Follow

• 

  Township No. 23 East Division is Bounded as Described in the Several Lines … for 23,040

  Rufus Putnam and George R. Gardner

  Property map with no scale, showing boundary lines, lot numbers, and acreage. Handwritten note inscription reads: “Township No. 23 East Division is Bounded as Described in the Several Lines and [illegible] for 23,040 Acres…Attest Rufus Putnam.” Map is dated in red pencil, “1786.” Pencil inscription questions: “East Div. of Centerville?”

  Back of map is stamped in blue ink: George R. Gardner, LAWYER, Calais, Maine.

  From Gardner Family Papers, 1830-1939. John Gardner (1801-1888), was the principal surveyor in Calais, Maine. His son, Benjamin E. Gardner (1869-1939), a civil engineer and land surveyor took over for his father and worked most frequently with local attorneys doing land title research.

• 

  A Narrative of the Extraordinary Sufferings of Mr. Robert Forbes, His Wife, and Five Children during an Unfortunate Journey through the Wilderness from Canada to Kennebeck River, in the year 1784: in Which Three of Their Children were Starved to Death. Taken Partly from Their Own Mouths, and Partly from an Imperfect Journal; and Compiled at Their Request

  Arthur Bradman

  In March 1784, Robert Forbes made the fateful decision to relocate his pregnant wife and children--Mary, 7-years-old; Peggy, 5-years-old; Katharine, 3-years-old; and Robert, 15-months-old--from Canada to Norridgewalk, Maine. Receiving a promise the trip could be accomplished in 12 days time, Forbes employed the services of three Dutch guides who lead the family into the winter wilderness. Four months later, the last surviving family members arrived in Norridgewalk.

• 

  The Province of Maine from the Best Authorities

  Samuel Lewis, William Barker, and Mathew Carey

  The Province of Maine, from the best Authorities by Samuel Lewis, 1794. W. Barker, sculp. [Scale of] American Miles 69 1/2 to a Degree. Engraved for Carey's American Edition of Guthrie's Geography improved.

  Black and white, foldout map of northern Massachusetts showing the New Hampshire border and identifies the "Line between the United States and the British Possessions by Treaty 1785" including Quebec and Nova Scotia. Map size: 36 x 24 cm. Scale 1:1,520,640. Engraved by W. Barker. Map is in stable condition but shows folds and creases.

• 

  A Plan of Waite Township Containing 24,985 Acres

  S. Titcom and John Gardner

  Pen and ink hand-drawn map on paper mounted on linen. The map caption reads: A Plan of Waite Township Containing 24,985 Acres. No. 2. Range 2. S. Titcom's Survey in 1794. Lots drawn on the map include the last names of property holders as well as acreage of lots.

• 

  To the honorable the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in General Court assembled, at Boston, January, 1803 : humbly represent, the subscribers, inhabitants of the town of Pittston in the District of Maine

  Town of Pittston and David Cobb

  Broadside signed by residents of Pittston, Maine, arguing for the separation of the District of Maine from Massachusetts and suggesting that the legislature authorize a convention of delegates from all towns in the district “to declare the sense of their constituents, to frame a constitution ... and to do and transact all things ... necessary to the ... establishment of a separate and independent state.”

• 

  A Sermon on Infant Baptism, Preached at Winthrop, Nov. 4, 1804, at the Baptism of the Rev. Mr. Belden's Child to which are Subjoined the Rev. Mr. Fisher's Hymn on Infant Dedication, and the Rev. Mr. Sewall's Poem on the Mode of Baptism

  Eliphalet Gillet

  Rev. Eliphalet Gillet's expansive sermon expounding on the similarities and differences of Judaism and Christianity focusing predominantly on the quality of character and redemption.

