The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-12-14

Registry OF Deeds for York County. These
time worn records of conveyances under
the Gorges Charter, and Of the to 1912,
and were Of value to the State in
historical point of view. There were
also private letters, petitions, accounts, in
ventOries and correspondence, which would
have an increasing value as years rolled on,
and these papers were In constant danger Of
being lost, or destroyed. Over 20 years be-
fore this, the subject Of printing these early
records was discussed but the agitation en-
ded in doing nothing until Mr.. Hull received
the matter. He called public attention TO
their worth, and to the importance Of having
q copy for our own county. He pointed ont
that third of the recorded deeds related to
titles in Cumberland county The convey
ance from Sir Ferdinando Gorges tc George
Cleeyes was there. The grant of Sir Ed
and various other important titles are there
found. He published some articles calling
attention to the loss, which must ensue If
fire should consume the wooden courthouse,
adjoining the registry office; and he was
instrumental in bringing out the present
volumes which have been published under
the auspices of the Maine Historical Society.
AS representing the society. the late I'll. w.
Richardson was given the oversight of the
publicat on and wrote the scholarly and
valuable introduction, while portion of the
records were transcribed by Mr.. Sargent.
To have been an instrument in producing
so reliable a work is an honorable dis
tinction. The introduction alone Is
mine of wealth to the student of early
colonial history. The study Of the pro-
prietary charters granted in Maine, so
confusing and so tangled before this time.
has been so clearly stated that henceforth
this book will be invaluable, as a work of
reference in all questions relating to the
early charters of Maine. The copies Of his
little pamphlet called, "Titles to Islands In
Casco Bay" have been eagerly sought for
and the edition Is exhausted. His connec-
ti0n with the Portland centennial anniyer-
sary is fav0rably known and the preparation
of the material for the centennial volume
was speedily and accurately done, but 1t
involved vast amount Of labor without
much compensation Almost the last
literary work performed by him was his hand
book of Portland in 1885. In his feeble con-
diton correcting proofs of this new venture
and for the York Records was too great
task upon his strength and undoubtedly
shortened his days. His aim in this new
hand book was. to furnish to the travelling
public and summer visitor fuller account
of Portland and vicinity in order to make 1t
better known as place OF summer resort.
His love for the city by the sea was so strong
that he felt if her many advantages were
better known, it could not fail but that
others would be attracted to this picturesque
locality for sumner resort
As to the character of the man there were
many attractive qualities of mind and heart,
but he was quiet and reserved and not much
known save By few of his life long friends.
He was O communicate of st. PauPs Church.
and yestryman for few years, until his
removal TO Deering, when he retired from
active interest in its affairs. de was
generous in his prosperity, giving largely
to religious and charitable objects, man Of
bright intellect and quick perceptions and
with great capacity for work in certain
directions Moreover he had great con-
fdence in his own Judgment which is power
in compelling success in life. 1t Is possible
that an over confidence may have hindered
success in those pursuits which be under
took for himself. but it Is more than likely
that he had not early found his true vocation.
He had scholarly ways and habits of thought
and in that sphere he was truly successful.
He died January &C. 1889.
We read in the Old Testament writings
that other nations lived in Palestine, greater
ana more powerful than the children Of
Israel when they entered the promised land.
The Canaanites, the Hettites, Hirites and
the Jebusites have persisted and been for
gotten because they had no written history
to keep them before the minds Of living gen.
eratioDs But a more glorious future
awaited Israel because she had the voice of
prophet and the pen of scribe to place ON
record the stirring scenes of individual action
and national life, or In like example OF
Roman greatness. There we're other soldiers
as victorious as 'the foremost man OF all
this world" But Cesar alone had that rare
gift TO leave record of what he did. At the
end of the tedious march, at the close Of
the weary day of battle, night after night
with the help Of lighted torch and bark
tablet.he jotted down in the spirit of the
prophet what had been-sained, how he
had wrought, what he had suffered.
Other men were tOiling and fighting
and suffering with him, but this man
alone made the record which has come
down to US through 1000 years, and all men
now acknowledge the greatness Of their
obligation for what he has given them. Do
we honor as we ought, in our day, these men
of historic spirit? They are their country's
benefactors-we do well to honor those who
serve their country in any form. We raise
monuments to the men who gave their lives
for their country's defence. We exalt their
sacrifices as the highest Of human virtues.
We copy In enduring bronze the face OF the
poet, who made it his calling to speak words
of power, words which have comforted and
warmed and strengthened human hearts
and shall we not honor that man who brings
to light forgotten history, writes 1t anew and
makes it live. He who revives the worthy
deeds, the heroic struggles, of our fathers; he
who tells in fresh and living story of their sac
rifce and loyalty, so that we may catch their
noble spirit and initiate their virtues, in our
day-that man, too, deserves our grateful
tribute, and this society by the law Of its
existence offers here, its need of honor to
the man, who in this special field OF labor,
serves so well his day and generation.