The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1870-12-29

preferred Londonderry, but Miller was strenuous
for its present appcation, to perpetuae that Of his
| birth place i'll Ireland. The difficulty was at last
settled by tossing penny.
According to Macaulay, Belfast, Ireland, is lone
of the greatest and most tiourshing seats of indus
try in the British Isles A busy population OF
eighty thousand souls are collected there. The du
Y ties annually paid at the custom house exceed the
duties annually paid at the custom house of Lon
don, in the most prosperous years OF the reign OF
Charles the III. Other Irish towns may present
more picturesque forms to the eye but Belfast is
the only large Irish town in which the traveller il
not Disguised by the oathsome aspect and odor of
/ long lines OF human dcns, far inferior in comfort
and cleanliness to the dwellings which in happier
countries are provided for cattle. No other large
| Irish town is so well cleaned, 40 well paved, so
1 brilliantly lighted
FIRST roWN MEETING.
John Mitchell was authorized to call the first
town meeting, and it was held on the 1lth day OF
/ November, 1-13, at his house, near the mouth of
Goose river, on the land now known the old
muster field The spot can be identified to this day
by the cavity of the cellar and of the Well. The
customary town officers chosen, and the cor
poratlOn duly organized.
Lot No. 2G having been set apart for public pur-
poses. future town meetings assembled "at the
Commons on the south epd of said lot" until 1892.
At first, the voters adinfrned to MitchelPs house,
and afterwards to the barn OF John Gilmore, which
was then the largest building in town. In III, ii
was voted to build log house at the Common, on
,ot No. 26, to hold meetings in.
At a special meeting called April %, 11.4, John
Tufts was chosen to carry :" Petition to the Cen
eral Court to have the observation-disclosures taxed that
as wages for man to carry said Petition be three
shngs per day he finding Nitels and Drink tor
himself" The - drink in those days, was most
important.
RELIGIOUS CHARACTER or FiRsU SETTLERS.
The first settlers inherited from their fathers, a
strong religious character. Like them, promi-
ncnt trait in IFS influence, their seadfast ad-
herencc 10 enlightened reg ous principles. In De-
cember, 49, before leaving Londonderry, 1t was
voted that each share should pay three dollars, an
nually. g for the Incorigement Of Gospel minis
ter" A committee was appointed to confer upon
the subject of n minister with the Rev. John Muir
ray, of boothbay, one Of the most eloquent Presby
terian divines in New England. A minister of the
same name, but OF far different enets the celebrated
John Murray of Boston, was then preaching the
new doctrine of universal salvation. To distinguish
these eminent divineS, they We're called by the de
tinitive appellation of iSdlrdtion and DdmnGticn
Murray. The proprietors were careful to define
which was meant. If by the assistance OF
Mr.. Murray, ot BooMbay," reads the record, {" a
minister Should Come over to us, and Should prove
TO the general Acceptance when on the Spott, and
Likewise Com well Recommended from the Pres
bytery OF Assembly of which he is a member, that
then we lngage to give Said minister, thrty-four
pounds. Eight Shmgs and SiNpence Sterling Dol
lars at four Shiliings and SiYpence apiece, yearly
Likewise a Hundred acres of Choice land in fee
Simple. Situated on the Best OF the Harbour; Like
wise Every Proprietor Ingages to give two Days
work for Each Right. Viz. One hundred and two
Cost. until we are able to advance his Salary in
Cash.
These sentiments concerning religious ordinances
were not abandoned upon arriving at their new
home. During the first year. Six shlingz Law.
tul Oh Each Right" was appropriated for preach
ing, and the same amount. the year following.
At Il special town meeting held October 10, 1iIo,
4 vote was passed upon the observance of Sunday
Voted, that if any person makes unnecessary
Vizets on the Subeth. they shall be LoOkt on with
Contempt, until they make acknowledgement to
the Public" Another vote was g to send to St.
Georges, to try to Have their Minister one Sabetil
to Preach and Baptize Children.'
