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H I S T O E Y

TOWN OF GORHAM,

M A.I ]S^E.

PREPARED AT THE REQUEST OF THE TOWN,

BY JOSIAH PIEECE.

PORTLAND:

FOSTER & GUSHING, AND BAILET & NOTES.
Printed by Foster & Cushing, oyer Caaco Bank.
1862.

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PEEFACE.

A praiseworthy desire has of late been manifested in
many towns in New England, to gather up the trustworthy
documents relating to the early settlement and progress of
our plantations, and to rescue from the oblivion to which
they are rapidly hastening, the records of the enterprise,
courage, and sufferings, of our early ancestors.
Such local statistics must be interesting to the citizens of
those places to which they relate, and valuable to historians
of our country, as furnishing reliable data to aid them in the
composition of their works.
I have devoted some time in investigating the early settle
ment of the town of Gorham^ and tracing its growth, till it
became, what it now is, one of the most populous, wealthy,
and important inland towns in Maine.
I have thought a historical memoir of the place would be
acceptable to its present inhabitants, and not wholly unin
teresting to the people of our State generally.
"With these views, I have compiled the following pages,
and now commit them to the public eye.
In the preparation of this work, I have been much as
sisted in gathering materials, by several gentlemen. M. G.
Hay den, Esq., Town Clerk, has at all times given me a free

IV. PREFACE.
use of all the Town Records in his possession. I have
also received valuable aid from Hon. Frederic Robie. Es
pecially am I indebted to Col. Hugh D. McLellan, who has
kindly ftirnished me with many historical facts and tradi
tions, and loaned me his numerous and valuable family
manuscripts and traditional papers, from which I have gath
ered many interesting facts.
J. PIEECE.
GnOEHAM, January, 1862.

G O E H A M.

CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTORT.
Within a few years a general wish has prevailed, to
gather up and preserve the facts relating to the settlement
and early progress of our town. The movement is credita
ble to our citizens, and we regret that this interest had not
been earlier excited, while fuller records, and the actors
themselves in these proceedings were accessible.
In many of our towns all the early settlers have passed
away. The records of proprietors and plantations, in many
instances, been lost or destroyed. We can now only make
the best use we can of the materials within our reach, —
family records, grave-stone inscriptions, and floating and
oftentimes unreliable traditions.
The sea coast and islands of Maine had been discovered
more than a hundred years by Sebastian Cabot, before any
settlement was made by Europeans. After some islands
and a few places on the main land by the sea side, had been
occupied by Englishmen, another century went by before
permanent settlements were effected in the interior. There
were several causes for this ; the principal of which were,
the greater facility of obtaining the necessaries of living

6 HISTORY OF GORHAM.
near the ocean, and the greater security from the hostile
attacks of the Indians and Canadian French. Thus Fal
mouth (now Portland), and Scarborough, were settled a
fall hundred years before the adjoining interior town of
Gorham. Falmouth was occupied by Englishmen in 1632,
and Scarborough as early as 1633. The first settler moved
into Gorham in 1736.
The town of Gorham embraces an area of somewhat more
than six miles square. Its contents, as is the case of most
of the early located towns in the State, exceeds the granted
quantity. The surveyors employed, a century ago, made
liberal allowances for waste land in the shape of ponds, bogs
and mountains. An allowance of one rod in thirty for swag
of chain, was also a general practice of surveyors, in laying
out new townships, between sixty and one hundred years
ago ; and such allowances were sanctioned by government
at that period. Hence most of the towns in Maine, that
were located during the last century, are found, on a strict
measurement, to contain a larger surface, than are indicated
by their grants or charters.
The territory of the town of Gorham is circumscribed by
an irregular figure of very unequal sides ; its longest side
is that on Presumscot river ; its shortest, the dividing line
between Gorham and Westbrook. The former bein^ about
eight, the latter three miles in length. It is bounded
easterly by Presumscot river which divides it from the town
of Windham ; south-easterly by Westbrook ; southerly by
Scarborough ; south-westerly and westerly by Buxton ; and
northerly by Standish.
The surface of the town is what is called a roUino- coun
try. In the northerly part is a plain of considerable extent ;
but much the larger part of Gorham is hilly. The hills are
uniformly of gentle and even ascent, being nowhere preci
pitous, or too steep for cultivation. Large and windino-

INTRODUCTORY. 7
valleys are spread out between the swells of land, and the
whole is bountifully watered by springs and streams ; in a
few places the soil is sandy, but a clayey loam is the pre
vailing soil. Fort Hill is the highest eminence, and from its
summit can be seen most of the town and a large extent of
the surrounding country, and waters of the ocean ; its sides
are long slopes, easily ascended and covered with excellent
farms. The town is not rocky ; the northerly part contains
some granite, and limestone is found in some places. The
prevailing stone is argillaceous slate, laying in ledges. It is
believed that there is not so much as two acres of surface
in any one place unfit for cultivation. It is, without doubt,
one of the best agricultural townships in Maine.
Presumscot river washes its whole eastern boundary, and
affords, by its numerous falls, many eligible water privileges
for manufacturing purposes.
Stroudwater river traverses the southern section of the
town ; and Little river, rising in Buxton, within two miles
of the Saco, enters Gorham on its western boundary ; and,
after flowing in a very winding channel, affording many
mill sites, and forming and watering many fertile intervales,
it falls into the Presumscot river on the eastern side of the
town. Formerly there was a fine growth of large pine trees in
the township, interspersed with ash, birch, beech, maple,
oak, hemlock, fir, spruce, elm and walnut trees ; the more
valuable part of the pine has long since been cut and carried
away. This town seems to have been first resorted to by
white men for lumbering purposes ; they came first for
masts, of which the noble pines that were numerous here
a^rded a large supply. After saw mills were erected on
Presumscot and Saccarappa falls, logs for boards, which
were easily floated down Presumscot river, M^ere in de
mand.

8 HISTORY OF GORHAM.
Gorham, though having within its limits places bearing
Indian names, was never, as far as is known, the residence
of any particular tribe of the natives. It was sometimes
occupied for awhile as the camping ground of roving parties
of Indians, from the Ossipee, Pequawket, Androscoggin,
and Sokokis or Saco tribes. These with the St. Francois
Indians of Canada, with whom the remnant of the Pequaw-
kets united after their signal defeat by LoveU, at Fryeburg,
in 1725, would make this town their summer residence, and
planted large fields of com in some localities, and it was
their great thoroughfare from Sebago Lake to. Saco and
Scarborough. There are no traditions of Indian grants or
Indian claims of land in Gorham.
Several families from Canada resided here for some years
for the sake of easy access to the trading houses of the
English on the coast, where they could barter their furs,
baskets and various trinkets, for such articles as they most
needed. The early settlers of Gorham were greatly harrassed for
several years by the Canada Indians. Crops were destroy
ed, cattle killed, a few white persons killed, and a few
carried away captive to Canada. These annoyances contin
ued till the French power passed away by the conquest of
Quebec by Wolfe in 1769. That victory put an end to the
Indian depredations in this part of Maine.
The wars between France and England always drew into
the conflict the colonies of the two nations in North Amer
ica. Hence the inhabitants of New-England had to be in a
state of warlike preparation at all times. For the first
century after the settlement of Massachusetts, her men
were frequently engaged in military expeditions ; sometimes
against the French — sometimes against the Indians — fre
quently against both combined. The colonies were poor,
and the Legislatures of the same had slender means of

INTRODUCTORY. 9
paying the expenses of the military or remunerating the
soldiers except by grants of wild lands. Most of the Pro
vincial grants were therefore made for military services.
The township of Gorham was granted for such services.
Seven townships, of which this town was one, were granted
to the ofiicers and soldiers, or their representatives, who
served in what was called King Philip's war, or the Narra-
gansett fight. The grant was made by the General Court
of Massachusetts ; first of two townships in 1728, and five
more in 1732. The number of grantees was 840.

10 HISTORY or GORHAM.

CHAPTER II.
THE GRANTS.
BY THE GOVERNOR AND COMPANY OF THE MASSACHU
SETTS BAY, IN NEW ENGLAND.
At a General Court for Elections held at Boston, 21th
of May, 1685.
In answer to the petition of William Bassett, John Lin-
sey, Robert Porter, Sen'r, and twenty-two more inhabitants
of Lyn, Jeremiah Swain, Samuel Damon, Samuel Lamb-
son, William Robbins, James Pyke, John and James Nich
ols of Reading, Wm. Raymond, and five more of Beverly,
and Samuel Lincoln, and three more of Hingham, as on the
petition on file, The Court judgeth it meet to grant the pe
titioners a tract of land in Nipmug country of eight miles
square for their encouragement, and others that were ser
viceable to the country in the late Indian War, to a compe
tent number who shall see meet to join themselves to them,
in order to the making of a Plantation or Township, provi
ded it be laid out as not to interfere with any former
grants, and that an Orthodox Minister, on their settlement
of thirty families, be settled within the space of four years
next coming.
A true copy of the original Records of the General
Court.
Attest: EDWARD D. BANGS,
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

THE GRANTS. 11
Thursday, December 14,- 1727.
On the petition of Samuel Chandler, Jacob Wright, &c.,
in behalf of themselves and others praying, as entered
July 1, 1727.
In the House op Representatives. Resolved, That
Major Thomas Tilestone, Capt. John Alden, Mr. Edward
Shove, Mr. Nathaniel Healy, of Newton, Mr. Samuel Chan
dler, of Concord, John Wainwright and Ezra Bourne,
Esqs., (any four of whom to be a Quorum) be a Committee
fuUy authorized and empowered to survey and lay out two
tracts of Lands for townships, of the contents of six miles
square, of the unappropriated Lands of this Province, and
that the said lands be granted and disposed of to the per
sons, whether officers or soldiers, belonging to this Province,
who were in the service of their country in the said Narra-
gansett War, or to their lawful representatives, as a reward
for their public services, and in full satisfaction of the grant
formerly made them by the Great and General Court, and
forasmuch as it is the full intent and purpose of this Court,
that every officer and soldier who served in said War,
should have a compensation made them over and above
what wages and gratuities any of them have already re
ceived ; that the said Committee give public notice in the
news-letters or otherwise, six months at least before the
time of their meeting, where and when they intend to
meet, so that every officer and soldier that served in the
said War, or the lawful representative of such as served
and are since deceased, may have an opportunity of enlist
ing their names with the said Committee, who are hereby
ordered to take a list accordingly, and when and so soon
as the said Committee has received a complete Hst of the
names of such persons as have served as aforesaid, or their
legal representatives (which they are enjoined to do with

12 history OF GORHAM.
all convenient speed) the Grantees shall be obliged to as
semble within as short a time as they can conveniently, and
proceed to the choice of a Committee to regulate each
society, who shall pass such orders and rules, as will effec
tually oblige them to settle sixty families in each township,
with a learned Orthodox Minister, within the space of seven
years from the date of the grant, Provided, nevertheless,
that if the said Grantees shall not effectually settle the said
number of families in each township, and also lay out a lot
for the first settled minister, one for the ministry, and one
for the school in each of the said townships, they shall take
no advantage, but forfeit the said Grant, any thing to the
contrary contained notwithstanding.
In Council, read and concurred with the amendments.
A true copy from the original Records of the General
Court.
Attest: EDWARD D. BANGS,
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Saturday, June 15, 1728.
In the House of Representatives. In answer to
the petition of the soldiers that served in the Narragansett
War, Resolved, That Major Chandler, Mr. Edward Shove,
Major Tilestone, and Mr. John Hobson, (or any three of
them) be a Committee fully authorized and empowered to
survey and lay out two townships of the contents of six
miles square each, in some of the unappropriated lands of
this Province ; and that the said lands be granted and dis
posed of to the persons, whether officers or soldiers, belong
ing to this Province, who were in the service of their
country in the said Narragansett War, or to their lawful
representatives, as a reward for their public services, and as

THE GRANTS. 13
a ftiU satisfaction of the grant formerly made them by the
Great and General Court, and inasmuch as it is the full
intent and purpose that every officer and soldier who served
in the said war, should have a compensation made him
over and above what wages and gratuities any of them
have already received. That public notice be given in the
news-letters, and advertisements posted up in every town in
the Province, notifying all persons that now survive, and
were in that fight, and the legal representatives of those
deceased, that they give or send a list of their names and
descents to the Court in their next Fall Session ; and when
such list is completed by a Committee then to be appointed
by this Court, the Grantees shall be obliged to assemble in
as short a time as they can conveniently, not exceeding six
months, and proceed to the choice of a Committee to regu
late each Propriety, who shall pass such Orders and Rules
as will effectually oblige them to ^pettle sixty families at least,
in each township, with a learned Orthodox Minister, within
the space of seven years from the date of the grant. Provi
ded, nevertheless, if the said Grantees!] shall not*^ effectually
settle the said number of families in each township, and also
lay out a Lot for the said settled Minister, one for the Min
istry, and one for the School, in each of the said townships,
they shall have no advantage, but forfeit their said grants,
any thing to the contrary herein contained notwithstanding.
In Council, read and concurred.
Consented to.
W. DUMMER.
A true copy from the original Records of the General
Court. Attest: EDWARD D. BANGS,
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

14 history of GORHAM. Friday, June 9, 1732.
A petition of Thomas Tilestone and others, a Committee
in behalf of the Officers and Soldiers in the Narragansett
War, praying the revival of a vote passed by both houses
on their former petition, given in at the last Winter Session,
for enlarging the grant of Land formerly made to them in
consideration of their great services to this Province in the
said war.
In the House of Representatives. Read, and in
answer to this Petition, Ordered, That such further grant
be made the Petitioners, as that every one hundred and
twenty persons, whose claims have been, or shall be allowed
of by this Court within four months of this time, may have
a township of the contents of six miles square, under the
same restrictions and limitations with these towns already
granted, and that the Committee formerly appointed to
lay out the Towns of the Narragansett Soldiers, be a Com
mittee to lay out the land above granted, and the Province
be at the charge of laying out the same, but not of any
subdivisions to any particular persons.
In Council, read and concurred.
Consented to.
A true copy from the original Records of the General
Court.
Attest: EDWARD D. BANGS,
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Thursday, April 26, 1733.
A Petition of a Committee for the Narragansett Soldiers,
shewing that there are the number of eight hundred and

. THE GRANTS. 15
forty persons entered as Officers and Soldiers in the late
Narragansett War, praying that there may be such an ad
dition of Land granted to them as may allow a tract of six
miles square to each one hundred and twenty-seven men so
admitted. In the House of Representatives. Read, and Or
dered, That the prayer of the Petition be granted, and that
Major Chandler, Mr. Edward Shove, Col. Thomas Tiles
tone, Mr. John Hobson, and Mr. Samuel Chandler, (or any
three of them) be a Committee frilly authorized and em
powered to survey and lay out five more tracts of land for
townships, of the contents of six miles square each, in some
of the unappropriated lands of this Province, and the said
lands (together with the two towns before granted) be
granted and disposed of to the officers and soldiers who
were in the Narragansett War, or to their lawful representa
tives, as they are or have been allowed by this Court, being
eight hundred and forty in number in the whole, and is in
full satisfaction ' of the Grant formerly made them by the
General Court, as a reward for their public services, and
the Grantees shaU be obliged to assemble within as short
time as they can conveniently, not exceeding the space
of two months, and proceed to the choice of Committees
respectively to regulate each Proprietary or Township,
which is to be held and enjoyed by one hundred and twenty
of the Grantees, each in equal proportion, who shall pass
such Orders and Rules as shall effectually oblige them to
settle sixty families within each township, with a learned
Orthodox Minister, within the space of seven years from the
date of this grant. Provided, always, that if the said Gran
tees shall not effectually settle the said number of families
in each township, and also lay out a lot for the first settled
Minister, one for the Ministry, and one for the School in

16 history of goeham.
each of the said townships, they shall have no advantage
of, but forfeit their respective grants, any thing to the con
trary contained notwithstanding ; the charge of the survey
to be paid by the Province.
In Council, read and concurred. Consented to.
J. BELCHER.
A true copy from the original Records of the General
Court. Attest: . EDWARD D. BANGS,
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Wednesday, February 2, 1736.
In Council, Voted, That Shubael Goreham, Esquire, be
empowered and directed to assemble the Grantees of the
township granted to the Soldiers under the command of
Capt. John Goreham, in the Canada expedition in 1690, in
such place, and on such time as he shall think fit, then to
choose a Moderator and Proprietors' Clerk, to agree upon
Rules, Methods, and Orders, for the division and disposal of
the said Propriety, in the most proper method for the
speedy fulfilment of the conditions of their grant, and agree
upon methods for calling fature meetings.
In the House op Representatives, read and con
curred. Consented to.
J. BELCHER.
A true copy from the original Records of the General
Court. Attest: EDWARD D. BANGS,
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

THE GEANTS. 17
Monday, July 5, 1736.
In the House op Representatives. Ordered, That
Shubael Goreham, Esq., be, and hereby is, fully authorized
and empowered to assemble and convene, in some suitable
place, and, as soon as may be, the Grantees of the Narra
gansett town. Number Seven, adjoining to Falmouth and
Presumpsutt River, in the County of York, made to the
Narragansett officers and soldiers In the company under the
command of the late Capt. John Goreham, deceased, and in
answer to the petition of the said Shubael Goreham, Esq.,
that the said Grantees in such time and place, make choice
of a Proprietors' Clerk, and pass such Rules and Orders as
may be agreeable to the conditions of the Grant, for bring
ing forward the settlement of the township, and also to
agree on some regular method how to call Proprietors'
meetings for the future.
In Council. Read and concurred.
Consented to.
J. BELCHER.
A true copy from the original Records of the General
Court. Attest: EDWARD D. BANGS,
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

During the administration of Governors Dummer and
Burnet, the government of Massachusetts had been sparing
of the public domain. People were cautious of settling at
any considerable distance from the coast, while Indian wars
were raging or impending. About 1727, the government
began to favor the settlement of new townships, and the
3

18 HISTOEY OF GOEHAM.
Governor recommended surveys and appropriations of land
for settlers. The first grants were for military services.
By making these grants the government effected two desir
able objects. They paid the claims of meritorious officers
and soldiers, by lands, which they could more easily do than
make remuneration with money ; and secondly, they gave
strength and security to the province by settling new towns
with hardy, industrious and virtuous citizens.
The grantees of the town of Gorham were a portion of
the 840 Massachusetts, men and their heirs, who bore arms
in the Narragansett Expedition, as it was called, in 1675.
As the grant of the town of Gorham grew out of the
Narragansett war, and as several of the lineal descendants
of those heroic men who fought in that terrible conflict, still
reside in this town, they cannot be supposed to be indiffer
ent to the history of those exertions which secured safety to
their families and peace and plenty to their posterity. It
may not, therefore, be amiss in tracing the history of our
town to go back and speak of those events that gave rise to
its settlement.

THE NAEEAGANSETT WAK. 19

CHAPTER III.
THE NARRAGANSETT WAR.
The Narragansett war, or as it was sometimes called,
Ejng Philip's war, he being the chief instigator and most
formidable leader, broke out in 1675. By some writers it is
denominated Paconoket war. Massasolt, a good friend to
the Plymouth settlers, had two sons named Wamsucket and
Metacomet. On their own request, the government of
Plymouth gave them the English names of Alexander and
Philip. Alexander died in 1662. Metacomet, or Philip,
was chief of the Wampanoags, of which Paconoket was a
branch or tribe.
Philip was an Indian of more than ordinary abilities ; a
man of sagacity, cunning, and unfaltering courage. He
formed a deep laid scheme to extirpate the English from
New England. To exterminate aU the whites, and by one
blow, forever rid his country of her invaders. This was
the avowed object of Philip. Long and profoundly did he
meditate on his project ; he spared no toil, fainted under no
labor or privations. He visited numerous tribes, and by
his arguments and eloquence, breathed something of his
own dauntless spirit into their ferocious warriors. With
great secrecy he effected an extensive confederacy, and
united in his enterprise the Pocassets, Narragansetts, Nip-
mugs, Connecticut River Indians, and numerous tribes of
the Abenaquis, or Eastern Indians. The Pennicooks of
New Hampshire ; the Ossipees, the Pequawkets, the Amer-

20 history of goeham.
iscogglns, the Norrldgewocks, and some of the Canada
tribes entered into his scheme. War became inevitable, and
It commenced as most Indian wars have, by a small party,
who made a night attack on the people of Swansey, a thinly
settled town adjoining Mount Hope, Philip's headquarters,
now in the town of Bristol, Rhode Island. Nine English
men were killed.
This occurred June 24, 1675. Other tribes immediately
commenced hostilities. The Nipmugs assaulted several
towns. In August, the Eastern Indians, on Saco and An
droscoggin rivers commenced their murders, and by Decem
ber they had killed about fifty English in Maine. Towards
winter Philip and his chief warriors returned to the Narra
gansett country.
Though Philip had succeeded in persuading many tribes
to engage in his scheme of exterminating the English in
America, he could not combine their forces so as to act in
unison. Neither Indian kings nor Indian councils, could
collect and keep together, for a long period, any considera
ble body of warriors. Their braves had no pay except the
spoils or plunder of their enemies. They made no provision
for the clothing or subsistence of their soldiers. Their wars
were a series of skirmishes. The Indians are ramblers ;
their mode of fighting was to suddenly and furiously attack
an unprotected place, in small, skulking parties, who made
their assaults in the darkness of night, or from an ambus
cade ; rush suddenly on their victims with yells and shout
ings, committing enormous cruelties and rapid devastation.
These violent assaults soon ceased, and the savages retired
to celebrate their victory and enjoy their plunder, and then
plan for another attack in some other quarter.
The Narragansetts, though pretending to be neutral,
were known to be friendly to Philip and afforded him assist
ance.

the NAEEAGANSETT WAR. 21
Surrounded as the colonists of Plymouth and Massachu
setts were, by pretended friends and implacable enemies,
they perceived the necessity of uniting their strength with
that of Connecticut, in order successfully to resist their un
relenting foes.
At that period, (1675) the whole white population of
New England did not probably exceed sixty thousand souls.
And every able bodied man, capable of bearing arms, was
commanded, to hold himself in readiness to march at the
shortest notice. The three States determined to attack and
vanquish the Narragansetts, the most numerous and power
ful of the Indian tribes. Rhode Island, though in the im
mediate neighborhood, does not appear to have ftirnished
any troops. Massachusetts raised six companies of soldiers ;
Connecticut five ; and Plymouth two. The Plymouth com
panies were commanded by Captains Rice and Gorham.
The Massachusetts and Plymouth forces were commanded
by Gov. Winslow of Plymouth. The whole number of
men composing the English army, was designed to be 1500 ;
but the whole white army, actually mustered but 1127 men.
The Narragansett battle was one of the most memorable
ever fought with savages. The hardship and sufferings of
that fight have scarcely a parallel. The battle was fought
on the 10th of Dec, (old style, Dec. 21st, new style,) 1675,
the shortest day of the year. The day previous was ex
tremely cold. Four hundred of the men, (more than one
third of the whole of the effective force,) were so frozen as
to be completely unfit for duty. The snow fell fast and deep ;
the soldiers marched all the preceding night through a tan
gled and pathless wood ; they waded through the snow till
an hour after noon, and then reached the swamp in which
the Indians had collected, and formed their wooden fortress.
The battle commenced immediately, and lasted six dread
ful hours. The entrance to the fort was narrow, and proved

22 HISTORY OF GOEHAM.
the gate of death to many of our men. Never was there
a greater exhibition of personal courage. " Victory was
with the white men" ; but it was by no means a blood
less one on the part of our fathers. Six brave Captains
fell on that day ! " Davenport, Gallop, Gardner, Johnson,
Marshall, ,and Sieley, led their companies through the nar
row entrance in the face of death, and left their lives as
a testimony of their patriotism and courage !" Of Capt.
Gorham's company thirty were killed and forty-one wound
ed. More than 700 Indian warriors were killed; besides
many women and children were slain by the assailants, or
were destroyed by flames and suffocation in the burning fort
and wigwams — ^not more than 200 or 300 Indians escaped.
This fortress was in a swamp, called Pattysquamscut.
" Thus," says Bancroft, " were swept away, the humble
glories of the Narragansetts! The winter stores of the
tribe, their curiously wrought baskets full of com, their
famous strings of wampum, their wigwams nicely warmed
with mats ; all the little comforts of savage life were con
sumed ; and more, their old men, their women, their babes,
perished by hundreds in the fire."
The victory was complete. The power of the Narragan
setts forever broken ! The Indians abandoned every hope,
but their feelings of hatred and revenge were not abated
or softened. Homeless and houseless, they sought to de
stroy the houses and homes of the white men ! Without
shelter and without food, they hid in swamps, or plundered
exposed dwellings. Town after town in Massachusetts,
Connecticut and Rhode Island, felt their vengeance and
were destroyed. Men, women, and children barbarously
murdered, or led into terrible captivity. Within a year
from the Narragansett fight, the dauntless Philip was killed
by a faithless Indian, his wife and only son made prisoners ;
and that son, the innocent young Prince, of the Paconokets,

THE NAEEAGANSETT WAR. 23
was sold for a slave in the Island of Bermuda. During
Philip's war about three thousand Indians were slain.
After the battle, which ended in the evening, our shatter
ed army left the ground in haste, and in another dismal
and boisterous night, were obliged to wade eighteen miles
through deep snow before the wounded could be dressed, or
any one receive refreshment.
The place where this memorable battle was fought, was
on an area of about five acres, on an island in a very large
swamp, in South Kingston, Rhode Island.
The death of Philip, and the overthrow of the Narragan
setts forever broke the power of the Indians in Massachu
setts. Her soldiers had suffered terribly by these savage
wars. Th-ey had now conquered their implacable foes, and
achieved ^ great and enduring benefit for their country.
Massachusetts was poor, and could pay her meritorious
officers and soldiers but small wages. The days of pensions
had not yet arrived in New England ; the Colony had no
means of remunerating her warriors except by grants of
unimproved public lands ; she therefore resorted to that
mode of compensation.
The officers and soldiers, who survived the sanguinary
conflict with the Narragansetts, petitioned the colonial leg
islature for a grant of land.* The first petition, I find, was
that of William Bassett and others. On this petition the
General Court made a grant of " a tract of land in the
Nipmug country, of eight mUes square," on certain condi
tions to be fulfilled by the grantees. The Nipmug country
was in Massachusetts, in the County of Worcester. This
grant was made In May, 1685, within ten years of the
Narragansett war. I cannot find that this eight mile square
grant was ever located.
*See copies of the Grants, ante.

24 HISTORY OF GOEHAM.
Whether the political troubles in the Province, at that
period, or the dissatisfaction of the grantees at the small-
ness of the grant, occasioned the failure, I know not ; but
I cannot find that any thing farther was done under that
grant. The next movement of the Narragansett soldiers, of
which I find any account, is a petition entered before the
Governor and Council, dated July 1st, 1727. This peti
tion was signed by Samuel Chandler and Jacob Wright, in
behalf of themselves and others.
In response to this petition, the General Court, by a Re
solve, empowered a Committee, by them appointed, to sur
vey and lay out two tracts of land, of the contents of six
miles square, of unappropriated lands of the Province, to
the persons who were in the service of their country in
the Narragansett war, or to their legal representatives.
(See Grant or Resolve, page 11.) This Resolve was passed
Dec. 14, 1727.
June 15, 1728, a Resolve was passed in answer to the
petition of the soldiers that served in the Narragansett war,
empowering Major Chandler, Mr. Edward Shove, Major
Tilestone, and Mr. John Hobson, or any three of them, to
survey and lay out two townships, of the contents of six
miles square, in satisfaction of the grants formerly made
the Narragansett soldiers. (See Resolve, page 12.) A pe
tition for enlarging the grant was presented to the General
Court in 1731-32. June 8, 1732, an order was made that
every 120 persons, whose claims were, or might be al
lowed within four months, may have -a township of six
miles square. And such a grant was made by the Gen
eral Court, April 26, 1733. This grant was passed, and
consented to by Governor Jonathan Belcher April 26
1733. It was found that 840 men, belonging to Massachusetts,

THE NAEEAGANSETT WAR. 25
carried arms In the Narragansett war. For these men,
and their heirs, the Legislature of that Province granted
seven townships ; two In 1728, and five more in 1732.
These seven townships were granted on the terms then gen
erally imposed, viz : — The grantees were to meet within
two months, and organize each propriety, to consist of 120
persons ; to settle sixty families in each new town in seven
years ; to settle a learned Orthodox minister ; to erect a
meeting house ; to clear a certain number of acres of land ;
and to reserve a certain proportion of the township for the
support of schools, the ministry, and the first settled minis
ter. The grantees were required to meet and choose com
mittees to superintend their general concerns and determine
the rights of the claimants. In accordance with these require
ments, the grantees held a meeting on Boston Common, on
the sixth day of June, 1733, at 2 o'clock, P. M., and formed
themselves into seven distinct societies, of 120 names each,
which should be entitled to one of the Narragansett town
ships. Three persons were chosen from each society, to
make out a list of the grantees, and to assign the townships
to each company, and to assemble the grantees of the re
spective societies to elect officers and manage their affairs.
At this meeting it was voted, that one of the societies, con
sisting of 120 persons, should consist mostly of proprietors
belonging to the towns of Barnstable, Yarmouth, Eastham,
Sandwich, Plymouth, Tisbury, Abington, Duxbury, and
one from Scituate. To this society, headed by the name of
Capt. John Gorham, was assigned township denominated
Narragansett, No. 7, which is now the town of Gorham.*
The seven committees (twenty-one men) met at Luke
Verdey's, in Boston, October 17, 1733, and assigned the
several townships as follows, viz : —
*For a list of the names of the Proprietors of Narragansett, No. 7, see
appendix. 4

26 HISTOEY OF GOEHAM.
Narragansett, No. 1, on Saco River, now Buxton, Me.
Narragansett, No. 2, at Wachuset, adjoining Rutland,
Mass. Narragansett, No. 3, on Souhegan River, now Amherst,
N.H. Narragansett No. 4, at Amoskeag, N. H.
Narragansett, No. 5, on Merrimac River, now Merrimac
and Bedford, N. H.
Narragansett, No. 6, called Southtown, now Templeton,
Mass. Narragansett, No. 7, on Presumscot River, now Gorham,
Me. The committee for the township of Narragansett, No. 7,
were Col. Shubael Gorham, Timothy White, and Robert
Standfort. At that meeting. Deacon Jonathan WiUiams,
of Boston, was chosen Treasurer of the whole Narragansett
Society or Grantees. At that time, 1733, but few of the
persons actually engaged in the Narragansett battle, were
living. The grant was made to the officers and soldiers of
that war, or some one representative of some officer or
soldier. " The true intent and meaning of the grant was,
that the persons only, who were in that war, should be en
titled to share in the grant."
And if such officer or soldier was deceased, then his legal
representatives were entitled to the benefit ; and when there
were diverse descendants of a person who had a right, they
should agree and consent it should belong to one only, viz :
to the oldest heir male, if such there be, otherwise the old
est heir female, (if they please) shall hold the land, paying
to the other heirs, or descendants, such proportional part of
£10, which was the supposed value of a right, viz : the
iloth part of the township, as such descendants or heirs
would be entitled to, if such lands descended according to
the law of the PrQvince, for the settlement of intestate
estates.

THE NARRAGANSETT WAR. 27
This order was passed April 18, 1733. It was reported
to the General Court by Thomas Palmer, Chairman of the
Committee of both Houses, on the affairs of settling the
towns granted to the Narragansett soldiers, and consented
to by Gov. Belcher.
By the same Committee it was farther reported, and it
was ordered, that the seven years for settling said townships
be computed from the first day of January 1734, to end
January 1, 1741.
A small grant of land, in what is now Gorham, had been
previously made by the Provincial Legislature of Massachu
setts, to one Joseph Mallison of Boston. The grant was for
two hundred acres of land. Why the grant was made,
does not appear ; probably, on condition of erecting mills at
what are now called Horsebeef Falls, on Presumscot River.
For many years the Falls bore the name of Mallison's Falls,
and they are so called in the Proprietors' Records. The
General Court ordered a survey and plan to be made of this
grant. Phineas Jones was the surveyor, and Nathaniel
Kiiight and Samuel Libby carried the chain. A plan was
returned to the Legislature, and the grant was then con
firmed to Mallison. The tract is described as " two hundred
acres in the County of York, by Presumscot River, forty-
five rods above the upper part of the Fourth Great Falls
from the mouth of Presumscot River, about five miles above
the Great Fall at Saccarappa." This, I suppose, was the
first surveying of land in Gorham. Joseph Mallison con
veyed this two hundred acres, March 16, 1733, to Gen
eral Samuel Waldo, of Boston, for £50 in bills of credit.
Neither Mallison or Waldo erected mlUs on this grant.
General Waldo seems to have wished to acquire as much
of the water power in this region as possible ; he owned
Capisic miU privilege, most of Presumscot Lower Falls, all
at Congen, and nearly all of Saccarappa Falls.

28 HISTORY OF GORHAM.
A few years later the proprietors of this township made
a grant of four hundred acres near Little Falls, where Fac
tory village now is ; it was on Presumscot River, adjoining
to, and above Mallison's grant. The area was a parallelo
gram, one hundred and sixty rods on the river; its lower
side was five hundred and eight rods, its upper side three
hundred and one rods from the river.
This grant was made to Governor Shirley, in these
words : — " Voted and granted to His Excellency William
Shirley, Esq., Governor of the Province of Massachusetts
Bay, his heirs and assigns forever, four hundred acres of
the common and undivided lands within said township."
"Voted, That Moses Pearson, Jno. Gorham, Esq., and
Joshua Bangs be a committee to lay out the same, pursuant
to said grant."
The Committee made their report December 20, 1743, in
the following words : —
" We, the subscribers, having been chosen by the pro
prietors of Gorhamtown, as a Committee to lay out four
hundred acres of land, voted and granted to His Excel
lency, William Shirley, Esq., have, agreeable to their vote,
laid out the same as within described.
Signed,
JOHN GORHAM, )
MOSES PEARSON, ( Proprietors'
JOSHUA BANGS, ) ^lo^'^'^ttee."
The description of the plan was : —
" December 20, 1743.
Within these bounds is contained four hundred acres of
upland, lying on Presumscot River, and adjoining to the
land granted by the Great and General Court to Mr. Joseph
Mallison, as described in this plan, which I, the subscriber,

THE NARRAGANSETT WAR. 29
have surveyed, by the desire of the Committee of Gorham
town, so called, appointed by the Proprietors of said town,
to lay out said premises to His Excellency, WilHam Shirley,
Esq. WILLIAM POTE, Jr., Surveyor."
¦ This grant, I suppose, was made on account of some ser
vice Gov. Shirley may have rendered the Proprietors about
their township ; or it may have been to gain the counte
nance and good will of the Governor. Similar grants were
made in other townships to His Excellency, who was always
alive to his own pecuniary interests.
A shrewd historical writer says : — " Shirley was an en
terprising man, and having mounted, (no matter by what
means,) to the Governor's chair, he saw in a young and
growing country, vast prospects opening before his eyes,
and he conceived great designs of aggrandizing himself,
his family, and his friends."

30 HISTORY OF GORHAM.

CHAPTER IV.
SURVET AND LOTTING OP THE TOWNSHIPS, — FIRST
SETTLEMENT.
The township having been thus granted and assigned,
the grantees took measures to bring forward the settlement
of their lands. It was determined to make a survey of one
hundred and twenty lots of thirty acres each, for the first
division, to be followed by two other divisions, viz : the
second division of one hundred acre lots ; and the third
division of seventy acre lots. In all, two hundred acres for
each proprietor. Each right was to have one lot in all the
divisions. The first division of thirty acre lots, was made
as compactly as could well be done, on the proposed two
roads, crossing each other at right angles. These lots were
made small, that the settlers might live near each other, for
the purpose of mutual aid and defence against savages.
The external lines of the town were run and marked in
1734. The thirty acre lots were surveyed, located, num
bered, drawn and confirmed to each right in 1735. Sever
al roads were located the same year. A few lots, or rights
of land were sold prior to their location or numbering.
The first Deed I find on record, in York County Registry,'
is that of Thomas Thornton of Dorchester, Massachusetts',
to Col. Shubael Gorham, of ^th undivided part of Nar
ragansett No. 7. Said Thornton certifying that he was one
of the Narragansett soldiers. The consideration named in

SURVEY AND FIRST SETTLEMENT. 31
the Deed was £5, and was dated June 12th, 1735. During
this year, Col. Shubael Gorham purchased several other
rights of ia)th part each, of Joseph Akers of Sandwich,
Elisha HaU of Yarmouth, John Maker of Harwich, Robert
Nickerson of Chatham, and several others. Col. S. Gor
ham soon became a large proprietor, and of him many early
settlers purchased lots.
The township had now been prepared for settlers. As
yet, however, it was an unbroken wilderness, covered with
a magnificent growth of valuable forest trees. In May,
1736, the first trees were felled for clearing land for agricul
tural purposes. John Phinney, a son of one of the con-
querers of the Narragansetts, a descendant of the Pilgrims,
a wanderer from the old Colony of Plymouth, disembarked
from his canoe on Presumscot River, attended by his eldest
son, fourteen years of age, with an axe, gun, and a small
quantity of provisions and ammunition, to select a spot for
his fiiture home. Proceeding westerly nearly two miles
from the river, he chose a sunny, elevated lot, on the south
ern slope of Fort HiU, and there that son, Edmund Phin
ney, afterwards distinguished, not only in various town and'
State offices, but as a Colonel of the Revolutionary army,,
felled the first tree for clearing a farm. This was on a lot
adjoining what is now called Fort HIU road, formerly King:
Street, about one mile northerly from the principal village-
in Gorham. This land is now owned by Mr. Moses Fogg..
John Phinney, the first settler of Gorham, was a son of
Deacon John Phinney, of Barnstable, Massachusetts, an^
was bom in that town, April 8th, (old style) 1693 ; he
was consequently forty-three years old when he commenced
the settlement of Gorham. In Barnstable he had married
Martha Colman. There they had five chUdren born. In
1732, he removed his family to Falmouth, (Portland) and
they had two children bom in. Falmouth.. Capt. Phinney

32 HISTORY OF GORHAM.
removed to Gorham in 1736, and in this town his three
younger children were born, viz : — Mary Gorham, Colman
and James. Mary Gorham Phinney, daughter of Captain
John Phinney and Martha, his wife, was born in August,
1736. Soon after her parents removed here ; she was the
first white child born in Gorham.
She married James Irish, father of Gen. James Irish.
They left numerous descendants. Mrs. Irish was a pro
fessor of religion for seventy years, and during that long
period she adorned her profession by an exemplary life of
virtue and benevolence, inaintalning the relations of daugh
ter, wife, and mother, in an unexceptionable manner, distin
guished for industry, kindness and hospitality. She died
in 1825, at the advanced age of 89 years, leaving behind
her a memory dear to many, and a character worthy the
commendation of all.
Colman Phinney, the second child, born in Gorham, was
kiUed by a falling tree, when about ten years of age.
James Phinney, the youngest son of Capt. John Phinney,
was born AprU 24, (old style) 1741 ; he lived tUl October,
1834, in the 94th year of his age, highly respected for his
integrity, capacity, and useful life ; intelligent, and always
cheerful and hopeful ; an eminent christian professor for 80
years. He retained his strong mental faculties, and died in
full possession of a sound mind and correct judgment ; and
what is stUl more rare, a tenacious and unimpaired memory
up to the age of 93 years. He rarely, if ever, forgot
important events of the town or nation, or erred in names
or dates. Mr. James Phinney enjoyed through his pro
tracted life the confidence of his townsmen, and held many
important municipal offices.
Capt. John Phinney lived in this town about two years
before any other white famUy ; his first dweUing house
was a few rods northerly from the place on which Moses

SURVEY AND FIRST SETTLEMENT. 33
Fogg's house now stands. Some Indian famlhes had wig
wams near by, and for two years Phinney's children had no
other playmates but young Indians.
For some years Capt. Phinney had to go to Presumscot
Lower FaUs to mill ; he also transported his corn, salt, and
other provisions on a float, or small boat, up and down the
Presumscot River, carrying them round the Falls at Sacca
rappa and Congen — or, as the place was then caUed, Amon-
Congen. There was no pathway through the forest to
Portland. In these fatiguing and dangerous journeys to
mUl, he was frequently assisted by his oldest daughter,
Elizabeth ; she used to help her father carry his boat and
bags of corn, or meal, round the FaUs, and assist him iu
rowing. Elizabeth Phinney, afterwards married Deacon
EUphalet Watson.
It is said that the second settler of the town was Daniel
Mosler, (now usually written Mosher.) Some say the sec
ond family that settled in town was that of Hugh McLeUan.
It is difficult to decide which of these two was the second
settler. They came very near the same time. Daniel Mo-
sier* removed from Falmouth to this town in 1738. His^
first ancestor in Maine was Hugh Mosler, of French origin.
Hugh Mosler owned land in Falmouth as early as 1640.,
Daniel Mosler was the son of James Mosler, who died in
Gorham in 1734, at the age of 99 years and three months.
There are numerous descendants of Daniel, now residing in
town. Hugh McLeUan came from the north of Ireland, and
settled near where Asa Palmer, Esq., now lives, about a
quarter of a mile north of Gorham Seminary. Soon after
McLeUan, WiUiam Pote, William Cotton, Ebenezer HaU,
* I find in early writings the name written Hosier, Mozier, Mozear,
and Mozhear. Hosier, I believe, was the correct way of spelling the
name.

34 HISTOEY OF GORHAM.
EUphalet Watson, Clement Harvey, Bartholomew Thora,
John Irish, John Eayr, Jacob Hamblen, Benjamin SkiUings,
and others, moved into the town as settlers.

