Androscoggin County ME Archives History - Books .....Chapter III Organization And Incorporation 1899 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/me/mefiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 November 10, 2008, 10:23 pm Book Title: History Of Durham, Maine III. ORGANIZATION AND INCORPORATION The inhabitants of Royalsborough first met for public business Feb. 24, 1774, probably at the house of O. Israel Bagley, since it is certain that the second meeting was held there, March 14, 1774. The meeting was "in order to consult upon Some method for Entering into Some order in Said Town." Josiah Dunn [1] was chosen moderator and Charles Hill, Esq., clerk. Charles Hill [2] and Thomas Coffin were elected wardens and O. Israel Bagley, Wm. Gerrish and Stephen Chase a committee for selecting a lot for a Meeting House and burying yard, and also a lot for a school. This was the only business transacted. At the second town meeting Major Charles Gerrish was moderator, Mr. Dunn having refused to serve. Other moderators before the incorporation of Durham were Jonathan Bagley, Jonathan Armstrong,3 O. Israel Bagley, Ebenezer Newell and John Gushing, Esq. The meetings were held at the houses of O. Israel Bagley, John Dain, Nathaniel Gerrish and William McGray, until 1780, after which date they were held at the school house built on Benj. Vining's land. From the incorporation of Durham in 1789 till the building of the Town House in 1840 all the town meetings were held at the old North Meeting House. The proceedings of the early town meetings had to do with roads, schools and the church, and so have been arranged in chapters treating of those subjects. Oct. 8, 1783, it was voted that "all the Sleds in this town Shall Bee four feet Beten goints and any man in this town Be found Sleding with a Sled of Less weadth than that a Bove mentioned Shall Be Liabel to fine of twenty Shillings fine." In 1782 the warrant for town meeting included, "to see if the inhabitants of this Plantation will Petition to the General Court to have it incorporated in to a Township acording to the Desier of the Proprietors allso to alter the Name of Said Plantation also Petition To Sad Cort for the Laws of this Common welth." In 1784 and again in 1786 the town voted not to be incorporated. The records for 1787-8 are lost. However, a petition, dated Feb. 4, 1788, was sent to the General Court, asking for incorporation under the name of Sharon, or Bristol. The petition, which treats largely of matters pertaining to the Revolutionary War, is here given. To the Honourable the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in General Court assembled:— The petition of the Inhabitants of a Plantation Called Royalsborough in the County of Cumberland, humbly showeth—That your Petitioners being settled on a tract of Land in the Pejepscot Claim, So called, adjoining the rear line of Brunswick, lying on the Westerly side and adjoining the Androscoggin River, In the said County, were early called upon when there were but few families In the place to furnish a quantity of clothing for the Army which we were exceedingly unable to comply with, at that Infant period of our settling in the Wilderness, not having wherewithal to cloath ourselves and families In such Manner as to be any ways comfortable In the Winter season. But from a Hearty Desire to lend every aid and assistance In our Power toward carrying on the War, We did by uncommon exertion procure by one means or other all that we were called upon for at that time, and have regularly paid our taxes provided our part of the cloathing and procured all the soldiers we have been called upon for from time to time except one single man from the year 1778 viz In the year 1779 we paid the Sum of thirteen hundred and sixty-five pounds twelve shilings and four pence and another Tax of the Same Sum and in the year 1780 we paid four Taxes, viz one of two thousand six hundred and eighty-three pounds six shillings and eight pence and another of the same sum, with a Beef Tax of one Thousand six hundred and fifty pounds, also a Hard Money Tax of Thirty-four pounds and for the year 1781 we paid eighty eight pounds fourteen shillings and eight pence and two hundred and forty Seven pounds ten shillings and for the year 1782 we paid the Sum of one hundred and six pounds and sixteen shillings and five pence toward raising soldiers and sixty two pounds six shillings and two pence for the same purpose. Also a Beef Tax of the Sum of fifty four pounds and sixteen shillings and four pence which sum amounted to a great deal more than any other Plantation In this county