Wines was elected representative, having 62 votes to 11 for Joseph C. Stinson, 7 for Stephen Babbidge, 7 for David Thurlow, and I each for Stephen Babbidge, Jr., and Peter Hardy, Jr. There was an article in the warrant for a town meeting on the same day, to see if the town would pay a bounty on foxes, but it did not pass. This year Messrs. Solomon Haskell, Stephen Bab- bidge, and Nathan Low were chosen selectmen. The sum of $700 was voted for town charges and support of poor, $1,000 for highways and bridges, and $736.80 Toiv)i of Deer Isle, Maine. 233 for schools. Captain David Thurlow was elected repre- sentative, having 54 votes to 4 for Nathan Low and 2 for Stephen Babbidge. 1829. This year Messrs. Nathan Low, Daniel Johnson, and William Babbidge were chosen selectmen, and the follow- ing sums were voted: $500 for town charges and support of the poor, $1,000 for highways and bridges, $736.80 for schools. It was voted to pass over the article respecting militia rations, and to have the town orders on interest taken up by the treasurer. At the annual election in September John P. Johnson, Esq.. was elected representa- tive upon the fourth ballot, having 53 votes to 44 for Michael Small. 1830. This year the board of selectmen for the previous year was re-elected, and it was voted that the treasurer issue warrants against all collectors of taxes prior to 1829, from whom there were any moneys due, after giving them sixty days' notice. The collectors for 1829 were to have three months after they were ordered by the assessors to pay it in, after which the treasurer was in- structed to issue his warrant for the payment of what was then due, and that of the tax for this year one half was to be paid in six months and the remainder in one year from the date of the bills. The sum of S600 was raised for town charges, $1,000 for highways, $736.80 for schools, and it was voted that the overseers of the poor sell the poor at auction if they see fit. Mr. Samuel Webb was elected representative, having 120 votes to 50 for Mr. Joseph Noyes, 37 for Solomon Haskell, 7 for Jonathan Presscy, and 3 for other persons who were ineligible. 234 ^^ Historical Sketch of the 1831. This year Messrs. Stephen Babbidge, Jr., WilHam Bab- bidge, and Asa Turner were chosen selectmen. The fol- lowing sums were voted: $1,300 for town charges and support of the poor, $2,000 for highways and bridges, and $900 for schools. It was voted that the selectmen do not draw any orders until first knowing that the money was collected by the collectors and in the treasury, and that the collectors pay in one fourth of their collection in three months, one half in six months, and the remainder on or before the next April; if not, a warrant was to be issued by the treasurer. Mr. Stephen Babbidge, Jr., was chosen representative, having 84 votes; Mr. Joseph Noyes, 35; Avery Fifield, 22; Peter Hardy, 10; and Edward Haskell and Mark Haskell i vote each. It was voted that the annual meetings be held on the first Monday in March after that time. This year the celebrated riot took place at the North- west Harbor, and it is proper that a histor^^ of its cause and consequences should be given. For some two years previous there had been in progress a radical reform in the minds of a large part of the community all over the country with regard to the use of ardent spirits, as it had grown to be an alarming evil. To persons who do not remember those days it would now seem very surprising that the habit was then so prevalent, involving conse- quences so serious. Almost every man at that time made use of spirituous liquors; drinking was the rule, abstinence the exception. The evils so often portrayed respecting the degradation, poverty, crime, and distress caused by it have not been exaggerated, and we all know that it has been a most fruitful theme. In 1829 public opinion had become so thoroughly awakened with regard to it that a movement was begun for its suppression. Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 235 Societies for the promotion of temperance were formed all over the country, and the members were by their opponents styled " cold water men." No one who used liquor would admit that he made an immoderate use; neither was he a drunkard, but only a " moderate drinker," and so freely was it then used on almost all occasions, that, had the liquor then been so injurious as it now is, a great addition would have been made to the number of deaths in the community yearly. The practice was in- dulged in by the clergy as well as the people, and no class was exempt from it. No doubt a great deal of mis- directed zeal was put into the work, but it v/as of such proportions that it called for the efforts of every one who had the welfare of the community at heart. Man}'- who had been in the habit of its use abandoned it and became temperance people for a while at least, and although some returned to its practice, many held out ever after. Com- paring the state of public opinion at the present day with that of those times, a great change has been wrought, as is visible to any whose recollection enables them to have a knowledge of those days. Previous to that time the laws of this State empowered the selectmen, clerks, and treasurers of towns, to grant licenses to such persons as they judged proper for the retailing of liquor. The sum paid for such licenses was put into the town treasury. The selectmen also had power, if in their judgment any jjerson was intemperate, to make out a list of such and post it up in the shops of all persons engaged in retailing liquor, forbidding the sale of it to the persons named. If the order was disregarded, the seller laid himself liable to a fine, and his license to be taken from him. The prac- tice was styled " posting," and it was considered by those subjected to it a great disgrace. Within my own recol- lection I have seen several of these lists put up in such 236 An Historical Sketch of the places. After the change in pubHc opinion the law of licenses was repealed, and many abandoned the traffic, but some still kept on, and it was several years before it ceased entirely in this town. This year a complaint was made to a justice of the peace against two persons for illegal sale, a warrant was granted and arrests made in each case, and when the day of trial came, a large crowd of those whose sympathies were upon the side of liquor, gathered. A drum was beaten and a swivel was fired during the time of the trial which resulted in the convic- tion of the persons complained of, who paid their fines with the costs accrued. After the close of the trial the complainant and his friends left the place where it was held (the store of Pearl Spofford, Esq.), and when he went into the street he was knocked down by one of the rioters, but his friends surrounded him and conveyed him to a place of safety, where he remained till night, when he was escorted home. A warrant was afterward procured for the arrest of three persons, including one of the persons convicted of illegal sales, for a participation in the riot, and they were carried to Castine, where an examination was had. They were bound over to the court, but at its term the grand jury failed to find a bill, which might not have been the case had the occurrence happened a few years later. For many years the complainant, who was a very worthy man, was the subject of a very strong prejudice on the part of those who were not friendly to temperance. 1832. This year a meeting was held on the sixth day of Feb- ruary, at which a committee was chosen to remonstrate to the Legislature against the removal of the courts from Castine to Ellsworth, and John P. Johnson, David Angell, Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 237 and Solomon Haskell were chosen, by whom a remon- strance was drafted. At the annual meeting Messrs. William Webb, Robert Campbell, and Asa Turner were chosen selectmen. The following sums were voted: $1,300 for town charges, $1,000 for highways and bridges, and S900 for support of schools; and a vote was passed, authorizing the selectmen to grant licenses for the sale of liquors, and also one for the limits of the company com- manded by Captain Ignatius Haskell, 3d. At the election in September, on the third ballot, Henry Wilson, Esq., was elected representative, having 63 votes to 49 for Robert Campbell and 7 for Asa Turner. 1833- This year Messrs. William Webb, Peter Hardy, and Henry Wilson were chosen selectmen. The following sums were raised: S600 for town charges and support of the poor, $900 for support of schools, and $1,000 for repairs of highways and bridges. At the election in September Captain Peter Hardy was elected representative, having 76 votes to 54 for Jonathan Pressey and 5 for H. Wilson. 1834. The lioard of selectmen for the previous year was elected ; Si, 000 was the sum voted for town charges and support of poor, S900 for support of schools, and $1,000 for high- ways and bridges. At the election in September, on the fifth ballot, Richard Warren, Esq., was elected repre- sentative, having 105 votes to 45 for Mr. Andrew Small. 1835- This year Messrs. William Webb, Joshua Pressey, and Edward Small were chosen selectmen, and Si, 000 was 238 Alt Historical Sketch of the voted for payment of town charges and support of poor, $900 for schools, and $1,000 for highways and bridges. Avery Fifield, Esq., was elected- representative, having 76 votes to 48 for Richard Warren, Esq., 6 for Jonathan E. Webb, Esq., 2 for John Turner, Esq., and i for Mr. Samuel Small, Jr. 1836. The board of selectmen for the previous year was chosen; $1,000 was the sum voted for town charges and support of poor, $900 for schools, and $1,500 for highways and bridges. The town voted against the sale of ardent spirits. Joseph C. Stinson, Esq., was chosen representa- tive, having 84 votes; William S. Green, 40; Samuel Small, Jr., 13; Jonathan E. Webb, Esq., 16; Peter Hardy, 2, and J. Sellers, 3d, i vote. Upon the question of the shire town which was before the meeting, there were given for Castine 145 votes, and for Bluehill i. 1837. This ^'^ear Messrs. Solomon Haskell, Peter Hard)'', and Richard Warren were chosen selectmen. The follow- ing sums were voted: $800 for town charges, $900 for schools, and $1,000 for highways and bridges. This year the surplus revenue was divided among the towns in the State by the Legislature, and it was voted to receive this town's share. Captain Peter Hardy was chosen to receive it from the treasurer of the State, and to conform to all the requirements of the act which shall be obligatory upon the town; and he was also required to give bonds for the faithful discharge of his trust. It was also voted to choose five trustees to manage the said money, and Messrs. Edward Small, Avery Fifield, Stephen Babbidge, Pearl Spofford, and Robert Campbell were chosen, who Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 239 were not to loan more than the sum of $300 to any one person; and the town was authorized to borrow a sum not over Si, 000 nor less than $700 to be applied for the payment of the debts of the town, and pay interest on same, and the interest on said moneys was to be appro- priated for the support of schools. In May two persons were chosen trustees in the places of Messrs. vStephen Babbidge and Robert Campbell, who had declined, and Messrs. Peter Hardy and Samuel Whitmore were chosen. At the election in September, upon the third ballot, Cap- tain Jacob Carlton was elected representative, having 130 votes to 98 for Jonathan E. Webb, Esq., and 16 for Mr. William S. Green. 1838. This year Messrs. John P. Johnson, Joseph C. Stinson, and John Turner, 2d, w^ere chosen selectmen, and $500 was voted for town charges and support of poor, $900 for schools, and Si, 000 for highways and bridges; also the sum of S872.76 for the money borrowed from the surplus fund, and said fund was voted "to be divided among the inhabitants of the town per capita.'' At the annual elec- tion Captain Peter Hardy was elected representative, having 200 votes to 186 for Solomon Haskell, Esq., and 4 for Jonathan E. Webb, Esq.; and at a town meeting held upon the same day, on the proposition to set ofiE what is now the tow^n of Isle au Haut into a separate town, it was passed by a unanimous vote. 1839. This year Messrs. Solomon Haskell, Richard Warren, and Joshua Pressey were chosen selectmen, and the sum of S800 was voted for town charges and support of poor, S900 for schools, and $1,400 for highways and bridges. 