HARDSHIPS OF THE SETTLERS. 35

CHAPTER V.
hardships OF THE SETTLERS.
It required no smaU share of courage, firmness, and enter
prise, to go into the wUdemess and commence a settlement
at that period. Let us, for a moment, contemplate the sit
uation of the Province of Maine at the time when Capt.
Phinney began the settlement of this town. There were
but nine towns and a few feeble plantations In Maine ; Port
land, Saco, and Scarborough, were but just recovering from
their recent destruction by the Indians. A second line of
townships from the coast had just been located, and were
frontier places — aU back of them was wilderness. The In
dians, though nominally at peace, were restless, discon
tented, jealous, and meditated revenge for past chastisements
and victories obtained over them.
In 1690, aU the settlements east of Wells were destroyed.
In the, Indian wars from 1703 to 1713, Maine lost one-third
of aU her population ; and a large proportion of the personal
property was destroyed ; through extreme want and suffer
ing, many persons were driven away, never to return. In
1724, the Norrldgewocks were broken up ; in 1725, Capt.
LoveU and his company kiUed or dispersed the Pequawket
Indians at Fryeburg. In 1736, the whole population of
Maine was probably not more than 7000. In 1735-6 and 7,
the scarlet fever, or (as it was usually called) throat distem
per, raged throughout Maine, and more than five hundred

36 HISTORY OF GORHAM.
persons died with that disease ; in some towns it was pe-
cuUarly fatal ; in Scarborough, no one attacked with the
distemper recovered.
The inhabitants in aU the new towns, suffered greatly
from want of food, clothing, and comfortable houses ; while
danger from the Indians was constant and pressing. Fam
ine, massacre, and captivity, threatened them contlnuaUy.
It required men like the Puritans, to undertake and carry
through the hazardous enterprise of settling new towns
among savage beasts and savage men.
The early fathers of Gorham were persons of such char
acters. The first settlers of our town were from a noble
stock ; the direct descendants of the Pilgrims. Almost aU
the first inhabitants were from the old Colony ; nearly every
town on Cape Cod contributed one or more settlers for Nar
ragansett, No. 7. The Grantees, Capt. John Gorham and
company, belonged to the following towns, viz : forty from
Barnstable — thirty-nine from Yarmoiith^twenty-two from
Eastham — seven from Sandwich — three from Plymouth — six
from Duxbury — and one from each of the towns of Abing
ton and Scituate — besides Captain Gorham, who was a
Yarmouth man. The wives and daughters of the first set
tlers of Gorham, shared in all the toils and wants of their
husbands and fathers ; they used to labor in the field and
the forest, carry burdens, go to miU, gather the harvest
and assist in the defences of their households and their
property. Our early inhabitants partook largely of the character of
their ancestors. They were a hardy, enterprising, virtuous
race of men ; of indomitable courage — unbending firmness
—uncompromising Integrity— sober. Industrious, frugal, and
temperate in aU things. They were distinguished for endur
ing fortitude and open-handed hospitality. They were not
'eminent for attainments in literature or the sciences ¦ thev

HARDSHIPS OF THE SETTLERS. 37
were not deficient in talents, but they had not leisure or
opportunity for the cultivation of letters. They did all
they could do, and more than might have been expected of
them to do, in such times, and in their position. In their
humble dwellings in the wilderness, they had Httle leisure
for the study of books,' had they possessed them. Their
minds were incessantly occupied in devising ways to obtain
sustenance and clothing for themselves and famUies, and in
providing means for defence agaiast artful and revengeful
foes. Exhausted with labors, and worn with anxious cares,
they could not be expected to attend to the elegancies and
blandishments of older and wealthier communities.
They might at this day be caUed intolerant in their reU
gious views and practices ; but they were in this respect.
like other sects of their age. Undoubtedly they were zeal
ous for what they considered to be the truth. A stern and
somewhat severe morality prevailed among the Puritans ;
and it would have been strange if their immediate descend
ants had not been somewhat like their fathers, foUowing
their advice, obeying their precepts, and living according to
their example.'
Our Puritan fathers felt conscious that religion, virtue
and knowledge, were essential to good government, and the
permanent welfare of the community ; hence they spared
no pains to support the gospel, to inculcate moraUty in the
minds of their children, and to provide means for their edu
cation. At the very first meeting of the Proprietors of this
town, one of their first votes was to provide for preaching
and reUgious instruction. They never forgot the great and
momentous object for which the PUgrims settled in New
England, — religious freedom and liberty of conscience.
They entered the wilderness for purity of religion ; to found
a religious commonwealth ; to raise up a pious race. Un
like the Spanish adventurers in South America, they thirst-

38 HISTORY OF GORHAM.
ed not for a career of miUtary glory ; they cherished no
extravagant ambition ! They looked not on immeasurable
lands with the longing eye of cupidity ; they expected no
briUiant success, nor anticipated finding crystal streams
whose sands sparkled with gold ! They sought not the sun
ny plains and exuberant verdure of the south ! They sought
not a clime gay with perennial flowers, with a balmy atmos
phere, or Italian skies ; they sought not a land of gold or of
spices, of wine or of oil. Other and purer wishes were
theirs ; they expected not a Ufe of luxury or ease. Sanctity
of conscience was their great tenet; "their religion was
their life." Rigorous was the cUmate, and hard the soU
where they chose to dweU. Here a countless train of priva
tions and sufferings awaited them, privations and sufferings
that might have made the less brave and energetic quaU.
Cold and hunger, and fear of midnight slaughter, or cruel
captivity by savage bands was their portion. Under this
load of evils, what but a firm belief in the sacredness of their
cause, and the consolations derived from the sublime truths
of Christianity could have sustained them. To their reli
gious belief, their exemplary Uves, their untiring persever
ance and indefatigable Industry, are w^e indebted for the
blessings of freedom, plenty, and knowledge now enjoyed
by our citizens. Great are our obligations to our brave
and virtuous fathers ; great also to our noble and heroic
mothers, who dwelt here in the middle of the last century.
Though we have often heard of their labors and sufferings,
it is difficult fuUy to appreciate them. " Their misery was
great ! For months they had neither meat nor bread," and
often they knew not where to get food for the morrow.
Yet in all their wants and trials, their confidence in the
goodness of God was never shaken.
The first sixteen' years after the settlement of Gorham,
were years of great anxiety and suffering ; at one time all

HARDSHIPS OF THE SETTLERS. 89
the provision the family of Capt. Phinney had, for some
days, was two quarts of boiled wheat which had been re
served for seed.
At that period, all the towns in Maine were obliged to
erect and maintain garrisons, or forts, for places of refuge
against Indian attacks. These forts were constructed of
hewn timber, with paUsades of large posts set deep in the
ground, closely together outside the timber, ten or twelve
feet high ; watch boxes were buUt on the top of the walls ;
the whole was buUet proof. The fort in Gorham was built
on the 30 acre lot, No. 2, close to the old burying ground,
on what is stiU called Fort HIU, and which is the most
elevated land in the town.
The fort had two six pounder swivels placed at diagonal
comers, for the purpose of defence against the Indians, and
to be fired to alarm the adjoining- towns of Buxton and
Windham, when savages were discovered irt the vicinity.
The first meeting of the Proprietors was held at the house
of Capt. John Phinney, on the 24th of Nov., 1741. Moses
Pearson was chosen Moderator, and John Gorham, Clerk ;
two days afterwards, (Nov. 26) the Proprietors voted,
" That a meeting house be built for the worship of God, in
said town, 36 feet long, 20* feet wide, with 20 feet shed ;"
and fifty shIUings on a right, (twO' hundred acres) was
voted, in order to erect said meeting house, and to clear a
suitable tract of land to set the same upon. On the next
Monday, at an adjourned meeting. It was voted, "-That
twenty rods square be cleared on the west side of the way
called King Street, in order for building a meeting house
thereon." So soon, and so liberally did the first settlers of
Gorham make provision for religious worship.
At the same meeting it was also voted, " That William
Pote, John Phinney, and Daniel Mozier, be a committee to
lay out a road through the woods, from the end of Gorham

40 HISTORY OF GOEHAM.
Street to Saccarappa mills. This road was what is now
called the old County Road from Gorham village by James
Phinney's, Benjamin Mosier's and the Tyng place, to Sac
carappa. In 1743, at a Proprietors' meeting, held Feb. 16,
it was voted, " To raise sixpence on a right, to pay Daniel
Mozier, provided he look out and spot a road direct to
Black Point." At the same meeting, " 400 acres of land
was granted to John Gorham, in that corner of the town
ship adjoining Falmouth and Presumscot River ; he, the
said Gorham, to finish or cause to be finished, the saw miU
and grist miU that he hath already begun in said township
on Little River." These were the first mills erected in
Gorham.

INDIANS. 41

CHAPTER VI.
INDIANS.
It is not known that any Indian tribe ever had a perma
nent location in this town. It is, however, certain that
many of the natives had a temporary residence here. When
white people first came here, they found Indian wigwams,
cultivated corn fields, and weU marked Indian trails from
Sebago Lake, Presumscot and Saco rivers. Indian imple
ments, stone axes, chisels, arrow heads, have been plowed
up within a few years. Gambo seems to be the only locali
ty In town that bears an Indian name. Indian Camp Brook,
running by the LongfeUow place, and Presumscot River,
are the only other names that remind us of the Aborigines.
Gorham was rather an Indian thoroughfare than a home.
Through this township they went to the sea shore in Scar
borough and Saco, where fish and fowl were abundant.
This township also afforded them good hunting grounds.
Moose, deer, bears, otters, beavers, and foxes were plentiful.
They furnished much of the meat, and their skins were val
uable articles of trade for the first settlers. The Indians
had fishing stations on Presumscot and Little Rivers, where
salmon, shad, alewives and other fish, were taken in great
quantities at certain seasons of the year. The Indians that
frequented this town, when first settled, belonged mostly to
the St. Francois tribe, of Canada. Many of that tribe be
longed originally to the Androscoggins, the Pequawkets, and
6

42 HISTOEY OF GORHAM.
the Ossipees, who had been driven from this part of Maine.
Just before the fifth Indian war broke out, there were more
Indians than whites residing in this town ; they were not
then hostile to the settlers, though they were notorious
thieves and beggars. When war broke out these Indians
retreated to Canada, and joined the French, and being weU
acquainted with this part of Maine, they became rangers
and spies, able and wiUing to lead their warriors and friends
to the feeble white settlements. During the war of 1745-
50, Indians were often seen and recognized by citizens of
Gorham, as those they had formerly known as neighbors.
It is related that at one time in a skirmish between some of*
our settlers and a war party, one of the young Phinneys
encountered an Indian whom he knew, of about his own age,
who grew up in this town, with whom Phinney had often
played ; but now their meeting was hostile. A few hurried
words passed between them while preparing for a confiict.
They both fired, the Indian's ball just grazed Phinney whose
shot laid his savage antagonist dead on the ground.
At another time young William McLellan, (or young
Bill, as he was called,) while hoeing corn, discovered a
young Indian whom he had formerly well known; the native
was crawling stealthily to the end of the row of corn that
Bill was hoeing. McLeUan had his gun in the field, but it
was some rods back, by a large stump. BUI turned back
with his hoe, cutting down a weed or two, as if to hoe his
corn better ; he reached the stump and crawled round it so
as to interpose the stump between him and the Indian, and
then crept undiscovered to some bushes — the savage sup
posing BiU was by the stump, sUently crawled to it, and
raising himself cautiously was looking round ; BiU had a
fair aim, and caUIng to his former playmate, said, "you
no shoot young Bill this time," fired instantly and wounded
the Indian, who placed his hand over the wound, and ran

INDIANS. 43
for the woods, exclaiming, " Bill, you shoot him well this
time." The gun barrel with which young Bill shot the In
dian, is now (1861) in the possession of Col. Hugh D. Mc
LeUan of Gorham.
In 1745, what is caUed the fifth Indian war broke out.
Narragansett, No. 7, being a frontier town, was entirely ex
posed to assaults from the savages ; the few inhabitants
were obliged to be on watchful guard day and night ; often
compelled to fly to garrison ; to labor with arms in their
hands ; their crops were injured or destroyed ; their fences
broken down ; their cattle kiUed ; their buildings burned ;
• themselves killed or carried captive to Canada.
These aggravated and repeated distresses disheartened
some of the settlers ; they abandoned their houses and fields,
and removed to places less liable to attack. In Gorham the
settlers lived for years in a state of painfiil anxiety ; they
were prevented from cultivating their lands ; their miUs
were burned ; and the distressed families, shut up In the
fort, were in danger of starvation ! At the commencement
of this French and Indian war, there were eighteen families
in this town ; nine of which moved into the garrison where
they were closely shut up for four years. They were in the
fortress seven years. Eleven soldiers were furnished by the
government of Massachusetts to assist in protecting the gar
rison and procuring the necessaries of life.
Nine families removed into the fort, viz : those of Capt.
John Phinney, Jacob Hamblen, Daniel Mosler, Hugh Mc
LeUan, Clement Harvey, John Reed, Edward Cloutman,
Jeremiah Hodgdon and EUphalet Watson.
Those who left the town were William Pote, James Irish,
John Eayr, Caleb CromweU, Ebenezer Hall, William Cot
ton, Benjamin SkiUings, and Benjamin Stevens. Of these
most went to Falmouth, a few to Massachusetts ; nearly aU
of them returned to the town after the war closed, and set
tled on their lands.

44 HISTORY OF GORHAM.
The 19th of AprU, (old style) corresponding to April 30
now, was a disastrous day to the little band of settlers in
Gorham. On that sad day, a family of the name of Bryant
was cut off by Indian cruelty ! The father and children
slain in a barbarous manner ! the wife and mother carried
away, heart-broken, into captivity, and two of the most
hardy and effective men, Reed and Cloutman, taken prison
ers, and marched through the woods to Canada. On that
morning there were four families that had not removed to
the garrison, viz : Bryant's, Reed's, Cloutman's and Mc-
Lellan's. Bryant contemplated moving the day preceding
the massacre, but concluded to defer it one day longer to'
complete some family arrangement. They had an infant
but two weeks old ; the mother wished to have a cradle for
her little one, and said If the father would remain in their
dwelUng that day and make the cradle, she would risk her
scalp one day longer ! That risk wa,s a fatal one ! A party
of ten Indian warriors had entered the town unknown to the
Inhabitants. Some of the savages had previously Uved in the
town ; they knew the people and where they lived ; they
ascertained who had not removed to the fort. Their inten
tion was to take the four fanulies captive without alarmlno-
the garrison ; for this purpose they divided into parties.
Early in the morning of the day before named, Bryant and
his eldest son went to a field to repair fences ; one of the
Indian parties came upon them, and as they were not able
to capture them, they shot Bryant and his son, as they en
deavored to escape to the fort. The place where Mr.
Bryant was klUed, is on the low ground south of where
Nathaniel Hamblen now lives, and near the main road.
Bryant's house stood about fifty rods northerly of where
George Pendleton, Esq., Uves, near where a town road
crosses Fort HUl road, about half a mUe northeriy from
Gorham Seminary. The savages then proceeded to Bry-

INDIANS. 45
ant's house, and murdered and scalped four of his children !
They dashed out the brains of the infant against the stone
fire place ! The agonized and frantic mother, feeble and
powerless, had to witness the destruction of all that was
dear to her heart ! to leave her husband dead in the way,
and the mangled bodies of her loved and innocent children
in her desolate mansion, and with feelings of bitter anguish,
which none may describe, under the weight of her terrible
bereavement, go captive with the destroyers of all her
earthly happiness, through pathless forests, tangled swamps,
and over rugged mountains, to a people whose language
she could not understand, and who were her enemies and
the enemies of her people, kindred and friends !
Hugh McLellan's family Uved near where Asa Palmer,
Esq., now resides ; Reed lived on what is called the MUler
place, now owned by George Pendleton, Esq. ; Edward
Cloutman, (or Cloudman, as the name is now generally
spelled) lived on the Col. Nath'l Frost farm, a little above
Reed's, while Bryant's house was some thirty rods above
Cloutman's, and nearer the fort. All about half a mile
southerly of the garrison.
The following account of the Indian attack at Gorham,
April 19, 1746, is compiled from a Manuscript kindly loaned
me by Col. Hugh D. McLeUan, who wrote it from the rela
tion of Mrs. AbigaU McLeUan, some forty years ago. Mrs.
McLeUan died about 1821, at an advanced age ; she was a
girl at the time of the massacre, living in her father's family,
and well remembered the terrible events she related : —
" AU the famiUes remaining in Gorham had removed into
the fort during the winter and early part of spring, except
four ; they remained on their lands, hoping to get their
ploughing and sowing done, so they might raise some crops.
Capt. John Phinney, the patriarch of the settlement, who
exercised a fatherly care over the weak and feeble planta-

46 HISTORY OF GORHAM.
tion, was urgent to have all in the garrison ; he feeling cer
tain that the Indians would be upon them as soon as the
ground was bared of snow. As the spring opened he en
treated the settlers to make no delay about moving into the
fort, a place of comparative safety, and where they might
unite in defending each other. The forwardness of the
season increased his anxiety.
" On the evening of the 18th of April, the McLellan fam
Uy had completed their day's labor, and were assembled in
their log house ; they expected to complete their work in a
field the next day, and then designed to move immediately
into the garrison. The evening was pleasant and warm ;
their door was open, and their famUy dog reclining outside,
on the ground ; suddenly the dog growled and became excit
ed, and acted as if he discovered danger ; the dog's conduct
alarmed the family, and they uttered the word, Indians 1
The door was quickly closed and fastened ; their light was
extinguished ; the windows, small openings cut in the logs
of which the house was built, covered and fastened ; blan
kets were hung around the fire place, so that no light
might be seen outside, few words were spoken, and those
in a low tone. There were four guns in the house, and
two male persons, (Hugh McLellan and his son WiUiam)
<^apable of using them. And Mrs, McLellan was not much
inferior to her husband in strength and courao'e. When
(the McLellans had put their house in the best state for
.defense their means offered, they had a milk-pan full of
gun-powder, and lead enough, but it was not in balls.
Here was work for female hands, and whUe Mr. Mc
LeUan and WilUam lay by the loop holes, each with one
gun pointed outside and another within reach, Mrs. Mc
LeUan was by the fire, behind the screen, with her Uttle
daughter AbigaU, melting lead in an iron skUlet, and with an
¦iron spoon turning it into a bullet mould, and then making

INDIANS. 47
ball cartridges. No one in the house closed their eyes
that night ! The tedious hours passed on ; the morning
came ; all was fair and peaceful without, nor could any
indications of Indians be discovered, and the McLellans
concluded that the alarm of the dog was caused by some
wild animal. Mr. McLellan decided to go to his work, and
finish it that day, and then go immediately into garrison.
They yoked their oxen, and he and his son went to his field,
charging Mrs. McLeUan to keep the dog at home, to be
watchful, and on any alarm, to blow the horn. Before they
left the house, a neighbor, Mr. John Reed, came to borrow
a chain ; to him they made known their apprehensions.
Reed said he had seen nothing unusual, and did not think
the Indians were in the neighborhood ; no signs of them
had been seen, and he should finish his work before he moved
into the fort. Reed took the chain, put it On his shoul
der and started for home. When he arrived at the brook
about a quarter of a mile north of Gorham Academy, (now
caUed " Tommy's brook) he was suddenly set upon by two
powerfiil Indians, who had secreted themselves in the bush
es. Reed was brave and athletic, but was unarmed ; the
two Indians overpowered him, bound him securely, and
took him to Canada. After the close of the war, he return
ed home. The McLellan family owed their escape to the
capture of Reed, as the Indians who took him were on their
way to McLellan's house, but, having taken Reed, and there
being two men at McLellan's, it would have been hazardous
to have made an attack then. In their conflict with Bryant,
the Indians had fired a gun and broken Bryant'^s arm ; he
attempted to get to the fort ; he reached the small brook
southerly of Nathaniel Hamblen's house, the Indians press
ing hard upon him ; Bryant discovered, on the top of the
hill where Hamblen now lives, Mr. Daniel Mosler, with his
gun on his shoulder, coming towards them ; Bryant called

48 HISTORY OF GOEHAM.
to Mosier to fire on the Indians, but Mosler was a long gun
shot off, and did not know the number of Indians there ;
at that moment the nearest Indian sprang upon Bryant, and
with rapid blows of the tomahawk, dispatched him before
Mosier was hardly conscious of what was taking place. He
returned to the fort and gave the alarm. Mrs. McLeUan,
hearing the gun fired at Bryant, directed her little daughter
AbigaU, about twelve years of age, to go to Mr. Bryant's
and enquire what the gun was fired for, but the child, being
afraid, secreted herself. When the mother discovered her
she again ordered her to go ; the distance was short and she
soon arrived at the Bryant house. She entered, and the
sight that presented itself to her astonished eyes paralyzed
her voice and limbs for the moment. On the fioor lay the
four children in their blood ! They aU feU under the toma
hawk except the babe. The eldest daughter was alive ; she
called Abigail by name and asked for water, but Abigail
was stricken with horror and heeded her not ! instantly she
was flying home, nor stopped to look around. She reached
her father's house and fell prostrate at the door. Her mother
took her up, laid her on a bed, and immediately blew the
horn for her husband and son to come. Animation revived
in the girl, and she uttered the word "Indians !" and fainted
again. Mr. McLellan heard the horn and hastily ran home,
leaving his oxen in the yoke. AbigaU, on recovering from
her swoon, related what she had seen at Bryant's house.
Mr. McLellan immediately put his house in a position to re
sist a sudden attack or to stand a seige. Water was pro
cured, windows and doors made close and fast. They knew
not the extent of the Indians' success, whether aU the neigh
bors were kiUed, or taken prisoners ; nor did they feel sure
of the safety of the fort ; but they determined to resist the
savages if an attack was made on their house. It was not
long before they heard the report of the alarm gun, (a six

INDIANS. 49
pounder at the fort) which was to give notice of the pres
ence of the enemy in the neighborhood, and to warn all out
of the fort to watch against surprise. Capt. Phinney and
the other persons in the fort were apprised that the Indians
were around them by the report of Mr. Mosier, but they
knew nothing of their numbers, or the extent of their depre
dations beyond the fact that Mr. Bryant was killed ; they
did not therefore deem it prudent, with their small force, to
leave the garrison. Bryant's house was but half a mile dis
tant from the fort, but as most of the intervening space was
covered with a thick wood and bushes where the enemy
might lay in ambush and come upon them by surprise, or
shoot them from the thickets, tkej made the entrances to
the fort secure and kept a careful watch. Thus the day
passed, and none arriving at the fort, its inmates supposed
the four families remaining out were all either killed or taken
captives. " The McLellan family maintained anxious watching all
that day and the following night. The next day, about
noon, men were seen coming' over what is now called the
Academy hUl, towards McLellan's house. At first sight
they were supposed to be Indians, but they proved to be a
scouting party going to the fort ;¦ there were about a dozen
armed men from Falmouth, (Portland.) The alarm gun
had been heard, and they were thus notified that Indians
were about Gorham or Windham. At Saccarappa the
scouting party divided and part went to Windham. The
party for Gorham came to McLellan's house, where they
were joyfully received. McLellan's oxen, still yoked, were
found in the woods, near by where they had been left the
morning before ; what furniture they had was quickly load
ed on a cart, and, under the protection of the scout, they
started for the fort. Near Bryant's house they met a party
from the fort, who had ventured out that day to learn some-
7

50 HISTORY OP GOEHAM.
thing of the extent of the mischief done by the savages.
The bodies of Mr. Bryant and his chUdren were carried to
the fort and buried near by, with due propriety." The
family of Reed was immediately removed to the garrison,
where all the occupants remained for nearly seven years ;
where they were many times greatly distressed for food, and
scantily supplied with clothing.
Cloutman's family had removed from the garrison some
days before the Indian attack. He had gone to his field to
complete some sowing of his grain ; he was there discov
ered by the Indians ; they were very desirous of capturing
him ; they knew he was the owner of a very good gun,
which they greatly coveted and had often endeavored to
obtain. Cloutman was a powerful man, in the fuU vigor of
his muscular strength, in the prime of life. The Indians
thought his capture would be a heavy and discouraging
blow to the settlers in Gorham. There were eight Indians
in the party that captured him. Cloutman was alone in his
field, sowing wheat ; as soon as his back was turned towards,
them, five of the savages ran towards him ; he discovered
them and ran for Mr. Bryant's house ; coming to the fence,
where he had a short time before placed brush, in trying to
leap over the fence he became entangled and fell back ; he
rose and tried a second time, but did not succeed ; then two
Indians sprang toward him ; Cloutman knocked them down ;
a third Indian he put under his feet ; two more savages
came up with guns leveled at his breast ; Cloutman then
surrendered. Had it not been for the brush that entan
gled him, he would probably have saved himself and the
Bryant famUy. As it was he was carried to Canada, and
was confined with about one hundred other captives, near
the mouth of the river SoreU. Cloutman was more than
six feet tall, and weighed 220 pounds. By his neighbors
he was caUed the Giant — more on account of his strength

INDIANS.' 51
than his size. After arriving in Canada, he wrote his wife
a letter, which she received in September following, relating
the particulars of his capture. He informed her that they
took him, and Reed, and Mrs. Bryant, westerly, down the
stream near where Mr. Robert FUes lately lived, and re
mained concealed there all day. At night two Indians
approached the fort so near they could hear the voices of
the inmates. About midnight they waded Little River.
Mrs. Bryant being very feeble, Mr. Cloutman carried her
on his back over all the streams, and many miles besides,
where the traveUing was bad. The second day they en
camped on the banks of Saco River. They followed this
stream and passed through the notch of the White Moun
tains, and thence proceeded northerly to Canada. When
they arrived there, Cloutman and Reed were confined in a
large building, under guard, with other captives ; but Mrs.
Bryant was sold for a domestic in a French family. The
able-bodied male prisoners were daily taken from the prison
and compelled to work on the French fortifications. Mr.
Cloutman and a Mr. Dunbar planned an escape by dig
ging out under their prison walls. They had laid by a
part of their daily allowance of food to eat on their way
home, and were waiting for a favorable night to break out ;
but they were betrayed by an Irishman, who was going
with them. They were more strictly watched till cold
weather. About the first of November, Cloutman and
Dunbar escaped, on a stormy night. They were not missed
for two or three days ; then a large scout of French and
Indians went in pursuit of them, but did not find them. It
was supposed they were drowned in attempting to swim
across a bay of Lake Champlain, as the next spring the
skeletons of two men were found on the shore of the lake,
with their clothes tied to the back of their heads, and in one
garment was found a pocket compass, which was identified
as one Cloutman had in Canada.

52 HISTOEY OF GOEHAM.
After "peace was made, an Indian came to Gorham, and
called on Cloutman's widow, and with a beaver skin wanted
to buy an axe. She would not sell him her axe. He then
went to Mr. Dennis Larry's house and traded with him.
The Indian told Mr. Larry, that he was one of the party
that captured Cloutman, and told how they did it. He
said, " Strong man Cloutman. He beat two Indians so
they died before they got to Canada." The widow of
Cloutman afterwards married Mr. Abraham Anderson, of
Windham, and she died in that town, December 1st, 1802,
aged 84 years. She was the grandmother of the Hon.
John Anderson, late of Portland, and Hon. Edward Ander
son, of Windham, and Mrs. Ann Waterman, wife of Dr.
John Waterman, of Gorham. Edward Cloutman left a son
and a daughter ; the latter died unmarried. His son Timo
thy married Katy Partridge. They left a numerous famUy,
who were respectable and useful citizens of Gorham, and
several of his descendants still reside in this town.
During the Indian war. Col. Edmund Phinney, then a
young man, was one evening about half a mile easterly from
the fort, in pursuit of cows ; he was fired upon by a party
of Indians, layJng In ambush, three baUs struck Phinney
and wounded him severely, he succeeded in keeping his gun
and reaching the fort ; his left arm was broken, and as there
was no doctor in the fort, the next day two men walked
through the forest with him to Portland, where the frac
tured arm, and his other gun-shot wounds, were attended
to by Dr. Coffin.
Some years after the Indian attack in 1746, a young man,
Bartholomew Thorn, whUe going home to the fort one day,
was taken by the Indians, and carried captive to Canada.
He remained a year or two with the St. Francois tribe, and
was then sold to a French gentleman at Montreal. Thorn
was treated kindly by the Frenchman, and was his master's

INDIANS. 53
gardener. He did not like this monotonous life, and after
seven years' absence he returned to Gorham. Previous to
his being taken captive, he was a noted hunter and trapper ;
he knew all the streams and lakes in Gorham, Buxton,
Standish and Windham. Thorn was weU known to several
Indians, who resorted to those towns, and had an intimate
acquaintance with some of them ; he sometimes hunted with
them, slept in their wigwams, and shared their food. The
savages thought him a trespasser on their hunting grounds.
He would often remain in the forests weeks at a time, subsist
ing on game. He was taciturn and cautious ; had a quick
eye and ear, a sinewy frame, and possessed undaunted cour
age. The Indians accused him of not only trespassing on
their lands, but of robbing their traps. There is a tradition
that an Indian, on one occasion, went to examine his traps
near the mouth of Little River in Gorham, and he found the
leg of a large otter in his trap. On examination he discov
ered that the leg had been disjointed by a sharp knife. The
Indian at once surmised that Thorn had taken his otter.
After an examination of his trap, and the ground and leaves
nfear by, he thought the trespass had not long been commit
ted, and that the plunderer could not be far 'off. With In
dian sagacity he discovered and followed the trail ; he had
not gone far when he discovered a smoke ; as he approached
he saw Thorn in the act of cooking some game, and near
by what he thought was the skin of his otter. The Indian
showed himself and told Thorn that he had stolen his otter.
Thorn replied that the otter was his own ; the Indian raised
his gun. Thorn seized his ; the Indian's gun missed fire ;
instantly Thorn discharged his, and the next minute the
Indian lay dead on the ground. The capture of Thorn was
the last Indian mischief done in- Gorham. After about seven
years' absence, Thorn returned to this town, but the settlers
cleared up the land, and this made game scarce. Thorn

64 HISTOEY OP GOEHAM.
did not like to have so many neighbors, and in June, 1775,
he removed to what is now the town of Baldwin, and was the
first settler of that town, and his son WUliam was the first
white chUd born in that place. Thorn for many years tend
ed the first grist-miU in Baldwin ; he died in that town about
1820, being over ninety years of age. He continued to
hunt, trap, and fish, up to the latter years of his life.
It is said that one day, during this Indian war, that five
savages were killed on the Fort Hill road near the brook,
southerly of Nath'l Hamblen's house ; three of them fell by
the gun of WiUiam McLellan. At another time, when aU
the men were out of the fort, working together, (as was the
•custom for greater safety) an old dog at the fort, by bark
ing and frantic gestures, awakened the suspicions of the
females in the garrison ; they closed the gate, and Mrs. Mc
Lellan (the wife of Hugh) ascended to the watch box, and
carefully scanning the bushes and stumps in the vicinity,
discovered an Indian behind a bush ; she got a loaded
musket and watched at the port-hole' Soon the Indian rose
cautiously, surveying the fort. He stood in full view, Mrs.
McLellan fired, — her shot took effect. The men hearing
the report of the gun, came riinning to the fort to learn the
cause ; when told, they were incredulous, as they had not
seen or tracked any Indians ; but Mrs. McLellan insisted
that she had killed, or desperately wounded an Indian.
The spot was examined where she said the Indian stood, a
pool of blood was found, and a trail of blood followed some
way into the woods. Probably his companions carried the
-wounded Indian away. Mrs. McLeUan lived to a great
•age, and always asserted that she killed or severely wounded
the savage. WhUe this Indian war lasted, the settlers of
Oorham were constantly harrassed by the savages, though
¦eleven soldiers were sent by Massachusetts government for
theiv protection. In the winter when their footsteps could

INDIANS. 55
be seen in the snow, the Indians avoided the settlements,
because the rangers or scouts could track and foUow them.
In the spring, summer and autumn, much of the exposed
property in this town was destroyed. Cattle, horses, and
swine were killed, and their growing crops in their fields
destroyed or plundered. This war of ambuscade, massacre,
and conflagration, kept the people in continual terror and
agitation ; nor did they feel secure till 1759, when Quebec
capitulated to the army of Wolfe, and France lost her em
pire, and with it her influence over the savages in North
America.

56 HISTOEY OF GOEHAM.

CHAPTER VII.
PROGRESS OF THE TOWN.
After the termination of hostiUtles, and the fear of Indian
assaults was removed, most of the old settlers returned to
the places they had left. Many new settlers came, and im
provements and buUdings went forward. The last repairs
done to the fort were in 1760, when one shilling and four
pence per foot was voted to Hugh McLellan for stockading
the fort, with spruce, pine, or hemlock posts, thirteen feet
long, and ten inches diameter, with a lining of hewn timber
six inches thick. During the war, public worship was held
in the southeast bastion, or flanker of the fort. At a meet
ing of the Proprietors, held at the fort, February 26, 1760,
" Capt. John Waite', Moses Pearson, Esq., and Mr. Wil
liam Cotton, were chosen a committee to consider of building
a meeting house, where to set said house, and how big to
build it."
At the same meeting it was voted to raise and assess on
the several rights of land, »G66, 13s. 4d., towards building
a meeting house ; that meeting house was completed in
1764. In 1763, the first bridge over Presumscot River be
tween the towns of Gorham and Windham was erected.
The inhabitants increased, and in 1761, a movement began
for the purpose of an incorporation of the town. And at a
meeting of the Proprietors, held January 20, 1762, there
was an article in the warrant for caUing the meeting, " to

PROGRESS OP THE TOWN. 57
choose an Agent to oppose the petition of a number of the
inhabitants of Gorhamtown, who- pray that the lands in
said town might be incorporated into a town, district or
parish, vested with powers and privUeges as in all like
cases." The incorporation of the town was strongly op
posed by many of the non-resident proprietors, because they
apprehended their taxes would be much increased if the
town was organized.
The inhabitants increased rapidly, and the residents in
town pressed for an incorporation, and in 1764 the township
was estimated to contain 340 souls. The town was incorpor
ated in 1764, October 24, by the General Court of Massa
chusetts. It was the twentieth town incorporated in Maine.
The first town meeting was held in pursuance of a war
rant from the Hon. Stephen Longfellow, at the meeting
house in Gorham, February 18, 1765 ; at which meeting
Capt. John Phinney was chosen Moderator, Amos Whitney
Town Clerk ; Benjamin SkiUings, Amos Whitney,, and
Joseph Weston, Selectmen, and Edmund Phinney, Treas
urer. Not less than twelve town meetings were held that
year, viz: on Feb. 18th, March 12th, March 21st, April
29th, May 16th, May 30th, Aug. 1st, Aug. 10th, Aug.
20th, Sept. 2d, Dec. 12th, and Dec. 19th. Roads and
bridges were needed ; town lines had to be run and settled,
and various other municipal affairs required attention. The
town was a local Parish, and religious and moral matters
claimed and received a large share of the consideration of
the settlers. The first inhabitants of Gorham were deci
dedly a religious people. Springing from the old Puritans
of Plymouth Colony, when they emigrated they took with
them the Puritan faith, customs, manners, and religious
ordinances. It required men like the Puritans to undertake
and carry through the hazardous enterprise of settling new
towns among savage beasts and savage men.

58 HISTORY OF GORHAM.
Such were the early settlers of Gorham ; they were a
hardy, enterprising, courageous, virtuous race of men and
women, distinguished for fortitude, temperance and open-
handed hospitaUty ; and above aU, for their piety. They
were deeply conscious that true religion was essential to
good government, and the permanent welfare of the commu
nity, they spared no pains to support the gospel.
At the very first meeting of the Proprietors in this town,
in a poor log house, surrounded by the forest, one of their
first votes was to provide for preaching and religious instruc
tion. Their church system was Congregational ; they were
all, (or nearly all) orthodox Congregationalists, and were
zealous for what they considered to be the truth. A stern
and somewhat severe morality prevailed everywhere among
the Puritans ; they might at this day have been called intol
erant in their religious views and practices, but they were
in this respect, like other sects of their age. They never
forgot the great and momentous object for which the PU
grims settled in New England, religious freedom and liberty
of conscience.
At that first Proprietors' meeting they voted, " That a
meeting house be built for the worship of God in said town,
36 feet long and 26 feet wide, with a 20 feet shed, and fifty
shillings on a right of land was voted in order to erect said
house, and to clear a suitable tract of land to set the same
upon." At the next meeting it was voted, "That twenty rods
square be cleared on the west side of the way called King
Street, in order for buUdIng a meeting house thereon." So
soon, and so liberaUy did the first settlers of Gorham make
provision for reUgious worship. At that time, (1741) there
were not more than twelve or fourteen families in town. In
1764, the second meeting house was erected. In 1792, it
was voted, " To enlarge the house thirty feet to the south-

PROGRESS OF THE TOWN. 59
ward." In 1797, it was voted, " To dispose of the old meet
ing house and build a new one." In 1798, the Parish
gave " the Corner School Class the old meeting house,
provided the said Glass would build a school house large
enough to accommodate the town to do their town busi
ness in."
In June, 1797, the present meeting house of the First
Parish was erected. At the time of raising the frame, a
melancholy accident occurred — a part of the frame gave
way, and two persons — Doct. Nathaniel Bowman and James
Tryon — were killed. In 1828, this meeting house was en
larged and altered ; the old square pews, with seats hung
with hinges, were removed, and long pews, with fixed seats,
introduced, and the gaUeries were taken away. Another
alteration was made in 1848 ; a new pulpit and new sUps, or
pews, without doors, were constructed — several new pews
added — windows, with large squares of glass, and aisles and
slips, completed — a chandelier and a clock were added.
Previous to this an organ was introduced ; since then ¦ gal
leries have agaia been erected.
Before the incorporation of the town in 1764, preachers
were hired by the proprietors, aided by the voluntary con
tributions of the citizens.

60 HISTORY OP GOEHAM-

CHAPTER VIII-
ECCLESIASTICAL.
The first clergyman employed in Gorham was a Mr.
Benjamin Crocker from Cape Cod ; he was hired for six
months at J 3 10s. per week, and preached here from Febru
ary 16th, 1743, to September following, when he was paid
£Q0, old tenor, (45 shUlings to the doUar.) Mr. Crocker
graduated at Harvard CoUege in 1713.
The correspondence ¦with Mr. Crocker was by a commit
tee ; their letter to him was as follows : —
" For the Rev. Benjamin Crocker at Ipswitch, per Capt.
Phinney : Gorhamtown, so called, Feb. 16, 1742-3.
Mr. Crocker, Sir :^We, the subscribers. Being this day
at a Proprietors' meeting. Chosen to get a minister to
Preatch to the Inhabitants for five or six months to Come,
and We are informed by Mr. Jno. Phinney that you signi
fied to him you wold come and Preateh if We Desired It :
And these are to Desier you to come and Preach there the
time above mentioned or Less time or as may sute your
conveniency, and We shall Readily pay you Reasonable
Demands, and must refer you to Mr. Jno. Phinney for partic
ulars by Whome this comes. With expectation of your com-
plyance, we remain your humble Servants,
MOSES PEARSON,
WM. POTE,
WM. COTTON,
BENJA. SKILLINGS,
JNO. GORHAM.

ecclesiastical. 61
We, the subscribers, Engage to pay the sum of three
pounds, ten shiUings, Old Tenor, for what time you may
preatch to the above Inhabitants, that is, so much per Sab
bath as Sixty pounds wiU satisfy, there being so much voted
for that use.
MOSES PEARSON,
WM. POTE,
WM. COTTON,
JNO. GORHAM,
BENJA. SKILLINGS."
Then foUows Mr. Crocker's account, thus :
" An account of what I received for preaching at Gor
hamtown.

¦Of Mr. Cotton, - - -
Of Mr. Pote, _ - -
Of Mr. Cobb, for Phinney,
•Of Mr. Pearson, - - -
Of Mr. Jno. Eager, -
Of Mr. Benja. SklUins,
•Of Mr. Benja. Stevens, -
Of Mr. McAUen, (McLeUan?)
Of Mr. Jeremiah Hodgdon,
Of Capt. Gorham,
Of Mr. Pote, for boarding.
Of Mr. Cotton, - - -
Of Mr. Cotton,

Of Mr. Pearson,

£ s.

D.

¦ 11 10

00

2 00 00

- 1 00

00

5 00

00

10 00

3 10

00

- 3 10

00

3 10 00

10

00

10

00

- 9 00

00

10 00

00

- 5 10 00

£56 00

00

4 00

00

£60 00 00

62 history of gorham.
Falmouth, Sept. 19, 1743.
Received of the Committee of Gorhamtown, sixty pounds
old tenor, which is in fuU for preaching at Gorhamtown—
I say received per me.
BENJA. CROCKER.

MR. LOHBARD.
In September, 1750, the proprietors of this town voted to
give Mr. Solomon Lombard a call to settle here in the
work of the gospel ministry; his salary was to be £53 6s.
8d. annually, and to receive the lots of land reserved for
the first settled minister, and the use of the parsonage land
during his ministry. Lot No. 57, first Division, being a 30
acre lot, now a part of the old Phinney farm, on Fort HiU,
where the family of George Hunt now Hve, was confirmed
to him and his heirs for one of the minister lots. Mr. Lom
bard was a native of Truro, Cape Cod, and graduated at
Harvard College in 1723. He was ordained at Gorham,
Dec. 26, 1750 ; the first settled minister of Portland, Rev.
Thomas Smith, preached the ordination sermon ; one doUar
on . each right of land in Gorham was assessed ($120) to
• defray the expenses of the ordination ; the accounts of these
.expenses are curious, as showing what articles were deemed
necessary for an ordination dinner, the value of such articles,
cand the price of services. Some of these are as foUows :
£ s. D.
1 Barrel of Flour, - - - 14 07 06
3 Bushels of Apples, - - - 2 08 00
2 Barrels of Cider, - - - 9 00 00
2 Gallons of Brandy, - - - 5 00 00

ecclesiastical. 63
£ S. D.
1 Bottle of Vinegar, - - 05 00
29 Pounds of Sugar, - - - 8 14 00
1 Tea Pot,  1 10 00
4 GaUons of Rum, - - - 5 04 00
2 Bushels of Cranberries, - - 2 00 00
1 Pound of Tea, - - - - 10 00
1 ^' of Ginger, - - - 02 00
Two Cheeses, 6d. per lb ; 54 1-2 lbs. of Pork, 7d. per lb. ;
6 Candles, Is. ; 1 oz. of Nutmegs, 12d. ; 6 gallons of Mo
lasses, 23s. 8d. per gallon ; 3 Geese, 3 l-2d. per lb. ; 4 oz.
Pepper, 6d. ; 8 Fowls, 36s. ; 1-2 bushel Onions, and 1-2
bushels of Potatoes.
Two bushels of cranberries to half a bushel of potatoes,
would at this day seem disproportionate, and the brandy,
rum, and cider, would hardly be expected at an ordination
dinner. The committee to furnish supplies were Enoch
Freeman, Samuel Moody and James Milk. Most of the
articles were purchased of Enoch Freeman. One person
was paid for eight days work getting up the stores, for
which he was paid £10 for himself, and £4 for horse labor.
John Irish was paid " £1 5s. for bringing in the cow, and
10s. for killing the cow ;" the horse keeping, for 19 days
and nights, was £9 10s. OOd. Ten days work of women,
cooking, £5 OOs. OOd.
The Proprietors and inhabitants of the town were very
weU united in desiring the settlement of Mr. Lombard, but
this unanimity did not long continue ; he and his parishion
ers did not get along harmoniously. In March, 1757, twen
ty-one of his hearers addressed a letter to the Proprietors,
requesting that Mr. Lombard might be dismissed ; in it they
say, " Our Rev. Pastor's conduct in the discipline of his
church, hath had such an evil tendency it hath weaned our
affections from him, and in a great measure spoilt his use-

64 history of goeham.
fulness towards us." They also complain of his setting
neighbors at variance with each other, and of neglecting
ministerial duties to engage in secular business for his own
benefit. In the warrant for a Proprietors' meeting, March
11th, 1767, one of the articles was "to enquire into the
grounds of the difference betwixt the Rev. Mr. Lombard and
the inhabitants of this town." A Council was called to en
deavor to adjust the difficulties ; for years, howeyer, these
difficulties remained unadjusted. Terms of separation were
finaUy agreed upon, and Mr. Lombard was dismissed in
1764. During Mr. Lombard's ministry there was a schism
in the church, and a Mr. Townsend preached here to one
section of the people, and from that party received a caU to
settle. A Council of ministers was convened, but they re
fused to ordain Mr. Townsend ; whereupon the part of the
church favorable to Mr. T., proceeded to ordain him ac
cording to the Cambridge Platform. Parson Smith in his
journal, under date of April 4, 1759, says, " Mr. Townsend
was ordained at Gorham ; Capt. Phinney prayed before the '.
charge, and Capt. Morton gave it,- and Townsend did all
the rest." In a memoir of the Honorable Jeremiah Grid-
ley, who was at that period Attorney General of Massachu
setts, I find the foUowing incident related : —
" About the year 1760, a Mr. Lombard, the settled min
ister of the Gospel in Gorham, upon some uneasiness which
arose between him and the people of his charge, had a dif
ficulty they could not settle ; they mutuaUy agreed to dis
solve the connexion, and the parsonage being valuable, and
under culture, he was to have its improvement untU they
should settle another minister, and Lombard, who was a
gentleman of education, gave a bond in the penal sum of
two or three thousand pounds to Morton and Phinney, two
of the Elders, or Deacons, that upon their settling another
minister he would deUver up the parsonage. In the space

ecclesiastical. 65
of a year or two, an illiterate man (Townsend) received a
call to settle with them and become their minister. None of
the neighboring ministers or churches would assist in his or-
dainatlon, and thereupon the church proceeded to ordain him
in the Congregational way, by the imposition of the hands
of Morton and Phinney. Afterwards, a suit was brought
upon the bond of Lombard at the Court of Common Pleas ;
the case was argued largely by counsel, and Mr. Lombard
added something to what his counsel had said, to show that
the man inducted to office was not the minister meant and
intended by the bond. The verdict was against Mr. Lom
bard ; he appealed to the Supreme Court, then held at
York, and employed Mr. Gridley for his counsel ; Mr. Grid-
ley introduced a plea, reciting the grant of the township,
with the reservation of a parsonage for the use of & pious,
learned and orthodox minister, and averred that the town
had not settled such a minister. The counsel for plaintiffs
replied, that they had settled another pious, orthodox min
ister, omitting the word learned. The answer was adjudged
insufficient, and judgment was rendered in favor of Lom
bard." Whether Mr. To-wnsend preached longer I cannot learn.
He died at Gorham, Sept. 22d, 1762. Mr. Lombard was
dismissed in 1764. He afterwards became an Episcopalian,
and united with a church of that order, and died at Gor
ham in 1781, leaving numerous descendants, many of whom
now live in Gorham.
After Mr. Lombard ceased preaching in Gorham, he was
soon engaged in public business, and seems to have been a
very popular man. He was commissioned a Justice of the
Peace ; he was largely employed by the Proprietors of the
town, and In County business, acting on important commit
tees, surveying and locating lands, and was frequently ap
pointed a referee in difficult cases. He was the first Rep-
9

66 HISTOET OF GOEHAM.
resentatlve of Gorham in the General Court of Massachu
setts, having been elected in 1765, the next year after he
was dismissed from his pastoral charge ; he was seven years
a Representative in the Legislature, twice a Delegate to the
Provincial Congress, a Delegate to form the Constitution of
Massachusetts, Chairman of the Committee of Safety and
Vigilance in the early days of the Revolution, afterwards
a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for Cumberland
County, from 1776 to 1781, when he died. Mr. Lombard
was an active, industrious, useful man, a gentleman of learn
ing, talents, and sound sense.
A Mr. Peltiah Tingley preached in Gorham in 1765-6.
He was invited to settle as a pastor, but declined the call.
Mr. Tingley subsequently became a Free WiU Baptist, and
settled in Waterborough, and lived to an advanced age. In
1765, £66, 13s. 4d. was voted for the support of the gos
pel in Gorham, and several town meetings were held for the
purpose of devising ways to obtain continuous preaching in
the town.

