The Republican journal., 1877-07-12
Williamson's History of Belfast.

HISTORY OF THE CITY OF BELFAST in the State OF
Maine. from its First settlement in ITO to 1873.
BY Joseph Williamson. Portland: Loring. Short
and Harmon, 1877
before the public, the author has more
than redeemed the promises of his pros
pectus. The History is an elegantly print
cd and bound volume of $50 large octave
pages 1t is beyond question the best
arranged, most complete, conscientious
and exhaustive local history ever pub
lished in the country. Belfast may not
present so attractive a field as some other
localities, but the pains taking fidelity OF
her historian has produced volume OF
which any city might be proud, and made
most of the material at his command.
"Posterity delights in Details is quoted
from John Quincy Adams as a motto for
the title page, and details We are given
most abundantly.
While the historian, in the larger sense,
labors in the theatre of great events, and
writes of that which makes the records
of a nation, or of the world, he who does
kindred but more circumscribed work,
sets for himself task of scarcely less
delicacy and labor, and, within its limits,
of no less interest. The conscientious
historiographer of a locality has rarely, if
ever, a remuneratiye labor; but he has
in, 1,a Thanks hf tho intnl1-
gent and public spirited among his CO.
tempOraries, and the gratitude of posteri-
ty. And these will be accorded to the
historian of Belfast, in proportion as his
work eXcels in desirable features all that
have preceded it,
The book has as frontispiece a very
handsome colored engraving of Belfast,
taken from the east side of the river.
There are also thirty-fv other engrav-
ings Of maps, public and private build
ings and objects of interest. In addition
to these there are given the following
portraits of persons prominently con-
nected with the history of the city-Gen.
Samuel Waldo. Hon. Hugh j. Anderson,
Rev. Ebeuezer Price, Rev. William Froth-
ingham Rev. Cazneau Palfrey, Hon. Will
liam Crosby Hon. John Wilson, Hon. VIM.
G. Crosby, Col. Alfred w. Johnson, The
Author, Col Thomas II. Marshall Hon.
Nathan Read, Nathaniel ,'ilson. There
are also autographs of John Mitchell, and
Of Gen. Gosselin, the Commander of the
British forces that occupied the town in
1914
The opening chapter is devoted to the
topography of Belfast, its situation, di-
mansions, natural features, &c, in which
all locations and points Of interest are
noted. Then follow records of the early
yoyagers to Penobscot Bay, Weymouth,
Roster, John Smith, and others. The
history of the Muscongus or Waldo Pa
tent is given at length. 1t was through
this patent that the proprietorship of
Gen. Knox came, from whom the title to
the land covered by the city was derived.
Chapter -Four contains the history of the
first settlement on Penobscot Bay, at
Fort Point. In 1850, Gen. Waldo, with
Il force OF 100 men, arrived at Fort Point,
where he had determined to build fort,
and take formal possession Of the country
in the name of the English crown. The
Penobscot river was considered of great
Importance, us being the main avenue
from Canada to the sea. Its possession
would secure the country to the King,
and prevent the incursions of hostile
French and Indians. Gen Waldo per
formed an act, during that year, which
had an important bearing on the fortunes
of what is now the State of Maine
After recommending the shore, Governor Pownall
landed on Wasaumkeag Point, now Fort Point in
stockton, and encamped his men. Although the
spot seemed favorable for his purpose, he did not
decide to build his fort there till he had made fur
Their explorations With detachment of one hun
bred and thirty six men, he assembled the river and
landed on the eastern side. a few miles above
Brewer On the I'D of May he took possession
OF the country i'll the name of the king and on
1.-THE top of very high piked HILL on We east side
We river, about three miles above Marine Navga-
CATION. with due ceremonies, buried Il leaden plate
containing this inscription:
MAY %, l759 PROVINCE MASSACHUSETTS BAY.
DoMINIoNS oF GREAT BRITAIN.
PoSStSstoH CoMfrmed by Th0moS PoraaU, Goce.uor.
This solemn act had an Importance which, at
the time. could not have been toreseen 1t Great
ed the evidence OF possession and jurisdiction that
enabled commissioners at Paris for establishing
the treaty Of 1873 when the question of the limits
Of the United States came to be discussed, to in
SlSt upon the st. CroiX, instead of the Penobscot
as tho eastern boundary. The British plenpoten-
tlaries claimed that Massachusetts had never right
fully exercised jurisdiction east of the latter river
John Adams, one of our commissioners, settled
the question by exhibiting the record OF Governor
Pownall. Thus this act of occupation secured to
our State large and valuable portion of its ter
ritory ithout it. the country east Of Penobscot
would now have been part of New Brunswick
or perhaps province by itself, proposed
during the Revolution, under the name of New
Ireland, with Castine as its capital.
Near the spot where the plate was deposited
General Waldo seized with an attack of apo
plexy, and soon after expired. The expedition
Immediately returned TO Fort Point, bringing his
remains, which inferred the following
day with military honors and religious services.
They still repose there, but the exact place is un-
known.
Governor Powna having found ''no place equal
to this Point of asaumkeag, determined this to
be the place for the Fort Having selected spot
about twenty five rods from the waters edge, in
front Of the site Of the present hotel, where re
mains of the breastwork vet to be seen, he
commenced the erection of fertilization, insg
nitcant compared with military works of the pres
ent day, but sufficient to intimidate the savages,
and to insure protection from their raids. As its
establishment was the means of opening the whole
Pcnobscot valley to settlers, and of inviting i'm
migration to the territory which embraced Belfast
Il brief description of the structure may be appro-
pirate.
1t regular fertilization, with parapet
ditch and glacs, square in FORM with fankers,
and blockhouse in the centre. The dimensions
were three hundred and sixty feet, or ninety feet
each inner side of the brcastwork, which was
ten feet in height This circumvallated by a
moat or ditch fifteen feet in width at top five at
the bottom and eight deep. In the centre of the
ditch PALISADES quite around the fort except
at the portcus on the eastern side, where draw
bridge crossed the excavation. The blockhouse
was two stories i'll height, and had fankers of da
mond shape at each corner The latter were thir-
tythree feet side, the blockhouse itself be
ing forty four feet square, and all constructed OF
square timber dovetaed at the corners. In the