have paid, tho some are much more able than we. But Tax bills have still been to us which, from the great difficulties and straits we have been put to; In paying the above mentioned Sums and the charges we have been at; In clearing roads building and maintaining a great many Bridges added to the Barrenness of a great part of our Land and the Poverty of the People, cannot at present be paid by any means in our Power. We therefore pray that our Delinquent Taxes may be taken off (Which we are rather encouraged to expect from the Kindness shown to other Plantations around us In as good circumstances as we are whose Taxes have been Abated hi whole or In Part upon application being made for that purpose) and being arrived to the number of about seventy families and desirous of being Incorporated Into a Township by the name of Sharon that we may be In a capacity of enjoying those Civil and Religious Privileges which other Towns enjoy, which if rightly Improved will make us a happy people. The bounds of the Town are as follows: Beginning at the N. E. Corner of Brunswick thence running a South West course to North Yarmouth line, thence running a N. W. course seven miles and forty Rods, thence on a N. E. course about four miles to Androscoggin River, then down said River to the said N. E. Cor. of Brunswick first mentioned. Also we further pray that a committee from the General Court may be sent to take a View of our Circumstances that the Honorable Court may be the better satisfied of the reasonableness of this our request and your Petitioners as In duty bound shall ever pray. Royalsborough, Feb. 4th, 1788. JOHN CUSHING, ISRAEL BAGLEY, E. NEWELL, Committee. JOSHUA STROUT, JONATHAN CURRIER. N. B. if there shall be any other Town In this County by the Name of Sharon, Our desire is that ours may be called Bristol. ORGANIZATION AND INCORPORATION The town was incorporated 17 Feb. 1789, with a population estimated at 700. The petition states that there were seventy families. Ten persons to a family is not too high an estimate for those days, as the chapter on Genealogy will show. Notice that in 177S there were only forty-nine families. The name given to the new town was Durham. Why it was so named no one has yet told, though, doubtless it was suggested by the Durham of old England. The reason sometimes assigned has been shown in a previous chapter to be fallacious. The Act of Incorporation is as follows:— COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. In the year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and eighty nine. An act to incorporate the Plantation called Royalsborough in the County of Cumberland into a town by the name of Durham. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled and by the authority of the same that all the lands of Royalsborough aforesaid bounded as follows viz beginning at the westerly corner of a tract of land called Prouts Gore in the line of North Yarmouth thence north west seven miles adjoining said North Yarmouth thence north east to Androscoggin river thence South easterly by the middle of said river to the head line of Brunswick thence South westerly adjoining the head line of Brunswick and said Prouts Gore to the first mentioned bounds with the inhabitants thereon be and hereby are incorporated into a town by the name of Durham and invested with all the powers, privileges and immunities that towns in this Commonwealth do or may by law enjoy. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid that Samuel Merrill Esq. be and he is impowered and required to issue his Warrant to some principal inhabitant of Said town of Durham directing him to warn the Inhabitants thereof to assemble at some convenient time and place in said town, to choose all such officers as by law are to be chosen annually in the months of March or April. In the House of Representatives Feb. 16, 1789. This bill having had three several readings passed to be enacted, William Heath, Speakr. In Senate Feb. 17th 1789. This bill having had two several readings passed to be enacted. Sam'l Phillips, V. President. Approved John Hancock A true copy Attest. John Avery, Jr., Secy. The first town meeting of Durham was held March 17, 1789. Samuel Merrill Esq., was moderator, Ebenezer Newell, clerk; John Cushing Esq., Lieut. Nathaniel Gerrish and Thomas Fisher Selectmen. May 4, 1791, the town voted 21 to 0 that the "Destrict of Main be Set off into a Separate State." May 7, 1792, another vote was taken on the same proposition and there were 11 yeas to 20 nays. April 7, 1807, the vote on same proposition stood 6 yeas to 113 nays. The agitation continued