MR. THACHER.
Mr. Lombard was succeeded, as the pastor of the Con
gregational Parish, by the Rev. Josiah Thacher. Mr.
Thacher was a native of Lebanon, Connecticut. He was a
graduate of Princeton CoUege, New Jersey. He preached
in Gorham, as a candidate twenty-four Sabbaths, and was
ordained here, October 28, 1767. He was to have £100
lawful money as a settlement, and £80 per year while
he remained pastor of the Parish. The Parish and church
were nearly unanimous in their votes to settle Mr. Thacher
on these terms.

ECCLESIASTICAL. 67
Difficulties between Mr. Thacher and his parishioners
soon arose. Many became much opposed to him, and some
disreputable scenes occurred ; these conflicts exerted an un
favorable influence on religion In the town, and led to many
uncharitable words and deeds. A new religious society,
called Baptists, (resembling the Free WUl Baptists, but not
identical with that sect,) was formed in town. Also a so
ciety of Friends, and a society of Shakers. Many people
would not pay the ministerial tax for Mr. Thacher's sup
port, and suits were commenced to coerce payment. These
proceedings exceedingly irritated Mr. Thacher's opponents.
On some occasions he was forcibly prevented from entering
the meeting house to preach. Many town meetings were
held on this subject. At one of which it was voted, " That
Mr. Thacher should no more hold forth or carry on In the
pulpit." At a meeting heM Nov. 29th, 1780, Mr. Amos Whitney,
Nathan Whitney, George Hanscom, Samuel Crockett, and
Prince Davis, were chosen " a Committee to wait on Mr.
Thacher and forbid his preaching any more in the meeting
house or any where else in Gorham, under the pretence of
being the town's minister, " as both church and town have
long since rejected him as their minister." At the same
meeting it was voted, " That if Mr. Thacher disregard the
warning from said Committee, and will continue to preach
and hold forth in the meeting house as minister, then in that
case, said Committee shall shut up the meeting house."
Mr. Thacher gave no heed to the warning of the Commit
tee, but continued to preach. The Committee fastened up
the meeting house. Mr. Thacher and his friends, the next
Sabbath, by the aid of ladders, entered the meeting house,
and held the usual services. The Committee then sought
legal advice, and were told that they themselves were tres
passers and were liable to prosecution. His opponents then

68 HISTOEY OF GORHAM.
tried to persuade Mr. Thacher to resign. At a town meet
ing held in February, 1781, Prince Davis, Capt. Samuel
Whitmore and Mr. Samuel Harding, were chosen a Com
mittee to make proposals to Mr. Thacher, and settle the
conditions Jon ; which his pastoral relations might be dis
solved. This Committee went about their business, treated
Mr. Thacher in a gentlemanly way, and were met in the same
spirit. Their meetings were numerous, and the whole mat
ter thoroughly discussed and weighed. The result was that
the town should pay Mr. Thacher £307, or secure the pay
ment at a given time, and when that should be done, he
agreed to ask and receive a dismissal ; and he was dismissed
in April, 1781. Like his predecessor, Mr. Lombard, he
was employed almost immediately in political life, and laid
aside the title of Reverend for that of Honorable ; he did
a large business as a Justice of the Peace ; was a Repre
sentative from the town af Gorham to^the General Court
eleven years, then Senator from Cumberland County, and a
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas from 1784 to 1799,
the year he died. His death occurred Dec. 25, of that
year. Mr. Thacher was a descendant of Anthony Thacher,
who was among the early emigrants to New England.

CALEB JEWETT.
Rev. Caleb Jewett was the next Congregational minister
settled in Gorham. He was a native of Newburyport,
Mass. ; he graduated at Dartmouth College in 1776. At a
town meeting, (the whole town being a territorial Parish)
held August 13, 1781, It was voted, " That Austin Alden
go to Newbury Port and request Mr. Caleb Jewett to preach
in this town three months." And Oct. 15, 1781, " Voted

ECCLESIASTICAL. 69
unanimously to improve either Mr. Caleb Jewett, or Mr.
Joseph Littlefield as a candidate for pastor ;" and then
voted, " That Mr. Austin Alden wait on Mr. Jewett, and
invite him to preach six months." At a town meeting held
January 28, 1782, it was "Voted unanimously (except one)
to concur with the church in requesting Mr. Caleb Jewett
to settle in the work of the gospel ministry in this town."
And at the same time the town " Voted to pay Mr. Jewett
one hundred pounds salary, so long as he continue in the
ministry in this town." At the same time " Voted one hun
dred and thirty-three pounds, six shillings and eight pence
settlement for Mr. Jewett." This attempt to settle Mr.
Jewett failed. New negotiations were set on foot with Mr.
Jewett the next year, (1783.) The town voted in addition
to the sums before voted, to give Mr. Jewett twenty-four
cords of wood annually, to be cut and delivered at his door,
and to fence the Parsonage lots (a thirty acre lot, and one
hundred acre lot) for Mr. Jewett's use.'' Mr. Jewett ac
cepted the call on these conditions, and was ordained pastor
of the Congregational Society, Nov. 5, 1783.
Like his predecessor, Mr. Jewett had many difficulties
with his church and parish. After a long negotiation about
the terms of his dismission, his final separation from his
people took place Sept., 1800. He resigned his connection
on the condition of the town's paying him a certain sum of
money, and exempting his property from taxation for a spe
cified number of years. When the town passed these votes,
and they were sent to Mr. Jewett, he sent a written reply
to the town meeting, saying, —
" I accept your conditions and resign my ministerial of
fice, and consider it my jubilee. Multum Guadio ! Gua~
dio Multum ! So I subscribe myself as one worn out in
the service of God, and yours. , CALEB JEWETT."
Mr. Jewett died in Gorham, April 16, 1802.

70 HISTORY OF GORHAM.
JERElfflAH NOTES.
The next Congregational minister settled' in Gorham was
Rev. Jeremiah Noyes ; he was a native of Newburyport,
and graduated at Dartmouth College in 1799, and was or
dained at Gorham, Nov. 16, 1803. One condition of Mr.
Noyes' settlement was, that he should take a dismission
whenever two-thirds of the legal voters of the Parish, at a
legal meeting had for that purpose, should request it ; six
months notice to be given. During Mr. Noyes' ministry he
lived on amicable terms with his people ; there seems to
have been no fault found from any quarter, and he died,
very much regretted, January 15, 1807, aged 28 years.

-ASA RAND.

Rev. Asa Rand succeeded Mr. Noyes as minister of this
Parish. He was born at RIndge, N. H. ; graduated at Dart
mouth College In 1806, and was ordained at Gorham, Janu
ary 18, 1809. He was to receive $680 per year for four
years, and afterwards $600 annuaUy. Mr. Rand was a
sedate, industrious man, a hard student, a strong, lucid
writer, and a solemn preacher. He was strenuously ortho
dox in principle, uniform and inflexible in maintaining those
views which he deemed right, but never impetuous or rash ;
he was a gentleman of learning and ability. In consequence
of bodUy Infirmity, he asked a release from his charge, and
was dismissed, by an ecclesiastical councU, June 12, 1822.
During Mr. Rand's pastorate, 73 females and 21 males were
added to the church. After Mr. Rand's dismissal he edited
the Christian Mirror, then the Boston Recorder, afterwards
the LoweU Observer— subsequently he resided many years

ECCLESIASTICAL. 71
in Western New York, and now (1862) lives again in New
England.

THADDEUS POMEROT.
On the same day that Mr. Rand was dismissed, and by
the same Council, Rev. Thaddeus Pomeroy was instaUed as
Pastor over the Congregational Church and Parish in Gor
ham. Mr. Pomeroy was a native of South Hampton, Mass.,
graduated at Williams College, and studied theology at
Andover. He was first settled in the ministry at Randolph,
Mass., some years before he came to Gorham. He was a
man of exemplary diligence ; often out of health, but ever
Industrious. While he was pastor here, a large number were
added to the church ; 72 in 1831. Ms. Pomeroy did much
to promote education, and was indefatigable in his efforts to
establish and endow the Female Seminary in this town.
Mr. Pomeroy was dismissed Nov. 24, 1839. He removed
to Pompey, in Western New York, and afterwards re
moved to De Witt, near Syracuse, and engaged in agricul
tural pursuits. He died there April 14, 1858, aged 76 years.

JOHN S. DAVENPORT.
Was the eighth settled minister of the First Parish in
this town ; he came from New York, and was a merchant
before he preached. He was installed at Gorham July 16,
1840, and was dismissed, on his own request, July 16, 1842.
Mr. Davenport came to the belief that the Apostolical form
of church government was Episcopal, and that no person

72 HISTORY OP GORHAM.
could be properly ordained except by a Bishop ; hence he
felt that it was wrong to be a Congregational pastor when
in fact he was an Episcopalian. Soon after his dismission
from Gorham, he was ordained by a Bishop and preached in
Newburyport. Afterwards he was settled in Ogdensburg,
N. Y. ; being again dismissed, he returned to New York
and again engaged in mercantile pursuits.

AARON C. ADAHS.
Rev. Aaron C. Adams succeeded Mr. Davenport as pastor
over the First Parish here. He was from Bangor, Me., and
graduated at Bowdoin CoUege In 1836. He was ordained
at Gorham, Oct. 5, 1842, and was dismissed in November,
1845. Ill health was the cause of his resigning his pastoral
relation. Mr. Adams was afterwards settled at West Bloom-
field in New Jersey. Subsequently he was settled at Man
chester, New Hampshire, and, being dismissed from there,
he is again living in Maine.

JOHN R. ADAHS.
The tenth Congregational clergyman in this Parish was
Rev. John R. Adams, a native of Andover, Mass. ; he grad
uated at Yale College in 1821 ; studied Theology at Divinity
College, Andover, Mass. He was settled firstly at London
derry, N. H. ; then at Brighton, Mass., and thirdly in this
town ; he was installed in Gorham, June 4, 1847, and his
pastoral relation to this people was dissolved Dec. 1, 1858.
Mr. Adams is now (1862) serving as Chaplain to the Fifth

ECCLESIASTICAL. 73
Regiment of Maine Volunteers in the Federal army on the
Potomac.

STEPHEN C. STRONG.
Is the eleventh and present Congregational minister of
the First Parish in this town ; he is a native of North Hamp
ton, Mass., a grandson of Gov. Caleb Strong. Mr. Strong
graduated at Williams College in 1845 ; he studied Theolo
gy in the Union Theological Seminary in New York City.
He was first settled at South Hampton, Mass., and being
dismissed from his parochial charge there, he was installed
at Gorham February 15, 1860.

The following is a list of Congregational clergymen, who
have been settled in Gorham, with the dates of their settle
ment and dismission or death.
1. Solomon Lombard, ordained December 26, 1750, dis
missed August 15, 1764.
2. Josiah Thacher, ordained October 28, 1767, dismissed
AprU 28, 1781.
3. Caleb Jewett, ordained November 5, 1783, dismissed
Sept. 8, 1800.
4. Jeremiah Noyes, ordained November 16, 1803, died
January 15, 1807.
5. Asa Rand, ordained January 18, 1809, dismissed June
12, 1822.
6. Thaddeus Pomeroy, installed June 12, 1822, dismissed
November 24, 1839. 10

74 HISTORY OF GOEHAM.
7. John L. Davenport, instaUed July 16, 1840, dismissed
July 16, 1842.
8. Aaron C. Adams, ordained October 5, 1842, dismissed
November 4, 1845.
9. John R. Adams, installed June 4, 1847, dismissed De
cember 1, 1858.
10. Stephen C. Strong, installed February 15, 1860.
April 4, 1759, Mr. Ebenezer Townsend, ordained by one
division of the church ; Mr. Townsend died in Gorham in
1762. For a few years after the organization of the Congrega
tional church in this town, they had Ruling Elders ; they
were Edmund Phinney, Hugh McLeUan, and Joseph Cates.
The following persons have been the Deacons : Stephen
Phinney, EUphalet Watson, James McLeUan, Austen Al
den, George Lewis, Thomas Cross, Samuel Paine, James
McLellan, 2d, Thos. S. Robie, Nahum Chadbourne, Enoch
Cross, Marshal Irish, Edward P. Weston, Nathaniel Brown,
Horatio H. Merrill, Edward Robie, and Thomas Jameson.
The brick Vestry, or Conference House of the First Par
ish, was buUt in 1826, priacipaUy by a Uberal donation of
$500 from Deacon Thomas S. Robie.

ECCLESIASTICAL. 75

CHAPTER IX.
BAPTISTS.
The Baptists (Free WiU) first came into notice in this
town during the pastorate of Rev. Josiah Thacher over the
Congregational church. These Baptists were by other peo
ple then called New Lights. They had many preachers —
no one officiating long in Gorham. They were very earnest
men. A number of these, calUng themselves Baptists, in
1780-1, afterwards became Shakers, some Friends, and some
Methodists. Samuel Brown, John and William Cotton,
James McCoUister (McCorlson,) Amos and Lemuel Rich,
Jacob H. Clements, some of the Freemans, were among the
earliest and most active members of the Baptist Society in
its early days in Gorham. Many became disaffected to
" the Standing Order," as the CongregatlonaUsts were then
caUed, and protested against paying Parish taxes, and prob
ably some nominally joined the New Lights for the sole
purpose of evading taxation ; the larger part were undoubt
edly conscientiously opposed to Congregational doctrines and
poUty. The enthusiastic New Light chose to preach for
himself. He talked much against ministers being qualified
to preach by book learning, and disdained the idea of study
ing for the ministry, contending that God would choose
and quaUfy his own preachers. Their numbers in Gorham
increased rapidly; they held meetings, and leaders soon
showed themselves. They became much excited ; every one,

76 HISTORY OF GORHAM.
who chose, became a public speaker, to exhort men and ex
pound the Scriptures- They publicly denounced the paid
clergy. Their speakers were often vociferous, their meet
ings sometimes disorderly ; their converts freuqently violent
in their gesticulations ; whirling around and swooning were
not unusual in their meetings. They were decided in their
opposition to finery or ornament in dress and fashionable
amusements. Like most sects in their early days, they had
their eecentricitles ; but they were sincere and devout, and
time and " the sober second thought" moulded them into
an orderly and respectable religious society ; and so they
have remained.
The first Free Will Baptist church in this town was or
ganized, and their first meeting house buUt at Fort Hill,
where they still have a house for worship. This denomina
tion has two other houses for public worship in town, one
at Little Falls vUlage and one at White Rock neighborhood.
They have had many clergymen to preach ; and quite a
number of Free Will Baptist ministers have been natives of
Gorham. Among the most prominent was Rev. Clement
Phinney, a grandson of Col. E. Phinney. Eider Benjamin
Randall, the father of the denomination in this country, oc
casionally preached here ; so did Elder Weeks, Elder Jo
seph White, Elder John Buzzell, and others.
They tried year after year to induce the town to exempt
them from paying ministerial taxes ; they became so numer
ous and powerful that the town at length listened to their
petitions. And at a legal town meeting, held on the 14th
day of June, 1781, the following vote was passed : " Voted,
All the inhabitants of Gorham, who are of a different de
nomination to the Congregational, are to be excluded pay
ing any future charges towards supplying the Desk in Gor
ham Meeting house, only upon bringing a certificate from
the heads of either of the opposite societies, in Gorham,

ECCLESIASTICAL.

77

called Baptists, in two months from this date." Within the
prescribed time, and on the town book Is this record : " The
foUowing is a list of the persons In Gorham, who call them
selves Baptists, according to their own return, given in to
the Selectmen, agreeable to a vote passed the 14th of June,
1781." " To the Selectmen of Gorham — Gents : — These may
certify, that the persons, whose names are in the foUowing
List, are in our opinion, cleared from paying to ye support of
ye Congregational Ministry in the town, both by law, and
agreeable to a vote of the town passed sometime in June
last, they attending our meeting, and desiring their names
to be entered in the certificate to yourselves."

tt,|

Daniel Hebard, Pastor,
- Andrew Crockett.
Elisha StroHit,
Capt. Briant Morton,
Andrew Cobb,
Nicholas Cobb,
Jedediah Cobb,
Andrew Cobb, Jr.,
Daniel Cobb,
Nath'l Edwards,
Ephraim Hunt,
"" Peletiah Crocket,
Moses Hanscom,
-. Samuel Crocket, Jr.,
James Bangs,
Jno. Foy,
Jona. Freeman,
C.ary McLeUan,
Nathan Freeman,

WiUiam Cotton,
Nath'l Freeman,
Eben'r Morton,
Samuel Thomes,
Samuel Brown,
Joshua Harding,
Ebenezer Hamblen,
Barnabas Rich,
Lemuel Rich,
Josiah Whitney,
Samuel Harding, Jr.,
Gershom Hamblen,
Nathaniel Miickford,
Aaron Whitney,
WUUam Monson,
Ezekiel Rich,
Nath'l Stevens,
Joseph Whitney,
Jereh. Hodsdon,

* Elders of the Eastern Baptist Church in Gorham.

78 HISTORY OF GORHAM.
George Hamblen, Isaac Elder,
Caleb Lombard, John Carsley,
Capt. Hart WiUiams, Decker Phinney,
Daniel Gammon, Stephen Swett,
James Gilkey, Joseph Stone,
WilUam Lakeman, Joel Sawyer,
Jona. Crocket, Calvin Lombard,
Jabez Morton, Barnabas Bangs,
James McCorlson, Thomas Bangs,
Joel Rich, Lemuel Hicks,
WiUiam Files, John SiUa,
Samuel Elder, Joseph Brackett,
WUliam Marks, Benja. Stevens,
EU Webb.
These persons were exempted from payment of ministerial
taxes for a few years, but others, who it wa^ said did not
get certificates or who did not hand them to the Selectmen
seasonably, were still assessed, and the matter was again
brought into the town meetings ; and an article was iu a
warrant for a town meeting iu 1787, " To see what method
the town wUl take with sundry persons that think them
selves aggrieved in paying ministerial taxes, and whether
they wUl excuse a whole or a part of them ?" The town
chose Edmund Phinney, Esq., Austen Alden, George Lewis,
-James Phinney, and Nathaniel Frost, to report on that mat
ter at an adjourned meeting. This Committee held several
meetings and finally made the following Report : —
" We, the subscribers, beg leave to report to the town as
foUows, viz. : We have met a committee of those caUed the
Anabaptist Society in Gorham, and heard aU they had to
offer, Patiently and Candidly, and are of opinion that if any
person in Gorham of that Society, or of any different denom
ination from the Congregational, who is a pubUc Protestant

ECCLESIASTICAL. 79
teacher of Piety, ReUgion, and MoraUty, agreeable to the
Constitution, should produce a certificate, or List, to the
Town, of any number of persons, (Inhabitants of Gorham ?)
who are, ia his opinion, conscientiously of his Society, and
do constantly attend upon instruction, that in that case we
would recommend to the town to exempt all those persons
from paying to any Congregational minister in said Gorham."
The town passed a vote in accordance with this Report, but
it was too strict for those who wished to use a Baptist name
merely to avoid paying a ministerial tax. The officiating
Baptist clergyman or teacher would not certify that those
persons, who only occasionally attended their ministrations
and in their daUy Ufe did not exhibit any decided religious
opinions, or lead virtuous lives, were " conscientiously of
their Society."
In a town meeting caUed in November, 1788, there was
an article in the warrant " To see if the town wiU exempt
any person or number of persons in Gorham, (being of the
Baptist Denomination) from paying taxes to a Congrega-
ational minister in Gorham." And another article was " To
see If the town will vote that Mr. James McAUister shaU be
discharged from paying any State, County, or Town taxes
in Gorham, on account of his being a Baptist minister."
The Town would not consider these requests, but dis
missed both articles.
In 1789, there was an article in a warrant for a Town
meeting, " To see if the Town wUl vote that the Baptist
Society be set off by themselves, in order that they may be
Incorporated Into a separate Parish."
The Town meeting dismissed that article.
In February 1790, a Petition, signed by George Thomes
and about 60 other male citizens of Gorham, was presented
to the General Court, praying to be incorporated into a sep
arate Parish, stating that they had erected a house for pub-

80 HISTORY OF GORHAM.
Uc worship, and had a public Teacher, and had assembled
and steadily kept up public worship for seven years, and did
not and could not conscientiously attend upon the instruc
tions of the Congregational minister ; yet the Town of Gor
ham assessed them, and distrained their property to support
the Congregational worship.
Notice was ordered on this petition, returnable at the
next General Court. To this petition the Town made no
objection, and the petitioners and their associates were made
a separate Parish. The foUowing named persons have been
Free WIU Baptist preachers in Gorham : — ^Daniel Hebard,
James McCoUister, Samuel Hutchinson, Clement Phinney,
Andrew Rollins, James M. BuzzeU, and some others.

ECCLESIASTICAL. 81

CHAPTER X.
METHODISTS.
This now large and respectable denomination of Chris
tians, was unknown in Gorham, till somewhere between
1790 and 1800. Rev. Jesse Lee is believed to have been
the first Methodist preacher that came into this part of the
State ; he passed through Gorham, and caUed on Rev. Sam
uel Thomes, a Free Will Baptist Elder. Mr. Thomes in
vited him to preach at the Fort Hill meeting house ; Mr.
Lee , consented, and preached there a few times ; but Mr.
Thomes not agreeing with Mr. Lee with respect to church
government, thought best not to have Mr. Lee preach in his
church any more. This was prior to 1800. Mr. Timothy
Merritt, Asa Heath, and Rev. Mr. Hubbard, were early
preachers of Methodism in this town. Rev. Joshua Taylor
preached here as early as 1803. There was an article in
the warrant for a Parish meeting held in September, 1801,
" To see if the Parish wiU direct the Assessors to abate the
Parish taxes of those persons who have obtained certificates
from a Methodist Preacher." The Parish voted to dismiss
the article. At a Parish meeting held in April, 1803, it was
voted, " That when the Methodists produce a certificate to
the Parish Assessors, agreeably to law, they may omit tax
ing such persons." Mr. James Lewis, a man highly respec
table in abilities, character, and connexions, and of a good
property, about this time became a convert to the Methodist
11

82 HISTORY OF GORHAM.
doctrines and principles, and was admitted to the Methodist
church, by Rev. Asa Heath. Mr. Lewis soon became a
preacher, and through a long life, was an earnest, zealous,
persevering minister of the Methodist persuasion, and prob
ably did more than any other person to increase and estab
lish Methodism in Gorham and the vicinity. He itiner
ated extensively ia this and adjoining counties, and was in
strumental in turning many from profanity, dissipation, and
other vices ; his great fluency of speech, powerful voice,
and evident sincerity, gathered him large audiences, and his
kind, social quaUties, made him acceptable wherever he went.
I am not aware that he was ever strictly a circuit preacher,
or had a pastoral charge over any local church. Mr. Lewis
was an ardent friend of temperance, and labored much and
successfully to promote the cause ; he was highly respected
by all religious societies. He closed his active and useful
Ufe in Gorham, Aug. 20, 1855, at the age of 85 years.
The first Methodist Class formed in Gorham was in the
neighborhood of the north meeting house ; Ebenezer Lom
bard, afterwards a preacher, was the first class leader in
town ; he was appointed by the Rev. Timothy Merritt. The
Methodists have now two meeting houses, and two large
societies in Gorham.
It was not the polity of this denomination to have their
clergymen preach to the same parish or society longer than
two or three years successively, hence there have been a
large number of Methodist ministers stationed in this town.
Between 1803 and 1833, Alfred Metcalf, Joel Wicker, PhUip
Munger, David Stinson, Samuel Thompson, Caleb Fogg,
Samuel HUlman,'Enoch Jaques, Joel Winch, Eben'r Blake,
Benj. Bishop, Philip Ayer, Daniel FUmore, John Paine,
John Lindsey, John Adams, John Wilkinson, James Jaques,
Isaac Ames, Joshua Randall, John Lewis, Peter Burges,
GUman Moody, Job Pratt, Melville B. Cox, John Shaw,

ECCLESIASTICAL. 83
Phlnehas Crandell, R. E. Schermerhom, Aaron Sanderson,
Justin Spaulding, and Daniel Fuller ; and there has been a
stated supply of Methodist preachers since.

FRIENDS OR QUAKERS.
At the commencement of this century, there was a smaU
but respectable society of Friends in Gorham ; among whom
were Wm. Burton, Jedediah Cobb, William Cobb, Charles
Bangs, James Bangs, Stephen Harris, Decker Phinney,
John Horton, and Robert Estes, as prominent men. They
had a small meeting house, and kept up public worship.
The society has diminished, and but few of the denomina
tion remain In town.

SHAKERS.
This denomination were never numerous in Maine. Sixty
years ago they had a smaU society in Gorham. Somewhere
about 1780, a man and woman of this persuasion, came from
New Hampshire to this to'wn and held meetings ; many went
to hear their novel doctrines. A Mr. Brown, then living
near what is now called West Gorham, became a proselyte ;
others soon joined him, and they formed a society; Mr.
Brown became a leading man among them. Barnabas
Bangs and Thomas Bangs were Elders. They united their
means, purchased a large farm, and erected capacious build
ings, where Capt. Nelson MerriU now lives. About 1810'
a part of the society removed to Alfred. About six or
eight years afterwards, the remaining Shakers sold their

84 HISTORY OF GORHAM.
possessions in Gorham, and went to Poland and New Glou
cester. There have been, and stUl are, a few Calvinistic Baptists,
Unitarians and Universallsts ; but they have never had
stated preaching, or a church organization in the place.

EDUCATIONAL. 85

CHAPTER XI.
EDUCATION.
The people of this town have not been inattentive to the
subject of education. Before the incorporation of the town,
the proprietors and settlers made provision for schools. At
the first town meeting in March, 1765, £40 was voted for
schools. At that period, only one pubUc school was kept
in town. In 1768, the town " Voted to improve Mr. John
Greene as schoolmaster, till the money tax is expended."
James Ross, a foreigner, taught a school here In 1770. The
first female teacher in town, was the wife of Thomas Wes
ton. As the population increased, larger sums were voted for
instruction ; even in 1778, when most of our men were in
the army, and many families were sorely pressed to obtain
the necessaries of life, £100 was raised for schools ; in 1793,
£200 ; in 1800, $850 ; in 1809, $1000 ; in 1812, $1500 ;
and latterly, not less than $2000 annually have been voted
and paid out for the support of common schools in Gorham,
in addition to the town's proportion of Bank tax, which is
about $150 per year, and the amount paid for private
schools. Is not less than $200 per year. There are twenty-
five school districts in town. Learning has ever received
liberal encouragement from the citizens of Gorham.

86 HISTORY OF GORHAM.
GORHAM ACADEMT.
How early the inhabitants of this town entertained the
idea of having an Academy, is not known ; but it is known
that some of the more enlightened men conversed much
about the matter, for years prior to the time when an active
and systematic movement was made for that purpose. The
chief promoters of the Institution were Judge LongfeUow,
Judge Gorham, Hon. Lothrop Lewis, John P. Little, Esq.,
David Harding, Esq., Doctor Dudley Folsom, and a few
others. In 1802, a petition, headed by Hon. Stephen Long
fellow, in favor of the establishment of an Academy in Gor
ham, was presented to the Legislature of Massachusetts.
Col. Lothrop Lewis was at that time the Representative of
Gorham ; he was active and persevering in his efforts to
accomplish the objects of the petition. The act incorpora
ting the Academy and locating it in Gorham, passed the
House of Representatives, March 1st, and the Senate,
March 4th, and was approved by Gov. Strong, March 5,
1803. At that time there were but six incorporated Acade
mies in Maine, viz : one in each of the towns of Hallowell,
Berwick, Fryeburg, Maehlas, Portland, and New Castle.
The Academy was to be for the education of both sexes,
in such languages, and such of the liberal arts, as the Trus
tees shall order and direct. The Charter provided that the
number of Trustees shall not at any time be more than fif
teen, nor less than nine. The first board of Trustees were
Rev. Thomas Lancaster, Hon. WUliam Gorham, Honorable
Stephen Longfellow, Rev. Elijah Kellogg, Rev. Daniel Mar-
rett, Rev. Caleb Bradley, Capt. David Harding, Jr., John
P. Little, Esq., Mr. Mathew Cobb, Hon. Woodbury Storer,
Doctor Dudley Folsom, Mr. WiUiam McLeUan, Mr. James
Phinney, Mr. Samuel Elder, and Samuel Whitmore. AU
of these fifteen Trustees are now dead. The last survivor

EDUCATIONAL. 87
of the Corporate Board, was the Rev. Caleb Bradley, who
died June 2d, 1861, in the 90th year of his age.
The Trustees held their first meeting, June 1st, 1803, at
the house of Samuel Staples, innholder, in Gorham. Hon.
William Gorham was chosen President, and John P. Little,
Esq., Secretary, and David Harding, Jr., Esq., Treasurer
of the Board. On the 23d of June, 1803, the Legislature
granted half a township of land to Gorham Academy, on
condition that the sum of $3000 should be subscribed for
the use of the Academy within one year; of this sum,
$2500 was subscribed by citizens of Gorham. The whole
$3000 was speedily secured. Subsequently the town voted
to raise $400 in aid of the Institution. Eight of our towns
men gave $100 each. Mr. Thomas McLellan gave one acre
of land in the village on which to erect the buildings. This
lot was then valued at $350. The half township granted
by the Legislature, was located in what is now the town of
Woodstock, in the county of Oxford. Lothrop Lewis and
Matthew Cobb, were the committee for locating and selling
the same. The grant was surveyed In 1806 by Gen. James
Irish. It was sold to James H. Chadbourne and twenty-
three Others, mostly citizens of Gorham, for the sum of
$10,000. In 1804, the Trustees made preparation to erect a build
ing of wood, fifty feet long and forty feet wide, two stories
high, with a cupola for a bell. Mr. Samuel Elder contract
ed to buUd the edifice. It is the same buildlns; now called
the old Academy. It was finished in 1806. On the eighth
of September, 1806, the ceremony of dedicating the Acad
emy, and inaugurating the Preceptor, took place. A large
collection of people from this, and the neighboring towns,
assembled to witness the proceedings. The new Preceptor,
Mr. Reuben Nason, was duly installed ; he delivered an
Address appropriate to the occasion, which was printed at

88 HISTORY OF GORHAM.
the request of the Trustees. Mr. Nason was a native of
Dover, N. H., and graduated at Harvard University in
1802. He was a thoraugh scholar, especially in the Latin
and Greek languages, and Mathematics ; he was an able
teacher and attentive and faithful to the duties of his voca
tion ; somewhat severe, but never revengeful ; and he has
been called by one of his most distinguished pupils, " that
sternly hind old man." His scholars loved and respected
him. The Academy flourished under his guidance. Male
pupils were only admitted, and none under ten years of age ;
and the whole number limited to forty-five. Tuition was
two doUars per term of eleven weeks. The Bible was re
quired to be read daily in school, which was to be opened
and closed with prayer. The Columbian Orator and En
field's Speaker were the principal reading books ; Murray's
Grammar, Walsh's Arithmetic, Webber's Mathematics, and
Morse's Geography were the chief text book^ in English
studies. No student was aUowed to go out of town without
leave. They were required to keep the Sabbath strictly,
to attend public worship, and pass the remainder of Sunday
in their respective places of lodging. The salary of the
Preceptor was $600 per year.
The next year, the Trustees voted that the number of
pupils might be seventy, fifteen of whom might be females.
The admission of females into the Institution, as pupils,
was* strongly opposed by many of the friends, and some of
the Trustees, of the Academy. How strangely times and
opinions alter. Within the period of fifty years, we have
seen this Seminary of learning — ^first exclusively composed
of male scholars, then both sexes admitted ; then females
alone taught here, and now again a school for both sexes.
The prosperity of the Academy was increasing — the
number of pupils enlarged — the price of tuition raised to
$2,50 per quarter, and an assistant teacher employed. The

EDUCATIONAL. 89
Trustees made some new rules. Scholars were prohibited
from attending music or dancing schools.
Early in 1810, Mr. Nason requested to be released from
his engagement as Preceptor ; he having had a call to settle
in the ministry at Freeport. The Trustees released him,
and the school w;as suspended four months.
Doctor Charles* Coffin, of Brunswick, was engaged as Pre
ceptor ; he introduced several new text books ; new regu
lations were made ; the restriction limiting the number of
female scholars was removed, and any number of young
ladies were allowed to be pupils. A separate " Female
Department" was established, and Miss Rhoda Parker was
the first Preceptress in 1811. Her salary was $300 per
year. The productive funds of the Academy at this time
exceeded $11,000. After one year's teaching, Doctor Coffin
declined a farther engagement, he being offered $1000 a
year to teach in Portsmouth, N. H. Doctor Coffin did not
please his pupils, and he was unpopular — students feared,
but did not love him ; he always seemed to have an atmos
phere of repulsion around him ; he had no words of en
couragement for timid scholars.
Asa Redington, Jr., was Dr. Coffin's successor as Princi
pal of the Academy. Mr. Redington was from WatervIUe.
He graduated at Bowdoin College in 1811. He has been
a sound lawyer, State Treasurer, Judge of the District
Court, and Reporter of the Decisions of the Supreme Judi
cial Court.
Mr. William White was the fourth Preceptor.
In September, 1815, Mr. Nason again took charge of the
l^cademy, and continued as Principal till August, 1834 ; he
then removed to Clarkson, New York, and died suddenly
at that place in January, 1835.
In 1834, Mr. John V. Beane became Preceptor. Mr.
Beane was a graduate of Dartmouth CoUege in 1832.
12

90 HISTORY OP GORHAM.
His successor. Rev. Amos Brown, graduated in the same
class. In 1828, ornamental trees were planted on the Academy
grounds ; the buUding was painted, bUnds attached to the
windows ; a philosophical apparatus purchased, and a course
of lectures on Electricity was given. In 1833-4, an attempt
to connect a manual labor department with the Institution
was made. A mechanic shop and tools were hired. The
manual labor project was a failure. The experiment was
altogether unprofitable. A change now came over the
Institution ; the plan of the school was altered ; it was
determined to separate the male and female departments,
and erect a large brick edifice for a female boarding school,
and increase the number of teachers, both male and female.
Mr. Brown was elected Principal with a salary of $750,
which was soon increased to $1000 per year. The Trus
tees voted to attempt to raise $30,000 for buildings, appa
ratus and the pay of teachers. The Rev. T. Pomeroy, then
pastor of the Congregational Parish in this town, was chosen
agent to canvass the Stateand solicit subscriptions ; he en
gaged in the enterprise with energy, and more than $20,000
were subscribed. In 1836, the large brick edifice, four
stories high, was erected, and a learned and efficient corps
of Professors and Lady Teachers were employed. The
school was fully supplied with scholars ; several hundred
yearly attended. But the expenses had exceeded the means ;
of the $21,000 subscribed, not more than $7000 were paid.
The purchase of land, buildings, fiirnlture, apparatus,
musical instruments, &c., had cost over $20,000, and had
absorbed, not only the donations, but all the old Academic-
fund of more than $12,000. The tuition would not meet
the expenditures. This state of things greatly embarrassed
the Trustees. The Institution, however, was flourishing.
Rev. Amos Brown, now President of the Agricultural Col-

EDUCATIONAL. 91
lege in Western New York, was Principal. Rev. Franklin
Yeaton, and Rev. Thomas Tenney, were successively Pro
fessors of Languages. Robert Douglass, Esq., Professor of
Scientific and Practical Engineering. Benjamin Wyman
was Teacher of Music and Penmanship. Miss Jane Inger-
soU was first Lady Principal. Miss Barrows and Miss Mc
Keen were Assistant Female Teachers. Miss Russell suc
ceeded Miss IngersoU, and there have been since many
accompUshed female instructresses. The new Seminary
buildings were dedicated Sept. 13, 1837, when an Address
was delivered by Prof. Packard, of Bowdoin College, and
a Poem by William Cutter, Esq. An appropriate Ode was
furnished by C. P. Hsley, Esq.
In 1847, Mr. Brown resigned his office as Principal, and
was succeeded by Edward P. Weston, Esq., who continued
at the head of the Seminary tiU 1860. Then the school was
continued awhile by female teachers only, Mrs. Lord being
Principal. In 1861, the male and female departments were
united, and Mr. Josiah B. Webb is now at the head of the
Seminary, and conducting its instructions much to the satis
faction of the Trustees and the community. Thousands of
scholars have been here instructed in literature, science and
religion ; many of them have become distinguished persons
at the bar, in the pulpit, and medical profession, in the State
Legislatures, and in the Congress of the United States.

92 HISTORY OF GORHAM.

CHAPTER XII.
PROGRESS OF THE TOWN.
The Indian wars were over. The dwellers in the gar
rison left the old fortress, which was never to be again in
habited. The settlers re-occupied their long abandoned
houses. The fear of savage attacks was at an end. It was
no longer necessary to protect their dweUings. The settlers
went to work in earnest to clear and plant their fields, and
their labor was well repaid by abundant harvests. The
grazing capabilities of our lands enabled the owners to
largely increase their stock of cattle, sheep and horses. The
streams were bridged — new roads laid out and made safe
and convenient, new settlers flocked in, and the town was
thrifty. In 1742-3, Capt. John Gorham erected a saw miU
and grist mill on Little River, on the Fort HiU road, where
Whitney's and Merrill's mills now are. Those miUs were
destroyed during the Indian troubles. In 1753, Enoch
Freeman, Solomon Lombard and Wentworth Stuart, built
new mills on the same place, at a cost of £1738 9s. 8d.
The next year a new bridge was built over Little River just
above these miUs, and the road to Pearsontown, (Standish)
cleared out and made passable with wheels. In 1764, John
Phinney, Hugh McLeUan and Clement Meserve, cleared a
road from Gorham Corner to Bragdon's mills In Scarbor
ough.

PROGRESS OF THE TOWN. 93
Several mechanics moved into the town. Joseph Pilkin-
ton is believed to have been the first blacksmith. He lived
about half a mUe southerly from the Comer, near where
Mr. Samuel Edwards dwelt. John and WiUiam Cotton
were the first tanners in Gorham ; they came from Portland,
and were sons of Deacon Wm. Cotton who came from Ports
mouth to Portland in 1732. The Gorham WilUam was
born in 1739, and John in 1741. They have descendants
now Uving In town. In the early periods of the place large
flocks of sheep were kept. There are comparatively few
now. Formerly flax and peas were extensively cultivated in
town. The former has ceased to be raised, and peas now
form but a small part of our products. Our farmers early
paid attention to fruit trees, and Gorham made large quan
tities of cider ; and though many apples are yet raised, but
little cider is manufactured. Severe seasons, and destruc
tive insects have greatly diminished our fruit trees. Hay,
oats, barley, potatoes, and garden vegetables, are our chief
products. Few towns in the State, it is believed, raise and
seU as much hay as Gorham. Beef and pork are also largely
produced. Some branches of mechanical trade, that once
employed many hands in town, have ceased to exist, among
which are cooper work, cabinet making, pottery, soap mak
ing, tin ware manufactories, clock making, and some others.
John Dickey was the flrst hatter who carried on his trade
here. Joseph Hunt for many years manufactured many
hats. David Patrick was the first mason — and the first
house plastered in town, was James McLeUan's, father of
the late Deacoji James McLellan. The same house is now
standing and is owned by Miss C. Storer. The first brick
house is the one a little north of the Acadeiby ; it was long
owned by Thomas McLeUan, and afterwards by his son
Robert. It is said to be the oldest brick dweUing house in
Cumberland County.