240 An Historical Sketch of the Samuel Whitmore, Esq., was elected representative upon the second ballot, having 158 votes to 137 for Jonathan E. Webb, Esq. 1840. This year the board of selectmen for the previous year was elected, and $800 was voted for town charges and sup- port of the poor, $900 for schools, and $1,000 for highways and bridges. It was voted to pass a by-law to prevent any persons from playing ball in the highways. It was was also voted to hold the persons who took the census for the distribution of the surplus fund accountable for all omissions in their respective lists. At the election in September, Captain William Webb was elected represent- ative, having 235 votes to 198 for Captain David Haskell, 1841. This year Messrs. William Webb, William Babbidge, and George L. Hosmer were elected selectmen; the sum of $1,250 was voted for town charges, $1,100 for schools, and $1,000 for highways and bridges. At the election in September, William S. Green, Esq., was elected represent- ative, having 173 votes to 128 for S. G. Pressey, David Haskell, 20, A. A. Herrick, 4, and Samuel Small, i. Upon the question of reducing the number of representatives to 151, it was voted. Yes. At a town meeting upon the same day, it was voted that the town meetings should be held at the meeting-house near the house of Richard War- ren, Esq., by 138 in the affirmative to 103 in the negative. 1842. This year Messrs. Ignatius Small, George L. Hosmer, and Charles Eaton were chosen selectmen. It was voted that the selectmen might hire a suitable man to assess Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 241 the taxes. The sum of $1,200 was voted for town charges and support of the poor, $1,140 for schools, and $2,500 for highways, etc. It was also voted that the overseers of the poor be instructed to contract with some suitable person, or persons, for the maintenance of the poor, for a reasonable compensation for any term of years not exceeding five, and require bonds for the same. In con- formity with the said vote, said overseers made a con- tract with Mr. Edward Small for said support for five years, for the sum of $485 yearly, he paying no expense of paupers out of the town and none until their delivery to him. This year an attempt was made, in consequence of some alleged mistake in the copy of the warrant for the meeting, to choose the officers that were by law required to be chosen at the annual meeting, in the place of such as had been chosen at the said meeting. A number of persons assembled at the time and place named for the purpose, under a warrant from a justice of the peace, the selectmen having refused to call said meeting. Ofhcers were then and there chosen, but said officers did not attempt to act. At the election in September Captain Asa Turner was elected representative, having 162 votes to 83 for Jonathan E. Webb, Esq.; Joseph Weed, Jr., 3; John Turner, i; William S. Green, 2; James Saunders, 2, and 3 were blanks. 1843- This year Messrs. Richard Warren, William Webb, and George L. Hosmer were elected selectmen, and $1,140 was the sum voted for schools, $1,000 for town expenses, S350 for payment of surplus fund, and $1,400 for high- ways. Aver\' Fifield was elected representative, having 91 votes, besides 29 on Isle au Haut, which was organ- ized so to have the privilege of voting separately for state 2 42 An Historical Sketch of the and county officers and members of Congress. Samuel Small, Jr., had 34; David Haskell, 38; Michael H. Pres- sey, 2, and Crowell H. Sylvester, i vote. This year Messrs. Joseph Sellers, 3d, Amos A. Herrick, and Abijah Haskell were elected selectmen; $1,140 was voted for schools, $1,000 for current expenses, $264 for payment of money borrowed of the surplus-revenue fund; and $1,000 for highways and bridges. It was also voted that the future meetings be held at the Northwest Harbor. In April a town meeting was held for the purpose of tak- ing into consideration the building of a Town House. It was voted to build one, and the sum of $400 was raised toward the purpose. The next annual election was held in said house. In September Captain John Gray was elected representative, having 257 votes to 190 for John Torrey. This year Messrs. Peter Hardy, Jr., Levi Weed, and George L. Hosmer were elected selectmen; $1,140 was raised for schools, $1,200 for town expenses, and $1,200 for highways, $75 to be used for the repair of the bridge over Tyler's Milldam. Mr. William Babbidge was elected representative, having 119 votes; 83 for Mr. Joseph Sellers, 2d; Hale Powers, 11; and Peter Hardy, Jr., and M. H. Presse5^ i each. 1846. This year Messrs. Henry A. Noyes, Michael H. Pressey, and George L. Hosmer were elected selectmen; $1,140 was the sum voted for schools, $1,200 for current ex- penses, $1,500 for highways and bridges, and $150 for the Town House. Mr. Samuel Small, Jr., was elected representative, he having upon the fourth balloting 133 Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 243 votes to 50 for Franklin Closson, Esq.; 42 for William Haskell; 9 for Ambrose C. Gordon ; 5 for William Stinson, Jr., and i for William S. Green. At a town meeting on the same day it was voted to choose a new board of trustees for the surplus-revenue fund, and George L. Hosmer, Samuel Whitmore, Benjamin F. Ferguson, Edward Small, and Michael H. Pressey were chosen, 1847. This year Messrs. George L, Hosmer, Benjamin F. Ferguson, and Ignatius Small were chosen selectmen; $1,140 was the sum voted for schools, $1,300 for current expenses, $1,500 for highways and bridges, and $100 to be expended upon the Town House. William S. Green was chosen as a member of the board of trustees of the sur- plus-revenue fund in place of Michael H. Pressey, who declined, Solomon Haskell, Esq., was elected representa- tive, having 83 votes to 79 for John Thompson and 3 for William E. Powers. This year Messrs. Samuel Small, Jr., Benjamin F. Fer- guson, and Gideon Hatch were elected selectmen; $1,500 was raised for town charges and support of the poor, the same amount for highways and bridges, and $1,140 for schools. In September Charles A. Spofford, Esq., was elected representative, having 136 votes to 113 for Benja- min Raynes and 15 for Hale Powers. At a meeting held the same day a committee of three, to wit, Messrs. Thomas Saunders, Solomon Haskell, and Pearl Spofford, Esq., was chosen to settle with John P. Johnson for a right of way through his sawmill, and that the town make all necessar}' repairs in order to make said way safe for travel. 244 ^^^ Historical Sketch of the 1849. This year Messrs. Solomon Haskell, Levi Babbidge, and Franklin Closson were chosen selectmen; $1,600 was voted for current expenses, $1,140 for schools, and $1,200 for highways and bridges. The wages of men for labor on the roads was fixed at 125 cents per hour; for boys in proportion, according to what it was worth; for oxen from 8 to 12 cents, and plows from 33 cents to $1 per day. The selectmen were to designate the several school dis- tricts by numbers, as they had before been known by local names, and the selectmen were authorized to sell lands that had become forfeited to the town for non-payment of taxes. John Turner, Esq., was elected representative, having 115 votes; Henry Lufkin, 90; Samuel E. Powers, 21, and N. W. Sawyer, 2. On the question of changing the time of meeting of the Legislature from May to January, there were 134 votes in the affirmative to 39 in the nega- tive. 1850. This year Messrs. Franklin Closson, George L. Hosmer, and Ignatius Small were chosen selectmen. The sum of $2,000 was voted for current expenses, $1,140 for schools, and $1,200 for highways and bridges. Henry A. Noyes, Esq., was elected representative, having 114 votes to 82 for John Thompson; Samuel E. Powers, 9; William S. Green, 4; and Albion Haskell, Ignatius Haskell, Wil- liam H. H. Spofford, and Nathan W. Sawyer, i each. 1851. This year Messrs. Samuel Small, Franklin Closson, and Aaron B. Raynes were chosen selectmen. The sum of $1,700 was voted for current expenses, $1,221 for schools, and $1,200 for highways and bridges. It was voted to Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 245 give the surveyors of highways warrants of distress, and the selectmen were instructed to prosecute, in behalf of the inhabitants of the town, for the sale of intoxicating liquors contrary to law. This year no representative was elected, as no election was held in September. 1852. This year Messrs. William Webb, F. P. Spofford, and Aaron B. Raynes were chosen selectmen. The sum of $1,700 was voted for current expenses, $1,215 ^^^ schools, and $1,000 for highways, which last sum was to be sepa- rately assessed, and in case any person did not work out or pay his tax during the municipal year the same was to be committed to the collector. It was also voted to instruct the assessors to tax personal property that had been conveyed as collateral security and held in other towns, namely, owners of interests in vessels who have the control and earnings of the same, although they have no bill of sale. William Webb was elected representative, having 113 votes to 63 for F. A. S. Colby, 17 for William E. Powers, 14 for A. C. Gordon, 2 for Franklin Closson, and I each for Thomas Dow and John Thompson. 1853- This year Messrs. F. P. Spofford, A. B. Raynes, and Scth Whitmore were chosen selectmen. The sum of $1,215 was voted for schools, $1,700 for current expenses, and $1,000 for highways and bridges. Samuel Smith was elected representative, having 79 votes; William F. Collins, 74;Thomas T. Low, 32; William Stinson, 14; William Bab- bidge, I. At a town meeting held on the same day of the annual election, an article was acted upon relative to the vote passed the year previous in regard to vessel 246 An Historical Sketch of the property, but the town instructed the assessors to adhere to the vote of the previous year. 1854. This year Messrs. William Webb, F. P. Spofford, and Aaron Babbidge were chosen selectmen. The sum of $1,700 was raised for current expenses, $1,525 for the support of schools, and $1,500 for highways and bridges. It was voted that the selectmen contract with some person to vaccinate the inhabitants of the town for the purpose of protection from the smallpox, and the sum of $25 was voted for the purpose. Captain Benjamin Raynes was elected representative, having 131 votes to 92 for Benjamin S. Wood, and 31 for Nathan Low, Jr. 1855- This year Messrs. Henry A. Noyes, Jeremiah Hatch, Jr., and Amos Howard were chosen selectmen. The sum of $1,700 was raised for current expenses, $1,525 for the support of schools, and $1,000 for repairs of highways and bridges. It was voted that the poor be kept in the house on the Weed Farm, now owned by the town, and that the overseers of the poor be vested with the requisite author- ity to carry the same into effect. Benjamin F. Stinson, of Swan's Island, was elected representative, having 162 votes to 134 for Solomon Barbour, and i for David Pressey. 1856. This year Messrs. William Webb, Frederick P. SpofiEord, and Ignatius Small were chosen selectmen. The sum of $1,525 was voted for schools, $2,800 for current expenses and support of the poor, and $1,200 for repairs of highways and bridges. It was voted that if any damage should happen on the highway in consequence of the negligence Toivn of Deer Isle, Maine. 247 of the surveyors, the selectmen were instructed to proceed with them according to law. It was also voted to instruct the overseers of the poor to make sufficient accommoda- tions at the poorhouse for the paupers, and to bind out all paupers that they have a chance to. Charles A. Spofford, Esq., was elected representative, having 207 votes to 176 for James Turner, 2d, and 17 for Joshua H. Sellers. 1857- This year Messrs. Franklin Closson, Thomas Warren, and Benjamin S. Wood were chosen selectmen. The following sums were voted: $2,500 for current expenses, $1,525 for schools, $1,200 for repairs of highways and bridges, and $100 of the sum raised for current expenses was to be appropriated for the road leading to Babbidge's Neck, which road was changed to its present location. Mr. William Babbidge was elected representative, but the records do not show how many votes were cast for the several candidates. 1858. The board of selectmen for the previous year was re-elected. The following sums were voted: $1,809 ^or support of schools, $2,500 for current expenses, and $1,200 for highways and bridges. It was voted to finish a room in the Town House for the use of the selectmen, etc. In June there was a meeting to act upon the license law of 1856. In its favor were 11, and against it 51 votes. At the election in September William S. Green, Esq., was elected representative, having 225 votes to 171 for T. B. Pickering. 