The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-04-13

fifteen ships TO swing at anchor at one time
and not foul, and probably several Of these
the principal settlement was. OF course
some Of these ships failed to get full cargo
of fish, and like Winters bark, filed up with
pipe-staves, clapboards and the like; and
who was there here at that time that could
supply them but Arthur Macworth? This
lumber industry will account for the many
remaining foundations Of chimneys on the
island and In the vicinity.
Arthur Macworth was the father Of the
hamlet, an Eplscopallan, and probably read
service to his family, employees, and neigh
bors from the English prayer book on the
Sabbath. This Is shown TO be more than
probable BY the seizure and Imprisonment OF
Rev. Robert Jordan in 16so by Massachusetts
officers. The accusation was the baptism Of
three children Of Nathaniel Wallis after ex-
ercises were ended on the Lords day, In the
house Of Mrs. Macworth. The ordinances
Of the Church of England were forbidden to
Massachusetts,; but Mr.. Jordan did not
acknowledge this authority in Maine.
Arthur Macworth had then bsen dead three
years. He died In 1857. His first wife Is not
mentioned in any record or document to any
knowledge.
He afterward married the widow Of Samuel
Andrews, who was one Of Vines's settlers
and died in about 1857, leaving one son,
James, who came to Falmouth with his
mother, and had a farm next to that OF his
otCp Ahbuct-At was Ou us LhEIl budt Lut Now
Casco fort was built. Arthur Macworth
left sons and daughters who were settled
around him, after the patriarchal manner.
Tne York records contain the testimony
Of Arthur Macworth's minister, Rev. Mr..
Jordan, relating to his will which further
illustrated the character Of the man: ,"Aug
nth, 1860. Robert Jordan, do ascertain on
oath, that l heard Mr.. Arthur Macworth on
his death bed declare, that his full will and
testament was, that his wife, Jane Macworth
ah0nld hy hQr tgiodoun Afonoaa NJ hfa VII
real estate, equally, as near as might be, be-
tween her former husbands children and the
children between them, and In case any
shortness was on either side, IL should rather
be on his own children's side; and further
saith not, only the decease OF the said Mr.
Macw0rth was before the submission OF these
towns Of Scarborough and Falmouth to the
Massachusetts authority"
The name Of Macworth Is now extinct here
except as 1t Is borne by his point and island.
Arthur Macworth was probably buried on
his own farm.
In making the approach to the bridge in
1927, the men found buried the bones Of
f-s6verai iipaeegsons These were probably the
remains Of Macwoffsiss- and bis is,nily. When
that the committal service OF the Ensf.SSh
church was read over them.
We now come TO the modern cOnveyances
OF Maew0rths Island. Jedediah Prebie sold
the south part OF the island TO Rowland
Edward TItcomb in 1856. In 1907 Judith,
widow Of Rowland Davis, and Joseph, their
son, sold the whole island TO James Deering
In 1908 James Deering sold the island con-
tanning S4 acres, to James Rennie.
In 1908 James Rennie mortgaged the whole
property to Theodore Mussey Of Standish to
secure the payment Of $1,000.
In 1910 Tilley WhitcOmb OF Boston, re-
covered judgment against James Rennie for
Sl;s3. The right in equity was sold 70
Capt. John Mussey OF Portland for 1856.
Rennle had built large two story house on
the island. with one story wing at each
end and furnished 1t richly. He was a
Sc0tchman, and ventril0quist the first who
exhibited in Portland. On his first arrival
he went to the hay market and personated
child la load Of hay. The countryman
supposed that IL was his SON whom he said
helped him load and got covered up, and
went resolutely to work amidst a great
crowd, TO pitch OF the hay and realease his
son. Rennie did not wait for the result, but
walked off to the fish market, where the
boats came in with the mornings catch. He
asked fisherman when his fish were caught,
when he replied .'this morning." but Rennie
doubted his word. After an alteration and
the gathering Of crowd, the fisherman
took up fish to show how fresh 1t appeared.
when Rennie said "how long have you been
caught and the fish apparently answered
-four days" The fisherman dropped the
fish and asked the ventriloquist TO 20 away
supposing that he was wizard. These
tricks soon were known and Rennie had
crowded houses for month at his exhibit
tions. He became celebrated throughout
the country. He earned large amounts Of
money by his art, and the practice Of ieger-
demain, but he became Incorporate and reck-
less and spent 1t in riotous living. Rennie
finally went TO Jamaica on a professional
tour, where he died. His wife was an ac-
complished Scotch lady, and was permitted
by Capt. Mussey to occupy her home rent
free until her death. She had friend In her
solitude, who lived with her. This was Miss
Nancy. a sister TO the late Deacon James
Crie. With his father, when boy, he was a
frequent visitor to the island. He has de-
scribed TO me the solitary life led there by
this mild and gentle woman.
At her death, Mr.. Crie attended her fun
eral, as did most Of the people from the main
land near the island. She was buried In the
old grave yard at New Casco, without are la
tive TO shed tear. She died about 1915.
Macworth's island Is now owned and occu-
pied In summer by Mr.. James p. Baxter
gentleman who never does anything BY
halves. he will beautify its borders, cher.
ish its history, and respect its traditions.