94 HISTORY OP GORHAM.
Gorham has never been distinguished as a manufacturing
town ; yet various manufactures have been carried on in the
place. Lumbering in its different forms has always occu
pied the citizens to a large amount in the whole. Carpet
making, for twenty years past, has employed many hands,
and $30,000 or $40,000 annually. Tanning and currying
has, for about the same number of years, been pursued ex
tensively by Stephen Hinkley and others. Hoes, curriers'
knives, and various other tools, were made by Mr. George
Hight, some years ago.
Mr. Elden Gammon has a machine shop, with water
power, where he manufactures lathes, planing machines, and
other heavy and nice implements. Boots and shoes are
made in considerable quantities In the two principal villages.
A powder mill at Gambo Falls does a large, and it is said,
a profitable business. At Little FaUs there was for many
years a cotton factory where sheeting and shirting cloths
were spun and woven. The miU was burned a few years
ago, and has not been rebuilt. Many of our settlers came
from the maritime towns of Massachusetts, and were accus
tomed to the sea, and quite a number of the early citizens
pursued a sea-faring life, and Gorham had a large number
of sailors and masters of vessels. We have no accurate
data by which to determine the number of the inhabitants,
or the amount of their property, tUl after the Revolutionary
war. From the number of polls and valuation lists of that
period, we may make, perhaps, a near estimate. In 1772,
there were 195 1-2 polls, 506 sheep, 125 swine, 77 horses,
281 cows, 204 oxen, 395 acres of tillage land, 527 acres of
pasture, 853 tons of hay, and 4 slaves. The poUs were
reckoned from 16 years of age ; tUl males were twenty-
one years old they were taxed in the poll lists to their pa
rents or guardians, hence, in some instances, females (wid
ows with minor sons) were taxed for polls ; for some reasons

PROGRESS OF THE TOWN. 95
certain men were not taxed for polls ; for instance, clergy
men. So Mr. Ebenezer Mayo and Joseph Quinby were not
rated in the poll list, because they had erected miUs in town.
Males over 70 years of age were not ordinarily taxed for
poUs. In 1772, there were 57 males that had polls but no
property, 17 that had property, but no poll tax. Solomon
Lombard, Esq., William McLeUan, Lemuel Rich, and Na
thaniel Whitney had each two horses ; 69 individuals o-wned
one horse each ; Joshua Decker was the only person in town
in 1772, that owned a horse and no other taxable property.
WiUiam McLellan owned two Negro slaves, and Jacob
Hamblen one. Forty-eight persons owned one cow each,
53 owned two cows each, 13 three each, 12 owned four
each, and three owned six each ; 74 men owned no cow, 64
men owned each a yoke of oxen, 16 owned 2 yokes, and
two owned 6 oxen each ; 127 men owned no oxen, 74 per
sons owned sheep. Very few flocks of sheep exceeded 15
in number. Four persons cut twenty tons of hay, each ;
35 cut from 5 to 15 tons apiece ; 62 cut less than 5 tons ;
and 90 men cut no hay ; only one person, (John Harding)
is recorded as having twelve acres of land under tlUage.
As to the population of Gorham in 1772, an approximate
census may be formed from the number of polls ; assuming
that there were as many females as males over sixteen years
of age, which was 196, and if we add one half as many
under 16 years of age, we obtain about 580, or 600 souls,
as the population of the town In 1772. At the commence
ment of the revolutionary war, Gorham contained about 850
inhabitants. In 1772, the town voted not to send a Representative to
the General Court on account of poverty. At that time and
long after, the towns paid their own Representatives.
In 1790 Gorham contained 2244 inhabitants.
" 1800 " " 2503

96

HISTORY OF GORHAM.

In 1810 Gorham contained 2632 inhabitants.

1820 1830
1840 1850 1860

2800 2988
3002 30883253

The property of our town has steadily increased since
the war of 1812. And the State valuation of 1860 shows
the amount of taxable property to be more than one milUon
of doUars, and is the fourth town in the County of Cumber
land in the amount of its valuation.

PHTSICIANS.
More than thirty years elapsed after the settlement of the
town before any regular physician was permanently located
here. Doctor Stephen Swett was the first physician in this
place ; he was from Exeter, N. H., and was a prominent
man in municipal affairs in the time of the Revolution ; he
was surgeon of Col. Edmund Phinney's Regiment, and was
in several battles.
Doctor Jeremiah Barker was settled in this town as early
as 1780, and succeeded Dr. Swett. After practiciag several
years in Gorham, he removed to Falmouth, afterwards to
Portland, subsequently he married the widow of Judge
Gorham, returned to this town and died here in 1835, at the
age of 84 years.
Doctor Nathaniel Bowman, who graduated at Harvard
University in 1786, was the third physician in town. He
was a gentlemanly and popular man ; and, as has been before
stated, was killed at the raising of the meeting house in

PROGRESS OP THE TOWN. 97
1797. The widow of Doct. Bowman died within three or
four years past.
Doctor Dudley Folsom, from Exeter, N. H., succeeded
Dr. Bowman, and had a large and successful practice for a
long number of years. He was a promiaent citizen, and
much engaged in municipal affairs, one of the Trustees of
Gorham Academy, and for many years a Representative of
Gorham in the Legislature of Massachusetts ; he was a man
of integrity and great private worth. He died in Gorham.
Doctors Charles Kittrege, Asa Adams, Wm. Thorndike,
Dr. Seaver, EUhu Baxter, Wm. H. Peabody, John Pierce,
S. W. Baker, Enoch Cross, Simeon C. Strong, Edward F.
Mitchell, William Wescott, Lewis W. Houghton, Phineas
IngaUs, Edward W. Anderson, have been medical practi
tioners in Gorham, and were respectable and useful citizens,
all of whom have deceased, or removed from town. The
physicians remaining in practice here at the present time, are
Doctors John Waterman, Alden T. Keen, Seth C. Gordon,
Nelson H. Carey, Frederic Robie, James M. Buzzel.

COUNSELORS AT LAW.
John Park Little, a native of Littleton, Mass., graduated
at Brown University, Rhode Island, in 1794, and opened an
office for the practice of law in Gorham in 1801. He mar
ried Mary J. Prescott, a daughter of Judge Prescott, of
Groton, Mass., in 1804. Mr. Little was an industrious
man, faithful to the duties of his profession, highly respect
ed for his moral and social virtues, having the full confi
dence of his friends and townsmen ; he built the three story
house recently occupied by Mrs. Mary J. Lewis. Mr. Lit
tle died in Gorham in 1809.
13

98 HISTORY OF GOEHAM.
Peter Thacher, son of Hon. Josiah Thacher, began to
practice law in Gorham in 1805 ; he removed to Saccarappa
and died there.
Barrett Potter graduated at Dartmouth College in 1796.
He opened an office in North Yarmouth. After a short
time he removed to Gorham in 1805, and the next year he
left Gorham and removed to Portland, where he was a prac
titioner for many years — was a Senator in the State Legis
lature in 1822, President of the Canal Bank, and Judge of
Probate for Cumberland County from 1822 to 1846. Judge
Potter is stiU living in Portland at an advanced age.
Samuel Whitmore, Jr., was a native of Gorham. He
graduated at Dartmouth College in 1802, studied law with
Mr. Little, and practiced in Gorham a short time, and died
in this town.
Joseph Adams was a native of Sudbury, Mass. ; he grad
uated at Harvard College in 1805, studied law with Hon.
George Thacher, whose daughter Sarah he married. Mr.
Adams commenced his professional practice in Buxton, but
soon removed to Gorham, and continued in the legal prac
tice in this town till October, 1821, when he removed to
Portland, and died in 1850. Mr. Adams was a sound law
yer, and an upright man, and possessed, in a large degree,
the confidence and esteem of his feUow citizens. For many
years he was County Attorney, and was a delegate from
Gorham to the Convention that formed the Constitution of
Maine. Jacob S. Smith was a native of Durham, N. H. ; he
graduated at Harvard in 1805. After reading law with
his father, Ebenezer Smith of Durham, he* opened an office
in Gorham vUlage, and pursued his profession for forty
years ; he then retired from practice. He now Uves on a
farm in this town.
Josiah Pierce, a native of Baldwin, and a graduate of

PEOGEESS OF THE TOWN. 99
Bowdoin CoUege, opened an office in Gorham in 1821, and
stiU continues in the profession.
Elijah Hayes was a native of Limerick, and read law with
Judge Howard, and commenced practice in this town in
1833, and had an increasing business tiU his sudden death
in 1846.
Thomas H. Goodwin, Henry P. A. Smith, Charles N.
Danforth, John W. Dana, and Alvah Black, were lawyers
in this town for brief periods, and have aU left the place.
John A. Waterman, a graduate of Bowdoin College, of
the class of 1846, opened his office here in 1850, and still
continues his legal practice in Gorham.
The Counselors at law in this town have nearly all been
educated, upright, pubUc spirited men, and useful, worthy
citizens. The foUowing persons from this town have received a
coUegiate education.
Stephen LongfeUow graduated at Harvard in 1798
Samuel Whitmore, Jr. graduated at Dartmouth In 1802
Randolph A. L. Codman "
Stephen L. Lewis "
WiUiam McDougaU "
Charles Harding "
James Larry "
Stephen McLeUan Staples "
Charies H. P. McLeUan "
WiUiam T. Smith
Thomas McDougaU "
WiUiam T. HilUard "
Seargent S. Prentiss "
John H. HUUard "
Francis B. Robie "
Francis Barbour "
Jabez C. Rich "

Bowdoin In

1816

ii

1816

cc

1820

u

1821

4C

1821

ii

1821

CC

1822

ii

1823

cc

1824

cc

1826

cc

1826

cc

1827

cc

1829

cc

1830

cc

1832

100

HISTOEY OF GOEHAM.

Reuben Nason, Jr.

graduated at Bowdoin in 1834

John D. Smith

1834

George L. Prentiss

1835

WUUam W. Rand

« " 1837

Edward Robie

1840

Frederick Robie

1841

Josiah Pierce, Jr.

1846

John L. Waterman

1846

Lewis Pierce

» 1852

Thomas S. Robie

1856

George W. Pierce

1857

Oliver Libby

1859

George B. Emery

1860

Charles 0. Hunt

1861

MISCELLANEOUS. 101

CHAPTER XIII.
HISCELLANEOUS. — TOWN HOUSES.
For several years after the to'wn was incorporated, town
meetings were held in the meeting house of the First Parish.
Afterwards at the Corner school house. In 1815, a town
house was erfected on Fort HiU, near where the old garrison
once stood. This building was the place of town meeting
for thirty years. In 1821, an union meeting house was
erected on a hiU at the western part of the vUlage. This
buUding was designed to be used as a place for public wor
ship for any, and aU religious sects. The Free WiU Bap
tists and Methodists principaUy occupied it ; it was called
the " Free Meeting House ;" like most other union churches,
instead of being a bond of harmony, it was quite the re
verse. The Proprietors of the buUding obtained permission
of the Legislature to sell it at auction. Hon. Toppan Robie
became the purchaser, and he offered to exchange it with
the town for the old town house on Fort HiU. The offer
was a generous one, and was accepted by the town, though
not without great opposition from some of the citizens in the
northern and western parts of the town. Many town meet
ings on the subject were held. Many contended that the
town house should be in the centre of the town, but a large
majority knew the territorial centre of the town would be a
very inconvenient place for voters to go to. After many
trials of strength it was repeatedly settled to have the Free

102 HISTORY OF GORHAM.
meeting house for the town house. It has been altered and
repaired, and makes a commodious and convenient place for
town meetings. In 1829, an effort was made to divide the
town by setting off the northerly part, and with parts of
Standish and Windham, form a new town, but the Legisla
ture were averse to the project. *

THE TOWN'S POOR.

For more than thirty years after the iacorporatlon of the
town, no specific sums were voted for the support of the
poor ; each individual case of necessity was attended to by
the Selectmen, and the amount expended was voted at some
subsequent town meeting. When articles were inserted
in the warrants for town meetings, the town would vote
to dismiss them, and they would vote that the Selectmen
see to the circumstances of persons applying for aid, and
direct them to manage the pauper business as prudently
«,s might be. After awhUe, the number needing assistance
becoming larger, it was the custom of the town to let out
the support of their poor to the lowest bidder, if the over
seers of the poor thought the lowest bidder suitable to take
charge of the indigent. When the surplus revenue of the
United States was deposited with the States, and Maine hav
ing distributed their several proportions to the towns, this
town voted to apply their portion to the purchase of a farm
for the poor, and the farm of Mr. John Hamblen on the
Gray road was bought fSr about $3000. Agricultural tools
were provided, and a Superintendent of the Poor Farm, and
of the paupers, was hired, and the paupers were thus taken
care of. But this method of using these fiinds was not
agreeable to many persons, who paid small, or no taxes ;

MISCELLANEOUS. 103
and after repeated town meetings, it was voted to distribute
the surplus revenue funds to each individual, and a commit
tee was chosen to make the distribution; it amounted to
something over two dollars for each man, woman and chUd
in Gorham. Since then most of the paupers have been kept
on the Huston farm, which the town rents of Mrs. Ruth
Huston, for about $165 per year, and a Superintendent
takes care of the poor there, and cultivates the farm. Many,
however, are partlaUy supported, who do not go to the town
farm. The annual expense to the town, for the support of
their poor, is about $800 at the present period.

ROADS.
There are nearly three hundred miles of public highways
in town ; and as the nature of the soil. In most places, is
not weU adapted to good roads, the expense of keeping them
in repair is a heavy item of taxation. Near $4000 per year
are expended on the roads and bridges.
The York & Cumberland RaUroad passes through our
principal vUlage, and affords a convenient and rapid commu
nication with Portland and other parts of our State and
country. The Oxford & Cumberland Canal runs through Gorham,
from Standish to Westbrook, and on to the sea. It was first
opened for the passage of boats in 1829.

104

HISTORY OF GORHAM.

POST-OFFICE.
A Post-office was estabUshed in Gorham in 1797
Samuel Prentiss was appointed Ppst-master, Sept., 1797

Samuel Whitmore, Jr.,
Alexander McLeUan,
Isaac C. Irish,
Stevens Smith,
James Irish,
Joshua B. Phlpps,
Samuel W. Lord,
John Farnham,
Ebenezer W. Nevens,

June, 1807.
Dec. 5, 1809.
AprU 18, 1837.
Dec. 8, 1841.
June 7, 1845.
July 20, 1849.
June 20, 1853.
Dec. 1857.
June, 1861.

A Post-office was estabUshed at West Gorham in 1829.
Simeon C. Clements appointed Post-master, Jan. 13, 1829.
Greenleaf C. Watson, " " Feb. 6, 1841.
Naaman C. Watson, " " Aug. 6, 1841.
Daniel B. Clements, " " May 17, 1844.
Thomas J. Hasty, " " I860.

The first Inn-holder in this town was Caleb Chase in 1770.
Cary McLellan opened a public house in 1779.
Samuel Prentiss opened a pubUc house in 1786.
Samuel Staples opened a public house in 1805.
At present there are four or five taverns in town.

There was a violent tornado, or hurricane, passed over a
portion of Gorham July 31, 1767. It commenced near Lake

MISCELLANEOUS. 105
Sebago, and swept over the north-easterly corner of the town
into Windham, near Loveitt's Falls ; its breadth was about
three-fourths of a mile, and it prostrated aU trees in its course.
Ever since that event, that portion of the town has been
caUed " The Hurricane District."

In September, 1787, on a still, clear afternoon, several
loud, distinct reports were heard by many people of Gor
ham, Standish, and Baldwin ; the noise was said to be as
great as that made by large cannon ; there were ten or twelve
of these reports. These noises greatly alarmed many of our
townsmen. The probability is that the sounds were caused
by the bursting of meteoric stones in the atmosphere.

CEMETERIES.
The first grave yard in to'wn was one near the fort on
Fort HIU, which is yet used for a place of sepulture. There
was also a small burying ground at the village, back of
where the shops of G. L. Darling and Jonas W. Clark now
stand. There never were stones with inscriptions there, and
nearly all traces of graves have disappeared. The principal
public burying place, of our early inhabitants, was at the
vUlage, near the corner on South Street, now called the old
grave yard. This lot was given to the town by Mr. Jacob
Hamlen In 1770. In a town meeting held March 25, 1771,
the following vote was passed: — ^Voted, "That Solomon
bard, Esq., Capt. Edmund Phinney, Nathan Whitney, Na
thaniel Whitney, Joseph Cates, Benjamin Stevens, Benja
min SkiUings, EUphalet Watson, and Joseph Pilkinton, be
a committee to return the thanks of the town to Mr. Jacob
14

106 HISTORY OP GORHAM.
Hamlen, for his generosity in giving to the town half an
acre of land for the purpose of a burying yard."
At a public town meeting held in the month of April,
1771, the foUowing address was publicly made : —
" An Address of Thanhs of the Town of Gorham to Mr.
Jacob Hamlen for his Generous present and gift to the
Town of a Tract of Land for a Common Burying Place,
Pronounced by Solomon Lombard, Esq., Chairman of
the Committee that was chosen by the Town for that pur
pose the 2bth of March, 1771.
" Me. Hamlen — ^This large Committee are commanded
by the Town of Gorham, to wait upon you, Sir, with an
Address of Thanks of the Town, for your free and generous
present made to the Town, of a parcel of land for a common
Burying place, where the people may bury their Dead out
of their sight. True it is, Sir, that the intrinsic value of the
Present made to the Town is not equal to the donations of
some of Greater Fortunes, who have built Hospitals and
endowed them, and have built Churches and endowed them,
and thereby have transmitted their names and Honor to
unborn Ages, yet notwithstanding this. Sir, the free and
generous Air and the ReUgious end for which you make this
gift to the Town, renders it a Great, Noble and Generous
Donation, where survivors may deposit their Greatest Treas
ure, their dear Friend and Relative ; that provision be made
for depositing the dead, is as necesary as to make provision of
houses for the living to dwell in. By the Apostacy and fall
from God, Adam and all his Posterity became mortal. In
the day thou Eatest thereof thou shalt surely Die. Death
is entailed upon all Adams's posterity, and every one knows,
that as he is born he shall surely die ; so that Burying places
not only are convenient, but absolutely necessary for the
dearest friend and relative while living, that gives the most

miscellaneous. 107
pleasing sensation of pleasure and delight, in converse and
communion with them, but when once cold Death embraces
this object in his arms, he or she becomes disagreeable com
pany. That object that once delighted every eye, and
charmed every heart, and engrossed the strongest affection ;
when once the lovely corpse becomes shaded with the image
and picture of Death and corruption, all pleasing sensations
and delight are lost and gone, and the breast that once
sweUed with Joy, now is charged with an insupportable load
of Grief, and his thoughts are employed where to deposit his
dead out of his sight. When God visited Abraham and by
his afflictive hand had snatched from him a portion of his
very heart in the Death of his Dearly Beloved Sarah, she
who once by her beauty charmed him, and her becoming
mien greatly DeUghted him. And her ready and cheerful
obedience and Affection for him gave her the highest place
in his heart of all Earthly objects, but upon this Event, viz :
the Death of Sarah-, he was so far from Receiving pleasure or
Satisfaction from the presence of the Corpse, that it Excited
the greatest pain and uneasiness of mind, and seeks a place
to repose his Dead out of his Sight ; for we find recorded in
Sacred Writ, that Abraham stood up before his Dead and
Spoke to the sons of Heth, saying, I am a stranger and a
sojourner with you, give me a possession of a Burying place
with you that I may Bury my Dead out of my sight. Upon
which they Generously offered him the choice of their Sepul
chres to bury his Dead. Upon which Abraham bowed him
self to the people in Gratitude to them ; but this was not
what he was desirous of; but a piece of Ground that He
might call his own, that he might there without Trespass,
view the monument of his dying or dead friend, and there
empty his Breast overcharged with Grief in showers of
Tears over her Grave. For this purpose, he entreats the
sons of Heth to plead for him with Zohar for the cave

108 HISTORY OF GORHAM.
Machpelah at ye end of his field for as much money as it
was worth, where he might depose this once lovely Corpse,
and without Trespass or offence to any might visit and mourn
over. S', the same desire prevails in every man ; he desires
the liberty of visiting the Grave Yard, and see the little
hlUock, the Rising Ground — the memorial of the dead; with
out ground of complaint from any one, there to contemplate
the state of mortality, the irreparable loss Sustained, and to
weep over the Dead. There is, S'', a secret pleasure In this,
as weeping for Sin yields comfort to the penitent, so mourn
ing for the dead does yield satisfaction. This mourning is
not altogether a painful sensation. You, .S"^, have put it In
the power of the people in this place to visit their Dead as
often as their inclination excites them thereto. The Dead
Bodys are Deposed as Seed, as Seed sown for the Resurrec
tion. And probable it is that most of us may soon in a few
months or years mingle our Dust with those .there buried,
until the Sound of the last Trumpet, arise ye dead, and come
to judgment. God in mercy prepare each of us for such an
event. " And now, S', to conclude, we, the Committee do, in the
name of the town, wish, and pray that God in his provi
dence may shower down Into your bosom sevenfold of the
good things of this life in Recompense for your Charity and
Goodness, and in the world to come, may you be rewarded
with Life eternal, and that both you and we may be as happy
as to joyn the Great Assembly above. Angels, Arch-An
gels, and the whole Church Triumphant in singing the Song
of Moses and the Lamb, where there shall be no more pain
or dying, no weeping for Departed friends, but fullness of
joy at God's Right hand."
A large and convenient burying ground near the vUlage
was purchased and lotted out, some thirty years ago, which
Is now the principal cemetery. There are several other

miscellaneous. 109
public places for sepulture in town — at South Gorham,
West Gorham, Little Falls village, White Rock and at the
north part of the town.

110 HISTORY OP GORHAM.

CHAPTER XIV.
THE REVOLUTION.
Scarcely had the mingled sounds of the French and
Indian war died away, and our citizens got quietly settled
in their industrial pursuits, when other, and ominous reports
from another quarter, burst upon the startled ears of our
people. Rumors of impending troubles with the mother
country came across the Atlantic, and deeply saddened the
hearts of the American Colonies. At that period our town
was peaceful and flourishing ; its resources were being rap
idly developed. It was incorporated and organized with
judicious Municipal officers. Their prosperity was soon to
be checked by new national difficulties. The troubles be
tween Great Britain and her transatlantic children were as
suming a serious aspect. The people of this town, ever
keenly aUve in the cause of liberty and justice, entered ear
nestly into the troubles with England. As early as Septem
ber, 1768, a town meeting was held, and Solomon Lombard,
Esq., (the former pastor) was chosen " an agent to go to
Boston, as soon as may be, to join a Convention of agents
from other towns in the Province, to consult and resolve
upon such measures as may most conduce to the safety and
welfare of the inhabitants of this Province at this alarming
and critical conjuncture." Mr. Lombard was allowed eight
.days for going to, and returning from Boston.
When the pride, ambition, and cupidity of the British

THE REVOLUTION. Ill
government led them to infiict on our land successive
wrongs ; when they attempted to violate the plainest rights,
and subvert the dearest privileges of the Colonies ; when
the Ministry of George IH. had become deaf to the implor
ing voice of mercy and justice, and the patriots of America
had determined to resist the unrighteous demands of Old
England; when the blood of the good and brave had
moistened the fields of Lexington and Bunker HIU ; when
Charlestown and Portland were but heaps of smoking ruins ;
the freemen of Gorham did not prove recreant to the great
and sacred cause of Liberty. Our peaceful, inland town,
remote from invasion and the clang of arms, was awake and
active in the great concern. She contributed freely and
largely of her citizens and property to the general cause.
Our townsmen left their quiet pursuits to mingle in the
storm of war. She sent her sons north and south, and east
and west, to fight, and bleed and die ! She constantly con
tributed more than her quota of troops for the Continental
army. Capt. Hart WiUiams commanded a full company
from Gorham in Col. Phinney's Regiment, and Capt. Alex
ander McLeUan led a large company, all except one private
from Gorham, under Gen. Wadsworth to Castine, (then
called Buygaduce) in the unfortunate Penobscot expedition.
A large number of Gorham men were also in the Machlas
expedition. At one time every third man in this town, ca
pable of bearing arms, was in the army. She had soldiers
in almost every battle of the Revolution. At the engage
ment on Rhode Island, in 1778, Paul Whitney and Mr.
Wescott were kUled. The energetic and brave Col. Ed
mund Phinney led his Regiment to Cambridge soon after
Bunker HiU battle, and was among the first to march into
Boston after its evacuation by the British ; he conducted
himself with great activity, courage, and prudence ; he did
much to induce our townsmen to exert themselves to the

112 HISTORY OP GORHAM.
Utmost to maintain the war. In an original letter now be
fore me, dated in " Camp at Cambridge, May 26, 1776,"
writing to his father, the venerable John Phinney, the first
settler, he says, "I am very weU and in high spirits, and
hope to continue so, tUl every tory is banished this land of
liberty, and our rights and privileges are restored."
Capt. John Phinney was at that time too far advanced in
years to endure the fatigues of a campaign ; but his patriotic
feelings were warm and vigorous, and his sons and his
grandsons went to the war. Besides Col. Edmund, and his
brother, John Phinney, Jr., (the first white man that planted
a hiO. of corn in Gorham) and his two sons, John Phinney
3d, and Ebenezer Phinney, were in the Revolutionary army.
In the autumn of 1776, Col. Phinney marched from Cam
bridge to Ticonderoga, Capt. Hart WiUiams' company of
Gorham men served three campaigns in the northern army,
and were engaged in the several conflicts with the troops
of Burgoyne, which resulted in that General's surrender.
Gorham soldiers were not only in the northern army, but
about thirty men from this town were at Rhode Island, and
many at New York and in New Jersey at the same time.
Philip Horr, of Gorham, who was a private in Capt. Traf-
farn's company of Col. Topham's Rhode Island Regiment,
was taken prisoner while rowiag a boat from Howland's
ferry to Bristol, with Col. Topham and two of his captains.
Mr. Horr was placed on board a British prison ship and
endured great sufferings ; his health was ruined. He served
twenty-eight months. Gorham men went whenever and
wherever their country caUed them. They left their homes
and firesides, dearer to them than life ; they endured the
fatigues and dangers of every campaign ; they parted with
their scanty, hard-earned bread, to feed their brethren in
arms ; they made constant and liberal provision for the fam
Uies of absent soldiers. They wandered with Arnold on

THE REVOLUTION. 113
the wild banks of the Kennebec and Chaudiere ; they
marched with Gen. Greene over the hot sands of Carolina,
and the high hills of Santee. They died by the weapons of
the enemy — they died by contagious disease — they died by
the noxious air of prison ships — by the cold of winter, and
by the heat of summer. Those who remained at home de
voted their time and talents to the cause by noble sacrifices
and patriotic resolutions.
In 1772, in response to a Circular from the town of Bos
ton, a town meeting was called in Gorham to express the
sense of our citizens on " the Rights of the Colonies and the
several Infractions of those rights." Solomon Lombard,
Esq., was chosen Moderator ; a Committee of Safety and
Communication, and to draw up Resolves expressive of the
sense of the town on the subject matter of the Boston Circu
lar, was raised. The committee was composed of nine mem
bers, who were Solomon Lombard, Esq., Capt. John Phin
ney, William Gorham, Esq., Capt. Edmund Phinney, Elder
Nathan Whitney, Caleb Chase, Capt. Briant Morton, Jo
siah Davis, and Benjamin SkilUngs. These were prominent
citizens, men of ability, calmness, energy and experience in
pubUc affairs. The assembled freemen of Gorham then
voted to return thanks to the town of Boston for their
vigilance over our privileges and liberties ; the meeting was
adjourned one week. At the adjourned meeting, January
7, 1773, the following Preamble and Resolves were reported
by the committee and adopted by the citizens : —
" We find it is esteemed an argument of terror to a set of
the basest of men, who are attempting to enslave us, and
who desire to wallow in luxury upon the expense of our
earnings, that this country was purchased by the blood
of our renowned forefathers, who, flying from the unre
lenting rage of civil and religious tyranny in their native
land, settled themselves in this desolate, howling wilderness.
15

114 HISTORY OP GORHAM.
But the people of this town of Gorham have an argument
still nearer at hand ; not only may we say that we enjoy an
inheritance purchased by the blood of »our forefathers, but
this town was settled at the expense of our own blood.
We have those among us whose blood, streaming from their
own wounds, watered the soil from which we earn our
bread ! Our ears have heard the infernal yells of the sav
age, native 'laiirderers ! Our eyes have seen ©ur young
children weltering in their gore in our own houses, and our
dearest friends carried into captivity by men more savage
than the savage beasts themselves ! Many of us have been
used to earn our daily bread with our weapons in our hands !
We cannot be supposed to be fully acquainted with the mys
teries of Court policy, but we look upon ourselves able to
judge so far concerning our rights as men, as christians, and
as subjects of the British Government, as to declare that we
apprehend those rights as settled by the good people of
Boston, do belong to us ; ' and that we look with horror and
indignation on their violation. We only add that our old
Captain is still living, who for many years has been our
chief officer to rally the inhabitants of this town from the
plough or the sickle, to defend their wives, their children,
and all that was dear to them, from the savages ! Many of
us have been inured to the fatigue and danger of fiying to
garrison ! Many of our watch boxes are still in being, the
timber of our Fort is still to be seen ; some of our women
have been used to handle the cartridge or load the musket,
and the swords we sharpened and brightened for our ene
mies are not yet grown rusty. Therefore,
Resolved, That the people of the town of Gorham are
as loyal as any of his Majesty's subjects in Great Britain or
the Plantations, and hold themselves always in readiness to
assist his Majesty with their lives and fortunes in defence
of the rights and privileges of his subjects.

THE REVOLUTION. 115
Resolved, We apprehend that the grievances of which
we justly complain, are owing to the corruptions of the late
Ministry, in not suffering the repeated petitions and remon
strances from this Province to reach the Royal ear.
Resolved, It is clearly the opinion of this town, that it is
better to risk our lives and fortunes in the defence of our
rights, civil and religious, than to die by piecemeals in
slavery !
Resolved, It is clearly the opinion of this town, that the
Parliament of Great Britain have no more right to take
money from us, without our consent, than they have to take
money without consent from the inhabitants of France or
Spain. Resolved, That the foregoing Resolves and Proceedings
be registered in the Town Clerk's office, as a standing me
morial of the value that the inhabitants of this town put
upon their rights and privileges."
These Resolves were signed by all the committee, and
passed without opposition.
At a town meeting called to consider the exigency of
public affairs, January 25, 1774, (which meeting was very
fuUy attended,) the following spirited proceedings were
had: —
" 1. Resolved, That our small possessions, dearly pur
chased by the hand of labor, and the industry of ourselves,
and our dear ancestors, with the loss of many lives, by a bar
barous and cruel enemy, are, by the laws of God, nature
and the British Constitution, our own, exclusive of any other
claim under heaven.
2. Resolved, That all and every part and parcel of the
profits arising therefrom, are also our own, and that none
can, of right, take away any part or share thereof, without
our free consent.
3. Resolved, That for any Legislative body of men under

116 HISTORY OP GOEHAM.
the British Constitution to take, or grant liberty to take, any
part of our property, or profits, without our consent, is
State robbery, and ought to be opposed.
4. Resolved, That the British Parliament laying a tax
on Americans, for the purpose of raising a revenue, is a vio
lation of the laws of religion, and sound poUcy, inconsis
tent with the principles of freedom, that has distinguished
the British Empire, from its earliest ages.
5. Resolved, That the appropriating this Revenue in
support^^bf a set of the vilest of the human race, in rioting
in luxury on our spoils, is an unprecedented step of Admln-
istration?and appears to us most odious.
6. Resolved, That the Tea Act, in favor of the East India
Company to export the same to America, is a deep-laid
scheme to betray the unwary and careless into the snare laid
to catch and enslave them, and requires the joint vigUance,
fortitude, and courage, of the thoughtful and the brave to
oppose in every constitutional way.
7. Resolved, That petitioning the throne carries a very
gloomy prospect, so long as his Majesty is under the same
influence that he has been for many years past.
8. Resolved, That other methods besides Petitioning are
now become necessary for the obtaining and securing our
just rights and privileges.
9. Resolved, That the measures taken by the town of
Boston in their several meetings to consult, debate, and ad
vise, with regard to the tea arrived there, merits the esteem
and regard of all who esteem their rights worth preserving,
and will transmit their memory to unborn ages with Honor.
10. Resolved, That the unfeigned thanks of the Town
of Gorham wait on the Committee of Correspondence of
the metropolis, and all the good People that shew their Zeal
for Liberty in their late Town meetings, and may our indig
nation fall on all who are enemies to our happy Constitution !

THE REVOLUTION. 117
11. Resolved, That we of this town have such a high
relish for Liberty that we, all with one heart, stand ready
sword in hand, with the Italians in the Roman Republick,
to defend and maintain our rights against all attempts to en
slave us, and join our brethren, opposing force to force, if
drove to the last extremity, which God forbid."
After these high-toned resolutions were passed, the aged
Capt. Phinney made a motion, which was voted, " that if
any person of Gorham shall hereafter contemn, despise, or
reproach the former or the present Resolves, or endeavor to
prevent the force or effect of the same among this people,
he shall be deemed, held, and adjudged, an enemy to his
country, unworthy the company or regard of all those who
are the professed sons of freedom, and shall be treated as
infamous." It was then voted that the following be accepted as a pref
ace to the foregoing Resolves.
" When we contemplate the days of old, the years of an
cient times, when the candle of the Lord shone around our
Tabernacle, and the Benign rays from the throne beamed
through the whole of our American atmosphere, which
placed a smile on every face and joy in every heart, and
each individual sitting under his own Vine and Fig tree,
having none to annoy or make him afraid, enjoying the
fruits of his own industry. In this golden age mutual
Love subsisted between the mother State and her Colonies.
The mother extended her powerful arm to skreen and Pro
tect her children from insult and ruin ; from their and her
natural enemies, who would have attacked them on their
watry frontier ; in return, the children have ever been obedi
ent to the requisitions of their mother in raising men and
money to the enlargement of the British Empire to an
amazing extent, and this without complaint or even a single
murmur, although they thereby endangered their own bank-

118 HISTORY OF GORHAM.
ruptcy. But how are circumstances changed ? ' O tempora,
O mores /' the mother lost to her first love ! her maternal
affection degenerated into a cold indiferency, if not a fixed
hatred of her children, as is too evident by the repitition of
one revenue act after another, and appointing Egyptian
task-masters, if not worse, or cruelly to extort from us our
property, without so much as to say, by your leave, that
they may wallow in luxury on our spoUs, against every
principle of justice. Human or Divine ; And the Tools of
the Administration, among ourselves, have used every meas
ure in their power to weaken our hands and subject us easily
to be dragooned in chains and slavery, not by dint of ar
gument, but by the mere force of the power placed in their
hands by the Mother Country. These things bearing heavy
on our minds, and not altogether sunk below aU human
feelings. We, una voce, came to these resolves."
Then follows a long letter to the Committee of Correspon
dence of the town of Boston, filled with the same complaints,
and strong expressions of indignation against the Royal
Governor or officers of Massachusetts and the towns among
us. And they say in closing, " We hope and trust that the
inhabitants of this town will not be induced to part with
their privileges for a little paltry herh drink."
The inhabitants of Gorham felt the full weight of the re
sponsibilities resting on them, and bravely determined to be
faithful to their sacred trusts ; faithful to themselves, and
faithful to posterity. They avowed themselves ready at all
times to aid the cause of freedom. They kept up an able,
active, and vigorous Committee of Correspondence, com
posed of men of wisdom, sagacity and firmness, such as John
and Edmund Phinney, WiUiam Gorham, Solomon Lombard,
Prince Davis, Josiah Davis, Benj. SkiUings, Caleb Chase,
Samuel Whitmore, Nathan Whitney, and others. These
Committees of Correspondence and VigUance, were estab-

THE REVOLUTION. 119
Ushed in nearly all the towns in the country, " and became
the executive power of the patriotic party," producing the
happiest concert of design and action throughout the Colo
nies. James Phinney, son of Capt. John, was Chairman of
the Selectmen during most of the trying years of the Revo
lution. Lieut, (afterwards Col.) Frost, was almost inces
santly occupied in military services and offices, at home,
during the continuance of the war.
In September, 1774, Solomon Lombard, Esq., was elected
a Representative from Gorham to attend the Provincial
Congress, and a large Committee, of which Nathan Whit
ney was Chairman, was raised, to draw up instructions for
the Representative. The instructions were as follows : —
" To Solomon Lombard, Esq : —
Sir — Whereas you are chosen by the Town of Gorham,
to represent them at a Great and General Court, or Assem
bly to be begun and held at Salem, on Wednesday, the
fifth day of October next. We desire you to observe the
following Instructions, viz : —
1st. That you be punctual at the time of the Court's
sitting, and there, so far as you may have influence, main
tain and support, to your utmost, aU our Charter, and con
stitutional rights, and not give up one Iota or tittle of
them to any supposable power on earth.
2d. That you use your endeavors to obtain a vote of the
House, for the re-establishment of the former Charter of
this Province.
3d. After the General Court is adjourned, prorogued or
dissolved, we instruct you to joyn with the other members,
which compose the said Court, in forming themselves into a
Provincial Congress, to be held where by them, may be
tho' best, in order to Consult, Debate, and Resolve on meas
ures proper to be taken and pursued by the People of this

120 HISTOEY OP GORHAM.
Province, in order to secure them in the enjoyment of their
Charter, and Constitutional Rights as Freemen, and as
Christians. Lastly. Trusting in your fidelity and wisdom, we doubt
not but you'll pursue that course you may think best for
the general good, at this alarming and distressing period.
Wishing you success in aU your undertakings, we are, &c.,
your humble servants.
By Order of the Town.
WILLIAM GORHAM, Tcymn Clerh."
In the early days of our town, the voters often gave in
structions to their Representatives on important questions,
and the Representative felt bound to act according to his
instructions. Mr. Lombard attended this Provisional Con
gress, and was among the most earnest in resisting the policy
and acts of Parliament towards the Colonies. That Pro
vincial Congress recommended to the several towns not to
pay the State, or Province taxes to Harrison Gray, the Roy
alist Treasurer of the Province, and in accordance with that
recommendation, the people of Gorham, at a town meeting
held Dec. 1st, 1773, " Voted, That Capt. Edmund Phinney
be a Treasurer to receive the money that is, or may be due
from the several Collectors, or Constables of this town to
the Province, and transmit the same to Henry Gardner, Esq.,
of Stow, agreeably to the recommendation of the Provincial
Congress." From that time, the Royal Treasury received
no more revenue from the town of Gorham.
The Royalist Province Treasurer was incensed at the
withholding the town's proportion of the State tax, and
issued a peremptory demand for payment, whereupon a
Town Meeting was called January 5, 1775, and it was
Voted, "That the Town will indemnify the Assessors,
£!onstables, and CoUectors, of Gorham, in their refusing to

THE REVOLUTION. 121
make return to Harrison Gray, Esq., on his warrant, and In
paying the money to Col. Edmund Phinney, instead of Har
rison Gray."
Voted, "To lay out ten pounds In powder, balls, and
flints, to increase the town stock." They also voted to
adopt the association agreement of the Congress holden at
Philadelphia in September, 1774.
Voted, " To choose a committee to take care that the
plans of the Continental Congress be exactly complied with."
They chose Capt. Briant Morton a delegate to the Provin
cial Congress proposed to be holden at Cambridge. At the
same meeting, the town manifested its sympathy for the suf
fering citizens of Boston, by choosing a large committee
" to see that a quantity of wood is got to Falmouth, to send
to the poor of Boston, by the last week in January."
The people of Gorham did not raise much corn or grain
in 1774, and in April, 1775, an informal town meeting was
held, or rather a voluntary gathering of the citizens, who
chose a committee to procure breadstuffs ; and at a regular
town meeting, held May 4, 1775, it was
Voted, "That whereas a quantity of Indian corn and
flour was purchased at Falmouth, by Messrs. Hugh McLel
lan, Prince Davis, Joseph Gammon, Josiah Davis, and Dr.
Stephen Swett, are brought into this town, that the town
do establish the proceedings 'of said men, and receive the
com and flour, and become liable to pay the sterling cost of
the same in Falmouth, and aU reasonable expense in trans
porting the same to this town."
Voted, " That the Selectmen, with Mr. Cary McLeUan
and Caleb Chase, be a committee to dispose of said corn,
and receive pay for the same."
The people were poor, and many of them barely able to
obtain the necessaries of life. To prevent extortion, the
town found it necessary to limit the prices which traders and
16-

122 HISTOEY OF GOEHAM.
seUers should not exceed. Many indispensable articles — salt,
corn, meats, shoes, and other things — were sold at prices
fixed by a committee raised for that purpose. Though sore
ly pressed by the war, the patriotism of the town never
flagged. From the first to the last day of the Revolution
ary struggle this town complied, and more than compUed,
with all the requisitions of Congress and the Province, for
men, food, and clothing, for the army. At one time, the
town raised four hundred doUars for the purchase of beef,
and three hundred doUars to buy clothing for the army. At
one town meeting the inhabitants voted £522 13s. 4d., for
soldiers' bounties for the Continental army. The town voted
$100 to each volunteer who would go to reinforce the army
of General Washington, and $1500 was voted for 15 men
who volunteered, and £100 lawful money was raised in a
single year to supply the famiUes of absent soldiers.
The liberality of our citizens was not confined to our own
town. We have already mentioned the furnishing of wood
for the poor of Boston when the British army had posses
sion of that place. When Portland was burned by a Brit
ish fleet In October, 1775, the people of Gorham sent teams
and men to assist the distressed inhabitants of Falmouth in
saving their effects, and they removed many of them to this
town. At a town meeting held May 20, 1776, the Freemen of
Gorham being generally assembled, " Voted, Unanimously,
that they would abide by, and with their lives and fortunes
support, the Honorable Congress in the measure, if they
think fit, for the safety of these United Colonies, to declare
themselves independent of the Kingdom of Great Britain."
So early, and so constantly did the people of this town mani
fest their attachment to freedom.
When the Declaration of Independence was issued, it
was hailed with joy by our people, unanimously approved.

THE REVOLUTION. 123
and copied in fuU on the town records, where it now re
mains. October 7, 1776, the town "Voted, That the present
House of Representatives, in conjunction with the Council
of the State of Massachusetts Bay in New England, by
equal voice, consult, agree on, and enact such a form of
Government, as on the fullest and most mature deliberation,
they shaU judge wiU most conduce to the Safety, Peace,
and Happiness of the State, in aU after generations and
successions." Voted, " That the same be made public, for the inspection
and perusal of the Inhabitants, before the ratification there
of by the Assembly."
The town kept a committee to hunt up and report to the
Town and State authorities, the names of all Tories, or per
sons suspected of being inimical to the cause espoused by
the Colonies. The Committee never found or reported but
three men whom they considered Tories, and the town Voted,
"That Capt. John Stevenson be entered on the Selectmens'
List, as a person inimical to this, and the United States in
America." " Voted, That Mr. Mcintosh is ditto. Likewise
Adam Shalloon, ditto."
These votes were passed in May, 1777. At the next
town meeting, held June 19, 1777, it was " Voted to recon
sider the vote passed at a legal town meeting on the 26th of
May last, wherein Capt. John Stevenson was judged by
this to'wn Inimical to this and the United States of America."
After the peace of 1783, at a town meeting it was " Voted,
That no person, or persons, who have joined the enemy in
the late war against these United States, (otherwise called
Tories) shall be suffered to abide in Gorham." This vote
showed the temper of the town, but it was not fully carried
into effect. In after days, Hon. WilUam Tyng, a distin
guished Tory, came back and resided here till he died.

124 HISTOEY OP GOEHAM.

CHAPTER XV.
GORHAM SOLDIERS.
It would be difficult, if not impossible, to make a list of
all the Gorham men who served in the Revolutionary War.
Soldiers for the Continental army were sometimes furnished
by the town, on the requisition of Congress, and the towns
were called upon in classes. Thus on May 13, 1782, Class
No. 5, for Gorham, furnished Nathaniel Wing, a soldier for
three years. The class that was to procure the soldier, in
this case, paid him " $20 in silver and six cows, the cows to
be equal to cows in general." This agreement was signed
by Ebenezer Murch, William McLeUan, and Prince Davis.
If any town did not furnish its quota of men, the same
was charged against the town ; if the town furnished more
than its proportion, the soldier was discharged, and a requi
sition made on some deficient town. Thus the foUowing
Resolve, touching this matter, was passed by the Legislature
of Massachusetts, Nov. 1, 1782 : —
" Resolve, directing the Treasurer to discharge the town
of Gorham from the deficiency of one man, and directing
Thomas Porter of Topsfield to procure a man in lieu thereof."
On petition of Thomas Porter and Stephen Longfellow,
" Resolved, That the Treasurer of this Commonwealth be,
and hereby is directed to discharge the town of Gorham
from the deficiency of one man, they stand charged with,
upon the Resolve of the' 2d of December, 1780; and in

THE REVOLUTION.