1859. This year Messrs. George L. Hosmer, Levi B. Crockett, 248 An Historical Sketch of the and George C. Hardy were chosen selectmen. The follow- ing sums were voted: $1,809 ^o^ schools, $2,500 for cur- rent expenses, and $1,200 for highways and bridges, besides $50 in cash to be expended upon the road from near the house of William E. Knight to Nathan Low's house, and $100 for the road leading from land of Samuel Small toward Green's Landing. At the election in Sep- tember, Mr. Ebenezer Joyce, of Swan's Island, was elected representative, having 135 votes to 134 for Franklin Closson, Esq. It was voted to accept the bridge leading on to Babbidge's Neck, which had been huilt about thir- teen years ago by individuals, the greater part by Samuel Whitmore, Esq., as a public way, and the sum of $125 was voted for repairs of same. i860. The board of selectmen for the previous year was chosen. The following sums were voted: $2,500 for current expenses, $1,820 for schools, $1,200 for highwaj'^s and bridges, $100 for the purchase of two iron safes for the use of the selectmen and treasurer, and $25 in cash for repair of a road. The use of the town landing on Isle au Haut was granted to Captain John Kempton. It was also voted that no abatement of taxes be made to any person who might neglect to bring in a list of his property to the assessors according to law, unless he was unable to do so b}'- absence. Mr. Ignatius Small was elected representative, having 243 votes to 176 for F. M. Holden, and 37 for A. C. Gordon. 1861. This year Messrs. Henry A. Noyes, Ambrose C. Gor- don, and David T. Warren were elected selectmen. The sum of $2,154 was voted for schools, $2,500 for current Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 249 expenses, and $1,500 for highways and bridges. On the eighteenth of May a meeting was held, at which it was voted that the selectmen and treasurer be instructed to furnish reasonable and necessary assistance to the families of such of the volunteers from the town in the service of the United States as may need it; that they be author- ized to borrow, upon the credit of the town, a 5um neces- sary'- for the purpose, not exceeding $2,000, and that a sum not exceeding $2.50 per month be allowed for each mem- ber of the families, to commence at the date of the enlist- ment. In September Thomas Warren, Esq., was elected representative, having 227 votes to 3 for other persons. 1862. This year Messrs. George L. Hosmer, Ambrose C. Gor- don, and John Robbins were elected selectmen. The following sums were voted: $2,500 for current expenses, $1,500 for schools, and $1,000 for highways and bridges. It was voted that the vote of the previous year respecting aid to families of volunteers, to furnish aid to such as, in the judgment of the selectmen, needed the same, be passed, and that the sum so furnished to any one family should not exceed $10 per month. It was provided further that the volunteer whose family applies for assistance shall, when practicable, send to his family the sum of $10 monthly, and that the town orders for such aid be payable in eight months from their dates. At a meeting held July 26, it was voted to pay a bounty of $100 to each volunteer who might be accepted by the United States, and that the treasurer be instructed to borrow, upon the credit of the town, a sum sufficient for such puri)ose and interest; that any person who might loan money for the purpose, if such sum should exceed his tax, the excess should be paid with interest, and a receipt from the treasurer should be evi- 250 An Historical Sketch of the dence of the sum loaned. On the 30th of August the town voted that the sum of $100 be paid to each person who entered the service as a drafted person, or as a sub- stitute for any person drafted. The selectmen were instructed to borrow, upon the credit of the town, a sum sufficient, with interest, for the purpose; and a committee of three, namely: Charles A. Spofford, Thomas Warren, and F. M. Holden, was chosen to negotiate for, and pro- vide, volunteers; also, that the selectmen be instructed to provide them with means for the purpose. This year William S. Green, Esq., was elected representative, having 132 votes to 81 for Seth Webb, and i vote each for William Webb and Henry A. Noyes. At a town meeting on the day of the September election, the sum of $1,000 was voted for the payment of expenses incurred for support of families of volunteers up to the i8th of March, 1862, and that all orders drawn for said support after said date be made payable in six months, interest after. The sum of $2,000 was voted for payment of supplies of the latter class; also, that the said sums be assessed and committed to the collectors of taxes and to be paid before the first day of March, 1863. 1863. This year Messrs. William Webb, A. C. Gordon, and Ignatius Small were chosen selectmen. The following sums were voted: $2,500 for current expenses, $2,156 for schools, $2,000 for the support of families of volunteers, $2,000 for the purpose of payment of bounties to volun- teers and substitutes. The selectmen were instructed to borrow of citizens of the town a sum in addition, to pay the money due, borrowed out of town, with interest, and one year's interest of what was borrowed in the town; that the sum now raised be assessed as a tax separate from Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 251 the state, county, and town taxes. The sum of $1,000 was raised for highways and bridges. At the election in September Sullivan Green, Esq., was elected representa- tive, having 322 votes to 147 for Daniel L. Carlton. At a town meeting it was voted to pay Si 00 to every drafted man who might be accepted by the United States. On the 28th of November a vote was passed to pay a bounty to each volunteer or drafted man who might procure a substitute, who should be credited to the town, or those who might enter the naval service and be so credited; that the selectmen be authorized to borrow, upon the credit of the town, on the most favor- able terms that they might be able; that said bounty be paid when the person receiving it entered the service and was placed to the credit of the town. The selectmen were instructed to call a meeting when they should ascer- tain what the exigencies of the case might require. At a town meeting by request of the citizens of the town, on the thirtieth day of December, it was voted to instruct the treasurer of the town to borrow, on the most favor- able terms as to time of payment and interest, the sum necessary to pay the bounties referred to in the vote at the last town meeting, on the same conditions of enter- ing the service and being placed to the credit of the town. The number was not to exceed the number required of the town under the last call. A committee of three was chosen, to wit, Messrs. Sylvanus G. Haskell, town treas- urer, A. C. Gordon, and F. M. Holden, to procure volun- teers or substitutes, and the last named were instructed to borrow money (in case the treasurer should neglect to do so) in order to carry out the instructions given said treasurer, and that the town be bound to abide by their doings in the matter. Also the sum of $50 was voted to each person not an inhabitant of the town who 252 An Historical Sketch of the shall enlist and be credited to this town. A vote was passed giving each drafted man, or his substitute, or volun- teer, under the last call for three hundred thousand men, who should be placed to the quota of the town either in the land or naval service, the sum of $300, not to exceed the number of said quota. The treasurer was instructed to borrow a sum sufficient for the purpose. At a meeting in January, 1864, the milldam was purchased of John P. Johnson, as a town road, for the sum of $475. It was voted to build a bridge across the place where the mill formerly stood. The committee for the purpose was Messrs. M. H. Lufkin, David Haskell, Nathan Low, H. T, Lufkin, and A. J. Beck. They were to make a plan of a permanent bridge, to let the job out to some respon- sible person, or persons, by contract, and in the mean- time to cause a temporary bridge to be put up. 1864. This year Messrs. George L. Hosmer, Charles A. Spof- ford, and William Torrey were elected selectmen. The following sums were voted: $2,800 for current expenses, $2,156 for schools, $1,500 for aid to families of volunteers and drafted men, $2,500 for interest and for payment of the town debt, and $1,000 for highways and bridges. A new valuation was directed to be taken, and there was a vote directing the selectmen to sell the mill privilege, remove the stone, and sell the building at auction. A vote was also passed forbidding the sale of firecrackers, and for the payment to Daniel W. Low and Mark T. Low of $100 each as compensation for having put each a substi- tute into the army for three years, the same being credited to the quota of the town. On the twentieth day of August a meeting was held; it was voted to pay $25 for the ex- pense of recruiting each person entering the land or naval Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 253 service and placed to the credit of the town, or for each volunteer so entering. The selectmen were to act as agents in filling the quota, and, if necessary, to appoint assistants. Benjamin F. Ferguson, Esq., was elected representative, having 218 votes to 121 for M. H. Lufkin, On the sixth day of October a town meeting was held. It was voted to pay to each person entering the service of the United States, toward filling the quota of the town under the last call of the President for troops, the sum of $300, and that notes for said sum be issued by the selectmen, payable in one year with interest. On the eighth day of November, it was voted to instruct the treasurer to hire such a sum of money as might be neces- sary to pay the notes that had become due, upon demand of the holders, upon the most favorable terms as to time and interest. It was also voted to instruct the selectmen not to give any person a note for a larger sum than was paid for a substitute. 1865. The board of selectmen for the previous year was chosen; $3,600 was the sum raised for current expenses, $2,157 for schools, $1,000 for highways and bridges, and S750 for payment of enlisting fees; $100 was voted to Joel H. Powers and the same to Charles H. Martin for entering the service as drafted men in 1863. It was voted to instruct the selectmen and treasurer to issue bonds for the sum of $300 to each person entitled to the same, with interest redeemable in fifteen years, with cou- pons for interest semi-annually at six per cent. Said bonds were issued in sums of $300 and $100 for those persons who entered the service under the call in July, 1864, for five hundred thousand men, and the call in December for three hundred thousand men. In conform- 2 54 -^'^ Historical Sketch of the ity with said vote the selectmen and treasurer issued bonds to the amount of $30,000, which were paid to the persons entitled to receive them. The treasurer " was instructed to borrow a sufficient sum to pay the notes given to those entering service by themselves as volun- teers, or drafted men, or by their substitutes," which notes were given up by the holders upon the receipt of the bonds in exchange. This year closed the war. The total expense of the town for war purposes was $59,128, or about one fifth of the value of the property as by the valuation of the assessors, and one sixth as fixed by the state valuation; perhaps nearly as much more was paid by private individ- uals for substitutes; in some cases under the last calls $600 was paid. It left us with a heavy debt in proportion to our valuation, which was small in proportion to our population. By the census of i860 the population was 3,592 — a much larger proportion, compared with our property, than most other towns in the county. Quite a large proportion of the debt was paid by exchange of state for town bonds. The amount received from the State was $22,400. The whole number of men credited to the town was 314, at a cost of $208 for each recruit. The following-named persons, residents here, were either killed or died in the service: John S. Gray. John L. Harris. Charles Gray. Caleb Harris. Solomon Gray. Isaiah V. Eaton. George Spaulding. William S. Toothaker. Alva Emerson. Farnham Haskell. Harlan P. Powers. Nathaniel Robbins, 2d. Albion P. Stinson. Otis S. Greenlaw. Solomon Stinson. Alexander Henderson. Alfred M. Robbins. John Henderson. Hezekiah H. Robbins. Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 255 In all, nineteen persons. Several others returned with constitutions seriously impaired. At a meeting, April 12, an additional sum of $539 was voted for support of schools, and at one held June 18 it was voted to issue bonds to such persons as procured substitutes up to March 5. Another matter was acted upon which it is proper here to explain. During the early part of the present year some persons contributed the sum of $28 each to raise a fund to procure substitutes, and among them were some who did not pass examination with the surgeon, while others went into the service or put in substitutes. Those who were rejected by the sur- geon applied to the town for repayment on that ground, and the town at said meeting voted to pay said sum to such persons as put into the service substitutes or vol- unteers and had not received back the sum they paid. Thus they rejected the claims of those who did not pass examination, as it was not in conformity with any vote of the town that the sum was raised by the persons, but was, on their part, a voluntary act. Any one was for- tunate who escaped with no greater loss; but as usual in such cases, the persons who were thus relieved of liability to service could not view it in such a light. At the elec- tion in September Mr. Ambrose C. Gordon was elected representative, having 139 votes to 91 for H. T. Carman, and at a meeting on the same day the sum of Si, 800 was raised for payment of interest on bonds. 1866. This year Messrs. William Webb, Thomas S. Fifield, and John Thompson were chosen selectmen. The sum by law required was voted for schools, being seventy-five cents per inhabitant; S6.000 was voted for current expenses and interest on bonds, 81,700 was raised for the drafted men 256 An Historical Sketch of the who furnished substitutes or entered the service them- selves, the sum of $25 each to those persons who had not received such sum under a former vote for enlistment ex- penses, provided that each person had received a town note for $300, and it was not to be paid until said note was exchanged for a town bond. The same was voted to pay such persons as had paid commutation money, and $775 was raised for the purpose. At the election in Septem- ber Captain Levi B. Crockett was elected representative, having 182 votes to 114 votes for Joseph Saunders. 1867. This year Messrs. George L. Hosmer, Ignatius Small, and John Thompson were chosen selectmen. The fol- lowing sums were voted: $8,000 for current expenses and interest, $2,696 for schools, for the repair of highways and bridges the sum of $1,500 in labor and $500 in cash. At a meeting on June 3, a vote was had upon the act for the suppression of " drinking-houses and tippling-shops." Thirty-nine votes were in favor and two in the negative. Mr. John Stockbridge, of Swan's Island, was elected rep- resentative, having 152 votes to 74 for William H. Reed. 1868. This year Messrs. George L. Hosmer, Ignatius Small, and A. C. Gordon were chosen selectmen. The follow- ing sums were voted: $4,500 for current expenses, $1,000 toward the town debt, $2,000 for interest, $1,500 in labor on highways, $100 for purchase of material for bridges, and $2,696 for schools, and to all persons who paid their tax before the first day of August, six per cent, discount, but nothing after that date. George L. Hosmer was elected representative, having 351 votes to 184 for Stephen D. Higgins. Upon the amendment to the Constitution Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 257 authorizing " a limited reimbursement of war expenses by loaning the credit of the State," there were 536 votes in the affirmative to none in the negative. 1869. This year Messrs. William Webb, Henry A. Noyes, and Richard Warren were chosen selectmen. The sum of $4,000 was voted for support of the poor and payment of town charges, $2,000 for interest, $3,595 for schools, $1,500 for highways and bridges, also $1,000 toward pay- ment of the town debt. It was also voted to purchase the Town Hall in the Masonic Building for a town house and selectmen's office, and sell in exchange, as far as it would go, the present Town House, provided the same could be done on fair and equitable terms. This vote was not carried into effect. At the election in September Mr. Samuel W. Campbell was elected representative, having 140 votes to 52 for James Turner, 2d, 63 for Stephen D. Higgins, and 20 for Jonathan Eaton. At a meeting upon the day of the annual election, the vote respecting the purchase of a part of the Masonic Hall was before it, and was passed over. 1870. This year Messrs. George W. Spofford, William Small, and George C. Hardy were chosen selectmen. The following sums were voted: $5,000 for current expenses, $3,592 for schools, $1,200 for interest, $1,000 to be paid upon the town debt, $200 in cash on a road from Aaron Babbidge's to William Dunham's, $175 for shingling the Town House, and $1,500 for highways, but to such persons as might work out their taxes before July 4, it shouldjbe credited on the tax, and the balance was to be paid 'in money. The treasurer was instructed to obtain the 258 ^ An Historical Sketch of the state bonds and exchange them, according to a previous vote. Mr. Aaron B. Raynes was elected representa- tive, having 168 votes to 98 for F. M. Holden, 16 for John Smith, 2 for Oliver van Meter, and i for C. H. S. Webb. 1871. This year the board of selectmen for 1870 was chosen. The sum of $3,500 was voted for current expenses, $3,417 for schools, $1,500 in cash for highways, to be expended under the supervision of commissioners to be appointed by the selectmen, and $500 for interest; besides, there was the sum of $200 voted to pay damage to Mr. Aaron Babbidge, William Dunham, and Serena M. Thurs- ton, for the road leading from Burnt Cove over their lands to the Southeast Harbor, and $25 for road damage to Clara A. Williams at Green's Landing. Mr. Ebenezer S. Fifield was elected representative, having 165 votes to 84 for Captain Caleb W. Haskell. 1872. This year Messrs. George W. Spofford, A. C. Gordon, and Samuel Judkins were chosen selectmen. The fol- lowing sums were voted: $4,000 for current expenses, $4,000 for schools, $1,000 for interest, and $1,500 for highways, to be expended by the following-named persons as commissioners: William P. Scott, Andrew S. Trundy, and Eben Eaton. It was voted to tax dogs one dollar per head. Mr. John Robbins was elected representative, having 290 votes to 153 for Mr. William Stinson. 1873- This year Messrs. William Small, Joseph C. Judkins, and F. B. Ferguson were chosen selectmen. The sum of Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 259 $3,000 was voted for current expenses, and the sum re- quired by law for support of schools, $1,000 for interest, and $1,500 in labor on the highways. It was voted to empower the selectmen to investigate the sales of lands belonging to the town and see if any conveyance had been fraudulently made. The sum of $200 was raised to be expended on the new road from the granite quarry of R. Warren & Company to the main road, and $50 to be expended in filling up the channel on the bar leading to Little Deer Island. Mr. William Babbidge was elected representative, having iii votes to 54 for Mr. Hardy Lane. 1874. This year Messrs. Joseph Saunders, Levi B. Crockett, and John Robbins were chosen selectmen. Mr. Saunders afterward resigned, and his place was filled by Mr. George W. Spofford. The sum of $2,000 was voted for current expenses, $2,800 for schools, $1,000 for interest, and $3,000 in labor for highways, $500 to be reserved for clear- ing them of snow, and $50 for a road leading from near the house of John McDonald to the house of Job Goss, 2d. On the question of building a new jail at Ellsworth the vote was: Yes, o; No, 148. It was also voted to estab- lish two high schools, and the sum of $500 was raised for the purpose. George Tolman, Esq., was elected represent- ative, having 226 votes to 61 for Samuel Smith, and 26 for George L. Hosmer. 1875- This year Messrs. Levi B. Crockett, John Robbins, and George L. Hosmer were chosen selectmen. The sum of $3,000 was voted for current expenses, $2,550 for schools, $500 for high schools, $3,000 in labor on highways, and the same sum as the i)revious year reserved for clearing 26o An Historical Sketch of the the roads of snow, $i,ooo for interest, $25 for a road near Mr. Samuel W. Campbell's, and $50 for filling up the chan- nel on the bar leading to Little Deer Island. Sylvanus G. Haskell, Esq., was elected representative, having 296 votes to 81 for David T. Warren, Esq. 1876. This year Messrs. William Torrey, William Small, and Martin V. B. Green were chosen selectmen. The sum of $3,000 was raised for current expenses, $2,500 for schools, $500 for a high school, $1,200 for interest, and $1,800 for highways and bridges, and the sums remaining due on the first day of November were to be committed to the collec- tors of taxes to be collected the present year. It was voted to exempt the wharf owned by the Bangor Machias Steamboat Company from taxation for ten years. Mr. Martin V. Babbidge, of Swan's Island, was elected representative, having 268 votes to 173 for A. O. Gross. 1877. This year the board of selectmen for the previous year was elected. The follov/ing sums were voted: $2,000 for current expenses, $2,500 for schools, $1,300 for inter- est, and $1,800 for highways, and for men's labor twenty cents per hour was voted. It was also voted to allow the deaf-mutes to draw their school-money for their benefit, to be educated at Hartford, Connecticut. Captain Seth Webb was elected representative, having 178 votes to 121 for George M. Warren and 29 for Charles S. Torrey. Upon the amendment to the Constitution providing that no person should vote unless he had paid a tax within two years preceding the election in which he proposes to vote, the vote stood: Yes, 36; No, in; and with regard to the provision limiting municipal debts the vote was: Yes, 147. Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 261 1878. This year Messrs. Martin V. B. Green, A. C. Gordon, and Moses S. Joyce were chosen selectmen. The follow- ing sums were voted: $1,000 for current expenses, $2,500 for schools, $1,500 for interest, $1,500 in labor on high- ways and bridges. Charles A. Russ, Esq., was elected representative, having 168 votes to 157 for Captain Ben- jamin G. Barbour. 1879. This year the selectmen for the previous year were chosen. The following sums were voted: $2,500, or what the law requires, for schools, $1,500 for current expenses, $1,200 for interest, and $1,500 for labor on high- ways. It was voted to instruct the treasurer to ascertain on what terms he might be able to fund the town debt and report at a meeting in September; also, what part of the same would be taken in this town. One hundred and fifty dollars were voted as compensation to Mrs. Thomas Small for injuries received upon the highway ; that in tak- ing the valuation for the present year, all persons were to be put under oath. Charles H. S. Webb, Esq., was elected representative, having 221 votes to 169 for Rodney K. Witherspoon. Upon the question of biennial sessions of the Legislature the vote stood 93 yeas to 4 nays. 1880. This year Messrs. George W. Spofford, Edwin P. Cole, and A. C. Gordon were elected selectmen. The sum of $2,000 was raised for current expenses, $2,500 for schools, $1,000 toward payment of the town debt, $1,200 for interest, and $2,000 in labor on the highways and bridges. Upon the question of the debt of the town, as the time for the payment of the princijjal upon the bonds issued in 262 An Historical Sketch of the 1865 had arrived, it was voted to issue new bonds with coupons, payable semi-annually, not to exceed five per cent, for interest. Said bonds were to be of the denomi- nation of one hundred dollars, payable in ten years from March 6, 1880, and were to be exchanged for those out- standing; or, if sold, not to be under their par value. The sum of $100 was voted to be expended upon the Ocean- ville bridge; it was also voted to enact a code of by-laws concerning truants and children between the ages of six and seventeen years not attending school; also, $50 was voted to be expended toward filling up the channel at the northern end of the bar leading on to Little Deer Island. Captain Seth Webb was elected representative, having 343 votes to 193 for Moses S. Joyce and one for Martin V. Warren. Upon the question of the election of governor by a plurality vote, there were in the affirmative 125, to 184 in the negative. Upon the amendment changing the terms of office of senators and representatives, there were 129 in the affirmative to 168 in the negative. This year Messrs. George W. Spofford, George H. How- ard, and George W. Redman were chosen selectmen. The sum of $2,500 was voted for current expenses, $2,613 for schools, $1,300 for interest, $200 for repair of the Ocean- ville (or Babbidge's Neck) bridge, and $30 for repairs of the road on Greenlaw's Neck. This year no election was held in September, as the Constitution had been changed. This year Messrs. George W. Spofford, George H. How- ard, and W. B. Thurlow were chosen selectmen. The sum of $2,000 was voted for current expenses, $2,613 for schools, $900 for interest, $140 for damages and expenses Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 263 of building a road laid out by the county commissioners at Green's Landing, $29 to compensate Roswell P. Davis for damage to his horse by a defect in the town road, and $2,000 in labor on highways. It was also voted to exempt Preston J. Tarr from taxation upon a gristmill, to be built by him at the Northwest Harbor, for ten years. Said Tarr had the previous year purchased the mill privi- lege and dam on condition of the erection and mainte- nance of a gristmill, the town retaining the right of way and the liability of keeping it in repair for such purpose. ECCLESI.