• 

  Horrid Massacre !! : Sketches of the Life of Captain James Purrinton, who on the Night of the Eighth of July, 1806, Murdered his Wife, Six Children, and Himself : with a Particular Account of that Shocking Catastrophe : to Which are Subjoined, Remarks on the Fatal Tendency of Erroneous Principles, and Motives for Receiving and Obeying the Pure and Salutary Precepts of the Gospel

  Peter Edes

  The account of Maine's first case of domestic violence mass murder as reported by outspoken printer and newspaper man, Peter Edes. On July 8, 1806, Betsy (Clifford) Purrinton and her children Polly, age 19; Benjamin, age 12; Anna, age 10; Nathaniel, age 8; Nathan, age 6; and Louisa, age 18 months, were murdered by James Purrinton during an alleged fit of religious fervor before he committed suicide. Fifteen-year-old Martha Purrinton was severely wounded during the attack but survived for three weeks, testifying as a witness against her father. She died July 30. The eldest Purrinton son, James, age 17, survived his wounds.

• 

  Horrid Murder.

  Peter Edes

  Broadside publishing news sensationalizing the mass murder of the Purrinton family, including a 14-stanza poem about the crime. Events summarized in the broadside were later published in greater detail in a pamphlet by Peter Edes.

• 

  Map of the Country which was the Scene of Operations of the Northern Army ; Including the Wilderness through which General Arnold Marched to Attack

  Francis Shallus

  Black and white map of the country which was the scene of operations of the Northern Army; including the wilderness through which General Arnold marched to attack Quebec. Engraved for the Life of Washington. Plate VI from: Atlas to accompany John Marshall's The life of George Washington. Philadelphia, 1804-07. Though this map depicts the route of the Kennebec River and landscape through which Benedict Arnold lead a force of the Continental Army, it does not mark the 350 mile trail to Quebec. The 1,100 man force was reduced to 600 sick and starving men by the time Arnold reached Saint Lawrence at Pointe-Levi. Scale: 1:1,394,000. Map size: 27 x 23 cm. Map is in good and stable condition though considerably yellowed.

• 

  The Trial of David Lynn, Prince Kein [sic], Jabez Meiggs [sic], Elijah Barton, Adam Pitts, Anson Meiggs [sic], and Nathaniel Lynn. Indicted for the Murder of Paul Chadwick, Containing a Compendious but Clear and Full Statement of all the Evidence, Together with a Correct Abridgement of the Pleadings of Council, and the Charge to the Jury, as Delivered by the Court

  Peter Edes

  In 1809, Paul Chadwick was hired to survey lands held by the proprietors of the Plymouth Patent, including property that fell within the boundaries of the town of Malta, now known as Windsor, Maine. The land survey caused upset among settlers as property ownership was called into question. Vowing to defend their property, on September 8, a party of fully armed men, some disguised as Native Americans, approached Chadwick advising him to cease his activities. Chadwick declined and was shot, dying the following day.

  David Lynn, Prince Kein, Jabez Meiggs, Elijah Barton, Jonas Proctor, Adam Pitts, Anson Meiggs, and Nathaniel Lynn were arrested and on September 15 and charged with Chadwick's murder. The murder and subsequent events became known as The Malta War. This booklet, produced by Maine newspaper man and Revolutionary Veteran, Peter Edes, records testimony and proceedings of the murder trial.

• 

  The Foregoing is a Plan of 189,426 acres on the Penobscot River, it Being the Purchase made by Government of the Penobscot Tribe of Indians

  Park Holland, Jonathan Maynard, and John Chamberlain

  The foregoing is a plan of 189,426 acres on the Penobscot River, it being the purchase made by Government of the Penobscot Tribe of Indians together with two acres of land one on each side of the river between said Indian purchase and land heretofore so called. Laid down by a scale of Two Hundred rods to an inch taken by the direction of the Hon. Salem Town, Esqr. by the Publicks most obedient an very Humble Servants Park Holland, Jona. Maynard, John Chamberlain, Surveyors. Scale of map: 1:39,600. 200 Rods per inch.