125

order to prevent a deficiency in the quota of men, set on the
town of Topsfield by the aforesaid Resolve ; it is farther
Resolved, that Thomas Porter of Topsfield, one of said peti
tioners, be and hereby is directed to procure one able-bodied
man to serve in the Continental army for three years, or
during the war, before the 10th day of Dec. next In case
of neglect or refusal, he, the said Porter, shall forfeit and
pay a fine of eighty-five pounds, thirteen shiUings."
When the first conflict occurred at Lexington and Con
cord, a Gorham company of miUtIa was already organized
and armed. The following is the RoU of Capt. Hart Wil
liams' company in the 31st Regiment of Foot, commanded
by Col. Edmund Phinney, as returned AprU 24, 1775.
OFFICERS.

Hart Williams, Captain.
WiUiam McLellan, Lieut.
Cary McLellan, Ensign.
John Perkins, Sergeant.
John Phinney, Jr., "
James Perkins, "

David Watts, Sergeant.
Silas Chadbourne, Corporal.
Enoch Frost, "
WiUiam Irish, "
Samuel Gammon, "
Thomas Bangs, Drummer.

Jeremiah Jones, Fifer.

PRIVATES.

Barnabas Bangs,
Joseph Weymouth,
Bickford Dyer,
Thomas Gustin,
Jeremiah Hodsdon,
Daniel MaxweU,
Thomas Pote,
John Parker,
Ezekiel Hatch,

Philip Gammon,
Ichabod Hunt,
Eben'r MitcheU,
Abijah Lewis,
James Irish,
Nathaniel Lombard,
Butler Lombard,
Owen Runnels,
Theodore Rounds,

126 HISTORY OP GORHAM.
Paul Whitney, Elisha Cobb,
George Robinson, James Jordan,
Joseph McDonald, NepthaUm Whitney,
Peletlah McDonald, Jonathan Sturgis,
George Hunt, Prince Hamblen,
George Waterhouse, John Whitney,
Daniel Whitney, Joseph McLeUan,
Thomas Irish, Joseph Cressey,
John Melvin, Silvanus Brown,'
James Morton, Solomon Green,
Joshua Hamilton.
Four of this company belonged to other towns, viz : — -
Abijah Lewis, Buxton, James Jordan, Falmouth.
Theodore Rounds, Buxton. Joshua HamUton, "
Silas Chadbourne, who was a Corporal in Capt. WU
liams' Company, became a Lieutenant in Col. Patten's Reg
iment, and served to the end of the war, as did also many
other Gorham soldiers. Those who survived came home
poor ; the Continental bills, with which they were paid,
¦were so depreciated that seventy doUars of that currency
was worth but one in silver. Some of our soldiers came
home on foot from Hudson River, and were nine and ten
days in performing the journey. They begged their food
;and lodging the whole distance. Several lived to an ad
vanced age, and received pensions from Government, which
made them comfortable, and in a measure indemnified them
for early losses. A large number of Gorham men were in
companies raised chiefly in Falmouth, Buxton, and Scarbor
ough. In April, 1776, twenty-one Gorham men were pri
vates in Capt. Paul Ellis' company, viz : — Ebenezer Murch,
Joshua Crockett, William Paine, Joseph McDaniell, Richard
ThurreU, Joseph Morse, Josiah Whitney, Moses Whitney,
Ephraim Jones, Samuel Brown, Simeon Brown, John Em-

THE REVOLUTION. 127
ery, Daniel Emery, Daniel Whitmore, John HaskeU, Amos
Rich, Joseph Rounds, Henry Jones, Benjamin A. Jordan,
John Elder.
Many soldiers from this town died in the army, some in
the British prison ships, some escaped from the enemy by
shrewd management and daring action.
At one time, Lieut. Cary McLellan, with about ten other
Gorham men, were in a privateer, and were captured by the
British Captain Mowat, and carried Into New York, and
placed In a prison ship, where they suffered greatly by hun
ger, disease, and want of suitable air and clothing. Colo
nel Tyng, formerly Sheriff of Cumberland County, being a
LoyaUst, was at that time, with the British army in New
York ; he found out our Gorham prisoners, and gave them
many things for their comfort. The British officers com
pelled our men to get wood for their fires. On one occa
sion they sent Lieut. McLellan, with J. Lombard, J. Simp
son, and Wm. McLellan, Jr., (aU Gorham men) to cut and
bring a boat load of wood to an English war vessel ; they
were under the guard of an orderly officer, and two armed
privates. They went some miles up the Hudson river, and
were proceeding to cut their wood. McLeUan proposed to
the Orderly, that if he would permit him to go under guard
to a store, about a mUe distant, he would buy some good
liquor ; the officer consented, and with a British soldier as a
guard, he went and purchased the spirit. McLeUan took it
to their camp, and found means to make known his plan of
escape to Lombard, Simpson and McLeUan, Jr. ; he cau
tioned them to drink sparingly during the evening. The
evening came — the liquor was produced — they all drank.
The Gorham men feigned intoxication and sleep. The Brit
ons drank till they were actuaUy tipsy, and feU asleep. Mc
Lellan and his friends disarmed their EngUsh companions,
took them to the boat; and rowed up the Hudson till they

128 HISTORY OP GOEHAM.
got within the American lines, and then delivered up their
three prisoners, sold their boat, and came home to Gorham
on foot.
As the war proceeded the prices of goods became very
high, whUe the paper currency continued to depreciate, and
it was almost impossible for the poor to obtain articles of
prime necessity. In November, 1779, the town " chose James
Gilkey, Lieut. Cary McLellan, and James Phinney, a spe
cial Committee to fix prices of articles of consumption."
At the same meeting they " voted 20 per cent, bounty on
clothing, provided for the Continental soldiers." In 1781,
the town " Resolved to get this town's quota of beef and
clothing for the army, and those who furnish clothing, to
have twenty shillings for a shirt, twelve shillings for a p'air
of shoes, seven shillings for a pair of stockings, and forty-
two shillings for a blanket."

THE EEVOLUTION. 129

CHAPTER XVI..
THE PENOBSCOT EXPEDITION.
The unfortunate expedition to Penobscot, in 1779, proved
disastrous to the American arms. The failure of the enter
prise was attributed to the obstinacy or treachery of Com
modore Richard SaltonstaU, of New Haven in Connecticut.
He had nineteen vessels of war in his fleet, mounting 344
guns. General LoveU, of Massachusetts, commanded the
land forces ; Gen. Peleg Wadsworth was second in com
mand, and was undoubtedly the best officer in the American
army in that adventure. There were about one thousand
men on each side. On the 14th of August, a battle took
place at Castine, then caUed Buygaduce, (usuaUy pro
nounced Bagaduce.) The contest was short but decisive.
The Americans were beaten and dispersed. Our officers and
men fleeing across Penobscot Bay and river, landed at dif
ferent places and took up their march, or rather flight,
towards the Kennebec, in small squads or singly ; they had
to travel through a , wild, uncultivated country, eighty or
ninety miles. They suffered greatly from want of food, and
various exposures and privations. Some perished in the
forests on their way.
The town of Gorham shared largely in that expedition ;
and had her full share of the expense and sufferings. Capt.
Alexander McLellan led a Gorham company. His soldiers
suffered severely in those eastern woods. Capt. McLeUan
17

130 HISTORY OP GOEHAM.
himself was seized with a fever, brought on by fatigue and
anxiety, and died on the fourth of October, a few days after
his arrival home. The foUowing is a copy of a letter, (the
original is now lying before me, 1862,) written from Port
land, at the time of his starting from that place to go to
Buygaduce : —
" To the Selectmen of Gorham : —
Gentlemen : — I am obUged to carry off Austin Alden's
Drum, or go without one. I desire you to pay him for it,
as I think the Selectmen are obliged to find one for me ; I
think the Drum is well worth Ten pounds, ten shllUngs, old
way, as things went seven years ago.
Y' Hubi Serv*,
ALEX^^ MCLELLAN, Capt.
Falmouth, July 15, 1779."

ROLL OF CAPT. ALEXANDER HcLELLAN'S COHPANT,
In Colonel Jonathan Whitney's Begiment, in the Penobscot Expedition.
OFFICERS.
Alexander McLellan, Capt. John Emery, Sergeant.
Ebenezer Murch, 1st Lieut. Daniel Whitney, Corporal.
Joseph Knight, 2d Lieut. Jeremiah Hodsdon, "
James Irish, Sergeant. Samuel FUes, "
George Strout, " Joseph McDonald, "
Stephen Whitney, Sergeant. John Lakeman, Drummer.
privates.
Edmund Phinney, (Jr. ?) John Blanchard,
Benjamin Haskell, John Gammon,
Moses Hanscom, Samuel Murch,

the EEVOLUTION.

131

John Phinney,
Nathaniel Bacon,
Wm. McLeUan,
Lazarus Rand,
James Murch,
Richard Lombard,
Prince Hamblen,
John Parker,
Josiah Swett,
Peter White,
John Meserve,
WiUiam Murch,
Edward WUson,
Zachariah Weston,
John Akers,
Benjamin Stevens,
Ebenezer Whitney,
Benjamin Roberts,
Charles McDonald,
Joseph Irish,
WiUiam Meserve,
Uriel Whitney,
Joseph Jones,

Seth Harding,
Gershom Davis,
Daniel Whitmore,
Abner Jordan,
Moses Jordan,
John ElweU,
WiUiam Irish,
James iStubbs,
John Davis,
Samuel Rounds,
WUUam FUes,
Joshua Davis,
WiUiam Wood,
Abel Whitney,
Stephen PoweU,
Asa Thurlo,
John Harmon,
James Huntress,
Samuel Whitney,
Isaac Chase,
James Watson,
Stephen Sawyer,
John Smith.

The old soldiers of Gorham, who Uved till after the United
States Pension Acts were passed, received quite an amount
of money in the aggregate, which greatly benefitted them,
as most of them had but Uttle property.
The foUowing persons in Gorham received the benefit of
the Pension Acts, viz : —

OFFICERS ,

Capt. Oliver Hunt,
" Josiah Jenkins,

Lieut. WiUiam McLeUan,
" Ebenezer Storer,

132

HISTORY OP GOEHAM.

Capt. Joshua Swett, Lieut. Timothy Bacon,
Lieut. Silas Chadbourne.

PEI VATES .

Isaac Whitney,
John Darling,
Stephen Whitney,^
Allison Libby,
Jonathan Stone,
Zebulon Whitney,
Edward Webb,
John Watson,
George Waterliouse,
Thomas Irish,
Matthias Murch,
Daniel Whitney,
Edward Libby,

Moses Fogg,
WUUam FUes,
Prince Hamblen,
Philip Horr,
John Phinney,
Samuel Files,
Ebenezer Files,
James Morton,
Thomas Morton,
John Blake,
Joseph Blake,
Isaac Irish,
William Burton.

Ebenezer Storer, Esq., drew a treble pension, one as Lieu
tenant, one as Paymaster, and one as Clothier of his Regi
ment, having performed the duties of all said offices at the
same time. Lieut. Storer was a native of WeUs, Maine ; he
was not seventeen years of age when he enlisted, April 17,
1776, as a non-commissioned officer in Col. Phinney's Regi
ment. He served till December, 1776, and then received an
Ensign's commlsson in the 12th Massachusetts Regiment,
commanded by Col. Samuel Brewer ; served there till 1779,
when he was transferred to the 2d Massachusetts Regiment,
as first Lieut, and Paymaster ; this Regiment was under
Lieut. Col. Commandant Ebenezer Sprout, and continued
in that Regiment till the peace of 1783. Mr. Storer was
one of the society of the Cincinnati. He was highly re
spected in our town, and was a gentleman of military tastes.

THE REVOLUTION. 133
and poUshed manners. He closed his useful Ufe at Gorham,
January 20, 1846, aged 87 years.

MILITART.
It is not possible to ascertain when the first military or
ganization took place in this town. The settlers must have
had guns and ammunition when they came here, both as a
means of defense against wild animals and to procure meat
for their own li'vdng. Moose, deer, and bears, were numerous,
and for some years furnished the people with most of their
animal food. It soon also became necessary to defend them
selves against savages. Their mutual dangers would lead
them to combine for their common safety ; a leader or com
mander would then be necessary, and we find Mr. John Phin
ney the acknowledged head or captain when there were not
more than twenty men in the township. Whether Captain
Phinney ever had a commission I have not learned, but it is
presumed he had one, as he ultimately commanded quite a
company of armed men, and made returns of his force.
Scouts in small parties were sent out to take or kill Indians.
These looked to Capt. Phinney for general plans and orders ;
and when in the Indian war, Massachusetts furnished this
township eleven soldiers for protection, they were placed
under Capt. John Phinney's command. There was a large
military company, over which Edmund Phinney was Captain,
previous to the commencement of the Revolutionary war.
Until 1789, there was but one mUitIa company in Gorham.
During that year that company was divided ; a third com
pany was formed not long afterwards, and since 1800, com
panies of cavalry, light infantry and riflemen, have been
organized. When the miUtia system was changed, or

134 HISTORY OF GOEHAM.
rather abandoned, some twenty years ago, these companies
ceased to exist. Some flve or six years since, a volunteer
company was formed, which was furnished with arms by
the State. They called themselves the " Gorham Light
Guard." This company languished and died, and their arms
have been surrendered to the State. The days of training
and general muster have passed away, and the only organ
ized company in town is an efficient Fire Company in our
principal viUage, who work an exceUent fire engine success-
fiiUy. In the former part of this century, this town was the
place for Regimental musters, and sometimes a whole Brig
ade convened at Gorham viUage, and passed two or three
successive days in military exercise. These musters were
the grand holidays of the year for our young people, and
the sellers of drinks, fruits, and confectionary. The moral
effect of these trainings and musters was never salutary.
They sowed and nourished the seeds of intemperance.

POLITICS. 135

CHAPTER XVII.
POLITICS.
The people of this town have always exhibited a lively In
terest in State and National politics. In days of general party
excitement, they have not been backward In freely express
ing their opinions of men and measures. Matters of Admin
istration have sometimes been discussed, not only -with
warmth, but with asperity and prejudice. Yet our citizens
have always been patriotic, always loved their country and
form of government. As long ago as 1765, when the Brit
ish Stamp act was passed, our people took a deep interest in
that measure, and were unanimous in their condemnation of
the act. When the exciting scenes of our Revolution and
Independence occurred, our townsmen entered into them
with earnest zeal. During those years, and through Wash
ington's presidency, they were nearly aU united in political
opinions ; and when party Unes were more distinctly drawn,
in the days of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, almost
all our voters were of the Federal party, and, though there
were animated contests, the Democratic ticket rarely had the
majority tiU after the administration of Mr. Monroe. When
the Constitution of Massachusetts was formed, it had few
opposers here. When Jay's Treaty with England was
negotiated, nearly aU our townsmen were in favor of its
ratification. Mr. Jefferson's administration was strongly
condemned. Party spirit ran high, and nearly aU Mr. Jef-

136 HISTORY OF GORHAM.
ferson's acts, even that wise and highly beneficial one — the
purchase of Louisiana — ^was strongly disapproved by the
dominant party in Gorham. The Embargo, especiaUy, was
considered an atrocious act ; that it bore heavily on our com
mercial people cannot be questioned. A town meeting was
held here, and our voters expressed a strong disapprobation
of the measure.
At a^own meeting, held on the 29th day of August, 1808,
among other things, it was Voted, "That the Honorable
Stephen Longfellow, Captain David Harding, Jr., Captain
Silvanus Davis, Doctor Dudley Folsom, and John Park
Little, Esq., be a committee to prepare a petition to the
President of the United States, praying him to suspend the
embargo." That committee presented the foUowing petition.
" To the President of the United States : —
The inhabitants of the town of Gorham, in legal town
meeting assembled, beg leave respectfuUy to represent that
they are fully aware of the indispensable necessity of sup
porting, at all times, the laws enacted by the government of
their choice ; under this impression, they have refrained
from expressing their most ardent desire to have the Embargo
removed. Although they are an agricultural town, yet their
proximity to Portland, the most considerable commercial
town in the District, has, for many years past, led them con
siderably into trade with the people there. Large quantities
of Beef, Butter, Lumber, &c., have been annuaUy transport
ed from this place to that, by means of which the inhabitants
of this town have made a comfortable living, and have ac
cumulated property, but, since the embargo has taken place
and commerce has been stopped, they sensibly feel the inti
mate connection there is between agriculture and commerce,
indeed they find it wUl be almost impossible for the former to
exist without the latter. Debts incurred by them previous to

POLITICS. 137
the embargo, which would have been discharged with ease if
commerce had fiourished as formerly, they now find cannot
be paid at all because they cannot possibly obtain money
enough to discharge their taxes, which are continually ac
cumulating ; the surplus of their agricultural productions,
and their lumber, are left to perish for want of a market ;
they therefore pray that the Embargo (which they think is
the sole cause of their distress) may be suspended, and that
your Excellency would do everything in your power to effect
so desirable an object."
The town voted that the Selectmen forward the foregoing
petition to the President of the United States immediately.
Numerous petitions from other towns, where the Federal
party were in the ascendancy, were gotten up and sent to
the President for the same purpose.
Congress laid the embargo, Dec. 22, 1807, " to preserve
our neutrality, the Honor of our Flag, and the Rights of
sailors inviolate." England and France, by most unright
eous and beUlgerent Decrees and Orders in Council, had
subjected neutral vessels to search, seizure, and confiscation.
England had impressed many American seamen, and held
'them in galling bondage. She declared she would never
surrender the right of searching our vessels, and taking
from them any persons who had ever been British sub
jects. We have lived to see her surrender that so termed
right. There was a town meeting held on the 30th day of Jan
uary, 1809, " for the purpose of considering the present dis
tressed situation of our National affairs." Hon. Stephen
Longfellow, Doctor Dudley Folsom, Rev. Reuben Nason,
John P. Little, Esq., and Deacon Thomas Cross, were chosen
a Committee to prepare Resolutions to present to the town
at an adjourned meeting. The meeting was adjourned to
February 2d, 1809. The Committee then reported the fol-
18

138 HISTORY OF GORHAM.
lowing Resolutions, which were unanimously accepted by
the town meeting : —
" Resolved, That we deem it a right vested in us by the
Constitution of our country, peaceably to assemble together,
and freely to express our sentiments of the measures of
government, and when grievances are felt to seek proper
redress. Resolved, That we consider the present state of our coun
try as calling loudly for the exercise of this right.
Resolved, That we consider the measures of the National
Government, in relation to commerce, and particularly in the
several Acts Laying and enforcing an Embargo, oppressive,
unconstitutional, and threatening the most dangerous conse
quences. Resolved, That we consider the prosperity of every class
of citizens, and especially in the northern States, as essen
tially dependent on commerce, and those acts of the govern
ment are arbitrary and oppressive, by which our intercourse
with foreign nations is totally suspended, and our domestic
intercourse laid under such restrictions, as renders it, in aU
cases hazardous, and in most instances, impracticable to pur
sue it, while we fuUy believe neither our relations with for
eign powers, nor national honor, nor wise poUcy, have de
manded such sacrifices.
Resolved, That we deem it unconstitutional for Congress,
to whom is delegated only a power to regulate commerce, to
destroy it, or prohibit it by law, for an unUmited term of
time ; that we consider the property of individuals by the
laws aforesaid, to expose to unreasonable search, seizure, and
forfeiture, excessive bonds required, and undue penalties ex
acted, contrary to express provisions in the Constitution,
that exorbitant power over the Uves and fortunes of the
people, vested in Revenue and MUitary officers, and the dic
tatorial power, with which the President is clothed, are not

POLITICS. 139
consistent with the Constitution, nor the principles of a free
government. Resolved, That we view with alarming apprehensions the
contemplated establishment of a Large Army in time of
peace, to be placed at the uncontrolled disposal of the Pres
ident, while in history we trace the downfaU of the liberties
of Greece, Rome, and almost every other free State to sim-
Uar measures, whUe in our own time we have seen how
much one man, with a soldiery devoted to him, has done
towards enslaving the world ; and while we consider the
dreadfiil purposes, which disguised ambition, even in those
who have made the highest pretensions to patriotism has
conceived and effected, we cannot forbear to express our be
lief that this measure is portentous and hostile to the Con
stitution and liberties of our country.
Resolved, That we entertain a lively sense of the benefits
which the faithful administration of the government by
Washington and Adams, and their wise poUcy, were instru
mental in procuring us, and that we consider the evils we
now endure in a great measure occasioned by a dereliction
of the policy adopted and pursued by them.
Resolved, That we highly approve the patriotic and spir
ited exertions of the minority in Congress, to preserve the
Constitution and protect the interest of the nation.
Resolved, That we view with approbation, the conduct of
those officers in the Revenue Department, who choosing to
sacrifice private emolument rather than be instrumental in
enforcing oppressive laws, have resigned their offices, and
that we consider their conduct worthy of imitation.
Resolved, That, as we despair of obtaining redress from
the National Government, a respectful petition be presented
to the Legislature of this Commonwealth, praying that they
wiU adopt such measures as they in their wisdom shall think
best, to remove present grievances, and prevent those evils
which threaten our liberties and fortunes."

140 HISTORY OF GOEHAM.
Such a petition as recommended fey the foregoing Re
solves, and embodying simUar complaints, was sent to the
Legislature of Massachusetts. But Massachusetts herself
could do nothing but protest, resolve, and petition. At the
same meeting the town chose a Committee of Safety and
Corresp ondence .
The continued agressions of the English brought on the
war which was declared by the United States, June 18,
1812, against Great Britain. That war was as distasteful to
the Federal party as was the embargo- A majority of the
people of this town was strongly opposed to tihe measure.
Town meetings were held, and very decided Resolutions
were passed condemnatory of the war, and the administra
tion of the General Government. They beUeved the war
unnecessary, and menacing ruin to themselves and posterity.
That the Government at Washington was weak, distracted,
and corrupt. Few Gorham men entered the army of the
United States in the war of 1812-15. Gov. Strong de
clined to place the State militia under United States' officers.
Some companies of soldiers were marched to Portland, for
the defence of that pflace, when an invasion was apprehended.
Gen. James Irish's Brigade were ordered to Portland, and
went there in 1814. The militia of Gorham, consisting of
four companies of Infantry, and one of Cavalry, composed
a part of said Brigade. These companies were commanded
by Captains Toppan Robie, Barna,bas Higgins, Jacob P.
Bettes, and the company of Light Infantry, by Capt. Robert
McLellan. These troops did not long remain in Portland ;
some three months, the larger part not longer than fifteen or
twenty days ; this service, however, enabled many of these
soldiers to obtain Land Warrants <under an Act of Congress,
passed a few years ago. The British did not land, but their
fleet hovered awhile near the coast, and gathered some sup
plies from the islands. No Injury was done to Portland,

POLITICS.

141

except the expense incurred by the alarm. Many famiUes
moved their most valuable effects to Gorham for greater se
curity. The foUowing is the RoU of Capt. Robie's company that
marched to Portland : — ¦
OFFICERS.
Toppan Robie, Capt., Nathaniel Hatch, Lieut.,
William Frost, Fnsign.

PRIVATE 1

Samuel G. Scribner,
George Knight,
Samuel Brown,
Ephraim Bragdon,
Isaac Coolbroth,
George Fogg,
Daniel Hunt,
Seth Harding, Jr.,
Josiah Jenkins,
Cotton Lincoln,
Lemuel Libby, Jr.,
James McLellan, Jr.,
David BurneU,
Perez Burr,
Nathaniel Crockett,
WiUiam Edwards,
Daniel H. Frost,
John Harding, 3d,
Seward MerriU,
Nathan Penfield,
Joshua Roberts,
Joseph Rice,

James Babb,
Luther Davis,
Joshua Freeman,
Nathan Hanson,
Gardiner Alden,
Nahum Lord,
Joseph Lombard, Jr.,
Moses Murch,
Samuel Paine,
Robert Harding,
Joseph Harding,
Elisha Irish,
Philip Larrabee,
Darius Libby,
Wm. McLeUan, Jr.,
Samuel F. Mosher,
Alexander Phinney,
Lemuel Rice,
Caleb Seaver,
George Strout,
David Warren,
Edmund Gammon^

142 HISTORY OF GORHAM.
Abner P. Towle, WiUiam Blanchard,
David Waterhouse, Uriah Gibbs,
John Hanscom, Samuel Roberts,
Daniel Fogg, Moses Rice,
Nathaniel Rice, Ai Staples,
John McQuiUan, Thomas Worster,
John Farnham, Thomas S. Robie,
Levi Brown, John Rice,
John Cressey.
I have not been able to obtain the RoUs of the other Gor
ham companies. The war of 1812, was terminated by the
Treaty of Peace of Dec, 1814. This town immediately felt
the influence of reviving commerce ; trade increased, and
wealth was augmented. The population of this to'wn in
creased but slowly, having no large manufacturing estabUsh-
ments, and the land being nearly occupied for farming ; and
in the present mode of conducting agricultural pursuits, our
farms cannot weU support more inhabitants. Although the
population has constantly increased, yet the increase has
been so light that we have but about one thousand more
souls than there were in town seventy years ago.

SEPARATION OF MAINE, ETC. 143

CHAPTER XVIII.
SEPARATION OP MAINE AND OTHER HATTERS.
Maine being entirely disjoined from Massachusetts, it was
always more or less inconvenient for the people of the Dis
trict to have a political connection. This evU was felt at an
early period. At a town meeting held December 5, 1785,
it was Voted " That it is the opinion of this town that it
would be for the interest of the counties of York, Cumber
land, and Lincoln," (the whole of the District of Maine)
" to be incorporated into a separate State ;" and Edmund
Phinney, Esq., and Stephen Longfellow, Esq., were chosen
delegates to a convention, " to be holden at Falmouth (Port
land) on the first Wednesday of January, 1786, to consider
of the expediency of a separate State." After some discus
sion the convention adjourned.
At a town meeting in AprU, 1786, " Voted, to choose dele
gates to the convention to be held at Falmouth In Septem
ber next, to consider the grievances the inhabitants of the
Counties of York, Cumberland, and Lincoln, labor under,
and to adopt and pursue some orderly and peaceable meas
ure to obtain reUef ;" this vote was 110 in the affirmative
and but two in the negative. Hon. WiUiam Gorham, Col.
Edmund Phinney, and Stephen LongfeUow, Jr., Esq., were
chosen delegates. The Convention met in September, and
organized by electing Hon. WiUiam Gorham President of
the Convention, and Stephen LongfeUow, Jr., Clerk. The

144 HISTORY OP GOEHAM.
question of separation was earnestly discussed, but there ap
pears to have been nothing farther done at that time. The
town again voted on this subject in 1792, 75 In favor of
separation and 16 against it. In 1793, Stephen LongfeUow,
Josiah Thacher, and Cary McLeUan, were chosen delegates
to a convention to consider the expediency of separation.
The question was again voted upon In 1795, when there
were 51 for the measure and seven against it. This small
vote would seem to indicate that the people in general felt
Uttle interest in the matter, or had become wearied in their
efforts to make Maine a separate State. The affair was
revived with much spirit in 1815. The Massachusetts Leg
islature had consented to a separation, provided that five
ninths of the votes in Maine should be in favor of it. A
large Convention of delegates assembled at Brunswick in
October. This Convention embraced many of the most
able men of Maine. The delegates from Gorham were
Lothrop Lewis, David Harding, Jr., and Samuel Stephen-^
son. A constitution was formed and submitted to the pe&r
pie, but it failed of receiving the five-ninths of the votes
required for its adoption. The vote in Gorham, on this
trial, was 127 for separation and 180 against. In 1819,
another and successfiil effort was made to dissolve the polit
ical relations between Massachusetts and the District of
Maine. A large and able Convention met in Portland to
form a Constitution. The delegates from Gorham were
Lothrop Lewis, James Irish, and Joseph Adams. The pres
ent Constitution of Maine was then formed ; the vote in Gor-^
ham was 183 in favor of separation and 95 against the meas
ure, and the final vote on adopting the Constitution was 94
for it and one against it.
The vote in Gorham on the acceptance of the Constitution
of Massachusetts in May, 1780, was 47 for, and six against,
its adoption.

SEPARATION OP MAINE, ETC. 145
CUSTOMS AND HANNERS OF THE EARLY SETTLERS.
Most of the settlers of Gorham, like the pioneers in other
new places, were poor. Hard, continuous labor was requi
site to supply ordinary food and clothing. Most, if not all,
of them lived in log houses, with few articles of furniture.
or convenience ; their barns, or rather hovels, were small,
rude structures of logs, the roofs covered with bark, or at
best with long shingles, without boards. These shingles
were split from straight-grained white pine trees ; the pine
being the lightest, most durable, and easiest wood to work,
or manufacture, that grew In our forests. The hardships
the settiers endured were well calculated to bring forth and
mature vigor of body and mind ; exposed to mutual dangers,
and feeble when alone, they were compelled to assist each
other, and to watch and labor together, and thus neighborly
kindness and hospitality would of course be promoted ; they
were always welcomed to each other's houses and tables ;
and they loaned their food, implements, and animals, with
out stint, or hope of pecuniary reward. They had few holi
days. Independence Day had not yet come. The usual
Colonial Thanksgiving, near the close of the year, was their
chief festival. They made no account of Christmas, and
but little notice was taken of the King's birth-day. There
were some families who made extra cake, and had Uttle par
ties on May Election day. The raising of buUdings, and the
annual militia trainings, were almost the only occasions which
called the young men together. Some autumnal huskings
of the larger farmers called out the neighbors, and they were
usually seasons of hilarity and good cheer ; songs, stories,
and grog, were the customary accompaniments of the husk
ing work ; when that was completed, a bountiful and good
supper followed ; when this was ended, the young men and
girls, who bad assisted in preparing and serving out the
19

146 HISTORY OP GOEHAM.
supper, indulged in rustic dances, performed to the music of
some tunes sung or whistled. Sometimes there were quilt
ing meetings of maidens who assisted in the making of the
quilt, and not unfrequently young men would gather in the
evening and have sports, plays, or dancing. There was but
little distinction on account of rank or wealth. The neigh
borly calls of older women, or married ladies, were made in
the afternoon, singly or in small parties ; the visitors remained
to tea, or supper, and returned to their homes early. The
usual mode of conveyance, when sleighs could not be used,
was on horseback, and not unfrequently the good wife rode
on the same horse, seated behind her husband. On these
visits, females commonly had their knitting or sewing, work
with them ; all were too poor to spend much time in idleness.
In all the schools kept by females, the girls were taught
knitting and sewing, as well as reading and spelling ; once
a week, generally on Saturday, all the scholars were ex
amined and instructed in the shorter Catechism. The dress
of our ancestors was plain, durable clothing, mostly home
made. The men and boys wore woolen frocks and breeches,
dyed with yellow oak or hemlock bark ; the females, short
loose gowns and skirts, of woolen, colored blue or red, with
checked Iplue and white aprons ; all manufactured at home.
Their table coverings and napkins, as well as sheetings
and shirting cloths, were made of flax, raised on their
land and spun, woven, and bleached by the mothers and
daughters. They had few superfluities. Their chief agricultural pro
ducts were corn and hay. Wheat, oats, rye, beans and peas
throve well; peas, especially, were much used in making
pea broth or soup. It is said that the first crop ever raised
in Gorham, was one of peas. Captain John Phinney raised
on the first land he cleared, eighty bushels of peas on a small
piece of land, in 1736. Mr. Phinney also raised, the same

SEPARATION OF MAINE, ETC. 147
year, several cart loads of watermelons ; these products were
grown on newly burned land. Potatoes were but scantily
cultivated for the first forty years. The principal bread was
made of a mixture of corn and rye meal, in about equal pro
portions. Wheaten bread became common after a few years.
During many years, the settlers had but little animal food ;
their meat was nearly all obtained from the forest, and con
sisted of the flesh of Moose, Deer, and some smaller ani
mals. Moose and deer were numerous and easily killed.
They were found on the Gorham hills for thirty or forty
years after the flrst settlement of the town. It is said the
last moose seen in town, was on a hUl east of Black Brook
road, near the land of Mr. Isaac Richardson. Wolves
abounded, and much annoyed the settlers; these animals
disappeared, as is usual, when the deer became extinct.
At some seasons of the year, salmon and other fish were
abundant in Presumpscot, Stroudwater, and Little Rivers.
Swine and poultry soon came into use. Samp, or hominy,
made of cracked corn, and weU boiled, was a common dish,
as well as baked beans, and Indian pudding. Tea or coffee
was little used till after the Revolutionary war ; bread and
milk, or hasty pudding and milk, made the common evening
meal. Home-made beer was generally drank. After some
years, apples were plenty, and cider took the place of beer.
Flip, a compound of beer, rum, and sweetening, heated, and
caused to foam by the insertion of a hot iron, was a fashion
able drink, down to the eommenoement of the present cen
tury. After the Revolutionary war closed, the town increased
rapidly in population and material wealth. Customs and
manners, about the same time, underwent quite a change.
The facility with which imported articles could be obtained
produced many alterations in dress and way of living. Lux
ury kept full pace with Income. An improved style of

148 HISTORY OP GORHAM.
buUding was visible. Articles of dress, household furni
ture, and food, that would by our first settlers been deemed
superfluities, soon became to be considered necessaries of
living. Returned soldiers, who had been in the army, (and
almost aU the middle-aged men of our to'wn were such)
brought home new habits and customs. The Sabbath was
less strictly observed ; the men were not so constant in their
attendance on divine worship ; there was a greater laxity of
morals ; intoxication and profanity were more open and fre
quent. Enterprise was stimulated and debts more freely
contracted. Many Gorham people were iaterested in com
merce, and not a few of our citizens became mariners, and
we had skilful masters and mates of vessels, as well as ordi
nary seamen, and several were part owners of ships. The
embargo nearly destroyed these pursuits and investments, by
forcing our seamen to engage in agricultural or mechanical
business, and latterly Gorham has numbered but few sailors.
There was a custom prevaUing in most of our towns,
seventy years ago, when new people came to settle, or be
come citizens, to warn them out of town, unless they pur
chased real estate, or were reputed to be persons of property.
This course was taken to prevent such from becoming
chargeable to the town. They were warned to leave in a
specified time ; if such persons remained after the notice, the
town was not liable for their support, as they could gain no
legal residence. So late as 1790, the following Order or
Warrant was issued by the Selectmen, and acted upon, and
recorded with the return of the Constable on the Town
Records : —
JL. s.} Cumberland, ss.
To the Constable of the Town of Gorham, Greeting : —
You are in the name of the Commonwealth of Massachu
setts, directed to warn and give notice unto Moses Poland,

SEPAEATION OP MAINE, ETC. 149
Levi Dyer, Seth Fogg, David Vickery, Nathaniel Edwards,
Jr., Joshua Edwards, Ebenezer Carsley, Jonathan Bragdon,
Moses Jordan, Alexander Stimpson, Malachi Waterman,
John Melvin, Joseph Young, Stephen Johnson, John Chase,
and Richard Hines, who have lately come into this town
for the purpose of abiding therein, not having obtained the
town's consent therefor, that they depart the limits thereof,
with their children and others under their care, within fif
teen days. And of this Precept, with your doings thereon,
you are to make return into the office of the Clerk of the
town, within twenty days next coming, that such further
proceedings maybe had in the Premises as the Law directs.
Given under our hands and seals at Gorham aforesaid, this
twelfth day of June, A. D. 1790.
JAMES- PHINNEY, ) Selectmen
SAMUEL ELDER, [ of
STEPHEN LONGFELLOW, \ Gorham.

INCORPORATED SOCIETIES.— FREE MASONS.
In 1821, several Free Masons, residing in Gorham and
Saccarappa, met at Gorham, organized themselves, and pro
cured a brother from Portland to deUver some Masonic Lec
tures. A petition, signed by Reuben Nason, Daniel Thomp
son, Samuel Stephenson, James Codman, Daniel Hunt,
James HaskeU, Seth Webb, Archelaus Lewis, Nathaniel
Partridge, Benjamin Poland, Simon Cutter, Nathaniel War
ren, Joshua Berry, Aaron Winslow, Timothy Bacon, Rufus
Rich, Henry Babb, George Small, Lewis Pease, John BIx-
by, Levi Tole, Luther Fitch, and John Warren, was pre
sented to the Grand Lodge of Maine, for a Charter to erect

150 HISTORY OP GORHAM.
fhem and their associates, into a Lodge of Free and Ac
cepted Masons. A Charter was granted under the hand of
Simon Greenleaf, Grand Master, January 10, 1822, bearing
the name of Harmony Lodge, being No. 38 among the
Lodges in this State. The new Lodge chose Rev. Reuben
Nason, then Principal of Gorham Academy, its first Mas
ter, Capt. Daniel Thompson, Senior Warden, Col. Samuel
Stephenson, Junior Warden, Seth Webb, Esq., Secretary.
Harmony Lodge was incorporated a body politic by the
Legislature, Jan. 27, 1823. And it was installed in ample
form the next September, by the R. W. Simeon Greenleaf, -
Grand Master of Masons in Maine. The Association fiour
ished till the anti-masonic frenzy swept over the country in
1827—33. Harmony Lodge, Uke many others then, yielded
to the blast, and ceased active operations for a season.
When the fanaticism died out, Harmony Lodge revived,
and became more vigorous than ever, and at the present
time it is in a state of great prosperity. A few years ago,
the Westbrook brethren, having become numerous, obtained
a Charter for a new Lodge at Saccarappa.
The foUowing named persons have been Masters of the
Lodge in Gorham, viz : — Reuben Nason, Samuel Stephen
son, Josiah Pierce, George L. Darling, before its suspension.
Since its revival, Josiah Pierce, WiUiam SUla, WiUiam
Burton, Merrill Thomas, Thomas J. Hasty, Jonathan I. Ste
vens, and Daniel C. Emery, have been its Masters.

INSURANCE COMPANIES.
There are three incoporated Mutual Fire Insurance Com
panies in Gorham.

SEPARATION OP MAINE, ETC. 151
The Maine Mutual Fire Insurance Company was incor
porated in 1828. Hon. Toppon Robie was its first Presi
dent, and Jacob S. Smith, Esq., its first Secretary.
The Farmers' and Mechanics' Mutual Fire Insurance
Company was incorporated in 1839. Both these companies
have done a large business, and paid their losses promptly.
Each company has issued many thousands of Policies, and
paid out many thousands of dollars, which have greatly
benefitted the recipients who have suffered losses by fire.
At the present time, (1862) Charles Humphrey, of Yar
mouth, is President of the Maine Mutual Company, John
A. Waterman, Esq., Secretary, and Dr. John Waterman
Treasurer. Rev. John E. Baxter Is President of the Far
mers' and Mechanics' Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and
Josiah Pierce, Esq., its Secretary and Treasurer.
" The Gorham Farmers' Club" was incorporated in 1861^
with power to insure real and personal estate of farmers
against damage by fire.

There is an active and intelligent Fire Company in our
principal village, bearing the name of the " Relief Engine
Company, No. 1." They have an excellent engine, which
has done valuable service at fires.

TEMPERANCE.

The Temperance cause has received much attention in
Gorham. Rev. James Lewis, James Smith, Esq., and a few
others, organized a " Total Abstinence Society" in 1822.
The Society grew rapidly, and a large number signed the

152 HISTORY OP GOEHAM.
pledge ; and Temperance societies have ever since existed
in town. Many have been reclaimed from drinking intoxi
cating Uquors, and for many years very little alcoholic drink
has been sold.

BIOGEAPHICAL NOTICES. 153

CHAPTER XIX.
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES..
Joseph Akers was one of the early proprietors of Nar
ragansett No. 7. He came from Sandwich, Cape Cod. Af
ter living here for many years, the family removed to West
brook, where their descendants now reside. John Akers,
son of Joseph, had a large famUy born in that town.

ALDEN.
Austen Alden, a lineal descendant of John Alden, one of
the first emigrants from England to Plymouth, and the
friend of Captain Standish, was born in Marshfield, Massa
chusetts, March 25, 1729. His wife, Salome Lombard, was
born at Truro, June 10, 1734. They were married at Gor
ham in 1756, he having settled here in 1755. He made his
farm about half a mile from the meeting house, and this
place has ever remained in the family, and is the farm now
occupied by his great grandson, Henry Alden. Austen
Alden served in the French and English war at the time
Canada surrendered to the British. In 1761, he, with many
more New England soldiers, went to Halifax, Nova Scotia,
to erect fortifications. That was a hard service ; they had
hard usage and labored under a severe, and cruel, and exact-
20

154 HISTORY OF GOEHAM.
ing EngUsh officer. Mr. Alden returned to Gorham in 1762.
In 1777, he was first Lieutenant in Capt. Nathan Watkins'
company, and was an able and faithful officer. Mr. Alden
was one of the early Deacons of the Congregational Church
in this town. He was chosen Town Clerk of Gorham in
1778, and re-elected every year till his death in 1804. He
ever sustained an unblemished character.
Josiah Alden, son of Deacon Austen Alden, was elected
Town Clerk of Gorham on the decease of his father, and
was annuaUy re-chosen tiU 1815. He was also Town Treas
urer from 1806 to 1815, inclusive. Josiah Alden died Nov.
8, 1834, leaving several descendants. His son, Gardiner
Alden, who lived with him, died Sept. 8, 1831.

BACON.
The Bacon famUy came from Barnstable to Gorham,
Lieut. Timothy Bacon was a soldier in the Revolutionary
army ; he enlisted when only sixteen years of age. He be
longed to the 2d Massachusetts Regiment, commanded by
Lieut. Col. Ebenezer Sprout, in Gen. Patterson's Brigade,
Mr. Bacon served through the whole of the war ; he was
with General Greene in the CaroUnas, and at the surrender
of Cornwallis. Mr. Bacon also served in the war of 1812 ;
he then held a Lieutenant's commission. He was a man of
strict integrity, and possessed a high sense of honor. His
wife was Mary Irish, who was a grand daughter of Capt. •
John Phinney. Lieutenant Bacon was a revolutionary pen
sioner ; he died at Gorham in 1849, aged 87 years. His
wife, Mary Bacon, died in 1846, aged 79 years.

BIOGEAPHICAL NOTICES. 155

BANGS.

Some of the Bangs settled here soon after the occupation
of the town. They came originaUy from Cape Cod, but
may have resided in Portland before settUng in Gorham, as
they claim descent from the Bangs of Harwich. Barnabas
Bangs was a man of influence here before the incorporation
of the town, as were his sons Barnabas and Thomas, who
joined the Shakers, and removed to Poland in this State
where Barnabas became an Elder of that society. Charles
C. Bangs, now living here, and who has been Town Clerk,
is a son of Nathan Bangs. Nathan Bangs, now connected
with the Y. & C. RaUroad, is a son of Joseph Bangs.

BLAKE.

The Blakes came from Barnstable. Nathaniel Blake and
Joseph Blake were both Revolutionary soldiers and pension
ers. There are many of the name yet in town. Joseph
died at 83, and Nathaniel at 90 years of age.

BAKER.

Daniel Baker, Esq., came from Somersworth, N. H., and
he lived to be 90 years old. He was at one period Town
Treasurer ; his son, Jacob C. Baker, was two years Repre
sentative of Gorham in the Legislature of Maine.

156 HISTORY OF GOEHAM.

BRACKETT. — BRAMHALL.
Joshua Brackett and CorneUus BramhaU, from Portland,
were early settiers in this town. The famiUes were connect
ed. Kerenhappuck Brackett, widow of Anthony Brackett,
died in Gorham in 1822, aged 93.

BROWN.

Samuel Brown, the first person in Gorham who united
with the Shakers, came from Eastham, Cape Cod. The
name has ever been numerous in town.

BRTANT.

