The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-09-20
FOOT PRINTS OF THE PAST.
Pemaquid AS It Now Is.
NO. ".

On our arrival at "The Fort" as the point Is
called at the harbor of Pemaquid, on Friday,
aiter pleasant ride of two hours the first
place sought was the site of Phipps Fort Will
liam Henry, built in 1892. This was said to
have stood twenty rods from high water mark.
II this was 80, the land in front must have
| been washed away to the extent of sixteen
rods, which am willing to believe, knowing
as do how fast the sea encroaches on the land
| after the trees and bushes are cleared away
| Probably Andross Fort Charles, which was of
| timber, rebuilt in 1907, stood on land where
| now is only beach stones, as 1t was overlooked
| by rock, from which-t the Indians threw mis-
sies into it. The great rock, which was en-
closed in Phips's barbacan, or great, tanker, is
| the only one answering that description at this
| part OF the harbor. The remains of streets
| and cellars strengthens this theory. 1t has
been seen that the New York council in 1877,
| directed that "a street of good breadth be left
directly from the fort to the narrowest part of
the neck, towards New Harbor." This street
undoubtedly is one of those concerning which
there has been SO much speculation, whose re-
mains are now easily to be traced with cellars
on each side.
That there are paved streets here has often
been denied. This assertion shows that he
who makes it has not been there or Is incom-
petent to investigate. There are numerous
witnesses that at visit of the Historical Soci-
ETY. to Pemaquid few years ago, a section of
street fifteen feet long, of the whole width was
uncovered, showing close pavement of field
or cobble stones, between the cutters, which
were paved with smooth beach stones, secured
outside with long, rough curb stones. Mr..
Partridge has owned the Fort farm of 400 acres
for thirty years, on which he has lived; he it
the place now in good grass. The street led
from where naturally would bs tho landing
wharf, to the fort gate, with one turn. OF
course there was much heavy traffic to this
wharf. AS early as 1640, Capt. Grafton got
cargo OF twenty cows, some oxen and hay at
Pemsquid, for the Salem colony. This agricul-
tural community hauled all their produce for
the fishing ships this street, and also their
own supplies and building materials. The
New York Council, who had the government
of Pemaquid in 1766, ordained that there
should be no trade whatever, upon any ac-
count, on no pretense whatsoever, at no time,
4 ~
A custom house was here, and all foreign en-
tries east of Falmouth were made here. The
traffic with New York alone, as shown by the
records published in the M. 81. Society's fifth
volume, would make busy place of single
street in any city. Is it marvellous thing that
there were pavements in these short streets?
Most of the settlers and traders at Pemaquid
were from European towns, where all open
spaces were paved, and of course they knew
the benefit of a pavement where there was
heavy traffic, besides the material was at their
own DOORS Gov. Phips hauled 1000 tons of
stone to rebuild the fort over these streets, and
the eighteen-pound cannon to arm it were
drawn up the hill from the landing over the
same route. Does any one suppose all this
carting could be done in the ordinary way,
over streets of soil, or even gravel? The pave
ment, with the facilities for doing it, was the
cheapest way to make good cartway.
While Mr.. Partridge was pointing out to us
in his affable way, the direction of the streets
over which he has 80 often ploughed, seyerai
OF his neighbors gathered there, some Of whom
helped him uncover the pavement. They all
testified to his statement as to the appearance
Of the pavement He took us over his field
and pointed out the cellars, which he says
number AZ, aside from those on the streets near
the site of the fort, which have disappeared.
The person from whom he purchased the farm
said that he had filled up large numbers OF
well stoned cellars, not now visible There
is, in range Of cellars, one very large one evil
IDENTITY that OF public building,-probably the
public storshouse of the town. We found
similar one at the Sheepscot FARMS at the time
of the visit of the society there. That there ia
anything mysterious or prehistoric in these
paved streets and cellars do not believe. They
are sufficiently accounted for by written histo-
ry and natural philosophy.
was particularly gratifed with the appear
ance of the foundations of Phips' fort William
Henry. Although it is 1856 years since the
blowing up of the fort by the French, the en-
tire circuit of the foundations with outline of
the bastions is easily to be traced, although
ever since the remains of this immense fort
ress have been used as stone quarry. All the
cellars, walls and farms of the peninsula have
been walled with stones from this source and
many of them have the old shell lime mortar
still adhering to them.
The central point of interest here is the
great rock which was enclosed in the
barbacan at the west corner of the fort, which
made the principal magazine bombpreof 1t is
some ten feet above ground Under the land
side is the vault which history says was eight
feet below the surface. The walls Of the en-
trance are plain to be seen, although it has
been filed up with debris. Mr.. Partridge SAYS
by vote in town meeting, as shown by the re-
20, ;tz l.
There probably has been no time for years
when these foundations could be so easily trac-
ed as the present The extreme drought has
dried the turf on top of the WALL while it
shows some green at the sides. There are
some foundations within the 200 feet enclosure
evidently of more modern date
L There could be no more pleasing employ
ment for an antiquarian with means, than to
superi tend the clearing of the magazine un-
der the rock. The M. III. society should take
it in hand by subscription, and also the expos
ure of the pavement to view. Another appro-
pirate work for them would be to
employ diver to hunt for the wreck of the
ship Angel Gabriel" which was stranded
with her cargo, and sunk with part of her
passengers 251 years ago. She anchored in
front of the fort and was driven from her
anchors in an easterly storm. 1t would be
easy to tell where she would take bottom In an
easterly storm. Mr. Partridge of the fort farm
says that diving bell was once used here to
fnd the wreck of man-of-war, and that cam
non were seen Of iron, while they were expect
ing to find brass guns. The sunken Angel had
sixteen guns and was Of 450 tons-a large ship
for these days.
Mr.. Partridge is disgusted with relic hunters
He says the finding Of the vault lined with
bricks curved to make circle of seven feet,
and narrowed at the top, brought a regiment
Of them. Although he built house of boards
over the vault they broke it sopen and carried
off all of the bricks within year from its dis.
covery. He thinks if a pavement should be
uncovered here, unless it was watched by an
armed guard, the stones, curbs and all would
| disappear. There is no place ia Maine of half
| the historical interest of old Pemaquid, which
| has witnessed many battles, being taken and
| destroyed several times.
| Like all old settlements its graveyard is of
| interest to antiquarians. Unlike most modern
villages, the old enclosure has not been aban-