The Portland daily press., 1870-09-15
DAILY PRESS.
PORTLAND
Thursday Morning, september 10, 1870.
Historical Visit TO York aud skit,ery.

Historical Visit 10 York aud Aiftery.
To the Editor Of the Press:
You have already published truthful ac-
count OF the excursion of the Committee of
the Historical Society with their invited guests
10 York and Kittery, by a correspondent Or
| reporter, better versed in Historical authori-
Ties than am; yet saw things that he did
hot' and will describe what did see, and ' ou
can PICK out what you like, or reject the
Whoie. My harvesting would not admit of
my leaving on Monday, which put me day
behind l left Portland in the o'clock train,
and arrived at KIttery about II. found the
Rev. DIR. Fiske of Bath, enquiring for the
York stage. We learned that we should have
10 walt some time for its arrival from Ports
mouth, and also that its reputation was bad
for speed. We accidentally net boy in the
Depot who said he had wagon with one seat
and was alone. We soon struck bargain
and left for York. We arrived there in time
Tor dinner. On meeting some of the commit
tee l learned that the programme for the
afternoon was visit to tine 2d Parish, five or
SIX miles up river. While waiting for the
hour for starting visited the Old Jail, an an.
tique building of two stories built of wood,
with gambrel roof, situated on high ledge.
1t has not been used for a prison for many
years, but is occupied for dwelling house.
There is dungeon built of stone in the lower
story, where murderers were confined until
executed at Stage Point" 1t has door of
oak four inches thick sheathed with iron, and
a huge lock and bolts. The last prisoner con-
lined there was hung for murder many years
ago, and like Byron's prisoner of Chillon "hls
rusty chain with links unfastened did re-
MAN," 1t is heavy crotched chain fastened
to staple in the middle of the floor, with
clasps Tor the legs. 1t is thickly encrusted
with rust, and the whole appointment has an
ugly look. All the other apartments for pris-
oners are in the upper story built OF three or
1our thlcknesses OF oak plank, with round iron
bars at the windows two inches thick, and
round the aperture to pass food from the en-
try, there are pieces of mill saws laid in be-
tween the planks with the teeth projecting
into the opening. I could not learn its age,
but it is probably the Oldest prison in New
England. On leaving 1 found the carriages
ready,and the whole party of about thirty were
taken in private carriages to the site of the
ancient city OF Agamenticus. 1t was char
tered by Sir Ferdinando Gorges in 164I. 1t
was governed by mayor and aldermen and
a recorder. Thomas Gorges, cousin of Sir
Ferdinando was the first Mayor. Hutchlnson's
History published in 1854 says, che lived about
one mile above Trafton's Ferry near Gorges
FONT, and the cellar of his house femains
until this day." The spot is well known, and
after riding through fields we drew up around
the cellar, and after uncovering, Hutchinson's
account was read, and several took pieces of
the slate stone foundation. The owner of the
land recollects ploughing up the bricks sew
eral years ago, and an antique spoon with a
round bowl was shown, which was found in
the cellar A gentleman stated that few
years ago two men came there who said they
were from England, enquired for the spot,
and took away a box Of EARTH We also saw
an apple tree on the Masterton property, which
was brought from England in tub of earth
in 1860, consequently it is 22O years old. Its
history can be traced correctly. II bore sew
eral apples this season, one OF which have,
and from which l hope to raise a tree. 1t is
said to be the Oldest apple tree in the country
and no one would doubt it from its appear.
ance.
| We next stopped at the old grave yard of
the Scotland Parish. The stones are all lean
ing and show great age. One of them marked
the grave OF the consort of Peter Novel;, who
died in 1929. The one of most interest, was
large slate stone, over the grave of Handker-
Chief Moody, so called from the habit of wear
ing handkerchief over his face in public. 1t
Is said he accidentally killed companion
when young and grew melancholy after he
was ordained minister, so much so that he
always wore the covering over his face in the
pulpit until his death. The inscription reads,
"Here lyes ye body of the Rev. Joseph Moody,
Pastor OF ye second church in York, an excel.
lent example of knowledge, ingenuity, piety
and virtue. Was serviceable as scnool-
master, clerk, register, magistrate and after
wards as minister, IncOmmonly spirited to
do good and accordingly was highly esteemed
and greatly beloved, he deceased March 10th,
1853, in the SD year OF his age.
Although this stone shall mould er into dust
Yet Joseph Moody's name co ltnue must.
We next visited the two timber garrison
houses built for protection against Indians,
with the second story projecting about Is in
ches over the first The McIntre garrison is
occupied by Miss Sarah McIntire, great grand
daughter of the builder There are port holes
: for muskets in the projection of the second
story. 1t has been the residence of the brother
OF Miss McIntire until within year, who is said
to be the richest man in York County, and has
built fine house on the same farm. On the
opposite side of the road is tie Junkins garri-
son, not occupied, but owned by the descend
ants of the builder.
After crossing to the south side of the York
river we rode down the south shore through
rich farmspast the site of the first corn mill in
: Maine, still occupied for that purpose, and
over the site of the first pier bridge in New
England, built by Major Sewall. His draw
ings were shown. He afterwards built a
bridge over the Charles river, between Boston
and Charlestown. After our return to the
village l visited the old burying ground Of the
. LIST Parish opposite the church. There are
I many large head stones of slate covered with
moss so thick that had to scrape it off tc
read the lnscriptions and what is remarkable
the old homesteads are owned by the de
scendants OF the first occupants, whose name:
arc the same as tfose the grve stones.
, soon found ''Father Moody's" grave as h,
was called. He was the father of "Hand
kerchief Moody" and Chaplain in the
Louisburg expedition under Pepperel
anu an uncle of Lady Pepperel by marriage
Here is his epitaph: 'Here yes ye body of "
S Rev. Samuel Moody, A. NJ, ye jealous, faith
full and successful pastor of ye first church il
York. Was born in Newberry Jan. 4th, 1876
graduated 1897, came hither 1903, ordaine
, in Dec. 100, and died here Nov. 13, 1747. Fo
his further character you may red Cor. &c
the six first verses"
Here is another: "This stone is fixed at tn
head of ye grave of Abraham Preble, Esq
u Deacon of ye church and Captain OF ye tow
90 and one OF ye justices of the county OF YORK
k Was universally faithful to ye death, who de
Of ceased Oct. ye 4th, 1714, act. TO-" He wa
" the ancestor of Brigadier Preble of old Fal
as mouth. There was also one of another Abra
y ham Preble, probably son of the former, "wh
ss held no less than nine offices of honor an
A. public trust at his death" which occurred i
lie 1928. There is one over the grave of anothe