WUUam Bryant came from Barnstable. As has been be
fore stated, he and his children were slain by the Indians,
April 19, 1746. His widow, who was carried captive to
Canada, was there married and never returned.

BUBNELL.
The BurneU famUy were early inhabitants. I have not
learned from what place they came — they were once nu
merous here, but the name is nearly extinct. John BurneU,
who lived here prior to 1760, had nine children, most of
whom removed to Flintstown, (now Baldwin) where are
many of their descendants.

BIOGEAPHICAL NOTICES. 15T

BURTON.

WilUam Burton was born in Little York, Virginia, in
1759. WhUe a young boy, a Capt. Doane, master of a
coasting vessel, persuaded young Burton to come to Maine,
promising his widowed mother that he would return him to
her the next year ; Doane did not keep his promise, but
placed him at service. When the war with Great Britain
commenced, Mr. Burton enlisted, being seventeen years old ;
he served in many campaigns ; he was in the battle at White
Plains. After the termination of the war, he went back to
Virginia, but finding no relative except his mother, who had
married a second husband, he did not stay long, but re
turned to Gorham and lived with Capt. Ross, on the Tyng
place. He married a daughter of James Ross, a brother of
Capt. Alexander Ross. The Ross brothers were Scotsmen.
James Ross married a Dyer of Cape Elizabeth. Mr. Bur
ton was one of the society of Friends or Quakers. Mrs.
Mary Burton died in 1831, aged 72 years. He died Sept.
24, 1841, aged 82 years ; he left one son, our townsman
WUliam Burton, late one of our Selectmen.

GATES.

Joseph Cates was a citizen before 1764 ; where he emi
grated from I have not been able to ascertain. Mr. Cates
was esteemed a man of ability, and one of the strong pillars
of the Congregational church ; he was one of the Select
men In 1768, and on various important Committees during
the war of Independence. Mr. Cates was a Deacon and
Ruling Elder of the church for many years. He died in

158 HISTORY OP GORHAM.
1813, at the age of 90 years. His descendants stIU live in
town.

CHASE.
Caleb Chase came from Newbury, Mass. ; he was the first
Ucensed Innholder in town ; he was Town Treasurer in 1772,
and for several years held that office, and that of Town
Clerk. Mr. Chase was one of the Committee of Safety, In
spection and Correspondence ; he left Gorham with his
family in 1778 or '79. His wife was Anna Whitney.

COTTON.
John and WiUiam Cotton came to this place from Fal
mouth ; they were sons of Deacon WiUiam Cotton, and were
the first tanners in Gorham. Their tan yard was near where
Ezra Thomes lives. WiUiam Cotton and his wife EUzabeth,
had nine chUdren, and their descendants now reside here.

COBB.

Several distinct famUies of the name of Cobb settled in
Gorham,; most of them came from Barnstable, Mass. Jede
diah Cobb died here, Aug. 2, 1833, aged 91 years, and Na
thaniel Cobb died Sept. 24, 1839, aged 90 years. WiUiam
Cobb was Selectman in 1820-21. But few of the name
.now Uve in town.

BIOGEAPHICAL NOTICES. 159

CHADBOURNE.

Lieut. Silas Chadbourne came from Berwick, a young
man to pursue the occupation of a tailor ; he enUsted in
Capt. Hart Williams' company as a Corporal, and was in
Col. Phinney's Regiment ; he was promoted to a Lieuten-
antcy and attached to Col. Patterson's Regiment, and served
through the war, and was a United States' pensioner during
the latter years of his life. He married AbigaU Crockett,
of Gorham, and they had ten children, three sons and seven
daughters. The late Deacon Nahum Chadbourne was one
of his sons ; his daughter Rebecca married Gen. James
Irish. Lieut. Chadbourne died at Gorham, about 1825.

CRESSET.
The name is variously speUed, Creasey, Cresey and Cres
sey. John Cressey came from Connecticut ; he married his
wife, Deborah Wadleigh, in Boston ; they had five chUdren,
John, Joseph, EUzabeth, Mary and Noah. Joseph, the
second son, was bom in Gorham in 1753. He was a pri
vate in Capt. WilUams' company, and marched to Cam
bridge in 1775, with Col. Phinney's Regiment, and subse
quently to Ticonderoga. He married Hannah Ashley, of
Connecticut, and their eldest son, Ebenezer, was born at
Pomfret, in that State, in 1779 ; they had seven children,
five sons and two daughters. Joseph Cressey died in Gor
ham, in 1832, 79 years old ; his brother, John Cressey, died
in Buxton, January 20, 1842, aged 93 years.

160 HISTORY OF GORHAM.

CROCKETT.
Several famiUes of this name, came from Barnstable,
Mass. Samuel married first, Tabitha Hamblen ; secondly,
EUzabeth Fickett. By his first wife he had seven children,
and by his last wife three. His eldest daughter, Eunice,
was born in 1771, his last in 1790. Peletlah Crockett came
from Stratham, N. H., to this town about 1763. Jonathan
Crockett married Anna Dearborn ; they had six children
born between 1774 and 1778. Joshua Crockett was also
an early settler in this town.

CROSS.

Deacon Thomas Cross came from Bradford, Mass. He
was a worthy man. He lived on Fort HiU, where Moses
Fogg now resides. He had a large family. His sons, Jo
seph, William, Thomas, Amos, and Leonard, aU settled in
Portland. Leonard still survives. One of the daughters
married Capt. Enoch Preble of Portland ; another. Captain
Jonathan Stevens. Lucy married James Phinney, Sr., of
Gorham ; Lois married AUison Libby of Gorham.
Deacon Cross died In this town in 1819, and his widow,
Lucy Cross, In 1821.

C ARSLET.

John Carsley settied in Gorham about 1760. He married
Anna Harding, and had eleven children.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 161

CLARK.

There were formerly several families of Clarks in this
town. Benjamin Clark lived here in 1778, Moses Clark, a
tanner, Morris Clark, from Stratham, New Hampshire, — he
had sons, John, Jacob, Joseph, and James, and a daughter
Mary. Jacob learned a carpenter's trade and was one of
the earUest settlers of Baldwin, in which town he died.

CLOUTMAN,
This name is now usually speUed Cloudman. Edward
Cloutman, the first of the name in this town, was born in
Dover, N. H., Feb. 15, (old style) 1714. He was the sec
ond son of Edward and Sarah Cloutman, whose ancestors
came from Scotland. He was a member of the Society of
Friends. When the second Edward became of age, he
came to Falmouth, (Portland) where he married Anna Col
lins, daughter of Timothy and Sarah CoUins of Philadelphia.
Mr. Cloutman was married ia 1738, and went to live at
Presumscot Lower FaUs, and tended the first saw-mill erect
ed there, when the Indians burned the miU, in 1741. At
this place his son Timothy was bom, the ancestor of all of
the name In Gorham. Edward took his wife and child,
with their small stock of furniture, placed them in a boat,
and paddled round Portland to Stroudwater. In 1745, he
came with his family to this town, and purchased the land
where Col. Frost Uved a few years ago, now owned by
James Cressey. The next AprU he was taken by the In
dians, as I have related in a former part of this work.
Cloutman's widow became Mrs. Anderson, and died In
21

162 HISTORY OF GORHAM.
Windham, Dec. 1, 1802, aged 84. She was seven years a
resident in the Gorham Garrison.
Edward Cloutman's son Timothy married Katy, and they
had eleven chUdren, viz : — Betty, born May 3, 1767 ; Nan
cy, born May 7, 1769 ; Edward, July 5, 1771 ; Nathaniel
and Jesse, twins, born July 29, 1773 ; John, Feb. 20, 1776 ;
Mary, July 13, 1779 ; WilUam, Sept. 16, 1780 ; Thomas,
Aug. 20, 1783 ; Solomon, Dec. 4, 1785, and David, Sept.
16, 1788. _ Timothy Cloutman died Oct. 22, 1829, aged 91.
His widow,, Katy Cloutman, died March 24, 1832, also 91
years old. Their descendants are numerous. Their son
Jesse had twelve children. Jesse died in 1848, aged 75.

CLEMENTS.
Jacob Clements came from New Hampshire ; his first
wife was Phebe Coffin. They had nine chUdren, Eleanor,
Ebenezer, John, Jacob H., EUzabeth, Simeon C, Daniel
B., Samuel R., and Mary C. All his sons but Samuel R.,
have deceased. Mr. Clements was thrice married ; he died
in 1849, aged 81 years.

CODMAN.
Capt. James Codman came from Portland. His first wife
was a Waite of Portland ; they had two sons, Frederick
and Randolph A. L. Codman. In his younger life, Capt.
Codman was a ship master ; his son Frederick was also a
sea captain. Randolph was a lawyer, and died in Portland.
Capt. Codman's second wife was Nabby Loring. For sev-

BIOGEAPHICAL NOTICES. 163
eral years Capt. Codman was a Representative from this
town in the Massachusetts Legislature ; he died in 1840,
aged 77. His son, Capt. Frederick, died in Baltimore.

DAVIS.

The Davis families came from Barnstable. Joshua Davis
lived here, and had eight children before the Revolution.
Prince Davis was an early settler, and had four sons and
one daughter ; the eldest son, Isaac, was born in 1762.
Sylvanus Davis came from Falmouth, Massachusetts. Al
len Davis and Jonathan Davis lived here before 1800, and
had famUies.

DARLING.

John Darling came from Barnstable. He was a soldier
of the Revolution, and his widow obtained a pension ; she
was Annah Lewis, daughter of Deacon George Lewis.
Our to'wnsman, George L. Darling, was their .son.

EATE-R..
John Eayer was one of the first ten who settled in this
town ; he left the place on the breaking out of the Indian
war, in 1745, and never returned ; he probably soon died.
Just after the peace took place, his widow returned and
claimed the lot of land that her husband was entitled to as

164 HISTORY OF GORHAM.
a settler. The claim was aUowed, and that is the last notice
I find of the family.

EDWARDS.
Richard Edwards lived here before 1762. In a Province
tax, made in 1763, Mr. Edwards was assessed seven shU
lings and eleven pence. His wife was Hannah Lothrop.
They had nine children. Our late townsman, Samuel Ed
wards, was their third child, and was born in 1770. Sev
eral of his children are now residing in Gorham.

ELDER.

Sai»uel Elder, the ancestor of the Gorham and Windham
Elders, emigrated from Ireland, and settled in Falmouth In
1730. His second son, Samuel, having learned the trade of
a house joiner, came to Gorham in 1773, and purchased of
Wm. Frost and others, heirs of Charles Frost, the lot on
which his son, Simon Elder, Esq., now lives, and pursued
his trade here. Mr. Elder was the contractor to build Gor
ham Academy, and was one of its first Trustees. He died
in 1819. Mr. Samuel Elder was twice married ; his first
wife was Hannah Freeman, who had five children, Eunice,
Ruth, Hannah, Betty, and Samuel. Samuel was born In
1781, and died in 1861. Mr. Elder's second -wife was Mary
Graffam, by whom he had four children, Peter, Ruth, Si
mon and Lois. Mrs. Mary Elder died In 1829.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 165

ELWELL.
There was a famUy of Elwells in this town prior to the
Revolution. I know not where they came from. Henry
and George ElweU are their descendants.

EHERY.

There were two famUies of the name of Emery here as
early as 1778, John and Benjamin. James Emery had a
famUy in town in 1786.

PARNHAH.
Simeon Farnham came here from Andover, Mass. His
wife was a Johnson of the same town. They had nine chil
dren. Mr. Farnham buUt the large three story brick house
in the village, now owned and occupied by Mr. Jonathan
Dow, as a hotel. Capt. John Farnham, late Postmaster,
and now living here, was a son of Simeon.

FILES.

This name is said to have been formerly speUed Foyles.
WUUam Files, the ancestor of aU of the name in Gorham,
emigrated hither from York, Maine, about 1756. In 1757,
he, with Zephanlah Harding, also from Gorham, were in Col.
Munroe's Regiment of Rangers, and were in the terrible

166 HISTORY OF GORHAM.
battle at the head of Lake George, defending Fort WiUiam
Henry against the French and Indians, under the Marquis
de Montcalm. The fortress, though gallantly defended, was
obUged to capitulate on honorable terms. The capitulation
was shamefuUy broken. The Indians attacked our troops
as they were marching out of the Fort, after they had laid
down their arms ; a scene of merciless barbarity ensued ;
men, women and children were murdered with every species
of cruelty. The massacre continued Into the forests and
in the defiles of the mountains, and for many miles the fugi
tives were tomahawked and scalped. A miserable remnant
reached Fort Edward on the Hudson. Among those who
escaped were Mr. Files and Mr. Harding. During their
filght, it is said, Mr. FUes was captured by two Indians, and
by his superior strength, he overcame them and escaped.
He and Mr. Harding were stiU followed by the savages, and
FUes and Harding crept into a hoUow log. The Indians
suspected they were there and kindled a fire at the hoUow
end of the tree, but the cavity being very tight, the smoke
would not enter ; the Indians Were foiled and went away.
Files and Harding, It is said, made their way to Maine
through the woods, suffering much from hunger and expo
sure. Mr. FUes was married in York, and had two children
born there, and seven more in Gorham. He died in Gor
ham in 1823, aged 95 years, leaving numerous descendants.
In the Province tax of Gorham, in 1763, Mr. Files was taxed
7s. lid.
WiUiam E. FUes, Esq., who represented the town of Gor
ham in 1834 and '35, and was one of the Selectmen subse
quently, was the son of Ebenezer Files, who was the eldest
son of WilUam, the old Ranger. W. E. FUes died in 1843,
aged 62, leaving a large family.

BIOGEAPHICAL NOTICES. 167

FLOOD.
There was a family of this name in town prior to 1800.
Morris Flood had a large family ; I have not ascertained
their origin.

FOGG.

Jeremiah Fogg lived here soon after the Revolution. His
son, George Fogg, was bom here in 1784. Daniel Fogg
came from Scarborough; he was a house joiner. Our
townsman, Moses Fogg, was his son.

FOSTER.

William H. Foster, who was Town Clerk from 1815 to
1832, came from Boston. He was a skUful cabinet maker,
and a respected citizen.

FROST.

There were several famiUes of Frosts here previous to
1760. In the Province tax bill for 1773, there were three
different Frost estates taxed. Some of them came from
Kittery. Charles Frost, who lived at Stroudwater, was a
large landholder here at the time of his death, and his heirs
sold several lots near the viUage. Col. Nathaniel Frost was
an active, pious man ; he was very conspicuous in the Rev-

168 HISTORY OF GORHAM.
olutionary times ; he held many municipal and military
offices. Col. Frost lived about half a mile north of the
Academy, on the Fort HUl road, where his son Jeremiah
Frost afterwards Uved, and which is now o'wned by Mr.
James Cressey. Col. Frost died in May, 1838, aged 90
years.

FREEMAN.
Our earliest Proprietors' and Town Records show that
three Freeman famiUes were in this town soon after the In
dian wars. John Freeman, of Eastham, was one of the
Narragansett soldiers, and a grantee of this to'wn. Nathan
Freeman and Jonathan Freeman came from that to'wn.
Nathau had a famUy here as early as 1760. Some of the
name in this town came from Barnstable, and others, it is
believed, moved from Falmouth to this place. They have
been reputable and prosperous citizens.

GAMMON.

Philip Gammon and Joseph Gammon were among our
early inhabitants. Daniel, Jonathan and Benjamin Uved
here before the Revolution.

GILKET.

The first person of this name in this town came from Ire
land. Joseph Gilkey, the son of James, was born here in

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 169
April, 1751. James had five other children, viz : Rebecca,
James, Samuel, John and Is9,ac. Joseph had nine children ;
their posterity are living here.

GORHAM.
Capt. John Gorham was a Captain in the Narragansett
fight, and from him the town received its name. At the
time the Grant was made, 1732, Col. Gorham was not liv
ing ; he was a son of Ralph Gorham and lived near Barn
stable line. Capt. John's sons were John, (afterwards Lieut.
Colonel,) James, Jabez, and Shubael, all of whom settled in
Barnstable. Shubael Gorham was also a Colonel ; he was
chairman of the committee of the Narragansett Proprietors,
and did much to organize the Grantees and promote the
settlement of the town ; he purchased several rights of other
proprietors, and many farms In this town are held by titles
from him. Lieut. Col, John Gorham came here and erected
the first mills.
Hon. William Gorham came to settle here about 1760.
He was soon employed in municipal affairs. He was a prom
inent man in the troublesome days of the Revolution ; hav
ing been on the Committees of Safety, Correspondence, and
Vigilance, most of their patriotic and spirited papers pro
ceeded from his pen. He was Town Clerk in 1773, and for
several succeeding years ; several times a Selectman ; was
t-wice a delegate to conventions to consider the matter of
the separation of Maine from Massachusetts, he being
strongly in favor of the measure. He was President of the
Conventions. He was appointed Judge of Probate in 1782,
and Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in 1787, and held
both offices till the time of his death, in July, 1804. Judge
22

170 HISTORY OP GORHAM.
Gorham had one son, Francis Gorham, born in 1775, who
died young. His only daughter, Fanny Tyler Gorham,
died in 1798. Judge Gorham was highly respected and
beloved, a man of strict integrity, pubUc-spirited, and benev
olent. His widow married Doct. Jeremiah Barker.

GOULD.
Nathaniel Gould came from Ipswich, Mass., and was a
saddler and harness maker. His first wife was Elizabeth
Coffin, daughter of Rev. Paul Coffin, of Buxton ; she died
in 1794. Mr. Gould's second wife was Elizabeth McLel
lan, who died in 1836. Mr. Gould died in Gorham, 1853,
aged 86.

GREEN.
John Green was the first School Teacher in Gorham.
Mr. Green was an Englishman by birth ; he had four sons
born in Gorham before the year 1769. Mr. Green was a
soldier in the Revolutionary army, and was wounded by a
musket ball passing through his cheek, in consequence of
which, he was honorably discharged about two years before
the termination of hostiUtles ; he then settled in Scarbor
ough, and died there.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 171

HALL.
The Halls were early settlers. Ebenezer HaU was one
of those who left the town in 1746, on account of the In
dian war ; when peace came he returned. He had eight
children — 1st, Abraham, born in 1765 ; 2d, Bethshuah ;
3d, Isaac ; 4th, Dorothy ; 5th, Isaac ; 6th, Ebenezer ; 7th,
Bethshuah ; 8th, Daniel.
There were several other famiUes of Halls, and their pos
terity are now in town.

HAMBLEN.
Bartholomew Hamblen and Eleazer Hamblen, of Barn-
stalble, were both in Capt. Gorham's company in the Narra
gansett battle, and were among the grantees of No. 7, in
1732. Jacob Hamblen was among the first of the settlers.
He and his family were In the garrison in 1746, and re
mained there during the Indian war. His son, Joseph,
married Hannah Whitney ; they had — 1st, Jacob, born in
1756 ; 2d, Esther, 1758 ; 3d, Sarah, 1759 ; and 4th, Jo
seph, in 1763. Joseph Hamblen, senior, died in 1763. His
brother, Daniel Hamblen, had four daughters, but no sons.
Jacob, son of Joseph, senior, married EUzabeth Watson ;
their children were Content, EUphalet, Mercy, Joseph, Mar
tha, James, and Jacob. Ebenezer Hamblen came from
Barnstable, and had thirteen chUdren born in Gorham. Jo
seph, the son of Joseph, had a large famUy. Our towns
man, Nathaniel Hamblen, was one of his sons. Joseph, son
of Jacob, cousin of Nathaniel, was Representative of Gor-

172 HISTORY OP GORHAM.
ham in 1831. He omitted the b in his father's name, and
his family wrote their name Hamlen.

HANSCOM.
Two families of the name of Hanscom came from Scar
borough. George was the ancestor of those now Uving in
town. The children of George and AbigaU, were Moses,
born in Scarborough In 1759 ; Hannah, in 1761 ; John, born
in Gorham, May 19, 1763 ; Katherine, 1765 ; Josepb, 1774.
The George, whose wife was Eunice Whitney, had twelve
children, all born in this town.

HARDING.
The Hardings came from Barnstable, Cape Cod, and there
seems to have been several families who settled, having
none, or very distant relationship. Zephanlah, Joshua, Si
mon, David and his sons, Elkanah and David, Jr., Samuel
Harding, Barnabas, Jesse and Seth Harding. Seth Hard
ing, whose wife was Elizabeth Wilket, was in this town
about 1750. Their children were Samuel, Abigail, Martha,
Elizabeth, and Seth. Samuel and Elizabeth joined the
Shakers. Samuel was a master mariner, and died at sea,
1789. Joshua joined the Shakers. Zephanlah senior, mar
ried first, Mary Davis ; their children were PriscUla, Thank
ful, Nicholas, Barnabas and John. By his second wife,
Lucy, he had Lucy, Content, Elizabeth, Zephanlah, Samuel
and Joseph. Zephanlah was one of the soldiers at Fort
WUliam Henry, when it capitulated to the French in 1757.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 173
It is said he was in the same company with William Files,
and witnessed the horrid massacre that then took place.
Harding and FUes escaped, as I have related before — the
Indians howling around the hollow tree in which they were
concealed. They suffered much in getting home ; having no
guns to kill game, they lived on berries and roots ; they
were greatly emaciated ; and were nearly a month in getting
from Lake George to Gorham. Both Files and Harding,
notwithstanding the hardships of their early life, lived to a
great age, and died at their homes in Gorham. To the end
of their Uves they had a perfect hatred of the whole Indian
race. Mr. David Harding, after he came to Gorham, lived with
his son Elkanah, near Gambo ; he died in 1828, aged 97
years. His son, David, in his younger years, followed the
sea, and was, for many years, master of a vessel, and later
in life, a merchant. Capt. Harding was one of the most
prominent and useful of our citizens ; he was one of the
original Trustees of Gorham Academy, and continued a
member of the Board during his life. He was also Treas
urer of the Board. He was a Representative of this town
eleven years in the General Court of Massachusetts, and In
the Maine Legislature in 1820-21. Capt. Harding died
suddenly in 1831, of apoplexy, aged 69 years. He was twice
married ; his children (all by his first wife) were Thomas,
Betsey, Temperance, Robert, Stephen, David, Charles, and
Emeline. Thomas was the father of our townsman, Wil
liam M. Harding, Esq. ; Betsey married Wm. H. Foster,
and had four daughters. Temperance married a Mr. Fenno,
Robert was a shipmaster and was lost at sea. David was a
trader. Charles graduated at Bowdoin College, and was
a lawyer, and died in Portland. Emeline, the youngest,
married Ebenezer Libby, and is the only surviving child of
Capt. David Harding.

174 HISTORY OP GOEHAM.

HARVET.

Clement Harvey was one of the men who was in the fort
in the Indian war. Little is now known of his subsequent
life. His descendants write their name Meservey.

HATCH.
There were two families of Hatches settled in this town.
Asa, who married Rebecca Crocket ; they had two chUdren,
Nathaniel, born in 1783, and Stephen, in 1786. Nathaniel
Hatch, and his wife Elizabeth, had four children, Betsey,
Hannah, SaUy, and Nathaniel.
Joseph Hatch settled here about 1750, and had six chil
dren— Ezekiel, born in 1754; Asa, 1757; David, 1759;
Mary, 1764 ; Ebenezer, 1767 ; Elizabeth, 1770.

HARRIS.

Stephen Harris, a member of the Society of Friends, had
seven chUdren — Mary, born in 1786 ; WUUam, 1788 ; Levi,
1790 ; John, 1792 ; Rebecca, 1795 ; Owen, 1797, and Na
than in 1800.

HICKl

Lemuel Hicks was in town before 1773. He married
Mary Rich ; they had two children, EUzabeth and Lemuel ;

BIOGEAPHICAL NOTICES. 175
by his second wife, Susannah Frost, he had five ; several of
his posterity now reside here.

HODSDON.

Jeremiah Hodsdon lived here as soon as 1760. He had
a large family, but left town many years ago.

HIGGINS.
Joseph Higgins came from Eastham, Cape Cod. He had
one child, Joseph, born there In 1776, and in Gorham he
had Mary, born in 1778 ; Isaac, 1780 ; Barnabas, 1783 ;
Dorcas, 1785 ; Mary, 1787 ; Enoch F., 1789 ; AbigaU F.,
1791, and Saul C. Higgins in 1794.

HUNT.

Ephraim Hunt and Ichabod Hunt came from Cape Cod.
Ephraim married Abigail Cates. They had twelve chil
dren. Our late respected citizen, Capt. Daniel Hunt, was
the fourth child of Ephraim and Abigail Hunt. Captain
Hunt was, for many years, master of a vessel, and sailed
usually from Philadelphia ; he married his wife there, the
widow Angelina Hastie. Her first husband was also a ship
master. In the latter years of his life, Capt. Hunt kept a
hotel in Gorham viUage ; he died here in 1833, aged 58.
Mrs. Hunt and her three daughters removed to New York,

176 HISTORY OP GORHAM.
where she died a few years ago; her maiden name was
Griffith. Ichabod Hunt married Mary Stone ; they had eight chil
dren born between 1780 and 1800.
Oliver Hunt and Joseph Hunt came from Milton, Mass.
Oliver was an officer in the Revolutionary army, and re
ceived a pension. He married in Providence, Rhode Island,
where his first two children were born, Oliver and John.
In Gorham he had four children — WiUiam, born in 1792 ;
Hannah, in 1794 ; Nabby, 1796 ; Charles B., in 1800. The
youngest son, Charles B., was the late Hon. Charles B.
Hunt, Representative from Gorham, in 1836 and 1837, and
subsequently, a Senator from Cumberland County in the
Legislature of Maine. Mr. Hunt was also a Trustee of
Gorham Seminary. Mr. Joseph Hunt came here and set
up his trade, being a hatter. He married Jane McLellan ;
they had two children, Jane and Joseph. Mr. Hunt died
in 1861, aged 81 ; his widow and children survive.

HUSTON.
Simon Huston, and EUzabeth, his wife, had ten children —
David, born in Falmouth in 1762, the other nine, in Gor
ham, viz : Elizabeth, in 1764 ; Eunice, 1765 ; Annah, 1767 ;
Simon, 1769; Mary, 1771 ; Wmiam,1772; Rebecca, 1774 ;
Lydia, 1776 ; and Simon, 1779.
The younger Simon died without issue, and by his wiU
bequeathed to the town of Gorham, his valuable farm, for
the support of the Poor, the town to come in possession on
the decease of his widow. Mrs. Huston is yet Uving ; but
the town has rented the farm for many years, paying Mrs.
Huston $165 annually; and the town paupers are there

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 177
kept comfortably, having a judicious man for Superintend
ent. Corn, grain, hay and potatoes, are raised in considera
ble quantities, most of the labor being performed by the
paupers.

IRISH,

James Irish emigrated from Roxfordshire, England, about
1710, and located himself at Falmouth, (Portland.) He
came to this town in 1738, and was among the first few
settlers. Mr. Irish had five sons and one daughter born
before he removed to this place, viz : John, Joseph, Thomas,
James, William, and Miriam. He took his family here,
but when the Indian war broke out^ Mr. Irish removed back
to Falmouth, being a place of greater safety. As soon as
the danger from the savages was over, Mr. Irish and his
family returned to Gorham, and re-occupied his land. Mir
iam married Gamaliel Pote, of Falmouth. John, Thomas,
and James, settled in Gorham ; Joseph and William settled
in Buckfield. Most of these men had large families, and
several lived to be very aged. John, son of James, the
emigrant, had six children bom between 1746 and 1760.
Thomas had ten children, viz : Susanna, Isaac, Benjamin,
Jacob, Amy, Abigail, Gamaliel, Deliverance, Mary, and
Elizabeth. Thomas Irish died in 1832, aged 98 years and
eight months. His daughter. Amy, who married Samuel
Burnell, of Baldwin, lived to be 91 years old. WiUiam
Irish married Mary McCoUister; they had six children —
Thomas, Edmund, Margery, Dorcas, Miriam, and Sylva
nus, bom between 1766 and 1780. James Irish, Jr., mar
ried Mary Gorham Phinney, daughter of Capt. John Phin-
23

178

HISTORY OP GORHAM.

2. WilUam,

Marc'

3. Martha,

Aug.

4. Ebenezer,

AprU

5. Obadiah,

July
6. Mary,
June
7. Patience,
Jan.
8. Samuel,
April
9. James,
Aug.
age of 86 years.
James
" 1815, '
' 56.
« 1836, '
' 75.
« 1851, '
' 87.
" 1852, '
' 86.
" 1846, '
' 78.
" 1854, '
' 83.
" 1825, '
' 52.
now living
at the
ney. She was the first white child born in Gorham ; they
had nine children, viz : —
1. Stephen, born March 25, 1757 ; died 1841, aged 84.
12, 1759
28, 1761 ;
5, 1764 ;
17, 1766
24, 1768 ;
31, 1771 ;
8, 1773 ;
18, 1776
James Irish, the father, died in 1816,
aged 80 ; his widow, in 1825, aged 89 years. All the chil
dren of James and Mary G. Irish, were married. Stephen
married Anna Bangs ; William, Sarah Murch ; Martha,
Stephen Whitney ; Ebenezer, Patty Morton ; Obadiah,
Mary Dean ; Mary, Timothy Bacon ; Patience, John Davis ;
Samuel, Martha Blake ; and James, Rebecca Chadbourne,
for his first wife — his second wife was the widow Louisa
Mason. Hon. James Irish, now one of our oldest citizens, has Uved
an active and enterprising life ; he has been much In public
life, and probably has held more commissions than any other
man in Gorham ; in the military line, holding nearly all the
ranks from a private up to a Brigadier General. In civil
Ufe, he has been Selectman, Representative, Senator, and
Land Agent of Maine ; he was also a member of the Con
stitutional Convention of this State, and has held many
other inferior offices.
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 179

JENKINS.

Capt. Josiah Jenkins was an officer in the Revolutionary
army, and was in an engagement on Lake Champlain. He
also fought in the batl^e of Monmouth. He was a United
States' pensioner at the time of his death, in 1831, when he
was 81 years old. His wife was Prudence Davis ; they had
seven children — Sarah, two Marys, AureUa, Nancy, Jo
siah, and Katherine.

JEWETT.
Rev. Caleb Jewett was from Newburyport, and was set
tled in Gorham in 1783. He was dismissed from his charge
in 1800, and died in this town in 1802. Mr. Jewett's resi
dence was the house now occupied by his grand son, Henry
Broad. Mr. Jewett had four children — Jonathan, Martha,
Caleb, and Betsey.

JONES.
Henry Jones came from Scarborough, and settled here
about 1757 ; he had four children — Jeremiah, Ephraim, Jo
seph, and Lydia. Jeremiah Jones came from Boston to
Gorham ; he had one son, Jeremiah, born in 1778. Joseph
Jones, son of Henry, married Deborah Hanscom ; their
children were Henry, Moses, Samuel, John and Hannah.
There was also living here, in 1788, a WiUiam Jones, who
had four children, SaUy, Wealthy, Hiram, and John.

180 HISTORY OF GOEHAM.

JOHNSON.
There are many of this name in Gorham. Stephen John
son lived here before 1774. John Johnson, who had six
children, resided in town in 1784, and subsequently. I do
not know where they came from. Matthew Johnson came
from that part of Falmouth which is now Westbrook ; his
sons were Thomas, William, John, and Samuel. Hannah
was his daughter ; she married a cousin, the late Captain
Robert Johnson, who was the son of Robert Johnson.
Most of the Messrs. Johnsons have been largely engaged in
farming.

KEMP,

Ebenezer Kemp came here after the Revolutionary war,
from Groton,, Mass. ; he died in this town in 1833, aged 83
years.

KNIGHT,
Capt. Joseph Knight removed from Falmouth, to Wind
ham, and from the latter town to this place. He had ele'ven
chUdren — Lydia, born in Falmouth in 1761 ; Phebe, in
Windham in 1763 ; Nathaniel, in Gorham, 1765 ; Daniel,
1768 ; Joseph, 1771 ; Nabby, 1773 ; Joseph, 1775 ; Samuel,
1778 ; Morris, 1780 ; Winthrop, 1782, and Benjamin, 1785.
Capt. Knight died in 1797.

BIOGEAPHICAL NOTICES. 181
LAKEMAN.
The Lakemans settled early In town. WilUam, whose
wife was Hannah Doane, and their children — Mary, born
in 1756 ; Hannah, in 1758, and Josiah Harding in 1762.
Josiah Lakeman married Esther Cobb, and had Solomon,
Polly and Betsey. Solomon married, and had one son, Jo
siah, and two daughters, Mary Ann and Martha.

L ARRT.
Dennis Larry, the elder, emigrated from Ireland, and set
tled in Gorham about the close of the Indian war ; he mar
ried Patience Wooster ; their son, Stephen, was born in this
town in 1763. Dennis Larry died in 1807, aged 90 years ;
His wife. Patience, in 1809, 94 years old. Their son,
Stephen, married Abigail Hamblen ; their children were
Patience, John, James, Stephen, and Joseph. James grad
uated at Bowdoin College in the class of 1821, and soon
went to Virginia, where he has since resided. Stephen
Larry, senior, died in 1838, aged 75 years.

LEWIS.
Deacon and Major George Lewis came from Barnstable,
Mass., where all his children were born. His first wife was
Mehitable Davis, daughter of Daniel Davis, Esq., Judge of
Probate, who died in Barnstable. His second wife, also a
Barnstable woman, was Desire Parker. Mr. Lewis' chll-

182 HISTORY OF GORHAM.
«•
dren were — 1st, Lothrop, born in 1763 ; 2d, Mehitable ;
3d, Ansel ; 4th, SaUy ; 5th, Annah ; 6th, Daniel ;' 7th,
James ; 8th, George ; 9th, Abigail ; 10th, Caroline. The
family were highly respectable, and immediately took a
prominent place among our citizens. Deacon- Lewis died in
Gorham, July 24, 1819, aged 79 years.
Probably no Gorham man ever stood higher in the esti
mation of his feUow citizens than the Hon. Lothrop Lewis.
His morals were pure, his mind lucid ; of steadfast integrity,
correct behavior, obliging and courteous in manner, prudent
in words and action, distinguished for sound common sense,
and inflexibly just ; his mind was not briUiant, nor its oper
ations rapid, but clear, persevering ; with a power of correct
discrimination, his conclusions were nearly always correct ;
he was popular in the town, county and State. Mr. Lewis
was much engaged when young as a surveyor of lands, and
in locating roads. He was the surveyor in locating the flrst
road from Standish through Baldwin to Bridgton. He was
often a referee in important and difficult cases. During his
life he held many civil and military offices, and discharged
the duties of all with fidelity, and to the acceptance of his
employers and the people. In the military line he rose to
the Colonelcy of a Regiment of Cavalry. In civil life he was
a Justice of the Peace, Deputy Sheriff, Assessor, Selectman,
Representative of his town in the General Court of Massa
chusetts and the Legislature of Maine. He was one of
Gov. Strong's Board of War In 1812-15. At the time of his
death, which occurred Oct. 9, 1822, he was Land Agent
of Maine, and died at Bangor in the discharge of his official
duty. Col. Lewis was t-^Ice married, first to Tabitha Long
feUow, by whom he had two chUdren, Stephen LongfeUow
and Mary. His son was born in 1795, his daughter in
1796. Stephen studied law and settled in Athens, Somer
set County, Maine. He died nearly forty years ago, leav-

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 183
ing two daughters. Mary Lewis married Jacob S. Smith,
Esq. ; they had two sons, Lothrop Lewis and Samuel Long
fellow. Col. Lewis' second wife was Mary J. Little, widow
of John Park Little ; her maiden name was Prescott, a
daughter of Judge Prescott, of Groton, Mass., By his sec
ond wife. Col. Lewis had three children — Annah, Catherine,
and Elizabeth, all of whom have deceased. Annah and
Catherine died young. Elizabeth married, first, Stephen
M. Staples, Esq., and secondly, Hon. Hugh D. McLellan.
Maj. George Lewis' children were all respectable and useful
citizens. Ansel was a lumber surveyor in Portland. Dan
iel was a Baptist clergyman ; he settled in Patterson, New
Jersey, where he died a few years ago. Of Rev. James, I
have sppken under the title of " Methodists," George was a
farmer in Bridgton, and was Major of a Regiment of militia.
Mehitable married a Mr. Crocker ; Sally married Captain
Ebenezer Peabody ; Annah married John Darling ; Abigail
married Capt. WiUiam Prentiss ; she was the mother of the
distinguished orator, Seargent S. Prentiss.

LIBBY.
There have been many families of Libbys in this town.
They have written their names Libbee, Libbey, and Libby ;
the latter is now the most common^way of spelUng the name.
Before the Revolution there resided here Joab Libbey, Jo
seph Libbee, Reuben Libbee ; several others came soon after
the war. I believe nearly all of them were from Scarbor
ough. At the present time, the name is common among us.

184 HISTORY OP GOEHAM.

LINCOLN.
The Llncolns came to Gorham from Hingham, Massachu
setts. Royal and John Lincoln were farmers. John was
also a master of a vessel several years. They had famUies,
but none of the name now live in town.

LOMBARD,
There were three Lombards among the original grantees
of this township. Caleb and Jedediah, of Barnstable, and
Jonathan, of Tisbury, Mass. Some of their sons settled in
Gorham, and have descendants now in town. I have given
on a preceding page, some account of Rev. Solomon Lom
bard, the first settled clergyman. He had several children.
His sons, Solomon and Richard, had large families ; Solomon,
Jr., had Richard, born 1761 ; Susannah, 1762 ; Hannah,
1764 ; Solomon, 1766 ; James, 1768 ; Lydia, 1771 ; Peter,
1772 ; Ephraim, 1773 ; Solomon, 1775 ; Mary, 1777 ; Sam
uel, 1779. Samuel is still living, in the 83d year of his age.
Richard Lombard, son of Rev. Solomon, had nine chil
dren — John, Paul, Joseph, Lydia, Ebenezer, Bethshuah,
Richard, Simon and Sarah. Ebenezer was the Class Leader
of the first Methodist Class gathered in this town. Both
he and his brother Richard, were Methodist preachers, and
itinerated extensively. Calvin Lombard had eight children.
He was one of the Gorham Minute men that went with Col.
Phinney to Portland, when the trouble with Coulson and
Capt. Mowatt occurred. There was great excitement ; about
six hundred men collected between meetings on Sunday.
Calvin Lombard went to the water side as near Mowatt's

BIOGEAPHICAL NOTICES. 185
ship as he could well get, and fired a brace of balls at the
ship, which penetrated deep Into its side ; the fire was an
swered from a fusee on board. Mowatt wrote to Col. Free
man to deliver up Calvin, assuring him that, otherwise, he
should fire upon the town. Lombard was not given up, but
returned to Gorham, Nathaniel Lombard and Butler Lom
bard, were soldiers in Captain Hart Williams' company, in
1775. John Lombard was in the sea service of the United
States in the war of the Revolution, and he received a pen
sion in the latter years of his life. He died in Gorham, in
1844, aged 85 years.

LONGFELLOW.
Stephen Longfellow, the first of the name here, came from
Portland in 1775. He had held many important town and
county offices while he lived in Portland. His father came
from Newbury, Mass., to Portland, about 1745. Mr. Long
fellow died In Gorham in 1790. His son, Stephen, who was
one of the most distinguished and respected of our citizens,
was born in Portland in 1750, and came here when he was
about twenty-five years old. He was largely employed as a
Surveyor, Selectman, and held various other municipal offices.
He represented this town, in the General Court of Massa
chusetts, eight years. Afterwards he was a Senator of Cum
berland County for several sessions, when he was appointed
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, and held the office
from 1797 to 1811. He occupied a large farm that he
owned in the southerly part of the town, near Westbrook.
His wife was Patience Young, of York. They were mar
ried in 1773. They had six children, viz : — Tabitha, born
October 9, 1774 ; Stephen, March 23, 1776 ; AbigaU, Jan-
24

186 HISTOEY OP GORHAM.
uary 18, 1779 ; Anna, November 26, 1781 ; Katherine,
August 20, 1786, and Samuel, July 30, 1789. Judge
Longfellow died in Gorham in 1824, aged 74 years. His
daughter, Tabitha, was the first wife of Hon. Lothrop Lewis ;
she died in 1807. Stephen, Jr., son of Judge Longfellow,
graduated at Harvard College, in 1798. He read law with
Salmon Chase, Esq., of Portland, and on being admitted to
the Bar, at once entered upon a large practice, and gained
an early and honorable distinction in his chosen profes
sion. He stood in the first rank of the able counselors who
were his cotemporaries. Mr. LongfeUow's industry, perse
verance, and uprightness in all his pursuits, were remarka
ble. He was modest and unassuming, but infiexible in pur
pose and action. No man among us sustained a higher or
purer character. He held many important offices. He was
a member of the celebrated Hartford Convention in 1814,
and a member of Congress ten years later. After a pro
tracted iUness, he died in 1839, aged 73 years. Abigail,
the second daughter of Judge Longfellow, married Colonel
Samuel Stevenson, of Gorham. She still lives. Anna died
unmarried in 1811. Katherine died in 1804, at the age of
18. Samuel LongfeUow, the youngest son, followed the sea
for some years, and then married and lived with his father,
had one daughter, and died in Oct., 1818. Col. Longfel
low's widow married Judge Asa Redington.

McCOLLESTER. — McC ORRIS ON.
WiUiam McCoUester came from England, it is said. His
ancestors speUed their name McAllister. William, the
emigrant, settled here early ; his son was born in the fort, in
Gorham, March 7, 1750. His father, WUliam, was taxed

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 187
In the Province tax in 1762 ; he then paid one of the largest
taxes in Gorham. James married Deliverance Rich when
he was seventeen years old ; they had six children — Lem
uel, born in 1767 ; Amos, 1769 ; James, 1771 ; Mary, 1774 ;
Patience, 1776 ; Betty, 1779. His second wife was Mary
Flood ; by her he had nine children, making fifteen in all.
Mr. McCoUester was one of the earliest converts to the faith
of the New Lights, and became one of their most promi
nent preachers. His education was very limited ; he was
earnest and vociferous against " book learning, and salaried
ministers." His meetings were very disorderly. After
awhile they become more sedate and systematic, and out of
the New Lights sprung the Freewill Baptist Society in this
town. Mr. McCoUester changed his name to McCorrison,
and his numerous descendants so write the name. James
McCoUester, or McCorrison, lived till 1820, and died at his
son's house in Standish, at the age of 70 years. When
young, James McCorrison was an expert hunter, which, in
those days, was a highly prized attainment ; many were the
bears, deers and wolves that he killed. In his old age he
used to relate a hunting feat performed by himself and his
brother-in-law. Rich, which he said was the occasion of
much scandal, respecting himself and his religious society.
He acknowledged he did wrong and justly merited rebuke,
and he never ceased to condemn his own act, but he believed
the whole affair was the device of the Devil, to tempt him
from the path of duty, and he succeeded that time ; but he
used to add, that Satan was never able to entrap him again,
at least, not in that way. The story was this : — Mr. Mc
Corrison had a large family ; they were out of meat. On
Saturday he went into the woods in quest of game ; he
traversed the forests nearly aU day without any success —
an uncommon occurrence in those days. Night was near, and
he turned his weary steps homewards, hungry and depressed

188 HISTORY OP GOEHAM.
in spirit; he looked ahead, and saw directly in his path
what appeared to be a large deer ; the animal was so near
he felt sure of killing him ; he fired, but strange to teU,
the deer stood still and looked full on Mr. McCorrison ; he
stepped towards the deer which gave one bound and disap
peared In the woods. It was too dark to follow him. Mc
Corrison thought he found blood, and felt certain the deer
was wounded, and that he could not go far ; he marked the
spot, that he might find it again ; he determined to come
early in the morning, though it would be Sunday ; (Mr.
McCorrison was a constant advocate for a strict observance
of the Sabbath.) He meant to quietly secure his game,
and let no one know of the affair. Sunday morning came ;
he called on his brother-in-law, Rich, told him of his adven
ture with the deer, the preceding evening, and requested him
to accompany hirfi. Mr. Rich consented to go. They took
their guns, but agreed not to use them, unless it should be
necessary, to secure the wounded deer. Soon after arriving
at the place In the woods, where Mr. McCorrison had fired,
the evening before, a large deer made his appearance ; they
fired and brought him down ; they could find no mark of a
previous shot, so they continued to hunt for the missing
deer. Deer after deer were seen and killed by McCorrison
and Rich, but on none of them did they find any former
wound. They were excited by their sport, and continued to
hunt through the day. When it grew dark, they set out for
their homes, having killed eight fine deer, in their Sunday
hunt. Such extraordinary success in hunting could not be
kept secret ; it was soon noised abroad that two of the most
strict and prominent of the New Light Society had been
hunting and killing deer all one Sabbath day. Elder Mc
Corrison was strongly reproved by his brethren, and he
never ceased to regret that violation of holy time.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 189

MCDONALD.