\STICAL. Many of the early settlers here were religious people, and several were members of churches in the places whence they came. They felt the deprivation of their accus- tomed privileges very sensibly, and as soon as a suffi- cient number could be gathered together, measures were taken for the organization of a church. In 1773, upon the first day of August, according to the early records of the church, it was gathered by Rev. Oliver Noble. The church then chose Mr. Thomas Stinson to be their moder- ator to call the church together and preside till another be chosen by the brethren. This record was attested by Oliver Noble, moderator. At a church meeting August 20, 1773, it was unani- mously voted that Francis Haskell and Thomas Stinson should serve as deacons in the newly erected church on Deer Island as occasion shall serve. Nothing more is stated in the records with regard to the doings of the church, nor have we any knowledge whether they had a pastor or not, until 1785, when a call was given to Rev. Peter Powers, dated August 23 of the said year. Accord- 264 An Historical Sketch of the ing to a vote of the church, the said call and answer there- to were recorded in the records of the town. The vote referred to was passed October 20, 1791, and the call was as follows: " We, the inhabitants of Deer Island, in the county of Lincoln and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, having been a number of years destitute of the ordinary means of grace, are sensible of the supineness, ignorance, etc., which prevail among us, and would therefore view it our indispensable dut}^ to God, ourselves, and our children, cheerfully and willingly to contribute toward the settle- ment and support of a gospel minister among us. And as we are well satisfied with the qualifications of the Rev. Peter Powers, his wisdom, prudence, etc., we, therefore, the said inhabitants, do earnestly call and invite him to settle with us in the office of the ministry; to take upon him the care of our souls; to be our guide in the way of the gospel truth; and to be our pastor and teacher in the Lord. And in consequence promise that honor and obedi- ence enjoined us in the gospel to them who are set over us in the Lord. And as it is consistent with the divine institution that those who labor in the gospel should live of it, we, therefore, the said inhabitants, hereb}^ covenant and agree with the Rev. Peter Powers, on his accepting this our call, and becoming our teacher, then to give to him, his heirs, and assigns forever one hundred acres of land on said island, beginning at the easterly line of that land called the ' parsonage ' and running across half the front; then running back in concurrence with the other lines until one hundred acres be included. Also, to build him a dwelling-house twenty by thirty-four feet, one-story, and finish the same in such manner as such buildings are commonly finished in country towns. And for yearly salary one hundred pounds, namely, eighty Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 265 pounds in specie at the market price of this place and twenty pounds in cash. In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands this twenty-third day of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-tive. Francis Haskell. Thomas Stinson. Mark Haskell. George Frees. John Frees. Belcher Tyler. Job Small. John Pressey. John Hooper. Nathaniel Robbins. John Frees, Jr. Joseph Colby. John Pressey, Jr. Hezekiah Lane. Stephen Babbidge. Ignatius Haskell. Seth Webb. Thomas Warren. Elijah Dunham. Benjamin Cole. Thomas Haskell. Joshua Haskell. Jeremiah Eaton. Andrew Small. Benjamin Small. Job Small, Jr. Samuel Stinson. William Stinson. Thomas Small. Thomas Small, Jr. Joseph Whitmorc. Joseph Dunham. Tristram Haskell. Ambrose Con'\'. Benjamin Rea. John Closson. William Raynes. Josiah Closson. Johnson Raynes. John Raynes. William Babbidge. Joseph Colby, Jr. Thomas Colby. Ezekiel Marshall. Ezekiel Marshall, Jr. Solomon Marshall. Joshua Marshall. Ezra Howard. Joseph Cole. Edward Haskell. Timothy Saunders. Nathaniel Merchant. Rolf Annis. Benjamin Annis. Simon Annis. Samuel Trundy. Nathaniel Hamblen. William Eaton. John Thurston. Nathan Closson. Charles Sellers. Lot Curtis. Micajah Lunt. William Whitmorc. John Howard. Samuel Pickering. Abijah Haskell. Courtney Babbidge. 266 An Historical Sketch of the William Greenlaw. Francis Haskell, Jr. Elijah Dunham, Jr. Jonathan Haskell. Peter Hardy. Ephraim Marshall. James Saunders. Nathan Haskell. [answer.] Deer Island, September 17, 1785. To the Church of Christ, on Deer Island : Dearly Beloved in our Lord Jesus Christ, — You have in- vited and called me to the pastoral oversight of you in the Lord, and it appearing to be of God, after mature deliberation and prayer, I now publicly return you my answer in the affirmative. I ask a daily interest in your prayers for the gracious fulfillment of that great promise: " Lo, I am with you even to the end of the world." Amen. To the inhabitants and good people who have concurred with the church in the call and liberally offered for my support, I thankfully accept it, and promise through the grace of God to serve you all, the poor as well as the rich, according to my poor ability. You will, I trust, strive together with me in your prayers to God for me that I may be enabled to be faithful unto the death, and present you and your dear children faultless before the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, at his coming, with unspeakable joy. Finally, brethren, be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace, and the God of love and peace shall be with you. So prays your pastor-elect, PETER POWERS. The land described in the foregoing offer became the property of the Rev. Mr. Powers, who occupied it until his death, when it passed to his son, Mr. Prescott Powers. Part of it is now the property of Mr. Levi Greenlaw who lives in the house built for Rev. Mr. Powers, probably the oldest entire one now standing in the town. A church covenant and confession of faith were drawn up and subscribed to by the members of the church. It shows that a large proportion of the adult population were members. May 18, 1786. It was voted that a tax of one shilling on each communicant be paid for support of the Lord's Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 267 table, and that the sacrament of the Supper be on the third Sabbaths in March, May, July, September, and November. October 20, 1791. It was voted that there be a number of persons chosen as elders to assist the pastor and church in church-watch for one year. At a meeting on the third day of November, Deacon Francis Haskell, Deacon Thomas Stinson, and brethren James Jordan, Ezekiel Marshall, Thomas Small, George Frees, John Frees, and Nathan Haskell were chosen. At the same time Messrs. Caleb Haskell and Nathan Haskell were chosen deacons. January 8, 1793. At a meeting of the church the fol- lowing-named persons were chosen as elders: Thomas Stinson, Caleb Haskell, Nathan Haskell, Ezekiel Marshall, George Freeze, James Jordan, Joshua Haskell, and Thomas Thompson. It was also voted that Caleb Haskell should assist the pastor in keeping the church records. Previous to this time there had been difficulties in the church respecting the immoral conduct of members, and but little satisfaction was obtained from the persons impli- cated after the church had done its duty toward them, which shows us that then, even as now, the practice of members was not always consistent with their profession. Several pages of the records are occupied with the history of the dealings of the church toward them, from which we incline to the opinion that the church and pastor faith- fully performed their duties upon the several occasions. We do not deem it advisable to go into a further examina- tion of the matter, as it would at this day be productive of no good, but would be a cause of sorrow to the descend- ants of the persons dealt with. It may serve as an admo- nition to all to endeavor to walk worthily, as far as we may be able, so as to bring no scandal upon the profes- sion. 268 An Historical Sketch of the November 25, 1794. It was voted that the church would not receive any members to communion from other churches without examination, except such churches as were known to be sound in the faith. On the tenth of June, 1795, it was voted to hold their members bound to attend public worship in ordinary cases when there was no preaching. At the same time it was voted that this church do not allow its members to go to law one with another until their case is laid before the church and brought to judgment in the church. It was also voted to assist in gathering a church in Penobscot, and that the Rev. Mr. Powers assist; and Messrs. Joshua Haskell and Nathan Haskell were chosen delegates. November 22, 1798. At a town meeting it was in con- sideration to see if the town would agree upon some suit- able method for supplying the town with preaching the ensuing winter, as the Rev. Mr. Powers was unable to supply the desk through infirmity and sickness. It was voted to hire some person for sixteen Sabbaths. A com- mittee of three was chosen, which was instructed to apply to Mr. Ebenezer Eaton, if he could be obtained for the above term, and as reasonably as it could. Messrs. Thomas Stinson, Ignatius Haskell, and Edmund Sylvester were the members of said committee. In April, 1799, at the annual meeting, the sum of $300 was voted for supplying the pulpit for the ensuing year. A committee was chosen for the purpose, to wit: Messrs. Thomas Stinson, Joseph Tyler, and Caleb Haskell. At a meeting held on the fourth of November, said committee was instructed to apply to Mr. Ebenezer Eaton to preach through the winter season, unless it could obtain some other gentleman who may be as agreeable to the unani- mous wish of the people. It was also voted to choose a committee of three to wait upon the Rev. Mr. Powers and Toivn of Deer Isle, Maine. 269 inform him of the wishes of the town, and sec if the same would be agreeable to his desires, that, if Mr. Eaton may be obtained, he may minister to the peoyjle and be on amicable terms with Mr. Powers and not be a means of disagreement in the association. The committee were Messrs. Joseph Colby, Courtney Babbidge, and Nathan Haskell. In 1800 the Rev. 