The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1830-12-29
WORCESTER:
WEDNESDAY. DEC. 80, 1880.
THE CLOSING YEAR

y
incidents of high Importance TO the family Of
man. Much has been gained TO the orea, cause
Of civil and religious liberty In various parts of
the eastern continent. The satisfaction with
winch these events would otherwise be witness
sed, is diminished by the reflection, that, in
some instances, they have been attended with The
shedding Of blood, ana the saerflce of life I've
should feei happy, could we indulge the belief
that the principles Of civil liberty had made
corresponding advance on this side of the At
iantIc. We do, however, feela confidence that,
ultimately, they must universally prevail. And,
although great efforts have bee made. here. to
keep men subjected to the thraldom of party
the worst species of despotism, because it is
tyranny over the mind-and TO continue their
subIection to men, regardless of principles, still
we believe we see increasing indications of
disposition to break away from such letters, and
to become freemen indeed as well as in name
Recent elections, in many of the States, shew
favorable change in public sentiment, and
determination to support principles rather than
men, and to place those in office, who will ex.
erclse their authority for the good of the people,
rather than for their own personal aggrandize-
ment
For the continued favor with which the pub
lie have received our labors, we would make the
most heartfelt acknowledgements. And, while
we promise an unremitted devotion TO our du
ties, as public journalists, we may be allowed
the remark, that, if the same substantial evil
dences of the satisfaction, with which they have
been received for the year past, should be con-
tinued to us, not our expectations only, but our
hopes, will be satisfied
" History of SacO and Biddeford Nth notices of
other carly settlements, and of the Proprietary
Governments in Maine" &c. By GEoRGE For.
SOM.
volume exceeding 800 pages with the above III
tic, has been recently published, and adds an i'm
PorIaht amount OF Information to that previously
ensuing illustrative of the history of portion of
New England, which has hitherto remained COM
paratiyely obscure and unintelligble Among those
to whom Acknowledgements of assistance are made.
isE D. Bangs, Esq, the Secretary of Massachusetts,
in whose charge the public records, and whose
frendly aid in the Investigations of our historians
adds to the value of his official services
Mr.. Folsom gives general historical introduce
ton, leading up to the period of the first perma-
nent settlement on Saco river in 1851, and dis
tinct relation of the multfarous events in the pro-
gress of the settlements under the several changes
in its jurisdiction, Ito the present time The histo-
ny of no portion of the English settlements in the
country involved in obscurty than that
of Maine and probably, for every useful fact which
he could have derived from his predecessors in the
aama field he has fonnd an arror ~ oorwno4 -. -
omission to supply. But he has availed himself of
the best aids of tradition and the imperfect records
Of early times. With respect to the latter our an
tiquares will pardon the lack of good photography,
and commend the providence which dictated the
following vote of the town of Saco "Nov 10.
l672.-Itis agreed by the hole towne, the Seleckt-
men shall forthwith procure good new Book for
the towne Records and procure all the former ackts
and records formerly recorded, with Alfabet and
pages transcribed. 1t is the request of the hole
towne to Brian Pendleton to take of the towne
Book and supple in roome of towne clerck for
one hole year following this time except hindered
by the providence of God"
The details of local events are principally in
tersstng in the vicinity of their occurrence There
are many, however contained in the work, which,
four limits permitted, we should be glad to select
illustrating the character and opinions of ancient
times. The following incident would furnish an
admirable subject for the graver of Johnston, and
for the establishment ofthe next " Comic Annual"
I:relates to person of the name of Hunnewell
While moving on the marsh he discovered the
movements of some Indians on the Bue-point
Separated from them by the river and eonsidera.
BILE body Of marsh, he concluded he could not be in
danger. He had placed his gun by SADDLE fstack
of hay,I and moving at distance from it, an In
dian unperceived by him, had crossed the river,
and under its bank crept up through the thatch
and secured his gun. Mr.. Hunnewell, at length
seeing his desperate situation, continued his now
ing as if he had not discovered the Indian till he
had advanced within few yards of him, when he
suddenly sprung forward with his scytbe and so
roared out at the Indian that he had no command
of his gun, and retreatng backwards as Mr. Hun
newell advanced, stepped into hole and fell. Mr.
H. cut him off with his scythe and holding up and
brandishing it in view of the Indians who had al
ready begun their shouts on the other side, chal-
lsnged them to come over, and he would serve
them in the same manner"
In the account of Biddeford. we find the follow
ing notice of the lAto Gov SaIii--., ~. -rr---.
to have been, at least in early life, of the work
ing mems party"
Mr.. Sullivan was native of Berwick, where
his parents settled early in that Il6th century, hav
ing emigraled to New England from Limerick Ire
land. His father was long employed as an instruct
er at Berwick, and, possessing familiar acquaint-
ance with the higher branches of learning bestow-
ed his sons, tof whom there were four,) the only
patrimony in his gift, but more valuable than any
other, good education. He designed them, how
ever, for the labors Of a farm, in which James was
actually employed until late period of his youth,
when, fortunately for soc ety. of which he was des-
tined to prove so bright ornament an accidental
injury withdrew him from the further pursuit Of
that occupation. His stems were then turned into
track that led to wider sphere of usefulness for
which his native powers of mind peculiarly fitted
him He studied law with bis brother, Gen John
Sullivan, at Durham, ~ H., and opened an Office in
Biddeford 1869 He purchased small one story
house, containing only two rooms, in which he lived
three or four years but afterwards built hand
some front of two stories, the same now occupied