There were several families of McDonald in Gorham prior
to the Revolution. Charles McDonald married Priscilla
Davis ; they had nine children born between 1762 and 1785,
viz: — Meribah, Susanna, Nancy, Simon D., Jacob, Charles,
Joseph, Mary, and Elizabeth.
Robert McDonald married Mary Kendrick, and had six
children — Samuel M., born 1771 ; John, April 15, 1773 ;
Robert, 1775 ; Abner, 1778 ; Miriam, 1782, and Benoni,
1785. John, who was born in 1773, was the Hon. John
McDonald, late of Limerick, the father of Hon. Moses Mc
Donald, member of Congress a few years ago, and recently
Collector of the District of Portland.
Peletlah McDonald had two children — William, and
Eleanor. William is said to have been born at Fort Put
nam, on Hudson's river, in 1779, his father being in the Con
tinental army, and stationed at that port. Abner McDonald
had four chUdren — William, Dorcas, SaUy, and Enoch.

McLELL AN.
Hugh McLellan, and Elizabeth, his wife, were among the
first settlers of Gorham. They were born in the County of
Antrim, Ireland ; their family, it is said, were descendants
of Sir Hugh McLellan, of Argyle, Scotland, and that they
had been residents in Ireland, for nearly a century previous
to their emigration to America. Hugh and his wife were
decided Presbyterians. They were somewhat related before
marriage ; she was a year older than her husband, and was
born in 1709; her father was Cary McLeUan. Hugh's

190 HISTORY OF GORHAM.
cousin, Bryce, and brother James, came • to America before
Hugh. Bryce settled In Portland, and James in Saco.
Hugh and his wife, and their son William, then one year
old, sailed from Londonderry in 1733, and after a long and
dangerous passage, they arrived in Boston. On their
voyage they had another child born. From Boston they
came to York, Maine. Thence to Saco, and then to Fal
mouth, and settled at Back Cove ; but on account of In
dians they moved Into Portland. When in Portland, Mr.
McLellan purchased a grantee's right of land, (200 acres)
in this town. Like most of the emigrants, at that period,
Mr. McLellan was poor, and it is said the ten pounds which
he gave was about all his property. He came to Gorham,
and, repairing a logging camp on his land, on the easterly
side of the Fort Hill road, opposite the brick house, he moved
his family here about 1740. They brought but little with
them — a cow, a horse, and a few household goods, with
their children, William and Abigail. They commenced
their living here very poor, but their land was good, and
they were robust, industrious, temperate and frugal. At
the time of the Indian massacre, McLellan and his fam
ily removed to the garrison, and remained there about seven
years. When the war was past he re-occupied his land, and
became a prosperous farmer and lumberman. When the
Province tax of 1763 was assessed, Hugh McLellan had the
largest tax In town, and for many years his valuation ex
ceeded that of any other citizen. He was a Ruling Elder
in the church ; an upright, conscientious man, hospitable
and benevolent.
The chUdren of Hugh and Elizabeth were WUliam, born
in Ireland, a daughter, born on the passage, and died young ;
AbigaU, Alexander, Mary, Carey, Jane, Thomas and Martha.
WiUiam married Rebecca Huston, of Falmouth, in 1763.
He built a house about a mUe from the village, on the Scar-

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 191
borough road, where he lived till his death ; he died in
November, 1812, aged 83. He was one of the first Trus
tees of Gorham Academy. His wife died Oct. 13, 1823,
aged 81. Mr. William McLellan was a large landholder,
and owned mills and several slaves. One negro. Prince,
brought from Antigua, ran away and enlisted on board
Capt. Manly's privateer, where he remained about a year ;
was discharged at Boston, but came back to Gorham and
voluntarily returned to a state of slavery. Mr. McLellan
settled Prince on a piece of land, twelve acres, and a house
free during the life of Prince and his wife ; and ten acres of
pasture in fee simple, and made provision that Prince and
his wife, Chloe, should receive a comfortable support out of
the McLellan family, during their lives. After the Pension
Law of 1818 was passed. Prince received a pension for life,
for services in Capt. Manly's vessel. Prince was supposed
to be over one hundred years old when he died.
Abigail McLellan married James McLellan, son of Bryce,
of Portland. He came to Gorham, and lived about half a
mile southerly of the village ; his house had the first plas
tered rooms in town ; the house is stiU standing, and is now
owned by Miss Catherine Storer. James McLellan was a
Deacon of the Congregational church in Gorham. He had
a numerous family. Alexander, son of Hugh, married Mar
garet Johnson ; they had eight children born between 1766
and 1778, viz : — Jenny, James, Isaac, William, Nelly, Alex
ander, [a, second James, and Jenny. Carey was an En
sign, and his brother William a Lieutenant, in Capt. Hart
Williams' Company in 1775, and went to Cambridge and
Ticonderoga with Col. Phinney's Regiment. Capt. Alexan
der McLellan commanded a Company in the Penobscot
expedition, in 1779.
Cary McLellan, son of Hugh, married Eunice Elder ;
their children were Mary, born in 1767 ; Eunice, 1769 ;

192 HISTOEY OP GOEHAM.
Nancy, 1772 ; 2d Nancy, 1794 ; Cary, 1776 ; 2d Eunice,
1778 ; Alexander, 1780 ; WilUam in 1782 ; Samuel, 1784.
Cary McLellan's second wife was Mary Parker ; they had
David, born in 1786 ; Sally, 1788; Betsey, 1789, and Thom-
asin 1791. Cary owned and occupied the old tavern house,
now altered into a store, and occupied by Mr. Charles Ro
bie, at the head of Main Street. Cary McLeUan was taken
prisoner in the Revolutionary war, and confined in the Jer
sey prison ship in New York harbor, as related on a preced
ing page, whence he escaped. He died in Gorham in 1805,
about 60 years old. His daughter, Mary, married John
Clements. Nancy married Samuel Staples. Alexander mar
ried twice ; by his first wife, Chloe Davis, he had Hugh,
Eunice, and Elizabeth ; by his second wife, BeUnda Don
aldson, he had EveUna, Chloe, Belinda, Josiah T., and
Charlotte. Alexander McLellan, Esq., was Postmaster for
many years ; his son, Hon. Hugh D. McLellan, now living
here, has held many civil and military offices ; he repre
sented the town three years in the Legislature of Maine,
and was Speaker of the House of Representatives in 1847-8.
The children of Alexander McLeUan, through both his
wives, claim descent from Rev. John Robinson, of Leyden,
Holland. Samuel McLellan, brother of Alexander, was
thrice married. His two first wives were Sarah and Rebec
ca McLellan ; by them he had no children. His third wife
was Tabitha Flood; by whom he had Sarah, Rebecca,
Abby, Martha, Ann, Simon E., Isaac, and Lewis. Jane,
the daughter of Hugh, the emigrant, was born in the fort,
in Indian times, in 1748. She married Hugh Patten, of
Topsham. Thomas, the youngest son of the eldest Hugh,
Uved and died in the old paternal mansion, the brick house
north of the Academy ; he married Jenny Patterson ; she
was his cousin, and they had nine children — Hugh, EUza
beth, Robert, PoUy, Benjamin, Jenny, Mary Ann, Thomas,

BIOGEAPHICAL NOTICES. 193
and John. Mr. McLellan lived in the two story brick house
buUt by his father about the commencement of the Revolu
tionary war. It is now standing and in good repair, and is
said to have been the first brick bouse erected in the Coun
ty, and that it was four years in building. Thomas died
in 1829, aged 75. Old Hugh, the patriarch emigrant, died
in 1787, aged 77 years ; his 'widow, Elizabeth, died in 1804,
in the 96th year of her age. She and her husband left high
reputations for piety and benevolence. Their posterity are
numerous. At the time of her death, the old lady had 234
living descendants.

MANN.

Daniel Mann married Hannah Phinney ; they had two
chUdren — Edmund, bom January 12, 1793 ; Hannah, born
March 2, 1795.
Hon. Edmund Mann became a distinguished citizen. He
was many years one of our Selectmen. He represented this
town in the Legislature three years. He was one of the
Executive Council of Governor Dunlap, and subsequently
one of the County Commissioners for Cumberland County.
He died March 8, 1862. He was the father of our present
County Treasurer, Hon. James Mann.

MORTON.

The Mortons emigrated from Cape Cod. Capt. Briant
Morton, the most known of any of the name in this town,
was twice married. His second wife he married here, and
25

194 HISTORY OF GORHAM.
they had two children — Jerusha and John. Capt. Mor
ton was an active and influential man in the Revolution.
He was a Ruling Elder in the Congregational church in
1758-9. He was one of those who were opposed to Mr.
Lombard's ministry, and he and Col. Phinney ordained Mr.
Townsend. He was one of the earliest members of the Com
mittee of Safety and Correspondence, in 1772. He was a
Delegate to the Provincial Congress, held at Cambridge.
He was the Representative of the town in 1775 and 1776.
In 1771, he was one of the most zealous of the Freewill
Baptists. Captain Morton died in 1793. His whole prop
erty was inventoried at £142. 15s. OOd — £90 of which was
his real estate. Ebenezer Morton was here and married
before 1760. He had eight children, six sons and two
daughters. Jabez Morton was married in 1766, and had
five daughters and three sons. Thomas Morton had twelve
children — James, bom in 1753, was the eldest ; Thomas,
Elliot, a second James, Major, Micah, and RandeU. His
daughters were Hannah, Anna, Mary, Betsey, and Wealthy.
James Morton and Thomas Morton were Revolutionary
pensioners. James died in 1840, aged 87 years.

MOSHER.
I have before spoken of the Mosier, Moshier, or Mosher
family, on page 33. They were among the very first set
tlers, and they have continued the name. They early became
large land holders, and have ever been among our most sub
stantial farmers. The Mosiers lived in Falmouth as early as
1640. James Mosier, supposed to have been the son of
Hugh, was the ancestor of all of the name in Gorham; he
was living in 1666. James was the father of Daniel, who

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 195
moved to Gorham about 1738. James Mosier, the son of
Daniel the settler, married Abigail Frost ; they had ten chil
dren — Susanna, born June 17, 1759 ; Nathaniel, Oct. 21st,
1762 ; James, April 25, 1767 ; 2d Nathaniel, May 5, 1769 ;
Abigail, Sept. 1, 1771 ; Benjamin, January 30, 1774 ; Jen
ny, Oct. 4, 1776 ; Betsey, March 4, 1780 ; Nancy, Nov.
18, 1782, and Daniel, Jan. 14, 1785. Benjamin, the 6th
chUd, is yet living at the age of 88 years, the oldest man in
town. His father James Uved almost a century, being 99
years and three months old when he died, Oct. 2, 1834.

HURCH.
There were four families of the name of Murch here be
fore the incorporation of the town. Those of John, Sam
uel, Walter, and Ebenezer. John had seven chUdren — -
Molly, William, Eunice, George, Samuel, Tabitha, and
Martha. Samuel had Rebecca, Edmund, and William.
Ebenezer, Jr., had seven children, one son and six daugh
ters. Ebenezer Murch was a Lieutenant in Capt. A. Mc
Lellan's Company in 1779. Matthias Murch was also a
Revolutionary soldier and pensioner ; he died in 1842, aged
83 years.

NASON,

Uriah Nason settled in town about 1760, in the northerly
part of the town ; for some years his nearest neighbor was
three or four miles distant ; he and his family lived quite
secluded ; Mrs. Nason used to say that sometimes she

196 HISTORY OF GORHAM.
would see no woman for months. Mr. Nason had eight
children — Abraham, born In 1765 ; then WilUam, Samuel,
Lot, Margaret, AbigaU, Joseph, and Uriah. Uriah Nason,
senior, died in 1833, aged 91 years.
Ephraim Nason came here from Cape Elizabeth where his
first child Eunice was born, in 1785. He had born in Gor
ham, Richard, Abigail, Eleanor, Ephraim, and Fanny.

NEWCOMB.

Enos Newcomb was in town soon aft«r 1780. By his
first wife, Thankful Morton, he had six children, and by his
second wife, five more. Mr. Newcomb died in 1843, at the
age of 85, leaving a numerous posterity.

PAINE'.

WUliam Paine, and Richard Paine, brothers, were from
Eastham, Mass. In 1770 they purchased part of the one
hundred acre lot, No. 63, in Gorham. Richard was a black
smith and WiUiam a shoemaker. William married Sarah
Mayo, of Eastham, where his first child, Mary, was born ;
his next, William, Jr., was born in Gorham, Dec. 29, 1770 ;
Thankful, in 1773; Samuel, 1775; Sarah, 1779; Hannah,
1781, and John In 1783. William, senior, served in the
Revolutionary army ; he died In 1827, aged 85 years. Wil
liam Paine, Jr., married Hannah Cressey ; their children
were Eliza, James and Charles. The youngest son, Charles
Paine, Esq., was Selectman for some years, and Represen
tative in the Legislature in 1853-54. His father, WilUam

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 197
Paine, died in 1852, aged 82. Deacon Samuel Paine died
in 1856, aged 81. Richard Paine married Thankful Hard
ing for his first wife ; his second wife was Elizabeth Patrick.
Mr. Paine had seven chUdren.

PATRICK.
Charles Patrick removed from Stroudwater village. His
wife was Mehitable Fickett ; their children were David,
Charles, James, Thomas, Eleanor, Stephen, Nancy, Chris
tiana, Polly, and Margaret. Charles Patrick was a mason,
and did the first plastering in Gorham, being the house of
Deacon James McLeUan, senior. Mr. Patrick died in 1830,
aged 85 years, leaving many descendants.

PEABODY.
Ebenezer Peabody was the son of Lieut. Ebenezer Pea
body, of Boxford, Mass. He came to Gorham and married
Sarah Lewis, daughter of Deacon George Lewis, and had
four chUdren born in this town — Kendall O., born in 1792 ;
Ebenezer, 1794 ; Louisa, in 1796 ; Caroline, in 1798. He
removed to Peterborough, N. H., and cultivated a farm, and
had four more chUdren born there ; one of whom Was our
late respected citizen. Dr. WiUiam H. Peabody.
Mr. Peabody was a cooper by trade, and while he resided
in Gorham, he often went to sea In that capacity. He died
in 1816 ; his widow, Sarah Lewis Peabody, died in 1849.
Mrs. Peabody was an estimable woman, of pure and exalt
ed character, and a distinguished christian mother.

198 HISTORY OF GOEHAM.

PHINNET.

On page 31-32, 1 have given some account of Capt. John
Phinney and two of his children. He was born in 1693,
April 19th. He died in Gorham, Dec. 29, 1780, aged 87
years. His wife, Martha Colman, died Dec. 16, 1784, also
aged 87. Capt. Phinney was not only the first settler of
Gorham, but he was the first in authority and standing for
many years. He was the general father and supervisor of
this town and its concerns. His mind was active, inquisi
tive and discriminating. To him all the early settlers gave
deference. In fine, he was a man of sagacity, steadiness,
courage, and integrity.
Edmund, eldest son of Capt. Phinney, was born in Barn
stable, ia 1723. He came to this town with his father, and
felled the first tree for settlement ; he grew up a large, stal
wart man, active and fearless. When about 24 years old,
he was severely wounded by a party of Indians. He was
accustomed td the use of a musket, and was an expert hun
ter, and was skilful in all wood craft. He was a brave and
successful warrior in Indian conflicts. He had a decided
passion for military life. He held a Captain's commission
in 1772. In January, 1775, he received a Colonel's com
mission, and in May of that year, he marched a Regiment to
Cambridge, and when the British troops evacuated Boston
the next year. Col. Phinney's Regiment was the first of our
troops to enter the town.
In the Autunm of 1776, Col. Phinney and his Regiment
had a tedious march to Ticonderoga, and took part in the
military movements of the northern army in that and the
foUowing year. After the surrender of Burgoyne, being
out of health, and having a wife and eight smaU children to
provide for, he resigned his commission and returned to his

BIOGEAPHICAL NOTICES. 199
farm, which is the one now caUed the Woodbury place, and
Col. Phinney's house stood where the Woodbury house is
now standing. Col. Phinney was also much in civU life.
Before the Revolutionary war broke out he was, for many
years, a Selectman, one of the Committee of Safety and
Correspondence, Delegate to several Important political con
ventions, a Representative to the General Court three years.
He was a ruUng Elder in the Congregational church in
Gorham, He was a patriotic, noble man, of unsullied char
acter, and generous hospitality. His integrity was never
doubted. He hald eight children — Decker, born in 1752;
Sarah, 1754 ; Joseph, 1757 ; Betty, 1759 ; Edmund, 1760 ;
Stephen, 1763 ; James, 1768 ; and Nathaniel, in 1771. Col.
Phinney died in Gorham in December, 1808, aged 85 years.
John Phinney, Jr., son of Capt. John, planted the first
hill of corn planted in Gorham by white men. This he did
under the direction of his father, who bade him remember
it. John, Jr., had two sons in the army of the Revolutlouy
Ebenezer and John 3d, and he himself was also a soldier in
the same war. John Phinney, Jr., married Rebecca Saw
yer ; they had seven chUdren — Sarah, born in 1755 ; Re
becca, 1757 ; Ebenezer, 1759 ; John, 1762 ; Martha, 1764 ;
AbigaU, 1766 ; and Colman, in 1770'.
James Phinney, youngest son of Capt. John, was born in
Gorham, April 13, (old style) 1741 ; he was not a military
man, but one of the most useful and respected men that ever
Uved in the town, often Selectman, on Committees of Safety,
arbitrator in many difficult and important cases, strictly
honest and truthful ; he was ever trusted and beloved by
his townsmen ; he retained his inteUectual powers to an ad
vanced life ; even his memory was tenacious and ready when
he was 90 years old. He was an ornament to the town and
church of which he was a member for seventy-five years.
James Phinney was twice married. His first wife who

200 HISTOEY OF GOEHAM.
died in 1816, left no issue. His second wife was Lucy
Cross, daughter of Deacon Thomas Cross ; by her he had
a daughter after he was 80 years old. Mr. Phinney's widow
is StiU living; his daughter is the wife of Capt. Thomas
E. Wentworth. Joseph Phinney, son of Col. Edmund,
married Susanna Crockett, and had seven children, one son
and six daughters. James Phinney, son of Edmund, mar
ried Abigail Mosher. Mr. Phinney died January 13, 1860,
in the 93d year of his age. His son, James, grandson of
Col. Edmund, is at the present time, the Representative of
Gorham in the Legislature of Maine.
Elizabeth Phinney, eldest daughter of Capt. John Phin
ney, married EUphalet Watson, one of the first settlers in
Gorham ; they had ten children. Sarah Phinney, another
daughter of Capt. John, married Mr. Samuel Leavitt of
Buxton. She has a daughter over 90 years of age, now
(1862) Uving.

PRENTISS.
Samuel Prentiss, the first of the name in Gorham, grad
uated at Harvard University in 1771 ; his eldest son was
born in Cambridge, Mass.; his first wife had two chUdren,
WUUam and Dolly ; by his second wife, Rebecca Cook, he
had Hannah, Rebecca, Phebe, Joanna, Betsey and Francis.
I have not ascertained the exact year of Mr. Prentiss' com
ing to Gorham. In 1770, he was licensed as an Inn-holder,
and in 1777 was appointed post-master, being the first In
Gorham, and he often held important municipal offices ; in
1800 he was one of the Selectmen. He died in 1815. His
son, WilUam, came to Gorham with his father ; he foUowed
the sea, and became a skUful and successful sea-captain.

BIOGEAPHICAL NOTICES. 201
He was a very active and enterprising man, and had the
confidence of his employers and of all who knew him. He
married Abigail Lewis, daughter of Deacon George Lewis,
and settled in Portland, where his three elder children were
born, viz : — WUliam, Seargent S., and Samuel. The em
bargo and the foUowing war, by destroying commerce,
compelled our mariners to seek other employments. Capt.
Prentiss purchased a farm adjoining that of Major Lewis,
the father of his wife, erected a large house thereon, and
passed the remainder of his life there. They had five chil
dren born, in Gorham — Mary C, Abigail L., George L.,
Hannah, and Mary L. Capt. Prentiss' second son, Sear-
geant Smith Prentiss, was highly gifted. He became one
of the most celebrated counselors of law and eloquent ad
vocates, ever known in the United States,
Rev. Doct. George L. Prentiss is now a distinguished
clergyman of New York city. WiUiam, the eldest, being
a merchant in the same city. Annah is the wife of the Rev.
Jonathan Stearns, D. D., of Newark, New Jersey. The
widow of Capt. Prentiss resides now with her daughter,
Stearns, at Newark. None of the family remain in Gorham.

RICH.

Lemuel Rich, the ancestor of the Riches in this town, was
from Truro, Mass. He came to Gorham with his sons,
Ezekiel, and Lemuel, Jr., and perhaps Amos, Zephanlah,
James, and Barnabas, were also his sons, as I find they were
residing in town before 1770. Ezekiel was born in 1738.
Lemuel, senior, died in 1791, near 90 years of age. Ezekiel
married Sarah Stevens, daughter of Benjamin Stevens, one
of the first Narragansett settlers. Ezekiel and his wife,
26

202 HISTORY OF GORHAM.
Sarah, had twelve children born between 1765 and 1789,
viz : — Ezekiel and Samuel, twins, Reuben, EUzabeth, Benj
amin, Sarah, Jerusha, WiUiam, Mehitable, Peter, Eunice,
and Stephen. Lemuel Rich, Jr., had six children — Lem
uel, Boaz, Samuel, Israel, Mary and Zachariah. Zepha
nlah had seven children — Jonathan, Ebenezer, Zephanlah,
Samuel S., Ephraim, Benjamin, and WiUiam. Amos Rich
married Eunice Woodman ; they had Moses, John Wood
man, Sarah, Betsey, Lydia, Eunice, and Isaac. John Wood
man Rich, our respected townsman, was born Dec. 25,
1785, and is now living on Fort HiU in Gorham. There
are very few of the name now in town.

ROLFE.

Daniel Rolfe, Daniel Rolfe, Jr., and Moses Rolfe, were
early settlers, and were assessed in the Province tax of
1763. They soon after left town.

ROBERTS.
Benjamin Roberts was a citizen of Gorham when the
town was incorporated. He had eight chUdren — Mary,
Benjamin, John, Jane, born in Falmouth, WiUiam, born in
Cape EUzabeth, and Susanna, Stephen, and Dorcas, in Gor
ham. The famUy removed to Falmouth, now Westbrook.
There was a Joseph Roberts Uved here in 1782, and had a
family, and Joshua Roberts and famUy, some of whose chil
dren still reside in town.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 203

ROBIE.

Toppan Robie, while a young man, came here before the
commencement of the present century. He was born in
Chester, N. H., and is stiU in a vigorous old age, of four
score years. When first he came here, he was a clerk in
the store of Daniel Cressey — afterwards a partner in trade
with SewaU Lancaster, Esq. Subsequently, he and his
brother, the late Deacon Thomas S. Robie, carried on a
large and lucrative business, as retail merchants, for a long
number of years. Hon. Toppan Robie has filled a large
place in the affairs of Gorham, having by turns held nearly
every municipal office ; he was six years a Representative of
Gorham in the General Court of Massachusetts. In 1820
and 1821, he was Representative in the Legislature of Maine,
and since he was one of the Executive Council in Governor
Kent's admiaistration. He has been married three times ; his
first wife was Lydia Brown, of Chester, sister of President
Brown, of Dartmouth CoUege ; his second wife was Sarah
T. Lincoln, daughter of Capt. John Lincoln, of Gorham ;
his third wife, EUza Cross, widow of Capt. William Cross.
By his first wife, Capt. Robie had a son and daughter ; by
his second, three sons. The youngest, Frederick, served as
Representative of the town, two years, and afterwards was
a member of the Executive CouncU for Cumberland County,
and he is now a Paymaster in the United States Army.

ROSS.

James Ross was from Stroma, Scotland ; he was a brother
of Capt. Alexander Ross of Portland. James was one of

204 HISTORY OF GORHAM.
the earUest school-masters in this town. His wife's name
was Hannah ; they had Sarah, born in 1766 ; Alexander,
in 1769 ; Walter, in 1771; OUey, 1773 ; and John Matt, in
1778 ; this last son died in 1779. Hannah Ross, the widow
of James, died Oct. 19, 1833, aged 98 years.

SANBORN.
Joseph Sanborn resided here during the Revolutionary
war. He had two sons — ^Elisha and Samuel. Elisha mar
ried Eunice Hanscom and had two daughters. The name
stUl exists in town.

SAWYER,
John Sawyer, David Sawyer, Jonathan and Stephen Saw
yer, were early settlers. Joel Sawyer had four daughters —
Eunice, PoUy, Betsey, and Dorcas. Jonathan Sawyer mar
ried Martha Rich in 1764. They had eleven chUdren ; five
sons and six daughters. The sons were John, David,
Barnabas, Jonathan, and Samuel. Zachariah Sawyer mar
ried Susanna SkiUings and had a son Levi. Toppan Saw
yer had six chUdren ; his twin sons, Thomas Jefferson Saw
yer and James SuUivan Sawyer, were born in 1808.

SHAW.

Josiah Shaw married Tabitha Watson. They had eight
children ; seven sons and one daughter. The Rev. Benjamin

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 205
T. Shaw, a Baptist clergyman now residing in Liberty, is
their son. Mr, Josiah Shaw was a saddler ; he also kept a
pubUc house where Thomas S. Robie Uved, now owned and
occupied by Mrs. Tyler.

SILLA.

John SiUa had a daughter, Rebecca, born here In 1788,
and a son, David SiUa, in 1789.

SMITH.

Ephraim Smith, Esq., came from Barnstable to Gorham
soon after the war of the Revolution. He had eight chU
dren born in this town prior to 1798. Mr. Smith was one
of the disguised party that threw the tea from the British
vessels into Boston harbor, in 1773. He died in Gorham
January 13, 1835, aged 84 years.
Col. John Tyng Smith was the son of Rev. Peter Smith
of Windham ; his wife was Mary Duguid, bom in Scotland.
She was a niece of Mrs. Tyng. They had seven sons and
no daughter. General Wendell P. Smith of Portland and
General Edward T. Smith of this town, are sons of Col.
John T. Col. Smith cultivated a large farm in Gorham ;
he was an excellent, upright, hospitable man, and had the
respect of his townsmen. He died in Gorham, Oct. 22,
1856, aged 85 years.

206 HISTORY OF GORHAM.

SKILLINGS.

Benjamin SkiUings was in this town, among" its first set
tlers, when the Indian war of 1745 was impending ; he re
moved to Falmouth (Portiand) for greater safety. At that
time he had a wife and three children. He was the first
man that settled in Gorham westerly of Little River ; he
returned to his farm about 1752. Mr. SkiUings had nine
chUdren — ^DeUverance, bom in Gorham, Oct. 15, 1741 ; Su
sanna and Isaac, twins, January 22, 1744 ; John, born in
Fahnouth, March 2, 1746 ; Thomas, in Falmouth, May 8,
1748 ; AbigaU, born in Gorham, March 30, 1753 ; Ajina,
May 2, 1755; Martha, March 2, 1760 ; and Benjamin, April
2, 1763. Isaac, son of Benjamin, married Susanna Watson ;
they had Mary, EUzabeth, Tabitha, Susanna, Daniel, John,
and Joseph ; Mary was bom in 1767 and Joseph in 1779.
Thomas, son of Benjamin, married Mary BurneU ; they had
nine chUdren — Benjamin, John, Isaac, Thomas, Mehitable,
Betsey, PoUy, Caleb, and MoUy. Their descendants are
numerous.

SNOW.

Benjamin Snow was an early settler. The family have
not been numerous. Jane Snow died in 1837, aged 102
years.

STAPLES.

Samuel Staples married Nancy McLeUan and had six
chUdren — Samuel, WiUiam, Stephen McL., Nancy, Eliza-

BIOGEAPHICAL NOTICES. 207
beth, and Albert B. Stephen McLeUan Staples graduated
at Bowdoin CoUege in the class of 1821. He was a teacher
awhUe in PhUadelphia, and afterwards a surveyor in Mexico
for some years. After his retum to the United States he
married EUzabeth, daughter of Hon. Lothrop Lewis. He
Uved but a short time and died without issue. Samuel
Staples, the elder, died in 1837, aged 71.

STEVENS.
Benjamin and Nathaniel Stevens were settled here before
the Indian war ; they retired to Falmouth in 1745 and re
turned to Gorham in 1750. Nathaniel had a son Nathaniel,
bom in Falmouth ia 1741 ; Sarah, bom in Gorham in 1744 ;
Mehitable, 1750 ; AbigaU, 1753 ; Catherine, 1757 ; Benja
min, 1763 ; Joseph, 1764 ; and Samuel, in 1766. Nathan
iel, son of Nathaniel, married EUzabeth Sinclair ; they had
seven chUdren. Benjamin married Amy Webb ; they had
Harry, John, Charlotte, and Amy.

STEPHENSON.
Capt. John Stephenson came from New York to Portland,
and had his house burned when Portland was destroyed by
Mowatt in 1775 ; he then moved to Gorham and had a large
farm, and buUt a large house, in 1771. He married Tabi
tha LongfeUow, a sister of Judge Longfellow ; they had
three sons — Samuel, Stephen, and WiUiam ; and two daugh
ter — Catherine and Tabitha. Capt. John Stephenson died
Dec. 6, 1817, aged 76 years ; his wife, Tabitha, died May 23,

208 HISTORY OF GORHAM.
1817, aged 62 years. Col. Samuel Stephenson, son of John,
married AbigaU LongfeUow ; they had three sons — John,
Samuel L., and Stephen L. ; and six daughters — ^Elizabeth,
Almira S., Ann L., Mary L., Catherine L., and Abigail C.
They have all deceased except Abigail C, and Stephen L.
Col. Samuel Stephenson died in Gorham May 23, 1858,
aged 85 years ; his venerable widow is yet Uving at an ad
vanced age. Capt. Stephen Stephenson was master of a
vessel for many years. He resided in his latter days on the
farm where his father Uved and died ; he had a large family
of sons, who have left town, and some of them reside in
New York, being industrious and useful men and respec
table merchants. Capt. Stephen's daughter, Harriet, mar
ried George Motley, Esq., of Lowell. Capt. John's young
est son, WiUiam, died in Brooklyn, New York. Tabitha
Stephenson, daughter of John, married Jacob S. Smith,
Esq. ; her elder sister, Catherine, wife of Ebenezer Storer,
Esq., died in 1850, aged 76 years.

STONE.

Jonathan Stone married Damaris Elder. They had elo-ht
chUdren — Jonathan, WiUiam, Damaris, Solomon, Arche
laus, Anna, Miriam and Eunice, born between 1782 and
1799.

STROUT.

George Strout and Rebecca, his wife, had six children, the
eldest born in 1763 ; his youngest son, George, was born

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES, 209
April 9, 1780, and died In 1837. He was one of the Se
lectmen of Gorham at the time of his death.
EUsha Strout married Eunice Freeman; they had six
children born between 1764 and 1778 — Simeon, Susanna,
Eunice, Dorcas, Elisha and Solomon.

STEWART.
Wentworth Stewart emigrated from Truro, Cape Cod.
He married Susanna Lombard, sister of the Hon. Solomon
Lombard ; they had ten children — Mary, bom January 20,
1754; Susanna, May 21,1757; Joseph, April 3, 1759;
Solomon L., February 13, 1762 ; Sarah P., June 28, 1764 ;
Dorcas, June 8, 1766 ; Susanna, April 1, 1768 ; Went
worth, August 17, 1770 ; Solomon L., February 24, 1773,
and Anna, October 31, 1775. Mr. Stewart represented
the town of Gorham in the General Court of Massachusetts
in 1773-4 ; he was an officer in the Revolutionary army,
and died of the small pox, April 17, 1776, at Sewall's Point
near Boston.

S T U R G E S .
Jonathan Sturges and his wife. Temperance, came from
Barnstable, Mass., about 1769, and settled on the farm
where his grandson, David Sturges, now lives ; their first
two children were born in Barnstable — Hannah, in 1766 ;
Temperance, in 1768. They had eight children born in
Gorham, viz : — James, 1770 ; Nathaniel, 1774 ; AbigaU,
1776 ; David, 1779 ; Joseph, 1783 ; Sarah, 1785 ; Jona-
27

210 HISTORY OP GORHAM.
than, 1788, and Ebenezer, 1790. Jonathan Sturges died
May 11, 1834, aged 91 years, leaving numerous descend
ants.

SWETT.
Doctor Stephen Swett came from North Hampton. He
was the first physician that settled in Gorham. He came
in 1770. He entered the Continental army as Surgeon to
Col. Phinney's Regiment. Dr. Swett was patriotic, and
possessed great energy. He had chUdren bom before he
moved here, and six more born in this town.
Capt. Joshua Swett was in the army of the Revolution,
and a United States pensioner at the time of his death. He
had thirteen children — Clark, David, Eliza, John, Simeon,
Mary B., Hale, Sophia, WilUam, Emore, Jesse, Rebecca,
and Joshua. Capt. Swett lived near Factory village, and
died there in 1851, aged 90 years ; he was the last survivor
of our Revolutionary soldiers.

THACHER.
On pages 66, 67, 68, 1 have given some account of Rev.
Josiah Thacher's ministerial and poUtical life in this town.
His wife's name was Apphia, they had ten children — 1.
Peter, born July 13, 1769 ; 2. Apphia, Aug. 19, 1770 ; 3.
Peter, Aug. 5, 1771 ; 4. Apphia, March 23, 1773 ; 5. Pe
ter, July 21, 1774 ; 6. Mary, May 8, 1776 ; 7. Faith, Oct.
30, 1778 ; 8. John, Feb. 18, 1781 ; 9. Apphia, AprU 7,
1785 ; 10. Josiah, Jan. 21, 1789. Seven of these children

BIOGEAPHICAL NOTICES. 211
died in infancy ; John died a young man ; the third Peter
studied law with William Symmes, of Portland, and prac
ticed at Saccarappa ; he bequeathed $2000, the interest of
which was to be annually appropriated toward the support
of a grammar school in that viUage. Peter died without
issue. The third Apphia married Rev. Reuben Nason, the
first Preceptor of Gorham Academy. Mrs. Nason left a
daughter, Apphia, who died young.
Hon. Josiah Thacher had a taste for agriculture and gar
dening. He had, in his day, the best fruit orchard in town.
The house he built, and where he Uved and died, is now
standing in the viUage, nearly opposite the Congregational
church, at the corner of High and School Streets. It is
owned by the heirs of Alexander McLellan, Esq., and Capt.
Robert Johnson.

THOMAS.
Tufts Thomas became a citizen here about 1770 ; he had
four sons— James, born 1771 ; John, 1772 ; WilUam, 1774,
and Isaac, 1777.
WiUiam Thomas, the son of Tufts, had five children —
Betsey, MerriU, Eliza, Samuel F. and Sarah L. MerriU.
MerrUl Thomas, son of WiUiam, bom in 1801, was for sev
eral years, one of our Selectmen. WUUam Thomas died
Feb. 25, 1860, aged 86 years.

THOMES.

There was a Thomas Thomes died in Gorham In 1790 ;
his wife, Mary, died in 1786. It is presumed they were the

212 HISTOEY OP GOEHAM.
parents of Charles Thomes, who lived at Fort HUl, and
died there In 1833, aged 83 years. Charles was a soldier
of the Revolution ; he was discharged at PeekskiU, New
York, having no money but depreciated Continental bUls,
then worthless ; he begged his food and lodging. He came
aU the way home on foot and was nine and a half days per
forming the journey. Charles Thomes married Anna Gray ;
they had ten chUdren — Comfort, James, Susanna, Mary,
Job, Hannah, Martha C, Stephen, Joseph, and a second
Mary. George Thomes lived here in 1780 ; his wife was
Lydia Brown ; their children were Betty, Ezra, Mary,
WUUam, Amos, Eunice, Mehitable, Lydia, Nancy — aU born
before 1800. Mr. George Thomes died in 1821, aged 76
years.

TTNG.

Hon. WiUiam Tyng, the only man of the name, as far as
I can learn, that ever lived in Gorham, was born in Boston
In 1737. " Col. Tyng was a descendant In the fifth gener
ation from George Cleeves, the first settler in Portland."
When young he traded in Boston. In 1767 he was ap
pointed Sheriff of Cumberland County, Maine, and estab
lished his residence in Portland. In 1769, he married Eliza
beth Ross, daughter of Alexander Ross. She was born in
South Ronaldsha, one of the Shetland Isles, and was two
years old when her parents emigrated to America. Sheriff
Tyng espoused the Royal side, in the contest with Great
Britaia. He was commissioned a Colonel by Gov. Gage in
1774. He became a confirmed tory, and had to flee the
country in 1778. He went to New York and remained in
the British army. His extensive property in Portland was

BIOGEAPHICAL NOTICES. 213
confiscated. While in New York he exerted himself suc
cessfully to better the condition of the American prisoners.
Some of our Gorham soldiers received food and clothing
from Col. Tyng, when they were in a state of great desti
tution. At the close of the war he went to Nova Scotia,
and was there appointed Chief Justice of the Court of Com
mon Pleas. In 1793, Col. Tyng returned to the United
States, and settled on his wife's land in Gorham, in the
easterly part of the town. He erected a large and commo
dious house, and there Uved in easy circumstances, in quiet
retirement, taking no part in poUtical life, receiving a pen
sion from the British government. He was a dignified gen
tleman, but an urbane and kind neighbor and townsman.
He was beloved and respected ; he never had any chUdren.
He died Dec. 10, 1807, a Uttle more than 70 years of age.
The Tyng name is now extinct. Mrs. Tyng was a refined
and hospitable lady. She was a decided loyalist, and never
could forgive Washington and his compatriots for being
rebels to their most gracious sovereign, George HI. The
EngUsh government continued a pension to Madam Tyng
during her life. She had no child of her own, but adopted
a Scottish niece, whose name was EUza Heddle, who be
came the wife of Rev. Timothy HUUard ; they had two sons
and four daughters. The sons, WiUiam Tyng HilUard and
John Heddle HiUiard, both of whom graduated at Bowdoin
College, and are now respectable counselors at law in Bangor
and Oldtown in this State. Mrs. Tyng died at Gorham in
1831, aged 81 years.

WARREN.

James Warren and Samuel Warren became citizens about
1775. James married Martha McLellan. Their chUdren

214 HISTORY OF GORHAM.
were Samuel, Hugh, James, Alexander, and Martha. Sam
uel Warren had six chUdren — James, Sarah, Mary, Samuel,
Sophia, and David. David was born AprU 22, 1796. He
now Uves in town. There was a Nathaniel Warren Uved
here and had a son, John, born October 12, 1786.

WATERHOUSE.
George Waterhouse married Dorcas Libby and had nine
children — PoUy, Joseph, George, Charlotte, Betsey, Isaac,
David, Simon and SaUy.
Joseph Waterhouse had three children — OUey, Zebulon,
and Benjamin.

WATSON.
EUphalet Watson was one of the first inhabitants of this
town ; he married Elizabeth, the eldest daughter of Capt.
John Phinney, the first settler. They had ten children,
viz : — John, born September 23, 1741, Martha, December
4, 1743, Susanna, February 1, 1746, Ebenezer, September
28, 1748, Colman, December 4, 1751, EUzabeth, February
11, 1753, Mary, July 12, 1756, EUphalet, March 20, 1769,
James, August 3, 1761, and Daniel, October 11, 1763. Mr.
Watson was one of the famUies that moved into the fort
early in 1746, and they remained there during the Indian
war. Some of his children were bom in the garrison. Mr.
Watson's farm lay directly west of Hugh McLeUan's, and
easterly of Austin Alden's, about half a mile from the vU
lage. EUphalet Watson was a man very useful in town and

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 215
church. He was one of the first deacons in the Congrega
tional Church, in Gorham ; he was distinguished for sound
sense, practical wisdom, industry, prudence, and honesty ;
he possessed firmness and courage, and was a pillar of
strength in the new settlement. He attained the great age
of 98 years.
John Watson, the eldest son of Deacon EUphalet, married
Tabitha Whitney. They had ten children — Mary, Martha,
Edmund, Colman, Miriam, Tabitha, Molly, SaUy, Green
leaf C, and Desire — all born between 1775 and 1789. Mr.
John Watson died in 1834, aged 93 years. Ebenezer Wat
son, second son of EUphalet, married Anna Whitney, and
had nine children. The youngest chUd, EUphalet, was bom
in Grray in 1797, to which place the family had removed.
Colman Phianey, third son of EUphalet, married Patience
Thomes, and had Mary, Stephen P., and Hannah. EUpha
let Watson, Jr., married Zipporah Partridge, abd had two
sons, Ebenezer and Nathaniel Partridge. James married
Mary Davis, and had one daughtei*. Daniel married Anna
Maxfield and had four children — Martha, Josiah, Hannah,
and Daniel.
Capt. Greenleaf C. Watson, son of John, and grandson
of the first EUphalet, is stiU living in town.

WEBB.

Samuel Webb, an EngUshman, the ancestor of aU the
Webbs in this vicinity, emigrated to Rhode Island in 1713.
In 1744 he moved to Boston, and soon after to Falmouth,
now Portland ; thence to Saccarappa, and the next year to
Windham. He was the first schoolmaster in Windham;
his wife's father, John Farrar, being one of the original

216 HISTORY OP GORHAM.
grantees of Windham. Eli Webb, the seventh son of Sam
uel, was born in Tiverton, Rhode Island — was the first
Webb that settled in Gorham, on what is now caUed the old
Webb farm, near the powder miUs. EU's chUdren were
Edward, Anna, Lorana, Mary, James, Ezekiel, Abraham,
and Seth. EU Webb died in Gorham, October, 1827. His
wife died the year previous. Edward Webb, and his broth
ers were grandsons, on their mother's side, of Edward
Cloutman, who was captured by the Indians in 1746. Seth
Webb, Esq., long one of our townsmen and selectmen, re
cently died at Knox, Waldo County, aged 86 years. Ed
ward Webb, son of Eli, married Sarah Bolton, of Windham.
Her father, WilUam Bolton, was taken captive by the In
dians in 1747. She died in Gorham in 1850, aged 89 years.
Edward Webb was a revolutionary pensioner.
I have now before me the original paper, of which the
foUowing is a copy : — " Falmouth, March 21, 1758.
Sir : — We do hereby signify that we are bound out in
quest of the Indian Enemy, on y" Pro-vince Encouragement,
for Captives and Scalps. Your humb^ Serv*^, Seth Webb,
eUsh'Webb."
This notice, I suppose, was given in order to obtain the
bounty offered by Massachusetts for Indian scalps. It was,
I think, addressed to Enoch Freeman, Esq., because he was
at that period Colonel of the Eastern Regiment, and had the
superintendence of Indian Scouts. This notice was found
among the papers of the late Judge Samuel Freeman. Sev
eral men went out as scouts from this and other towns in
the county ; usuaUy four or five men formed a scout, some
times a larger number ; and some men received considerable
sums as scalp money. Rev. Thomas Smith, first minister

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 217
settied in Portland, in his diary, published by Judge Free
man and Hon. William Willis, under date of June 18, 1757,
says : — " I received £165 and 33s. of Cox — my part of scalp
money."

