The Portland daily press., 1869-08-30
POPHAM CELEBRATION.
The Clam-B Bake and ChoWder.
Speeches by Ex.Gov. Washburu, Presi.
dent Harris, Prof. Packard, Rev.
DIR. Wood and otlaerr.


The seventh annual celebration of the land
ing of Sir George Popham and associates at the
mouth OF Kennebec river, where Fort Popham
is now located, occurred on Saturday last
The steamer Ella, Capt. Mitchell, was charter
ed to take those who wished to witness the ex-
ercises or to maize pleasant excursion to the
memorable spot. At twenty minutes past .
o'clock in the morning the steamer left her
wharf, and at about II o'clock the party, num-
bering about 200 persons was safely landed.
1t was supposed more than double the number
would have taken passage, but for the threat
ening appearance of the weather. We found
about 1000 persons on the ground, who had
come down and across the river in every con-
cevable conveyance, tho most Of whom ap-
peared to take more interest in the living pres
emit, with its CLAIMS and chowders, than in the
dead past with its perplexing theories and in
many instances absurd conclusions. Shortly
after we arrived the steamer Riverside" from
Bath, the Lilly" from Augusta, and several
yachts and other small crafts from other places
landed about 500 more, swelling our numbers
to sixteen or eighteen hundred. While those
having the engineering of the celebration were
oiling the machinery, the people were enjoying
clam bake and chowder, or sitting in private
squads partaking of the repast provided by
themselves.
At IL o'clock the exercises commenced. The
audience was called to order by S. D. Bailey,
Esq, of Bath, who stated the object of the
gathering and nominated Hon. Israel Wash
burn, Jr, President, of the day. Right Rev.
Bishop Nicely opened the exercises by prayer.
Gov. Washburn on taking the stand MADE an
able and felicitous speech. He spoke of the
obligation the State was under to those gen.
to its renown. What, asked he, has Maine
been doing since Popham landed on this spot
1852 years ago, which question he answered in
his usual eloquent way and able manner, by
referring to the sturdy and intelligent men she
had raised up and sent to every part of the
world, to her forests, her manufactures, her
railroads, her cities and villages, churches,
school houses, and last, but not least, the great
enterprise that is to unite Lake Ontario with
Casco Bay. -.
President Harris, of Bowdoin College, was
1850
designations at Damariscotta and Pemequid
He said at Damariscotta Mills was found heap
of oyster shells two or three miles from the
banks of the river, estimated by DR.. jackson
to contain 100000 cubic feet, giving evil
dence that oysters in large quantities were
taken there and eaten by the early settlers.
Bones OF various kinds of animals were also
found, together with various implements made
of stone.
Rev. DR.. Packard gave gave glowing de-
scription of his visit to Pemequid, with the
other members of the committee Fifteen
hundred people assembled to receive them and
to render what aid they might require in
their researches. Evidences of paved streets
were unmistakable, as the curbing was per-
fectly distinct. Fifty years ago the walls of
old Fort Frederick were seen, and the evidence
Of there having been q village near it beyond
all question. Mrs. Hunter, 90 years of age, re-
members when there were houses on the sup
posed streets. There also evidences of a tan
merry, SC.
R. X. Sewell, Esq, of Wiscasset, gave full
and highly interesting account of of the Pop
ham and Gilbert expedition. He said two ships
landed at that place. then called Seguin, on
the 10th of August, 1907. One, named the
"GGi Gift of God" was fitted out at Bristol, and
commanded by Popham. The other, named
MARY and JOHN was fitted out in London,
and commanded by Gilbert. The further par
tlculars of the rise and progress of that expe-
dition, its landing at Seguin, the hardships en-
dured, and the death or early return of all who
nospd If NO for bo c,yr T.,
Gently published by Dr. Cole. Mr.. Sewell said
the first ship built in this country was built
under the direction of Popham, which made
voyage to England; that the first English
church was erected on that spot, and that Penn
equid and other Indian chiefs were accustomed
to attend religious services there; that Pop
ham was the first President of the United
ouurcs, having Dceu regularly elected by the
colonists. Mr.. Sewell suggested a theory that
Popham died in February and Gilbert succeed
ed him; that the "Mary and John" and "Vir-
ginia" returned to England, but the ssGift of
God" remained behind with Francis Popham,
a son OF George, and perhaps others, of whom
there has been no trace. John Smith was one
of the early men of that time and locality, who
gave it the name of New England. This John
Smith has been leading character in every
age Of the country, and nothing good or bad
has ever been accomplished in which he has
not figured. Unlike Popham in this respect,
his name is more numerousy borne than that
of any other early settler of this country.
Rev. DR.. Wood was called upon, who said he
arose more for the purpose of introducing a
gentleman from London, who had devoted his
life to historical researches, aud who bore the
title in England of G. NJ. B., meaning Screen
Mountain Boy" than to make a speech him
self. DR.. w. said that letter written in Lat
in had been found by Mr.. Bancroft, the histo-
rian, written by George Popham, while here,
stating that the belief of persons here was
that within seven days of this spot an ocean
lies that reaches China. This he thought was
prophecy uttered 262 years ago. and fulfilled
this year by the completion of the Pacific rail-
road. He then called on the gentleman refer
red to, Henry Stevens, G. NJ B., of London.
Mr.. Stevens said he had been called upon to
say an encouraging word, but, said he, you
don't need encouragement; you are going too
fast; you will arouse the jealousy of other
States and countries; instead of one anniver-
sary you will soon want two a year; you are
asking too much; you are asking oyster shells
to step out of their beds and inform you how
long they have been there and how they came
there, and SO of the paving stones and eyery-
thing else that seems so situated as to arouse
suspicion that it did not grow there or was not
placed there by the hand of its Creator. He
gave very entertaing account of the visit of
Dr. Wood in England and Germany in search
of facts in relation to the Popham expedition.
Bishop Nicely gave the subject a religious
turn by showing that Popham was Christian
missionary, &C.. ,-.rf ae-,r.a
Rev. DIR. Lincoln, of Baltimore, drew COM
parison between that spot and jamestown.
Z. Lewis, Esq, one of the editors of the New
York Post, made very able and humorous
speech, in which he was disposed to indulge in
little pleasantly at the expense of the distin-
guished men who preceded him, especially the
prophesy mentioned by DR.. Wood. 4ff
The closing speech was made by Prof. Mat
thews, of Chicago, formerly of the Yankee
Blade. 9
1t commenced raining about the time the
speeches closed, and all sought the different
means OF conveyance home The steamer
Ella afforded ample pro lection from the falling
drops, and we very selfshly said "let it rain,"
little bennets in open boats
afforded but little protection to the beautiful
wearers. At six o'clock precisely as previous
~ announced we arrived at the wharf in this
city, showing that Capt. Mitchen's character
1or being on time on the land is fully sustained
on the water.