The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-05-26

lana, QUILT his house at IhomaStOn, and reSld-
ed there till his death. He petitioned the leg
islature for recognition and confirmation OF
this grant, made 156 years before, and the leg
islature assented b. srssolve of July 4, 1885.
This resolve intelligently described the grant
which was equal to a tract thirty miles square.
Soon after it was discovered the tract speci-
fed in the resolve of 1885 ran into the Ply
mouth patent, and left deficiency for the
heirs. Then the heirs petitioned to have this
deficiency supplied, and their prayer was
granted by two resolves of February 18th and
23d, 1898, granting them lands of the Com
nionwealth, so that the line shall extend the
whole length Of the north line of the Waldo
claim SO far as the Commonwealth line adj
joins thereto, and in form 80 miles square.
The grant excepted settlers lots of 100 acres.
Mr.. Davis then had the tract surveyed by
Lothrop Lewis who reported 503,740 acres in
the Waldo patent, leaving deficiency OF II
26O acres. The heirs accepted what lands the
Commonwealth had in that quarter in lieu OF
their claims. A deed, in fee, was then made
by Mr.. Davis to Henry Knox OF date July 20,
1899, of all the Commonwealth lands in Town
ships No. and 2 mo. now Hampden) and
townships No. and In the second ran ge
(No. now Bangor excepting lots OF 100 deeds
occupied by settlers By resolve OF February
Goth, 1899, Mr.. Davis received $500 for his SER
vices. The confirmation of the grant by the
Legislature after lapse OF l56 years, is con-
sidered very generous, and more especially
vorably considered
The paner then goes on to describe how, in
the interim, between the original resolves the
land had been run off into ranges and town
ships. In moving the range lines, the angle OF
the river caused the range lines to d1verge ac-
counting for the unusual form of the towns Of
Bangor and Hampden, a portion OF what would
naturally be given to Bangor belonging 10
Hampton, and a larger portion OF the latter to
Orone. By the deed described Gen. Knox be-
came owner of Bangor, Hampton, Newburgh
and Hermon subject tossetters rights Many
settlers had located with "squatter" tribes,
and to Park Hollsnd belongs the
credit of establishing proper boundaries,
giving each settler an appropriate certlhcate
as a voucher for deed. These certificates
were placed on file for future use in estate
transfers, and pertain to the lots that cover the
whole of the thickly settled river front in Ban
COR and Hampden. These certificates were for
a long time filed in the land Office of Massa-
chusetts, and when Maine sent for them they
were found tucked awayin an old closet, to DC
used the next day for bonfire. They are now
safely deposited in the land office at Augusta.
After the lotting by Park Holland, Gen.
Knox sold the remainder of the four towns to
BENJAMIN Bussey of Roxbury, Mass, by deed
of Oct 6, 1904 Rufus Gilmore surveyed and
lotted the vacant lands, put them on the mar
ket under the agency OF Capt. Samuel Lowder
and SON. and they redivided and sold lots until
grew up from the sales
Mr., Washburn remarked that Park Holland
the famous surveyor mentioned by Mr.. Paine,
was brother of the father, or grandfather OF
DR.. J. G. Holland. He was man of infinite
humor and great intelligence.
Mr.. Gardiner, of Gardiner, thought that
Mr. Holland did some surveying in Kennebeo.
Mr.. Williamson mentioned list of the ear
ly settlers in Bangor and Hampden. preserved
in the library of the New England Historic
Genealogical Society.
An interesting discussion followed, based up
on the theory = we'll supported by facts, -
that the soil of Maine was continuously occu-
pied by John Brown and John Pierce, fifteen
years before the landing of the Pilgrims at
Plymouth, and subsequently by their descend
ants.
Photographs of the Gen. Knox mansion, as
it appeared in 1882, were presented to the soci-
ETY. by Mr.. Williamson, for which thanks were
as we'll as for the papers read.