WESCOTT,
There are many of this name in town. Reuben Wescott
had seven children born between 1785 and 1798, viz: —
John, Reuben, Peggy, Sally, Eleanor, Polly, and Betsey.
Nehemiah Wescott married Eleanor Nason ; they had John
and Betsey. James Wescott married Hannah Morton j
they had four children — James, bom 1793 ; Almira, 1795 j
Anna, 1800, and Charlotte, 1802.

WESTON,
A hundred years ago, there were two families of Wes-
tons in this to'wn — ^those of Thomas and Joseph. Thomas
Weston had three daughters — ^Patience, Anna, and Abagail,
born in 1751, 1756, and 1760. Joseph Weston married
Catherine Mosher; they had James, Joseph, Zachariah,
Thomas, and Sarah — aU born before 1768. Mr. Joseph
Weston died in 1770. It is a long time since any members
of these famUies have lived in Gorham.
28

218 HISTORY OF GORHAM.

WHITMORE.

Capt. Samuel Whitmore was a prominent man in town
previous to and during the revolution. He was a man of
great decision of character, and executed promptly whatever
he undertook. He was very patriotic and had a strong dis
like of tories. It is related that, about 1774, there being
suspicions that Richard King, Esq., and a Dr. Abiathar
Alden, of Scarborough, were tories, Capt. Whitmore, and
about forty more of the ardent " Sons of Liberty," deter
mined to make Mr. King and Dr. Alden take an oath of
aUegiance to the American cause. Capt. Whitmore and his
volunteers went to Scarborough, and finding Alden, they
made him kneel on a hogshead and swear " a recantation
oath" ; thence proceeding to Mr. King's house, they caUed
upon him to declare his political creed, and he read a state
ment of his views upon the troubles between the Colonies
and Great Britain. Some of the expressions in the state
ment not being up to the spirit of the Gorham men, they
made Mr. King kneel down and erase the offensive words.
The act was whoUy unauthorized and unjustifiable. It was
not uncommon in those exciting times to compel men to re
nounce their opinions, and not a few loyaUsts were even
tarred and feathered. CivU war always produces evils of
the kind. In our present unhappy civU strife, men are ar
rested and thrown into prison, oftentimes without knowing
what they are arrested for, without the forms of law or
any Investigation ; printing presses are destroyed, property
wasted, and other atrocities committed in the name of pat
riotism. Capt. Whitmore married Mary Whitney and they had
twelve chUdren — Lydia, Mary, Dorcas, John, Patience, Eliz
abeth Ross, two Samuels, Joel, Sarah, Joanna, and Eunice —

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 219
aU born between Aug. 5, 1765, and June 25, 1788. Capt.
Samuel Whitmore died Deo. 21, 1808— the same month and
year that his friend and mUitary comrade. Col. Edmund
Phinney, expired. Both did much to promote and secure
our national Independence.
Col. Samuel Whitmore, Jr., son of Capt. Samuel, was
born In Gorham, March 26, 1780. He was a boy, and young
man of much promise. He graduated at Dartmouth Col
lege In 1802, with honors. He read law with John Park
Littie, Esq., of Gorham, in 1806 ; he opened an office in
his native viUage with a bright prospect of success. He
was gentlemanly, and very popular ; he was chosen Colonel
of the regiment of miUtia In this vicinity, and was a briUiant
young officer as weU as lawyer. The hopes and expecta
tions of his friends were suddenly extinguished by his early
death, which occurred Aug. 27, 1808, about four months
before his venerable father died.
There was a Daniel Whitmore in Gorham. His wife was
Anna HiU ; they had five chUdren — Rebecca, Joseph, Simon,
Mary, and HUl, born between 1783 and 1794.

WHITNEY.
There were many inhabitants of the name of Whitney
before the revolution. They came from York, Maine, to
Gorham. Amos Whitney and Nathan Whitney were prom
inent and infiuential men here before the town was incor
porated. Amos Whitney was the first Town Clerk of Gor
ham, and one of the first Board of Selectmen, and was, for
many years, annuaUy re-elected. Amos, and Elder Nathan
Whitney, were both much employed in the religious affairs
of the town. They were many times on Important commit-

220 HISTORY OF GORHAM.
tees in the Revolutionary days ; they were sagacious men,
and of unquestioned integrity. There were eleven officers
and soldiers from Gorham, of the name of Whitney, in the
army of the Revolution. There were four Whitneys in
Capt. Hart WUUams' company in 1775. Paul Whitney
was kUled at the battle on Rhode Island. Isaac Whitney,
Stephen Whitney, Zebulon Whitney, and Daniel Whitney,
were pensioners of the United States. Amos Whitney mar
ried Sarah Payne and had three chUdren — EUas, Jotham,
and Ruth. David Whitney's wife was Hannah Brown.
They had seven chUdren — Susanna, Jesse, Joshua, Daniel,
Hannah, Thomas, and Nathan, born between 1755 and 1769.
Abel Whitney
Owen Whitney
Asa Whitney
Daniel Whitney
Uriel Whitney
Timothy Whitney
Stephen Whitney
Micah Whitney
Phineas Whitney
Zebulon Whitney,
Zebulon married Joanna Stone ;
Abigail, Happy, Mattie, Rufus, EU, Eunice, Hannah, Tab
itha, and Almira, born betwen 1775 and 1798. EU, yet
living, was born Aiigust 16, 1786.

had 10

chUdren.

" 9

ii

" 11

a

" 10

((

" 6

ii

" 5

u

« 2

u

" 4

a

« 4

it

" 9

ii

e ; their

nine chUdren were

WILLIAMS.

Jeremiah Williams married Deborah Whitney ; they had
eight children — Martha, Mary, Peter, Susanna, Lydia, Dan-

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 221
iel, Joseph, and Hannah. Mrs. Deborah WiUiams died
December 16, 1851, aged 92 years and eight months.
Capt. Hart WiUiams was one of our most prominent men
in the early days of the town. He held many municipal
offices. He commanded the first company of soldiers that
marched from Gorham to Cambridge in 1775 ; from there,
he marched to Ticonderoga In Col. Phinney's regiment. He
was an able and meritorious officer. Capt. WiUiams died
in 1797.

TOUNG.

Joshua Yoimg and Joseph Young, came from Welfleet,
Mass., about 1775. They had famiUes ; few, If any, of the
name, now reside in town.

Note. — In compiling the foregoing biographical notices, I have designed
to say nothing of families, the heads of which came into this town after the
commencement of the present century. Nor have I named all who were
inhabitants before that period ; to have so done, even if desirable, was not
practicaWe. For nearly thirty years after a settlement was commenced,
there were no records of births, deaths, or marriages, except such as were
made in private family memoranda. After the incorporation of the town
in 1764, many femilies took no pains to have their births or deaths recorded.
The old fiimily records that once existed, are no longer to be found. Much
labor and research have been taken to have this historical work accurate,
and though not by any means full or perfect, I trust it may preserve many
facts and data that may prove useful, and be of local interest.

APPENDIX

A.

A LIST OF THE NARRAGANSETT GRANTEES.

BARNSTABLE.

Mary Dovenour,
Jacob Hinkley,
John Carman,
George Le'wis,
John Hathaway,
Joseph Higgins,
Samuel Bryant,
Richard Ellingham,
Samuel CliUds,
Samuel Barman,
Samuel LinneU,
Dr. Hatthew Fuller,
Samuel Fuller,
Thomas Fuller,
Increase Clap,
Joseph Taylor,
John Doncan,
Bartholomew Hamblin,
Eleazer Hamblin,
Thomas Huckins,

John Phinney,
Joseph Bearce,
Samuel Hinkley,
Samuel Allyn,
Samuel Davis,
John Lewis' Heirs,
Caleb Lombard,
Joseph Gorham,
Josiah Davis,
Ebenezer Goodspeed,
Ebenezer Clap,
Lot Conant,
Jedediah Lombard,
Samuel Cops,
Joseph Blush, (or Blish,)
John Howland,
John Clarke,
Shubael Gorham, Jr.,
Joseph Crocker,
John Goodspeed.

22' 224

APPENDIX.

YARMOUTH.

Samuel Barker, {or Baker,)
Richard Taylor,
William Gray,
WiUiam Chase,
Capt. John Gorham,
Thomas Baxter,
John Thatcher,
John Hallitt,
John Matthews,
Thomas Thorton,
William Gray,
Samuel HaU,
James Maker,
James Claghorn,
Joseph HaU,
Samuel Hedge,
Nathaniel HaU,
Joseph WhUden,
Samuel Thomas, William Baker.

Jonathan Smith,
Samuel Jones,
Richard Taylor,
Thomas Felton,
John Gage,
William PoUen,
WiUiam Gage,
Ananias Wing,
John CroweU,
John Chase,
Henry Golds,
Richard Lake,
Jabez Gorham,
Henry Gage,
Telverton Crowell,
John Pugsley,
Daniel Baker,
Jonathan White,
Samuel Baker,

EASTHAM.

Timothy Cole,
Jeremiah Smith,
Jonathan Green,
Joseph and Samuel Doane,
Thomas Paine,
Jedediah Higgins,
EUakim Higgins,
Joseph Downings,
Benjamin Dpwnings,
John Freeman,
Jonathan Sparrow,

John Knowles,
Samuel Atkins,
John Doan,
Thomas Mulford,
Daniel Doan,
John Walker,
John Myrick,
Nathaniel Williams,
Josiah Cook,
Joseph Harding,
George Brown,

APPENDIX.

225

SANDWICH.
Jonathan Morrey, Samuel Gibbs,
Samuel Toby, for his uncle, John Lewis,
Nathaniel Wing, James Atkins,
Jehosaphat Eldridge.

William Ring,

PLTMOUTH.
Peter Tinkman,
Thomas Savery.

Robert Barker,
Robert Sandford,
Thomas Bonney,

DUXBURY.

Stephen Sampson,
Thomas Hunt,
Thomas Standish.

TiSBUKY — Jonathan Lombard. Abington — WiUiam Harrage.
SciTUATB — Timothy White.

The present inhabitants of Gorham know but little of the brave men,
who purchased, by their sufferings and heroic deeds, the fertUe lands we
now possess. Not aU of the foregoing named grantees were in the Narra
gansett fight — many of them, were the sons, brothers, and more distant
connections of the soldiers and officers. Conflicting claims, were present
ed, by heirs and legal representatives ; to settle those rights, the Commit
tee of the grantees had recourse to the Governor and Council of Massa
chusetts, as appears by the foUowing petition : —
" To his ExceUency, Jonathan Belcher, Esq., Captain General, and Com
mander in Chief, in and over his Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts
Bay of New England, &c. To the Hono*'' the CouncU and Representa
tives now sitting, AprU 7, 1741, humbly sheweth Shuhal Gorham Esq', in
29

226 APPENDIX.
Behalf of several of his Neighbors, and at their requests, That Whereas
the General Court, sometime since made a Grant of Land to the Soldiers
of Narragansett Fight, so caU* & a List of the Names of such was ac
cordingly taken ; But so it was in the perfecting or Taking said List, By
mistakes of the Clark, or Scribers, the names of some was wrong Entered
viz: in said List is entered Richard Tayler, aUas, and Richard Tayler's
heirs, whereas the latter should have been Jn" Tayler's heirs, there not
being two Richard Taylors in said Company, but there was one John Tay
lor. And another 'yiz : Entered WiUiam Grey, for his Father WiU™i and
Will™ Gray's Heirs ; There not being two WUl™ Gray's in said Company,
but that there was one Edward Gray. And another Entered Joseph Cro-
ker, whereas it should have been Josiah Crocker. Tour Memorialists well
knowing their mistakes to be so, ;and that there was no such person as Jo
seph Croker of Barnstable in said Company, and s* service. But that there
was Josiah Crocker in said Company ; and that their several heirs have car
ried on the charges of Bringing on the settlement, and performed the Order
of Court Accordingly. Wherefore your memorialist in behalf of his Neigh
bours, humbly moves that an order of this Court may be so, that the Names
of the said John Tayler, Edward Grey & Josiah Crocker, may be entered,
and that their several heirs may accordingly Enjoy the Wrights of their
said Ancestors, and your Memorialist in their behalf, as in duty bound shaU
pray.
SHUBAL GORHAM.
April 8, 1741. In the House of Repeesentatives, AprU 10, 1741.
Read & ordered that y« prayer of The Petition be Grant*- and the mis
takes mentioned are allowed to be rectified.
Sent up for Concurrence .
J. QUINCT, Speaker.
In CouNcrL, AprU 10th, 1741.
Read and Concurred. I. WILLIARD Sec^-
Consented to. J. BELCHER.

At a Great & General Court or Assembly for his Majesty's Province of
the Massachusetts Bay, held by adjournment on the 10th of April, 1734.
Apkil 18, 1734. Thomas Palmer, Esq., from the Committy of Both
Houses, on the affairs of settling the Towns Granted to the Narragansett
Soldiers, Gave in the following Report, viz : The Committy, to whom was
referred the Affair of the Narragansett Claimers, are of Opinion that the

APPENDIX. 227
Consideration of admitting such Claims, as heretofore, omitted presenting
or proving their Claims, should be referred to the Session of the General
Court in May next, That the True Interest & Meaning of the Grant made
of Land, to those, that were in the Narragansett war, was that the persons,
who were in that war only should be entitled, and if alive, whosoever put
in the Claim, and if deceased, then his Legal Representatives were entitled
to the Benefit Thereby in such way as was Consistent '(vith the Conditions
and Limitations of Settlement, &c., upon which said Lands were Granted,
and which was never supposed a Deceased Claimer's Heir (in ordinary
cases) could or would receive, where they were more than one, on the Con
ditions of the Grant. But where there were diverse descendants of a per
son, that had a right, They would agree and consent it should belong to
one only. But whereas in some cases by reason of an Evil Mind, and Tur
bulent Disposition, and in others by reason of Minority there is a Great
Difficulty. We propose that it be Resolved and Ordered, that where the
person is deceased, who was in the service, the Grant shall be and Belong
to his Legal Representatives, in the FoUowing manner viz: That the
Eldest heir Male (if such there be, otherivise the Eldest Female) if they
please, shaU hold the land, paying to the other descendants, or heirs, such
proportionable part of Ten pounds, (at which we judge a Right ought to be
valued) as such descendants, or heirs would be Entitled to in the Lands, if
such Lands descended according to the Law of this Province, for the settle
ment of Intestate Estates. And also to pay what Charge any of said de
scendants, may have been at to prove or bring forward such Claim. And
if any dispute shaU happen about the person and charge, the Settlers or
Grantees in Each of the Towns shaU fix and settle it by a major vote. The
Committy is further of Opinion that the seven years for Settling the Town
Granted to the Narragansett Claimers, as well the two flrst as The Two
Last be Computed fi-om y« first day of June next.
In the name, and by the Order of the Committee. THOHAS PALHER.
Consented to. J. BELCHER.

PUBLIC OFFICERS.
Delegates to the Peovincial Congeess. — 1774, Solomon Lom
bard ; 1775-6, Bryant Morton; 1777, Edmund Phinney; 1779, Solomon
Lombard, to form State Constitution.

228 APPENDIX.
While belonging to Hassachusetts the town had four Judges of the Court
of Common Pleas, viz: — From 1776 to 1781, Solomon Lombard; from
1784 to 1799, Josiah Thacher; from 1789 to 1804, WilUam Gorham; from
1798 to 1811, Stephen LongfeUow.
Judges of Peobate. — ^WUUam Gorham, from 1782 to 1805 — twenty-
three years. Since Haine became a State, Josiah Pierce, 1846 to 1856 —
ten years.
Senators under Massachusetts. — Josiah Thacher, Stephen Long
fellow, Lothrop Lewis, James Irish.
Senators in Maine Lbgislatdrb. — Josiah Pierce, three years — ^Pres
ident of the Senate 1835-6 ; Charles Hunt, two years ; James Hann, two
years. Hugh D. HcLellan was Speaker of the House of Representatives in
1847-8. Executive Counciloes. — ^Edmund Mann, of Gov. Dunlap's CoimcU;
Toppan Robie, of Gov. Kent's Council ; Dominicus Jordan, Governors
Fairfield's and Kavenagh's Council ; Frederick Robie, of Gov. Wash-
bum's CouncU.
Edward P. Weston, Superintendent of Common Schools, 1860-1-2.
Daniel C. Emery was Sheriff of Cumberland County in 1856.
Edmund Mann, and Jeremiah Parker, County Commissioners.
John A. Waterman, County Treasurer, 1857-8.
James Mann, County Treasm-er, 1862.
Lothrop Lffvris, James Irish, and Joseph Adams, were delegates to the
Convention that formed the Constitution of Maine.
Representatives to the General Court under Massachu
setts. — 1765, Solomon Lombard ; 1766, voted not to send a Representa
tive ; 1767-68-69, Solomon Lombard ; 1770, voted not to send a Representa
tive ; 1771, none ; 1772, voted not to send a Representative, on accoimt of
the poverty of the to'wn ; 1773, chose Wentworth Stewart, on condition
that he wUl serve 'without any expense to the to'wn, which Mr. Stewart
agreed to ; 1774, voted not to send a Representative ; 1775, Briant Morton ;
1776, Caleb Chase ; 1777, Briant Morton, chosen in July, the town having at
the May meeting voted not to send a Representative ; 1778-79, Edmund
Phinney ; 1780, Solomon Lombard ; 1781, voted not to send a Representa
tive; 1782, Stephen LongfeUow, Jr. ; 1783-84^85-86-87, Josiah Thacher;
1788, Edmund Phinney; 1789-90-91, Josiah Thacher ; 1792, Stephen Long
fellow and Josiah Thacher; 1793-94, Stephen LongfeUow; 1795, Josiah

APPENDIX. 229
Thacher; 1796, Stephen Longtellow; 1797, Josiah Thacher; 1798-99 and
1800, Stephen LongfeUow ; 1801-2, Lothrop Lewis ; 1803, Lothrop Lewis,
chosen unanimously ; 1804r-5-6-7, Lothrop Le'wis ; 1808, Lothrop Lewis
and David Harding, Jr. ; 1809, David Harding, Jr., and Dudley Folsom ;
1810-11-12, Lothrop Lewis, David Harding, Jr., and Dudley Folsom;
1813-14-15, James Codman, Da'yid Harding, Jr., and Toppan Robie ; 1816,
Samuel Stephenson, David Harding, Jr., and Toppan Robie ; 1817-18, Da
vid Harding, Jr. ; 1819-20, Lothrop Lewis, Toppan Robie, and Joseph
Adams. Repeesentatives to the Maine Legislature. — 1820-21, James
Irish, Da'vid Harding, Jr., and Toppan Robie; 1822, Lothrop Lewis;
1823-24, Seward MerriU; 1825, Samuel Stephenson; 1826-27-28, Clark
Dyer; 1829-30, Edmund Mann ; 1831, Joseph Hamblen, 3d ; 1832-33, Josiah
Pierce; 1834^-35, WUliam E. FUes; 1836-37, Charles Hunt; 1838-39, Caleb
Hodson; 1840, Robert Johnson, Jr. ; 1841, Robert Motley; 1842, Jeremiah
Parker; 1843-44, Daniel C. Emery ; 1845, Jeremiah Parker; 1846-47-48,
Hugh D. McLeUan ; 1849-50, James Mann ; 1851, Jonathan Hanson ; 1852,
no election — winter sessions changed to summer ; 1853-54, Charles Paine ;
1855-56, Jacob C. Baker; 1857-58, Joshua E. HaU; 1859-60, Frederick
Robie ; 1861-62, James Phinney.

VOTES IN GORHAM FOB GOVERNOR IN MASSACHUSETTS.
1780 — John Hancock, 55 ; James Bowdoin, 2.
1781— John Hancock, 26.
1782 — John Hancock, 15.
1783— John Hancock, 33; Benjamin Lincoln, 20; James Bowdoin, 1.
1784 — John Hancock, 44.
1785— Thomas Gushing, 53; Benjamin Lmcoln, 1.
1786— James Bowdoin, 27; Thomas Gushing, 19.
1787— John Hancock, 103; James Bowdoin, 6.
1788— John Hancock, 94.
1789 — John Hancock, 116.
1790— John Hancock, 90.
1791— John Hancock, 98.
1792 — John Hancock, 81.
1798 — John Hancock, 87.
1794— Samuel Adams, 92 ; Wm. Cushmg, 3 ; Elbridge Gerry, 1.
1795— Samuel Adams, 85; Elbridge Gerry, 4; Wm. Gushing, 1.

230 APPENDIX.
1796 — Samuel Adams, 88 ; Elbridge Gerry, 6 ; Increase Sumner, 14.
1797— Hoses GUI, 48; Increase Sumner, 20; Elbridge Gerry, 1.
1798 — ^Increase Smnner, 81 ; Hoses GUI, 1.
1799 — Increase Sumner, 89 ; Moses GUI, 1.
1800— Caleb Strong, 46; Moses GUI, 41; Elbridge Gerry, 41.
1801— Caleb Strong, 102; Elbridge Gerry, 41.
1802— Caleb Strong, 105; Elbridge Gerry, 27.
1803— Caleb Strong, 137.
1804— Caleb Strong, 162; James SuUivan, 63.
1805— Caleb Strong, 164; James SuUivan, 90.
1806— Caleb Strong, 194; James SuUivan, 99.
1807— Caleb Strong, 158 ; James SuUivan, 126.
1808 — Christopher Gore, 257; James Sullivan, 58.
1809— Christopher Gore, 230; Levi Lincoln, 90.
1810— Christopher Gore, 244; Elbridge Gerry, 114.
1811— Christopher Gore, 176 ; Elbridge Gerry, 99.
1812— Caleb Strong, 284; Elbridge Gerry, 115.
1813— Caleb Strong, 291 ; Joseph B. Varnum, 88.
1814^Caleb Strong, 311 ; Samuel Dexter, 92.
1815— Caleb Strong, 259; Samuel Dexter, 139.
1816— John Brooks, 257; Samuel Dexter, 112.
1817— John Brooks, 203 ; Henry Dearborn, 79.
1818 — John Brooks, 173 ; Benjamin Crowningshield, 99.
1819^John Brooks, 191 ; B. W. CroTmingshield, 116.

VOTES FOR GOVERNOR AFTER MAINE BECAME A STATE.
1820— WiUiam King, 223 ; Scattering, 10.
1821— Ezekiel Whitman, 138; Albion K. Paris, 92.
1822— Ezekiel Whitman, 87; A. K. Paris, 71.
1823— A. K. Paris, 108.
1824-A. K. Paris, 129.
1825— A. K. Paris, 137; Enoch Lincoln, 11.
1826— Enoch Lincoln, 275; Scattering. 1.
1827— Enoch Lincoln, 135.
1828— Enoch Lincohi, 357 ; Scattering, 16.
1829— Samuel E. Smith, 218; Jonathan G. Hunton, 211.
1830— Jonathan G. Hunton, 283; Samuel E. Smith, 269.
183i— Samuel E. Smith, 256; Daniel Goodenow, 254.
1832— Samuel E. Smith, 279; Daniel Goodenow, 272.

APPENDIX. 231
1833 — Robert P. Dunlap, 257 ; Daniel Goodenow, 256.
1834— Robert P. Dunlap, 298; Peleg Sprague, 281.
1835— Robert P. Dunlap, 252; WUliam Ejng, 200.
1836— Robert P. Dunlap, 256; Edward Kent, 201.
1837— Edward Kent, 291 ; Gorham Parks, 268.
1838— Edward Kent, 343 ; John Fairfield, 297.
1839— Edward Kent, 308 ; John Fairfield, 308.
1840— Edward Kent, 356; John Fairfield, 287.
1841— Edward Kent, — ; John Fairfield, 285.
1842— John Fairfield, 276; Edward Robinson, 240.
1843— Hugh J. Anderson, 238 ; Edw. Robinson, 129 ; Jas. Appleton, 31.
1844— H. J. Anderson, 298; Edward Robinson, 272.
1845— H. J. Anderson, 214 ; Freeman H. Morse, 146 ; Sam'l Fessenden, 42.
1846— John W. Dana, 225; David Bronson, 166; Sam'l Fessenden, 60.
1847— John W. Dana, 167 ; David Bronson, 108 ; Sam'l Fessenden, 27.
1848— John W. Dana, 222; E. L. Hamlin, 164; Sam'l Fessenden, 124.
1849— John Hubbard, 228; E. L. HamUn, 140; G. P. Talbot, 104.
1850— John Hubbard, 238; Wm. G. Crosby, 204; G. F. Talbot, 86.
1851 — No election.
1852-John Hubbard, 243; A. G. Chandler, 168; Wm. G. Crosby, 150.
1853— Albert Pilsbury, 190; W. G. Crosby, 189 ; A. P. MorriU, 92; E.
Holmes, 73.
1854— A. P. HorriU, 268 ; A. K. Paris, 241 ; Isaac Reed, 47 ; S. Cary, 6.
1855— A. P. MorriU, 327; Samuel WeUs, 329; Isaac Reed, 20.
1856— Hannibal HamUn, 415; Sam'l WeUs, 291 ; G. F. Patten, 23.
1857— Lot M. HorrUl, 866 ; M. H. Smith, 246.
1858— Lot M. MorriU, 388 ; M. H. Smith, 310.
1859— Lot M. MorrUl, 383 ; H. H. Smith, 255.
1860— Israel Washburn, Jr., 438; E. K. Smart, 315; Phinehas Barnes, 5.
1861— Israel Washburn, Jr., 381 ; John W. Dana, 187 : Charles D. Jame
son, 56.

TOWN CLERKS.
1764 to 1769, inclusive— Amos Whitney, six years.
1770-71— Wentworth Stuart, two years.
1772— Amos Whitney, one year.
1773_74.75_'William Gorham, three years.
1776-77— Caleb Chase, two years.
1778-1804— Austen Alden, twenty-six years.

232 APPENDIX.
1804-1815— Josiah Alden, eleven years.
1815-1832— WUUam H. Foster, seventeen years.
1833-84r-35-86— WUliam B. Harding, four years.
1837-38— Eben Preble, two years.
1839-40-41— RusseU LinneU, three years.
1842 — Charles C. Bangs, one year.
1843-44 — ^Eben Preble, two years.
1845 — RusseU LinneU, one year.
1846-47-48— WiUiam B. Harding, three years.
1849-50-51 — John Wingate, three years.
1852-53 — WiUiam B. Harding, two years.
1854 — James W. Davis, one year.
1855-56-57 — Samuel P. Bacon, three years.
1858-59-60— E. W. Nevins, three years.
1861-62— M. G. Hayden, two years.

SELECTMEN.
1765 — Benjamin SkUlings, Amos Whitney, Joseph Weston.
" Benjamin SkUlings, Amos Whitney, Briant Morton.
1766-67 — ^Benjamin SkiUings, Amos Whitney, Edmund Phinney.
1768 — ^Hugh HcLeUan, Edmund Phinney, Joseph Cates.
1769 — ^Edmund Phinney, Amos Whitney, James Gilkey.
1770-71 — ^Edmund Phinney, James GUkey, Barnabas Bangs.
1772 — Solomon Lombard, Edmund Phinney, Nathan Whitney.
1773 — Edmund Phinney, James Gilkey, Samuel Whitmore.
1774 — ^Benjamin SkiUings, Nathan Whitney, Prince Davis.
1775 — Edmimd Phinney, Prince Davis, WiUiam McLeUan.
1776 — ^WUUam Gorham, Prince Davis, James Phinney.
1777-78— James Phinney, Andrew Crockett, Samuel Harding.
1779 — James Phinney, James Gilkey, Ajidrew Crockett.
1780 — James GUkey, Andrew Crockett, WiUiam Cotton.
1781— Edmund Phinney, WiUiam Gorham, Stephen LongfeUow, Jr.
1782— Edmund Phinney, Stephen LongfeUow, Jr., WiUiam McLeUan.
1783 — James Phinney, Prince Davis, WiUiam McLellan.
1784— James Phinney, Stephen LongfeUow, Jr., Austen Alden.
1785— Stephen LongfeUow, Jr., James Phinney, Cary HcLeUan.
1786— Stephen LongfeUow, Jr., James Phinney, Austen Alden.
1787— Stephen Longfellow, Jr., Austen Alden, Decker Phinney.
1788— Austen Alden, Decker Phinney, Nathaniel Frost.

APPENDIX. 233
1789-90-91— Stephen Longfellow, Jr., Samuel Elder, James Phinney.
1792-93 — Stephen Longfellow, Jr., James Phinney, Decker Phinney.
1794-95 — Stephen Longfellow, Decker Phinney, Josiah Alden.
1796-97-98-99— Lothrop. Lewis, Decker Phinney, Josiah Alden.
1800 — Lothrop Lewis, Josiah Alden, Samuel Warren.
J. Alden excused, and Samuel Prentiss elected.
1801-2-3-4 — Lothrop Lewis, Samuel Warren, Decker Phinney.
1805-6-7-8-9-10— Lothrop Lewis, Samuel Warren, Edmund Phinney, Jr.
1811 — Lothrop Lewis, Edmund Phinney, Jr., Thomas HcLellan.
1812-13-14 — Lothrop Lewis, Edmund Phinney, Jr., David Harding, Jr.
1815 — Toppan Robie, WiUiam HcLellan, Samuel Warren.
1816-17 — Lothrop Lewis, William McLeUan, Toppan Robie.
1818 — Toppan Robie, David Harding, Jr., Edmund Wescott.
1819 — David Harding, Jr., Toppan Robie, Matthew Johnson.
1820 — Lothrop Lewis, James Irish, WilUam Cobb.
1821 — ^Lothrop Lewis, WiUiam Cobb, Nathaniel Phinney.
1822 — Lothrop Lewis, Nathaniel Phinney, Seward MerriU.
1823 — ^Nathaniel Phinney, Toppan Robie, Simon Elder.
1824— Seth Webb, Toppan Robie, Simon Elder.
1825 — Edmund Hann, David Harding, Jr., Simon Elder.
1826— Edmund Hann, Seward HerrUl, Seth Webb.
1827 — ^Edmund Hann, Seward Merrill, Samuel Staples, Jr.
1828 — Edmund Mann, Seward MerrUl, Levi HaU.
1829 — ^Edmund Mann, Seward HerrUl, James Irish.
1830 — Edmund Hann, Joseph HamUton, 3d, Benjamin SkiUings.
1831 — Edmund Mann, Clark Swett, Robert Johnson, 3d.
1832 — Seward MerriU, WilUam SUla, Robert Johnson, 3d.
1833— Seward MerriU, WiUiam SiUa, Daniel G. Emery.
1834 — Edmund Mann, William SUla, Toppan Robie.
1885 — Toppan Robie, Benjamin SkiUings, Daniel G. Emery.
1836 — Daniel C. Emery, George Strout, Josiah L. Swett.
George Strout resigned.
1837— Josiah Pierce, Joshua L. Swett, Benjamin SkUlings.
1838— Josiah Pierce, Joshua L. Swett, WiUiam E. FUes.
1839— Benjamin SkilUngs, Simon Elder, Charles O. Libby.
1840— Benjamin SkUlings, Simon Elder, Charles O. Libby.
1841— Edward Scamman, John Sturgis, Charles O. Libby.
1842— Hugh D. McLellan, Simeon G. Clements, Joseph W. Parker.
1843— Hugh D. McLeUan, Jacob H. Clements, Joseph W. Parker.
1844  Hugh D. HcLeUan, Jacob H. Clements, Joseph W. Parker.
1845— Jonathan Hanson, John Sturgis, Edward Scamman.
1846 — John Wingate, WilUam Warren, Robert Johnson, 3d.
1847— John Wingate, WilUam Warren, Daniel C. Emery.
30

234 APPENDIX.
1848— Daniel C. Emery, Herrill Thomas, Joseph H. Plummer.
1849— Herrill Thomas, Charles Paine, Joseph H. Plummer.
. 1850— HerriU Thomas, Charles Paine, Joseph H. Plummer.
1851— MerrUl Thomas, Charles Paine, Daniel Hall.
1852— MerriU Thomas, Charles Paine, Freeman Harding.
1853— Freeman Harding, WilUam Merrill, Jr., Theophilus Dame.
1854— Edward Scamman, Daniel G. Libby, Joshua E. Hall.
1855— Edward Scamman, Freeman Harding, Joshua E. HaU.
1856 — Edward Scamman, James Phinney, Jr., Joshua E. Hall.
1857-58 — James Phinney, Jr., Charles Motdton, Zebulon Whitney.
1859— MarshaU Irish, MerriU T. FUes, WiUiam Burton.
1860— MerrUl T. Files, WUUam Burton, Isaac E. McLellan.
1861 — Isaac E. McLellan, Samuel S. Waterhouse, Ed'win Coburn.
1862 — Edwin Coburn, Samuel S. Waterhouse, Moses Fogg.

c.
MISCELLANEOUS. VITAL STATISTICS.
If the length of years to which its citizens arrive, be a just criterion of
the healthfulness of the town, it will, by that test, be found that Gorham is
a place of great salubrity ; and that, in that respect, it wUl compare favor
ably with other towns in New England. The annual average of deaths for
the last fifty years, has hardly exceeded one per cent, of the population.
Many of our first settlers and revolutionary men attained a great age.
Capt. John Phinney, the first settler, died in 1780,
His wife, Martha, also lived to be
Their son, Col. Edmund Phinney, died December, 1808,
John Phinney, Jr. died May 3, 1815,
James Phinney died October 18, 1830,
Martha Gorham Irish, (Phinney) died 1825, -
Elder N.Whitney died 1804,
Susannah Cobb died 1804,
Dennis Larry died 1807,
His wife, Patience Larry, died 1809,

aged

87 years.
87 "

!, "

85 "

It

83 "

ii

94 "

it

89 "

it

95 "

it

95 "

it

90 "

it

94 "

APPENDIX.

235

Mr. J. Haynes died 1811,
Mrs. Stone died 1812,
Elder J. Cates died 1813,
Prince Davis died 1819,
Kerenhappuch Brackett died 1821,
Jedediah Lombard died 1820,
WiUiam FUes died 1823,
Catherine Cloudman died Harch 24, 18.32,
Thomas Irish died August 14, 1832,
Uriah Nason died May 13, 1833,
Hannah Ross died October 19, 1833,
Jonathan Sturgis died May 11, 1834,
Jedediah Cobb died August 2, 1833,
James Mosier died October 2, 1834, -
John Watson died October 26, 1834,
Da'vid Harding died 1828,
Deacon EUphalet Watson died 1828,
Jane Snow died March 5, 1837,
Abigail Nason died Harch 5, 1837,
Col. Nathaniel Frost died in Hay, 1838,
Capt. Nathaniel Cobb, died Sept. 24, 1839,
Betty Patrick died Harch 2, 1'841,
Nathaniel Blake died February 28, 1843,
Thomas Clay died January 9, 1846, -
Mary Frost died February 14, 1849,
Hannah Blake died February 24, 1849,
Deborah Blake died February 18, 1850,
Elkanah Harding died August 27, 1850,
Capt. Joshua Swett died April 20, 1851,
Deborah WUliams died December 16, 1851,
Sarah Harris died March 3, 1852,
Andrew Plaisted died November 27, 1855,
Benjamin Chamberlain died December 25, 1855, -
Ann Libby died December 28, 1855,
Daniel Baker died June 10, 1856,
Nancy Swett died October 15, 1858,
Widow Sturgis died September 9, 1859,
James Phinney died January 13, 1860,
Polly Hamblen died March 7, 1860,
Anna Harding died February 14, 1861,
Besides the foregoing, there died in Gorham since
sous between the ages of 80 and 90 years.

aged 90

years.

a

90

a

li

96

a

11

96

11

ii

92

li

a

92

a

a

95

ii

a

91

ti

ii

94

years 8 mos.

a

91

ii

ii

98

li

a

91

ii

a

91

ii

"

99;

years 3 mos.

a

93

li

a

97

ii

li

98

ii

ii

102

li

ii

98

ii

ii

90

a

ii

90

li

ti

90

a

ii

91

11

ii

96

11

a

91

ii

ii a

90

ii li

ii.

91

li

u

90

ii

a

93

li

a

97

ii

ii

93

li

"

94

"

a

93

"

ii

90

"

li

92

((

li

92

ii

ii

93

a

a

93 93

ii

1830, ninety other per-

236 APPENDIX.

THE PRESENT WAR.
In the present sad and deplorable civil war, the men of Gorham have not
been heedless to the call of their country. Company A of the 5th Regi
ment, and Company K of the 9th Regiment of Maine Volunteers, were
enlisted in this town, and were composed of Gorham men and others from
towns in Maine.
Company A, under Capt. Josiah Heald, marched from Gorham in June,
and the Regiment left Maine, June 26, 1861. Capt. Heald and Company
were in the disastrous battle of Bull's Run, July 21, 1861.
Capt. Colman Harding marched from Gorham with his Company, K, of
the 9th Regiment, Sept. 18, 1861. Capt. Harding, on the organization of
the Regiment, was elected Lieut. Col., and Lieut. Thomas E. Wentworth
was promoted to a Captaincy. This Company went to South GaroUna and
assisted in the taking and occupying Hilton Head.
For this present war Gorham has furnished the following commissioned
officers : — Colman Harding, Lieut. Col.
Feedeeic Robie, Major.
Edward A. ScAMMAif, Major.
Josiah Heald, Capt.
Thomas E. Wentworth, Capt.
Henry R. Millett, "
William Merrill, Lieut.
John S. Merrill, "
Chester B. Shaw, "
Daniel H. Phillips, "
Stephen M. Eaton, "
Frederic Speed, Adjutant.
Rev. John R. Adams, Chaplain of 5th Regiment.
Rev. Joseph Colby, " 12th "
Doct. Seth C. Gordon, Ass. Surgeon, 13th "
and a large number of non-commissioned officers, musicians and privates.

WILD MEN.
About 1788, there wiis a general belief in Gorham, that certain strange
men were wandering about this town, Scarborough and Westbrook. They
were called " WUd men." Between the months of July and October, it is

APPENDIX. 237
asserted, there were seen in the fields and in the woods, human beings
ragged, and having long shaggy hair and beards, picking berries, green
corn and peas. Upon discovering any other person, they would run away.
Sometimes they were seen going out of barns early in the morning. Cows
were frequently found to have been milked during the night in yards. A
Miss Webb, rising very early one morning, said she saw one of the wild
men going out of her father's yard, and one of the cows had been milked.
Mr. Barnabas Bangs was looking for his oxen in a pasture where there were
many trees and bushes, and he came suddenly upon one of these men sit
ting upon a log, eating a dead robin. Mr. Bangs asked him why he did not
go to some house and cook his bird ? The fellow rose, and brandishing a
large jack knife, replied, "IwUllet you know the reason." Mr. Bangs,
being unarmed, speedily left the place. Two boys, Ebenezer Hall and
Israel HaU, were one day picking blackberries, and saw two of these wUd
persons coming towards them; the boys being frightened' concealed them
selves in the bushes. The boys said one of them was a woman, and that
they were white people. It was said that a man in the vicinity of Brag
don's Hills, near the line of Scarborough, being one day out ui the woods
with his gun, came upon one of these men, who was eating a young pigeon.
The Scarborough man pointed his gun at him, and told him he would shoot
him if he did not teU him who he was, and from whence he came. The
strange man said he was one of twenty-five saUors, the crew of a large ves
sel that was cast away on the coast. No such shipwreck was known by our
citizens to have happened. Two brothers, Abraham and EU Webb, were
one night driving a team with a load of boards from Saccarappa to Stroud
water, and they said they had a fair view of flve of the WUd men in a field
by the side of the road ; they were picking green peas. It is said that the
last time these wUd men were seen was in Scarborough, near Gorham and
Buxton Unes, when a Hr. Libby is said to have counted fourteen of them,
in a grove of young pine trees. Not much importance is to be attached, I
suppose, to the foregoing relation, yet there is no doubt that the people of
Gorham and the adjacent towns, fuUy believed that such men were seen ;
that they were foreigners, mysterious persons. Some supposed them pirates,
others, that they were a company of the Acadians, or neutral French, who
had been expatriated fi-om Nova Scotia. But who they were, where from,
or what became of them, seems never to have been ascertained.
This account was given me in writing, some years ago, by an aged and
intelUgent gentleman of Gorham, who was a boy often years of age when
these strangers were said to have been seen. My informant fuUy believed
in the truth of the story.

238 APPENDIX.
On page 59 mention has been made of the fall of a part of the frame of
the meeting house, and the kiUing of Doct. Bowman and Mr. Tryon. The
occurrence produced a profound sensation in this and neighboring towns,
and was the occasion of bringing out several poetical effusions, or "verses,"
as they were caUed. Thomas Shaw, of Standish, wrote a ballad. The fol
lowing Unes were composed by Capt. Daniel Eldridge of Gorham. It is
a specimen of the rustic rhyming of that day.

" They who in morning meet,
AU pleasant, fair and gay;
They may behold a dreadful scene
Before the close of day.

Unseen dangers hang around
All in our prosperous way:
Hay send our bodies to the tomb,
Before the close of day.

Great numbers went with one consent,
To Gorham did repair,
To rear a noble house to God,
To preach and pray in there.

And when the frame was rais-ed high,
Great joy then did abound:
A dreadful scene soon came to view.
One hah" fell to the ground.

How shall I paint the dreadful scene.
My notes they are too low.
For want of skUl, and not of wUl,
In Poetry to show. 6
What ! must my pen be sUent then,
Because I can't command ?
No : I 'will trust, who am but dust,
The Lord shall guide my hand.

A brace gave way, that fatal day,
The Jin also did faU :
And men were hurl-ed in the air,—
Not time on God to call.

APPENDIX. 239

To hear the women's mournful cry.
Would melt a tender heart ;
' My husband, son, or friend is dead
And in Eternity'  9
There two did meet an awfiil death,
By the rubbish they were slain ;
WhUe wounded men were crying out,
Distressed with grief and pain !
10
For Doctor Bowman they did cry,
His help they did implore.
But Bowman he had passed away,
Not to be seen no more.
11
Now Doctor Bowman's loss we feel,
His useflilness, no more ;
No more kind offices he'll do,
To help relieve the poor.
12
As he showed mercy here below,
Oh ! may he mercy find ;
And may he join the angels' notes
In shining worlds on high.
13
Toung Tryon, in the bloom of life,
Did bow his head and die —
Oh may his soul forever dwell.
With Christ, the Lord on high.
14
To hear Mrs. Tyron's mournful cry
Would melt a tender heart —
' My son is wounded, he must die,
We must forever part.' "

ERRATA.
On page 7, 10th line from top, read " Micaceous" for ArgiUaceous.
On page 33, 7th Ime from bottom, read " 1834" instead of 1734.
On page 69, 4th Une from bottom, read " Gaudio" instead of Guadio.
On page 97, 10th line from bottom, read " Lunenburg," instead of Lit
tleton.

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