The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-09-18
Mistsllaneuns.
For tAs Union r Journal.
Jottings by the Way..-Ho. !.
OLD YORK.

Mr.. EDITOR Perhaps it may not be
generally known that this ancient Io1a
was the first incorporated City in New
England.
As early as l64l, two hundred and
seventeen years ago, Old York, Me. was
invested with the municipal powers OF a
city Corporate; and called the city OF
G0RGEANA, in honor Of Sir Fer linando
Gorges, who by grant Of Charles the |,
King of England, laid claim to all the
lands living between the Piscataqua and
the Sagadahock or Kcnnebcc rivers.
Thomas Gorges, ESQ., nephew Of Sir
Ferdinando, was the first mayor OF the
city of Gorgeana, which at the period OF
its incorporation, contained but few In
habitants, settled along the eastern mar
gin of York river.
A few weeks since, while making a
passing visit through Old York, by invi.
ta,ion Of y. G. Marshall, Sheriff OF York
County, had the pleasure of visiting the
spot where, 2l7 years ago resided this
Young English nobleman, Sir Thomas
Gorges, the first mayor OF the city Of Cor
ceana, in the Colony Of Laconia.
This city embraced a territory OF by
: miles, located on the east bank Of York
river. Within its ancient limits grow
the lofty pine, the stately oak, and majes-
tic elm; interspersed with beech, birch,
maple, and variety of evergreens, ten.
sntcd BY the deer, the bear, the fox, and
howling wool; and at no great distance
from which, were many Of the red mems
cabins.
The spot where Sir Thomas first pitched
his tent, lies about three miles north by
west, from York village. His house was
built on beautiful slope OF land, not fal
from the borders OF York river. The
patrimony owned and occupied by this
English nobleman, some two centuries
ago, is now in possession Of Mr.. Geo. Moul
ton, in whose family it has been held fol
four generations. This fact speaks vel
for the Moultons, who unlike thousands
in New England, who are too ready te
sell out the inheritance of their fathers
and even to dispose oftheir scpulchrcs, tc
be trodden under foot by strangers, for
mess Of poitdge.
Although there is nothing special t(
mark the spot where Sir Thomas firs'
built his home, save the old cellar; ye'
around the spot cluster some incidents
and historic facts worthy of note. No
far from this place, and ION he 'cdy lead
ing from Gorgeaaa TO BARWlCk," Ia
this word is written in the proprictori
recoris,) stands an ancient Apple tree
said to have been brought from York
shire, England, in a tub, some two hun
dred years ago. The south side Of th'
venerable TREE is still flourishing in it
green old age, with fruit thereon; but TIT
north side appears to have suffered thro
the revolutions Of time, and shows eviden
marks of decay. Venerable Tree on tn!
head, two hundred winters have she'
their SHOWS; vet hast thou stood hrn
amid thousand tempests: cihered b'
the vandal hand, which shall attempt t
hew thee down. ..... .-..
J Near by this Tree is the moss grow
grave of Sharper, said to be the last ne
gro slave whose foot teps pressed free
dom's soil in the District Of Maine.
A little TO the south of this locality
whole family, by the name of Mastcrsor
were captured and slain by the Indians
in the war of 1875. This was told b.
a collateral branch OF the Masterson fam
ily. Such were the perils endured b
the early settlers of this country. NO
only were their midnight slumbers dis
turbed, BY the nocturnal howlings Q
beasts of prey, but often were their pat
through the wilderness ambushed, by Ii
gers in human shape.
In Scotland, neighborhOod in the vi
cini,y Of Adamanticus Mountain, anothe
family by the name Of Paisted, were car
tured by a party of Indians, lead on by
notorious savage, called Simon. Will
the children, four in number, were at pla
IN the barn. a party Of Indians who ha
been lurking in woods, near by, sudden
ly came upon them. Their cries brough
their mother to her door with an infan
in her arms The. .savagcs instantly sell
ed her, and after plundering the house
left for Canada, with their captives an
spails. They had not advanced far int
the wilderness, when perceiving the moth
er to LAG, BY reason Of the burthen Of tn
child, they took it from her, and dashe
its head against rock. That portion
this family, who survived the dreary marc
through the intenninable wilderness wer
afterwards redeemed and returned to the'
native land. The late Roger Plaisted
] Buxton, n soldier in the revolutionar
j war, was liueal descendant Of this fam
IL. More anon. W.N. Is.