'Mr. Powers died. A notice of him has already been given in a former part of this work. From what we can learn he was a faithful minister, and, for those days, liberal in his views and charitable toward others whose opinions were not in exact unison with his own. During the preceding years the place of public worship was in the old meeting-house, as it was called, but at what time and by whom it was built we have not been able to learn. It was stan,ding at the time of the incorporation of the town in 1789, as the first town meeting was held there. It was used for that purpose for many years, or until the one was built which occupied the site of the present one. Neither the town nor church records throw any light upon the matter, and but very few people now among us can remember it. It stood upon the spot now occupied by the Town House and was sometimics used as a schoolhouse. It was for several years in contempla- tion to build another, and at a meeting held on the second Monday of May, it was voted that a new one be built as near the present one as shall be convenient. At a meet- ing held March 16, 1793, the former vote respecting the site of the house was reconsidered, and it was voted that it should be built on Mr. Ambrose Colby's hill, which was the spot occupied l)y it till its destruction by fire. At a town meeting held April 6, 1795, it was voted to con- sider some proper method to build the house, and the sum 270 An Historical Sketch of the of one hundred pounds was voted for the purpose, and a committee of three, to wit, Messrs. Ignatius Haskell, Thomas Thompson, and Thomas Small, was chosen to expend the above-named sum in providing suitable timber and other materials for building. At a meeting held October 8, the same year, the building committee laid a plan before it, providing that the dimensions of the house should be fifty-four by forty-eight feet, which was accepted, and Messrs. Thomas Robbins and Jonathan Eaton were added to the committee. As the location formerly agreed upon was not satisfactory to some of the people, the mat- ter was acted upon, and there was a majority in favor of adhering to the vote of March 16, 1793. At the annual meeting in March, 1796, it was voted that the committee be renewed and empowered to go on with the building. In August of the same year it was voted to accept the proceedings of the committee procuring the frame and raising it. It was also voted to give the frame, as it then stood, to any one who had or might subscribe to finish the same. The records of the town show us no further in the matter. It was built chiefly by Ignatius Haskell, Esq. He was the grantor in the deeds by which the pews were conveyed to purchasers, one of which is on record in the town records, dated April 18, 1803. He was a large proprietor, and at his death, in 1841, owned several pews. After the death of the Rev. Mr. Powers the church had no settled pastor for several years, and at a town meeting held February 4, 1800, it was voted that the committee for supplying the pulpit wait on the Rev. Mr. Page and present the thanks of the town for his past services, and request that he preach five Sabbaths more, as it seems that he had been employed instead of Mr. Eaton. At a town meeting held on April 6, 1801, it was voted to raise Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 271 money for the support of preaching. It seems that a Mr. Johnson had been preaching to them, and in May, at another meeting, it was voted that the committee should apply to him to preach a few Sabbaths more, or until they could procure another candidate. At the annual meeting held on April 5, 1802, it was voted to give the Rev. Phin- eas Randall a call to settle with them in the ministry, and a committee was chosen to make out one and to present it to him. The committee were Messrs. Caleb, Joshua, and Nathan Haskell, and instructions were given them to insert in the call an ofi'er to pay $600 for settlement, to be paid in two years, and a salar}'^ of $330 yearly, with the use of the parsonage land as long as he should continue to be their minister, in which call the church united. At a meeting of the church. May 10, 1802, it was voted to follow the rules of discipline laid down by Christ in Matthew xviii : 15, 16, and 17, and that they understood said passage as expounded by the Apostle Paul in I Cor- rinthians v: 11, namely, to keep no company with the ex- communicated persons, so much as to eat at common table with them. It was also voted to observe the rules laid down in II Thessalonians iii: 14, that if any brother refuse to observe the rules as laid down in the sixth verse, in not complying with the rules of the church, to note that brother and keep no company with him. According to the record, those votes were unanimous, but it seems that at a meeting on the twentieth of October, 1803, the two votes referred to were recalled. At the same meeting it was voted that the church invite the Rev. Joseph Brown to settle with them in the ministry. The deacons were instructed to make out a call. On the thirty-first of the same month the town voted to give him a call, and to give him a yearly salary of $400 while he supplied the pulpit, j)ayable quarterly, namely. 272 An Historical Sketch of the $100 at the end of every three months. He was also to have the use of the parsonage lot during said term, to be provided with a comfortable house or part of one till the town should build a parsonage house and barn, and to defray the charges of bringing his family and furniture to the town. Messrs. Thomas Stinson, Caleb Haskell, and Nathan Haskell constituted a committee for the purpose of waiting upon him and obtaining an answer. The committee for the supply of the pulpit was to provide a place of residence until a parsonage house was built, which was not long after. The Rev. Mr. Brown appears to have been earnest and industrious in his calling; but from causes named in the sketch noticing him, there seems to have been much dis- satisfaction on the part of several members of the church — particularly in the southern part of the town — whose political views did not correspond with those he advocated, as was charged, in the pulpit. Upon one occasion one of the members of the church was brought before the church for " accusing the minister of not preaching the gospel," which he acknowledged; but not showing repent- ance for the assertion, he was suspended. Afterward he was restored. In 181 2 two members, one of whom was the person suspended, were excommunicated for signing a paper purporting a withdrawal from the church with intention to form another society in the town. This was the first step taken with a view to the formation of a Baptist Church in the town. In 18 18 Mr. William Stinson was elected a deacon of the church, which office he retained till his death, in 1848. In 1819 the death of the Rev. Mr. Brown took place, and the family removed from the town. After the death of the Rev. Mr. Brown the pulpit was supplied by Rev. Abijah Wines for several years. The Touti of Deer Isle, Maine. 273 first notice of him, in the records of the church, is June 3, 1824, when he, with his wife, was received into the church by letters; but probably he had preached here some time before. In 1829 the question of temperance began to be agitated, and Mr. Wines took a very active part. In November of that year the matter was brought up at a meeting of the church, with the obligations of members in respect to joining the societies organized for the suppression of intemperance. Not long after, Mr. Wines' connection with the church as pastor was dissolved, as his mind had become impaired in consequence of his earnestness in the movement, and he removed from town. His death took place not long after. He was a man of learning, and we believe at one time a professor in the theological seminary at Bangor. In 1832, Rev. Jonathan Adams, a native of Booth- bay, Maine, moved here from the town of Woolwich. Maine, and became pastor of the church. He continued as such about twenty years, at a salary of four hundred dollars and the use of the parsonage farm. In 1838 an extensive revival of religion took place, and on August 12 fifty-seven persons were admitted to the church; on Sep- tember 9 twenty-eight were added, and on November 4 twenty-seven were added. On November 18 twenty -nine also were added — in all, one hundred and forty-one per- sons. On February lo, 1839. complaints were made against three members for imbibing sentiments different from those of the church and for refusing to make appli- cation to the church for counsel. Having been cited to appear before the church, they did so on the twentieth of the same month, and, as their remarks were not satisfac- tory' to the church, they were suspended for si.\ months. They afterward united with the Methodist Church which was organized a few years after. 2 74 ^^ Historical Sketch of the In 1852 the Rev. Mr. Adams ceased to be pastor of the church, and removed to Boothbay, where he preached for some time. Before his death, which took place a few years after he removed from that place, we believe he resided with his son. Rev. Jonathan E. Adams, now secre- tary of the Maine Missionary Society. The year of his death is unknown to us. He was an able preacher and had many friends here. Of his sons only one now remains, the one alluded to above. In 1846 his son William per- ished at sea on board the brig Lincoln. Two others. Captain David E. Adams and Charles Adams, were lost at sea together in one vessel, and another — Samuel — died at some place in the Western States. The first three died several years before their father, and, we believe, the latter a few years after them. Mr. Adams was succeeded in the pastoral office by Rev. William V. Jordan, who did not long remain. After him Rev. William A. Merrill supplied the pulpit for a few years. During his ministry the present house of worship was built and dedicated, in 1858, the one built about 1800 having been lately burned. Mr. Merrill after- ward removed to North Deer Isle and was the first pastor of the church there, where he remained for several years, and built for his own use the house now owned by Mr. George W. Holden. The last knowledge we had of him he resided in the town of Sherman, in the county of Aroos- took. After Mr. Merrill, Rev. Simeon Waters came here from Iowa, and preached two years or more. The next pastor of the church was Rev. Samuel S. Drake, who preached here till 1867. He, also, was pastor of the church at North Deer Isle about one year, and afterward removed to Kittery, Maine. In 1868 Rev. Hiram Houston became pastor of the church. He had previously preached in Stockton and in Towti of Deer Isle, Maine. 275 Orland, and continued as pastor here till 1881, and later as a resident. He purchased the house and land set off to the Rev. Mr. Drake on execution in an action aj^ainst the parish, and made extensive repairs on the house which was the one occupied by Mr. Brown and those who suc- ceeded him as pastors of the church. It was built not long after Mr. Brown became pastor. The church has now no settled minister, nor do we know the number of its members. It was formerly one of the largest in point of membership in the county. Since the revival men- tioned in 1838 there have been two, one in 1858 and one in 1867, in both of which numerous additions were made to the church. THE BAPTIST CHURCH. Allusion has been made to the dissatisfaction felt to- ward the Rev. Mr. Brown. As a result many members left the Congregational Church, and some time not far from the year 1813 a Baptist Church was organized, a branch of which extended to Isle au Haut. We think that Rev. Samuel Allen was its first pastor, or became so shortly after its establishment. There was at one time, not long after, a revival, and an addition was made to its members. We have no records of the church, nor do we know of any, nor in whose custody they may be, if any there are. Mr. Allen preached several years, both here and at Isle au Haut; but dissatisfaction was felt toward him on moral grounds, which was, if any cause really existed, in part due to exaggeration, as is usual in such cases. While he was pastor quite an extensive reforma- tion took place, and many became church members. After some years his connection as pastor was dissolved, and he ceased to preach. A Mr. Bedell preached for some time, principally on Isle au Haut, and after him, Elder Samuel 276 Ait Historical Sketch of the Macomber. As the church and society were small, a suffi- cient support could not be procured for the preacher, and for several years there was no preaching, except occa- sionally, until about 1844, when Rev. Leonard Mayo became the pastor. He was pastor for some two or three years, when he removed from this town. At the last accounts he was residing in the town of Hodgdon, in Aroostook County. The deacons of the church were Messrs. Stephen Babbidge, Jr., and Thomas Stinson. A house of worship was commenced but not finished, which stood near the site of the present Methodist Church. Some years after, a house of worship was built on Bab- bidge's Neck (now Ocean ville), a large proportion of the cost of which was borne by the late Samuel Whitmore, Esq. Occasionally the pulpit is supplied, but at present the church has few members. METHODIST CHURCH. The Methodist Society and Church were established in 1842. That year Rev. Hezekiah C. Tilton, an energetic young man, was sent here by the Methodist Conference, and he soon succeeded in establishing a church, which was joined by many persons the first year, as considerable interest was manifested. The building occupied b}'- the Baptist Church was occupied by them until 1843, or 1844, when the Methodist meeting-house was built. Mr. Tilton remained till 1844, when he was succeeded by Rev. Charles Andrews, who made a favorable impression while here. After him came Rev. E. H. Small, another very worthy man, who made many friends while here. He resided here in 1845 and 1846 and, we think, in 1847. After his removal he preached in other places until, through infirmity, he became unable to preach, except occasion- ally. For several of the latter years of his life he resided Town of Deer Isle, Maine. 