A history of the town of Gorham, Maine

Preface

A praiseworthy desire has of hite 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 sufterings, 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 settlement 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 uninteresting 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 assisted In gathering materials, by several gentlemen. M. G. Hayden, Esq., Town Clerk, has at all times given me a free

IV. PREFACE.

use of all the Town Kecorcls in his possession. I have also received valuable aid from Hon. Frederic Robie. Especially am I indebted to Col. Hugh D. McLellan, -vvho has kindly furnished me with many historical facts and traditions, and loaned rae his numerous and valuable family manuscripts and traditional papers, from which I have gathered many interesting facts.

J. PIERCE.

GoRHAM, Januarv, 1862.

CHAPTEE I.

INTRODUCTORY.

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 creditable 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 passe<l 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 Avithin 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 fcAV 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 Avere, the greater facility of obtaining the necessaries of living

6 IIISTOKY OF GUliiIA3[.

near the ocean, and the greater security from the hostile attacks of the Indians and Canadian French. Thus Falmouth (now Portland), and Scarborough, Avere settled a full hundred years before the adjoining interior town of Gorham. Falmouth was occupied by Englishmen in lGo2, 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, Avas 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 being 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 vScarborough ; south-westerly and westerly by Buxton ; and northerly liy Standish.

The surface of the town is what is called a rollino- country. 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- [»itous, or too steep lor cultivation. Large and windinu"

IXTKODI'CTOKY. 7

valleys are spread out between the swells of land, and tlie whole is bountifully watered by springs and streams ; in a few places the soil is sandy, but a clayey loam is the j)revailinfT; soil. Fort Ilill is the hifjhest 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 Avith 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 afforded a large supply. After saw mills were erected on Presumscot and Saccarappa falls, logs for boards, which were easily floated down Presumscot river, Avere in demand.

Gorham, tliough having within its Hmits 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, Pequawkct, Androscoggin, and Sokokis or Saco tribes. These with the St. Francois Indians of Canada, with whom the remnant of the Pequawkets united after their signal defeat by Lovell, at Fryeburg, in 1725, would make this town their summer residence, and planted large fields of corn in some localities, and it was their great thoroughfare from Scbago Lake to Saco and Scarborouo;h. 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 destroyed, cattle killed, a few white persons killed, and a few carried away captive to Canada. These annoyances continued 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 America. 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 — frequently 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 Provincial 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 officers and soldiers, or their representatives, who served in what was called King Philip's war, or the Narragansett fight. The grant was made by the General Court of INIassachusetts ; first of two townships in 1728, and five more in 1732. The number of grantees was 840.

Chapter II. The Geants

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 Linsey, Robert Porter, Sen'r, and twenty-two more inhabitants of Lyn, Jeremiah Swain, Samuel Damon, Samuel Lambson, William Robbins, James Pyke, John and James Nichols 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 petitioners a tract of land in Nipmug country of eight miles square for their encouragement, and others that were serviceable to the country in the late Indian War, to a competent number who shall see meet to join themselves to them, in order to the making of a Plantation or Township, provided 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.

Secretary of the Commonwealth.

THE GRANTS. 11

Thursday, December 14, 1727.

On the petition of Samuel Chandler, Jacoh Wright, cfic, in hehalf of themselves and others foraying, as entered July 1, 1727.

In the House of Representatives. Resolved, That Major Thomas Tilestone, Capt. John Aklen, Mr. Edward Shove, Mr. Nathaniel Healy, of Newton, Mr. Samuel Chandler, of Concord, John Wainwrlght and Ezra Bourne, Esqs., (any four of Avhom to be a Quorum) be a Committee fully 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 persons, whether officers or soldiers, belonging 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 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 received ; 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 enlisting 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 list of the names of such persons as have served as aforesaid, or their legal representatives (which they are enjoined to do with all convenient speed) the Grantees shall be obliged to assemble within as short a time as they can conveniently, and proceed to the choice of a Committee to regulate each society, who shall pae-s such orders and rules, as will effectually 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, neverthde&s, 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 tlie 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: EDWAED D. BANGS,

Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Saturday, June 15, 1728.

In the House of Representatives. In answer to i;he 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 disposed of to the persons, whether officers or soldiers, belonging to this Province, avIio Avere 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 full 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 vs^ar, 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 Avhen 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 regulate each Propriety, who shall pass such Orders and Rules as will effectually oblige them to settle sixty families at least, in each township, with a learned Orthodox ISIinister, within the space of seven years from the date of the grant. Provided, 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 Ministry, 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.

Secretary of the Commomocalth.

14 IIISTOIIY OF GOKHAM.

Friday, June 9, 1732.

A petition of Thonji;j,s Tilestone and others, a Committee in behalf of the Officers and Sokliers 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.

Ix 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 townshij) 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 Committee 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.

Secretary of the Commomcealth.

Thursday, April 2G, 1733.

A Petition of a Committee for the Narragansctt Soldiers, shewing that there are the number of eioht hundred and

THE GRANTS. 15

forty persons entered as Officers and Soldiers in the late Narragansett War, praying that there may be such an addition 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 Eepkesextatives. Read, and Ordered, That the prayer of the Petition be granted, and that Major Chandler, Mr. Edward Shove, Col. Thomas Tilestone, Mr. John Hobson, and Mr. Samuel Chandler, (or any three of them) be a Committee fiilly authorized and empowered 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 tOAvns before granted) be granted and disposed of to the officers and soldiers who were in the Narragansett War, or to their lawful representatives, 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 rewaixl for their public services, and the Grantees shall be obliged to assemble Avithin 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, avIio shall pass such Orders and Eulcs as shall effisctually oblige them to settle sixty flimilies within each township, with a learned Orthodox jNlinister, within the space of seven years from the date of this grant. Provided, always, that if the said Grantees shall not effiictually settle the said number of families in each township, and also lay out a lot for the first settled Minister, one for the Ministrv, and one for the Scliool in each of the said townships, they shall have no advantage of, but forfeit their respective grants, any thing to the contrary 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.

Secretary of the Co7nmonwecdth.

Wednesday, February 2, 1T36.

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 iipon methods for calling future meetings.

In the House of Representatives, read and concurred.

Consented to.

J. BELCHER.

A true copy from the original Records of the General Court.

.Ittest: EDWARD D. BANGS,

Secretary of the Commonwealth.

THE GRANTS. 17

Monday, July 5, 1736.

In the House of Eepresentatives. Ordered, That Shubael Goreliam, 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 Narragansett 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 bringing 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.

Secretary of the CommonwealtJi.

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

Governor recommended surveys and appropriations of land for settlers. The first grants were for military services. By making these grants the government effected two desirable 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 ffrew 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 indifferent 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.