It was voted that the Longfellow memorial
exercises at the First Parish church, be incor-
porated in the volume to be issued under the
direction of the society.
It was also voted that an invitation be ex-
tended to the American Board 10 visit the
rooms at the time of their meeting in October
EVENING SESSION.
The society met in the evening according to
adjournment. Hon. William Goold of Wind
ham, read the following paper, presenting to
the society two banners of interest to citizens
Of Portland, and photogr aphs of the tomb of
Sir Ferdinando Georges, at Wrexham. Eng,
before and after the restoration, to which the
society had rendered substantial assistance:
THE COMMEMORATIVE RAILROAD BANNER.
Mr.. President and Gentlemen of the Histort-
cal Society: -Through the kindness of friend,
I am enabled to present to you, for its safe
keeping and to decorate our principal hall, a
banner which was painted to commemorate
the completion of the railroad connection be-
tween the river ST. Lawrence and the naviga-
BILE waters of the Atlantic at Portland. 1t was
to be carried as banner of triumph
at an International celebration of the event at
Montreal, by the citizens Of Portland, who took
part in the momentous achievement, by men
and women who like Samson did not know
their power, until it was unltedly exerted for a
common object Years hence, when other
shall look upon it, it should awak-
en- as much enthusiasm and unsnimity for the
of the public good, as does the BAN
ner of Mahomet on his followers, when as
derner resort it is placed at the head of their
armies.
On one side of this banner is represented, in
colors, with artistic skill, the arms of the State
of Maine; and, on the reverse, the arms of
Names Oldest and largest city-Portland.
Although cruelty destroyed by the mother
nations hostile feet in ITS, she now offers the
same harbor for haven for merchant-ships,
and points out the nearest and safest road for
her traffic with her richest American Province.
The interest in railroads commenced in Mas
in 1928 The Lowell railroad OBJ
tanned an act of Incorporation in $780, which
was the first one chartered. The Boston and
Worcester railroad, and the Boston and Provi-
dence road was opened in 1885. The interest
teqap to move eastward in 1888. The Boston
ana Maine was chartered and its construction
was commenced at Wilmington on the Lowell
road. and reached South Berwick in 1912. The
Portsmouth, Saco and Portland railroad Com
pany was incorporated in 1887, and was opened
to Portsmouth in 1o42.
These western railroads rather tended to
transfer Portland business to Massachusetts,.
and the disappointed city began to look for a
Mace to lay down rails over which the prod
nets of the West could be brought to her har-
bor. as projects were on foot to direct the trade
of a part of Vermont, which had been transact
ed with Portland to Boston, and finally to tap
the St. Lawrence. Like q child in leading
strings. Portland distrusted her ability, and
through the slow action OF Congress, sought as
sistance from the government for a prelimina-
nv survey of a route for road towards Canada.
Tn answer to the appeal Col Long, an emil
nent engineer, was sent for the purpose.
Canada was finally aroused to the necessity OF
connecting her principal river with winter
mort by a railroad. The result of Col. Longs
suryey was recommendation of road strik-
ing the sea at Belfast. This report killed the
nroiect-it recommended another route to di-
vert trade from Portland. The commercial re-
vulsion of 1878 checked the ardor of Port
land, but in 1889 the spirit revived The aid
of the State Legislature was sought, and an APP
nropriaton was obtained, on condition that the
city of Portland should bear one-6fth of the ex-
nense. The survey was made to the Vermont
line and favorable report was all that came
of this movement
Tn 1874 Portland commenced anew and single
handed TO lay Enthusiastically towards Mon
treal. but really towards the Androscoggin at
Lewiston, as the road would pay from that
point, if the Canada project was found to be
impracticable. This railroad connection with
the ST. Lawrence absorbed the interest of the
entire CITY, which repeatedly voted pecuniary
assistance All spare capital, trust-funds and
private savings were put into the project.
Working men al working women brought