and May 20, 1816, the vote was 45 for separation and 54 against. Another vote was taken Sept. 2 of the same year resulting in 55 yeas to 92 nays. Notwithstanding all this opposition the separation took place in 1820. It seems that no one could settle in the town without permission. The following, found on the Town Records, will interest many:— Cumberland Ss. to Benjamin Vining Constable for the said Town of Durham Greeting. You are in the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts directed To warn, and give notice unto Samuel Jordan, Jedediah Jordan, Daniel Roberson, Paul Dyer of Cape Elizabeth. . . . John Stackpole, Jeremiah Smith, James Johnson of Harpswell, Daniel Harmon of Standish, Elias Davis of Bakerstown, Ezekiel Turner of Freeport, and Samuel Proctor of Falmouth, Labourers in the Town of Durham and County of Cumberland, Which above named persons, has lately come into this Town for the Purpose of abiding therein, not having obtained the Towns consent. Therefore that they depart the Limits thereof, With their Children And others under their care, if any they have, within fifteen days. And of this precept, with your doings thereon, you are to make Return into the office of the Town, within Twenty days next Coming, that such further proceedings may be had in the premises. As the Law Directs Given under our hands and Seal, at Durham aforesaid this 25 day February A. D. 1793. Nathaniel Garish, Aaron Osgood, Selectmen. Attest, Martin Rourk, Town Clerk Pursuant to the within Warrant, I have warned those persons within mentioned To Depart the Limits of the Town, As soon as may be, or within fifteen days, from the date thereof. Benjamin Vining, Constable. A true copy, Martin Rourk, T. Clerk. Durham, March ye 14, 1793. In similar manner John Hibbard and family and James Hibbard and "Nethanel Merril and now wife of Gofftown in the County of Hillsborough Labourer and Betty B. Merrill Single woman of the Same Town " were warned out of town in 1791. There is no evidence of their departure, and some of them became honored citizens. They probably complied with the legal formalities. There was much dispute between the first settlers and the Pejepscot Proprietors. Many seem to have been squatters. For their contentment the Mass. Court passed a "Betterment Act" in 1798 so that settlers could not be ousted without payment for improvements made. Under this act Nathaniel Dummer, John Lord and Ichabod Goodwin, Esquires, were appointed Commissioners to survey the lands in dispute and adjust the claims. They fixed a price for each farm, on payment of which the Proprietors were under legal obligation to give a deed to the settlers. The report of the commissioners was submitted to Gov. Caleb Strong July 12, 1804. It is here given so far as it pertains to Durham. The original is in the Mass. Archives. I have corrected the spelling. Names of Settlers. No. of Lot. Acres. Value. William McKenny, 139 100 $97.60 Heirs of Nathaniel Gerrish, 77 82.23 Thomas Lambert, 25 47.50 Micah Dyer and Nathaniel Merrill, 79 35 59.92 Samuel Mitchell, 90 48 1/2 92.15 Isaac Lambert. 90 46 1/2 88.35 Gideon Bragdon, 115 100 92.80 Robert Hunnewell, 136 50 58.80 Jonathan Libby, 158 100 97.60 John Larrabee 134 100 92.80 William Blake, 123 100 103.20 Daniel Robinson, Richard Mitchell, 92 100 114.00 Job Larrabee, 137 100 128.60 Magnus Ridlon. 112 100 135.60 Chas. Kelley and Nath'l Wilbur, 133 100 139.20 Elisha Douglas, 117 100 i32.00 Thomas Larrabee, 140 100 146.40 Amos Parker, 122 100 142.80 Ephraim Bragdon. 116 100 88.00 Daniel Harmon N. E. half, 127 50 52.00 Zebulon York, 146 100 59.20 Joshua Fickett, 156 100 146.40 William Thomas, N. E. half, 101 50 95.20 Daniel True, 119 100 142.80 Ebenezer Bragdon, 108 100 176.00 John Hoyt and Isaac Davis, 124 100 94.40 Jonathan Bragdon, 131 100 95.20 James Parker and William Wilson, 64 100 85.00 Andrew Adams, 58 100 99.60 Nath'l Gerrish, So. half, 73 50 95.20 James Hibbard, 77 100 132.80 Christopher Tracy, 78 100 123.20 John Vining, So. half, 75 50 60.60 James Blethen, 62 100 128.00 Jacob Sawyer, 109 100 124.80 Joseph Knight, 60 100 118.40 David Grossman, 22 & 23 100 80.80 Jonathan Beal, 61 100 132.80 Solomon Tracy, Nath'l Getchell, 47 100 70.80 Bela Vining, N. E. half, 65 50 20.00 Additional Comments: Extracted from: HISTORY OF DURHAM, MAINE WITH GENEALOGICAL NOTES. BY EVERETT S. STACKPOLE. PUBLISHED BY VOTE OF TOWN. LEWISTON: PRESS OF LEWISTON JOURNAL COMPANY. 1899. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/me/androscoggin/history/1899/historyo/chapteri12nms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/mefiles/ File size: 15.7 Kb