• 

  Division Orders: Eighth Division

  Thomas Eastman, Eben Dutch, James Waugh, Williams Emmons, and Jesse Jewett

  Record of a Division Court Martial at Augusta viz. Captain Thomas Eastman, commanding a company in the battalion of cavalry in the 1st brigade of the Division, upon the specifications of a charge exhibited against him by Lieut. Winslow of the same battalion. The Court Martial was dissolved. Captain Eastman is discharged from arrest.

• 

  The Trial of Moses Adams, High-sheriff of the County of Hancock, before the Supreme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on an Indictment for the Murder of his Wife from Minutes taken at the Trial by John Bulfinch

  John Bulfinch

  Moses Adams of Ellsworth, Maine, was charged with: "not having the fear of God before his eyes, but being moved and seduced by the instigation of the Devil, on the twelfth day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifteen, with force and arms, at Ellsworth ... in and upon one Mary Adams, the wife of the said Moses Adams, in the peace of the said Commonwealth, then and there being, feloniously, willfully and of his malice aforethought, did make an assault ... with a certain deadly weapon called an axe, of the value of one dollar ... [striking] Mary Adams, in and upon the right side of the neck and through the jugular vein and vertebra ..."

• 

  Proceedings of a Division Court Martial Constituted for the Trial of Capt. Thomas Eastman, Battalion of Cavalry, 1st Brigade, 8th Division; March 14, 1815 with his Defence before the Court, the Division Order of March 27th, Disapproving the Judgment of the Court, and an Address to the Public

  Thomas Eastman, William Winslow, and James Waugh

  Minutes of the evidence, proceedings and judgment of a Division Court Martial, of which Lieut. Col. Commandant James Waugh. jun. of the 2d Reg. 2d Brig. is appointed President ; convened at Dillingham’s Tavern in Augusta, on Tuesday, the 14th day of March, 1815, for the trial of Capt. Thomas Eastman, of the Battalion of Cavalry in the 1st Brigade, on sundry specif cations of charge exhibited against him in the complaint of Lieut. William Winslow of the same Battalion.

  Members of the Court
  Lieut. Col. James Waugh, Jun. President
  Maj. Nathan Stanley, 3d Reg. Inf. 2d Brig. 8th Div.
  Maj. John Heath, 3d Reg. Inf. 1st Brig. 8th Div. Capt. Jonas Parlin, of Company Battalion Cavalry, 2d Brig. 8th Div.
  Capt. Richard Smith, 1st Reg. Inf. 2d Brig. 8th Div.
  Capt. John Trask, 5th Reg. Inf. 1st Brig. 8th Div.
  Capt. Jacob Davis, 1st Reg. Inf. 1st Brig. 8th Div.
  Capt. Levi Barrett, 1st Reg. Inf. 2d Brig. 8th Div.
  Lieut. Thomas B. Coolidge, Comp’y Light Inf. 1st Reg. 1st Brig. 8th Div.
  Lieut. Oliver Richardson, 1st Reg. Inf. 2d Brig. 8th Div.
  Lieut. Oliver Sewall, 5th Reg. Inf. 1st Brig. 8th Div.
  Lieut. John Page, 1st Reg. Inf. 2d Brig. 8th Div.
  Lieut. Samuel Webb, 1st Reg. Inf. 2d Brig. 8th Div. Supernumerary.

• 

  Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Committee of both Houses to whom were referred the Petitions concerning the Separation of the District of Maine from Massachusetts

  General Court of Massachusetts

  The Committee of both Houses, to whom were referred the Petitions concerning the Separation of the District of Maine from Massachusetts Proper, and forming the same into a separate and Independent State, and also sundry memorials against that measure, beg leave respectfully to report that they have considered the subject committed to them, with that deliberation which so momentous a question deserves. A question, whether this great Commonwealth shall be divided, and the connexion [sic] which has so long, and so happily existed, shall be forever dissolved. They are sensible that nothing should be done to hasten an event, so important and lasting in its consequences. On the contrary, they would gladly strengthen and promote a union, which has, hitherto, been productive of so much good. This is not a question which concerns the District of Maine alone, but the whole Commonwealth. The Legislature of Massachusetts are called on to consent to relinquish their jurisdiction over one third of her citizens, and the largest portion of her territory. But your Committee have not been deterred by these considerations, from listening to the prayer of the Petitioners, and from recommending such measures as they deem just and expedient, however they may regret the present application.

