The Portland daily press., 1883-10-22
THE PORTLAND AND CAPE ELIZA.
BETH BRIDGE.
An Old Petition and Something About rts
Signers.


In the Eastern Herald of June 4, 1892, print
ed and published by Thomas Baker Wait, at
his office in the Main street, opposite the Hay
Market, Portland, I lately found the following
petition:
TO the Honorable Senate and the House of Represea
tatiUesef the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, IN
General Court assembled;
The petition of Thomas Robinson and others. the
subscribers hereof, humbly shows
That in consideration of the great Inconvenience
which the people of Cape Elizabeth and its Vicinity
labor under on account of their passing the riv
er running between that town and the town of Port
land, and to shorten the distance of travelling from
the westward to the town first mentioned as we'll as
to promote general advantage to the, towns ada
cent and the public at large they have 1t ia conten
platon to build bridge across said river from the
wharf OF your petitioners above named. proyidea
they can have such countenance and support from
this honorable Court shall encourage themto nro-
coed upon their intended plan. They therefore
humbly pray that your honors would take this their
design, into consideration and pass an act whereby
your petitioners with such others as they should ad
NIT to join them, may be incorporated into COM
pany for carrying it into execution; and that toll
should thereby be established by which they may be
reimbursed the sum they may expend thereon, and
to keep it in repair and your petitioners as in duty
bound will ever pray.
THOMAS ROBINSON THOMAS MOTLEY
NATHANIEL f. FosDIcK, SAMUEL FREEMAN
JOHN WAITE, BARZILtAI DELANo,
JAMES LEACH, GEORGE DEAKE
NATHANIEL COFFIN, STEPHEN CoDMAN
JAMES foSDICK, JOHN ARMSTRONG;
Portland, Jan. 1892.
Robinson's wharf was at the foot az PARK
street. Thomas Robinson was a Scotebman.
born 10 the Orkneys. In 1876 he, in partner
ship with Edgar & Reed, carried on the dis
uliing business. He was selectman in 1888
1879. He died in 1906 in Canada.
Thomas Motley was son of John Motley
who came to Portland from Belfast, ireland. IN
1913. Thomas married Emma, daughter of
John Waite. He kept tavern in Main street,
was an active Freemason and treasurer Of
Portland Lodge No. in 1885. The lodge met
at ms tavern In 1888 and part of 1886 He was
grandfather OF J. Lothrop Motley, the histori-
an.
Nathaniel Fade Fosdick was Collector of the
PORT of Portland aud falmouth from 1887 mn
til 1901. This officer was called Naval Officer
prior to 1859. On the death of Mr.. Thomas
Child. his predecessor, Mr.. Nathaniel Deering
notified Mr. Fosdick in the night of the yacan
cy with hint that a quick movement would
be in order. The hint was acted upon and at
midnight Ia the midst OF a violent snow storm
ne st arted for Boston on horseback to make an
plication for the place. His promptne.s gave
him the Office much to the regret of others
who did not saddle their horses in season. He
was born IN Marblehead in 1850, came to
Portland after the war and was its first Colec-
tor OF customs. he was gentleman of the
old school and an ardent Federalst. He mar
ried Abigail, daughter of Ephraim Jones. by
whom he had several children. He died at
Salem, Mass, in 1919. His widow lived until
1921, her age at death being nearly 81.
Samuel freeman was one vf the men of
prominence in his day; so much SO that it is
needless TO say so to any one who has ever
looked up Portland history.
John Waite, was sheriff OF Cumberland
county thrty-ioer years. He was son of John
Waite, who came here from Newburg Mass,
about 1877.
Barzillai Delano was a blacksmith at the
Cape He lived on the shore road Just besond
the Portland Light. The blacksmith shop
s STAN there is on the site of his home in
lf92. He was man of great strength, and
prominent in town affairs. Was I'd the Legis-
iature OF Massachusetts several years. His son
was killed on the Clark street bridge a few
years ago, and his widow owns the property.
Her daughter married Moses Hatch, a black
smith who works in this city. Mr.. Delano
used to burn his charcoal at Deano brook.
which runs through the estate.
Of James Leach l can find no mention He
probably lived at the Cape.
NtSSA 50 Dodeo Was T6slU0Db Oh cape Eliza
beth, and Is described in old records as "gen-
tleman." He lived at Simonton's Cove. He
died in 1927. aged So. He was the father Of
Benjamin and Joseph Deake benjamin.
married Standish. "a descendant from Miles
Standish: He lived on Pleasant street and
died in 1854. He had two sons. George is still
living. Charles married a daughter of
Capt. Isaac Sturdivant. Through this marriage
ne acquired the wharf which is named for him
He lett a son, Charles s., who IS book keeper
for tae firm of Morgan & Butler
Nathaniel Coffiu was distinguished physi-
clan, son of Nathaniel, who followed the
same profession.
Stephen Goldman moved here from Boston.
he was merchant, and was delegate TO the
convention 10 1856 to consider separation.
de returned to Boston. His wife was a daugh-
ter OF Thomas Robinson. James Fosdick was
brother OF Nathaniel Fosdick. He has a
daughter living in this city He was mer-
chant.
John Armstrong of Irish descent and
lived at the Cape.
The bridge asked for was built few We airs
later, but not on the site mentioned How
long it remained e toll bridge / will leave for
my good friend W. G. to tell your readers.
w. H. S.