Until the Revolution terminated, there was no
regular preaching. The Rev. Mr.. Murray occa-
sionIy : gave sunday" as it was called, and in
l11j, the Rev. Daniel Little, missionary to the
eastern settlements. was frequently here Services
took place in private houses.
The original mode of supporting public worship.
was by the several towns. which were established
As we'll with view to parochal duties, as to the
management of municipal affairs. Each town was
r"quired to be constantly provided with an able,
learned orhor,ioX minister" and every inhabitant
became liable to taxation for his support. After
lIlI, the anl-baptstS and Qlakers, having cOnscen-
tious scrupes rs to the right of taxation for this
purpose. We're, upon certain conditions exempted.
When Belfast was settled, the law compelled every
person to attend church, not only upon the Sabbath
but upon Fast and Thanksgiving days. under a
penalty of five shillings. Tyhingmen, whose
special duty it was to enforce this regulation, We're
annually chosen among other town officers. The
inhabitants were formerly of one doctrine and OF
one form Of worship. Different sects or denom-
nations were scarcely recognized as possessing any
legal existence A minister was usually settled fol
life or during good behavior, and any stipulation
concerning his salary or the occupation OF land re
served for him, was in the nature of Il civil con-
tract, binding the town. Until the inhabitants be
came numerous, towns were substantially parishes
WARNING oUr OF TOWN.
Under an Old colonial statute, no one could he
come It citizen, without obtaining the public ap-
proVal. Obnoxious persons were liable to be warn
ed out and upon retls; to leave to be elected. The
first instance of this summary bashment from
Belfast occurred in lt15 A copy of the record is
as follows:
Dow 10 withdraw from this town forthwith, for we
would not accept him as a town inhabtant.'
BENZ. NEsMITH,
JOHN BROWN, Selccmen.
JAMES PATTERSON,
10 John Mitchell, Town Clerk.
BELFAST DURING THE REVOLUTION.
Daring the early Years of the Re, oluton, the
people of Belfast took decided stand against the
aggressive acts of Great Britain. ard in favor OF
independence. In the October following the battle
of Bunker Hill, the town chose "a committee OF in
spection." and again in l7-6 and III. The new
government of Massachusetts was promptly recog-
nZed, and in l.,1 during the seige of Boston, it
was voted ito Send petition to the Congress by
the first Opportunity, and that Deacon John Tutft
90 to We Congress, if need Require" On the fit
teenth Of July, lI.I at meeting called for the pur-
pose of selecting "a Person to lay before the Court
list of all that are lnmicay disposed against the
United States that appear in this town, agreeahly
to an act of the Great and General Court" Solon
Stephenson was chosen AS u censor, 10 report the
misconduct of any person. either by word or action.
During the same year, LIT. 'T0lfOrd Durham, David
Gilmore, John Durham and James Miller marched
to the aid OF Machas, which was attacked by Il
British force. They served a month, and were al
lowed two pounds each by Congress 10 requl-
stion for blankets, beef and shoes, for the army
the people promptly responded. i'll the midst of
their poverty and distresses. Tie greatest suffer-
ers next to Boston, We're the towns OF eastern
Maine The coast was visited by British cruisers !;
there were few calls for wood or lumber. and un-
less provisions had been furnished rom other parts
of the country. many must have actually died Of
starvation. The Indians caused some anxiety;
for the supply of ammunition limited. A
stock had been furnished to Col. Goldthwait, the
commander at Fort Powna for distribution to the
destitute inhabitants. But he proved loyal to the
crown, and withheld from the people what was in-
tended for them Two of the citizens made an APP
plicntion to him Their request rudely de-
MED. In 177G, they determined upon yigor
ous measures. Taking what little ammunition
manned, they proceeded in body to the fort, and
deputed John Davidson and James Nichols to go
in advance and communicate their wants. They
were refused. '.We told him." said Davidson.
THAT we were determined to have a supply, and
would take it by force OF arms if we could not get
il without. BY this time our company was in sight.
We said, here comes our assistance, and you may
see them. We are determined not to be treated
the two We're who came to you on this busi-
ness before He cooled down, and gave to each Of
yJo.h hn1l o1,lH inf n,,t