The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-05-09
DAILY PRESS.
Monday Morning, May 8. 1870.
A Walk about Cape Rlixnh,,.
hcHIIaA-Nn

II A Walk about Cape Eiizabr,h.
To The Editor Of the Press:
On fast day, not having the fear of Gov
Chamberlain before my eyes, l took the op-
portunity to visit the Cape. After crossing
what they call the Ferry-but the accommo-
dations are unworthy the name-I walked in
the direction of Cushing's Point, Ia descrp-
tion of which l have given you,) and from
thence to the Fort. had previously looked
up the history of Purpooduck Point, and found
that beside the ship wreck and a large place Of
trade it had been the scene of hard fought
battles, one of which is thus recorded:
| In 1862, Major Benjamin Church of the
Plymouth Colony had been to Casco Bay 10
hareass the enemy. The expedition on its re-
turn anchored off Purpooduck Point, and the
accommodations on board the vessels being
limited, three companies of friendly Indians
encamped in deserted house on shore. At
the dawn of day the Indians lurking in the
vicinity attacked them and an obstinate en-
gagement ensued, during which the troops
from the vessels were landed. The enemv
were driven off with the loss of 10 canoes.
Several were killed and wounded ON both
sides; one Indian prisoner, "a lusty man, had
Joseph Ramsdels scalp by his side" find
that Joseph Ramsdell of Lynn was killed at
the taking of Fort Loyal at the foot of India
street short time before.
Church says of the Purpooduck fight: "Of
our forces were killed and 20 wounded. The
loss fell principally on Capt. Southworth's
company of friendly Indians from Plymouth
Colony, of whom fifteen were killed and
wounded"
| In August 17OS, the enemy, consisting of
five hundred French and Indians, invaded our
frontier and dividing into small parties unex-
pectedly attacked all the settlements from
Casco to Wells. The inhabitants of Purpoo-
duck were the most severe sufferers in this
sudden onset. There were nine families then
settled on and near the Point who were not
protected by any garrison, and they came sud-
denly on the deienceless hamlets when the men
were absent, killed twenty-five persons. and
took several prisoners. Among the killed
were Thomas Lovitt and his family, Joel
Madiferd and the wives of Zeriah and Bepia-
min Wallis, and of Michael Webber. Josiah
Wallis made his escape to Black Point with
hisssOn John, then seven years old, part OF
the way on his back" These fights were
probably near fort Preble and Simonton's
Cove.
In passing over the ground 1 came to the
old burying ground near which there was
log meeting house in Parson Smiths time,
where he used to preach occasionally. Close to
the bank, so near that part of the graves
have fallen down, stands slate stone with the
top broken off and gone, leaving only the date
of death, April 26, 1744. / was there two
years ago when the pieces were beside the
stone, showing the name of Mrs. Simonton.
1t was probably one Of the wives of the first
settlers who gave the name to the Cove;
and only one other old stone, with an inscrip-
tion, that of James Maxwell, who died March
9TH, 1892, aged 90.
! There are several marble stones of the
Thrasher family, Of later date, an account of
which will be found below, although not men,
toned by any historian. had heard of an
old timber garrison at Simonton's beach, and
in going south soon came to it. It was built
by John White, son of the Rev. John White
OF Gloucester, Cape Ann. who came here in
1726. He was tanner. His wife was Je-
rusha Woodbury. of Beverly, probably sister
of Joshua Woodbury., who came from Bever-
iy the same year and settled at Simonton's
cove. He was the ancestor Of all that name
| in this vicinity. The house built by White is
| of square white oak timber, hewed and halyed
at the corners and clapboarded, very low sto-
| ry, not over six and half feet, and ceiled ov-
erhead with two inch plank, built in this
| strong manner as protection against Indi-
| ans The cellar is in good repair, being of
Slate stone laid up in lime mortar, which ac-
counts for the house being in so good repair at
the age of 144 years. The house is now used
for a porch to a two-story house built by Eben
Thrasher, also tanner, who came from Sa-
lem and married Whites widow, continuing
the business in Whites lanyard, extending
from the house to Simonton's beach, The
old watts with the well from which they were
filled are still to be seen. The house is occu-
pied by Miss Lucretia Thrasher, a grand
daughter OF the builder of the large house. 1t
| Is not often that property remains so long in
one family with no alterations, only additions.
Miss Thrasher treated me very cordially al
though stranger, giving me most of the
| above facts, and will any one taking an inter
est as did in this, the only remaining timber
garrison house in the vicinity. A visit to it
seems like taking one back to the middle of
the last century.
| The next point of interest was the old
Simonton house farther up the cove, and the
old Simonton orchard where after Parish
and Church war from May 1855 to May 1856,
on the goth day, Mr.. Smith says: "Many OF
our people went over and installed Mr.. Clark
in Simonton's orchard" Mr.. Smith wrote out
sixteen reasons why he should not be INSTALL
ed, one of which was "perpetually riding
| about pleasuring." There a few of the old
trees of the orchard left, but the most of them
are gore, as are all the people who took part
IN ithe controversy. For all Parson Smith
speaks so disrespectfully of the man and
place chosen for his installation, any one visit
ing the spot will with me conclude that it was
not an Inappropriate place, although not the
| usual one Tor such a ceremony; surrounded as
it is by noble trees, ON a gentle slope over
looking hamlet whose spiritual adviser he
| ought to be.
Providence Ismiled on his ministry for n
period OF over 40 years, notwithstanding the
opposition was so bitter that over twenty of
i to pay church rates. On the 18th of ,June
Parson Smith says, "Col. Cushing recovered
his cause of rates. A terrible uproar about
Mr.. Clarks being poisoned" Mr.. Clark died
| In the ministry in 1907, Judge Freeman saws.
without a stain on his character" Even
| Col. Gushing asked to be received again after
being set off to the First Parish by an act Of
the General Court.
| Simonton's Cove takes its name from VIM.
and Andrew Simonton, who came to Fail
mouth in Ills, with twenty other families in
o ship from Londonderry, Ireland; all of
whom were descendants of Scotch Presbyte-
| terians.
| VIM. Simonton had a wharf in the Cove
| where he did large West India aud fishing
business, accommodating many other vessels
besides his own. He died in 1904, AGED one
hundred years. They built each large two
story house on the high ground fscing the
Cove. One is there yet, of venerable appear
ance, with its large chimney, not square at
the top. but with many angles, like the houses
in old Ipswich, on the stage road to Boston
40 years ago. Like Whites Garrison it is
occupied by maiden lady, descendant Of
the family. When 1 was there few years
ago both houses were standing; since, one
has been taken down:
| s'Seven score years II stood
| Yes they built 1t WE'LL
| Though they built OF wood
| When that house arose,
| For its cr0ss-beams square
| Oak and walnut fell
| Little worse for wear
| Down the old house goesl"
know of no more pleasing landscape than
is that seen looking north from the high
ground south Of that ancient settlement of
Simonton's Cove. / wonder the painters
have not found it, but it is too near home to
be appreciated. In the distance on clear
day one sees the White Mountains; nearer Is
Black Strap Hill with its high lookout, the
Marine Hospital, Munjoy Hill with its VEN
cradle observatory and signal station; below.
the ocean steamers at their wharves, with nu .
merous coasting steamers; the Grand Trunk
Railroad station little to the right; Fort
Gorges with its frowning granite battlements
| and three tiers of embrasures; nearer is Fort
Scammel surmounted by its picturesque
tower; and nearer still is old Fort Preble.
| the headquarters of the defenders of Portland
| itc harr OBJ