277 in Winterport. Some years after, a house was built for the use of the ministers, standing near the house of the late Mr. Lemuel Small. The society and church have retrograded, as not much interest has been taken for a few years, and the house of worship bears marks of dilap- idation. CHURCH AT NORTH DEER ISLE. Not far from the year 1858 a Congregational Church was established at North Deer Isle, as the members of that church found it inconvenient to go to the church at Northwest Harbor on account of the distance. A house of worship was built and dedicated, and in our notice of Mr. Merrill it was stated that he was the first pastor. In that of Mr. Drake, that he also was for a year or more pastor there, but as the society is small it is unable to support preaching. There has been some assistance from the Maine Missionary Society. A Mr. Closson preached there, sent by it, and later a Rev. Mr. Hart, but at present there is no preaching there. FREE-WILL BAPTIST CHURCH. At West Deer Isle a church of that denomination was established a few years since, but the society is small and unable to support preaching. A house of worship has been built, and most of the time Mr. Lafayette Collins, a lay preacher, has supplied the pulpit. At present the society and church are in a low condition, as no interest is manifested except by very few. There are no other religious societies in the town, and occasionally preachers of the denomination known as " Adventists " have preached here, more particularly in that part of the town known as Stinson's Neck. A few years ago there were a number of persons who seemed to 278 An Historical Sketch of the adhere to their principles, but at this time little or noth- ing is heard respecting that faith. There are at present five houses of worship which have been dedicated to the service of God, but at this time in only two of them is there public worship maintained, — at the church at the North- west Harbor, occupied by the First Congregational Society, and the Methodist House at South Deer Isle. There is a house of worship in process of erection at Green's Land- ing, but in all probability it will be a Union Church, as no one denomination in that vicinity is able to support preaching. At the present time (1884) Rev. Charles H. Gates officiates at the Congregational Church and Rev. Israel Hathaway at the Methodist Church. Origin of the Names of the Different Localities IN THE Town. It ma}^ be of interest to the reader to know how some localities of the town came by the names assigned to them, — as we all know the different parts by the names which have been given them, — but very few have knowledge why they were so bestowed. On Little Deer Island there is a very convenient and safe harbor on the southwestern side known as Swain's Cove, and the farm of the late Daniel Billings, Esq., adjoins it. It was so named from Captain William Swain, whom we have noticed as an early occupant of the land in its vicinity. On Great Deer Island, about one mile south of its northern extrem- ity, the harbor known as Thompson's Cove derived its name from Mr. Thomas Thompson, who lived near it and was the owner of the lands adjoining. That body of water known as Webb's Cove was named for Mr. Webb, before mentioned, who lived near it after he left the Neck. Toivn of Deer Isle, Maine. 279 The harbor known as Allen's Cove was named from Rev. Samuel Allen who resided near it for many years. The harbor known as Crockett's Cove derived its name from Mr. Josiah Crockett, as has been mentioned. He lived for many years near it. Small's Cove was named from the two brothers of that name who settled near it. Mr. Thomas Small lived on the northern, and Mr. Job Small on the southern, side of it. The harbor known as Burnt Cove derived its name from a fire which will be mentioned. The late Mr. Aver}^ Fifield, Sr., lived near it for many years prior to his death, and was for some time the only settler there. The cove or creek known as Fish Creek derived its name from the abundance of fish of the herring species which were taken in weirs by the early settlers in the vicinity. The part of the town known as Greenlaw's Neck was probably named from Mr. William Greenlaw, who was an early settler in that vicinity; but we have no knowledge of his ever having resided upon the Neck, which we think was first settled by Mr. Nathaniel Bray. That part of the town known as Stinson's Neck was named from its first settler, of whom mention has often been made — Thomas Stinson, Esq. Several of his de- scendants now reside there. That part of the island from Campbell's Neck to the steamboat landing is known as the Reach shore, as it borders on the passage known as Eggemoggin Reach, which lies between it and the towns of Sedgwick and Brooklin. The tract of land known as Campbell's Neck, and the island near by, known as Campbell's Island, derived their name from Mr. John Campbell, who was their owner, with other lands in the vicinity, and who lived where his grandson, the present Mr. Samuel W. Campbell, now does. The land known as Babbidgc's Neck (now Occanville), 28o An Historical Sketch of the was named from Mr. William Babbidge, who lived upon the southern part, but was not the first person there. The earliest was Mr. Seth Webb, who lived upon the land afterwards occupied by Mr. Joseph Whitmore. The tract of land lying between Webb's Cove and Burnt Cove was for many years known as the " Burnt land," and the origin of the name, as we have been in- formed, was derived from its having been burnt over by a fire set by Mr. Joseph Colby, the early settler of that name. When he came the trees standing upon the tract had been blown down during a violent gale of wind. It was said that not many years before a fire had been set by some person who landed during a very dry time upon the shore, and, as it was not extinguished, it spread, and, remaining in the soil, weakened the hold of the roots of the trees as it spread, so as to render them liable to be blown down. As Mr. Colby was obliged to turn his cattle into the woods for pasturage, the trees were so entangled that it was very difficult for him to find them to drive home, and he set the fire for the purpose of clearing the obstructions. It spread all over the surface between the limits as before named, but since that time a large amount of wood and timber has grown upon it. That locality is now known as Green's Landing, named from Sullivan Green, Esq., the oldest resident now there. The point known as Dunham's Point, the western ex- tremity of the island (where mining operations have been made to a considerable extent), was named from Mr. Elijah Dunham, its earliest settler. The point of land on the southwestern side of the entrance to the Northwest Harbor is known as Pressey's Point, named from Mr. John Pressey, the first settler who lived near it. Dow's Point, on the northeastern entrance, was named from Mr. Nathan Dow, who settled there in 1767. Toivti of Deer Isle, Maine. 281 The island known as York's Island was named from Captain Benjamin York, its first settler and owner. The island known as Conary's Island was named from Mr. Thomas Conary who has been noticed, and who resided upon it. The island known as Gibson's Island was named from Mr. James Gibson whom we have noticed as a soldier in the war of the Revolution, who made it his residence for some time. The island now known as Thurlow's Island was named from the late Captain David Thurlow who resided there for sixty years or more before his death in 1857. In the town of Isle au Haut, the island known as Mer- chant's Island was named from Mr. Anthony Merchant, the first settler in that town. He resided upon it till his death. Kimball Island was named from Mr. Solomon Kimball, who was the purchaser from the State of Massachusetts. He occupied it after the removal of the family of Mr. Seth Webb, who died in 1785. Cutter's Island, or, as it is now known, Fog Island, was named from a person by the name of Cutter who lived upon it for many years. The harbor known as Douglass's Cove was named from Mr. Robert Douglass who settled near it, living there until he went thence to Nauvoo, Illinois, as a convert to Mor- monism. Head Harbor was named from the Eastern Head, the southeastern extremity of the island. I have given the origin of the name of Duck Harbor, in the description of the mode of " duck driving." Moore's Harbor, on the western side of the island, was so named from Captain John Moore, one of the early settlers of the town of Castinc, whose business in part 282 An Historical Sketch. was fishing in a small vessel in that vicinity and who frequently made that harbor an anchoring-place. Conclusion. I have now finished my work; I think I have recorded everything of consequence in earljr events here that has come to my knowledge. It has taken a wider range than was anticipated when I began it, and, from causes already named, it cannot be expected to be in all instances exactly correct, but I have giv^en the reader the information I have received. I hope it may be of interest to us who are now here and those whose birthplace was in this town but who are not now residents. Here I have passed the active part of my life, and increasing years admonish me that I must soon follow those who have gone before. To my fellow-citizens of the town who have so many times bestowed upon me marks of their confidence, I tender my sincere thanks, and to them I dedicate this book. INDEX. Ackley, Mr., marriage of, io8. Adams, George, marriage of, 52. Adams, Rev. Jonathan, and family, 273- Adams, U. S. frigate, affair of, inWar of 1812, 224. Alexander, Ezekiel, and family, 162. Allen, Rev. Samuel, and family, 154. Angell, Dr. David, and family, 143. Annis, Benjamin, Rolf, and Simon, 265. Babbidge, Courtney, Sr., and family, log. Babbidge, William, and family, 90. Ball, Ebenezer, marriage of, 163. Ball, Nathan, marriage of, 150. Banks, Richard, and family, 176. Barbour, Solomon, and family, 134. Barter, Henry, and family, 187. Barter, Peletiah, and family, 187. Barter, William, and family, 188. Benson, Jephtha, and family, 171. Benson, Rufus, 169. Billings, Daniel, and family, 173. Billings, John, and family, 42. Billings, Timothy, and family, 174. Black, Shadrach, marriage of, 174. Blaster, Noah, and family, 176. Bray, Nathaniel, and family, 82. Bray, William, and family, 137. Brimhall, Cornelius, lot of, 107. Brown, Rev. Joseph, and family, 148, 271. Brown, Richard, marriage of, 106. Bryant, Miss Betty, 135. Buckminster, Thomas, and family. Bunker, Mr., great age of, 168. Business, agricultural conditions, etc., 293. Calef, Dr. John, s>. Campbell, David, marriage of, 83. Campbell, John, and family, 50. Carlton, Jacob, and family, 200. Carman, Levi, and family, 73. Carney, Michael, settlement of, 39. Census from 1790 to 1880, 38. Chatto, Charles, and family, 166. Children bom of white parents, first, 22. ^ Childs, James, 1S4. Choate, George O., and family, 167. Church, allotment of land for sup- port of, 37. Church, building of, 269. Church, early records of, 263. Church, formation of Baptist, 149, 221, 275. Church, notices of pastors of, 270. Churches in town, other, 276. Clarke, Ezekiel A., 169. Clifton, Joseph, and family, 162. Closson, Nathan, and family, 43. Colby, Ambrose, and family, 81. Colby, Joseph, Jr., and family, 115, 153- Colby, Joseph, Sr., and family, 113. Cole, Benjamin, and family, 91. Collins, John, and family, 199. Collins, Dr. William F., marriage of, 142. Conary, Thomas, and family, 55. Conclusion, 282. Conley, Patrick, marriage of, 193. 