• 

  A Schedule of Lands, &c. to be Sold at Publick Auction on the Floor of the Exchange Coffee House, in Boston, by the Proprietors of the Kennebeck Purchase, on Monday, the Twenty-second Day of January, 1816

  Plymouth Company

  Printed schedule of properties located in the District of Maine, placed up for auction by the Plymouth Company on Monday, January 22, 1816. The schedule includes locations and descriptions of properties, including lot numbers. Maine towns where property was auctioned included: Dresden, Whitefield, Malta (now Windsor), Palermo, Patrick Town and Long Pond Settlement, Harlem (now China), Fairfax, Clinton, Unity, Plymouth, Madison, Starks, Industry, Mercer, Rome, Waterville, Augusta, Canaan, Dearborn, Belgrade, Winthrop, Wayne, Hallowell, Freedom and lots located along the Kennebeck and Sebasticook Rivers.

• 

  An Appeal to The People of Maine on the Question of Separation

  Unidentified

  Shall the Legislature be required to give its consent to the separation of the District of Maine from Massachusetts proper and to the erection of said District into a separate state. — Mass. Resolves.

  Printed by Request.

• 

  Blessedness of the Pious Dead: A Sermon Preached in Winthrop, at the Interment of Mrs. Elizabeth Fillebrown, consort of the Hon. Thomas Fillebrown, who Departed this Life October 23, 1817, aged 46

  Eliphalet Gillet

  Text of a sermon preached by Rev. Eliphalet Gillet at the interment of Elizabeth Cheever Fillebrown (Aug 1771-Oct 1817) at East Winthrop Cemetery in Winthrop, Maine, the central theme of which is, transformation. "Death to man is not the destruction of being, but a change in the mode and place of his existence." The sermon includes a brief profile of the deceased (p 15-16).

• 

  An Oration Delivered before the Republicans of Portland, July the Fourth 1817

  Ashure Ware

  Fifty-three years before the Fourth of July was established as a national holiday by the United States Congress, Judge Ashur Ware expressed before a political gathering in Portland, Maine, that the holiday was "the only day marked in our callendar as a national festival, and this not by the authority of the government, but by the voluntary act of a free people..."

  Ware states: "The minions of despotism, the pimps and parasites and panders of kings are always ready to decry liberty; and recent events in Europe have quickened the general feeling of hostility to every form of freedom into an unusual degree of rancor and malignity." Ware then goes on to argue the rationale for democracy.

• 

  Massachusetts Election! : First Monday in April next ; American Nomination, Major-General Henry Dearborn for Governor, Hon. William King for Lieut. Governor

  Henry Dearborn and William King

  Pamphlet promoting Henry Dearborn and William King as running mates in the 1817 Massachusetts gubernatorial election. The pamphlet includes a “Sketch of the Life of Major General Henry Dearborn from 1775 to 1812” primarily documenting his military service.

  Major General Henry Dearborn (1751 – 1829) was an American soldier and statesman. During the American Revolution, Dearborn served under Benedict Arnold in the expedition to Quebec, of which his journal provides an important record. In later life his criticism of General Israel Putnam’s performance at the Battle of Bunker Hill caused a major controversy. Dearborn served in the U.S House of Representatives from Massachusetts from 1793-1797.

  William King (1768 – 1852) was a merchant, shipbuilder, real estate investor, and statesman from Bath, Maine. King served as a Major General in the War of 1812. He served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives (1795 – 1799) and the state Senate (1807 – 1811; 1816 – 1820). He was a proponent of Maine statehood and served as the state's first Governor (1820 – 1821).