283 284 Index. Cornwallis, Lord, news of the sur- render of, carried to Bagaduce, 29. Coville, Judah, 25. Crawford, Rev. William, 21. Crockett, Isaac, marriage of, 190. Crockett, John, drowning of, 180. Crockett, Josiah, and family, 103. Crockett, Robinson, and family, 103. Cross, John, 184. Curtis, Lot, settlement of, 87. Cutter, Mr., drowning of, 179. Davis, Roswell P., 263. Discoverers, probable earliest, 6. Douglass, John, 174. Douglass, Robert, and family, 195. Dow, Nathan, and family, 70. " Duck-driving," description of, 17. Duncan, James, and family, 155. Dunham, Elijah, and family, 86. Eaton, Asa B., and family, 65. Eaton, Edward, and family, 65. Eaton, Eliakim, and family, 16S. Eaton, Jeremiah, and family, 65. Eaton, Jonathan, and family, 85. Eaton, Solomon, and family, 170. Eaton, Theophilus, and family, 71. Eaton, William, Jr., and family, 67. Eaton, William, Sr., and family, 39. Emerson, Joshua, and family, 92. Extent of town as incorporated in 1789, 203. Ferguson, Benjamin P., 147. Fifield, Avery, and family, 151. Finney, John, and family, 166. Foster, John, and family, 140. Foster, William, and family, 48. Freeze, Abraham, Isaac, and John, 107. Freeze, George, and family, 1 1 1. Gibson, James, and family, 136. Gilbert, Daniel, and family, 194. Gordon, Amos, and family, 81. Goss, John, 259. Grant, Elisha, and family, 201. Grant of one hundred acres each to settlers of Deer and Sheep Islands, 34- Grant to Tyler brothers, 36. Grants of territory in which Deer Island was included, 8, 34. Gray, Isaac, and family, 172. Gray, Jeremiah, and family, 132. Gray, Josiah, and family, 132. Green, Asa, and family, 62. Green, Sullivan, marriage of, 153. Greenlaw, Alexander, Charles, Eb- enezer, Jonathan, and William, 41. Greenlaw, Richard, and family, 136. Greenlaw, William, 2d, and family, 59- Gross, George, and family, 121. Gross, Jacob, and family, 185. Gross, Moses, and family, 156. Grover, George and William, mar- riages of, 126. Hallett, Henry W., marriage of, 52. Hamilton, Solomon, 198. Hardy, Peter, Jr., and family, 64, 177. Hardy, Peter, Sr., and family, 63. Harris, Joseph, and family, 172. Harvey, John, and family, 201. Haskell, Aaron S., and family, 145. Haskell, Abijah, Jr., and family, 177. Haskell, Abijah, Sr., and famil3% 68. Haskell, Caleb, and family, 70. Haskell, Francis, and family, 75, 76, 77- Haskell, Ignatius, Jr., and family, 146. Haskell, Ignatius, Sr., and family, 80. Haskell, Joshua, and family, 90. Haskell, Mark, Jr., and family, 78. Haskell, Mark, Sr., and family, 74. Haskell, Mark, 3d, and family, 146. Haskell, Nathan, and family, 69. Haskell, Solomon, and family, 147. Hatch, Seth, and family, 127. Index. 285 Hayden family, 150. Hendrick, James, and family, 176. Herrick, Dr. Amos A., marriage of, 142. Holbrook, Elisha, and family, 193. Holden, Amasa, and family, 138. Holmes, Channcey, and family, 190. Holt, Stephen, 18. Hooper, John and William, 88. Horton, John, 128. Hosmer, George L., marriage of, 159. House, first framed, in town, 20. Houses, oldest, now in town, 21, 266. Howard, Edward, 72, 180. Howard, Ezra, and family, 80. Howard, John, and family, 66. Incorporation Act of 1789, 36, 211 Incorporation Act of 1868, 37. Incorporation of Isle au Haut, 37, 178. Indian occupancy, evidences of, 9. Ingalls, Nathaniel, marriage of, 66. Islands, settlement of other, 36, 178. Isle au Haut, settlement of, 36, 178. Johnson, Nathan, and family, 88. Jordan, James, and family, 104. Joyce, James, and family, 140. Judkins, Leonard, marriage of, 114. Kelsey, Robert, marriage of, 150. Kempton, Charles-, and family, 190. Kench, Thomas, military record of, Kent, Nathaniel, and "Kent Claim," 18. Kimball, George, and family, 186. Knight, Mr., marriage of, 68. Knowlton, Benjamin, and family, 197. Knowlton, Robert, and prisoners of war, 224 Lamson, Thomas, marriage of, 78. Land-titles and surveys, 34. Lane, Hezekiah, and family, 125. Lane, Oliver, and family, 1 24. Lanpher, Stephen, 199. Lawry, John L., marriage of, 175. Leland, Ebenezer, and family, 191. Limebumer, Cunningham, 55. Linn, Robert, settlement of, 46. Little Deer Island, settlement of, 168. Localities, origin of names of, 278. Longevity, instances of, 22, 209. Low, Nathan, and family, 137. Loyalists among the first settlers, 25. Loyalists, removal of, at close of war, 31- Loyalists, cruelty to one of the, 33. Lufkin, Benjamin, and family, 96. Lufkin, Daniel, and family, 162. Lufkin, Henry, and family, 161. Lunt, Micajah, and family, 107. Marble Company, the, 46. Marriages, performance of earliest, 21. Marshall, Ephraim, and family, 78. Marshall, Ezekiel, and family, 75. Matthews, Willard and William, marriages of , 184, 185. McClintock, Samuel, marriage of, 125- McDonald, John, 259. McDonald, Laughlin, great age of, 169. Merchant, Anthony, Sr., and family, 182. Merithew, Aaron, and family, 199. Merithew, Benjamin, and family, 198. Mills, 18. Morey, Elias, and family, 164. Morey, Ezekiel, and family, 89. Morey, Stephen B., marriage of, 152. Municipal records from 1 789 to 1882, 211. Name, probable origin of, 9. Nason, Robert, and family, 82. Niles, Jesse, and family, 70. Noyes, Joseph, and family, 148. Noyes, Samuel, marriage of, 90. 286 Index. Page, Noah, 193. Parker, James, marriage of, 81. Parker, James E., 172. Parsonage lot, 37, 82. Parsonage lot, building of house on, 219. Perry, Peter, marriage of, 83. Physicians, notices of, 208. Pickering, Samuel, Sr., and family, 149. Pittee, Samuel, marriage of, 173. Powers, Rev. Peter, and family, 133. Powers, Rev. Peter, call of, 264. Powers, Rev. Peter, farm and house of, 264, 266. Pressey, John, Sr., and family, 83, 87. Pressey, John, 3d, and family, 179. " Proprietors," 35. Raynes, Benjamin, and family, 160. Raynes, James, 96. Raynes, John, Sr., and familj', 94. Raynes, Joseph, and family, 159. Raynes, Samuel, 96. Raynes, William, 2d, and family, 158. Rea, Benjamin, 265. Ready, Michael, and family, i66. Redman, George W., 262. Reed, Dr. Abiel, and family, 69, 208. Revolutionary army, soldiers of, 25. Revolution, conditions during, 26. Rhodeisland, Reuben, 139. Rich, John, and family, 197. Richards, William, settlement of, 124. Richardson, Asa, 52, 57. Ring, William, marriage of, 58. Robbins, Nathaniel, and family, 108. Robbins, Thomas, Jr., and family, 57- Robbins, Thomas, Sr., and family, 122. Robertson, James, and family, 200. Rowell, Hezekiah, and family, 144. Russ, Charles A., 261. Russell, Sidney, and family, 139. Salt, early manufacture of, 15. Saunders, James, and family, 85. Sawyer, David, and family, 151. Sawyer, Ebenezer, and family, 189. Schools, allotment of land for sup- port of , 37. Scott, Nathaniel, and family, 60. Sellers, Charles, and family, 10 1. Sellers, Joseph, and family, 102. Sellers, William, Jr., and family, 164. Settlers, first, and early inhabitants, notices of, 39. Settlers, life and hardships of first, 10. Settlers, list of first, 24. " Shaving mill," depredations of, 30. Sheldon, Mr., and family, drowning of, 179. Shipwrecks, men and vessels lost by, 206. Simpson, Silvious, marriage of , 152. Small, Andrew, and family, 106. Small, Edward, and family, 1 16. Small, Job, and family, 100. Small, Michael, and family, 165. Small, Naylor, and family, 165. Small, Thomas, Sr., and family, 97. Smith, Abiathar, and family, 192, 194. Smith, David, and family, 127, 184. Smith, Simon, and family, 163. Snowman, Michael D., 175. Spinney, Ebenezer, marriage of, 173. Spofford, Pearl, and family, 141. Sprowl, Mr., 193. Staples, Mrs. Mercy, and family, 45. Staples, Samuel, and family, 128. Stinson, Benjamin, and family, 127. Stinson, Thomas, Jr., and family, IIS- Stinson, Thomas, Sr., and family, 51. Stockbridge, Benjamin, and family, 125- Index. 287 Swain, William, and family, 173. Switzer, William, marriage of, 152. Sylvester, Edmund, and family, 1 20. Tart, Preston J., 262. " Temperance riot, the," 234. Territorial limits of town, 203. Thompson. Thomas, and family, 44. Thurlow, Carr, marriage of, 113. Thurlow, David, and family, 152. Thurston, John, and family, 126. Tolman, George, marriage of, 142. Toothaker, Elijah, and family, 58. Torrey, David, and family, 157. Torrey, John, and family, 157. Torrey, Jonathan, Jr., and family, 156. Torrey, Jonathan, Sr., and family, 46. " Tour," working out of, 26. Trundy, Samuel, and family, 93. Turner, Calvin, and family, 192. Turner, Samuel, and family, 188. Tyler, Belcher, and family, 113. Tyler, George, 112. Tyler, Joseph, and family, iii. Tyler, Thomas, and family, 195. Van Meter, Oliver, and family, 139. Walton, Charles, marriage of, 165. War, Civil, list of men killed in, 254. Wardwell, Eliakim, and family, 40. Warren, Richard, and family, 57, III. Warren, Thomas, and family, 57. Webb, Samuel, 116. Webb, Seth, and family, 117, 185. Webster, Ebenezer, and family, 97. Webster, Jonathan, 90, 122. Webster, Nathaniel, marriage of, 48. Weed, Benjamin, and family, 129, 177. Whitmore, Joseph, and family, 123. Whitten, Joel, marriage of, 106. Williams, Peter, and family, 139. Wilson, Henry, and family, 199. Witherspoon, Rodney K., 261. Work, resources for this, 202. Yeaton, William, and family, 189. York, Benjamin, and family, 55. " Young settlers," 35. Young, William, 220. CONNECTIONS WITH NON-RESIDENT FAMILIES BY MARRIAGES WITH : Adams, Mr., 64. Alexander, Edward, 92. Alexander, Miss, 120. Amazene, Lucretia, 186. Arey, Joseph, 183. Atwood, Frances, 198. Austin, Mr., 208. Avcrill. John, 85. Babson, Abraham, 96. Bagley, Betsey, 195. Barnes, Edward, 45. Barton, Betsey, 77. Beal, John, 127. Bell, William, 147. Bickmore, Mr., 189. Billings, Benjamin, 43. Billings, Solomon, 72. Black, Joab, 189. Blunt, Mary, 50. Briggs, Dr. Charles \., 74. Bunker, Mary, i68. Burrage, Benjamin, 196. Calderwood, Mr., 89. Calef, Polly, 53. Candage, Gideon, 115. Candage, Samuel, 44. 288 Index. Carey, Ann, 93. Carlton, Dudley, 51. Carruth, Mr., 44. Carter, John, 43. Carter, Miss, 173. Carter, Mr., 44. Chase, Hepzibah, 84. Chase, Miss, 83. Clark, Mr., 184. Clark, Robert, 158. Clark, Willard, 186. Clough, James, 74. Coffin, Samuel, 194. Collier, Charles, 153. Coombs, Sarah, 198. Cooper, James, 196. Cooper, Thomas, 196. Copp, Daniel G., 60. Crockett, Solomon, 53. Cross, Hannah Beck, 146. Cummings, Mr., 92. Curtis, George, 194. Cushman, Deborah, 120. Daggett, Elizabeth, 58. Dale, Rev. Wigglesworth, 69. Darling, Jedediah, 115. Davenport, Mr., 149. Davis, William, no. Day, Mr., 89. Deering, Mr., 114. Dexter, Mr., 65. Doane, John, 193. Dodge, Jonah, 96. Doe, Dr. Theophilus, 80. Dorr, Israel, 100. Dorr, William, 187. Drew, Alexander, 116. Dyer, Isabel, 54. Dyer, Miss, 191. Eaton, Jonathan, 124. Edson, Mr., 89. Ellis, Lois, 194. Faxon, Deborah, 134. Fellows, Abigail, 72. Ferguson, John, 74. Ferrill, Mr., 130. Fife, William, 164. Foote, Mr., 163. Foss, Mr., 51. Fowles, Phebe, iii Freeze, George, 53. Full, Mr., 58. Fuller, Joshua, 163. Getchell, Daniel, 192 Gott family, 127. Gray, John, 169. Gray, Miss, 172. Gray, Miss, 176. Grover, Mr., 105. Hall, Samuel, 167. Harding, David, 127. Harding, Isaac, 58. Harding, Mr., 72. Harmon, Abigail, 94. Hazen, Enoch P., 61 Hazen, Mr., 45. Hews, Paoli, 187. Higgins, Mr., 191. Hooper, Jeremiah, 54. Hooper, Mr., 127. Hopkins, Miss, 200. Howard, Benjamin, 170 Howard, Edward, 83. Jarvis, James, 73. Johnson, Miss, 167. Johnson, Mrs., 81. Jones, Susan, 172. Joy, Mr., 78. Kellar, Henry, 115. Kennison, Nathaniel, 45 Kent, Benjamin, 127. Kettletas, Mr., 62. Kidder, Stephen, 49. Kimball, Francis, 119. Kingsley, Mr., 94. Leman, John, 156. Littlefield, Thomas, 187 Long, Mr., 43. Look, Lois, 154. Lucas, J. P., 159. Index. 289 Lunt, Mary, 99. Maclntire, Mr., 49. Manchester, Mr., 132. Marks, Ebenezer, 55. Matthews, Miss, 175. McMullen, Mr., 96. Merithew, Benajia, 187. Merrill, John S., 187. Moore, Daniel, 120. Moulton, Rufus H., 66. Norton, Patience, 114. Obear, Samuel, 49. Parker, John H., 134. Parker, Timothy, 172. Perkins, Deborah, 165. Pettingill, Mr., 67. Pierce, Josiah, 197. Pritchard, Martha, 80. Putnam, Miss, 64. Randall, Joseph, 98. Raymond, John, 112. Raymond, Mr., 187. Reed, Sarah, 194. Rendell, Miss, 190. Roberts, Amaziah, 55. Robinson, the Misses, 95, 104. Ross, Mrs. (Kench), 171. Short, Mr., 67, 68. Shute, Dorothy, 76. Smith, Abigail, 193. Smith, John, 183. Smith, ]\Iiss, 197. Smith, Mr., 49. Snow, Larkin, 106. Spencer, Mr., 58. Stevens, Jonathan L., 80. Stewart, Charles, 170. Stickney, Mary, 80. Stinson, Miss, 190, 192. Stover, Jeremiah, 74. Sweet, Mr., 89. Thurlow, Betsey, 114. Tibbetts, Mrs. Martha, 171. Trott, John S., 106. Trowbridge, Mr., 74. Tuttle, Mr., 130. Ward, Mr., 154. Ware, Nathaniel, 115. Waters, David J., 49. Webster, Joseph, 84. Wells, Miss, 174. Wescott, Mercy, 100. Wilkinson, Mr., 150. Wilson, Jacob, 193. Winship, Hannah, 117. Winslow family, 120. Woods, Josiah B., 85. Wooster, Mr., 63, 89. Wright, Mr., 115. York, George, 124. York, Solomon, 54. / ."i- ^^^ x^^"- ■i>_, •i^ • \ .^^' . ^ \'^^ . « ^ '" < -o r >.. v6 -n^. '-f^. -^ '^."^^ .<^ >''^. '^ - ^^ -bo ,^^ -^^.^ ,0 0^ .0^ >.v -. * ' « V tfSj\ '^ .•^x ^^%, ^0^ : "**v'- >/* * .A 0' ?5 -n^. .v' X • ^ > 0"^ ^ -- ' ^ ' O a"^ ^ o.'^' ^<^. ' .- '-p /\^ -^^ rO^ « ^^. .-I -r. >Z- C ^. oV- A'- '^ ''^.^ V^^ v^ S V,